Letter from Peter Allen Moses

Peter Allen Moses Letter



Rev. Peter Allen Moses (11/18/1828 - 04/07/1919)

Background
Letter
Notes
Site Navigation

Background:

A copy of the following letter, minus the salutation and first paragraph, was found among the personal effects of my grandmother, Janette Mary "Nettie Mae" Moses Dresser Martin, when she died (View page 1; View page 2). A similar copy, but including the salutation and first paragraph, was in the possession of William Smith Moses, a grandson of William Alexander Moses and Carrie Smith Moses; she was the receiver of the letter (View page 1; View page 2). William Alexander Moses, a resident of Appomattox, VA, was the brother of my great-grandfather Thomas Walker Moses. Both were sons of Charles Thomas Moses and his wife Mary "Mollie" Woodson Moses.

I would be very interested to locate descendants of this letter writer, so if anyone knows what became of the family of Peter Allen Moses from Cornwallis, Oregon, I would love to hear from you.

Addendum: I found the death certificate for Peter Allen Moses, 11/18/1828-04/07/1919, in Corvallis, Benton County, Oregon, and have since learned quite a bit about his descendants, including his daughter-in-law, Vina Clair (Wood) Moses:

My information about the descendants of Peter Allen Moses can be found here:

....and here:

Back to the Top

Letter from Peter Allen Moses to the wife of William Alexander Moses:

"Cornwallis, Oregon April 18, 1902

Mrs. W. A. Moses:

Your letter of March 31st came to me in due time with desired information. I see by your letter that we are related. Adam Moses was born in Germany in the year of 1709 and came with his family to the Colonies about the year 1746. They settled in what is now Chester County, Pennsylvania. He was a man of ample means, as I have heard my father say, but lost all during the Revolutionary War. Of his wife I have no knowledge. Here is his family:

Adam Moses born 1709:

1. Coty Moses born Oct. 29, 1744
2. Jacob Moses born Jan. 22, 1746 (He died on their way to America and was buried in Amsterdam.)
3. John Moses was born Aug. 18, 1747
4. Henry Moses was born April 28, 1749
5. Peter Moses was born Aug. 26, 1751 (This was my grandfather and the father of Monroe Moses).
6. Adam Moses was born April 9, 1754
7. Mary Engle Moses was born Feb. 16, 1759

These seven were the children of Adam Moses who came to America. Their names were taken from Adam Moses Bible by my father in 1804 when he went from Virginia back to Chester County to see his grandfather and family. The above Peter Moses married in Pennsylvania and my father, his son, was born October 3, 1779. In 1783 he moved with his family from Chester County to Buckingham County, Virginia. They were the first to bring coffee into that portion of the country. Peter Moses was married twice, by the first wife was Samuel Ferris Moses, my father and Peter Moses, from the second marriage were two children, Mary Moses and Monroe Moses. They were half sister and brother to my father. I have seen them both, Aunt Mary or Aunt Polly, as we called her, was married to a Mr. Wooten in Buckingham. I once visited them in Buckingham in about 1852 or 1853. I knew Uncle Monroe in the early forties when he lived in Cumberland County, not very far from Farmville. I knew his two sons or at least, two of his sons. I think one was named Peter, just my name, I forget the name of the other. My mother was born in 1789 in sight of the Old Rack Baptist Church which was then in Prince Edward County. They were married in 1808. Her name was Nancy Jennings. Her father's name was Allen Jennings. I was named after both of my grandfathers. My name Peter Allen Moses, after Peter Moses and Allen Jennings. I was with my mother when on or about 1835 to on a visit (sic) to see her folks at the Old Rack Church. My father moved to Charlotte County, where he raised his family, 13 children. My father died about 1860 and my mother about 1872. Nearly all the children are dead. One died in Tennessee, one in Cansas (sic), one in Kentucky, one in Oregon, the others in Virginia I think, and a sister is living in Virginia. Two of us boys here, me here, I am now in my 74th year. I have a brother, William Henry, who married in Campbell County in the early fifties. He left a family, but I lost sight of them many years ago. I thought when I wrote to you, you might be of his line of the family. If you know anything of them or can give me any information, in regard to the family of Aunt Polly Wooten, or the family of Uncle Monroe, their names and where they live, I will greatly appreciate it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peter Moses born Aug. 26, 1751
Samuel Ferris Moses born Oct. 3, 1779
Peter Allen Moses, myself, born Nov. 18, 1828

Here is your line of the family.

