Moses Foley, Sr. was born in Frederick County, Virginia between 1740 and 1742. About 1769, Moses Foley "married Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. Green and wife Elizabeth" in Virginia. Moses and Elizabeth had 7 known children.

Moses married the widow, Rachel Austin, about 1807 and they had 2 children:

Moses Foley Sr. would have been buried in Knox County, Kentucky where he apparently spent his last years as a Pastor of a Cumberland River Baptist Church and where several members of his family lived when he died including Rachel (wife), Martin (Son), Hugh (Son), Thomas (son), Spencer (son), and Winifred (Daughter).

Parents:

Moses Foley Sr's parents are yet unknown as of Feb 2024.

NOTE: Moses is NOT the son of James and Mary Foley of Fauquier County, VA.

Some believe that James Foley (c.1715 to abt.1798) of VA and Mary Young are the parents of Moses Foley, Sr. However, Moses is NOT named in James Foley's Will which was written on 14 Oct 1793 and proven on 14 Oct 1797 in Fauquier County, VA. The children mentioned in James Foley's will are Susanna Foley Oglivie, Presly Foley Oglivie, Leah Foley Oglivie, Lettice Foley and Molley Foley by his current wife Elizabeth; and Enoch, John, James, Thomas, William, Bryant, and Sarah Watts presumably by his first wife.

The "Ten Thousand Names Petition" was submitted on 16 Oct 1776 and Moses Foley was among the listed dissenters who signed the petition. Non-Anglicans were required to attend Anglican services and support the Anglican Church financially. Baptists were among the most vilified of the non-Anglicans. Oppression of non-Anglicans took many forms including physical assaults, imprisonment, and higher fees. They were not allowed to preach anywhere other than a pulpit, nor were they permitted to pastor slaves and include them among their Brothers and Sisters in fellowship.

Military [Revolutionary War and DAR]:

According to DAR, Moses Foley (Ancestor# A200328) was born circa 1750 and died before June 1824. Moses Foley enlisted in Montgomery County, Virginia on 24 Mar 1781 being between the ages of 16 and 50. Moses served in the Montgomery County, Virginia Militia under Captain Frederick Edward (DAR Ancestor #: A004473). [Service Source: Kegley, Mil of Montgomery Co. 1777-1790, p 14]. Tradition indicates that Moses was wounded in service and was lame as a result. On page 268 of "Knox County Kentucky History", by Elmer Decker, Moses Foley is listed as a Revolutionary War Soldier from North Carolina. [VA Land Office from Archives at the Library of Virginia ]

Residential History:

In the short-lived Fincastle County, Virginia "Moses Fowley assignee of Neil McGlister assignee of Wm Newell" acquired "400 acres on south side of New River above the Pessinming [Persimmon] bottom, settled 1773." [Recorded: 4 Nov 1782 Montgomery Cty Va Plat Bk A p273].

On 22 Apr 1784, Moses Foley had 278 acres of land surveyed, lying in Montgomery County, Va on the east side of New River [ Montgomery County VA Plat Bk C p.165].

On 8 Aug 1788, Moses Foley received a Virginia Land Grant for 460 acres on Meadow Creek a branch of New River. [Land Office Grants No. 18, 1788-1789, p. 260 (Reel 84).] [VA Land Office from Archives at the Library of Virginia ]

Wythe County, Virginia was established from part of Montgomery County, Virginia in 1790.

Moses Foley Sr. appeared in the Wythe County, Virginia Tax List with zero males between 16 and 21; and having 5 horses.

On 10 Jan 1791 Moses Foley was named as on of the executors of the Wythe County Will of Zapher Jayne, blacksmith. Zapher's wife, Elizabeth was the other executor of Zapher's will.

In 1793 Moses Foley is listed on the Personal Property Tax List for Wythe County, Virginia.

Moses Foley, Gent participated in the first court held in Grayson County, Virginia on May 21, 1793 after Grayson County was formed from Wythe County. Moses "Did not appear at court to take the oath of office as Justice of the Peace. No reason given." [Grayson County, Va Order Book 1 page]. And on June 10, 1793 Moses was "admitted to solemnise (sic) the rights of matrimony, agreeable to the rules of his church, so soon as he shall enter into bond according to law." [Pioneer Settlers of Grayson County VA]

In 1794, Moses Foley is listed on the Grayson County, VA Personal Property Tax List as the owner of 3 Horses in a Household with 3 white males. Moses is taxed £40 and 2 shillings for his 460 acres.

