John Phillips and Ann Engs Children

1: JOHN PHILLIPS b. 15 Sep 1735, d. Mar 1736 DIED YOUNG
First born child dies aged 6 months.

2: CAPTAIN JOHN PHILLIPS II b. 2 Oct 1736, Newport, Rhode Island, d. 16 Nov 1794, Home of Jacob Rowe, Boston, his brother-in-law. Married RACHEL LEVY b. 7 Mar 1768, New York, d. 13 Feb 1833, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Godfather to several of his siblings children.
Their children were all christened at Newport, Rhode Island.

1. John Phillips b. 5 Sep 1787, Newport, Rhode Island, d. 28 Oct 1853, Baton Rouge
2. William Phillips I b. 7 Oct 1789, New York, d. 3 Apr 1849, Quebec
3. Anna Maria Phillips b. 25 Jun 1791
4. Susan Angelique Phillips b. 13 Nov 1793

3: DANIEL PHILLIPS I b. 12 Oct 1737 DIED YOUNG

4: ANNE PHILLIPS b. 25 May 1739 Married THOMAS PAYSON b. July 13, 1729, Woodstock, Windham, Ct; d. August 1797, Concord, Middlesex, MA.

1. Thomas Payson

Notes for THOMAS PAYSON. The son of Anne and Thomas appears in the Boston Directory in House 89 Orange St., Boston as a merchante, commerce in 1803. He is in the Boston Directory on Washington St., Boston as a schoolmaster, literature/education in 1810, 1813, 1816, 1818, 1820, 1821, 1822, 1823,1825.

5: AVIS PHILLIPS b. 17 Jun 1740 Married JEDEDIAH PREBLE born in 1734 in York, Maine. (son of Brigadier-General Jedediah PREBLE and Martha JUNKINS) in 1761 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts who died of exposure consequent upon shipwreck.

1. Nancy PREBLE was born on Apr 24 1763 in York, ME.
2. Jedidiah PREBLE was born on Jul 29 1765 in Castine, Hancock, ME.
3. John Phillips PREBLE was born in 1768 in Castine, Hancock, ME.
4. Daniel PREBLE was born about 1772 in Castine, Hancock, ME.
5. Avis Binney PREBLE. (named after Aunt Avis Engs Binney, her mothers sister)
6. Samuel PREBLE was born about 1770 in Castine, Hancock, ME.

6: DANIEL PHILLIPS II b. 4 Mar 1741

7: THOMAS PHILLIPS b. 26 Jul 1743 d. Mt. Tirzah, Caswell (now Person) Cty, NC. at home of Grizey and Stephen Moore

In 1776, Stephen Moore told his wife Grizey in a letter written from Quebec that "he had not heard of but that after "he left us, he reamin'd a week within the distance of forty miles & threw away eight (page torn)(hundred) Joes on 60 acres of land or bushes near Lunenberg Court House; what could possess him, I can't imagine." It seems that Thomas eventually lives on or nearby Mt Tirzah estate.

8: PENELOPE PHILLIPS b. 29 Oct 1743, Boston, Suffolk County, Mass, d. Apr 1817, Milton, Suffolk Cty, MA. Married JACOB ROWE b. 23 Jan 1724, Exeter, Devon, England,, d. 28 Dec 1813, Milton, Suffolk Cty, MA.(Jacob Rowe is son of Joseph ROWE and Mary HAWKER)

1. John ROWE b. 1765 d. Abt. 1838; m. ESTHER ROGERS, May 09, 1792, Gloucester, Essex, MA; b. November 09, 1773, Gloucester Essex, MA. Notes for JACOB ROWE:

The Rowes were in Quebec in 1776 although Stephen Moore said "his tongue had caused him to lose his job". He was the Colonial emissary to Quebec. His son was adopted by John Rowe (his brother) while his father, Jacob, was on business.
Notes for ESTHER ROGERS:
She was the administrator of the will of his Uncle John who had raised her husband.

9: ELIZABETH PHILLIPS b. 1 Jan 1747

Elizabeth Phillips 1747-1825 m Capt James Andrew 1735-1780 in Canada, daughter Isobel Andrews 1772-1837 m Capt Henry Ford in Canada, daughter Isabella Anne Ford m Capt Charles William Hall in Jamaica in 1806, daughter Eliza Ann Hall 1807-1887 m David Ross Clarke 1800-1861 in Jamaica in 1827 and died in England, son Col Alexander Ross Clarke 1828-1914 m Frances Maria Dixon 1834-1888 in Montreal in 1853, son Eric Manley Clarke 1858-1932 m Edith Marion Knowles 1871-1950 in Palmerston North in 1900, son Eric Reay Innes Clarke 1902-1980 m Olive Beryl Stubbs 1907-1986 in Auckland in 1933, daughter Marie Jeanette Clarke b1940 m John James Grant b1935 in England in 1967

10: SARAH PHILLIPS I b. 10 Mar 1748, Boston, Suffolk County, Mass DIED YOUNG

11: GRIZEY PHILLIPS b. 18 Feb 1749, Boston, Suffolk County, Mass, d. 14 Jan 1822, Mt Tirzah, Person County, North Carolina. Married GENERAL STEPHEN MOORE b.October 30, 1734 in New York City, Colony of NY, (son of JOHN MOORE and FRANCES LAMBERT) d. December 29, 1799 in Stagville (Fairntosh Farm), Person Cty, NC.

Marriage Date: December 25, 1768 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada,
WEBSITE: http://stephenmoore-mounttirzah.blogspot.com/
(The Moore's departure from Boston for Carolina, is mentioned in Capt John Phillips II letter to Ann Phillips his mother June 27th, 1775. the Moore family were enroute and stopped at Norfolk on 30th April 1775 to begin their overland journey to Carolina)

12: MARY PHILLIPS b. 1 Jul 1750 d. October 13, 1791, Quebec, Canada; Married HUGH FINLAY b. 1730, Scotland, d. Dec 26 1801, Quebec, Canada

1. Ann Finlay b. 1774

Notes for MARY PHILLIPS:

They were in Quebec in 1776 and she had just had another child per a letter by Stephen Moore.

Notes for HUGH FINLAY:

He is listed as a householder in Quebec who paid "Chimney money" in 1769 and 1770. Business partner with his brother-in-law Hugh Finlay in Quebec venture which failed. In 1800 his name is associated with the return of Crown lands to the leaders of townships and their associates from 1791 through 1809.April 30, 1788, letter from Hugh Finlay, Esq, Deputy Post Master General of the Province of Quebec, that claimant was Post Master at Ft. Edward with pay of 5 shillings per day. He was a Loyalist. He was the Chairman of the Quebec Land Board which is next in influence to that of being Governor. He was the Deputy Post Master for all of British North America 1774-1799.

13 JANE PHILLIPS b. 6 Aug 1751, d. 1807 Married THOMAS SCOTT  Controller of Customs of Quebec, Loyalist, Lt. of Militia unit in Quebec

They were living in Quebec in 1776 per Stephen Moore.

14: SAMUEL PHILLIPS b. 29 Jul 1756, d. 6 Aug 1808, Quebec.
Samuel was living in Quebec in 1773 with his Mother and one sister. In 1776, Stephen Moore told his wife that Sam remains in his old office in Quebec. Samuel owned property at L'ancienne Lorette. Godfather to several of his siblings children.

15: WILLIAM PHILLIPS  b. 3 Sep 1759 Command in Army of Canada c.1776Stephen Moore in 1776 told his wife that her brother, Bil, had a Command in the Army of Canada.

16: SARAH PHILLIPS II b. 1 Nov 1758, Boston, Suffolk County, Mass, d. 25 May 1778, Quebec

Dies aged 20.

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STEPHEN MOORE AND GRIZEY PHILLIPS

 

 

Signatures of Stephen and Grizey Moore

 

Provence of all material copied below is by premission of Terri Bradshaw O'Neill who edited The Moore/Stanford/Webb Chronicles 1993. Please contact me on jphillips1710@gmail.com if you would like to contact Terri or the Moore family for a copy of the Chronicles.

 

A few days before her marriage to Stephen Moore, he settled on her his inherited property of WestPoint as a dower. Today WestPoint, on the Hudson river is the famed training ground for officers in the US Military. Grizey Phillips Moore was the last legal owner of this property before it was sold to the US Govt for $10,000. We see her fathers name, John Phillips and that of Samuel Bayard listed as Grizey's trustees.

 

Marriage Settlement of West Point Property on Grizey Phillips, 1768

 

Whereas by certain Articles of Agreement made & concluded upon the 21st day of December 1768 between Stephen Moore of the first part, Grizey Phillips of the second part and John Phillips & Samuel Bayard the younger of the third part, The said Stephen Moore did in consequence of a Marriage intended to be solemnized between him & the said Grizey Phillips, did covenant & agree to convey and assure as a Marriage Settlement or Dower, two certain tracts of lands, scituate at West Point in the County of Orange & then Province of New York & did conformable thereto make the covenanted conveyances; And it was then also by the said first mentioned Instruments of agreement made lawfull to & for the said Stephen Moore & Grizey his then intended wife at any time after the solemnization of the said intended marriage by their joint act & deed to revoke all or any of the uses therein mentioned and new uses to appoint. Now Know Ye that for sundry good causes & considerations us thereunto moving, We do hereby jointly freely and willingly, fully & absolutely revoke the said uses on condition that it shall seem meet & proper to the said Stephen Moore to make sale of or otherways to dispose of the said two tracts of land or any part thereof in fee, otherways the same is to stand & remain for & to the purposes of Dower as above mentioned~~ In witness we the said parties to these presents do set our Hands and Seals in Caswell County and State of North Carolina this twenty fourth day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty four~~~ Stephen Moore Sealed & Delivered in presence of ~~ Grizey Moore Joseph Stephens Robert Moore Source: Papers of the Continental Congress, Microfilm Roll 74, item 60, p. 441 Transcriber's note: This instrument is not recorded in Orange County, NY Deed records. This is the only known record of this transaction and the document is in Stephen Moore's handwriting, as is the following release of claim by Grizey.

 

 

 

Map of West Point showing houses.

Renouncement of Claim to West Point by Grizey Moore, 1784

 

Whereas by a certain Instrument of writing or Articles of Agreement between Stephen Moore and; myself and John Phillips and; Samuel Bayard the younger bearing date the 21st day of December 1768 for the purpose and; intention of assuring to me by way of a Marriage Settlement or Dower two tracts of land situate in the County of Orange in the then Province of New York at West Point. Also by a certain other Instrument of writing or Lease for one year from Stephen Moore to John Phillips and Samuel Bayard the younger dated 11th April 1769. Also a third Instrument of writing or Release from Stephen Moore & myself to John Phillips and; Samuel Bayard the younger dated 12th April 1769, all tending & designed for the above mention'd use & purpose of a Marriage Dower Reference to the said Papers being had will more fully and at large appear~~ Now Know Ye That for & in consideration of the sum of five shillings to me in hand paid, and for divers other good causes & considerations me thereunto moving, I have freely & willingly & I do by these presents fully & amply consent & agree that my Husband Stephen Moore or his lawfull attorneys do bargain for, make sale of, and fully dispose of & convey & make good and sufficient Titles, to the whole or any part of the before mentioned tract or tracts of land in whenever & in whatsoever manner it shall to him seem meet & fit, Hereby renouncing & for ever quiting claim to the same or any part thereof~~ Furthermore, if it be necessary, I do hereby request & desire that Samuel Bayard the younger, the surviving trustee in the said Instruments appointed do join the Execution of any Instrument or Instruments of Conveyance for the furtherance or completing the purposes herein before expressed & intended~~~ In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & seal this twenty fourth day of May 1784 Sealed and Delivered Grizey Moore in the presence of Joseph Stephens Robert Moore Source: Papers of the Continental Congress, Microfilm Roll 74, item 60, p.443 Transcriber's Note: These documents were submitted to the Continental Congress in an effort to effect the sale of West Point. There are many such letters, Memorials and documents among the Papers of the Continental Congress (PCC) dating from the first time Stephen sought compensation for the damage done to his property to the final sale of West Point, Dec. 1779 to Jul 1790.

  

 

Plaque commemorating Stephen Moore at West Point

 

Stephen Moore was the 17th CHILD of John Moore and Frances Lambert . Stephen, born 1734, married Grizey Phillips, and died in North Carolina 1799, aged 65. The following are some brief facts relative to Stephen Moore at West Point. He was 8 years old when his father bought the first part of his West Point property, the Congreve Patent in 1742. John Moore (Stephen's father) was granted his own patent to add to his property holdings at West Point in 1747. Stephen was 15 when his father died two years later, and he inherited the West Point property. The Red House probably was built in the intervening 5 years from the first purchase. Little is known about how much time Stephen or any of his family spent at West Point from the time of John Moore's death until Stephen moved his family to the property in 1770, some twenty years after Stephen inherited the property. Stephen lived in the vicinity from 1770 to 1775, though probably very little of that time was spent at the Red House, if indeed, any.

 

The fact that Stephen, who was the youngest son, inherited West Point, is interesting and invites speculation as to the relative value of the property. Most of Stephen's elder siblings were already married and well established in business. They had probably been provided for long before the death of their father, John Moore. The West Point property was valued in John Moore's estate at £800. Lots and houses in New York City devised to surviving siblingswere valued from £100 to £400, the exception being the mansion house, valued at £2000. By the time the Revolutionary War was in full swing, Stephen had already moved his family to North Carolina.

 

Portrait of Stephen Moore

The Following is an excerpt from the Chronicles. Memories recorded by Stephen Moores nephew.

 

My Uncle Stephen Moore, served his time with the Hon. John Watts, one of his Majesty’s Council, an eminent merchant, and contractor for the Army Supplies at New York. Upon the breaking out of the French War in 1754, he obtained a Commission in a New York Regiment, under the command of Col. Oliver Delancey, was in several of the battles of those days and obtained considerable reputation in the expedition under Col. Bradstreet. He was at the taking of Fort Stanwix, so named in honor of the British General who commanded on that occasion. He continued in the service through-out the war; at the close of it he was appointed Dep. Paymaster General in Canada.

 

I cannot help recording here, a circumstance evincive of his intrepidity, activity and zeal. General Haldimand, the in command in Canada, had occasion in mid-winter to send an express to Sir Jeffrey Amherst, the commander-in-chief in America, residing at New York. He applied to my uncle to look out for a person qualified for the purpose and acquainted with all the wilderness through which it was necessary to pass, neither the St. Lawrence nor the Lakes being frozen sufficiently hard to bear sleigh of horses and the dispatches requiring haste and immediately conveyance. My uncle after a few hours preparation told the General he had found such a person and the letters were immediately handed to him. He put a pound or two of dressed provision in his knapsack, put on his skates; slung his blanket and snow-shoes on his back and started from Quebec on the St. Lawrence. On arrival at Montreal he hired a couple of faithful Mohawks, armed as a guard, and all of the on snow-shoes (the snow very deep and no vestige of track) proceeded through the wilderness by the shortest course known only to his Indian guides, to the north end of Lake Champlain. They there took to the lake and proceeded on it and Lake George to its south boundary and from thence to the Hudson. At Albany he discharged his Indians, took to his skates and kept on them till he reached Col. Philip’s seat at the Yonkers, 20 miles from New York. He fell through the ice twice before he relinquished the frozen Hudson. From Col. Philip’s he walked to town and delivered his dispatches to Sir Jeffrey Amherst on the tenth day after leaving Quebec. The General told my Uncle that his situation as dep. Paymaster General to the King’s Army forbade his offering him any pecuniary remuneration, but handsomely insisted upon his acceptance of postage, presenting him with a Roleau of 100 guineas.

 

So honorable an anecdote I could not resist the gratification of inserting in this family record.

 

After leaving Canada, where he had relinquished his paymaster-ship for mercantile pursuits and having married a Miss Grizey Philips of a respectable family from Boston, entered into partnership with Hugh Finlay Esq., Post-Master General for Canada, who had also married a sister of my Uncle’s wife. They would have done well but for wild speculations in the Lumber Business and trusting the Indian traders to a very great amount, in consequence of which they failed tho’ I believe they paid all their creditors. My Uncle then came and took possession of the house and land left him by his father at West Point. He remained there some years but not long after the American War he purchased and removed to a tract of land in North Carolina where he built a house for himself, and another for his brother Charles to whom he either gave a farm in fee or during his life, I dont know which. He named his place Mt. Tirzah where he obtained the Post Office for his brother. He was the only one of his father’s family who took an active part in favour of the Revolution. He raised a regiment of 1000 strong and joined Gen. Gates. He was in the first battle of Camden in South Carolina. At the first firing of the British his whole regiment took to their heels and left him on the field where in a few moments he was made a prisoner and sent to Charleston. He there found a very old acquaintance and friend of the family, Col. John Harris Cruger, who had some years ago been a partner of his and my Uncles brother, Daniel in Jamaica, but two such determined foes in politicts could not easily been reconciled. Col. Cruger treated him harshly and my Uncle met his frowns with equal determination and hostility. He was a good while a prisoner on Parole, but at length effected his exchange. After the evacuation of Charleston by the British he unfortunately went there and made considerable purchases of goods in the hopes of selling them to advantage, but like the rest of his brothers in all their Mercantile speculations the business ended in a heavy loss and involved him in great difficulties. Fortunately, however, at last the Gov. chose West Point as a strong Post to defend the Hudson River, of course, he was obliged to sell it to the United States and the price was awarded by the Commissioners chosen for that purpose at Ten Thousand Dollars. The payment of this money exonerated him from al his embarrassments and he died at Mt. Tirzah some years ago at an advanced age. His widow has since died. He has left several children, how many I know not. His eldest daughter is one of the finest women in this country but has been a cripple and for many years was confined to her bed with the loss of the use of all of her limbs, occasioned solely by the prick of a cambric needle in her thumb. Another of his daughters, who has several children, is the widow of the late Mr. Stanford, a member of Congress from that State, who died during the session about three years ago at Washington just as he was about returning to his family after an illness of a few days.

(letter written by ?)

 

 

 

Col. John Moore Stephen's father was a wealthy New York businessman with property from Water Street to the East river. Most of his buildings were destroyed in the fires of 1776.

 

STEPHEN MOORE CHRONOLOGY:

Documented events from his birth to his move to North Carolina

 

1734-1775

19 OCT 1734-Stephen Moore born, NYC1

c. JAN 1738/9-sister Ann born, last of siblings2

29 OCT 1749-father John Moore died, inherited West Point, age 153

1757-commissioned Lt. in NY Regiment4

1758-expedition against Ft. Stanwix5

1759-probably with Col. John Bradstreet & Sir Jeffrey Amherst in expeditions against Ticonderoga and Crown Point.6

c. 1760-appointed Deputy Paymaster General for the British Army of Canada7

c. 1761-formed partnership in Quebec with Hugh Finlay. Firm of Moore & Finlay in business until c. 1769.8

c. JAN 1763-Stephen in Montreal9

c. FEB 1763-Stephen's feat of taking dispatches from Gen. Haldimand in Quebec to Sir Jeffrey Amherst at NYC, in 10 days10

24 NOV 1763-Stephen in London; first known letter of sister, Frances Moore Bayard11

27 SEP 1766-signs an address and welcome to new Gov. of Province of Quebec with 46 other Merchants and Traders

21 DEC 1768-Stephen settled the West Point property on Grisey Phillips as a marriage gift14

25 DEC 1768-Stephen married to Griselda Phillips of Boston, at Quebec15

12 May 1769-letter from Frances Bayard to Stephen, congratulating him on his marriage16

12 NOV 1769-twins Robert and John born19

10 APR 1770-Stephen signs petition protesting an Ordinance to forgive debtors in Quebec20

7 SEP 1770-son John died

20 SEP 1770-letter from Anne Payson, Grisey's sister, directed to Mrs. Grizey Moore at New Yorke24

14 DEC 1770-letter of sister, Ann Moore, directed to Mrs. Stephen Moore at West Grove in Orange26

14 JUL 1771-son Phillips born in NY27

7 AUG 1772-letter of sister Rebecca Moore, mentions "that shell of a house you propose going into", possibly referring to the Red House at West Point31

1 SEP 1772-Mortgage recorded between Stephen Moore and Eleazor Levy of NYC, dated 29 May 1772, on 1080 acre tract at West Point for £1000 with lawful interest32

5 NOV 1772-letter of Rebecca Moore, undirected, mentions "you're moved and hope you'll find the House comfortable", probably meaning the Red House at West Point34

24 NOV 1772-petition granted for land on Lake Champlain to Stephen Moore and 30 others

13 DEC 1772-letter of Rebecca Moore, undirected, wishing Stephen and family a Happy Christmas36

APR 1773-Stephen appointed Overseer of Dist. 34, Path Master

5 NOV 1773-daughter Frances born at West Point38

12 FEB 1774-letter of Stephen to Grizey. He is apparently on a trip to Canada or the Lake Champlain area.39

APR 1774-Stephen appointed Overseer, Path Master, Dist. 3440

10 MAY 1775-letter of Rebecca Moore directed to Mr. Stephen Moore at West Point. This is the first and only letter bearing that address

 

Sometime between the date of this last recorded letter and Sept of 1776, the date of the next known letter of Stephen Moore, he had moved his family to North Carolina, first settling in Granville County, and then acquiring land and establishing himself in Orange and Caswell Counties, which finally became Person County.

Documents of the American Revolution 1770-1783, vol. 1 and 2; K.G. Davies.

Apparently, Gov. Guy Carlton of the Province of Quebec, in an effort to curb abuses of Justices in the Province against debtors, forgave all debtors with this Ordinance. Court documents show that Stephen took several people to Court in order to collect outstanding debts owed to the firm of Moore & Finlay. The Ordinance may have led to the final demise of Moore & Finlay's business interests, and led to Stephen's departure from Quebec

 

 

Mt Tirzah, Stephen and Grizey's home as it is today. The original house was much smaller.

 

 

Moore Family Bible. This Bible is located in the Webb Papers, #1900, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, hereafter SHC-UNC. The Bible bears Stephen Moore's bookplate but was published by Mathew Carey, Philadelphia in 1802, 3 years after Stephen's death. Most of the handwriting appears to be wife Grizey's and daughter Ann's, with some later entries in Mary Moore Stanford's and Cornelia Webb's hand. The Moore Family Bible. The Bible lists John's birth and death in Grisey's handwriting. Robert is not mentioned, though later documents prove his survival.

 

 

 

Page in Family Bible listing their marriage and births of children

 

LETTERS WRITTEN TO/BY or ABOUT GRIZEY AND STEPHEN MOORE

 

Letter to Grizey from her sister Anne 1770

To Mrs. Grizey Moore at New Yorke

 

Southern Historical Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill

Howell Papers-1060-A 1742-74

 

My Dear Sister

It is my sincere wish this may find you & my dear Brother safe arriv'd and in health as I've the satisfaction to inform you, it leaves our dear parents, Brothers, Sisters and The griefe I felt at parting was inexpressible, indeed 'twas almost too much for me to bear. I return you my sincere thanks for the kind expressions of your concern for my disorder, which was great and gave all my dear friends uneasiness. You are pleas'd to add that you should have no comfort till you heard how I am--pray Heaven! this may soon get handed you. & hope ere long to receive an answer to it.

Our Dear parents desire to join with me and; the rest of our dear friends in love and best wishes for your and Mr. Moore's prosperity and may God Bless you & your family in this world & make you for ever happy in the next prays dear Sister,

Yours Affectionatly,

be pleas'd to present comp'ts to all Friends, Adieu-- Anne Payson

Sept the 20th 1770

 

Letter to Stephen 1770 from Stephen's sister Rebecca Moore.

 

I could not suffer Pemart to return without a line to my Dear Brother to convince him that he is much in my thoughts and; that I hope now & then to have the pleasure of hearing from him when his business will permit and that both my Sister and yourself enjoy your retreat every fine day made (blotted out) --- to have a ramble in that once dispis'd but to me, agreeable wild. I hope in your improving of it, your will not be too hasty for your own health. I am very sorry you did not conclude to take the Negro wench recommended by Betty Staples or that my sister is without an assistant in her household affairs, but we are enquiring every day for a servant for her & will if possible get one before the cold or severe weather sets in.

Adieu, Pemart just going, must conclude, affect.

R Moore

Nov 1770

rec'd 20 Nov

ans'd 21 Dec

SC Lib

Letter to Stephen from his sister 1772

My Dear Brother,

I design this by Mr. Robeson's boat man, Albert Swame to whom I have given a bundle of yellow flannel for warm clothes for little Phillips & two pair of red worsted stockings & some muskmelon seeds & two peach stones. You'll smile at this but we have gathered some good ones for you which I have not the key of. Nancey has the key & is at Westchester. The key of the closet, I should say. Mama's blessing attends you; she is well except a little cold. I find you're moved & hope you'll find the House comfortable, but I can't help thinking it will not be so warm as the other, but hear tis much pleasanter & more convenient, no doubt. Give my love to Grisey. I suppose she has a prospect of a good dairy now that your fields & meadows are so near. Nancey & myself were several times on the point of concluding to take another trip up to see you, but was prevented. I imagine it has more the look of a farm where you are & hope it may in time be profitable as well as agreeable. Sister Bayard sends her love to you & my Sister, her daughter Hoffman return'd home this day, week & Mrs. Robeson went home with her. Mrs Robeson said she would stop when she came back to pay you a visit. I hope this may find you all well which is the prayer of your ever affectionate sister

R Moore

Nov 5, 1772

SC Lib

Letter from Stephen to Grizey 1774

 

Saratoga within 20 miles of Lake George

Sat. 12th Feb 1774

 

I now have the satisfaction of telling you that by easy days Journies I am (torn page) I propose remaining at Lake George until Monday morning from this evening by way of recruiting my horses before I go on the Lakes.

There are several sleighs for Canada gone on before me and I am told that the sleighing between this and Crown Point is excellent. I don't doubt but by the time I get to Crown Point I shall meet travellers from St. John's.

The second night after I left home I stopped at Red Hook and Phil & Fanny Livingston just arriving from New York told me he in the way into they left a letter for me that Brother Thomas gave them and said it contained something I should have had with me probably some directions from Mr. Bondfield for providing Provinder for the horses on the way for my return, however whatever it be I must do without it.