Adam Moses born 1709
Peter Moses born Aug. 26, 1751
Monroe Moses
Charles Thomas Moses born Sept 14, 1844
William Alexander Moses born Oct. 17, 1868

By this you will see that my grandfather, your husband's great grandfather was the same person.

Very respectfully yours,

antient kinsman,

P. A. Moses

I live at Cornwallis, Oregon."

Back to the Top

Notes:

1. Adam Moses did settle in Chester County, PA, but prior to 1746. He took the Oath of Allegiance on September 2, 1743, as one of the passengers on board the "Loyal Judith" (Source: Pennsylvania German Pioneers, Lists 97A,B & C -- Signatures are available in Signature volume).
Back to the Letter

2. The wife of Adam Moses was Maria Catherina Muellerin (Sources: Pennsylvania German Church Records for given names, International Genealogical Index-Germany for maiden surname). They were married in Ilbesheim, Kirchheimbolanden, Pfalz, Bayern (Germany) on December 27, 1739 (Source: International Genealogical Index - Germany).
Back to the Letter

3. Adam and Maria Catherina were the parents of two additional children that were both baptized in Ilbesheim prior to the voyage to America (Source: International Genealogical Index-Germany). These two children (Johann Peter Moses, baptized September 29, 1740, and Maria Friederica Moses, baptized January 21, 1741/42) do not appear in their father's will, so I assume that they died in childhood. They appear to have been passengers on the "Loyal Judith" with their parents, because the biography of Moses descendant John Gwyn Moses indicates that Adam came to America with his wife and two children (Source: Chester and Delaware Counties). However, Johann Peter Moses must have died by the time his brother Peter was born in 1751.
Back to the Letter

4. Coty Moses was probably Caty Moses, as this appears to refer to Adam's daughter Anna Catherina Moses, who was baptized on December 6, 1744 at Augustus Lutheran Church in Trappe, PA (Source: Pennsylvania German Church Records). According to her father's will, she married Valentine Smith. Names of children are found in Valentine Smith's will. Records of baptisms of the children of Valentine Schmid and wife Catherina are found in Pennsylvania Births: Chester County 1682-1800 by John T. Humphrey. Addendum: The records of Zion Lutheran Church in Pikeland Township record the burial of Catharina Schmid/Schmidt, widow of Valentine, on July 21, 1819. She was buried at St. Peter's.
Back to the Letter

5. Given that Jacob was baptized in America and is named in his father's will, he did not die on the way to America. Jacob (Johan Jacob Moses) was baptized on February 19, 1745/46 at Augustus Lutheran Church in Trappe, PA (Source: Pennsylvania German Church Records). While Jacob appears to have gotten married sometime around 1767, at this time I have no information as to who he might have married. Addendum 1: There has been some speculation that this Jacob is the same Jacob Moses who married Elizabeth Ho(h)lman. The major issues surrounding this debate are the birthdate and birthplace. The Jacob Moses of Bedford County, PA, who married Elizabeth Ho(h)lman, was supposedly born in 1739 in Germany. Adam's son Jacob was born in America in 1746. There is a Jacob Moses who died in 1837 and is buried at St. Peter's, but that Jacob Moses was apparently born circa 1750, because he was 87 years old when he died. Until these questions are solved, the identity of the various Jacob Moses's remains a mystery. Addendum 2: A known descendant of the Jacob Moses of Bedford County, PA has gone through Y-DNA testing, and has been found to be a match to a descendant of Johann Heinrich Moses and Maria Philippina Fuht, who I presume to be a brother of the Adam Moses.
Back to the Letter

