M. Morritt, Esq.
25 April 1861

Volume 3, page 149, sitting 3286.

[Identified in the Silvy daybooks as 'M. Morritt,' it is possible that the 'M' stands for 'Monsieur' and not for the sitter's given name.] 

One possible candidate for a fuller identitication is William John Sawrey Morritt, who was much involved in the Volunteer movement in the early 1860s. He appears on the 1861 census living at 53 Marine Parade in Brighton with his wife Ellen and their seven servants. Born in Ireland in 1813, he gave his profession as 'Landowner.' He died in Brighton on 13 April 1874, leaving an estate valued at £18,000. The abstract of his probate mentions his other residences: Rokeby Park in Yorkshire and 8 Lowndes Square in Knightsbrige. 

A short obituary appeared in the Illustrated London News (25 April 1874): 'William John Sawrey Morritt, Esq. , of Rokeby Park, in the county of York, JP and DL, formerly of the 77th Foot, and MP for the North Riding of Yorkshire 1862 to 1865, died suddenly at Brighton on the 13th inst. He was born Sept. 12, 1813, elder son of the late Rev. Robert Morritt and succeeded to the family estates June 12, 1843, at the decease of his uncle, John Bacon Sawrey Morritt, Esq., MP, of Rokeby Park, the friend and correspondent of Sir Walter Scott. Mr Morritt, whose death we record, married, May 10, 1837, Ellen Frances, only daughter of Sir Robert Wilmot, Bart., but leaves no issue. He was a leading member of the Four-in-hand Club.' 

A reknowned traveller, his uncle bought the Velasquez painting that came to be known as the Rokeby Venus on the advice of his friend Thomas Lawrence, paying £500 for it in 1813.