A Closer Look: The Moore Family-Rodeham Moore (part 3)

Each week I feature "A Closer Look" on my blog---which digs deeper into the history of one line of the family.  For simplicity, the post is broken down by generation and possibly into multiple posts per generation depending on the amount of known information, starting with the first generation which I have substantial information about.  I start each featured family with a summary of information of those who will be covered. 

A Closer Look: The Moore Family - Rodeham Moore (part 3)

As Rodeham Moore built his life as a landholder, he was also making sure his legacy would carry on.  Rodeham and Elizabeth Moore have 8 well documented children, however, it is possible they had more children than that.  I have found that oftentimes when there are large gaps between the birth of different children that losses of some sort have occurred---either prior to birth, during birth or in a child's early years.  I cannot say this is the case with Rodeham and Elizabeth Moore, but it is highly likely, given the gaps in time between several of the children, that they could have had other children that didn't survive to adulthood.

What follows will show a brief biography of each of Rodeham and Elizabeth's children and then the discussion will conclude the series by discussing the division of Rodeham Moore's estate.

Their first son, William Moore, was born in October of 1771.  Per my previous posts on Rodeham's whereabouts at that time, it is likely he was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.  At least once in his life, William purchased acreage from his father and ended up working much of the same land as his father as time went on.  William Moore married Jane Dalton Hanby in Patrick County, Virginia in December of 1798.  William died on May 13, 1819.  William and Jane had 9 known children.

There is approximately a 9 year gap between William and the next son of Rodeham and Elizabeth.  A gap like this could indicate that the Moore family suffered from the loss of one child or even several children.  Again, that is unknown but not unlikely.  Hugh Moore was born in 1780.  He was born in either Henry County (later Patrick County), Virginia or Surry County, North Carolina.  Hugh married first, Rebecca Smith Creed (who actually was the mother-in-law of several of Hugh's brothers) in 1806 and second, Mary Hill between 1817 and 1821.  Hugh, like many of his family, moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee and died there on January 28, 1842.  Mooresburg, Tennessee was founded by Moore brothers Hugh, John and Ewell.  Hugh and Rebecca had 5 known children.  Hugh and Mary had 8 known children.

John Moore was born in approximately 1782 in either Henry County (later Patrick County), Virginia or in Surry County, North Carolina.  John married Elizabeth Williams in approximately 1809.  John and Elizabeth moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee.  They had 8 known children.  John died on December 28, 1822.

Another small gap existed between John and his next brother, Galehew (Gallahue) Moore.  Galehew was born in about 1787, again in either Henry County (later Patrick County), Virginia or Surry County, North Carolina.  Galehew was married to Rhoda Laurence on August 25, 1816 in Surry County, North Carolina.  Galehew and Rhoda had 9 known children.  Galehew helped raise his brother William's children after William's early death in 1819.  After helping raise his nieces and nephews, Galehew and Rhoda moved to Polk County, Missouri.  Galehew died in Dade, Polk County, Missouri on September 11, 1854.

Cleon Moore, who I will be discussing more in-depth in the next "A Closer Look", was born on July 8, 1789 in either Henry County (later Patrick County), Virginia or Surry County, North Carolina.  He married Margaret "Peggy" Creed on December 22, 1812.  Cleon and Peggy moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee where they lived until their death.  Cleon and Peggy had 13 known children.  After Peggy died, Cleon married Emily Reese Bradford and had 1 more child.  Cleon died on August 21, 1852.

In 1791, Rodeham and Elizabeth had their sixth known son, Ewell Moore, in either Patrick County (which became a county in the same year), Virginia or Surry County, North Carolina.  Ewell married Nancy Emily Creed on March 20, 1812 in Surry County, North Carolina.  Ewell was one of the three first Moore brothers to make his way to Hawkins County, Tennessee.  Later Ewell moved to Polk County, Missouri.  Ewell and Nancy had 11 known children.

Their first known daughter, Elizabeth Moore was born on January 31, 1797, in Surry County, North Carolina.  Elizabeth married Peregrine G. Yoe (his second marriage) on January 15, 1816.  Elizabeth and Peregrine lived in Jefferson County, Tennessee.  They had 12 known children.  Elizabeth died in 1865 and is buried in Hawkins County, Tennessee. 

