Battle Axe Cult Member Commits Suicide

The Battle-Axes. - In 1839 and 1840 a peculiar sect, denominated "Battle-Axes,'' had some following in Delaware and Chester Counties, and attracted considerable attention at the time. The principles they maintained were those subsequently known as "free love," denying the sanctity of the marital relation, and that all they possessed should be held in common. Theophilus R. Gates, then a resident of Philadelphia, was the apostle of the new creed, and his chief disciple was a single woman, Hannah Williamson. In Delaware County the Battle-Axes made a deep impression, for it was directly due to their influence that Aaron T. Morton, of Ridley, on June 5, 1840, committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. He was mentally weak, and becoming acquainted with Theophilus Gates, of Philadelphia, Morton embraced Gates' peculiar religious tenets. Gates invited Morton to his retreat, explained his doctrine, furnished him with his publication called the Battle-Axe, and the result was Morton became a religious monomaniac. He was in this state of mind when Gates, in company with Hannah Williamson, came to his house on Saturday, May 30, 1840, with the intention of compelling Morton to separate from his wife and form a connection with Williamson, whose mind was also shattered. As soon as the purpose of their visit was known, the young men of the neighborhood gathered in large numbers to inflict summary punishment on Gates. It was at last deemed best to defer the matter for a day or two to see what might be done. Gates became alarmed and fled to Philadelphia, and as he drove along the road was hissed and groaned until he reached Darby. Morton, laboring under this trouble, committed the act.

Source: History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, By Henry Graham Ashmead, Philadelphia, L. H. Everts & Co.1884

Death Notice

"MELANCHOLY SUICIDE. On Saturday last the Coroner of this county was called on to view the body of AARON T. MORTON, of Ridley, who was found dead at his residence, having cut his throat with a razor from ear to ear. The deceased was a quiet and inoffensive citizen, and until within a few weeks previous to his death, was much respected by his neighbors. Owing to an aberration of mind from his youth, he was somewhat singular in his religious sentiments, professing and acting upon the creeds of different religious denominations, neither of which he was fully satisfied with, until he became acquainted with Theophilus Gates, of Philadelphia, whose singular tenets he embraced, the effects of which it is believed worked so powerfully on his already shattered mind, as to bring him to an untimely end. Happening in the city some time since, he came in contact with Gates, a man whose character is so well known to all, that it is not necessary for us to comment upon it. Gates invited him to his RETREAT, explained to him his doctrines, furnished him with his publication called the 'BATTLE AXE,'and from thence forward his peace of mind was destroyed. He became possessed of a religious monomania, and was heard at times to say, that he had found reason to bless God that Theophilus Gates had come among men to save them. Morton was in this state of mind when Gates, in company with Hannah Williamson (who is also a member of the society of Socialists, and sister to ____ Williamson, who is imprisoned in New York, a year of two since, for marrying a coloured man,) came to his house, on Saturday the 30th ult., with the intention, it is said, of finally separating him from his lawfully wedded wife, for the purpose of forming a connexion with the woman Williamson, whose intellect is also shattered..."