Thomas Goin

DAR Ancestor #: A046110

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. The Tipton Farm, now a tourist attraction, still exists

near Jonesborough, Tennesse, according to Carol Anne Ledford, family researcher.

In the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions held November 1, 1784 in Washington County, North

Carolina [which later became Washington County, Tennessee] Thomas Goin was appointed constable.

He was granted 225 acres, described as Grant No. 751, on Cherokee Creek in Washington County

October 26, 1786. The grant was signed by I. Glasgone Lee and R. C. Caswell.

He served on several jury panels there, according to the county court records and was in court in

Jonesborough, the county seat, on the day that Andrew Jackson was admitted to the bar. In 1786 Thomas

Goin received another land grant, No. 756, according to "North Carolina Land Grants in Tennessee,

1778-1791." The land was described as 225 acres "on the waters of the Nolachucky, adjoining a bank of

rocks." This transaction was actually a purchase grant, paid for by cash or certificate. 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," according to "Washington County, Tennessee Deeds, 1775-1800."

In 1787, "Thomas Gooin" received Grant No. 2015 for 300 acres of land on Licking Creek, "including

his improvements" in Greene County, Tennessee. This grant was paid for in cash. Greene County had

been formed in 1783 with land taken from Washington County.

In 1788, "Thomas Goin" applied to the County Court of Greene County for the administration of the

estate of Elizabeth Bass, according to "Bulletin of the Watauga Association," Volume 10:

"August 1788. On motion of W. Avery, Esqr. atto. for Thomas Going for obtaining letter of

administration on the Estate of Elizabeth Bass, decd. ordered that the same be laid over until next term,

for proof of sanguinity [kinship, blood relationship] & that a dedimus potestatem [a commission to take

testimony] issue in favour of said Thomas Going to Anson & Richmond Counties & to the State of South

Carolina by giving fifteen days notice to Jeremiah Bass of the time & place where such testimony will be

taken, ditto for Levi Bass to South Carolina giving Thos. Going fifteen days notice at least."

Edward Gowen of Granville County, North Carolina, regarded as a kinsman of Thomas Goin, was also

named an heir of Elizabeth Bass. On October 14, 1788 he conveyed his interest in her estate to "his

nephew, Thomas Gowen," according to Granville County Will Book 2, page 79.

"October 14, 1788. Know all men by these presents that I Edward Gowen of the County of Granville for

divers good causes and considerations thereunto [me] moving more especially for the sum of A25 to me

in hand paid, the receipt of which I do hereby acknowledge, hath bar? gained, sold & made over, and by

10 Feb 2004 The Descendants of William GOING Page 17

these presents, do bargain, sell and make over to my nephew, Thomas Gowen all the estate, right and

interest I have or hereafter may have to the estate of Elizabeth Bass, deceased, or any part thereof, and do

hereby make over the same to the said Thomas Gowin, his heirs and assigns from the claim of me, the

said Edward Gowen or any other person whatever claiming under me. In witness whereof I have hereunto

set my hand & seal the

15th day of October, 1786.

Edward Going

Witnesses:

Henry Meghe

Allin Hudson

Jhn. [X] Simmons"

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. 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. "Thomas Goin, Pvt," assigned this land in 1792 to Lardner

Clark, later a prominent attorney in Nashville, Tennessee.

The land of Thomas Goin on Cherokee Creek was levied on by the sheriff and was sold at auction

January 4, 1795, according to Washington County Deed Book 7, page 209?12. The entry read:

"Edmund Williams. Late sheriff of Washington County to Alexander Moffett against Thomas Goins,

defendant, in 1788 levied against 275 acres on Cherokee Creek. Bid: A40, 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."

In 1788, Thomas Goin sold his land in Greene County and moved westward to newly created Hawkins

County, Tennessee from which Claiborne would be created in 1801. Thomas Goin didn't come to

Claiborne County; the county came to him. He appeared there as a taxpayer, along with his sons, Levi

Goin and Uriah Goin on Big Barren Creek in 1799 in "Capt. Coxes company." The postoffice of Goin,

Tennessee would be named for this pioneer's family in 1884. Goin still exists today, but the postoffice

was discontinued in 1965.

In 1802, he and his sons helped to build the road to Tazewell, Tennessee, and were appointed its

overseers. On Saturday, November 1, 1803, he was instrumental in establishing the Big Barren Primitive

Baptist Church. "Thomas Going" was recorded as No. 3 on the church roster of the men. No. 3 on the

women's roster was "Elizabeth Going," possibly the wife of Thomas Goin.