Rodeham and Elizabeth's last child, another daughter, Sarah (aka Sallie) Moore, was born on January 20, 1799, in Surry County, North Carolina.  Sallie married George Williams on September 8, 1814 in Tennessee.  George and Sallie settled in Hawkins County, Tennessee like many of her siblings.  Some documentation links them with 8 known children, while other records show 12.  My research supports 12 children.  Sallie Moore Williams died on February 20, 1853 in Hawkins County, Tennessee. 

Based upon all available research, these were the 8 children that represented the next generation of the Rodeham and Elizabeth Gallahue Moore Family.  As the numbers indicate, the family spread rapidly, with well over 80 known grandchildren of Rodeham and Elizabeth. 

Rodeham Moore died on June 4, 1811 in Surry County, North Carolina.  He was buried in what became the "Moore Cemetery" in Patrick County, Virginia.  Without a doubt, he left his mark as an "American success" story in the early days of our country.  He was able to increase his wealth massively over the course of his life and left a legacy to future generations of the Moore family.

At the time of his death, Rodeham still had two minor children (Elizabeth and Sallie) living at home meaning the estate couldn't be settled until they reached a majority.  However, due to the death of his presumed heir and oldest son William in 1819, Rodeham's estate was actually not settled in its entirety until after William's estate was divided amongst William's children.  The last distribution of Rodeham's assets was after William's last child reached a majority in 1834.

What remained went to Rodeham's wife.  Elizabeth eventually moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee where most of her children and grandchildren lived.  After she died the rest of the family assets were split amongst her living children or her deceased children's heirs, except William's children as they had already inherited such a large part of Rodeham's estate.

With that, the series on Rodeham Moore is over an the discussion of the Moore Family will move onto his fifth son Cleon Moore in the next "A Closer Look".  Cleon Moore was my husband's 5th great-grandfather.

Again, I would like to acknowledge the work that Joyce Browning, another Rodeham Moore descendant, has put into researching the Moore family as well as the Rodeham Moore Descendants Association for sharing the information so that people like myself can share it with you!  If you are interested in learning more about the association or Ms. Browning's work, please follow the links below within the sources section.  Also, if you are interested in learning more about other branches of the Rodeham Moore family, you can find many different articles and stories on the site listed in the sources.

~Christine

If you missed the first three posts in the series, follow these links to learn more!
A Closer Look: The Moore Family-Introduction
A Closer Look: The Moore Family-Rodeham Moore (part 1)
A Closer Look: The Moore Family-Rodeham Moore (part 2)

Sources:

The Rodeham Moore Descendants Association www.rodehammoore.com
Click here to read the article written by Rodeham Moore descendent Joyce Browning.  More information from the association is also included in this report.  All deeds, tax records, lawsuits, wills and other details discussed in this post are referenced in this report.  Also, see an extensive Moore Family Tree authored by Richard Kesler and published by the Rodeham Moore Descendants Association on the association website.  Much of my family research has been confirmed by this tree.

For your reference, here is how Rodeham Moore is linked to my family:
Rodeham Moore--->Cleon Moore--->William Henry Harrison Moore--->Albert Wesley Moore--->Nellie Moore--->Howard Estes Millis--->Marjorie Ruth Millis (my husband's maternal grandmother

A Closer Look: The Moore Family-Rodeham Moore (part 2)

Each week I feature "A Closer Look" on my blog---which digs deeper into the history of one line of the family.  For simplicity, the post is broken down by generation and possibly into multiple posts per generation depending on the amount of known information, starting with the first generation which I have substantial information about.  I start each featured family with a summary of information of those who will be covered. 

A Closer Look: The Moore Family - Rodeham Moore (part 2)

As I dive into Rodeham's life a little bit more, I would again like to say thanks to Joyce Browning for her work on the subject.  Without the research she has done, I wouldn't be able to share so much of Rodeham Moore's life with you.  All dates, deed information and tax records are derived from information she shared with the Moore family; you can find complete references to all deeds, tax records, lawsuit and other details besides those extracted from the 1800 and 1810 census in Joyce Browning's report.  I take no credit for finding this information.

The last post left off with a brief description of Rodeham Moore's life, today I will take a much more in-depth look into his life and his accomplishments.

Rodeham Moore was born in approximately 1744.  Records cannot prove what county he was born in, but it was likely Amelia County or Caroline County, Virginia.  Documents do show that William Moore and his family lived in Amelia County until his father-in-law, Robert Hall, died in 1752.  Rodeham would have been about 8 at this time.  After this point, the family moved back to Caroline County where it appears they lived at least until Robert Hall's estate was divided. 

