Notes

[NI006]

From Goodspeed's History of Greene and Sullivan County, Ind.


Page 377 - Aquilla Moss was bound out to a wheel wright by the name of William Dunlap when
but a small lad who raised him to manhood and with him he came to Kentucky when the state was
yet in its infancy. He married in that state and shortly after that event moved to Warren County, Ohio
where he lived six years and where his three oldest sons were born. From there he moved to the
Hoosier State, and located in Washington County where three more children were added to his
family. In 1827 he removed to Greene County and settled in nine mile prairie in Stockton Township,
where he passed the greater part of his remaining years.

In 1822, while in Washington County, he experienced Christianity and shortly afterwards was
licensed to preach in the interest of the regular Baptist Church. He became known over the
entire community as one of the pioneer preachers of Southern Indiana and very likely during his
lifetime married the majority of couples in Greene and neighboring counties.

His wife, who was one of those true backwoods housewives bravely aided her husband in
such duties as were common at that early day, died in 1858, and in 1864 Aquilla died. Both are
sleeping side-by-side in the family burying ground on the old homestead. W.G. (William Greenberry)
was raised in Greene County.

Page 438 - Acquilla Moss was a native of Old Dominion but removed to Kentucky at an early
age, from there to Ohio and later to Washington County, Indiana. In 1827 he removed to South
Carolina where he resided afterwards.

Page 245 - Reminiscences ..... Upon arrival of the first settlers, the township was one of the
finest in the country. A considerable portion was quite level and open prairie land, where herds of
deer grazed on the rich grass which grew in profusion, often higher than a man's head. Other
portions were more rolling and covered with timber, through which all varieties of wild animals
of this latitude roamed. Several of the Moss' and others were experienced hunters. Charles
Milton Moss has killed eight full grown deer at four shots.

Laban Moss was also a skilled hunter; on more than one occasion he killed two at one shot.

Acquilla Moss was one of the first preachers - "Hard Shell Baptist" - and was a man of great
force of character and commanded a wide influence and unbounded respect from all who knew him.
He was also a man of great hardihood and could withstand the attacks of disease and encounter
the inclemencies of the weather without injury or effect.

Page 378 - The name Moss came from Scotland originally but that was previous to the
Revolutionary War.

Page 249-250 Churches .... But few localities in the county had superior religious advantages
to Stockton Township. The early residents were men of strong moral views who endeavored to
practice what they preached and labored hard in the cause of the Master. Rev. Acquilla Moss was
the earliest prominent minister who resided in the township. Nathaniel Moss was another. The
Samaria Baptist Church in the western part was organized very early and their church was built
just east of Dugger during the forties. Acquilla Moss was probably the organizer of this class not
far from 1830.

He and his wife are buried at the Humphreys Cemetery a/k/a Old Moss Cemetery located on the
present Everett Nolting Farm, Northeast of Linton, Ind. This was the old homestead land of Aquilla
and Sarah from 1800-1860 time frame.


Aquilla's mother died when he was five years old. The marriage record of Aquilla in Fleming
County, Kentucky shows he married Sarah Harrow, but it is believed that HARRAH is correct, as
Robert Harrah was bondsman, and the couple named one of their sons Daniel Harrah. The law in
Kentucky at that time states that "the clerks shall take bond with good surety for the sun of fifty
pounds current money, payable to the governor ... with the condition that there is no lawful cause
to obstruck (sic) the marriage, for which the license shall be desired," and it was the custom for the
father or close relative of the bride to provide such bond, which in this case was provided by Robert
Harrah. Also, a Robert Harrah settled in Greene County, Ind., moving from Kentucky at the same
time that Sarah and Aquilla did. This would indicate that this was a near relative of hers, and that
her name was Harrah, not Harrow. The name may formerly have been O'Hara and changed during
the Revolutionary War. Aquilla was called, "Quiller."

Shortly after their marriage they moved to Warren County, Ohio where three sons were born.
From there they moved to Washington County, Indiana.