He served on Claiborne County jury panels and in 1833 was listed as a "white male" taxpayer.

Thomas Goin died in 1838, according to Big Barren Primitive Baptist Church Record Book 2, and was

buried in Old Big Barren Church Cemetery which adjoined the church. The site is now at the bottom of

Norris Lake, and it is unknown if the graves were moved before the lake was created. His will was

recorded in the Claiborne County courthouse.

Fifteen years after his death, his descendants were tormented in the community by accusations that they

were descended from "niggers and mulattos." The family had distinct Melungeon features, but attributed

the mixed-blood characteristics to Indian and/or Portuguese ancestry. For a detailed account of this

incident, see Record # 117 in this data base for James Smith Falkner (family notes).

Name: Thomas GOIN 1

Sex: M

Birth: ABT. 1750 in Virginia, USA 1

Death: 1838 in Claiborne County, Tennessee, USA 1

Marriage 1 Spouse Unknown

Children

Levi GOIN b: 2 NOV 1779 in Washington County, North Carolina, USA

Uriah GOIN b: BET. 1785 - 1786 in Tennessee, USA
Isaac Abraham GOIN b: BET. 1793 - 1794 in Tennessee, USA
Sources:

Title: Gowen Research Foundation Database

Repository:

Media: Electronic

Page: http://www.llano.net/gowen//manuscript/asc/gowenms.132.txt

PVT IN CAPT. TURNERS BYNUM'S CO. N.C. MALITIA REV WAR

Thomas 'marker was proudly placed by Todd Williams of the General Joseph Martin S.A.R. Chapter. A memorial service honoring Thomas was held in the cemetery on October 15, 2009. Hosted by Marsha Bratton, Regent, Middlesboro Chapter D.A.R. & Todd, both of Middlesboro, KY.

The following should be noted which was received from Thomas' descendant, Betty George:

"Old Big Barren Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Book 2, Page 4 listing #3 Thomas Goin 1755-1838, buried in the Church cemetery."

The Old Big Barren Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery was covered by water in 1935 after the completion of Norris Dam & the formation of Norris Lake. Records have never been found verifying if Thomas' remains were relocated by the T.V.A. or if he was left behind.

GEDCOM Source

@R-1795247536@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. This information comes from 1 or more individual Ancestry Family Tree files. This source citation points you to a current version of those files. Note: The owners of these tree files may have removed or changed information since this source citation was created.

GEDCOM Source

Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=10558738&pid...

GEDCOM Source

@R-1795247536@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. This information comes from 1 or more individual Ancestry Family Tree files. This source citation points you to a current version of those files. Note: The owners of these tree files may have removed or changed information since this source citation was created.

GEDCOM Source

Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=10558738&pid...

Thomas 'marker was proudly placed by Todd Williams of the General Joseph Martin S.A.R. Chapter. A memorial service honoring Thomas was held in the cemetery on October 15, 2009. Hosted by Marsha Bratton, Regent, Middlesboro Chapter D.A.R. & Todd, both of Middlesboro, KY.

The following should be noted which was received from Thomas' descendant, Betty George: "Old Big Barren Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Book 2, Page 4 listing #3 Thomas Goin 1755-1838, buried in the Church cemetery."

The Old Big Barren Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery was covered by water in 1935 after the completion of Norris Dam & the formation of Norris Lake. Records have never been found verifying if Thomas' remains were relocated by the T.V.A. or if he was left behind.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: May 11 2020, 19:32:36 UTC

PVT IN CAPT. TURNERS BYNUM'S CO. N.C. MALITIA REV WAR

Thomas 'marker was proudly placed by Todd Williams of the General Joseph Martin S.A.R. Chapter. A memorial service honoring Thomas was held in the cemetery on October 15, 2009. Hosted by Marsha Bratton, Regent, Middlesboro Chapter D.A.R. & Todd, both of Middlesboro, KY.

The following should be noted which was received from Thomas' descendant, Betty George:
"Old Big Barren Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, Book 2, Page 4 listing #3 Thomas Goin 1755-1838, buried in the Church cemetery."

The Old Big Barren Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery was covered by water in 1935 after the completion of Norris Dam & the formation of Norris Lake. Records have never been found verifying if Thomas' remains were relocated by the T.V.A. or if he was left behind.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Dec 2 2023, 16:59:04 UTC