William Gowen, [John4, William3, Thomas2, Mihil1] son of John Gowen and Mary Keife Gowen, was born about 1731 in Stafford County. He removed to Lunenburg County, Virginia on the North Carolina border along with his parents and brother about 1750. It is believed that he was married about 1752, wife's name Mary. Shortly afterward he appeared in Granville County, North Carolina.
A few months later William Gowen and his family moved back across the state line to rejoin his father in Lunenburg County. On February 14, 1761 John Gowen deeded land to "beloved son, William" consisting of acreage which "aforesaid William now lives upon." The land was 200 acres on Great Branch received on the same date by John Gowen in a grant from Gov. Francis Farquier, according to Lunenburg County Deed Book 6, page 379.
William Gowen, about age 30, was a member of the jury panel in the March 1761 court session of Lunenburg County, according to the research of Tim Hashaw of Houston, Texas. William Gowen was chosen as a juror to hear the case of John Mullins vs. Charles Yancey, defendant in a trespass-assault and battery case. The jury found in favor of the defendant and rendered a not-guilty verdict, according to Lunenburg County Court Minute Book 1, page 246.
After six months, William Gowen sold his land to William Hatchel on December 30, 1761, according to Lunenburg Deed Book 7, page 153. The land was described as “100 acres on Great Branch, out of Allin’s Creek, bounded by John Goin, and John Ruffin.” Witnesses were “Sam. Young, Wm. Roffe, and Peter Sandefur.” This deed was recorded February 2, 1762.
Six months later, on July 6, 1762, William Gowen was a resident of Orange County, North Carolina when he sold to Francis Nowell for £45 an additional 100 acres in Lunenburg County which adjoined the 100 acres that he had sold in December, according to Lunenburg County Deed Book 7, page 302-04. The land was located “on the great branch of Allen’s Creek, adjacent to William Sandefur.” This deed referred to “John Goin’s old patent line.” The deed was recorded on July 6, 1762.
In November 1763, Alexander Gowen, regarded by Paul Heinegg as an uncle of William Gowen, Jr, filed a complaint against him in Orange County Court, according to Minute Book 1, page 232. The particulars of the complaint, when found, might reveal additional information.
"William Gowen" received a land patent for 300 acres in Cumberland County, North Carolina, "on both aides of Pocket Creek." "William Goins" appeared as "1 white taxable" in the 1767 tax list of Cumberland County.
"William Goings" was the head of a household in adjoining Moore County, Fayette District, page 44, according to "Heads of Families, North Carolina, 1790." The "1790" census of North Carolina was actually taken in the late 1780s. The household was recorded as:
"Goings, William white male over 16
white female
white male under 16
white female
white male under 16
white female
white male under 16
white female
white male under 16
white female"
"William Goings," free colored, was the head of a household also in Fayette District, Moore County, page 43. It was recorded as "10 free colored persons," according to "Heads of Families, North Carolina, 1790." This second entry as "free colored," apparently a duplicate, may have been made by the enumerator to avoid criticism.
Mention of the William Gowens families in Moore County appeared in "Ancient Records of Moore County, North Carolina:”
"By strange coincidence, there were two Goings families in Moore County in 1790, one being white; the other listed under the heading of "all other free persons," that is free negro, mulatto or Indian. Both families were headed by “William Goings.” One William, of course, the white one, was later made a justice of the peace for the county. Within the writer's recollection, some of those families held themselves above association with negroes, and their white neighbors accepted them as several notches above their black brethren.
An examination of the 1850 census will show the increase in this clan, all of whom are there listed as mulatto. Briefly, the Goings were classed exactly as were the so-called "Lumbee" Indians of Robeson County. In later years, certain of these families intermarried with negroes, and their descendants now living in Moore County are as black as the pot. Others, however, has maintained the complexion and characteristics of their more ancient ancestors. The free family lived on or about Pocket Creek, in Lee County [organized from Moore County and Chatham County in 1907] or between there and Lemon Springs.
The writer's father once pointed out to him their location and casually remarked, 'they were not negroes, but probably Indians.' What became of the white family of Williams Goings, the writer has been unable to determine. A few years ago, a writer in the "Saturday Evening Post" wrote a story on the 'Melungeons' [maybe from the French 'melange,' a mixture] who had a colony on the Clinch River in North Central Tennessee, and among whose members were Goings. The description of these people would apply almost 100% to those of Robeson County. How did the Goings get 'way up there?"
An inventory of the estate of "William Goan" was itemized in Moore County Will Book A, page 322 and 323 in the late 1780s. His probate papers, if found, might reveal much about the family.
Children born to William Gowen and Mary Gowen are believed to include:
William Gowen, Jr. born about 1754
James Gowen born May 31, 1755
Daniel Gowen born about 1756
Bryan Gowen born about 1757
John Gowen born about 1759
William Gowen, Jr, son of William Gowen and Mary Gowen, was born about 1754, probably in Granville County, North Carolina. He was brought to Lunenburg County, North Carolina about 1761 and then to Orange County, North Carolina about 1762. His father's family removed to Moore County, North Carolina about 1767. By the early 1770s, he and his brothers had joined other family members in Fairfield County, South Carolina.
