John Moody and Sarah Cox

Town Records

Name:    Samll Moodie
Gender:    Male
Death Date:    22 Sep 1689
Death Place:    Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts

Burial record of Samuel Moodie

Source: "Massachusetts Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FC9D-7ZL : 10 February 2018), Samll Moodie, 22 Sep 1689; citing Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts, reference p 7; FHL microfilm 186,152.

Name:    Sarah Moody
Gender:    Female
Death Date:    29 Sep 1717
Death Place:    Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts
Marital Status:    Married
Spouse's Name:    Samuel Moody

Source: "Massachusetts Deaths and Burials, 1795-1910," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FC9D-7ZT : 10 February 2018), Sarah Moody, 29 Sep 1717; citing Hadley, Hampshire, Massachusetts, reference p 7; FHL microfilm 186,152.

Plinius Moody's The Moody Family

MR. JOHN MOODIE whose descendants are traced in following pages, came from England to America as early as the Spring of 1633, and with his wife Sarah, settled in Roxbury in the Colony of the Massachusetts Bay. He took the oath of Fidelity to the government on the 5th of Nov. of the same year (Col. Rec., Vol. 1, p. 79, printed Ed. Vol. 1, p. 268.) at which time we find the honorable title of "Mr." prefixed to his name and the same distinction is given in most of the ancient manuscripts.

That some little fortune remained after a voyage across the Atlantic and especially at a time when the Puritan faith was often the occasion of entire loss of property we have evidence from the Journal of Winthrop.

The record bears date Aug 3, 1633. He had at this time two men servants, one of whom had bound himself for divers years but afterwards relented "thinking that were he at liberty, he might get greater wages yet in the language of Winthrop, his master used him very well. The event which released them both from the contact, as well as from the restraint of pious council, was providential. They went out to gather oysters and not making fast their boat when the flood came it floated away and they were both drowned. (Winthrop's Journal, Vol. 1, p. 106)

The map of Hartford as it was in 1640, prepared from the original records by vote of the town and drawn by William S. Porter, Surveyor and Antiquarian, which map was published a few years ago, clearly defines, among others, the residence of John Moodie. To which is sufficient to illustrate the first parcel of land above described with the residences of a few of the settlers who were neighbors to him.

By comparison of this with the map of Hartford as it is now, it will be seen that his house stood on the south corner of Main and Buckingham Streets nearly west from the Charter Oak (The venerable oak above referred to was prostrated by a storm on Thursday morning 21 Aug 1856. From sorrow at the event the bells of Hartford were tolled at sundown of the same day.) and that the South Congregation Church (The Church referred to is one of the largest in that city and second in regard to time of erection of the churches now there) occupies the identical the spot, as if to invite his widely scattered descendants to meet under it's spacious roof and think of generations past and of the brief space ere they too shall thus be numbered.

The following items have been taken from records at Hartford.
1 Aug 1639, John Moodie had an attachment granted uppon the goods of Thomas Gaines in the hands of Mr. Stoughton for a debt of 5 lbs. weight of tobacco.
5 Sep 1639, John Moodie contra Blackford for a fowling piece he bought and should have paid for it 40 s per bill of. The jury find for the Pl. 41 damages. Costs 6 s.
23 Dec 1639, At the first regular town meeting--voted John Moodie-- (4th name) to order the town affairs for one year.
In 1640, he was chosen Lieutenant. (Hinmans Catalogue)
27 Jan 1642, he made oath to the Will of Richard Lyman.

As Illustrating the habits of the Colony in whose affairs he was a prominent actor, the subjoined is inserted.

Ordered that the watch who are under the direction of the Constables shall ring the large cow bell every morning one hour before day break-to began at the bridge (over Little River) and so ring all the way forth and back from Master Moodie's to John Pratts, and see that one be up with a light in every house with fifteen minutes after the ringing of the bell on the penalty of one shilling and 6 pence

In the 'Catalogue of the Puritan Settlers of Conn.' (Hinman's) the title of Deacon has been prefixed to the name of John Moodie, but on what evidence I have not found.

Among papers filed in the Probate Office in Hartford are the Will and the Inventory of the Estate of John Moodie. Like most men he seems to have deferred the disposition of his property till his sickness, hence his signature is there traced feebly as is the apostrophe subjoined. The matter so far as it can now be well deciphered is arranged according to the original design, but his autograph is taken from a deed the `third day of Feb A Dom 1644. And is preserved in the State Papers of Connecticut (deposited in the State Library at Hartford) in the first Vol. of Private Controversies Doc. 4. A facsimile of the autograph is here added to the Will.

