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Moses Stephens II (aka Moses Stephens Sr., explanation later), was born about 1762 in the British Province (Colony) of North Carolina (1712-1776).He may have been born in an area near the disputed boundary line with SC. At that time many citizens, because of the dispute, did not know if they lived in SC or NC. The boundary line problem between the two states was not resolved until 1771.
Numerous Stephens family trees show Moses as being born (1762) in Buncombe Co., NC. However, there is a real problem here. North Carolina did not become a state until 1789 and Buncombe County was not created until 1791. My 4G-GF may have been born in an area that would become part of Buncombe County (1791).
Moses is thought by most to have been the son of Moses Stephens I (1743-1801) and Martha MNU (1740- ?). Despite having a father with the same name, most family trees refer to Moses (II) as Moses Stephens, Sr. and he had a son he named Moses. Years later, both of the younger Stephens men moved to the state of Missouri. In that territory no one knew or had even heard of Moses I so to differentiate between the two Stephens men they called the older Stephens "Senior" and the younger Stephens "Junior". While somewhat confusing to genealogists today it apparently worked well in those days.
Moses II served in the Revolutionary War 1780-81 for three months, enlisting in Salisbury, Rowan Co., North Carolina at the age of 18. He served as a substitute soldier until he was honorably discharged in Feb. of 1781. In his denied written request for a pension (about 1853), he wrote that he was living in Surry Co., NC at the time of his 1880 enlistment.
About 1779-80, and obviously before enlisting, Moses married Margaret Miller Williams (1762-1897) in North Carolina, probably in Surry County. Moses was about 17 years of age, the same age as Margaret. Her parents are currently unknown.
Some believe Margaret's parents to have been John Williams (1716-1778) and Rebecca Miller (1721-1763). However, they were born in England and appear to have lived & died there. If correct, then how was Margaret born in the British Province of North Carolina and marry in that state at the age 17 ?
Moses and Margaret were married for about 28 years and had 11 known children. They were Arnett Stephens (1780-?), Solomon Stephens I (1781-bet 1870/80), Michael Stephens (1783-?), Elisha B. Stephens (1783-1850), Joshua "Josh" Stephens (1785-1855), Elizabeth Stephens (1786-1875), Elisha B. Stephens (1788-1850), Eve "Evie" Stephens (1789-1880), Margaret "Peggy" Stephens (1790-?), Joel Stephens (1796-?) and James S. Stephens (1805-1889). Some believe that Solomon was not a child of Moses but actually his younger brother. Possible.
Moses' first wife, Margaret Miller Williams, died about 1807 in Knox Co., KY, around the age of 45. At the time of her death Knox County reached all the way to the Tennessee state line. In 1818, a sizeable portion of Knox County was made in to newly created Whitley County. Her burial site is, while probably in Whitley County or now McCreary County (formed 1912), is unknown.
On Aug. 11, 1809, Moses, a widower and 47 years of age, married 24 year old Elizabeth Ann "Betsy" Brummett (1885?-1840s?). It was probably her first marriage. She is thought to have been born in Franklin, Virginia but her parents are currently uncertain. Many trees show Betsy's birth as being in 1762, however, that year is highly questionable due to the birth years of her three known children, fathered by Moses. A birth year of 1862 would have her bearing children at the ages of 48,49 and 56. Not likely.
Other trees show her as being born in 1793. This date would have the 47 year old Moses marrying a 16 year old. Possible, but again, unlikely. Betsy was probably born around 1785 which would be in line with her birth shown in the 1810 census and is the birth year that we will use.
Moses and Betsy were married for 33+ years and had three known children. They were Moses Stephens III JR. (1811-1860), John Stephens (1812-1880) and William Stephens (1818-1910). There were probably other unknown children who died at/near birth or who did not survive childhood. Moses's second wife, Betsy, appears to have died between 1840-47, probably in Whitley Co., KY, at the age of around 55-62.
