Tappahannock in Essex County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

William Moore Tidewater Musician

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, April 18, 2008

1. William Moore Tidewater Musician Marker

Inscription. William “Bill” Moore was born in Georgia in 1893. Nearby stood his home and barbershop. Paramount recorded Moore in Chicago in 1928 and released eight songs, some of the earliest by an African American folk performer from Virginia. They are still valued and performed by musicians. “Old Country Rock,” a dance tune refers to the Rappahannock River and the town of Tappahannock, while “Barbershop Rag” testifies to his fine ragtime guitar style and his profession. Moore also performed blues for his customers and dance audiences as well as popular songs such as “Ragtime Millionaire.” He died in Fauquier County in 1951 and is buried in the Warrenton Cemetery.

Erected 2005 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number N-37.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1893.

Location. 37° 55.808′ N, 76° 51.738′ W. Marker is in Tappahannock, Virginia, in Essex County. Marker is on US 17

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just south of Parker Place, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tappahannock VA 22560, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Essex County Court House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1728 Courthouse (about 600 feet away); Veterans Memorial (about 800 feet away); USS Tappahannock AO-43 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tappahannock Tercentennial Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ritchie's Birthplace (approx. 0.2 miles away); Blake-Brockenbrough Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); British Raid on Tappahannock / The War of 1812 (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tappahannock.

Also see . . .
1. Old Country Rock.

(Submitted on December 25, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

2. Barber Shop Rag by William Moore.

(Submitted on December 25, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

Photographed By J. J. Prats, July 26, 2014

2. William Moore Tidewater Musician Marker

3. Ragtime Millionaire by William Moore.

(Submitted on December 25, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.)

4. On the Road in Essex County - N-37 William Moore. 2019 article by Zorine Shirley in the River Country News. Excerpt:

Moore was born in Georgia. For a time, he lived and worked in New Jersey, where he met his first wife who was from this area. They moved to Virginia, across the river in Warsaw and here in Tappahannock. He was most well-known for his adeptness on a guitar; however, he was quite skilled with the fiddle and piano as well. His music was referred to as the “Piedmont Style Blues.” Later in life he lost a finger and was unable to continue that unique style; nonetheless, his influence has lived on through several generations of blues artists.

(Submitted on September 17, 2020.)

Additional keywords. East Coast Blues

Marker is directly across from the Essex Public Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, April 18, 2008

3. Marker is directly across from the Essex Public Library

Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,986 times since then and 154 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 27, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on July 27, 2014, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on April 27, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of his grave site in Warrenton • Can you help?