that I meant to convey, was, that I did not believe that the Lodges of Free Masons in this Country had, as Societies, endeavoured to propagate the diabolical tenets of the first, or pernicious principles of the latter (if they are susceptible of separation). That Individuals of them may have done it, or that the founder, or instrument employed to found, the Democratic Societies in the United States, may have had these objects; and actually had a separation of the People from their Government in view, is too evident to be questioned. Other endeavors Morse was an active member of the Massachusetts Historical Society, was elected a member of the American Antiquarian Society in 1813, and was also a member of various other literary and scientific bodies. He made significant contributions to Dobson's Encyclopædia, the first encyclopedia published in the United States after the Revolution. Morse published 25 sermons and addresses on special occasions; also A Compendious History of New England, with Elijah Harris (Charlestown, 1804); and Annals of the American Revolution (Hartford, 1824). Marriage and family Morse married Elizabeth Ann Finley Breese after starting as pastor in Charlestown. He and his wife had a family of several children, including their first child Samuel F. B. Morse, the future painter and telegraphy pioneer. Other sons were Sidney Edwards Morse, who also published a geography text, and Richard Cary Morse (1795–1868), who assisted his father in his geographical work and founded with brother Sidney the New York Observer. The senior Morse died in 1826 and was buried at the Grove Street Cemetery. Selected works Morse, Jedidiah (1793). The American universal geography, or, A view of the present state of all the empires, kingdoms, states, and republics in the known world, and of the United States of America in particular. In two parts. References Further reading Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society 123 (1798). (Related to Morse v. Reid) Sprague, William Buell, "The Life of Jedidiah Morse" (New York, 1874) Gordan, John D., Morse v. Reid: The First Reported Federal Copyright Case, 11 L. & Hist. Rev. 21 (1993). . (Discussion of Morse v. Reid copyright lawsuit against bookseller John Reid, decided in April 1798 by the US Circuit Court for the District of New York) External links 1761 births 1826 deaths People from Greater Boston People from Woodstock, Connecticut American people of English descent People of colonial Connecticut American Christian clergy