Gracy Mosley

birth: January 1897

location: Texas

death:

location: 

father: Seborn M. Mosley

mother: Laura Jeanette Bonner

spouse:

1900 census

1910 census

Nettie Mosley - 1920 census

1920 census
location: Navarro County, Texas
date: January 9, 1920

Nettie Mosley  head  female  white  41  widowed  Texas  farmer
Robert Mosley  son  male  white  18  single  Texas
May Mosley  daughter  female  white  15  single  Texas
Mattie Mosley  daughter  female  white  12  single  Texas
Obie Mosley  daughter  female  white  7  single  Texas
Nobie Mosley  daughter  female  white  7  single  Texas
Odis Mosley  son  male  white  6  single  Texas
Merl Mosley  daughter  female  white  3 10/12  single  Texas

"United States Census, 1920," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MH17-SMP : accessed 18 Feb 2014), Mattie Mosley in household of Nettie Mosley, Justice Precinct 7, Navarro, Texas, United States; citing sheet , family 50, NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1821836.

Laura Jeanette "Nettie" Bonner Mosley

Laura Jeanette "Nettie" Bonner Mosley

birth: February 25, 1878
location: Navarro County, Texas
death: July 11, 1964
location: Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas

father: Willis Richard Bonner
mother: Sarah Tom Moody

spouse: Seborn M. Mosley

1880 census

marriage to Seborn M. Mosley

1900 census

1910 census

1920 census

death

burial

children with Seborn M. Mosley:

1. Gracy Mosley - 1897

2. Lou Mosley - 1898

3. Robert Mosley - 1900

4. Annie Mosley - 1902

5. Jennie May Mosley - 1905

6. Mattie Pearl Mosley - 1907

7. Richard Mosley - 1909

8. Obie Mosley - 1912

9. Nobie Mosley - 1912

10. Male Mosley - 1913

11. Willie Odis Mosley - 1914

12. Maudie Merl Mosley - 1916

13. Otis Mosley - 1916

Robert Lee Mosley death

location: Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas
date: January 17, 1969

"Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KS16-P6K : accessed 18 Feb 2014), Robert Lee Mosley, 17 Jan 1969; citing certificate number 05277, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2137322.

Robert Lee Mosley

Robert Lee Mosley

birth: May 7, 1899 or 1900

location: Red River County, Texas

death: January 17, 1969

location: Corsicana, Navarro County, Texas

father: Seborn M. Mosley

mother:  Laura Jeanette Bonner

spouse: 

1910 census

1920 census

informant on mother's death certificate

death

burial

Willie Odis Mosley birth

location: Navarro County, Texas
date: October 8, 1914

"Texas, Births and Christenings, 1840-1981," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F65C-NS4 : accessed 18 Feb 2014), Sebe Mosely in entry for , 08 Oct 1914.

Otis Mosley death

location: Eureka, Navarro County, Texas
date: October 16, 1918

"Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K3ZB-88D : accessed 18 Feb 2014), Sebe Mosely in entry for Otis Mosely, 16 Oct 1918; citing certificate number 44047, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2073349.

Otis Mosley

Otis Mosley

*twin to Maudie Merl Mosley*

birth: February 29, 1916

location: Navarro County, Texas

death: October 16, 1918

location: Eureka, Navarro County, Texas

father: Seborn M. Mosley

mother:  Laura Jeanette Bonner

death 

Mattie Pearl Mosley birth

location: Mildred, Navarro County, Texas
date: May 30, 1907

"Texas, Birth Certificates, 1903-1935," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VX9Q-945 : accessed 18 Feb 2014), Sebe Mosely in entry for Mosely, 1907.

Male Mosley death

location: Navarro County, Texas
date: August 15, 1913

"Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K3WQ-JLS : accessed 18 Feb 2014), Sebe Mosley in entry for Mosley, 18 Aug 1913; citing certificate number 18898, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2050996.

Willie Odis Mosley death

location: Dallas, Dallas County, Texas
date: December 2, 1976

"Texas, Deaths, 1890-1976," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KSY1-Z71 : accessed 18 Feb 2014), Sebe Mosley in entry for Willie Odis Mosley, 02 Dec 1976; citing certificate number 90708, State Registrar Office, Austin; FHL microfilm 2243985.

Mosley birth

location: Navarro County, Texas
date: October 8, 1914

"Texas, Birth Index, 1903-1997," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/V83V-69W : accessed 18 Feb 2014), Sebe Mosley in entry for , 08 Oct 1914; from "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," index and images, Ancestry.com; citing Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997, (Texas: Texas Department of State Health Services).

