Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Descendants of Adam Moses 09/02/2008

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Descendants of Adam Moses 09/02/2008

      61. Rev. Peter Allen⁵ Moses (Samuel Ferris⁴, Peter³, Johann Adam², Johann Peter¹) was born November 18, 1828 in Charlotte, Charlotte County (now Appomattox County), Virginia, and died April 07, 1919 in Corvallis, Benton County, Oregon. He married Lucinda 'Lucy' Light Howell April 05, 1858 in VanBuren, Crawford County, Arkansas, daughter of Laban Howell and Mary Wilson. She was born August 07, 1838 in Arkansas, and died March 26, 1923 in Benton County, Oregon.

Notes for Rev. Peter Allen Moses:
1) Excerpt from letter written by Peter Allen Moses on 4/18/1902 to the wife of William Alexander Moses:

"I was named after both of my grandfathers. My name Peter Allen Moses, after Peter Moses and Allen Jennings."

This letter has been transcribed, and is available on the web at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mdtaffet/MOSES/peteramoses_letter.html.

2) Civil War:

Peter A. Moses, Company D, 34th Arkansas Infantry, Private at enlistment time, Corporal at discharge time.

Peter A. Moses, Chaplain, 34th Arkansas Infantry.

3) Peter Allen Moses is found in the 1870 census for Pope County, Arkansas. He is listed as a Minister of the Gospel. The data can be found below in the marriage notes for Peter & Lucy.

4) Death Certificate for Peter Allen Moses:

Place of death = County of Benton, state of Oregon, City of Corvallis, No. 110 N. 7th.
Full Name = Peter Allen Moses
Wife = Lucy Light Moses
Date of birth = Nov. 18, 1828 (just as the letter indicates)
Age at death = 90 years, 4 months & 19 days
Occupation = Minister of the Gospel
Name of employer = Methodist Church South
Birthplace = near Charlotte, Appomattox Co. Va.
Name of Father = Samuel Ferris Moses
Birthplace of Father = Chester Co. Penn
Maiden Name of Mother = Nancy Jennings
Birthplace of Mother = Virginia
Informant = Victor P. Moses, Corvallis, Oregon
Filed = April 12, 1919

Date of death = April 7, 1919
Cause of death = Senility

Place of burial = Crystal Lake Cem
Date of burial = 4/8/1919

5) Obituary for Peter Allen Moses, Corvallis Gazette-Times, Vol. 10, No. 319, April 7, 1919, pages 1 & 4:

Title: "FATHER" MOSES DIES AT AGE OF NINETY YEARS
Subtitle: WELL-KNOWN SOUTH METHODIST MINISTER FADES AWAY FOLLOWING ILLNESS
Sub-subtitle: HAD LONG LIFE OF ACTIVITY AND LEAVES HOST TO MOURN HIS GOING
Sub-sub-subtitle: WAS COLLEGE PRESIDENT, CHAPLAIN, SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT, AND STUDENT

"Peter A. Moses, famililiarly known as 'Father' Moses, widely-known in South Methodist circles thruout the State of Oregon passed away at the family home at Seventh and Monroe streets this morning, April 7, following a gradual failing since an attack of pneumonia about a year ago. He recovered, apparently, from the difficulty last Spring, but so much of his strength was taken that he fell into a decline, and finally drifted through the door into that heaven he has always delighted to hold before the world as the true reward for all those who fought the good fight triumphantly. And if any man on earth ever fought triumphantly, it was Father Moses. He had no evil in his heart, none on his tongue, he was filled with love, kindness and charity, the good will that worketh no ill, and he delighted in good works, good cheer, and he went about doing his Master's will. In his later years at least, he was as gentle as a dove, and a benediction to all as he wended his way down the stream of life. A host of friends in Benton and Linn counties and in other communities of Oregon will bow their heads in sorrow at this time with the beloved wife who survives him, with Postmaster Moses and the other members of the family called upon to give up their loved one."

In text sub-heading:      Funeral Tuesday

"Father Moses passed away on the sixty-first anniversary of his marriage, had been in the ministry sixty-eight years, was the oldest alumnus of Randolph-Macon College of Virginia, and he had been a Mason sixty-one years. The funeral services will be held at the South Methodist church Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 under the auspices of the Masonic order.

Rev. Moses was born in what is now Appomattox county, Virginia, Nov. 18, 1828. His parents were Samuel Ferris and Nancy Jennings Moses. He left with his family the ancestral history of the Moses family back to the time when representatives of the name left their home in Amsterdam, Holland, and crossed the Atlantic to the new world, settling in Pennsylvania in 1746. The history covers 214 years, which is remarkable inasmuch as Americans ordinarily cannot recount their history beyond their great-grandparents.

