Marvel Moseley (abt. 1658 - 1721)

Born about 1658 in Middlesex, British Colonial Virginia

Husband of Grace (Blase or Blaise) Moseley — married 1673 in Middlesex County, Virginia, British Colonial America

Descendants

Died 13 Feb 1721 at about age 63 in Middlesex, British Colonial Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Edward Scott [send private message] and Laurence Houlgate [send private message]

Biography

Name

Name: Marvel /Moseley/^[1][2][3][4]

Death

Death:

Date: 13 FEB 1720/21

Place: Middlesex, Virginia, United States^[5]

Imported only 13 FEB 1720 from Death Date and marked as uncertain.

Marriage

Husband: Marvel Moseley

Wife: Sarah Blaise

Child: Marvell Moseley

Marriage:

Date: 1681

Place: Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, United States^[6]

There are two possible ways to interpret the considerable, available information about this Marvell Moseley.

The first is that he married first one and then the second daughter of his "master" in America, William Blase or Blaise, on whose plantation Marvell initially worked between c. 1672 (after he had arrived in America) and 1674/75 (when William Blase or Blaise died), leaving the will described in complete detail below. This is the interpretation endorsed by the current profile manager. I would point out that in his will William Blase or Blaise gave Marvell Moseley an extraordinary set of powers over his son and his plantation if Moseley had not become his son-in-law by marrying his eldest daughter Grace by the time of William's death.

The second is to accept that we have no idea who Marvell married but he still had the same three children by a woman called Sarah. This is the interpretation put forward by whoever was initially responsible for uploading information about this Marvell Moseley to the Wikitree site (and which the current profile manager has left in place below with a few relatively minor editorial modifications).

Birth

Birth:

Date: ABT 1650 or 1651

Place: England^[7][8]

Death

Death:

Date: 13 FEB 1721/2

Place: Middlesex County, Virginia^[9][10]

Notes

(a) Based on the idea that Marvell Moseley married William Blaise or Blase's daughters

NOTE A: This document was written by E. Michael D. Scott was was last updated on July 24, 2016.

NOTE B: This Marvell or Marvill MOSELEY is cataloged by Warren Forsythe as ID no. I154 – “Marvel Marvil Marvell Marvill MOSELEY”, see

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=moseley1&id=I154

He is also cataloged by Darrin Lythgoe as ID no. I090134 – “Marvill MOSELEY”, see

http://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I090134&tree=tree1

This Marvell or Marvill MOSELEY is first documentable in Virginia as the Executor of the will of his father-in-law, William BLAISE or BLASE, dated February 7, 1674. By that date, Marvell was already married to William’s daughter Grace BLAISE or BLASE.

We do not actually know exactly when Marvell MOSELEY arrived in America. What we do know is that, on March 20, 1678, Col. William TRAVERS received 780 acres in Stafford County as headright for the transportation of 16 persons to Virginia, and one of those individuals is stated to be Marvel MOSELEY, implying that Marvell was brought to Virginia from England.

The current presumptions can be laid out as follows:

First, that Marvell MOSELEY was about 20 or so years of age when he arrived in Virginia (although in fact he could have been anywhere from about 16 to 25).

Second, that when Marvell arrived in Virginia he came either as an indentured servant (to Col. TRAVERS) who was then “leased out” to William BLAISE for the period of his indenture or as an acquaintance of the TRAVERS family who simply found work on William BLAISE’s plantation in what was then part of Old Rappahannock County.

Third, that like many before him, he married his employer’s eldest daughter (in about 1672 or 1673).

Thus, not only do we not know exactly when or where Marvell MOSELEY was born; we also do not know his age (or hers) at the time that he married Grace BLAISE or BLASE. Our best guess is that Marvell was probably born c. 1651 in England, and that Grace was born c. 1664 in Old Rappahannock County. What we do know is that his son pronounced his surname as Mar-VELL rather than MAR-vel.

In William BLAISE’s abovementioned will, he left almost all of his property to his son James, who was a minor at the time of his father’s death in 1674. This inheritance came with two additional provisions:

First, that “I give unto my Loving Sonn Marvell Moseley, the use of my plantation and to bild and clere what he hath ocation for till my Sonn comes to age my will and meaning is that my loving Sonn Marvell Mosley shall bring my Sonn James Blase up to skole to yeares and at the expiration of the time to put him to prentis to Sum master of a ship till he comes to age to lerne the art of Navigation” and that “I give unto my loving Sonn Marvell Mosley the use of all my household stuff Cattle & Hogs for the bringing up of my Sonn till he comes to age.”

Second, that if James were to die before he came into the inheritance, then the estate would be spilt between his two daughters, who seem to have been called Grace and Sarah.

