Note 130 — JOURNAL (PART II)

Jedidiah Morse was born in Woodstock, Connecticut (1761). Being graduated from Yale College he studied for the ministry, and in 1785 was licensed to preach. Four years later he became pastor of a Congregational church in Charleston, remaining there until 1820, when he removed to New Haven, and there preached until his death in 1826. He was interested in civilizing and christianizing the Indians. In 1820 the secretary of war deputed him to visit the western tribes and suggest measures for their improvement. The results of his investigation were published in his Report to the Secretary of War on Indian Affairs (New Haven, 1822). He also published some text-books on geography, which were used extensively, and gained for him the title of "Father of American geography."—Ed.