Cpl. John Moss

• BIRTH 1604 Cotheridge, Wiltshire, England [Manchester, Lancashire, England]
• MARRIED January 18, 1639 with Abigail Charles) - New Haven, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
• MARRIED December 24, 1658 with Abigail Charles) - Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA
• DEATH March 31, 1707 Wallingford, New Haven, Connecticut, USA aged 103 years old
• BURIAL Center Street Cemetery, Wallingford, New Haven County, Connecticut, USA
• MEMORIAL ID 14929565

Biography

John Moss was born 1604 in England, died 31 March 1707, aged 103, at Wallingford, New Haven Co., Ct. He immigrant from England to Connecticut, the son of John Moss and ancestor of all who bear the name in these parts, was one of the earliest settlers of New Haven colony. He signed the original compact in New Haven in 1639. signed with the Planters Associates on 4 June 1639. He was a member of the first general court in 1639. He was a prominent man there, frequently representing the people in the General Court. He was chosen corporal 6 Aug 1642. As early as 1667, we find him in what is now Wallingford, perambulating the country in that region for the purpose of settling a village there. In 1670, at the age of 67 years, he is exerting himself before the General Court at Hartford, to procure an act of incorporation, changing the name of the village to that of Wallingford, which was carried into effect the 12th day of May 1670.

At this time he was a member of the General Court from New Haven. Afterwards he was frequently a member of said Court, as a representative from Wallingford. In May of 1678, he was elected commissioner and served many times. He was a very active member of the company, and a leader among the settlers, who were constantly filling up the place. He was at first located on a lot at the south end of the village, a short distance below the present residence of Constant Webb, and adjoining his friends, John Brockett and Samuel Brown, to whom was assigned the lot on which the Beach house now stands. Failing to settle on it within the time limited, his title was forfeited, and the committee to whom such matters were referred, gave it to John Moss, Jr., and the same remained in the possession of his heirs and descendants, until the death of the late Ebenezer Morse. Corporal John Moss served on the committee on fortifications 4 March 1676, and served at the lower garrison.[3]

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John Moss was one of the first colonists to New Haven Colony, and signed the compact there in 1639 . He was a representative to the General Court from New Haven for many years. He held the rank of Corporal and was one of the original purchasers of the town. He w a s also prominent in the establishment of the church. John joined with the magistrates and chief inhabitants of New Haven in urging permission to erect a village on our lands lieing above ye great plaine. Permission was granted 10-10-1667. For two years, the territory was prospected for an eligible site by John Moss, John Brokett , Abraham Doolittle and others, who suggested the site which was chosen for the village of Wallingford, CT.

John Moss had arrived in Boston 6 25 1637, with the DavenportCo . on the Hector. It is probable that he came from the vicinity of Wallingford, England, in Berks Co. about 10 miles from Oxford . At thetime the General Court in Hartford named the town , John Moss was Deputy to its session. It i s presumed, therefore , that we owe the selection of the town's name to John Moss. : John was born about 1604 and died in 1707 in Wallingford aged 103. He came with the first colonists to New Haven and signed the compact there in 1639. He was a representative to the General Court from New Haven for many years. He held the rank of corporal and was one fo the original purchasers of the town. He was also prominent in the establishment of the church.

John Moss joined with the magistrates and chief inhabitants of New Haven in urging permission "to erect a village on our lands lieing above ye great plaine." Permission was granted October 10, 1667. For twoyears the territory was prospected for an eligible site by John Moss,John Brockett, Abraham Doolittle and others, who suggested the site which was later chosen. John Moss and John Brockett had come over together from England, arriving in Boston June 25, 1637, with the Davenport Company, on the "Hector." : It is probable they resided in the same vicinity, Wallingford, England, in the Berks County about 10 miles from Oxford. At the time the General Court in Hartford named the town, John Moss was Deputy to its session. It is presumed, therefore, that we owe the selection of the town's name to John Moss. : He was 67 in 1670.

He had a lot at the south end of the village, adjoining his friend John Brockett and Samuel Brown. Failing to settle on it within the time limited, his title was forfeited, and committee handling such matters give it to John Moss, Jr. : The title "Mr." is often found before his name, which was a mark of respect in those days. It is said that Moss Rock here in Wallingford was named for him.[Moss.ftw] : John Moss (1603 or 1604-1707), a Puritan, was one of the earliest settlers of New Haven Colony. New Haven was founded in 1638 as a Puritan theocracy. In 1640 he signed a compact as one of the proprietors andplanters of New Haven. He was a member of the first general court in1639, 1648, 1649, and 1664. He was chosen corporal in 1642. John was elected commissioner eighteen times and it that capacity was authorized to perform marriage ceremonies, among other duties. He was named to committee to distribute commons lands.

He also headed a committee to organize a church, although in 1646 he was fined ten shillings for neglecting a church service. Occasionally he was appointed to defend the accused in civil court. Upon the union of New Haven with Connecticut in 1665, he was repeatedly appointed to attend the general court at Hartford, and was appointed a magistrate. In 1670 he was one of the incorporators of the city of Wallingford, which was set off from New Haven. He died in Wallingford when he was 103 years old. : Note: Donald L. Jacobus, Families of Ancient New Haven, 1922-1932, 3 volumes:: John was New Haven 1639, signed the original comp. 4 Jun 1643. He was representative 1667-1670, and then removed to Wallingford 1670, of which he was representative 1671-1673, yet continued as proprietor at New Haven, died aged 103, perhaps with slight exaggeration.[6]

Chronology

• Occupation: Yeoman; Captain; Corporal
• 6/26/1637 Immigrated possibly on the "Hector" MCS line or the Hector's "Consort"
• 1639 Emigration Arrival, New Haven, Connecticut. [6]
• 1639 Signer of New Haven Colony Compact
• 1639 Representative to the General Court
• 8/6/1642 Chosen Corporal in the New Haven Train Band
• 1664 Deputy to the New Haven Legislature
• Corporal in King Philip's War
• 1670< One of the founder's of Wallingford, CT. (incopotatd as a town on May 12,1670 and may have named it.)
• 1707 Died at the age of 103

Parents
Samuel Morse 1585-1654
Elizabeth Jasper †1655

Spouse
Abigail "Goody" Charles Moss 1606–1656 m. January 18, 1636, New Haven, CT

Children 11x
John Moss prob. 1/5/1640- died young
Samuel Moss 4/4/641- died young
Abigail (Moss) Doolittle 4/10/1642–1710 m Abraham Doolittle
Joseph Moss Prob. 11/5/1643–1727 m 1) Mary Alling 2) Sarah Peck, widow of Matthew Gilbert
Daniel Moss
Ephraim Moss 11/16/1645- died young
Mary (Moss) Peck 11 Apr. 1647- m John Peck
Mercy Moss 4/1/1649- a man who m Elizabeth Curtis
John Moss Jr. bapt. 10/20/1650–1717 m Martha Lathrop
Elizabeth "Eliz" Moss Hitchcock bapt. 10/7/1652 m Nathaniel Hitchcock
Esther/Hester Moss Royce 1/2/1653/4–1677 m Nathaniel Royce
Isaac Moss bapt. 11/301655-died young

Notes

I am bringing up a very old question that seems to go on and on; in going over my very old list of things to do, I saw that I needed pages from Hoadley's "Records of the Colony and Plantation of New Haven" and after posting a query, received pp 297-9 of the several (?) relating to the court case against John Charles in which his "Brother John Mose" testified in court on the behalf of his "brother" John Charles... this is the first time that I had ever seen this record and more information about the case and as soon as I read it, I wondered: were John Moss and John Charles really brothers-in-law as has been thought by researchers as a strong possibility simply because of the term brothers or: was it just that because of their church affiliations they called each other "brother" and "sister"? So - who were their wives?

In June when I went to GENUKI, I contacted the online parish clerk for Sandford, Devonshire and she quickly found for me information on the Charles family - John was the son of William Junior bapt @ Sanford 1608; other children were Philip, Gilbert, Margaret, Eleanor. NO Abigail. Since we still have no origins for the Moss family, seems that a Sarah who md. John Charles is still possible So maybe it was a one way street in the brother-in-law theory. Any ideas or has anyone else done anything deeper than this - I submitted information on the Charles family after emigration to New England, to the parish clerk as she requested, but for anything further, it would cost £5 per hour - had to pass that one up, myself.

Re: John Moss/John Charles and wives « Reply #1 on: 22 Nov 2005, 08:08 AM »
I have been researching John Moss for some time as a member of Carl Morse's research team. I live in CT which is where Moss spent most of his 104 years. After reading your message, I accessed Hoadley's book and have been noting that Moss and John Charles are mentioned together quite often. On page 422 John Moss is recorded as being "atturney" for John Charles declaring that Charles sold some property to a James Turner who was a fugitive from the Dutch. This is another example of the tight relationship between the two men.