In 1827, they moved to Stockton Township, Greene County, Ind. Aquilla was influential in
organizing the Samaria Baptist Church there. They had 14 children, two died in infancy.



From: Biographical Memoirs of Greene County, Indiana

"Turkeys and wild game ranged the fields of Greene County in the early days. Baldwin Harrah
used to tell of one Daniel Moss, who in 1835, lived a few miles from where Linton, Indiana is now.
He wanted a marriage license and wasn't the owner of a horse, and couldn't afford to hire a horse
to ride to Bloomfield to get the coveted document, so he concluded to walk and did walk, with a
gun on his shoulder, and on the way shot a wild turkey, which he carried through to the Clerk's
office and paid in part, or all, for the license."

This Daniel Moss was probably a cousin or uncle to Aquilla Moss who married Sarah Harrah.
Baldwin Harrah was the son of Robert Harrah, who married Elizabeth Baldwin. Robert was probably
an uncle or cousin to Sarah, as she apparently had no brothers.

[NI007] Sarah's name was formerly "O'Hara" but was changed during the Revolutionary War.

[NI008]

He is buried in the "Aquilla Moss Cemetery" in Dugger, Ind. He came to Indiana from Ohio with
his parents. He was a Baptist minister.

[NI010]

While in the Revolutionary War, he was captured by Indians.

In the Spring of 1780 Moses enlisted and served one year under Thomas Mastin and Col.
Shelby. In the Spring of 1781 he enlisted under Captain William Henry and Gen. Lafayette. His
residence at the time of enlistment was Nolachuchy, VA.

Elizabeth Day died at the age of 32. One known child, Aquilla, was five years old at the time.
Since Moses and Elizabeth had been married 11 years, it is likely that they had other children.
Records indicate that after the death of Elizabeth, Moses wandered away for a time leaving his
family.

In 1780, Moses enlisted as a private under Captain Thomas Mastin's company in Colonel
Shelby's Kentucky regiment. While in Col. Shelby's regiment, he marched with a company to
the Long Islands of Holston where they rendezvoused, then marched down to the Chickamunga
nation of Indians from which they recovered about 100 horses, 300 cattle and negro boy or man.
After returning to where he had first enlisted on the Clinch River in Virginia, he remained there
keeping sentry and doing garrison duty for the rest of his enlistment which as for one year.

Moses then returned to Loudoun County, VA. and the following spring he entered voluntarily
into service. His younger brothers, who were drafted, were thereby exempted from their tours of
duty. Under Captain William Henry in William County, he marched to Fredericksburg in VA. There
he was placed under the command of General Lafayette and marched to Williamsburg, VA, and was
there some time until the British took possession of York. About that time he became sick and
finished out his time sick and being cared for by an old man, Mr. William Davenport, not far from
Williamsburg.

A declaration for a pension was made in Fleming County, Kentucky, 27 July 1835. Information
in the declaration states that Moses had 10 military discharges, but when he migrated to the West
he had left them with his mother in Loudoun County, VA and he had not gone back there since her
death, so did not know what happened to them. He had made efforts to make a claim for pension
time earlier and at one time had a lawyer, Jones, propose a declaration for him. But the cholera
broke out in Flemingsburg during the session and the court closed abruptly. Mr. Jones died a few
days after the closing in 1833 and Moses had no further aid until 1835. Witnesses for Moses,
include a William V. Moss, clergyman, residing in Fleming County, Kentucky and Samuel Moss of
the same county. No relationship is shown.

