Fictional letter to the late Thomas Moore from his 3 x Great Grand daughter, Krista Moore…
I also have been meaning to ask you about Dr. Thomas Moore in Picton. I reckon you had some relationship, whether kin or not. And his daughter, Catherine Ann Moore, who appears to be a cousin of yours. It is the only sense we can make of the land transactions in the 1870s when times were difficult and you had to parcel off your land. I don’t understand such things, but I can see that you lost quite a bit, and that your family cared deeply for you enough to try to keep it in the family.
What happened to your late brother John? I can’t believe he died 4 days before you at the age of 46. What a heartbreak it must have been, a real blow, that possibly ended your life as well. I can’t even begin to understand what happened, or why he was buried in Laidley (that is what we call it now), the cemetery where most of the Buchanans are buried, as they are still in charge of it (you’d be happy I think to know.).
John Moore, buried same day as his brother Thomas, Jan. 1887, Laidley cemetery, Maberly, Ontario
I have a friend there named Karen P. who has gone so far as to clear the tombstones of John Moore and M.W Moore, whose tombstones were quite broken and fallen back. She cleared and trimmed the tiger lilies from dear John’s grave, and put M.W. upright again. I guess she was a young daughter or niece of his or Henry’s. But… what happened to you, dear Thomas? Buried on the same day? It was winter was it now? Where? Can your family help me with this? Perhaps Margaret or your surviving relatives made a decision based on the two children you lost, and buried you with them? I cannot say. But we also have a relative down by Rokeby named Karen Moore I believe who comes from a Harry Moore of not too long ago? And she may have something to say about it. She still lives there, and used to live on the land your father William lived on. I was quite happy to hear it. It is still in the family after all!
There are fireworks going off outside, as it is Queen Victoria day tomorrow. Can you believe it? So much for your George! Now we have Elizabeth II who is in her 90s, the longest standing monarch. Following her will be Charles and Camilla, and then his son William and Catherine. They were quite something when they came to Canada last summer. She is gorgeous and William simply glowed at her side.
Will & Kate, 2011
Sir John A MacDonald, 1st Prime Minister of Canada, contemporary of Dr. Thomas Moore of Picton and Thomas Moore, Esq. of Maberly, Oso-Frontenac, Ontario
Which brings me to you and your political career. Did you have a meeting with John A. MacDonald in the 1860s over the railway being extended from Kingston to Pembroke? I believe it was in the summer, a June day, and you were presiding in council, or had a private meeting, as you were Reeve of both Oso and Frontenac at the time. Your own son, Lawrence ended up a road-master on the Railway in Haileybury. He died shortly after the fire of 1922, of Bright’s Disease, at Wellesley private hospital in Toronto.
Back to “Sir” John A. as we call him… See Historical Matters: Famous Moore Clash with Sir John A MacDonald
That's Relative! 