Thomas and Mary Moss

Thomas and Mary Moss

Courtesy of Stewart Bell Jr. Archives of Handley Regional Library

Quick Facts

Place of Burial:

Winchester, Virginia

Cemetery Name:

Orrick Cemetery

There is little known about Thomas Moss and his second wife, Mary Johnson Moss. Thomas was born around the year 1835 in Virginia, and practiced masonry. His second wife, Mary was born into slavery around 1850, and was given as a Christmas present to the Miller family of Winchester. Thomas and Mary married in 1877.

The1880 Federal Census lists Thomas as the head of the household and “works in Sumac Mill.” It also lists that he has six children. Minne born in 1872, Gertrude born in 1860, Nannie born in 1862, Charles born in 1878, Etta born in 1855 and Thomas born in 1866. It is noteworthy to see that Mary is actually listed as his sister-in-law as opposed to his wife. Thomas’s son Charles would go on to receive great acclaim as an African-American artist. Studying in places such as Providence and Newport, Rhode Island and continuing his graduate work at the Cooper-Union School of Fine Arts in New York City. Thomas would continue his work at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, working with artist Henry O. Tanner.

Not much is known about Mary’s life besides that she worked for the Miller family for the duration of her life. When Thomas and Mary passed away, they were buried in the Orrick Cemetery in Winchester Virginia.