The next suggestion of the family's movement comes from two records.  The first was the conveyance of the deed for a lot in Prince William County to William Moore and the second a lawsuit against William Moore for an unpaid debt in Caroline County.  The Sherriff returned from collecting the debt from William Moore with, "a chest, 2 padlocks, 1 key, 1 small phial, 1 small piece of soap and a razor strop" to pay off the 25 schillings owed.  Apparently it was customary during the time to collect debts in this manner when one party had removed himself from the said county.  These events occurred in 1759 and 1762, respectively. 

Prince William County was the first place that Rodeham Moore met his future wife, Elizabeth Gallahue.  By the time they married, it is likely they had known each other for approximately 11 years, to what degree is unknown.  By 1766, both families had moved away from Prince William County.  The Gallahue family settled on the Marrowbone Creek in Pittsylvania County (later Henry County), Virginia.  Records indicate that while the Moore family may have briefly lived in this area, they settled rather quickly in Guilford County, North Carolina. 

In 1769, Rodeham Moore returns to Marrowbone Creek and marries Elizabeth Gallahue.  The first record of Rodeham Moore after marriage is found in the 1770 Pittsylvania Personal Property Tax List records.  He is listed as having paid his "just tithe" for himself and one slave named Mime.  Shortly after marriage, Rodeham and Elizabeth Gallahue have their first child, William Moore.  He was born in October of 1771. 

As we all know, the 1770s brought about a critical time in American history.  As the fight for freedom from the British government began, all white males aged 16 years and older that were living in Virginia were asked to swear allegiance to the Commonwealth of Virginia.  One possible penalty for not swearing allegiance to Virginia and sympathizing with the British was possible "extraction" of all landholdings.  Rodeham Moore took the oath and swore allegiance to the new Commonwealth of Virginia.  No records indicate that he participated in the war as a soldier. 

During this same time (by 1778), research indicates that Rodeham and Elizabeth Moore crossed the short distance over the state line and took up residence in Surry County, North Carolina near the Dan River.  It was here we learn he ran the local grist mill and began he lifelong quest to increase his landholdings.  Some records do indicate his property was a known point of prisoner transfer during the Revolutionary War which leads us to believe that he was in fact involved in the war, but in a civilian sense rather than as a military member.

By 1781, tax records indicate that Rodeham Moore is the owner of 200 acres of land.  His tithing records show he is taxed for himself, 1 slave, 7 horses and 12 cattle.  In 1784, records indicate that once again the Moore family moves across state lines into Henry County (later Patrick County), Virginia.  At this time, deeds are found for massive land acquisitions by Rodeham Moore.  In fact, by 1790, by all indications, Rodeham owned more than 800 acres.  By 1800, it is possible he owned over 2000 acres combined in Patrick County, Virginia and Surry County, North Carolina.  Records indicate he likely sold his grist mill in Surry County in 1794 and turned that money around to acquire more land.

One good indicator of Rodham's acquired wealth is a study of the 1800 and 1810 United States Census records (shown below).  These show him living again in Surry County, North Carolina.  In the 1800 census, it shows 7 male and 3 female inhabitants at his house.  One indicator of his expanded wealth, as unfortunate as it is to us today, is the fact that he lists 12 slaves on the census.  By the 1810 census, there are 3 male and 4 female inhabitants in his household and he lists 16 slaves.  Compare this to the tax records from 1770 and 1781 when he had 1 slave.  This is a huge indicator of wealth during the time period. 

By all indications, Rodeham Moore was an investor in land and was able to acquire enormous amounts of wealth during his life.  In the final post on Rodeham Moore, I will delve into his family life, who his kids were and how they followed in their father's footsteps. 

If you missed the first two posts in the series, follow these links to learn more!
A Closer Look: The Moore Family-Introduction
A Closer Look: The Moore Family-Rodeham Moore (part 1)

Sources:

The Rodeham Moore Descendants Association www.rodehammoore.com
Click here to read the article written by Rodeham Moore descendent Joyce Browning.  More information from the association is also included in this report.  All deeds, tax records, lawsuit and other details besides those extracted from the 1800 and 1810 census are referenced completely in this report.

Census Records from Ancestry

For your reference, here is how Rodeham Moore is linked to my family:
Rodeham Moore--->Cleon Moore--->William Henry Harrison Moore--->Albert Wesley Moore--->Nellie Moore--->Howard Estes Millis--->Marjorie Ruth Millis (my husband's maternal grandmother)

A Closer Look: The Moore Family-Rodeham Moore (part 1)

Each week I feature "A Closer Look" on my blog---which digs deeper into the history of one line of the family.  For simplicity, the post is broken down by generation and possibly into multiple posts per generation depending on the amount of known information, starting with the first generation which I have substantial information about.  I start each featured family with a summary of information of those who will be covered. 