Clearly the reference in the will to Marvell MOSELEY as the “son” of William BLAISE is simply a recognition that he is actually William’s son-in-law.

From Marvell’s perspective, this is a pretty good deal. Although James’s age at the time of the death of his father is unknown, it appears very clear that he must have been relatively young, and that Marvell would therefore have complete control over the estate for several years before James would inherit, which would allow Marvell to put money aside for purchase of his own land as and when this seemed appropriate, and prior to the conveyance of the estate to James when he came of age.

Marvell and his first wife Grace appear to have had no surviving children, and Grace had died by about 1680 or 1681, when Marvell MOSELEY re-marries to a Sarah. There are strong reasons to suspect that Sarah was, in fact, the younger sister of Grace BLAISE Moseley mentioned but unnamed in the will of William BLAISE or BLASE. If Grace had died in c. 1680, and James had still not received his inheritance (which appears to be likely), then Marvell would inherit his father-in-law’s estate through his second daughter, Sarah, should her brother James die prior to his age of majority (which did not, in fact, occur).

Between 1680 and 1702, Marvell MOSELEY appears multiple times in the Middlesex County Deed Books, accumulating some 225 acres of land by 1704.

He and his second wife Sarah had at least three known children between 1682 and 1687 -- two sons and a daughter (all cataloged individually on this web site). Marvell MOSELEY appears to have died on February 13, 1721/2, and Sarah died some 5½ years earlier, on August 22, 1716. They are both said to have been buried in Christ Church Parish, although Marvell may have actually died in Goochland County at the home of his eldest son.

The following is a complete transcript of the last will and testament of Marvill or Marvell MOSELEY, written in February 1720/1 and proved on March 6, 1721/2 in Middlesex County, Virginia. This transcript was prepared by Christine Wertin from the original in the Middlesex Co. Wills 1713-34, p. 239, and was published by her in Wertin C. Virginia Genealogist. 1960; 4:1141-1155.

"To my son Marvel Moseley the plantation whereon he now lives. To my sun John Moseley my plantation whareon I now live and half the wood land ground that lyes over the branch next to my son Marvil's plantation. To my sun Marvil one Negro man Robin. To my son John one Negrow woman Janey. To my grandaghter Sarah Moseley the daghter of John and Mary Moseley one Neagrow boy Cassur. To my son John my beaste feather bed with all the furniture. Unto my son Marvel my feather bead that stands in the outerd romn with all the furniture. To my grandaghter Elizabeth Danniel my feather bed and furniture that stands in the ineard room. Unto my son John all my hoggs. Unto my son Marvel my small ovel table. Unto my son John the square table that stands under the window before my bead with the draw in it. Unto my grandsun Mosley Danniel my young mare. Unto my three grandchildren Mary Danniel, Ann Danniel and Agatha Danniel five pounds apeace when they are mareyed. Unto Jane Stapleton forty shillings. All the rest to my two suns Marvel Mosely and John equally. My two suns Marvel Mosley and John Mosley executors.

"Wit: John Seagar, John (J) Evins, Martha (M) Tugel Signed: Marvel (M) Mosley"

(b) Based on the idea that Marvell Moseley married a woman called Sarah UNKNOWN who was unrelated to William Blaise or Blase

Marvell Moseley is often seen as the son-in-law of William Blase based on what [the unknown author] believes to be a possible misreading of the will of William Blase. Here is that story:

Will of William Blase [Blaise] recorded 1 Feb 1674 in Middlesex County, VA. (Order Book 1, p.34). "Named daughter Sarah Mosly (sic -- her name was Grace) and son James Blase. Marvel Moseley was executor."

ORDER BOOK ABSTRACTS OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY VIRGINIA 1673-1677; Part 1 of Order Book 1; Ruth & Sam Sparacio, 1989, p.36:

Will of Wm Blase was written 7 Feb 1674/5. He gave most of his property to his loving son James who was not of age. Responsibility for James was given to Marvell MOSELEY, who Blase also calls his "loving Sonn". Moseley is to have use of the household "stuffs" and livestock to use for the bringing up of James. He is to school James and then apprentice him to a Ship's Master to learn Navigation. If James should die without issue, then the estate is to be divided between his two daughters, unnamed. He does name a daughter Grase MOSLY and gives her a colt. The Will is signed Wm Blase; witnessed by Thos. Hasellwood, and Tho. [T] Tesly.

My interpretation of the will is somewhat different after reading the film at LDS Microfilm #0032449. The spelling and handwriting is not easy to deal with. I read Grace's surname as Mosby or Mosly which appears to almost be a different surname from Moseley -- although I find no reasonable alternative to this name in the Christ Church Parish records of Middlesex Co in this time period.

