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John Chipman Morse Property
Old Post Road, Sandy Cove
1851
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This home was built by Rev. John Chipman Morse approx. 1851. In 1871, Rev. John Chipman Morse (52) was living here with his wife Isabell (53) and children: Waylan (25), Edmund C. (19), Anna (16), Alfred (15), John C. (12), Janet (10), and Eliza J. Shaw (37) as a servant.
John Chipman Morse came from the Annapolis Valley to Digby Neck in 1840. He was the son of a minister. When Rev. John Chipman Morse came to Digby Neck only one Baptist church was standing. The church that was here Is still standing in Waterford. "At a meeting of the friends of Rev. John Chipman Morse, held at his house on the 12th, of November, it was decided to observe the jubilee (50 years) of his settlement with the Baptist churches of Digby Neck, at Sandy Cove, on the 21st of January 1891. Public services will held in the church morning and afternoon and a tea to be provided at his house by the ladies for the evening. Pastors and members of sister churches, and friends of Rev. J.C. Morse are cordially invited to attend.
Rev. J.H. Saunders is requested to give a sketch of denominational history during the past 50 years, and Bro. Morse to present an account of his own labors, and matter connected with his own field during that period. A purse is to be made up for presentation, and any churches or individual friends are invited to contribute thereto, or to forward any other token of regard to the following persons: Harding Denton, Little River; Mrs. Melda T. Saunders, Sandy Cove; or to W.C. Denton, Waterford. Rev. Morse was an ambitious minister and the most popular Baptist minister in the last 150 years of the history of Digby Neck. It is said that he personally built 3 or 4 churches on Digby Neck and also this home. Rev. Morse preached on Digby Neck for 63 years and baptised 185 people. He had "the temperament of a poet, the prescience of a philosopher, the keenness of a logician and the eloquence of an orator" (Christian Messenger). Rev. Morse was appointed Post Master in 1854. Through his encouragement, the cause of temperance flourished but it is reported that he also liked to drive a fast horse and hated to be passed on the road. He had little education but taught himself Greek so that he was able to pass the examinations at Acadia and become an ordained Baptist minister; and in his latter days Acadia conferred an honorary degree on him. Still today portraits of Rev. Morse are proudly displayed on the Digby Neck Baptist church walls. Some say his photos are just a little bit larger than the sketches of Jesus. Rev. Morse was truly the most honorable citizen of Digby Neck and Islands for the last Century and a half. Citizens of Sandy Cove have told that it was a mournful day when the church bells tolled in 1907 signalling the day Rev. Morse was to be buried. Rev. Morse's wife Isabel died in 1872 and he married Frances (1834-1910). His son Edmund died in 1874 at the age of 23. His son Shannon (John C. Jr.?) was lost at sea In 1878 at the age of 20. Alfred died in 1884 at the age of 28. Lalah Burpe Morse died in 1869 at the age of 19. Rev. Morse gave his wife Frances a Life Estate and the remainder to go to their children, Charles Morse and Mary Delancey, upon her decease. In 1909, Frances deeded the home to Mary and in 1910 Mary sold the home to Charles Campbell after her mother's death. Charles Campbell and his wife Mary Anna owned the home for 4 years. Charles was listed as a carpenter from Beverley, Massachusettes. Amos Edgar Outhouse purchased the home in 1914. Amos was a noted house-joiner from Tiverton. Amos built my father's home in Freeport in 1902. Amos must have been an avid Baptist citizen as well, as can be seen from this 1901 Tiverton article: "A number of teachers and scholars from the Baptist Sunday School, called at the home of Amos E. Outhouse on the evening of Christmas day, as he and his wife were about retiring for the night and presented him with a very nice shaving set enclosed in a fine silk-lined box as a token of his services as a teacher in their Sunday school". Amos sold the home to the present owner's father-in-law, Starr Fairweather, in 1935. Starr and his wife bought this home after looking all over for a summer home. Harold "Stewart" Ladd is the son-in-law of Starr Fairweather.
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Architecture
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This is a beautiful Greek home inside and out. Rev. Morse was an excellent carpenter. He is said to have built this home plus 4 or 5 churches along Digby Neck. Rev. Morse kept adding on to the home but the home has not been altered since. The home has beautiful windows and doors. The bay windows are very attractive. The home was equipped with 3 fireplaces. One fireplace has a built in bake oven. Mr. Ladd can point out where Mr. Morse's office and waiting room were. The home is a piece of history for Sandy Cove because Rev. Morse was one of the most respected men that this County has ever had the priviledge of living here.
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Contextual Comment
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East of Old Sandy Cove School. West of Judy Comeau. On North side of Sandy Cove Road, near Bay Shore Road.
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