Meredith Moon

Children
Peter Moon, M. D.	b. 1796 Newberry Co., S.C.	d. 1878 Newberry Co., S. C. (at age 82)	Susan Satterwhite
Sarah Olivia Moon	b. 1796 Newberry Co., S.C.	d. 26 May 1839 Ware Shoals, S. C.	m. Dr. William Townes Jones 16 Feb 1820 (son of Benj. Jones )
Maria Moon	b. abt 1798	d. Apr. 1847 Jackson Co., Ark.	m. D. E. (Ebenezer) Hammond, M. D. 12 Oct 1813. (b. 20 Apr 1786 Petersham, Mass d. May 1847 Jackson Co., Ark ) 2nd son of Ebenezer Hammond.
Meredith William Moon, M. D.	b. 22 Feb 1800 Newberry Co., S.C.	d. 18 Oct 1836 Newberry Co., S. C.	m. Susan Caroline Gillam (b. 17 Nov 1813 Newberry Co., SC d. 19 Jan 1856 Newberry Co., SC) her 2m to Daniel Rudd 14 Apr 1842 Newberry Co. SC
Dalton Lark Moon	b. 8 July 1802 Newberry Co., SC	d. about 4 Jan 1838	m. Tabitha Boulware 6 Aug. 1834 Newberry Co., SC (b.
Dennis Fletcher Moon	b. abt 1804	d. perhaps in 1827
Francis Asbury Moon	b. 16 July 1811 Newberry Co., SC	d. 21 September 1833 Newberry Co., SC
Mary Ann Moon*	b. about 1812 possibly SC	d. between 1850-8	m. Benjamin Franklin Jones in 1832

According to Randy Currie, Meridith Moon was a physician but also a Methodist minister who was a personal friend of Bishop Francis Asbury. [email Randy Currie 3/14/09]

1790 - US Census, Fairfield Co., no Twp. listed. Series M637, page 166. I wonder if Conrad is a brother of William Moon.

1794 - Meridith William Moon filed petitioned for citizenship in Charleston, South Carolina. [Ancestry.com Passenger and Immigration lists Index, 1500 - 1900's]

There are several notices of Dr. Moon in T. H. Pope’s History of Newberry County, SC. Here is one extract:

“Dr. Meredith Moon came to the district from Scotland after the Revolution and settled in the vicinity of Chappells about 1794. An extremely well-educated gentleman, Dr. Moon had a large and demanding practice which covered the area within sixty miles of his home. A friend of Bishop Francis I. Asbury and a religious man, he helped establish the Methodist Church in the upcountry; for years Moon’s Meetinghouse was a well-known church in the vicinity of Saluda River above Silverstreet. Dr. Moon’s two sons, Peter and William were also physicians.” (pages 259-260). [comments, RC: Dr. Moon’s three Robison stepsons also became doctors. Dr. Moon and his wife Sarah Lark Robison-Moon are buried at the site of the Moon’s Meetinghouse; I have seen the markers. I have been told that Dr. Moon is mentioned in Asbury’s journals, but I have not seen the record myself. I have a transcript of Lark family data from Dr. Moon’s Bible, but I don’t know where the Bible is now, nor do I have estate papers for Dr. Moon. I do have estate papers for his mother-in-law, Rachel Lark-Waters, in which he is a legatee in right of his wife]. [ email - Randy Currie 3/15/09]

1800- This description of the Moon family is in another history of Newberry County, S. C. by Belton O'Neall in 1895.

" The name Moon, mentioned above, is also subsequent to the Revolution, Dr. M. W. Moon lived long and to much good purpose, in the fork between Little and Saluda Rivers. He was a physician of much eminence and practice. He was an able and acceptable Methodist preacher. The estimable son, Dr. Peter Moon, is all of his immediate family who remain in the settlement.

For Many years after the Revolution, this settlement was foremost for intelligence, patriotism and moral worth. That it has ceased to be as prominent, as it once was is deeplyto be regretted. It is now on of the richest section of the district, and yet judging from some recent indications, I fear there is not so much liberality, as once characterized it. I trust, however, that this reproach, (if it be true,) will not long characterize it, especially when I remember there is the home of so much intelligence, worth and liberality as belong to Dr. Peter Moon." [John Belton O'Neall, The Annals of Newberry, p. 58]

1800 - US Census, Newberry Co., SC, Roll 50, page 85
Meridith W. Moon male 3 2 - 2 - females 3 - - 1 - others - slaves -

Greenville Co., SC, roll 47 page 277
John Moon males 2 - - 1 - females 1 - - 1 - others - slave 6

1810 - US Census, Newberry Co., SC roll 61 page 177.
Meridith Wm. Moon 2 2 1 2 0 1 2 2 1 0 0 18

1810- Greenville Co., SC census M-252 Roll: 62 Page: 113
John MOON 1 2 0 1 0 2 1 0 1 0 0 8

1812, December 19 - Meredith Moon apparently had some personal contact with Bishop Asbury, one of the founding preachers of Methodist in the colonies. Bishop Asbury was present at the conference in Charleston even though a "feeble old man had ridden on horseback from Kentucky, where he was in October, over the mountains of East Tennessee and North Carolina, through the upper part of South Carolina, and on to Charleston. The weather was severe, and he often had to swim his noble horse, Fox, through the swollen streams. Although it does not properly belong to this history, we cannot forbear giving one view of this noble old man's travels when he was nearly seventy years old. Leaving Charleston January 7th, he rode through the swamps of eastern South and NOrth Carolina, suffering much from long rides, insufficient accommodations, and excessive cold. "[History of Methodism in Georgia, page 163]

"The early Methodist preachers were a peculiar people. This they knew themselves, and they were not disposed to deplore the fact. They believed Christians ought to be a peculiar people, and especially preachers, and not to be conformed to the world. The old discipline was the guide-bouk, and no army officer ever regarded more strictly the army regulations than a faithful preacher his dicipline.
Asbury had brought with him, from England, the dress and habits of an English Wesleyan, and as Wesley was Asbury's model, so he was in his turn the model of the American preachers. The dress of both preachers and people was as marked as that of the Quakers. A preacher who did not wear a straight-breasted coat was in sinful conformity to the world. It was not the coat he wore, but the motive which led him to wear any but a straight-breast, that made it an offence. The hair was to be cut short, and brushed neatley down on the forehead. No preacher ever thought of wearing a beard. I would have been almost as offensive as a heresy." page 154

1820 - Newberry Co., SC Roll: 120 Page: 190
W. M. Moon males 1 0 1 6 - 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 11(total males)
females 0 0 4 1 2 1 3 2 2 0 1 0 0
the oldest males and females are 80-89 years old, there seems to be a couple of families living together

            Newberry Co., SC Roll: 120 Page: 186
            Peter Moon       males     0    0    0    1    0    1   0    0    1    0   0   1    0    1 2 (total males)
                                    females     0    0    3    5    0    2    6 1   3    0    0    0    0

1820 - Greenville Co., SC census [United States Archives]
We still don't know which of the Moon family was the father of Mary Elizabeth Moon. According to the way I read the record she could be the child of John or Robert D. Moon. Assuming that she was at least 16 years old in 1832 she would have to be about 12 years old in 1820.

1825- James Russell, a Methodist minister, was sent to Savannah to preach but because he went to a very remote area to preach, he also went into debt and thus bankrupt. He returns to South Carolina where he becomes ill and dies at the age of 45 in the house of Dr. Meredith Moon in Abbeville, S. C.

1827- There is a description of Dennis (L. as he is listed in the book) Moon, the son of Dr. M. W. Moon in the history of Newberry Co., This record implies that he didn't live long after the court case in 1827. The book on Newberry was written by Judge John O'Neall.

Will of Meredith William Moon.
State of South Carolina
Newbery District
In the Name of God Amen! I Meredith William Moon of the State and District aforesaid; being of sound mind and disposing memory; revolking all other; do make this my last will and testament.

I will and bequeath to my beloved son Peter Moon all the property he has received without accounting for the same; together with a negro boy named Auston; to him and his heirs forever.

I will and bequeath to My beloved daughter Sarah Jones, all the horses she and her husband has received; and bed and furniture; one negro woman named Sarah, one negro boy named Gant, one negro girl named Desdamonia; and one negro boy named Wesley, to her, and her heirs forever.

I will and bequeath to my beloved daughter Maria Hammond the bed and furniture, of which she is pofsefsed; also the sorrel horse, without she or her husband being accountable to any person, one negro woman named Juda, one negro girl named Rosana, and one negro girl named Lusinda, to her, and her heirs forever.

I will and bequeath to my beloved son Meredith William Moon, one horse, saddle, and bridle which horse, saddle, and bridle, he has received: also one negro boy named Johnston to him and his heirs forever.

I will and bequeath to my beloved son Dalton Lark Moon all the horses, and mares he has received also sorrel mare colt called Hepthistion; also a negro boy named Henry to him and his heirs forever.

I will and bequeath to my beloved son Dennis Fletcher Moon -- all the property which he has had/ and the horse which he no has, also a negro boy named Edgecomb to him and his heirs forever.

I will and bequeath to my beloved daughter Elizabeth Ann Moon one feather bed and furniture; a good horse, saddle, one negro girl named Phillis and child named Lysander; one negro girl named Amy, one negro girl named Beck, and one boy named Samuel to her and heir heirs forever.

I will and bequeath to my beloved son Francis Asbury Moon, that he be placed at school, and kept there, at least, till he becomes a good clasic scholar, that he be decently supported and after having he expences paid; that he have a good horse, saddle and bridle also a negro boy named Will, to him and his heirs for ever.

I will and bequeath to my five sons Peter Moon, Meredith William Moon, Dalton Lark Moon, Dennis Fletcher Moon, and Francis Asbury Moon, all my real estate to be equally divided among them agreeeable to just valuation, and should my above named five sons not be able to just valuation, and should my above named five sons not be able to agree among themselves/ then to call in three or five proper and discreet persons, whose judgement shall final and conclusive; on the apportionment and valuation.

It is my will and desire that the house in which I reside with all the appertains therto, shall exclusively belong to Meredith William Moon, and Francis Asbury Moon, that Meredith William Moon shall provide for and take care of his sister Elizabeth Ann Moon, until her marriage, agreeable to her rank and situation in society. When Francis Asbury Moon shall arrive at the age of twenty one years; I will and desire that my house with the Land and other appurtainances, that may be apportioned on that tract, to my sons Merdith William and Francis Asbury Moon; shall be valued if they cannot agree between themselves; and the payment of one half of the valuation by the holder of the premises; shall entitle him to exclusive pofsefsion.

I will and desire that all my property not disposed of, together with a negro boy named Edmund hired to my son in law D. E. Hammond at twenty five cts a year, and a negro woman named Maria hired to my sone in William T. Jones , at twenty five cents a year, be brought forward; at the place where I now reside; and as nearly as me pofsible equally divided into eight lots or parcels, by my hereinafter named executors; and if they cannot make the above named division. They shall call in three or five proper and discreet persons, and the division and valuation, they shall make shall b efinal and conclusive.
My eight children Peter, Sarah, Maria, Meredith William, Dalton Lark, Dennis F. and Francis Asbury Moon, and Elizabeth Ann Moon shall draw for choice of lots and parcels of the divided property: beginning at the eldest, and ending at the youngest.

I will and desire that if any of my children should die without an heir that their property be equally divided between the remaining children --
I do hereby constitute and appoint Peter Moon Meredith William Moon Dalton Lark Moon, and Dennis F. Moon and Francis Asbury Moon executors to this my last will and Testament.
Dated this 17th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty Seven; in testimony and to which I have here unto subscribed my name and affixed my seal

It is my will and desire that My above named Executors do make or cause to be made a good and sufficient Title to threee Acres of Land including the Meeting Houfe and Grave Yard, to the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church to them and their succefsors forever -- M. W. Moon (L. S.)

Wm. Harmon
John L. Harmon
Fanny Harmon
Records in Will Book "L" Page 688, & 474-475.
Proved January 25th, 1828.
Recorded July 10th, 1834.
W. Wilson, Ordinary, Newberry District.
Box No. 48. Pkg. No. 111. Est. No. 1173.
[South Carolina Archives, transcribed from a WPA transcription. ]

1838. May 1839 - Obituarary of Sarah (Olivia Moon) Jones, wife of William Townes Jones.

1836- 1848 - Between these dates Ebenezer Hammond and Maria move to Jackson Co., Arkansas. Records of the family listed in the History and Genealogy of the descendants of William Hammond of
Ebenezer Hammond is described as the second son of Ebenezer, the son of Elisha, the son of Benjamin 2nd, son of Benjamin who is the son of William. "He joined his brother Elisha in South Carolina in 1812, where he finished his education, and afterwards studied medicine with Dr. Meredith William Moon of Newberry, S. C." Ebenezer Hammond marries Maria the daughter of Dr. Moon, who died in Jackson Co., Ark.

1850 - US Census records show him in Laurens Co., S. C:
Benjamin Jones 40 m farmer $500 born in S.C. is here with the above listed children plus what appears to be a nephew, Silas Jones 18m, a farmer. [Laurens Co. p.318]

      Greenville Co., Gowensville. Series: M653 Roll: 1220 Page: 399
          James Moon         31 m w        farmer                    $136                South Carolina
          Lucinda                29 f   w
          William                  6 m w
          Martha A.             4   f   w
          Thomas W.            1 m w
          (next door)
          William Moon      63 m w     farmer                   $1500 / 100      Virginia
          Walter Moon       28 m w     cripple                                             South Carolina

1878 - In the Annals of Newberry on the description of "Physicians" Dr. O. B. Mayer adds that Peter White "practiced his profess only a few years, when he married and turned his attention to planting, at which occupation he succeeded admirably, becoming a very wealthy man. He died suddenly at the age of eighty-two years.
Dr. William Moon was a younger brother fo Dr. Peter Moon. He did not live long enough to achieve much reputation as a physician." [O'neal. p.557]