On 28 Oct 1794 "Surveyed for Moses Foley, 200 acres of land adj. to his former survey, lying in Grayson County on waters of Meadow Creek." [Grayson County, VA Plat Bk I p.37]

On 27 Oct 1795 Moses and Elizabeth Foley sell 460 acres on Meadow Creek, a branch of New River for £153. The original grant was dated 8 Aug 1788. This again confirms that Moses Foley's wife was named Elizabeth.

On 26 Sep 1796 Moses Foaley (sic) sells another 171 acres in Grayson County, VA on Meadow Creek, a branch of New River. [Grayson Va Deed Bk 35 p691] [ Land Office from Archives at the Library of Virginia]

Beginning in 1794, Moses Foley pastors several Churches in Washington County Virginia: North Fork of the Holston Church and Rich Valley Church (1794), and Mill Creek Valley Church (1799). In 1802, Moses, and 26 others, created a new church at Abram's Creek (1802). His land transactions reflect this.

On 18 Sep 1798 in Washington County, VA, Moses purchases 85 acres in Rich Valley on the south branch of the North Fork of Holston River from John and Nancy Richmond. [Washington County, Va Deed Bk 2 p128]

As of 1799 Moses Foley is still being taxed on the 171 acres in Grayson County VA the Moses sold in 1796. The property is valued at £82.5 with the amount of tax being £0.44.

On 25 Oct 1803 in Grayson County, Virginia, Moses sells 91 acres on Meadow Creek. Grayson County, Virginia. [Deed Book 1 p.50 and Book 2 p. 50]

In 1804, Moses finally sells the 171 acres on Meadow Creek. Grayson County, Virginia. [Deed Book 1 p.50 and Book 2 p. 50]

On 8 Mar 1804, Elizabeth Green, who is described as "old and infirm", "gives Moses Foley, son-in-law, complete power of attorney over all of her affairs." [Washington County, Virginia Court Minutes Book 2, pages 345 and 509 ]

On 20 Mar 1804, Moses Foley appears on the Washington County, Virginia tax list with 3 black adults and 5 horses.

On 17 Jun 1805, Elizabeth Green –Moses Foley's mother-in-law -- rescinds the power of attornery (sic). [Washington County, Virginia Court Minutes Book 2 pages 345 and 509]

By 1805, Moses Foley Sr. is chosen to help with assessing Arms of the Cumberland River Baptist Church in Barbourville Ky and by 1811 Moses is regularly serving in many capacities including delegate, moderator, and pastor.

In 1815, Moses Foley received a Kentucky Land Grant on the Cumberland River in Knox County, Kentucky. Moses Foley and family then settle on the Cumberland River, four miles below Barbourville, where he lived until the time of his death.

In the 1820 Census, Moses Foley and family are residing on the North West Side of Cumberland River, Knox County, Kentucky. Moses and Rachel are enumerated with their sons, Hugh (under 10) and Martin (under 16). 

Both Moses and Rachel are listed as 45 and over. They no longer own any slaves.

Pastoral History:

Moses Foley was a Baptist Minister, who was involved in the gathering and constituting of churches throughout the frontier areas of northwest North Carolina, southwest Virginia and southeast Kentucky, from sometime before 1776 until his death in about 1823. During his pastoral career , he served in several associations including the Yadkin Association, the Holston Association, the Stockton's Valley Association, and the Cumberland River Association.

From 1790-1791, Moses Foley Sr. "Was itinerant minister to Mitchell's River Baptist Church in Wilkes County, North Carolina."

In 1793, Moses Foley "was delegate from Fish River Baptist Church, Wilkes County, North Carolina to the Yadkin Association." [ Paschal, George Washington. History of North Carolina Baptists, Vol. II. Raleigh, NC: The General Board, North Carolina State Convention, 1955. pp.248-249 ]

On June 10, 1793 in Grayson County, Virginia, Moses was "admitted to solemnise (sic) the rights of matrimony, agreeable to the rules of his church, so soon as he shall enter into bond according to law." [Pioneer settlers of Grayson County VA]

On 17 Sep 1793 in Grayson County, Virginia "Bond of Moses Foley, George Reeves and John McCoy for $500 so that Moses Foley "shall officiate as a Minister of the Gospel and solemnize the rites of matrimony." [Grayson Va Deeds Vol 1 and 2, 1793-1811 p 121]

Beginning in 1798 Moses Foley, Sr. pastored several baptist churches belonging to he Holston Association. In 1811 they all became part of the Washington Association.:

1) North Fork of Holston (1794) - Located in Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia, Moses served as pastor beginning in 1794.

2) Rich Valley - Moses served as pastor.

3) Mill Creek Valley (1799) - Moses and W. Brundage started Mill Creek Valley in 1799.

4) at Abram's Creek - Moses Foley Sr. and 26 others constituted a new church at Abram's Creek.

In 1802, Moses Foley, along with 26 others, constitute a new church at Abrams Creek. 

"Abram's Creek flows into the North Fork of the Holston in Washington County, Virginia where Moses lived." Moses Foley became Pastor of Rich Valley church of the Holston Association in 1802. "At first a thriving church, but through the misconduct of their pastor, Moses Foley, they have had cloudy and unpleasant seasons."

[ Semple, Robert B. and Rev. G.W. Beale. A history of the rise and progress of the Baptists in Virginia. Richmond, Va: Pitt and Dickinson, 1894 ]

The Cumberland River Baptist Church --- now First Baptist Church of Barbourville --- was organized on the Cumberland River and was constituted on 12 May 1804 with Brother Elijah Foley --- son of Moses Foley, Sr. --- being chosen as its first pastor the Jun 1805 meeting. This church met in the houses of various members until about 1814 when a basic log meeting house was constructed "in the narrows" on the north side of the Cumberland River a few miles from Barbourville. The Cumberland River Baptist Church was affiliated with the Stockton's Valley Association until 1812 when it became a member of the Cumberland River Association. [Robbins, Dr. Hugh Warren and Tony Todd (updates). A History of First Baptist Church, Barbourville, Kentucky. Baptist History Homepage, 2020.]

Moses Foley's association with this church began on the 3 Sat of Nov 1805 when he was nominated as "help" in assessing potential Arms of the Cumberland River Baptist Church. Moses Foley was officially received into the church fellowship at the 1st Sat of Feb 1811 meeting; however he had not yet received a letter of dismissal from his former church. At this point Moses was consistently given the privilege to serve as a delegate to association meetings in the area. On the 1st Sat of Jun 1811, Moses Foley Sr. was chosen to provide pastoral care of the church whenever Pastor Elijah Foley was absent. Moses Foley's service as the moderator began on the 1st Sat of Dec 1813 and continued until 1st Sat of Jan 1823 when Blaggrove Hopper was chosen as moderator. Brother Elijah Foley requested a letter of recommendation for his "travel into a distant country" on the 1 Sat of Nov 1817. On 1 Sat of Oct 1818, Elijah and Bulah Foley, Spencer Foley, and Elizabeth Vail all obtain letters of dismissal. Moses Foley Sr. served as the 2nd Pastor of Cumberland River Baptist Church in Barbourville, Kentucky.

A number of Moses Foley's children also became members of the Cumberland River Baptist Church fellowship: Thomas Foley (received by letter by 1 Sat in May 1811), Spencer (letter of dismissal in 1818), and Winifred Foley (received by letter by 1 Sat in Sept 1812). [First Baptist Church of Barbourville Ky: Minutes of meetings and lists of members, 1804-1877 on Family Search]

Note: Concord Church was an "Arm" of the Cumberland River Baptist Church and it was constituted in September of 1812 becoming it's own standalone church. Moses Foley Sr did not serve as pastor at Concord Baptist Church as he continually served at Cumberland River Baptist Church in Barbourville.

Children of Moses Foley, Sr.:

Moses Foley, Sr. (1738 VA - Aft 1823 KY) married Elizabeth Green (1753 VA - 1795 KY) in 1770 in Virginia.

