Person:Moses Russell (9)

1773, November 11 - Moses Russell and Joseph Wesant, as chain carriers, assisted Richard Rigg in doing a survey for Michael Bucher (aka Poker) of a tract of land (189 acres) adjoining Bucher's own land and land of William Russell, George Hotzenbeller, Mr. Isaac Zane, Herman Brill and Jacob Wolfe on the waters of Cedar Creek in Frederick County; the metes and bounds description mentioned Pembroke Run, land Zane bought from Richard Kennedy, Joseph Wesant's 150 acre patent and corner to Michael Poker.

1776-1783 - Moses Russell may have been the "minute man" referred to in Cartmell's description of the Russell family of northwest Frederick County. See Note 1. Two men named Moses Russell applied for Revolutionary War pensions. One was a Moses Russell who entered service in Halifax County, Virginia and applied for his pension from the state of Tennessee; the second was married in 1785 to Mehitable Noland in Berkeley County, Virginia but later moved to Ohio where he died in 1825.

1777 - In his father's 1777 Will Moses was directed to take care of his mother Mary, and for this purpose his father devised to Moses the "plantation" on Duck Run (except the part given to brother Joseph) where his father then had his dwelling, as well as various other assets. See: Duck Run (Frederick Co., VA) Research Guide.

1781 - A survey was made on January 17, 1781 by Richard Rigg for Elias Keckley of Frederick County. The land surveyed was a tract of 137 acres adjoining his own land on Duck Run. The survey diagram indicated that "Capt Richards or John Lee" is one of the adjoining land owners. A deed for this land was issued to Elias Keckley on October 15, 1790. Moses Russell would marry a Keckley in 1814.

1782 - Moses witnessed a deed from Mordecai and Judith Bean to Peter Hurbough for 261 acres on Paddy Run, land that had been granted to Mordecai in 1777 by the N. Neck Proprietor.

1787 - Moses was on Tax List B for Frederick County; the surrounding "names" included Henry Richards and Adam Sriver (sic).

1787, Nov - 1814, Sept - Moses was administrator of the John Bachelor accounts. [Source: Kangas & Payne's Wills & Admins 1795-1816 for Frederick County, Virginia.]

1789 - Moses, Elias Kackley, Henry Richards and Joseph Longacre witnessed a deed by one of the Buchers (Poker) to another of them. [Source: DB 21, p. 1104, per the Gilreath deed book series.] He was a witness on another Bucher transaction not long thereafter.

1789 Dec. 3 - Moses prepared the accounting for Margaret Batchelor, relict of John Batchelor; it was accepted by the County Court on Dec. 8, 1790. [Source: Will Book 5, p. 294.]

1790, Sept 5 - Survey for Moses Russell (assignee of James Russell) of an 8 1/2 acre tract upon Duck Run with a metes and bounds description mentioning "line of William Russell deceas'd", "corner to Henry Richards", and "line of Capt. Henry Richards". B. Ashby, surveyor; chain men David Fuller and Richard Longacre.

1790 - Moses was administrator of the John Bachelor estate. He was appointed on Dec. 8, 1790.

1791, April 19 - Moses was on Tax List B for Frederick County; there were two whites above 16 in his household and he had 6 horses; there were no blacks. Barnett Desponett was listed on April 18 and James Russell on April 20. Also listed on April 18 were John, Jacob and Elias Kackley.

1793, Nov. 23 - Moses gave a deposition in the case of David Marple vs. Elias Kackley and John Kile aka Coyle. In 1781 Kackley had made a verbal agreement with David Marple to sell Marple land at Back Creek near "the Cove" for 50 pounds Virginia money. Part of the payment was a horse, a wagon and two old rifles. Marple and Kackley apparently never agreed to the value of these items and never entered into a written agreement. Marple went off to Philadelphia on business and didn't return to Virginia for a number of years, during which Kackley sold the land to Kile. Russell's deposition was to the effect that he would not pay anything for the horse and that it at most was only worth 5 pounds. Moses gave a second deposition in this case on October 1, 1794 concerning what he heard at the house of Ezekiel Marple in 1784 or 1785. He said that Ezekiel told him he would give Kackley more for the property and would indemnify him against David Marple. Moses signed his name in cursive whereas other deponents signed with a X. [Source: Original records of Frederick County Court on University of Virginia Library microfilm reel no. 177, image no. 415, index no. 1798-036.]

