I've included sources at the bottom of the sketch and links to the census extractions or images. Any information you can contribute, or any errors you might correct, I gladly accept your emails. Questions and comments are welcome as well. Thanks, and enjoy browsing.

According to the records, George became a Freeman by serving seven years apprenticeship to a Freeman - the Enrollment Book listing him 12 Feb 1752 as the son of John of Scremerston (a couple miles from Berwick), in county Durham, yeoman who was apprenticed to Henry Tanner burgess and butcher. George was married to a woman named Eleanor, speculated to be Eleanor Cockburn whom records indicate he married on 19 May 1762 in Mordington, Berwick, Scotland which is just about five miles from Berwick-Upon-Tweed in England.

According to the family letters in my possession dating back to 1827, George was said to have had a fortune in silver plates in the Thornes Banks, houses in the town of Berwick upon the River Tweed, and family land along with a lime kil all lying near the town of Berwick.

The letters state that George died when his son Archibald was only 6 weeks old. Holy Trinity burial records in Berwick record the burial of George Mossman on 04 March 1771, and the birth of Archibald is recorded as 21 Jan 1771 which calculates to one month and eleven days - a time frame supporting the docmentation of the letters.

Correspondence from the Mossmans in Virginia to the Durham Diocese indicate that no one had applied to administer George's estate. His widow, however, married John Banks who was a bachelor (and possibly their groundskeeper) from Newburn on 01 Sep 1771 - less than six months after her husband's death.

Despite the decades of correspondence regarding the Mossman estate, it appears it was lost to any of the heirs in America. However, these letters written in regard to the Berwick holdings, though not of monetary value, are a fortune of another kind which led me on genealogical journey I have happily explored since 1992.

ARCHIBALD MOSSMAN (1771-1828)

The son of George and Eleanor, Archibald was born in Berwick on 21 Jan 1771. His father George was listed as buried there 04 Mar 1771, and was said to have been the son of John. According to the 1796 Roll of Freemen of Berwick, Archibald is listed as having been made free on 13 Jan 1792 (they had to be at least 21 years of age).

Information indicates that Archibald was the eldest son of George, and that he was a butcher, who by 1796 was living in America. There appears to be an Archibald Mosman listed in the Illinois Bounty lands, Warrant #4078, dated 26 Nov 1818 indicating this Archibald served as a Sergeant with Pendleton's riflemen. The description of his tract was located NE 28 4n 2w and was delivered to Honorable Alexander Smyth, H.R. on December 10, 1818. The tract of land patent just east of him was by Obadiah True, a private in Foster's 11th. This is noted because Archibald's grandson, Archibald Mossman Ballard (son of daughter Eleanor and her husband Christopher), married a woman by the name of Matilda True and some of their children were born in Springfield. Interestingly, listed on the same page is Sergeant Philip Burr, father and heir-at-law of Aaron Burr, deceased.

Archibald married Margaret Young on 21 Dec 1789 at Berwick-Upon-Tweed, England. According to their daughter Eleanor's obituary, the family immigrated to Virginia in about 1795 and settled in Grayson County. However, notes from Archibald indicating the dates and places of the children's birth, set the arrival in America closer to the middle or end of 1792.

In 1800 and 1805 Archibald is listed in the land tax records for Grayson Co., Virginia, and in 1813 in the personal tax records. In 1820 he is listed there in the federal census, and in 1828 in Grayson's personal tax records.

There exists a couple of records and family notes which indicate Archibald married a second time after the death of his wife Margaret. On April 11th of 1828, the Grayson County, Virginia deed book states "Archibald Mosman and Sarah his wife, sold Thos. Smyth 200 acres on Poplar Creek."

On an envelope (probably written by Thomas Anderson Moore), there apprears a note stating that Archibald's 2nd wife was Sarah Lambert, and in a letter dated from Grayson Co., VA by the clerk of the court in 1895, there is recorded a sale "of the Estate of Sarah Mossman, dec'd dated March 6th 1830" and the audit dated Feb 28th 1831. This was followed up by the Virginia Marriage records which shows Archibald Mossmand and Sarah Lambert were married on 21 Mar 1820 in Norfolk City, Virginia.

On the same note/envelope it is written that Archibald died on the day Andrew Jackson was elected and was buried with Masonic honors. According to historical records, Andrew Jackson was elected on the 3rd day of December 1828, which supports the fact that no record of Archibald appears after the year of 1828.

1. Eleanor Mossman - born 29 Nov 1791 in Berwick-Upon- Tweed, England; married Christopher Anthony Ballard; died 08 Feb 1875.
2. Margaret Mossman - according to family note of Archibald and Margaret, she was born at Berwick-Upon-Tweed, England on 03 Feb 1792 and died November 1794 in Norfolk, Virginia.
3. Josiah Mossman - born 11 Feb 1793 at five o'clock in the morning in Norfolk, VA. Nothing further is known of him - may have died young.
4. Mina Mossman - born 12 Dec 1797 in Grayson Co., VA; married John McMillen.
5. Jane Mossman - born 29 Apr 1799 in Norfolk, Virginia and died same.
6. William Mossman - born 16 Nov 1801 in Grayson Co., VA; married Leticia Lanhorn and removed to Indiana.
7. George Mossman  - born 28 Jul 1804 in Grayson Co., VA; married Hannah Brown; died 23 Oct 1870.

Daughter of Archibald and Margaret, Eleanor was born in 29 Nov 1791. She married Christopher "Anthony" Ballard on the 28 Feb 1808 in Virginia.  They were enumerated in the 1820 Lake Twp., Logan Co., Ohio census; the 1830 Springfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois census.

Sometime before 1850, Eleanor and Christopher parted ways. He is listed in the 1850 Goliad County, Texas census and the 1860 Atascosa County, Texas with his new wife Louisa.

