James Moore

Descendants

Died 1780 in Botetourt, Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: John Glenn [send private message]

Biography

In 1753, James Moore purchased land on Looney's Creek in Augusta County, Virginia. He apparently remained in the same area (which became part of Botetourt County) for the rest of his life. The name of his wife does not seem to appear in any legal records of the area, and she must have predeceased him, because she is not mentioned in his 1776 will (probated in 1780; see below for the text of the will).

His will named two sons - James (Jr.), the elder, and John - and two daughters, Jean McClenchan (whose husband Samuel is also mentioned), and Martha Ralston (whose husband, according to Botetourt County marriage records, was Matthew Ralston).

This James Moore has often been confused with other men of the same name who lived in that general area of Virginia, especially with the James Moore who was married to Jane ("Jennet") Walker. But the latter's will was written in 1785, and probated in 1791,

• Chalkley, Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia, by Lyman Chalkley (1912-1913), p. 310.

• Botetourt County, Virginia, Will Book A, pp. 120-121

In the name of God, Amen, the thirteenth day of September one thousand seven hundred and seventy six. I James Moore Senr. of Botetourt County in Virginia being old and Infirm in Body but of sound mind and Memory and calling to mind the mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say first of all I recommend my Soul to God who gave it and my Body to the Earth to be buried in a Christian and decent manner at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named and as to what worldly Estate it hath pleased God to bless me with in this Life I give Bequeath & dispose of the same in the following manner and first give and devise unto James my Eldest Son that part of my land on which he lives and has improved on from the lower end of the Survey Including his House and extending up Looneys Creek to a Line consistablely [consentably?] made between my Son James and his Brother John the Remainder of my Land (the whole of which contains three hundred and fifty Acres) except sixteen Acres I give and devise to John Moore my youngest Son with all its Improvements. The sixteen Acres above excepted (and has also been laid of[f in separate Parcel) I devise to Samuel McClenchan my Son in Law also my will is that my Just debts and funeral expenses be first paid out of my Personal Estate and that the remainder of the same be sold at public auction and equally divided between my four Children John and James Moore[,] Martha Ralston and Jean McClenchan also eleven Pounds Justly due me by James Rattliff and six Pounds by Robert Sanders both of Bedford County when recovered to be divided in the same manner[.] I appoint James and John my Sons Sole and only Executors of this my last Will and Testament and I do hereby revoke and Disannull all other former Wills or Testaments by me made and do testify and confirm this my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the Day and Year first above written Signed Sealed published } James & Moore pronounced and declared by } the sd. James Moor as his last } Will and Testament in the } Presence of - } Andrew Woods Robert Woods Martha Woods

August Botetourt Court 1780 This Instrument of writing was presented in Court and for the last Will and Testament of James Moore deceased and proved by the Oaths of Martha and Andrew Woods two of the witnesses and ordered to be recorded Test David May CBC

Sources

• Rockbridge County, Virginia, Will Book Volume 1A, p. 8 [the will of the James Moore who died in 1791]