MOORE NEWS Volume II July 2, 1997 Issue 32-Part A SALUTATIONS This issue of MOORE NEWS carries with it a collective wish for a happy and safe celebration on this two hundred and twenty-first anniversary of America's Independence. Some of our Moore families were closely involved with the final siege of the war. See their story below. Some of you will be leaving us now. We hope that MOORE NEWS has been interesting and informative and wish you good fortune in your future search. Others will continue this search for our Moore heritage that has taken such an unexpected turn. It is now clear that the early American Moore surname has been only minimally defined and separated into family units. The search we have undertaken now moves from the eastern to the western shore of the Chesapeake. Together, we will make our way through a maze created by a huge early American Moore family. We know already that the Chesapeake Moores lived and raised their families in at least eight of the original thirteen colonies: DE, GA, MD, NC, NJ, PA, SC, and VA. Later in this issue, you will note that the earliest Moore in New England, six-year-old Richard More who arrived in 1620 on the Mayflower, was a descendant of the Shropshire Moore family. Evidence is now developing that many of the early Chesapeake Moores also looked for their heritage in Shropshire, England. The ancient Moore family of Shropshire, founded near the border of Wales, has branches in the counties of Berkshire, Hampshire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Surrey, the cities of Bristol and London, and in Ireland. To present the British search of the surname, MOORE NEWS will launch a new section, MOORES ACROSS THE WATER. Initially, this section will focus on the Shropshire family. As other information in England, Ireland, and Scotland develops, it will be included in this section. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MOORES ON INDEPENDENCE DAY This week as we celebrate Independence Day with family, share a few reminders of what it is all about and the unique contributions of two Moore families during the final days of war. *****On July 5, 1776 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, John Nixon, member of the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety, stood on the steps of Constitution Hall and read aloud the sense of the Continental Congress to a sometimes somber, sometimes jubilant throng. . . . "When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature, and of Nature's Good entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of Mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. "We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness -- that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness . . . ". . . We, therefore, the Representatives of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, in General Assembly assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the World for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the name and by authority of the good people of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, Free and Independent States; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts and things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, and Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." [Grievances Omitted] - - - - - - - - During the years of the War for Independence, many of our Moore ancestors left their homes to serve in the young nation's army, leaving their families at home to cope with everyday needs. We read their names in the lists of militia and regular army units, we read of the beeves they donated and the wounds they bound, we read of the war years in the words of the old soldiers and their widows as they filed their applications for pensions. Many of us know that at Moore House in Yorktown, General Cornwallis surrendered his British Army to General George Washington, Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. Few, however, know of the contribution of another Moore during this last campaign . . . . *****In 1709 Augustine Moore built 'Chelsea' in King William County on the Mattoponi River near West Point [across and upriver from Yorktown]. A brick house, the property remained in the family until 1874 when it passed to other owners. It was here in 1716 that Governor Spotswood and John Fontaine organized the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe . . . and proceeded on the historic expedition to the Blue Ridge Mountains. During the Revolutionary War campaign of 1781, Lafayette's army was camped at Chelsea and he used the [Moore's] mansion house as his headquarters. [Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch, Jamestown Exposition Issue, 31 March 1957.] - - - - - - - - *****The siege at Yorktown lasted less than two weeks. After eleven days of shelling by Continental and French artillery, Cornwallis sent out an officer carrying a white flag . . . . . . . . Moore House, Yorktown, Virginia. At two o'clock on the afternoon of October 19, 1781, the British soldiers slowly marched out of their positions to lay down their muskets before the American and French troops. That evening, an American officer wrote, "This is to us a most glorious day, but to the English, one of bitter disappointment" As the British surrendered, a band played a popular tune called "The World Turned Upside Down." In a way, the world had turned upside down at Yorktown. For almost the first time in history, a colonial people had fought for their freedom against great odds -- and won. The American Revolution did not end at Yorktown; however, it was the last major battle of the war. [A Sourcebook on Colonial America: The Revolutionary War. The Library of Congress. 