One Moses Moore* arrived in Charles Town (what is now Charleston, South Carolina), along with what appears to be his wife, Dorothea, and either a number of sons and a daughter (or daughter-in-law) – at least an extended family group – in 1763-64.1 Families and friends often chose to embark together, on that perilous and speculative journey, in those days.

Moses and his clan were among the horde of Scotch-Irish emigrating from Northern Ireland that took to the ships that enterprising Masters advertised in handbills and posted notices outside the offices of shipping agents. Adventurous Scots-Irish** souls undertook the dangerous odyssey from the hostile climate and religious/civil strife of Ulster to the promise of another potentially dangerous land in the back-country of Colonial America in a constant stream with periodic waves from 1717 right up to the outbreak of the Revolution.

Most disaffected Scotch-Irish – the Presbyterian Scots from Ayrshire and Lowlands Scotland that made up most of the Ulster Scots – heard all about the promise and opportunity offered in America from learned preachers that wrote often to their school-chums that stayed behind, and, even more compellingly, from adventurous cousins that chanced the crossing early-on, in the second 'great migration' that began in 1717.

We're not certain that the Thomas Moore listed in Moses and Dorthea's probable family-group is the same Thomas More2 that arrived in Knox County, Kentucky around 1800, but as of this writing, we don't have a better candidate.

Our Thomas Moor(e) is almost certainly the one that arrived on these shores in good time to take part in the rebellion of the American Colonies against King George III in the Southern Theatre, and is acknowledged as a veteran of that conflict in county burial records in Knox County, Kentucky.3 It is a fair bet that he is the "Thomas Moor" that was the County-appointed "keeper of the Turnpike Road leading to Cumberland Gap," responsible for keeping a piece of the Wilderness Road – the Cumberland Gap passage as it meandered into Knox County; that stretch that dropped down Log Mountain – in 1802. It was a family inheritance, apparently: Thomas – husband of Rosannah – had a son, Joab, who was listed as a Captain in the Militia with the expressed duty of maintaining "county roads" in 1810, and a "Polly" (a common nickname for 'Mary') Moore was still overseeing that Log Mountain section of the Cumberland Gap as late as 1865.4

We believe that our Moore ancestors not only knew the old Game Trail that the Cherokee kept as a "hunter's trail" from the hills of the Carolinas over the mountains into the Kentuckee, but improved it and kept it open – the Cumberland Gap blazed by Dan'l Boone – as a route of Westward Expansion for 'pert-near a century, and with that, kept open the door for the seeding of our American Dream throughout the land.

**"Scots-Irish" – This terminology is a latter-day construction, and is ahistorical in nomenclature: our American, Ulster-origins ancestors were known among their Colonial brethren as, "Irish," or "Scotch-Irish," and remained Scotch-Irish in the historical literature up until recently.

Descendants

*1? Moses Moore Abt 1715 -
..... + Dorothea
........22 Samuel Moore
........22 Mary Moore
........22 William Moore
........22 Jno Moore
........22 John Moore
........22 Thomas Moore
........22 Henry Moore
........22 James Moore
........22 Joseph Moore

1 Thomas (Moor) Moore 1737/38 - 1833
...+Rosannah Blowers Fowler 1747 - 1803
..... 2 Jeremiah Moore 1765 -
..... 2 Elizabeth Moore 1767 -
..... 2 Deborah Moore 1769 -
..... 2 Mary Moore 1771 -
..... 2 Ephraim Moore 1773 -
..... 2 Zodac Moore 1775 -
..... 2 Levi Moore 1777 -
..... 2 Joab Moore 1780 -
..... 2 Jesse Moore 1781 - 1874
......+Amelia Elizabeth Stone 1783 - 1877
............. 3 Naomi Moore 1802 -

