John Moffett1

b. 18 December 1833, d. 18 February 1909
FatherGarner Moffett1 b. 18 Jan 1807, d. 5 Oct 1856
MotherMary Jane Beaty Davis1 b. 13 Sep 1814, d. 28 Jun 1894
Birth18 Dec 1833 John Moffett was born on 18 Dec 1833 on his parents farm along the National Road, 2 or 3 miles east of Greenfield in Hancock County, Indiana.2,3,4 
  When John was just a small boy his parents moved first to LaPorte County in Indiana where they spent a few years and then on to Carroll County, Illinois where they settled in Freedom township. 
Education He was educated at Hiram College, Ohio, and Bethany College, West Virginia.5 
Marriage29 May 1859 He married Sarah Ann Martin, daughter of Mahlow Martin and Ferinda Jackson, on 29 May 1859 in Wellsville, Columbiana County, Ohio.6,7 
Residence  Following their marriage, John and Sarah moved on to the old homestead in Carroll County where they lived until 1893.5 
Cens-Sum  John and Sarah raised 5 children on the family farm. For many years the household also included John's mother and grandmother. In addition, the census records indicate the presence of laborers helping with the farm as well as 1 or more servants in the home.8,9,10 
  It is believed that the extended family lived in the brick house that John's father built in the late 1840s. An 1893 plat map identifies John as the owner of 260 acres of land in Freedom township. John's brother William owned an adjacent 106 acres. Both parcels had originally belonged to the men's father, Garner Moffett, who died in 1856.11,12 
Cens-19001900  However, in later years John and Sarah settled in the village of Shannon where they were enumerated in 1900 with their son Edwin. I do not know who, if anyone, continued to live on the farm.13 
1908  In Jul 1908 John wrote the Adjutant General, Washington DC asking for information on William Moffett, who he stated was his great grandfather. John stated that there were two traditions, one that William was killed in the Indian wars near Pittsburg, Penna - the other that he was killed in the Battle of Cowpens, South Carolina. John wrote this letter about the time he submitted a family group sheet to the Clan Moffat organization.14 
Death18 Feb 1909 John died on 18 Feb 1909 of peritonitis in Shannon, Carroll County, Illinois, at age 75.15,16,4 
Burial22 Feb 1909 He was buried on 22 Feb 1909 next to his wife in Lanark Cemetery in Carroll County.5,4 
Obituary John's obituary described him as a man of vigorous mind and body who enjoyed keeping in touch with all that was taking place in the world and who "truly died with the harness on". "He was honest in his dealings always, and believed others to be so until thoroughly convinced otherwise. Sometimes in business dealings he would credit others with integrity they did not possess. He was a determined character. When defeated he would come through it as hopeful and determined as ever."5 

Related Links and Images:

John and Sarah's stones (also several of their children) in Lanark Cemetery
Find Lanark Cemetery on the Carroll County map (also accessible via the Misc. Locations link in the menu bar at the top of any page).
Read bio of John Moffett from "Portrait and Biographical Album of Carroll County Illinois (1889)" at Genealogy Trails
See Mary Jane's Journal for images and text from the journal of William's mother, Mary Jane (Davis) Moffett

Family

Sarah Ann Martin b. 4 Jul 1838, d. 29 Mar 1903
Children
ChartsDescendants of William Moffett and Mary Gardner
Descendants of Mathew Ryburn and Jane Beattie
Last Edited8 Jan 2010

Citations

  1. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 20.
  2. [S301] Clan Moffat in America Project, "John Moffett-Sarah Ann Martin family group sheet". This information was submitted by John Moffett (b. 1833).
  3. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 20, 41.
  4. [S1026] Carroll County Genealogical Society, Carroll County, Illinois Tombstone Inscriptions Vol. 3, p. 6. Stone reported to read: John Moffett, Father, 18 Dec. 1833 - 18 Feb. 1909.
  5. [S302] Clan Moffat in America Project, "Obituary - John Moffett". Obituary was photocopied from an unknown and undated newspaper.
  6. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 21.
  7. [S301] Clan Moffat in America Project, "John Moffett-Sarah Ann Martin family group sheet". This information was submitted by John Moffett.
  8. [S1030] Wm D. Moffett household, 1860 U.S. census, Carroll Co., Illinois, pop. sched., Freedom, p. 870 (added script), dwelling 317, family 306, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov. 2004, image 12 of 22. Enumeration includes: Wm D. Moffett, 27, farmer, owns real estate: $19,000, pers. prop: $2,000, b. IN; John, 25, laborer, b. IN; Robert, 24, preacher, b. IN; Margaret D., 20, b. IL; Sally, 22, b. OH; Howard, 1/12, b. ?; Mary J.B., 44, b. VA; Frank Smith, 40, farm laborer, b. ?; Lucy Moffett, 22, b. OH.
  9. [S1031] John Moffett household, 1870 U.S. census, Carroll Co., Illinois, pop. sched., Freedom township, p. 131b (stamped, dwelling 75, family 75, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov. 2004, image 12 of 21. Enumeration records: John Moffett, 35, farmer, b. IN; Sarah, 31, b. OH; Lucellue, 10, (f); Frank 5; Edwin 2, baby 2, all b. VA; Mary J., 56, b. VA; Sarah Davis, 80, b. VA; + 2 laborers and 1 servant.
  10. [S1032] John Moffett household, 1880 U.S. cens., Carroll Co., Illinois, pop sched., Freedom township, ED 14, page 504A (stamped), dwelling 106, family 106, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov. 2004, image 13 of 16. Enumeration reports: John Moffett, 47, marr, farmer, b. IN, parents b. VA; Sarah A., 42, wife, b. OH; Saluceluus, son, 20; Frank L., son, 15; cont. next page: Edwin, son, 12; Anna A., dau, 10; Elvin M., son, 5; all children b. IL; Mary J.B. mother, 64, "lady" b. VA, parents b. VA; also 3 servants helping with the farm or the house; also 1 boarder: Ida Shelley, 21, b. OH, teaching school; Mary Bast, 2, b. KY (dau of Dora, a servant).
  11. [S2065] Carroll Co. Illinois Plat map, 1893 Carroll County Genealogy Society.
  12. [S2066] "Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database", Illinois State Archives (http://www.ilsos.gov/GenealogyMWeb/landsrch.html).
  13. [S1052] Edwin Moffet household, 1900 U.S. cens., Carroll Co., Illinois, pop. sched., Shannon, ED 24, sheet 5B, dwelling 109, family 109, viewed online at Ancestry.com, March 2008, image 10 of 22. Enumeration includes: Edwin Moffet, 32, b. Mar 1868, sgl, b. IL, father b. VA, mother b. OH, farmer; ___ [not filled in], father, 6_, b. Dec. 1847, marr 41 yrs, b. VA, day laborer; ____ [not filled in], mother, 61, b. Jul 1838, OH, mother of 5 children, 4 living, horse keeper.
  14. [S302] Clan Moffat in America Project, "Letter John Moffett of Shannon, IL to the Adjt General, Washington DC dated 13 Jul 1908."
  15. [S1027] Lanark Cemetery, Sexton's records. John Moffett, d. 22 Feb 1909 of peritonitis, age 75 yrs, 2 mos.. Resid Shannon, IL, b. La Porte, IN. Note: date is in error.
  16. [S302] Clan Moffat in America Project, "Obituary - John Moffett". Obituary was photocopied from an unknown and undated newspaper. It states: "He was taken suddenly ill the evening of February 17th and lived until the evening of the 18th, the cause of his death being peritonitis."