Andrew B. Moore Letter and Clipping

Collection

Identifier: MSS-2055

Scope and Contents note

This collection consists of one letter dated January 28th written and signed by P. Lockett, private secretary to Governor Andrew B. Moore thanking Joel E. Mathews of Cahaba, Alabama for his generous gift. The newspaper clipping, which does not identify what newspaper it is from or when this clipping was printed, states that a letter dated January 20, 1861, from Joel Mathews of Dallas County was found in a batch of old papers. The clipping indicates that the letter covered a check for$15,000, payable in gold to A.B. Moore, then governor for the defense of Alabama. The clipping ends "More than 20 years have elapsed, the $15,000 went up in blood and smoke, the patriotic writer, and the no less patriotic Governor have gone the way of all flesh; but the bold letters conveying the gift, are as fresh and defiant appearing, as if the transaction were only yesterday."

Dates

1861 January 28

Biographical/Historical note

Andrew B. Moore was born on March 7, 1807 in the Spartanburg District in South Carolina to Charles and Jane Moore. In 1823 Moore's father purchased land in Perry County, Alabama and moved the family there although Andrew remained in school in South Carolina until 1826.

Moore study law and was admitted to the bar in 1833. He served as Justice of the Peace for Perry County for eight years. He was elected to the State House of Representatives in 1839 and reelected in 1842; he served four consecutive terms. He worked closely with Governor Benjamin Fitzpatrick in the liquidation of the State Bank and advocated the relocation of the state capital to Montgomery. He delivered the last speech in the old Hall of the House of Representatives in Tuscaloosa.

In 1846 Moore resumed his law practice and was appointed by Governor Henry W. Collier to fill a vacancy on the circuit bench in 1851. He served in that capacity until 1857 when he was elected governor. After he left office in 1861, Moore was appointed special aide-de-camp by Governor John Gill Shorter where he worked to coordinate the procurement and transportation of supplies to General Albert Sidney Johnston in northern Alabama. Following the surrender of Lee at Appomattox, Moore was arrested by federal troops and imprisoned in Fort Pulaski, Savannah, Georgia, with other Confederate leaders. After his release in August 1865, he returned to Marion, Perry County, Alabama. He died in 1873.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet (1 letter, 1 newspaper clipping)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

A newspaper clipping noting the gift of $15,000 to Alabama Governor A.B. Moore in January 1861 for the defense of the state and a letter written to Joel E. Mathews of Cahaba, Dallas County, Alabama, thanking him for the gift. The letter was written and signed by P. Lockett, private secretary to the Governor.