Isabella Reed1,2

b. between 1795 and 1797, d. 6 February 1886
FatherJohn Reid1,2,3 b. 1759, d. 12 Mar 1831
MotherElizabeth Orr1,2 b. abt 1757, d. 14 Dec 1827
Birthbetween 1795 and 1797 Isabella Reed was born between 1795 and 1797 in Washington County, Virginia.4,5,6,7 
Marriage27 Dec 1821 She married William Moffett, son of Capt. John Moffett and Isabel Davis, on 27 Dec 1821 in Washington County.8,9 
Migration17 Oct 1823 On 17 Oct 1823 William and Isabella and their young son John left Virginia in a covered wagon stocked with supplies for sleeping and eating. A diary written by a family member paints this poignant image: "grandmother saw her parents for the last time when they descended the mountain as they left for Indiana". About November 10th William and Isabella reached the home of Thomas Moffett who had been in Indiana since 1810. After resting they continued on to the west bank of the Big Flat Rock River where they built a cabin. Isabella's obituary says they settled abt 2 1/2 miles north east of Rushville on what in 1886 was the Ft. Wayne Rd.10,9 
  In the fall of 1827 a new log house was constructed with tongue and grooved floor, a shaved shingle roof and a brick chimney. Years later a larger residence was built but it burned to the ground within 2 years.10 
  John and Isabel were pioneers of the young community. They were the parents of 8 children including an infant son who died not long after they settled in Rush County. Another son, Thomas, died in 1838. 
ReligionNov 1832 They were also early members of the Rushville Baptist Church, joining in the fall of 1832.9 
Cens-185010 Sep 1850  Isabella and William were recorded in the fall of 1850 on the first federal census to list all members of a household by name. William (57) was listed as the owner of land worth $7,660. Also present were Isabel (53), and 4 of their 6 surviving children: Theophilus (23), Isabel (19), Mary J. (17) and Estil R. (15).11 
Widowed21 Sep 1859  John died in the fall of 1859. 
  Isabella then lived with her son Theophilus and his family in Rushville.12,13 
Death6 Feb 1886 Isabella died on 6 Feb 1886 in Rushville, Rush County, Indiana.9,14 
Burial9 Feb 1886 She was buried on 9 Feb 1886 at East Hill Cemetery in Rushville, following services at the home of her son Theophilus.15 

Related Links and Images:

Land settled by William and Isabella northeast of Rushville on the Ft. Wayne Rd.
Isabella's obituary

Family

William Moffett b. Feb 1799, d. 21 Sep 1859
Children
Last Edited6 Feb 2013

Citations

  1. [S301] Clan Moffat in America Project, "William Moffett-Isabella Reed family group sheet". This group sheet was completed in longhand by Roberta Estella Harris, granddaughter of William Moffett and Isabella Reed.
  2. [S475] History of Rush County, Indiana, p. 727.
  3. [S694] John Reid will (1831), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 6: 168. John's will was dated 5 March 1831 and recorded 15 March 1831. Sons Arthur and Hugh were named executors with John Montgomery and Jacob Mickle witnesses.
  4. [S475] History of Rush County, Indiana, p. 727. "John Moffett, MD" biographical sketch states that John Moffett was the son of William and Isabel (Reed) Moffett, both of whom were natives of Washington Co., Virginia... His maternal grandparents were John and Elizabeth (Orr) Reed...
  5. [S301] Clan Moffat in America Project, "William Moffett-Isabella Reed family group sheet". This group sheet was completed in longhand by Roberta Estella Harris, granddaughter of William Moffett and Isabella Reed. It reports 1 Jun 1797 as Isabella's date of birth.
  6. [S2067] Mary Jane (Moffett) Harris, "A Message to Posterity", This source states that Isabella was born Dec. 9, 1795.
  7. [S2068] "Album" presented to Miss Mary Jane Moffett, 25 Dec. 1856. Collection includes an obituary for Isabel Moffett titled "In Memoriam"; from an unnamed and undated newspaper. This source states she was born 1 June 1796.
  8. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 16.
  9. [S2068] "Album" presented to Miss Mary Jane Moffett, 25 Dec. 1856. Collection includes an obituary for Isabel Moffett titled "In Memoriam"; from an unnamed and undated newspaper.
  10. [S2067] Mary Jane (Moffett) Harris, "A Message to Posterity", This story is cited to the diary of Dr. John Moffett "written for his niece, Isabel Harris". There is also the notation that some lines were added by Roberta Harris who obtained the facts from grandmother Moffett.
  11. [S1991] Wm Moffett household, 1850 U.S. census, Rush Co., Indiana, pop. sched., District 97, p. after 433 stamped, dwelling 858, family 860, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jun 2008, image 119 of 221. Household includes Wm Moffett, 57, farmer, owns land worth $7,660, b. VA; Isabel, 53, b. VA; Theophilus, 22; Isabel 19; Mary J. 17; Estil R., 15; all b. IN.
  12. [S1992] Theopolis Moffett household, 1870 U.S. census, Rush Co., Indiana, pop. sched., Rushville, p. 24, dwelling 173, family 206, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2008, image 24 of 84. Household includes: Theopolis Moffett, 42, prop woolen mill, own real estate worth $30,000, pers prop $32,000; Gabriella, 36; Alice, 12; Lizzie, 9; Edward, 7; Ida, 5; all b. IN; Isabella, 74, b. VA; also a servant.
  13. [S1452] Theophilus Moffett household, 1880 U.S. cens., Rush Co., Indiana, pop sched., Rushville, ED 24D, page 188, dwelling 209, family Jul 2008, image 24 of 56. Household includes: Theophilus Moffett, 51, farmer, b. IN, parents b. VA; Gabriella, 46, b. IN, parents b. KY; Alice, 21, dau; Elizabeth, 19; Edward, 18; Ida, 15, dau; Estella, dau, 9; all b. IN; Isabella, mother, 84, b. VA, parents b. PA, viewed online at Ancestry.com.
  14. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 48.
  15. [S2068] "Album" presented to Miss Mary Jane Moffett, 25 Dec. 1856. Collection includes a funeral notice for Isabel Moffett.
  16. [S518] Sexton Moffett tombstone, section 1, East Hill Cemetery, Rushville, Indiana, photographed Summer 1997 by D. Powell. Sexton's name and date of death is inscribed on the base of a large "Moffett" family monument, along with the name of his brother Thomas. Below their names are the words "children of W. & I. Moffett."
  17. [S518] Thomas G. Moffett tombstone, section 1, East Hill Cemetery, Rushville, Indiana, photographed Summer 1997 by D. Powell. Thomas's name and date of death is inscribed on the base of a large "Moffett" family monument, along with the name of his brother Sexton. Below their names are the words "children of W. & I. Moffett."