The last Will of John Moodie, I doe make my loving wife Sara Moodie sole exectris and I doe wil that half of all that I have booth land and stoke excepting the howshold stuff which I leave wholly to my wife I give it to my son Samuel Moodie for to have it at the age twenty fower yeares. I will allso that Elizabeth Peper shall have five & twenty pound payd ( Elizabeth Peper witnessed the Deed above referred to at which time she made her mark to the name Elizabeth Peppercorn. This however was evidently a humorous suffix. It is quite probable that she lived many years in the family, but who she was, I am not informed.) her within a yeare (XXX not quite illegible XXX--------) and this and all my dates for to be paid out of the whole
July 23, 1655
Witnesses to this Gregory Wolterton, John Barnard.

I give my sole to ye Lord Jesus Christ my and redeem in God ye father. (to be saved by my) God in Jesus Christ.

The date of the above inventory compared with the date of the Will fixes as nearly as can now be ascertained the time of his decease. He died in the Autumn of 1655 and from circumstantial evidence appears to have been aged somewhat above 50 years.

His funeral was undoubtedly attended by Revs. Messrs. Stone and Hooker with whom he had been associated from the planting of the Colony and whose names are embalmed in New England's History. He was buried in the grave yard back of what is now the First Congregational Church in Hartford, Conn., but no man knoweth of his sepulcher to this day. A monument, however, more lasting and far more befitting than the straightened circumstances of those times would have been likely to produce has since been erected to his memory. By liberality of the `Ancient Burying Ground Association of Hartford' an obelisk of red sand stone erected in 1837--bears his name. After the modern orthography deeply engraved, with the names of others of the first settlers - one hundred in all - whose dust coming generations would fain respect

Sarah, the wife of John Moodie remained a widow in Hartford till 1659 when she removed with her son to Hadley, Mass. where she died 4 Nov 1671 as appears by the Hadley town records. Her grave is unknown; but she rests, not forgotten!

SAMUEL MOODIE son of Mr. John Moodie, the emigrant, b. in the year 1636, md. in 1658 SARAH DEMING 28, dau. of Mr. John Deming of Wethersfield, Conn.

He remained awhile after marriage on the homestead of his father and continued to care for his now widowed mother who resided with him. He made purchase of several pieces of land the deed of which bears date April 7, 1658, also he is mentioned as proprietor of a parcell some of which was granted his father by the town and some of which his father bought - all of which, (bounded and described) was recorded Dec 12, 1680 in Vol 1 of the records in the town clerk’s office at Hartford.

At this time, differences of opinion in regard to baptism and church government had made an unhappy controversy at Hartford and Wethersfield. Many in order to end the strife thereupon resolved to remove themselves and their families into the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. Accordingly in the 18th of April 1659, sixty persons signed a compact that same year; with Rev. John Russell as their pastor, began the settlement of Hadley. Samuel Moodie was one of these. The birth of his second child is recorded on the Hadley records and from the fact that no record was made of the eldest is evidence that her birth happened the year of the removal, or in 1659.

The original document by which he held his estate in Hadley is in my possession, having been handed down in the family, in direct line, as if Providence had designed that I should here insert its transcript.

This record bearing date this twentie third day of ffebruarie in the yeare One thousand Six hundred Sixtie ffive witnesseth that the towne of hadley have given and granted unto Samuel Moodie an accommodation of land according to the rate or value of One hundred and ffiftie pound estate, viz. One house lott containing eight acres more or lesse bounded by the land of Nathaniel Ward south and John Crowe north abutting against the Common streets east and the place west allsoe in the greate medowe in the ffirst division of ploweland three acres more or lesse bounded by the land of Nathaniell Ward west and William Mascum east abutting against a high waye north and the plane south. Allsoe in the norherlie ffurlong towards the lower end of the meddowe foure acres more or lesse, bounded by the land of John Dickinsonwest and the towne east abutting against a high waye north and the adjoining ffurlonge south being in breadth five rod and ten thirteelnth of a rod, allsoe in the plane two acres one roode and ffifteene pole more or lesse bounded by the land of Richard Church east and Thomas Dickinson west abutting against a high way north and the adjoining ffurlong south in bredth five rod and five fourteelnths of a rod, allsoe one parcell of land adjoininge to the ffort meadowe northerlie, proportioned according to valuation to six acres of meddowe bounded by the ffort medowe ffense south and the woods north abutting on the rivellett east and the way running into the ffort meddowe west allsoe in the ffort meddowe ffive acres more or lesse proportioned to three roodes and twentie ffive pole for an acre, bounded by the land of Nathaniell Dickinson north and John White south abutting against the River west and the swalmpe east being in bredth eight rod and one eighteenth part of a rod, allsoe three acres more or lesse lying in the swalmpe southwest of the ffort medowe bounded by the land of Nathaniell Ward nor'east and Samuell Church southwest abutting on the river nor'west and on the high way southeast being in bredth twelve rod and seaven eights of a rod allsoe in the medowe called Hockanum six acres towe roodes and twentie nine pole more or lesse bounded by the land of widowe Hankes nor'east and John Taler southwest abutting against the river and nor'west being in bredth ten rod and one halfe of a rod allsoe in the medowe called greate pansett over the river three acres and one roode more or lesse bounded by the land of Samuell Smith nor'east and John Barnard southwest, abutting against the high waye southeast and the rivellett nor'west in bredth ffive rod & tow thirds of a rod; allsoe in the meadowe called little pansett towe acres and three roodes proportioned to three roodes & thirtie pole for an acre bounded by the land of Samuell Smith westerlie and Phillip Smith easterlie abutting on the river south and the banke north being in bredth foure rod and tow eights of a rod all and every of which parcells of land lying and being within the bounds of the towneshippe of Hadley aforesd with all the privilidges and appurtenances to all and everye of them belonging the said towne of Hadley hath freelie give (The Colony purchased of the Indians what is now embraced in the towns of Hadley, South Hadley, Granby & Amherst and Hatfield all of which were anciently called Hadley. As Samuel Moodie was one of the Colony who made the purchases the expression `given' as used in the above record denotes merely the appointment of his share by itself with specified boundaries) to the said Samuel Moodie his heires Executors and Assignees forever to have and to hould the same without any lett or molestation ffrom the said towne or any other claiming by ffrom or under them. (A transcript of the above document may be found on the Hadley records, in form nearly the same as here inserted).

