Thomas Moffett1

b. August 1812, d. 12 August 1875
FatherCapt. John Moffett1,2 b. 3 Jan 1771, d. 25 Dec 1845
MotherIsabel Davis2 b. 24 Aug 1775, d. 25 Sep 1835
BirthAug 1812 Thomas Moffett was born on the 12th or 28th of Aug 1812 near Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia.3,4,5,6 
Marriage16 Feb 1837 He married Ann Elizabeth Davis, daughter of William Davis and Sarah Ryburn, on 16 Feb 1837 in Virginia.7 
 He was 24 and she was 16. 
Land-Buy4 Apr 1837  A few weeks after the wedding, Thomas and his father-in-law William Davis jointly purchased 3 tracts of land in Washington County from Thomas's father. [this was the land on which Thomas was raised and on which his mother, grandmother and brother were buried]8 
Land-Sell4 Sep 1838  However a little over a year later Thomas and Ann Elizabeth sold their half interest to William Davis for $1,200.9 
Migration  After the sale Thomas and Ann Elizabeth headed west to Rush County, Indiana. Thomas's brothers William and Robert, and his sisters Mary and Hannah already lived in Rush or neighboring Hancock County. Thomas was not altogether unfamiliar with Indiana, having come west in 1834 to visit his brother Garner in LaPorte County.10 
Land-BuyJul 1839  In July 1839 Thomas and his brother Abraham jointly purchased the southeast quarter of section 16 in Township 14 in Rush County. They paid the county school commissioner $332 for the land. However Abraham chose to settle in Illinois rather than Indiana and in Dec. 1840 he sold Thomas his half interest in the Rush County land for $1,000.11,12 
Cens-18401840  Thomas was enumerated in Rush County in 1840 with 1 female under five in the household [probably daughter Sarah] and a 15-20 year old female [Ann].13 
  During the 1840s Thomas's nephew, Washington Gilson, also lived with the young couple. In August 1845 Thomas was appointed guardian of Washington and his sister Hannah, following the death of their mother earlier that month.14,15 
Dec 1845  Thomas's father died in December 1845, leaving Thomas a share of his estate. The final settlement papers also show that Thomas owed his father $300 at the time of the older man's death.16 
  By the following spring Thomas had apparently decided to join his brothers Garner and Abraham in Carroll County, Illinois. The move was no doubt encouraged by Ann Elizabeth whose sister was married to Garner and whose cousin was married to Abraham. 
Land1 May 1846  On the first of May 1846 Thomas and "Elizabeth" sold their 160 acres in Rush County to Conrad Cline for $2,500. However Thomas also purchased 80 acres back the same day for which he executed a mortgage deed to Cline for $1, 190.68.17,18 
Land-Buy1846 About this same time Thomas began to buy public domain land in Illinois. 
Court Record14 Dec 1847  He also executed a power of attorney to William Hawk [his brother-in-law] to represent him in the settlement of his father's estate and in his business dealings with Conrad Cline.19 
Cens-185029 Dec 1850 By 1850 the family had completed their move to Carroll County as they were enumerated in Salem township on that years federal census. Oddly, the only chid recorded living with them was eleven year old Sarah.20 
  Thomas and Ann's first son, John [named for Thomas's father], apparently died in infancy, and son William [named for Ann's father] died in 1849, but daughter Margaret (b. 1841) and son James (b. 1845) are unaccounted for in 1850. An infant daughter Florence was no doubt present when the census taker finally reached the family home in late December, but following the census rules he did not record her since she was not born as of the "official" census date of June first. 
Cens-186014 May 1860 Ten years later Thomas and Ann were again recorded on the census, this time farming in Freedom township. Thomas was forty-seven and Ann was forty. They owned real estate worth $8,560 and personal property of $1,500. This time the full household was recorded, including one month old twins, Thomas and Abram [Abram died a few months later].21 
Cens-18701870  By 1870 Marietta and Thomas were the only children still at home. The census that year listed the family in Rock Creek township.22 
Religion Thomas was active in the Carroll County community and was an Elder in the Christian Church.23 
Membership1874  In June 1874 he was one of the founders of the Carroll County "Old Settlers Association."" 
Death12 Aug 1875 Thomas died of consumption on 12 Aug 1875 in Rock Creek township, Carroll County, Illinois.24,25 
Burial He was buried next to his wife and four of their children in Lanark Cemetery, Lanark, Carroll County, Illinois.24,26 
Probate Recd  Following Thomas's death in the summer of 1875 his wife Ann was named as his administrator. Probate records created at the time named his surviving children as: Margaret J. Davis, Florence V. Shultz, and James S., Lewis E., Marietta G., and Thomas Moffett. Daughter Sarah Shirk was mentioned as deceased.27 

