Mathew Brady's Chair, ca 1860's

Unknown Moran relative
Photo by Mathew Brady
Washington DC

I came across a photograph taken by Mathew Brady of an unknown Moran relative.  We think he is probably a Gunn, Morehead or Turner.  The photograph was taken at Brady's Washington DC studio located at no. 352 Pennsylvania Ave.

Back of the photo
showing Brady's
hallmark.

I was intrigued by the ornate chair and clock and wondered if they appeared in other Brady photographs. They did.  Quite a few times actually by many unknown people as well as the famous.














I created a collage featuring Clara Barton with Brady's Clock and the following cast of characters with Brady's wonderful chair.  You might recognize a few of the names: Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Turner, William T. Sherman, Andrew Johnson and Adelbert Ames.

We may never know who the ancestor is but one thing is certain, he was seated in good company.

Football, Money, Health and Studies: Letter to Papa Nov 1900

James H. Moran was 21 and had left Dresden, TN to study law at the University of Virginia in 1900.  In this letter to his father he mentions an election defeat, football, the furniture bill, his studies and money.  Whether it's 1900 or 2013, letters to parents all seem the same.

Charlottesville, VA
Nov. 9-'00

Dear Papa:

Excitement over the election has caused me to be a little negligent in writing home; but as it is all over now I hope to be able to settle down to work and forget the bitterness of defeat.  I received your letter with the enclosed check Monday for which I thank you very much.  My furniture bill has not been settled yet but as soon as I get it will send it to you.

   

I am in excellent health except for a slight pain in my back which one of the medical students' says is caused by a weak kidney.  It will be alright I hope in a short time. This is the first time in years that I have missed playing foot-ball and although I have managed to do more studying I must confess, I don't believe it is caused from quitting the game.

Law grows more interesting but harder everyday.  At last I am beginning to appreciate the finer points of which the study is made up of completely.  Take a page from any of the books, read it over once and its all Dutch, the second time you get a faint idea; after that it grows plain.

We play Georgetown in Washington tomorrow week and I had thought of going over but am rather afraid to risk it now since one of our examinations is posted for the 5th of December.

I am glad to hear that you are all well and hope you shall continue so throughout the winter.

With love to all devotedly
        Your Son
            James H. Moran

Calling Card Sunday: Invitation to Tea 1899

Mrs. George W. Martin
Tea.
Friday, December the eight,
Five to eight.
Reply

This invitation was sent to Charles Harrell Moran, often misspelled as Harold.  It was mailed November 1899 from Mrs. George W. Martin.  Postmarked Nashville Tennessee.  George W. Martin was a prominent citizen of Weakley County Tennessee, living a few miles outside of Dresden Tennessee.  An excellent biography can be found in the Sketches of Prominent Tennesseans William S. Speer, published in 1888.

CSA Military Record
Remarks: Deserted July 18, 1862

He was the fifth child of  William Martin, 1806-1859, and Sarah Glass.  Both originally from Halifax County Virginia, removing to Weakley County Tennessee.  George attended the Male Academy of Dresden and boarded with the family of Maj. Alfred Gardner, distant cousins of the Morans.  He attended Union University and during the Civil War joined the Ninth TN Regiment in May, 1861, serving under Captain Bradford Edwards in Company G.  The service records indicate that he deserted on July 18, 1862.  Other sources indicate after his term of service expired in 1862 he did not re-enlist choosing instead to return to his home in Weakley county.

Geo. W. Martin Passport
Application 1863

 After a few months he decided to leave the country and headed for Europe.  He remained in Europe but returned to New York just before the end of the war.  Like most people he returned to his home to find it in ruins.  He remained there two years.  His next venture was to erect a grist mill at Gardner Station. A few years later Martin began a career in politics by serving in the 38th Gen. Assembly of TN.

He married Miss Mattie Williams in 1878, the woman who I believed was the sender of this tea invite.  He joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, South in 1883, the same church his wife had belonged to since infancy.

George W. Martin died in 1913 and is buried in Eastside Cemetery, Martin TN with his wife Martha Lee Williams.