Eleanor is not located again until 1860 at which time she is listed in the household of her daughter, Caroline Ballard-Pilcher, in the Lewis Co., Missouri census, and again in 1870.

Although Eleanor's obituary indicates her husband died in 1855, Christopher was simply remarried and living in Texas. Eleanor did not re-marry and at the time of her death was a was a member of the Christian Church.  She died in Canton on 8 Feb 1875. A clipping of her obituary was found in 1992 among the papers in a family trunk in Webster Groves, Missouri.

View my blog "The Letters of Eleanor Mossman - A Chronology of old Family Letters" posted 06 May 2011

Note: Children's link will take you to the Ballard family page also on this site.

1. Louisa Ballard - born 28 Feb 1809 in Grayson Co., VA; married Ezekiel Pilcher 08 May 1825 in Springfield, Illinois and passed away in St. Louis, Misouri on 22 Dec 1872.
2. Margaret Ballard - born 31 Aug 1810 in Grayson Co., VA; married Samuel C. Meredith of Cincinnati on 27 Mar 1829 in Springfield, Illinois; she passed away in Indianapolis, Marion Co., Indiana on 13 Nov 1884. (Letters of Mary J. Jones & Ellenor Cook to John Fenton on file).
3. Helen Ballard - born about 1811; she may have died young; nothing is known of her.
4. Mina Ballard  - born about September of 1812 in Grayson Co., Virginia; she married John Jenkins Kern and went to Shasta, California in 1853 and died there 24 Dec 1879.
5. Elizabeth Ballard -born about 1814, she married Edward McCafferty on 05 Mar 1836 in LaPorte Co., Indiana. She later lived in Jefferson City, Missouri in 1862 when her niece Clarissa Pilcher was living there learning the milliner trade. She was referred to in letters by Clarissa as Aunt Liz.  She had also lived in Quincy, Illinois.
6. Arminta Ballard - was born about 1816 and was said to have left home at a young age. She was living in Jefferson City, Missouri in 1862 and was referred to by her niece Clarissa as Aunt Minta.  It is believed she was married to a Mr. Lee.
7. Archibald Mossman Ballard - born about 1818 in Ohio, he married Matilda True of Fayette County, Kentucky in July 1838.  They removed to California where he is enumerated in the 1860 census of Amador County.  Considered one of the '49ers, he was a hotel keeper in Volcano and died from injuries he sustained from a fall from a bridge.  He died in Almo, Contra Costa, California on 29 Sep 1867. His wife Matilda died on 26 Aug 1862 at the age of 45 and is buried at the Volcano Protestant Cemetery in a lot with Eliza J. Ballard-McLaine and Jesse McLaine Cook.
8. Christopher Anthony Ballard, Jr. - born 28 Sep 1822 in Lake Twp., Logan Co., Ohio; married Martha Ann Thorp in Paris, Lamar Co., Texas on 14 Sep 1850. He fought in the Mexican War, moved to Texas and died He is died on 26 Nov 1863 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., Texas.
9. Caroline Ballard - born in December 1824 in Ohio, she married Shadrach H. Pilcher in Springfield, Illinois on 16 Jun 1842. They moved to Canton, Lewis Co., Missouri where Shadrach died on 23 Feb 1878 and Caroline on 21 Apr 1908.
10. William Early Ballard - born 06 Nov 1832 in Carthage, Hancock County, Illinois  He fought in the Mexican War and had lived in San Antonio for awhile but returned and was living with his mother Eleanor (Mossman) in Canton, Lewis County, Missouri in 1893.

Mina was born 12 Dec 1797 in Grayson County, Virginia, the daugther of Archibald and Margaret. She married John McMullin on 28 May 1815.

Grayson County, Virginia deeds record that Archibald Mosman sold John McMulling 100 acres on Laurel Creek on the first of January in 1820, but as ealry as 1805 there appears land tax records for a Thomas McMillen.

In a letter written by Mina & John McMillen to Mr. Anthony Ballard in Springfield, Illinois, dated 11 October 1831 from Austinville, Virginia, Mina writes "I Delayed writing to see what would be my fate and I continud verry weakly till the 17th of July when I was skilfly brought to Bed with a fine Daughter ... the Children think the time long tosee thear Cosens and Maryann often says Mama when will we Move to Illinois for me and Cosen Caroline to take the twins and all the Rest of the littel girls in a drove to play As we had a name for Each of our Mothers and one for my sister two for Johns sisters I had no perticular name invese and I gave up for Amanda to name her littel sister so she caled her Marthey Jane."

From this letter, the names of her children are surmised to be as listed. It is possible that at least one of the twins mentioned in this same letter may have been a son. ("Mrs. Moony which was the Midwife I had when my Twins was born She is a verry fine woman and may be Caled a Docteress.") This assumption coming from the 1830 Grayson Co., VA census listing a John McMullen with one son five and under, one son of ten and under fifteen. At this time, no other records have been located listing this family that can support this - it is merely speculation and a lead by which more might be learned.

1. Mary Ann McMillen

2. Amanda McMillen

3. Margaret McMillen

4. Eleanor McMillen

5. Unknown daughter McMillen

6. Martha Jane McMillen - born 17 Jul 1831 Grayson Co., VA.

William was born 16 November 1801 in Grayson county, Virginia, the son of Archibald and Margaret. He was included in the 1820 Grayson Co, Virginia, 1830 Wayne Co., Indiana, and 1840 Johnson Co., Indiana census records.

He had purchased 149 acres in Grayson County, Virginia on 20 Aug 1820 on Big Reed Island Creek and married married Leticia Lawhorn/Lanhorn on 19 Sep 1822 in Wythe County, Virginia.  They were the parents of Christopher, William, Mary Jain, Maria, John, and Aaron.

