Letters, Notes & News Clippings 1826

FOR RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY ... PLEASE DO NOT COPY THESE LETTERS. I have included them for your research and enjoyment. If you use information in the letters or find them useful .. or if there is a letter within the index which is not transcribed and you are interested in its contents, please email me as I would enjoy hearing from you.

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Letters donated in 1996 by me to the Missouri Historical Society are now the property of the society and copying of them is prohibited. Thanks! - pdp

Download or view the contents of the Thomas A. Moore Collection.

Compiled & Transcribed by P. Davidson-Peters
Written from Moores, Pilchers, Mossmans, Ballards, Fentons, Arbaughs & Others
*Indicates these were donated to the Missouri Historical Society & remain in the Thomas Anderson Moore Collection

1826 - 1860

13 Oct 1826

John Wheeler Meredith writes from Troy, Ohio to his son, Samuel C. Meredith and includes the Family Record of births, deaths, and marriages. Note: Samuel marries Margaret Ballard in 1829. Margaret is the daughter of C.A. & Eleanor (Mossman) Ballard. (Contributed by Margaret Arrington)

20 Dec 1827

"Dear Brother & Sister" Adressed to Anthony & Eleanor (Mossman) Ballard State of Illinois, Sangamon Post Office, from George & Hannah Mossman in Grayson Co., VA (mentions sons living as Alexander and Eli & infant son who died named George Washington Mossman)

19 Oct 1830

"Dear Sister and Neases" from John and Mina (Mossman) McMillen in Grayson, Virgina to his sister Eleanor (Mossman) Ballard in Springfield, Illinois.

11 Oct 1831

"Dear Sister and Neases" from Mina (Mossman) McMillen in Grayson, Virgina to sister Eleanor (Mossman) Ballard in Springfield, Illinois.

18 Sep 1834

John W. Meredith replies to his son's letter of the 7th Inst. He mentions Squire Tullis; W. Stuart's son (Westly); Wm. Findly; Dooly; Doctor Telford; Major Hart and children mary Hampton, Little William, Mary Norval; Norval; Margaret (Ballard) and Flora. (Contributed by Margaret Arrington)

22 Feb 1835

John W. Meredith writes his son and daughter-in-law, Samuel C. & Margaret (Ballard) from Troy, Miami Co., Ohio. Sam and Margaret are residing in Centerville, Wayne Co., Indiana. This letter mentions Margaret's brother - presumably Archiblad Mossman Ballard; also Squire Tullis; John Steel Davis; B. Dye; H. Baron; Dewey; Joseph and Norval Meredith; H. T. Lock; and David Barrett. (Contributed by Margaret Arrington)

26 Oct 1850

"Respected Brother and Sister" from Eli Mossman to Isaac Mossman, Sacramento City, CA (Contributed by Darla Whitsett & also on file at the OR Historical Society)

14 Mar 1852

"Respected Nephew and Niece" from George Mossman, Keithsburg, IL to E. Pilcher, Esquir & Louisa Pilcher, Springfield, Illinois.

05 Oct 1855

Isaac V. Mossman, 1st Regiment of the Oregon Mounted Volunteers.

08 May 1856

Isaac V. Mossman, Discharge Salem, Oregon - (Yakima Indian War).

18 Feb 1859

"Madam I have been for the Last 6 months trying to find some of the heirs of Archibald Mossman" from Abner Thompson of Brown Hill, Wythe Co., VA to Mary Jain Mossman.

20 Jul 1859

"Dear Mother" from Mossman Ballard of Volcano, CA To Eleanor Mossman-Ballard.

