Moseley Family: 10 Tombstones with a Lot of Errors

Warren Alonza Moseley, a first wife, and eight children have stones in Rose Hill Cemetery at Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. They are riddled with errors. I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it. My guess is these stones were added some years after death, possibly by a descendant or other researcher. I'm sure well-meaning, best-information-at-the-time was provided. And, to again be sure, having these stones is so much better than having no stones at all. Not throwing shade here. Nonetheless, here are my findings and (if I may be so bold) corrections.

Warren Alonza Moseley

According to his tombstone, Warren was born 1828 in Atlanta and died 1912 in Macon. Census records suggest he was more likely born about November 1839 in South Carolina. He died 16 December 1912 at his home in Macon. Obituary from Milledgeville, Georgia's Union Recorder:

Death of Mr. Warren Mosely.
Mr. Warren A. Moseley died at his home in Macon Monday night, as the result of an attack of grippe. He was a member of the police force of Macon at the time of his death, and had a record of bravery.

Mr. Moseley was a citizen of this county for a long number of years, being employed at the State Sanitarium. The little village of Moseleyville is named for him.

He was a brave Confederate soldier. His friends and acquaintances here regret to learn of his death.

Annetta Chambers Moseley

This one is pretty easily explainable. According to her tombstone, Annetta was born 1834 in Atlanta and died 1882 in Moseleyville. She more likely was born in 1843, and death did come in 1882. Obituary from the Union & Recorder:

DIED at the family residence, in this county, on October 12th, 1882, Mrs. R. A. MOSELY, wife of Warren Mosely, Esq. Mrs. M. was born August 1st, 1843, and was married on 21st November, 1867. She was the mother of ten children, eight of whom survive her. She was a good wife, and a careful, solicitous, devoted mother. For the last two years she was a constant sufferer under the slow but sure ravages of consumption. Her sufferings were borne with submissive resignation. She often expressed her willingness to suffer under the hand of Providence; and she is doubtless rejoicing in the presence of that Saviour to whom she was thus ready to submit in all things.

Lillian Viola Moseley

Lillian's birth year is possibly only off by one, and her death year is off by two. She was not listed with the family in the 1870 census, and 1869 is the consistent birth year for her older sister Mary. According to Lillian's death certificate, she died at the Milledgeville State Hospital 7 November 1930. That same hospital employed her father as an attendant during the 1860s and 1870s.

Carl Albert Moseley

Carl's birth year might be accurate, but his death year is definitely off by one. Carl died 26 August 1882. An obituary from the Union & Recorder:

CITY AND COUNTY.

DEATH. -- Died suddenly, on Saturday last, of congestive chill, Carl Moseley, son of Mr. Warren Moseley. He was a bright boy about nine years of age. His funeral took place from the residence of his father Sunday afternoon -- Rev. G. H. Pattillo officiating. The afflicted family have our sympathy in their bereavement.

I'll also note here that I am unsure if members of the family that died before about 1891 were originally buried at Rose Hill. The obituary immediately above -- I think -- would have mentioned the cemetery if it was out of town. Conjecture on my part, though.

William Warren Moseley

William's death year is accurate. He died 6 June 1940 at his home in Macon. Cause of death was Aspiration pneumonia (hypostatic) due to Congestive heart failure. Though his birthdate was given as 14 November 1869, I disagree with the year. (His father was listed as William A., and his mother was "D.K." So an inaccurate birth year would not be surprising.) Like his sister Lillian, William was not listed with the family in the 1870 census, and 1869 is the birth year consistently associated with older sister Mary. The 1880 Baldwin County, Georgia Federal census suggests William was born about 1872.

Thomas Oliver Moseley

According to census records and his World War I draft registration, T. O. was born 14 November 1875. In September 1918, he was living at 669 Mulberry Street in Macon. And Bibb County is where he died on 14 May 1949.

Martha Claire Moseley

This one, along with youngest sister Nena further down the list, is most curious. Birth year is possibly off by a few, and Mattie's death year is off by eight. Obituary from 7 April 1896 Union-Recorder:

Editorial Glimpses and Clippings.