From the record here given it appears that the house of Samuel Moodie was on the west side of the Front Street in Hadley and the fourth from the river reckoning north. A slight elevation of ground with two dwelling houses – the residences of Messrs. Joseph Eastman and Addie Wallis - mark the spot. The old mansion long years ago was removed; but the street remains nearly the same as formerly being sixteen rods wide and one mile in length both ends abutting on the Connecticut River, which here forms a peninsula. The soil is highly productive and the scenery beautiful. Nor can we believe it to have been less so formerly.

There he undoubtedly was, when on the morning of June 12, 1676, Hadley was attacked by 700 Indians. The fight must have occurred near his house for the Indians came upon the inhabitants at the south end of the street. We doubt not the musket and the sword mentioned in the inventory of his estate were then used in defense. It was there the foe was driven back by assistance of the Generals Goffe and Whalley both of whom had belonged to Cromwell's Army, but who with twenty eight other Judges having passed sentence of death upon Charles I of England were obliged after the restoration of monarchy to flee for safety to the wilds of America.

To SAMUEL MOODIE, I find given the epithet `Goodman' which title undoubtedly denotes the fact of his being a member of the Church. We regret that nothing further in this respect can now be known as the early church records of Hadley unfortunately were burned with the dwelling of Rev. Mr. Hopkins.

Mr. Samuel Moodie, son of Mr. John Moodie, the emigrant and progenitor of all of the name whom ancestors are traced to the Connecticut Valley in it's early history, died in Hadley, Mass. 22 Sep 1689, aged about 53 years.

Sara ye beloved wife of Samuel Moodie, Senior, died Sept. ye 29, 1717. They were buried with the early settlers of Hadley, but I have not been able to identify their graves.

The Probate of the Inventory of Mr. Samuel Moodie's Estate as copied from the Prob. Records, Vol. 1, page 269, of Hampshire Co., Mass. is here inserted as evidence of the authenticity of this account as thus far given.

Sara ye Relict of Samll Moody of Hadley deceased who dyed intestate presented to this Corte an Inventory of her sd Husband's Estate to which she made oath before ye worshipll Petr Tilton, Esqr yt it was a true Inventory & if more estate appeared, she would readily make discovery of it to the Cortes. Power of administration on sd estate was by the Corte granted to sd widdow and to John and Samuell Moody, son of the deceased who gave in Bond of 1000 for securitie of sd estate & to give accmpt of their administering on sd estate.

The inventory ffolows taken 25th October 1689 by Capt. Aaron Cooke, Lieut. Joseph Kellogg & Peter Tilton, Senr.