I believe they were brothers-in-law as well as "brothers" in the religious sense of the word. There are church records in New Haven showing that Moss married Abigail Charles. I am going to scroll the rest of the Hoadley book and will make note of any further connection between the men. You may contact me at Jinbud@aol.com

http://genforum.genealogy.com/cgi-bin/pageload.cgi?geare::moss::335... The 3 Charles' (John, Abigail, & 9 y.o. sister Mary), as well as John Moss, sister Sarah Moss Geare and her husband John sailed for the new world in a ship "Winterhee" which was wrecked off Barbados. John Geare was lost at sea. Eventually the survivors were transported to Charlestown, MA. John Charles apparently married Sarah Moss Geare; and Abigail Charles married John Moss.

Also in the book Charles Family History, Nancy Wach says that John Geer and his wife Sarah (Moss) Geer, her brother, John and John Charles and his sisters all set sail for the New World on the same ship, the Winterhee. The Winterhee was wrecked and the survivors ended up in Barbados, later they continued they journey. John Geer was lost at sea during or before this event

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: Date: Wed, 22 Sep 1999 11:44:23 EDT : To: AncestrySmithBrinkaol.com : : This information is for Art Hall who is a descendant of John Moss. : : WALLINGFORD TERCENTENARY CELEBRATION- 1970-Pages 25 & 26 John Moss was born about 1604 and died in 1707 in Wallingford aged 103. He came with the first colonists to New Haven and signed the compact there in 1639. He was a representative to the General Court from New Haven formany years. He held the rank of Corporal and was one of the originalpurchasers of the town. He was also prominent in the establishment of the church. John Moss joined with the magistrates and chief inhabitants of New Haven in urging permission "to erect a village on our landslying above ye great plaine." Permission was granted October 10, 1667. For two years the territory was prospected for an eligible site byJohn Moss, John Brockett, Abraham Doolittle and others who suggested the site which was later chosen.

John Moss and John Brockett had come over together from England, arriving in Boston June 25, 1637, with theDavenport Co. on the "Hector." It is probable they resided in the same vicinity, Wallingford, England in Berks County about 10 miles from Oxford. At the time the General Court in Hartford named the town, John Moss was Deputy to its session. It is presumed, therefore, that we owe the selection of the town's name to John Moss. He was 67 in 1670. He had a lot at the south end of the village, adjoining his friend John Brocket and Samuel Brown. Failing to settle on it within the time limited, his title was forfeited, and the committee handling such matters gave it to John Moss Jr. The title "Mr" is often found before his name, which was a mark of respect in those days. It is said that MossRock here in Wallingford was names for him. It goes on to name some of his descendants, which we have. I think it is remarkable that peoplelived that long back then. Art is going to send some more information to me later and I will pass it along as it comes in. : Dorothy

References

1. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14929565/john-moss

2. http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=89766857&pid...

3. https://www.shelaghlewins.com/other_stuff/moss_history_04.php

4. http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/d/u/n/John-A-Dunham/WEBS...

5. http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/s/c/o/MARY-C-SCOTT/GENE1...

6. Rob Salzman - http://www.e-familytree.net - 4130 SW 117th Ave # 415 Beaverton, OR, 97005

6.1. https://www.myheritage.com/matchingresult-846b0584a91a0472563c1d272...

Sources

7. Ancestry.com U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s [online database], Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.Place: New Haven, Connecticut; Year: 1639; Page Number: 201.

8. http://morsesociety.org/forum/index.php?topic=714.0 John Moss/John Charles and wives

9. Abbrev: Ancestral File (TM) Title: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ancestral File (TM). June 1998 (c), data as of 5 JAN 1998une 1998 (c), data as of 5 JAN 1998. Repository: Name: Family History Library Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA Repository: Name: Family History Library Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA

Marriage

10. Torrey's Marriages prior to 1700, John. Moss married Abigail. Charles by 1639/40 in New Haven / Wallingford, Connecticut

11. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/868028:7836?tid=&... John Moss b. 1604, Spouse Abigail Charles, Marriage State CT 6 pages

12. http://www.americanancestors.org/databases/torreys-new-england-marr... Torrey's New England Marriages Prior to 1700], AmericanAncestors.org, Volume 2, page 1067. According to Yates Publishing the marriage took place on 18 Jan 1636, New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut. Edmund West, compiler. Family Data Collection - Marriages [online publication], Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.

