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 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)