............. 3 Thomas Moore Abt 1808 - 1863 (5) (6)
..............+Rebecca Spurlock
............. *2nd Wife of Thomas Moore:
..............+Sarah "Sally" McFadden Abt 1811 -
.................... 4 Edmond David Moore 1833 - 1877
.....................+Suphrona Lee Bryant 1842 - 1919
............................ 5 William Young Moore 1871 - 1944
.............................+Mary Margaret Robins 1874 - 1954
................................... 6 Zina Edmond Moore 1896 - 1984
....................................+Jessie Mae Butterworth 1899 - 1954
........................................... 7 Elva Viola Moore 1919 -
............................................+George Louis "Bud" Templeton 1920 -
.................................................. 8 Gary Wayne Templeton 1948 -
.................................................. 8 Roger Mark Templeton 1950 -
.................................................. 8 Don Eric Templeton 1952 -
.................................................. 8 Craig David Templeton 1958 -
................................... 6 William Roy "Roy" Moore 1901 - 1972
....................................+Ruth Ruggles 1903 - 1932
........................................... 7 Ernest Roy Moore 1928 - 1997
............................................+Mildred Elaine Ott 1927 - 2006
.................................................. 8 Alan Ernest Moore 1947 - 2007
...................................................+Leslynn Moore (not related) 1949 -
.......................................................... 9 DeeAnn Moore 1970 -
...........................................................+Brian Cooper 1968 -
.......................................................... *2nd Husband of DeeAnn Moore:
...........................................................+Richard Michael Robbins 1960 -
.......................................................... 9 Angela Lane Moore 1974 -
...........................................................+Donald Wayne "Wayne" Krepps
............................................................ 1973 -
.......................................................... 9 Kimberly Ann Moore 1979 -
...........................................................+Clayton Nicholson 1978 -
.................................................. 8 Barbara Elaine Moore 1951 -
...................................................+Raymond Leon Warren 1948 -
.......................................................... 9 Vincent Ray Warren 1972 -
...........................................................+Jennifer Finney 1973 -
.......................................................... *2nd Wife of Vincent Ray Warren:
...........................................................+Crystal Ann Shafer 1977 -
.......................................................... 9 Bryce Alan Warren 1978 -
..........................................................+Dawn Hunter 1976 -
.................................................. 8 Bonnie Jean Moore 1952 -
...................................................+Mike Vargas 1948 -
.......................................................... 9 Michael Ernest Vargas 1979 -
.................................................. *2nd Husband of Bonnie Jean Moore:
...................................................+Johnnie Brookings 1951 -
.................................................. *3rd Husband of Bonnie Jean Moore:
...................................................+Jimmy Dale Grisham 1953 -
........................................... 7 Leon William Moore 1930 -
............................................+Patricia Louise Swanholt 1931 -
.................................................. 8 Beverly Jo Moore 1951 -
...................................................+Thomas Sweet 1951 -
.......................................................... 9 Jason Thomas Sweet 1973 -
...........................................................+Nicole Murphy 1977 -
.......................................................... 9 Sherri Lynn Sweet 1975 -
...........................................................+Mario Venegas 1974 -
.................................................. *2nd Husband of Beverly Jo Moore:
...................................................+Darrell Black 1941 -
.................................................. 8 Carol Louise Moore 1953 -
...................................................+Lynn Adkins 1952 -
.......................................................... 9 Nathan Lynn Adkins 1977 -
...........................................................+Dolly Lee Martin 1964 -
.......................................................... 9 Alaine Rae Adkins 1981 -
.......................................................... 9 Steven Shae Adkins 1984 -
.................................................. 8 Marcia Jean Moore 1954 - 1976
...................................................+James Osborn 1954 -
.......................................................... 9 Tyler James Osborn 1975 -
.......................................................... 9 Tyson Allen Osborn 1975 -
...........................................................+Christina Mae Cross
.................................................. 8 Eleanor Ruth Moore 1955 -
...................................................+Richard Peacock 1947 -
.......................................................... 9 Andrea Renee Peacock 1978 -
...........................................................+Shawn Patrick Jones 1974 -
.......................................................... 9 Laura Gene Peacock 1981 -
.................................................. 8 Kenneth Leon Moore 1956 -
...................................................+Julie Burger 1961 -
.......................................................... 9 Matthew Gregory Moore 1980 -
...........................................................+Robin Bules
.................................................. 8 Rodney Roy Moore 1960 -
...................................................+Martha Schauf 1962 -
.......................................................... 9 Sissie Lyn Moore 1980 -
.......................................................... 9 Jessica Marie Moore 1980 -
.................................................. *2nd Wife of Rodney Roy Moore:
...................................................+LouAnn Berryman 1955 -
.................................................. 8 Martin Ernest Moore 1962 -
...................................................+Gwendolyn Cole 1961 -
.......................................................... 9 Darcie Pat Moore 1982 -
...........................................................+Rocky Randall
.................................................. *2nd Wife of Martin Ernest Moore:
...................................................+Kellie Otipoby 1968 -
.................................................. *3rd Wife of Martin Ernest Moore:
...................................................+Melinda Kim Witt 1958 -
................................... *2nd Wife of William Roy Moore:
....................................+Beatrice "Bee" Bethema Stites 1913 -
........................................... 7 Wesley Norman "Wes" Moore 1941 -
............................................+Margaret Lois Landau Ridgway 1942 -
.................................................. 8 Kerry Alan Moore 1962 -
...................................................+Sharon Kay Minge 1965 -
.................................................. 8 Jennifer Ann Moore 1973 -
...................................................+Jared Richard Froetschner 1973 -
.................................................. 8 Janelle Lee Moore 1975 -
........................................... 7 Sharon Bee Moore 1944 -
........................................... 7 Lonnie Dale Moore 1950 -
............................................+Linda Irene Nichols 1953 -
.................................................. 8 Heather Anne Moore 1975 -
...................................................+Garth Greggory Hudgins 1974 -
.................................................. 8 Sarah Beth Moore 1978 -
...................................................+Jesse Adam Bahm Abt 1975 -
................................... 6 Harvey Lee "Harve" Moore 1903 - 1985
....................................+Roxie Alpha Wheeler 1909 - 2009
........................................... 7 Harvey Lee Moore 1947 -
........................................... +Maureen Elizabeth Miles
.................................................. 8 Bart Alan Moore 1970 -
.................................................. +Lauree Ann Fleming
.................................................. 8 Ryan Christopher Moore 1976 -
.................................................. +Kim Gum
.................................................. 2nd wife of Ryan Moore
.................................................. +Stella Temple
................................... 6 Melva Mae Moore -
............................ 5 James Walker Moore 1875 - 1945
.............................+Oda Lucille Butler 1877 - 1972
................................... 6 Edmond Moore
................................... 6 Emory Moore
............................ 5 Belle Abt 1875 -
.............................+___ Williams
............................ 5 Martha Jane Moore 1877 - 1901
.............................+Ed Robison
................................... 6 Raymond Ralph Robinson

.....................*2nd Husband of Suphrona Bryant :
.....................+ John Wesley Simpson 1880 -
............................ 5 Mary Ellen Simpson 1882 - 1962
                       Step Children:
............................ 5 Elizabeth Simpson twin Abt 1861
............................ 5 Carrie Simpson twin Abt 1861
............................ 5 Addie B. Simpson 1872 - 1946
............................ 5 John Thomas Simpson 1875 - 1929

.................... 4 Eliza Ann Moore 1834 (?) - 1904
.....................+ Alexander "Alex" Sharp Dunn 1833 - 1916
.................... 4 Jarvis Jackson Moore 1836 - 1926
.....................+ Ollie Norville 1839 - 1908
............................ 5 Lucy Ann Moore 1863 - 1865
............................ 5 Thomas Walker Moore 1866 - 1905
.................... 4 Levi "Lee" Moore 1838 - 1914
.................... + Permelia "Amelia" Lucas 1839 - 1904
............................ 5 George B. Moore 1861 -
............................ 5 John A. Moore 1863 -
............................ 5 Sarah Moore 1865 -
............................ 5 Michael "Hope" Moore 1868 - 1934
............................ 5 Richard Moore Abt 1870 -
............................ 5 Alice Moore Abt 1872 -
............................ + William M. Rice 1867 -
................................... 6 Daisy Rice 1915 -
................................... 6 Opal Rice 1919 -
............................ 5 Wheeler Moore Abt 1874 -
.................... 4 Jesse Andrew Moore 1841 - 1917
.................... + Elizabeth "Lizzie" House 1844 - 1895
............................ 5 James House Moore 1872 - 1927
............................ + Bettie E. Brooks Abt 1879 - 1968
................................... 6 Marvin Moore 1910 - 1985
............................ 5 Lydia Moore 1875 - 1953
............................ + unknown
................................... 6 Eva __ 1911 - 1967
............................ 5 Theo Moore 1883 - 1957
............................ + Lillie Mae Delph 1901 - 1964
................................... Step Child:
................................... 6 Bessie Delph 1923 - 1990
................................... 6 James H. Moore 1928 -
................................... + Oma Lee Fowler 1936 -
........................................... 7 Rhonda Lynn Moore 1959 -
........................................... + Michael William Horn
................................... 6 Ernest Eugene Moore 1931 -
................................... + Nellie Rose Hammons 1936 -
........................................... 7 Debbie Jean Moore 1959 -
........................................... 7 Richard Theo Moore 1961 -
........................................... 7 Johnny Wayne Moore 1964 -
........................................... 7 Connie Sue Moore 1967 -
................................... 6 Betty Rose Moore 1937 -
................................... + Troy Fowler 1933 - 1999
........................................... 7 Brenda Sue Fowler 1957 -
........................................... 7 Billy Fowler 1958 - 2002
........................................... 7 Kathy Ann Fowler 1962 -
........................................... 7 Bobby Wayne Fowler 1969 -
................................... 6 Tilford Edward Moore 1939 -
................................... + Mary Ann Conrad 1939 -
........................................... 7 Patty Ann Moore 1963 -
........................................... 7 Tony Moore 1966 -
........................................... 7 Danny Moore 1970 -
.................... 4 Lucy Ann Moore 1851 - 1935
.................... + James House
.................... Second Husband of Lucy Moore
.................... + Henry H. Cathers 1843 - 1924
............................ 5 Martha Cathers 1870 -
............................ 5 Lula (or Lorinda) Cathers 1873 -