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13. Puritan Great Migration

14. Families of Ancient New Haven by Donald Lines Jacobus, pg. 546, 1219

15. A Genealogical memoir of the Lo-Lathrop Family, 1884, pg. 47, Martha (#25)

16. Jacobus, Donald Lines, Families of Ancient New Haven, Volume 5, page 1219

17. "Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry" compiled by Sir. Bernard Burke and edited by Peter Townsend; 16th Edition, London, England 1939 (929.7205 B91G ACPL)

18. Morse, Reverend Abner, A. M., Memorial of the Morses : containing the history of seven persons of the name, who settled in America in theseventeenth century, Published 1850 by William Veazie, page 144

19. Wheeler, Richard Anson History of the town of Stonington, county of New London, Connecticut, from its first settlement in 1649 to 1900, published 1900. Reference page 482

20. Adams, Charles Collard. “Middletown Upper Houses, A History of the North Society of Middletown, Connecticut, From 1650 to 1800, With Genealogical and Biographical Chapters on Early Families and A Full Genealogy of the Ranney Family.” (The Grafton Press Genealogical Publishers, New York) 1908. p. 160-161.

21. Davis, Charles Henry Stanley. History of Wallingford, Connecticut (Charles Henry Stanley Davis, Wallingford, Connecticut, 1870) Page 533-4

22. Connecticut, Deaths and Burials Index, 1650-1934 [online database],Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. Ancestry.com. Connecticut, Hale Cemetery Inscriptions, 1675-1934 [online database], Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. Edmund West, compiler. Family Data Collection - Births [online publication], Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.Godfrey Memorial Library, compiler. American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI) [online publication], Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.Ancestry.com. U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700 [online publication], Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 [online publication], Provo, Utah: Ancestry.com Operations Inc.

23. Genealogical Dictionary of New England, - Vol. I-IV (4). Boston, 1860-1862. Moss, * John, New Haven 1639, sign. the orig. comp. 4 June 1643, had John, bapt. prob. 5 Jan. 1640, d. young; Samuel, 4 Apr. 1641; Abigail, 10 Apr. 1642; Joseph, prob. 5 Nov. 1643; Ephraim, 16 Nov. 1645; Mary, 11 Apr. 1647; Mercy, male, 1 Apr. 169; John, again, b. 12, bapt. 20 Oct. 1650; Eliz 3, bapt. 7 Oct. 1652; Esther, 2 Jan. 1654; and Isaac, 21, bapt. 30 Nov. 1655; as the print. in Geneal. Reg. IX. 361, gives the bapt. wh. may be a mistake for Dec. The rec. of b. may be trust. that of bapt. is certain. wrong. He was rep. 1667-70, and then rem. to Wallingford 1670, of wh. he was rep. 1671-3, yet contin. propr. at New Haven, d. 1707, aged 103, perhaps with slight exagg. yet thot. to be the oldest that ever d. in Conn.

GEDCOM Sources

24. U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations Inc 1,3824::0 Genealogical Publishing Co.; Baltimore, MD, USA; Volume Title: New England Marriages Prior to 1700 1,3824::60463

24. U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 1,60525::0 1,60525::104039521

26. U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc 1,7486::0 Place: New Haven, Connecticut; Year: 1620-1650; Page Number: 183 1,7486::1613342

27. Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.

28. https://www.myheritage.com/matchingresult-485d2192bb95a8bd967bf0031...

Additional Data

John Moss - born abt. 1604. First located in New Haven, Ct. Was a Corporal in King Philip's War. One of the founders of Wallingford, Ct. which was incorporated as a town on May 12,1670. Died in 1707 in
Wallingford, Ct. aged 103 in1670. During this period, on various deeds dealing with land transactions with the Quinnipiacs in the General Courts of Hartford and New Haven, John Moss is listed with Rev. Samuel Street, Lt. Nathaniel Meriman, John Brocket, and Sargeant Abraham Doolittle as the proprietors of Wallingford. John Moss remained active in Wallingford for nearly three more decades as its representative to the General Court. His home lot was located at the south of the village. The maiden name of John Moss' wife was Charles.[13]