Willie Odis Mosley

Willie Odis Mosley

birth: October 8, 1914

location: Navarro County, Texas

death:

location:

father: Seborn M. Mosley

mother:  Laura Jeanette Bonner

birth

death

Male Mosley

Male Mosley

birth: August 13, 1913
location: Navarro County, Texas
death: August 15, 1913
location: Navarro County, Texas

father: Seborn M. Mosley
mother:  Laura Jeanette Bonner

birth

death

died of jaundice

Male Mosley birth

location: Navarro County, Texas
date: August 15, 1913

"Texas, Births and Christenings, 1840-1981," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F65C-NJQ : accessed 18 Feb 2014), Sebe Mosley in entry for , 15 Aug 1913.

Maudie Merl Mosley birth

Maudie Merl Mosley

location: Eureka, Navarro County, Texas
date: February 29, 1916

"Texas, Births and Christenings, 1840-1981," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F6PB-QMH : accessed 18 Feb 2014), Sebe Mosley in entry for Maudie Merl, 29 Feb 1916.

Maudie Merl Mosley

Maudie Merl Mosley
*twin to Otis Mosley*

birth: February 29, 1916
location: Eureka, Navarro County, Texas
death:
location:

father: Seborn M. Mosley
mother:  Laura Jeanette Bonner

spouse:

birth

1920 census

Seborn M Mosley

Seborn M Mosley

birth: 1825
location: Georgia
death: July 21, 1903
location: Navarro County, Texas

father:
mother:

spouse: Matha Ann McKey
spouse: Martha A Birdwell

married Martha Ann McKey - 1860\

1860 census

1870 census

1880 census

marriage to Martha A - October 3, 1880

death

children :

Benjamin Mosley - 1863
James Mosley - 1866
Anna Eliza Mosley - 1868
Seborn M. Mosley -
Elvera Mosley - 1872
William Mosley - 1874
Ellington Mosley - 1875

Married Seventy-Two Years

Special to The News

Italy. Hill Co., Texas, Sept. 29 - It has been so long since Miles R Bonner, 94, and his wife Sarah T. Bonner, 93, observed their golden wedding anniversary that they are thinking more now of their diamond jubilee. For Mr. and Mrs. Bonner have been married seventy-two years, more than half a century of which they have spent in Texas, and they now reside on a farm in Navarro County, a few miles southeast of Italy. 

Mr. Bonner was born in Tennessee, his wife in Alabama. They married in Tennessee. Eleven of their twelve children are living and they boast of 102 great-grandchildren, 167 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren. 

Their children, all of whom live in Texas, are Mrs. Ann Slaton, 70, of Bogata; John Bonner, 68, Angus; Mrs. Amandy Garrison, 64, Angus; Mrs. Nancy Burton Dublin, 62; Mrs. Alice Robinson, 60, Eureka; Bob Bonner, Navarro; Mrs. Lena Pruitt, Midlothian; Mrs. Ellen Burton, Purdon; Mrs. Nettie Mosley, Eureka; Cassie Bonner, Angus, and Mrs. Addie Mosley, Detroit. 

Mr. Bonner served through the war in the Confederate Army. He has been smoking a pipe for many years, his wife uses snuff, as she did as a mountain lass, and both think tobacco and snuff have helped them to live as long as they have and retain good health. They joined the Baptist Church together sixty-four years ago. 

Dallas Morning News

Part 1, page 3

Monday, September 30, 1929

S M Mosley article

Texas Personal From Saturday's Daily

S.M. Mosley was here from Eureka.


Corsicana Semi-Weekly Light
July 23, 1918

Seborn Mosley - 1870 census

1870 census
location: Nacogdoches County, Texas
date: July 25, 1870

Ceborn Mosley  44  male  white  farmer  Georgia
Martha A Mosley  29  female  white  keeping house  Tennessee
Benjamin A Mosley 8 male  white  Texas
James A Mosley  4  male  white  Texas
Eliza J Mosley  3  female  white  Texas
Ceborn Mosley  1  male  white  Texas

"United States Census, 1870," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MXGW-HYV : accessed 18 Feb 2014), Ceborn Mossly in household of Ceborn Mossly, Texas, United States; citing p. , family 13, NARA microfilm publication M593, FHL microfilm 000553098.

