Moore and Gatling Law Firm (Raleigh, N.C.)

The Moore and Gatling Law Firm of Raleigh, N.C., a law partnership between B.F. (Bartholomew Figures) Moore (1801-1878) and his son-in-law John Thomas Gatling (1840-1888), was established in 1871. Just prior to Moore's death in November 1878, Gatling went into practice with Henry A. Gilliam, with whom he partnered until roughly 1883, when he then joined with Spier Whitaker in a partnership that appears to have ended in 1886.

From the description of Moore and Gatling Law Firm papers, 1788-1921 (bulk 1853-1888) [manuscript]. WorldCat record id: 23658504

Moore and Gatling Law Firm of Raleigh, N.C., was a law partnership between B.F. (Bartholomew Figures) Moore (1801-1878) and his son-in-law John Thomas Gatling (1840-1888), established in 1871. Just prior to Moore's death in November 1878, Gatling went into practice with Henry A. Gilliam, with whom he partnered until roughly 1883, when he then joined with Spier Whitaker in a partnership that appears to have ended in 1886.

B.F. Moore, known as the father of the bar in North Carolina, was born in Halifax County, N.C., the son of James Moore (1765-1851) and Sally Lowe. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1820 and began practicing law in 1823. Moore moved to Raleigh in 1848 and became attorney general of North Carolina, where he served until 1851. As the Civil War approached, Moore, a staunch anti-secessionist, made his views regarding secession widely known, publishing opinion pieces and letters in newspapers and other publications. At the war's end, Moore met with President Andrew Johnson to discuss Reconstruction. He believed Reconstruction was unconstitutional and instead lobbied for the state's right to repeal its secession ordinance through its existing conventions and once again restore its relationship with the federal government. After the war, Moore practiced law mainly in the federal courts.

In 1828, Moore married Louisa Boddie (d. 1829), daughter of George Boddie and Lucy Williams, but was widowed the following year. Six years later, he married Louisa's sister, Lucy Williams Boddie (1816-1887), and with her had eleven children: Mary Louisa (1836-1843); Bartholomew Figures Jr. (1838-1890); Lucy Catherine (1839-1908); George Boddie (1841-1895); Sarah Louisa (1844-1891); Annie Maria (1845-1915); James (1848-1849); Ellen Douglas (1850-1923); Ben Malton (1853-1913); Van Boddie (1855-1917); and James (1858-1938).

John Thomas Gatling was born in 1840 in Sunbury, Gates County, N.C. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1859. Gatling enlisted in the Confederate army at age 22 and served as assistant quartermaster in the 52nd North Carolina Infantry Regiment. In 1869, he married Sarah Louisa Sallie Moore, the daughter of B.F. Moore.

In addition to his legal practice, Gatling was a farmer and maintained partnerships with several men who cultivated his land, including Lafayette W. Bynum, Ned ( Ed ) Gatling, Elbert Gatling, George Gatling, Percy Hunter, Robert W. Seawell, James H. Jimmie Seawell, and Wade Seawell. He also served as receiver for both the Midland North Carolina Railway Company and the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad Company and was involved in the construction of the Atlantic Hotel in Morehead City, N.C. He was elected Representative to the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina in 1868.

John Thomas Gatling died in 1888.

From the guide to the Moore and Gatling Law Firm Papers, 1788-1921, (bulk 1853-1888), (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection.)