"William Going" appeared in Orange County records on May 15, 1764, according to the research of Col. Carroll Heard Goyne, Jr. He appeared afterward in Tryon/Rutherford County, North Carolina by May 22, 1773.
"William Going" appeared in the 1782 tax list of Capt. Whiteside's Company of Rutherford County, owning 350 acres of land. This indicates that William moved from Orange County to Rutherford County before the other family members signed the petition for partition of Orange County, according to Col. Goyne. He wrote:
"The Gowens [who signed the 1773 Orange County partition petition] moved from the northern part of Orange County before 1782. Alexander [probably the younger] moved to Rutherford County and resided in the same district as William. The others named [except Alexander Sr.] moved to Fairfield County. It appears that the William Goyen of Tryon/Rutherford County, records is the same William seen in Fairfield County, records. In any event, the William of Fairfield County, served in the same militia company in 1782 as the other Goyen/Goynes of that county."
"William Goyen" enlisted in the Third South Carolina Regiment July 24, 1776. This regiment became a "quota regiment" and became part of the South Carolina Continental Line. In the February 1, 1780 muster, William Goyen was shown as serving in the command of Col. William Thompson, according to National Archives Microfilm M-853, Roll 16. National Archives responded that the service record of William Goyen could not be located.
"William Goyen" filed a claim stating that he had served in the militia in 1782 under Capt. Charles Lewis.
"Daniel Goyen and William Goyen" appraised a gun that was put into Revolutionary service by Moses Hollis in 1780. The gun was used "in publick service under General Sumpter;" appraised to 1 pound, 10 shillings. The gun was used in service under Capt. Lewis for 12 days during June 1780. The gun was used for 18 days during July 1781 "under Lieut. Hollis. Daniel Gowen and William Gowen appeared before Chas. Pickett, J. P. to acknowledge making the appraisal. Daniel Gowen was able to sign his name; the signature was "Daniel going" William Gowen signed with an "X" for his mark.
"William Goyen, Daniel Goyen and John Goyen" were serving in the South Carolina militia under Lt. John Hollis. Later when they were drawing compensation for their audited accounts, "William Goyen" was identified as "Account 3018" and his brothers were identified as Account Nos. 3015 and 3017.
On December 4, 1783, William Goyen received payment for 50 days duty in the South Carolina militia in 1782 under the command of Capt. Charles Lewis. His service was certified by Capt. Lewis before Charles Pickett, J.P.
In 1785 "William Goyen" and William Gladden appeared in court in connection with a claim of "John Goyen" for a horse lost in the service. The two witnesses testified that they had appraised the horse.
Col. Carroll Heard Goyne, Jr. of Shreveport, Louisiana who researched William Goyne of Fairfield County concluded that he was the same William Goyne who lived in Rutherford County, North Carolina before and during the Revolutionary War. Col. Goyne wrote:
"On our June 1995 trip a special effort was made to compare the records of Rutherford County, North Carolina to those of Fairfield County, South Carolina. Our purpose was to determine if William's name appeared on a document on the same, or nearly the same, date in both counties. While the presence of a William, Jr. in Rutherford County, complicated the issue somewhat, it appears very possible that the William Goyne who lived on First Broad River in Rutherford County was the same William who served with the Fairfield County militia.
Most certainly, the Rutherford County William Goyne was related to the Fairfield County Goynes. This is confirmed by the actions of Alexander Goyne, who moved from Orange County, North Carolina to live near William in Rutherford County by 1782, then moved to Fairfield County. Alexander then returned to live in Rutherford County.
Amos Gowen, son of Alexander Gowen, was born about 1744, in Lunenburg County, Virginia or Orange County, North Carolina. "Amos Goyne was born in North Carolina [possibly Orange County] of parents unknown," according to a descendant, Lucile H. Sanders of Buffalo, Texas in a letter written August 1, 1989.
In 1773, he joined other members of his family in signing a petition for the partitioning of Orange County, according to "Colonial Records of North Carolina, 1771-1775" Volume 9. His signature was written "Emus Gowen," suggesting that it was written for him.
He was married to Mary Anne Baxter in North Carolina in 1779 and removed soon afterward to Fairfield, South Carolina where a son, Amos Gowen, Jr. was born the following year. His brother, Jeremiah Gowen was born there in 1782.
Amos Goyne enlisted in the militia and was killed in the Revolutionary War. Phillip Alan Gowan of Brentwood, Tennessee wrote December 14, 1995, "According to family tradition, Amos Sr. was killed in the field by Tories in 1785." He was the first husband of one of my maternal great-great-great-great-grandmothers."
Among his estate papers was a note dated November 15, 1779 cosigned by "Amos Goyne" and "John Goyne," identified as his older brother. Another note date February 24, 1780 showed that the signature of Amos Gowen was an "A."
In the same year of his death, his widow was remarried in Fairfield County to Dr. John Byrns who was born about 1755. About 1788, they relocated to Charleston where several Byrns children were born. On November 28, 1786 "John Byrns and Mary Byrns, his wife" applied for the administration of the estate of "Amos Goyen," according to "Camden District, South Carolina Wills and Administrations, 1781-1787."
Their citation was published December 3, 1786 by Ralph Jones. A warrant of appraisement was issued December 19, 1786 "to Andrew Walker, Robert Adams, John Waugh, Henry Rugeley and John Byrns." A bond was posted December 20, 1786 by "John Byrnes, Mary Byrnes, John Turner and James Johnston, all of Fairfield County." John Turner wrote a letter to the court volunteering to be security.
The appraisal was returned to the court January 22, 1787 by Robert Adams, John Waugh and Andrew Walker. John Turner, justice of the peace, presided.
In 1789, John Byrnes and Mary Ann Baxter Goin Byrnes appeared in Charleston in connection with the administration of the estate of "Amos Goin."
On June 18. 1792, "John Burns, administrator of Amos Goyen, decd" was sued by John Turner and James Johnston, according to "Fairfield County, South Carolina Minutes of the County Court, 1785-1799" by Brent H. Holcomb. The case was dismissed by the court on the payment of court costs by the defendant. "John Burns" was ordered by the court July 22, 1794 to renew his bond and security for the administration of the estate of "Amos Gowen."
Dr. John Byrns died in Charleston in a yellow fever epidemic in 1801. About 1805, Mary Anne Baxter Goyne Byrns and her children moved to Cairo, Sumner County, Tennessee, perhaps to join other family members there. John Byrn, James Byrn and Lithey Byrn appeared in Sumner County records in 1808, 1809 and 1810.
Children born to Amos Goyne and Mary Ann Baxter Goyne include:
Amos Goyne, Jr. born in 1780
Jeremiah Goyne born in 1782
Children born to Dr. John Byrns and Mary Anne Baxter Goyne Burns include:
John W. Byrns born about 1785
James Byrns born August 28, 1786
Amos Goyne, Jr, son of Amos Goyne and Mary Anne Baxter Goyne, was born in Fairfield County about 1780. After the death of his father, he grew up in Charleston.
He accompanied his mother to Sumner County, Tennessee about 1805. "Amos Gowen" was the addressee of a letter awaiting delivery in the post office at Nashville in a list which was published in the January 25, 1806 edition of the "Tennessee Gazette" published in Nashville.
"Amos Gowen" was a bondsman for the marriage of Joseph Underwood to Betsy Young July 25, 1806 in Sumner County, according to "Genealogical Abstracts from Tennessee Newspapers" by Sherida K. Eddlemon. On September 12, 1809 "Amos Gowen" served on a jury panel, according to Sumner County court minutes.
In the War of 1812, "Amos Goyne, sergeant," served in the Tennessee Infantry under the command of Col. James Raulson and Capt. Mathew Neal, according to "Tennesseans in the War of 1812" by Byron and Samuel Sistler. On February 14, 1814, "Amos Goyne" bought Lot 17 in Cairo, Tennessee in Sumner County, according to "Sumner County, Tennessee Deed Abstracts, 1806-1817" by Joyce Martin Murray. On December 24, 1817, Amos Goyne was a bondsman in a marriage in Sumner County, according to "Sumner County, Tennessee Deed Abstracts, 1806-1817." Soon after he removed to Rapides Parish, Louisiana
"Amos Goins, private," was listed on the payroll of a company of Louisiana Militia commanded by Capt. William Watson of the 12th and 13th Consolidated Regiments in the service of the United States. His service was for the period: 28 December 1814 to March 1815, according to "Louisiana Genealogical Register," Vol. 3.
It is believed that he was married to Sophia Brashears about 1816, perhaps as her second husband. “Amos D. Gowen” received a military warrant for land in Rapides Parish. Later this warrant was purchased by Hiram D. Goyne, assumed to be a distant cousin.
"Amos Goines" was enumerated in the 1820 United States census of Rapides Parish, Louisiana, living on Bayou Boeuf.
"Mr. Amos Goyne, of the State of Tennessee, died in Rapides Parish, Louisiana October 9, 1820," according to his obituary in the October 14, 1820 edition of the "Louisiana Herald," Alexandria, Louisiana.
Of him Phillip Alan Gowan wrote,
"He was a bachelor, and his Byrns relatives fell heir to his estate left in Tennessee. Amos's half‑brother James Byrns was the father of Susan Emily [Byrns] Jackson who was the mother of Julia [Jackson] Morris who was the mother of Henry Wilford Morris who was the father of Julia [Morris] Gowan [my mother]. Amos, Jr. was also the great uncle of Joseph Wellington Byrns who was Speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives under Franklin Delano Roosevelt."
On April 27, 1849 Hiram D. Goyne made an original entry on land in Union Parish, Louisiana using a Military Warrant issued in the name of Amos D. Goyne, Permit No. 44591, according to the research of Col. Carroll Heard Goyne, Jr. of Shreveport, Louisiana. Hiram D. Goyne was a son of William Goyne and Agnes "Nancy" Stroder Goyne, according to "Colonial Soldiers of the South, 1732-1774" by Murtie Jane Clark. William Goyne, a brother to Amos Gowen, wrote his will in Warren County, Georgia in 1816.
