Liner Gooch (abt. 1756 - 1826)

Born about 1756 in Louisa, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Rhoda (Turner) Gooch — married 28 Sep 1780 in Louisa County, VIrginia, USA

Husband of Sarah Skidmore — married 24 Oct 1822 in Lincoln County, Kentucky, USA

Descendants

Died Apr 1826 at about age 70 in Lincoln County, Kentucky, USA

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Birth

Born of Unity and Rowland Gooch in Trinity Parish, Louisa County, Virginia approximately 1755. ^[1]

Virginia Years

He was born in, married in, and lived in Trinity Parish, Louisa, Virginia marrying Rhoda Turner, the daughter of William and Terry Turner, at the Dover Church on Friday, April 28, 1780.

He had at least 7 children and no doubt lived a comfortable life in Virginia. Children included:

James Gooch (1780-1833) ?Shotgun Marriage - Conceived out of wedlock? Thomas William Gooch (1781- abt 1856) William Dickerson Gooch (1782-1856) John Liner Gooch (1783- abt 1844) Nancy Unity Gooch (1784-1847/8) Elizabeth Dickerson "Betsy" Gooch (1786-abt 1836) Dabney William Gooch (1786-1859) A William Gooch was on the rolls of Captain Robert Paxton's Company, Kentucky Detached Militia commanded by LTC William Mitchusson.

Virginia Property

From tax lists since at least 1776, one can see his wealth grow from one slave, a horse, and a cow in 1782 to having 122 acres in 1787.^[2]

In 1791, he bought 100 acres, more or less, on the waters of Albemarle County, Virginia's Rocky Creek for 50L,^[3]) the equivalent to $166.50^[4] from Michael and Sarah Ahart, while still keeping his 122 acres in Louisa.

By 1797 his Louisa County holdings increased to three tracks, his original 122, then added two more tracks that included land on both sides of Dragon Swamp. He purchased 100 acres on February 12, 1797 and an adjoining 51 acres two months later on 9 April. ^[5]In 1799, Louisa County tax records show Liner and Rhoda as having a total of 351 acres, but selling all but the Dragon Swamp lands by 1800.

In 1804 he moved to Kentucky^[6] and sold both remaining tracts for L302. ^[7][8]

In 1801, records show he sold his 100 Albemarle County acres for a 75L, presumably a 25L profit, to Geo. Gentry. ^[9]

Life in Kentucky

As a Kentucky settler, with his sons, he was a successful farmer and land speculator. One can assume this involved much hard work clearing land by him, his family, and his slave. But it paid off with material success. By his 1826 death, he accumulated large land tracks, horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, farming tools, crops and crop provisions. ^[10] by his death in 1826.

In 1810, he shared a home with the families of William, Dabney, and Thomas Gooch, with his own family of presumably one remaining son, three daughters, his wife, and one male slave over 45.^[11]

Allegedly served in the War of 1812's Battle of New Orleans with Kentucky troops. Still searching war records.

By 1820, his household presumably consisted of his 16 year-old son and a daughter between 16 and 26, his wife and a male slave over 45. ^[12]

Before his death, he distributed all land to Dabney, Thomas, and John before his death, probably as they accumulated and worked it together. He left what was probably his last 348 acres to his youngest son William.^[13]

He left $100 each his daughters Elizabeth Murphy and Nancy McGill and one cow to Dolly Turner. While no land was bequeathed to his 2d wife Sarah, he did leave all livestock and farm equipment to her.^[14]

Donated land for, and is buried at the Double Springs Church and Double Springs Cemetery, Cr-1219N, Waynesburg, KY 40489.

Kentucky Property

On January 17, 1804, John Liner was granted 200 acres South of the Green River vicinity the waters of Caney Fork - Lenor Gooch. ^[15]

He increased his holdings greatly in 1805. I am not sure how this land was granted, but at this point in Kentucky, a person could lay claim to unclaimed parcel of land by marking it's boundaries. This claims were often described by, and can be researched by waterways.

His property included:

April 8, 1805: 400 acre claim on Lincoln County waters of Hurricane Fork of Buck Creek. ^[16] June 14, 1805: 400 acre claim along Lincoln County's hurricane Creek^[17][18] July 25, 1805: 200 "3d rate" acres on Buck's Creek, Lincoln County, Ky. Perhaps bought from William Vaughn. May be in the name of Dabner Gooch. ^[19] June 8, 1807: 400 Acres on Buck Creek, Lincoln County, KY.^[20] June 21, 1808: 100 Acres on Buck Creek, Tungate Original Patentee.^[21] 1811, Two 100 Acre parcels.^[22] February 23, 1826 100 Acres from Thomas Gooch

1 Slave.^[23] 1 male slave over 45.^[24]

1826 assets included horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, farming tools, crops and crop provisions. ^[25]

Migration to Kentucky

This is pure speculation based on family lore passed down from Homer Eubanks and Ann (Eubank) Estopare.

Legend has it that the Gooches migrated from Virginia over the Cumber land Gap with oxen and their carts. This is probably true since the route that 75% of Virginia to Kentucky migrants used was the Wilderness Road, which started at Bristol, Virginia, and went over the Cumberland Gap at the juncture of Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. By 1796, the Wilderness Road was completed for wagons and settlement of Kentucky was encouraged by use of land grants.

More family lore for which I can find no support for is that the Gooches stopped and had a marriage ceremony on top of the Cumberland Gap, hauled bricks by oxen wagon to build the first brick house in Lincoln County, Kentucky, and that there was an Indian attack in which a Gooch survive being scalped. While Indians and Frontiermen did fight, and scalping was a very real thing on both sides, it was largely a thing of the past, until Tecumsah and the War of 1812 reignited the embers.

Last Will of Liner's Father

Will of His Father, Rowland Gooch, dated 08-Dec-1794^[26]: To my wife Unity Gooch, then to my son Clabon Gooch all land on upper side of branch that runs through my land 50 acres. Balance of land I now live on down the creek below said Branch equally divided between my two sons, Pumphrey and Gideon. Mentions daughter Elizabeth Gooch and sons John and Liner Gooch.

Will of Liner Gooch

23 Feb 1826.^[27] In the name of God, Amen---Know all men by these presents that I , Liner Gooch, of the county of Lincoln, and the state of Kentucky, being sound in mind and memory do make, constitute, and appoint, this my last will and testament, revoking all others by me made.

First, all my just debts to be punctually paid as soon as the nature of the case will admit.

Second, I give to my son, William Gooch, 348 acre of land being and lying on the waters of Herricane Fork of Buck Creek in Lincoln county[Kentucky]. (Assuming the same names, this Hurricane Fork of Buck Creek is located at 37°20'57.7"N 84°35'38.7"W, https://goo.gl/maps/auP2CxYvtvugjENk9^[28]).

Third, I give to my sons Dabney Gooch, Thomas Gooch, and John Gooch each one dollar having before given them as much of my worldly estate as I intended them to possess.

Fourth, I give to my two daughters, Elizabeth Murphy, and Nancy Magill, one hundred dollars each.

Fifth, I give to my beloved wife, Sarah Gooch, all my stock of horses, cattle (except one cow), hogs, and ten head of the choice of my flock of sheep, with all my household and kitchen furniture, with all the farming tools and utensils belonging to me and all the crop and provisions that may be on hand at my decease, for her own use and benifit to dispose of as she may think proper.

Sixth, I give the cow, above mentioned, excepted to Dolly Turner for her own use and benefit. In testimony whereof, I have here set my name this 23rd, day of February in the years of our Lord 1826 in presence of N.B. I appoint my beloved wife, Sarah Gooch, my entire executrix to this my last will and testament. Liner Gooch Witness: Gave Ragsdale, Pepe Berry, William P. Skidmore.

