Morton Waring

Morton Alexander Waring Jr. (February 4, 1783 – April 9, 1863) was a United States federal marshal, politician, state militia officer, slave trader, and South Carolina businessman who served as the personal lawyer for his father-in-law Paul Hamilton. He also was a partner of Jervey, Waring & White, a prominent business firm that was responsible for the largest individual sale of enslaved people in U.S. history.

Morton Alexander Waring Jr. was born in 1784 to Morton Alexander Waring Sr. and Edith Waring. On both his mother and fathers sides of the family, he was a descendant of Thomas Smith. He married Rebecca Hamilton in 1805, she was the daughter of Paul Hamilton. He would go on to have at least six children with his wife.

Waring held a federal appointment as Commissioner of Loans for South Carolina in 1813, a position associated with land sales and federal loans during the War of 1812 era.^[1][2] He offered to vacate this post to remain United States Marshal, indicating a brief tenure. In this role, he was likely involved in financial administration and local militia coordination during the war.^[3] Waring was appointed United States Marshal for the District of South Carolina in 1813, succeeding Robert B. Cochran. As Marshal, he was responsible for executing federal warrants, court orders, and managing local law enforcement duties in the district. He served in this role until approximately 1832. Waring was a partner in the Charleston, South Carolina commercial firm Jervey, Waring & White, one of the city's prominent auction and brokerage businesses. The firm, originally founded as Jervey, Blake & Waring in 1828, conducted major public and private auctions, including what is believed to be the largest single slave auction in U.S. history, with 600 enslaved people sold in 1835.

During the War of 1812, Waring served as an officer in the state militia for the duration of the war.^[3] During the American Civil War, Waring, then in his late 70s, served in the Confederate Home Guard in Berkeley County, South Carolina. Local histories refer to him as "Col. Morton A. Waring," showing he led a group of local men in local defense and action.^[4]

In his later years, his money dried up, and some referred to him as "suffering severe financial reversal". He died during the American Civil War at age 80.^[5] His house in Charleston, South Carolina, the Morton Waring House, still stands, and is owned by Darius Rucker.^[6][7]