William B. Moss stated his age as 70 years old in 1835, he probably is a brother to Moses who
was born in 1763. He resided in Loudoun County, VA during the Revolutionary War, and although
he was young at that time, he recalled many occurrences. He recalled being told by Moses'
parents that when Moses was 17 years of age, they permitted him to go with Simon Cockrell, his
uncle, to the Southwestern parts of VA, Nolachucky, to live and that Moses remained there several
years. When Moses returned home, Mr. Cockrell, a clergyman, came with him and both men gave
accounts of Moses' services. William also recalled that after Moses returned from the Cockrells, he
voluntarily took the place of his younger brothers who were drafted and marched with he militia
to the neighborhood of York at the time of the siege. He remembered hearing of Moses' long
sickness and that his father, Nathaniel, made two trips to find him, but supposed Moses to be dead
since he could not find him. William also recalled the emaciated appearance of Moses when he
finally got home.

There is some belief that Moses was captured by Indians at one time. Moses was probably
one of those hardy frontiersmen who traveled the Wilderness Trail through the Cumberland Gap
to help settle the land in Kentucky. He was one of the early settlers in that state. In 1813, he moved
to Fleming County, Kentucky and purchased 215 acres of land for $1, 600. (Deed Book, Flemingsburg,
Kentucky) Other information shows a Moses Moss whose wife was born in 1788 Vermont and died
1868 in Fleming County, Kentucky.

[NI014]

A prominent and noted Baptist Minister and slave holder both black and white slaves. His
son, Zeally married into the Glasscock's, they are related to George Washington via the Ball's
family.

Nathaniel Moss had five sons that served in the Revolutionary War of 1776. Nathaniel performed
services in the war by selling corn and flour to the Army. He is listed with a list of Revolutionary
Soldiers from Ann Arundel Company, Md., who served in the war. References (Va. State Library,
Richmond, Va.) Nathaniel was a slave holder, having both black and white slaves, the whites
were indentured and bonded from England. He was an extensive land owner in Loudoun County
and other counties in Virginia. He established the MOSS MEETING HOUSE and MOSS CEMETERY
near Upperville, VA.

He is listed with soldiers from Anne Arundel County, Maryland who served in the War.

[NI016]

From the Moss Cousins File:

William Henry II received 1580 acres as executor of his father's (William Henry Moss) will. William Henry II had five children and lived in Loudoun County, Virginia. Mary Jane Craik, his wife's brother, Dr. James Craik, was a prominent doctor and physician to President George Washington for many years. He figures prominently in Tobias Lear's letters and recollections, published in 1920-30 per Mr. Frank Grizzard jr., Assistant Editor of the Papers of George Washington, University of Virginia.

[NI019]

William (III) was a commissioner of the King's revenue, of Fairfax County, and from 1758-1796 he was High Sheriff of Fairfax County, as the oldest Justice in commission, in the new English Colonial state of Virginia in America.

[NI020]

Margaret died in 1698, at the age of 29, in Rappahannock County, VA. This is the same year
that William was born. Her husband was very young, age 35, and may have had a first wife
before Margaret or a wife after her death, it is not clear as to what the case was, but it is known
that he had two more children.

[NI021]

William Moss returned to England to attend College at Oxford. While in England he married
Lady Jane North, later returning to Virginia to make his home.

There is a record that "Robert, Thomas and William Moss, brothers, purchased 800 acres in
Lancaster County, in the freshes of the Rappahannock River of the south side on Nov. 20,
1654." They also purchased 880 acres in Rappahannock County prior to 1660. They made
their homes in Rappahannock County and died there.

Lady North died in 1676. Brother Thomas' will was probated 13 June, 1678 and makes
mention of wife, Elizabeth and daughters, Elizabeth and Frances. After his death, his wife
Elizabeth married Edmund Crask and to them were born two children. His wife
Elizabeth's will was probated 12 Jan 1635, in which she leaves bequests to "Frances Moss
and Elizabeth Moss, daughters of my former husband, Thomas Moss ..." and also bequests to
Brothers, Robert Moss and William Moss."

