Philip Goss IV (bef. 1724 - 1778)

Born before 18 Nov 1724 in Brookfield, Worcester, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Kendall) Goss — married 7 Jun 1744 in Lancaster, Worcester, Massachusetts

Descendants

Died 9 Nov 1778 after age 53 in Huntington Township, Luzerne, Pennsylvania, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: David Robinson [send private message], Stephen Fritz [send private message], and Dennis Coughlin [send private message]

Biography

Philip Goss IV is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A046408.

Patriotic Philip Goss IV served with New Hampshire during the American Revolution.

Not to be confused with Philip Goss (1720-1804).

Philip Goss (IV) was born probably in November 1724 in Brookfield, Worcester, Massachusetts. He was the son of Phillip Goss (III) and Keziah Cooley. He was Baptized on November 18, 1724. ^{[1] [2] [3]} Philip Goss was shot in the Wyoming Valley. ^[4]

Philip Goss (IV) of Brookfield entered his intention of marriage with Mary Kendall of Lancaster (Worcester, Massachusetts) on June 7, 1744. ^[5]

Philip (IV) and his family lived in Granville, Hampden, Massachusetts where Philip was granted his church letter to the First Church of Christ at Beckett, on December 28, 1758 by Rev. Jedediah Smith. ^[6]

Philip (IV) and his family resided at Simsbury (now Granby), Hartford, Connecticut from 1749-1754, where the birth of four of his children are entered . (Note: In 1786, Granby was cut off from Simsbury, Connecticut, as the new Town of Granby.) Philip bought three tracts in 1749, a total of 101 acres, in the Salmon Brook Parish which was in North Simsbury. He did not make his first land purchase there until April 1749. and at that time was "of Simsbury", apparently on the ground selecting a site for purchase." In 1753 he sold 10 acres and in 1754 he sold the remaining 91 acres on which he apparently erected a house and barn. Probably because of the improvements, Philip sold for a considerably higher price than he had paid. Unfortunately one of his three purchases was in part invalid, part of the (30) acres bought from Isaac Burr who seems to have sold more than he had a right to. Presumably the rightful owners established their claim; Burr was dead and Philip settled with the (two) who had bought from him by refunding some part of what he had paid. The final settlements were made after Philip Goss had moved; and at that time, 1758, he was in "No. 4" Becket, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. Parts of that County at the time had not been laid out in Townships, and certain tracts had nothing but numbers. The four children who were recorded in Simsbury were born between 1745 and 1749. The chances are that he brought his family there that spring or summer, after he had erected some sort of dwelling, following his purchase in April. The children recorded in Simsbury were not born there. In those days when families were moving about a lot, it was quite common for them to enter a group of children in the Town Records when they supposed they had made a permanent home. It was custom commonly practiced to pay a small fee to have the entries made and obliging Town Clerks did not decline fees, merely because children had not actually been born in their own town. A son, Solomon was born at Granville, Hampden, Massachusetts on June 16, 1750, just a few miles north over the Connecticut state line as was also a son David, born at Granville on June 14, 1752. In ^[7]

Philip (IV) and his family lived at No.4 Becket, Berkshire, Massachusetts from 1755 to 1769 where Ebenezer his youngest son was born on September 8, 1760 and was baptized on October 26, 1760 by Rev. Ebenezer Martin, minister of the The First Church of Christ at Breezy Heights, Becket Center. The old church record at Becket would seem to indicate that Philip (IV) may have resided with the family at Granville, Hampden, Massachusetts, until buildings and a church was formed in 1753 and he probably dwelt there prior to buying in Simsbury in 1749. He responded in Granville, Hampden, Massachusetts in 1756, and took part in the last of the French and Indian Wars (1754-1763) enlisting in Col. Thacher's Regiment, and if such be the case, the family probably remained at Granville; his father had died in 1742 ^[8] Philip was involved in the community there being paid for civic duties and moderating meetings of the selectmen. ^[9]

As Connecticut became more crowded Philip (IV) seized the opportunity to move to an area with more abundant farmland. He became one of the proprietors in Plymouth Township of the Connecticut Susquehanna Company, Wyoming Settlement, located in Litchfield County, Connecticut, which later (1786) became Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. ^[10]

Leaving his wife, daughters and two young sons behind, Philip (IV) took his sons Philip (V), Comfort, Nathaniel, David Goss, Solomon Goss and 9-year-old Ebenezer, and was among the original early settlers of Plymouth Township in Litchfield County, Connecticut (later, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania). They arrived on May 11, 1769 as part of a group of 200 that arrived a few months after the original first 40 in February 1769. The goal of the company was to set up three 5-acre townships on the west branch of the Susquehanna River. ^[10]

On April 17, 1770, William Walsworth of Beckman's Precinct, Dutchess County, New York, conveyed to Philip Goss, Sr. (IV) of Becket, Berksire, Massachusetts and Francis Gillow of Goshen, Orange County, New York, one right in the Susquehanna Purchase to which he was entitled as one of the first forty settlers there. ^[11]

According to adjournment, The Susquehanna Company met at Windham June 12, 1771, Major Talcott, as usual, acting as Moderator. The following business was transacted: Voted That James Hannah, Philip Goss (IV), David Carver, Andrew Graham, John Bacon, Jr., Thomas Fanning, Benjamin Dorchester, Ebenezer Learned and Jonathan Buck, Nine Partners, be added to the committee for collecting the last two dollars tax that was granted and pay the same to the Treasurer. ^[12]

Philip Goss (IV) was a member of the party commanded by Captain Zebulon Butler which came to Wilkes Barre in July 1771 to besiege the Pennamites in Fort Wyoming. His son Nathaniel Goss joined the party a few weeks later. ^[13]

Prior to March 1772, Philip Goss (IV) had become a proprietor in the township of Plymouth and was a member of the Settlers Committee for that township. In March or April 1772, he was sent express to Connecticut on business for the settlers as is shown by an original paper now in the possession of The Wyoming Historical and Geological Society. ^[14]

Among the Collections of the Wyoming Historical and Geological Society is an original List of Settlers at Susquehanna prepared in May 1772 by Captain Zebulon Butler, Major Ezekiel Peirce, Captain Stephen Fuller and Obadiah Gore, Jr. of the Committee of Settlers and in the handwriting of Captain Butler. It listed 215 names which included Philip Goss (IV), and his sons David Goss and Nathaniel Goss. ^[15]

From 1772 till 1776, Philip Goss, Sr. (IV) and his family resided in the township of Plymouth. In 1775 the township of Huntington was laid out under the auspices of The Susquehanna Company and its location was within the bounds of what by vote of the inhabitants of Westmoreland was entitled "Plymouth District". During 1775 and 1776, there were very few inhabitants in Huntington, but some time during the latter year the number was increased by the removal thither of Philip Goss, Sr. (IV) and his family, who settled near what is now known as Huntington Mills. ^[16]

The statute law of Connecticut relating to ear marks was as follows: All owners of any cattle, sheep or swine shall ear mark or brand the same that are above one half year old and they shall cause their several marks to be registered in the town book. And all cattle, sheep and swine that shall he found unmarked and not branded as aforesaid, the owners shall forfeit two shillings per head. Philip Goss (IV) entered on November 26, 1774, "a half crop ye under side of ye right ear." ^[17]

The Rate Bills or Tax Lists for the districts of Westmoreland prepared by the Listers of the town, August 1776, in the Collections of The Wyoming Historical and Geological Society included Philip Goss (IV), and his sons Nathaniel Goss and Solomon Goss. ^[18]

The Tax lists of 1777 in the Collections of The Wyoming Historical and Geological Society for Westmoreland, Plymouth District included Philip Goss (IV), and his sons David Goss, Philip Goss, Jr. (V), Nathaniel Goss and Solomon Goss. ^[19]

The 1778 Polls and Rateable Estates and Assessments of Westmoreland in the Collections of The Wyoming Historical and Geological Society contained a list for the Plymouth District which included Philip Goss (IV), and his sons David Goss, Philip Goss, Jr. (V), Nathaniel Goss and Solomon Goss. ^[20]

Philip Goss, Sr. (IV) died in Huntington in the latter part of 1779 and Letters of Administration upon his estate were granted to Nathaniel Goss by the Probate Court of Westmoreland County, Connecticut, now Luzerene County, Pennsylvania, on January 18, 1780, Capt. John Franklin being surety on a bond of £1,000. An inventory of the estate made up by Obadiah Gore and John Jenkins, Jr., appraisers, was filed the same day. It amounted to £575, 1sh. 8d., "counting 25 Continental dollars for one silver dollar." The original inventory is now in the collections of The Wyoming Historical and Geological Society. ^[21]

Philip (IV) passed away in the latter part of 1779 in Hungtington Valley, Luzerne, Pennsylvania.

Alternate death date: Philip Goss ... He passed away in 1778. killed by indians Nov. 9, 1778 Wapwallopen, Luzerne Co, PA, Body lost or destroyed. From the History of Luzerne County, PA: "Capt. Carr and Philip Goss, in attempting to flee in a canoe, were shot below Wapwallopen and left, the latter dead, the other dying on the shore." Philip Goss was a veteran of the American Revolution. In some places it is disputed that instead of Philip, the father, it was actually David, his son who died that day. Maybe additional research will tell.

