Moreland

1. Ruth Elizabeth Moreland: Born 30 May 1869, of near Ramsey, Fayette Co., Illinois; Died 17 February 1966 Married 2 May 1887, Vandalia, Fayette Co., Illinois; John William Williams: Born 20 December 1863, Williamson Co., Illinois; Died 28 August 1938. (See Williams)

2. James L. Moreland: Born 1839, Indiana; Died October 27 1877, Ramsey, Fayette, Illinois; Married 14 March 1858, Fayette Co., Illinois; Sarah Ann Tate: Born 30 Jun 1843, Crawford County, IL; Died June 22 1937. (See Tate & Hart) They obtained their marriage license on 5 March, 1858 in Fayette County, IL and were married on the 14th by T. T. Nave, an Elder of the church. The 1860 Census tells us that James was born in born in Indiana. At this time the family lived in Sharon Township. (They were very difficult to find in the published census because James was accidentally listed as "Joel Marchand.") In the 1865 state census James is listed living in Hurricane Township. James was a farmer and Sarah kept house, according to the 1870 Census of Fayette County. The 1870 Census tells us that James was born in Indiana and Sarah was born in Illinois. Contradictorily, the 1880 Census tells us that Sarah Tate, James Moreland, and both of her parents were born in Illinois. Sarah is found in this Census married to Henry Nave. The two younger children do not appear in this census so they must have been staying with or being raised by another family.

James and Sarah had at least four children: John Alfred Moreland born September 9 1859 died May 9 1931, who married 27 Mar 1881, Mary Tennessee Williams born about 1862, in Tennessee; Jesse Lawson Moreland born 28 July 1861, died February 25 1964, who married Mary F., born February 1868; George Washington Moreland born April 27 1864, died November 7 1932, who married Mary Elizabeth "Lizy" Bilbeck, born about 1870/2, died 12 June 1945; Mary F. Moreland born November 11 1866, died 29 December 1907, who married Lee Oswell Brown died August 1933; Ruth Elizabeth Moreland born 20 May 1869 who married John William Williams; Dora Adaline Moreland born November 27 1871, died September 2 1960, who married 20 June 1888 John Alex Rodes and had 11 children; James William Moreland born July 7 1874, died 24 January 1944, who married Frances, born about 1875 in Missouri; Thomas Francis Moreland born 15 November 1877, died 27 March 1961, who married 2 March 1902, Hettie Alice Nave, born 6 February 1884, died 4 September 1977. According to Entisoft.com Moreland is the 1805th most common name in the U.S.. Sources: 1860, 1865 (state), 1870 and 1880 Census, Fayette Co., Illinois; George Moreland; Fayette County Illinois, Marriage Record, 1821-1871, LDS Records.

James Parents--

3. Alfred (or James Alfred) Moreland Born about 1820 Married Mary B. Freeman Born about 1801-1823 WFT Estimate; Died Abt 1843-1911 WFT Estimate.

James L. Moreland moved to Fayette County, Illinois (near Ramsey) from Owen County, Indiana with his mother Mary B. Freeman Moreland and his little sister Naoma J. Moreland around 1850 or 1851 because they were given land from the U.S. government on 29 August 1850 as payment for the death of their father, Alfred Moreland. Alfred was a miner in Owen County in 1840.

In May 1847, Alfred joined the Company G, 4th Indiana Volunteer Infantry for the Mexican War. Company G formed in Bloomington, Indiana (Monroe County) and all of Company G (85 men) marched 95 miles on foot to Old Fort Clark in Jeffersonville, Indiana, just across the river from Louisville, Kentucky. On 14 June 1847 they formed up with 9 other companies into the 4th Indiana Infantry (a volunteer regiment). Company G took the steamship "Franklin" to Point Isabel, Texas (now called Port Isabel) at the mouth of the Rio Grande River. The whole 4th Indiana went to Mier (called Cuidad Mier about 100 miles up the Rio Grande in Mexico) for Infantry training and to guard against Mexican attacks. The majority of the army was already on their way to Mexico city from Vera Cruz at this time. The 4th Indiana Infantry along with other new units in the army left Mier under the command of general Lane and moved to the mouth of the Rio Grande again. While waiting for transport to Vera Cruz to protect supply routes to Mexico City, Alfred became very ill. It was most likely yellow fever since it was what most of the men died from in that area during the Mexican war. Alfred was left at Point Isabel on 13 September 1847 by his unit left by ship to Vera Cruz and 11 days later, Alfred died.