In a letter dated 18 Oct 1865, stating she was the oldest daughter of William Mossman, Mary Jain (Mossman) Kelley wrote: "You wanted to now whair father and mother got maried they got maried in With [Wythe] county Virginia, With [Wythe] is the county  Sait i spouse that the marieg Certificat Could bee got if all the papours aint burnt my mother naim was letty lougheran."

Mary Jain also mentions the deaths of her brothers: "there is four Children of all now Christopher, William  Maria  Mary jain the two youngest Died.  John Died in the hospital at nashvill tenesee on the eight of may 1865 volinteerd in the 148 rdg of Ind.  Aaron Died at my house on the second Day of July 1863 he had been in the ware one year."

Contents of this letter have been verified by locating Mary Jain and her brothers Christopher and William in the Fulton and Fayette County, Indiana census records.

1. Christopher Mossman - born in Oct 1823, he married Jemima, daughter of William Cowan and Margaret (McCormack) who had come to the U.S. from Ireland in about 1828 and lived on a big timber farm in Ohio until they moved to Fulton Co., Indiana in 1848. Jemima died on 9 Feb 1853 and he married Mary (Ellison) in 1854. His third wife was Catherine Shafer.

2. John Mossman - born about 1827.

3. Aaron Mossman - born about 1828.

4. William Mossman - born about 1830. It appears from a brief search in Fulton County, Indiana, that William served in the Civil War for four years and remained in that county until his death.  He married Amanda (Blandin) Troutman who was born in New York on 18 Jul 1830 and was the daughter of Jesse and Mariah Blandin and widow of John Troutman. After her death in Rochester, Fulton Co., Indiana on 05 Jun 1876, William married Phebe J. Qualls in Fulton Co., Indiana on 29 Nov 1876, she may have been with widow of Silas Redman whom she had been married to less than a year.

5. Mary Jain Mossman - born 17 Nov 1832 near Centerville, Wayne Co., Indiana; married in about 1853 James Kelley who was born in Ireland on 09 Aug 1816 and and died 12 Feb 1905 in Elwood, Madison Co., Indiana. The mother of nine children, Mary Jain died in Elwood on 10 Mar 1924. (Letters written by Mary Jain in the possession of P. Davidson-Peters)

6. Maria Mossman - born about 1836.

7. John C. Mossman - born about 1844 in Johnson Co., Indiana; served in the Civil War in Co. G of the 148th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. According to his enlistment paper he had fair hair and gray eyes. He died from typhoid pneumonia at the U.S. General Hospital No. 14 in Nashville, Davidson Co., Tennessee and was laid to rest at Nashville National Cemetery.

The son of Archibald and Margaret, George was born on 27 July 1804. He married Hannah Brown, the daughter of Samuel Brown, Jr. and Mary Thornburg on 22 August 1822.

The family continued to reside in Grayson County, Virginia and on December 20, 1823, his father Archibald deeded to him 200 acres on Laurel Creek.  A letter written by him in 1827 to his sister Eleanor and niece Louisa Ballard, indicates that he had no intentions of leaving Grayson County: "I am improving myself very fast and is in good standing and is well satisfied to live at co Laurel Creek as long as I live." 

The letter of George and Hannah dated 20 December 1827 noted that they had two sons by this time - "we  have two children living and soon look for another   we lost one the last of Feb died at eleven days old we called it George Washington Mossman  our two sons living is fine children  Alexander and Eli."

Listed in the Virgina Tax List of 1828, they then deeded their land on 11 October 1828 to Abram Odell and left Virginia to live in Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana where their son Isaac was born.

In 1830 they were residing in Wayne Co., Indiana and were living in Centerville in March of 1835. The home which George built in 1834 was the first frame house built in what would become the city of LaPorte. Although it was moved from its original location, the home still stands.

By about 1839 or 1840 they removed to Illinois where they probably lived in Keithsburg, located in Mercer County which is situated just east of the Iowa border. The 1850 federal census finds them in that county with both George and Eli listed as blacksmiths.

In a letter dated from Keithsburg on 14 March 1852 to Ezekiel Pilcher (husband of Eleanor Mossman-Ballard's daughter Louisa), George writes: "gladly Imbrace the present opertunity of Sending you a few lines to inform you that we are in tolerable helth except my wife She was confined on the 6th of this sinstance and has a fine daughter and calls it Elleanor after your mother."

In 1854 the George Mossman family moved from Mercer County, Illinois to Hardin County, Iowa and settled ten miles west of Eldora in Tipton Township, where they resided the remainder of their lives.

In 1860 the family was listed with a Point Pleasant postal address, and in 1870, although still in Point Pleasant Township, the family now has an Eldora address. According to his brief biography he had taken an active part in the organization of the Hardin County Agricultural Society, being its first President. George passed away 23 Oct 1871 and Hannah on 02 Mar 1877. They were laid to rest at the Point Pleasant Cemetery in Hardin Co., Iowa.

