Posted by Jerry Clark, 7/4/2007: William Thomas Moran son of Gabriel Moran and Elizabeth Villett (Research):William sold his 150 acre portion of "The Four Brothers" on 6/9/1767 to his nephew, William Moran, son of John (Willis John). This deed was signed by both William Moran and his wife, "Ellinor Morran." This is a very important document because it reveals the name of William's wife and proves he is the William Moran who later lived in Halifax Co., NC, and named his wife, "Elenor Moran," in his Will. After selling his land in Maryland, William moved his family to Halifax Co., NC, appearing in the records there as a witness to a deed on 12/13/1768, along with his presumed brother-in-law, James Lock. He also appeared in court in February 1769 when the deed was proven. It is not known whether his family remained in Halifax Co., moved elsewhere, or possibly even returned to Maryland. If they were not living in Maryland when the Revolution began, William apparently returned there himself to enlist, perhaps because he felt that part of his family was in greater danger, or perhaps because he wanted to fight alongside other family members. (Halifax Co, NC. Will #558 pg.276) William Moran 20 Dec. 1796 Feb. Ct. 1797 wife Elenor Moran rest of my estate after debts are paid sons Bazel Moran, Samuel Moran, Elisha Moran and Joseph Moran 5 shillings each Daughters Elizabeth Moran, Elinor Moran and Susana Moran bed etc. each at my wife's death residue of estate after wife's death to be divided between William Moran, Gabrael Moran, John Moran, Mary Moran, Sarah Moran and the sd. Elizabeth, Elinor and Susana. Wit.: Samuel Higgs, William Harbert, Solomon Turner Extrs.: James Judge and Mathew Cary Whitaker NOTE: 3/21/2001:jperry from Google gave date of death on Wm Thomas Moran as 12/20/1796 but that's the date of the probate of his will. --- Jerry, I happened to be working on the Moran family today--one thing leading to another, etc. While searching at Genealogy.com, I also found this posting by Patrick Moran: "Hello Sandra. I respectfully disagree with a couple of your entries on the early American ancestry you show. For example, it is simply not possible for your #4 John Sr. Moran (married to Martha Russell), born 1775, to have been the grandson of your #2 Thomas Moran (married to Ann Gorman), born 1673. And, incidentally, the name of the man who married Ann Gorman may well not have been Thomas. The name Thomas is merely a guess - pure speculation; I know, because I am the one who first made that guess. I first listed the name on a few publications as "possibly Thomas," then others picked it up, but left out the "possibly." Anyway, he and Ann Gorman were the parents of two sons, Gabriel and James, both of whom came to America. James married Susannah (or Ann) Shirley; they were the parents of James Shirley Moran, who married Margaret (possibly Cunningham). No children have been identified from this marriage. Gabriel was born c.1691 in County Clare, Ireland; married c.1711-1714 in Maryland Elizabeth Villett. They had 4 children: John, Peter, Andrew, and William Thomas. William Thomas was born c.1727-1733 in Charles County, Maryland; married Eleanor Lock; and died in Jan. or Feb. of 1797 in Halifax County, North Carolina. They had 13 children, one of whom was James. James was born in Charles County, NC (he meant Maryland); and died probably a.1790/certainly a.12-20-1796. The name of his wife has not been determined, but he is believed to have had at least 4 children: John, William, Polly, and Jesse. John, son of the above James, was born in Halifax County, NC, in 1773; died in 1853 in Pike County, IL; and married Martha Russell in Baldwin County, GA., on 7-10-1810. This John is your #4 John Moran. I believe you will agree that the time line shown above is more realistic than the line you suggested. All of this was taken from the book "Moran Exodus From Offaly," which I published in 1995. If you have not had a chance to review the book, it may be found in many genealogical libraries, including the LDS Library in Salt Lake City, where it has also been filmed, making it available at minimum cost at any local Mormon Church through their microfilm loan program." -- My first problem would be the naming of William Moran as William Thomas Moran. I've seen many records on this guy and never a middle name and I don't believe he had one. Secondly, I don't believe that the wife of William Moran was Eleanor Lock as stated by Patrick Moran, and there is no evidence that James Lock had a sister by that name. Third, there is only one record that I've found for a man named William Moran and he served in NC. He didn't die until 1829 and his wife was named Delilah. Last, but not least, I think I know who William Moran probably married. If you'll notice, one of the witnesses to the will of William Moran was Samuel Higgs. He was Samuel Higgs, Jr., son of Samuel Higgs who died about 1758 in St. Mary's County and his wife, Elizabeth. Here are his administration accounts: 8/7/1759: Admin. accts. of Samuel Higgs, SMC. Sureties: Isaac Shamwell, Zachariah Higgs. Received from: Isaac Shamwell, Jeremiah Higgs, John Watson. Payments to: Richard Cook, Alexander McFarlane, Samuel Briscoe, Samuel Suite, Samuel Swann, Robert Horner, James Scroggin. Distribution to: Widow, 1/3. Residue to (orphans): Susanna Higgs (at age); Eleanor Higgs (at age); Elizabeth Higgs (at age); Mary Higgs (at age); Samuel Higgs (age 16); Sarah Higgs (age 13); Jonathan Higgs (age 12); Mary Ann Higgs (age 10); Chloe Higgs (age 7). Admx.: Elizabeth Higgs. (Admin. accts. of the Prerogative Court of Maryland, Libers, 37-45, 1754-1760 by V. L. Skinner, Jr.). NOTE: This record is not on CD #206. I think the wife of William Moran was Eleanor Higgs, not Eleanor Lock. She named a son Samuel and she named a daughter Elizabeth. Linda Reno