Sophia Brashears Goins was twice more remarried and removed to Oklahoma Territory where she died in 1866 at Oak Lodge, Oklahoma Territory in present-day LeFlore County, according to Ruth Alexander in a message dated December 18, 2001.
Children born to “Amos Goins” and Sophia Brashears Goins include:
Annie Goins born about 1817
There were two individuals named Sophia Brashers—an aunt and her niece, according to the research of Tomi Jo Stefanos, a descendant of Dallas, Texas. It appears that the above research regarding Sophia Brashears may have been confused. Some of the activities of the older may have been ascribed to the younger. Tomi Jo Stefanos wrote September 21, 2003:
“In my initial endeavor to make a connection for my great grandmother Annie Goins Davis and her parents, Amos Goins and Sophia Brashears Jones Goins, I connected with a group regarding Sophia. The connection was that I had an Uncle Joe Moncrief, who lived on my grandparents farm for a few years before his death.
I kept thinking that Sophia's maiden name was Moncrief, but could find nothing, except that Joseph Moncrief was the son of Sampson Moncrief, [the third husband] and Sophia Brashears Jones Goins.
The connection was made that Sophia [my great-great-grand-mother] was indeed Sophia Brashears and that her husband Amos Goins was one of her four husbands. Sophia was born about 1821 and was married to John Jones in 1841. They had four children, the last one born in May 1848.
She then was married to Amos Goins and had Annie Goins on April 23, 1850. Another daughter, Mary Goins was also born to them. It would appear that John Jones died and that she was remarried between May 1848 and April 1850.
Between 1854 and 1855, she was married to Samson Mon-crief, who died about 1857. They were the parents of her seventh child, Joseph Moncrief.
She married once again about 1857, husband’s name Baker. Her eighth child, Ellen T. Baker was born about 1858. Mr. Baker outlived Sophia Brashears Jones Goins Moncrief Baker who died about 1866. In an interview with Joseph Moncrief August 20, 1937 for the Indian-Pioneer History Project of Oklahoma, he stated his mother died at age 69 between 1890 and 1895. He was unsure of his birthdate, but when we buried him in 1945, his tombstone showed his birth in 1857.
He left Indian Territory, according to his interview with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1940, with a half-brother to go to Georgia. At that time he stated that his father and mother were both deceased.
My source of much of this information was a book by Charles Brashear entitled “Brashear Families of Lower Mississippi, Volume V. The only information I provided was the interview with the BIA, of which I have a copy and the birthdate of my great-grandmother Annie Goins.
Some of the confusion lies in the fact that there were two So-phia Brashears. This is corroborated in the book of Charles Brashears. He refers to her as Sophia1 , born between Febru-ary 7, 1797 and 1802 and died about 1853. She was the aunt of Sophia2 and the first wife of Sampson Moncrief. Sophia2 was his second wife. The dates in the manuscript around Amos Goins and his marriage to Sophia Brashears fit Sophia1 more than Sophia2. Sophia2 was married only once and only to Sampson Moncrief, so Amos Goins was not married to her.”
Jeremiah Goyne, son of Amos Goyne and Mary Anne Baxter Goyne, was born in Fairfield County about 1782.
Phillip Alan Gowan wrote,
"Jeremiah Goyne and his halfbrother, James Byrns were in Robertson County by 1807. Jeremiah married, but I have never been able to determine his wife's name. The minutes of Red River Baptist Church [near the present site of Adams, Tennessee] for September 1816 state that "Brother and Sister J. Goyne were dismissed by letter." I know nothing of them after that date."
Red River Primitive Baptist Church was organized July 25, 1791, and the church was located at the mouth of the Sulphur Fork of Red River. Five other churches in Tennessee and Kentucky were spawned as Red River members through the years elected to organize new congregations.
"James Goin" and "Jeremiah Goin" were recorded in 1812 as taxpayers in Robertson County in Capt. Gabriel Martin's Company, according to "Taxpayer List," Roll 7, Tennessee State Archives.
John W. Byrns, son of Dr. John Byrns and Mary Anne Baxter Goyne Byrns, was born about 1785. On September 18, 1808, he was summoned for jury duty in Sumner County, Tennessee. In December 1808 John Byrns received a deed for 130 acres from James Byrns, according to Sumner County court minutes. In the court session of June 1809 "John W. Byrn" was "appointed constable in Capt. Lauderdale's district for two years." Henry Bledsoe and Samuel D. Lauderdale joined him in posting a $625 performance bond. On December 19, 1809 and in March 1810 "John Burns" again served on a Sumner County jury panel.
An unidentified Lithey Byrn appeared in the Sumner County court minutes of the March 1810 session. A commission was appointed by the court to "divide and appropriate an undivided legacy bequeathed to Pachaner Cartwright, Lithey Byrn and Bethay Hobday between said devisees."
James Byrns, son of Dr. John Byrns and Mary Anne Baxter Goyne Byrns, was born about 1789. By 1807 he was living in Robertson County, Tennessee, near his half-brother, Jeremiah Goyne. In December 1808 he deeded 130 acres in Sumner County to his brother John W. Byrns, according to county court minutes.
