Whatever happened to Matthew MORTON?

[Johnf04]

Matthew was born at Auchinleck, Ayrshire, to James MORTON and Margaret RICHMONT, in 1831.

In the 1861 census Matthew is a police constable at Girvan, Ayrshire, boarding with Eliza MARDOCK.

In 1862 Matthew MORTON, police constable of Ballantrae, had a paternity order awarded against him by the Sheriff Court at Ayr. The case was taken by Jane AITKEN of Catrine, with regard to her son Alexander AITKEN (born 2nd July 1861 at Sorn).

I have not been able to find Matthew MORTON in any records after this. Note - he is not the Matthew MORTON - mother's maiden name RICHMOND - who died at Galston in 1868.

Jane AITKEN went on to marry my great granduncle Thomas FARRELL at Kilmarnock in 1866.

[scotmum]

Possibly in Newmilns in 1866, where a Matthew Morton made a presentation at a function wishing a police constable well in his new posting from there to Newton Ayr, albeit article doesn't say if  this Matthew was also an officer, so it may have been an entirely different chap.

[scotmum]

Not available online, but see https://www.glasgowfamilyhistory.org.uk/ExploreRecords/Pages/Police-Officers.aspx for possibility of obtaining records via the Mitchell.

[Johnf04]

Thanks for your suggestions, Scotmum. The Mitchell records look interesting, it's a pity they aren't online.

John