14 Apr 1860

"Dear Tom, I arrived here " from James H. Fisher, Iowa City, IA To Thomas A. Moore of St. Louis, MO

1861 - 1862 Civil War & Other Papers
09 Feb 1861	"Dear Cousins" from Mary J. Jones - Black Hills Dakota Territory.
28 Apr 1862	"Dear Husband" from wife Clara Moore - Jefferson City, MO.*
03 May 1862	"My Dear Husband" from wife Clara Moore - Jefferson City, MO.*
23 Jun 1862	"Dear Husband" from wife - Mrs. Clara Moore - St. Louis, Missouri. *
30 Aug 1862	Certificate of Disability for Discharge - Shadrick H. Pilcher.
13 Oct 1862	"Dear Wife" from husband T.A. Moore - Camp Fisk Near Rolla.*
23 Oct 1862	"Dear Wife" from husband T.A. Moore - Camp Near Salem.*
27 Oct 1862	*"Dear Wife: from husband, T.A. Moore - Salem, MO.**
31 Oct 1862	"Dear Wife" from husband T.A. Moore - Salem, Missouri.*
06 Nov 1862	*"Dear Wife" from husband T.A. Moore- Houston Texas County, MO .**
07 Dec 1862	"My Dear Clara" from T.A. Moore - Houston Texas Co, MO*
27 Dec 1862	"My Dear Clara" from husband T.A. Moore - Columbus, Kentucky.*

1863 Civil War Letters
03 Jan 1863	"My dear wife" from T.A. Moore - Columbus, Kentucky.*
05 Jan 1863	"Dear Wife" from T.A. Moore - On Board Steamer Florence, KY*
07 Jan 1863	"Dear Wife" from T.A. Moore - On Board Steamer Florence, TN.*
09 Jan 1863	"Dear Wife" from T.A. Moore - Helena, Arkansas.*
22 Jan 1863	"My Dear Wife" from T.A. Moore - Helena, Arkansas.*
26 Feb 1863	"My Dear Wife" from T.A. Moore - Yazoo Pass*
24 Mar 1863	"My Dear Wife" from T.A. Moore - Above Fort Pemberton.*
15 Apr 1863	"My Dear Wife" from T.A. Moore - Helena, Arkansas.*
23 Apr 1863	"Dear Brother" from T.A. Moore - Helena, Arkansas.*
30 Apr 1863	"Dear Wife" from T.A. Moore - Helena, Arkansas.*
08 May 1863	"My Dear Wife" from T.A. Moore - Helena, Arkansas
31 May 1863	"My Dear Wife" from T.A. Moore - Helena, Arkansas.*
17 Jun 1863	"My Dear Wife" from T.A. Moore - Helena, Arkansas.*
05 Jul 1863	"The July 4th Helena Victory - 33rd Missouri" - List of Killed and Wounded. *
02 Aug 1863	Certificate of Disability for Discharge for T.A. Moore.*

