The Anderson County Museum is now taking nominations for inductees into its Hall of Fame. Although I have already submitted my nomination form for Col. John Moffett, I would like to continue to add information to my files for use in the event that he is chosen for this honor. I would also like to connect with any other John Moffett descendants. Below is a brief summary of his life as I now know it:

Col. John Moffett was born about 1741 in the Augusta Valley of Virginia and was probably the son of John and Mary Christian Moffett of that area. He married Ann Watson who was the daughter of David and Hannah Watson of Bullock's Creek, York Co., SC. Moffett migrated to SC and first settled in the Chester Co/York Co area (Old Camden District) where he was a member of the House of Representatives of South Carolina called by Gov. Rutledge at Jacksonborough. He represented Chester, Fairfield and Union Districts. John Moffett served as a SC Militia Captain in the Revolutionary War serving in Snow's Campaign against the Cherokee Indians; under General Sumter at Fishing Creek; and a commanding Captain in the fight at Brattons Old Field in York District where he saw the British Col. Houck (The Presbyterian Rebellion and the Battle of Huck's Defeat) fall from his horse. He fought in the Battle of King's Mountain under Col. Edward Lacey and received the rank of Colonel during the battle. He took part in the Battle of Cowpens, Ramsour's Mill Pond and other battles. Before the close of the war - probably around 1780 - he moved to Ninety-Six and had part in the dividing of land from Abbeville County and laying off of Pendleton District (Anderson County) South Carolina. As one of eight appointed commissioners - including Andrew Pickens, General Robert Anderson, John Mills and others - he helped locate the court house for Pendleton District. As a Court Justice he served on the bench with Gen. William Bratton, John Drennan, Francis Adams, William Hill, David Leech and James Wilson. In Pendleton District he received a grant of 536 acres of land on the North Fork and Twelve Mile Rivers between 1790 and 1800. He also purchased land from others including Patrick Calhoun - brother of President John C. Calhoun. The area was originally known as Moffett's Mills but was officially changed to Moffettsville in 1828. Moffettsville was located in what is now a rural farming area of Anderson County west of Iva SC near the Old Good Hope Church site which was founded by Rev. John Simpson - a dear friend of Col. Moffett. There is a Historical Marker for Moffettsville on SC Highway 184. The community had a population of about 25 residents which included a physician and a blacksmith. There was a post office there and Col. Moffett's son-in-law - Dr. James H. Davidson who married daughter Ann Moffett - was the first Postmaster. The Post Office received its mail from the Main Post Office at Ninety-Six and served this area from 1818 until 1901. There was also a general store, cotton gin, two grain mills and a tannery. Both grain mills (which are listed on the 1820 Mills Atlas) were located on the Little Generostee Creek where the foundation of one is still visible today. Col. Moffett also established Moffett Academy - a school for boys - which was located near the site of the Generostee ARP Church - the first ARP church in Anderson County. Col. John Moffet moved to DeKalb County Georgia after 1820 where he lived with his daughter until he died in 1829. He is buried in Decatur GA in the Old Presbyterian Churchyard where his stone bears the inscription, “An Old Revolutioner.” The burial site is maintained by the DAR. On Saturday, April 24, 1999, the Piedmont Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution hosted a grave-marking service for the grave of Col. John Moffett. A bronze marker was installed on each of three Scottish Revolutionary Patriots' graves during that ceremony and the Sunday Atlanta Journal-Constitution carried the story.

1-John Moffett- b abt 1741 prob VA; d 1829 DeKalb Co GA; m Ann Watson
      2-Hannah Moffett- b 1773 SC; d 1839 GA; m Leonard Simpson- b 1769 NJ; d 1856 GA
          3-Archibald Simpson of the Draper Manuscripts
     2-Sarah Moffett- b 1776 SC; d 1835 SC; m George Simpson -b 1777 SC; d 1831 SC
     2-Ann Moffett- b 1778 SC; d 1855 MS; m Dr. James H. Davidson- b 1787 SC; d 1858 MS
     2-Martha Moffett- b 1773 SC; d 1841 GA; m Thomas Harris- b 1768 MD; d 1851 GA
     2-Probable son - John Moffett- b between 1784 and 1790; m Miss Tate? 

Daughters Hannah and Sarah Moffett both married sons of the well-known revolutioners Rev. John Simpson and wife Mary Remer Simpson of NJ and SC. Daughter Ann Moffett married Dr. James H. Davidson - son of Elias Davidson who was an Elder in the Bethesda Presbyterian Church in York Co SC and a SC Militiaman in the Revolutionary War.  Daughter Martha married Thomas Harris - son of Rev. John Harris who was targeted by the Tories, “preached with a rifle by his side,” and eventually voted on the ratification of the Federal Constitution in 1778.

A personal note: I would like to publicly acknowledge and thank Marcus and Alice Campbell of Iva SC who have worked tirelessly to see that Col. John Moffett and Moffettsville are not forgotten!

Thank you

Maria H. Price - 4xgreatgranddaughter of Col. John Moffett and Ann Watson Moffett

mhpdeco@aol.com