This was a time in England when raising sheep for the export of wool was a thriving business and this family were woolen merchants which today in this country would be called haberdashers. ®8
“Had livery of his lands 24 Elis. 1582.” ®1486
He was of Ipswich, county Suffolk. Oldest son He was mentioned as a minor in his father’s will of 1572, and heir to his uncle Thomas in 1576; he entered Trinity College, Cambridge in 1578.
"To the said George my son my other lands and tenements whatsoever in the town and fields of Moulton and Kenteford, to him and the heirs of his body; remainder to John Modye my third son and the heirs of his body; remainder to Edmond Modye my son and his heirs forever. To Anne my wife all my household stuff, upon condition she give my son George, at his age of 21 years, £20, half my bullocks, half my horses, halfe my carts and ploughs with their furniture; all the corn growing on my lands late "Frietts” with the tythe of the said lands which are to be sown with barley, and 40 "combes” of barley to sow the same land with; also 20 "combes of malte” and 20 "combes of rye”.
To George my son the other half of my bullocks, horses, etc; also all the residue of my corn of all my other lands growing in Moulton with the tithe and sufficient seed barley to sow the same." From the will of his father Richard dated 2 Feb 1572/3.

GEORGE 3 MOODY, GENT. (Richard2, Edmund1), baptized at Moulton, co. Suffolk, 28 Sept. 1560, entered Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1578 and as eldest son and heir succeeded, on becoming of age in 1581, to most of the landed estates of his father. In a pedigree of this Moody family compiled in 1658 by the Suffolk antiquary, Matthias Candler, this George 3 Moody is mentioned as "famous for his housekeeping and just and plaine dealings”. (Candler’s Pedigrees, Harleian Mss. No. 6071, p. 512, British Museum, London). George Moody was buried in Moulton Church 23 Aug. 1607.
The will of George Moodye of Moulton, co. Suffolk, dated 5 Aug. 5 James 1 (1607). "My body is to be buried in the Church of Moulton.
To George Moodye my eldest son and his heirs for ever all my house wherein I now dwell called "Fryatts”, and the arable lands thereto belonging containing about six score acres with the liberty of "Sheepestoure”, thereunto belonging which I long before this tyme occupied by itself.
To my executor and his assigns for 11 years next following my decease, my capital messuage in Moulton Inne within the town of Moulton with all houses, lands and liberty of "fould” and "shepestoure” thereunto belonging in the manner as Thomas Cooke before this time as my farmer had the same; also one meadow called the round meadowe and one osyer pightell adjoining the same which I hold by lease of Mr. Tracey; also a messuage with a croft adjoining in the town of Moulton, 12 acres of arable land now in the possession of John Seeley my servant, and one messuage with a croft adjoining with 14 acres of land in Moulton now in the occupation of John Mathewe alias Philip. And after the term of 11 years the premises shall come to George Moodye my eldest son and his heirs forever. And the issue thereof during the said 11 years shall go towards paying my legacies.
To Samuel Moodye my son £ 200 at 24 years of age. To John Moodye my youngest son £ 200 at 24 years of age. To Elizabeth Moodye my eldest daughter £ 100 within 2 years after my demise. To Sara Moodye my daughter 100 marks at 22 years of age. To Margaret Moodye, Anne Moodye and Marye Moodye, my daughters, to either of them 100 marks at 21 years of age.
If any of my children die before they come to their specified age, their portions shall remain to the survivors.
To Christian Moodye my wife the bedstead, (feather bed, bolster, three pillows, blankets and coverlet) on which I lie, standing in my hall chamber, also her own apparel, and two chests she laid it in with table napkins, (6, wrought with a stitch, three pairs of sheets...one of the best, two of the middle sort...a little brass pot which she brought with her, a little green chair and two green stools.)
To Elizabeth Moodye and Frauncys Kilbourne four of my best silver spoons equally between them. To Anne Kilbourne my grandchild one pott tipped with silver and one silver spoon, 6 table napkyns. To Eleazer Moodie, an apprentice in Burye, £ 5 at 24 years of age.
To the poor of Gaseley, Kentford, Dalham and Barrowe, to every of them 13s. 4d. To the poor of Denham 20s. To the poor of Moulton 20s.
The residue of my goods to Thomas Kilbourne my son-in-law towards paying my legacies, etc. and I constitute him my executor, bequeathing him 20 marks." (Signed George Moodye, Senior) 5 Aug 1607
Witnesses: John Newman, Christopher Baghett (sic.? Haggett, a Christopher Haggett becoming later the husband of Margaret Moody), W. Harte, George Moodye.