 

I had a great deal of bad sleighing between home and Albany and had I stayed till my first time appointed I would never have got on in a sleigh, but now I have good going before me- The foregoing is as exact a history of my Rout as I can give you from a barr room with numbers of tongues going round me. I now come to tell my Dearest Grizey that I proceed with the greatest anxiety for a speedy return to you and our dear little ones. I hope you will keep up a rememberance of me in mind of my dear little Chatter Box and give them both daily kisses in my behalf. Tell Phil that you have a letter from me and that I shall Bring him a whole heap of cakes and Plumbs. I missed the Canada Post on his way to Albany last evening which place I left yesterday morning, it is from hence 38 miles. If you have an opportunity write a note to Mr. Brunson and tell him that I gave his Letter to Col. Schuyler in Albany. There were people present and he made me no reply- I could not learn whether he intends to go down to New York this sessions, but if he does not I shall call on him on my return. I earnestly beseech you that whatever crosses or vascations (vexations) happen to you by all means strive to keep your Fortitude there requires (page fragmented) -than our earnest efforts--to lessen ----- no such will attend the habitation of my dear companion.

 

I must now prepare for setting out on my day's journey and to forward this by a Gentleman from Albany that was our fellow passenger between that & West Grove when we went down from Canada. Heavens choicest blessings ever surround the dwelling of my Dearest Grizey is the fervent Prayer of Your truly Affectionate and Loving Friend

Stephen Moore

To Mrs. Grizey Moore

 

May 2,1991 -Transcriber's note: At the time of this transcription, I do not know the source of this letter. It was copied in a personal letter from Paul Noell to "Cousin Laura" in 1981. In the text of Stephen Moore's letter, he mentions two children, "Chatter Box" and Phil (Phillips), but according to other records, there should be three at the time the letter was written, Robert, age 5, Phillips, age 3 and Frances, 3 months old.

May 16, 1991 -Transcriber's note: After a trip to North Carolina and two day stay at the Southern Historical Collection in the Wilson Library on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill, I found the letter in the Howell Collection, 1060-A, 1742-74

 

 

 

Letter from Stephen to Grizey telling of her mother, Ann Engs Phillips, death 10 months earlier in Quebec, Canada

 

Philadelphia

Wed. 18 Sep 1776

 

A gentleman on his way to Georgia gives me an opportunity to inform my dear Grizey that I last evening reach'd this town without any cross accident, where I have met several of our Quebec acquaintances, particularly the two Bondfields, John and Acklam. The horrid divisions & confusions of the times makes the earth not worth possessing, therefore happy are those who are taken from its troubles; when outward calamities are augmented with a long train of bodily infirmities, death must be a welcome relief. Afflicted you will naturally be, though I think you will not be much surprised at being told that your infirm Mother was last December called to the regions of peace. I join in your condolance, tho' she is greatly the gainer. I shall give you some further information such as I can pick up of your other Canada relations --- Mr. Finlay & his family remain at Quebec, she has another young one since the Siege. Jacob also remains there, but it is through courtesy, on account of his numerous family; he could not bridle his tongue & was displac'd from his office; how he supports his family I cannot learn, tho' I dare say they won't be let to suffer. Scott & his are in good (?) plith. Sally is with Mr. Finlay. Your brother Tom I don't hear of After he left us, he remain'd a week within the distance of forty miles, & threw away eight (page torn) Joes on 60 acres of land or bushes near Lunenberg Court House; what could possess him, I can't imagine. He bought it of the man where I made my first night's stage, after I left Col. Edmond Taylor's. Your brother Bill has a Command in the Army in Canada & Sam remains in his old office.

 

I can't yet learn where my Mother & Mr. Smyth's family retir'd to from Amboy, but I shall probably find them somewhere in New Jersey. The enclosed from John Moore tells you all I know from those connections. The fate of my poor native bleeding country racks me, the force against (page torn) seems formidable, but I hope Heaven's mighty arm will still be advanc'd in its favour. The King's Forces are in possession of the City of NYork, as well as the whole of Staten & Long Islands. Our chief stand is at King's Bridge (blotted out) miles from the City. My design is (after finding out Mother & family) to visit those at West Point & West Grove. My horse performs beyond expectation.

 

I can as yet form no idea what will be the upshot or effect of this tour, but hope I may in some way or other make it turn to advantage.

 

As I am still moving farther off, I endeavour to keep down tender thoughts of my dear Cottagers; tho'w.. (page torn) -my return I shall put forward with the wings of anxiety; in the mean while, my dearest girl won't neglect informing the minds of your infant charges that every benefit is from an omnipotent provider.

 

How thankful ought you to be for your local situation. The distresses of the fugitive families are beyond conception & affecting to the last degree; God help them.

 

Many hearty kisses to our dear little ones & my most hearty regards to your kind neighbours of Col. Taylor's family. Make yourself easy and reflect how much better you 39 are situated than 19 out of 20 in these convuls'd parts, you will then think you have reason to be thankful. Heavens guard you all & shower health on our Dwelling---

 

 I am ever my dearest Grizey

your most sincerely affectionate,

Stephen Moore

to: Mrs. Grizey Moore

SCLib

Transcriber's Note: This letter was written just a few days before the fire that destroyed much of lower Manhattan, (the day the British took over the city) including Stephen's father's home, properties and Trinity Church. As he notes in the letter, his mother and sisters were not in the city at the time of the fire.