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John Moss was one of the first colonists to New Haven Colony, and signed the compact there in 1639. He was a representative to the General Court from New Haven for many years. He held the rank of Corporal and was one of the original purchasers of the town. He was also prominent in the establishment of the church. John joined with the magistrates and chief inhabitants of New Haven in urging permission "to erect a village on our lands lieing above ye great plaine." Permission was granted 10/10/1667. For two years, the territory was prospected for an eligible site by John Moss, John Brockett, Abraham Doolittle and others, who suggested the site which was chosen for the Village of Wallingford, Conn. John Moss had arrived in Boston with the Davenport Co. on the "Hector". It is probable that he came from the vicinity of Wallingford, Eng. in Berks Co. about 10 miles from Oxford. At the time the General Court in Hartford named the town, John Moss was Deputy to its session
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: Rob Salzman - http://www.e-familytree.net - 4130 SW 117th Ave # 415 Beaverton, OR, 97005: FTW GEN JOHN WAS THE EMIGRANT AND A FOUNDER OF WALLINGFORD , CONN. John Moss was one of the first colonists to New Haven Colony, and signed the compact there in 1639 . He was a representative to the General Court from New Haven for many years. He held the rank of Corporal and was one of the original purchasers of the town. He w a s also prominent in the establishment of the church. John joined with the magistrates and chief inhabitants of New Haven in urging permission to erect a village on our lands lieing above ye great plaine. Permission was granted 10-10-1667. For two years, the territory was prospected for an eligible site by John Moss, John Brokett , Abraham Doolittle and others, who suggested the site which was chosen for the village of Wallingford, CT.

John Moss had arrived in Boston 6 25 1637, with the DavenportCo . on the Hector. It is probable that he came from the vicinity of Wallingford, England, in Berks Co. about 10 miles from Oxford . At thetime the General Court in Hartford named the town , John Moss was Deputy to its session. It i s presumed, therefore , that we owe the selection of the town's name to John Moss. : John was born about 1604 and died in 1707 in Wallingford aged 103. He came with the first colonists to New Haven and signed the compact there in 1639. He was a representative to the General Court from New Haven for many years. He held the rank of corporal and was one fo the original purchasers of the town. He was also prominent in the establishment of the church.

John Moss joined with the magistrates and chief inhabitants of New Haven in urging permission "to erect a village on our lands lieing above ye great plaine." Permission was granted October 10, 1667. For twoyears the territory was prospected for an eligible site by John Moss,John Brockett, Abraham Doolittle and others, who suggested the site which was later chosen. John Moss and John Brockett had come over together from England, arriving in Boston June 25, 1637, with the Davenport Company, on the "Hector." : It is probable they resided in the same vicinity, Wallingford, England, in the Berks County about 10 miles from Oxford. At the time the General Court in Hartford named the town, John Moss was Deputy to its session. It is presumed, therefore, that we owe the selection of the town's name to John Moss. : He was 67 in 1670.

He had a lot at the south end of the village, adjoining his friend John Brockett and Samuel Brown. Failing to settle on it within the time limited, his title was forfeited, and committee handling such matters give it to John Moss, Jr. : The title "Mr." is often found before his name, which was a mark of respect in those days. It is said that Moss Rock here in Wallingford was named for him.[Moss.ftw] : John Moss (1603 or 1604-1707), a Puritan, was one of the earliest settlers of New Haven Colony. New Haven was founded in 1638 as a Puritan theocracy. In 1640 he signed a compact as one of the proprietors andplanters of New Haven. He was a member of the first general court in1639, 1648, 1649, and 1664. He was chosen corporal in 1642. John was elected commissioner eighteen times and it that capacity was authorized to perform marriage ceremonies, among other duties. He was named to committee to distribute commons lands.

He also headed a committee to organize a church, although in 1646 he was fined ten shillings for neglecting a church service. Occasionally he was appointed to defend the accused in civil court. Upon the union of New Haven with Connecticut in 1665, he was repeatedly appointed to attend the general court at Hartford, and was appointed a magistrate. In 1670 he was one of the incorporators of the city of Wallingford, which was set off from New Haven. He died in Wallingford when he was 103 years old. : Note: Donald L. Jacobus, Families of Ancient New Haven, 1922-1932, 3 volumes:: John was New Haven 1639, signed the original comp. 4 Jun 1643. He was representative 1667-1670, and then removed to Wallingford 1670, of which he was representative 1671-1673, yet continued as proprietor at New Haven, died aged 103, perhaps with slight exaggeration.