1795 - Moses witnessed an Andrew Longacre deed.

1796 - The Gilreath Deed Book summaries for Frederick County, through 1796, do not include any land transactions by Moses, either as a grantor or a grantee.

1797, June 2 - Survey by Hez'h Turner for Moses Russell, assignee of Phillip P. Bucher of 8 3/4 acres of land adjoining land of Moses Russell, John Richard and Henry Richard on Duck Run.

1798, Nov. 17 - John Orndorff of Frederick County made his last Will. He appointed Elias Kackeley and Jacob White his executors. The witnesses were Moses Russell, Philip P. Bucher and Peter Henkenius. [Source: ibid, Kangas & Payne.]

1798, Sept. 20 to 1811, June 7 - along with Henry Richards, Moses was an examiner of the Abraham Desponet estate sale account. [Source: ibid, Kangas & Payne.]

1800 - Moses was on Tax List B in 1800, as were Barnett Disponett, James Russell and John Sr & Jr, Isaac and Elias Kackley.

1800, August 26 - Survey by Hezekiah Turner for Moses Russell, assignee of Philip B. Boogher, of 8 3/4 acres in Frederick County, being on Duck Run and adjoining "said Russell's Line", corner to Henry Richerts (sic, Richards).

1800, Sept. 14 - Survey by James Pugh for Moses Russell and Capt. Philip P. Booher, assignees of Bennet Hall, of 286 3/4 acres in Frederick County on both sides of Duck Run adjoining Col. William Deakins and John Hastings, with references to corner of Elias Keckley's survey of 139 acres; corner to Kackley and "John Richards son and devisee of Henry Richards decd Survey of 68 acres"; corner to John Fawcett in Richards Line; and corner to John Hastings.

1800, November 27 - Deed to Moses Russell and Philip P. Bocker of the 286 3/4 acres described in the 1800 survey; and deed on November 28 to Moses Russell of the 8 3/4 acres described in the 1800 survey.

1800, Dec. 27 - Moses (and seven other men) were made trustees of the developments at Capon Springs, which was located "four miles up the mountain from Capon River and two miles from the summit of North mountain . . . Capon springs and baths, today among the famous watering places of the world, rest like a hawk's nest against the mountain side. These springs have been known for years. Long before the beginning of this century a man named Henry Frye had discovered the springs. He built a small cabin (about 1765) and in October, 1787, twenty acres of land around and including the springs was laid off into lots and streets and named Watson." [Source: pages 409 & 410, History of Hampshire County, West Virginia, by Hu Maxwell, Howard; similar information at p. 488, History of West Virginia, by Virgil Anson Lewis.]

1802 - Moses was a Justice of the Peace for Frederick County. [Source: List of justices online.]

1802 - Moses was an appraiser in 1802 in the Jacob White estate. [Source: ibid, Kangas & Payne.]

1804 - He was an examiner in 1804 for the Caspar Larrick estate. [Source: ibid, Kangas & Payne.]

1809 - Moses Russell and Henry Richards were named as executors of the John Frye will of March 13, 1809. [Source: Shenandoah County, Virginia will abstracts by Gilreath.]

1810 census, Frederick County, Virginia, page 690: Moses Russell; then Barnet Disponett followed by David Bolinger; John Russell; and Jonathan Wright. Moses' enumeration was 00101/30001. This shows Moses to be 45 or older; there is a female in the same age category; there were three females under 10 and one male 16-25.

1813, Feb. 26 - Moses Russell, James Russell and Elias Kackney, Jr. were witnesses to the Will of Barnett Desponett. [Sources: summary of Will; original recorded in Frederick County Will Book 9, p. 468; and ibid, Kangas & Payne.]

1814 - Moses was a witness of the Henry Brill will of May 27, 1814. [Source: ibid, Kangas & Payne.]

1814, Dec. 29 - in Frederick County, Moses Russell married Christina Keckley, with Benjamin Keckley on the bond. [Christiana Russell was given a $200 bequest by her father Elias Kackley, who made his Last Will & Testament on Dec. 31, 1818.]

1815 land records show Moses next to John Russell.

1820 census for Frederick Co., Virginia: Henry Brill sen.; John Russel; Moses Russell 200001-10010; Henry Richards; John Turner. The enumeration for Moses shows him as 45+ with 2 males under 10, 1 female under 10 and a female 26-45. The two young males should be John A. and Moses E., but no direct proof of this has yet been found, as Moses' last will and testament has not been located. The young female is not yet identified.

1820, Oct. 16 - Moses Russell gave a deposition in the case of Cartmell vs. Bean. He testified that he was one of the Commissioners appointed by the Frederick County Court to "settle the estate account of Mordecai Bean dec'd with James Bean, Executor". The other Commissioner was Joshua Lupton. There was an issue with respect to a payment of $300 James Bean had made from the estate "on a verbal contract with his father". The full title of the case was "Nathaniel Cartmell & Sarah his wife late Sarah Bean, a daughter and devisee of Mordecai Bean dec'd plaintiffs and James Bean Executor of Mordecai dec'd, Judith Beane widow of said dec'd, Isaac Beane,, John Beane, John Richards and Peggy his wife, Jacob Frye and Betsey his wife, also devisees of said dec'd defendants". The file includes a copy of Mordecai Beans' Will of August 19, 1814, which was proved on Dec. 5, 1814. [Source: Original records of Frederick County Court on University of Virginia Library microfilm reel no. 272, image no. 504, index no. 1825-101 SC.]

1820's - Moses witnessed a number of deeds made by Jacob and Sarah Kackley; Moses was identified as a Justice of the Peace.

1829 - Moses, with others, signed a petition to the Virginia legislature for the improvement of the public baths at Watson (aka Capon Springs), Hampshire County, and for the improvement of the road leading across the mountain from the east side. The petition alleged that the road was "difficult and in truth dangerous to travel." [Source: Library of Virginia online image.]

1830 census for the western district of Frederick County: Moses Russell - 1 male 5-10, 2 males 10-15, 1 male 70-80, 1 female 10-15 and 1 female 50-60.The children were all born before 1825. Compared to the 1820 census there is now a third son. He has not yet been identified.

1831, Feb. 2 - Moses and many others residing in his vicinity signed a petition to the Virginia legislature for the creation of "a separate Election [precinct] to be held at the House of Moses Russell, it being the most Central situation for this district of the County" and much needed because the residents were often blocked by high water from reaching the current voting location. [source: Library of Virginia online image.] "In the House of Delegates, March 18, 1831. . . An Act, to authorize a separate election at the house of Moses Russell, in the county of Frederick . . ." [Source: Journal of the Senate, Virginia State Assembly.]

1832 - Philip Peter Bucher applied for a Revolutionary War pension. He stated that he first served under Capt. James Wilson of Frederick County, Virginia. He gave a lengthy description of his various service tours of duty. Bucher said that "Moses Russell Esqr. will prove my services." [Source: NARA Archives.]

1833 - References to Moses Russell, in Kercheval, History of the Valley of Virginia, published at Winchester in 1833: Samuel H. Davis:

"Moses Russell, Esq. informed the author that the hilly lands about his residence, near the base of the North Mountain, in the south west corner of Frederick, and which now present to the eye the appearance of great poverty of soil, within his recollection were covered with a fine growth of pea vine, and that stock of every description grew abundantly fat in the summer season." [p. 77]

"Jacob Havely and several of his family were killed near the present residence of Moses Russell, Esq. at the eastern base of the North mountain . . . Dispennet, and several of his family, and Vance and his wife were also severally killed by the same party of Indians, in the same neighborhood. . . Moses Russell, Esq. is under the impression that these people were killed in the summer or fall of the year 1756." [p. 104]

"Moses Russell, Esq. informed the author that his two elder brothers were of Fry's party, and that if he had been old enough, he would doubtless have been among them. But he had more than once heard one of his brother's speak of this occurrence with great regret, and lament at the part he had taken in it." [p. 141] [Note: This incident, in 1768, involved the forced release from jail of two white men accused of killing two indians.]