In a letter sent to me in March of 1997, George F. Moreland III made the following poignant statements about the life of Alfred Moreland: "I think that it is very sad. The whole reason the family lived in Illinois was because of this man's death and most of the family does not know it. I have found out that there is no marker or known grave for him since the dead from the hospital at point Isabel were just buried outside the walls of fort polk at point Isabel where the lighthouse now stands. I wonder what James L. Moreland thought after knowing he would never see his father again. James L. Moreland would later die before the birth of his last son Thomas in 1877." George is currently in the process of having a military grave marker erected for Alfred Moreland.

We know that Alfred had a brother named Lawson Moreland who was born about 1817, of Beach Creek, Green County, Indiana. Lawson married Margaret who was 26 in 1850 census. Both are listed as having been born in Tennessee. At this time they had three sons: William aged 6, John aged 4, and George aged 2 (who grew up to be some sort of hero in the Civil War) A Temperance Moreland is listed as a widow aged 43, born in North Carolina. Temperance Coffey is the widow of William Moreland born about 1817, reportedly of Wilkes North Carolina.

Alfred and Mary had at least two children: James L. Moreland and Naoma J. born 26 December 1845 who married Lahen Thomas Carter who was born 15 may 1838.

George F. Moreland III has indicated that he believes the Alfred's father to be William Moreland, possibly from Coffee or Davidson County Tennessee. My research has only turned up one William Moreland of the right age and rough geographical location to be Alfred's father: William Moreland born about 1790, of Tennessee, who married Rhoda Willoughby, born about 1794, of Green County, Tennessee, who had Elijah Moreland born 1810, in Tennessee, who married Sarah Ann Robertson who was born in 1814 of Clark County, Kentucky; Enoch Moreland born 10 March 1833, who married Irene Stevens born about 1837; Anna Moreland born about 1835; Sally Moreland born about 1837; and George Washington Moreland born about 1837. There is a 23 year gap in the birth order of these children. Elijah was born in Tennessee, and all of the younger children were born in Kentucky. Alfred, Lawson and William would fit neatly into the gap in the birth order and seem to have been born in Tennessee as well. It is possible that the family split and the oldest and youngest of the family moved on into Kentucky while the middle children, upon coming of age moved north into Indiana. This is pure conjecture but it is a possible path for future research. Intersetingly the Name George Washington Moreland has repeated in every one of the following four generations of Morelands.

Alfred's Father--

Mary's Parents--

4. Micajah Freeman: Born about 1779, Burke County, North Carolina; Died 11 December 1845, Owen County, Indiana; Buried Owen County, Indiana; Married about 1794/1798, of Burke County, North Carolina, Elisa (Elsa) Margaret Finn-Cannon (Fincannon): Born about 1782, North Carolina; Died about 1830. (See Finn-Cannon) Micajah later married on 18 October, 1831, Monroe County, Indiana, Martha F. Brown:. Micajah and Elisa had seven children. They were James H. Freeman, born 30 June 1804, who married Effie Raper; John C. Freeman born 30 June 1807, who married Polly Brown and had Clarissa, Elizabeth, Rosanah, George W., Margaret A., Lydia A., Rebecca, James A., an unknown child, Mary Jane, Louisa, and John Elison Freeman; William Freeman born 12 December 1809, who married Sarah Ann Christy; Micajah Freeman Jr. born about 1815, who married Margaret Jane Christy and had William H., James M., Martha A., and Eliza J. Freeman, and Micajah Jr. later married Polly A. Farrand; Mary B. Freeman born about 1822 who married Alfred Moreland (see above) and later married John Brown by who she had John Alfred, Orren Hartsel Brown; Asa Burtis Freeman born 14 March 1824 who married Nancy Layman; and Alpha Mertsel Freeman born about 1827 who married Elizabeth Layman. Only the last child seems to be born in Indiana, the rest were born in North Carolina. In 1845, Micajah Freeman died, leaving Alfred Moreland and Mary Freeman Moreland something in his will. The family probaby came to Indiana in about 1831 based on the ages and birth places of John's daughters.

The following letters were written by Micajah to his in-laws of his 2nd marriage (Martha Brown). Find them interesting; they traveled more in those days than I thought they did. I have kept the spelling the way it was written.

Letter from Micajah and Martha Freeman to William and Sally Gray Dated May 22, 1834

Note: This letter was written by Micajah Freeman to his uncle & aunt, Wm. & Sally Gray, after Micajah had returned to Indiana from a trip to North Carolina to inform them of his safe return.

State of Indiana Owen County May 22th day 1834

Dear uncle and aunt I now take up my pen at a long distance from you to inform you that we are all well at present thanks be to almity God for his kind merces towards us hoping at the same time that these few lines may find you all injoying the like blesing.

Sir I started from North Carolina burk county on the 20th Day of February last and through Gods kind mercis towards us we safely reached home on the 23rd Day of march last and found my family all well and my concerns likewise my brother James Freeman moved out with me to this country nither of us met with any misfortain on the way only we were water -bound two Days and stoped two Days with our acquintance on the way my mother in law is living with me and is in common helth I hope you will excuse me for not wrighting to you befor this time my reson is this James Brown took a drove of cattle to the michigan teritory and did not git home until the 20 of ____ we wish to be remembered to all inquiring. I believe every present has went it its right place only Lydia Littins that I expect to take to her some time this summer

To: Wm & Sally Gray

From: Micajah and Martha Freeman

Letter from Micajah and Martha Freeman to William and Sally Gray Dated February 15, 1838

Note: This letter was written by Micajah Freeman to his uncle & aunt, Wm. & Sally Gray in NC, after Micajah had returned to Indiana from a trip to see his family in Greene County, Missouri.

State of Indiana Owen County Febuary 15th Day 1838

Dear uncle and aunt, and cousins all Through Gods kind mercie bestowed on me I once more this side of the grave raise my pen to inform you of our helth we are all well only my wife she has bin very porly for a few Days but is some better at present and we hope and trust in the almity the _____ from hoom all blesings floose that when these few lines of ours somes to your hands that they may find you injoying the blesing of good helth for which blesing we shold be very thankful for. I recd your letter having Date November 10 Day 1837 which letter I was truly hapy to receive. I hope you will excuse me for not answering of it sooner me and my wife and two little sons took a long journey to see my old parents and brothers and sisters in the State of Missouri which Distance from whom I live is 485 miles. I left home on the 12 Day of October last and returned home again the 3 Day of December last we had no mifortain on the road we found our friends all wee only my old father he was very low with a cancer on his left cheek it was about as large as a sosser. I have no hopes of his recovering the most of my friends was well only two of my brothers Lamuel & _____ had the Ague and fever. 250 miles in that state I was out as far as Springfield green county. I do no like that country at all my reasons why is the land is so poor and to far from market my people is 250 miles from Saint louis that is there general market the most of the groth I saw in the country was black jack? then past oak and some small hickerys and some few black oak all of which is very lo and scruby the upland is inclined to be very rocky except some few places in the parries? and they are not overyly rich the bottom lands is rich and some better timber but are very apt to be over floed by hy waters. I was through the state of Elinois from one side to the other I think that there is more good land in that state then any other I ever saw but I do not think it to be helthy and so upon the hole I like old Indiana far the best when I was in missouri corn was seling at 50 cents per bushel wheat $1.00 per bushel pork six Dollars per hundred salt 3 Dollars for 50 wt and other things in perportion we have good crops in Indiana both corn wheat and oats and a good mart Corn is one Dollar per barrel wheat 75 cents per bushel port 3 Dollars per hundred all of which is plenty at them prices.

So I will Drop the above subject

Joseph Christy and family is all well only ann has had a very bad rising on her arm something like came to the white swelling but at it has got some better but she cannot use her arm but very little yet. William ______ and family is all well James Brown and family is all well William B. Brown and family is all well. Elizabeth Harrah and family is all well we have no regular preacher in our congregation yet but has suplys sent in as is to other vacant congregations. there is a large congregation of the associate reforms in Bloomington that has a stated preacher and has preaching three sabbaths in each month --- Dear uncle many has been the times that I have thought on what you told me concerning Davids psalms you stated to me..the more I wold read them the better I wold like them I have found it as you said and do not exspect ever to raise my voice in worship anymore in singing a humans composure that is only sanctioned by the general assembly. So no more at present only remaining your loving nephew and neace until Death

