Goff Geneology

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surname/tag: Goff Goffe

THE GOFF FAMILY

Beginning with:

Anthony Goffe of Barrington, Rhode Island

The information regarding Anthony-1 and Anthony-2 comes from two manuscripts on file at the Rhode Island Historical Society in Providence, one of which was compiled by Clarence E. Pierce. Papers pertaining the later generations may be found at the Steuben County Clerk's Office in Bath, New York and the Hartsville Museum in Hartsville, New York. Sharon (Stephens) Kiser of Ridgefield, Washington and Darlene (Goff) Frahm of Riverton, Wyoming, direct descendants of David and Almy (Card) Goff, provided other valuable information in correspondence with the compiler. The name of Goff or Goffe may be a variant of the Welsh "Gough" which means "Smith."

1. Anthony-1 Goffe died at Barrington, Bristol County, (then Massachusetts, now) Rhode Island in 1727. Perhaps he was the Antony Goffe christened at St. Andrew, Enfield, London, England 20 December 1650, son of James and Martha (_____) Goffe (International Genealogical Index of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints). Anthony married in England Anna Carpenter. He was married second at Billerica, Massachusetts 29 September 1686 to Sarah Polley (George-1), born at Woburn, Middlesex, Massachusetts about 1669/70, daughter of George-1 and Elizabeth (Winn) Polley. Anthony may have been a brother of John-1 Goffe who came to America in 1662/63 "with two brothers whose names have not been identified." John was presumed to be the son of General William Goffe, regicide, who fled to America in 1660 to escape beheading by King Charles II for his participation on Oliver Cromwell's Army which executed King Charles I. General William Goffe was one of the judges who condemned him. However, this tale could be another example of the familiar three-brothers-came-to-America legend. In 1667, an Anthony Goffe was accused of stealing pipestaves in Exeter, New Hampshire (Genealogical Dictionary of New Hampshire). In the same reference, a James Goffe's death is recorded in 1685. James was an agent for Samson Sheafe, lived in "Lovering House" and married Elizabeth (_____). Perhaps he and Anthony were the two brothers of John-1. Anthony and Sarah moved from Billerica, Massachusetts to Woburn, Massachusetts by 1687. They were in Barrington/Swansea before 1694: "At a meeting of the commissioned officer of Bristol regiment held at Bristol August 8, 1694, Anthony Goff was convicted of being impressed into their majesties service in the present expedition against the common enemy, and neglected to attend the same he was sent to the common goal [gaol/jail?] according to law," (Letter to Clarence B. Pierce from James M. Cushman citing an "old manuscript book"). "In the year 1706, Anthony Goff of Swansea was a witness in court; in 1715, Samuel Goff was accused of being the father of a bastard child born of Elizabeth Sabin of Rehoboth, and Anthony Goffe was bondsman for the appearance of Samuel in court to answer the charge." "In 1727 Samuel Goff was appointed guardian of James and Hezekiah Goff, sons over 14 years of Anthony Goff deceased, of Barrington." (Bristol County, Massachusetts Probate Records 5:356) Anthony's sons dropped the use of the final "e" on Goffe, changing the name to Goff.

Children of Anthony and Sarah (Polley) Goffe:

i. Joseph-2, b. Woburn, Middlesex, MA 1 Nov 1687; d. young. ii. James, b. Woburn, MA 3 June 1689; d. young. 2. iii. Anthony Jr., b. Swansea, MA; m. Elizabeth Watts. iv. Robert, b. Rehoboth, Bristol Co., MA ca. 1707; d. Rehoboth, MA after 1745; m. (1) Swansea, MA 17 March 1718 Mary Gladding, b. 1696; m. (2) Elizabeth A. Horton; m. (3) MA 8 May 1733 Anna Horton. Children, surname Goff: 1. Comfort, b. Rehoboth, MA 25 Sep 1734; d. Rush, Monroe Co., NY 1819; m. 20 Jan 1757 Susannah Garnsey. 2. Hezekiah, b. 4 Sep 1736. 3. Susannah, b. 20 May 1737. 4. Enoch, b. 1741. 5. John Maker, b. 1757. v. Richard, b. Woburn, MA about 1695; d. Rehoboth, Bristol Co., MA 28 April 1743; m. Rehoboth, MA 19 July 1722 Martha Toogood, b. Barrington, Bristol, RI about 1700, dau. of Nathaniel Toogood; settled in Rehoboth, MA. Children, surname Goff, b. Rehoboth, Bristol Co., MA: 1. Sarah, b. 18 Oct 1722; m. William Slack. 2. Joseph, b. 12 Dec 1725; d. 1820; m. 1 Oct 1748 Patience Thurber. 3. Squire, b. 18 June 1727; m. 1 Dec 1751 Grizzel Wheeler, b. 10 Jan 1731/32 Rehoboth, MA, dau. of Squire and Lydia (Bowen) Wheeler. 4. Bethia, b. 31 Jan 1729; m. 12 Oct 1752 Israel Barney. 5. Rachel, b. 28 July 1731; m. April 1752 Richard Westcott. 6. Rebekah, b. 11 May 1733; m. 18 April 1754 Joseph Thurber. 7. Dorothy, b. 4 Aug 1735. 8. Richard, b. 31 July 1741. vi. Samuel, d. Rehoboth, MA 28 Nov 1771; m. Rachel Toogood, dau. of Nathaniel Toogood; settled in Rehoboth, MA. vii. James, b. before 1713; m. Rehoboth, MA 27 Dec 1773 Mary Ormsbee. viii. John, m. Sarah Pullen. ix. Hezekiah, b. Rehoboth, MA about 1712; d. Middletown, CT 1786; m. Woodstock, CT 31 Oct 1743 Bethiah Morris, b. Woodstock, Windham Co., CT 7 July 1723, dau. of Edward and Bethia (Peake) Morris. Children, surname Goff: 1. Betty, b. 1748; d. 1751. 2. Asa, b. 7 Jan 1751; d. 26 June 1751. 3. Bethia, b. 2 Feb 1752. 4. Hezekiah, b. Middletown, CT 26 June 1754; d. Richford, VT 27 Feb 1848; m. Middletown, CT 10 March 1774 Anna Ward; served in the Revolution. 5. Jonathan, b. Middle Haddam, Middlesex Co., CT 4 March 1757; d. Augusta, Oneida Co., NY 23 Aug 1840; m. probably at Middle Haddam 3 April 1796 Lydia Harding; served in the Revolution. 6. William, b. Middletown, CT 14 May 1759. 7. David, b. Middletown, CT 16 Oct 1761; m. Middletown, CT 4 May 1786 Lucy Davis. 8. Hannah, b. Middletown, CT 2 Feb 1764; m. Middletown, CT 30 March 1784 Michael Braddock. 9. Sara, b. Middletown, CT 3 July 1766; m. Middletown, CT 31 Aug 1786 Joseph Parker. 10. Elizabeth, b. Middletown, CT 1769. x. Anne, m. Swansea, MA 9 July 1726 Ebenezer Finch. xi. Rebecca

2. Anthony-2 Goff Jr. (Anthony-1) was born at Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts. He married at Swansea Elizabeth Watts. They may have lived at Ashford, Windham County, Connecticut; at some point, an Antony Goffe was among the 45 persons who "gave bonds, drew lots and were admitted proprietors of Ashford," on or after 5 March 1718. (Larned, Ellen D., History of Windham County, Connecticut, p. 223) In the 1730s they were "warned out" of Bristol. Anthony was a shipwright. Their three sons all served in the American Revolution.

Children:

i. Elizabeth-3, b. Swansea, Bristol Co., MA 5 Nov 1719; m. at E. Greenwich, RI Thomas Spencer. ii. Abner, b. Swansea 9 July 1721; m. Ruth Bailey. 3. iii. Nathan, b. Swansea 24 May 1723; m. Mary Potter. iv. Bethania, b. 20 Nov 1730; m. Coventry, Kent Co., RI 12 July 1752 John Johnson Jr., m. (2) Mary Goff, Bethania's sister. v. Jonathan, b. Rehoboth, MA 18 Feb 1733/4. vi. Chloe, b. Rehoboth, MA 3 March 1734/5. vii. Ann, m. W. Greenwich, Kent Co., RI 24 Aug 1753 Robert Bailey, brother to Ruth (Bailey) Goff. viii. Mary, b. 1740; m. John Johnson Jr., her sister Bethania's husband.

