52 Ancestors #28: Joab Moore of Saline County, IL

Joab was a very popular name in my dad’s family. My grandfather’s name was Joab. His grandfather’s name was Joab, and so on back to my 4th great grandfather, Joab Moore. This is as far back as I can reach in the Moore line.

Joab #1 was born in 1785 in either North Carolina (1850 census) or Virginia (1860 census). Many researchers believe Joab’s parents to be John Moore and Sally Goodman of North Carolina. Others believe “Joab” was misinterpreted and John and Sally’s son was actually Joel. There is much debate over the parents of Joab, and I hope we find a connection … soon.

Thanks to some hard work by a few cousins, I have pieced together quite a bit of information about Joab #1. I have some burning questions, however, not the least of which is who my 4th great grandmother is!

From Tennessee to Illinois

In 1811, Joab and his family were in Hawkins County, Tennessee where he enlisted as a member of the 2nd East Tennessee Mounted Gunmen in the War of 1812.

Joab was issued a land grant in Shawneetown, Illinois as a result of his service during the War of 1812. Land and church records show Joab and his family were in southern Illinois by 1821.

Joab is found on the 1830 census for Gallatin County with 5 males under 29 (this would include Fuel), 4 females under 19, and one female between 30 and 39 (Sarah). It’s hard to say how many of the children belonged to him, to her, or to them.

Things that don’t fit

Joab’s son, Fuel (my 3rd great grandfather), was born in 1810 in Tennessee … I assume Hawkins County. Fuel’s mother is listed as Sarah Smith on every family tree I’ve seen. However, Joab and Sarah weren’t married until 1830 after Joab’s family had been in southern Illinois for about 10 years. At the time, Joab was 45 and Sarah was 33.

Sarah isn’t Fuel’s mother, which means Joab was probably married to a first wife by 1809-1810 prior to Fuel’s birth. There were at least six children born prior to the 1830 marriage, Fuel being the first. Three of the six were born after the family moved to southern Illinois, which tells me Fuel’s mother was with them until at least 1823 when Joab Jr. was born. Did the first Mrs. Moore die in childbirth? Did Joab and Sarah just not legally wed until later in life? Brick wall.

Eight more children came along after 1830. I’m pretty sure they belonged to Sarah.

Are you confused yet? I am!

If you’re a Moore or connected somehow to this line, let me know … if you know something about this brick wall I’m up against, PLEASE let me know!