Joseph Morse was born 2 May 1613 in Redgrave, Suffolk, England to Samuel Morse (1581-1654) and Elizabeth Jasper (1579-1654) and died 1652 Medfield, Suffolk County, Massachusetts of unspecified causes. He married Hannah Phillips (1615-1676) 1 September 1638 in Dedham, Norfolk County, England.
Biography
Joseph Morse came to America with his father and mother in the ship "Increase", which sailed from England in April 1635. He was 20 years of age.
Joseph was among the first subscribers to found the town of Medfield. But while he was building a house at Medfield, Mass., his family were at Dorchester, Mass. He died before the family went to Medfield.
1635 Voyage to America

He was a passenger with his parents on the English ship Increase, which sailed from London in April, 1635, bound for New England. The ship arrived safe at Massachusetts Bay. Passenger list information was transcribed in the 19th century by Michael Tepper from records found in London, the Public Rolls Office, formerly at Carleton Ride.
Watertown Founders Monument

Watertown Founders Monument
He is listed on Watertown Founders Monument, commemorating the first settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts. The town was first known as Saltonstall Plantation, one of the earliest of the Massachusetts Bay Colony settlements. Founded in early 1630 by a group of settlers led by Richard Saltonstall and George Phillips, it was officially incorporated that same year. The alternate spelling "Waterton" is seen in some early documents.
He came to Watertown, Massachusetts. He took the oath of freeman in 1635 and was a member of the first church at Watertown.
1636 Dedham Compact

First Church of Dedham.
He was one of the signatories to the Dedham Compact, a key historical document for the creation of the new colonial town of Dedham, Massachusetts, located in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. The first 35 signatures were collected in August 1636 and another 90 more soon thereafter. This document provided for the common governance and defense of the community. Dedham is known for keeping excellent historical records of its early years.
Joseph Morse moved with his parents from Watertown to Dedham. in 1637, where he was number 29 among the signers of the Dedham Compact. He received the maximum alottment of 12 acres of land.
Marriage & Family
He married Hannah Phillips in 1638, probably at Watertown. It is not known whether Hannah Phillips was sister or cousin or how she was related, if at all, to Henry Phillips and the pastor George Phillips of Watertown. she was most likely sister of Henry Phillips.
Children
Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
Samuel Morse (1639-1718) | |||
Hannah Morse (1640-1704) | |||
Sarah Morse (1643-1683) | |||
Dorcas Morse (1645-1725) | 24 August 1645 Dedham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States | 14 July 1725 Medfield, Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States | Benjamin Clark (1643-1724) |
Elizabeth Morse (1647-1715) | |||
Joseph Morse (1649-1717) | |||
Jeremiah Morse 91651-1716) |
Siblings
Name | Birth | Death | Joined with |
Thomas Morse (1603-1640) | |||
Samuel Morse (1603-1688) | |||
Elizabeth Morse (1605-1643) | 6 March 1605 Redgrave, Suffolk, England | 2 October 1643 Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts | Robert Daniels (c1592-1655) |
John Morse (1608-1657) | |||
Jeremiah Morse (1609-1646) | |||
Daniel Morse (1610-1688) | |||
Joseph Morse (1613-1652) | 2 May 1613 Redgrave, Suffolk, England | 1652 Medfield, Suffolk County, Massachusetts | Hannah Phillips (1615-1676) |
Abigail Morse (1617-) | |||
Eleanor Helena Morse (1615-1694) | 16 October 1615 Redgrave, Suffolk, England | 27 November 1694 Amesbury, Essex County, Massachusetts | Thomas Barnard (1608-1677) |
Mary Morse (1620-1691) |
Research Notes
Disproven Nobility Ancestry
The listing for nobility ancestry is generally proven false:
References
- Robert Daniels of Watertown - GENI / Brother-in-law