In 1848, Moses Stephens III had acquired some land (43 acres) in Daviess Co., Missouri. About 1850-51, Moses II (Sr.), age 88, moved to Missouri to live with his son (Moses Stephens III). His wife, Betsy, is not with him and was not shown in Moses' household in the 1850 US Census for Whitley County taken Aug. 11, 1850. As mentioned earlier, Betsy is thought to have died in the 1840s, before Moses' would make the long trip to Missouri.
In June of 1851, in Daviess Co., MO, Moses II (SR.) made application (shown below) for a military pension in accordance with the June 7, 1832 Act of Congress. His son, Moses Stephens III (JR.), was one of the witnesses who signed the application. Unfortunately, the US government was very slow in processing his application, possibly due to his substitute status for only three months service. His application was finally rejected following his death. That rejection note (#10116) is still on file.
In 1853, Moses II died in/near Gallatin, Daviess Co., Missouri. At the time of his death the 91 year old Moses II (aka SR.) was living with his 42 year old son, Moses Stephens III (1811-1860). He is thought to have been buried there in what is now known as the Crab Orchard Cemetery (legally established in 1861) where his son was later buried (1860).
Moses II no longer has a marker but is thought that his burial site is close to the marker for his son, Moses Stephens III (JR.), He would have been one of the earliest burials in the cemetery, "officially" established in 1861. As mentioned earlier, his son, Moses III, was buried there (1860), a few years after his father (1853) with a marker inscribed "Son of a Revolutionary War Soldier". There are some who some who believe that several years later the remains of Moses' wife (Betsy) were exhumed and brought to the Crab Orchard Cemetery for burial near her husband and son. Possible, but does not seem likely.
Author and historian, Robert Ernest Stephens, in his 2002 book "Lost Heritage for a Changing People, a History of McCreary Co., Kentucky", had this to say about Moses Stephens: "There can be no doubt that he (Moses Stephens II) was a Revolutionary War soldier. In his trek from North Carolina, to Kentucky and finally to a well deserved resting place in Missouri, following about the same trails as the renown Daniel Boone, he and thousands of others like him have never been acclaimed".
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Revolutionary War papers on Moses Stephens
Declaration (June 2, 1851)
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 State of Missouri County of Davis, on this second day of June personally appeared in the open court before the county court of the County of Davis aforesaid now setting Moses Stephens the resident of Daviess County aforesaid aged about 88 years who being first duly sworn according to law that on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as here instated to wit: Entered the service at Salisbury in the state of North Carolina on or about the in the fall season of 1780 in the company commanded by Captain Humphreys and Regiment commanded by Col. Phillips, as a substitute for a private soldier named Barney Dempsey that at the time he entered the service as a private and aforesaid he resided near the Moravian town in the county of Surrey and state of North Carolina that he marched while in service from Salisbury aforesaid to the River Roanoke the line dividing the states of North Carolina and Virginia by way of Hillsborough in North Carolina. That on said march he assisted in guarding prisoner taken by the Americans at the Battle of Kings Mountain whether the above company commanded by Captain Humphreys belonged to the regular troops the state troops Militias or volunteers he now does not recollect. that he was honorably discharged on the River Roanoke aforesaid on Feb 1781 having been in actual service for the term for which he entered said service and that he said discharge was in writing that he lost the same many years ago but cannot state particularly how or where he lost said discharge. that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service and that he is not acquainted with any clergyman in this county and that while he was in the service of the United States as above stated he was not employed in any civil pursuit. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension rolls of the agency of any state.'
signed, Moses Stephens (X, his mark)
Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
"We Moses Stephens and Jeremmiah Campbell residing in the same neighborhood and county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Moses Stephens who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be about 88 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been soldier of the Revolution and that we conclude in that opinion and that we believe he is not acquainted with any clergyman in the county."
signed, Moses Stephens (X, his mark)
signed, Jeremiah Campbell
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The information contained in this memorial for Moses Stephens II, his wives, family members, ancestors and descendants, is thought to be correct. This memorial is revised/corrected, however, as new information becomes available.
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The original memorial for Moses Stephens III (JR.) was created by Find-a-Grave member Ron Rader on Apr. 6, 2012 and later transferred to Wayne King. Thanks, Ron.
