Washington

MOSELEY, John Luther

Genealogical and Family History of the State of Vermont: A Record of the 
Achievements of Her People in the Making of a Commonwealth and the Founding 
of a Nation. Carleton, ed. Chicago: Lewis, 1903, pp 303-304

Captain John Luther MOSELEY, of Northfield [Vermont], now living a retired 
life, was born 04 March 1840 in Northfield [Washington County, Vermont], a 
son of John and Lydia C. (KNIGHT) MOSELEY. The birth of John MOSELEY [the 
father] occurred in 1801 in Montpelier [Washington County, Vermont], and his 
early life was spent upon a farm. Being left fatherless when a mere child, 
he [the father of the subject] was early thrown upon his own resources and 
during his boyhood spent some time in New York state. On his return to 
Vermont, he lived with the late John TORRY, at Bethel [Windsor County], and 
at that place was married to Miss Lydia C. KNIGHT, a daughter of Perly Ayres 
KNIGHT, of Oakham [Worcester County], Massachusetts. He then purchased a 
farm in the town of Northfield, Washington County, and successfully conducted 
the same until his wife's health failed, when he sold the place and removed 
to Northfield Center, where she [Lydia C. (KNIGHT) MOSELEY] died in 1851.

Subsequently he [John MOSELEY] married [Miss?] Sarah CHILD, of Boston 
[Suffolk County, Massachusetts]; she died in 1857. For his third wife, John 
MOSELEY married Mrs. Eliza DEAN; she died in July 1866. John MOSELEY passed 
away at the home of our subject in 1871. In religious faith he was an 
Episcopalian, while his first wife, the mother of our subject, was a member of 
the Congregational church. Four children were born to John and Lydia C. 
(KNIGHT) MOSELEY, one son and three daughters: (1) Harriet A., who married 
Noah CLARK, of Randolph [Orange County, Vermont], and died in 1861; (2) Lois 
Ellen, who became the third wife of Noah CLARK; (3) John Luther, of this 
review; and (4) Ida Annette, who died in infancy.

Captain [John Luther] MOSELEY remained under the parental roof until 1859, 
after which he spent a year in Randolph [Orange County]. His education was 
obtained in the local district schools, the Northfield Academy, and the 
Orange County grammar school. He enlisted about the middle of April 1861 in 
Company F, First Vermont Volunteer Infantry, and served until the following 
August, when he was mustered out, as his term of enlistment has expired. In 
October [1861] he re-enlisted , this time in Company K, Seventh Vermont 
Volunteer Infantry, and on the organization of the company was chosen first 
lieutenant, in which capacity he served until January 1864, when he was 
transferred to Company E and commissioned captain of the same, holding that 
rank until discharged from the service in April 1866. For five long years he 
served his country faithfully and well on southern battlefields, and 
participated in nearly all the engagements in which the Army of the Gulf took 
part.

After the war Captain MOSELEY returned to Northfield [Washington County, 
Vermont], and became associated with Captain William H. BOYNTON in the meat 
and provision business, which they carried on together for many years, 
building up a large and lucrative trade. This connection continued until the 
death of Captain [William H.] BOYNTON in 1885, after which our subject 
conducted the store alone until 1891, when he retired form business, having 
acquired a comfortable competence. On 02 October 1864 Captain [John Luther] 
MOSELEY was married to Miss Clara A. BOYNTON, of Pepperell [Middlesex 
County], Massachusetts, a daughter of Isaac and Nancy (BOYNTON) BOYNTON. 
Three sons were born to them [John Luther and Clara A. (BOYNTON) MOSELEY]: 
(1) Riley Boynton MOSELEY, who died at the age of nine years; (2) Harry 
Chester MOSELEY, who married Miss Nellie JUDD and is now engaged in the 
provision business in Northfield [Washington County, Vermont]; and (3) John 
Pool MOSELEY, who is now an insurance surveyor in the employ of the Ferris 
Map Company of New York City.

Captain [John Luther] MOSELEY is a member of the Congregational church; and 
is quite prominent fraternally, being connected with DeWitt Clinton Lodge, 
Ancient Free & Accepted Masons; William H. Boynton Post, Grand Army of the 
Republic, of which he is a charter member, and in which he has filled all the 
offices, serving as adjutant for ten years; was originally a member of 
Johnson Post. Republican; was village trustee and selectman, and chairman of 
the board for many years. Was elected a member of the corporation of the 
Savings Bank, and a trustee in 1900; and is also a trustee of Norwich 
University.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly