INVENTORY OF THE GOOCH FAMILY CEMETERY TAR RIVER DISTRICT, GRANVILLE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA =============================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: =============================================================== SURVEYED IN 1989 BY J. DANIEL MAHAR This country graveyard is a combination of tombstones and crude stone grave markers. Tombstone dates show that this burial ground was used between 1822 and 1890. The yard is surrounded by a spiked iron fence punctuated with ornate designed posts. The oldest burial dated by the stones, is that of Nancey Sneed Gooch who died in 1822; however oral family history recalls that Joseph Gooch's tombstone once stood in this yard, last seen in the 1950s. Joseph died in 1810. A descendant, Eugene Currin, claimed to have seen the overturned tombstone of Joseph by the graveyard gate. Mr. Currin died soon after the sighting and no other record of the stone has been found. All engraved stones seem to be products of skilled craftsmen and are comparable to similar stones found in other local graveyards. It seems that many of the stones are not contemporary to the burials and may be replacements for older markers. Therefore, some of the dates found on the stones differ from Bible records and should be questioned. Decoration is found only on three of the headstones. Most tombstones are slender plain marble markers. The Gooch Family Cemetery is flanked by State Road 1152, now the Lucy Averette Road and the Enon Church Road. The yard is to be found on a logging road not far above the bridge over the river Tar and near a blue one story wooden house. The cemetery is located about 200 yards off the Enon Church Road. Though the cemetery is easily accessible, it is not well marked. Unlike many of the graveyards in Granville County, the Gooch graveyard is not shown on the U.S. Geological Survey and is in disrepair. Heavy over growth and sapling trees have begun to reclaim the yard. In my revisit to the yard in 1992, the yard was much the same as I had found it in 1989, but extensive logging activity was evident in the vicinity and may pose a threat. This cemetery is repairable and with little effort could be restored. Most of the tombstones are in good condition, many with foot stones (or foot markers). Many of the markers are made of two pieces of stone the tombstone and its base. The most common problem is the uneven settling of the bases which the tombstones fit into. Their unevenness has caused many of the fragile marble headstones to break. There are many cruder grave markings of fashioned and planted stones, which need to be saved from being buried or uprooted. These markers are either indications of slave burials or graves that never got (or are missing) headstones. A clue to the origins of some of the burial markers is found in the North Carolina State Archives under the Granville County estate papers of Amos Gooch (1802-1885). The following note is found: "dear Sir Mr. J.J. Meadows wrote to me you wished to purchase 2 or 3 Sets of tomb stones like his 3ft high by 12 in wide $1250 pr single set $22 for two set $30 for three set. hope you will favor us with your order. Raby L. June 6 1877 Resp yours [W.O.W?]" This note describes stones similar to those found for Daniel and Nancey (Sneed) Gooch. Other stones in the yard also fit the description, though Amos' sister Hannah (1800-1890) requests in her will a portion of her estate to be placed aside for the purchase of tombstones for her brother Amos, sister Nancy as well as, her own. The most substantial tombs are that of Dudley S. Gooch and his first wife Mary Bennett Gooch; however, it is likely that these stones were added by the Madison Currin family of Oxford, since Dudley and Mary Jane Gooch are the parents of Mrs. Madison Currin. The iron fence which surrounds the yard is rusted, but in working condition and restorable. The Gooch Family appears in Granville about 1775, when Rowland Gooch settles on Howel's Creek at the branch of Island Creek and Howel Creek in North Central Granville County. Rowland's father, John Gooch Sr. settled in Granville County along with his sons Rowland, Joseph, and Gideon Gooch and his son-in-laws Joseph Minter and James Terry. Most of these men seem to settle in the Island Creek District of Granville County, though Joseph purchase his first tract in Tar River District where this cemetery is found. Joseph Gooch arrived in Granville about 1789 and bought 800 acres on either side of the Tar River. The graveyard may be located on what was once his plantation. Joseph's son Daniel Gooch also settled in the Tar River District and his home plantation was situated on the farm that the graveyard sits on. Daniel's land