Memories of John Wilson Moore

By his grandson, John Watson Moore

Preamble

I have often wished that I might have known something personal of my forebears, more than just their names. Their appear quite impersonal in a list of folks we know we are kin to. These lists have a way of being lost and as a generation passes on, no one Is left who knew the generation before.

I would like for my children to know something more than and dates about my Grandfather John Wilson Moore, for he was a distinct personality and in many ways left a great heritage to his descendants. Not great in a worldly sense but fine in Its quality of character and spirit. We who am his descendants receive many blessings because he believed that God was a covenant keeping God and he lived from day to day on this firm conviction.

His Parents and Family

Grandpa was the son of Samuel McEwing (McEwen?) and Eveline C. Wallace Moore. He was born on January 2, 1842 at the old Moore Homestead three miles northwest of Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church In Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He was the youngest of three brothers and one sister.. and the only one who reached maturity. The others died in their late teens or early twenties thus we have no very close kin on the Moore side of the family.

Grandpa married Margaret Gibbons, the youngest daughter of John R. H. and Catherine (Lardner?) Gibbon on September 5, 1865. To them were born 4 sons and 4 daughters and possibly another child who died in infancy. Grandma died on February 25, 1886, before I was born, so I never saw her,

They lived at the Old Moore Homestead until they moved to Hopewell on January 4, 1870. Papa, Uncle Nick, and Uncle Lynn were born at the old places and the others were born at the home at Hopewell.

At age 11, I was left with Grandpa

While my recollections concern Grandpa, I am sure we owe much to the Christian character of all the offers. Grandpa was 60 years old when Papa brought me and the other brothers home to spend the year on furlough at Taylorsville. When Papa, Mama, and the boys returned to Japan, I was left with Grandpa and my Step-Grandmother, whom Grandpa had married in December of 1890. I will never forget the day they left. I don't know what I would have done without Grandpa and Grandma. They were both just as good to me in every way, and I began a happy life with them, just as soon as I could get adjusted to the fact that while Papa was not there I could look forward to his return in 7 years. These 7 years were long ones too. While Grandpa helped we in every way he could he very wisely for my sake, was not an indulgent Grandfather. Grandma, a Miss Williamson, from South Carolina, fortunately was a fine Christian, and

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