A Closer Look: The Moore Family - Rodeham Moore (part 1)

Today "A Closer Look" continues to look into the line of the Moore family that my husband's mother descends from.  The first Moore I will be discussing in-depth is Rodeham Moore (1744-1811).  Luckily there is a lot of interesting information to pass on so I will be posting his information over several days. Click here to see the first post on the Moore Family. 

Rodeham Moore (Rodham, Rodey, Rode) was born in approximately 1744 in Virginia.  His roots have apparently been questioned for years---oral history had him from Scottish/Irish descent but the Moore family could not find proof of this tale. 

In 2005, a descendent of Rodeham Moore, Joyce Browning, submitted fairly solid empirical evidence to "The Rodeham Moore Descendants Association" about Rodeham Moore's lineage.  I believe the full story is hers to tell as the work and effort that she put in was absolutely amazing, literally years and years of in-depth, on-location, life-consuming research so if you want to read the entire report, please look for the link at the bottom of this page.  But the result of her research was that she was able to trace Rodeham Moore's lineage back three more generations.  So before I discuss more about Rodeham's life, I'd like to briefly talk about the three previous generations of his family.

Rodeham Moore was likely the son of William Moore and Margaret Hall.  William was probably born in King and Queen County, Virginia around 1705 to James Moore II and Agnes (maiden name unknown).  It is believed he married Margaret Hall, of Caroline County, Virginia, in approximately 1742.  In 1766, William moved his family to Guilford County, North Carolina.  In 1783, he resettled on Lovill's Creek in Surry County, North Carolina.  He died there around 1785.

James Moore II was born in Northumberland County, Virginia to James Moore and Sarah Moore (her maiden name is Moore) in approximately 1669.  James married Agnes (maiden name unknown) before March 1707.  Documents show at least three children: William, James and Mary.  It is estimated that James Moore II died in 1720 in King and Queen County, Virginia.

James Moore was likely the immigrant ancestor (meaning he was the first Moore ancestor of this line that immigrated to the land that is now the United States).  Ms. Browning's work indicates that he was likely from England, not Scotland or Ireland as oral family history suggested.  James Moore was likely born in or around 1630.  It is estimated that he married Sarah Moore (possibly a daughter of a man named Walter Moore) in 1665.  Documents show that James and Sarah had at least sons Seymour and James II.  James Moore died in Northumberland County in 1690.  See the map below of Northumberland County, Virginia and King and Queen County, Virginia.

View James Moore and Family in a larger map

Now that you have learned a little about his ancestors, I will move back to what we know about Rodeham's life.  As mentioned above, Rodeham Moore was born in approximately 1744 in Virginia.  Using tax records, land records and estate records, Moore family researchers have been able to establish many details about Rodham Moore's life.

In 1769, Rodeham Moore was living in Pittsylvania County (later Henry County), Virginia.  It was this year that he married Elizabeth Gallahue.  In 1778, the Moore family removed themselves to Archie's Creek and the Dan River in Surry County, North Carolina.  In 1784, they moved back to Henry County (later Patrick County), Virginia.  The year 1796 found them back in Surry County, North Carolina, living along Lovill's Creek.  Rodeham Moore died on July 11, 1811 and is buried in the Moore Cemetery in Patrick County, Virginia. Below is a map of Patrick County, Virginia and Surry County, North Carolina as well as photos of Rodeham Moore's original gravestone as well a new stone made in more recent years. 

 

View Rodeham Moore in a larger map
 

In the next "A Closer Look" about the Moore family and Rodeham Moore, I will look more in-depth about Rodeham Moore's life, what he did for a living, his family and some fun little insights into how the events of the era played a role in his life.

~Christine


Sources:

The Rodeham Moore Descendants Association www.rodehammoore.com
Click here to read the article written by Rodeham Moore descendent Joyce Browning.  More information from the association is also included in this report.

Gravestone Pictures from FindAGrave by Bill Woodard, www.findagrave.com

Maps from Google maps.google.com

For your reference, here is how Rodeham Moore is linked to my family:
Rodeham Moore--->Cleon Moore--->William Henry Harrison Moore--->Albert Wesley Moore--->Nellie Moore--->Howard Estes Millis--->Marjorie Ruth Millis (my husband's maternal grandmother)