1991.] - - - - - - - On 12 March 1783, a vessel arrived in Philadelphia, bringing the official text of a preliminary treaty that had been signed in Paris. . . . On 15 April the treaty was ratified by Congress. On the eighteenth the commander-in-chief ordered a cessation of hostilities. . . . . . . . . . To Tench Tilgham, his former aide who had returned to civilian life, Washington wrote: "No Man, indeed, can relish the approaching Peace with more heartfelt, and grateful satisfaction than myself. A Mind always upon the stretch, and tortured with a diversity of perplexing circumstances, needed a respite, and I anticipate the pleasure of a little repose and retirement." [Source: George Washington: Citizen-Soldier. Charles Cecil Wall. University Press of Virginia. 1980] QUERIES JANALEE GARN (JJgarn@msn.com) *****I would like to post this query in hopes that some newcomer might be able to help me out. I'm still looking for information on Lydia C. MOORE born 1819 in Newburgh, Penobscot, ME. She married Charles Thomas Flynn 22 Sep 1844 in Penobscot. ME. According to Census records her father was born in NH and her mother in MA. I found Charles and Lydia on the 1850 Census for Levant, Penobscot, ME, living with Daniel and Mary Moore. Daniel is 63 and Mary is 55. They could very well be Lydia's parents. Daniel and Mary had a daughter Abby age 20 and Margaret age 15 on that Census. I have found Daniel Moore on the 1800 and 1810 Census for Hancock Co., ME, which then became Penobscot Co., ME and found Daniel there in 1820 right after Lydia was born. Does anyone know anything about the MOORE family in NH that moved to ME by 1800? - - - - - - - - - - - - - NANCY MOORE BARNETT (nbarnett@wwd.net) *****Hi everyone - I've been searching for 35 years for my ggg grandfather,William Moore (1784-1857) and his wife Sarah Norris (1787-1850). I need his parents, siblings, when and where he married Sarah Norris, and verification of his place of birth. On the 1850 Scioto Co. OH census he said he was born in NC. He died in 1857 at the age of 73 in Scioto Co. OH, where he purchased land (l60 A) in 1808 in joint ownership with James A. Norris (probably his wife's brother). Sarah NORRIS MOORE said on the 1850 Scioto Co. OH census she was b. in PA. She died in Scioto Co. OH at the age of 63. William Moore's death certificate says he was "b. in VA" and local history books call him a "native of KY". William and Sarah had 8 children: Mary (called "Polly"), b. ca. 1805, who marr. (l) William Clark and (2) John Basham. The other children of William and Sarah Moore were Charles (marr. Parthena Bliss); John (marr. Nancy J. Larimer of PA); Nancy (marr. Nathan Sheward); Julia (marr. Jos. Merrill); Sarah (called "Eliza," who marr. (l) Powell Huddleston and (2) Jos. Ellison; James Jackson Moore (b. 1815 in Scioito Co OH and marr. Martha Freeman), and William Moore, Jr. (b. 1828 in Greenup Co. KY and marr. (l) Catherine "Kate" Smith and (2) Elizabeth _____. Family traditions differ in the Moore migration to KY and OH. Some say they came down the Ohio River on a flatboat from the Redstone (Fayette Co.) area of PA, while others say they came into KY and OH from VA. My MOORE family is said to have come as immigrants from Belfast, IRL. In fact, a family story persists that in the late 1800's or very early l900's, Irish authorities contacted a grandson, John Larimer Moore of Lawrence Co. OH regarding a small legacy from the sale of an Irish castle. My MOORE family is often linked between PA and OH from 1805 to 1810 with other PA settlers to Scioto Co. OH whose names are Bonser, Lawson, Hitchcock, Barber, Marshall, and Lindsay. If anyone has data on this MOORE family, please let me know. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - CATHY FARRIS (cfarris@netdex.com) ******I recently rec'd this letter snail-mail. Someone saw my query in the Helper and wrote me for info on her Alexander Moore b TN. I have nothing to help her, maybe another MOORE NEWS subscriber will be able to help. And maybe something here will help another researcher. She wrote,"I am searching for the ancestors, parents, brothers, sisters and children of my Great-grandfather, Alexander MOORE born in TN. Lived McMinn Co, TN. Moved to Jefferson Co IL abt 1840, was a Pioneer of Webber Twp, south of Farrington. Wife, Abigail Bodine, born March 17, 1811, TN died May 29, 1884, Jefferson Co IL. Known children, Martha Jane and Thomas Franklin. Possibly an Alexander, Jr., and John who was to have been an attorney in Kingfister, OK. This John could have been a brother to Alexander. Martha Jane Moore, born 10 Oct 1829 TN died 12 Mar 1912, Morris IL., at home of her son James. Bur, Flint Cem, Belle Rive, Il., beside her second husband William Richardson. First husband, Jonathan Catron, born Washington Co VA 1827 died during Civil War 19 Apr 1863, Readyville TN. Married 3 Sept 1846, Jefferson Co IL. Their five children: Mary Abigail, Margaret Jane, Alexander, Jesse Moore and Henry C. Second husband, William Richardson, born 10 Jul 1827 KY, died 17 Jan 1909, Belle RiveIl. Baptist preacher and farmer. Widower (first wife-Harriet Scrivner) with five children: Margaret, Hester Ann, Melvina Caroline, John Logan and Laura Ellen. Married 14 Nov 1867, Jefferson Co IL. Their three sons, James Calvin, William T, and Geroge Bodine. James. William and George were all Baptist Minister graduating from the Rochester Theological Seminary, Rochester, N.Y. James Calvin (Missionary to Burma) died Burma 1947. William died PA 1917, George died OK 1965. Information taken from Illinois Marriage Lic, Birth Death and Census records, Catron and Scrivner Family Records, and my father , George Bodine Richardson. Thomas Franklin Moore, born Apr 1838 TN. Wife Catherine Scrivner, born 1837 in TN. Married 7 Feb 1862, Jefferson Co IL. He owned store in Bluford, IL. Their eight children, William, Molly, Margaret (Meg), Thomas Franklin (Frank), Lidy, Homer Alexander, Alves (or Elvis) K., and Cora C. (Cory). All born IL prob Jefferson Co. This letter written by Leta N. Seeds of Long Beach CA, please send it to me and I will see that she recieves it. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HELEN MOORE McCARTHY (Mc1Doe2@aol.com) *****What I have on this family if you want it for the News (1)John Moore Came from London to Sudbury, MA in 1635 d. 6 Jan 1673/4 in Sudbury, MA m. Elizabeth Whale dau of Philemon Whale d. 14 Dec. 1690. children: Elizabeth b. 1628 d. 1705 m. Henry Rice Mary m. Daniel Stone Lydia b. 1643 m (2) James Cutler John d. 1702 m. Anne Smith William ( my line) Jacob Joseph b. 1647 d. 1726 m. Lydia Hayward Benjamin b. 1648 m. Dorothy Wright (2) Jacob Moore b. 28 Apr. 1645 in Sudbury, MA d. 17 Feb. 1690 m. 29 May 1667 Elizabeth Looker, b. 29 May 1647 d. 1724 children: Jacob b. 1668 (my line) Richard b. 1671 John b. 1673 Elizabeth b. 1675 Nathaniel b. 1678 d. 1761 m. Grace Rice Hannah b.1680 Sarah b.1682 d. young Sarah b. 1684 Daniel b. 1686 m. Mary Whitney Samuel b. 1689 m. Sarah Haynes James m. Comfort Rice Jonathan (3) Richard Moore b. 12 Sep 1671 d. 19 Nov 1767 Oxford, MA M. Mary Collins b. 16 Jun 1672 in CT, d. 12 Jul 1760 Oxford, MA Children: Sybilla b. 1694 m. Ebenezer Chamberlain Abigail b. 1696 (my line) Collins b. 1698 Isaac b. 1700 m. Hannah Newhall Elijah b. 1701 m. Dorothy Learned Susannah b. 1704 Abijah b. 1705 m. Anna Ward Richard b. 1708 m Mary Learned Mary b. 1710 (4) Collins b. 7 Oct. 1698 in Oxford, MA d. 22 Feb. 1743 m. 2 May 1722 Bathsheba Woods Children: Abigail b. 1722 d. 1801 m. Abiel Lamb Levi b. 1723 d. 1745 Nathaniel b. 1725/6 m. Sarah Town Elijah b. 1727 (my line) Susanna b. 1728 in Oxford MA d. 1792 in Dudley, Ma m. Silas Robinson 14 Oct. 1743 Mary b. 1730 m. Daniel Fairfield Bethsheba b. 1731 m. Ephraim Wood Alice b. 1734 m. Jonathan Ballard Jerusha b. 1735 m. John Nickols Richard b. 1736 m. Mary Eddy Phebe b. 1738 m. Ebenezer Lock RESPONSES JOYCE BROWNING (JBrown7169@aol.com) *****Before MOORE NEWS began, I was looking for the parents of Rodeham Moore (1744-1811), who died in Patrick Co VA. Before I began my personal quest, many others had searched. A number of MOORE NEWS subscribers are or appear to be descendants of this very large family, some of whom led the way across the Blue Ridge to Tennessee and Kentucky. On this, the 2nd day of July 1997, I can report that Rodeham Moore's parents have been found magnificently aided by recent information received from MOORE NEWS subscribers: MARGARET STUBBLEFIELD (RSTUB@JUNO>COM), JULIE MYERS (Will@kconline.com), and BILL MOORE (Billbmoore@aol.com). More research is needed to confirm certain facts, but I anticipate that a review will appear about July 23. My purpose today is to celebrate this attainment and to thank everyone who in one nuance or another, in one bit of information or another, in one question or another, started a train of thought -- everyone of you contributed the insight that invoked coherence when seemingly unrelated facts began coming in from Margaret, Julie, and Bill. Descendants have been looking for the origin of Rodeham Moore at least since "Aunt Cora" (b. about c1850) reported that her relatives put on their kilts and fought the British! Folks, let me tell you - never doubt the Aunt Cora's of the world. They usually know what they are talking about. (Continued in No. 32-Part B)