Last updated: May 22, 2021
Person
Moses Singleton
Quick Facts
Significance:
Louisiana Homesteader
Place of Birth:
Louisiana
Date of Birth:
August 8, 1840
Place of Death:
Blairestown, East Feliciana, Lousisana
Date of Death:
About 1912
Place of Burial:
East Baton Rouge Parish on Plank Road
Moses Singleton made settlement in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana before 1870 and, on the land he later acquired in 1901.
Singleton completed homestead entry #21930 at the New Orleans, Louisiana Land Office, under the Homestead Act of 1862, and fulfilled all the requirements to receive patent #13009 on August 14, 1907. The 159.72 acres was located just east of East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana.
Moses was a farmer and 67 years old when he entered his final testimony for his land. During the years which homesteaders are required to make proof in support of their entries, Moses Singleton, his wife Priscilla Gray Singleton, and five children made improvements to the property. They cleared and fenced about fifteen acres for six seasons; constructed a log house and a cotton house.
On December 26, 1906, several of Moses’ neighbors and longtime acquaintances agreed to serve as the witnesses to testify for his final proof for his homestead entry claim (Geo J. Reiley, Steve Bell, John Turner, and William Williams). Steve Bell and John Turner completed the two witness testimonials.
The New Orleans Land Office published a notice on October 11, 1906, of the intention of Moses Singleton to make final proof of his homestead claim on October 10, 1900. The publication listed the claim for Homestead Entry #21930 for the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter, the south half of the southeast quarter, and the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of Section twenty in Township three south of Range three east of the St. Helena Meridian, Louisiana.
Moses completed the Final Affidavit Required of Homestead Claimants at the New Orleans, Louisiana Land Office on December 26, 1906. The New Orleans Land Office under the leadership of Land Register Walter L. Cohen issued the Final Land Certificate #13009 on August 14, 1907.
Moses resided on this property until the time of his death. He and his wife reared five children: Louis Singleton Sr., James Singleton, Survice Singleton, Emma Singleton, and Sarah Singleton.
~ contributed by Clara Robertson and Claretha Day, descendants
More about the story contributors:
Claretha Day: My name is Claretha Hughes Day. I am the third great-granddaughter of Moses Singleton, the son of Lewis Singleton, who is my second great-grandfather. I am also the granddaughter of Harry Singleton Sr., who is the son of Lewis and the grandson of Moses, and the daughter of Willie B. Hughes-Singleton, who is the daughter of Harry Singleton Sr. I grew up in south Louisiana in St. Helena Parish, located near Pine Grove. Moses, from what we know, is from East Feliciana Parish, which is near Clinton, Louisiana. This is where he reared his children and grandchildren with his wife, Priscilla Gray Singleton. He was a farmer, but it was not until he was 67 years of age that he acquired his land, which he resided on until his death.
Clara Roberson: My name is Clara Robertson. I am the third great-granddaughter of Moses Singleton, the son of Lewis Singleton, who is my second great-grandfather. I am also the granddaughter of Harry Singleton Sr., who is the son of Lewis and the grandson of Moses, and the daughter of Mercide Hughes-Singleton, who is the daughter of Harry Singleton Sr. I grew up in south Louisiana in St. Helena Parish, located near Pine Grove. Moses, from what we know, is from East Feliciana Parish, which is near Clinton, Louisiana. This is where he reared his children and grandchildren with his wife, Priscilla Gray Singleton. He was a farmer, but it was not until he was 67 years of age that he acquired his land, which he resided on until his death.