1864 - 1869
20 Feb 1864	"Dear Brother" from Lieut. Alex. S. Pilcher - Pilot Knob, MO.
29 Mar 1865	Addressed from Canton, MO from Eleanor (Mossman) Ballard to her granddaughter Clarissa (Pilcher) Moore, enevelope addressed to Thomas Moore, St. Louis, MO. Writes that she wishes they could come see her, that Margaret Meredith is coming. "We will mete you at the boat, theare will be no danger."
28 Apr 1865	"Dear Husband" from Clarissa who is staying with her Aunt Liz (Pilcher) McCafferty) - Jefferson City, MO.*
01 May 1865	"My Dear Wife" from T.A. Moore - St. Louis, MO.*
08 May 1865	"Dearest I got your letter" from T.A. Moore to Clara - St. Louis, MO*
06 July 1865	Letter addressed to Alex S. Pilcher (son of Ezekiel & Louisa), from Gun & Co., American, Colonial and Foreign Agents in London, England in regard to Mossman estate. Mentions that "some 50 or 60 years ago a John Mosman and a few years later, his wife Mary Mosman died, both intestate."
01 Oct 1865	Addressed from Canton, Lewis County, MO from Eleanor (Mossman) Ballard to daughter Louisa (Ballard) Pilcher regarding brother's letter and the Mossman estate in England. "Dear Lewisy, if you have not sent my brother's letter ..."
06 Oct 1865	Letter addressed to Alex S. Pilcher care of E.E. Hendry in St. Louis, MO from Gun & Co., American, Colonial and Foreign Agents in London, England. "Since writing you a few months ago, we have been informed that there is a considerable amount of property in this country lying unclaimed in the name of Mosman and that the persons entitled there are supposed to be in America."
1865	Written by Christopher Mossman, letter is not dated, but appears to be written some time during or about this year. Mention of brother William "is in the army yet but we are looking for him home soon i lost my yongest Brother in the army last winter," and mentions his sister lives in Madison Co., IN to direct mail to her to James Kelley on Duck Creek.
18 Oct 1865	Written by Mary Jain (Mossman) Kelly from Madison Co., Indiana - most probably written to Alex Pilcher as she mentions her "ant Elenor." She mentions that she has six children alive and one dead, and that brother John and Aaron who both served in the war are dead and gives dates of death.
15 Nov 1865	Letter written from Atlana, Georgia from C.F. or O.F. McMillan which appears to be daughter of Mina (Mossman) McMillen. Adressed "Dear Cousin" she mentions the reconstruction of Atlanta.
16 Nov 1865	Letter of Gun & Co. from London, England to Alex Pilcher, care of E.E. Hendry regarding the Mossman estate. "You do not say in your letter of 6th July, whether or not you have got a copy of the will of John Banks, and also whether or not the family name of Mosman was ever spelt Mossman."
30 Dec 1865	Letter addressed to Alex S. Pilcher (son of Ezekiel & Louisa), from Gun & Co., American, Colonial and Foreign Agents in London, England in regard to Mossman estate.
23 Mar 1866	Addressed from Canton, Lewis County, MO from Eleanor (Mossman) Ballard to children, including daughter Louisa (Ballard) Pilcher.
01 Mar 1867	"Mrs. Clara Moore, Dear Daughter" from J.U. Moore - Moore Springs, TX*
25 Aug 1867	"Mr. T.A. Moore, Dear Son" mention of Isaac, Joe, Amanda, Uncle Eli and the death of John Harris which left Cinthia with ten children. Written from J.U. Moore at Moore Springs, Lamar County, TX*
12 Apr 1868	"Dear Clara, Do you really counsel me .." from friend Ophelia of Rhinebeck, NY.
10 Feb 1869	To T.A. Moore from SONS OF TEMPERANCE, Grand Division of MO Office of Grand Worthy Patriarch - Newark, Mo.
19 Apr 1869	"Well Thos A. Moore, my dear son - from J.U. Moore of Moore Springs, TX*
09 Aug 1869	"My dear friend Clara" from Jane Smith; mention of Clara's mother in Carondolet.
31 Oct 1869	"My dear son Thos" from J.U. Moore - Lamar County, TX *
7 Nov (Yr?)	"Clara Dear Sister" from Jane regarding brother Edward Pilcher - Buffalo, Dallas County, MO

