Hi,

I'm hoping to find out more about the family of David Mosley/Moseley of Spartanburg Co., SC. Here is what I know about him, so far.

1790 Census Spartanburgh Co., SC
Page 89
David Mosley

No White

Other Free Persons - 8

1800 Census Spartanburgh Co., SC
David Mosley

No White

Other Free Persons - 7

1810 census Spartanburgh Co., SC
David Mosley

Free Whites
Males
16-26 3
45+ 1

Females
0-10 2
16-26 1
45+ 1

No FPOC
No slaves

He disappears after 1810. By 1850 (according to the Census Index) there were no mulatto or black Moseley/Mosleys recorded living in SC.

Source: Spartanburgh Conveyance Book AA, 1848-1850

"p. 39-40. 19 Feb 1848. Deed of Conveyance. Simpson Bobo of Spartanburgh Dist, to W.H. Wilbanks of Spartanburgh Dist; 126 acres for $125, all that tract of land in Spartanburgh Dist known as the Mosley tract bounded by Steadman and Cantrell..."

In 1790 David Mosley was living three doors down from my ancestor "Mosley Owins" (referred to in later records as Mosbey Owen). My Moseley/Mosbey was the only person in Spartanburg with this first name and David was the only one with this last name. I've always wondered if there was a connection of some sort between the "white" Owen family and David Mosley.

I do have a few questions about my Mosbey/Mosley I would love answered. He owned no slaves which struck me as odd because it appears that most Southerners who could afford to own slaves did so. His children were very well educated which is a mystery to me. Where would a farmer from rural NC (where he was living by 1797) and later newly settled IL (where he had settled by 1818) find the resources to provide his children with a classical education? Most farmers at the turn of the 19th century were either illiterate or semi-literate. If he had such resources why didn't he own slaves? I'm glad he didn't, but it seems unusual.

I'm just thinking outloud. If anyone has any suggestions or ideas please share them with me.

Mosbey's son discussed being raised in a household were the beliefs sounded reminiscent of the Quakers - no fancy clothes, singing, or dancing was allowed. If they had been Quakers it would explain where Thomas obtained his education and why they didn't own slaves. However, there don't appear to be any Quaker records (at least any extant records) mentioning my family. Mosbey's son Thomas later became a "Primitive Baptist." Another son joined the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). They were both fairly liberal Christians for the Victorian age (Thomas'lack of dancing aside).