I recently became aware of some DNA cousins with links to Edgefield, S.C. Although I have several ancestors who were born in South Carolina or who had parents born in South Carolina, they were all born during slavery and I had no way of knowing where in South Carolina they were born. There is no oral history to give a hint. Below is a picture of our match on Chromosome 16. The blue is European DNA and the maroon is African. He matches me right where that little bit of blue is on his chromosome.
Last night I was reading the book “Our Ancestors, Our Stories”. This is a collaborative book by by Bernice Alexander Bennett, Ellen LeVonne Butler, Ethel Dailey, Harris Bailey (Jr.), and Vincent C. Sheppard who all have ties to Edgefield, S.C.. As I was reading the Introduction, which gives an historical overview of this county, I realized that although I did not know where in South Carolina my ancestors came from, I did know of at least one person among the slave holders who came from Edgefield. Her maiden name was Frances A. Moseley. She was married to Wiley Turner and it was in his probate records that I found my 2X great grandfather Joseph Turner listed among the enslaved.
Frances A. Moseley was born in 1814 in Edgefield South Carolina and died in 1870 in Lowndesboro, Lowndes county Alabama. Her father was James Alexander Moseley who was born around 1768 in Orangeburg South Carolina and moved to Edgefield before his marriage to Mary Ann Wooten in 1796. He remained there until his death in 1828.
In his Will, James Alexander Moseley named the enslaved persons that he left to his wife and children. They were
Sarah and her three children, Mariah, Caroline and Hester to be sold immediately after his death.
Fanny a Negroe that I lent to my daughter Sally that I give her the said Negroes.
Beck a Negro woman and her children that I lent my daughter Mary
Pomply, a negroe man to son John.
Arnal, a Negroe man to son Middleton
Bob to my son Clement.
Son James a Negroe boy Lewis
To daughter Frances a negroe girl Milly
Daughter Harriet a negroe girl Judy
Daughter Patsey a negro girl Kize and Nance
I give to my daughter Lizar a Negroe girl Silva.
To beloved wife Mary, a negroe woman Luceleathey and a Negro man Buck. He also left her the balance of his slaves.
Moesely and other family members appear in the book “Slave Records of Edgefield County, South Carolina” by Gloria Ramsey Lucas among the salers and buyers.
This is intriguing, Kristin, but I’m afraid I don’t know enough about DNA to understand it. What is a “DNA cousin”? How did you come to find that particular match (which I don’t really see) on Chromosome 16? How did you make the leap and link to Edgefield, SC? Is there any family link person you’re aware of among the list of enslaved people in J. A. Moseley’s will, and if so, how did you track it down?
Not that you have to answer all these questions! Maybe you could recommend a book that would explain some of this to me, so that I could become a more educated reader of your blog. It’s pure magic to me, the way your track clues and make what look like both reasoned and inspired leaps to your discoveries.
I’m sorry Josna! I got so excited about my find that I forgot everybody is not doing this. I will write some follow up to answer your questions later today! Thank you for reminding me.
My grandma was a moseley, her family was from Orangeburg, SC
My name is Marie please contact me
Kristin, did you test with Family Tree, Ancestry, or 23&me.
Kristin, I tested with Ancestry & Family Tree.
Do you have a private email you can contact me on?
Thank you for assistance & for connecting with me.
Fascinating. I look forward to learning more.