Introduction

INTRODUCTION

The English surname of Moss is derived from the old English word ‘mos’ and denotes a dweller who lives near the moss, morass, or peat bog.  It can also denote ‘son of Masse’ from the common form of the Jewish or Egyptian personal name Moses.

Perhaps the first Moss man that can be traced was from Normandy in France and would have been associated with Duke Williams during the battle of Hastings in 1066.  After the battle the Duke was crowned King of England and owned all the land in England.  He awarded land portions to those who supported and fought with him.  The holders of these lands would be Barons and Knights.  Since the name moyse appeared in the Doomsday Book in 1086, it is reasonable to assume that a Norman warrior having that name obtained land that was located bear Lancashire in England.  Thus begins the Moss history.

Unfortunately, other than a few instances where the name Mos or Masse were recorded between 1100 and 1327, little has been written down or is known about the early Moss genealogy.  What is known indicates that the area known as Lancashire, a northwestern county in England, appears to be the home of early Moss ancestors.  It is a seaport  town that lies on the Irish Sea, surrounded by the counties of Cumberland, Westmoreland, Yorkshire, and Cheshire, and is close to the Scottish border..  The county is made up of many different types of soil including fertile fields, mountains, wide moorlands or heath including bogs or mosses.   Population of this county was approximate 150,000 in the early 1600s.

This location of Lancaster suggests the possibility that the occupations of our early English ancestors may have centered on ship building or fishing.  In addition, the closeness of Scotland may also expand the geological search for our Branch.  In fact the name of Robert Bruce Moss in the fourth generation further illustrates that point.  Finally, it seems that the first 4 generations of Moss families had connections to family members and friends in the county, with little movement to other towns or cities, with the exception of travel to America in the third and fourth generations.             

In the first edition of this Moss branch history major emphasis was placed on learning the family history within the United States of America.  However, in this edition emphasis is also being placed on learning more about the Moss history within the United Kingdom (UK).  For example, the first four Moss generations of this branch lived in Lancashire County, England (shown on the map).  We expect that the increasing use of the internet will present opportunities in the next decade to further reach back in time and add information about our history.  A word of warning is offered on the use of the internet is needed.  While its use does provide extensive genealogical information on all families, one needs to be careful about the accuracy of the sources.  Much of the information is conflicting and has errors. 

In the first edition of our Moss branch history it was learned:

1.  Other than a few minor details, we know a lot about the Moss generations within our branch in America. 

2.  Most of the Mosses in the branch, with few exceptions, were either born in Virginia or lived most of their lives in and around the middle of Virginia, such as York County, Louisa County, or the city of Richmond, VA.

3.  The third through the seventh generations of our Moss branch lived in what today is known as York County, VA.  English colonists established Jamestown on the Virginia Peninsula in 1607.  In 1619, the area which includes York County was part of the cities known as Elizabeth City and James City.  In 1634, this area was organized as Charles River Shire (named for King Charles).   During the English Civil War, around 1640,the name was changed to York County, with its county seat being Yorktown.  It  should be recognized that in the 1630s the boundary of York County occupied a very large land area extending as far inland as the mountain ridges.  York County was split in 1654 into reorganized York County and New Kent County.  Approximately 70 years later (in 1721) Hanover County was divided from the division of New Kent County.  Louisa County was recognized in 1742 after division of Hanover County.  In 1761 a portion of Louisa County was cut off and added to Albermarle County (that had been formed from Gouchland County in 1744).

4.  The eighth through twelfth generation of out Moss branch lived on the same land in Louisa County.   Louisa County was named for Princess Louisa, who was the youngest daughter of King George I.  The early settlers of Louisa County were often second sons of the planters in the Tidewater region, i.e. York County.  {It is noted that York County was originally named Charles River and was one of the original eight shires formed in 1634}  As the fathers died most of the land holdings were inherited by the oldest son.  Therefore, other sons, needing land would move further inland to areas such as Louisa County.  Most of the operating farms in Louisa County were small, ranging between 50 and 200 acres and each owner kept 1 to 5 slaves to help with basic chores as well as with the growing of tobacco. 

Control of Virginia was still under the power of the Kings of England.  From 1714 to the American Revolution the three Kings were George 1, 2, and 3 whose rulings and proclamations drastically affected owning lands and businesses in the new world.  In addition, the Kings did not permit freedom of religion in the Virginia colony.  The Church of England was established by law in Virginia.  The Kings required that Virginia lands be divided into parishes where a minister became the authority figure.  Taxes were imposed by the parishes to help take care of costs and all settlers were required to attend church or be fined.  Louisa County was in St. Martins Parish until it became Fredericksville Parish in 1742.  The parish lines were similar, but not identical, to County lines.

5.  Branch Generations beyond 12 reflect movement of some families to areas away from the Virginia borders, such as Ohio, Kentucky, and New York.