Isaiah Emmanuel Morter (sometimes spelled Isiah) was born in 1860 in the Freetown district of Belize. He was of Igbo_people descent, coming from a line of slaves brought to America from Nigeria. Morter died on 7 April 1924. By planting and growing bananas and coconuts, Morter built a fortune and is widely regarded as Belize's first coloured millionaire. He owned Caye Chapel and other plantations. For his achievements he was honoured with the award of Knight Commander of Distinguished Service Order of Ethiopia. A statue of Morter can be found at the end of Albert Street, near the Anglican cathedral, in Belize City.