Born in North Carolina, Moseley became a Democratic politician and served in the state senate.

Like many lawyers of the time, law was not his only profession; Moseley also farmed and taught school.

From 1829 to 1837, Moseley represented Lenoir County in the North Carolina Senate, serving as speaker for four terms between 1832 and 1835.

In 1835, Moseley and his family moved to Lake Miccosukee in Jefferson County, Florida, after purchasing a plantation there.

The planter class believed the war was an opportunity to gain territory where slavery could be extended.

Moseley worked to resolve conflicts between white settlers and the Seminole who remained in Florida, chiefly in the southern Everglades area.

(Many Seminole had been removed to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River after warfare with US forces.)

He encouraged development of agriculture, supporting new citrus, avocado, tobacco, and cotton industries.

Moseley died on January 4, 1863, and was buried at the West View Cemetery in Palatka.