Acushnet, MA: Morse Country
Throughout New England, it is easy to find communities with a plethora of Morse residents. Although exact figures are difficult to come by, it seems fair to say that no place in America has been an early home to more Morses – for a longer period of time – than Massachusetts and its environs. In present-day Acushnet, one of the first Morses documented to have been born there is Edward [1814 – 1879], first child of Joshua and Parnal (Mason) Morse.
It’s a safe guess that some of our earliest Morse ancestors probably took up residence in the wilderness along a rutted trail called Morse’s Lane. Today, that trail is a nicely-paved, narrow and winding dead-end road with relatively new and expensive homes scattered on what was once the location of a number of large former Morse homesteads and farms.
The name "Acushnet," which is also the name of the ever-widening river meandering through the town, comes from the Wampanoag Indian word "Cushnea," meaning "peaceful resting place near water." The Wampanoags were the original settlers in the area, who eventually sold the land to the Puritans...
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The Morse Society, Reorganized 1973 is a 501c3 tax exempt charitable organization. Donations may be made via credit card or PayPal by clicking on "Donate" below. Donations may be tax deductible; please retain a copy of your PayPal receipt as proof of your donation and check with your tax advisor.
Join Us on FaceBook!
The Morse Society is now on Facebook. Find us - and like us - at
www.facebook.com/TheMorseSociety! We also have an organizational page - you'll know you have found us when you see the same autumnal scene that is on our group page.
Morse Archives and Research Aids
Morse Archives and Research Aids, affectionately referred to as MARA, is now 'live' for four out of five primary progenitor lines, with the Anthony Morse MARA targeted for launch in January 2013. MARA provides an abbreviated database containing the first 6 generations of each progenitor line. There is a separate database for each progenitor. Basic information (birth, marriage, death, burial, alpha number) for individuals in those generations is included (when the detail is available). Photos of homes, gravestones or documents pertaining to these ancestors will be linked to the individuals listed in the MARA database.
Each MARA database is accessable only to members, and only to those whom the Research Team has determined descend from that line. This means that William Morse descendants may only access the William MARA, Anthony Morse descendants may only access the Anthony line, etc. If a member has not provided his/her genealogical information to the Morse Society Research Team, he/she will not be able to access any MARA database until his/her line is confirmed.
Detailed instructions on how to register for your progenitor's MARA database may be found behind the member log-in; click on 'forum' and look for your progenitor's discussion area. Each member's progenitor is listed on their profile.
New Board Takes Office
Morse Society members elected the following individuals as Officers and At-Large Directors for a two-year term, beginning on 1 Jan 2013.
President - Marcia Morse Mullins
Vice President - Brittany J. Jackson
Treasurer - David C. Morse
Secretary - Tracy J. Mullins
At-Large Director - Allen C. Hill
At-Large Director - Hilda M. Kachmar
At-Large Director - Carl S. Morse
At-Large Director - Pete Mandell
At-Large Director - Rev. Dr. Richard P. Morse
In accordance with Bylaws provisions, Committee Chair positions will be filled by President's appointment with affirmation by the full Board at the Feb 27, 2013 board meeting. Anyone with interest in chairing the Education or Newsletter committees is invited to contact our President.
Research Chair - Lisa Murdough
Website Chair - Jennifer Alford
Education Chair - TBD
Newsletter Chair - TBD
We are Members, too!
The Morse Society is a proud member of:
