Moore, Rev. William Dudley, House
4 m. (6.4 km) S of Lawrenceburg, Lawrenceburg, KYThe Reverend William Dudley Moore House, located four miles south of Lawrenceburg in rural Anderson County, was the lifelong home of the county's most well-known and most-beloved minister. During his long career spanning half a century, Brother Moore, as he chose to be called, performed 928 marriages, 1400 funerals, and over 1,000 baptisms.
Architecturally, the Reverend Moore House is notable in being a frame "I" house-with-ell, unaltered since 1900. Along with the house is an amazingly intact complex of eleven outbuildings, all frame and all apparently of no later construction than 1900.
Dudley Moore was born on June 9, 1856, on a farm in rural Anderson County where he spent his entire life. He was the only son of Hamilton G. Moore and Lucy Ann Search Moore. Both of his parents were descendants of Revolutionary soldiers of Anderson County, his father being a grandson of Daniel Plough and his mother being a great-granddaughter of Richard Searcy. His father, who died in 1857, was a veteran of the Mexican War and saw action at Buena Vista.
The Moore farm was acquired by his grandmother, Sallie Morton Searcy, and his mother, Lucy Ann Searcy, in 1849 from the Thomas McCall heirs. The two-story frame "I" house was constructed ca. 1848-50, and it is uncertain whether it was built by the McCall or Searcy family.
Young Moore received his education at the one-room rural school close to his home and later at the Lawrenceburg Seminary. After completing of his studies at the Lawrenceburg Seminary, he attended Georgetown College in Kentucky.
In 1886, after several years of supply preaching, he made his decision to devot. his life to the ministry, and in May of the same year was ordained at the Salvisa Baptist Church in Anderson County. For the next forty-nine years, Brother Moore served as minister in several local Anderson, Jessamine, and Mercer County churches, including over thirty years at both old Goshen Church and Shawnee Run Church.
During his many years as a minister, Reverend Moore became a well-known figure to the citizens of Anderson County, officiating at countless baptisms, marriages, and funerals. Many a young couple were married in the parlor of his house which Brother Moore aptly called the "Marrying Room."
Local significance of the building:
Architecturally, the Reverend Moore House is notable in being a frame "I" house-with-ell, unaltered since 1900. Along with the house is an amazingly intact complex of eleven outbuildings, all frame and all apparently of no later construction than 1900.
Dudley Moore was born on June 9, 1856, on a farm in rural Anderson County where he spent his entire life. He was the only son of Hamilton G. Moore and Lucy Ann Search Moore. Both of his parents were descendants of Revolutionary soldiers of Anderson County, his father being a grandson of Daniel Plough and his mother being a great-granddaughter of Richard Searcy. His father, who died in 1857, was a veteran of the Mexican War and saw action at Buena Vista.
The Moore farm was acquired by his grandmother, Sallie Morton Searcy, and his mother, Lucy Ann Searcy, in 1849 from the Thomas McCall heirs. The two-story frame "I" house was constructed ca. 1848-50, and it is uncertain whether it was built by the McCall or Searcy family.
Young Moore received his education at the one-room rural school close to his home and later at the Lawrenceburg Seminary. After completing of his studies at the Lawrenceburg Seminary, he attended Georgetown College in Kentucky.
In 1886, after several years of supply preaching, he made his decision to devot. his life to the ministry, and in May of the same year was ordained at the Salvisa Baptist Church in Anderson County. For the next forty-nine years, Brother Moore served as minister in several local Anderson, Jessamine, and Mercer County churches, including over thirty years at both old Goshen Church and Shawnee Run Church.
During his many years as a minister, Reverend Moore became a well-known figure to the citizens of Anderson County, officiating at countless baptisms, marriages, and funerals. Many a young couple were married in the parlor of his house which Brother Moore aptly called the "Marrying Room."
Politics/government; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The song "Happy Birthday to You" was written by two sisters, Mildred and Patty Hill, who were both born in Kentucky.
About Anderson County
Anderson County Timeline
Anderson County, Kentucky has a rich and interesting history that stretches back to the early 18th century. The area was initially settled by pioneers in the mid-1700s, attracted by the fertile land and abundance of natural resources. The county was officially established in 1827 and named after Richard Clough Anderson Jr., a hero of the American Revolutionary War.
During the early years of Anderson County, agriculture played a vital role in its economy. Farmers relied heavily on tobacco, hemp, and livestock production to support their families and contribute to the local economy. The county also had a significant iron industry, with several iron furnaces established during the 1800s.
The Civil War had a profound impact on Anderson County, as it experienced both Confederate and Union occupation. The Battle of Lawrenceburg, which took place in the county in 1862, was a significant event during the war. The county was home to both Confederate and Union sympathizers, which led to tensions and conflicts throughout the war.
In the late 19th century, Anderson County underwent significant economic and industrial development. Railroad lines were built, connecting the county to larger cities and markets. This led to the growth of businesses and the creation of new jobs. The county also saw the rise of tobacco warehouses and distilleries, which became crucial industries. Today, Anderson County continues to thrive as a rural community with a mix of agriculture and small businesses, while also embracing its historical roots.
During the early years of Anderson County, agriculture played a vital role in its economy. Farmers relied heavily on tobacco, hemp, and livestock production to support their families and contribute to the local economy. The county also had a significant iron industry, with several iron furnaces established during the 1800s.
The Civil War had a profound impact on Anderson County, as it experienced both Confederate and Union occupation. The Battle of Lawrenceburg, which took place in the county in 1862, was a significant event during the war. The county was home to both Confederate and Union sympathizers, which led to tensions and conflicts throughout the war.
In the late 19th century, Anderson County underwent significant economic and industrial development. Railroad lines were built, connecting the county to larger cities and markets. This led to the growth of businesses and the creation of new jobs. The county also saw the rise of tobacco warehouses and distilleries, which became crucial industries. Today, Anderson County continues to thrive as a rural community with a mix of agriculture and small businesses, while also embracing its historical roots.
Anderson County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Anderson County, Kentucky.
- 1827 - Anderson County is established as the 62nd county in Kentucky.
- 1840-1850 - Anderson County experiences a population boom due to the growth of the railroad industry.
- 1861-1865 - The American Civil War impacts Anderson County, with many residents serving in the military.
- 1882 - Lawrenceburg becomes the county seat of Anderson County.
- 1904 - The Louisville and Nashville Railroad extends its line through Anderson County, boosting economic growth.
- 1920s - The Great Depression leads to economic hardship in Anderson County as agriculture prices plummet.
- 1950s-1960s - Anderson County experiences suburbanization, with an increase in residential development and a decline in agriculture.
- 1980s - The opening of the Bluegrass Parkway brings increased tourism and economic opportunities to Anderson County.
- 2004 - The Wild Turkey Distillery opens in Lawrenceburg, becoming a major tourist attraction.
- Present - Anderson County continues to be a blend of rural landscapes, suburban neighborhoods, and growing commerce.