James Byrns was married about 1810 and Andromache Luter who was born June 18, 1787, probably in Robertson County. She was the daughter of Matthew Lutger and Elizabeth Darden Luter [married in 1770] and a sister of Holland Luter who was born in 1786, according to the research of Janet Ross. Matthew Luter was born about 1745, probably in Isle of Wight County or Nansemond County, Virgnia, according to Phillip Alan Gowan, a director of Gowen Research Foundation.
James Byrns died February 8, 1850, and Andromache Luter Byrns died January 7, 1861.
Children born to James Byrns and Andromache Luter Byrns include:
Susan Emily Byrns born December 29, 1826
Susan Emily Byrns, daughter of James Byrns and Andromache Luter Byrns, was born December 29, 1826. She was married about 1845, husband’s name Jackson. Children born to her include:
Julia Jackson born about 1850
Julia Jackson, daughter of Susan Emily Burns Jackson, was born about 1850. She was married about 1870, husband’s name Morris. They were the great-grandparents of Phillip Alan Gowan.
Other individuals by the name of Amos Gowen appeared after his death.
On November 4, 1821, "Amos Goings" was married to Parthena Dixon in Amite County, Mississippi. In 1825, Amos Goynes was listed in the tax list of Copiah County, Mississippi.
"Amos Goyne" was enumerated in the 1840 census of Kemper County, Mississippi, page 6:
"Goyne, Amos white male 50-60
white female 40-50
white male 15-20
white male 15-20
white male 10-15
white female 5-10
white female 5-10
white male 5-20"
==O==
Amos Gowen was married in 1902 to Cornelia Thomas, according to Holmes County, Mississippi Marriage Book 6, page 329. Amos Gowen and Cornelia Thomas Gowen were divorced December 13, 1905, according to Holmes County Divorce Book 2, page 462. Amos Gowen was remarried to Millie Wade in 1908, according to Holmes County Marriage Book 9, page 493. Children born to Amos Gowen and Millie Wade Gowen are unknown.
James Goyne, son of Mary Goyne, was born May 30, 1755 in Lunenburg County, Virginia, according to the research of Velma S. Brassell Beuerle, a descendant of Flint, Michigan. In his pension application written May 18, 1836 in Kemper County, Mississippi, James Goyne stated that he was born in 1755 in "Mulenburg County, Virginia," according to the copy made by the court clerk. Col. Carroll Heard Goyne, Editorial Boardmember of Shreveport, Louisiana, wrote in July 1995:
"This spelling is suggestive of either Mecklenburg or Lunenburg County. Since Mecklenburg was formed from Lunenburg County in 1765, it would appear that James was born in the part of Lunenburg that became Mecklenburg County. In 1748 this area of Lunenburg County was the tax district of Capt. Lewis Delony. In 1749 it was the tax district of Capt. William Howard. In 1751 and 1752 it was the tax district of Capt. Field Jefferson. From these tax lists it appears the senior Going/Goin/Gowin in this district was named John. Other names appearing on these tax lists beginning in 1751 were William; and in 1752 Joseph, according to "Sunlight on the Southside" by Landon C. Bell."
Other members of the Goyne family appeared in Lunenburg County at the same time. Bryan Goyne, regarded as a son of Mary Goyne and a brother to James Goyne, was born about 1757, probably in Lunenburg County also. Several members of the Gowen family of the Northern Neck of Virginia migrated southward in 1747 to Lunenburg County also. The southern part of Lunenburg County which lay below the Meherrin River was organized in 1764 as Mecklenburg County.
The descendants of Mary Goyne spelled the name in various ways. Generally, in Mississippi the surname became "Guynes." In Louisiana, "Goins" predominated, while in Virginia and Kentucky, "Gowan" was generally adopted.
James Goyne removed to Camden District, South Carolina and served there as a Revolutionary soldier in a militia company commanded by Capt. John Smith in the regiment of Col. John Winn, according to "Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files" abstracted by Virgil D. White.
Col. Goyne wrote:
"In his Revolutionary War Pension Application, James Goyne stated that he served in the militia of Camden District, South Carolina. James stated that his militia unit rendezvoused at Winnsboro, near which place he resided. He stated that he served under Col. John Winn. This proves that James lived in Fairfield County, South Carolina.
James Goyne told where he lived prior to his arrival in Kemper County, Mississippi. He left Camden District, South Carolina about 1784, and went to live in Burke County, Georgia where he lived for about five years [left in 1789]; then to Warren County, Georgia where he lived for about two years [left in 1791]; then to Washington County, Georgia for about five years [left in 1796]; then to Hancock County, Georgia for about three years [left in 1799]; then moved to St. Elena [Helena] Parish, Louisiana for about five years [left in 1804]; then to Lawrence County, Mississippi for about two years [left in 1806]; then to Copiah County, Mississippi where he resided until December 1834; then moved to Kemper County, Mississippi.
Following James' guidance, one can find him in the records of Georgia. In 1791 and 1792 he was listed in Capt. Simmon's District of Wilkes County. He was listed in the inventory of the estate of William Minor, Jr. [undated, but between 1794 and 1804] in Hancock County. The 1802 tax returns of Hancock County list James and John Goyn in Capt. Williams' District, according to the research of Frank Parker Hudson of Atlanta.
