Individual Details

Will of Marvel Moseley, dated 13 Feb 1720; probate 6 Mar 1722.
To my son Marvel Moseley the plantation whereon he now lives.
To my sun John Moseley my plantation whareon I now live and half the wood land ground that lyes over the branch next to my son Marvil's plantation.
To my sun Marvil one Negro man Robin.
To my son John one Negrow woman Janey.
To my grandafter Sarah Mosley the defter of John and Mary Mosley one Neagrow boy Cassur.
To my son John my beaste feather bed with all the furniture.
Unto my son Marvel my feather bead that stands in the outerd romn with all the furniture.
To my grandafter Elizabeth Danniel my feather bed and furniture that stands in the ineard room.
Unto my son John all my hoggs.
Unto my son Marvel my small ovel table.
Unto my son John the square table that stands under the window before my bead with the draw in it.
Unto my grandsun Mosley Danniel my young mare.
Unto my three grandchildren Mary Danniel, Ann Danniel and Agatha Danniel five pounds apeace when they are mareyed.
Unto Jane Stapleton forty shillings.
All the rest to my two suns Marvel Mosley and John equally.
My tow [sic] suns Marvel Mosley and John Mosley executors.
Marvel (M) Mosley
Wit: John Seagar, John (J) Evins, Martha (M) Tugel.
6 March 1721 [1722]. Proved by the witnesses.
The Virginia Genealogist Volume 4, 1960 [John Frederick Dorman]
MIDDLESEX COUNTY, VIRGINIA WILLS, 1713-1734; Pages 238-39.

Marvell Moseley is often seen as the son-in-law of William Blase based on what I believe to be a possible misreading of the will of William Blase. Here is that story:

Will of William Blase [Blaise] recorded 1 Feb 1674 in Middlesex County, VA. (Order Book 1, p.34). "Named daughter Sarah Mosly (sic - her name was Grace - there is no Sarah in the will) and son James Blase. Marvel Moseley was executor."

ORDER BOOK ABSTRACTS OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY VIRGINIA 1673-1677; Part 1 of Order Book 1; Ruth & Sam Sparacio, 1989, p.36:
Will of Wm Blase was written 7 Feb 1674/5. He gave most of his property to his loving son James who was not of age. Responsibility for James was given to Marvell MOSELEY, who Blase also calls his "loving Sonn". Moseley is to have use of the household "stuffs" and livestock to use for the bringing up of James. He is to school James and then apprentice him to a Ship's Master to learn Navigation. If James should die without issue, then the estate is to be divided between his two daughters, unnamed. He does name a daughter Grace MOSLY and gives her a colt. The Will is signed Wm Blase; witnessed by Thos. Hasellwood, and Tho. [T] Tesly.

LDS Microfilm #0032449
My interpretation of the will is somewhat different after reading the film. The spelling and handwriting is not easy to deal with. I read Grace's suname as Mosby or Mosly which appears to almost be a different surname from Moseley.
The handwriting consistently uses the small letter f in place of an s in the interior of any word. The spelling of daughter appears to be dafter, or even safter - I have seen "dafter" in other writings in this period when it did indeed mean daughter.
There is also the remote possibility that the term "son" in this will could mean "stepson" instead of son-in-law when it refers to Marvel Moseley. At any rate, Marvell's wife was Sarah when his son was baptized in 1682.

In the name of God Amen. I William Blase of the County
Midelsix being sicke and weake in body but of sound mind and perfect Memory. God bee praysed doo make and ordane this my last will and testament in manner and forme following First I commend my Soule unto the hands of Almighty God my breath and Redeemer my body to the earth from in honor it came. And for such wordly goods as it hath plesed God to bless me with all I despose of the same as folleth
First I give and bequeath unto to loving son James Blase all that plantation where upon I now live with all houses edifice & buildings thereunto belonging and appertaining to have & to hold the same to him and to heirs forever
Item I give unto my Said Sonn all my female cattle
Item and unto my said Sonn all my male cattle with all my hogs whatsoever to have and to hold the said Cattle and hogs to him for ever Item I give unto my
said Sonn James Blase all my household stuff & Implements & all household ____ what ever being in or belonging to me or in my now dwelling or plantation. Item and unto my said Sonn my two mare with there increase to him & his heirs for ever.
Item and unto my Loving Sonn Marvell Moseley, the use of my plantation
and tools and to bild and clere what he hath ocation for till my Sonn comes to age my will and meaning is that my loving Sonn Marvell Mosley shall bring my Sonn James Blase up to skole t(w)o yeares and at the separation of the time to put him to prentis to Sum master of a ship till he comes to age to lerne the art of Navigation
Item I give and bequest to my Loving daughter Grace Mosby/Mosly the furst Colt that my Mare raises.
But in case my Sonn should die without Issue I give all my estate between my t(w)o daughters to be equally divided between them.
Item I give unto my loving Sonn Marvell Mosley the use of all my household stuff Cattle & Hogs for His bringing up of my Sonn till he comes to age. Lastly I make & ordaene my Loving Sonn Marvel Mosely Excetor of this my last will & Testament and here now unto putt my hand & Seal this seventh day of Febry 1674.
Signed; Wm Blasé
Signed, sealed & notified the presence of
Thos. Hasellwood
Tho. (T) Tesly