1. Alexander Mossman  - born 13 Jul 1823; died 6 Sep 1844 at aged 21 years one month and 23 days.
2. Eli / Eli Cook Mossman - born 22 Jan 1825; died 06 Jun 1897 Little Sioux, Iowa.
3. George Washington Mossman - born 18 Feb 1827; died at eleven days old on February 29th.
4. Margaret Mossman - born 07 Feb 1828 in Grayson County; married Jacob Spangler in 1850; died 20 April 1923 in Keithsburg, Illinois.
5. Isaac VanDorsey Mossman - born 08 Aug 1830 in Centerville, Wayne County, IN; married Martha Eleanor Jackson in Eugene City, Oregon on 15 Oct 1861; died on 10 Oct 1912 at the Soldier's Home in Roseburg, Douglas County, Oregon.
6. Aaron Mossman - born 5 Jan 1833; died 04 Aug 1839 aged 6 years and 7 months.
7. George Mossman, Jr. - born 19 Mar 1835 in LaPorte, LaPorte County, IN; died in Hubbard, Hardin County, Iowa on 18 Feb 1905.
8. Henry Clay Mossman - born 13 Jun 1837 in Indiana and married Hester Southwick.
9. Mary Mossman - born 3 Sep 1839 in Illinois; married Henry Shiner, and died in Hardin County, IA.  She was buried at Point Pleasant Cemetery.
10. Samuel Mossman - born 15 Nov 1841 in Mercer County, IL and married Margaret Hough, the daughter of Jacob Hough and Eliza (Cravens) of Pennsylvania.  He died 15 June 1900 in Tipton township, Cedar County, Iowa.
11. Archibald Mossman - so named for his grandfather, he was born 23 Jan 1844 in Mercer County, IL and married Julia Simplot, daughter of Francis and Julia of Iowa.  He died in Tipton Twp., Iowa in 1866.
12. Andrew Jackson Mossman - born 16 Oct 1846 in Keithsburg, Mercer County, IL and married Sarah Jane Reep, the daughter of William and Jane L. (Titus) of Pennsylvania.  He died in Hardin County, Iowa in 1928.
13. Elleanor Mossman - born 6 Mar 1852 in Keithsburg, Mercer County, IL.  Letter of her father indicates her mother had a difficult time with this birth and that she was named after her Aunt Eleanor Mossman-Ballard.

Christopher married (2) Mary Ellison on 15 Jun 1854 in Fulton Co., Indiana, but she appears to have died early in their marriage - perhaps during childbirth or shortly after as Christopher married again on 17 Feb 1856. His third wife was Catherine Shafer who was born about 1832 in Indiana. She died on 13 Aug 1898 in Barron Co., Wisconsin.

Christopher was listed in the 1870 census residing in Fulton Co., and in 1900 residing in Rice Lake, Baron County, Wisconsin.

1. Malison J. Mossman - born about 1853 in Fulton Co., IN; listed in her father's household in 1870 census.

1. Michael S. Mossman - born about 1860 in Fulton Co., IN; listed in the 1870 census in Fulton Co., IN.
2. John A. Mossman - born about 1860 in Fulton Co., IN; counted in a census in 1870 in Fulton Co., IN.
3. David Turk Mossman - born 02 Sep 1864 in Fulton Co., IN; married Sina Jane Harmony in about 1889, she having been born in Wisconsin in Jan 1871 and daughter of Daniel D. Harmony & Mary A. (Blair). They removed to Washington where she died in 1927 and David in 1944.

Amanda was counted in a census in 1850 in Aubbeewawbe Twp., Fulton Co., Indiana with her first husband John Troutman who was born in Kentucky in about 1828 and was the son of Ambrose Troutman of Kentucky who came to Attica, Indiana in 1838 and then to Kewanna, Indiana in 1839. John's grandfather was Michael Troutman of Germany who emigrated to Pennsylvania.

John and Amanda had one son, John E. Troutman who was born on 17 Apr 1851 in Fulton Co., Indiana - the same year his father died. John E. Troutman married Malina (Neff) in 1884 and had at least Chole and Earl Troutman.

William Mossman's wife Amanda, their children and her son John Troutman from her first marriage were counted in the 1860 & 1870 census residing in Rochester, Fulton Co., Indiana.

Note: Amanda's surname also spelled Blanden.

1. Mary Mossman - born about 1854 in Fulton Co., IN.
2. Charles Douglas Mossman - born 11 Dec 1856 in Fulton Co., IN; married Alice (Ward) in 1878 she having been born in Oct 1862. they were the parents of Grover C., Milo R., Linda, Louiziana, Mabel, Anna, and Ethel M. who were enumerated in the Fulton Co., Indian census records through 1920.
3. Isaac Mossman - born 16 Jan 1860 in Fulton Co., Indiana and according to his obituary, he was a fisherman's guide on the Tippecanoe River. He died died there on 14 Apr 1935 and was laid to rest at the Odd Fellows Cemetery.
4. William Mossman - born 1864 in Fulton Co., Indiana.
5. Lucinda Mossman - twin of Malina, born 03 Nov 1869 in Fulton Co., Indiana; died same day and laid to rest at Burton Cemetery.
6. Malinda Mossman - twin of Lucinda born and died 03 Nov 1869 in Fulton Co., Indiana; laid to rest at Burton Cemetery.

She married James Kelly who was born in Ireland on 09 Aug 1816. According to the 1900 census record and her letter written 18 October 1865 in which she states her name is Mary Jain Kelley and that she had six children living and one dead, they were married in about 1853.

She appears to have married a year after her uncle George had sent for her to come live with her.  His letter dated 14 March 1852 states: "Mary Jain Mossman lives in fayette county Indiana  I have Sent for her to come and live with us  She is Brother williams oldest daughter her mother has bin dead three years and her father is married a gain that is the reason She is a way from home."

In February of 1859 she had received a letter from Abner Thompson of Brown Hill, Wythe Co., Virginia in which he writes that he has been trying for the last six months to locate the heirs of Archibald Mossman regarding bounty land he received in 1818 from his service in Pendleton's Regiment when he served in the War of 1812.

In 1865 Mary Jain writes a letter from Madison Co., Indiana - most probably written to Alex Pilcher as she mentions her "ant Elenor." She writes in this letter that she has six children alive and one dead, and that brother John and Aaron who both served in the war are dead and gives dates of death.

In 1870 the are residing in Duck Creek Township and their household includes their children Catherine, Miranda, Mary, Aaron, Hernando, John, Honor and Daniel. In 1880 they are listed with children Mary, Aaron, Hernando, John, Honor and Daniel. Daughter Catherine is married by this time to John Doyle and resides in Pipecreek Twp., and daughter Miranda is living in nearby Tipton County with husband Calvin Corn. In 1900 she and James are living in Elwood, Pipe Creek Twp., Madison Co., Indiana and their household also includes their grandson Cain Corn. She stated in this census that she had had nine children, but that only three were living at this time. She and James were listed as having been married 47 years.

