William A. Moore of Somerville, NJ Ed. #9
Part 2: Family Life.
William Austin Moore (1860–1911), my great-great grandfather, was born in Mebane, North Carolina to John H. Moore (1839–1910) and Elizabeth Lee (1833-?). This branch of my family is likely to have been enslaved on one of the 50 plantations in the Lower Cape Fear area. While John H. Moore and Elizabeth Lee’s union and life experiences are undocumented, life under enslavement likely included strenuous, tedious, and cyclical labor. Their lives after the Civil War remain a mystery with Elizabeth Lee’s place of death unknown and John’s place of death recorded in North Carolina. Their son, William A. Moore migrated to New Jersey and settled in Somerville in 1881. While his motivations for relocating are unknown, at 21 years old it is likely he sought a life not possible in North Carolina. Moore’s life in New Jersey is recorded in US Census data, local publications, and newspapers. While few in number, these documents reveal a full life dedicated to family and community.
1881, Somerville New Jersey
In 1881, William A. Moore resided on 2nd street in Somerville, New Jersey. It is remarkable that within one generation from enslavement, Moore established a legacy of homeownership. A local directory categorized his occupation as laborer. While the house number is not identified, subsequent records listed his residence as 68 Second Street. This purchase became the foundation for future home ownership. The Moore family owned two additional homes on Second street, including my childhood home at 76 Second Street, homes on Franklin Street, Brown Street, Southside Avenue, and Veterans Memorial Drive.
Marriage to Josephine B. Hurling
On On September 8, 1881, William married Josephine B. Hurling (1853–1947). The Hurling family history is in Lamington, NJ. Josephine’s parents, Samuel Hurling and Sarah Jane White, and grandparents Thomas and Margaret Hurling were Lamington natives. The family included free black and enslaved members of the Lamington Presbyterian Church. Typical of the 180 Presbyterian Churches of New Jersey, free black and enslaved persons were buried in segregated cemeteries. Josephine’s grandfather, Thomas Hurling (Herling) is buried in the Lamington Black Cemetery.
The circumstances of William and Josephine’s meeting and marriage are unknown. The family expanded in 1882 and 1883 with the birth of daughters Claudia and Ella. By 1900 the Moore family, incorrectly recorded as Moon in the census, included daughters Claudia, Ella, Angeline, and twin sons William and Frederick.
In 1910 the family included William, Josephine, Claudia, Ella, William, and Frederick. Daughter Angeline is listed as deceased. The circumstances of her death are unknown.
The Neighborhood
The Moore’s southside neighborhood was a mix of African American, Irish, and German residents. In 1885, Somerville’s foreign born residents numbered 368 and African American residents numbered 423. The Second, Third, and Hamilton Street neighborhood included the African American residents who relocated from the Lottery Field section. These residents included John and Mary Dohman, Hettie and William Hall, Peter & Anges Sloan, and Anner and Richard Vanhast.
Part 1: The Moores of Mebane, North Carolina
Next: Part 3: William A. Moore & Community