James can be found in the land records of Louisiana. He received land "by settlement" in the Florida Parishes [St. Helena Parish] of Louisiana in 1810, according to "American State Papers." James Goyne signed his pension application in an unsteady, yet clear, hand."
James Goyne was married about 1775, wife's name believed to be Mary. After independence, James Goyne moved to Georgia, living successively in Burke, Warren and Washington counties. Warren County was formed in 1793 with land from Wilkes, Columbia and Richmond Counties.
It is believed that James Goyne and Mary Goyne became estranged about 1791 and that he was remarried to Heather O'Brien. Mary Goyne apparently went to live with her son, John Goyne.
Wilkes County was the early residence of William Goyne, "Moses & Agnes Going" and "Jesse Going." They appeared on the tax rolls of Warren County in 1793, the first year of the county's existence. "Moses Going," a Revolutionary soldier from Virginia declared on oath that he had also "served as a soldier under Capt. James Gunn in Col. Byrd's regiment in 1760," according to "Virginia Historical Magazine."
Details of the lives of these individuals and descendants can be found in the Wilkes County, Georgia section of the manuscript.
Following his Georgia residence, James Goyne apparently lived in Tennessee in 1803. He removed to Louisiana and lived in Calcasieu Parish in 1810. He received a land grant there in neutral territory which later became Vernon Parish. James Goyne "claimed improvement on the east side of the Amite River, about three miles below the line of demarcation. He settled there in 1810 and has cultivated the land continually," according to "Calendar of State Papers, Crosby."
In 1817 James Goyne was living in Hinds [later Copiah] County, Mississippi, according to "Mississippi Revolutionary Soldiers." He continued to live there in 1823 and 1825 and appeared in Kemper County, Mississippi in 1834, according to Mrs. Beuerle. She is a "double descendant" of James Goyne, having two of his sons, John Goyne and James Goins, as her ancestors.
James Goyne made a declaration regarding his Revolutionary service in Kemper County May 18, 1836:
"On this 18th day of May, 1836, personally appeared before me, George Coatter, Judge of Circuit Court [the same being a court of record] now sitting in and for said county, James Goyne, a resident of said county of Kemper and state of Mississippi. Aged about eighty-one years. Who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein often stated. That he lived in Camden District, state of South Carolina, at which place some time in June, 1776 when he was drafted to go to Charleston in order to intercept the British Fleet that was expected to land there under Col. John Wynn in Capt. John Smith's Company of militia, Lt. William Daugherty. And rendezvoused at Winnsborough in said state at the time last above mentioned and marched to Charleston and was stationed there together with said company to guard the town and after being there about a month he was marched back and dismissed about the last of July, 1776 having served about six weeks but received no written discharge--and that afterward on the last of January--as near as he can recollect--he was again drafted under the same officers as above in Camden District, South Carolina where he then resided and rendezvoused at Winnsborough at the same time and was moved immediately to Charleston where he was stationed some time when said company joined General Ash [John Ashe] from North Carolina and was then marched to Pluresburgh [Plainsburgh?] near Savannah at which place he was stationed about eight days. He was again dismissed or discharged and returned home about the last of February, 1779--having served about one month during which service he was in no engagement nor did he receive any written discharge.
After remaining at home about four days he again entered the service of the U, S. as a drafted soldier under Col. John Wynn in Capt. Francis Tedwells Company of Militia Lt. William Daugherty and rendezvoused at Winnsborough about the first of March 1779 near which place this declarent then resided and from where he was marched to Savannah then near Augusta at which place he volunteered to go to Georgia to fight the Indians and put himself under Capt. John Nixon and Col. Hamarm (?) and was marched to Nightsborough (?) and from there to Falsom Fort on Abuchy (?) River and from which place the Indians retreated and were pursued by said company and overtaken and a skirmish ensued in which seventeen Indians and two white men were killed and Maj. Ross was killed in the part of the re______ (?).
From there he was marched to Augusta and crossing the river they joined their former companions--at which place they remained some time. From there he was marched to Augusta together with the rest of the forces and joined Gen. Lincoln [Benjamin Lincoln] about four miles below that plain--and marched down the [Savannah] River and crossing at Lummertins (?) [Lumberton] ferry marched to Bains Bridge (?) near the head of Ashley River where they remained some time--and there to stones (?) at the big rice fields to meet the British who were encamped there--at which place he remained some time--and when his term of service expired he was discharged some time in June, 1779--but received no written discharge having served at this time three months and some days--from where he returned to Camden District where he continued to live until some time in June the precise time he cannot recollect--at which time he volunteered to go to the assistance of General Greene at the siege of Ninety-Six put himself under Capt. Charles Reeves in Col. Edward Lacys Lieut. Col. Patrick McGreffe and Maj. John O'Lears regiment of volunteers.