James died 12 Feb 1905 and was noted in his obituary as a hard working man, honest in all his dealings. His widow resided with their son Aaron and was listed in his household in the 1910 and 1920 census. Mary Jain continued to reside with Aaron until her death 10 Mar 1924. (Obituary)

1. Catherine Kelly - born 01 Feb 1854 in Indiana; married John Doyle; died 02 Nov 1898. She is followed in the census records 1870-1880. There is record of a Cathernine and John Doyle residing in Elwood in 1900 with two sons: Emmett born Aug 1881 and Thomas born Feb 1885. Either this is a different family, or Catherine's date of death is not correct. The date of death was from the Anderson Public Library and also listed her name as Catherine Davis.
2. Matthew Kelly - born 17 Jul 1855; died 1 year, 1 day on 18 Jul 1856; buried in French Cemetery, Pipecreek Twp., Madison Co., Indiana.
3. Maranda Kelly - born about 1858 in Madison Co., Indiana, and also known from extracted records as Amanda. She married Calvin Corn who was born on 10 Oct 1851 in Tipton Co., IN and was the son of Ambrose & Katherine (Miller). They were the parents of Jesse who died in Columbus, IN; Franklin who died in Hamilton, Canada in the fall of 1952; William who married and had five children, one daughter which died at the age of sixteen; and Cain Corn. All of their sons were enumerated in the 1900 census with their widowed father. After the death of Maranda, Calvin married Melissa Alice (Barone), the widow of Henry B. Schnepp. They were married on 19 Apr 1906 in Adams Co., IN and had one son, Ray Corn who raised a large family near Milroy in Decatur County.
4. Aaron Kelly - twin of Hernando, born 26 March 1862 in Madison Co., Indiana. Does not appear to have married and is listed with his widowed mother in the 1910 and 1920 census records.
5. Hernando Kelly - twin of Aaron, born 26 Mar 1862 in Madison Co., Indiana; married Frances Leona Gray on 26 Nov 1887 in Tipton Co., Indiana. He was last enumerated in 1930 and died 10 Mar 1940 in Elwood. According to his obituary, he was buried in the Catholic cemetery. Frances was the daughter of Samuel and Permelia of North Carolina and was born on 10 Jun 1865 in Tipton Co., IN. She and Hernando were the parents of Charles; Jennie who married William Runyan; Flossie who married Masteryanni; and Admiral Dewey Kelly. Frances died on 02 May 1930 (Obituary).
6. Mary Ellen Kelly - born May 1865 in Madison Co., Indiana; married Shay.
7. John Kelly - born about 1865 in Madison Co., Indiana.
8. Honor Kelly - born 1868 in Madison Co., Indiana; died 09 Jul 1892 in Indianapolis, Indiana, but had been counted in the 1880 census in Duck Creek Twp., Madison Co., Indiana.
9. Daniel Kelly - born about 1871 in Madison Co., Indiana; died in Elwood on 15 Nov 1905. According to his obituary he was buried in the city cemetery.

ELY / ELI COOK MOSSMAN (1825-1897)

Son of George, and grandson of Archibald, he was born on 22 Jan 1825 in Grayson, Virginia.

Eli was counted in a census in 1850 in Mercer Co., Illinois, but that same year he caught the "gold fever" and went to California by wagon train. In 1852 he returned to Mercer County, Illinois by water route around Cape Horn up to the Gulf of Mexico, and then up the Mississippi river to Keithsburg.

He married Louisa "Lucy" Van Eaton, the daughter of Levi and Sarah (Loyd) on 31 October 1852 in Henderson County, Illinois and according to his biography, he came to Hardin County in 1854. In April of that year he bought an 150 acre farm in Pleasant Township in Hardin County, Iowa and in 1856 joined the Methodist Church and became a licensed preacher.

In 1870 and 1880 Eli was residing in Hardin Co., Iowa where he was listed as a farmer. Louisa died on 27 Jan 1887 and on 18 Apr 1888 Eli married Lucy Hawthorne McCrakcen Uffod on 18 Apr 1888 in Marshall Co., Iowa.

He died 06 Jun 1897 in Little Sioux, Iowa and was laid to rest beside his wife in Pointe Pleasant Cemetery in Hardin Co., Iowa. His tombstone spells his name "Ely."

Photo of the children of Eli C. & Louisa (Van Eaton) Mossman

1. Fernando C. Mossman - born on 28 Mar 1855 in Hardin Co., Iowa. He died there on 15 Oct 1855, at six months and eighteen days and was buried in Pt. Pleasant, Hardin, Iowa. He was probably named after his mother's brother, Fernando VanEaton.
2. Albert Lee Mossman - born on 07 Aug 1856; died on 28 Jul 1933.
3. John C. Mossman - born on 17 Nov 1858; died on 16 Jan 1931.
4. Elmer C. Mossman - born on 28 Mar 1860 in Hardin Co., IA; died on 08 Aug 1949 in Hubbard, Hardin, Iowa. He was buried in Riverside Cemetery, Marshalltown, IA. He married (1) Zoe McKibben; (2) Ola Stoner; (3) Anna Gertrude Cochrane Bannon. Anna was born in 1873; died in Apr 1932 in Marshalltown, Iowa. Obituary is in the Marshalltown, IA "Times Republican, dated 26 Apr 1932.
5. Orlando Lincoln Mossman - born on 06 Apr 1863; died on 13 Aug 1947.
6. Lucinda "Lucy" Mossman - born on 24 Mar 1865; died on 23 Oct 1951.
7. Hannah Isabelle Mossman - born on 05 Jun 1867; died on 01 Feb 1942.
8. Frankey Mossman - born on 18 Jul 1870 in Hardin Co., IA; died on 12 Jun 1871 and buried in Pt. Pleasant Cem, Pleasant Twp, Hardin, IA.
9. Andrew Mossman - born on 03 Aug 1872 in Hardin Co., IA; died on 04 Sep 1875 and was buried in Pt. Pleasant Cem, Pleasant Twp, Hardin, IA.
10. Ida Ellen Mossman - born on 27 Jun 1874 in Hardin Co., IA; died on 26 Aug 1905 in Radcliffe, Hardin, IA and was buried in Pt. Pleasant Cemetery, Hardin, Iowa. She was 19 years old when she married and 31 when she died. She was a Free Methodist. her funeral was held at Point Pleasant church at 12 o'clock on Sunday, August 27, 1905. She married John F. Knorr on 07 Mar 1894.

