Morse Family Digs into History

In 1663 Samuel Morse and his family built a house on land he inherited from his grandfather, who settled in Dedham, Massachusetts, in 1635. It's hard to believe that the thriving town of Medfield in Boston's "metrowest" area was once a thickly wooded wilderness, let alone that the site of Samuel's house would remain undisturbed for over 300 years! Samuel's house and many others were burned during King Philip's Indian War (1675-1676), and the land he had worked so hard to clear was abandoned and gradually became woodland again. The property was left undisturbed until Samuel's descendants visited it this week, along with a professional archaeologist.

Morse Society members visited the site last year when they discovered that local historians recognized this as the cellar hole of Samuel's house. The Society then spent the next year raising funds to have the site excavated. This week, Morse Society members Jane Morse of Lexington, Massachusetts; Pamela Cerutti of Northborough, Massachusetts; and Burr Morse of Montpelier, Vermont, visited the site, this time accompanied by archeologist Kathy Wheeler, owner of Independent Archeological Consulting, LLC, in Portsmouth, N.H. and two of her assistants. "This is an exciting day for us," said Cerutti.

According to Cerutti, Samuel's house was burned during King Philip's Indian War (1675-1676) after Samuel spotted Native Americans hiding in his hay barn. Samuel and his family quickly fled to the local garrison, turning to watch his house burned to the ground. It is believed that his early morning discovery and assumed prompt sounding of the alarm warned the rest of the town of King Philip's presence before the marauders' plans for attack were complete, and thus many other homesteads in Medfield were saved.

The goal of this week's excavation was to find evidence of a burned structure and artifacts that would confirm the time the site was occupied. By the end of the day, the team found several artifacts that proved a house used to be located there. The findings of archeologist Kathy Wheeler included pieces of thin glass, oddly shaped nails, chips for tools, brick fragments, and evidence of a burned timber in one of the excavated holes. The artifacts were placed in plastic bags and will be washed and identified at a laboratory in Portsmouth. Then Wheeler will present her initial findings to the Morse Society, and the members will decide whether or not to pursue the excavation.

"I'm very excited and I'm looking forward to seeing this report," said Jane Morse. Because hundreds of years ago people used to throw their trash right outside their homes, Wheeler excavated 10 holes close to the cellar to find evidence of Samuel's trash. "The greatest hints from their everyday life come from the small things," said Cerutti.

Like her "cousin" Jane, Pam Cerutti is a 12th Morse generation, and on Monday she met another descendant, Burr Morse of Montpellier, Vermont, 7th generation to own the Morse Farm in Montpellier, a popular stopping point for tourists. "My ancestor is here. It's such a magnet to be here," said Burr, who plans to go to England to trace back his family's roots. The connection between the three Morse descendants was immediate and strong. "We're walking in our ancestor's home. There is a bonding here," Cerutti added.

The Morse Society's Web site is http://www.morsesociety.org. For more on the Morse Farm and its history, go to http://www.morsefarm.com.

NOTE: Pamela Cerutti edits the Morse Society newsletter, winning the National Genealogical Society's "newsletter of the year" award for 2004. She also edits Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter and contributed to this article.

Comments

[Marjorie Creath]

Hello, I also am a decentent from "Samuel Morse."
My father was Raymond L. Morse,Spouse, Florence E. McDougal Morse, his father was Elmer Morse, His Mother, Nancy Kathrene (Lea) Morse, his father was Silas Morse. ??????I have lots of info on my family.I would have to go thru my files to get the dates of everything.
I just copied everything that was on the computer and will re-type it. Thanks so much for all that wonderful information. Marge (Morse) Creath

[darlene riley]

My grandmother was named Elizabeth Morse and married Theodore Wood (unsure of date). My father was Robert Wood born in 1909 (the 6th of 7 children). I know all of my family came from Barre and Montpellier, Vt. Does anyone have information on Elizabeth or Theodore? Thanks for your help. Darlene Wood Riley

[Glenda]

My ggp were Asa and Diana Morse Allen, who married in Marshall Co. AL 1844. She was b/abt/1826-8. AL. Parents may be Wm. and Elizabeth Morse. I would like to know more about Diana Morse Allen.
Thank you for considering my requests.
Glenda

[Houston Morse]

I am the Fourth great grandson of Samuel F. B. Morse my grandfather was Robert F. B. Morse of Georgetown, TX. Ive been wondering about the history of our family before Samuel and i cant seem to find it any where i look. If anyone could let me know about it I would be very greatful.

[Dick Eastman]

The Morse Family Association is very active and has compiled extensive genealogies. A search on Google or other search engines for the "Morse Family Association" should find their address within seconds. Also, you probably want to examine the extensive Samuel F. B. Morse Papers at the Library of Congress.

- Dick Eastman

[jeffrey morse kieckhaefer]

I just found your sight. I am the great-grandson of Louis K.Morse, born in Herkimer Co. NY state around 1850, son of Henry Morse. Henry was born around 1803 in New Hampshire. That is as far back as I have gotten. Any recommendations on where to go next?

[Frances-Stevens-Doherty]

I just started to look up my Great Great Grandparents from the Tree I had done,I am from Charlestown,Massachusetts and Daniel Morse is my Great-Great Grandfather x7,8,9,I have a wide list of Morse's in my tree.I am glad to see this site,I do not see much on Daniel,but will keep searching.......Frances

[Sue Hillway]

I'm a descendent of Kate Morse. Anyone know where she fits into the line from Sameul FB?

[Nancy Hellams]

My 6 great grandmother was Hannah Morse who married Rev Joseph Bullen, Jr. (a missionary to the Indians). I was reading that she was in some way related to Samuel Morse but I can not find the connection. Her parents were Benjamin and Abigail Dudley Morse. Any information you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Nancy Tate Hellams

[Cathy Raphael]

I am descended from Ella Morse King, my great grandmother who was a granddaughter of Maria Morse Chamberlain. My father always told me that we were related to Samuel F. B. Is this true? I know he is in the Abner Morse book (which I have) - but I didn't know if all of those 7 Morses portrayed in that book were actually related. I am in the Moss (Morse) line - John Moss (to Alpheus Morse - to Maria - etc.) I wish I would know...

Cathy
Newark, DE

[Matt Zwinge]

My parents have always told me I am a descendant of Samuel FB Morse. My great-grandmother was Cora Collier, her father was George Collier. I have been made to understand that Cora was Samuel Morse's granddaughter or great granddaughter. Is there any way to find out for sure, or have my parents been full of it for years!?!?

[Charles]

I also have been told that I am a descendant of Samual F Morse. I have a great grandfather with the last name of Straight that drove a stagecoach from Northville NY up to Speculator in the Adirondacks for many years.