Moody Family
English, derived from Old English modig ”bold, impetuous, brave,” applied as a nickname
to the bold, brave, audacious man or soldier; it has no reference to fits of depression, the latter-day meaning.
The Moody family was another African-American family who lived on Little
Walkers Creek, Pulaski County.
Listed in the 1870 Pulaski County Census was Benjamin Moody age 55 and wife Letitia age
52 with children Bluford age 21, Joseph age 18, Rumbo age 14, Nancy age 13. They owned no land. Benjamin did not appear in
the census until 1870, the reason, most likely, slavery. Slavery did not end until the Civil War and slaves were listed in
the slaves schedules in 1850 and 1860 without names, only age and sex. Looking at the 1870 census, Benjamin and Letitia were
living near William L. Hunter, the White family, Martha Johnston and the Millirons families. It is hard to deny that Benjamin
Moody did not live on Little Walkers Creek in 1870 and most likely, was a slave belonging to some family in that area pre
Civil War. Looking at the slave schedules, there were very few families in that area who owned slaves. The Miller family had
many, as did William L. and Joseph A. Hunter and the Cecil family.
On August 2, 1883, Newton and Bettie White conveyed 40 acres to Bluford and Joseph Moody (brothers)
being part of the James White farm.
Benjamin and Letitia’s children:
1. Bluford was born about 1845 in Pulaski; he married Matilda Wright on 26 May 1877 in Giles County.
The marriage record gives his parents as Benjamin and Letitia Moody. Listed in the 1880 Pulaski census with wife Matilda and
a son named Orren. Disappeared after 1880. No other information.
2. Virginia born about 1850 married Ausell Dickenson on 19 September 1867 in Giles County.
3. Nancy born about 1857 married Larkin Montgomery on 14 May 1877 in Giles County. *See Montgomery
Family.
4. Joseph born about 1859 married Susie. Listed in the 1910 census as married 20 years. Had no children.