3 May 1675
Middlesex Order Book 1, p.31 Clerke of the Court is ordered to goe to the House of the late Wm Blaze and there to taken an Inventory.....Marvell Mosely Executor of said Blazes Estate & Will is to appeare & deliver the said Inventory on Oath.

10 Apr 1676 Marvell Moseley made a Constable in Middlesex Co. OB 1, p.53
7 May 1677 Thomas Loe appointed Constable in place of Marvill Moseley, OB 1, p.67.


20 Mar 1678, Col William Travers received 780 acres in Stafford County for transporting 16 persons, one of whom was Marvel Moseley, another was Patrick Nicolls. PB 6, p.622

On 8 Feb 1680 Marvel bought 100 acres on White Oak Swamp from Thomas Chowning, along Henry Nicholl and Thomas Kidd lines. [Middlesex Deeds 1679-1688]

Records in 1681 are said to suggest Marvell Moseley's wife's given name was Sarah. The misinterpretation of the will has led many to believe Moseley was first married to Grace Blase; then a lady named Sarah. I cannot make the same conclusion without further data, but it is quite possible, given the trust that William Blase obviously placed in Moseley. It's very doubtful Sarah was also a Blase, since no such daughter is mentioned in the will of William Blase.
Parish Register of Christ Church, Middlesex Co VA
Marvill Moseley, sone of Marvill and Sarah, baptz. 21 May 1682.

In 1687, Marvell was listed on the military census as "able to find a man, horse and armor".

28 Aug 1694. Surveyed for Marvill Mosely, 146 acres in Middlesex Co adj Moseley's plantation being part of 450 acres granted Robert Chowning by patent 16 Dec 1663 and conveyed to Marvill Moseley by Thomas Chowning by deed dated 28 Aug 1694. Signed: Edwin Thacker, Surveyor. REc. 3 Sep 1694, Middlesex DB 2, p.692.

20 Aug 1700. Henry Nicholls of Middlesex to Marvell Moseley of same. 50 acres for 2000#'s tobo & caske, part of 500 acres assigned to sd Henry by his father Henry Nicholls on the main run of White Oak Swamp adj Marvell Moseley's land and land of Thomas Kidd. Signed: Henry Nicholls. Rec. 2 Sep 1700. Middlesex DB 2, p.363.

He was listed on the 1704 Quit Rents as owning 225 acres.

Christ Church Parish Register:
13 Feb 1721/2 Marvell Mosely Senr. died Febry ye 13 & was buried Febry ye 15, 1721.

His will was written 13 Feb 1720 and probated the 6th of March, 1721/22, named sons Marvel and John; granddaughter Sarah, daughter of John and Mary; grandchildren of his daughter Mary Daniel - Elizabeth, Moseley, Mary, Ann, & Agatha. Also Jane Stapleton. The sons were the executors.
Son Marvel received the plantation whereon he was already living.
John received the plantation where his father was living and half the wood land ground over the branch next to son Marvel's plantation.
Marvel received one Negro man Robin; John one Negro woman Janey - they also received feather beds and furniture.
Sarah Mosely, grandaughter received slave boy Cassur.
Elizabeth Danniel, granddaughter - a feather bed and furniture.
John received all the hoggs and a square table.
Son Marvel, a small oval table.
Mosley Danniel, grandson, his young mare.
Mary, Ann, and Agatha, grandchildren - 5 £ each at marriage.
Jane Stapleton, 40sh.
Any remainder to two sons, equally. They to serve as executors.
Wit: John Seagar, John (J) Evins, Martha (M) Tugel.
Signed: Marvel (M) Mosley

Birth	Abt 1650	England
Marriage	Abt 1673	Middlesex County, Virginia - SARAH ?Blase
Death	13 Feb 1721/22	Middlesex County, Virginia

Spouse	SARAH ?Blase (1653 - 1716)
Child	Marvell Moseley Jr. ( - 1753)
Child	Mary MOSELEY ( - 1719)
Child	JOHN MOSELEY (1686 - 1754)