Wesley Goss: Even More Restless!

Wesley Goss has been a challenge.  Fortunately he lives passed the 1850 U.S. Federal census so he can be traced.  Wesley was restless moving to Iowa about 1840,  but from that point on he at least stayed in Iowa.   He moved around the state and was in the following counties:  Henry, Keokuk, Mahaska, Woodbury, and Clay. 

Wesley was born the 16th of March 1815 in Washington County, Ohio and he married Elizabeth Evans who was born October 26, 1816 either in Vermont or across the St. Lawrence river from Montreal. 

He died of old age on 10 October 1896 and Elizabeth passed 28 July 1901, in Spencer, Clay County, Iowa.  They are buried in the Riverside Cemetery, Clay Co., Iowa.

FindAGrave has a listing for Wesley and Elizabeth and the IAGenWeb has a partial listing that does not include Wesley and Elizabeth:  http://iagenweb.org/clay/cemriverside.htm

“Wesley spent his boyhood days on his father’s farm and acquired such education as only could be had at that time in the common schools.  After three years of farming near Marietta, Ohio, Wesley and his family moved to Iowa.  He took two yoke of oxen and a covered wagon and followed the old corduroy road through Indiana.  The family camped at Chicago, that city then (1839) consisting of a few fishermen’s shacks.  The family settled near Mt. Pleasant,  Henry County, Iowa, but soon moved to a more favorable location near Lancaster, Keokuk County, where Wesley built a flour mill on the Skunk River.  In 1861, the family moved to a farm near Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa. 

While there, Wesley enlisted in a military company known as the “Gray Beards,” for service in the civil war.  He was not permitted to go to the front however, as it was believed that his two sons then at home were too young to properly work the farm. 

 Again greener pastures called Wesley Goss in 1869, when he moved to Peterson, Clay County, Iowa.  During the winter of 1869-70 they lived in the village.  M.E. Griffin, a prominent resident of Clay County, boarded with the family during the first winter.  Mrs. Goss told him that he could pay his board of $25 per month when he made good — and he did both.  The following spring, Wesley took a homestead four miles north and one mile east of Peterson in a community later known as “Yankee.” 

 After retiring from the farm, Mr. Goss made his home for a time in Correctionville, Iowa, and later in Spencer, Iowa.  In 1894, he went to Salt Lake City, where he visited a son for several years.  Upon his return to Spencer, his health began to fail, and Oct. 10, 1896 he passed to the great beyond.  The funeral was held in the Spencer M.E. Church, Rev. Kennedy officiating, assisted by Rev. Thrush of the Congregational Church.  The Masonic fraternity, of which he was a member, conducted the services at the grave in Riverside Cemetery.  He was born of Christian parents, united with the Methodist Church at an early age and was an active worker in the denomination, frequently conducting services himself when no minister was available.  In addition to his church and fraternal interests, he was active as a politician and held the offices of School Treasurer, Postmaster at Yankee and County Supervisor of Clay County.” *

The children of Wesley and Elizabeth are as follows:

1.  Eliza Almeda Goss born 3 March 1837.

2.  James Gilbert Goss born 5 July 1839 in Washington Co., Ohio and died 24 October 1926 in Ollie, Keokuk, Iowa.  He is buried in the Ollie Cemetery there.  He married Eliza Reynolds, daughter of Benjamin Cornwall Reynolds and Sara Lowers.  She was born 16 February 1841 in Peru, Miami Co., Indiana. 

Eliza and James had 10 children: 

1.) Gilbert James Goss 1863-1885 Oakland Cemetery in Ollie, IA.  I am not sure about this cemetery so it may need to be checked.

 2) Lois Almeda Goss 1866-1962. She married an Isaac Lincoln Smith and had 5 children:  Gertrude Almeda Smith, Lillian Mildred Smith, Monroe Oliver Smith, Arminta Lola Smith, Althea Smith.

3) Addie May Goss b 1866 married Leslie McCargar and had Gladys and Harold

4) Joseph Edward Goss b. 1868 married Luzette Richardson and had Mildred, Edward, and Ardith

 5) Laura Ann Goss 1872-1873

6) Emma Viola Goss b. 1874 married Dick Richardson and had no children

 7) Lucy Jane Goss b. 1876 married a Harry Fox and had Dolly

 8) an infant son born and died 1878

 9)  Edith Rose Goss b. 1880 married a Sam D. Crary and had Merrill, Gordon and Robert; and

10) Leona Goss 1884-1894.

The following excerpt was written by James Gilbert Goss:

“I was nine months old when we crossed the Mississippi River.  My cradle was a clothes basket.  Tige, the dog, watched over me and wouldn’t let any one touch the basket.  My first school was at the Henderson Schoolhouse in Clear Creek Township.  I think I was 7 years old when I first went to school.  At 14 years of age I walked from our house to New Lincoln to stay with my grandparents, taking lessons under my uncle Homer Goss, an invalid at the time.  Then my mother and father moved back to New London, Henry Co. where I continued going to school.  An uncle, Dr. James Maynard, and family lived closed to Solomon Goss who were farmers in the vicinity.  When Emily and Olive Maynard, my cousins, went to school and church, I took each by the hand, walking between them on the rails of the railroad and steadied them while they walked a mile and a quarter to church and school.  On Saturday when home from school, I helped Grandfather Goss husk corn and put it in the crib.  When a very small boy, grandfather would call me to stand between his knees and sing old hymns from the Methodist Hymnal.  One hymn was “Lord, in the morning, Thou shalt hear my voice ascending high, to thee will I direct my prayers; to thee lift up my eyes, and oh for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise.”  He was a grand old Methodist, belonging to the Methodist Church at New London and his family took care of the ministers in their home.  In 1868 moved from Keokuk County to Clay County, accompanied by J.H. Reynolds and family, where he took up claims of government land 6 miles north of Peterson.  Two sons Will and Chell and daughter Ella were still with him at home.”  Written by James Gilbert Goss, date unknown.”*

Obituary of James Gilbert Goss:

“James Gilbert Goss was born July 5, 1839 in Hardin County, Ohio and died at Ollie, Iowa, October 24, 1926 at the ripe old age of 87 years.  On the 18th day of May, 1862, he was married to Eliza Ann Reynolds at Lancaster.  On August 18th of the same year, he enlisted in the Federal Army and became a member of Co.I, of the 40th Iowa Infantry Volunteers and served faithfully until August 2, 1865.  On his return from the Civil War, Mr. and Mrs. took their residence on a homestead near Peterson, Iowa where they resided for several years.  Then they moved Des Moines and a little later to Ollie, Iowa, near the home of their youthful days.  They spent the rest of their lives and around Ollie.  Mr. Goss has been a devout Christian practically all of his long life.  He has given freely of his time, money and energy to work of the church.  The militancy that he learned in the service of his country he carried into the work of the Lord and thus he labored until overtaken by old age and infirmity.  His constant happiness is shown in the songs he always sang: which he sang a week before he passed away.  The Rev. Pettit, a former pastor, now of Des Moines had charge.  Burial was made in the Ollie cemetery.”*

FindAGrave: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Goss&GSiman=1&GScid=95730&GRid=48116619&

3.  Mary Adeline Goss, born 10 May 1841.

4.  Charles Wesley Goss born 22 September 1842

The Iowa State Census for 1844, places Wesley in Keokuk Co., Iowa.  This is statistical with the following people in the household designated as numbers: 1, 2,3, 6. Roll IA_117. Ancestry.com.

5.  Lucy Mariah Goss born 9 August 1845

6.  Solomon M. Goss born 3 March 1848, died 1861 Talleyrand, Keokuk, Iowa and is buried in the Talleyrand Cemetery.  http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Goss&GSiman=1&GScid=96470&GRid=18982157&

7.  Elizabeth Lucretia Goss born 11 April 1850

The 1850 U.S. Federal Census has Wesley living in District #26, Keokuk, Iowa, Roll #M432_185, pg. 271, Image 542. Ancestry.com. 

Line 29: 693/728: Wesley Goss, age 35 male, farmer $740, born Ohio. Elizabeth Goss age 32 female, born NY. James G. Goss, age 11, male, born Ohio, Mary Goss 10, female, born Iowa. Charles W. Goss, age 8, male, born Ohio. Lency Goss age 6, female, born Iowa, Solomon Goss, age 2, male, born Iowa. Elizabeth Goss, 2/12, female, born Iowa, Eliza A. Goss age 13 female born Iowa.