The handwriting consistently uses the small letter f in place of an s in the interior of any word. The spelling of daughter appears to be dafter, or even safter -- strange at best. [NB: Apparently the author is unfamiliar with 17th Century spelling related to units like "ugh" and "ss"]

There is also the possibility that the term "son" in this will could mean "stepson" instead of son-in-law when it refers to Marvel Moseley. At any rate, Marvell's wife was Sarah when he wrote his will in February 1721/22.

"In the name of God Amen. I William Blase of the County Midilix being sicke and weake in body but of sound and perfect Memory God bee praysed doo make and ordane this my last will and testament in manner and forme following First I commend my Soule unto the hands of Almighty God my breath and Creatr and Redeemer my body to the earth from whence it came. And for such wordly goods as it hath plesed God to bless me withall I dispose of the same as folleth First I give and bequeath unto my loving son James Blase all that plantation whereupon I now live with all houses edifices & buildings thereunto belonging and appertaining to have & to hold the same to him & heirs forever Item I give unto my Said Sonn all my female cattle Item I give unto my said Sonn all my male cattle with all my hogs whatsoever to have and to hold the said Cattle and hogs to him for ever Item I give unto my said Sonn James Blase all my household stuff & my Implements & all household ... & what ever being in or belonging to me or in my now dwelling or plantation. Item I give unto my said Sonn my two mares with there increase to him & his heirs for ever. Item I give unto my Loving Sonn Marvell Moseley, the use of my plantation and tools and to bild and clere what he hath ocation for till my Sonn comes to age my will and meaning is that my loving Sonn Marvell Mosley shall bring my Sonn James Blase up to skole to yeares and at the expiration of the time to put him to prentis to sum master of a ship till he comes to age to lerne the art of Navigation Item I give and bequeath to my Loving dafter Grace Mosly the furst Colt that my [sorrel?] Mare raises. But in case my Sonn should die without Issue I give all my estate between my to dafters to be equally divided between them. Item I give unto my loving Sonn Marvell Mosley the use of all my household ... Cattle & Hogs for the bringing up of my Sonn till he comes to age. Lastly I make & ordaine my Loving Sonn Marvel Mosely Executore of this my last will & testament and here now unto putt my hand & Seal this seventh day of Febry 1674.

Signed; Wm Blasé

Signed, sealed and published in the presence of Thos. Hasellwood Tho. (T) Tesly

Additional facts

• May 3 1675: Middlesex Order Book 1, p. 31. Clerke of the Court is ordered to goe to the House of the late Wm Blaze and there to taken an Inventory.....Marvell Mosely Executor of said Blazes Estate & Will is to appeare & deliver the said Inventory on Oath.
• April 10 1676: Marvell Moseley made a Constable in Middlesex Co. OB 1, p.53.
• May 7, 1677: Thomas Loe appointed Constable in place of Marvill Moseley, OB 1, p.67.
• March 20 1678: Col. William Travers received 780 acres in Stafford County for transporting 16 persons, one of whom was Marvel Moseley, another was Patrick Nicolls. PB 6, p.622
• February 8, 1680: Marvel bought 100 acres on White Oak Swamp from Thomas Chowning, along Henry Nicholl and Thomas Kidd lines. [Middlesex Deeds 1679-1688]
• Records in 1681 are said to suggest Marvell Moseley's wife's given name was Sarah. The misinterpretation of the will has led many to believe Moseley was first married to Grace Blase; then a lady named Sarah. I cannot make the same conclusion without further data, but it is possible. It's very doubtful Sarah was also a Blase, since no such daughter is mentioned in the will of William Blase.
• Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, Virginia: Marvill Moseley, sone of Marvill and Sarah, baptized. May 21, 1682.
• 1687: Marvell Moseley was listed on the military census as "able to find a man, horse and armor"^[11].
• August 28, 1694: Surveyed for Marvill Mosely, 146 acres in Middlesex County adjacent to Moseley's plantation being part of 450 acres granted Robert Chowning by patent 16 Dec 1663 and conveyed to Marvill Moseley by Thomas Chowning by deed dated 28 Aug 1694. Signed: Edwin Thacker, Surveyor. REc. 3 Sep 1694, Middlesex DB 2, p.692.
• August 20, 1700. Henry Nicholls of Middlesex to Marvell Moseley of same. 50 acres for 2000 lbs tobo & caske, part of 500 acres assigned to sd Henry by his father Henry Nicholls on the main run of White Oak Swamp adj Marvell Moseley's land and land of Thomas Kidd. Signed: Henry Nicholls. Rec. 2 Sep 1700. Middlesex DB 2, p.363.
• 1704: Marvell Moseley was listed on the 1704 Quit Rents as owning 225 acres.
• Christ Church Parish Register: In February 1721/2 Marvell Mosely Senr. died Febry ye 13 & was buried Febry ye 15, 1721.
• Marvell Moseley's will was written February 13, 1720 and proven March 6, 1721/22 (for details see above)

