Family of Stephen,Hugh Mosher/Moyser of Manchester, England
Letters and Family Notes
The following are copies of letters that were obtained by Sonya Reichwein and were written to her great great grandmother Martha (Mosher) Skinner by her sister Addie (Mosher) Williams.
Nov 13, 1939
My Dear Relative,
Will answer your letter, hoping it will reach you ok. These few lines will give you some idea of our family's tradition as we will never be able to prove it, and England is at war and in very poor shape.
We moved our silk mills frome there, near Manchester, England in an early day. They were in business you see in Alsace Loraine; laws were so severe at that time is why they left there.
They contracted the Cholera, no one knew how to handle such a disease so it wiped out most of the family; only a few were left, so he followed his sons to America. That left all the property to be sold. One brother went to India; some in Maine, some in York state and raised large families. So we were a big family, so many brothers you see.
Well I am quite tired, will close. Hope this reaches you soon. Please excuse me for I am 78 in Feb. if I live to see my next birthday.
Addie Williams
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This letter was written, but never sent to her lawyer and was found after her death.
Hoping some day perhaps I can speak directly across the Atlantic to the President of France. Although I may not live to see it but my children and grandchildren may. Sorry I can neither speak or write French or understand it. Now I will tell you about my ancestors is why I am writing you. I am a decendant from this family.
The earliest traditions of the Moyser family located then in Alsace Loraine (France), about the year 1580. This home was near Strasburg, France.
The Moshers fled to England to escape persecution. They went to England under the leadership of Hugh Mosher, or Moyser. This was prior to the year 1600. They located in or near Manchester, London.
There were five brothers at Manchester in 1616, as silk dealers. Names of Willim, (Hattie, Aunt Vernie's daughter had listed that he died Oct. 7, 1620. If I am understanding the list she had; William had a son also named Stephen and a daughter Rachel) The other brothers were John, Thomas, Stephen and Geo.
Hugh Mosher, son of Thomas sttled in Maine in 1636. Another Hugh Mosher, son of John Mosher was prosperous in India, known as East India CO. He died wealthy.
The American ancestor ensign Hugh Mosher, son of Stephen Mosher, of Manchester, England, first settled in Boston, Mass in 1636; then in Salem, Mass in 1669. He was appointed by the General (?) and was in King Philip's war. He lost two sons in that war. He died in Port Rhode Island in 1694.
Now I have given you some idea who my ancestors were. I just wonder if you would be able to tell me how we can get a settlement from England, as there is a large estate that goes with this family.
I am glad to know that you admire the United States and American people. I feel you will be able to help me with this, or can tell me who will. I am sick and need help financially, and can not help myself.
Hoping I may get an immediate reply I will close.
Sincerely,
Addie Williams
Note: Aparently, another relative, Victor Straight, went to England in the 1930's with documents proving the family history. However, no one knows what happened to him as they never heard from him again.
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Notes and Family Information
Abraham and Betsy Mosher of Schoaharie Co. NY both born in 1783. Children: Haldah (or Huedah) born Nov 9, 1802, Amy, Abraham, Catherine, George, Mary, Daniel D. and Stephen G.
Daniel D. Mosher was born 1818, his wife was Maria Bristoe. (I do not have any information on Maria other than that she was picked up at sea and adopted by the Bristols). They were the parent's of Pleasant Martha Mosher, born in Racine, Walworth County, Wis. Sept. 2, 1855 and died Jan. 4, 1934.
Martha and Andrew Skinner were married Sept 22, 1871. The St. Cloud Times, MN, funeral note states "1934, January 4 - died at age 78 - Martha Skinner. The funeral held at Church of God and leaves husband and two girls, Mrs. William Clark and Allie (Alveretta) Holes of St. Cloud and son Ottis of Fairbault; Oscar, Walter and Floyd of St. Cloud. 20 grandchildren, and sixteen great grandchildren.
The children of Martha and Andrew Skinner were as follows: Alvaretta (Skinner) Holes, born Oct 11, 1874 at Richland Center, Wis., Ottis, b. Jan 13, 1876 at Richland Center, Wis., Oscar, b. Sept. 30, 1877, died Jan. 15, 1949, Martha Laverna, b. Sept. 18, 1880 in Meadowvail, Sherburne Co. MN, died Dec. 28, 1981, Fred b. Sept. 7, 1882-1902 in Meadowvail. Floyd b. Feb 13, 1894 St. Cloud, MN, died March 21, 1994 and Walter (my great grandfather) born Dec 15, 1886, Meadowvail, died in 1958.
Copyright (C) 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 Robin Mosier