6. John (Johannes Moses) was baptized on September 1, 1747 at Augustus Lutheran Church in Trappe, PA (Source: Pennsylvania German Church Records). Johannes/John Moses married Magdalena König/Koenig/King on 6/05/1775 at the Falckner Swamp Reformed Church in New Hanover Township, Philadelphia County, which is now in Montgomery County (Sources: Pennsylvania German Marriages, Record of Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1810, Vol. 1, International Genealogical Index). Magdalena König/Koenig/King is believed to be the sister of Philip King who married Mary Angle Moses. Johannes/John and Magdalena had a son named Johann Adam Moses who was born 8/06/1776 and baptized 10/20/1776 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church (Source: Journals of Henry Melchior Mühlenberg). It is possible that the John Moses who died Intestate in Pikeland Township in 1820 is this John Moses -- Administrators of the estate were Adam Moses and John Moses, who could be the sons of Johannes/John and Magdalena (Source: Abstracts of Wills and Administrations of Chester County, PA). Addendum: The records of Zion Lutheran Church in Pikeland Township record the burial of Johannes Moses on April 7, 1820, at St. Peter's; this Johannes Moses was 72 years, 7 months and 17 days old when he died. Therefore, we can now say with certainty that the John Moses who died intestate in 1820 was indeed Adam's son John/Johannes born 1747.
Back to the Letter

7. Henry (Heinrich Moses) was baptized on July 1, 1749 at Augustus Lutheran Church in Trappe, PA (Source: Pennsylvania German Church Records). His wife's name was Catherina, but her maiden surname is not known -- they were the parents of Johann Adam Moses born 8/25/1776 and baptized 10/20/1776 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church (Source: Journals of Henry Melchior Mühlenberg).
Back to the Letter

8. Mary Engle Moses is listed as Mary Angle (Moses) King in her father's will, but microfilm records from St. Peter's Lutheran Church show her name listed most often as Maria Engel König/Koenig. According to her father's will, she married Philip King. Philip König/Koenig/King is believed to be the son of Michael König/Koenig/King who immigrated to America from Germany, and is also believed to be the brother of Magdalena König/Koenig/King who married Johannes/John Moses (Source: PACHESTE-L mailing list members). Names of children are found in Philip King's will; names of several grandchildren are found in the microfilm records for St. Peter's Lutheran Church, often with Maria Engel König/Koenig and/or Philip König/Koenig as witnesses. Addendum: Mary A. King, wife of Philip King, died April 8th 1848 at the age of 89 years, 1 month and 21 days, and is buried at St. Peter's (Sources: Tombstone for Mary A. King, Selected Historical Papers and Records Concerning St. Peter's Reformed Church, West Pikeland, Chester County, Penna., Compiled and Edited by Isaiah M. Rapp, Ph.D., 1940).
Back to the Letter

9. No baptismal records have yet been found for Peter Moses, Adam Moses, or Mary Engle/Engel Moses. I assume that they may have been baptized at Zion Lutheran Church near Spring City, PA, but have not yet found the records to prove this.
Back to the Letter

10. Son Adam is not mentioned in his father's will, so I assume that the son predeceased his father, but have no proof of this at this time.
Back to the Letter

11. The first wife of Peter Moses appears to be Margaretha Phaeris, referred to as Margaret Farris by some descendants. Peter Moses and Margaretha Phaeris were married May 24, 1774, at St. Michael's and Zion Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, PA (Source: Record of Pennsylvania Marriages Prior to 1810, Vol. 2). Children of this marriage include Adam Moses b. 1775, Peter Moses b. 1778, Samuel Ferris/Farris Moses b. October 3, 1779 or 1781, Moses Moses b. 1784, Elizabeth Walker Moses b. 1787, and Mary Moses b. 1791 (Source: information from family members).
Back to the Letter

12. The name of Peter's second wife is probably Mary Bradley (Source: information from family members). Children of this marriage include Elizabeth Susannah Walker Moses and Joseph Monroe Moses (Source: information from family members). Elizabeth Susannah Walker Moses was born 10/30/1808 in Appomattox County, VA, and married David Henry Coleman 12/14/1824 in Campbell County, VA (Sources: information from family members, International Genealogical Index, Marriage Index: KY, NC, TN, VA, WV, 1728-1850). Joseph Monroe Moses was born 3/08/1811 in Buckingham County, VA and died 6/18/1878, probably in Appomattox County, VA (Source: information from family members). Joseph Monroe Moses married a Martin, but her given names are not certain -- the name has been represented as both Jannette Pauline Martin and Paulina J. Martin (Sources: information from family members, also Virginia and the Virginians). Addendum: Peter Moses purchased land in Buckingham County, VA, that adjoined the land of one Joseph Bradley, who may have been a relative of Peter's 2nd wife (Source: Library of Virginia Digital Archives -- VA Land Records). The entry for Joseph Moses in the 1850 Census for Appomattox County, VA, shows his wife listed as Paulina J., so it is more likely that her name was Paulina Jannette Martin.
Back to the Letter

13. Mary Moses was not a child of Peter's second marriage. The daughter from Peter's second marriage was Elizabeth Susannah Walker Moses. Mary Moses was a daughter from Peter's first marriage. Either the name given is incorrect (as well as the spouse's name, since Elizabeth Susannah Walker Moses married David Henry Coleman), or the link to Peter's second wife is incorrect.
Back to the Letter

14. Samuel Ferris Moses and Nancy Jennings were married 10/19/1808 in Prince Edward County, VA (Source: Marriage Index: KY, NC, TN, VA, WV, 1728-1850).
Back to the Letter

15. The 1850 Census for Charlotte County, VA, includes an entry for Samuel F. Moses, age 68, occupation Surveyor, born in Chester County, PA. Listed in the household are wife Nancy Moses, age 58, born in Prince Edward County, VA; children all born in Charlotte County, VA including: Mary A. Moses, age 24; Susan F. Moses, age 23; Sarah M. Moses, age 18; Robert W. Moses, age 15; and Albert W. Moses, age 4 (Source: ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/charlotte/census/1850cena.txt). The identity of Albert W. Moses is not known, as he is not among the 13 children of Samuel Ferris Moses and Nancy Jennings. Perhaps he is a grandson of Samuel and Nancy.
Back to the Letter

16. The 13 children of Samuel Ferris/Farris Moses and Nancy Jennings include (Sources: information from family members, USGenweb sites for Benton County, Oregon & Linn County, Oregon; Marriage Index: KY, NC, TN, VA, WV, 1728-1850):

17. Two marriage records have been located for a William H. Moses: a) William H. Moses married Ardena G. Blankenship 3/21/1843 in Montgomery County, VA; b) William H. Moses married Mary E. Fleshman 12/10/1849 in Campbell County, VA (Source: Marriage Index: KY, NC, TN, VA, WV, 1728-1850). The William H. Moses who married Ardena Blankenship is claimed by a different Moses family, so that leaves the William H. Moses who married Mary Fleshman as the logical choice to be the son of Samuel Ferris Moses. Addendum: Descendants of William Henry Moses and Mary Fleshman have been located; she was indeed the wife of our William Henry Moses. (See webpage located at http://www.baileysteppe.com/BookSupp/Bailey/05Teapot.htm).
Back to the Letter

18. Unless the name of the town has changed over time, the name Cornwallis is incorrect; the proper name is Corvallis, which is today in Benton County.
Back to the Letter

Back to the Top

Site Navigation:

View Old Guestbook

External link: Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: User Home Page Genealogy Report: Descendants of Adam Moses

Send me an e-mail

Links to my web pages:

Back to Rootsweb

Visit RootsWeb

Visitors since 09/30/2001
This page was last modified: Wednesday, 12-Sep-2018 14:28:45 MDT

Page designed, created and maintained by Mary D. Taffet.