was in part the original grant owned by Joseph, however, Daniel bought an additional 284 acres North of the Tar River from Thomas Person in 1805. In all, Daniel's land covered 900 acres on both banks of the Tar River. The farms were passed on to his sons Joseph, Amos and William, as well as, his daughters Hannah and Nancy. Daniel Terry Gooch inherited the lands of Hannah Gooch known as the Howard Tract, which the graveyard and the house [now known as the Lena Gooch Place] above the yard are situated on. Granville County deeds and plats confirm that this land is the same land mentioned in Daniel's will of 1837. The Inventory 1. Dudley S. Gooch born Aug. 1, 1804 died Mar. 12, 1863 Age 59 ys 4 ms 19 ds An elaborate podium style tomb with a carved stone closed book on top and shallow engraving. Strangely, the tomb's front faces the fence. Identical with the tombstone of his first wife Mary Jane Bennett, probably both were placed much later than the internment of the bodies. The tombstone is accompanied with a marble foot mark engraved with D.S.G. The ground is somewhat sunken. Dudley Snead Gooch is the tenth child of Daniel and Nancey (née Sneed) Gooch. He was married twice, once to Mary Jane Bennett "Polly", the daughter of Charles & Martha (née Walker) Bennett. After Polly's death Dudley married Mary Frances Jones known as "Indiana" a daughter of William & Anne (née Ragland) Jones. Both wives proceeded Dudley in death. Dudley probably died in Nash County, where he owned a large farm on the Tar River just south of Spring Hope. He had nine children by his first wife and two by his second. 2. Nancy Gooch born Jan 29, 1811 died Apr 25, 1862 The tombstone is typical of the yard, marble rectangular with a curved top. The stone is fitted into a heavy base. There is also a marble foot marker engraved with N.G. Nancy Gooch is the twelfth and last child of Daniel and Nancey (née Sneed) Gooch. She is mentioned as an unmarried daughter in her father's will and apparently never married. She lived in her father's "mansion" house with her spinster sister Hannah and bachelor brother Amos. It seems likely that Nancy was ill or bedridden part of her life. Her tombstone is contemporary with that of Hannah and Amos', Hannah left provision in her will of $100.00 for her tombstone and that of Nancy and Amos. 3. Unknown A large flat unfashioned dark stone located behind the tombstone of Nancy Gooch. It is broken in two. Possibly a support for a previous tombstone or the original grave marker for Nancy's burial place, before the marble stone replaced it. 4. Nancey Sneed born Augt, 1,1766, was married to Danl, Gooch Oct, 7, 1789, died June 23, 1823 This tombstone is a more slender version of the marble stones found in this yard. The stone also seems stronger and less brittle than the other marble stones. The stone was found buried and faced down in 1989 by this informant. Very good condition and identical to that of her husbands nearby. May not be contemporary with internment. The original location of the grave is not evident, no tombstone base, sunken area or foot marker is found near by to suggest grave site. Nancey Sneed is the daughter of Captain Samuel and Jain (née Dudley) Sneed of Granville and Person County. Her father was a large landowner who settled in Granville about 1760 and is recorded in Person County in the 1800s. Nancey's brother Stephen was the County Clerk for Granville for many years. Her other brother Col. Thomas Sneed served in the House of Commons for North Carolina in the 1820s. Nancey was married only once and had at least twelve children. 5. Daniel Gooch born Aug, 26, 1756 died Novr, --- 1837 Daniel's tombstone is identical with that of his wife's, Nancey. The stone is a sturdy, but slender marble rectangular with a curved top. This stone too, is displaced and found, by this informant, leaning up against the fence. No evident stone support, sunken area or foot marker is found near by to show the original grave site. The lack of a stated day of death date, suggests the tombstone post-dates his internment or/and replaces and older stone in which the day was illegible. Daniel is the son of Joseph Gooch and his mother was probably Rachel, who is named in Amelia County, Virginia deeds as Joseph's wife. Daniel was probably born in Carolina County, Virginia, where his father lived before their emigration to Amelia in 1760. Joseph and Daniel later emigrated to Granville County in the 1780s. Daniel owned 900 acres on either side of the Tar River in the Tar River District, along with land on the Neuse River and in the Knapp of the Reeds District. He served as County Entry Taker and probably was a Justice of the Peace for Granville County. Family records list his death date as, the 18th of November 1837. 