Marvel Moseley. ^[12] Born 1658 Middlesex, Virginia, USA. ^[13] Died 13 FEB 1721. Middlesex, Virginia, USA. ^[14]

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S005192 Data: Text: Death date: 13 Feb 1721Death place:
2. ↑ Source: #S005399 Page: Ancestry Family Trees Data: Text: http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=13078823&pid=1107379979
3. ↑ Source: #S005399 Page: Ancestry Family Trees Data: Text: http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=13078823&pid=1107379979
4. ↑ Source: #S005399 Page: Ancestry Family Trees Data: Text: http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=13078823&pid=1107379979
5. ↑ Source: #S005192 Data: Text: Death date: 13 Feb 1721Death place:
6. ↑ Source: #S005277 Page: Birth year: 1664; Birth city: of; Birth state: VA. Data: Text: Birth date: 1664Birth place: of, Middlesex Co, VADeath date: October 1716Death place: Middlesex CoMarriage date: 1681Marriage place: of, Middlesex Co, VA
7. ↑ Source: #S152
8. ↑ Source: #S695 Data: Text: Vol 4: May 1995 - Feb 1996; pp.163-167 "Marvel Moseley, c.1650-1721, Middlesex County" by Jeanne Brooks Gart, CG
9. ↑ Source: #S152
10. ↑ Source: #S283 Page: p.180
11. ↑ Crozier, William Armstrong, Virginia County Records, Vol. II, Virginia Colonial Militia, 16551-1776, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1986, page 73
12. ↑ Source: #S1 Database online. Record for Marvell Moseley Link: http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=pubmembertrees&h=-497086716&indiv=try
13. ↑ Source: #S1 Database online. Record for Marvell Moseley Link: http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=pubmembertrees&h=-497086716&indiv=try
14. ↑ Source: #S1 Database online. Record for Marvell Moseley Link: http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=pubmembertrees&h=-497086716&indiv=try

• Source: S005192 Title: Christ Church Parish, Virginia Deaths, 1653-1812 Author: Ancestry.com Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2000.Original data - National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County, Virginia from 1653 to 1812. Rich Repository: Note: #NS051923

Note NS051923

• Source: S005277 Title: Family Data Collection - Individual Records Author: Edmund West, comp. Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Repository: Note: #NS052773

Note NS052773

• Source: S005399 Title: Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Note: #NS053991 Repository: Note: #NS053993

No NOTE record found with id NS053991.

Note NS053993

Note

Note: Moseley Family

http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=document&guid=41d97ca6-1fc3-4715-ab22-73fd938d4e91&tid=15043181&pid=1448052501

• Source: S152 Abbreviation: Christine Jensen Title: Christine Jensen, email correspondent Research on Haden/Moseley families. <srichman@lausd.k12.ca.us> Text: Original Email re Moseley family to Michael Chapman 14 Dec 1997. Descendant of Anthony Haden II and Drusilla Rountree. Repository: #R3
• Repository: R3 Name: My Files Address:
• Source: S283 Abbreviation: Parish Register-Middlesex Co VA Title: Copied by Mrs. Sally Nelson Robins, Virginia Dame from Richmond, The Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex County Virginia, from 1653-1812 (Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1975. Originially Purblished by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Virginia, Richmond, 1897.) Repository: #R43
• Repository: R43 Name: Archive.org Address: CONT Online Digital Archive Country: Online Digital Archive Web Address: http://www.archive.org
• Source: S62 Abbreviation: Haden File - Hubert M. Haden (Galaska) Title: Haden File - Louise Galaska Repository: #R3 Page: "Descendants of John Moseley" Oct. 1998.
• Source: S695 Abbreviation: Tidewater Virginia Families Title: Virginia Lee Hutcheson Davis, Publisher, Tidewater Virginia Families: A Magazine of History and Genealogy (316 Littletown Quarter, Williamsburg VA 23185-5519) Repository: #R5 Data: Text: Vol 4: May 1995 - Feb 1996; pp.163-167 "Marvel Moseley, c.1650-1721, Middlesex County" by Jeanne Brooks Gart, CG
• Repository: R5 Name: Personal Library Address:
• See all data on Ancestry web site for this Marvell Moseley at

https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/88372580/person/30569777308/facts and at

https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/88372580/person/30569777308/media/226e9ba6-6163-4f93-b6db-de00c69011b9

• See also all data at Warren Forsythe's Moseley Catalog on Rootsweb for this Marvell MOSELEY at

wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=moseley2&id=I154

• See also all data at Early Colonial Settlers of Colonial Maryland and Virginia's Northern Neck Counties at

http://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I090134&tree=tree1