Maude Goode Moon

Maude Goode Moon, the first black midwife in Brielle, was born in Luray, Virginia in April 1887.  She became the mother of 16 children and assisted in the births of many more.  At an early age, whe worked for Dr. Madison of Luray.  It is said that Maude helped Dr. Madison deliver over 40 babies before she left Luray.

In 1904, at the age of 17, Maude married James Moon of Standardsville, Virginia.  Some 16 years later, James moved his family to New Jersey.  They lived in Point Pleasant before moving to Brielle around 1923.  The house on Agnes Avenue that James and Maude bought is still home to some of the family today.

During the great depression of the 1930s, many local people were unable to afford a doctor to deliver their babies.  Luckily for them, there was Maude.  She worked with the most famous local obstetrician, Dr. Norris of Manasquan.  When he could not attend a patient, he often sent Maude alone to deliver a baby.  Many people around Brielle and Manasquan remember being told by their mothers that Maude Moon helped bring them into the world.

Maude was a quiet, modest lady whose many good deeds often went unnoticed by the community.  She could be referred to as the unsung heroine of the poor and homeless, of runaway teenagers, and the needy.  Maude was an expert cook who willingly shared what she prepared with those in need.

With the help of her husband James, she planted a large garden, canning the vegetables that were not needed for cooking.  During the winter, she used the food she had canned to feed not only her large family, but every poor or hungry person in town.  She also had over 100 chickens.  Maude Moon never ran out of eggs, chicken soup, or concern for the less fortunate.  She died, surrounded by her loving family in June, 1960.