3. Nathan-3 Goff (Anthony-2-1) was born at Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts on 24 May 1723 and died at Burlington, Otsego County, New York probably on 23 March 1810 but perhaps before 8 August 1803. He was married at Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island 6 January 1746 to Mary Potter (Job-3, Abel-2, George-1) by Justice Thomas Brayton. Mary was born at Coventry or Warwick 22 August 1726 and died in New York probably before 8 August 1803 but possibly in 1821, daughter of Job-3 and Meribah (Carder) Potter. From the obituary of Lydia (Goff) Burleson, we learn that when she died 8 August 1803, she left "... a very aged grandparent, ..." (11 August 1803, Otsego Herald of Otsego, New York, New York State Historical Library, Cooperstown, Otsego County, New York; microfilm transcription by Donald G. Hinman). It does not appear likely that this reference could refer to one of Lydia's maternal grandparents; therefore it probably refers to one of her paternal grandparents, Nathan or Mary. Either Nathan's death date of 1810 or Mary's of 1821 as reported in secondary sources must not correct. Nathan's death date is more probable and the information is more detailed; pending further research I conclude that he is the "aged grandparent" who survived Lydia. Nathan, a Minute Man in civil service, was a justice in Coventry 1 March 1771 and 26 December 1776 when he performed marriages. Nathan served in the American Revolution as a Lieutenant under Captain Isaac Greene and Ensign Joseph Colvill.

Children, all born in Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island:

4. i. David-4, b. 13 May 1747; m. Almy Card. ii. William, b. 30 July 1748; m. (1) Sally Webb; m. (2) West Greenwich, Kent, RI 1771/72 Almy Cummings, probably migrated to Pownal, Bennington Co. VT; settled in Otsego Co., NY before 1794. iii. Anthony, b. 3 July 1753; m. (1) Dorcas [Baldridge]; m. (2) Polly Fenton. iv. Elizabeth, b. 21 Sep 1755; m. Rufus Johnson. v. Freelove, b. 9 Nov 1758; m. Abel Mattison. vi. Job, b. 22 Nov 1760; d. 12 Dec 1845; m. Zervia Waldo. vii. Abigail, b. 14 April 1764; never married. viii. Nathan Jr., b. 27 July 1766; m. Lois Calkins. ix. Potter, b. 14 Sep 1768; d. Jay, Clearfield Co., PA 12 Nov 1845; m. Rhoda Nichols, b. 26 March 1779, d. 5 Sep 1834, dau. of Jonathan Edwin and Rhoba Phebe (Martin) Nichols (Donna O'Neill, correspondence [2 Feb 2005]). Children, surname Goff: 1. Rhoba Nichols, b. NY 13 April 1799; d. Benezett, Elk Co., PA; m. Joel Woodworth, b. 1804, d. Benezett, PA 1846, son of Capt. William C. and Mehitable (Beal) Woodworth. 2. Alma, b. 4 Feb 1801; d. Burma Dec 1831; m. Eugeon Kinkaid, missionary in Burma and India. 3. Israel, b. 15 March 1803; d. 28 March 1803. 4. Lydia, b. Otsego, NY 20 Jan 1804; d. Orono Township, Muscatine Co., IA 4 Jan 1853; m. April 1822 James Maine Brockway, b. Broadalbin, Montgomery Co., NY 15 July 1797, d. Orono Township, Muscatine Co., IA 9 March 1874, son of Consider Brockway, m. (2) Eliza Snapp Kellow, b. 1800, d. 1878; both bur. Brockway Cemetery, Orono Township, IA.

4. David-4 Goff (Nathan-3, Anthony-2-1) was born at Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island and died in Howard, Steuben County, New York in 1818. He married Almy Card (William-4, Peleg-3, James-2, Richard-1). Almy was born at Coventry in 1743 and died in Howard on 10 May 1832; she was the daughter of William-4 and Mercy (Briggs) Card. Her unusual name may indicate that her grandmother Lydia (_____) Briggs or great-grandmother Ann (_____) Briggs was descended from Rhode Island colonist William Almy. David served in the American Revolution as an Ensign with Lieutenant Joseph King and Captain William Turner. One of David's descendants asserted that "David Goff was a Captain and was taken prisoner with Ethan Allen in Canada." He had settled at Pownal, Bennington County, Vermont between 1772 and 1774; he is listed there in the first census of 1790. (He is listed on Captain McKay's Loyalist list 1777. rb) David and his brother William arrived in Otsego County, New York before 1794. They settled on a farm later owned by Morris and Perez Bolton "between the Flats and Green," (History of Otsego County, New York, 1878, 99). He is listed in the 1800 and 1810 censuses as a resident of Otsego County, New York. The History of Otsego County, New York further, but incorrectly, states that they both "lived, died, and were buried on this farm;" David moved on to Steuben County, New York. While in Otsego County, David served as a supervisor 1794-97 and again in 1800. He probably located at Howard, Steuben County, New York around 1813 with fellow Connecticut native and son-in-law, John Burleson. David Goff's will of 20 March 1818 was witnessed by Greene Hern, Rosannah Hern, Amos Brown and Dorcas Hern and reads as follows:

In the name of God Amen -_I David Goff of Howard in the County of Steuben and State of new york Esquire being considerable advanced in years and in a bad state of helth but of sound mind thanks be to God for the same and calling to mind that it is appointed for al men once to die do make and publish this my last will and testament (that is to say) first of all I recommend my soul into the hands of the God that gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent christian buryal at the discretion of my Executor herein after named and as touching such worldly estate as it has pleased God to bless me with in this life I give and dispose of the same in the following manner (towit) I give and bequethe to my dearly and well beloved wife Almy Goff all my household furniture excepting my desk and a cow and fifty dollars -_also I give to my well belove daughter Betsy Demock if she recovers her claims from government one hundred dollars, but if she does not recover her claims then I giver her one hundred and fifty dollars -_also I give and devise to my son Potter Goff one dollar -_Also I give and devise to my son William Goff five dollars and desire him to lay it out in a string of gold beed for his daughter Polly -_Also I give to my son David Goff five mills and that I think is as much as he deserves -_Also I give to my grandson Russel Burleson five dollars and I desire him to lay it out in a calf or sheep and keep it out to use to the best advantage for his daughter Lydia -_Also I give to my grandson Bethany Rice to be kept to use for son William Rice -_all which shall be paid to them after it becomes due and is collected from Israel Nichols -_also I give to my son Russel Goff all the remainder of my property of every kind consisting of horses, mill irons, charding machine, desk, obligation for money, books and wearing apparel upon the following conditions (towit) that the shall provide for me and his mother a decent comfortable support and nursing both in sickness and helth sutable for people in our situation during our natural lives and defray our funeral charges and pay the several sums as legacies within mentioned to the several persons mentioned to receive them and also pay what debts I owe -_I hereby appoint my said Russel Goff Executor and my beloved wife Almy Goff Executrix to this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former will by me made -_In witness whereof I have hereunton set my hand and seal the twentieth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eighteen hundred and eighteen -_Signed, sealed, published and declared by the testator to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the testator.

Children, first child born at Coventry, Kent County, Rhode Island, remainder born at Pownal, Bennington County, Vermont:

* i. Lydia-5, b. 16 Aug 1772; d. Burlington, Otsego Co., NY 8 Aug 1803; m. John-5 Burleson (Edward-4, John-3-2, -Edward-1), b. at West Greenwich, Kent Co., RI 8 June 1766, d. probably in Howard, Steuben Co., NY 16 April 1847, son of Edward-4 and Susannah (Bates) Burleson. See Edward Burleson of Suffield, Connecticut for more information. ii. Elizabeth "Betsey", b. 13 Sep 1774; d. after 20 March 1818; m. Jehial Dimmick. iii. Potter, b. 13 April 1776; d. after 20 March 1818. iv. William, b. 5 May 1778; d. at Pownal, Bennington Co., VT 8 June 1778. v. William, b. 25 Aug 1780; d. Howard, Steuben Co., NY 14 July 1859; m. 1802 Harriet Hamilton, b. Butternuts, Otsego Co., NY 1787, d. probably Howard, NY 1843.