8.  Olive Angeline Goss born 19 May 1852

The Iowa State Census for 1852 Wesley is in Clear Creek Twp., Keokuk Co., Iowa, Line 22, Roll IA_119, Ancestry.com.  It is statistical and reads:  Males 4, Females 4, Voter 1, Militia 1, total 9.

The Iowa State Census for 1854 we find Wesley is still in Clear Creek Twp., Keokuk, Iowa again it is statistical with 4 Males, 6 Females, 1 Voter and 1 Militia for total of 10.  Line 4, Roll IA_121, Ancestry.com.

9.  William Harlan Goss born 2 February 1855

10.  Chalapha George Goss born 28 February 1858 in Clear Creek, Keokuk Co., Iowa.  He married Anna Jane Huston and had at least two children:  William H. Goss and C.G. Goss. Jr.  (Clear Creek was a township in Keokuk prior to 1880).

A cousin sent me an article on Chalapha from the Salt Lake Tribune, Sunday Morning, April 22, 1945, pg. 8B, Column 1-3. “Native Iowan Pioneer’s Son, Loyal Utahn Knows Life,” by Old Timer.  There is a photograph of this man. What follows is only a portion of a very large and detailed article of this man’s life.

“Chalapha George (Chell) Goss was born on Clear Creek homestead, Keokuk County, Iowa, Feb. 28, 1858, son of Wesley Goss, born in 1815 and Elizabeth Evans born in 1817.  It was his grandfather, Solomon Goss, who floated down the Ohio river on a barge and named Marietta, Ohio after his wife, Marietta.  C. G. Goss’s father and mother had made their way, with him and one other child to Iowa by ox team.  His first log school-house was known as the Shin Bone school.  When the family moved to Oskaloosa, Mahaska county, Iowa, he attended the Gospel Ridge school.”

11.  Ella Rhodavel Goss born 14 January 1860

*Source:  The information given above was found in the “Goss Family and other files, ” FHL#940938, Items 4-5.  One of the papers was the “Goss-Reynolds Family,” by Gertrude Smith who lived in Pittsburgh. It is a typed written manuscript.  This is only a portion of what was in the documentation.  The article about Wesley above, the comments from his son James and the obituary did not have any sources indicated as to their original origin, dates, etc..   There are inconsistencies in the paragraphs above so please check with the census and other source documents. 

The 1860 U.S. Federal Census for Clear Creek Township, Keokuk, Iowa, NARA Roll #M653_329, Pg. 87, Image 88, Ancestry.com.

Line 18, 618/619 Wesley Goss, age 45, male, farmer, $800, 600, Ohio. Elizabeth age 43, female, New York, James C. age 21, male, Ohio. Mary A, age 19, female, Iowa. Charles W, age 17, male, Iowa. Lucy, age 15, female, Iowa. Solomon M. age 12, male, Iowa. Elizabeth F, age 10, female, Iowa. Angeline, age 8, female, Iowa, Amilan, age 6, male, Iowa. Mellville, age 4, male, Iowa. Ella age 5/12 female, Iowa.

The 1870 U.S. Federal Census places Wesley and Elizabeth in Clay County, Iowa, NARA Roll M593_383, Page 120, Image 240, Ancestry.com.

Line 9, 21/21 Goss, Wesley, age 54, m. white, farmer $1000, $1300, Ohio. Elizabeth age 53, female, white, keeping house, New York, mother of foreign birth. Elisabeth S, age 20, female, white, school teacher, Iowa. William H. age 14, male, white at home, Iowa. Chalapatha age 12, male white, at home, Iowa. Ella, age 10, female, white, at home, Iowa, last 3 in school.

The 1880 U.S. Federal Census places Wesley and Elizabeth in Peterson, Clay Co., Iowa, Roll T9_333, FHL#125433, pg. 20, SD4, ED 59, Ancestry.com.

Line 24, 168, Goss, Wesley, White, Male, age 65, married, farmer, born Ohio, father born PA, mother Ohio. Elizabeth, W, Female age 63, wife, married, keeping house, born NY, father NY, mother Canada. Anderson, Benj. W, Male age 12, servant, at home, born Iowa, father Ohio, mother Indiana. Pickering, Orra, White, Male, age 18, servant, farm laborer, born Wisc, father Tenn, mother Indiana.

The 1885 Iowa State Census has Wesley in Correctionville, Woodbury, Iowa, Roll #IA1885_280, Line 29, Family #79, Ancestry.com.

Line 29, 78/79 Frank Davis, East Correctionville, age 21 Male, Single, Born Illinois, N, N, military duty, vote. Wesley Goss, age 69 male, married, born Ohio, N, N, vote. Elizabeth Goss, age 68, F, married, born New York, N. F. Ella Goss age 22, F, Single, Teacher, New York, N, N.

The 1891 Iowa State Census has Wesley living in Spencer, Clay Co., Iowa.  #IA_124, Line 23. Goss, Wesley, Goss, Elizabeth, Ella, W.H. C.G. Emma.

I did not do any probate, birth, death, deed or other research on Wesley and his family.  I have no photographs of their tombstones. 

Please note that the information given above on this family was dated in the early 1970′s.  Hopefully someone has found additional information since that time that includes vital records and more.  So please use this as a guide only!

When I traveled to Iowa in 2003 and visited the State Historical Society, I did not know about Solomon Goss (Jr.) and Polly’s move to Iowa. I learned about it when I saw a note about Wesley, their son, moving to Iowa in the tax records of Hardin County, Ohio.   Be advised that the Iowa State Historical Society has two locations, one in Des Moines and another in Iowa City.  Each covers certain geographic areas of the state.  The state genealogical society called the Iowa Genealogical Society is located in Des Moines near the State Historical Society.  See the Favorite Links – Iowa on the right side of this blog for more information on these archives.

Photo:  The Iowa State Historical Society in Des Moines. This is the main archive and it covers the rest of Iowa.  It has a great newspaper collection and so much more.

Photo:  Iowa State Historical Society Archive in Iowa City on the university campus.  This archive covers the eastern part of Iowa.

Iowa’s State Capital

In summary:  I am a curious person and would like to dig further into this family of Solomon Goss and Polly Devol Goss but time and money is always a consideration.  The other issue is focus, I have other goals.  If I make it back to Iowa, I will do a little more digging because I won’t be able to resist and spend a little more time pinning down the inconsistencies in the stories and determining what happened to all those children.   If you know more about this family and would like to comment, please do!  If you have a link with more information, I would be happy to present it here for others to find you.

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A Wish Fulfilled: Solomon and Polly Goss’s Graves & sister Mary!

Sometimes I think I have a genealogy angel watching over me.  Recently I have been very blessed.  A cousin found me on this blog and she has been very kind and very helpful.  She went out and found the tombstones of Solomon Goss (Jr.) and Mary (Polly) Coburn Devol Goss!  Next to them was Solomon’s sister Mary Goss!! 

Talk about a genealogical happy dance!

The following tombstone photographs were taken by Pat Stoudt a descendant of Virda Huston Spracklin,* a half-brother to my Amarilla Spracklin Barclay. 

Solomon and Polly are buried in the Burge Cemetery in New London, Henry Co., Iowa.  The book by Jerry Devol that I featured in my post of January 29, 2012 “A Little About Mary “Polly” Coburn Devol Goss!” is not correct.  It states that they were buried in Oskalooska, Mahaska County, Iowa. 

Solomon’s will was probated in Henry Co., Iowa and they are in the 1860 U.S. Census there and it all makes better sense!  See the last post about Solomon Goss (Jr.) estate file.  

The Burge Cemetery is west of New London in Henry County off of Main Street and sandwiched between Oasis Avenue and 257th St.  New London is south of Iowa City and located in the southeastern part of Iowa.

A sign for the Burge Cemetery, Henry Co., Iowa!

Burge Cemetery Sign off 260th

Plaque on the pillar for the Burge Cemetery!

Plaque Pillar - Back Entrance

Overview of the Burge Cemetery!

Overview of Burge Cemetery, Goss Stones!

The three stones stand together!

The Goss Stones!

Find A Grave has a listing for Mary Goss d. 1859, Mary S. Goss d. 1865, Solomon Goss d. 1864 and Harriet M. Goss Maynard the daughter who died 1880.  I think some of the listing is not correct?   http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=685810  There are no photos of the tombstones at this site.

Solomon Goss (Jr.) stone, apparently it had been reattached?  It is difficult to see the dates it is so close to the ground.   

Solomon Goss the Son of Solomon & Olive Goss

This is a closer look and you can make out 1864!