6. Unknown A small unfashioned stone planted in the ground, no apparent markings. 7. Unknown Four shaped cylindrical stones placed in the corners of a rectangular area. This may be four, two, or one burial area. It's placement in the graveyard is prominent and central in location. Little evidence of sunken ground. 8. Mary J. Bennett wife of Dudley S. Gooch died Dec. 9, 1848 This podium like grave marker is identical to her husbands, except the placement is "opposite", her tomb is facing towards the yard gate. A marble foot stone is buried quite a distance in front and marked with M.J.B.G. Mary Jane Bennett "Polly" is the daughter of Charles and Martha (née Walker) Bennett. Her father's disreputable reputation, denotes a very unhappy childhood for Polly. She grew up in the Tar River District area, probably in the home of her paternal grandfather, Lewis Bennett who was a neighbor to the Gooch family. Her maternal grandfather, Solomon Walker was another wealthy planter and Revolutionary War officer. She married Dudley in Granville County and lived first in the Tar River District and then in the Goshen District. She died less than a month after the birth of her son Dudley Snead jr. She gave birth to nine children in all. 9. Susan H. Gooch born Aug 14. 1837 died Feby 28, 1855 not death but sleepth This the most ornate of the old stones. A rectangular marble slab with a curved top and beveled edges it has within the curve a carved rose. The stone is solidly attached to its base. There is a foot marker with the initials, S.G. engraved. Susan H. Gooch is the daughter of Joseph and Susan W. (née Bennett) Gooch. Her father was a farmer and grist mill owner in the Tar River District. Nothing else is known of Susan. Susan's brother Daniel Joseph would take over the running of Gooch's Mill on the Tar River and left many descendants. 10. Joseph H. Gooch born Decr, 12, 1791 died Sep. 16, 1876. Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will giv you rest. Similar to his daughter's near by stone (Susan). A rectangular marble stone with a curved top and beveled sides. No ornate carvings. No foot marker. Joseph is the second child of Daniel and Nancey (née Sneed) Gooch. He inherited land and slaves in the Tar River District and ran a mill, probably the same that his grandfather Joseph built on the Tar in 1797. Joseph married Susan W. Bennett in Granville and their marriage bond is dated August 1827. Susan is the daughter of Charles & Martha (née Walker) Bennett. Family records list his death year as 1875. It is unknown where his wife is buried, though their daughter Susan is buried here.. [END OF BACK ROW] [BEGIN MIDDLE ROW] 11. Unknown Roughly shaped white cylindrical stone with no apparent engravings. Evident heavily sunken area before the stone. Obviously a grave. 12. J.D. Gooch born Feb. 5, 1842 died Sept. 2, 1875 A rectangular marble stone with a curved top. Typical of the stones in this yard. Tombstone has been broken out of its support and is now leaning against it's support. Not foot marker. This is Joseph son of Daniel Terry and Nancy (née Hester) Gooch. Joseph D. Gooch married Sara Currin on the 31st of July 1873. Sara died on the 18th of June 1874 after giving birth to the only child of this couple, Sarah Pannell. The child died at age 2 day, 5 and one half hours on the 19th of June 1874, as recorded by the family Bible. A letter written by Daniel Terry Gooch to his nieces and nephew in Mississippi recount that his sons Joseph and Lineous died of typhoid fever in 1875. 13. L.T. Gooch born Sept 17, 1850, died Aug. 24, 1875 A rectangular marble stone with a curved top. Typical of the stones in this yard. The tombstone has been broken out of it's support and is now leaning against it's support. Very slender marble foot stone engraved with L.T.G. Lineous T. Gooch, son of Daniel Terry and Nancy (née Hester) Gooch. Family letters his death of typhoid fever in 1875. The family Bible places his death in March. It is believed that L.T. Gooch never married or had issue. See stone #12 "J.D. Gooch". 14. Infant daughter of W. & S. Cheatham 1869 A tall slender marble rectangular stone with a curved top and what seems to be a marble base, cut from one piece.? Some of the engraving is in cursive, different, more elegant than most of the stones. No foot marker. Two siblings of the Cheatham family married into the Daniel Terry Gooch family and lived in this area. Sally Gooch daughter of D.T. Gooch married William H. H. Cheatham in 1868. This is certainly one of their children. They may have lived in what is now known as the Lena Gooch Place. 