Background
James Moore was born in 1764, the place of birth is unknown.
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James Moore
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Initially his ecclesiastical connections were originally Presbyterian and he served in Virginia, among his friends were Archibald Scott, long pastor of the churches in Hebron and Bethel, Augusta County, and John Brown, pastor of the Timber Ridge and New Providence congregations.
Soon after his arrival in Kentucky, Moore was received as a candidate by the Transylvania Presbytery, April 27, 1792. The following year he preached a trial sermon on the text, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish, " which did not meet with the approbation of the Presbytery. He refused to be examined again and was dismissed.
He then turned to the Episcopal Church and in 1794 was ordained by Bishop Madison of Virginia. Soon after his arrival in Kentucky Moore had been appointed principal or "director" of Transylvania Seminary, the first public educational institution of that region, which, conducted near Danville, had carried on a precarious existence for several years. He taught the school in his own house and in addition to his salary of twenty-five pounds, later increased to fifty, he was allowed four pounds, thirteen shillings, and fourpence for the portion of his dwelling used for educational purposes. On April 8, 1793, the trustees voted to locate the seminary permanently at Lexington.
Moore continued in charge until February 1794 when he was superseded by Harry Toulmin. The appointment of the latter, whose theology it was believed was tainted by Socinian errors, was offensive to the Presbyterians, who sought to control the school. Accordingly they established at Pisgah, some eight miles from Lexington, a rival institution, Kentucky Academy. Moore, though an Episcopalian, had the confidence of the Presbyterians, and in April 1796 he became the second principal of the new school. The following September, however, Transylvania Seminary called him back and made him president.
In 1798, under a charter from the General Assembly granted December 22, to take effect January 1, 1799, the two schools were united under the name of Transylvania University. Moore was made acting president and professor of logic, metaphysics, moral philosophy, and belles-lettres, in which capacity he served until 1804, when he was succeeded by the Rev. James Blythe. Throughout these years he had also been engaged in the work of the ministry. In 1796 he began conducting services for a little group of Episcopalians in Lexington, and in 1809 organized them into a church, becoming the first resident rector in Kentucky. He continued to serve them until shortly before his death on June 22, 1814, at which time he was fifty years old.
Achievements
Religion
James Moore was a Presbyterian, then he converted to Episcopalism.
Personality
It is recorded that James Moore was a man of engaging manners, superior natural endowments, and considerable learning.