Miss Mattie Clare Moseley, daughter of Mr. Warren Moseley, of Macon, died last Wednesday after a long illness. The funeral took place from Centenary church last Thursday afternoon and was largely attended by mourning relatives and friends. She was a lovely christain [sic] woman and her death is deeply lamented. She was admired for many beautiful traits of character. Many friends in this city mourn with the bereaved family in the death of the beloved daughter and sister.

Samuel Riley Moseley

Census records concur with a possible birth year of 1877 for Samuel. Unfortunately, I have yet to find any additional information regarding his death. (I suppose this could be the one accurate tombstone?) Here's a 1903 article from the Macon Telegraph detailing Samuel's then-current occupation as a barber.

STRIPLING & MOSELEY AT THE OLD STAND

Still Remains as the Popular Barber Firm in the Napier Building.

Robert Stripling, who established the barber shop at Third and Poplar streets, Napier building, and his partner Samuel R. Moseley, desire to announce to their customers and the public generally that they remain at their old stand and that they are not associated with the Macon Barber Company. They make this statement, not to affect the business of the latter company, but only to prevent a confusion as to any possible report that Mr. Stripling and Mr. Moseley have changed their place of business. They are conducting their shop in the fine style in which they have been doing for the last three years and will continue to do so. Mr. Luther Wineberner, the deaf mute, is still with them and their prices are still the same -- shaving 10c and hair cut 15c.

James Moseley

First, there is a discrepancy with James's middle name. Stone says "Howard," but death notice says "Leonard." The birth and death years are off, as well. Following from the 23 November 1880 Union & Recorder:

OBITUARY.

DIED at Moseleyville, Baldwin county, Ga., on the 15th of November, JAMES LEONARD, infant son of Warren and Ann Moseley, aged fifteen months and fifteen days. -- Dark is the shadow thrown upon the household by the removal of the bright, cheerful spirit of the baby boy. The ties of parental love had only been strengthened and made to twine the more tenderly about the precious one by the very illness which at last took him from their embrace. But we should not "sorrow as those who have no hope." After weeks of patient suffering the little one is gone to that beautiful home where he can never again know sickness and pain. Suffering will no more dim the eyes which now look upon the glories of heaven and the separation, now so hard to bear, will soon end in a blessed reunion beyond the grave.

"Tender Shepherd, thou hast stilled,
Now thy little lamb's brief weeping:
In this world of care of pain,
Thou wouldst no longer leave it;
To the sunny heavenly plain,
Thou dost now with joy receive it;
Clothed in robes of spotless white,
Now it dwells with thee in light."

Nena Arminta Moseley

Similar to the stone of her half-sister Martha, Nena's birth and death years are quite a bit off. Here are two newspaper items published in the Macon Telegraph shortly after Nena's death, which was 9 June 1896.

A SECOND BEREAVEMENT.

Miss Nena Moseley Died Yesterday Afternoon.

Miss Nena, the 13-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Moseley, died at 1:45 o'clock yesterday afternoon. She had suffered with spinal affection for some time. The funeral will be conducted today from the residence at 220 Shamrock street.

This is the second sad death in Mr. Moseley's home during the past six months, his grown daughter having died only a short time ago.

The many friends of the bereaved family will deeply regret to learn of the sorrow that is thus added.

The pall-bearers are Messrs. Will and Sam Moseley, Clifford Ricks, Robert Fetner, Sam Westcott, Jr., and Will Bracken.

--------------------------

SLEEPS BY HER SISTER.

Miss Nena Moseley's Remains Were Interred Yesterday.

The funeral services of Miss Nena, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Moseley were held yesterday morning at 10 o'clock from the family residence. They were largely attended, and the beautiful floral tributes were a manifestation of the love and tender feeling of her many friends.

The deceased was an unusually bright and interesting child, and possessed a patient, sympathetic and loving nature.

She was laid to rest in Rose Hill beside the sister who had preceeded her but a little more than two months.

Though Warren A. Moseley was already in my personal Rose Hill Cemetery database, I was first connected with his life story (beyond the dates) through the book Civil War Milledgeville: Tales from the Confederate Capital of Georgia [affiliate link] by Hugh Harrington. In it, Warren was described as "a Confederate soldier for over fifty years." Stay tuned for more about Capt. Moseley!

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