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Summary: Her Feminine Bridegroom (NZ Truth, 13 June 1929)
Deresley Morton, a New Zealand woman, achieved an extraordinary deception by successfully masquerading as a man and marrying another woman, Elizabeth Rowland, under the alias Peter Stratford. Morton's story came to light after her death on May 1, 1929, in the Highland Hospital in Oakland, California. Upon her passing, investigations revealed the details of her life and the remarkable relationship she had built with Rowland. Morton had been living as Peter Stratford since at least 1925, when she and Rowland met in Kansas City. The two grew close, and Morton proposed to Rowland in the guise of a man. Their marriage ceremony was performed on October 1, 1925, by a justice of the peace, and they subsequently lived together without Rowland ever suspecting Morton's true identity. Following Morton's death, police discovered a souvenir "bridal book" revealing the marriage details. Rowland, found in a Hollywood hotel, recounted her incredible story of the masquerade. It was only three months prior to Morton's demise that she revealed her secret to Rowland, who left her immediately upon learning that her "husband" was, in fact, a woman. Correspondence and personal effects later discovered indicated that there were multiple women in Morton's life, all of whom appeared to believe she was a man. Letters from various acquaintances revealed a complex network of relations, including one from a correspondent simply identified as "your child," expressing deep affection for "Peter." Morton's earlier life was filled with numerous professional endeavors and a quest for identity. She had initially been successful in establishing a literary service under her true name before adopting the persona of Peter Stratford. Dependent on her previous connections, letters indicated that Morton was involved with at least four women, each of whom interacted with her under the pretense that she was a man. Investigators found recommendations highlighting Morton’s competence in various roles throughout her life, further blurring the lines between her true identity and her life as a man. Her diverse correspondence, ranging from business letters to those reflecting personal affection, painted a picture of a woman grappling with her dual existence. In closing, Deresley Morton's life as Peter Stratford stands out as one of the most bizarre deceptions in history, marking her as an exceptional figure in early 20th-century America. The complexities of her identity, her relationships, and her life experiences raise profound questions about gender, love, and the nature of identity itself, leaving a legacy that continues to intrigue and mystify.
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