Sources

1. ↑ Entered by Stephen Fritz, secondhand knowledge, Friday, August 30, 2013.
2. ↑ ancestry.com - Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 - data found under Philip Goss
3. ↑ bp. 18 Nov. 1724. - Mayflower Families Vol. 13 p. 85.
4. ↑ Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 10 Dec 2023), "Record of Philip Goss", Ancestor # A046408.
5. ↑ The Birth, Marriage and Death Register, Church Records and Epitaphs of Lancaster, Massachusetts, 1643-1850, Edited by Henry S. Nourse, A.M., Lancaster, 1890, page 30 - data found under Phillep Goss
6. ↑ FamilySearch.org - Catalog - Titles - Goss family history, Paul H. Goss, Author, 1940, Digital Version, Page 53 - data found under Philip Goss (Fourth)
7. ↑ FamilySearch.org - Catalog - Titles - Goss family history, Paul H. Goss, Author, 1940, Digital Version, Page 53, 55 and 57- data found under Philip Goss (Fourth)
8. ↑ FamilySearch.org - Catalog - Titles - Goss family history, Paul H. Goss, Author, 1940, Digital Version, Page 54 - data found under Philip Goss (Fourth)
9. ↑ ancestry.com - Family Trees - Messenger - data found under Philip Goss IV
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} findagrave.com - data found under Philip Goss, IV
11. ↑ History of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time: including chapters of newly-discovered early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material, Volume 2, 1909, by Oscar Jewell Harvey - page 999 - data found under Philip Goss
12. ↑ History of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time: including chapters of newly-discovered early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material, Volume 2, 1909, by Oscar Jewell Harvey - page 691 - data found under Philip Goss
13. ↑ History of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time: including chapters of newly-discovered early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material, Volume 2, 1909, by Oscar Jewell Harvey - page 999 - data found under Philip Goss
14. ↑ History of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time: including chapters of newly-discovered early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material, Volume 2, 1909, by Oscar Jewell Harvey - page 999 - data found under Philip Goss
15. ↑ History of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time: including chapters of newly-discovered early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material, Volume 2, 1909, by Oscar Jewell Harvey - page 732 - data found under Philip Goss
16. ↑ History of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time: including chapters of newly-discovered early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material, Volume 2, 1909, by Oscar Jewell Harvey - page 999 - data found under Philip Goss
17. ↑ History of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time: including chapters of newly-discovered early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material, Volume 2, 1909, by Oscar Jewell Harvey - page 808 - data found under Philip Goss
18. ↑ History of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time: including chapters of newly-discovered early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material, Volume 2, 1909, by Oscar Jewell Harvey - page 877 - data found under Philip Goss
19. ↑ History of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time: including chapters of newly-discovered early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material, Volume 2, 1909, by Oscar Jewell Harvey - page 946 - data found under Philip Goss
20. ↑ History of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time: including chapters of newly-discovered early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material, Volume 2, 1909, by Oscar Jewell Harvey - page 952 - data found under Philip Goss
21. ↑ History of Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, from its first beginnings to the present time: including chapters of newly-discovered early Wyoming Valley history, together with many biographical sketches and much genealogical material, Volume 2, 1909, by Oscar Jewell Harvey - page 999 - data found under Philip Goss

See also:

• Through several years I have gathered these facts and fancies from reading tombstones, family Bibles, through old friends of the family, from old records at Taunton. Mass. and by asking many, many questions. I also owe a debt of gratitude to Paul Goss, who, in his research for the Goss history kept running across the Seward line and jotted down notes and sent them to me."

Emily Seward Kingsley June, 1953

• "Pedigree Resource File," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:3QB2-M9N : accessed 2014-12-12), entry for PHILIP /GOSS/.

Sources (5)

Family Data Collection - Individual Records Edmund West, comp. null: null Family Data Collection - Births Edmund West, comp. null: null Millennium File Heritage Consulting null: null American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI) Godfrey Memorial Library, comp. null: null Ancestry Family Trees null: null

• Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915 [1]

Phillip Goss

Christening Event Date: 18 Nov 1724

Event Place: Brookfield, Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay,

Father's Name: Phillip Goss

Mother's Name: Keziah

• Massachusetts, Town and Vital Records, 1620-1988 Image

Phillep Gough [Philip Goss] [Phillp Goss]

Event Type: Marriage Intention (Marriage)

Marriage Date: 7 Mar 1744

Marriage Place: Lancaster, Massachusetts

Spouse Name: Mary Kendal