Seborn M Mosley - 1880 census

1880 census
location: Navarro County, Texas
date: June 15, 1880

Sebron Mosley  white  male  55  widowed  farmer  Georgia
Benjamin Mosley  white  male  17  single  farmer laborer  Texas
James Mosley  white  male  14  son  single  farmer laborer  Texas
Anne Eliza Mosley  white  female  12  daughter  single  keeping house  Texas
Sebron Mosley  white  male  10  son  single  farmer laborer  Texas
Elvero Mosley  white  female  8  daughter  single  at home  Texas
William Mosley  white  male  6  son  single  at home  Texas
Elliston Mosley  white  male  5  son  single  at home  Texas

"United States Census, 1880," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MFJ3-PFD : accessed 18 Feb 2014), Sebron Mosley in household of Sebron Mosley, Navarro, Texas, United States; citing sheet 298D, family 4, NARA microfilm publication T9-1321

Seborn M Mosley - 1900 census

1900 census
location: Navarro County, Texas
date: June 11, 1900

Sebe M Mosley  head  white  male  Sept 1869  30  married - 5 years  Texas  farmer
Nettie Mosley  wife  white  female  May 1878  22  married - 5 years  2, 2  Texas
Gracy Mosley  daughter  white  female  Jan 1897  3  single  Texas
Lou Mosley  daughter  white  female  June 1899  11/12  single  Texas

"United States Census, 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M3P5-F6G : accessed 18 Feb 2014), Sebet M Masley, Justice Precinct 1 (all east of H.&T.C.R.R. & south St.L.& S.W.R.R.), Navarro, Texas, United States; citing sheet , family 155, NARA microfilm publication T623, FHL microfilm 1241661.

Sebe M Mosley - 1910 census

location: Navarro County, Texas
date: April 28, 1910

Sebe M Mosley  head  male  white  42  married - 16 years  Texas  laborer
Nettie Mosley  wife  female  white  31  married - 16 years  7, 7  Texas
Gracy Mosley  daughter  female  white  13  single  Texas
Lou Mosley  daughter  female  white  12  single  Texas
Robert Mosley  son  male  white  10  single  Texas
Annie Mosley  daughter  female  white  8  single  Texas
May Mosley  daughter  female  white  3  single  Texas
Richard Mosley  son  male  white  1  single  Texas

"United States Census, 1910," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M23Y-MNC : accessed 18 Feb 2014), Sebe M Mosley, Justice Precinct 7, Navarro, Texas, United States; citing sheet , family 70, NARA microfilm publication T624, FHL microfilm 1375593.

Sebron Mosley and Nettie Bonner marriage

location: Navarro County, Texas
date: February 3, 1895

"Texas, Marriages, 1837-1973," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FX7C-1QS : accessed 18 Feb 2014), S. M. Mosely and Nettie Or Mattie Bonner, 03 Feb 1895.

Seborn M Mosley

Seborn (Sebe, Seaborn, Sebron) Mosley

birth: 1866
location: probably Nacogdoches County, Texas
death: 1919
location: Navarro County, Texas

father: Seborn M. Mosley
mother: Sarah E. Unknown

spouse: Laura Jeanette "Nettie" Bonner

1870 census

1880 census

marriage to Nettie Bonner

1900 census

1910 census

July 23, 1918 article

burial

children with Nettie Bonner:

1. Gracy Mosley - 1897
2. Lou Mosley - 1898
3. Robert Mosley - 1900
4. Annie Mosley - 1902
5. Jennie May Mosley - 1905
6. Mattie Pearl Mosley - 1907
7. Richard Mosley - 1909
8. Obie Mosley - 1912
9. Nobie Mosley - 1912
10. Male Mosley - 1913
11. Willie Odis Mosley - 1914
12. Maudie Merl Mosley - 1916
13. Otis Mosley - 1916

The Slave Trade - book 4 discussion

“Its horrors, ah! who can describe? None can so truly depict its horrors as the poor unfortunate, miserable wretch that has been confined within its portals.”[1] So begins Mahommah G. Baquaqua’s description of a slaving vessel after being enslaved in the African region of Benin. Baqauqau’s account is one of countless millions of the journey through the Middle Passage, butone of the few available today.

In the interior of the great continent of Africa, there were several ways an African would be enslaved: 1) the result of war, 2) as punishment for crimes, however minor, 3) by kidnapping, 4) or because of poverty.[2] Not all of the wars were just, but rather, some African monarchs would go to war with the specific intention of capturing other Africans to sell to European merchants. Regardless of the way in which slaves were obtained, they would soon be taken to interior markets.[3] This first exchange would result in the African being tied up, sometimes to another or two Africans. Their arms would be tied behind their backs by twigs, canes and grass rope.[4] The currency used to purchase Africans varied, but acceptable forms included anchors, brandy, gunpowder, guns, iron bars, cloths, gold and alcohol.[5]

African slaves were subsequently transported from interior markets to harbor markets on the coast of Africa. The slaves would be marched in groups of about 100, chained together, for 60-80 days. Covering about 20 miles a day, the slaves would spend 7-8 hours each day on the march.[6] During this march, slaves could also be required to transport goods. Once at a harbor market, Africans would undergo examinations and be subjected to seasoning and branding. The usual time spent waiting to be shipped was 5 months. The shorter time spent waiting to be shipped correlates to a higher survival rate.[7] Thus, the quicker slaves could be shipped the more money there was to be made.