Close up of Solomon's stone

The next stone is of Mary C. Goss wife of S. Goss.  It is definitely a C, not an S as listed at FindAGrave.

Mary C. Goss (Polly Coburn Devol)

Mary Goss, the sister!

Mary Goss, sister to Solomon and daughter of Solomon & Olive Goss

FindAGrave has her years as 24 yrs.  I think it reads 84 which would be more accurate! Here is a close up! (Click on the photographs and they will be made larger.  Remember to click your back button to return to this post!) 

This gives a death of April 6, 1859.  See my post dated December 18, 2011, “Mary Follows her Brother Solomon Goss to Iowa!”  I did not have this information when I published that post so this is good news.   

Closer Look at Mary Goss' tombstone

 

Mary Goss, the top of the stone. The sister!

Here is another overview of the Burge Cemetery, New London, Henry Co., Iowa:

I would like to thank Pat for taking the time to go to this cemetery and take these great pictures.  It is not easy to photograph tombstones!   I am glad she had fair weather.  It looks like it is well-kept and that is good news!  I wish I could have gone!  I so love to find my ancestors graves! 

Harriett Goss Maynard is also at the Burge Cemetery, she is a daughter of Solomon and Polly Goss. Here is a link to the Iowa Gravestone Photo Project with a picture of her tombstone:

http://iowagravestones.org/gs_view.php?id=225869

The main page for the Burge Cemetery but I am not finding anyone other than Harriett. Iowa Gravestones website:

http://iowagravestones.org/cemetery_list.php?CID=44&cName=Burge

*Virda Huston Spracklin is discussed briefly in the posted dated December 2, 2011 “Sarah and Daniel’s Family, the second Family!  This post is written on my blog: The Barclays of Pine River: The Lives of George and Amarilla Barclay.  I am slowly working my way to revealing more about the full and half siblings of my great-grandmother Amarilla Spracklin Barclay Dawes Urton on the Barclay blog.  A link to this blog is on the right side panel under Blogs I like!

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A Tip:  This website “The Families of Dennis W. Brumm“ has photographs of some of the Burge Cemetery tombstones and a map showing its location, as far as I can tell no Goss are listed.  It is a very nice and worth checking out there is so much more presented there.  Go to the top of the website  and just above the picture is a Find drop down menus and more: 

 http://brumm.com/genealogy/showmap.php?cemeteryID=4&PHPSESSID=c3e93e92c3c24992994b731071eb1146

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The End Comes: Solomon & Polly Goss Rest Peacefully!

The son of Solomon and Olive (Scott) Goss left his childhood home and headed for greener pastures.  He left Washington County, Ohio about 1832 and headed for Hardin County, Ohio.  He lived there till after 1841 and followed his son Wesley to Iowa.

In 1860 we find Solomon living in Henry County, Iowa. 

Line 1, 2184/88, 1995/95, Sol Gofs, 72, M, Farmer, $4000, $800, PA. Mary Gofs, 65, F, born Ohio. Homer Gofs, 21, M, Farmer, 150, 200, born Ohio.

Line 4, Family 1924/96/ Mary Davis, 36, F, not known. Wilber Davis, 4, M, Iowa.

Source:  1860 U.S. Federal Census, New London Twp., Henry Co., Iowa, pg. 279, July 23, 1860, John S. Bartneff, enumerator, P.O. New London, Ancestry.com.   I do not know what relationship the Davis family if any to the Goss family.

The IA GenWeb for Henry County, Iowa has a transcription of a directory for some of the areas of Henry Co., Iowa for 1859-1860, by Watson Brown Publisher, transcribed by Pat Ryan White.  If you scroll down to New London and then a little further down you will find Solomon Goss listed in the township. 

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~iahenry/hendir1860maritosalem.htm

Solomon Goss (Jr.)  died 1 November 1864 and Polly passed about April 1865.  The Devol book by Jerry Devol featured in the last post, has him passing in Oskaloosa, Mahasaka Co., Iowa?  I have tried to verify the burials but with little success checking both Henry County and Mahaska County online sources.  Published records have yet to be searched. 

Update:  The tombstones of Solomon & Polly Goss have been found. They were buried in the Burge Cemetery in New London!  See the post to follow for the details. 

The interesting fact is that Solomon’s  probate and will are in Henry Co., Iowa?  

The estate file for Solomon Goss (Jr.) consists of the following documents: 

• Vol. G, pg. 560-561 – Proving of Will FHL#964924, Friday Dec. 8, 1865 December term.
• Vol. G, pg. 401 Notice of Publication ,
• Vol. G, pg. 485 Appt. of Administrator and Bond, FHL#964924:  Administration was granted to Charles F. Devol as Special Administrator on Nov. 11, 1865 November term.
• Probate Journal Vol. I, pgs. 8 to 12 Report of Sale of Real Estate, Full Record, Notice Proven FHL#964925;
• Probate Journal Vol. J, pg. 576 to 579 Report of Administrator;
• Vol. H, pg. 286-291 Inventory, Report of Appraisers, Report of Sale, Appt. of Regular Executor FHL#964924; March Term 1866, March 19th.  March 10, 1866 by C.E. Devol.
• Record of Heirs FHL#964934 Item 2;  W. Gofs, Daniel Goss, Homer Gofs, Eliza Sawtell, Harriet Maynard, Mary Adaline’s son Solomon B. Hare.  His wife Mary C. Gofs is mentioned in the will.
• Will Record Vol. B, pg. 124-125 FHL#965935.
• Deed of Conveyance by Executor to George Van Beck dated 12 of July 1866, sale of real estate.

Source:  Probate Records 1847-1868, Henry Co., Iowa, FHL films.  V. G-H 1865-1866, #964924; V. I 1866-1867 #964925; V. J-K 1867-1868 #964926 and Indexes to probate papers disposed of, no 1 964934 Item 1 and v. 2 1920-1937 Item 5964935.

The Will of Solomon Goss (Jr.)

Regular December Term 1865 Friday December 8th page 561

Will of Solomon Gofs dec’d

Know all men by the following that I Solomon Gofs of New London Henry County State of Iowa feeling many infirmities and old age coming on do desire to arrange my worldly businesf in the fear of God so as to give my wife and family as little trouble as possible when life shall cease I wish my body to be buried in a plain and Humble manner and after my funeral expenses and debts are all paid I wish my wife Mary C. Gofs – to have and to hold one third of my property personal and real estate what I may leave then wish Twenty dollars to be given to the Missionary Society of the M.E. Church – I then wish any remaining property to be equally divided between my remaining children with this consideration that Wesley Gofs has had one hundred Dollars the receipt is among my papers. And I wish it to be so arranged as to give my grand son Solomon Beverly Ware one half as much as one of my own children. Solomon Gofs –

The foregoing will of Solomon Gofs was this day Signed and acknowledged by the Testation in our presence and we at his request in his presence & into the presence of each other do sign the same as witnesfes – John P. Grantham, G. Thompson.

I Solomon Gofs of Henry County Iowa being as heretofore of sound mind & memory do hereby make the following change or alteration in my will within made by me on the 13th day of February 1860 to wit I hereby change the item of twenty five Dollars give to the Missionary Society of the M.E. Church so as to make it read Fifty Dollars instead of Twenty five. Witnefs my name the 29th of Jany 1861. Solomon Gofs.

The above change or alteration of the written will is this day subscribed in one presence by Solomon Gofs and we in his presence and at his request sign the same as witnefses date above. John P. Grantham, Francis White.

Notes:  Please understand that they use the spelling with the elongated “S” that looks like an “f” in this court clerk version of the original will.  The name is spelled “Goss.”  I try to write it as they did back then.

Summary page of the heirs (click on the photo to make it larger, remember to hit the back button to return to this post - see the list of films above and realize there is more detail in the films.  I am only showing a small portion of the estate file.  I started with the index and worked through the films at the Family History Library.

Record of Heirs Nov 1, 1864

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Additional Information:

Suggestions:  Here are two great sources for graves in Iowa.  One is from the WPA Work Project which was very helpful to me in the published version when I visited Iowa in 2003 and I am glad to see it is now on line: http://iowawpagraves.org/index.php 

The other is the Iowa Gravestone Photo Project:  http://iowagravestones.org/

A wish:  If someone has a picture of Solomon and Mary’s tombstone(s) and location I would be very happy to receive a copy and if they wish, post it here on this blog with their name as contributor.  

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The Family of Solomon and Polly Goss!

Solomon Goss (Jr.)  was the 4th child and a second son of Solomon Goss and Olive (Scott) Goss.  He was about 6+ years old when his father left Luzerne County, Pennsylvania and headed west to Ohio. 

