William Henry Moss

Notes:

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.

William married Jane (Bridgett) North in 1661 in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. Jane (daughter of Dudley North and Anne Montague) was born about 1643 in Tostock, Suffolk, England; died in 1676 in Old Rappannock, York, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. William Henry Moss was born about 1665 in Old Rappannock, York, VA; died in 1722 in Old Rappannock, York, VA.
2. Frances Moss was born in 1670 in Old Rappannock, York, VA; died after 1725 in Richmond, Virginia.
3. Elizabeth Moss was born about 1672 in Old Rappannock, York, VA; died on 8 Oct 1724 in Essex County, Virginia.

Edward married Jann Ann (Bridgett) Beltchourton on 20 Sep 1632 in Lancaster, Lancashire, England. Jann was born about 1610 in Lancaster, Lancashire, England; died after 1700 in York Co., VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]