Proved 20 Nov. 1607, by the executor. (Prerogative Court of Archbishop of Canterbury, Somerset House, London, Vol. Hudleston, fol. 87.) ®1514
Inquisition taken at Bury St. Edmunds 4 Nov. 5 Jas. 1 (1607), before George Mawe, Esq., Excheator, " after the death of George Moodye, yeoman, deceased by the oath of Geo. Whiter, gent. Holoferin Allen, Richard Hailes, John Reede, Roger Howton, Wm. Hall, Tho. Fletcher, William Baron, John Godfrey, Hen. Levold, Tim. Blomfeld, William Immens, and Wm. Covell, who say that George Moodye the day of his death was seized in his demesne as of fee of and in 20 acres of arable land in Moulton, co. Suffolk, in a certain field there called "Millwaye Field” purchased of the executors of a certain Thomas Burgent gent., and of and in 2 messuages, 5 cottages, 200 acres of land, 2 acres of pasture and 1 acre of meadow in Moulton; and so thereof being seized George Moodye on 21 Aug. 5 Jas. 1 (1607) died at Mowlton, thereof only seized. And the 20 acres of arable land in the field called "Millwaye Field”, is held and at the time of the death of George was held of the King as of his Honour of Clare by knight’s service, but by what part of a Knight’s fee the jurors are ignorant, and they are worth by the year in all issues beyond reprises 20s. And that the 2 messuages, 5 cottages, 200 acres of land, and the acre of meadow are held and at the time of the death of George were held of John Tracy, gent., as of his manor of Frenshall in county aforesaid, in free and common socage, by fealty and rent of 6s. 7d. yearly for all service, and they are worth by the year in all issues beyond reprises £ 10. And George Moody is son and next heir of said George Moody, deceased, and was aged at the time of the death of George his father 20 years, 6 months and 28 days and more. And that George the father, nor any other person or persons to his use, had or held any other or more messuages, lands of hereditaments in demesne, reversion, remainder or service, the said day on which he died, in co. Suffolk or elsewhere." (Inquisitions Post Mortem, Chancery Series 11, vol. 298, no. 25, and Court of Wards and Liveries, vol. 33, No. 179, Public Record Office, London).
George 3 Moody married first, about 1851, Margaret Newce of Gazeley, co. Suffolk; she had nine children and was buried at Moulton 25 Jan. 1602/3.
He married secondly, at Moulton, 5 Sept. 1604, Christian Crampe, by whom he had no children.
Children by first marriage, recorded at Moulton:
i. Elizabeth, 4 bapt. 2 Oct. 1582; married at St. James Parish, Bury St. Edmunds, 2 Apr. 1610, John Pratt.
ii. Frances, bapt. 11 Oct. 1584; married 5 Sept. 1604, Thomas Kilborne: They emigrated in 1635 and settled in Hartford, Conn.
iii. George, bapt. 10 Feb. 1586/7; as eldest son and heir succeeded to most of his father’s lands and the homestead in Moulton where he resided and died about 1653 without issue.
The will of George Moody of Moulton, co. Suffolk, yeoman, dated 20 Feb. 1651/2. "To my wife Lydia my mansion called Fryatt’s, etc. To cousin Mary Smith £20. To the wife of cousin Jonas Alston £30, and to his daughter Ann Alston £10. A house to my sister Margaret Warren, with remainder to her son George Warren. To her other children, Samuel Warren £40. To Richard Hovell and the children of Francis Hovell, etc. Mr. Jonas Alston and John Salmon junior to be executors. Certain lands to my brother Samuel Moody of Bury St. Edmunds and his heirs." Proved 3 May 1654. (Prerogative Court of Archbishop of Canterbury, Somerset House, London, vol. Bowyer, fol. 61.)
He married Lydia Hovill alias Smith, daughter of Robert and Mirabel (Knapp) Hovill alias Smith of Ashfield, co. Suffolk; no issue.
iv. Sarah, bapt. 8 May 1589.
v. Samuel, bapt. 31 Mar. 1592; settled in Bury St. Edmunds, co. Suffolk, where he became a woolen draper, alderman and justice of the peace, and was a member of Parliament for Bury 1654-1656; as heir to his brother succeeded to the ancestral estates in Moulton on the latter’s death about 1653. He died in the spring of 1658. The will of Samuel Moody of Mouton, co. Suffolk Esq., dated Feb. 1657/8. "To eldest son George Moody my house and lands in Moulton. To son John Moody my lands in Ireland. To son Henry lands in Gaywood, co. Norfolk. To daughters Anne and Elizabeth at marriage, to daughters Margaret Westropp and Sarah Cooke, and to my grandchild Mary Browne. To the children of my sister Greenwood £100. Executor, my son John Moody. Witnessed Thomas Stanton and Edward Oxborough." Proved by the executor 28 June 1658. (Prerogative Court of Archbishop of Canterbury, Somerset House, London, Vol. Wootton, fol. 492.)
