Rebecca Clarke TOWNES

HAIRSTON.org ID#615, b. 18 May 1765, d. 21 August 1846
Father*John TOWNES b. 1730, d. 1805
Mother*Martha ALLEN
Birth*Rebecca Clarke TOWNES was born on 18 May 1765 in Amelia, Virginia. 
She was the daughter of John TOWNES and Martha ALLEN. 
Marriage*Rebecca Clarke TOWNES married William MOSELEY, son of Matthew MOSELEY and Martha LIGON, on 12 February 1788 in Amelia, Virginia. Surety was William Harrison.1,2,3 
WillRebecca Clarke TOWNES was mentioned in the will of William MOSELEY on 14 July 1814 in Powhatan, Virginia; William L. Moseley left a will dated 14 Jul 1814 in Powhatan County mentioning: his wife Rebecca C. Moseley, sons Jno. T. Moseley and Wm. A. Moseley and daughter Martha A. Moseley (not married). Wife is Executrix and Armstead T. Townes (Rebecca's brother" and Major Edward Moseley are executors.2
Death Spouse*Her husband, William Moseley, died on 19 June 1816. 
Census 1820*Rebecca Clarke TOWNES appeared on the census of 7 August 1820 in Powhatan, Virginia, Rebecca C. Moseley, Males: 16-25 1, Females: 16-25 1, 45+ 2, Slaves 16 - Other possible relatives in Powhatan County listed on same census page: Richard Moseley, Edward Moseley, Arthur Moseley, Thomas Monatgue, Peter Montague, Cara Mayo, Thomas Mayo and Peter Mayo.4 
Census 1840*She appeared on the census of 1840 in Powhatan, Virginia, Rebecca Moseley, Females: 70-79 1, Slaves: 5.5 
Death*She died on 21 August 1846 in Powhatan, Virginia, at age 81. 
Obituary*Departed this life on Friday, the 21st of August, 1846, at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr. George Taylor of Powhatan. In the 82nd year of her age, Mrs. REBECCA C MOSELEV, widow of William Moseley, (L) deceased. Mrs. Moseley had been blind for upwards of two years, but she retained her strong mind to the last day of her life. She requested her death to be published, for information to her distant relations and friends, but desired at the same time that no attempt at eulogy should accompany it; and as that was her wish, although I could say much in praise of her many virtues, I will only say, that she lived and died a devoted, and, as is believed, a sincere Christian, and I hope is now enjoying the realities of a blessed eternity.
The Whig, Religious Herald, and the Mississippi papers are requested to copy.
Richmond Enquirer, Richmond, Virginia, September 04, 1846.6,7 

Family

William MOSELEY b. 18 May 1754, d. 19 Jun 1816
Children

Sources (www.HAIRSTON.org)

  1. [S198] Virginia Marriage Records: From the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, (n.pub.).
  2. [S286] Will of William Moseley - 1814, Powhatan County, Virginia, Will Book 5, 1815-1819.
  3. [S3730] Katherine Waits Ewing Collection ca. 1920-1979, Manuscripts Department, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee, unknown repository.
  4. [S1820] 1820 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  5. [S1840] 1840 Federal Census - National Archives and Records Administration - Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
  6. [S217] Pippenger, Wesley E. Death Notices from Richmond, Virginia Newspapers, 1841-1853. Richmond: Virginia Genealogical Society, 2002. Print., Personal Collection - printed book.
  7. [S3188] Library of Congress, Chronicling Amercia - Historic American Newspapers.
  8. [S3216] Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi: Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the state and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy and illustrious families and individuals. Vol. 2, (1891). Chicago: Goodspeed Pub. Co. - https://hdl.handle.net/2027/chi.102898882, Hathi Trust Digital Library.
Last Edited19 Jul 2023