The Alfred Moore Chapter of the National Society of the American Revolution held its monthly meeting at Penick Village in Southern Pines, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008. As members arrived, they placed their gifts for the U.S. Marine Program, "Toys for Tots," under the Christmas tree. Their toys were wrapped and distributed to selected children in the Moore County area during the Christmas season.

After enjoying refreshments, members were presented a story written by Rebecca Cameron (1845-1936), a great-granddaughter of Alfred Moore (1755-1810). Alfred Moore, a Revolutionary War Continental soldier, lawyer, politician, Supreme Court jurist and one of the founders of the University of North Carolina, was honored by having Moore County named for him in 1784. His portrait, which hangs in the Superior Court room in Carthage, was painted from a miniature in 1931 by Nellie F. Sanborn, a charter member of the Alfred Moore DAR Chapter in Southern Pines.

Rebecca Cameron's story about families on a Southern rice plantation during a Christmas holiday was presented by Kelly Atkins Hinson, a North Carolina native who lives in Jackson Springs. Hinson came dressed in keeping with the fashion of the early 1800s. She read, sang and provided sound effects for Cameron's story titled, "Christmas on the Buchoi Plantation." Buchoi was located a few miles south of Wilmington on the Cape Fear River and was the winter home of Alfred Moore.

A newspaper article containing Rebecca Cameron's story was printed Dec. 26, 1895, in The North Carolinian, and may be found in the N.C. Archives in Raleigh.

The next meeting for this chapter will begin at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at The Country Club of N.C. The chapter regularly meets the second Saturday, September through May, at 11:30 a.m.

Anyone interested in becoming a member may contact June Thompson at 692-3917.