The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-08-27

Editor Intelligencer: We were among
tho fortunate ones who were in attend
ance upon the reunion Of the Moore
was held at the original homestead of
John MoOrahead, the founder Of the
family bearing chat hOnOred name,
who removed from Union County, s.
c., to PendletOn County and settled at
the same place now owned and Occu-
pied by MIR. Robert MOorehead, direct
descendant. AS we walked around
the, to us, sacred grounds. and looked
up at the walls and roof that more
protection to our ancestors, we tried
to call up their forms and faces in our
mind and to contrast the conditions
that then existed with those in which
we now live-a plain little log house
made from hewn oak logs and chinked
with mud. Only one room. about 1Sx
20 feet, with huge rock chimney now
disappeared and the place filled with q
modern brick chimney. A loft or gar
room or bridal chamber, according to
requirements, q plain slat floor, but
toned doors with peep-hOle windows,
no pane glass and these supplied with
board shutters, and to all these add the
weather. beaten appearance which I35
years of exposure have wrought, and
you have an idea OF the wOOdman's
cabin which was built at that remote
period by a sturdy Irishman named
place to John Moorehead in 1893, and
here the family Of himself, his SOD,
Alexander MOOrehead, and the present
occupant, Mr.. Robt. MOOrehead, have
continued to live since that time, and
from this place have gone out those
descendants who now number very
600 persons. One son of Alexander
MoOrehead having about 100 descend
ants now living. ! met one of the
family who told me that che alone had
60 grandchildren.
The descendants present on this Oc-
casion numbered 200. who, with about
25 or more invited guests and friends,
did splendid tribute to the r-aet of
good things that had been prepared for
the dinner, which was served in the
grove near the spring. After the
crowd had done ample Justice to the
pic mic, Mr. RObt. Stevenson invited
to seats n.ao1 nearby y wi %hen Rev f. r.
byterian Church of Anderson, enter
tanned us all with an address, in which
he referred to the great Importance of
family reunions and the vast benefits
to be derived by those who would fol-
low after us. His words of advice and
encouragement to the young people
were very timely and we'll worth re-
membering and putting into practice.
During his remarks he was handed by
a member. of the family description
of the original Coat Of Arms OF the
MoOrehead family, which consisted of
q bulls head, sheaf of oats and a
dagger; and the heraldic meaning of
these emblems we're nicely portrayed
and remarked upon. To the Moore
head family they have peculiar mean
ing, the key to which is contained in
an ancient traditionary incident. which
has been handed down through many
generations and which ie very inter-
esting to lovers Of family hsraldry.
Mr.. MurchisOn was followed by Hon.
B: +. CraytOn, the oldest guest present,
who, as young man. came to Ander-
son and engaged in mercantile business
GA years ago. numbering among his
first friends and customers Mr.. Alex
ander MOorehead and Mrs. Rachel
Moorehead, the father and mother of
our host above referred to.
Mr.. Crayton spoke without manu-
script, and said he never attempted to
use ''nOtes" but once, and he could not
read them when he wanted to refer to
them. His remarks were none tho less
practical, instructive and enjoyable,
but he will have to tell how the ladies
voted on the stocking knitting ques-
tion when he asked for show of hands
on that subject.
Altogether, Mr.. Editor. the reunion
was grand success, and the continu-
ance Of the committee on perpetuating
the meetings seemed to point to re-
newed effort in the future along that
line.
Only one member Of the family was
reported as having died since the last
meeting Emma F. Mcclellan
and her place on the committee was
filled by the appointment CT Mrs. Julia
Alice ONeal, nee Bnrriss. The Moore
head Coat of Arms was adopted as the
emblem of the family. and the COM
mittee were instructed to have designs
prepared for inspection and adoption.
After indnlging in feast of water
melons, canteloupes and small fruits
the meeting closed; and thus ended
one of the most enjoyable and enthu-
siastic reunions that we have ever at
tended. Long live the clan Moore
head.
Committee on Reunion-Robert Ste
venson, Robert MOorehead. Lewis w.
Gentry. Thos. II. Burriss. j. B. Lewis.
Mira. Mary E. Burriss, Mrs. j. Alice
O'Neal, Mrs. Essie Eskew.