William Moss' will was probated 1 July 1685; he leaves bequests to son, William, daughters
Elizabeth and Frances and brother Robert. He died possessed of a goodly amount of property -
leaving his son, William the "plantacon containing 880 acres," plus one other parcel of land
containing 600 acres," and to daughter, Frances "400 acres of land adjoining the track of land
whereon Thomas Newman now liveth," and to daughter, Elizabeth "150 acres of land which I
bought of Patrick Norton" and "also to daughter, Elizabeth "200 acres of land where Thomas
Newman now lives together with the Plantacon and all things belonging to it, she to enjoy the
same as soon as the lease is out." There were many other bequests of personal property, some
of which were quite amusing.

The will of Robert Moss was probated 3 April 1689, in which he mentions son, Robert, wife
Rebeckah, daughter, Dorthy Stapp; wife of Robert Stapp, granddaughters Rebeckah and March
Stapp; brother Thomas' two daughters, Elizabeth and Frances; brother William's son and
daughters, William, Frances and Elizabeth.

William was about 53 years old at his death, he came to the New World "America" about 1644
with his family and settled in York County, VA. The Virginia City records for Fairfax County, VA, state
that "Robert Moss, Thomas Moss and William Moss" brothers and were original immigrants from
England.

He had over 2,250 acres of land at his death in 1685 and numerous servants and both black and
white slaves at his death.

From the notes of Ray Ellis:

William was 53 years old at the time of his death, he came to the new world "the English Colony of Virginia," about 1642 with his parents and brothers, the family settled in 1644 in York County, Virginia. The Virginia City records for Fairfax County, VA, state that "Robert Moss, Thomas Moss and William Moss," were brothers and were original immigrants from England. William returned to England for completion of his education at Oxford University. He purchased 800 acres of land in Lancaster County, Virginia, in the freshes (bottom land) of the Rappahannock River in Lancaster County, on the south side of the River on Nov. 20, 1654. They imported 16 persons with them. They moved to Rappahannock County, VA in 1654. The Moss brothers then purchased a track of 880 acres of land in Rappahannock County, and records show that all three of the brothers died in Rappahannock County, VA. ** Research shows no record of William attending Oxford.

While in Oxford, England, William married "Lady Jane "Bridgett" North," the daughter of Lord Dudley North, the Earl of North. After the marriage he returned to Rappahannock County with his new bride. William had over 2,250 acres of land at his death in 1685 in the Rappahannock River Valley of Virginia and numerous servants, both black and white slaves at his death. **Others list the date of his death as April 21, 1685, the true date is still in debate. ** Lancaster County became Old Rappahannock County, this area has changed county names several times in the last 300 years.

[NI022]

Jane North was born at the county seat of Oxfordshire County, England. Her father was the Baron of North, she is related to Frederick North (1732-92), Earl of Guilford and North. He was Prime Minister of Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. He also served as the Chancellor of the Exchequer in England.

[NI025]



Sources: Patti Mauldin and Patsy Moyers, via cousin Sammye Roberta Woodruff of Texas.
Jane Ann "Bridgette" Beltchourton - original name is Beltchourton, shortened to Belt after they came to America.

[NI027] GIVN Anne
SURN Montague
DATE 16 JUN 2000
TIME 09:12:22

[NI039]

The first of the Moss family to come to America was an Edward Moss, born in Lancaster,
Lancashire County, England, before 1610. (He was the first of our line of Moss', there were
others of the same name and it seems probable of the same family, since some were from
the same area in England, who came as early as 1610). He married Ann Belt in England, and
it seems probable that his three sons were born in England before they came to America in
1644 and settled in York County, VA. Edward died in 1695.

From the reports of Laurel Moss Brown


From notes of Ray Ellis
Edward Moss cames to Jamestwon, VA in 1642, later he moved to York County, VA in 1644, he was about 33 years old. This was over 100 plus years before there was a country called America. Remember that all the people that came to the new American Colonies were subjects of King George of England. Also all the land belonged to the King. Edward, with his wife and four children settled in York County, VA. His will was signed by his brother Robert Moss. ** marriage location may have been Lancaster, Lancashire, England.