Research into artist now centres on ‘fiancee’ (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Research into artist now centres on ‘fiancee’
3:23pm Thursday 19th July 2012 in Looking Back
By Gill Johnson, Features writer
THE Friends of Darwen Library are researching the life and times of James Hargreaves Morton, the Darwen artist who lost his life in the Great War.
And now the spotlight has fallen on Isherwood Fold, Edgworth.
For before going to the front, it is believed Morton may have become engaged to Margaret Ellen Chew , who lived at Isherwood Fold House from 1873 to 1949, with her brother Lulelin, a stonemason, and her niece Marjorie.
Miss Chew never married and carried out her trade as a milliner and costumier from a little shop at her home.
The Friends are keen to hear from anyone with information on Miss Chew or those who lived in Isherwood Fold House until it was sold by the Chew family, probably in the late 60s, as this may provide a valuable insight into the artist’s life.
The Friends are also keen to contact anyone who has a Morton picture. If you can help please contact Harold Heys at whatsmyname@anyharduns.co.uk Morton’s collection of more than 400 paintings, pastels and drawings was kept intact by his four sisters, following his death but when the last of them died, the work was sold at an auction in Blackburn in 1971.
There are some examples of his work and information on the activities of the Friends of Darwen Library on their website: fodl.webstarts.com.