To: William and Saley Gray

From: Micajah, and Martha Freeman

NB I hope you will wright to us soon after you receive these lines of ours and let us know if any you has any thought of moving to this country or not and if you doe not move - we hope some of you will pay us a vissit Cosin Andrew Gray I can inform you that James Brown has bilt a new grice mill on big ritchland? creek about a half mile below Elizabeth Harrahs and is doing good business---and also I have bilt a new Dweling house 34 feet long 17 feet wide a story and ½ hy and is about finishing it of in workman order. We all desire to be remembered to uncle David Gray and John Gray and family and Wm Onberson and family and Gillaspie Culbertson and family

More information came in the following emailed message :

(12/26/1998) From: Jla1029@aol.com

As to Micajah's parents, I have Wm. Freeman b. Oct 26, 1759 Bertie Co., NC; d. Jan 27, 1838 Greene Co., MO - Rev. War Vet. But, I do not have Micajah's mother's name. It seems Wm. had 2 children before he married Mary Bryan 1786 Martin Co., NC. Micajah (b. abt 1779) had a full sister, Peneolope (b. abt 1781), who m. Paulser Fincannon/Cannon - a brother to our Elsa Margaret (Peggy). There was a law suit after Wm. Freeman's death over the estate inwhich Mary (Bryan) Freeman tried to exclude Micajah and Penelope from the estate settlement (court ruled they were entitled).

I, also, don't have the death date for our Peggy Fincannon. Micajah m. Martha F. Brown Oct 18, 1831 Monroe Co., IN. The last child of 8 I have for Micajah & Peggy is Alpha Mertsel Freeman b. abt 1825. So, Peggy would have died between 1825-1831; I assume she made the trip to IN from NC. but not sure.

Later,

Jim A.

Micajah's Parents--

5. William Freeman: Born October 26, 1759, Bertie County, N.C.(WFT lists-- 1 Jan 1762 Pennsylvania); Died 27 Jan 1838 Green County, Missouri; Married 5 Sep 1778; Prisilla Hunt: Born about 1739/1766 WFT Estimate; Died about 1783/1855 WFT Estimate.

The following information comes from an emailed message (8/24/98)

from rchan@gte.net (Robert E. Chaney):

The information I have regarding a Micajah Freeman is from a William Freeman genealogy compiled by Howard V. Jones of Cedar Falls, Iowa. This Micajah was born in 1787 to William Freeman and Mary Bryan, the daughter of Robert Bryan. Micajah's first wife was ?? Fincannon. His second wife was Martha Brown. I don't have the date of his death or the names of his children. I do have the names of his siblings, one of whom (Penelope) married a Paulser Fincannon. His father, William, was born in Bertie County, N.C. October 26, 1759 and died in Greene Co., Mo. January 28, 1838. He and Mary were married in Martin Co. N.C. 1786. Mary was born in 1764 and died in Greene Co., Mo. November 5, 1945. William was a veteran of the Revolutionary War and is buried in the City of Springfield, Mo. He served in the North Carolina militia from Bertie County and moved to Burke County, N.C. after the war. In 1834, he, his wife Mary, and some of his children (John, Lemuel, Nancy, grandson William W.) moved to Greene County, Mo. and settled on a farm where Springfield streets Cherry and Glenstone meet today. He was buried on his farm when he died in 1838; in 1910 his remains were moved to Springfield's National Cemetery. The notes say that possibly other children came west also. Micajah is not mentioned by name as having traveled west with his family.

A later message (9/22/98) states:

My information regarding Micajah came from research done by Howard Jones of Cedar Falls, Iowa. I spoke with him about his sources. He said he linked Micajah to William Freeman through two letters written by Micajah to two cousins in North Carolina. Also through a court case in Greene County, Mo. Mr. Jones' phone number is 319-233-9515 if you would like to speak with him personnally.

I don't remember what I told you about William Freeman. Hope I'm not repeating myself. He was a Revolutionary veteran and is buried in Springfield's National Cemetery (Nat'l Archives, file W10042). He was born in Bertie Co., N.C. October 26, 1759 and died in Greene Co, Mo. January 28, 1838.