James Moore – Early Settler of Madison, Clay and Owsley Counties

By Kentucky Kindred Genealogical Research on September 13, 2024 • ( 1 Comment )

First Settlers of Booneville aboute 1790. James Moore, 1760-1835 and Ellender Hamilton Moore, 1769-1835. Son, James Moore, 1788-1845 and Elizabeth Morris, 1793-1876. Shepherd Cemetery, Owsley County, Kentucky.

Today I present you the gravestone photos and will of James Moore, 1760-1835. I hope this post to be more informative than just information on one particular individual. James Moore was purportedly born in Virginia about 1760. It is quite possible that James fought in the Revolutionary War, the later battles, and was given land for his service, since many settlers of this region were veterans. James Moore is buried in Shepherd Cemetery in Owsley County, Kentucky. Ritchey and I visited the cemetery in March of 2024. The very large stone shown above is placed amidst the older burial stones for this couple, and probably other members of the family.

The placement of the stones is very unusual.

And thus, we begin our search. Checking for a will in Owsley County was difficult since the courthouse burned in January of 1929 and all early records were destroyed. But if we look at the year James Moore died, 1835, we realize that was earlier than the formation of Owsley County in 1843. This is a very important aspect of genealogy research. If the county in question was formed after the date of death, marriage, birth, etc., the information would be found in the county from which it was formed. Owsley was formed from parts of Clay, Breathitt and Estill counties. I happened to choose Clay to start my search for James Moore’s will. It happened to be correct. We were very fortunate – the Clay County Courthouse burned in 1836 – someone must have thought to grab the will book!

James Moore was the first settler of Booneville, his home just outside the city limits. James Moore’s land included all of Booneville, extending east across the South Fork River and towards Lerose. The community was originally known as Moore’s Station, but it was renamed Booneville, for Daniel Boone, when it was incorporated in 1846. James Moore, Jr., was the first postmaster. When the county was formed in 1843, Elias Moore, son of James Moore, donated the land for its seat. The post office opened in 1844. The first permanent settlers were Moore, Bowman, Baker, Gabbard and Reynolds families.

Will of James Moore

Clay County Will Book 1, Pages 56-57

In the name of Almighty God, Amen. I, James Moore, Sr., of Clay County, being deeply impressed with the thoughts of the uncertainty of life, have made this my last will and testament.

I bequeath to my wife Ellender Moore one hundred dollars and my gray horse, and to Esther Rose my cupboard and to Isabel Bowman, my daughter, my bureau and to each of my daughters a cow apiece, likewise the bed that Isabel made and left with me, I wish her to get it. I bequeath to my son John Moore ten dollars, and to William Moore, ten dollars, and to Elias Moore, ten dollars and to James Moore, ten dollars. After the above legacy is paid my desire is that the balance of my estate, whatsoever it is, should be equally divided between John Moore, William Moore, James Moore, Elias Moore, Esther Rose, Isabel Bowman, Mary Bowman. And I appoint William Moore and Thomas Bowman, Executors of this my last Will and Testament, written this 1^st day of April, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-five.

James Moore, Sr.

Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presence of Joseph Browningburg and Cornelius Moore and James Moore.

Certificate to the same will

State of Kentucky – Clay County

I, Abner Baker, Clerk of the county aforesaid, certify that the within will of James Moore was produced to the court and proved to be the act and writing of the said James Moore by the subscribing witnesses Joseph Browningburg, Cornelius Moore and James Moore, and the same stands duly recorded in my office this 19^th day of June 1835.

Attest. Abner Baker, Jr., Clerk

In his will James Moore lists six children:

John S. Moore, June 9, 1777, Augusta County, VA – Nov 1850, Booneville, Owsley County, KY, married Judith Bowman. In the 1850 Owsley County census, John Moore, Sr., 70, and his wife Judy, 70, are listed living with James L. Slaughter and wife Lucinda.

William H. Moore, 22 Sep 1785, Virginia – 16 Apr 1864, Booneville, Owsley County, KY, married Deborah Bowman February 14, 1806, in Madison County. In the 1850 Owsley County census they are listed as 64 and 60, respectively.

James Moore, Jr., about 1789 – 1845, married Elizabeth Morris. James Moore, Jr., died before the 1850 census, but wife Elizabeth is listed as 50, widowed, with sons Bresley, Sutton, Nicholas and Hiram.

Elias Moore, 1790, Clay County, KY – 11 Jan 1865, Booneville, Owsley County, KY, married Celia Reynolds. The 1850 Owsley County census Lists Elias, 60, and Celia, 54, with children Easter, Lydia, Richard, William and Pleasant.

Isabel Moore Bowman, 2 May 1800 – 1891 Breathitt County, KY. Nicholas and Isabel married October 5, 1818, in Clay County. In the 1850 Breathitt County census Nicholas Bowman, 53, and Isabel Bowman, 51, are listed with children Wesley, Miriam, Martha, Deborah, Rachel and Fletcher. Henry Bowman, 23, lives next door, no wife or children, could be the couple’s oldest son. On the May 17, 1853, a daughter, Martha, 17, died of fever in Breathitt County.

Esther Moore Rose, 11 Jan 1792 – 25 Jun 1852 Owsley, married Robert Rose. In 1850 Robert, 70, and Easter, 59, are living in Owsley County with, I believe, grandchildren Hezekiah, 13, Ester, 4, and Rachel, 2.

I have seen two other daughters listed on Find A Grave and another website:

Mary Moore, 1783-1872, who married Thomas Bowman. In the 1860 census Thomas, 68, Polly, 60, have the following children – Squire, 24; Rolley, 26; John Campbell, 23; Emily Campbell, 21; Martha, 2 and Maria, 1/12. Daughter Emily and her family living with her parents.

Elizabeth Moore, 1788-1850, who married Cornelius Bowman. In the 1850 census Elizabeth Bowman, 62, born Virginia, listed as a widow.

These two daughters were older children, that had possibly been married for some years and had likely received help from their father when first married. And we know Thomas Bowman is listed as an executor in James Moore’s will.

Gravestones of James and Ellender Hamilton Moore enclosed by leaning stones.

James and Ellender Moore were born in Virginia, moved to Kentucky and lived in Madison County, which in 1807 became Clay County, where they died and were buried in 1835, but in 1843 became Owsley County. So they never lived in Owsley County, but are buried there. Oh, the twists and turns of genealogy!

A list of county formation is so important when searching for genealogy records!