Aphia (Moody) Russell (abt. 1757 - 1847)

Born about 1757 in Brentwood, Rockingham, NH

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 12 May 1847 at about age 90 in Alfred Gore, York, ME

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Biography

This name is spelled Aphia, Affia(s) and Apphia. Aphia is the spelling on her gravestone in Evergreen Cemetery in Alfred. The inscription indicates she died May 12 1747, age 90.

Aphia's parentage is confirmed by an affidavit filed by "Affias" Russell, on behalf of her sister in law, Bridget (Davis) Moody which proves that Apphia was the sister of the Revolutionary War pensioner Joseph Moody, who is identified as the son of Samuel and and Hannah (Severance) Moody, making Aphia their daughter as well. (Rev. War Pension Application, W4552. William Collins Hatch in his "A History of Industry, Maine" (afterward Farmington, ME, 1893), pp745-46 lists the children of Samuel and Hannah Severance Moody, including Joseph, but omits Aphia, who was probably the eldest child, born before the family came to Maine and married prior to the move to Industry (now Franklin), ME

In December 2005 the Moody Ydna project proved the descendancy from Clement Moody of Exeter. 2 male descendants of different lines from Aphia's brother Joseph were an exact match with each other and they with a descendant of Scribner, Aphia's uncle. A 24/25 match exists between these three men and a descendant of Capt. Clement Moody believed to be nephew of Samuel and Scribner. Scribner Moody is identified as the son of Clement Moody, Jr., Clement of Exeter's son, in a deed deed dated 22 January 1778. Daniel Gilman of Exeter sold to SCRIBNER MOODY of Poplin 96 acres, "which I bought of said MOODY'S FATHER, CLEMAND(sic) Moody" (Rockingham Co., NH Deeds 108:499. Robert Charles Anderson, Clement Moody of Exeter, NH, His Sons and Grandsons, July/Oct TAG, 1986, p.225) As of 2007 there were 11 matching descendants of Clement Moody.

Samuel Moody (Jr): Rev. War Pension application, W4552. Early VR of Lyman, ME: NEGHR: 95(1941):87. Page also includes marriage records of Aphia Moody Russell's sister, Mary to John Davis and her brother, Joseph Moody to Bridget Davis. Bridget's niece, Sally Davis married Apphia and Joseph, Jr's son, Joseph Russell (III) of Alfred (intentions 2 December 1809).

Clement Moody of Stowe, VT, presumed father of Dolly Moody who married Jonathan Russell, Apphia and Joseph's (probably eldest) son, was Apphia's first cousin; Clement of Stowe's father, Joseph Moody, was brother of Apphia's father, Samuel Moody, and both men were sons of Clement and Elizabeth (Scribner) Moody.

Apphia is buried with her husband, Joseph Russell in the Evergreen Cemetery in Alfred, Maine. Gravestone inscriptions indicate she died on 12 May 1847, at age 90, giving calculated birth year of 1756-1757.

Eaton, Priscilla and Boyle, Fred R., CG: "Joseph Russell Families of Maine", TAG, Vol. 79, pp. 143-45.

Bridget Davis Moody, Widow of Joseph Moody Rev. War Pension Application: Aphia Moody Russell's affidavit establishes that Aphia was brother of Joseph Moody and therefore son of Samuel and Hannah Severance Moody.

"I Aphia or Affias Russell of Alfredgore in the county of York and State of Maine, aged eighty eight years depose, testify and say that I well knew Bridget Moody before she was married to Joseph Moody, her maiden name was Bridget Davis. Joseph Moody aforesaid was a brother to me and I was present at the weding (sic) when Brother Joseph aforesaid was married to said Bridget Davis. They were married at his father's house in Alfredgore aforesaid, then a part of Sanford, in then district of Maine. Said Bridget father's name was Daniel Davis. I perfectly recollect being at said weding (sic), and think it was in the afternoon, but now cannot now recollect the day of the week; they had a goodly number at the wedding aforesaid among whom were Deacon Giles, Mr. Jewett and Mr William Marshall; And I also recollect that brother Joseph Moody was in the Army of the Revolution. Before brother Joseph was married he resided in Alfred aforesaid and after his marriage he moved from said Alfred to Shapleigh in said York County and afterwards removed to the State of New York.

Dated at said Alfred this 27th day of November A.D. 1845 Witnesses: Ivory M. Thompson Affias (her Mark) Russell Joshua Russell

Entered by Chas. R Lindsay, Justice of the Peace

Sources

• Eaton, Priscilla and Boyle, Fred R., CG: "Joseph Russell Families of

Maine", TAG, Vol. 79, pp. 143-45.

Affadavit of Aphia Moody Russell for Rev. War Pension Application of Bridget Davis Moody, widow of Joseph Moody

Evergreen Cemetery, Alfred, ME gravestone