He was one of eleven children, with only one sister surviving him. He became a teacher at 17 and was successful at it for 31 years. He was clerk of Mary Ann Twp for over 20 years and served as Justice of the Peace there for 28 years, as well as infirmary director for two terms. He had a son (died in infancy) and daughter. In the 1860 census, he is listed as a school teacher, born in Maryland, with his wife, daughter Mary (1), and son Cary (7/12).
There is a land record of his selling 26 Ac to N.C. Pound (Vol 128, pg 14) in Mary Ann Twp - Range 14, Twp 3, Sec 14.
I received a copy of a letter he wrote 11 Nov 1862 to his brother Wm’s wife, discussing the family and the war, as well as his impending move to his own home in Licking Co. It was headed as Blackberry Ridge.
Listed in 1880 census as a schoolteacher with his wife and Elizabeth Moore (81, blind) living with him.
His wife and daughter survived him. He died of complications from a severe cold.
Obituary lists him as Squire Benjamin B. Moats, a well known and highly respected citizen of Newark.