Beeks line: Jacob Moon 1730-1804

The title of this is somewhat misleading because the birth date for Jacob is not known.  He was married about 1750 so his birth date would likely be earlier than 1730.  He was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania to Simon and Louretha (Lowry) Humphrey Moon, and was part of a Quaker family whose immigrant ancestor, James Moone, had arrived in Pennsylvania probably by 1685 but certainly by 1688. Jacob was the great grandson of James, so he was in the fourth generation of Moons to set foot in America.

Jacob's parents had moved from Chester County to Frederick County, Virginia sometime between 1721, when they were married in Philadelphia, and 1748, when Simon died.  Jacob would have come with them as a young child or possibly early teenager.  This may be the same area that Jacob lived in, as Frederick County at one time included what is now Berkeley County, West Virginia.  The Moons lived on Middle Creek, and Jacob eventually founded a town there which he called Arden, the name taken from a town in England.  At any rate, if he moved, he didn't move far.  (Arden is on the far east border of West Virginia, so Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania were all almost within shouting distance.)

I should mention that this was an early time to settle in the area.  Native Americans regarded this as their land (for good reason) and the area did come under considerable attack, especially during the French and Indian War.  Several forts were built along the eastern border of what is now West Virginia, and there were skirmishes and battles pretty much non-stop until at least 1774.  We don't know what the Moons did during this time.  Did they leave their home and go to a fort for protection, or did they perhaps go further east, or did they stay in their home and take their chances?  Jacob was a Quaker so we don't know whether he ever participated in a military exercise but we can assume he would have protected his family.

Jacob married Jane Rees, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Bowen Reese, about 1750. The Rees family also had Quaker roots, so it was a good match. They had at least six children, three sons and three daughters, all mentioned in Jacob's will.   They would have attended Hopewell meeting at first, but soon helped found Middle Creek Meeting.  There are pictures on line of the stone building that was built in 1796, toward the end of Jacob's life, and it doesn't take much imagination to think that Jacob had a hand in building it, either physically or financially.  I've not found the dimensions of the building but it looks pretty small, based on the presumed size of the door.  

Jacob was undoubtedly a farmer, but it's always possible that he also had another trade.  If so, I've not found mention of it yet.  Jacob died sometime between May 2, 1804, the date he wrote his will, and June 25, 1804, the date it was admitted to probate.  He left a life interest in his house, the right to take apples and cherries from the orchard for her own use, and pasture for the cow he left her, as well as all the household goods and furnishings.  His sons were given directions about how to divide his tract of land, and also were instructed to support his wife financially.  The daughters were given money to be paid by their brothers.  

It's fascinating to think of all the places and events that Jacob would have seen during his lifetime.  From the trip to Frederick County to the attacks by various Indian tribes, to possibly having seen General Braddock and even George Washington as they traveled through the area, to being caught up in the Revolutionary War, and then watching the baby steps of our new country, it was an exciting time, even for Quaker families.  Wouldn't you love to hear his stories?

The line of descent is:

Jacob Moon-Jane Rees

Thomas Moon-Jean Gray

Margaret Ellen Moon-Owen T Rees

Eliza Matilda Reese-Samuel Goodnight Dunham

Margaret Catherine Dunham-Harvey Aldridge

Cleo Aldridge-Wilbur Beeks

Mary Beeks-Cleveland Harshbarger

Their descendants