1870 - 1889
26 Oct 1873?	"Dear Sister" from Jane - Springfield, Illinois
About 1873	"Dear Clara" regarding the loss of their mother - Springfield, Illinois
26 Sep 1873?	"Clara, Dear, Dear Sister" from Mary Jane (Pilcher) Hendry - Urbana, MO
15 Nov 1874?	"Dear Sister Clara" from Ellen (Pilcher) Burden - Burden's Place
14 Dec 1877	"Son Tommie" from J.U. Moore - Sander's Creek, TX*
20 Apr 1878	"Dear Son Tommie" also mention of Joe and Isaac from J.U. Moore Sander's Creek, TX*
12 Nov 1878	"Dear Son Joe" from J.U. Moore mentioning yellow fever at Greenville, IL - addressed from Lamar County, TX
13 Feb 1881	"Mr. Pilcher" from Margaret (Mossman) Spanger residing in Keithsburg, IL
22 Oct 1882	"My Dear Son" from J.W. Jones - Decatur, Adams Co., IN
14 Aug 1883	"Dear Cusin Clerisa and all" - Canton, MO from Charles
24 Aug 1883	"E.M. Pilcher, Dear Brother" from Alex - addressed from Urbana. "I will go to Springfield as soon as Charlie gets from thare with the horse."
27 Jan 1884	"E.M. Pilcher, Dear Brother" from Alex - addressed from North Springfield. Working for John Burden and has been in Buffalo and Rolla -
25 Apr 1884	"Mr. T.A. Moore, ...we think we have found the persons wanted" mentions Rebecca and Catherine Cook of Ohio from Rose Arbaugh (daughter to Catherine) - Doud's Station, Van Buren Co., IA
30 June 1884	"My Dear Son" from J. Jones on letterhead: Memphis & Charleston RR East Tenn Virginia & Georgia Railroad Co. Lessee - Decatur Station
13 Jan 1886	"T.A. Moore, Dear Son" from J.U. Moore - Maxey, Lamar Co., TX*
06 Feb 1887	"My Dear Son Tommie ... I was born in 1816" from J.U. Moore Additonal note written at the top of the letter by Thomas states ... Last Letter Father wrote me - died following April Cothranville, Lamar Co., TX. *
29 Mar 1889	Letter written from Troy, Ohio to Senator John Sherman of Washington, D.C. in which he recommends his cousin Captain William M. Meredith for the position as director of the Bureau of Engraving. Letterhead "The Troy Carriage Co." Signed by William J. Meredith.

1890 - 1894
16 Mar 1890	"Dear Sir " from DR. JAS A. CAMPBELL, OCULIST & AURIST regarding the preparation for the operation of Clarissa (Pilcher) Moore "Operation performed March 19th lived until April 7th" - St. Louis, MO.
04 May 1890	"Thos. A. Moore, of St. Louis" from J.D. Moore, Notary Public Stonebraker & Moore - Rich Hill, MO.
01 Dec 1892	ST. LOUIS REPUBLIC - TELLS A STRANGE STORY Recollections About A Wealthy Fur Trade Who Died Fifty Years Ago The Iron Coffin May Have Been Pilcher's."*
03 Dec 1892	ST. LOUIS DISPATCH - "Not Pilcher's Remains."*
04 Dec 1892	ST. LOUIS REPUBLIC - WILL OF PILCHER- Probate Court Document Mystery of his Real Estate Left Unsettled."*
05 Dec 1892	GLOBE DEMOCRAT - JOSHUA PILCHER'S HEIRS Will Look Up Fur Traders Estate, His Casket Located."*
06 Dec 1892	ST. LOUIS STAR - "HAD TO DRAW THE LINE Joseph Warren Pilcher is not dead Neither does he sleep.*
1893	ST. LOUIS STAR - "The City of St. Louis and Its Resources ... L.B. Tebbetts, vice-president & treasurer of Mansur & Tebbetts Company*
15 May 1893	"Dear Father" from Jim, writing of riding the bumber of a freight train from Forrest City, IL to Chicago & staying with Robert Taylor in Chicago.
22 Jul 1893	"Dear Papa" from Mabel at Aunt Jane (Pilcher) Hendry's home in Rock Hill - Addressed from Windom, MO.
20 Sep 1893	"Mr. Fenton ...You wrote my brother, J.W. Ballard to know genealogy of the Ballard family ... I will give it to you as far back as I know Ellenor V. (Ballard) Cook - Oakland, CA
19 May 1894	ST. LOUIS STAR - "Mr. Thomas A Moore of Aetna Life Insurance Co. Saved his sister, Miss Mabel Moore ...from a cruel wrong."
07 Oct 1894	"Dear Papa" from Mabel at the Loretto Academy in Florissant, MO.