Related Links and Images:

Thomas and Ann's stone; also several children (stone not readable in 1995; information from earlier reading by county genealogy society)
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).
Thomas's sister-in-law, Mary Jane (Davis) Moffett, left a journal in which she recorded what she knew of the family history. See Mary Jane's Journal for images and text from the journal. In particular see the section titled "The Moffett family". Thomas is also mentioned in the "Migration Story""

Family

Ann Elizabeth Davis b. 16 Jun 1820, d. 23 Aug 1889
Children
ChartsDescendants of William Moffett and Mary Gardner
Last Edited2 May 2011

Citations

  1. [S1936] John Moffett will (recorded 1846), Rush Co., Indiana Will Book 2: 79. The will was dated 8 Apr 1843 and recorded 8 Jan. 1846. It was witnessed by John McMillin and Azel Griffeth.
  2. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 13. Mary J.B. Moffett was the daughter-in-law of John Moffett and Isabella (Davs) Moffett.
  3. [S301] Clan Moffat in America Project, "Thomas Moffett-Ann Elizabeth Davis family group sheet". This group sheet was submitted by Florence Virginia Moffett (b. 1850), daughter of Thomas Moffett and Ann E. Davis. Florence listed Thomas's birth as taking place Aug 12, 1812 at Abingdon, Virginia.
  4. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 13. Reports date as Aug. 12, 1812.
  5. [S301] Clan Moffat in America Project, "Thomas Moffett-Ann Elizabeth Davis family group sheet". This group sheet was submitted by Margaret Jane Moffett Davis (b. 1841), daughter of Thomas Moffett and Ann Elizabeth Davis. She recorded Thomas's date of birth as Aug. 28th, 1812.
  6. [S301] Clan Moffat in America Project, "Thomas Moffett-Ann Elizabeth Davis family group sheet". This group sheet was submitted by James Leroy Moffett (b. 1845), son of Thomas Moffett and Ann E. Davis. James entered Thomas's date of birth as Aug. 28th, 1812.
  7. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 16.
  8. [S1148] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 12: 529. The deed was dated 4 April 1837.
  9. [S1064] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 13: 290. The deed was dated Sept. 4, 1838.
  10. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 36.
  11. [S1951] Rush Co., Indiana Deed Book P: 53. Thomas and Abram G. Moffett, assignees of V. Phillips, assignees of Robert Thompson, have paid $332 for the SE 1/4 of Section 16 in Township 14, Range 10 E.. granted by Adam Lakin, School Commissioner, dated 1 Jul 1839, recorded 4 May 1846.
  12. [S1951] Rush Co., Indiana Deed Book P: 53. Abraham G. Moffett of Carroll Co. Il sells his undivided half interest in the SE 1/4 of Section 16 in Township 14N or Range E. in Rush Co. IN to Thomas Moffett of Rush Co. for $1,000; dated 18 Dec. 1840 and recorded 4 May 1846.
  13. [S1137] Thomas Moffatt household, 1840 U.S. census, Rush Co., Indiana, Rushville township, p. 186 (stamped), viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov. 2004, image 17 of 23. Enumeration includes: Thomas Moffatt; 1 M 20-30; 1 F under 5, 1 F 15-20.
  14. [S475] History of Rush County, Indiana, p. 379.
  15. [S1932] Guardianship petition for minor heirs (Aug. 1845), Rush Co. Indiana Probate Complete Order Book Vol. 5: 48.
  16. [S1933] John Moffett settlement (1849), Rush Co. Indiana Probate Complete Order Book Vol. 5: 557.
  17. [S1951] Rush Co., Indiana Deed Book P: 54. Thomas and Elizabeth Moffett of Rush Co. to Conrad Cline of the same, 160 acres for $2,500..the SE 1/4 of Section 16 in Township 14, Range 10 E.; signed 1 May 1846 and recorded 4 May 1846.
