Case for the Master Mariners Certificate, held inside. This would have been carried by the Captain and presented on request. Issued by Lloyds of London.
There are many sources of information with regard to the English Mosher family. They descend from Hugh Mosher of the Cucklington, England family and Rebecca Maxson. They were part of the Great Migration to New England in 1636. Nicholas Mosher (1703-1765), grandson of Hugh Mosher and Rebecca Maxson had a son, our James Mosher born 12 July 1725 with Dorothy Potter. Although a marriage intention was recorded, it did not proceed. Nicholas did marry Rebecca Wilcox and had other children. This is where the ancestral line splits and James Mosher and Lydia Allen marry and leave Tiverton in 1760 to relocate to Nova Scotia along with other Planter Families.
The line of James and Lydia Mosher and their children and descendants are featured in several primary sources. There are MANY similar names and care should be taken when making assumptions without doing the checking required. The Moshers had large families in the first generations after arrival in 1760. They married into other Planter families and strengthened their considerable skills. Many descendants have trees on Ancestry, Family Search, Wiki Tree, have done DNA tests and share their knowledge through groups and volunteering for family history groups. As with all information, check your sources.
Books
- Newport, Nova Scotia, a Rhode Island township by John V. Duncanson. Published 1985. Available as a transcript copy from West Hants Historical Society, Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada.
- The Age of Sail: Master Shipbuilders of the Maritimes by Stanley T. Spicer. Published 2005
- Planter Nova Scotia 1760-1815 Newport Township by Julian Gwyn. Published 2010.
- Descendants of Hugh Mosher and Rebecca Maxson through seven generations by Mildred Mosher Chamberlain. Published 1990. This is considered a primary and complete history of the English Moshers and addresses the many inconsistencies in the family history in Alsace Lorraine/ England/ New England as part of the Great Migration. It can be purchased, though very expensive, can be accessed in public libraries and online through Internet Archive as an online book. You will need a login for Internet Archive and can borrow for a limited period, an excellent option.
- Chronological History of the Mosher Family, from the Seventeenth Century to the present date. Compiled by William Mosher, Mosherville, Hants County, Nova Scotia, Canada. published 1891. Available through Internet Archive as a free downloadable PDF document.
MAPS
Maps are an important tool and source in charting where family lived and worked and what existed in the towns over time. The Avon River is an important feature of all maps. Many exist online and in Museum Collections.
REALIA AND OBJECTS
newspapers
Newspapers are very useful for finding articles, obituaries, shipping activities and other information about the family. You may find additional information that has eluded you. Ancestry usually has clipped articles attached to public trees that note births, deaths and marriages, also if they are well known.
Newspapers.com has a worldwide access to past newspapers from all over the world for a reasonable subscription fee if you are using ancestry. Most Public Libraries have access to local papers and of course Museums and Archives centre.
cemeteries
Cemeteries are a very important resource in family history. Find-a Grave has made the process of being able to find recorded information and photographs possible but not always. Very enthusiastic people who volunteer to take or put up photos do so in haste and this creates confusion and replication of this error. There may not be a grave for your ancestor for many reasons.
Burial customs have changed over time. Rural family burials such as Mosherville, Nova Scotia, occurred on private land especially before churches were established in that area.
Lack of money for a proper grave/headstone. Some may have been buried in other family plots for whatever reason and this is not recorded on the headstone. Damage to the headstone and the passage of time. Not being able to read the headstone. Poor records or none at all. Died at sea as with many maritime Mosher ancestors that were ships captains and crew. Some people had different religions from other family and were not buried in the same plot/cemetery. These are just some of the reasons.
If you have family that you cannot find their resting place please reach out and you can be assisted.
REALIA
Realia are objects that connect to Local, Social or Family History. They are an important tactile and visual connection to a story and something that people can relate to. Some Mosher descendants are the keepers of items that have remained in the family.
Museums are very important in preserving Local History and there are many in Nova Scotia who have collections that feature objects such as replica boats, tools of trade, paintings and items of everyday life. If you are visiting Nova Scotia contact Museums before you visit and they may be able to assist with your family history enquiry.
MOSHER FAMILY SOURCES OF INFORMATION
This is a painting done by Noah William Mosher 1847-1914 and is owned by his descendants. A paintbox has also survived. He was the son of Noah William Mosher Sr, son of Jehu b1755 and his second wife, Eleanor Foley. Noah William Jr took over Lighthouse duties at Norwalk Lighthouse, Connecticut after his father died on the job in 1872.