From the diary of the deceased it is learned that Adam Moses, the great-grandfather, was born in Holland in 1705, the he became the father of seven children, and that he brought his family by the ship "Loyal Judith" to Philadelphia, in 1746, locating later in Chester county of that state. 'From that county and from that family,' the author of the diary states, 'came all our Moses relatives.' The Moses families of the American branch down to and including that of the deceased were large -- varying in number from seven to thirteen children. The grandfather of Peter A. Moses was Peter the fifth son of Adam Moses. Samuel Ferris Moses, son of Peter Moses, was married to Miss Nancy Jennings. To this alliance were born thirteen children, the subject of this sketch being the eleventh.

Rev. Peter Allen Moses was married to Miss Lucy Light Howell, in VanBuren, Arkansas, April 5, 1858. To this marriage were born seven children: Ellen Augusta, died July 9, 1860, aged 1 year, 3 months; Susie Jenks, Tangent, Oregon; Jesse Moses, Alsea; Amasa Moses, Hoopa, California; Samual H. Moses, Philomath, Oregon; Josephine Allan Trask, Corvallis, Oregon; Victor P. Moses, Corvallis, Oregon. The grandchildren are: Leonard J. Moses, Mrs. Mabel Bass, Jesse Moses, Jr., Everett A. Moses, Mae Moses, Blanch Bethers, Nellie Scott, Bernice Moore and Victor Myron Trask. There are four great-grandchildren, all of whom can trace an honorable lineage to their great-great-great-grandfather Adam Moses, who came with his family from Holland to America in 1746."

In text sub-heading:      A Very Active Life

"The deceased was a graduate of Randolph Macon College, one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in Virginia. He entered the ministry in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1851. He served as president of Wallace Institute, Arkansas, in 1869, and president of Quitman College of that state in 1871. During the Civil War he served as chaplain from his state under the 'Stars and Bars' administering to the comfort of the wounded alike in blue and gray. After the war, he was elected state senator in Arkansas. Upon moving to Oregon be became successively principal of the schools in Brownsville, Lebanon, Jefferson and Albany -- all in Linn county, where he served as county school superintendent two years. As a minister in the M. E. Church South, he served the congregations at Brownsville, Lebanon, Junction, Albany, Tangent, Dayton, Roseburg, Jacksonville, Lewisburg, Myrtle Creek and Corvallis. Upon retiring from the active ministry, he continued his residence in Corvallis, where he was active in church, civic and educational affairs, taking a deep interest in the Oregon Agricultural College, where he was a student in his eighties. It will, therefore, be seen that his long active life crowded with deeds of love, sunshine and kindness cannot be fully told in a brief recital.

By a coincidence the time-honored names 'Peter' and 'Moses' anciently signified a rock -- the latter a rock from which crystal waters flow. These names, therefore, symbolize his pure life which was as unchangeable as a rock. In his youth, early manhood and old age he was ever the same -- constant in duty, steadfast in the right, and like the rock of old that was smitten until the waters poured forth, the pure white life of Peter A. Moses poured out abundantly into the chalices of those who were athirst. Hence his name and memory are engraved deep in the minds and hearts of those who mingled with him when he walked among men."

6) Obituary for Peter Allen Moses, The Morning Oregonian, Portland, Tuesday, April 8, 1919, p. 8:

Title: CORVALLIS RESIDENT DIES
Subtitle: PETER A. MOSES PASSES AWAY AT AGE OF 90.
Sub-subtitle: Funeral Services Will Be Held This Afternoon in Charge of Masonic Lodge

"CORVALLIS, Or., April 7. -- (Special.)---Peter A. Moses died this morning at his home in this city. It was the 61st anniversary of his marriage and had he lived until November he would have been 91 years old. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon in charge of the Masonic lodge, of which he had been a member for 61 years.

Mr. Moses leaves his widow and six children -- Susan Jenks of Tangent, Jesse Moses of Alsea, Amasa Moses of Hoopla, Cal.; Samuel Moses of Philomath, Josephine Trask of Corvallis and Victor P. Moses, postmaster of this city.

Up to the time of his death Mr. Moses was the oldest living graduate of Randolph Macon College, Va., from which he was graduated into the Methodist ministry in 1851. He served as president of Wallace institute, Arkansas, in 1859, and of Quintan college in the same state in 1871.

During the civil war Mr. Moses served as a chaplain in the confederate army and after the war was elected state senator from Arkansas. He was married in 1858 and moved to Oregon in 1874. He served as principal of the schools in Brownsville, Albany, Lebanon and Jefferson and as pastor of the South Methodist church at Brownsville, Lebanon, Junction, Tangent, Lewisburg, Dayton, Roseburg, Jacksonville, Myrtle Creek and Corvallis.

After resigning his pastorate here Mr. Moses found life with nothing to do too irksome, so at the age of 80 he enrolled at the Oregon Agricultural college as a student in agriculture. He was a student of Hebrew up till a few weeks before his death."

7) Obituary for Peter Allen Moses, The Oregon Sunday Journal, Portland, Sunday April 13, 1919 (includes photo):

Title: PASTOR'S LONG LIFE AIDED IN UPBUILDING OF OREGON CHURCHES
Subtitle: Rev. Peter A. Moses of Corvallis Passes in Sixty-eighth Year of Ministry

"Corvallis, April 12.--The Rev. Peter A. Moses, who died in his 91st year, at his family home in Corvallis Monday, passed away on the sixty-first anniversary of his marriage and in the sixty-first year of his Masonic membership and sixty-eighth year of his ministry in the Methodist Episcopal church. His long and active life is thus reviewed by Professor John Horner, author of the 'History of Oregon.'

Mr. Moses was born in Appomattox county, Virginia, November 18, 1828, of American parents of Dutch ancestry. His great-grandfather, Adam Moses, came from Amsterdam to Philadelphia in the ship Loyal Judith in 1746. Mr. Moses married Miss Lucy Light Howell in Van Buren, Ark., April 5, 1858. Of the seven children born to them, six are living, as follows: Susie Jenks, Tangent; Jesse Moses, Alsea; Amasa Moses, Hoops, Cal.; Samuel H. Moses, Philomath; Josephine Allan Trask, Corvallis; Victor P. Moses, Corvallis. The grandchildren are: Leonard J. Moses, Mrs. Mabel Bass, Jesse Moses, Jr., Everett A. Moses, Mae Moses, Blanch Bethers, Nellie Scott, Bernice Moore and Victor Myron Trask. There are four great-grandchildren.

Before coming to Oregon, Mr. Moses, who was a graduate of the first Randolph Macon college, served as president of Wallace Institute and of Whitman college, both in Arkansas. He had gone through the war as chaplain under the Stars and Stripes, but ministered alike to men from North and South. Following the war, he was elected senator in the Arkansas state legislature. He came to Oregon in 1878 and entered educational work as principal of the schools of Brownsville, Lebanon, Jefferson and Albany, all then of Linn county, and later as school superintendent of Linn county. As minister he served the churches at Brownsville, Lebanon, Junction City, Albany, Tangent, Dayton, Roseburg, Jacksonville, Lewisburg, Myrtle Creek and Corvallis. Upon retiring from active work he made his residence in this city, taking a leading part in religious, social and educational work. He was a great believer in education, and was one of the first, as well as one of the last, students to take special short course work at the Oregon Agricultural college, having attended the 1917 session.

He was buried Tuesday, funeral services being conducted in the M. E. church South. The presiding elder, W. J. Fenton, spoke of his labors in Oregon and pointed to half a dozen church buildings that had been erected as a result. Professor Horner reviewed his life here, and the resident pastor, H. M. Law, conducted the rites of the church. The local Masonic lodge attended in a body and conducted the ceremonies at the grave."

8) Obituary for Peter Allen Moses, Pacific Methodist Advocate, April 24, 1919, p. 11:

Author: H. M. LAW
Title: OBITUARY
Subtitle: REV. P. A. MOSES, M. A.

"Rev. Peter Allen Moses M. A. passed away at his home in Corvallis, Oregon, April 7th, 1919, aged 91 years, 4 months and 19 days. It will be a grief to the whole church to learn of the death of our venerable friend and brother.

His acquaintance reached across the continent and the entire church will keenly feel the loss of one whose life was consecrated to the interests of the Spiritual Kingdom and who devoted the strength of his manhood to pioneering in the Pacific Northwest. The history of our church in the Northwest is so bound up with his plans, labors, and sacrifices that were it all written, one could scarcely tell whether it were history or biography.

His interest in the work of the church continued to grow as he advanced in years. His every thought, word and interest was relative to the Christ and His Kingdom.

He never missed an Annual Confere if it were possible for him to attend. For more than fifty years he was chairman of the Board of Education in his conference, and took particular delight in the work of that Board. The Conferenles will miss his genial handshake, his ripe experience, and keen, ready wit! For 64 years he received his appointments at the hands of his church, and went dutifully to his task.

His first word relative to any gathering of the church always concerned the spiritual element in it. After the last Conference, his questions were, 'Was it characterized by deep spirituality.' 'Are the new Bishops spiritual men?' 'Are the leaders of the church deeply pious men?'

During the latter years of his life he studied deeply and almost incessantly, so that his mind was a marvelous storehouse of facts. While he was conversant with every line of knowledge and kept up with all current events, his main theme for study was that of Christianity. He reveled in the riches of his Bible! Here he found the bread his hungry soul so eagerly sought here he found the delight and comfort, truly 'Blesed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness. His constant habits of study kept his mind strong and fresh.

The memories of his heroic, and patient life is a legacy sweet and enduring, left to all who were fortunate enough to have known him intimately. If there was ever a Superannuated preacher in the world who was not officious and dictatorial, 'Father' Moses was the man. Having twice been his pastor it is a great privilege to say that his attitude never changed in a single instance from that of the humblest member of the flocks; always seeking to learn, to be fed! He never interferred, with dictated or dissented from the plans of the pastor. Always helping, always praying, never criticizing; these were his outstanding qualities as a resident minister.

It is a source of joy to have witnessed the love and tenderness of his children to their dear old Father. One who was with them as he neared the end of his journey, would keep saying over and over within himself 'How they love him.' The endearing terms of 'Daddy' and 'Father' spoken with such tenderness and assurance as the light grew dim, brought comfort and rest to his weary mind, and tears to the eyes of others.

His passing was practically painless. His pure life had left every organ of his body so nearly perfect that there was no part to break down first. All together the machinery of his life ran down, the pulse ceased, the breath stopped, he was asleep, the angels had come! Henceforth, for the grand old hero of the cross, 'The crown of righteousness that fadeth not away, eternal in the Heavens.'

The ranks of Methodism will bow their heads in reverence at the news, and join in a prayer for the bereaved wife who poured into his life 61 years of devotion, and for the dutiful children who remain to say 'Farewell,' till tomorrow's dawn!"

Marriage Notes for Peter Moses and Lucinda Howell:
1) 1860 Census, State of Arkansas, Crawford County, Richland Township, VanBuren Post Office, Page No. 71, Stamped page number 669, Enumerated July 11th, 1860:

Dwelling number 487, Family number 480 (along with others):

Peter Moses, age 30, M, M.E. Minister, Real Estate=5,000, Personal Estate=500, born in Virginia

[Carried over to Page No. 72]:

Lucy Moses, age 20, F, born in Arks (Arkansas)

Nelly _____, age 1, F, born in Arks (Arkansas)

[Image 75 & 76 of 205 at Ancestry.com]

[Note 1: Nelly must be Ellen Augusta; Susan was already born but should not have been listed]

2) From the 1870 census for Arkansas, Pope County, Illinois Township (post office = Dover]:

Moses, Peter A., age 42, White Male. Minister of the Gospel. Real Estate Value $500 Personal Estate $300 Place of birth: Virginia

Moses, Lucy L., age 32, White Female. Keeping house. Place of birth Arkansas

Children listed are:

Robert Jessee, Male, age 8, born Arkansas
Amasa M, Male, age 6, born Arkansas
Samuel H, Male, age 3, born Arkansas

3) From the 1880 Census:

      Census Place:      Tangent, Linn, Oregon
      Source:      FHL Film 1255082 National Archives Film T9-1082 Page 353B
      Relation      Sex      Marr      Race      Age      Birthplace
Peter A. MOSES      Self      M      M      W      51      VA
      Occ:      Minister Of The Gospel      Fa: PA      Mo: VA
Lucy L. MOSES      Wife      F      M      W      40      AR
      Occ:      Keeping House      Fa: KY      Mo: KY
Robert J. MOSES      Son      M            W      18      AR
      Occ:      At Home      Fa: KY      Mo: KY
Nancy S. MOSES      Dau      F      S      W      18      AR
                  Fa: KY      Mo: KY
Amasa W. MOSES      Son      M            M      16      AR
      Occ:      At Home      Fa: KY      Mo: KY
Samuel H. MOSES      Son      M            W      14      AR
      Occ:      At Home      Fa: KY      Mo: KY
Josephine A. MOSES      Dau      F      S      W      8      AR
      Occ:      At Home      Fa: KY      Mo: KY
Victor P. MOSES      Son      M      S      W      6      AR
      Occ:      At Home      Fa: KY      Mo: KY

[Some of this data is obviously inaccurate. The father of these children was born in Virginia and the mother of these children was born in Arkansas. For some reason the birthplaces of Lucy's parents are repeated for Peter & Lucy's children.]

4) 1900 census for Oregon, Benton County, Corvallis Precinct No. 3, Corvallis City, Supervisor's District No. 1, Enumeration District No. 2, Sheet number 9A, enumerated June 7th, 1900 (image 17 of 38 at Ancestry.com):

Dwelling number & Visit number obscured --

Moses, [obscured -- probably Peter or Peter A.], Head, W, M, born October 1827, age 72, Married, married for 40 years, born in Virginia, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Pennsylvania, Occupation = Preacher, Unemployed 0 months, can read, can write, can speak English, [remainder of line obscured]

_____, Lucie L, Wife, W, F, born August, 183? [final year digit obscured -- could be 1832], [age obscured], Married, married for 40 years, mother of 8 children total, mother of 6 children still living, born in Arkansas, father born in Kentucky, mother born in Tennessee, can read, can write, can speak English

_____, Victor P, Son, W, M, born September 1874, age 25, Single, born in Arkansas, father born in Virginia, mother born in Arkansas, Occupation = Book [2nd word obscured], Unemployed 0 months, can read, can write, can speak English

[Note 1: Peter Moses indexed as Roy Mans]
[Note 2: Peter Allen Moses was born November 18, 1828 in Virginia -- this date of birth shown here for him is incorrect]
[Note 3: Peter's mother was born in Virginia; this census entry incorrectly lists her as having been born in Pennsylvania]
[Note 4: I only have 7 children listed for Peter & Lucy, but this census mentions 8. There must have been another child who died young in addition to Ellen Augusta.]
[Note 5: The birth year and age for Victor disagree with other information]

Children of Peter Moses and Lucinda Howell are:

	207	i.		Ellen Augusta⁶ Moses, born Abt. March 1859; died July 09, 1860.
	208	ii.		Susan Nancy Moses, born July 01, 1860 in VanBuren, Crawford County, AR; died October 31, 1938 in Tangent, Linn County, Oregon. She married William Dryden Jenks February 12, 1882 in Tangent, Linn County, OR; born November 12, 1860 in Filmore, Andrew County, MO; died July 10, 1949 in Corvallis, Benton County, OR.

Marriage Notes for Susan Moses and William Jenks:
According to a file at GenServ, Susan and William had no children.

+	209	iii.	Robert Jesse 'Jesse' Moses, born March 28, 1862 in Arkansas; died January 23, 1954 in Eureka, Humboldt County, California.
+	210	iv.	Amasa M. Moses, born Abt. 1865 in Texas; died February 27, 1938 in California.
+	211	v.	Samuel H. Moses, born October 25, 1866 in Fort Smith, Arkansas; died September 06, 1951 in Corvallis, Benton County, Oregon.
+	212	vi.	Josephine Allan 'Josie' Moses, born Abt. 1872 in Arkansas; died September 01, 1952 in Benton County, Oregon.
	213	vii.	Victor Pierce Moses, born September 20, 1875 in Quitman, Arkansas; died March 17, 1964 in Corvallis, Benton County, Oregon. He married Lavinia Clair 'Vina' Wood December 25, 1905 in Benton County, Oregon; born Abt. August 1885; died April 01, 1971 in Benton County, Oregon.

Notes for Victor Pierce Moses:
1) Obituary from Oregon Statesman, Salem, Thursday, March 19, 1964, Sec. 3, page 19:

"Victor P. Moses

CORVALLIS -- Longtime Benton County Democratic party leader Victor P. Moses, 89, who died in a nursing home here Tuesday night, was a veteran of some 66 years in public service.

Born in Arkansas, he moved to Brownsville with his parents as a child, and attended high school in Albany. He entered public service in 1896 upon appointment as Linn County clerk. He moved to Corvallis in 1905 and was elected Benton County clerk.

In 1909 he was elected Benton County judge, served one term and was appointed Corvallis postmaster by President Woodrow Wilson. He served as postmaster until 1923, when he was again elected county judge, a post he held until 1936.

In 1936 he went to Washington, D.C., as a representative of the Association of Oregon Counties. He returned and became bailiff in the circuit court here in 1940. He retired two years ago.

A longtime member of Benton County Historical Society, he was honored several years ago when the state's first junior historical chapter, at a Corvallis junior high school, was named in his honor. He was also a member of the Knights of Pythias and Neighbors of Woodcraft.

His wife of 39 years, Mrs. Bina Moses, survives. The home is at 102 N. 7th St., where Mrs. Moses for many years operated a volunteer welfare center, dispensing clothing to the needy.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in McHenry Funeral Home. Rev. James McCobb officiating."

Marriage Notes for Victor Moses and Lavinia Wood:
According to the Vina Moses Center webpage, Victor and Vina had no children.

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