The use of the junior with his name is only to him to keep him separate from his father Solomon Goss senior.  I have seen it a couple of times in written documents where they are designated in this manner. 

Solomon Goss, the son, was born 5 May 1788 in Pennsylvania.   I do not have any bible or birth documents that give proof of these birth dates for Solomon’s children.  In some cases it is due to the destruction of records because of the Revolutionary war and the land squabbles in Pennsylvania.  I have tried to find these types of documents but so far I have not been successful. Instead I have relied on those who have gone before me like Flora Montanye Osborn did back in the 1950′s.  (She is in the list of categories to the right where I have written about her articles.)  

He must have made an agreement with his father about 1815 to stay on the land in Washington County, Ohio.  He appears only as a witness on deeds involving his other siblings regarding the land in Knox County, Ohio.   

Solomon Goss (Jr.) married on the 19th of November 1812 to Polly Devol (Mary Coburn Devol).

S. Goss and P. Devol Marriage

Polly was the daughter of Gilbert Devol Jr. and Mary Coburn.  Polly was born 5 July 1795 in Marietta, Washington Co., Ohio.  The Devol’s were a very large family and of some importance in the Marietta area.  Polly’s father Gilbert Devol was a son of Gilbert Devol Sr. and Anne.  Her mother was the daughter of Asa Coburn and Rhoda Baker.  I will talk more about the Devol family in a later post and share what I do know and give some ideas for seeking more information. 

Marriage Book 1

Source Marriage:  There are several sources for Washington County marriages. 

1) Ohio Marriages, Recorded in County Courts Through  1820: An Index, compiled and published by the Ohio Genealogical Society, 1996. The Goss listings are on pages 405-106.  

 2) Washington County, Ohio Marriages, 1789-1840, by Bernice Graham, Elizabeth S. Cottle and sponsored by the Marietta Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington County.  Goss names are on pg. 119-120.   This book is also at the FHL #977.198 V2g. 

3)  Washington County Marriage Records, Probate Court of Washington County, V1-3, Marietta, Ohio FHL#0941958.  NOTE: The Courthouse in Washington County has the books in a special room next door to the Probate Office where you get permission to research.  These records are copies of the books not the originals.  

Washington County Courthouse, Marrietta, Ohio

 The children of Solomon Goss and Polly [Coburn Devol] Goss:

1.  Eliza Goss born 4 Sep 1813  in Washington County, Ohio and died Sept. 1892.  She married a George Sawtell. 

Line 32, 657, 686, George Sawtell, 45, M, Farmer, 7000, England, M. Eliza Sawtell, 36, F, born Ohio, M. John Sawtell, 18, M, Farmer, born Virginia, S. William Sawtell, 16, M, Farmer, Virginia, S. George F. Sawtell, 14, M, Virginia, S. Mary Sawtell, 12, F, Virginia, S. Gilbert Sawtell, 10, M, Virginia, S. Samuel Sawtell, 9, M, Virginia, S. Henry Sawtell, 9, M, Virginia, S. Ann Sawtell, 7, F, Virginia, S. Loisa Sawtell, 5, F, Virginia, S.  (next page) James Sawtell, 3, M Virginia.  Ellen Sawtell, 1, F, Virginia.

Source:  1850 U.S. Federal Census, 44th District, Ohio, Virginia, Sept 5, 1850, B. Kelley, NARA Film M432_966; page 46B; Image 99, Ancestry.com. Note:  This area of the 44th District is now in West Virginia in the county of Ohio. 

UPDATE:  August 26, 2012 – A descendant of this family informed the writer of this blog, that Eliza was formerly named “Elizabeth.”  That the name Sawtell had and “e” on the end before it was dropped.  “George Sawtell was from Somersetshire, England and came with his father in 1820 at the age of 16 in a sailing vessell to America.  They were out of sight of land for 7 weeks.”  Please feel free to contact the me if you would like more information and I will be happy to connect you. 

2.  Wesley Goss 16 March 1815 in Washington County, Ohio and died 10 October 1896 in Spencer, Clay Co., Iowa.    He died 10 October 1896 in Spencer, Clay Co., Iowa. He married Elizabeth Evans before 1837.  Elizabeth was born 26 Octobr 1816 very close to the Canadian border or maybe in Vermont?  She died 28 July 1901 in Spencer, Clay Co., Iowa.  Both are buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Clay County, Iowa.  They had 11 children.  Wesley was even more restless than his father moving around Iowa a great deal.  I will discuss him in a separate post. 

3.  Harriet Melissa Goss was born 9 March 1817 in Washington County, Ohio and died 12 December 1880 in Henry County, Iowa.  She  married a James W. Maynard.  According to the Iowa Gravestones Project online, Harriett is buried in Burge Cemetery, Henry Co., Iowa.  http://iowagravestones.org/gs_view.php?id=225868 There is a photo of the tombstone.

Line 217, 217 James W. Maynard, 40 M, Physician, 1000, Ohio. Harriett Maynard, 35 F. Emily Maynard, 12, F, Ohio. Olive Maynard, 11, F, Ohio, Marian, M, Iowa, James W., 3, M, Iowa, James M. Hare 1, M, Iowa.  

Source:  1850 U.S. Federal Census, New London, Henry Co., Iowa, August 24, 1850 by [D.B. Post], NARA Film M432_184, page 174B, Image 92, Ancestry.com.

4.  Gilbert Devol Goss  was born 28 September 1820 and died in about October of 1838 in Washington County, Ohio.  He was only 18 when he died.  He didn’t marry. 

5. Milton Goss was born 29 December 1823 in Washington County, Ohio.  Date of death unknown.

6.  Solomon Goss (III) was born the 22 of June, 1825.  He was a twin.  Unfortunately he did not survive and died in July 1825. 

7.  Olive Goss was born the 22 of June, 1825.  The other twin.  She died in July 1825 as well. 

8.  Mary Adaline Goss was born 15 August 1826 in probably Fearing Township, Washington County, Ohio.  She probably died before the 1850 census was enumerated for Henry Co. because her husband and children were living with her father Solomon Goss and family in 1850.  She married a Jacob Hare on 6 October 1846.  They had at least two children:  Solomon B. and James.  Later little James would be living with the sister Harriett in Virginia Iowa – See Harriett’s section above.  

This link for the IA GenWeb Project and lists Henry County marriages 1830-1850 and has Harriett’s marriage which would need to be checked with the actual records at the courthouse: 

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~iahenry/hmarr1836_1850.htm

9.  Leroy Swormstedt Goss was born 7 September 1828 in Fearing Township, Washington County, Ohio.  My information has his death in May of 1851 probably in Iowa, however, he is not showing in the Mortality Schedules and in the 1850 census?? 

10.  Terry Goss was born about 1828 in Ohio according to the 1850 census for Henry Co., Iowa.  Terry is a mystery.  I cannot find him in any census after the 1850?  Could his name “Terry” be a nickname?

Note:  Terry and Daniel Goss are listed as being on the McCully Wagon Train to Oregon in 1853.  Terry would have been 25 years old.  Daniel would be 23, certainly old enough to go on an adventure.   There is a book available for sale at the website link and a list of the members of the wagon train.  

11.  Daniel Goss was born 18 November 1830 in Washington County, Ohio and probably in Fearing township because his father was there in the 1830 Census.  He is found in the “History of Henry County” page 653 in New London as a carpenter in 1879.  This history is at Internet Archive. 

Daniel is listed in the 1850 U.S. Federal Census for Henry Co. with his father and mother. 

I have found in the census for 1860 in Minnesota a Daniel Goss that I think is this Daniel.  I did not have his wife or children in my records so this is an interesting development and when you compare it with the other information it gets more interesting and I get this feeling that if Daniel did go on the wagon train, why is he back in Iowa in 1854?  Did something happen?

Page 231, Line 38, 2015, 1867, Daniel Gofs, 29, M, Carpenter, $300, born Ohio. Mary J. Gofs, 28, F, born Vt. Warren D. Gofs, 7, M, Iowa. pg. 232, L. A. Gofs, 3/12, M, Minnesota.

Source:  1860 U.S. Federal Census for Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., Minnesota, 4th Ward, enumerated [Oct] 7th, 1860,by Wm. L. Chapman, pg. 231 and 232, NARA Film M653_570, pg. 941, Image 498, FHL#803570, Ancestry.com.

There is a Daniel Goss in the 1854 Iowa State Census for New London, Henry Co., Iowa with 1 male, 2 females in the family, at Ancestry.com.   The statistic are not quite right but if you compare the other census you begin to see a trend.

