Subject: Major John Moor of NH Source: New Hampshire Magazine Major Moor: The Sword of Bunker Hill At the mouth of the Cohas Brook, where it flows into the Merrimack River in south Manchester at the village of Goffe's Falls, stood the residences of some of New Hampshire's greatest patriots. Here lived Col. John Goffe, who for 35 years fought the French and Indians; his brother-in-law, Edward Lingfield who, in 1725, was the first to enter battle from the area; and Goffe's other brother-in-law, Benjamin Kidder, who was the first from the area to die at war, in 1745 at Fort Louisburg. Also from that small piece of land came Major John Moor, a son-in-law of John Goffe, who distinguished himself at the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. John Moor saw action in the French and Indian War at the battle of "Bloody Pond" where New Hampshire troops routed the French. When the alarm came in April, 1775, Moor led a company of local men to Lexington but arrived too late for the battle (34 out of 36 eligible Derryfield men had stepped forward and volunteered!). He then went to Cambridge where he was commissioned as a captain in Col. John Stark's regiment. The regiment of Col. John Stark, of Derryfield (now Manchester), was later ordered to Bunker Hill (actually Breed's Hill). Upon arriving at the redoubt that had been hastily constructed at the top of the hill, Stark found that the left flank, from the redoubt down to the Mystic River, had been left exposed and it was here that Stark placed his men. Extending down the hill was a rail fence and Stark ordered that hay from the new-mown field be placed against the fence so as to decrease visual exposure of his men - even though it provided no physical protection. At the end of the fence, at the beach, Stark directed that a stone wall be built to the edge of the water. Capt. Moor was then ordered to defend this wall. (His company of then 57 men included 22 from Derryfield, 27 from Bedford, and the balance from nearby towns). Finally on came the British. They landed further down the beach and formed lines as if on parade. Stark had placed a stick on the ground some 40 yards in front of the wall and the fence and ordered that nobody fire until the British had reached that point. These were crack British troops - experienced in battle - who were now testing the farmer recruits from New Hampshire. It was expected that they would make quick and efficient work of this unequal engagement, causing the Colonials to flee their positions. The order was given to aim for the British officers, with their swords held on high, and to shoot for the waist. When the British reached the stick there was a thunderous volley from the New Hampshire regiment and the first ranks of the British went down. The British retreated and came on once again with the same deadly result. Realizing that they could not hold up under such fire, the British decided to concentrate their forces and fire power on Capt. Moor's men at the wall, so as to turn the flank on the lowest end of the battle line, and then run up the line - destroying the supposedly inept farmers. But they never succeeded! On they came with overwhelming fire power against Capt. Moor and his company, but each man held his ground, returning the fire and causing terrible losses in the British ranks, with no casualties among Moor's men behind the wall. The British again fell back in defeat and some of Stark's men, in jubilation, wanted to pursue them. But Stark could see that the battle was being lost elsewhere on the battlefield to other British troops and it was time for him to withdraw his men - the last to leave the field. The next morning a local civilian went to the battlefield and counted 96 dead British soldiers - the officers had already been carried away - in front of the wall and lower fence. Some years later it was revealed by a member of the British royalty that only one British officer, of those who faced Stark's regiment, survived. In the New Hampshire account of the engagement, it was stated that if all of the Colonial troops had fought as well as those at the wall and lower fence, the battle would have been won. It was at the Battle of Bunker Hill that the Colonials learned that they could stand up against British regulars - thanks largely to Capt. Moor's defense of the wall. Major Moor, promoted the day after the battle, had to return to Goffe's Falls to care for his ill wife. After her death he married again and moved to Norridgewock, Maine. He arrived in town resplendent in his officer's uniform, and thereafter was always accorded the respect of a Revolutionary War hero. His sword has been passed down through the generations and is now at the Maine State Capitol. By John C. Mongan, Mayor of Manchester in 1962-63 and in 1968-69. Since retiring as regional administrator of the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, he has been researching and writing Bedford and Manchester history. New Hampshire Magazine Major John Moor Source: Samuel Moore and his Descendants by Rev. Charles N. Sinnett More information at the website end of report. Major John Moore, b. 28 Nov. 1731, died at Norridgewock or North Anson, Maine in 1809. Was a brave patriot. He m. (1) on 8 Sept. 1758, MARGARET GOFFE. She d. Sept. 1775 at Derryfield,(Now Manchester, N.H.) She was the dau. of Colonel John and Hannah (Griggs) Goffe. John Moore m. (2) MRS. EUNICE (FARNSWORTH) WESTON in 1779. She was b. 1735, d. 8 Nov. 1822. "She was of Bloomfield, Me., and the 2nd woman to come to Somerset County, Me., and was the widow-of John Weston. (no children)" Major John Moore, ( Samuel 1 ) b. 1731, d. Jan. 1809. A noble monument to him and his wife was dedicated at Norridgewock, Me. on 12 Oct. 1904 -with a impressive ceremony and a fine oration by a descentant, the Hon., A.M. Spear of Gardiner, Me. John Moore settled at Derry- fieLd,(now Manchester),NH where he was a miller and an enterprizing citizen,. In 1780 he removed to Norridgewock, Me. with his four sons. From the History of Manchester It says "In the French War he won a reputation as a Man of courage and energy. After the conquest of Canada he quietly settled down upon his farm at Choas Brook. " Sinnett did include more on his military history, but this information can be easily be found in other books, like D.A.R. record books. Major John Moore m. (1) 8 Sept. 1758, MARGARET GOFFE, died at Derryfield, N.H. (now Manchester) Sept. 1775, She was daughter Col. John & Hannah (Griggs) Goffe. She was said to be a woman of estimable character. He m. (2) 1779, at Norridgwock, Me. to MRS. EUNICE (FARNSWORTH) WESTON, b. 1735; 8 Nov. 1822, she died and was said that left " 222 descendants." She was the second white woman to come to Somerset Co. Maine and widow of John Weston http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ifetch2?/u1/data/me+index+16783270 Subject: Major John Moor, NH Source: Farnsworth Memorial Benjamin Farnsworth/Mary Prescott Line, Groton, MA p.214-216 Eunice Farnsworth b. Nov 26, 1735 dau of Aaron Farnsworth and his wife Hannah Barron (Aaron Farnsworth is my line from Benjamin) of Groton, MA Eunice Farnsworth m. in 1756 Joseph Weston b. 1732 at Concord and in 1771/2 moved to Maine. He died and she m. (2) in 1779 Major John Moor of New Hampshire. She died 1822. Her sister, Mary Farnsworth b. 1732 at Groton, MA m. Dec 2, 1767 Colonel Osmyn Baker b. 1734 in CT. They removed to Fort 4 Charlestown NH, Fort No. 4, where he was a colonel in the militia, County (Sullivan) Treasurer, Town Clerk and Sheriff. Colonel Osmyn Baker