  18. [S1951] Rush Co., Indiana Deed Book P: 55. Conrad Cline of Rush Co. to Thomas Moffett of Rush Co., 80 acres for $1,190.68; the west 1/2 of the SE 1/4 of section 16 in township 14N or Range 10E to be paid in 2 installments; signed 1 May 1846 and recorded 4 May 1846.
  19. [S1952] Rush Co., Indiana Deed Book Q: 372. Thomas Moffett of the County of Carroll, State of IL grant William Hawk of the same county/state power of attorney..".to ask, demand, sue for, recover and receive" of William Moffett all due unto me from estate of John Moffett, deceased...also to receive from Conrad Cline all sums due and owing to me and if necessary to cancel a mortgage given by said C. Cline dated 14 Dec 1847 and recorded in Rush Co 14 Feb 1848.
  20. [S1029] Thomas Moffett household, 1850 U.S. census, Carroll Co., Illinois, pop. sched., Salem township, p. 374b (stamped, dwelling 7, family 7, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov. 2004, image 4 of 8. Enumeration records: Thomas Moffett, 39, farmer, b. VA; Elizabeth, 31, b. VA; Sarah I., 11, b . IN.
  21. [S1030] Thomas Moffett household, 1860 U.S. census, Carroll Co., Illinois, pop. sched., Freedom, p. 867 (added script), dwelling 300, family 290, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov. 2004, image 9 of 22. Enumeration includes: Thomas Moffett, 47, farmer, owns real estate: $8,560, pers prop of $1,500, b. VA; Ann E., 40, b. VA; Margaret J., 18, b. IN; Samuel L., 14, b. IN; Florence V., 10, b. IL; Lewis L., 3, b. IL; Marietta G., 2, b. IL; Thomas E., 1/12, b. IL; Abram E., 1/12, b. IL; John A. Slu_, 23, b. PA; Eliza Russell, 17, b. VA.
  22. [S1031] Thomas Moffett household, 1870 U.S. census, Carroll Co., Illinois, pop. sched., Rock Creek township, p. 193 (stamped), dwelling 184, family 184, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov. 2004, image 27 of 28. Enumeration includes: Thomas Moffett, b. 58, farmer, owns land valued at $3,000, b. VA; Ann E., 50, keeping house, b. VA; Lewis, 14, works on farm; Marietta, 12; Thomas, 10; all children b. IL.
  23. [S301] Clan Moffat in America Project, "Thomas Moffett-Ann Elizabeth Davis family group sheet". This group sheet consists of information entered in type by the Clan compilers and additional information added in script by Margaret Jane Moffett Davis (b. 1841), daughter of Thomas Moffett and Ann Elizabeth Davis.
  24. [S1027] Lanark Cemetery, Sexton's records. Record states: Thomas Moffett d. 12 Aug 1875 aged 62 yrs, 11 mos, 14 days of consumption, b. Washington Co, VA; date of burial not given but appears to be reinternment.
  25. [S1054] Mrs. Robert Mace, Probate Records of Carroll Co., Illinois, Vol 2, Estate of Thomas Moffett (Box 26, File 644), d. 12 Aug 1875 at Rock Creek, adm Ann E. Moffett, lists children: Mgt J. Davis, James S. Moffett, Florence V. Shultz, Lewis E. Moffett, Marietta G. Moffett, Thomas Moffett and deceased daughter: Sarah I. Shirk.
  26. [S1026] Carroll County Genealogical Society, Carroll County, Illinois Tombstone Inscriptions Vol. 3, p. 46. Stone reported to read: Thomas Moffett, d. 12 Aug 1875, aged 75y, 11m, 14d Note: the age at death is in error. This stone, when viewed by D. Powell in 1995, was extremely worn and impossible to read. It is likely the age in years was misread by the compilers of this text; the months and dates agree with the sexton's record but the years do not.
  27. [S1054] Mrs. Robert Mace, Probate Records of Carroll Co., Illinois, Vol 2, Estate of Thomas Moffett (Box 26, File 644), d. 12 Aug 1875 at Rock Creek.
  28. [S301] Clan Moffat in America Project, "Marietta Gertrude Moffett-Charles Augustus Shirey family group sheet". This group sheet was submitted by Charles Augustus Shirey of Ocean Park, CA.
  29. [S301] Clan Moffat in America Project, "Thomas Moffett-Ann Elizabeth Davis family group sheet". This group sheet was submitted by Margaret Jane Moffett Davis.