We met together on the road about fourteen miles from Winnsborough at the time last mentioned we then marched to Congaree River there we rested and endeavored to intercept [Francis] Lord Rawdon on his march from Ninety-Six to Charleston. He retreated to Orangeburg and encamped there. We had joined General Greene's army before we got to Orangeburg. We then marched to the Eutaw Springs. We then [joined] General Sumters Army [Thomas "Gamecock" Sumter] and marched to a church about thirty miles from Charleston at which place we were attacked by a British troop of horse [?]. We had a skirmish in which they were defeated; we killed one and took seven prisoners who that night set fire to the church and fled; we pursued them to -----(?). We there had a fight in which we lost about forty killed and wounded. They retained possession of the houses; we were not able to dislodge them.
We then marched to Santee, crossed and then to Sumters ponds. We lay there some time and were then discharged about the first of September, 1781. He got no written discharge. He served at that time ___ months and a half. He continued to live at the same place till about the first of June, 1782 at which time he was drafted to keep the Tories in Edisto in subjection. They met at Owensborough at the time last mentioned; he was under the command of Lieut. Charles Picket and Maj. O'Dear. They then marched to Edisto at Youngs Cowpens and were there stationed. They took some Tory women and sent them to Charleston. They lay there one month and was there discharged. He got no written discharge. He served at that time one month.
He served in the whole nine months and ten days for which he claims pension. He has no testamentary evidence, and he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service. He knows no clergyman whose testimony he can procure who could testify to the report of his service. He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declared that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. He was born in Mecklenburgh County, Virginia, on the 30th of May 1755. He has a record of his age at home in his bible. He has lived since the Revolutionary War in the following places. He lived in Camden District till about 1784 and then moved to Burke County, Georgia, lived there about five years then to Warren County, Georgia, lived there about two years then to Washington County, Georgia, lived there about five years then to Hancock County, lived there about three years, moved to Louisiana in St. Helena parish, lived there about five years then to Lawrence lived there about two years and from there to Copiah County, Mississippi where he resided until December, 1824 when he removed to Kemper County aforesaid where he now resides.
He was called into service in the name of the aforesaid and never served as a substitute. He was acquainted with Col. Bratens Regiment of Militia, Col. Wade Hamptons troop of Cavalry, also with Maj. Boykins Troops of Cavalry and with Col. Lee and Washingtons Troops of Cavalry that he never received a commission or written discharge during the Revolutionary war. He also states that there is no clergyman in his neighborhood to whom he is known but that Hugh McDonald, William Herbert, William Brister and Ridings Sessums are well acquainted with him in his present neighborhood and can testify as to his reputation and character for truth.
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court May 18, 1836.
Lewis Stovall, Clerk
James Goyne [signature]
Also, Hugh McDonald, William Herbert, Ridings Sessums and William Brister, residents of County of Kemper and State of Mississippi hereby certify that we are well acquainted with James Goyne who has subscribed and sworn to the above Declaration that we believe him to be 80 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Subscribed in open court May 18, 1836.
Hugh McDonald
William Herbert
William Brister
And the said George Coatter declares it as his opinion after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and said court further certifies that it appears to him that Hugh McDonald, William Herbert and William Brister who are signed to the foregoing certificate are residents of the said county and that they are credible persons and that these statements are entitled to credit.
George Coatter
now presiding in the sixth Judicial District Mississippi including the County of Kemper."
The foregoing was copied from a reproduction of the original with little or no changes of spelling, punctuation, phrasing, etc.
James Goyne received a Revolutionary War pension, No. 30770 July 22, 1836. An abstract of his pension record appeared in "Mississippi Genealogical Exchange," Volume 3, published in 1959. An interview was held in 1905 with Susan Goynes Dickerson of Live Oak County, Texas at age 80. She was a great-granddaughter of John Goyne. In the newspaper account she stated that she knew her great-grandfather and that he and his four brothers had served in the Revolutionary War.
Children born to James Goyne and Mary Goyne include:
John Goyne born July 5, 1776
Sarah Goyne born about 1789
Children born to James Goyne and Heather O’Brien Goyne are believed to include:
James Goins born about 1793
Wiley Williamson Goynes born December 2, 1799
John Goyne, son of James Goyne and Mary Goyne, was born July 5, 1776, according to "Mississippi Revolutionary Soldiers." His birth was in Camden District, South Carolina. He was married, probably in Georgia, December 8, 1800 to Matilda Hall who was born August 12, 1783 in North Carolina, according to Velma S. Brassell Beuerle. Another report shows her birth in Georgia "on the Oconee River." She was the daughter of Henry Hall, a native of England and Mary Jane Ross Hall, a native of Ireland, according to a descendant, Alice Robicheaux Whitehead, Foundation member of Shreveport, Louisiana.
It is believed that John Goyne and Matilda Hall Goyne accompanied his father in a move to Tennessee about 1803 and then to Calcasieu Parish where they were located in 1810. In April 1812 they were "received by letter" by the Jerusalem Baptist Church in Amite County, Mississippi near the present-day town of Gillsburg.