1895 - 1929
08 Jan 1895	Warren Pilcher's letter to Thomas A. Moore National Soldier's Home in Leavenworth, KS.
28 Apr 1895	"MARRIED & PARTED, ROMANTIC WEDDING MISS REBECCA TEBBETTS TO MR. THOMAS A. MOORE" St. Louis newspaper clipping.
08 May 1895	Letter of Tom Moore to his father inquiring whom he should send announcements of his wedding - Chicago, IL.
June 1895	"Grand Army Reunion at Lemars, Iowa Extract of Commander Curtis' speech "Old Soldiers we welcome you..."
July 1895	Possible draft T.A. Moore wrote on behalf of his children Regarding Mossman Estate - ddressed to Genealogical Publising Company 7082 Met Life Insurance Company, Newyork, NY.
22 Aug 1895	"Mr. Fenton, St. Louis, MO - I just received letter from I.V. Mossman" From Mary Jane (Kern) Jones, daughter of Mina (Ballard) & John Kern San Francisco, California.
29 Aug 1895	Addressed to Mr. Fenton from British Embassy, Washington, "to inform you that you had better make application in the matter direct to her Bank of England in London."
01 Sep 1895	Letter of John Fenton addressed from St. Louis, Missouri to F.J. Lundy, clerk of the court, Independence, Virginia. Requesting the date of marriage between John McMillen and Mina Mossman. The clerk replied on the 9th indicating he "found no record in my office of the marriage of the parties you refer to."
06 Sep 1895	Addressed to Mr. Fenton from Clerk's Office, Norfolk, Va. Letter indicates no will for Archibald Mossman, but land deeds and estate sale for Archibald and later Sarah Mossman. Envelope penned by Thomas A. Moore indicates Sarah Lambert, being the second wife of Archibald Mossman, and that Archibald Mossman died the day Andrew Jackson was elected (03 Dec 1828) and was buried with Masonic honors.
15 Oct 1895	Addressed to Dear Sir, from Berwick. "I have searched my baptismal register for the name Eleanor Mossman without success ...No Sir T. Banks is known to have lived in this neighborhood. Yours truly, J. Witherow."
13 Nov 1895	Mr. Fenton of St. Louis, MO - "Dear Friend" Mary Jane (Kern) Jones regarding the Ballard, Pilchers & Merediths Addressed from San Francisco, CA. "My mother was Mina Ballard Kern. She died in 1879 ..."
27 Feb 1896	Mrs. John Fenton, St. Louis, Mo. "We write you in reply ...relating to the Mossman estate of which you are both heirs" Office of Murphey & Head, Attys at Law, Redding, CA.
02 Mar 1896	"My Dear Mrs. Fenton," written from Sacramento, CA. on letterhead of F.S. Sprague, Attorney at Law from John V. Powers, son of Lucinda May Ballard and grandson of Archibald & Matilda (True) Ballard. Writing to Clarissa "Amanda" Moore, daughter of T.A. & Clarissa (Pilcher) Moore and wife of John A. Fenton. Letter in regard to the Mossman estate in England.
1897 -1898	Appears to have been written to Thomas A. Moore of St. Louis, MO "... in regard to the Pilcher family we undoutedly are related..." written from Charles B. Pilcher, son of Lewis Winslow and Averilla Brownstown, IL.
07 Sep 1898	To John Fenton "... he also had Henry Clay of KY look after it" Regarding Mossman Estate - from Isaac V. Mossman of Los Gatos, CA.
22 Dec 1926	Ralph M. Shaw of Chicago, IL to C.R. Staples in Lexington, KY "...Your records show that six Shaw brothers originally came from North Adams, Mass., to Lexington. Two of them - Nathaniel and Hiram - remained in Lexington ..."
02 Oct 1929	Nellie (West) Robertson to children on the occasion of the death of her mother, Sabylla (Harris) West in Apache, Oklahoma. (Contributed by Hal Beumer)
28 Oct 1929	Rachel (Arbaugh) Bennett to her cousin Emma (Crites) Ream ... "Uncle Jim left Aunt Becca during the Civil War. He went to the south & she begged him not to go ..."

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