Joseph Morse, of Watertown

Evidence needed to support as son of Joseph Morse, of Ipswich & Dorothy Morse

Disputed Origins

Joseph's origins are unknown. He arrived in New England 1634 on the Elizabeth of Ipswich. This does not mean that he was from Ipswich only that he sailed from there.[1] Anderson comments that G. Andrews Moriarty in his pedigree of the Morse Family of Suffolk and Essex in England, placed this Joseph as son of Joseph (died 1637). He left a will naming sons Joseph and John, but Anderson says there is no evidence, beyond the will, that places Joseph of Watertown as son of Joseph of Ipswich.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Morse-360

Re: Joseph Morse Sr. of Ipswich (1576-1646)

According to The Great Migration (Vo. V, Pages 169-170), this man immigrated to New England in 1637 (not 1635), and although this man's will mentions sons John and Joseph, there is no evidence that places Joseph Morse, of Watertown as a son of this man. The man who settled in Watertown gave his age as 24 in 1634, indicating he was born in about 1610 -- 3 years before the 1613 birth date that apparently has been associated for this man's son John.

Is there new scholarship (since 2007) that confirms this man as the father of Joseph Morse of Watertown? Or that places his immigration in 1634?

From The Great Migration:

Biography

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Morse-361 retrieved 10 June 2023

Joseph when aged 24 years, embarked at Ipswich, England on April 1, 1634, in the ship Elizabeth. His parents followed him a year of two later and settled at Ispwich. (p. 416)[2] (p. 371) [3]

Passengers of the Elizabeth, Master William Andrewes, April 1634: Joseph Mosse Age 24 12 Nov 1634 oath at Ipswich, Suffolk[6] According to the shipping lists, Joseph Morse came to America in 1634 in the ship Elizabeth of Ipswich, Suffolk. He settled in Watertown, where he was admitted freeman May 6, 1635 and was a proprietor of Watertown in 1636.[7]

Joseph settled in Watertown where he was one of the proprietors and was admitted a freeman May 6, 1635. (p. 416) [2] He married Hester/Esther Pierce, daughter of John and Elizabeth Pierce of Watertown, with whom he had eight children. (p. 416)[2] (p. 371; p. 393)[3] MORSE, Joseph (1610-1691) & Esther/Hester PIERCE, b. 1637; Watertown (p. 521) [8]

In the first inventory of lands and grants in Watertown, taken in 1639, Joseph Morse had 1) a homestall of eighteen acres bounded east by John Coolidge, west by the common, north by John Witherell, and south by John Clough and William Paine; 2) one acre of meadow in Patch Meadow; 3) lot 4 of two acres of remote meadow; 4) lot 26 of 25 acres of upland being a great divident in the third division; and 5) a farm of 73 acres of upland in the sixth division.[9] In the second inventory of about 1644, the 18 acre homestall was not mentioned but was replaced by an eight acre homestall bounded north by the highway, south by Richard Woodward, west by John Wincoll, and east by John Sprague. The 73 acre farm was replaced by three lots: three acres of plowland; two acres of plowland in the further plain; and lot 6 of six acres of upland beyond the further plain.[10] The third inventory of about 1646 listed only the 18 acre homestall described in the first inventory.[11]

Joseph agreed to take John Ball's daughter Ester for two years. Ester was Joseph's niece and the Ball's were apparently unable to care for their children due to the condition of the mother.[12] Joseph was to receive 18 pence per week - four punds from John Ball, the rest from the town.[13]] Seems like no one took anyone in for free back then - not even family. Joseph was chosen in 1659 to "looke to the order concerning hogs & Fences".[14]

Joseph did not leave a will, and judging by the size of his estate at the time of his death, it must be assumed he had already distributed his possessions to his children. The inventory of his estate was taken by Theophilus Roads and John Mason and amounted to 6.2.6.[15]

He died March 4, 1690/1, (p. 416) [2] his estate being administered by his son John. (p. 371) [3] [16] Anderson point out that this is an error and the date should be March 4 1689/90.[1]

Children: (p. 416)[2] [17]

