Fifth Moss Generation

FIFTH MOSS GENERATION

During the 1650s the land boundaries for York County became more established as shown in Attachments 5-1 and 5-2.  As the population of Virginia increased newer counties were being added and older ones became better organized and offered more services to residents.

Edward Moss (18) had returned to England when young and lived in London.  There he met and married Eleanor Westwood (19) around 1655.  It is noted that often the names Ellen, Elinor, and Eleanor appear to be variations of the same name, however records about Edward name his wife as Elinor.  Church records in London suggest that Edward and Elinor lived in Shippe Alley-which was located close to the river that flows through London. 

Records suggest that Edward and Elinor were members of a small band of immigrants sponsored by Ralph Green in the mid 1650s.  Mr. Green was granted 500 acres of land near New Kent Count for transporting the group to the new world and it is reasonable to assume that the immigrants settled initially near his land grant location.  Edward probably moved to York County around 1657-58.  It was at that time that Edward received a deed of gift from his father Edward (9) on York County as reported in the fourth Moss generation.

Edward and Elinor had six children:  Benjamin (20), William (21), John (22), Elizabeth (23), Anne (24), and Rebecca (25).  All of these children were named in Edward’s will dated 1716 (Attachment 5-3).  While John (22) is shown as one of their sons, it has not been completely verified.  Some researchers have postulated that a John Moss b in 1665 and who ultimately lived in Pocoson Parish, VA might be their son.  It is noted that the name John is a very common Moss first name and makes it difficult to know exactly which John Moss is being discussed.

Edward served as sheriff for York County until he became Justice of Peace.  Many of York County Court records from 1677-1691 contain his name.  There is a letter in York County records that shows where John Baskerville, Clerk of Court presents the names of William Booth, Edward Moss, and Robert Cobb as candidates for magistrates (Justice of Peace) to the governor William Berkeley.  The men were accepted and sworn in March 1677.  Edward served in this position for fourteen years and apparently carried out his duties in an honorable manner.  However, with time, it became obvious that Edward did not favor the requirements of the King and ultimately refused to take the oath of office as required.  As a result he resigned his position in 1691.

The reading of Edward’s will be made easier by understanding some of the following material:

1.   Apparently over the years, Edward had acquired some wealth as suggested by the purchase of lands from men named Blackstone and Sneed.  .Moreover, Edward also owned slaves which suggest that he was a planter or farmer growing tobacco and other crops.

2.   Edward and his family lived in York County close to a family known as the Howards  Unfortunately due to the spelling that was used, the family name would appear as Howard, Heyward, Hayward, or Haward.  Hence in this Moss history, this family name will be referred to as the Howard/Heyward family.  The Howard/Heyward family was very interested in local politics, came from a well established London background, and was well off financial.  Edward’s oldest son (Benjamin) and daughter (Elizabeth) married into the Howard (Heyward) family. Since the relationship between the two families can be confusing, a diagram of the relationships is shown in Attachment 5-4.

3.   Another family that had close ties with Edward Moss family were the Goodwins of Virginia.  The first relationship with the Goodwin family occurred when William (21) married Elizabeth Goodwin around 1708.  Additional details about this marriage are discussed later.  The second relationship when the daughter of John Goodwin (sister to Elizabeth) married Edward Moss (son of Benjamin (20).  See Attachment 5-5   

4.   Notice that Elizabeth Moss, the widow of Henry Howard, had remarried a Thomas Tabb approximately four years later.  This fact is confirmed by her name being mentioned in her father’s will (Attachment 4-3) as Elizabeth Tabb.  Elizabeth had married Henry Howard around 1710 after Diana, his first wife, died in 1705.

5.   The will of Henry Howard is shown in 4-5 and shows that he had other children.  Apparently, there was a close relationship between his oldest son Henry and the sons of Edward (13).

6.   A copy of William Moss will (son of Edward) shown in Attachment 4-6) further indicates this unique relationship between the two families.

In 1709 Edward gave his son William 115 acres of land at the head of Chessman Creek.  This deed, dated 24 June 1709, is found in York County Court Volume II, p 393 (shown in Attachment 4-7).  This land was then passed from William to his eldest son Edward in 1718.

In 1713, Edward gave a gift to Benjamin and wife.  While the gift is not described as a deed, a power of attorney was given to William Garden to acknowledge the giving of the gift. The reference for this gift is found in Genealogies of Virginia Families V. II, p 718.

Edward’s will was proved in 1716 and it bequeaths land and property to his family. The home plantation was given to his son John.  The will mentioned the fact that he had previously given land to his sons William and Benjamin.  Edward also made gifts to his daughters Ann Phillips, Elizabeth Tabb, and Rebecca Armistead.  His grandsons Benjamin Moss and Moss Armistead also received gifts.  He named his eldest son, Benjamin, to be his executor.

Edward’s son William (16) lived in York County for most of his life.  He was a planter, tax collector, and a dealer in land and other properties.  He married Elizabeth Goodwin and they had five sons named Edward, William, John Charles, James, and Benjamin.  The last two were twins born in August 1718-about six months after the death of their father William.  Only the first three sons were mentioned in his will.  William names guardians for his sons should their mother remarry or die.  He names his brother Benjamin (15), James Goodwin-his brother in-law, and a “beloved friend” Henry Howard/Heyward.   The naming of Henry further illustrates the relationship between the two close families.  In 1725 Elizabeth Moss remarried Robert Kerby.  Elizabeth died two years later.  In 1732 William’s oldest son was successful in asking the court to divide a part of the inherited property for the original three brothers among all five brothers. 

Reference information about Edward Moss (13) found in:

G. C. Greer’s Early Virginia Immigrants, p24

William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol 7, p24..