  
Alexander Moore
Alexander Moore was born in 1750 in Pennsylvania, the eldest child of James Moore and Rachel
Black, his wife, amongst a large family of girls and boys. When Alexander was several years old, the family was among the original Scotch-Irish Presbyterian settlers of York, South Carolina.
Although they were not well off, his parents had him well educated with the intent that he become a minister. He enjoyed literature, studied hard and graduated from the College at Charlotte, North Carolina. By that time, the Revolutionary War began, and he felt no calling to preach but to serve his country, instead.
Alexander joined the army under the command of Colonel Lacy. His band was among the patriots who attacked the Philadelphia lawyer, Houck, at Williamson's, and routed his command completely. Alexander Moore took for himself a fine grey mare from the spoils. He and Lacy became close friends. About 1781 he was elected a lieutenant, and commanded the company that guarded the bridge at the battle of Jumby's Bridge.
Years after the war, Moore ran for the legislature from the Pinckney district. Colonel Lacy, would station himself at the polls in Chester. As men approached, he would persuade them to vote for Moore, or else face a whipping. Lacy's valor was well known, and few cared to test him, so Alexander easily won the election.
About 1783, Moore was elected sheriff of Camden district, to serve two years. He was re-elected to this office several times, but declined renomination in 1789.
In 1784 he married Mary Dorcas Erwin, and settled on a plantation at Big Fishing Creek. They had four sons and four daughters. Dorcas was charming and beautiful woman, and by her popularity, helped her husband's elections by appearing with him. She died in 1768. Moore and his young, bereft family soon thereafter moved to a plantation he purchased from Colonel Lacy's father, 12 miles from Yorkville. He remarried to Catherine Marlon who cared very well for his children, having none of her own. She survived him many years.
In 1789 he ran unsuccessfully from Pinckney district for the general assembly due to his referring to the Rev. McCanna, of the Bethesda church, of which congregation he was a member, as a drunkard. It was considered heresy to speak ill of one's preacher. By the next election, he was forgiven, since the Reverend appeared evidently intoxicated at the pulpit. This, and the help of his friend, General Lacy, secured him a seat by a large majority.
In 1792, he was elected as one of the three county court justices for York County, and served until 1799, when these courts were abolished. That year, he was again elected to the legislature. In 1800, he was elected Ordinary, and served till his death. He often performed marriage ceremonies, one of which is described below by his son, Dr. Maurice Moore: at the courthouse.
"Tween 10 and 11 o'clock in the morning, some of the party descried a cavalcade of apparently 35 or 40 persons coming up the road which ran past Mr. Moore's residence. In front rode two men and then behind them two and two, a gentleman and a lady; the entire crowd paired off, and thus strung out, magnified their appearance and presented as an imposing a spectacle as possible. As they drew near enough to distinguish faces, the Moores recognized in the first gentleman and lady, a couple who were to be married that day, and though no warning had been given, knew the meaning of the escort. About 100 yards from the house, the procession halted. The foremost riders who were the 'bottle carriers,' turned their horses and rode back the whole length of the line, (one on the left and the other to the right), stopping at each couple, beginning of course with the bridal pair, presenting simultaneously to each lady and her escort the bottle of whiskey; this everyone kissed in turn, all remaining quiet, reining in their respective steeds till the 'creature comforts' were partaken of by all, and the carriers resumed their places in front. This evolution accomplished, the 'goodly company' moved on. When they were in front of the house, they entered the large gate and rode around the house three times, the men firing off pistols, loaded with powder, at which the horses of the ladies, as well as those of the gentlemen would rear and pitch; but female equestrians of that day were not easily thrown, and no accident occurred to mar the pleasures of the occasion. After completing the circle of the house, each time there would be a pause, for the 'bottle carriers' to make their rounds. The third time they dismounted, hitched their horses, formed and came into the house. Squire Moore went forward to the piazza to receive them. They announced their desire for him to marry their candidates for the holy state. He invited them in and performed the ceremony with due solemnity. After which, the bridal party, being almost all of them acquaintances and neighbors, the tables and chairs were cleared out of the hall. Someone among them, being the musician, had brought his instrument, and they commenced what would be literally 'the light fantastic toe' to the present generation. The 'pigeon wing' and the 'flying shuffles' tramped to the merry measures of the fiddler's highland fling and Irish jig:
'Nae cotillion
brent frae France
But hornpipes, jigs , strathspeys,
reels,
Put life and mettle in their heels;'
till dinner hour approached. Then they began their arrangements for leaving. Of course the Squire must accompany them to the feast at the residence of the groom's mother. At first he declined; but as it was about two miles to go, with this and some other accessions to their numbers, they remounted and fell into line. The 'bottle carriers,' with flask replenished, again handed the exhilarating beverage to all, three cheers were given for the new married folks, and away they cantered with merry hearts and good appetite to partake of the abundant cheer prepared by old Mrs. Brown.
"'How ridiculous!' does some young maiden exclaim? In three generations from now, will not our fashions be as 'outre?' What think you would your grand dame feel were they to glance in at a modern party and see you whirling by, with some gay cavalier, in one of the favorite round dances? I hope the girls in a good time coming, will not only cry, at the description of them, 'how absurd; but how disgusting!'
Dr. Maurice Moore described his father as being "commanding," and "stern in appearance... He "always wore a black broadclothsuit, ruffled shirt, and high-top beaver hat."
Alexander Moore died in 1816, at the age of 53 and was buried in the Bethel graveyard.
Sarah Moore was born August 3, 1786. She was the third child of Mary Dorcas Erwin and Alexander Moore's eight children. Sarah was said to have been very beautiful and had many suitors. According to lore, her stepmother wouldn't allow Sarah to marry her suitor, Eggerich Johan (John) Eggerich Adickes, a German immigrant tradesman, so Sarah went on a hunger strike for three days to get her way. They were married about 1808.
After the marriage, John continued to conduct trade, making numerous trips between Germany and America, transporting goods. Soon after marriage, he opened a country store in Chester County.
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Sarah was born August 3, 1786. She was the third child of Mary Dorcas Erwin and Alexander Moore's eight children. Sarah was said to have been very beautiful and had many suitors. According to lore, her stepmother wouldn't allow Sarah to marry her suitor, Eggerich Johan (John) Eggerich Adickes, a German immigrant tradesman, so Sarah went on a hunger strike for three days to get her way. They were married about 1808.
After the marriage, John continued to conduct trade, making numerous trips between Germany and America, transporting goods. Soon after marriage, he opened a country store in Chester County.
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Sources
"Genealogy of the Adickes Family," by Clarke W. Adickes, Jr.
"Reminiscences of York," by Dr. Maurice Moore, written between 1865 and 1871
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