1. Joseph born April 30, 1637; died in 1677; married Susanna Shattuck on Feb. 11, 1661. Joseph, s. Joseph and Ester, 30: 2m: 1637. (p. 5)[18] Morse, Joseph [Morss] and Susan Shattack, 12: 2m: 1661. (p. 23)[18]
2. John born Feb. 28, 1639; married first Anne Smith, daughter of John Smith of Lancaster where he first settled. He removed to Watertown and married second, Abigail Stearns. John, s. Joseph and Ester, 28: 12m: 1638. (p. 5)[18] Morse, John [Morss] and Abigail Sternes, Apr. 27, 1666. (p. 27)[18]
3. Jonathan was buried at Watertown 12: 3m: 1643. (p. 11) [1] Moss, Jonathan, s. Joseph and Ester, bur. 12: 3m: 1643. MCR (p. 11)[18]
4. Jonathan born 7: 9m: 1643 at Watertown. Jonathan, s. Joseph and Ester, 7: 9m: 1643. MCR (p. 11)[18] Morse, Jonathan and Abigail Shattuck, both of Watertown, Oct. 17, 1678. (p. 45)[18]
5. Hester born March 7, 1646; married Jonathan Bullard of Watertown on Dec. 9, 1669. Hester, d. Joseph and Hester, 7: 1m: 1645. (p. 12)[18] Morse, Hester [Morsse] and Jonathan Bullard, Dec. 9, 1669. (p. 32)[18]
6. Sarah born June 2, 1649; married Timothy Cooper at Groton on June 2, 1669.[1] Morss, Sarah, and Timthy Cooper, June 2, 1669. CTR (p. 117)[19]
7. Jeremiah born ___; died at Newton Sept. 27, 1719; married Abigail Woodward on Jan. 13, 1681 at Watertown. Moss, Jeremiah and Abigail Woodward, Jan. 13, 1681. (p. 51)[18] MOSS (see Morse, Mos), Jeramiah, Sept. 27, 1719. (p. 482) [20] Secondary sources add, but no evidence connects him to Joseph:
8. Isaac born ___; resided in Newton. (? Isaac Mos died Jan. 3, 1716 at Newton)[1] (p. 481)[20]

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References

• A genealogical dictionary of the first settlers of New England showing three generations of those who came before May, 1692, on the basis of Farmer's Register by Savage, James, 1784-1873 p.239
• * https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71685735/joseph-morse
• Family memorials. Genealogies of the families and descendants of the early settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts, including Waltham and Weston; to which is appended the early history of the town. by Bond, Henry, 1790-1859 (Publication date 1855). Page 859. < Archive.Org >
• Moriarty, G. Andrews. “Genealogical Research in England - Morse (concluded).” The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1847-. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2018.) (NEHGR) Volume 83 (July 1929) Page 292-3. < AmericanAncestors >
• “The Ancestry of Hattie E. J. Bruce - the Morse Family” < link > cites
• [1] The Morse Genealogy - J. Howard Morse and Emily W. Leavitt, 1903 (pg.3) Note: A different Joseph Morse is mentioned here. He was born in 1615 to Samuel and Elizabeth Morse. Morse Genealogy: Comprising the Descendants of Samuel, Anthony ..., Volumes 1-2 By John Howard Morse
• [2] New England Historic Genealogical Register, 1929
• [3] Watertown Records, 1894
• [4] Middlesex County Probate (First Series Docket 15523)
• [5] Watertown Records, 1894 (Lands, Grants and Possessions)
• [6] Groton Vital Records, 1927 (Morse births vol. 1 pg.155; marriages vol. 2 pg.117; deaths pg.246)
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Morse-361 cites
• Joseph Morse migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Great Migration (Series 2), by R. C. Anderson, vol. 5, p. 167)