 

Analysis and Commentary on Stephen Moore's Letter dated 18 Sep 1776

by Terri Bradshaw O'Neill in the Moore/Stanton/Webb Chronicles of 1993

 

 It was my original intention to let the letters of the various members of the Moore clan tell their story in their own words, but the letter that Stephen wrote to his wife, Grizey in the fall of 1776 is so extraordinary in its content and its importance in the context of American history, I felt it expedient to take a closer look at this letter and offer some explanation of the information it gives us. This letter is the first known letter written to North Carolina since Stephen and Grizey's relocation there. A look at a map will explain that conclusion. It is written from Philadelphia and is being conveyed by a gentleman on his way to Georgia. Though Stephen doesn't mention where he is staying, he is obviously in contact with family and friends. The two Bondfields were probably business associates in Quebec. The name had been mentioned in an earlier (1774) letter, and it was also among the records of the shipping business in Quebec. However, the most remarkable feature of the first part of the letter is the fact that Stephen is informing Grizey of the death of her mother some 10 months before. This event is substantiated by records of the Anglican Cathedral of Quebec. Stephen then goes on to give Grizey an account of as much of her family in Quebec as he was able to hear about. Mr. Finlay is Grizey's brother-in-law. Her sister, Mary Phillips married Hugh Finlay about the same time Grizey and Stephen married in Quebec. Hugh Finlay and Stephen Moore had established themselves in business together in about 1761. Finlay remained in Quebec, was a Loyalist, and was among the defenders of Quebec during the Siege of 1775-6. A Journal was kept during the Siege and though it is not signed, it is presumed that it was kept by Hugh Finlay. In 1773, Finlay was appointed "Surveyor of the Post Roads in the Continent of North America". He had also agreed to investigate the vast land holdings in North Carolina belonging to the Carteret family. Hugh Finlay was even nominated to a seat on the North Carolina Council in 1774, at which time he was about to establish residence there.1 However, in Virginia in May of 1774, during his tour as Surveyor of the Post Roads, he learned that he had been named to replace Benjamin Franklin as one of the joint Deputy Postmasters General of North America.2 I believe that it was from Hugh Finlay that Stephen Moore learned of the beauty and opportunity of North Carolina. I have found no indication that Stephen had been to North Carolina previous to 1775. But perhaps Stephen accompanied his brother-in-law on part of his journey surveying the post roads. It will be remembered that Stephen was successful in obtaining a Post Office for Mt. Tirzah and the position of Postmaster for his brother Charles and Stephen's son, Phillips continued the tradition of Postmaster of Mt. Tirzah during the 1830's. Continuing with the text of the letter, Jacob is Jacob Rowe, who married another sister of Grizey's, Penelope. Rowe was a Deputy Provost Marshall in Quebec, and in 1771, according to the Quebec Gazette, he was set upon by robbers and severely wounded, one of his fingers being severed. He recovered and the robbers were caught. Though Stephen doesn't elaborate, Rowe must have been an abrasive person to have been relieved of his office. The Quebec Gazette reports in September of 1776 that Jacob Rowe is determined to leave the Province by 10 October and all who have business with him should attend to it before then. Scott is Thomas Scott, who married Grizey's sister, Jane (Jenny). Thomas Scott was a merchant and held various offices including Controller of the Customs and Justice of the Peace. Sally is either an aunt or a sister of Grizey. Tom is the brother that spent some time in North Carolina. He apparently helped with Stephen's mercantile pursuits, but in 1816, Phillips complained that Uncle Thomas Phillips had made "so many wrong entries in the Ledger, that the Day Book must be again posted or the accounts cannot be properly adjusted". Bill and Sam are both Grizey's brothers that I have been unable to trace with any certainty. (Bil was in the British Army in Canada. Sam was in business in Quebec with rising and falling fortunes over the span of his life. At one time he owned a number of properties in Quebec and L'ancenne Lorrette. Was an auctioneer. He lost all his properties at one point but continued to trade as an auctioneer. His mother, Ann Engs Phillips and one sister lived with him irue St Famille after the death of his father, Captain John Phillips, a Tidewaiter of Customs for Quebec Julie Wood 2010)

 

The next interesting point of Stephen's letter is the fact that he differentiates between West Point and West Grove. Upon leaving Canada, Stephen first lived at West Grove from 1770 to 1772. At West Point, in addition to the building variously referred to as the "Red House" or "Moore's House" or "Moore's Folly", and which served as Washington's Headquarters from July to November of 1779, it seems that there was a second house that was probably built about 1772 with the money obtained from mortgaging the West Point property earlier that year (see Chronology, v. 1) and later occupied from time to time by Stephen's brother, Charles. Stephen lived at West Point from about Nov. of 1772 to May of 1775, and it is most likely that he occupied this second house.

