I have traced my MOSS line back to Frederick Moss who was born in either Virginia or England about 1771. He arrived in Pendleton District, SC around the year 1800. He can be found on several censuses and his name appears in numerous land records. Our line is through his daughter Susan who married Robert Verner.
I don't have a lot of information, but in keeping with my goal to put as much of my research online as I have the time to spend, I have put forth some of what I have collected.
It appears that Frederick's first wife was Barbara Berry (Barry) who died and then Frederick married Catherine (lnu). Some have stated that Catherine was also a Berry, a niece of his 1st wife. There may also be a Smithson family connection which remains unconfirmed: Some researchers have stated that Barbara's mother's maiden name was Smithson and that she was the daughter of Micajah Smithson. If one examines the censuses and the early records for Pendleton District, the Smithson name can be found referenced; In particular Asa Smithson who might be related since he appears to be a son of Micajah Smithson. There are a few records for Barrys and Smithsons in Pendleton District in the late 1790s.
From Frederick's Will [1] dated 1851 and the estate documents which date to about 1860, we can infer that his wife's name was Catherine and that he had the following children:
- Mary (married Collins)
- Susan (1799-1871; Married Robert Verner)
- Nancy (married Leonard Clayton)
- Harriet (married G. W. Treadaway/Treadway)
- Patsy or Martha (1806-1853;Married Benjamin Cleveland Maret)
- Gincy/Jenny (1810-1885;Married Osborn Callaway Cleveland)
- Elizabeth (?-1844; Married Joseph Davis - his 2nd wife)
- Samuel
- William
- Anamoriah
- Newton
- Jasper
It is not known which children were born to Frederick and Barbara and which were born to Frederick and Catherine (if any); However, the last 3 children are noted to only receive 1/2 share which might indicate they were either stepchildren, minors or somehow not on the same level as the rest of his children.
Note that Osborn Callaway Cleveland was a descendant of Colonel Benjamin Cleveland's brother, the Rev. John Cleveland.
Cleveland Maret was probably a descendant of the Revolutionary War soldier Benjamin Maret/Marett.
G. W. Treadaway is probably George Washington Treadaway who died in Texas in 1857. His sister, Sarah Treadaway Pullen, is buried in the Beaverdam Baptist Church cemetery in Fairplay, SC where many of the Marets and Frederick Moss' descendants are also buried.
Son William might be the William Warren Moss (1836-1910) that is buried in West View Memorial cemetery, Walhalla, SC. This William was a Confederate Veteran (Orr's Rifles)
Son/Stepson Newton might be the Newton Frederick Moss (1830-1902) that is buried in Union County, MS.
Ancestry.com
(GPS 34.52838, -82.97486)
LAND RECORDS
- March 1805 - Frederick Moss sold 225 acres of land on north side of South Beaver Creek of Tugaloo River to Thomas Harbin; Part of grant made to Samuel Watt in 1785 and then sold to John Gibson and then Gibson sold to Moss. Witnesses are Henry and Caleb Barton with William Cleveland as JP.
Note: This Thomas Harbin may have been Thomas Wylie Harbin (1760-1808), buried at Beaverdam Baptist Church cemetery. Interestingly, Thomas W. Harbin's wife was Mary Witherspoon whose parents were John Wesley Witherspoon and Martha Pettigrew . Martha was the daughter of James Pettigrew and Mary Cochran. The Witherspoons were in Wilkes County, NC before removing to Pendleton District, SC and they too were heavily involved in the Revolutionary War. - August 1805 - Frederick Moss was a witness to a land transaction between Moses Harris and John Gibson on land located on the south side of Big Beaverdam Creek.
- February 1806 - Frederick Moss was a witness to a land transaction between John Gibson and Samuel Earle [2] on land located on South Fork of Beaverdam Creek. John Gibson's wife released dower to John Verner
Note: John Verner is also related to Martha Pettigrew, both descendants of James Pettigrew and Mary Cochran. - March 1806 - Frederick Moss was a witness to a land transaction between John Gibson and Armstead Barry on South Beaverdam Creek. W.T. Barry was another witness. John Gibson's wife released dower to John Verner
- October 1806 - Frederick Moss was a witness to a land transaction between Samuel Hawkins and John Crow. Samuel Earle [2] was another witness.
- February 1807 - Frederick Moss, Armistead Berry, Kesia Berry, William Berry and Polly Berry, provided bond in the amount of $8,000 for the estate of Andrew Berry. Samuel Earle was a witness.
It is clear from these land transactions that Frederick was living close to John Gibson and Samuel Earle. We also know that his grave is located on his former plantation land. We also know that Samuel Earle's land was located just to the north. There is a historic road sign for Samuel Earle located at the present day intersection of Rodgers Road and Highway 59 (GPS 34.5663, -82.9918) which is just north of Beaverdam Creek.
The land records also clearly indicate a relationship existed between the Barry/Berry family.
CENSUSES AND SCHEDULES
Note the names Thomas Harrison, Elijah Kees, Mathew Hooper, Benjamin Perry, and Micajah Smithson. Thomas Harrison is my ancestor, Benjamin Perry is the father of the future Governor of SC by the same name, and the Smithson name has been associated with our Moss family by some researchers (exact relationship unknown).
Note the names several Marets, including Benjamin
Note nearby landowners who are familiar names in this blog
(Familysearch.org)
The 1830 census indicates an older woman (age 60-70) is living in Frederick's household - is this his mother or mother-in-law? There is a woman, age 30-40, shown who is likely his 2nd wife.
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[1] Available on Ancestry.com
[2] Samuel Earle (1760-1833) was a Captain in the Revolutionary War , a Congressman and a planter. He was a delegate to the SC State Convention that ratified the US Constitution. He was the son of Baylis Earle.
(This page was created on 8/7/2023)