1. Anderson, Robert Charles. The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume V, M-P. (Boston: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2007. (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2010.). Page 167-170 < AmericanAncestors >; (document attached)
2. History of the Town of Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts: From Its First Settlement in 1657 to 1861; with a Brief Sketch of the Town of Northborough, a Genealogy of the Families in Marlborough to 1800, and an Account of the Celebration of the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the Incoporation of the Town, by Charles Hudson, Joseph Allen, Press of T. R. Marvin & son, 1862 https://archive.org/stream/historyoftownofm00huds#page/416/mode/2up
3. Genealogies of the Families and Descendants of the Early Settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts, Including Waltham and Weston, by Henry Bond, Horatio Gates Jones, N. E. Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, 1860
4. Morse, Abner, Memorial of the Morses : containing the history of seven persons of the name, who settled in America in the seventeenth century ; with a catalogue of ten thousand of their descendants ... (Boston, Mass. : William Veazie, 1850) p 74
5. Moriarty, G. Andrews, "Genealogical Research in England" The New England Historical and Genealogical Register. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1847-. (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2018.)Reference Volume 83 (1929), page 293 $Subscription
6. Wintrop Society: Great Migration Ships (Link via Wayback Machine, capture date 28 Oct 2016.) "Passengers of the Elizabeth Master William Andrewes, April 1634 "
7. The Morse Genealogy - J. Howard Morse and Emily W. Leavitt, 1903 (pg.3)
8. ↑ New England Marriages Prior to 1700, By Clarence Almon Torrey, Elizabeth Petty Bentley, Genealogical Publishing Com, 1985
9. Watertown Records, 1894 (Lands, Grants and Possessions) 1:35
10. Watertown Records 1:91
11. Watertown Records 1:123
12. Watertown Records [3/1:57]
13. Watertown Records [3/1:64
14. Watertown Records[3/1:64]
15. Middlesex County Probate (First Series Docket 15523) [4/7:167]
16. Find A Grave Memorial# 71685735
17. Watertown Records Comprising the First and Second Books of Town Proceedings, With Land Grants and Possessions, and the First Book and Supplement of Births, Deaths, Marriages, Historical Society of Watertown, Press of Fred Barker, Watertown, 1894
18. Watertown Records Comprising the First and Second Books of Town Proceedings, With Land Grants and Possessions, and the First Book and Supplement of Births, Deaths, Marriages, Historical Society of Watertown, Press of Fred Barker, Watertown, 1894
19. Vital Records of Groton Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849, The Essex Institute, Salem, 1926
20. Vital Records of Newton Massachusetts to the Year 1850, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, 1905 See also:
21. Family memorials. Genealogies of the families and descendants of the early settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts, including Waltham and Weston; to which is appended the early history of the town by Bond, Henry, 1790-1859, Boston, Little, Brown & Co, 1855, p. 859 see at archive.org
22. New England Historic Genealogical Register, 1929
23. Groton Vital Records, 1927 (Morse births vol. 1 pg.155; : marriages vol. 2 pg.117; deaths pg.246)
24. Memorial of the Morses: Containing the History of Seven Persons of the Name, who Settled in America in the Seventeenth Century. With a Catalogue of Ten Thousand of Their Descendants, by Abner Morse, Publ. William Veazie, Boston, 1850

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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71685735/joseph_morse

From Find a Grave contributor:

Joseph Morse and Dorothy are his parents.He left Ipswich,Suffolk,England on 1 Apr 1634 on the ship "Elizabeth". He married Hester/Ester Pierce ,daughter of John and Elizabeth Pierce,in 1636 in Watertown,Middlesex,MA. They are the parents of eight children,born either in Watertown or Groton.Joseph Morse-30 Apr 1637-1677/Susanna ShattuckJohn Morse-28 Feb 1638-23 Jul 1702/Abigail StearnsJonathan Morse-Nov 1642-d.12 May 1643Jonathan Morse-7 Nov 1643-31 Jul 1686/Abigail ShattuckHester Morse-7 Mar 1645/Jonathan BullardSarah Morse-2 Jun 1649-2 Jun 1669/Timothy CooperJeremiah Morse-1651-27 Sep 1727/Abigail WoodwardIsaac Morse-1654Thank you FAG member- David Reese and Linne VelcroSeveral references indicating the death date for Joseph is 4 Mar 1689/90. One of them is the "New England, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635", page 170

                                       Joseph Morse and Dorothy are his parents.He left Ipswich,Suffolk,England on 1 Apr 1634 on the ship "Elizabeth". He married Hester/Ester Pierce ,daughter of John and Elizabeth Pierce,in 1636 in Watertown,Middlesex,MA. They are the parents of eight children,born either in Watertown or Groton.Joseph Morse-30 Apr 1637-1677/Susanna ShattuckJohn Morse-28 Feb 1638-23 Jul 1702/Abigail StearnsJonathan Morse-Nov 1642-d.12 May 1643Jonathan Morse-7 Nov 1643-31 Jul 1686/Abigail ShattuckHester Morse-7 Mar 1645/Jonathan BullardSarah Morse-2 Jun 1649-2 Jun 1669/Timothy CooperJeremiah Morse-1651-27 Sep 1727/Abigail WoodwardIsaac Morse-1654Thank you FAG member- David Reese and Linne VelcroSeveral references indicating the death date for Joseph is 4 Mar 1689/90. One of them is the "New England, The Great Migration and The Great Migration Begins, 1620-1635", page 170

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