Moses Hale, Sr.

On the 1810 census Moses Hale was listed as the head of a family in Northumberland. Household members were one male 16-25, one female over 40 and one slave. The woman may have been Moses' mother.

Moses served in Northumberland County as a private in the 37th VA Militia during the War of 1812. He was listed as a member of Downing's company. The Northern Neck suffered frequent British raids during the war, particularly in the summer of 1814. The poorly equipped militia was asked to respond to those raids with often little success.

Moses married Margaret Headley on October 13th, 1813 in Northumberland County. They went on to have six children.

Moses Hale was again listed on the 1830 census in Northumberland. This time the family is much larger. Household members are; one male under 5, one male 15-19, one male 40-49, one female under 5, one female 5-9, one female 10-14, one female 30-39 and one male slave 24-35.

Moses wrote his will on December 29th, 1836 and refers to himself as sick and weak. The will was proven in Northumberland Court the following April. Moses was able to sign his own name. In the will he left his whole estate real and personal to his wife during her life or widowhood. Next he left "The tract of land whereon I now live containing 55 acres," to his son Moses and "My tract of land the I purchased from Jesse Bryant containing 50 acres together with twenty dollars" to his son Samuel. To each of his four daughters Moses left a bed and set of furniture. He also directed that after the death or marriage of his wife Margaret that all the rest of his estate including his slave named John should be sold and the proceeds divided among the children.