My Moore Family in America - Part 2

A detour to visit some interesting relatives

One of the things I love most about genealogy research is the little surprises that can pop up. Some can be rabbit holes, but others produce the actual rabbit. This is a detour I’m happy to have taken. I think you’ll quickly understand why.

In Part 1, I introduced you to my 11th great-grandfather, John Moore. He came to America as a young man, met and married a young woman from a prominent family, Margaret Howell, accomplished quite a lot, became an ordained minister, fathered five children, and died at age 37.

This week’s installment of the Moore family history will follow Samuel Moore, one of Rev. John and Margaret’s children, and his fascinating family. One of his descendants will be involved in multiple historic events.

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Samuel Moore (1645-1717)

Born in 1645 in Newtown, Long Island, Samuel Moore was the third child of Rev. John Moore and Margaret Howell. Following in his father’s footsteps, Samuel became a cornerstone of Newtown’s civic life, dedicating himself to shaping the growing community. Samuel Moore wore many hats during his lifetime in Newtown's bustling community. From keeping law and order as Constable to strategizing as a Lieutenant in the militia, his civic involvement shaped the town's early history. His array of roles, including Assessor and Commissioner of Town Court, highlights his dedication to public service and leadership.¹

Captain Moore married Mary Reed (1651-1738) in 1670 in Newtown. Mary was the daughter of Captain Thomas Reed and his wife, Elizabeth. Samuel and Mary were the parents of:

• Samuel Moore, Jr.

• Benjamin Moore

• Joseph Moore

• Nathaniel Moore

• Mary Moore

• Margaret Moore

• Elizabeth Moore

• Sarah Moore

All of the children of Samuel and Mary were born in Newtown, Long Island. ²

Moore House -The story of the Moore House is a tale of family legacy etched into the very land they called home. From its first stones laid in 1666 by Captain Samuel Moore, to Benjamin Moore’s expansions, and finally Lieutenant Samuel Moore’s 1760 addition, each generation left its mark—an enduring testament to their resilience and vision. The Perry family (relatives of the Moore's), were the last to own the property from the 1860's into the 1920's. The house was torn down in the 1930's to make way for the subway. It is the now Moore Homestead Playground in a smaller footprint. Photo in public domain, taken in 1922 by Eugene L. Armbruster. Original print in the Eugene L. Armbruster Collection, Queens Public Library, (Collections | Queens Public Library Digital).

Toward the end of his life, Samuel served as a Justice of the Peace in Newtown. In 1717, anticipating his death, Samuel prepared his last will. He died, however, before being able to sign it. ³

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Benjamin Moore (1665-1759)

Born in 1665 as the eldest of Samuel Moore and Mary Reed’s children, Benjamin Moore carried the torch of his family’s lineage. Inheriting the property near Newtown village from his grandfather, Rev. John Moore, Benjamin continued to uphold the Moore family’s presence as a prominent part of the local landscape. Near his property are farms belonging to various members of the Sackett family, another prominent family in the colony.⁴

On 27 December 1710, Benjamin married Anna Sackett, the daughter of Lt. Joseph Sackett and Elizabeth Betts. Anna’s sisters, Elizabeth and Sarah Sackett, each married Benjamin’s brother, Joseph Moore.⁵

While Benjamin Moore chose a quieter path compared to his father and grandfather's active civic engagement, his influence in Newtown was far-reaching. A steady presence in the community, Benjamin’s legacy endures through his landholdings and the relationships he nurtured with neighboring families. Benjamin and Anna were the parents of nine children:

• Samuel Moore

• Mary Moore

• Anne Moore

• Sarah Moore

• Benjamin Moore

• John Moore (died in infancy)

• Elizabeth Moore

• Patience Moore

• John Moore⁶

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Samuel Moore (1711-1788)

Samuel Moore was the eldest child of Benjamin Moore and Mary Reed. He was born in Newtown, Long Island, on 4 December 1711. He married Sarah Fish in 1748. Like many of his family, Samuel served in the militia, earning the rank of Lieutenant.

Samuel and Sarah had a large family, as was typical for the era. Their children were to become prominent New Yorkers in their own right. Honor and duty to the community were strong values for the Moore family. The children of Samuel and Sarah Moore were:

• Sarah

• Patience

• Jacob

• Benjamin

• William

• Judith⁷

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Right Rev. Benjamin Moore, S.T.D.

Benjamin Moore was born at Newtown on 16 October 1748 to Samuel and Sarah Moore. (Benjamin is my 3rd cousin, 9 times removed.) He was born in a tumultuous time in American history. Spending his childhood and youth during the late colonial period and coming of age along with the American republic.

With his elder brother, Jacob, inheriting the family estate at Newtown, Benjamin Moore charted a different path. Starting his education in New Haven with instruction tied to Yale University, Benjamin soon followed his ambitions to New York City, enrolling as a freshman at King’s College (now Columbia University). This move would mark the beginning of his lifelong relationship with the institution.⁸

After graduating from Columbia in 1768, Benjamin returned home to Newtown to study theology under Dr. Samuel Auchmuty, rector of Trinity Church. He also taught Latin and Greek to the sons of gentlemen in New York City. In May 1774, Benjamin went to England and was ordained as a deacon on June 24, 1774, in the chapel of the Episcopal palace at Fulham by Richard Terrick, Bishop of London. He was subsequently ordained as a priest on June 29, 1774. Benjamin returned to New York and was appointed an assistant minister at Trinity Church in New York City.⁹

To be continued…

1. Weygant, Charles H., The Sacketts of America, Their Ancestors and Descendants 1630 - 1907 (Newburgh, New York: Self-Published, 1907), 35; imaged, Ancestry.com, North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000 [database on-line], (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61157/images/46155_b289681-00084: accessed 11 April 2025).

2. Moore, James W., Rev. John Moore of Newtown, Long Island, and some of his descendants (1903, image reprint, Delaware: Alpha Editions, 2019), 54.

3. Moore, James W., Rev. John Moore of Newtown, Long Island, and some of his descendants, 52.

4. Moore, James W., Rev. John Moore of Newtown, Long Island, and some of his descendants, 97.

5. Weygant, Charles H., The Sacketts of America, Their Ancestors and Descendants 1630 - 1907, 23; imaged, Internet Archive, The Library of Congress (https://archive.org/download/sackettsofameric02weyg/sackettsofameric02weyg_archive_marc.xml: accessed 12 April 2025).

6. Weygant, Charles H., The Sacketts of America, Their Ancestors and Descendants 1630 - 1907, 35.

7. Moore, James W., Rev. John Moore of Newtown, Long Island, and some of his descendants, 98.

8. Moore, James W., Rev. John Moore of Newtown, Long Island, and some of his descendants, 99-100.

9. Moore, James W., Rev. John Moore of Newtown, Long Island, and some of his descendants, 100.