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Moses Stephens II (aka Moses Stephens Sr., explanation later), was born about 1762 in the British Province (Colony) of North Carolina (1712-1776).He may have been born in an area near the disputed boundary line with SC. At that time many citizens, because of the dispute, did not know if they lived in SC or NC. The boundary line problem between the two states was not resolved until 1771.
Numerous Stephens family trees show Moses as being born (1762) in Buncombe Co., NC. However, there is a real problem here. North Carolina did not become a state until 1789 and Buncombe County was not created until 1791. My 4G-GF may have been born in an area that would become part of Buncombe County (1791).
Moses is thought by most to have been the son of Moses Stephens I (1743-1801) and Martha MNU (1740- ?). Despite having a father with the same name, most family trees refer to Moses (II) as Moses Stephens, Sr. and he had a son he named Moses. Years later, both of the younger Stephens men moved to the state of Missouri. In that territory no one knew or had even heard of Moses I so to differentiate between the two Stephens men they called the older Stephens "Senior" and the younger Stephens "Junior". While somewhat confusing to genealogists today it apparently worked well in those days.
Moses II served in the Revolutionary War 1780-81 for three months, enlisting in Salisbury, Rowan Co., North Carolina at the age of 18. He served as a substitute soldier until he was honorably discharged in Feb. of 1781. In his denied written request for a pension (about 1853), he wrote that he was living in Surry Co., NC at the time of his 1880 enlistment.
About 1779-80, and obviously before enlisting, Moses married Margaret Miller Williams (1762-1897) in North Carolina, probably in Surry County. Moses was about 17 years of age, the same age as Margaret. Her parents are currently unknown.
Some believe Margaret's parents to have been John Williams (1716-1778) and Rebecca Miller (1721-1763). However, they were born in England and appear to have lived & died there. If correct, then how was Margaret born in the British Province of North Carolina and marry in that state at the age 17 ?
Moses and Margaret were married for about 28 years and had 11 known children. They were Arnett Stephens (1780-?), Solomon Stephens I (1781-bet 1870/80), Michael Stephens (1783-?), Elisha B. Stephens (1783-1850), Joshua "Josh" Stephens (1785-1855), Elizabeth Stephens (1786-1875), Elisha B. Stephens (1788-1850), Eve "Evie" Stephens (1789-1880), Margaret "Peggy" Stephens (1790-?), Joel Stephens (1796-?) and James S. Stephens (1805-1889). Some believe that Solomon was not a child of Moses but actually his younger brother. Possible.
Moses' first wife, Margaret Miller Williams, died about 1807 in Knox Co., KY, around the age of 45. At the time of her death Knox County reached all the way to the Tennessee state line. In 1818, a sizeable portion of Knox County was made in to newly created Whitley County. Her burial site is, while probably in Whitley County or now McCreary County (formed 1912), is unknown.
On Aug. 11, 1809, Moses, a widower and 47 years of age, married 24 year old Elizabeth Ann "Betsy" Brummett (1885?-1840s?). It was probably her first marriage. She is thought to have been born in Franklin, Virginia but her parents are currently uncertain. Many trees show Betsy's birth as being in 1762, however, that year is highly questionable due to the birth years of her three known children, fathered by Moses. A birth year of 1862 would have her bearing children at the ages of 48,49 and 56. Not likely.
Other trees show her as being born in 1793. This date would have the 47 year old Moses marrying a 16 year old. Possible, but again, unlikely. Betsy was probably born around 1785 which would be in line with her birth shown in the 1810 census and is the birth year that we will use.
Moses and Betsy were married for 33+ years and had three known children. They were Moses Stephens III JR. (1811-1860), John Stephens (1812-1880) and William Stephens (1818-1910). There were probably other unknown children who died at/near birth or who did not survive childhood. Moses's second wife, Betsy, appears to have died between 1840-47, probably in Whitley Co., KY, at the age of around 55-62.