"Moses Russell, Esq. informed the author, that it was reported and believed at the time that Claypool's two sons went to North Carolina, and had an interview with lord Cornwallis, who appointed and commissioned them both captains in the British service, and sent the commission of colonel to their father." [Note: This refers to a Tory uprising in 1781 on Lost River, led by Claypool and his two sons.] [p. 195]

Moses Russell, Esq. is given as the source for the fact that Paddy's Mountain takes its name from the Irishman Patrick ("Paddy") Black, who first settled at what is now called Paddy's gap. [p. 455]

". . . within about two miles of the residence of Moses Russell, Esq. in the county of Frederick is to be seen what is called the Falling run." [p. 462]

"Pembroke Springs.-These are situated about one mile south of the residence of Moses Russell, Esq. . . The waters are pure and salubrious, discharged from the base of the North mountain. . . ." [p. 478]

Subscribers to the Kercheval book from Cedar Creek include: Nash L. Gordon, Josiah Fawcett, Isaac Longacre, Cyrus W. Murray, Moses Russell, John Russell and Henry W. Richards. [p. 483]

1840 - Moses Russell was not in the 1840 census for Frederick County, but it appears that his wife (widow) was residing with son James A. and his wife; there was a female in the 60-70 year old category. Also with James A. and his wife in 1840 were a 15-20 year old male (probably son Moses E.) and a 15-20 year old female. There was another son, William K., first identified in the estate records for Moses' wife Christiana. No Will or intestate administration for Moses was indexed in Frederick County Will Books 16-21 (covering 1830-1845).

1.   "The Russell family, once so prominently known in the northwest section, have disappeared. We have mentioned James A. Russell and family elsewhere. His cousin William Russell lived in that section. They married sisters, the Misses Baker, of Hardy County. William was the father of Mrs. James Cover, Mrs. Zepp and one son John. Mr. James A. Russell lived to be an old man. His father was one of the Minute Men, as shown elsewhere. Mr. Russell's gallant son, Stanley, was killed during the early part of the Civil War,-a brave Confederate, well-known to the writer. His sister Mrs. Annie Hack and her brothers, have been previously mentioned." [Source: p. 500, Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and their Descendants, by Thomas Kemp Cartmell, 1909.]
2.   "Christina Kackley: Dtr. of Elias Kackley, Sr. and Catherine Kackley; born ca. 1770's-1780's, Frederick County, Virginia, died [blank], married Moses Russell on 29 Dec. 1814, Fred. Co., Va. Siblings: Mary Kackley Shriver; Abraham Kackley; Elizabeth Kackley Kackley (sic); Jacob Kackley; George Kackley; Elias Kackley, Jr.; Jonathan Kackley; Joseph Kackley; Catherine Kackley Hamilton; Samuel Kackley; Benjamin Kackley. children: [blank]
   State of Virginia
   County of Frederick, to-wit: ......... Clerk of the Circuit Court of Frederick County, a Court of Record in and for said County and State, do certify that the marriage of Christena (sic) Keckley and Moses Russell, which took place in Frederick County, Virginia on the 29th day of December, 1814 with Benjamin Keckley, Surety, is duly recorded in the Clerk's Office of the said Circuit Court on the __ day of ____, ____, as full and complete as the same is now on record in said office in Marriage Register Book No. 1, Page 146A line 2. In Witness Whereof, I have set my hand and the seal of said . . . ." [Source: page 325, Jacob's House (Cackley/Kackley/Keckley Families), (A History of the Descendants of Jacob Keckley, Sr. (1701-1788) of Frederick County, Virginia), written and compiled by Elizabeth Faith Kackley Qualls, 1990, Gateway Press, Inc., Baltimore.]