52 Ancestors 52 Weeks - Flew the Coop

My Grandfather, John Moore, was born and grew up in Savannah, GA.  His father, Tristram Moore, was born in Moores Mill, NB, Canada as was his father, Horatio Moore. The family lived in Mobile, AL, New Orleans, LA, and Savannah, GA.

Tristram when in his teens and 20’s worked for a cousin in Louisiana.  Cousin, Frank Williams had the biggest Cypress Lumber Company in the south. Tristram did all odd jobs and piloting his boats, delivering the wood to customers up and down the Mississippi River.

He eventually moved with his parents and siblings to Savannah, GA.  His father, Horatio Moore, worked for the Ludden & Bates Music House tuning pianos.  Tristram also worked at the company tuning pianos.  At the Music House, Tristram met his future wife, Genevieve Counts.  On 4 October 1885  they married in Savannah. I found them as a family in the 1900 Georgia census with five children. In the 1910 Georgia census Tristram is gone.  Genevieve indicates she is widowed.

This is where it gets interesting. The story that came down through the family is that Tristram abandoned the family and went to sea.  In a year or two he died while at sea.

I have not found a death record for Tristram anywhere in the country, I have looked for years.  I think he left the family and went back to Louisiana and worked with the cousin.  I think Genevieve thought up the story to put her in a good light, indicating she was a widow rather than an abandoned wife.

I also think the children, who were in their 20’s by then, liked the idea that he died at sea rather than left them.