Pocahontas County History Preservation, Digitization, Community

William Moore, p. 472, Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County by William T. Price (1901)

This paper is devoted to the memory of William Moore, the youngest of Moses Moore's sons. It is believed by some that the place of his birth, (which occurred September 18, 1784,) was near the McClintic Mill on Swago. The locality was indicated quite recently by some apple trees of great age. His youth and early manhood were passed on Knapps Creek. After his marriage to Christine Dods, of Rockbridge County, he lived for a time near Timber Ridge in that county, and then settled permanently on Hazel Ridge, on lands now owned by Lee Carter and Anderson Barlow, between one and two miles west of Edray. Their family consisted of three sons and two daughters: James Elliot, Addison, Alexander, Margaret and Jane. Margaret Moore was married to Colonel John W. Ruckman, and lived near Millpoint.

Jennie Moore married Captain William D. Hefner. Captain Hefner was a millwright by occupation. After living in Pocahontas some years he located in Fayette County. He was a gallant Confederate officer, an effective scout, and finally lost his life in the battle of Lewisburg, along with his eldest son Franklin. Mrs Hefner now lives in Kansas. Pathetic memories arise in the mind as we think of the father and son falling side by side, mingling their blood in death on the gory ground, and then dust to dust in one honored grave.

Alexander Moore first married Mary Bradshaw, near Huntersville, and settled on the homestead. His second marriage was with Mary Duffield, and finally went to Kansas. The names of his children: Lee, Moffett, Florence, Susie, Mary Winters, Frankie, and Elliot.

Addison Moore, after his marriage with Elizabeth Hannah on Elk, settled on Hazel Ridge, where he lived many years- went to Iowa, then returned, and died at an advanced age at the home of his son, William Allen Moore, at Huttonsville a few years since.

Addison Moore seemed to have been a born physician. He acquired by reading and experimenting considerable medical skill, and rendered much valuable service to afflicted friends and neighbors.

James E. Moore was married three times. His first wife was Margaret Sutton. Her children were Davis, who died in Iowa; John Sutton, a prominent teacher of schools in Pocahontas County; Enoch H., a merchant; Bryson, Confederate soldier, slain at Gettysburg; Rachel, wife of the late M. A. Friel; Martha, first wife of Andrew Taylor, and lived on Laurel Creek; and Agnes, now Mrs Rufus Wheeler of the Baltimore Conference.

Second wife was Mary Buir. Her only son, Wallace, was drowned at Ronceverte a few years since.

Third wife was Luemma, daughter of Samuel Harper on Knapps Creek. Her daughter Ella, now Mrs Marion White; Birdie, wife of Rev W. H. Ballengee of the Baltimore Conference. Lloyd Moore married Ressie Bird, and lives in Lynchburg, Va. Frank Moore married Annie Cleek and lives near Millpoint. Lee Moore married Lizzie Hicks, of Bath, and lives at the Millpoint homestead.

Rev James E. Moore was a busy man of affairs. He taught school in many places at intervals for fifty or sixty years, was a local Methodist preacher nearly as long, a laborious farmer, and was Commissioner of the Revenue. He is remembered by the old soldiers that went out to Grafton with Captain Andrew McNeels cavalry and Captain D. A. Stofer's "Pocahontas Rescues, 11 for the farewell address that he delivered at John Varner's, near Split Rock, one Sabbath morning. This scene connected with the departure of these troops for the most advanced and exposed post of the Confederate frontier, ready to do and dare, was full of interest. By the next Sabbath these troops were at Grafton with their "tin cups and pocket knives," ready to do and dare in the nearest north and most exposed of all Confederate positions.

General William Skeene also made an address in response to Mr Moore's, and some of his words are yet fresh in the memories of aged men. In his most impassioned and eloquent manner General Skeene exclaimed: "If you will attend to the ballot boxes we will attend to the cartridge boxes, and we will return to enjoy the blessings of liberty amid these green hills, bringing our laurels with us."

The few persons now remaining that remember William Moore--"Uncle Billy" as he was called by every body--speak of him as the kindest of persons to every one. He and Mrs Moore built up a very attractive home and reared a nice family. This home became widely known for open handed hospitality.

Mrs Moore, old "Aunt Teenie," as she was so familiarly called by the neighbors, was one of the most helpful and benevolent of persons in seasons of sickness or bereavement. She spared no pains day or night at all seasons, in vernal showers, in summer's heat, in autumn storms, or wintry snows, Aunt Tenie's skillful hand would be one of the first to bring relief when pain and anguish furrowed a neighbor's brow, or where the death angel was heard knocking at the door of some one's life. Her religious proclivities were decidedly and very positively presbyterian.

While not a member of the church, William Moore's walk and conversation exemplified all the visible traits of genuine Christian principle. In a religious meeting in the old Hamlin Chapel, some years before his decease, he was invited by the class leader, the late John R. Duffield, to testify what he thought of the Christian religion. William Moore arose in that solemn and dignified manner for which he was rather remarkable, and stated that he had been a praying person for fifty years, and had conscientiously tried to live with a conscience void of offense toward God and man and, moreover, it was his heart's desire hereafter to live in all good conscience toward the same. This testimony is remembered as one of the most to the purpose ever heard in that venerable place of worship.

When Aaron Moore, on the Greenbrier, his brother, was nearing his end, William Moore paid him what proved his final visit. His kind heart was so touched at seeing his aged brother so near death that before leaving he kneeled at the bed side and poured out his full heart in prayer and fraternal intercession for his aged dying brother. They then parted to meet no more alive. A more impressive scene is hard to imagine.

Mrs Moore's death was occasioned by a cancerous affection. Mr Moore survived her a few years.

These esteemed persons, so lovely and pleasant in their lives, lived to a great age. They have quietly gone from us, and are now—with so many others—at rest in the Duffield burying ground. This is a place that should be carefully and sacredly cared for as Gods Acre, planted with so much precious, immortal seed, that will some day appear springing up to the praise and glory of our Redeemer's blood.