On October 1, 1995, Carroll Heard Goyne, Jr, Foundation Editorial Boardmember of Shreveport, Louisiana wrote:
"Feliciana Parish was once part of the West Florida Territory‑‑that area from the Mississippi River to Perdido Bay, bounded on the north by the 31st parallel and on the south [roughly] by Bayou Manchac, Lake Maurepas, Lake Pontchatrain and the Gulf of Mexico. It was often called the District of Feliciana. This territory remained under Spanish control even after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, and included Baton Rouge. The citizens of West Florida, tiring of Spanish rule, organized themselves and descended in force upon Baton Rouge, capturing the Spanish garrison on September 23, 1810. They raised the original Lone Star Flag [later carried to Texas] and established the Republic of West Florida, installed their own government, and elected a president. After the Republic of West Florida was founded, it took the United States only 74 days to take the republic into its possession.
The Republic of West Florida became the County of Feliciana. It was subsequently called Parish of Feliciana County, and later divided into several parishes as follows: Feliciana, East Baton Rouge, St. Helena, St. Tammany, Biloxi and Pascagoula. When the Louisiana Territory was annexed as a state in 1812, the four westernmost parishes were retained in Louisiana. Feliciana existed as a parish from 1812 to 1824, when it was divided into East and West Feliciana Parishes. Its original bounds were: on the north, the 31st parallel; on the south, the East Eaton Rouge Parish line; on the east, the Amite River, and on the west, the Mississippi River. In 1824 East and West Feliciana were divided at Thompson's Creek.
The early American settlers who arrived in Feliciana Parish discovered that the area was still under Spanish rule, and only Catholic churches were allowed. The nearest churches of their Baptist faith were in Amite County, Mississippi. They attended these Mississippi churches until Louisiana became a state in 1812. After that, they established Baptist churches nearer their homes. Two of the Amite County churches having Goynes [various spellings] as members were Jerusalem Baptist Church and Ebenezer Baptist Church. The Louisiana members at Ebenezer Church withdrew in 1813 to form Hephzibah Baptist Church in Feliciana Parish."
In 1812 "John Gayens and Matilda Gayens" resided in East Feliciana Parish and attended Jerusalem Baptist Church in adjoining Amite County, Mississippi where they were "received by letter" in April 1812. "Jehu Gayens and Matilda, his wife" were dismissed by letter dated November 6, 1813.
Mary Goyne was "received by letter" June 3, 1809 by Ebenezer Baptist Church, also located in Amite County. Her son and Matilda Hall Goyne were also received by letter dated May 16, 1813 into Ebenezer Baptist Church. "John Guain, Matilda Guaine and Mary Guine" were dismissed November 6, 1813.
"John Guoyne was received by letter" at Hepzibah Baptist Church May 16, 1813. "Matilda Guoynes was received by letter" June 19, 1813, according to Hepzibah church minutes.
On November 13, 1813 letters of dismission were granted by Ebenezer Baptist Church to "John Guain, Matilda Guaine and Mary Guine." On November 29, 1813 the Hepzibah church minutes revealed, "Names of members present at the constitution of the Baptist Church of Christ at Hepzibah, Feliciana Parish and who subscribe to the above faith were as follows: . . . John Guine, Mary Guine, Matilda Guine . . . "
On July 19, 1817 "John Guines" was named to a committee of seven to settle a dispute. On September 16, 1820 "Sister Mary Gyne applye'd for a letter of dismission, and it was granted to her. In the minutes of May 17, 1821, it was noted, "Br. John Gyne applye'd for a letter of dismission of himself and his wife, which was granted by the church."
John Goyne was commissioned a captain in the Louisiana militia during the War of 1812 which ended with the Battle of New Orleans January 8, 1815.
In 1815 they removed to Hinds County, Mississippi.
John Goyne was enumerated in the 1820 census of St. Helena Parish, Louisiana as the head of a household, according to Col. Carroll Heard Goyne. His son, David Goyne also appeared there and was recorded with “three white females under the age of 10.”
When Copiah County was organized in 1823 from Hinds County, John Goyne found himself in the new county. "John Goynes" appeared in the Copiah County tax list of 1823, the first year of the county's existence. He paid $2.25 tax on "one poll and two slaves." The family farm was located seven miles east of Hazelhurst, Mississippi. "Briant Goynes," his son and Ancous [Angus?] Goynes also appeared in the tax list, each paying 75c for "one poll." Also appearing in the 1823 tax list of Copiah County was "Wiley W. Goynes," brother to John Goyne. "Wiley Goynes" appeared as the head of a household in the 1830 census of adjoining Lawrence County.
Generally, the family name was changed to "Guynes" in 1833, according to "Guynes Family History" written by John A. Sands who gave no reason for the surname change. John Guynes died August 15, 1840. Matilda Hall Guynes was enumerated as the head of a household in the 1840 census of Copiah County, page 116. She was the owner of 10 slaves, five of whom where engaged in agriculture:
"Guynes, Matilda white female 50-60
white male 15-20
white female 10-15"
Matilda Guynes died January 26, 1865. They were buried near Georgetown, Mississippi in Copiah County.
Children born to John Goyne and Matilda Hall Goyne are believed to include:
Bryant W. Goyne born November 23, 1801
Henry Hall Goyne born April 18, 1803
James Goyne born July 25, 1805
Mary "Polly" Goyne born February 28, 1807
Wiatt Goyne born March 22, 1809
Priscilla Goyne born April 23, 1810
Sarah Goyne born January 23, 1812
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