............................ 5 Sarah F. Cathers 1875 -
............................ 5 James F. Cathers 1879 -
............................ 5 John J. Cathers 1882 -
............................ 5 William T. Cathers 1884 - 1917
............................ + Lizzie Tankersley
............................ 5 Lillie J. Cathers 1896 -
.................... 4 Mahala Ann "Hiley" Moore 1846 - 1909
.................... + James Sparks 1840 - 1884
............................ 5 Elbert B. Sparks 1867 - 1894
............................ 5 Tilford Sparks 1869 - 1914
............................ 5 Jesse Sparks 1870 - 1890
............................ 5 Eliza J. Sparks 1872 -
............................ 5 Mahala "Anne" Sparks
............................ 5 Edmond O. Sparks 1876 - 1937
............................ 5 Catherine Sparks 1878 -
............................ 5 Arabella Sparks 1880 -
............................ 5 William A. Sparks 1882 -
.................... 4 Elizabeth Ann "Betsy" Moore 1849 - Bef 1900
............................ + Henry House Abt 1849 - Abt 1870
............................ 5 Dora House 1869 -
............................ 5 Polly House Abt 1872 -
............................ 5 Leander House Abt 1874 -
............................ 5 Jasper House 1876 -
............................ 5 Letcher House 1878 -
............................ 5 Frances House 1880 -
............................ 5 Lucy House 1881 -
............................ 5 Martha House 1882 -
............................ 5 Emmer House 1884 -
............................ 5 Stephen House 1886 -
.................... 4 Julia Ann Moore 1852 -
.....................+ John W. Martin 1853 -
............................ 5 Robert Letcher Martin 1877 -1947
............................ 5 Fannie Martin 1878 - 1949
............................ 5 Elbert "Ebb" Martin 1880 -
............................ 5 Lucy Martin 1882 -
............................ 5 Stella Martin 1886 -
............................ 5 Nannie Martin 1890 - 1957
............................ 5 Ellen Martin 1892 - 1920
.................... 4 Martha Ann Moore 1854 -1921
.................... + William Bullard Abt 1848 -
............................ 5 Eliza Bullard 1876 -
............................ 5 James Lee Bullard 1878 -
............................ 5 Alexander Bullard 1880 -
............................ 5 Savannah Bullard 1882 -
............................ 5 Ellen Bullard 1886 -
............................ 5 Arris Bullard 1889 -

............. 3 Joab Moore 1807 -
............. 3 Stephen Moore 1810 -
............. 3 Sarah Moore 1810 -
............. 3 Rosanna Moore 1812 -
............. 3 Malinda Rebecca Moore 1814 -
............. 3 Elsie Moore 1816 -
............. 3 Ephraim W. Moore 1819 -
............. 3 Emelia Moore 1825 -

............. 3 Affariah (Azariah?) Moore (?) 5
............. 3 Marilla Moore (?)

KEY:
............. 3 alternate lineage being researched

Notes:

1. Moore, Sharon B., "Our Thomas Moore," 0168-Thomas_Moore_dscndts document, 2004.
2. Decker, Elmer, The History of Knox County, Transcribed by C.R. Matthews, ©2000, Bell County Historical Society, p. __.
3. ibid., p. 38.
4. ibid., p. __.
5. Moore, Sharon B., 040413-document. NOTE: Sharon adds this disclaimer to generations 1. & 2. -- "There is a chance that 3. Thomas Moore is the son of Jesse Moore who migrated to Knox Co. KY from South Carolina shortly after 1800 with his father Thomas Moore, but I don’t believe this connection will be the correct one.  There are far too many Thomas Moores for me to sort this out yet.  Several of them are first cousins."
6. ibid. NOTE: Sharon says, "Sandra Branson Young of Oregon has researched census records and proposes that Thomas and Affariah Moore are the sons of Moses Moore.  It’s a possibility, but I haven’t found any compelling proof yet."