Person:Samuel Morse (9)

In Source:Morse, J. Howard. Morse Genealogy : Comprising the Descendants of Samuel, Anthony, William and Joseph Morse and John Moss : Being a Revision of the, p. 52, Samuel is listed as a son of Zachariah, referring to an unspecified "historian of Marlboro'" [however, neither Samuel nor Zachariah appears to be mentioned in Source:Hudson, Charles. History of the Town of Marlborough, Middlesex County, Massachusetts?] This appears incorrect as the probate of Zachariah (Worcester Probate 42141) shows two thirds of the real estate given to eldest son Benjamin, plus the other one third upon the death of his mother, he paying sister Mary Newton, sister Elizabeth, and brother Daniell Morse amounts when combined with his double share account for the entire assessed value of the real estate.

Source:Morse, Abner. Memorial of the Morses, p. 78, lists only the three heirs in Zachariah's family, but in a supplement, p. 17, adds Samuel "pr." (perhaps) as the fourth child with a birth 4 years after the father's death! While the Morse Genealogy above notes this error in the birthdate, it decides to keeps the parents, a decision the probate file shows to be wrong.

These two sources have been provably wrong so many times that any statement found is suspect. Half the newer book is simply copied from the older one without any verification, or, as above, throwing away part and keeping the rest.

What has been found about Samuel Morse: A deed (Berkshire deed 2:209) dated 25 Mar 1762: Samuel Morse of Westborough Labourer for £6-13-4 conveys to Jonathan Green of Westborough yeoman half of a lot in Housetunnick township Number 4 {New Marlborough] "which was given to my by the last Will and Testament of my Hon'd Uncle Cap't James Eager late of Westborough Deceased and quitclaimed to me by his Son James Eager". In the will of James Eager dated 3 May 1755 (Worcester Probate 18284), the lot is split between "my Kinsman Samuell Morse provided He lives with my son till He is twenty one years old", the other half going to grandson Abner Newton. Although Samuel calls James Eager uncle, his use of kinsman suggests the relationship is not so close, perhaps uncle by marriage, perhaps great-uncle, or perhaps an older cousin. This is probably the Samuel Morse who was father to son John in 1762 and Azubah in 1765.

A deed (Worcester deed Vol. 16, p. 403 dated 22 Jan 1741/42: Timothy Johnson & Daniel Mathis both of Southborough husbanbdmen for £5 convey to Samuel Morse of Marlborough a parcel in Westborough originally laid out to William Cerly Sen'r about 1/2 acre. Clearly this is not the Samuel above who was not 21 in 1755. This Samuel could be a father, though no connection is evidenced except the reference to Westborough. This Samuel has not been identified by scanning either of the two sources above.

A Samuel Morse, son of William Morse of Boston, chooses William Halloway of Westborough as a guardian in June 1756. His age is 17 y. 9 m., making him born about Sep 1738.

Another Samuel Morse of interest, but not a great match, is the son of Dr. Samuel Morse of Mendon [#437] in the Morse Genealogy. He had two sons John and Samuel (daughter Mary died young). He died 1743 and his land was divided between his two sons, and son Samuel of Mendon sold his half 21 May 1762 (Worcester deed, vol. 47, p. 33), and John of Mendon sold his half 6 Jan 1763 (Worcester deed Vol. 50, p. 141). Guardian bonds in Worcester probate 42065 shows Samuel b. about 1739. The Morse Genealogy, copying the Memorial of the Morses, says this Samuel died in the army unmarried. This statement is so vague as to be unconfirmable and given the credibility of these sources, not very convincing.