Daughter of George, and granddaughter of Archibald, she was born on 07 Feb 1828 in Grayson, VA. She died on 20 Apr 1923 in Keithsburg, Illinois and was buried in Greenmound Cemetery in Keithsburg, Mercer, Illinois.

She married Jacob Spangler in Keithsburg on 21 March 1850 and is listed in his household of Millersburg Twp., Mercer County, Illinois in 1850. She is listed as age 21 born in VA and her husband Jacob a 22 year old carpenter born in Ohio.

In 1860 Jacob is again listed as a carpenter residing in Keithsburg with Margaret and their nine year old daughter suspected to be the same as Arminta. In 1870 Jacob is listed as a notary and their three daughters are residing with them at Keithsburg.

According to a letter written by Margaret to Mr. Pilcher in February of 1881, she was widowed in about 1872. Her letter states: "I My self, am a widow my husband has been dead nine years. I have three children two daughters and one son, all single My oldest dauter is living in Monmouth."

Supporting that information, she was enumerated in the 1880 census as head of household with her three children residing with her. The 1900 lists Margaret as widowed mother of five, three living but only one daughter was residing with her in the household - both women listed as wash women. Margaret passed away on 20 Apr 1923 in Keithsburg and was laid to rest at Greenmound Cemetery.

1. Arminta Catherine Spangler - born 27 Dec 1850 in Illinois; married James Martin Durland on 20 Sep 1888, he being born 20 Mar 1856 in Fairview, Fulton Co., IL and was the son of John Miller Durland and Sarah Ann (Wolf). Resided in Monmouth, Warren Co., Illinois.
2. Hannah Elizabeth "Lizzie" Spangler - born on 01 Sep 1863 in Illinois; died on 05 Jun 1913 and was buried in Greenmound Cemetery in Keithsburg, Mercer Co., IL.
3. George Spangler - born about 1865 in Illinois.

Born August 8th, 1830 in Centerville, Wayne County, Indiana, he was the son of George and Hannah. He was listed in the 1850 census resding in Mercer Co., Illinois with his parents and siblings, and three years later he went to the Oregon Territory in with the Miller Train.  There he was found listed in the territorial documents for they year 1854/55 of the Assessment Roll for Umpqua County, Oregon.  He enrolled in 1855 in Company G of the 1st Regiment of the Oregon Volunteers and was discharged at Fort Dalles, Oregon in 1856. He had been shot at the Battle of Walla Walla (Territory of Washington) beneath the left lung, was hospitalized, mustered out of company G and enrolled in February of 1856 in Company B of the Oregon Mounted Volunteers under the command of Thomas R. Cornelius.

Upon discharge from the Volunteer Service in the Yakima Indian War of 1855-56, Isaac went to Yamhill County, Oregon Territory, and was later a pony express rider between the town of Walla Walla and the Oro Fine Gold Mines in the mountains east of the Snake River ( now in the state of Idaho), and carried out this occupation until October of 1861.

He married Martha Jackson and at Eugene City, Oregon and then formed a partnership in the same business with Joaquin Miller until the latter part of 1862 when Miller retired from the Pony Express enterprise.  Isaac continued alone in this endeavor until the latter part of 1863, when he returned to Oregon and kept a small hotel until 1867.  He then removed to Olympia which was the capitol of the Washington Territory and obtained employment  as Deputy or Assistant of the Street Superintendent, and was later elected Marshall of the City of Olympia, serving frequently as bailiff of the District Court.

He was enumerated several times in the Washington State Census between the years of 1873 and 1881, varying occupations listing him as city marshall of Olympia, a coroner, constable and later as a merchant. In the later years, he had kept a small second hand furniture store in Olympia and then moved to California where he resided in Los Gatos and Oakland, living again in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon in 1908.  He died in 1912.

The following are additional links and information on Isaac:

Mossman & Co. - Pony Expressman
Chronology of Isaac V. Mossman
Photos of Isaac V. Mossman & Family
Timeline of the Mossman & Ballard Relations
A Place Called Oregon by Isaac V. Mossman - Pioneer (Outside Link to Roxann Gess-Smith's Web Site)

1. Clara Edith Mossman - born 24 Jul 1861; she married (1) William Hoover and (2) Harry Mitchell. Clara died 22 Sept 1931. (Photo)
2. Minnie May Mossman - born 20 Jul 1863 in Albany, Linn County, Oregon; wife of Charles Oliver Hill, she died in San Francisco on 9 Jan 1946.
3. Frank C. Mossman - born 1 Oct 1864 in Salem, OR; husband of Anna Rose Hoskins; he died 27 Jul 1959 in Bandon, Coos, OR.
4. Ida Lee Mossman - born 23 Mar 1865 in Salem, Oregon; wife of William Henry Yeager, she died in June of 1957 in Olympia.
5. Lulul Maud Mossman - born 22 October 1868 in Olympia; she died in 1870.
6. Frederick Clifford Mossman - born 5 Apr 1870 in Washington Territory; died 5 June 1940 in San Leandro, Alameda County, CA.
7. August (Gussie) Telfair Mossman - born 28 March 1872 in Olympia, Washington.
8. Aimee Clothilda Mossman - born 10 Sep 1874 in Washington Territory; wife of William James Redmond, she died 20 Nov 1951 in Lewis County, Washington.
9. Lottie Bonita Mossman - born 11 Nov 1879 in Olympia, Washington; died 4 February 1969.