In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for New London Henry County, Iowa

Line 21, 341, 323, Goss, Daniel, 38, M, W, Carpenter, $800, $550, Ohio. Goss, Mary J, 36, F, W, Keeping house, Canada, father of foreign birth, Goss, Warren J, 14, M, W, at. home, Iowa. Goss, Lena, A, 10, F, W, at home, Minnesota. Goss, Nella, 6, 7, W, Iowa.

Source:  1870 U.S. Federal Census, New London, Henry Co., Iowa, pg. 40, P.O. Mt. Pleasant, 27 July 1870 by Mason Bayles, #299. NARA Film M593_395, pg. 299A, Image 603, FHL# 545894, Ancestry.com.

12.  Homer Goss was born 13 November 1838 (maybe 1837) in Ohio.  Homer’s story is a little sad.  His sister Harriett applied to the court 4 May 1868 requesting that a guardian be appointed for her brother ”…a Lunatic.”  As a result a John P. Grantham was appointed his guardian.  Homer appears with his parents in the 1860 census which I will discuss in a later post.  Who is this Mr. Grantham?

Source:  Probate Court, Henry Co., Iowa, Guardianship of Homer Goss, Lunatic, May 4, 1868, Vol. J, pgs. 484, 492, 512 FHL#964926.   

This child is suspect:

13.  Mary Goss was born abt 1842/43 in Iowa. Note:   Polly the mother would be 44 years old so I am doubting this is her child?  She is the last one listed for the family in the 1850 Henry Co., Iowa census for Solomon Goss? I do not know her relationship to the family?   See below.

The Census

The first census that really shows Solomon Goss (Jr.) is the 1830 Federal Census for Fearing, Washington, Ohio.  Even though it is statistical you can try to fit the family members to the census. 

• FWMales Under 5 – 1  (Could be Leroy)
• FWMales 5-9 – 1   (Probably Wesley but he would be 15 or Gilbert Devol?)
• FWMales 40-49 – 1  (Solomon the father)
• FWFemales under 5 – 1 (Mary A.)
• FWFemales 10-14 – 1  (Harriett)
• FWFemales 15-19 – 1  (Eliza)
• FWFemales 30-39 – 1 (Polly the mother)
• FWPersons under 20: 5
• FW Persons 20-49: 7
• Total 7

Source:  1830 U.S. Federal Census, Fearing, Washington, Ohio, pg. 354, NARA Roll M19-141, FHL #0337952.

Here is the statistics for the 1840 U.S. Federal Census for Hardin County, Ohio for Solomon Goss.  Please notice that he left Washington County, Ohio and moved to Hardin County, Ohio.  This census proved harder to fit the family to the statistics and I am not sure I did a a very good job!

• FWMales Under 5 – 1  (Homer would be 2 years old.)
• FWMales 5 thru 9 – 1  (Daniel but I have him at 10 years?)
• FWMales 10-14 – 1   ( Terry Goss be 12, Leroy would be 12)
• FWMales 50-59 – 1   (Solomon head of this family)
• FWFemales 10-14 – 1  (Mary Adaline would be 14 years)
• FWFemales 15-19 – 1   ????
• FWFemales 40-59 – 1   (Polly Devol mother and wife)
• FWPerson under 20 – 5
• FWPerson 20-49 – 1
• Total 7

Source: 1840 U.S. Federal Census, Dudley, Hardin County, Ohio, Roll #401, Page 153, FHL#0020167,  Ancestry.com

The following information from the 1850 U.S. Federal for Solomon Goss. 

Line 20, 79, 79, Solomon Goss, 62, M, Farmer, 1500, Ohio. Mary Goss, 51, F, Ohio. Terry 22, M, farmer, Ohio. Daniel Goss, 20, M, farmer, Ohio. Homer Goss, 13, M, Ohio. Jacob Hare, 30, M. Carpenter, Ohio. Solomon B. Hare, 2 M, Iowa. James, 6/12, M, Iowa. Rachel Barnett, 16, F, Ohio. Mary Goss 7, F, Iowa.

Source:  1850 U.S. Federal Census, New London, Henry Co., Iowa, pg. 164, NARA Roll #M432_184, Ancestry.com.

Please note that I made a mistake in the last post titled “Mary Follows her Brother Solomon Goss to Iowa!” regarding the 1850 Census.  I made the correction in the post.  I had Mary living with her brother and she wasn’t.  The correct information for the 1850 Census for Solomon Goss (Jr.) is indicated above.

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I have had the good fortune to visit the Family History Library in Salt Lake City on several occasions and I discovered a source for this family that is reflected above in the children’s information.  I have added the census to it and I will let you decide.   

Source:  Goss Family & Other Files – Philip Goss immigrant ancestor, born 1664, LDS Film #940938 Items 4-5)

This is a exchange of letters and family histories regarding the Goss, Devol, Spracklin and Cooley surnames and others around 1970-1973 with various repositories in Washington Co., Ohio. 

The information I have shared here on Solomon Goss and Polly Devol’s children and Wesley Goss was contained in the family history of the “Goss-Reynolds Family Genealogy” a part of this series of correspondences. It was written by a Gertrude Smith, of Pittsburgh, who was the daughter of Lois (Goss) Smith, a great-granddaughter of Polly.  The history was donated by a Robert S. McCargar whose paternal grandmother was Addie (Goss) McCargar.  More of this file will be shared in the appropriate place in future posts.

page 1 of the Goss-Reynolds History: 

Solomon Goss, Jr., married Nov. 19, 1812 [Mt.Harmon] [Point Harmar] O., to Mary Colburn Devol.  Died Nov. 2, 1864. Mary Colburn Devol – Born July 5, 1795, died April 1865. 

Children 

	Born	Died	Married
Eliza Goss	Sept. 4, 1813	Sept. 1892	George Sawtell
Wesley	Mar. 16, 1815	Oct. 1896	Elizabeth Evans
Harriet Melissa	Mar. 9, 1817	Dec. 1880	Jas. W. Maynard
Gilbert Devol	Sep. 28, 1820	Oct. 1838
Milton	Dec. 29, 1823
Solomon 3rd	June 22, 1825	July 1825	Twin
Olive	June 22, 1825	July 1825	Twin
Mary Adaline	Aug. 15, 1826	July 1851	Mr. Hare
Leroy Swarmstedt	Sep. 7, 1828	May 1851
Homer	Nov. 13, 1838
Daniel	Nov. 18, 1830

Gertrude Smith does not give her sources.  Mr. McCargar thought it was probably her mother Lois (Goss) Smith and the sister Edith (Goss) Crary who provided the information. Terry is not mentioned in their list.  Mary Goss, the 7 year old, is also not listed although they are in the 1850 Census with Solomon Goss and Polly. You can compare what I have above with what is listed by Mrs. Smith. 

Warning:  My interest in Solomon Goss (Jr.) and his family was to see if he would lead me to more information about his father and mother Solomon and Olive (Scott) Goss.  I do not claim that I know this family well and the research is by far not done to my complete satisfaction, so please take what I have written and doublecheck it and draw your own conclusions. 

In the next posts I will describe more of my finds regarding Solomon Goss (Jr.).   

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Mary Follows Her Brother Solomon Goss to Iowa!

Some time around 1845 Mary Goss moves to Mt. Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa. 

Iowa County Map

Once again Mary gets involved with land transactions on her own.  What follows are two deeds, one in 1845 and another in 1850. I have transcribed them from the film of the court clerk’s books to the best of my ability. 

GM [Teas & wife]
To M. Gofs
Deed

This Indenture, made and entered into this twenty fifth day of February in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and forty five between George W. Teas and Sarah S. his wife of the County of Henry and Territory of Iowa of the first part and Mary Gofs of the same place of the second part.  Witnesfeth that for an in consideration of the sum of Twenty five dollars to them in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby confessed and acknowledged the said party of the first part has this day bargained and sold and doth by these presents bargain, sell and convey unto the said party of the second part Lot No (5) five in Block No. (13) thirteen in the Town of Mount Pleasant situated in the County and Territory aforesaid. Together with all and singular the hereditainments and appurtenances thereunto belonging to have and to hold unto her the said Mary Gofs her heirs and afsigns forever and the said George W. Teas doth covenant to warrant and will forever defend the title to the above described Lot – In witness whereof the said party of the first part have hereto set their hands & seals. George W. Teas (Seal), Sahar S. Teas (Seal) 

In the presences of John P. Grantham.