Two hundred and fifty years ago, ships did not hold up to the Atlantic passage very long. European vessels in 1780 only lasted about ten years at an average of six trips to Africa.[8] The crews were made up mostly of young men in their 20s who obeyed the captains as if engaged in battle (306-307). To European traders, their human cargo was no different than any other cargo. As such, the conditions on board European ships were unimaginable. Generally, slaves were put on the ships nude or nearly nude. Baquaqua claims he and the other captives were “thrust into the hold of the vessel in a state of nudity.”[9] European slavers were in the business of making money, not making Africans comfortable during Maafa. Because of greed, as many slaves as would fit on the ship would be crammed together. On a journey that usually lasted at least 30 days, the slaves would spend most of their time in the holds.[10]Obviously there were no facilities, but if the slaves were lucky there would be bilge places cut into the ship for relief of bodily functions. I am sure many of the Africans were unused to traveling in any type of boat, much less on the Atlantic Ocean. Sea-sickness would have plagued the Africans in great numbers. In addition, it was common that disease would rampage the passengers, Africans and crew alike. Many slaves did not survive the voyage. Of course, the European slavers would have to dispose of the bodies of those who did not survive the Middle Passage. As with other refuse, the bodies would have been thrown overboard and not thought of again.

Weather played an important factor when crossing the Atlantic Ocean. The Atlantic hurricane season rages from August to September. It would have been a gamble to make the Middle Passage during these summer months. The first three months of the year, January through March, were the calmest for sailing down the West African coast, or crossing the Atlantic Ocean.[11]

For me, an especially sad occurrence in The Slave Trade was the description of a baby being born during the Middle Passage. Unfortunately, the mother did not survive the birth of the child. The crew of that particular ship gave the baby to other slaves, but the infant was not received because the Africans believed the illness to be infectious. The baby was then left in the sun and “in the agonies of death.”[12] Being a mother myself, it is not possible to image such cruelty and sadism to a newborn baby. I have no doubt that this was a mild situation compared to the horrendous sufferings of others.

Those Africans, who survived the initial captivity and holding, had to make the journey across the Atlantic Ocean. The Middle Passage itself would then claim the lives of countless African slaves. Once “safe” on the other side of The Middle Passage, African slaves would be put through a seasoning process. In addition to quarantine, now the slaves would learn how to behave. It was common for an experienced slave to show the new arrivals appropriate behavior.

I consider the Middle Passage to be one of man kind’s darkest days, comparable to the European Holocaust in the 20^thcentury. The cruelty European traders carried out is unbelievable. Even more, the cruelty African slaves endured is even more unbelievable. Regrettably, the journey for African-American slaves was only beginning.

I really enjoyed reading Baquaqua's narrative, from his life in Africa before caputre, his passage to Brazil, and his eventual freedom in the United States. It's incredible to me that so much of this part of history is silent, and his tale offers great insight into this period.

---

1Mahommah G. Baquaqua, Biography of Mahommah G. Baquaqua, a Native of Zoogoo, in the Interior of Africa, 1^st ed. (Academic Affairs Library, UNC-CH, 2001; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Apex Data Services, Inc., 2001), 42.

[2] Hugh Thomas, The Slave Trade: The Story of the Atlantic Slave Trade: 1440-1870, (New York: Simon and Schuster), p. 370-371.

[3] Ibid., 381.

[4] Ibid., 363.

[5] Ibid., 318-319.

[6] Ibid., 383-384.

[7] Ibid., 406.

[8] Ibid., 305

[9] Mahommah G. Baquaqua, Biography of Mahommah G. Baquaqua, a Native of Zoogoo, in the Interior of Africa, 1^st ed. (Academic Affairs Library, UNC-CH, 2001; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Apex Data Services, Inc., 2001), 42.

[10] Hugh Thomas, The Slave Trade: The Story of the Atlantic Slave Trade: 1440-1870, (New York: Simon and Schuster), p. 411.

[11] Ibid., 393.

[12] Ibid., 418.