In 1848, Moses Stephens III had acquired some land (43 acres) in Daviess Co., Missouri. About 1850-51, Moses II (Sr.), age 88, moved to Missouri to live with his son (Moses Stephens III). His wife, Betsy, is not with him and was not shown in Moses' household in the 1850 US Census for Whitley County taken Aug. 11, 1850. As mentioned earlier, Betsy is thought to have died in the 1840s, before Moses' would make the long trip to Missouri.
In June of 1851, in Daviess Co., MO, Moses II (SR.) made application (shown below) for a military pension in accordance with the June 7, 1832 Act of Congress. His son, Moses Stephens III (JR.), was one of the witnesses who signed the application. Unfortunately, the US government was very slow in processing his application, possibly due to his substitute status for only three months service. His application was finally rejected following his death. That rejection note (#10116) is still on file.
In 1853, Moses II died in/near Gallatin, Daviess Co., Missouri. At the time of his death the 91 year old Moses II (aka SR.) was living with his 42 year old son, Moses Stephens III (1811-1860). He is thought to have been buried there in what is now known as the Crab Orchard Cemetery (legally established in 1861) where his son was later buried (1860).
Moses II no longer has a marker but is thought that his burial site is close to the marker for his son, Moses Stephens III (JR.), He would have been one of the earliest burials in the cemetery, "officially" established in 1861. As mentioned earlier, his son, Moses III, was buried there (1860), a few years after his father (1853) with a marker inscribed "Son of a Revolutionary War Soldier". There are some who some who believe that several years later the remains of Moses' wife (Betsy) were exhumed and brought to the Crab Orchard Cemetery for burial near her husband and son. Possible, but does not seem likely.
Author and historian, Robert Ernest Stephens, in his 2002 book "Lost Heritage for a Changing People, a History of McCreary Co., Kentucky", had this to say about Moses Stephens: "There can be no doubt that he (Moses Stephens II) was a Revolutionary War soldier. In his trek from North Carolina, to Kentucky and finally to a well deserved resting place in Missouri, following about the same trails as the renown Daniel Boone, he and thousands of others like him have never been acclaimed".
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Revolutionary War papers on Moses Stephens
Declaration (June 2, 1851)
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 State of Missouri County of Davis, on this second day of June personally appeared in the open court before the county court of the County of Davis aforesaid now setting Moses Stephens the resident of Daviess County aforesaid aged about 88 years who being first duly sworn according to law that on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as here instated to wit: Entered the service at Salisbury in the state of North Carolina on or about the in the fall season of 1780 in the company commanded by Captain Humphreys and Regiment commanded by Col. Phillips, as a substitute for a private soldier named Barney Dempsey that at the time he entered the service as a private and aforesaid he resided near the Moravian town in the county of Surrey and state of North Carolina that he marched while in service from Salisbury aforesaid to the River Roanoke the line dividing the states of North Carolina and Virginia by way of Hillsborough in North Carolina. That on said march he assisted in guarding prisoner taken by the Americans at the Battle of Kings Mountain whether the above company commanded by Captain Humphreys belonged to the regular troops the state troops Militias or volunteers he now does not recollect. that he was honorably discharged on the River Roanoke aforesaid on Feb 1781 having been in actual service for the term for which he entered said service and that he said discharge was in writing that he lost the same many years ago but cannot state particularly how or where he lost said discharge. that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service and that he is not acquainted with any clergyman in this county and that while he was in the service of the United States as above stated he was not employed in any civil pursuit. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension rolls of the agency of any state.'
signed, Moses Stephens (X, his mark)
Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
"We Moses Stephens and Jeremmiah Campbell residing in the same neighborhood and county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Moses Stephens who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be about 88 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been soldier of the Revolution and that we conclude in that opinion and that we believe he is not acquainted with any clergyman in the county."
signed, Moses Stephens (X, his mark)
signed, Jeremiah Campbell
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The information contained in this memorial for Moses Stephens II, his wives, family members, ancestors and descendants, is thought to be correct. This memorial is revised/corrected, however, as new information becomes available.
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The original memorial for Moses Stephens III (JR.) was created by Find-a-Grave member Ron Rader on Apr. 6, 2012 and later transferred to Wayne King. Thanks, Ron.
