Dorcas Morse saw the birth and consolidation of Medfield. Her family having been established quite early on in the town, she probably figured quite prominently relative to the other women in town events.

When Dorcas Morse was four years old, in 1649, Dedham granted a request for land by certain settlers. On November 14^th of the same year, Dedham portioned out land to the new settlers and officially named the village “Meadfield”, which also appeared in writings of that period under the spelling “Medfield”. However, it was not until January 11^th, 1651 that Dedham surrendered jurisdiction over the new town. The document read, “There being a towne lately erected beyond Dedham ... by the name of Medfield ... this Court hath graunted them all the power and privileges which other townes doe injoy according to law.”

On June 19^th, 1650, house lots were assigned. The fourth one read, “To Daniel Morse, twelve acre abutting upon Samuel Bullen toward the south-east and the brook south-west.”

In 1653, the first meeting-house was constructed, modeled after the one located in Dedham at the time. It stood at the current location of the Unitarian Church, measuring thirty-six feet long, twenty feet wide, and twelve feet high, with a thatched roof. In 1657, chairs and various other furniture were installed, completing the construction. The desk cost 7 pounds and 11 shillings, the seats cost 13 pounds and 5 shillings. In addition, the town paid twenty eight bushels of wheat at 4 shillings per bushel. Brother Bullen and John Hatton supervised the construction.

In 1658, one of Dorcas’ relatives, Daniel Morse, moved west of the Charles River and became one of the founders of the nearby town of Sherborn. He died there and his land was sold to Thomas Thurston.

   

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