Territory of Iowa, Henry County [Sct.] I John P. Grantham, Deputy for E. Killpatrick Clerk of the District Court for said County do hereby certify that George W. Teas & Sarah S. Teas his wife whose names are subscribed to the above deed of conveyance and who are known to me as parties thereto personally appeared before me and acknowledged the execution thereof to be their voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein expressed. And the said Sarah S. Tease having the contents of the said deed explained to her acknowledged apart from her husband that she relinquished her right of dower in the real estate therein described without compulsion or under influences of her said husband.  (Seal) Given under my hand and seal of the Office the 25^th day of February A.D. 1845.  John P. Grantham Deputy for E. Killpatrick Clerk. Record 25^th February A.D. 1845 John P. Grantham RHC.

Deeds:  Henry Co., Iowa Feb. 15, 1845, Vol. D, pg. 517 FHL#964769.

 Five years pass and Mary is once gain involved with land!

Gofs
To
Stockton
Deed

This indenture made this Sixteenth day of October in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and Fifty Between Mary Gofs of the county of Henry and State of Iowa of the first part – And Thomas I. Stockton of the County and State aforesaid of the second part.  Witnefseth, That the said part of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of Four Hundred & Seventy five dollars to her paid by the said part of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged has granted, bargained, sold, released and conveyed – And by these presents does grant, bargain, sell, release, and convey to the said part of the second part, & to his heirs and assigns.  Forever all of two certain pieces or parcels of Real Estate situate, lying and being in the county of Henry and State of Iowa and known designated and described, as follows, to wit – The East half of the South East quarter of Section 25 – Township [15] North of Range 7 West containing 80 acres, more or lefs.  Also Fifteen acres off of the South side of the North half of the West half o the South East quarter of Section Twenty one, Township 15 north of Range seven West containing in the whole 95 acres be the same more or lefs. Together with all the privileges and appurtenances to the said Real Estate in any were appertaining and belonging; To Have and To Hold the above granted premises: to the said party of the second part and to his heirs and assigns to his other’s use and behoofs Forever – And the said party of the first part for herself & her heirs does convenant with the said part of the second part & to his heirs and assigns that she is lawfully secured in fee of the afore granted premises.  That they are free from all encumbrances – That the said party (page 148) of the first part, has good right to sell and convey the same to the said party of the second part, as aforesaid. And that she will and her heirs & executors, shall Warrant and Defend the same to the said part of the second part and to his heirs and assigns against the lawful demands of all persons, In Testimony whereof the said party of the first part, has hereunto set her hand and seal, the day and year first above written, signed, sealed and delivered in the presences of John P.Grantham N. Lathrop.  Signed Mary Gofs (seal)

State of Iowa, Henry County SS:  On this day personally appeared before me, the undersigned clerk of the District Court for said county Mary Gofs who is personally known to me to be the identical person described in, and who executed the foregoing Deed of conveyance as grantor therein and acknowledges the signing and sealing as the same appear thereto to be her free and voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein expressed.  (Seal) Given under my hand and seal of the court affixed at Mt.Pleasant the Sixteenth day of October A.D. 1850.  John P. Grantham, clerk of said court.  Recorded 16^th Oct. A.D.1850.  W.M. Snyder [R….Cl]

 Source:  Deeds Henry Co., Iowa, Book J, pg 147, FHL#964771, Oct. 16, 1850.

UPDATE January 5, 2012 – This is not correct – Mary is not living with her brother Solomon in 1850. 

In the 1850 U.S. Federal Census, Henry County, Iowa we find Mary living with her brother Solomon Goss (Jr.). in Henry County, New London Twp., pg. 164, Roll M432_184, Ancestry.com.

Solomon Goss, Jr. age 62 born 1787, bp Ohio; Mary Goss, age 51, est by 1798, bp Ohio; Leroy Goss, age 22 est. 1827, bp Ohio; Daniel Goss age 20, est. 1829, bp Ohio; Homer Goss age 13, est. 1836, bp Ohio; Mary Goss age 7, est. 1842 born in Iowa; Mary Goss, age 65, 1784, born Pennsylvania. 

She is on her own living in Mt. Pleasant, Henry Co., Iowa. 

Line 14, 342, 342, Goss Mary, 65, F, 300,  Pennsylvania,

Source:  1850 U.S. Census, Mt. Pleasant, Henry Co., Iowa, NARA Film M432_184, page 183A, Image 109, 27th Day of August 1850, A. B. Porter, Asst Marshall, Ancestry.com.

The 1854 Iowa State Census for Henry County shows statistics and I believe it is Mary Goss.  She is living in Mt. Pleasant, Henry Co., Iowa and is listed as head of household (Line 30, Roll IA_121, Ancestry.com).

We follow with the 1856 Iowa Census for Mary Goss and find her at 70 years old.

pg. 476 – Salmon C. Rodgers age 20 M. married, 0 yrs in state, Born Ohio, Farmer, Voters, Militia. Sarah L. age 19 Female married, 0 years in state, born Ohio, Mary Goss age 70, Female in state 10 years, born PA.  Roll IA_56 Family #182, Ancestry.com

The Rodger or Roger family may be a link back to Ebenezer Goss, younger brother to Solomon Goss and his descendants but at this time I do not know that link for I have not studied the Roger’s family that closely. 

Getting old is never easy and on the 12 September 1857, Solomon Goss (Jr.) was made the guardian for Mary Goss in a document titled:  Inquest of Insanity. 

Upon satisfactory proof being made to the court that Mary Goss is incapable of taking care of herself or her property and by reason of her physical debility could not be brought to the court ordered that Solomon Goss, by appointed guardian of the said Mary.  Whereupon the said Solomon Goss gave Bond in the penal sum of sixteen hundred dollars with [ ] Maynard as security approved by the court, and was duly sworn and confirmed according to law. Ordered that said guardian, give notice of his appointment in the courthouse and other public places in the county.  

Source:  Probate Records, Henry County, Iowa, Vol. D, pg. 311 FHL#964922

Not long after on April 13, 1859 a brief note appears in the court books regarding the estate of Mary Goss.

On application to that effect and cause therefor being shown, it is ordered by the court that Solomon Goss be and he is hereby appointed administrator of Mary Goss deceased.  Therefrom the said Solomon Goss gave bond in the penal sum of eight hundred dollars with H. W. Maynard as security, which was approved by the court and he was duly sworn according to law.  It is also ordered by the court that the said administor give notice of his appointment by posting up notices, at the courthouse and two other public places in the county.  And said Administrator is authorized to sell so much of the said personal property as he may deem proper, and in said terms as to him may seem best.  It is further ordered by the court that Isaac P. [Cove], Francis Alter & James H. Stephens be and they are hereby appointed appraisers of the personal property of said estate.

There was only 3 pieces of paper regarding the estate of Mary Goss, there are no dates on these next two pieces. 

Estate of Mary Goss dec.  On this day Solomon Goss administor of the Estate of Mary Goss dec’d filed his report of the condition of said Estate showing a balance of in his hands subject to order of distribution of $26.88 which report is approved by the court. 

Followed by the Inventory and report:

Solomon Goss administor of the Estate of Mary Goss dec’d and makes the following report which is filed same [        ].

To Cash left by the deceased $25.00. To cash for personal property as the appraisement $76.13, Total $104.13.  One note given by [Chas A of W. Viney] dated June 25, 1858 given the day after date drawing [oper cent Int.]  $200.00.  One note given by Daniel Goss dated Jan 26, 1857 due one year after date with 10 per cent int from date for $200.00.  Jany. 29th 1861 Probate fees paid $3.00, 5 percent commission $19.20.  My share of the Estate being 1/5th $19.20.  Bal. cash in my hands $76.73. 

Said balance [  ] due to the following heirs as follows:  Daniel Goss (brother of Deceased) 1 share $19.19.  Heirs of Lake Deceased 1 share $19.19.  Levi Goss 1 share $19.19.  Heirs of Lydia Spracklin deceased 1 share $19.19.    Source:  Henry Co., Probate Records, Vol. D pg. 395, 528, 602, FHL#964922.

If we study the dates we can determine that Mary passed sometime between September of 1857 and 1859.  She outlived her two sisters and we know from this probate file that Daniel and Levi are still living.  Again there is no mention of David. 

Where Mary is buried in Henry County is unclear.  I cannot find her at this time, but I assume she is buried there because Solomon (Jr.) and his wife Mary are still living there according to the 1860 census for Henry County, Iowa. 

