In 1850 he was listed in Perry Co., Ky, as Moses Messer, age 22, single, farmer, in a household by himself. (There was also a Moses Messer age 27 in Knox Co. with a wife Sarah and four children.)

1860 census of Letcher Co., Ky, Whitesburg P.O., enumerated 18 July, lists on p. 73 as family #458:
Moses Messer, 30; Margaret, 25; Mary, 7; Hiram, 5; William, 3; Alexander, 4/12; Alexander Stord, 30. All born in Kentucky.

1870 census of Rowan Co., Ky, Christy Creek precinct, enumerated 13 June, lists on p. 14 as family #84:
Messer, Moses, 40, farmer; Margaret, 37; Hiram, 15; William, 12; Alexander, 9; Luanna, 7; James, 2. All born in Kentucky.