THE MOORE-WHEELER CONTROVERSY
Her maiden name is believed to have been MOORE by some researchers and WHEELER by others.
(Source: Internet, 26 Feb 2000, E-mail from Sharon WRIGHT: The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 40, No. 3, Jul-Sep 1996 Issue; pp. 183-184 cites this information.
"From other sources it is known that she was born Sarah Moore, daughter of Robert and Susannah (____) Moore. The couple moved to Green Co., KY, about 1796, according to the statement of his widow. Her parents, Robert and Susannah Moore, moved to Green Co. at the same time. Robert Moore made his will on 29 July 1808, leaving all his property to Susannah my wife; at her death all those things mentioned shall be divided amongst all my children, by selling or dividing one amongst the other... My son Thomas Moore and John Moore shall be executors. On 19 April 1811 Susannah Moore of the County of Green being the widow of Robert Moore Dec'd, left me the estate of all he possessed at his death for my maintenance, the different legatees all have entered into a bond to give me twelve pounds a year during my life. I therefore relinquish all my right and title to the estate to the legatees to divide and do as they think proper... The legatees were:Sarah (MOORE) CHAUDOIN obviously named a daughter Susan for her mother and a son for her brother, Thomas Guthrey (Guthrie) MOORE. However, one wonders why there was no known child named Robert in memory of her supposed father.
- William Moore,
- Thomas Guthrey Moore,
- John Moore,
- Richard Moore,
- Elizabeth Moore who married Richard Walker,
- Lucy Moore who married Robert Clark, and
- Sarah Moore who married Andrew Chaudoin.
This proposal/theory is supported by a few members of the CHAUDOIN-L Discussion list. At the present, however, there needs to be quoted documentation via records that definitely supports this preponderance of evidence. We need to discover exactly what the will stated, and if and how the names of the children were presented. Did they sign as heirs at the time of the administration of the will following the death of Robert MOORE or his wife?
From the book, CHAUDOINS of VIRGINIA, 1750 to 1900, p. 9, by Gloria J. COWAN SMITH, we read:
"He [Andrew CHAUDOIN] married Sarah Wheeler Mathews [sic]...".
Mrs. SMITH states in a message to CHAUDOIN at RootsWeb on 22 Oct 1999:Mrs. Smith continues to believe that Sarah (--?--) MATTHEWS-CHAUDOIN's maiden name was WHEELER and definitely not MOORE.
Sarah Matthews' marriage to Andrew Chaudoin in Buckingham Co., VA.
Bond signed by John Wheeler, Sr.
I assumed that because everyone wanted it to be Sarah Wheeler.
I put this into the book as Sarah Wheeler Matthews.
Revised: 30 January 2005