1 North Carolina Colonial Records, vol. 9, p. 974, p. 1172, p. 1243

2 Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. V, p. 314-19

 

 A Directory of Family, Friends and Associates of Stephen Moore

 

• Bayard Samuel, sr. (c. 1715-?) Stephen Moore's brother-in-law, married Frances Moore, eldest dau. of John and Frances Lambert Moore of NYC
• Samuel, jr. (c. 1741-c. 1816) SM's nephew, eldest son of Frances Moore & Samuel Bayard, brought up in business by Stephen, Deputy Sec. of Province, Loyalist, engaged to Miss DeLancey but never married
• Nicholas (Nicky)-SM's nephew, also taken into business by Stephen, 2nd son of Frances & Samuel Bayard, never married
• Finlay~ Hugh (c. 1730-1801) SM's brother-in-law, married Grizey's sister, Mary; also SM's business partner in Quebec, Dep. Postmaster Gen'l for North America, Loyalist
• Hoffman,Martin (c. 1747-?) Married SM's niece, Margaret Bayard, d/o Frances & Samuel; resident of Dutchess Co. NY, Patriot in Rev. War
• Levy.Eleazor (?-1811) Trader in NY & Canada, SM mortgaged West Point property to him in 1772, he moved to Philadelphia at commencement of War, Patriot in PA Militia
• Livingston~ Phillip John (1752-?) Married SM's niece Frances Bayard; Sheriff of Dutchess Co., Loyalist, went under flag of truce to NYC with SM's nephew, John Moore when British recaptured the City, claimed land in Nova Scotia but probably never went there.
• Payson,Thomas-SM's brother-in-law, he married Grizey's sister Anne; resided in Boston
• Pemart, Francis-Ship’s carpenter, Boatman at Peekskill, owned Pemart’s Dock, mentioned in several letters of Rebecca Moore
• Phillips, John (c. 1710-1773) SM's father-in-law, burial records of Anglican Church of Quebec call him Captain, Tidewaiter of Customs, died age 63
• Thomas- SM's brother-in-law, spent some time in NC
• William- SM's brother-in-law, an officer in the British Army in Canada
• Samuel- SM's brother-in-law, probably stayed in Quebec, served as godfather for children of John Phillips in 1793
• John-probably another brother of Grizey's, mentioned in baptismal records of the Anglican Church of Quebec above referred to
• Rowe,Jacob-SM's brother-in-law, married to Grizey's sister, Penelope; probably from Boston, returned there from Quebec in 1776
• Scott,Thomas (c. 1741-1810) SM's brother-in-law, married to Grizey's sister, Jane; Controller of Customs of Quebec, Loyalist, Lt. of Militia unit in Quebec
• Smyth,John (c. 1724-1786) SM's brother-in-law, married Susannah Moore, d/o John andFrances L. Moore; Treasurer of the Province of NJ, Loyalist, died in England
• Watts.John-SM's business mentor, Provision Contractor to the Army during French-Indian War
• Robert-SM's agent or attorney-at-law in NYC during attempts to receive compensation for the West Point damages

  An Enlightening Letter 1904 regarding Ann Engs Phillips Portrait

(comments below by Terri Bradshaw O'Neil in 1993)

 

 Although there has been some research done on the family of Stephen Moore’s wife, Griselda Phillips, more familiar to us as Grizey, there was still a considerable lack of knowledge and some confusion concerning the Phillips family. The following letter was transcribed by Mary Webb Strughold, of Mico, TX, from the original in the possession of Dr. Bailey Webb, Durham, NC. The letter was written to Miss Susan A. Webb, the daughter of Alexander Smith Webb and Cornelia Adeline Stanford Webb, in 1904 by Anne Rowe (Payson) Cunningham. The letter below is addressed to: Miss Susan A. Webb, Oaks,North Carolina

 

 

Willow Brook
East Milton, Massachusetts
14 Aug 1904
Dear Miss Webb,

 

I thank you for your letter of May 17th which was duly received and should have been acknowledged sooner.

 

I have been very busy and did not realize how long I had left it unanswered. The information you gave me is most valuable and interesting. What a prodigious progeny Griselda Phillips Moore has- So very different from Penelope Rowe, as we are only seven living descendants- My cousin, Dr. Joseph Rowe Webster & his children & myself & I have no children. My cousin is expecting two new grandchildren in the autumn, so we hope this branch of the Phillips will not wholly die out- There are more of Anne Phillips Payson’s descendants but except my father’s immediate family, I do not know them. I see much of many of Avis Phillips Preble’s descendants (Pollard by her 2nd marriage) & the other day a young man who was visiting us from Montreal gave me news of Wm. Phillips’ grandchildren. His father John was the oldest of the sixteen Phillips children. I am sending you a photograph of your gr. gr. grandmother, Anne Enge, Mrs. John Phillips, such as I sent Mrs. Noell. It was her sister Avis who married Capt. Barnabas Binney, Horace Binney’s grandfather- Both the portraits of Anne and Avis Enge were found by my grandfather, Thomas Payson, in an attic in Newton, many years ago. This photograph is taken from an old copy Joseph Rowe, Penelope’s son, had made. The original copy is owned in another branch of the Payson family, Gould by name.

 

I see that you are of my generation, while Mrs. Arabella Moore Noell was of my mother’s- I grieved for her death as we were just beginning to know each other through our letters. It would be a great pleasure to see you if I ever get so far from home in my own country. I have spent many years in Europe but was never farther south than Washington. If I ever get anywhere near you, I shall certainly let you know. My mother lived to be eighty-nine years old & died in January 1896. I am fifty-six. I wish I had written to find out the North Carolina cousins while she was alive; it would have been such a pleasure to her. She used often to talk & wonder about them as she remembered the letters coming from Griselda Moore’s children to the Rowes, her uncles & aunts with whom she lived. Please give my love to Cousin Lizzie Stanford. I think she told me her home was near you when she was not teaching at Mt. Tirzah. Accept my love for yourself & believe me, sincerely yrs--

 

 

Anne Rowe (Payson) Cunningham (Mrs. Caleb Loring Cunningham)
East Milton, Massachusetts 12

 

 

 

 

Photo of Ann Engs Phillips Grizey's mother.