Australia Moore family genealogy papers
Scope and Content
This collection consists of fourteen folders of photographs, correspondence, and other documents relating to the Moore family between 1847 and 1948.
The first folder, Australia Moore family and genealogy papers, contains correspondence between Mary M. Kelly and her cousins, Arthur Walters Cameron Moore and Henry Percival Moore during the early 1900s. In addition to relaying family news and bemoaning the onset of World War I, the letters discuss Moore family ancestry, tracing roots back to Ireland and an abandoned Catholic faith. A partial family tree is included in a letter written on January 17, 1911.
The second folder, Captain James R, Kelly and Mary Moore Kelly papers, contains photocopies and a transcript of letters and papers written by the couple during the American Civil War. It includes James R Kelly's notice of promotion to Captain of the Union Rifles on June 5, 1861 and a partial memoir of his Civil War service as written by his daughter. The correspondence ranges from July 20, 1861 to March 1, 1862 and gives a lot of insight into Civil War soldier conditions. In a notable letter dated July 23, 1861, James tells Mary, "Our scouts surprised a secessionist camp consisting of forty-four men armed and a lot of women. All of the men were killed but ten. They have been brought into our camp; they are hard looking wretches. It is thought they will all be hung." In another dated January 28, 1862, he says, "The Indiana regiments here are regarded as the most reliable on the Potomac while I feel proud of Indiana, and her brave soldiers, at the same time I can plainly see and feel that in order to maintain that proud position, we will most likely be exposed to the most dangerous positions in the army." On February 19, he laments: "I have just been out among the men's tents, and in their quarters, the mud and water is full shoe-top deep. It is most painful to see the poor men cooking in the mud and rain but then it can't be helped, they must cook and eat while they live."
The third folder, Elizabeth Moore correspondence, contains family news as well as condolences about her son's death in 1925. Many of the letters are written to her from her husband; they lament about his estranged relationship with Robert, her cold behavior towards him, and his unhappiness with himself. In a letter date August 12, 1909, he tells her:
"I feel that my life is wholly broken-maybe forever. I'm sorry for it all as it has been and has turned out. It has greatly saddened and soured me to see it thus-but maybe there is yet one more turn in life's ever changing kaleidoscope that will bring us together as one again. But fate is sometimes so cruel and unkind-but with me off life's checkerboard you'll be free and happy I hope, and will find someone who more nearly deserves your love and devotion than I do. I have richly earned your contempt and don't wonder you inwardly despise me when you recall the past and the horrors that lurk in its deepening shadows. The awful thoughts and the pangs of regret haunt me every hour of the course will be the burden of my torment in hell. Oh! That I never been born! I am afraid to be alone. Sometimes I wonder if I am going insane! I deserve it."
The fourth folder, Gaylord pictures, contains three pictures: one of him as a little boy and two of him dressed in Navy uniform.
The fifth folder, John Moore (I) correspondence, includes photocopies and a transcript of letters written between 1847 and 1862 that chronicle his career transition from a teacher in Louisiana to an army surgeon in the Third Seminole War, Army expedition against the Mormons, various Native American battles, and the Civil War. The letters hold strong opinions and their subjects include the famine in Ireland, slavery, and his Army experiences. On October 20, 1854, he wrote about meeting Billy Bowlegs: "I was out in the woods some distance about a week ago, with the Indian agent, to see King Bowlegs and twenty or thirty of his warriors. He was very polite, spread skins for us on the ground and an awning overhead to keep off the sun. When Billy spoke all the others kept a respectful silence." On July 24, 1859, he wrote the following about the Mormons: "The details of their domestic life are disgusting and revolting beyond anything you can imagine. How long are such a people to be not only tolerated but furnished with the means of growing rich beyond that of any proportion of the people in the States?" On Dec 13, 1862 he was in the midst of the Battle of Fredericksburg and penned, "One of the most bloody battles of the war will probably come off here today. I don't know what will happen to me. If you fancy the approach of such a battle depressed the spirits of men or officers you are greatly mistaken. I have never seen more mirth and joking than among the hundreds of officers assembled about this building, which is used as the HD. Quarters of General Burnside, and within range of the revel guns."
The sixth folder, John R. Moore (II) correspondence, contains letters written to family. His main recipients were his sister, Juliet, and aunt, Mary Kelly. He wrote about family news, his disappointment in his son, his alcoholism, his separation from his wife, and his work. A notable letter is one penned on March 2, 1895 to his future in-laws asking them for Elizabeth's hand in marriage. In another, written in Nov 1898, he tells his aunt: "I cannot suck happiness out of a bottle." On July 14, 1919, he laments about his son to his sister, "He has a fat chance to become an engineer. He should be a preacher- they don't do any work." In a sobering letter written to his aunt on June 20, 1925, John reveals that he first learned about his son's death from a newspaper clipping, after the funeral had already occurred.
The seventh folder, John R. Moore (II) documents & pictures includes items such as account books, tintype portraits, Homestead papers, and Civil Service Commission papers.
The eighth folder, General Moore family photographs, contains sixteen photographs of various generations of Moore family members. It includes pictures of the family at the beach, posing in front of enslaved workers, and a portrait of Robert Moore taken on 25 December 1894.
The ninth folder, Mary M. Kelly papers, contains correspondence relating family news and other documents such as real-estate warranty deeds, tax receipts, and a list of ancestry for Daughters of the American Revolution membership requirements.
The tenth and eleventh folders, Mary Mead Moore correspondence, include letters she received between 1902 and 1948. They mainly relate news of family and friends, information on radios, and advice about finances. Many letters written during the summer of 1925 convey condolences for her brother's death. Mary's main correspondent was her college friend, Betty.
The twelfth folder, Mary Mead Moore pictures, holds twenty-six photographs, mainly portraits, of Mary taken throughout her life. Included is a portrait of her posing in a college graduation gown with her mother and a stark black and white picture of middle-aged Mary with a serious expression and the word "soul" penciled on the back.
The last two folders, other correspondence and additional papers and ephemera, include materials created between 1880 and 1921. The letters talk about family news. One interesting letter addressed to Robert Moore in Blacksburg from an unknown sender on February 1, 1922, contains two lines: "If a body write a body, and meet with no reply; might a body write a body, and ask a body why? Bob Moore, you're such a mess!!!" Documents include such items as calling cards, receipts, newspaper articles, and report cards.
Dates
- 1847 - 1948
Creator
- From the Collection: Moore family (Family)
Language of Materials
The material in the collection is in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Extent
From the Collection: 1.4 Cubic Feet (1 box)
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu