1750-55 Thomas Going Jr b. abt 1750-55 – d. 1838 in Claiborne Co, TN (Y2)

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The following section was written by Bev Nelson, a lifelong researcher of the Goin family:

(Click on the following link for a better copy: Goin Book Manuscript Indexed including info on Thomas Goin by Bev Nelson ).

Thomas Goin, Jr., was born about 1755 based on the 1830 census and his listing in the militia list of 1771 for Granville County, N.C.  The census for 1830 shows Thomas Goin living alone at age 70 to 80 (1830-70 = 1760) which indicates a birth date between 1750 and 1760.[1]  To serve in the North Carolina militia in 1771 he had to have been at least sixteen years of age (1771-16 = 1755).[2]

Over the years, devoted Goin researchers, including this one as well as Anna Lee and Varion Goin, William H. Goin, III, Dianne Thurman, Carol Ledford, and Arlee Gowen have waffled overwhich Thomas Goin in the North Carolina records was the Claiborne County Thomas.  One Thomas Goin was born and living in Greensville County, Virginia.  Another Thomas was listed on the 1754 muster roll of the Granville County regiment of Col. William Easton with Michael and Edward Goin as mulattos.  This last Granville Thomas is eliminated because not one descendant with three generations of Thomas and his presumed brothers, William, James, John, and Burton, ever named a son Edward or Michael.  The Greensville Thomas was eliminated because he was still on the records there in 1783 after this Thomas was clearly established in Washington County, North Carolina/Tennessee.

This researcher confidently links this Thomas to the Thomas Going, Sr., of Granville and Randolph Counties, North Carolina, because:

1) He appears as Thomas, Jr., on the militia list of Granville County in 1771 with Thomas, Sr., John, and Moses Going.

2)  William Going’s name appears on the 1786 Granville, North Carolina census in the same section with Thomas, Sr.  Then William appears in Claiborne County,  Tennessee, with Thomas, Jr.  Family members told Varion Goin that Thomas and William were brothers.   The Y-DNA of a probable descendant of William born in 1771, another William, matches to that of a descendant of Thomas.

3)  Burton Goin who was named as a son in the will of Thomas Sr. in 1797 in  Randolph County, North Carolina, is on the records there and then moved to Claiborne County where his children married into the other Goin families.

P.G. Fulkerson in his Early Settlers of Claiborne County  maintained that Burton was a brother to William Goin.

4)  Both Thomas and William were on the early records in Washington County, Tennessee, North Carolina, State of Franklin.

5)  John Goin, listed by Heinegg as a son of Thomas, Sr., also appears with James and Thomas in the early records of Grainger County, Tennessee, and then Claiborne County.  None of these men – Thomas, William, John, James, or Burton – are connected to the Goins family of Hancock County, Tennessee.  (The classic Melungeon family of East Tennessee fame.)  Because of the wording of the  1797 will of Thomas Going, Sr.,  referring to his younger children, this researcher feels that he did not list his older children, probably by  a first wife since they were already well established in their lives.

The misidentifying of the wife of Thomas Goin has created some credibility problems.  In an application for Daughters of the American Revolution membership, an applicant named Thomas’ wife as Rebecca Clark.  This name has since been removed by the DAR.  The Gowen Research Foundation also initially accepted the DAR as a source for this name but has since corrected the error.  In the meantime this misidentification has spread over the internet.

Shortly after publishing her book Goin & Variants on Old Tommy Goin and his descendants, Dianne Stark Thurman and descendant Wanda Castoe pooled their resources.  Wanda Castoe had the documents that Mrs. Jestern Castoe presented when she petitioned for membership in the Cherokee Nation based on her descendancy from Thomas Goin and his Cherokee wife, Jemima Sinnes.   In her petition Jestern claimed to be the daughter of Jacob Coots and Polly (Mary) Goin and the granddaughter of Thomas Goin and Jemima Sinnes, a daughter of Benjamin Sinnes who was listed on the 1835 rolls of the Cherokee Nation.  The following statements and documents are in the files of the Dawes Commission, dated 1896.

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“No. 2791, Before Dawes Com.   Mrs. Jestern Castoe  vs  Cherokee Nation,  Filed Sept 8, 1896,  Rejected 24 Feb 1897, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Certified True Copy

“This deponent therefore now comes and makes application to and before this Hon. Commission for citizenship in the Cherokee Indian Nation, and asks to be duly enrolled as a member of such Indian Tribe because of her lineage, parentage and family history as above described and set forth.

This applicant also states that she is entitled to all benefits, privileges, advantages and property rights of the Cherokee Indian citizen, and for proof of her Indian citizenship and family lineage as above mentioned she refers in this her application to the affidavits of Andrew J. Smith and Thomas L. Taylor; copies of which affidavits are made and filed herewith, made parts thereof and marked respectively “Exhibits A, and B.”

This applicant also shows that her claim to Cherokee Indian citizenship as here made and presented to this Hon. Commission is bona-fide and is made for the purpose of establishing and maintaining her just and lawful rights, tribal relations and property interests as they now exist and have for a long time existed in the past.

This deponent and applicant further says that she refers for further evidence of this her claim to the application of Malinda J.Truskett filed and pending before this commission and to the affidavit of her husband John G. Castoe herewith annexed, made part hereof and marked “Exhibit C.” and which affidavit was made in this County and State, to-wit, Pope County, State of Arkansas, on this 10^th day of August, 1896; And also to the affidavit of her said husband made in the State of Missouri, Lawrence County, the 10 day of March 1893; a copy of which last mentioned affidavit is also herewith attached, made part hereof and marked Exhibit D which last mentioned affidavit and Exhibits A & B as this applicant is informed and believes, were made and filed with the Cherokee Indian Chief and Council at Tahlequah, Indian Territory, for the purpose of establishing the rights  to Cherokee Indian citizenship before said Council and Chief of this applicant’s daughter, Mrs. Mary L. Sears, formerly Mary L. Castoe, and the children of other relations of this applicant and her said daughter.

In the matter of the application of Mrs. Jestern Castoe for citizenship in the Cherokee Indian Nation

BEFORE THE HON. DAWES COMMISSION

State of Arkansas                    APPLICATION FOR CITIZENSHIP

Pope County

Mrs. Jestern Castoe being duly sworn deposes and says, that she is 80 years of age; That her maiden name was Jestern Coots; that her father’s name was Jacob Coots; that her mother’s maiden name was Polly Goins; that said Polly Goins was a daughter of Jemima Sinnes, and that Jemima Sinnes was a daughter of Benjamin Sinnes; that said Benjamin Sinnes was Cherokee Indian by blood and was on the Cherokee Indian roll of 1835, according to the treaty of that year; and said Benjamin Sinnes came West in 1837, and that said Benjamin Sinnes formerly lived in Alabama.

Deponent further says that she married her present husband, John G. Castoe, in the year 1837; that about the year 1838 deponent and her said husband came to the State of Missouri where they lived continuously until about two years ago she and her said husband moved to Pope County, Arkansas, where they now reside.

Deponent further says that the names of her children are as follows: Mrs. Mary L. Sears, wife of George D. Sears, George W. Castoe, now dead, Robert Castoe now dead, David Castoe, William Castoe, John Castoe, James C. Castoe, Sarah Castoe now dead who married James Wells, and Virginia Castoe who married James Russell.

Deponent further says that she has always claimed to be a Cherokee Indian by blood, tracing her lineage from Benjamin Sinnes a Cherokee Indian aforesaid.

EXHIBIT  A

Cherokee Nation

Tahlequah Dist.

day of December, 1894, personally appeared before me the     Deputy Clerk for Tahlequah District, Cherokee Nation, Andrew J. Smith who, after being duly sworn according to law, says his age is 76 years, resident of Tahlequah Dist., C. N. Post Office address Tahlequah I. T.

Deponent says that he was well acquainted with Benjamin Sinnes who lived at Jackson City in the state of Alabama, and knows that he was a Cherokee Indian by blood; and was enrolled under the Treaty of 1835 and came west, and I was also acquainted with Jemima Sinnes who lived back in the old nation and know that she was a Cherokee Indian by blood.

Since meeting with applicant Melinda Truskett (nee Castoe) and David Castoe, and from the conversation had, and from the general favorance of the Castoes to the above referred to Benjamin, I am satisfied the applicant are lineal descendants of Jemima Sinnes referred to on the rolls, and they are Cherokee Indians by blood.

Deponent further states that he has no interest either directly or indirectly in prosecution of the claimed referred to.

Andrew J. Smith

Sworn and subscribed to before me December 5, 1894.

R.M. Donnenberg

Dept. Clk. Tah. Dist. C. N.

Cherokee Nation

Tahlequah Dist.                                               EX B

On this 5^th day of December, 1894, personally appeared before me the undersigned Deputy Clerk for Tahlequah District, Thomas J. Taylor well known to me to be creditable before the Court of Cherokee Nation, after being by me duly sworn according to law, says; My age is 76 years, residence citizen of Tahlequah Dist., C. N., Post office address Tahlequah, I. T.

Deponent says he was well acquainted with Benjamin Sinnes who was a Cherokee Indian by blood and lived at Jackson City in the State of Alabama, and was enrolled by the United States census takers, and came west under the Treaty of 1835.

He further says that he knew the Goins family back in the old Nation, and knew that they were Cherokee Indians by blood.  Since meeting the applicant Melinda Triskett (nee Castoe) and David Castoe, and from the conversation had, and their general favorance to the above referred to Benjamin Sinnes I am satisfied that they are the parties they represent themselves to be in their application for citizenship in the Cherokee Nation and Cherokee Indians by blood.

He further states that he is not interested in the persecution of the claims of the Castoe family either directly or indirectly for readmission to citizenship in the Cherokee Nation.

Thomas J. Taylor

Sworn and subscribed to before me R. M. Dennerberg,

Dec. 5^th, 1894                                                  Dept. Clk. Tah. Dist. C. N.

EXHIBIT C

State of Arkansas

Pope County

John G. Castoe, being duly sworn, deposes and says that he is 80 years of age, and is the husband of Jestern Castoe; that he has heard read the affidavit made by his said wife as to her family history, the names of their children, etc., and that the statements and allegations in said affidavit are true as deponent verily believed.

John G. Castoe

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 10 day of Aug 1896

John Robinson Notary Public

EXHIBIT D

State of Missouri

Lawrence County

Personally appeared before the undersigned, a Justice of Peace within and for Trembock township, County and State aforesaid, John G. Castoe age 76 years, a resident of Lawrence County, Missouri, and whose post office address is Cherokee, Lawrence County, Missouri, and who being duly sworn testified as follows:

I have resided in the State of Missouri 59 years; Was married to Jestern Coots in the year 1837; Jestern Coots foresaid was the daughter (sic) of Thomas Goins and Jemima Sinnes.  The Sinnes were part Cherokee Indians and lived among the Cherokees in Alabama.

Now as to the Sinnes being Cherokee Indians is a tradition of the Goins, Coots and Castoe families, and have never heard anything else to the contrary, but have always heard that the Sinnes’s were part Cherokees and that they lived among the Cherokees.  Of my personal knowledge of course I know nothing except the traditions in the families aforesaid.  I firmly believe these traditions to be the truth.

John G. Castoe

Subscribed and sworn to before me the 26 December, 1892, and I further certify I have been personally made acquainted with the affiant John G. Castoe for 22 years and his standing for credibility is good.  Witness my signature this the 26 day of Nov 1892.

1. S. Breeman,

Justice of the Peace”[3]

The petition was rejected by the Cherokee Nation because Jestern Castoe did not fulfill the blood requirements established for Cherokee Tribal membership.  With Benjamin Sinnes at 100%, Jemima would have been 50%, Mary 25%, and Jestern only 12.5%.

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The records of Claiborne County support Jestern Coots Castoe’s family data. In the Claiborne County Quarter Sessions Court of Monday, October 8, 1810, are records of the case of the State vs Jemima Gowing, petit larceny.  Her securities were John and Michael Holt.  This confirms the existence and presence of Jemima Goin in Claiborne County.  The only other known Jemima Goin was her granddaughter, daughter of Levi who was not born until 1813.[4]

Jestern’s father, Jacob Coots, appears in the court records of Claiborne County at the time of Jestern’s birth in 1814.  In September 1804 his name appears on the jury list immediately followed by that of his father-in-law, Thomas Goin.[5]   On May 18^th, 1821, he was again empanelled for jury duty.[6]   The family is further stitched together by the letter of Eli Goin to his brother written in 1855.  In the letter Eli relates the local news about the extended family stating that, “John Harper lives on the Coots place.”[7]

From the birth date and place of Tommy and Jemima’s oldest son, Levi, they are placed in North Carolina in 1780.  On the 1850 census Levi’s age is shown as 70 and his birth place is North Carolina.[8]  Since Thomas was not listed on any of the discovered records of Randolph County, it is unlikely that he went there with Thomas, Sr., and the younger sons.

North Carolina’s Revolutionary War Records list Thomas Goin and James Going on the roll of Captain Turner Bynum’s Company of Militia on April 7, 1781.  The Daughters of the American Revolution have accepted as members several descendants of Thomas Goin on this record.  Even in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, Negros and mulattos could not serve as soldiers.  A few were utilized in non-combatant roles as cooks and teamsters.  However, when a good soldier volunteered, regardless of color, he served at the option of his commanding officer.[9]

On October 26, 1786, Grant No. 758 was issued to Thomas Goin.  The survey papers reveal that the entry was made on June 29, 1779, by Isham Talbot and assigned to Thomas Goin  for 225 acres “joining on Tipton’s Lines upon the waters of Cherokee Creek.”    His grant states that:

“State of North Carolina

No. 758  Know ye that we have Granted unto Thomas Going two hundred twenty five Acres of Land in Washington County joining Tiptons lines upon the waters of Cherokee Creek.  beginning Between a marked Black Oak and white oak sapling thence West fifty poles to a white oak and Sugar Tree a corner to said Tiptons on a Bluff of Rocks, thence south said Tiptons line South forty seven degrees West three hundred and twenty four poles to two dogwood saplings on Robert Boyles line thence with said Boyles line South Seventy three degrees East fifty six poles to Boyles corner on a Red oak then East one hundred and Eighty poles to a Chestnut then North then degrees East Two hundred and fifty poles to the Beginning Corner.  To hold unto the said Thomas Goin his Heirs and Assigns forever

Dated the Twenty sixth Day of October 1786.

Glasgore Lee               R.P. Caswell” [10]

Thomas selected one of the most historically exciting spots of the period in Tennessee for his land grant.  The Tipton mentioned in his land description was John Tipton, one of the leading opponents for forming the new State of Franklin.  North Carolina which claimed most of the area which became the State of Tennessee did not provide effective law enforcement or a local court system for the frontier settlers.  Although the counties of Washington, Greene and Sullivan sent representatives to the North Carolina legislature, their local problems were effectively ignored.  National politics, Revolutionary War debts, the formation of the state government were problems of more importance to the new state than those of the frontier.  The elite easterners considered the Franklin citizens low lives and outlaws.  Finally, in response to pressure from the United States Congress, North Carolina passed its first cession act in April 1784, ceding her western lands to the federal government.

Coupled with the inattention from North Carolina, this transfer provided the frontier residents their opportunity.   The residents of Washington County led the efforts to form the first new state, the 14^th, in the new nation.  They called their new state Franklin after the patriot Benjamin Franklin and proceeded to set up courts, clerks, and a representative government.

Just as they had in 1772 when they formed their Watauga Association, and as they would again in 1861,  the far flung frontiersmen responded.  Washington, Sullivan, and Greene counties sent representatives to Jonesborough on August 23, 1784.  In the meantime, North Carolina repealed the cessation act since Congress had failed to act upon it.  When the delegates met at Jonesborough in December 1784 to set up their new government, they did not know about the repeal.

Shortly after future Tennessee Governor John Sevier presided over the organizing convention, he received notice about the repeal of the cessation.  When the first Franklin assembly met in March of 1785, Sevier was elected governor.  The new state included parts of eighteen of today’s upper east Tennessee counties: Johnson, Carter, Sullivan, Hawkins, Washington, Unicoi, Greene, Hancock, Claiborne, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Cocke, Sevier, Knox, Blount, Anderson, and Union.

A three way struggle commenced between North Carolina, the United States Congress, and the newly forming State of Franklin.  Franklin started recording wills and deeds and even made a treaty with the Cherokees.  Bickering over a proposed state constitution by Samuel Huston led to the formation of opposing factions that helped bring about the downfall of the new state.  Both North Carolina and Franklin claimed the right of taxation in the area.  Easterners ridiculed the frontiersmen for setting up a payment system for their officials based upon the produce of the area.

Political maneuvering between the national, state, and local officials moved the area into conflict.  Unarmed groups from each side of the government raided each other’s records.  Fist fights and brawls broke out.  Then on February 27, 1788, Col. John Tipton, leader of the pro-North Carolina group, stored on his property items seized by Sheriff Jonathan Pugh from John Sevier’s home for unpaid North Carolina taxes.  Sevier recruited 150 men from Green, Sevier and Caswell counties.  With his small army, he marched to the farm of Col. Tipton on Sinking Creek.  This same Tipton and the same Sinking Creek adjoined Thomas Goin’s land grant.  Thus began the Battle of Franklin.

For two days in the fog and rain both sides gathered men and issued each other ultimatums.  Six of the pro-North Carolina men were wounded and two men died including Sheriff Pugh.  The Franklin group had three wounded.  Among these fighters  were the famed over-the-mountain-men, the noted sharp shooters who killed Ferguson at Kings Mountain in the Revolution and made monkeys out of the British.  Now they were now battling each other.  Either side could have wiped the other out at will.  Instead, they chose to fire into the air.  This reluctance of neighbors to slay each other combined with the horrible weather resulted in an end of the Battle of Franklin.[11]

Where was Tommy Goin while the bullets were flying in the air?  Whose side was he on?  His land grant bordered on Tiptons so whether or not he like it, he most likely was involved even if only to dig a deep hole and crawl into it  for protection.  It is known that William Goings’ name is on the petition by the inhabitants of Franklin in 1787/8.[12]

At the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, November 1, 1784, Thomas Goin was appointed constable. This was right during the formation of Franklin.  Then in 1787 he was in court at Jonesville on the same day that Andrew Jackson was accepted by the court.[13]   A deed record indicates that Thomas probably had problems in 1788.  “4/1/1795 Edmund Williams, late sheriff of Washington Co.  To Alexander Moffett, against Thomas Goins/Goin, defendant in 1788 – levied against 275 acres on Cherokee Creek.  Bid: 40 lbs, 1 shilling, 8 pence.  Adj: Jonathan Tipton.  R Bayley/Bailey. Land not sold at first sale because of no bidders; second sale Feb 1788, Alex Moffatt highest Bidder.  Sig: Edmund Williams.  Wit: Waightsill Avery, Andrew Greer, Amos Ball. CT (Court Term proven): Sept 1795.[14]

Before 1799, Thomas moved north to that part of Grainger County that would become Claiborne.  Appearing on the tax list of 1799 are Thomas with his sons Levi and Uriah Goin along with his  probable brothers, James and John.  Also present was Daniel Goen.[15]  Although Thomas’ name appeared on the early tax lists, no land purchases or sales for him are recorded in the Claiborne County deed books.  He probably acquired his Sand Lick land when it was still in Grainger County.   Unfortunately, time and destruction have assaulted the Grainger records.

Thomas’ name does appear regularly in the Court records of Claiborne County.  On May 1813, serving on jury duty were Levi Goin and Thomas Goin, page 156.  At the August term, 1813, page 168, Thomas received 10.50 for the low bid to support the poor, Dinah Harp.  Then he won a case against Joshua Jackson and received 21.75, page 176.  In 1814 at the May term he served on jury duty twice, pages 252 and 255.[16]

During his years in Claiborne County, Thomas regularly served on juries as he did on May 11, 1820, along with Fielding Lewis and William Stallings, brother of his daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Stallings Goin, wife of Levi. He fully participated in civil life without racial challenges or discrimination.[17]

Thomas was one of the original organizing members in 1803 of the Big Barren Baptist Church with his name listed as the third on the men’s list.  His death is noted on that record as 1838.[18]   When the Norris Dam was built and the lake flooded as a part of the TVA project, the Big Barren Church site was inundated.   Although graves from the church yards were removed throughout the area, there is no record of the graves of Thomas, Jemima, or of their children having been moved.  If their graves were marked with field stones, as so many graves were in those early days, any markings of their graves may have disappeared with time even before the grave removals in the 1930’s.

When the East Tennessee Historical Society announced their First Families of Tennessee program in 1995, this researcher submitted the Thomas Goin family.  Certificate #3823 for Thomas Goin was issued on March 11, 1996.  Then in 2000 The East Tennessee Historical Society published a register of the First Families.  Thomas Goin is listed there on page 159.[19]

Two major questions about Thomas and his descendants are answered in the infamous slander suit filed in the Claiborne Circuit Court in 1858.

1. Was Thomas a man of mixed blood?
2. Was Thomas the patriarch of this branch of the Goin family?

Even after Elijah Goin, son of Levi Goin and grandson of Thomas, filed the case defending himself against the accusation of being a “mulatto”, the case continued for years. Even though the case exposed him to the widespread examination of the charge, Elijah continued. In those pre-civil war days, persons of mixed blood could lose their civil liberties, the right to vote, hold office, travel freely, own real estate, marry who one chose, etc. The following is a transcription of the record of the slander trial made from a photocopy of the record.

The cover sheet reads:

1858 July 16 – “12th Circuit, Claiborne County. Transcript of the Record
Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse. Slander. Filed July 16, 1858
D. Nelson Clerk. Reversed and Remanded
(Page 1)
Be it remembered that at a regular term of the circuit court began and held for the County of Claiborne at the Courthouse in Tazewell in the 12th Judicial Circuit of the State of Tennessee, on the second Monday of January (being the 10th day of said Month) in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight, when was present and presiding the Hon. James M. Walker, one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of the State of Tennessee, and by interchange presiding in the room of the Hon. T W Turley Judge elect for the 12th Judicial Circuit, when the following proceedings were had to wit
And upon the 15th day of September 1853, the following summons in said cause was issued, to wit
________________
1853 Dec 6 – Elijah Goins vs Sterling Mayse. State of Tennessee
To, the Sheriff of Claiborne County – Greetings
You are hereby commanded to Summon, Sterling Mayse to appear before the Judge of the Circuit Court, to be held for the County of Claiborne at the courthouse in Tazewell on the 2nd Monday of January, next, to answer Elijah Goin of a plea of Trespass on the case for false, malicious, slanderous and defamatory words spoken of and concerning, the said plaintiff to the damage of the said plff, five thousand dollars. Herein fail not, and have for then and there this summons. Witness C.Y. Rice, clerk of our said court and office in Tazewell, the 2nd Monday of Sept, 1853 C. Y. Rice, Clerk
Executed and returned this 6th day of December 1853.
H. Moore, D Sheriff
Bond: Know all men by these presents that we Elijah Goin, Wm H. Mayse are jointly and severally held and firmly bound unto Sterling Mayse in the sum of two hundred (Page 2) and fifty dollars to be void on condition that the said Elijah Goin doth with affect prosecute an action of Trespass on the case this day commenced against the said Sterling Mayse in the Circuit Court for Claiborne County, otherwise to pay and satisfy all costs that may be awarded for failure.
Witness our hands and seals, this 15th day of Sept 1853
Signed: Elijah Goin Seal
D. Mayse Seal
Declamation
________________________
1854 Jan – State of Tennessee. Claiborne County – Circuit Court January Term 1854
Elijah Goin by attorney complains of Sterling Mayse who has been summoned by the Sheriff of aplia of trespass on the case, to the plaintiff’s damage.
For this, that heretofore and until the committing of the several grievances herein after mentioned, the plaintiff was a free white citizen of the State of Tennessee, and esteemed and reputed as such, and was entitled to all the privileges of Citizens of the State of Tennessee to wit, said county, and being so privileged, the said Defendant well knowing the premises, and contriving and intending to subject the plaintiff to the disgrace and disabilities attached by law to the state and condition of a free negro or person of mixed blood, heretofore to wit on the first day of September in the year Eighteen Hundred and fifty three, to sit in said County of Claiborne, in a certain discourse, which he the said defendant had and held of and concerning the plaintiff in the presence of divers citizens of the state of Tennessee, falsely & maliciously spoke, published of and concerning the plaintiff this false, malicious, scandalous and defamatory words following, that is to say, Elijah Going, meaning the plaintiff is a mulatto, meaning a person of mixed blood, one degree removed from a full blooded negro and these other false, scandalous and defamatory words (page 3) that is to say the grandfather of Elijah Goin (meaning the defendant) was a damned negro and I (meaning the defendant) can prove it. Meaning that the plaintiff was a person of mixed blood within the fourth degree. Elijah Going (meaning the plaintiff) is a damned Mulatto (meaning that the plaintiff) is a damned Mulatto (meaning that the plaintiff was a mulatto within the fourth degree.)
By reason of which said several grievances the plaintiff hath been greatly damaged and subjected to the suspicion, disgrace and infamy of a person of mixed blood, whereby the plaintiff is injured and has sustained damages to the sum of five thousand dollars, wherefore he sues.
Netherland & Huskell Attys
___________________________
1854 Jan – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse. Circuit Court January Term 1854
And the defendant by attorney comes and says that the matters alleged in the plaintiffs declaration are not sufficient in law to maintain his aforesaid action, and the defendant is not bound to answer the same.
Evans & McKinney Atts for Def.
And the plaintiff for replication says that the matters alleged in the declaration are sufficient in law to maintain that action
Netherland & Huskell Attys
__________________________
1854 Sept 11 – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse
And the said deft. by atty comes & defends the anny & injury and says that he is not guilt of speaking and publishing the slanderous words in the declaration mentioned in manner and form as the said plff hath alleged against him of the said deft put himself upon (page 4) said county.
Evans & McKenney atts for deft
and the plaintiff also
Netherland & Huskill atts
Monday 11th September 1854
_________________________
1854 Sept 12 – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse. Case
An affidavit of Defendant, and a motion by attorney a rule is granted him upon the plaintiff to give other and better security for the prosecution of this suit or justify his present security on or before the second day of the next term of this court or the same will be dismissed.
Tuesday 12th day of September 1854
_________________________
1857 Feb 15 – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse. Slander
A rule having been entered on the plaintiff in this case to give other and better security, or to justify his present Security, on or before the second day of the next term, thereupon came into open court W. H. Mayse and justifies and thereupon said rule is discharged.
Friday 15th 1857
_________________________
1854 Sept 18 – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse. Slander
This day came for argument, the defendants demurrer to the plaintiffs declaration, and the same being heard by the court its considered by the court, that said Demurrer be overruled, and on motion of deft, he is allowed to plea to the plffs declaration.
Plea
And for further plea in this behalf the said deft says that the plaintiff against him his action out not have and maintain because he says that he the said defendant was not guilty of speaking (page 5) and publishing the slanderous words imputed to him in manner and form as the same and set forth in the declaration or either six months most before the commencement of this suit and this the deft is ready to verify. Wherefore he prays judgment.
Evans & McKenney for deft
And deft doth reply Due the plaintiff for replication says that the deft is guilty of speaking and publishing the words in the declaration within six months next before the commencement of this suit, and this he say may be required of by the county
Wilheit and Huskell Attys
Evans & McKenney
Monday 18th September 1854
__________________________
1854 Sept 20 – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse. Slander
An affett of the defendant is allowed to take the deposition of Israel McBee, Wm Cocke of Grainger County Tennessee upon giving two days
Wednesday 20th September 1854
__________________________
1855 Jan 9 – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse. Slander
This day came on to be argued the demurrer of the plaintiff to the 3rd plea of the deft an argument having been heard and the premise seen and understood, it is considered by the court that the demurrer to the 3rd plea be and the same is hereby sustained, and the defendant is allowed to plead on or before the first Monday of December next
Tuesday 9th January 1855
___________________________
1855 Sept 10 – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse. Case
(page 6) This cause is continued by consent of parties until Tuesday next until which time the witnesses in this cause is discharged.
Monday 10th September 1855
___________________________
1856 Jan 16 – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse. Slander
By consent this cause is continued until the next term of the court.
Wednesday 16th day of January 1856
___________________________
1856 May 13 – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse. Trspass on the case
This day came the parties by their attorneys, and thereupon this cause by consent is continued until the next term of this court
Tuesday 13th May 1856
___________________________
1856 May 21 – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse
By consent of the parties this cause is continued until Tuesday of the second week of this present term of the court
Wednesday 21st May 1856
___________________________
1857 Jan 12 – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse. Case
By consent of the parties this cause is continued until the next term of the court
Monday 12th January 1857
___________________________
1857 Jan 20 – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse. Slander
By consent of parties this cause is set for trial on Monday next
(page 7) Tuesday 20th January 1857
___________________________
1857 Sept 14 – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse
By consent this cause is continued until the next term of this court
Monday 14th September 1857
___________________________
1857 Sept 18 – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse
By consent this cause is set for Tuesday next and the witnesses are discharged until that time
Friday Sept 18th 1857
___________________________
1858 Jan 10 – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse. Slander
By consent of parties this cause is continued until the next term of this court
Monday 10th January 1858
__________________________
1858 Jan 18 – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse. Slander
An affidavit of the defendant a rule is granted him upon the plaintiff for other and better security or to justify his present security on or before the second day of the next term of this court. Whereupon came into court W. H. Mayse the present security and justifies whereupon the rule is discharged
Monday 18th January 1858
_________________________
1858 Jan 20 – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse. Slander
Came the plaintiff and enters a motion to strike out the plea of the deft filed in this cause
(page 8) Wednesday 20th January 1858
________________________
1858 Jan 21 – Elijah Goin vs Mayse. Slander
This day came the parties by their attorneys and thereupon came a jury to wit 1 W. Simmons2, C Neeley, 3, J.B. Smith 4 Wm. Teague, 5, J. A. Littrell, 6, Isaac Comack, 7. George Allen, 8, Wm. Lambert, 9, Joseph Branscomb, 10, George Byant, 11, R. H. Lynch, 12, John Caylor, all good and lawful men of the county of Claiborne, who being duly elected, empanelled & sworn and charged, well and truly to try the issue joined between the parties upon their oaths were respited from rendering their verdict until tomorrow.
Thursday 21st January 1858
_______________________
1858 Jan 23 – Elijah Goin vs Sterling Mayse. Slander
This day came the parties by their attorneys and thereupon came the same jury who were respited on yesterday from rending their verdict in this cause upon yesterday until today, to wit 1. W. Simmons, 2, Charles Nealy, 3, J.B. Smith, 4, Wm Teague, 5, J. A. Littrell, 6, Isaac Comack, 7, George Allen, 8, Joseph Branscomb, 9, George Bryant, 10, R. H. Lynch, 11, John Cazlor, & 12, Wm Lambert who upon their oaths do say that the defendant is guilty of speaking and publishing the slanderous words & he plaintiffs declaration mentioned as that he did say & speak and publish them within six months next before the commencement of this suit and that they assess the plaintiff damage to fifty dollars and thereupon the defendant by his attorneys enters a rule to show cause why the verdict of (page 9) the jury should be set aside and a new trial granted which rule after argument being heard by the court is discharged.
It is therefore considered by this court that the plaintiff receives of the defendant the said sum of fifty dollars the damages aforesaid by the jury assessed, together with all the costs of this cause for which an Execution is awarded.
From which action of the Court in refusing to grant a new trial and proceeding to enter up judgment in the finding of the jury, the defendant excepts and enters an appeal in the nature of a writ of error to the next term of the Supreme Court to be held at Knoxville in the State of Tennessee on the second Monday of September next and the defendant having entered into bond and given security as required by Law said is granted, and the defendant presents a Bill of Exception, signed and sealed by the court and ordered to be made part of the record And upon the 23rd day of January 1858, the following Bill of Exception was filed in said cause which is as follows to wit
________________________
Elijah Going vs Sterling Mayse. Slander
Be it remembered that his cause came on to be tried before a jury of Claiborne at the January term of the Circuit Court 1838 And at the trial plff introduced John Stone who testified that at a camp meeting in the month of September 1853, during the circuit court at Tazewell, and he thinks in the latter part of the month, he heard deft say, that plff was a mulatto- that a Mr. Lewis asked deft, to repeat what had been said in a song in verses, that had been found, in which Elijah Goin was called a mulatto – does not remember (page 10) that deff said plff was a mulatto, after repeating the verse, witness understood the deft to mean that plff was a mulattoo half Negro- understood deff to input the condition of a mulatto – said that the verse had something about plff being a mulatto, Deff, repeated two or three of the verses from memory, witness say no writing.
Stephen Ousley proved that in June 1853 he heard Deff say that the supposed Billy Mayse the brother of Deft had married a daughter of Plff – that he had married a mulatto – that they were all mulattoes and negroes, witness had understood him to mean Elijah Goin & his family, Witness upon Examination proves that it was generally repeated, and believed at the time of speaking the words that plaintiff was mixed blooded – that all the Goin family were reputed, and not believed to be clear blooded.
John Brogan proves that he was at the house of defendant in July 1853 and heard Deft say that he had a negro “ditty” which he had sung to Elijah Goin on the streets of Tazewell – that part of the ditty was “Elijah Goin being a little blacker He ran up and down the creek like a damn mulatto – that deft sung this “ditty” to a tune that witness had heard called “Old Dan Tucker.” Witness said he heard him that night frequently call him a negro & mulatto, and said his children should call them so & he would protect them in it. Witness said the camp meeting spoken of by Stone, commenced on Friday preceding the Circuit Court at Tazewell in Sept 1853.
Wm. M. Robinson proved that in July 1853 he heard defendant say that report, said that plff was a mulatto, that he was mixed blooded, had frequently (page 11) heard Deft say so – that deft said that was the rumor and report of the country.
Witness proved that at this time it was reported and believed that plff was mixed blooded, that old Tommy Goin the grandfather of plff was reputed to be mixed blooded.
The Defendant by his counsel asked the witness what was the common meaning attached to the word mulatto in the neighborhood and Community, and how the term was understood by others who used the term in reference to the plff and others who were called mixed blooded which question was objected to by the plff and he objection sustained by the court, and the witness not allowed to answer the question, but the witness was allowed to State in answer to the question of Defts counsel how he understood the word, and what he understood the deft to mean, who said he understood the deft to mean that plff was a man of mixed blood, and a mulatto. Witness heard the defendant use the words between March and June 1853.
The Defendant then introduced James Carr as a witness who said that it was generally reported and believed that plaintiff was a man of mixed blood – that he had heard him called a mulatto – that this was the reputation of the community. Witness understood the word mulatto to mean the same thing as mixed blooded – that old Thomas Goin the grandfather of plff, was considered mixed blooded – a large family of the Goins and reputed mixed in blood. Peter Marcum & William Murphy both stated that they are well acquainted with old Tommy Goin the grandfather of Plff, new him in 1800, he was reputed to be distantly mixed blooded that he voted, served on jurys, and was examined a witness between white men never heard him questioned or denied. (page 12)
Isaac Van Bibber knew old Tommy Goin the grandfather of plaintiff and he was reputed to be a man of mixed blood. that at the time of the speaking of the words it was generally reported and believed in the community that plff was mixed blooded –
Daniel Kelly proved – stated plff was reputed and considered a man of mixed blood – that the Goins family were so considered in the community.
H. Moore– proved that it was generally reported and believed that plff was a man of mixed blood – did not know how much the plff was mixed with negro blood.
N I Seals – proved that it is generally reported and believed that plff was mixed blooded – the plff called his own cousin a damned negro hog thief – did not know who wrote the ditty.
Defendant introduced several other witnesses who proved the same facts – all the witnesses in the case who were asked the question, proved that plff was reputed and believed to be mixed blooded – Plf that as rebutting evidence introduced various witnesses who proved that plff had also the father and grandfather exercised the right of voting, serving on juries and being a witness in courts of justice – that plff had held office in the county such as constable.
The Deft of his counsel asked a witness if he had heard deft speak the words before suit brought and at different times than those named if plffs witnesses for the purpose of showing the defendant did not intend to charge and impute the legal disabilities of a mulatto but only the reputation of the country – and to show a want of malice in the speaking of the words, but the question was objected to by plff and the objection sustained by the court, and the witness not allowed to answer. The jury found a verdict for the plff and assessed the (page 13) damage to fifty dollars, a rule was entered for a new trial but refused by the court, to all of which action of the court the defendant except in law and tendered this his Bill of Exceptions, which is signed sealed and made a part of the record, the charge of the court was not excepted to by the defendant M. Weecker Seal, Dff
Bond
We Sterling Mayes & Andrew Davis, Johnson Mayse & Wm Houston are held and firmly bound unto Elijah Goin in the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars which sum we bind ourselves by these presents sealed with our seals to say.
The condition of the above obligations is as follows whereas the said Sterling Mayse is about to prosecute an appeal from the Circuit Court of Claiborne County Tennessee to the Supreme Court of said State at Knoxville upon a judgment obtained of said Goins against him in said Circuit Court at the January Term 1857.
Now if the said Sterling Mayse should with effect prosecute his said appeal, or upon failure should satisfy all costs accruing in the said Supreme Court then this obligation to be void otherwise to be in full force
Johnson Mayse
Benj Houston (his mark)
And Davis (his mark)
Bradford Davis
________________________
1858 Jan 20 – Elijah Goin vs Mayse. Bill of Costs
(Pages 14 and 15 list the names of the Sheriff, Sheriff deputies, and witnesses who appeared in the case and received reimbursement: Sheriff N. Moore, Greer, Wm H. Moyers; Deputies E. E. Simmons, W. B. Shoemaker, P. L. Lanham, Th. Henderson; and witnesses, J. C. Dykes, William Cox, Jesse Wagoner, John Stone, N. H. Moore, John Keck, Wm Bunch, David Collins, J. B. England, Benj. Houston, John Brogan, Isaac McBee, S. M. Robinson, Wm. Murphey, David Brewer, Peter Marcum, Reuben Rose, Lewis Carr, Bradford Davis, Marion Davis, Wm Needham, Tillman Owsley, George Ford, Levi Goin, George Lewis, Ja. M. Carr, Isaac Vanbibber, Isaac Goin, Andw. Davis, Johnson Mayse, Wm. Lewis, Neal Seal, Wm. Whitted, James Ferrel, Stephen Ousley, John Sharp, Jesse Wagoner, Israel McBee, V. Myers, Wm. Whitted, John Sharpe, Wm. Needham, David Collins, Th. W. Large, Wm. Bunch, Mill Bunch, Wm. H. Moyers, N. H. Moore, John Keck, Sarah Dykes.
Total costs = $720. Judgt for plff 20 January 1858 $50.00) (page 16)
_____________________
1858 June 17 – State of Tennessee. Claiborne County
C M RiceClerk of the Circuit Court of said County do certify the foregoing to be a full true and perfect copy of the record and proceeding had in said cause, as appears of record and papers in file in my office
Witness my hand and Seal of office
At office in Tazewell the 17th day of June 1858
M. Rice Clerk [20]

The evidence presented in the testimony indicates that Thomas was a man of dark complexion. Since he was identified as the grandfather of Elijah, who was a son of Levi, the lineage is established. Although Elijah won his case with an award of $50.00 in damages by a jury of his peers who had no wish to deprive him of his civil rights, when Sterling Mayse appealed the case to the Tennessee Supreme Court, the case was reversed and remanded. The reasoning for the reversal was that it was common knowledge in the community that the Goin family was of mixed blood and that the forfeiture of the civil rights of Elijah Goin were not sought.

Until recently only the slander case provided hints to the family about their origins from some darker skinned ancestor. The legend of Portuguese ancestry was easily accepted. Guesses about the origins included Turks, gypsies, Phoenicians, and Moors. An ongoing Y-DNA project now offers a more definitive proof. Two descendants of old Tommy Goin have submitted DNA samples for testing. Both of them plus another man who descends from a William Goin born c1771 in North Carolina have close matches indicating a common descent. All three share the same haplotype: E3a which indicates an African lineage. It is the most common haplotype among African Americans. This haplotype lends creditability to those who argue for a descent from John Gaween of Generation 1. When combined with the oral tradition of Portuguese ancestry, it adds to Jim Hashaw’s studies of the Angolans of Africa who were also citizens of Portugal. With greater development of DNA research analysis, eventually the descent may have more conclusive definition.

Proven children of Thomas and Jemima Sinnes Goin:

+28.  Levi Goin

+29.  Uriah Goin

+30.  Isaac Goin

31.   Polly (Mary) Goin, born about 1790 married Jacob Coots
32. Catherine Coots, born c1809, probably Claiborne County, Tennessee.
33. John Coots, born c1811, probably Claiborne County; married Susanna.

Children: Elizabeth, George, Catherine, Susanna, Lucinda, Andrew,

George, Catherine, Susanna.

iii. Abe Coots, born 1814.

1. Jestern Coots born March 10, 1816, married in 1837 John G. Castoe;                            died 1898, Witt Springs, Searcy, Arkansas.  Children: Mary Louisa                               Castoe,            George W. Castoe Robert Castoe, Sarah Castoe, David Castoe,                                     Virginia Castoe, William Riley Castoe, John George Castoe,  James Calip                           Castoe.
2. Andrew Coots, born August 11, 1820; died January 3, 1868; married

Mary Ann Reynolds.  Children: Isaac Coots, John Coots, Anna Coots,                               Uriah Coots, Jestine Coots, Polly Coots, and Evan Coots.

1. Jacob Coots, born c1810, probably Claiborne County; died before

1860; married Mary Stoneman before 1848.

vii.  Levi Coots, born c1825, Indiana.

vii.  Uriah Coots, born c1825.

1836. Thomas Coots, born 1836.
1837. William Goingborn about 1759 was on the 1786 North Carolina census in Granville  County. [21] There also was a William Gowen listed on the land warrants of Randolph County in 1779.[22]  By 1805 a William Goin purchased land in Claiborne County from James Glasgow.[23]    In his Early Settlers of Claiborne County, Tennessee, P. G. Fulkerson stated that William Goin was a brother of  Burton Goin.[24]   (Burton was named in the will of his father, Thomas Going, Sr., as noted in the previous generation.)  Long time Goin family researchers, Varian and Anna Lee Goin, interviewed noted Melungeon historian, Mr. Groshe.  They told this writer that Mr. Groshe told them that old William and old Thomas Goin were brothers from North Carolina.  He also stated that both were Melungeons.  (#20).

This William was most likely the William Goings whose name was on the “Petition by the Inhabitants of the State of Franklin to the State of North Carolina” in 1787/8.[25]  This is the same area in which old Tommy Goin was recorded in 1784 as constable in Washington County which was then North Carolina but became Tennessee.

Although William Gowen sold land in 1808 in Claiborne County to Mayes and Bridges, the first record of purchase by him in Claiborne County deed books is in 1809 from James Glasgow.  His first purchase was probably made when the area was still within the parent county, Grainger.  He also had transactions in 1814 and 1823.[26]  Both Thomas Goin and William Goin served together on a jury at the May 1814 Quarter Session Court.[27]

There has been confusion and the mixing together of records of the two men of the same generation both named William Goin.

1)  One William lived in Hawkins County, had a wife named Elizabeth, was born in Virginia in 1764 and joined the Revolutionary Army in 1780.  He had a Revolutionary War Pension.  In an affidavit of 1818, he said that he had a wife aged 48 (born in 1770), one boy 11 (born in 1807), one girl 10 years (born 1808), one girl 5 (born in 1813), one boy 2 (born in 1816).  The widow’s subsequent pension stated that he died in August 21, 1827.

2) The William who is the presumed brother of Thomas Goin lived in Claiborne  County; had a wife named Elizabeth; was age 70-79 on the 1830 census, indicating a birth in 1750-1760[28]; signed his will on September 17, 1828. This is one year and one month AFTER the death of the other William.  Children:

Levi Goin (born c1777), Pleasant Goin (born c1785), William Goin (born c1778),   daughters, Sophia Goin (born c1780) and Elizabeth Goin (born c1782).

In 1828 William signed his will:

“I, William Goin, in the county of Claiborne, being in the State of Tennessee, being in good health and in my perfect mind, and memory, but advanced in life, do make and publish this my last will and testament.  Hereby revoking all other and formal wills.  First:  It is my will and desire that all the just debts I may owe, shall be first paid out of my estate by my executor.  Secondly: I give and bequeath to my loving wife Elizabeth, the mare she usually rides called Lili, two sows, and pigs to be a good quality, two cows and calves to be set apart to her by my executor, and it is my wish and desire that my wife have possession and enjoy the plantation or cleared land where I now live and have sufficient timber for firewood, and timber to keep up the farm and grainnery and said plantation as long as she may live, and remain my widow but no longer.  And it is my will that she also have the negro woman, and all the property left her by her former husband Christopher Dameron.  Thirdly: I give and bequeath to my two sons, Levi and Pleasant Goin the tract of land whence where I now live containing two hundred and sixty acres conveyed to me by three separate deeds.  I also give to my two sons a part of the tract of land that I purchased from Adam Peck to be bordered by Big Spring Branch to the head of the same to include ½ of the brand and spring then to run eastwardly to the line of the tract of two hundred and sixty acres, above given.  Then run with the lines of the Peck tract, until it strikes the said tract.  I also give to my son Pleasant Goin, a negro woman named Nell and her three children named David, Casamay and Louisa Jane and their increase forever, one set of blacksmith tools, and a sorrel horse colt, one year old last June, also one ax and hoe, one handsaw and mattock.  Fourthly: I give and bequeath to my son, William Going one negro man named George, one negro woman named Eliza, one negro boy named Jim and one part of the residence of the land I purchased from Adam Peck, also one plow, hoe, and a pair of iron chains and one cow.  I also give to my three sons, Levi, William and Pleasant  each one their part of the money I have in my hand at the time of my death.  Fifthly: I give and bequeath to my daughter Sophia Dameron, one negro woman named Delia and her two children Sue and Nell and her increases and also one third part of the tract of land purchased of Peck and not given to my two sons, Pleasant and Levi, the chestnut sorrel mare, she now has in her possession.

Sixthly: I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Murphy one negro boy named Philip, a negro girl named Linda, a negro boy named Abraham, a negro girl named Nance, a negro girl named Tilda, one wagon and gears, a feather bed, and furniture, a horse bridle, and saddle, one bay horse colt, one year old last June, two cows and calves, all the stock of hogs not given to my wife, two ewes and lambs, all the household and kitchen furniture not given to ay of my children and the balance of my farming tools not previously given.

Eighthly: it is my will and desire that my executors use the lawful means to emancipate and forever set free my negro woman Nance after the date and before my death that such child or children be equally divided among all my children, but in making such division the child or children not be sold out of my family.  Ninthly: It is my will and desire that all the money or other debts that shall be owing to me be collected and equally divided among all my children.

Lastly, I appoint my two sons Levi and William executors in this my last will and testament in testimony where of thereunto set my hand and sealed this the 17^th day of September, 1828.

Signed sealed and published and declared in the presence of I. A. Howard, John Cocke, Will Reece, John M. Brabston

William Goin (His mark) [29]

The children of William Goin.  His wife was the widow of Christopher Dameron and it is unknown if she was the mother of any of the children.

1. Levi Goin married Etha Goin.
2. Pleasant Goin married ___Hamiltonand moved to Kentucky.

iii. William Goin

1. Elizabeth Goin married William Murphy.[30]
2. Burton Going/Goin born about 1782 was named as one of the five youngest children in the will of Thomas Going, Sr.  He was on the 1810 census of Randolph County as were Burgess, his brother, and Elizabeth, who may have been the sister named also in the will or his mother.  Burton was listed as over 45 years indicating a birth date of between 1765 and 1784 as well as another male aged 10 to 16.  Listed with him was a female in the same age bracket plus two females between 10 and 16.[31]  His name is not on the 1830 lists in Randolph County or in Claiborne County.

By 1836 Burton Goin was recorded buying land from Pleasant Goin, probably a nephew either the son Pleasant, son of Levi, or Pleasant, son of William. He also purchased land in 1840 from Samuel Moore.[32]  According to P. G. Fulkerson’s information, Burton came to Claiborne County from North Carolina about 1835 and settled in Lonesome Valley.  Fulkerson stated that Burton was a brother to William.[33]

Burton’s children were listed by Fulkerson.

1851. Wilson Goin, born about 1813, North Carolina, died July 5, 1889, Tazewell; married Matilda Dyer.  Their children were: Elender Goin, born 1837; John Burton Goin, born 1839; Mary J. Goin, born 1841; Thomas J. Goin, born 1843; Andrew Jackson Goin, born 1846; Turley Goin, born c1847; Mariah Emeline Goin, born 1848; William Goin, born 1851.

On January 15, 1857, Wilson married secondly Mildred Killion, daughter or James Killion and Annie Peck. (See Killion family in McVey section).  Their children were: James R. Goin, born 1863; Lucy Ann Goin, born December 26, 1865; Henry Edward Goin, born January 13, 1871; Charles Columbus Goin, born November 16, 1876.[34]

1. Thomas Goin married Suffia Goins.

iii. Polly Goin married John Hall and moved to Missouri.

1. Ella Goinmarried Levi Goin.
2. Cassie Goin married John Goin as his second wife.[35]

[1]   1830 census, Claiborne County, Tennessee, p. 134.

[2]   Op. cit., Clark, pg 160-161.

[3]  Photocopy of the original  Application No. 2791 Before the Dawes Commission, Mrs. Jestern Castoe, February 24, 1897; Bureau of Indian Affairs, Muskogee, Oklahoma.

[4]   Photocopy of original page from Claiborne County, Tennessee, Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, October 8, 1810, Claiborne County Courthouse, Tazewell, Tennessee.

[5]   Mrs. John Trotwood Moore, Tennessee Records of Claiborne County, Minutes of Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1803-1806, Mountain Press, Signal Mountain, Tennessee, 1939, p. 57

[6]   Mrs. John Trotwood Moore, Tennessee Records of Claiborne County, Minutes of Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 1819-1821, Mountain Press, Signal Mountain, Tennessee, 1939, p. 171.

[7]   Letter of Eli Goin to his brother Isaac Goin, dated 1855, photocopy of original and transcription from Claiborne County (TN) Historical Society’s Reflections, Vol. 15, no. 4 (Fall 1997), p. 5.

[8]   1850 census, Claiborne County, Tennessee, Roll 874, pg. 299.

[9]   Phillip Edwin Roberts, “Census of 1830,” Gowen Research Foundation Newsletter, Vol. 8, No. 8, April 1997, p. 4.

[10]   Photocopies of original records, North Carolina Secretary of State, Land Office Records S 108.392, File No. 657, Thos. Goin

[11]   For details on the formation of the State of Franklin and the Battle of Franklin see Pat Alderman, The Overmountain Men, The Overmountain Press, Johnson City, Tennessee, 1986, pg. 181-227.

[12]   Ibid., p. 248.

[13]   Op. cit., Ledford, p. 1.

[14]   Loraine Rae, Washington County, Tennessee Deeds, 1775-1800, Southern Historical Press, Greenville, South Carolina, 1991, p. 162.

[15]   Tennessee Ancestors, Vol. 5, No. 2, August 1989, pg. 39, 80, 93.

[16]   LDS Film #18, Claiborne County, TN, Deeds, 1801-1810; microfilmed by Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville.

[17]   Op. cit., Moore, p. 57.

[18]   Photocopy of page one of church clerk’s record, Big Barren Primitive Baptist Church, Record Book No. 2.

[19]    East Tennessee Historical Society, First Families of Tennessee: a Register of Early Settlers and Their Present-Day Descendants, published 2000, Knoxville, p 159.

[20]   Photocopy of the record, “2^nd Circuit, Claiborne County, Tennessee, Transcript of the Record, Elijah Goin vs. Sterling Mayes, Filed July 26, 1858; Reversed & Remanded.”  Transcribed by BJN.

[21]   Op. cit., Kenan, p. 56.

[22]   Dr. A. B. Pruitt, Abstracts of Land Warrants, Randolph County, NC, 1778-1948, Part I, 2001, p. 14.

[23]   Op. cit., Fletcher, p. 173.

[24]   P. G. Fulkerson, Early Settlers of Claiborne County, Tennessee, Tazewell, Tennessee, p. 50.

[25]   Op. cit., Alderman, p. 248.

[26]   Op. cit., Fletcher, pg. 52 & 173.

[27]   LDS film, Roll #18, “Microfilm of Claiborne County, Tennessee, Deeds, 1801-1810; Tennessee State Library & Archives, Nashville, TN”

[28]   Op. cit., 1830 census, p. 124.

[29]   Op. cit., Ledford, p. 19.

[30]  Op. cit., Fulkerson, p. 50.

[31]   1810 census, Randolph County, NC, Roll 38, p. 194.

[32]   Op. cit., Fletcher, p. 173.

[33]   Op. cit., Fulkerson, p. 50.

[34]   Eddie Goins, “Wilson Goin,” The People’s History of Claiborne County, Tennessee, 1801-2005, Vol. II, Claiborne County Historical Society, 2005, pg. 277-8.

[35]   Op. cit., Fulkerson, p. 50.

From GRF Newsletter June 1995:

Thomas Goin of b. abt 1755 living in North Carolina

By Beverly J. Ellison Nelson
Editorial Boardmember
3391 W. Aksarben Avenue
Littleton, Colorado 80123

Although many researchers descended from the various branches of the Thomas Goin [1755-1838] family have sought to establish his origins, to date no firm connection exists. The primary clue is in the consistent census listing of North Carolina as the birthplace of his oldest known son Levi. But, even that may simply refer to that portion of North Carolina which became Tennessee.

The first proven official record for Thomas Goin is the North Carolina Land Grant No. 657 issued for 225 acres in Washington County, Tennessee “upon the waters of Cherokee Creek joining Tiptons line,” entered June 29, 1779 and issued October 26, 1786.1 The state records of North Carolina show Revolutionary War service for Thomas Goin on the roll of Capt. Bynum’s Company of Militia April 7, 1781.2 Also named on the roll is “James Going.”

By 1786 Thomas had established himself in Washington County, and his name is included among those who voted in the election in August 1786 at the Courthouse in Jonesborough, Tennessee.3 In 1788, 1789, and 1790, Thomas Goin was No. 26 on the tax list of  Washington County, North Carolina with 1 white poll, indicating that he had located on his grant. In 1789 shown as No. 33 was Jonathan Tipton whose political problems had erupted in gunfire. Another taxpayer also soon to move to Claiborne County, Tennessee was No. 40, Philip Orsamus [Ausmus]. Other families in the area who would also relocate were the Hunters and Graves.4

Recorded in Washington County, Tennessee Deed Book 7, pages 209Ä12,. dated January 4, 1795 is a clue to the date and reason for Thomas Goin’s departure. “Edmund Williams. Late sheriff of Washington County to Alexander Moffett against Thomas Goins, defendant, in 1788 levied against 275 acres on Cherokee Creek. Bid: oe40, 1 shilling, 8 pence. Adjoining Jonathan Tipton, R Bayley, Bailey’s land not sold at first sale because of no bidders; second sale Feb. 1788,. Alex Moffatt. highest bidder. Signed: Edmund Williams. Witnesses:

Waighstill Avery, Andrew Greer, Amos Ball. Court Term: Sept 1795.”5

In the August term of 1787 Alex Moffatt had sworn “That he had lost a bond, the property of Thomas Goan, concerning 200 acres on Middle Creek. It was given by Isaac Taylor to Ralph Hedgepath who assigned it to John Cassady who assigned it to Goan.6 According to court records, Thomas Goin was serving as Constable of Washington County.7

The log cabin constructed in 1869 by James Knox Polk Goin, one of the 22 children of Sterling Goin, on his homestead in Gage County, Nebraska stood for almost 100 years. Its size, 9’x12′ was prescribed by the tallest trees growing along the creek, and it had only one door. Polk, great-grandson of Thomas Goin, kept the cabin in repair through the years to remind his family of how they started their new lives in the West. Photo courtesy of the author.

These dates and the location of Thomas Goin’s land placed him in one of the most exciting periods and places in Tennessee history. On August 23. 1784, at Jonesborough the people of Washington, Sullivan and Green Counties began their efforts to form the State of Franklin, [Newsletter, August 1993]. The ensuing political battle pitted future Tennessee Governor John Sevier against Thomas Goin’s neighbor, Col. John Tipton. By February 27, 1788, the maneuvering of the two camps led to the “Battle of Franklin” at the Tipton house.9

Three men died during the two-day siege. Perhaps the shooting and warfare in his own neighborhood induced Thomas to move on.

Prior to 1799 Thomas had relocated his family to The Barrens area of then Grainger, now Claiborne County, Tennessee where he and sons Levi and Uriah appeared on the tax list.10

He was also one of the founders of Big Barren Primitive Baptist Church in 1803. This beautiful area with its rugged and rolling hills lies just to the south of the Powell River.

Nearby, to the northeast, lies the Cumberland Gap, strategic during both the westward movement and the Civil War years.

While the census of 1830 indicates that Thomas was born between 1750Ä1760,11 the records of Big Barren Baptist Primitive Church mark his death in 1838.12

As was customary with the Primitive Baptists, separate lists were made for the male and female members. [Early pictures of nearby Davis Creek Primitive Baptist illustrate also the two separate entrances, one for the men and one for the women.]

First listed was William Williams Sr, highly regarded local Baptist preacher. Number three was Thomas Going. Also number three on the women’s list is Elizabeth Going, either the wife or daughterÄinÄlaw of Thomas. To date no record of Thomas’ wife’s name has surfaced. Both are presumed buried at Big Barren Baptist church, lying now beneath the flooded waters of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Norris Lake.

Three sons of Thomas Goin have been identified as:

Levi Goin born about 1780
Uriah Goin born about 1785
Isaac Abraham Goin born about 1803

Levi Goin, first known son of Thomas Goin, was born about 1780. He was married November 2, 1799 to Elizabeth Stallions in Grainger County. Twelve children were born to them. He died in 1865.

Uriah Goin, second known son of Thomas Goin, was born about 1785. He was married September 27, 1846 to Nancy Goin, widow of his nephew and his second wife. He died about 1845. He was the father of seven children.

Isaac Abraham Goin, third known son of Thomas Goin, was born about 1793. He was married March 24, 1809 to Temperance “Tempy” Gray. He died December 26, 1875, the father of 12 children. Since this piece is concerned with the descendants of Thomas Goin’s oldest son, Levi Goin, only the names and birth dates of children of Uriah Goin and Isaac Abraham Goin are listed.

Children of the first marriage of Uriah Goin:

Levi Goin, Jr. born in 1810
Sarah Alice Goin born October 11, 1813
Elizabeth “Betsy” Goin born about 1815
Nancy Goin born about 1816
Nelson Goin born 18 Nov 1818
Mahaly Goin born in 1824

Children born to Uriah Goin and Nancy Goin Goin include:

John W. Goin born in 1848

Children born to Isaac Abraham Goin and Temperance “Tempy” Gray Goin include:

John A. Goin born December 22, 1814
Martin Van Buren Goin born in 1818
Naomi Goin born in 1820
Sarah Goin born in 1825
Anna Goin born in 1826
William James Goin born in 1827
Martha Goin, born in 1832
Alfred Goin born in 1833
Lucetta Goin born in 1835
Mary Ann Goin born in 1831
Christopher “Kit” Goin born in 1839
Hula Goin born about 1843

Due to the combined losses of the U.S. Census records for Tennessee and the burning of the Claiborne County Courthouse, records for this Goin family between 1800 and 1836 are few. Fortunately, Thomas’ oldest son, Levi Goin and his wife, Elizabeth Stallions Goin, daughter of Thomas Stallions, were also members of the Big Barren Baptist Church. Since this denomination does not practice infant baptism, names are added to the list of  members only when the youth is old enough to profess faith. Outdoor baptism by  immersion and foot washing were common practices.

Members of the Primitive Baptists were expected to practice the moral and ethical tenets of their faith in all areas of life, not just on Sunday. The old Davis Creek Primitive Baptist Church which functioned as the “mother church” to others in the area including Big Barren is still active. Its beauty lies in total simplicity and lack of all decorations [i.e, statues, paintings, stained glass, etc.] to distract the worshipper. Levi’s name was listed as No. 25 on the list recorded in the Big Barren clerk’s book as “Dec’d June 19th 1865.”13 His wife had died in 1858.

Helping the imagination to recreate life in the Tennessee hills is the letter written in 1855 by one of Levi’s sons, Eli to his brother Isaac in Illinois.14 In addition to giving news of the individual relatives, Eli gave a crop report: corn 50 to 75 cents/bushel; wheat $1/bushel. Horses were selling at $100 with cows and calves going from $12 to $18. Most likely the family also participated in the local activity of logging and then floating logs by raft down the river.

Twelve children were born to Levi Goin and Elizabeth Stallions Goin:

William Goin born in 1803
Uriah Goin born in 1805
Isaac Goin born January 24, 1806
Pleasant Goin born in 1808
Richard Goin born in 1810
Thomas Goin born in 1811
Elijah Goin born in 1815
Rachel Goin born September 29, 1816
Sterling Goin born November 4, 1818
Leroy Goin born December 8, 1819
Eli Goin born March 2, 1825
Jamima Jane Goin born in 1827

William Goin, son of Levi Goin and Elizabeth Stallions Goin, was born in 1803. He was married in 1830 to Elizabeth Dykes. They removed to Knox County, Kentucky. Eight children were born to them.

Uriah Goin, son of Levi Goin and Elizabeth Stallions Goin, was born in Claiborne County in 1805. He was married in 1828 to Nancy Dickson. Five children were born to them.

Isaac Goin, son of Levi Goin and Elizabeth Stallions Goin, was born January 24, 1806. He was married January 31, 1826 to Kiziah Epperson. They removed to McLeansboro, Illinois.

Ten children were born to them.

Pleasant Goin, son of Levi Goin and Elizabeth Stallions Goin, was born in 1808. He was married in 1832 to Isabella Norell and became a Baptist preacher in Claiborne County. Thirteen children were born to them.

Richard Goin, son of Levi Goin and Elizabeth Stallions Goin, was born in 1810. He was married to Elizabeth Ferguson and removed to Loudon, Kentucky. He was remarried, wife’s name Sarah. Seven children were born to him and his two wives.

Thomas Goin, son of Levi Goin and Elizabeth Stallions Goin, was born in 1811. Of this individual nothing more is known.

Elijah Goin, son of Levi Goin and Elizabeth Stallions Goin, was born in 1815. He was married in 1838 to Martha Lewis.

Seven children were born to them. He died after 1870. For details of his life, see Carol Ledford’s account of the famous Claiborne County slander suit. [Newsletter, June 1991]

Rachel Goin, daughter of Levi Goin and Elizabeth Stallions Goin, was born September 29, 1816. She was married to Philip Keck and bore 12 children. She died in 1902 in Claiborne County.

Sterling Goin, son of Levi Goin and Elizabeth Stallions Goin, was born November 4, 1818. He was married first to Mary Ann Keck, second to Dicy M. Davis and third to Melvina M. Moyers. He was the father of 22 children.

(To be continued)

1 Microfilm, Thomas Goin land grant, No. 657, North Carolina Division of Archives and History, Raleigh. NC; certified copy in possession of author; 2 Walter Clark. Justice of Supreme Court, Editor, “The State Records of North Carolina” [Goldsboro. NC, Nash Brothers, 1899] p. 1042; 3

“Documents Illustrative of Tennessee History,” Tennessee Ancestors. Vol. 5. (2) August 1989, p. 93; 4 Ibid. p. 39. p. 80; 5 Loraine Rae. “Washington County, Tennessee Deeds.

1775-1800 [Greenville. S C.. Southern Historical Press, 1991] p 162; 6 Ibid. p 175; 7 Carol Ledford. “Thomas Goin – Old Tommy” “Reflections” Vol 9. No 3 [Claiborne County Historical Society, Tazewell, TN] p I; 8 Max Dixon. “The Wataugans” [Johnson City. TN. The Overmountain Press. 1989] p. 65; 9 Pat Alderman, “”The Overmountain Men”.

Johnson City. TN.. The Overmountain Press. 1970] p 223; 10 Byron & Barbara Sistler, “Index to Early Tennessee Tax Lists,” [Evanston, IL. 1983] p. 77. 11 1830 U.S. Census, Claiborne Co, TN, p. 134; 12 Primitive Baptist Church Book [1838Ä1901], original in 1976 in possession of Elder Harrison T. Odell, Knoxville, TN.

Photocopy in possession of author. 1995; 13 Ibid; 14 Letter of Eli Goin, Claiborne County, TN to Isaac Goin of McLeansboro, IL, dated May 27, 1855. Photocopy in possession of author.

From GRF Newsletter July 1995:

Thomas Goin and Descendants
Pioneered in Claiborne Co, TN

By Beverly J. Ellison Nelson
Editorial Boardmember
3391 W. Aksarben Avenue
Littleton, Colorado 80123

Part Two:

Sterling Goin, son of Levi Goin and Elizabeth Stallions Goin, was born November 4, 1818. He was married first to Mary Ann Keck, second to Dicy M. Davis and third to Melvina M. Moyers. He was the father of 22 children.

LeRoy Goin, son of Levi Goin and Elizabeth Stallions Goin, was born December 8, 1819. He was married February 13, 1840 to Rebecca Fuson and removed to Mercer County, Missouri. In 1864 they moved to Oregon. Eleven children were born to them.

Eli Goin, son of Levi Goin and Elizabeth Stallions Goin, was born March 2, 1825. He was married August 9, 1849 to Rachel Edwards. He was politically active and an office holder in Claiborne County. He died December 22, 1903 and was buried in Pleasant Point Cemetery beside his wife. Ten children were born to them.

Jamima Jane Goin, daughter of Levi Goin and Elizabeth Stallions Goin, was born in 1827. She was married to Calvin Sparks and became the mother of seven children.

With his 22 children Sterling Goin holds the record for fecundity among the descendants of Thomas Goin. Although one researcher claims that there was a fourth wife for Sterling Goin, this writer has traced that unfounded rumor to her greatÄgrandfather, James Knox Polk Goin, Sterling’s second son. The rumor is contradicted by what appeared in a 1904 biography where Polk related the following information after his family’s background:

“For over a third of a century this gentleman [James Knox Polk Goin] has made his home in Gage County, Nebraska, and he has aided materally [sic] in the growth and development of Island Grove township, which is his place of residence.

“He was born in Claiborne County, Tennessee, on the 10th of April, 1845, and belongs to an old southern family of English and Scotch extraction that was founded in Tennessee at an early day in its history. His grandfather, Levi Goin was a native of Virginia, but the greater part of his life was passed in Tennessee where Sterling Goin, our subject’s father, was born in 1818. There the latter grew to manhood and married Miss Mary Keck, also a native of Tennessee, by whom he had 16 children, 15 of that number reaching mature years.

After the death of the mother, the father married again, and by his second union had two children, one of whom is now deceased. He has been a third time married, and has three children by that union. Throughout his active life he has followed farming and is still living in Tennessee at the age of 85 years. He is a faithful member of the Baptist Church and is a supporter of the Republican party. He was a strong Union man during the Civil war and suffered much at the hands of the rebels, who took his grain and stock.”15

A slightly different version of the family’s background is found in the 1889 biography written about Polk’s brother, Philip:

“He was born near Tazewell, Claiborne County, Tennessee August 15, 1846, and his father, Sterling Goin, was also a native of the same county. Levi Goin, the grandfather of the subject an AmericanÄborn citizen of Irish descent, was an early settler of Tennessee and was numbered among the welltodo farmers of his time in Claiborne County, and there he died in 1863, when he was over 80 years old.

His son, Sterling was reared on his farm, and after attaining man’s estate he married Mary Keck, who was a native of the same county as himself. After the marriage the father of our subject continued on the old homestead, buying the heirs out, and was for many years extensively engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1886 he sold the old place and turned his attention to hotelÄkeeping in Tazewell, Tennessee where he is now living at the age of seventy years. He is a man of great force and is highly respected in his neighborhood. His estimable wife closed her eyes to the scenes of earth while yet scarcely past the prime of life. dying December 22, 1868, when forty-five years old.16

Sterling and Mary Ann’s family was one literally torn apart by the Civil War. After the oldest son John was inducted into the Confederate Army, second son Polk walked over Cumberland Mountain and signed up with the First Tennessee Artillery of the Union Army. He was soon joined by Keck cousins and next younger brother Philip.

Shortly after the end of the war and safe return of her three sons. Mary Ann Keck Goin who was born in 1823 in Claiborne County, the daughter of John Keck, Sr. and Anna Owsley, died on December 23, 1868 at Goin, Tennessee. She had married Sterling Goin in Claiborne County October 2, 1839.17 Since her sixteenth child, Mary, was born on the same day that she died, it is presumed that Mary Ann’s death was from complications of childbirth. She was buried at Pleasant Point Cemetery.

Sterling Goin was remarried May 25, 1870 to Dicy M. Davis.

Three children were born to her before she died February 6, 1875. She was buried beside the first wife. In May 1875 he was married for the third time to Melvina Needham Moyers, widow of Al Moyers. Although Sterling was 31 years older that Melvina, she only outlived him by one year and one month. Sterling died May 10, 1910 and was buried beside his wives. When Melvina died June 20, 1911, she was buried beside Sterling and his other two wives. A picture of Sterling and Melvina appeared in “The People’s History of Claiborne County, Tennessee, 1801-1988.”

Sometime around 1900, Sterling’s children made a list of themselves and then had it printed. The following names and birthdates of the 22 are based on that list. All were born in Claiborne County.18

(To be continued)

15 “Southeastern Nebraska Biographical and Genealogical History.” Vol I, [Chicago & NY, Lewis Publishing Co, 1904], pp 438Ä439; 16 “Portrait and Biographical Album of Johnson and Pawnee Counties, Nebraska. [Chicago, Chapman Brothers. 1889]. pp 481-482; 17 Original Marriage Record Book, Claiborne County Courthouse, Tazewell, TN.

[Photocopy in possession of author]; 18 Original printed list of Children of Sterling Goin which belonged to James K. Polk Goin. Now in Possession of author;

From GRF Newsletter Aug 1995:

Goins of Claiborne County, TN (continued)

By Beverly J. Ellison Nelson
Editorial Boardmember
3391 W. Aksarben Avenue
Littleton, Colorado 80123

Part 3:

Sometime around 1900, Sterling’s children made a list of themselves and then had it printed. The following names and birthdates of the 22 are based on that list. All were born in Claiborne County.18

Children born to Sterling Goin and Mary Ann Keck Goin include:

John Goin [twin] born September 15, 1841
Annie Goin [twin] born September 15, 1841
Rachel Goin born October 7, 1843
James Knox Polk Goin born April 10, 1845
Philip Goin born September 15, 1846
Levi Goin born July 24, 1848
Jasper Goin born March 6, 1850
Sarah E. Goin born April 7, 1852
William Houston Goin born September 4, 1854
Tilman Howard Goin born January 21, 1856
Rebecca Goin born March 11, 1858
Proctor Goin born February 20, 1860
Charity Jane Goin born August 15, 1862
Catherine Goin born August 15, 1865
[son] born in 1866
Mary Goin born December 23, 1868

Children born to Sterling Goin and Dicy M. Davis Goin include:

Sherman Goin born December 3, 1872
[son] born in 1874
Dicy Manerva Goin born January 1, 1875

Children born to Sterling Goin and Melvina Needham Moyers
Goin include:

Vesty Goin born April 2, 1876
Edwina Goin born May 15, 1878
Oscar Sterling Goin born January 12, 1881

John Goin, twin son of Sterling Goin and Mary Ann Keck Goin, was born September 15, 1841. He was married October 27, 1859 to Fanny Raney. He fought in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He died about 1874.

Annie Goin, twin daughter of Sterling Goin and Mary Ann Keck Goin, was born September 15, 1841. She was married June 25, 1875 to Martin J. Edwards as his second wife. She died February 26, 1912 in Claiborne County.

Rachel Goin, daughter of Sterling Goin and Mary Ann Keck Goin, was born October 7, 1843 and died in childhood.

James Knox Polk Goin, son of Sterling Goin and Mary Ann Keck Goin, was born April 10, 1845. He was married December 7, 1865 to Elizabeth Ann McVey and moved in 1869 to Nebraska. He died December 26, 1934 at Beatrice, Nebraska.

Philip Goin, son of Sterling Goin and Mary Ann Keck Goin, was born September 15, 1846. He was married September 22, 1866 to Elander Bolinger. They moved to Nebraska in 1869.

He died at Liberty, Nebraska September 27, 1924.

Levi Goin, son of Sterling Goin and Mary Ann Keck Goin, was born July 24, 1848. He was married March 14, 1872 to Sarah E. Life. They moved by wagontrain to Marshall County, Kansas.

He died May 5, 1936 in Cheney, Washington.

Jasper Goin, son of Sterling Goin and Mary Ann Keck Goin, was born March 6, 1850.

Sarah E. Goin, daughter of Sterling Goin and Mary Ann Keck Goin, was born April 7, 1852. She was married March 5, 1872 to Aaron Jacob Francisco. She died February 7, 1941 in Claiborne County.

William Houston Goin, son of Sterling Goin and Mary Ann Keck Goin, was born September 4, 1854. He was married November 23, 1872 in Claiborne County to Louisa Mayes. He died at Princeton, Missouri in Mercer County.

Tilman Howard Goin, son of Sterling Goin and Mary Ann Keck Goin, was born January 21, 1856. He was married September 9, 1880 in Marshall County, Kansas to Mary Jane Day. He died May 23, 1931 in Maury County, Tennessee.

Rebecca Goin, daughter of Sterling Goin and Mary Ann Keck Goin, was born March 11, 1858. She was married to Joe Messick about 1875.

Proctor Goin, son of Sterling Goin and Mary Ann Keck Goin, was born February 20, 1860. He was married November 3, 1881 in Pawnee County, Nebraska to Emeline Ellison who was also born in Claiborne County, Tennessee. She was the daughter of McKindred Ellison and Nancy Lynch Ellison.
Proctor came to Nebraska in an overland wagontrain with Keck cousins. Proctor also owned land in Canada. His descendants still live in Gage County, Nebraska.

Charity Jane Goin, daughter of Sterling Goin and Mary Ann Keck Goin, was born August 15, 1862. She was married December 11, 1879 to Jefferson Edmondson. She died December 9, 1937 in Bakersfield, California.

Catherine Goin. daughter of Sterling Goin and Mary Ann Keck Goin, was born August 15, 1865 and came to Nebraska in 1865.

She was married November 1, 1884 to William Edmondson in Claiborne County.19 She died April 1, 1953.

An unnamed infant son was born to Sterling Goin and Mary Ann Keck Goin in 1866. He died the same year.

Mary Goin, daughter of Sterling Goin and Mary Ann Keck Goin, was born December 23, 1868, the day that her mother died. She was married November 14, 1889 to Robert Edmondson.

She died September 27, 1926 in Claiborne County.

Sherman Goin, son of Sterling Goin and Dicy M. Davis Goin, was born December 3, 1872. He was married to Flora Hopkins. An unnamed son was born to Sterling Goin and Dicy M. Davis Goin in 1874 and died in the same year.

Dicy Manerva Goin, daughter of Sterling Goin and Dicy M. Davis Goin was born January 1, 1875. She died June 20, 1911.

Vesty Goin, daughter of Sterling Goin and Melvina Needham Moyers, was born April 2, 1876. She was married to William Fortner. She died May 6, 1942.

Edwina Goin, daughter of Sterling Goin and Melvina Needham Moyers, was born May 15, 1878. She was married to Nelson Stone. She died in 1973.

Oscar Sterling Goin, son of Sterling Goin and Melvina Needham Moyers, was born January 12, 1881. He was married to Hattie Carlson. He died in 1965.

In 1869 James Knox Polk Goin, second son of Sterling Goin and Mary Ann Keck Goin, joined other Claiborne County families in the past-war exodus from East Tennessee. With his wife Elizabeth Ann McVey, daughter of James McVey and Nancy Killion McVey, whom he had married December 7, 1865 at Tazewell,20 and their youngest children, he transplanted to Liberty, Gage County, Nebraska. There he homesteaded 160 acres under the Homestead Act of 1862. In 1872 he completed the requirements to receive the patent for his land.21

In the statement of proof required by the government his witnesses were his brother Philip Goin and fellow Claiborne County native, Jonathan Sharp. They testified that he had built a house of lumber 15×19 feet with three doors and 2 windows and a shingled roof. Also noted were a stable and an acre of trees as well as the original log cabin 9×12 feet. This couple has been recognized by the State of Nebraska and the Nebraska State Genealogical Society as one of the Pioneer Families of Nebraska.22

That first home of logs stood on that land until after 1950. Its size was prescribed by the tallest trees growing along the creek.

There was one door in the front. Polk kept the old cabin in repair over the years and used it as a woodshed. According to his granddaughter, Hazel Conover Ellison who took her daughter, this writer, to visit the cabin about 1947, Polk reminded his family to look at the cabin and remember how they started their new lives in the West.

To claim homestead land Polk had to prove his loyalty to the Union during the Civil War. Included in his homestead file is a transcript furnished by the War Department at Nashville, Tennessee.

Besides acknowledging his enrollment in Company B, First Regiment of Light Artillery, Tennessee Volunteers May 1, 1863, it lists his discharge as 20 July 1865 at Nashville, In addition his description at age 18 was given as “five feet eight inches high, light complexion, blue eyes, light hair and by occupation when enrolled a farmer.”23

After Polk enlisted at Nicklesville, Kentucky, he saw action in the Battle of Wildcat, Kentucky and the Battle of Cumberland Gap. He told his grandson Marvin Ellison with whom he shared his home during the last years of his life that he got up that May 1st morning and just acted as if he were heading for the fields.

Instead, he headed for Kentucky. Although he never mentioned his older brother’s Confederate service, some family members maintain that he joined the Northern army in response to the forced enlistment of his brother, John Goin.

At one point the Confederacy was forcibly enrolling the oldest son from each family in pro-Union East Tennessee. After escaping a Confederate group intent on conscripting them into the Confederate cause, his Keck cousins joined him in Kentucky as did his brother, Philip. Years later they also joined him in Nebraska. Polk’s service on behalf of the Union was rewarded with Civil War Pension No. 39685.

In 1915 the Bureau of Pensions requested from each pensioner personal information including data about the spouse and the children. From that list24 and the records of the Liberty Cemetery25 and individual family members a list of the children of Polk and Elizabeth Ann has been assembled.

During his early years at Liberty, Polk joined others of the numerous families from Claiborne County in forming the Good Hope Baptist Church. This large group of pioneers was linked by blood, marriage and religion as exemplified by their bringing their own preacher-teacher from Tennessee. Peter Bolinger, the minister, was the brother of Eleander Bolinger, wife of Philip Goin. Families who would continue to intermarry in Nebraska included the Cains, Johnsons, Sharps, Lynches and this writer’s paternal group, the Ellisons. Polk also carried on another family tradition by serving in Gage County in 1904 as Justice of the Peace. 26

18 Original printed list of Children of Sterling Goin which belonged to James K. Polk Goin. Now in Possession of author; 19 Claiborne County Historical Society, “People’s History of Claiborne County. Tennessee 1801-1988. [Salem, WV, The Wadsworth Press. 1988], p. 79; 20 Claiborne County Tennessee Marriage Book 3, page 133, certified August 3, 1990 by Evelyn M. Hill, County Clerk; 21 Homestead File; Homestead Land Office, Beatrice, Nebraska, August 20, 1872, Application No. 3162, Certificate No. 699, issued by Hiram W. Parker, Registrar, National Archives. Washington D.C; 22 Certificate No. 814 issued September 30, 1990 by Nebraska State Genealogical Society, Lincoln, NE; 23 Ibid, Homestead file; 24 National Archives, Washington, DC, Civil War Pension File for James K. Goin, No 739685; 25 Internment, Lot, and Index Books of Liberty Cemetery Association, Liberty, NE. Transcribed by F. R. “Bob” Nelson and Beverly J. Ellison Nelson, privately printed. Littleton, CO, 1991; 26 “Annual Statistical Report of the Board of Supervisors~. Gage County, NE, J. R. Plasters, County Clerk. Original in Vertical Files, Nebraska State Historical Society. Lincoln, NE.

POSSIBLE MATCHES:

We do not know where Thomas Going of Claiborne County, TN came from, it is presumed he came from Granville County, NC. The following records all possibly match – but some conflict with eachother. I have listed the possibilities below:

Researcher Bev. J Nelson believes the records for the Thomas Goings out of Granville County, NC fit closely with Thomas Going of Claiborne County, TN. Keep in mind though that this is not certain. The timeline of the records do fit, but there are other records that could fit as well. See the records below for the Granville County, NC Thomas Goings, AND for alternatives

Thomas Going Sr of Granville County, Virginia b. by or before 1731
(In Granville Co, NC from 1752-1780)
(Unknown where Thomas Going Sr went after 1780)
See Records in:
North Carolina – Granville County

Thomas Going Jr of Granville County, Virginia b. btw 1746-56
(In Granville Co, NC on own tithe in 1777-1788 last shown in 1788 when he receives deed from “uncle” Edward Gowing to Elizabeth Bass estate – which included property in Green Co, TN, Anson Co, NC, and Richmond Co, NC, and South Carolina according to Order)
(Unknown where he went after 1788)
See Records in:
North Carolina – Granville County

Thomas Going of Washington Co, TN b. before 1758
(In Washington Co, TN from 1779 land grant to 1790 lawsuit)
(Unknown where he went after Washington Co, TN)
(This could be Thomas Going Sr of Granville Co, NC. IF we believe Thomas Going of Claiborne Co, TN is not from Granville Co, NC this could indicate Thomas Going of Claiborne Co, TN is not the son of Thomas Going who d. 1797 in Montgomery Co, NC)
See Records in:
Tennessee – Washington County

*(NOTE: IT IS POSSIBLE that Thomas Going of Claiborne Co, TN is NOT the son of Thomas Going that died in 1797 in Montgomery Co, NC. IF THAT IS THE CASE, then the following records may show where he came from):

(Alternative Possibility 1 – Prince Edward County, Va):
Thomas Going of Brunswick County, Prince Edward, & Charlotte Counties, Virginia b. btw 1728-1738
(In Brunswick Co, Va from 1759-1765. In 1767 lawsuit says he left the county)
(In Prince Edward Co, Va from 1770-1806. Wife Judith McDearmonroe in 1803 signs release of dower after Thomas sells land. Tithe in 1803 calls him “Thomas Gowing Sr” implying there is a “Jr”).
(In Charlotte County, Virginia from 1807-1813. Shows as head of household in 1810 US Census, but then wife “Judy Going” shows as head of household in 1820 US Census indicating Thomas Going Sr died some time after 1813)
See Records in:
Virginia – Brunswick County
Virginia – Prince Edward County
Virginia – Charlotte County

Thomas Going Jr of Prince Edward Co, Va b. before 1782
(Only “implied” in 1803 tithe record for “father” who is called Thomas Going Sr in 1803 tithe record)
(Unknown where Thomas Going Jr after 1803 “implied” record)
(Possible this Thomas Going “Jr” moved to Claiborne Co, TN – BUT if this is the case, then he is NOT the son of Thomas Going that died in 1797 in Montgomery Co, NC – as THIS Thomas Going’s father did not die until at least 1813).
See Records in:
Virginia – Prince Edward County

(Alternative Possibility 2 – Washington County, TN):
Thomas Going of Washington Co, TN b. before 1758
(In Washington Co, TN from 1779 land grant to 1790 lawsuit)
(Unknown where he went after Washington Co, TN)
(This could be Thomas Going Sr of Granville Co, NC. IF we believe Thomas Going of Claiborne Co, TN is not from Granville Co, NC this could indicate Thomas Going of Claiborne Co, TN is not the son of Thomas Going who d. 1797 in Montgomery Co, NC)
See Records in:
Tennessee – Washington County

(Alternative Possibility 3 – Greensville County, Va):
Thomas Going of Greensville County, Virginia b. btw 1752-1762
(In Greensville from 1782-1803)
(Unknown where Thomas Going went after 1803)
(Possible this Thomas moved to Claiborne and still had some property in Greensville as he was moving family – close enough in time to consider. This alternative would mean that Thomas Going of Claiborne Co, TN is not the son of Thomas Going of Montgomery Co, NC as the Thomas Going of Greensville appears to be the son of Drury Going in Greensville)
See Records in:
Virginia – Greensville County

(NOTE: I have ruled out Thomas Going of Brunswick County, Va as being this same Thomas. The Thomas of Brunswick Co, Va appears to move to Prince Edward Co, Va, and then move to Charlotte Co, Va – during time that would conflict with this page’s Thomas being in Claiborne Co, TN).