The Parlor of Maple Lawn

 
1956 The drapes hung for the wedding 
of Ann Ward and John Wheeler Moore  in 1853 were still in place. 

                
John, Arthur, and Ann Ward Moore 1856
[Yes, that's a mended hole near Arthur's eye -- one of his younger brothers got mad with Arthur and went into the parlor and poked his picture with a reed]

 The birds under glass were Ann's and are the only one of a large collection to survive the fire when their mansion was destroyed in Murfreesboro in 1866. The family then removed to Ann's farm called Maple Lawn.

Parlor 1970

When I was growing up I often conducted "tours" for visitors. Some of the uncommon items are pictured. "The Harp Piano" was made by Agustus Stern of Baltimore--family tradition says John W Moore or his father swapped his riding horse for it for his daughter. He only made two exactly like it. The other piano was bought by J. W Moore at the Columbian Exposition for his daughter Julia.  You are standing in front of John W Moore's library of books which covered the whole wall as one walked through the door. The Couch is one that was at Mulberry Grove. The little table at far right is a very old cherry tilt-top card table. At some point in its life someone put a nail through it when it tilted in the middle of a card game.  There was the survivor of a pair of huge hurricane globes, and the lovely twin marble topped tables on either side of the fireplace. The Major's  collection  of minerals-- sample of all found in North Carolina. The various diplomas and old land grants.  And the family portraits and pictures. An ancient  surveyor's compass. Stone jars that had been used in days of yore for storing fish and pickles in brine. Shoe forms and various cording tools.  

There was also the field sword of Major John W Moore surrendered at Greensboro where it's blade was  broken and then returned to him &  my father's souvenirs from World War I: his gas  pack and mask, his helmet and also, one a German soldier wore -- boys thought these were the very best things in the parlor.

 
Parlor ca 1985

The large painting over the piano was painted by the first instructor of art at Chowan College. Supposedly it is Sir Walter Raleigh spreading his cloak for Queen Elizabeth. Anne Ward was the model for the queen.

 
Ann Ward as Queen Elizabeth detail
residents of Murfreesboro were used as models for all the people pictured
photo by Cathy Spruill

 
Painting was in special exhibit of art  Nov 2000
by the students  and professors of Chowan College 1848-1901
Pictured with the painting, Sally Koestler and nephew, James E. Moore
photo by Cathy Spruill

Campaign for Painting -- Chowan University is conducting a campaign to purchase an important Moore family heirloom.
The large painting "Sir Walter Raleigh Spreading His Cloak for Queen Elizabeth" was done by one of the early art professors at Chowan Baptist Female Institute, the precursor of Chowan University.
Ann Ward Moore (1834-1901) posed for the figure of the queen. Various Murfreesboro citizens were used as models for the courtiers and the royal guard. Ann James Ward was Chowan's first graduate in July 1853. Later that same year, she married John Wheeler Moore. This painting embodied fully the Moore family's love of all things English and its devotion to the history of North Carolina. For generations it hung in the parlor at Maple Lawn. Sold out of the family in the 1990's the painting has changed hands several times in recent years. Chowan University has an agreement with the present owner to purchase this iconic object for $15,000. If you would like to aid this cause, please make a check payable to "Chowan University" and add "Ann Ward Moore painting" on the memo line. Mail to Office of Development, One University Place, Chowan University, Murfreesboro, NC 27855. For further information contact John Tayloe, vice-president for development at taylo1@chowan.edu  or by phone at 255-398-1232.

  27 January 2011