Here followeth a settlement of Samll Moody's deceased, his estate at ye ajourmt of this Corte June 25, 1690. Whereas, Sarah the Relict of Samll Moody of Hadley deceased appeared in Corte desiring yt some settlement to be made of her sd husband's estate to hereslfe & ye children whom ye totoll sum amounts to 654 of thereabouts which this Corte settles as ffollows. Sarah, the widdow aforesd to have one 3d part out of the whole estate, lands and movables, the lands for her use & maintenance & one half of ye housing in Hadley, such as she shall chuse for her life or widdowhood & one hundred pounds of ye moveable goods at the absolute dispose forever. And John Moody, eldest son to the deceased, to have a double portion which with some small allowance to his double share come to 167-5-00 or thereabouts to be set out to him out of the housing & lands at Hartford, viz. All the housing & lands thereto, to be his own portion as aforesd answering his mother for her third, during her life. To Samll, the 2d son & Ebenezer, the youngest son, 76 apiece out of the lands & movables as yt administrator to each shall judge, with good advice, to be most convenient for ym. To the 2 daughters Mary & Hannah, 54 a piece out of the movables. Mary, portion to be to her & her children after marrieage if she hath issue & none to take away any part of it & convert or turn it aside from ye ends aforesd. Those of the children that are under age, their portions to be at ye widdow's use till they come to age & if ye legattees dye before they receive their portions, the survivors to enjoy it." (It will be observed that no mention is made of Sarah, the eldest daughter in the above settlement, but it will be seen by reference to her name in advance that she was at this time, deceased. The births of their children were copied from the Hadley records except that of Sarah - who was born about the time of their removal to Hadley - and that of Mary, which seems to have been carelessly omitted).

Source: Moody, Plinius, The Moody Family, or Records of the Descendants of Mr. John Moody of Hartford, Connecticut, 1856, organized and recorded By Theodore L. Moody And Maxine Bull Moody, Nov 1991.

Boltwood's Genealogies of Hadley Families

MOODY, Sarah, wid. of Dea. John of Hartford, d. in Hadley, 1671.

1. MOODY, Samuel, supposed to have been the only child of Dea. John Moody of Hartford, and grandson of George Moody of Moulton, Suffolk Co., Eng., d. Sept. 22, 1689. He m. Sarah, dau. of John Deming of Wethersfield, Ct. She d. Sept. 29, 1717. Children— Sarah, m. Dec. 23, 1680, John Kellogg, and d. Sept. 19, 1689: John, b. July 24, 1661, settled in Hartford, Ct., and d. Nov. 5, 1732, ae. 71; Hannah, h. March 5, 1663, d. unm. Jan. 6, 1713; Mary, m. (1) June 30, 1689, Alexander Panton; (2) June 29, 1689, James Munn; Samuel, b. Nov. 28, 1670; Ebenezer, b. Oct. 23, 1675.

Source: Boltwood, Lucius Manlius, Genealogies of Hadley Families: Embracing the Early Settlers of the Towns of Hatfield, South Hadley, Amherst, and Granby, Amherst, MA: Metcalf & Company, 1862, pgs. 100-101.

Torrey's New England Marriages Prior to 1700

MOODY, John (1593-1655) & Sarah COX (-1671); St. James Bury, St. Edmunds, 8 Sep 1617, b 1633; Roxbury/Hartford

Source: Torrey, Clarence A., New England Marriages Prior to 1700, Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2004.

Cutter's New England Families

George Moody, progenitor of the American family, lived at Moulton, Suffolkshire, England. The pedigree to remote antiquity has been preserved in the Harleian manuscripts (No. 6071, p. 512, folio 254) in the British Museum. He was, we are told, famous for his good housekeeping and plain dealing. He married Lydia --. Children: George, of Moulton; John, mentioned below; Samuel, woolen draper of Bury St. Edmunds, alderman, justice of the peace, member of parliament, had his father's estate after his elder brother's death; children: George, John, Samuel, Mary, Margaret, Sarah, Anne, Elizabeth; daughter.

(II) Deacon John Moody, son of George Moody, was born in Moulton, England, and came to New England in 1633, locating at Roxbury, Massachusetts. He was admitted a freeman of the colony, November 5, 1633, and was deputy to the general court in 1634-35. He moved to Hartford, Connecticut, of which he was a proprietor in 1639, and his home lot there was on Main street opposite that of George Wyllys. He was townsman or selectman in 1639-40 and lieutenant in 1640. His will was dated July 23, 1655, and his inventory, December 6, 1655. It amounted to three hundred pounds. He bequeathed to wife Sarah, son Samuel and daughter, Elizabeth Pepper. His widow Elizabeth died at Hadley in 1671.

(III) Samuel Moody, son of John Moody, was born about 1640. He removed from Hartford to Hadley, Massachusetts, in 1659, and died there September 22, 1689. He married Sarah Deming, who died September 29, 1717, daughter of John Deming, of Wethersfield, Connecticut. Children: Sarah, married John Kellogg; John, mentioned below; Hannah, born March 5, 1663, died unmarried, January 6, 1713; Mary, married twice; Samuel, born November 28, 1670; Ebenezer, October 23, 1675, lived in Hadley.

Source: Cutter, William Richard, New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial, vol. IV, New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, 1914, p. 2116