Abel Moffitt

Abel Moffitt, of Thorntown, Boone Co, Ind., was born in Randolph Co, North Carolina, USA, October 8, 1826, a son of David and Rachel (Cox) Moffitt. Both parents were born in Randolph Co, and were there married and lived on their farm until 1840, when they came to IN, and for a year resided in Hamilton Co, whence they came to Boone Co and settled down to farming, although Mr. Moffitt was also a wagon maker. They were the parents of nine children, named as follows: Mary, William, Jane, Joshua, Rachel, David, Abel, Ruth and Silas, all deceased with the exception of Abel and Silas, the latter being a real estate agent in Minnesota. Both parents are also deceased, and their remains are at repose in Sugar Plains cemetery at Thornton. David, the father, was a member of the Friends' church, and in politics was a republican. He was a very successful man, owned 160 acres at his death, and had given his two children surviving him 160 acres each. He had been quite prominent in local affairs and his death was greatly lamented by the community.

Abel Moffitt was but fourteen years of age when brought to IN by his parents. He was educated as farmers' lads usually are, and lived with his father and mother until they were called to their long home. At the age of twenty-seven he began the affairs of life on his own account, traveling, however, for three years in the states and Canada for pleasure and observation before permanently settling down to farming on his 160 acres in this township on which he remained until 1872, when he went to Battle Creek, Mich. for a year and then went to Vermillion Co, IL, where he purchased 114 acres and employed himself with farming for two years, when he came again to Thorntown and for a year carried on a meat market, and then engaged in the livery business, in 1887, which he has since followed with gratifying success. Mr. Moffitt was married in Montgomery Co, Ind. March 13, 1858 to Asenath H. Clark, who was born in Randolph Co, North Carolina, USA, in August 1829, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Hussey) Clark, and to this union have been born eight children, viz; Rollin C., deceased, Elmer E.; Orrin, deceased; Alvaretta, Leora Electo, deceased; Walter, deceased; Josephine and Quincy A. The mother of this family died July 13, 1889 and lies buried in Sugar Plains cemetery.

Elmer E. Moffitt, son of Abel and Asenath Moffitt, was born in Sugar Creek township, Boone Co, Ind. March 23, 1861, and was reared a farmer. He received the ordinary education of the common school of his district, which was supplemented by a course in the city school of Battle Creek, Mich. October 13, 1887 he married in Sugar Creek township Miss E. May Wickersham, who was born here October 2, 1866, a daughter of George and Mary (Hadden) Wickersham of Kentucky. To Mr. and Mrs. Moffitt has been born one child, Walter. Mrs. Moffitt is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics Mr. Moffitt is a republican. By trade he is a butcher, and also handles fine draft horses and trotters, owning, among the latter Little Sam, with a record of 2:22 and a half.

A more fitting close to the above biography cannot be made than the giving of the following short account of the ancestors of the Moffitt family in America: Robert Moffitt was born in Scotland, but emigrated to Ireland when young, and married there to Margaret Stewart of England, a near relative of King James II. Both died in Ireland. Their children were as follows: James, William, Adam, Margaret, Mary, Catherine, Robert, Hugh, John and Patrick. The later never came to America. John came over, but went back, and married and died in Ireland. William came over first, alone, and went back. Being pleased with this country, he with five other brothers came to Philadelphia and remained there some time, then went to North Carolina, USA, into Chatham or Randolph Co, James went to Georgia or South Carolina about the year 1790. William, Adam and Charles died in North Carolina, USA; Hugh emigrated to Ohio in 1798 or 1799; and settled near Chillicothe, and died about a year afterward . Robert started back to Ireland and was never heard from by those that remained. They suppose he was lost at sea. At that time only sail ships were in use. William and Hugh married Charles Davis' daughters in North Carolina, USA. Their father was from England and was a boy when his father died; his mother put him at the weavers's trade, but not being pleased with his situation he left England without his mother's knowledge and landed in Philadelphia, where he was sold to pay his passage.

Submitted by: Shelly Sloan
Source: "Biographical History of Boone Co," page 392