Background
In 1810, and Lindley Murray Moore stayed there while his father and siblings continued on to Upper Canada (Ontario).
In 1810, and Lindley Murray Moore stayed there while his father and siblings continued on to Upper Canada (Ontario).
Born into a Quaker family that had been forced to flee their Rahway, New Jersey home during the American Revolution, he was named after the renowned grammarian, Lindley Murray, who "befriended Samuel Moore in the difficulties growing out of the war." The family re-visited New Jersey In 1815, they moved to New York City to take charge of a school under the auspices of the Friends Monthly Meeting. By 1820, they had opened their own boarding school for boys first in Flushing, and then in Westchester Village, New New York In 1831, Lindley and Abigail bought a farm in what is now Rochester and built a two story house in the Greek Revival style that is still in use. Moore"s wife, Abigail Lydia Mott, was sister-in-law to Lucretia Coffin Mott the American Quaker, abolitionist, social reformer, and proponent of women"s rights.
Lucretia Coffin Mott was the first president of the American Equal Rights Association.
Rochester was known for its Quaker activists, and in 1838, Moore co-founded and became the first president and recording secretary of the Rochester Anti-Slavery Society. Moore was something of an emancipation author, and wrote the essay "Religious, Moral and Political Duties" in the 1853 collection titled Autographs for Freedom.
At the same time he was vice-president of the Rochester Temperance Society. He continued teaching at the high school in Rochester.
Moore cooperated with the Rev.Hiram Wilson in providing education to escaped slaves.
He "offered to fund any teachers for newly emancipated slaves that Wilson could find" in Upper Canada. Around this time, Moore"s brothers, Elias, Enoch and John were distinguishing themselves in the Reform politics of Upper Canada. At the time, the family was living at 5 Elizabeth Street in Rochester, New York
By 1848, Moore was appointed Principal of Haverford College, a post-secondary Quaker institution.
According to his student, Richard Wood, "He was a portly man of commanding height and mien, of benevolent countenance and expressive features.
His students will not soon forget his kindly ways, nor the sonorous tones with which he repeats the verses of Milton and other English poets." He held that post until 1850.
