An old restless feeling began working inside Dwight as he pitched hay to the cows and horses in the barn. With harvest finished, now was a good time, he thought to himself. He stopped for a moment to lean against the pitch fork. Glancing around the horizon he saw the trees covering the hillside. But it wasn’t the hillside that caught his attention. It was what was beyond the hills. He wanted to know what was beyond the Valley. This Valley had been the proud home of the Moody and Holton families for 200 years, but at sixteen years old, Dwight L. Moody was ready to leave the Valley behind. He wanted adventure, excitement and mostly to make his fortune in the world. Perhaps in Boston where his Uncle Lemuel and Uncle Samuel lived.

Dwight was born on February 5, 1837. He was the sixth of nine children. His father, Edwin Moody died at the young age of 41. His family was penniless, but Betsy Holton Moody refused to give up. Even though her neighbors suggested she separate her family and place them in several homes, she kept them together at the farm. With the help of her brothers, she was able to keep the family farm operational. But it took everyone working together. The greatest help came from a local minister. He made sure the family came to Sunday School and church. Dwight was often gathering other kids to go to Sunday School with him. He learned to be a honest and hard worker. Although he only had a grade school education, he loved to learn. He dreamt of being wealthy someday.

“A sixteen year old boy has no business in Boston,” his uncle answered. “That is all there is to it!”