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]

Notes:

William 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.

William married Margaret Hopkins in 1687 in York, VA. Margaret (daughter of Robert Hopkins and Katherine Stanford) was born in 1670 in Old Rappannock, York, VA; died in 1698 in Old Rappannock, York, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: William Brown. William was born about 1662 in Old Rappannock, York, VA; died in 1699. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: James Ingo. James was born on 26 Apr 1680 in Virginia; died in 1725 in Richmond Co., VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: John Crask. John was born in 1666 in Old Rappannock, York, VA; died in 1706 in Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: James Lockhart. James and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

William Henry 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.

William married Mary Jane Craik in 1726 in Essex County, Virginia. Mary (daughter of Craik, daughter of CRAIK) was born in 1700 in Old Rappannock, York, VA; died in 1777 in Loudoun, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Elizabeth Martin about 1720 in St. Peters, VA. Elizabeth and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Frances Kelly. Frances was born about 1700; died before 1794. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Elizabeth Reid. Elizabeth was born about 1700; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Ann Minor. Ann and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Military Service: Revolutionary War

Notes:

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.

Nathaniel married Nancy Ann Cockrell in 1752 in Loudoun, VA. Nancy was born in 1732 in Anne Arundel Co., MD; died in 1807 in Loudoun, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Military Service: 1777, Virginia; Revolutionary War

Notes:

Henry enlisted in the Revolutionary War Jan. 13, 1777, at the age of 41, he was a 2nd Lieutenant and received a pay of $27.00 a month. He was in the 2nd Virginia Regiment, under Captain William Taylor, commanded by Colonel Christian Febiger. He was at White Plains, New York on Dec. 15, 1778 with the 1st Virginia Brigade, commanded by Brig. Gen. Woodford. He appeared on list "Arrangements of VA Battalion, White Plains, Aug. 1778, as Number 2 Ensign." On May 14, 1780 he was taken prisoner by the British at Charleston, VA., and exchanged in April 1781. Henry was given a new commission with the rank of Captain on May 26, 1781. In 1782, he is the commander of "Company of Second Virginia Regulars," in 1783. He is now a Captain in 3rd Company, Virginia Detachment, commanded by Major Samuel. Finialy, he remained in the Continental Army service until the end of the Revolutionary War, and retired on Jan. 1, 1783.

Henry Moss received 300 acres of land for his service in the war by warrant #1504 issued May 29, 1783. On May 2, 1783, he received 4,000 acres for his three years of service as a Captain, Warrant #614, dated 5-2-1783. All of these warrants of land made Henry a very rich man, but he was already rich before the Revolutionary War started.

Sources:
"Chronicles of Moss Family" by Rose Moss Scott, 1926, Willrose Farm, Chrisman, Ill.;
"Our Heritage" by M.W. Freel, Miller Printing Co., 1956, Ashville N.C.; Murphy NC Library, *6175;
Revolutionary War - 7 years - Captain - receiving for service 4,000 acres in Morgan District, Rutherford County, he lived in Loudoun County, VA, Rutherford and Lincoln Counties, N.C. in 1785; owned land on Harris Creek where it runs into Little Broad river at Double Shoals about 2 miles south to southwest of Lawndale, N.C. (now Cleveland County, N.C. in 1801 Rutherford County.
Henry Moss deeded 70 acres to Howell Moss, of Lincoln County, N.C. - Register of Deeds, Book 3, page 122-26, Dec. 1785;
Samuel Hollingsworth paid to Henry Moss for 15 pounds, for 50 acres on both sides of Mt. Creek - to Henry Moss's old line and to John Snyder's Corner, book "The Moss Family" by Paul Moss, Odessa, Texas, page 9-12, 1795;
Rutherford County Census; Marriage Records, Rutherford Co., N.C. *1800 Census and 1810 Rutherford County Census, settled not later than 1785;
Deed Book J-L, page 215; 23 Sept. 1785. Recorded 19 July 1794 Joel Vaughn of Rutherford County deeds to Henry Moss of same county for 40 pounds, 200 acres on both sides of Broad River, original grant to Vaughn Sept. 1775. This should prove that Henry Moss lived in these areas at the times indicated.

Military Service:
Henry enlisted in the Revolutionary War Jan. 13, 1777, at the age of 41, he was a 2nd Lieutenant and received a pay of $27.00 a month. He was in the 2nd Virginia Regiment, under Captain William Taylor, commanded by Colonel Christian Febiger. Promoted to 2nd Lieutenant July 11 1777. He was at White Plains, New York on Dec. 15, 1778 with the 1st Virginia Brigade, commanded by Brig. Gen. Woodford. He appeared on list "Arrangements of VA Battalion, White Plains, Aug. 1778, as Number 2 Ensign." On May 14, 1780 he was taken prisoner by the British at Charleston, VA., and exchanged in April 1781. Henry was given a new commission with the rank of Captain on May 26, 1781. In 1782, he is the commander of "Company of Second Virginia Regulars," in 1783. He is now a Captain in 3rd Company, Virginia Detachment, commanded by Major Samuel. Finialy, he remained in the Continental Army service until the end of the Revolutionary War, and retired on Jan. 1, 1783.

Henry married Sarah Stephens in 1763 in Surry Co., VA.. Sarah (daughter of James Stephens) was born in 1742 in Sussex County, Virginia; died in 1815 in Rutherford County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Samuel married Elizabeth Cobb in 1742. Elizabeth and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]