He married about 1615 Mary Boldero, born about 1594, daughter of John and Mary (Tillott) Boldero of Fornham St. Martin and Bury St. Edmunds.
Children recorded at St. James, Bury St. Edmunds:
1. George 5 bapt. 4 July 1616; buried there 29 July 1695.
2. John, bapt. 3 Dec. 1617; became a merchant in Ipswich and was a captain of foot and major of horse in the Parliamentary army in the Civil War. He entered his pedigree in the Visitation of Suffolk in 1665 by the College of Arms, claiming the arms granted to his ancestor Edmund 1 Moody in 1540, which claim was allowed by the Heralds of the College of Arms. (Harleian Mss. 1085, British Museums, London). He died in 1680. By his wife Anne Bull, daughter of Thomas Bull of Flowton, co. Suffolk, he had at least three children.
3. Mary, bapt. 11 Apr. 1619; married John Brown of Bury St. Edmunds.
4. Samuel, bapt. 9 June 1620; buried 28 Apr. 1692.
5. Margaret, born about 1622; married -----------Winthorpe.
6. Sarah, bapt. 13 Mar. 1623/4; married in Dec. 1649, William Cooke of Bury St. Edmunds.
7. Anne, bapt. 3 July 1625; died in 1694, unmarried.
8. Thomas, bapt. 27 Sept. 1627; buried 30 Dec. 1645.
9. Elizabeth, bapt. 2 May 1630.
10. Henry, bapt. 7 Aug. 1632.
4. vi. John, 4 bapt. at Moulton 8 April 1593; emigrated to New England 1633. (see below)
vii. Margaret, bapt. 19 July 1595; married ---------Warren.
viii. Anne, bapt. 5 Sept. 1599.
ix. Mary, bapt. 25 June. 1602; married at St. James, Bury St. Edmunds, 24 Oct. 1622, John Salmon.
This is a copy of the data collected by William R. Moody, East Northfield, Massachusetts (son of Dwight L. Moody) and Donald Lines Jacobus after quite an extensive search in England and in New England.
March 1925 L. W. Moody (son of Warren L. Moody) (copy in David Moody file George)
According to the second will of his father, George Moody was to be brought up by the father’s friend, Mr. Taylor, who was possibly the George Taylor who was one of the two executors of Roger Fryett from whom Richard Moody bought his house at Moulton. This Mr. Taylor may have been a godfather to George Moody. The youth must have been brought up either in the Taylor family or by his stepfather, Edward Coult, and he took livery of his father’s lands at Moulton, including Fryettes, in 24 Elizabeth (1581-82) (Davy’s Suffolk Pedigrees) According to what the contributor of this article believes to be the correct reading of Candler’s pedigree, George Moody was "famous for his housekeeping & honest & plain dealing.” There is no indication that George Moody’s lands extended beyond Moulton. His father’s outlying estates had been distributed among a large family; and George Moody, in his will of 5 Aug 1607, left Fryettes to his eldest son, George, and various other tenements in Moulton were to be held by the executor, the testator’s son-in-law, Thomas Kilborne, for eleven years, with the remainder to the son George. The executor would thus be enabled to pay certain lump sums to the other children when they reached the ages specified in the will (from twenty-one to twenty-four years).
According to the second will of his father, George Moody was to be brought up by his father’s friend, Mr. Taylor who was possibly the George Taylor who was one of the two executors of Roger Fryett from whom Richard Moody had bought his house at Moulton.
He was heir to his uncle Thomas 1576 Cond. Test. 5 Aug 5 Jas. C.P.C. 87 Hudleston. Probt. 26 Nov 1607. Escheat 5 Jas.

Died 21 ®1508 or 24 Aug 1607 ®1463
Born 1559 ®1508 or 1560 ®1480
Married Christian ------3 Sept 1604 or 5 Sept 1604 ®1480 ®1 or 19 Sept 1604 ®1515