Morse Society 1987 Plymouth Convention

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1987 Plymouth Massachusetts

MS Newsletter Issue No. 51

   The day dawned cloudy and cool, but this did not deter the 155 Morse's from gathering together at the John Alden Sportsmen's Club in Plymouth for the fourth family reunion sponsored by the Northeast Region of the Society. Upon arrival, each family received an envelope containing, among other items, name tags, and a brief questionnaire. The name tags had color coded circles denoting their descent from one of the original progenitors. (A few had two colors, indicating descent from two of the first Morses.) Accordingly we welcomed 51 representing Samuel, 35 for Anthony, 26 for William, 8 for Joseph, and 10 for John Moss. This color coding facilitated their ease of locating others descended from the same original Morse immigrant. There were also 21 who did not know their line back to the early Morses, and they, too, were given a separate color. Each registrant was then directed to a large chart to sign in under the name of the child of the progenitor (if known) as a further opportunity to find other attendees with similar lines. The column with the greatest number (19) was for those descended from Samuel through son Joseph. Following close behind (with 18) was for those descended from William son Jonathan. Coffee, doughnuts and conversation ensued as Morses continued to arrive. Genealogical charts and pictures were located in various parts of the room, which attracted much interest. Included over the sing-in table was the multi-channeled chart showing the seven lines of descent from both Samuel and Anthony to Bee and Howard Gilson.

    A table was set up in one corner to display various genealogy charts and forms, along with several loose-leaf notebooks captioned with the progenitors names for attendees to insert their lines of descent. It had been suggested in a letter to Morse reunion attendees to bring their lines with them, and this proved to be an extremely popular corner. The loose-leaf books are intended to be kept as complete as possible and to be passed on for use and reference at each reunion.

     A few Morse genealogies were available to be purchased, along with some Morse "Merchant Mark" Pins, Maps of Old Medfield, and a packet containing the History of the early Morses in England originally prepared by Philip McCord Morse.

     At 10:30 the meeting convened, and after several introductions, including Treasurer Philip W. Morse Jr., from California, our New President, Lola Morse of Tilton, NH, was introduced and spoke to the group. Shortly afterward as the Chairman was making a few announcements concerning the day's activities, there was a commotion by the main entrance, and in burst Pilgrim "Elizabeth Hopkins" from the Plimoth Plantation (circa 1627) in appropriate dress of the period, and seemingly lost, as she was supposedly out searching for pumpkins. She came to the front of the room and spoke to the group in the English dialect of her original home across the sea. As one attendee commented, "the visitor from the plantation was a brilliant idea - both humorous and enlightening, very impressed with the scholarly job they do in their roles. It is a wonderful way to come face to face with a bit of our history." Her comments reflected the attitudes of that era, the fact that the woman's head must be covered, the dress must be full length, and most certainly that she was subservient at all times to her husband!! From the comments around the room, not all agreed they would prefer to have lived in that time. In closing she invited all present to visit her at her home (The Plantation) just up the road.

     The meeting adjourned shortly thereafter, and further conversation and socializing ensued while the tables were being readied for a roast beef dinner.

     The afternoon program included optional visits to Plimouth Plantation, Mayflower II, other points of interest in the area, though some opted to stay in the hall for continued conversation. Seventy-one cousins braved the inclement weather that arrived coincidentally with our arrival at the Village to tour Plimouth Plantation. The rainy afternoon was most unfortunate, as the Village is so alive and interesting on a good day, and illustrates so graphically how our forebears lived in those early days.

     For 26 to 30 cousins the Reunion Day continued into the evening where we dined together at the Governor Carver Motor Inn. It was a comfortable relaxing evening in a room by ourselves, and one filed with good cheer and conversation.

     In reflecting on the day's activities, there are several items of note; a cranberry glass vase was presented to the oldest couple traveling the greatest distance. George Morse and his wife Inez from Visalia, California, were the honored couple who received it; a total of 160 people registered for the reunion, although several were unable to be there, which left 155 to enjoy the fellowship of the day. It is interesting to note that 17 states were represented. In addition to California, these included such distant locations as Texas, Montana, Illinois, Tennessee, Florida and Georgia.

     We want to make particular note of the kind generosity of Society Member Howard Morse of North Attleborough, MA. Howard is a cranberry grower, and October 11 in right in the middle of their busiest time of harvesting, so he could not be with us. However, he offered to supply us with an ample amount of cranberry juice for the morning hours, and fresh packaged cranberries which the cousins took with them as they left the reunion. It was greatly appreciated by all, and certainly a most appropriate and thoughtful contribution.

     During the meal, Dot MacKay and Mary Morse went from table to table taking pictures of all those in attendance. Many thanks to New England Reunion Planning Committee: Howard E. Morse, Charles W. Morse, Arthur G. Morse, Ralph C. Morse, James Dunning, and advisor Philip W. Morse, Sr., for their assistance, and particularly for their support to provide the trolley service to and from Mayflower II.

     The Fourth Reunion is now but a happy memory, and we can set our sights on the next. Interest generated by these last reunions will hopefully continue-- and we can look forward to seeing you again, renewing old friendships and welcoming new cousins in the future.

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