1) Elijah Foley (1770 Botetourt County, VA – 17 Apr 1848 Henry County, MO)

2) Ginna "Jane" Foley Mann Nordyke (2 Jan 1772 Botetourt County, VA - 1852)

3) James Foley (7 Dec 1774 Fincastle County, VA – abt. 1812 VA)

4) Moses Foley, Jr. (7 Jan 1777 Montgomery County, VA – 6 Nov 1858 Lincoln County, KY)

5) Elizabeth Foley (13 Feb 1779 Montgomery County, VA – ?)

6) Nancy Foley (2 Apr 1781 Montgomery County, VA - ?)

7) Thomas Foley (5 Apr 1783 Montgomery County, VA – 16 May 1858 Whitley County, KY)

8) Spencer Foley (4 Sep 1785 Montgomery County, VA – Bef. 1850 Knox County, KY)

9) Mariam Foley Allison (2 Nov 1787 Montgomery County, VA - 1 Apr 1861 Saline County, MO)

10) Rachel Foley Lay (5 Feb 1789 Montgomery County, VA – 3 Nov 1879 Campbell County, TN)

11) Leah Foley Clare (5 Feb 1789 Montgomery County, VA – 7 Feb 1861 Lincoln County, MO)

12) Winifred Foley McKenny (11 Feb 1792 Wythe County, VA - 1859 Knox County, KY)

The widowed Moses Foley marries a second time to widow, Rachel Austin (1770 MD - Aft. after 11 Sept 1850 in or near Knox County, KY) in about 1807 in Virginia. Moses and Rachel had 2 sons together:

13) Martin C Foley (23 Oct 1808 Washington County, VA – Apr 1894 Knox County, KY)

14) Hugh Foley (1813 Knox County, KY – Bef. 1880 in Knox County, KY)

Will:

Moses Foley's will was written on October 25, 1823 in Knox County, Kentucky and proven on June 1924. Moses leaves his land in Knox County, Kentucky to his wife Rachel. His underage sons are also listed as heirs of all Moses owns once they reach 21 years of age or his wife Rachel dies or remarries.

The widowed Rachel Foley was listed in the 1850 Census as 81 years of age and living in the household of her son Martin Foley in Knox County, Kentucky. Rachel Foley is listed as being born about 1770 in Maryland. This Census page was dated 11 Sept 1850 so Rachel died sometime after 11 Sept 1850.

Moses Foley (107690530) Burial:

Moses Foley Sr. would have been buried in Knox County, Kentucky where he apparently spent his last years as a Pastor of a Cumberland River Baptist Church and where several members of his family lived when he died including Rachel (wife), Martin (Son), Hugh (Son), Thomas (son), Spencer (son), and Winifred (Daughter).

Moses Foley, Sr. is believed to be buried in the destroyed Cumberland River Baptist Church Cemetery, Barbourville, Knox County, Kentucky for several reasons:

1) Moses Foley Sr. was active as the moderator of Cumberland River Baptist Church in Knox County, Ky until 1822 when he dropped-off the Minutes.

2) Moses Foley Sr's wife, Rachel, and their young sons, Martin (16) and Hugh (12) lived-out their lives in Knox County, Kentucky and neighboring counties of Whitley KY and Campbell TN along with several of Moses Foley's other children: Spencer Foley, Winifred Foley, Thomas Foley.

3) "The First Baptist Church, Barbourville, originally named Cumberland River Baptist Church, was constituted on May 12, 1804. The site is believed to of been "in the narrows" on the north side of the Cumberland River, close to where Walker State Park is now located." [Robbins, Dr. Hugh Warren and Tony Todd (updates). A History of First Baptist Church, Barbourville, Kentucky. Baptist History Homepage, 2020.] It no longer exists as confirmed by BluMoKitty.

4) Moses Foley Sr. never lived in Crab Orchard, Lincoln County, Kentucky; nor did he pastor a church there.

Moses Foley Jr. pastored a Church in Crab Orchard, Lincoln County, Kentucky and he lived most of his adult life there.

Special thanks to Wes, Gary, Katherine, and Marty for their contributions to this memorial.

(bio by: April)