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Moses Stephens II (aka Moses Stephens Sr., explanation later), was born about 1762 in the British Province (Colony) of North Carolina (1712-1776).He may have been born in an area near the disputed boundary line with SC. At that time many citizens, because of the dispute, did not know if they lived in SC or NC. The boundary line problem between the two states was not resolved until 1771.
Numerous Stephens family trees show Moses as being born (1762) in Buncombe Co., NC. However, there is a real problem here. North Carolina did not become a state until 1789 and Buncombe County was not created until 1791. My 4G-GF may have been born in an area that would become part of Buncombe County (1791).
Moses is thought by most to have been the son of Moses Stephens I (1743-1801) and Martha MNU (1740- ?). Despite having a father with the same name, most family trees refer to Moses (II) as Moses Stephens, Sr. and he had a son he named Moses. Years later, both of the younger Stephens men moved to the state of Missouri. In that territory no one knew or had even heard of Moses I so to differentiate between the two Stephens men they called the older Stephens "Senior" and the younger Stephens "Junior". While somewhat confusing to genealogists today it apparently worked well in those days.
Moses II served in the Revolutionary War 1780-81 for three months, enlisting in Salisbury, Rowan Co., North Carolina at the age of 18. He served as a substitute soldier until he was honorably discharged in Feb. of 1781. In his denied written request for a pension (about 1853), he wrote that he was living in Surry Co., NC at the time of his 1880 enlistment.
About 1779-80, and obviously before enlisting, Moses married Margaret Miller Williams (1762-1897) in North Carolina, probably in Surry County. Moses was about 17 years of age, the same age as Margaret. Her parents are currently unknown.
Some believe Margaret's parents to have been John Williams (1716-1778) and Rebecca Miller (1721-1763). However, they were born in England and appear to have lived & died there. If correct, then how was Margaret born in the British Province of North Carolina and marry in that state at the age 17 ?
Moses and Margaret were married for about 28 years and had 11 known children. They were Arnett Stephens (1780-?), Solomon Stephens I (1781-bet 1870/80), Michael Stephens (1783-?), Elisha B. Stephens (1783-1850), Joshua "Josh" Stephens (1785-1855), Elizabeth Stephens (1786-1875), Elisha B. Stephens (1788-1850), Eve "Evie" Stephens (1789-1880), Margaret "Peggy" Stephens (1790-?), Joel Stephens (1796-?) and James S. Stephens (1805-1889). Some believe that Solomon was not a child of Moses but actually his younger brother. Possible.
Moses' first wife, Margaret Miller Williams, died about 1807 in Knox Co., KY, around the age of 45. At the time of her death Knox County reached all the way to the Tennessee state line. In 1818, a sizeable portion of Knox County was made in to newly created Whitley County. Her burial site is, while probably in Whitley County or now McCreary County (formed 1912), is unknown.
On Aug. 11, 1809, Moses, a widower and 47 years of age, married 24 year old Elizabeth Ann "Betsy" Brummett (1885?-1840s?). It was probably her first marriage. She is thought to have been born in Franklin, Virginia but her parents are currently uncertain. Many trees show Betsy's birth as being in 1762, however, that year is highly questionable due to the birth years of her three known children, fathered by Moses. A birth year of 1862 would have her bearing children at the ages of 48,49 and 56. Not likely.
Other trees show her as being born in 1793. This date would have the 47 year old Moses marrying a 16 year old. Possible, but again, unlikely. Betsy was probably born around 1785 which would be in line with her birth shown in the 1810 census and is the birth year that we will use.
Moses and Betsy were married for 33+ years and had three known children. They were Moses Stephens III JR. (1811-1860), John Stephens (1812-1880) and William Stephens (1818-1910). There were probably other unknown children who died at/near birth or who did not survive childhood. Moses's second wife, Betsy, appears to have died between 1840-47, probably in Whitley Co., KY, at the age of around 55-62.
In 1848, Moses Stephens III had acquired some land (43 acres) in Daviess Co., Missouri. About 1850-51, Moses II (Sr.), age 88, moved to Missouri to live with his son (Moses Stephens III). His wife, Betsy, is not with him and was not shown in Moses' household in the 1850 US Census for Whitley County taken Aug. 11, 1850. As mentioned earlier, Betsy is thought to have died in the 1840s, before Moses' would make the long trip to Missouri.
In June of 1851, in Daviess Co., MO, Moses II (SR.) made application (shown below) for a military pension in accordance with the June 7, 1832 Act of Congress. His son, Moses Stephens III (JR.), was one of the witnesses who signed the application. Unfortunately, the US government was very slow in processing his application, possibly due to his substitute status for only three months service. His application was finally rejected following his death. That rejection note (#10116) is still on file.
In 1853, Moses II died in/near Gallatin, Daviess Co., Missouri. At the time of his death the 91 year old Moses II (aka SR.) was living with his 42 year old son, Moses Stephens III (1811-1860). He is thought to have been buried there in what is now known as the Crab Orchard Cemetery (legally established in 1861) where his son was later buried (1860).
Moses II no longer has a marker but is thought that his burial site is close to the marker for his son, Moses Stephens III (JR.), He would have been one of the earliest burials in the cemetery, "officially" established in 1861. As mentioned earlier, his son, Moses III, was buried there (1860), a few years after his father (1853) with a marker inscribed "Son of a Revolutionary War Soldier". There are some who some who believe that several years later the remains of Moses' wife (Betsy) were exhumed and brought to the Crab Orchard Cemetery for burial near her husband and son. Possible, but does not seem likely.
Author and historian, Robert Ernest Stephens, in his 2002 book "Lost Heritage for a Changing People, a History of McCreary Co., Kentucky", had this to say about Moses Stephens: "There can be no doubt that he (Moses Stephens II) was a Revolutionary War soldier. In his trek from North Carolina, to Kentucky and finally to a well deserved resting place in Missouri, following about the same trails as the renown Daniel Boone, he and thousands of others like him have never been acclaimed".
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Revolutionary War papers on Moses Stephens
Declaration (June 2, 1851)
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 State of Missouri County of Davis, on this second day of June personally appeared in the open court before the county court of the County of Davis aforesaid now setting Moses Stephens the resident of Daviess County aforesaid aged about 88 years who being first duly sworn according to law that on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as here instated to wit: Entered the service at Salisbury in the state of North Carolina on or about the in the fall season of 1780 in the company commanded by Captain Humphreys and Regiment commanded by Col. Phillips, as a substitute for a private soldier named Barney Dempsey that at the time he entered the service as a private and aforesaid he resided near the Moravian town in the county of Surrey and state of North Carolina that he marched while in service from Salisbury aforesaid to the River Roanoke the line dividing the states of North Carolina and Virginia by way of Hillsborough in North Carolina. That on said march he assisted in guarding prisoner taken by the Americans at the Battle of Kings Mountain whether the above company commanded by Captain Humphreys belonged to the regular troops the state troops Militias or volunteers he now does not recollect. that he was honorably discharged on the River Roanoke aforesaid on Feb 1781 having been in actual service for the term for which he entered said service and that he said discharge was in writing that he lost the same many years ago but cannot state particularly how or where he lost said discharge. that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service and that he is not acquainted with any clergyman in this county and that while he was in the service of the United States as above stated he was not employed in any civil pursuit. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension rolls of the agency of any state.'
signed, Moses Stephens (X, his mark)
Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
"We Moses Stephens and Jeremmiah Campbell residing in the same neighborhood and county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Moses Stephens who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be about 88 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been soldier of the Revolution and that we conclude in that opinion and that we believe he is not acquainted with any clergyman in the county."
signed, Moses Stephens (X, his mark)
signed, Jeremiah Campbell
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The information contained in this memorial for Moses Stephens II, his wives, family members, ancestors and descendants, is thought to be correct. This memorial is revised/corrected, however, as new information becomes available.
*************************************************************************************
The original memorial for Moses Stephens III (JR.) was created by Find-a-Grave member Ron Rader on Apr. 6, 2012 and later transferred to Wayne King. Thanks, Ron.
