Samuel Morse

• Death Notes
  • Samuel died on June 20, 1654 in Medfield, Mass. His will reads as follows;
    
    "I, Samuel Morse, being sick and weak in body but of good and perfect memory, praised be God therefor; doe make this my last will and testament in manner as followeth; First I bequeath my soul into the hands of a mercyful God that gave it, with assured hope of everlasting life through the gracious merits of my dear Saviour and blessed Redeemer Jesus Christ.
    
    As for that little estate of outward things which the Lord hath been pleased to bestow upon me, whether they be moveable or immoveable, as houses, lands, chattel, household stuff etc., I will and bequeath them all unto Elizabeth Morse, my dear wife to enjoy, posess and make use of her life, during the term thereof, and after her deceasedivided amongst my children, John Morse, Daniell, Mary, Bullin, & Ann Morse, the widow of my dearly beloved son Joseph Morse, deceased, who with my said children shall have an equal portion upon a just division with them for the children's sake of my said beloved Joseph. Therefore my will is that the above named Ann, wife of my dear Joseph shall make an equal distribution of all that portion upon division unto every child of my sonne Joseph when they and every one of them shall grow up to the age of one and twenty years. Lastly, I constitute and appoint Elizabeth my beloved wife the sole executrix of this my last will. In witness whereof I have put my hand the day and year above written."
    
    Samuel Morse
    
    In the presence of Henry Smith, Ralph Wheelock and Samuel Bullin.
    
    This estate was appraised on November 27, 1654 for the value of 124 pounds 7s. This was not the extent of his wealth however, as he had apparently disposed of his property a few months prior to his death.

• General Notes
  • Samuel Morse and his family and six borthers who came from Dedham, England on the "increase"  on April 15, 1635 to Watertown, MA Bay colony. ON August 15th 1636 there was a tract of land lying south of the Charles River granted to Samuel Morse and a company of 12 men byt the great and general court of Mass. Bay colony. Here they made a settlement of 156 men with their families . Samuels sons, Joseph and David and John being among the settlers. They called the name of the settlement "Contentment" but the next month 9/1636 the general court decreed that it be changed to Dedham. There is a monument in Dedham, MA to Samuel as the founder of the town. 

Details of Samuel's family with Elizabeth Jasper (Morse)