I was lucky because I had a Grandmother, Sarah Elizabeth Moore Cameron, who loved to tell stories about when she was young. She would sit by the hour and tell me stories of her youth. She would tell me of her days as a young girl and her family and as little girl who liked to listen, I took it all in. I am writing this for the Roark Family surname and I will tell you what I know about Jeremiah Roark, my 3rd great grandparent, son of Timothy Roark of Virginia and Tennessee.
Jeremiah Roark was born on 7 April 1816 in Claiborne County, Tennessee. He was born, raised and married just outside of Tazewell. Jeremiah married Elizabeth Fultz, daughter of John Fultz and Martha Fullington. He sold his land in Tennessee in 1858 and came to Dent County, Missouri in 1859. Jeremiah is not to be located on any 1860 Federal Census thus far. In 1868 Jeremiah sells his land in Dent County, Missouri and moves to near Summersville, Texas County, Missouri. Jeremiah and Elizabeth had a daughter named Sarah who married a man named Moore. Sarah Roark Moore and ?Moore had a son named Douglas P. Moore. He married Leona Ford, daughter of Wright Ford and Martha Ann Griffith. Douglas and Leona Moore had a daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Moore. Now for the stories that she told me. Jeremiah was a religious man, as was all of his family. They were members of the Baptist Church and Jeremiah was a deacon in this church. Along with their home, they had an ice house which was partly in the ground and was lined with sawdust. It is said that Jeremiah gave 40 acres of land, a wagon and a team of horses to each child when they got married; included in this was his grandson, Douglas.
My Grandmother, Sarah, said that "Douglas’ father was Peyton Moore. Peyton Moore came from the South and Peyton’s mother was a Whitaker". Sarah met Peyton when he came to visit his cousins, who were neighbors of the Roarks. She also told us of Douglas’ mother, who was Sarah Roark, who died during the Civil War, along with her baby daughter, of starvation when the soldiers came through and took their food and stock. Peyton Moore was away at war and we believe he died during the Civil War.
A woman brought Douglas, by wagon, to the state line at the river, to meet Jeremiah Roark, his grandfather, who rode by horse at night to get him. Douglas was about three years old. Douglas Penepity Moore was a Baptist Minister, a fine carpenter and a farmer.
This is a short narrative of the beginning of Douglas P. Moore’s life. There are several possible scenarios for this story. Keep in mind that this family account came from the Roarks and was told to Douglas, who told it to his daughter, who told it to her children and grandchildren.
There is a marriage recorded in Dent County, Missouri in August 1860 for a Sarah Roark and William H. Moore. I have known about this marriage since 1982 but it does not fit the story as told by my grandmother.
I could have used flowery words like; Jeremiah was a well to do farmer who raised fine livestock and fancy riding horses. I could have told you he was a good husband, father and neighbor. However, I have chosen not to embellish. I can say nice things about the Moore family, if I ever find his ancestors. Genealogy is a hobby that never ends. If you got this far, thanks for reading, listening, and partaking of my story.