*************************************************************************************
Moses Stephens II (aka Moses Stephens Sr., explanation later), was born about 1762 in the British Province (Colony) of North Carolina (1712-1776).He may have been born in an area near the disputed boundary line with SC. At that time many citizens, because of the dispute, did not know if they lived in SC or NC. The boundary line problem between the two states was not resolved until 1771.
Numerous Stephens family trees show Moses as being born (1762) in Buncombe Co., NC. However, there is a real problem here. North Carolina did not become a state until 1789 and Buncombe County was not created until 1791. My 4G-GF may have been born in an area that would become part of Buncombe County (1791).
Moses is thought by most to have been the son of Moses Stephens I (1743-1801) and Martha MNU (1740- ?). Despite having a father with the same name, most family trees refer to Moses (II) as Moses Stephens, Sr. and he had a son he named Moses. Years later, both of the younger Stephens men moved to the state of Missouri. In that territory no one knew or had even heard of Moses I so to differentiate between the two Stephens men they called the older Stephens "Senior" and the younger Stephens "Junior". While somewhat confusing to genealogists today it apparently worked well in those days.
Moses II served in the Revolutionary War 1780-81 for three months, enlisting in Salisbury, Rowan Co., North Carolina at the age of 18. He served as a substitute soldier until he was honorably discharged in Feb. of 1781. In his denied written request for a pension (about 1853), he wrote that he was living in Surry Co., NC at the time of his 1880 enlistment.
About 1779-80, and obviously before enlisting, Moses married Margaret Miller Williams (1762-1897) in North Carolina, probably in Surry County. Moses was about 17 years of age, the same age as Margaret. Her parents are currently unknown.
Some believe Margaret's parents to have been John Williams (1716-1778) and Rebecca Miller (1721-1763). However, they were born in England and appear to have lived & died there. If correct, then how was Margaret born in the British Province of North Carolina and marry in that state at the age 17 ?
Moses and Margaret were married for about 28 years and had 11 known children. They were Arnett Stephens (1780-?), Solomon Stephens I (1781-bet 1870/80), Michael Stephens (1783-?), Elisha B. Stephens (1783-1850), Joshua "Josh" Stephens (1785-1855), Elizabeth Stephens (1786-1875), Elisha B. Stephens (1788-1850), Eve "Evie" Stephens (1789-1880), Margaret "Peggy" Stephens (1790-?), Joel Stephens (1796-?) and James S. Stephens (1805-1889). Some believe that Solomon was not a child of Moses but actually his younger brother. Possible.
Moses' first wife, Margaret Miller Williams, died about 1807 in Knox Co., KY, around the age of 45. At the time of her death Knox County reached all the way to the Tennessee state line. In 1818, a sizeable portion of Knox County was made in to newly created Whitley County. Her burial site is, while probably in Whitley County or now McCreary County (formed 1912), is unknown.
On Aug. 11, 1809, Moses, a widower and 47 years of age, married 24 year old Elizabeth Ann "Betsy" Brummett (1885?-1840s?). It was probably her first marriage. She is thought to have been born in Franklin, Virginia but her parents are currently uncertain. Many trees show Betsy's birth as being in 1762, however, that year is highly questionable due to the birth years of her three known children, fathered by Moses. A birth year of 1862 would have her bearing children at the ages of 48,49 and 56. Not likely.
Other trees show her as being born in 1793. This date would have the 47 year old Moses marrying a 16 year old. Possible, but again, unlikely. Betsy was probably born around 1785 which would be in line with her birth shown in the 1810 census and is the birth year that we will use.
Moses and Betsy were married for 33+ years and had three known children. They were Moses Stephens III JR. (1811-1860), John Stephens (1812-1880) and William Stephens (1818-1910). There were probably other unknown children who died at/near birth or who did not survive childhood. Moses's second wife, Betsy, appears to have died between 1840-47, probably in Whitley Co., KY, at the age of around 55-62.