Update:  Mary’s tombstone and burial location has been found.  She is buried next to her brother Solomon Goss and sister-in-law Mary C. Goss in the Burge Cemetery in New London, Henry Co., Iowa.  Find the Cemetery category and click on Burge Cemetery on the right side of this blog.

I ponder what Mary would have been like.  Finding her in the records is very unusual for a woman, but very rewarding.  Her bond with her brother Solomon must have been strong for what would have compelled her to leave her home in Washington County to travel to Hardin County and then onto Iowa?

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Note:  When I visited Iowa in April of 2003 I traveled to and did research in several repositories like the State Historical Society for Iowa which has two offices, one in Iowa City and the main one in Des Moines.  I was at both for several days.  The Iowa Genealogical Society is also excellent and located in Des Moines near the Archives.  I traveled mostly through the southern part of Benton County and the north part of Iowa County my emphasis was on finding Daniel Spracklin, Lydia’s son.  Another stop was the Iowa County Genealogical Society which was in the basement in the tiniest room I have ever seen at that time, but they have moved since.  See the links on the sidebar.

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Mary Goss, School Teacher!

Mary Goss was a school teacher.  She is mentioned in the History of Washington County. 

“Mary Goss taught a small school of young children in an old log barn.”  History of Washington Co., Ohio, pg. 688,  C. Williams & Bros, 1881.

She was a daughter of Solomon and Olive (Scott) Goss and was born 4 March 1785 probably in the area that Connecticut claimed ownership of which we know as Luzerne County.  The area eventually went under the ownership of Pennsylvania in 1786.  

Again for Mary Goss, the actual date of birth comes from the manuscripts of Flora Montanye Osborn, a cousin of mine.  Flora is a descendant of Levi Goss, a younger brother.

1.   ”Additions to the Cooley Family,” The Detroit Society for Genealogical Research Magazine, Vol. VII, No. 1, Sept-Oct, 1943.  This magazine can actually be found in a large public library, or the Family History Library.  You can contact the Burton Historical Collection at the Detroit Public Library.

2.  ”Keziah Cooley Goss Chapter of the D.A.R., May 3, 1942, Yearbook 1943-1944, FHL#940938 Items 4-5.” 

3.  Notes of Flora Montanye Osborn DAR Goss Family File: Flora writes: “I have a song book which states “From Mary Goss of Washington Co, Ohio to Mary Goss of Lenawee Co., Mich.”)   

Note:  The Mary Goss of Lenawee Co., Michigan is a daughter of Levi and Sophia Rummersfield who married Joseph Rice Flora’s grandparents.

Mary’s father, Solomon Goss, deeded land to her just like he did to her brother Noah and her sister Elizabeth (Goss) Lake.  Date of deed 19 April 1815:

Deed of Solomon Goss of Fearing Twp., Washington Co., Ohio to his second daughter Mary Goss (Gofs) for $100 (50 acres). Witnesses were Simon Porter and Solomon Goss, Jr. and Joel Tuttle JP. Description of the land: ” …certain tract or parcel of Land, Situate and being in said State of Ohio in the Fourteenth Range and Sixth Township of the United States Military land so called, containing fifty acres being part of a tract of four hundred and fifty acres of Land deeded to me by Zaccheus Biggs the 28th July 1802, Refference thereto being had, butted and bounded as follows beginning at the South East corner of a Tract of land this (day) deeded to Elizabeth Lake, Thence West Twenty Four Chains to Lands this day deeded by me to Levi Goss, Thence South Twenty Chains 83 1/3 Links, Thence East Twenty four Chains, Thence North Twenty Chains 83 1/3 links to the place of beginning….”

Source:  Knox County, Ohio Deeds, Vol. B-C, pg. 274-275, FHL#314037.

Not too many years later Elizabeth Lake husband Andrew decided to sell their share of the land in Knox County to Mary.  Here is a transcription of that deed to the best of my ability in being able to read the interesting spellings and legalese. 

Andrew Lake
Deed to
Mary Goss
Rec’d for Record
Jany 5^th 1818
 

To all people to where these Presents shall come.  Greetings:  Know ye, That we, Andrew Lake and Elizabeth his wife of Washington County and State of Ohio, for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred Dollars, lawful money to use in hand  before the ensealing hereof  well and truly paid by Mary Goss of the same County and State.  The receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge, and ourselves therewith fully satisfied and contented. Have given, granted, bargained, sold, alien, conveyed & confirmed and by these Presents do freely fully and absolutely give, grant, bargain, sell, alien, convey and confirm unto her the said Mary Goss, her heirs and assigns forever, a (page 6 ) certain tract or parcel of land situate and being  in the said [County] of Ohio, in the fourteeth range and tenth Township of the United States Military land (so called) containing fifty acres being part of the tract of land containing four hundred and fifty acres, deeded to Solomon Goss on the 28^th of July 1802 by Zaccheus Biggs.  The land hereby conveyed abutted and bounded as follows:  Beginning at the north east corner of said tract of four hundred and fifty acres running thence West four chains to lands belonging to Noah Goss.  Thence south twenty chains 33 1/3 links: thence East 24 chains; thence North 20 chains 33 1/3 links to the place of beginning, being the said land conveyed to said Elizabeth Lake by Solomon Goss, April 19, 1815. 

To Have and to Hold the said granted and bargained premises, and all the appurtenances, privileges and commodities to same ___ anywise belonging to her the said Mary Goss, her heirs and assigns forever to her and their only proper use, benefit, and behoof forever in fee simple and we the said Andrews and Elizabeth Lake for ourselves, heirs, executors and administrators, do convenant to and with the same Mary Goss her heirs and assigns that before the ensealing hereof ___ she true sole and lawful owners of the above bargained premises and are lawfully seized and possed of the same in their own proper as a good perfect and absolute estate of Inheritance in fee simple have full forever and authority to sell and convey the said bargained premises, in manner as aforesaid, and furthermore do convey and engage the above demised premises to the said Mary Goss___  and assigned against the lawful claim or demands and persons or persons whatsoever forever hereafter to Warrant, secure and defend by these presents.

In Witness thereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this 26^th day of December, in the year of our Lord one hundred and sixteenth.  Signed, Sealed and Delivered in the presences of Geo. Dunlevy, Elizabeth Cogswell.  Signed Andrew Lake (Seal) Elizabeth Lake (Seal)

The State of Ohio Washington County ss.  At Marietta, Dec. 26 A.D. 1816.  The above named Andrew Lake and Elizabeth Lake his wife the signers and sealers of the above instrument personally appeared and acknowledged the same to be their free and voluntary act and deed before me and the said Elizabeth being examined freely and apart from her said husband relinquished all right to dower and other estate in the fee conveyed by said Deed.  Certified mg. Aug 28^th, 1817 Sardius …….. State of Ohio Washington County ss.  I George Dunlevy Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas within and said County do hereby certify and make know that Sardius…who hath signed his name to the annexed certification was at the —– his signing and certifying the matters and things in the same certification and was act this being is an acting Justice of the Peace within and forever duly elected, commissioned and qualifying agreeable to the said State and that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all things by him, this certificate – as well in Courts of Justice as Elsewheres.

In testimony Whereof I do hereunto set hand and affix my official seal at Marietta in said County this first day of December A.D. one thousand eight hundred and seventeen.  Geo. Dunlevy, Clerk. (Seal).

Source:  Deed Book 1, 1843 Recorders Office, Knox County Annex, Mt. Vernon, Ohio, 2011.

Mary appears years later as a witness on a deed in 1835 involving land being sold to Peter Spracklin.  Her brother Solomon Goss (Jr.) is also a witness.  

Wine Rood. Grantor, to sell land in Dudley Twp. to Peter Sprantlen Grantee of Hardin Co., Ohio. Description: “…The east half of the south east quarter of section No. Twelve (12), in Township No. (5) Five, south of Range No. 12 Twelve in the District of Delaware containing 80 acres more or less…(Signed by Wine Rood and witnessed by Solomon Goss and Mary C. Goss 1834).

Note:  Peter Sprantlen’s name is spelling very different here but it is still the Peter Spracklin who is the father-in-law of Lydia (Goss) Spracklin sister to Mary Goss. 

Source:  Hardin County, Ohio Deeds, Vol. A, pg. 366-368 (373-375), FHL# 913819,

Jump ahead two more years to 1837 and Mary Goss appears in the deed records.   This time it is in Knox County, Ohio.  In this deed she is the grantor and she is selling land to John Spracklin of Knox County. 

