Lindley Murray Moore facts for kids
Lindley Murray Moore (born May 31, 1788, in Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada – died August 14, 1871, in Rochester, New York, US) was an important Canadian-American abolitionist and teacher. He worked hard to end slavery and helped educate many people throughout his life.
Early Life and Education
Lindley Murray Moore was born into a Quaker family. His family had to leave their home in Rahway, New Jersey, during the American Revolution. He was named after a famous grammarian, Lindley Murray, who helped his father during the war.
In 1810, Lindley Murray Moore returned to New Jersey. Soon after marrying Abigail Lydia Mott in 1813, they opened a Quaker school in Rahway. In 1815, they moved to New York City to manage another school. By 1820, they started their own boarding school for boys, first in Flushing and then in Westchester Village, NY. In 1831, Lindley and Abigail bought a farm in what is now Rochester, New York. They built a two-story house there, which is still standing today.
Fighting Against Slavery
Lindley Murray Moore and his wife, Abigail, were strong supporters of abolitionism, which was the movement to end slavery. They were active members of the Quaker community, which often spoke out against slavery. In November 1836, Lindley was a leader for the men's Quaker meeting, and Abigail led the women's meeting. Together, they helped publish a powerful statement against slavery.
Abigail Lydia Mott was also related to Lucretia Coffin Mott, a famous American Quaker who fought for the end of slavery and for women's rights.
In 1838, Lindley Murray Moore helped start the Rochester Anti-Slavery Society and became its first president. Rochester was a well-known center for Quaker activists who worked to end slavery. He also wrote essays about freedom, like "Religious, Moral and Political Duties" in a book called Autographs for Freedom (1853). At the same time, he was involved with the Rochester Temperance Society, which worked to reduce alcohol use.
Moore also helped the Rev. Hiram Wilson provide education to formerly enslaved people. He even offered to pay for teachers for these new students in Upper Canada.
His wife, Abigail Lydia Mott, passed away on September 4, 1846, at the age of 51.
Later Life and Legacy
By 1848, Lindley Murray Moore became the Principal of Haverford College, a Quaker college. One of his students, Richard Wood, described him as a tall, kind man with a strong voice who loved to recite poetry. Moore held this position until 1850.
Later, Moore retired and lived with his son, Edward Mott Moore, who was a professor and helped create the public parks system in Rochester, New York.
