William was born at
Chester Co., South Carolina, on 4 August 1835. He was the son of
William F. Moffatt and
Jennie McDill. At about the age of thirteen William "Thomas" began clerking in a store, and in 1858 came to Troy, Tennessee and engaged in the mercantile business, which he continued with success up to 1861, when he joined Company A, 47th Tennessee, as an orderly sergeant. He was commissioned second lieutenant in 1862, first lieutenant in 1863 and captain in 1864. He was in important and hotly contested battles, and was one of the true soldiers of the Confederate Army. While in the front of the column at the battle of Franklin, November 30, 1864 he was wounded by a minie ball, and lost his right arm. He came home in the spring of 1865, and the following year removed to Rives and resumed mercantile pursuits, and is one of the thorough business men of the county and a true gentleman. Capt. Moffat is a Democrat, and he and wife are members of the Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church. He married
Nancy "Nannie" Hamilton at
Troy, Obion Co., Tennessee, in 1861. William died in 1898 at
Rives, Obion Co., Tennessee. His body was interred in 1898 at
Troy, Obion Co., Tennessee.