Son of George, and grandson of Archibald, George was born on 19 Mar 1835 in LaPorte, Indiana. He died on 18 Feb 1905 in Hubbard, Hardin, Iowa.

He enlisted in the army at New Boston, Illinois on 9 August 1861 and served in Company G of the 27th IL Volunteer Infantry, which operated in S/E Missouri, S/W Kentucky, Tennesse, and N/E Mississippi during his service. He was discharged on 9 October 1862 at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri.

George married Sarah Elizabeth Warrington daughter of Joshua Warrington and Sarah Hall on 02 Feb 1865 in Mercer Co., Illinois. Sarah was born on 02 Feb 1843 in New Boston, Mercer, Illinois. She died on 23 Oct 1910 in Hubbard, Hardin, IA.

They were enumerated in the census records for Hardin Co., Iowa in 1870, 1880, and 1900.

1. James Edwin Mossman - born on 28 May 1866 in Boston, Mercer Co., IL; married Augusta J. Miller on 19 Jun 1889; died on 20 Apr 1930 in Humansville, Polk Co., Missouri. After her death on 06 Mar 1923 James married Josephine Stiles on 21 Dec 1926.
2. Henry Clay Mossman - born about 1870 in Illinois; appears to have died prior to 1900.
3. Frank Mossman - born about 1875 in Iowa; appears to have died prior to 1900.
4. Charles Joshua Mossman - born on 18 Sep 1878 in Hardin Co., Iowa; married Grace Ann Ursula Brown in Putnam Co., Missouri on 29 Aug 1904; died on 01 Nov 1937.

Son of George, and grandson of Archibald, Henry was born on 13 Jun 1837 in Indiana. Henry married (1) Hester Southwick on 31 Aug 1862 in Hardin Co., IA. Hester was born about 1843 in New York. Henry and Hester had Rose A. Mossman who was born about 1875 in Iowa.

He married (2) Mercy Ann about 1894. She was was born in Apr 1866 in Iowa and from this union they had Benjamin H. Mossman who was born about 1895 in Illinois.

Besides the 1850 Mercer Co., IL census, Henry was also enumerated in the 1880 and 1900 census for Hardin Co., Iowa.

Daughter of George, and granddaughter of Archibald, Mary was born on 03 Sep 1839 in Illinois. She died in Hardin Co., Iowa and was buried in Pt. Pleasant Cemetery.

Mary is listed in the 1850 Mercer Co., Illinois and 1860 Hardin Co., Iowa census living with her parents. She married Henry Shiner on 16 Aug 1864 in Hardin Co., Iowa. They were there after listed in the 1860 and 1870 Hardin Co., Iowa Census. They removed to Missouri where they were listed in the 1880 census living in Doyal Township.

Sometime before 1880 Mary died as Henry is listed as a widow. The 1900 census for Doyal Twp., St. Clair Co., Missouri, lists Henry's parents born in New York, and Henry as having been born in New York in March of 1830. He is listed in his daughter Arminta Skinner's household.

1. Lydia Arminta "Mintie" Shiner - born in Jun 1866 in Iowa; married William Skinner.
2. Ira Andrew Shiner - born 1868 in Iowa; married Mary E. Olinger, daughter of John and Mary (Bragg); died 11 Jun 1954 in Everett, Snohomish Co., Washington.
3. Adelbert Shiner - born Feb 1870 in Eldora, Tipton Twp., Hardin Co., Iowa.

Son of George, and grandson of Archibald, Samuel was born on 15 Nov 1841 in Mercer Co., IL. He died on 15 Jun 1900 in Tipton Township, Hardin, Iowa.

Listed in the 1850 census residing with his parents in Mercer Co., IL, and listed in the 1860 census for Hardin County, Samuel enlisted to fight in the Civil War. He enlisted in August of 1862 in Company F, 32nd Iowa under Capt. Joseph Edgington, serving in 9 battles and was honorably discharged at Davenport at the end of the war.

In a brief biography it is stated that Samuel E. Mossman of Mercer Co., Illinois was born in 1841, and came with his parents, George and Hannah Mossman, to Hardin County. In 1854, enlisted in the 32nd Iowa Infantry, serving till the confilict had ended victoriously for the Union. He was under Capt. Joseph Edgington and served in nine hard-fought battles. His father settled in this county in 1854 and following season bought land in Tipton township."

Samuel married Margaret A. Hough daughter of Jacob Hough and Eliza Cravens on 10 Aug 1865 in Tipton Twp, Hardin, IA. Margaret was born on 21 Jun 1846 in Westmoreland Co., PA. She died on 30 Jan 1922.

They were enumerated in the 1870, 1880 census records residing in Hardin Co., Iowa. In 1920 Margaret is listed as a widow, head of household residing in Tipton, Hardin, Iowa.

1. Byron R. Mossman - born on 05 Jul 1867 in Iowa; died on 02 Feb 1908 in Hardin Co., Iowa.
2. William L. Mossman - born on 19 Feb 1869 in Iowa; died on 06 Jul 1896 in Hardin Co., Iowa..
3. Elizabeth Ellen Mossman - born on 28 Jun 1872 in Iowa; married William R. Thompson in 1894; died on 30 Aug 1968.
4. Frederick Clifford Mossman - born on 01 Jan 1874 in Iowa; married Bertha Boylan on 09 Nov 1898; died in Jun 1966 in Hardin Co., Iowa.
5. Isaac Arno Mossman - born on 16 Feb 1878 in Iowa; married Lulu M. Conklin, aaughter of Charlie C. and Sarah Jane (Wright); died on 28 Oct 1971.
6. Jasper Jacob Mossman - born on 13 Oct 1880 in Hardin Co., Iowa; married Lottie King; died on 10 Apr 1949.
7. Miner "Mike" Ray Mossman - born on 06 May 1883 in Hardin Co., Iowa; married "May" Sheldon, daughter of Isaiah "Putt" Sheldon and Eva (Lowden); died on 29 Jul 1957.
8. Edna L. Mossman - born on 24 Sep 1885 in Hardin Co., Iowa; married Elmer Ridout, son of Benjamin and Experience M. (Benshoof) on 11 Mar 1903; died on 16 Mar 1976 in Iowa Falls, Iowa.