Sources

1. ↑ Estimated by his appearance on the Louisa, Virginia Tax List in 1776, and having to be 21 to pay taxes
2. ↑ Louisa County, Virginia Tax Lists
3. ↑ Virginia used the pound as currency until 1793. Newman, E. (1985). Colonial Coins of Virginia. Sanford J Durst.
4. ↑ McMaster, John Bach, A History of the People of the United States, Volume II, D. Appleton & Co., 1919, p. 617. (https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3027691&view=1up&seq=643) states a pound was worth $3.33. For context, white laborers where paid about 16L/year, perhaps with food and lodging included, slaves were rented out for about 1L/month. Skilled labor such a type setters and sailors could earn $8 to $10/month
5. ↑ 4 Oct 1804 - Deed Bk J, Pg 760, Liner Gooch and Rhoda Gooch (wife) to William Lumsden, property description was "Land on both sides of Dragon Swamp; the first tract contains 51 acres ... Ralph Quarles line ... same tract as deeded to Liner Gooch by Humphrey Edwards attorney for Jonathan Edwards by a deed dated 9 Apr 1798; The other tract being 100 acres adjoining the first tract ... to Dragon Swamp, down the swamp ... Ralph Quarles corner, same tract deeded by Ralph Quarles to Liner Gooch 12 Feb 1798"
6. ↑ The Liner Gooch family from Trinity Parish Louisa VA, first appeared on record in Lincoln KY when Daughter Elizabeth married William T. Murphy 11 Dec. 1804, with his father, John Murphy, giving consent. Elizabeth didn't need consent, and was entered as "Betsey Dickson Gooch." (She was over 21)
7. ↑ Ibid. 4 Oct 1804 - Deed Bk J, Pg 760
8. ↑ This is confirmed by Louisa County tax records show him as having 351 in 1799, but reducing this to 151 acres in 1800.
9. ↑ Albenarle County Land Records, Bk 3, pg 530 Gooch to Gentry
10. ↑ Will of Liner Gooch, recorded in Will Book "I", pg-77, Lincoln Co., Kentucky, County Court Clerk's Office.
11. ↑ 1810 Lincoln, Lincoln, KY Census
12. ↑ 1820 Census, Lincoln KY pg-41
13. ↑ Ibid. Liner Gooch Will
14. ↑ Ibid. Liner Gooch Will
15. ↑ 17 Jan 1804 Bk 3, Pulaski County, Ky, Buck and Caney Creeks meet at 37°16'48.1"N 84°34'45.2"W, https://goo.gl/maps/3mG2oroetSkwXXCX9
16. ↑ Huricane Creek 37°20'57.7"N 84°35'38.7"W, https://goo.gl/maps/4ur5fvddCAyba6c4A
17. ↑ The Kentucky Land Grants, Vol 1, Part 1, Chapter IV Grants South of the Green River, (1797-1866) The Counties of Kentucky, page 322.
18. ↑ assuming adjacent to 1st grant, it would extend west to 37°20'38.4"N 84°36'41.9"W, https://goo.gl/maps/LKtAWRDjugfaY3me9
19. ↑ 21 Jun 1808 Lincoln KY Tax List - Gooch, Liner -B?, p.13, 200 Acres on Buck Creek, Lincoln, Wm. Vaughn Original Patentee, Murphy Previous Survey. Also 1806 Lincoln KY Tax List - Gooch, Liner - 1806 B?, P34, 200 Acres on Buck C., William Vaughn Original Patentee.
20. ↑ 8 Jun 1807 Lincoln Tax list - Gooch Liner- 400 acres Buck Creek
21. ↑ 21 Jun 1808 Lincoln KY Tax List - Gooch, Liner -B?, p.13, 200 Acres on Buck Creek, Lincoln, Wm. Vaughn Original Patentee, Murphy Previous Survey, Plus 100 Acres on Buck Creek, Tungate Original Patentee.
22. ↑ 1811 Lincoln KY Tax List - Gooch, Liner. pays for two 100 Acre parcels on Buck Creek, 1-1-1-1-4-0 (listed below Rowland, Dabney & William Gooch) 1812 tax list 1813 Lincoln KY Tax List - Gooch, Liner - 1813 B?, P19, 100 Acres 1814 Lincoln KY Tax List - Gooch, Liner - 1814 B?, P23, 100 acres 3rd 1815 tax list 1816 Lincoln KY Tax List - Gooch, Liner, B?, P?, 100 Acres on Buck Creek, Original Patentee William Vaugh
23. ↑ 1810 Lincoln, Lincoln, KY Census
24. ↑ 1820 Lincoln KY pg-41
25. ↑ Will of Liner Gooch, recorded in Will Book "I", pg-77, Lincoln Co., Kentucky, County Court Clerk's Office.
26. ↑ William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Volume 5, p.112: Cty. Lou, Book: 3, Page: 577
27. ↑ Will Book "I", pg-77, Lincoln Co., Kentucky, County Court Clerk's Office.
28. ↑ Google Map Search by Doug Hendy

• William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Volume 5, p.112: Cty. Lou, Book: 3, Page: 577
• Find-a-grave #130599972

From behind the ancestry.com subscription wall:

• Virginia, Marriages, 1780

Acknowledgments

Gooch-535 was created by Callie Archibald through the import of Callie Zaborenko_Immaculately_Clean.ged