The Life of BARTHOLOMEW FIGURES MOORE
BARTHOLOMEW FIGURES MOORE 1801-1878
ATTORNEY GENERAL, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
FATHER OF NORTH CAROLINA BAR
BATTLE SECTION, LOT 9
In 1820, Bartholomew Figures Moore graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He read law with Thomas N. Mann in Nash County and was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 1823. In 1828, he married Louisa Boddie who died a year later and in 1835, Moore married her sister, Lucy Boddie. During the period 1836 to 1844 he represented Halifax County in the North Carolina legislature. Named Attorney General for the state of North Carolina in 1848, he move to Raleigh to commence his appointment. Moore’s most famous case was the State vs. Will which recognized the right of a slave to defend himself against the assault of his master. Moore was always a strong defender of civil liberties. During the surrender and occupation of Raleigh by Federal troops, Moore was head to say, “God save us from the retreating friend and advancing foe” referring to a defeated Confederate army whose remnants were looting Raleigh as they were fleeing westward and the advancing Union soldiers.
Moore prepared the Revised Code of 1866. He was a Unionist. However, in a meeting with President and personal friend, Andrew Johnson, he denounced the Reconstruction policies of the U. S. government. Moore earned the title of “Father of the North Carolina Bar” because of his leadership in defending the judicial and legal profession against political interference during Reconstruction. Moore favored the impeachment of Governor Holden but refused to participate in the proceedings. In 1871, he went into private law practice with his son-in-law, John Gatling. Bartholomew Figures Moore died in Raleigh, November 27, 1878. ipped to housell