15. S.A. Gooch, born Dec. 22, 1842 died Aug 15, 1862 A rectangular marble stone with a curved top and separate base. Typical of the tombstones in the yard. Stone found still in base. A slender marble foot marker engraved with S.A.G. This is probably the grave of Sam Gooch a son of Daniel Terry and Nancy (née Hester) Gooch. In a letter found in a collection of letters belonging to Amos Gooch, there is mentioned a Sam Gooch who died in the Civil War, this is probably the same Sam [re: North Carolina State Library, Granville Co. Misc. Papers]. 16. Rachael A. Gooch, born Aug. 26, 1838, died Feb. 17, 1864. A rectangular marble stone with a curved top and separate base. This stone was still in it's base and in good condition. Has a marble foot marker engraved with R.A.G. Rachael is the daughter of Daniel Terry and Nancy (née Hester) Gooch. She is recorded on the 1850 Census with that family. 17. Unknown A large unfashioned dark flat stone located behind Rachael A. Gooch's stone. May be a support or and old marker. No evidence of an inscription. 18. Nancy H. wife of D.T. Gooch, born July 15, 1806, died Aug. 25, 1862 A rectangular marble stone with a curved top and separate base. This stone was found intact in it's base. No apparent foot marker Nancy is the daughter of Robert and Nancy (née Hart) Hester. She married Daniel Terry Gooch in 1831. Daniel Terry Gooch lived in the Tar River District and owned a toll bridge over the Tar River. He inherited land from his sister Hannah which is probably the same farm now known as the Lena Gooch Place. 19. Unknown A slender marble marker, like a foot stone but clipped on one side. Planted ever with the other head stones in the row. No apparent engraving. Sunken ground before the stone. 20. W.N. Gooch born Nov. 6, 1845 died Sept. 1, 1888 A rectangular marble stone with a curved top and a separate base. Found broken out of it's support. No apparent foot marker. William Noah Gooch is the son of Daniel Terry and Nancy (née Hester) Gooch. He married Celestia Anne Cheatham and probably lived in the house now known as the Lena Gooch Place, named after his spinster daughter. Noah's children were active in the Enon Church nearby and most are buried in the cemetery at Enon. [END OF MIDDLE ROW] 21. Empty Quarter This area is heavily over grown and strangely empty of tombstones. It is likely that there are grave sites here which are covered. 22. Unknown A crude squared pillar-shaped marker. Found on it's side at the base\head of a deep depression in the ground. No apparent inscription found. 23./24. Unknown Two unfashioned stone markers found flat on the ground. These stones are placed on either side of the entrance as you walk into the graveyard. Both have a smooth top surface and are of a similar brown colored stone. They may have marked an earlier entrance or are displaced grave markers. 25. Hannah Gooch born Oct. 7, 1800, died June 3, 1890 A rectangular marble stone with a curved top and inserted in a heavy base. Typical of this graveyard. There is a foot marker of marble, engraved with H.G. Hannah Gooch is the eighth child of Daniel and Nancey (née Sneed) Gooch. She never married and lived with her spinster sister Nancy and her bachelor brother Amos. Her father provided her with a farm and his house, for her services to him in his old age. This farm is thought to be what is now known as the Lena Gooch Place. In her will Hannah gives the middle initial A. and is listed as Annie on the 1880 Census. She raised several of her orphaned nieces and nephews. It is her will that leaves money for the headstones of Nancy, Amos and herself. She was a member of the Geneva Presbyterian Church. 26. Unknown A whitish unfashioned marker. Rough and lozenge shape. Located behind the head stone of Hannah Gooch. 27. Amos Gooch born Aug. 10, 1802, died Mar. 7, 1885 A rectangular marble headstone with a curved top and inserted in a stone base. Typical of the stone s in this graveyard. A marble foot marker is engraved with A.G. Amos is the ninth child of Daniel and Nancey (née Sneed) Gooch. It is thought that he never married; however, a marriage bond exists for a marriage to Martha Knight and it appears that he was probably widowed early in life. Amos lived with his sisters Hannah and Nancy. He was a wealthy farmer in the Tar River District, later known as the Tally Ho District. He raised and managed the estates of several of his nieces and nephews. A collection of correspondence to him is located in the North Carolina State Library under Granville County Miscellaneous Papers. The Bible of Amos' nephew, R.D.H. Gooch, indicate he died on March 4th; however, the writing in the Bible is difficult to read. [END OF FRONT ROW] 28. Three Graves These three graves lay outside the SW corner of the yard and are marked by pointed cylindrical stones and marked depression in the ground. These may be slave graves.