ARCHIBALD MOSSMAN (1844-?)

Son of George, and grandson of Archibald, he was born on 23 Jan 1844 in Mercer Co., Illinois. He died in Tipton Township, Hardin Co., Iowa on 01 Feb 1919.

Listed in the 1850 census with his parents residing in Mercer Co., Illinois, he removed with his family to Hardin County, Iowa where he was enumerated in the census records there for the years 1860, 1870, and 1880.

He married Julia Simplot daughter of Francis Simplot and Julia in March of 1874 in Iowa. Julia was born about 1850 in Dubuque, Iowa. She died on 14 Oct 1909.

Brief Biographical sketch of Archibald Mossman

1. Lena May Mossman - born about 1876 in Iowa; she married Henry Palo who was born jan 1862 in Germany. She was the mother of Harry, Cora, Frank and Willie. The family was enumerated in the 1910 census records in Hardin Co., IA.

2. Rosa Mossman - born about 1878; married Henry Coomer, son of John Coomer and Matilda Follet on 31 Mar 1907. The family was enumerated in the 1910 census records in Hardin Co., IA.

3. Frank Mossman - born in May 1880 in Hardin Co., Iowa; died in 1922 in Iowa Falls. He married Daisy Wiseman and was the father of Barbara. The family was residing in Ellis Twp., Hardin Co., Iowa in 1920.

ANDREW JACKSON MOSSMAN (1846-1928)

Son of George, and grandson of Archibald, Andrew was born on 16 Oct 1846 in Keithsburg, Mercer, Illinois. He died on 28 Mar 1928 in Hardin Co., Iowa. He married Sarah Jane Reep on June 25, 1872 at the Hardin County Courthouse in Eldora, Iowa. He had been listed in the 1880 Tipton Twp.,Hardin Co., Iowa Federal Census but moved to Graysville, Putman Co.,Missouri in the spring of 1892 only to return a year later to live northeast of Hubbard.

Andrew married Sarah Jane Reep daughter of William B. Reep and Jane Lexington Titus on 25 Jun 1872 in Court House, Eldora, Hardin County, Iowa. Sarah was born on 02 Sep 1851 in Martinsburg, Butler, PA. She died on 06 Dec 1929 in Hubbard, Hardin Co., Iowa.

The History of the William Reep Family states that Sarah was the youngest of ten children. She started school in Pennsylvania and when she and her brothers and sister started to a different school, the pupils made fun of them calling them "Dutch Kids" because they spoke the German languauge - and when they told their parents about it, their father said that from then on they would talk English and it was a hard job for the children.

She traveled with her family by covered wagon west to the Ohio River and hired a boat to take them on to where they could take the Mississippi River, and headed for Chickasaw County, Iowa where they lived near the town of New Hampton for a few years before heading southwest to Hardin County.

Andrew was enumerated in and was enumerated in the 1850 census in Mercer Co., IL and the 1860, 1870, 1880. Andrew left Hardin County and moved to Graysville, Putman Co.,MO in the spring of 1892. He returned a year later and lived in northeast of Hubbard, and in 19201920 was residing in Grant Twp., Hubbard Co., Iowa in the household of his son Samuel and listed as divorced. His wife Sarah is living with their younger son Thomas in Tipton during the same 1920 enumeration.

Andrew and Sarah were buried in the Eldora Cemetery, Eldora, Iowa.

1. Lawrence Mossman - born on 25 Nov 1873 in Iowa. He died on 26 Jun 1888 in Hardin Co., IA. He was buried in Baylan Cemetery, NE of Hubbard, IA. He was kicked in the face by a horse in 1884, and although he recovered, he was never very strong afterward and died four years later at the age of fourteen.

2. Mary Jane Mossman - born on 24 Nov 1874 in Point Pleasant, Iowa. She died on 07 Jul 1954 in Eldora, Iowa. She married William E. Brightwell who was born in Tipton Twp. in 1870 and was the son of William and Maria (Sheldon) of Ohio.

3. Hannah Edith Mossman - born on 28 Jul 1878 in Hardin Co., Iowa; married 08 Dec 1898 Martin Lewison who was born in Jun 1868 and died in 1902. After his death she married Leander D. McFarland. She died on 19 Feb 1971 in Dickinson Co., Iowa.

4. Samuel Andrew Mossman - born on 09 May 1880 in Hardin Co., Iowa; married Minnie May Knight, daughter of Jessie and Laura S. (Babcock) on 18 Dec 1901; died on 21 Oct 1966 in Cherokee, Iowa..

5. Elsie Mossman - born on 21 Oct 1885 in Radcliffe, Hardin Co., Iowa; married Harold Clark Conklin (brother of Lulu who married Issac Arno Mossman); died on 07 Jun 1949 in California.

6. Lovesta Mossman - born on 02 Oct 1888 in Hardin Co., Iowa; married Herbert Ellsworth Dawson who was born 22 Nov 1883 and died May 1965; She died on 25 Oct 1929 in Hardin Co., Iowa.

7. Thomas Orlando Mossman - born on 23 Sep 1894 in Eldora, Hardin Co., Iowa; married Pearl M. Sheldon, daughter of John L.B. Sheldon and Maude G.(Lindsay) on 24 Nov 1920; died in Eldora on 16 Sep 1971.

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Updated 16 Jul 2012
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