In 1848, Moses Stephens III had acquired some land (43 acres) in Daviess Co., Missouri. About 1850-51, Moses II (Sr.), age 88, moved to Missouri to live with his son (Moses Stephens III). His wife, Betsy, is not with him and was not shown in Moses' household in the 1850 US Census for Whitley County taken Aug. 11, 1850. As mentioned earlier, Betsy is thought to have died in the 1840s, before Moses' would make the long trip to Missouri.
In June of 1851, in Daviess Co., MO, Moses II (SR.) made application (shown below) for a military pension in accordance with the June 7, 1832 Act of Congress. His son, Moses Stephens III (JR.), was one of the witnesses who signed the application. Unfortunately, the US government was very slow in processing his application, possibly due to his substitute status for only three months service. His application was finally rejected following his death. That rejection note (#10116) is still on file.
In 1853, Moses II died in/near Gallatin, Daviess Co., Missouri. At the time of his death the 91 year old Moses II (aka SR.) was living with his 42 year old son, Moses Stephens III (1811-1860). He is thought to have been buried there in what is now known as the Crab Orchard Cemetery (legally established in 1861) where his son was later buried (1860).
Moses II no longer has a marker but is thought that his burial site is close to the marker for his son, Moses Stephens III (JR.), He would have been one of the earliest burials in the cemetery, "officially" established in 1861. As mentioned earlier, his son, Moses III, was buried there (1860), a few years after his father (1853) with a marker inscribed "Son of a Revolutionary War Soldier". There are some who some who believe that several years later the remains of Moses' wife (Betsy) were exhumed and brought to the Crab Orchard Cemetery for burial near her husband and son. Possible, but does not seem likely.
Author and historian, Robert Ernest Stephens, in his 2002 book "Lost Heritage for a Changing People, a History of McCreary Co., Kentucky", had this to say about Moses Stephens: "There can be no doubt that he (Moses Stephens II) was a Revolutionary War soldier. In his trek from North Carolina, to Kentucky and finally to a well deserved resting place in Missouri, following about the same trails as the renown Daniel Boone, he and thousands of others like him have never been acclaimed".
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Revolutionary War papers on Moses Stephens
Declaration (June 2, 1851)
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832 State of Missouri County of Davis, on this second day of June personally appeared in the open court before the county court of the County of Davis aforesaid now setting Moses Stephens the resident of Daviess County aforesaid aged about 88 years who being first duly sworn according to law that on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as here instated to wit: Entered the service at Salisbury in the state of North Carolina on or about the in the fall season of 1780 in the company commanded by Captain Humphreys and Regiment commanded by Col. Phillips, as a substitute for a private soldier named Barney Dempsey that at the time he entered the service as a private and aforesaid he resided near the Moravian town in the county of Surrey and state of North Carolina that he marched while in service from Salisbury aforesaid to the River Roanoke the line dividing the states of North Carolina and Virginia by way of Hillsborough in North Carolina. That on said march he assisted in guarding prisoner taken by the Americans at the Battle of Kings Mountain whether the above company commanded by Captain Humphreys belonged to the regular troops the state troops Militias or volunteers he now does not recollect. that he was honorably discharged on the River Roanoke aforesaid on Feb 1781 having been in actual service for the term for which he entered said service and that he said discharge was in writing that he lost the same many years ago but cannot state particularly how or where he lost said discharge. that he has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service and that he is not acquainted with any clergyman in this county and that while he was in the service of the United States as above stated he was not employed in any civil pursuit. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension rolls of the agency of any state.'
signed, Moses Stephens (X, his mark)
Sworn and subscribed this day and year aforesaid.
"We Moses Stephens and Jeremmiah Campbell residing in the same neighborhood and county hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Moses Stephens who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be about 88 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been soldier of the Revolution and that we conclude in that opinion and that we believe he is not acquainted with any clergyman in the county."
signed, Moses Stephens (X, his mark)
signed, Jeremiah Campbell
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The information contained in this memorial for Moses Stephens II, his wives, family members, ancestors and descendants, is thought to be correct. This memorial is revised/corrected, however, as new information becomes available.
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The original memorial for Moses Stephens III (JR.) was created by Find-a-Grave member Ron Rader on Apr. 6, 2012 and later transferred to Wayne King. Thanks, Ron.
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