Person:Moses Stephens (1)

Places Stated or Implied in the Life of Moses Stephens

That Moses Stephens was born in South Carolina, enlisted in the American Revolutionary army from northern North Carolina, and had sons born in Buncombe County, North Carolina before moving to Knox/Whitley County, Kentucky seems a bit implausible until one looks at a map for the Yadkin and Pedee Rivers. It also provides and explanation for Moses' reference to "The Moravian Town", since colonial setters in the Yadkin River Valley included Moravian colonists from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania who occupied the 100,000-acre Wachovia tract. Following the Yadkin and Pedee River drainages could suggest possible locations for further research on Moses' origins.

A 1770 Berkeley Co., SC land plat record indicates a Moses Stevens was a neighbor adjoining Nathaniel Austin in the area of Duncan Creek. (http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/Thumbnails.aspx?recordId=110491)

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Whitley County, Kentucky history and families, 1818-1993. (Paducah, Kentucky: Turner, c1994)
   p. 322.

   Stephens – The Stephens family in Whitley County and McCreary County descend from Moses Stephens, Henry Porch, and William Creekmore.
   Moses Stephens was born around 1762, in South Carolina and moved to Kentucky before 1790.
   By his first wife Tempy (Temperance) he had three sons; Elisha, Joshua, and Solomon.
   Joshua Stephens, son of Moses, was born in 1785, and died in 1855. He was a miller by trade and married another Tempy. They are buried in the Lower Cal Hill Cemetery at Pine Knot. Joshua and Tempy had 14 children, among them a so named Elisha.

2. ↑ Schmidt, Cindy, and Janice Worley. Survey book no. 1 for Whitley County, Kentucky: surveys beginning in 1818 through 1827, warrants of Knox and Whitley counties beginning in 1801. (Cordova, Maryland: C.V. Schmidt, c2003-).

   p. 23 - August 27th 1822
   Surveyed for Solomon Stephens . . . 100 acres of land . . . .
   Moses Stephens HK [housekeeper], Thomas Napier ChM [chainman], Solomon Stephens marker, Joseph Gilless surveyor

3. ↑ Whitley, Kentucky, in United States. 1830 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M19).

   Stephens, Moses Sr., 2 males 15-19, 1 male 60-69 [Moses], 1 female 50-59 [Betsy]

4. ↑ Whitley, Kentucky, in United States. 1840 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M704).

   Stephens, Moses, 1 m 20-29, 1 m 60-69 [Moses], 2 f under 5, 1 f 20-29, 1 f 50-59 [Betsy]

5. ↑ ^5.0 5.1 District 1, Whitley, Kentucky, in United States. 1850 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432)
   HH 30, Fam 30.

   Stevens, Moses, 88, farmer, [no Real estate listed], b. SC, unable to read and write
   , Jane, 50, b. SC
   , John, 30, b. SC

6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} Revolutionary War Pensions, North Carolina, Moses Stephens, in United States. Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files. (Washington D.C.).

   pp. 4-6
   Declaration
   In Order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832
   State of Missouri, County of Daviess
   On the Second day of June personally appeared in County Court, Moses Stephens a resident of the County of Davis, aged about eighty eight years who declares that he entered the service of the United States at Salisbury in the State of North Carolina in the fall season 1780 in the Company Commanded by Captain Humphreys and Regiment commanded by Colonel Philips, as a substitute for a private soldier named Barney Demsey
   That he entered as a private
   He resided near the Moravian Town in the County of Surrey, North Carolina
   That he marched whilst in service from Salisbury to the River Roanoke (the line dividing the States of North Carolina and Virginia) by way of by way of Willisborough, North Carolina
   That on said march he assisted in guarding prisoners taken by the Americans at the battle of “Kings Mountain”
   That he cannot remember whether the company belongs to the Regular troops, the State Troops, Militia or volunteers
   That he was honorably discharged on the River Roanoke in February 1781 and that his discharge was in writing which he lost many years ago, he is not sure when or where
   That he has no documentary evidence, nor does he know of any person whose testimony he can procure to testify to his service
   That he is not acquainted with any Clergyman in this county
   Signed Moses x his mark Stephens
   
   We, Moses Stephens Jr and Jeremiah Campbell residing in the same neighborhood and county hereby certify,
   That we are well acquainted with Moses Stephens who has sworn to the above
   That we believe him to be about eighty-eight years of age
   That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution
   And that we concur in that opinion and believe he is not acquainted with any clergyman in this county
   Signed Moses x his mark Stephens Jr., Jerimiah [sic] Campbell
   
   And the Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter that the above named affiant was a Revolutionary Soldier and Served as he states
   Signed Thomas I. Frame, Clerk of the County Court, 2 June 1851
   
   p. 3 - Application Rejected

7. ↑ Knox, Kentucky, in United States. 1810 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M252).

   Stephens, Moses, 1 male under 10, 1 male 45 and over [Moses], 1 female 16-25 [Betsey]