The first grist-mill [in Howard] was built by William Goff, probably about 1813. Mr. Goff settled on the road leading from Bath to Howard, whee he secured the water privilege at that place, known ever since the erection of his mill, as Goff's Mills. (Roberts, 415)

Children, surname Goff: 1. Job, b. Otsego Co., NY 1803; d. probably Hornell, Steuben Co., NY 1887; bur. Hope Cemetery, Hornell, NY; m. 15 Nov 1832 Rozilla Hanks, b. 1810. 2. Polly, b. 1805; m. 1823 Zimri Burnham. 3. Jehial. b Otsego Co., NY 2 May 1807; d. 19 May 1825. 4. Gerusha, b. 23 Dec 1809; d. 1829; m. her first cousin, Nathan C.-6 Goff (Russell-5, David-4, Nathan-3, Anthony-2-1), son of Russell-5 and Sally (Calkins) Goff. 5. Potter Dolby Hamilton, b. Goffs Mills, Steuben Co., NY 1811; d. 15 Feb 1887 Dundee, IL; m. Kortright, Lavantia Halsey. 6. Cameron, b. Howard, Steuben Co., NY 1813; d. 1883; bur. Hope Cemetery, Corning, Steuben Co., NY; m. (1) Lydia Morse Watson; m. (2) Jennie _____. 7. Henry B., b. Howard, NY 8 Aug 1816; m. 10 Oct 1837 Minerva B. Smith, b. 1813. 8. Warren William, b. Howard, NY 10 May 1818; d. Canisteo, Steuben Co., NY 29 March 1894; m. 5 Oct 1839 Lucina Pixley, b. 17 Sep 1820, d. Canisteo, NY 24 Nov 1912. 9. Washington, b. Howard, NY 15 Nov 1821; d. in infancy. 10. Hosia A./Hosea B., b. 1825; d. 1889; m. Mary E. Parkhill, b. 1831, d. Howard, NY 1865. 11. Harriet A., b. 1828; m. Alkilik Bennett, b. 1823. vi. David E., b. 19 Aug 1782; d. after 20 March 1818; m. Nancy Day. vii. Russell, b. 7 Aug 1786; d. at Youngstown, Mahoning Co. OH after 20 March 1818; m. (1) Sally Calkins, sister of Lois (Calkins) Goff; m. (2) Anna (Sammons) Pixley. Children, by Sally Calkins: 1. Pliny, b. St. Lawrence Co., NY 1805; m. Magdalena Vorheese, dau. of Luke Vorheese of Howard, NY (Roberts, 417). 2. Emma, m. Lewis McConnell. 3. Nathan C.; m. his first cousin, Gerusha Goff (William-5, David-4, Nathan-3, Anthony-2-1) b. 23 Dec 1809, d. 1829, dau. of William-5 and Harriet (Hamilton) Goff. 4. Caroline, m. William H.-4 Stephens (Leander-3, Joshua-2, Henry-1), b. Norway, Herkimer Co., NY 1807, d. 1885. 5. Lois. Children, by Anna Pixley: 1. Henrietta. 2. Fanny. 3. Marietta. 4. Eliza. viii. [Peter], if he was a child of David and Almy (Card) Goff as named in secondary sources he probably d. young; not mentioned in father's will or obituary of Lydia (Goff) Burleson. ix. [Morris], b. about 1795; if he was a child of David and Almy (Card) Goff as named in secondary sources he probably d. young; not mentioned in father's will or obituary of Lydia (Goff) Burleson.^[1][2]

Sources

1. ↑ This document is Copyright 1999 by Perry Streeter. It may be freely redistributed in its entirety provided that this copyright notice is not removed. It may not be sold for profit or incorporated in commercial documents without the written permission of the copyright holder.
2. ↑ https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/89323779/person/430012843945/media/11e69a15-3411-4090-a3bd-3adfebc37a3b?_phsrc=lmU10057&usePUBJs=true