Deed: Mary Gofs of Union Twp., Washington Co., sold land to John Spracklin of Knox Co. on Jan. 24, 1837 and recorded in August 12, 1837. The deed was for $250. Witnesses were S. Bartlett and Andrew Lake. Description of Land: ” …following described lots a parcel of land to wit, one tract situate in said State of Ohio, in the fourteenth Range and Sixth Township of the United States Military lands, so called, containing fifty acres, bounded as follows beginning at the South East corner of a tract of land deeded the 19 of April 1815 by Solomon Gofs to Elizabeth Lake, hence that 24 chains to lands deeded to same day by Solomon Gofs to Levi Gofs, hence South 20 chs 38 1/3 links, thence East 24 chains, then North 20 chs 83 1/3 links to the place of Beginning, likewise one other tract of fifty acres deeded by Elizabeth and Andrew Lake to me 26th Dec 1816 situate in the aforesaid Military lands in Range 14, Township Sixth, both of these tracts were conveyed to Solomon Goss by Zacheus Biggs on the 28th of July 1802, being a part of four hundred and fifty acres conveyed by said Biggs to the said Solomon Gofs on that day.” 

Source:  Knox County, Ohio Deeds, Vol. R. pg. 354, FHL #314044.

Mary will follow her brother Solomon Goss (Jr.) and his family to Iowa.

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Solomon and Olive Goss’s Family!

It is now time to turn to my research on Solomon and Olive (Scott) Goss, my 4th great grandparents, who lived their lives during major conflicts like the American Revolution, the Wyoming Massacre and the Connecticut and Pennsylvania land wars.  Life was probably good when they were young children but once their parents decided to move to the Wyoming Valley near the Susquehanna River in about 1769, things got very interesting and probably difficult? Connecticut claimed the area and Pennsylvania was not happy.  Then about 23 years later Solomon left Pennsylvania around 1792-1793 and headed for Ohio which was virgin lands. 

Wyoming Valley!

The marriage date for Solomon and Olive’s marriage is given as 25 June 1776.  Unfortunately and even with a lot of searching I have not found a primary source for this marriage and a location.  I have tried vital and church records for Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania.  I have studied every possible piece of history about the Wyoming Valley area.  I would call it a comprehensive search but not necessarily exhaustive.  I visited the Wilkes-Barre area, Connecticut and Massachusetts investigating their resources but nothing has come up on this marriage. 

So I have placed their marriage in Plymouth, now Pennsylvania, across the river from Wilkes-Barre based on their parents land holdings at the time and land records for Solomon Goss.* I refer you to the map above (Microsoft Streets & Trips).  Click on the map and it should open up into a bigger screen, just remember to hit the back button to return to this blog. 

I will discuss Solomon and Olive’s earlier years in more detail in the future and their origins, so this topic of their marriage will be revisited.  If anyone has any primary or even a secondary source (church, bible)  for this marriage and a location please leave a comment. 

The Second Continental Congress voted in favor of independence on July 2, 1776, so they married just days before this momentous event.   Here is a link to a timeline about the American Revolution.

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimeline.htm

Try this link for the conflict over the land between Connecticut and Pennsylvania as a start: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennamite-Yankee_War

Wyoming Massacre: http://www.colcohist-gensoc.org/Essays/wyomingmassacre.htm 

The Susquehanna River - Wilkes-Barre 2008

Solomon and Olive had a family of seven (7) children.

1.  Elizabeth Goss was born 9 December either 1777 or 1778 in the Wyoming Valley probably in Plymouth.  She married Andrew Lake on 17 May 1798 (1797?) in Washington County, Ohio and raised a large family.  Andrew and Elizabeth are buried in the Rainbow Cemetery in Washington County, Ohio.  

2. Noah Goss was born 24 June 1782 probably in the Wyoming Valley (Plymouth).  As far as I am aware Noah never married.  Noah died the 18th of July 1833 and  is buried next to his sister Lydia in the Green Valley Cemetery in Knox County, Ohio. 

3.  Mary Goss was born 4 March 1785 probably in the Wyoming Valley (Plymouth).  Mary didn’t marry but she followed her brother Solomon Goss (Jr.) to Hardin County, Ohio and then to Iowa and is buried probably in Henry County, Iowa.  She died before the 13th of April 1859 in Mt. Pleasant, Henry Co., Iowa. 

4.  Solomon Goss  was born about 5 May 1788 probably in the Wyoming Valley (Plymouth) in Pennsylvania.  He married Mary (Polly) Coburn Devol on 19 November 1812 in Washington County, Ohio.  They lived on his father’s land till about 1832 when Solomon sold it an migrated to Hardin County, Ohio settling near Peter Spracklin the father of his brother-in-law John Andrews Spracklin who married his sister Lydia.  For ease of identification I usually refer to him as “Jr.”  Solomon Goss (Jr.) died 1 November 1864 in Oskaloosa, Mahaska Co., Iowa (death provided by an online source).  Back in 2003 I traveled to Iowa.  I did not blog about that trip so I will share in future posts. 

5.  Daniel Goss was born 23 September 1790 per his tombstone.  He died 18 November 1868 in Belpre, Washington County, Ohio.  He married  Lydia Ackley on 13 August 1813 in Washington County.  He is buried in the Rockland Cemetery in Belpre, Washington County, Ohio.  Lydia Goss is listed in the death records of Washington County as passing on the 20th of October 1873 in Belpre, Washington County, Ohio.  I do not know where she is buried?

6.  Levi Goss or rather the Rev. Levi Goss was born 22 October 1793  maybe in the Wyoming Valley or somewhere on route with his parents to Ohio.  He married Sophia Rummerfield (no record yet found) probably in northern New York state and he died on 31 March 1872 in Medina Township, Lenawee County, Michigan.  He is buried with his family and wife in the Goss Cemetery west of Morenci, Michigan. I visited Levi on a earlier trip to Ohio in 2007 and I will share what I found in later posts. 

Levi is the great-grandfather of Flora Montanye Osborn.  Flora contributed to the research on the Goss family back in the 1920′s to the 1940′s.  She was a member of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) and Mayflower. She corresponded with Paul H. Goss who wrote many manuscripts and articles on the Goss Family.  In the future, I will write about these two individuals and their contributions to the body of knowledge of the Goss family. 

7.  Lydia Goss was born 8 June 1796 probably either in what was eventually called Cincinnati or maybe in what became Dayton, Ohio? The history books of the Montgomery County area state that another male child was the first-born in Dayton?  One of Lydia’s children’s obituaries told the story that Lydia was the first child born in Dayton!  More on this in a later post.  Lydia married John Andrews Spracklin on the 19th of July 1819 in Washington County, Ohio.  She and John are buried with Noah and Ida in the Green Valley Cemetery in Knox County very close to the land that was bequeathed in a deed in 1815 to Lydia by her father Solomon Goss.  Lydia and John A. Spracklin are my 3rd great grandparents and this is my link to the Goss family through her father Solomon. 

8.  David Goss was born probably sometime in the late 1790′s in Washington County but so far no record has been found of his birth or his death which might be about 1810 in Fearing Township, Washington County, Ohio? I will discuss David a little more in a future post.  Not much is known about David but he is usually confused with his brother Daniel. 

NOTES:  Susquehannah was spelled with an “h” at the end in the beginning and then it was later dropped. 

The Wyoming Valley is located in Northeastern Pennsylvania and I found this online series of maps that might help to show it in more detail:  http://www.mapcenter.org/community/wv-model.html  My map above is not as detailed and I am focusing more on the area that was specific to the Goss, Scott and allied families.

*******

Sources:   Here are the general categories of the sources used: Washington County, Ohio vital records, Washington County Cemetery Records, cemetery visits, tombstone photographs, the manuscripts and articles of Paul H. Goss and Flora Montanye Osborn, DAR Applications, compiled indexes, estate files, county history books, deeds, tax lists,  U.S. Federal Census, family histories and more.  Each child and their family will be discussed in more detail in future posts with sources. 

*If you have ancestry in this area of Pennsylvania that has been discussed in this post, you will need to study the writings and books of Donna Bingham Munger.  Her Connecticut’s Pennsylvania “Colony” 1754-1810 Volumes:  Proprietors, Settlers and Claimants are a must.  This link to Amazon has them for sale.  However, you should be able to find copies in your local large library, archive or genealogical society.  Donna, my friend, took many sources and created a detailed index of the land records for the area.  I have seen some of these sources and they are not easy to read.  This three volume set can be of great help to researchers .   

http://www.amazon.com/Connecticuts-Pennsylvania-Colony-Susquehanna-Proprietors/dp/0788442392

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