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James Goggans & Cassandra Peterson
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Thomas Spratlin Porter remembers the following events about his ancestors - as they were told to him by his Grandmother, Mary Jane Ogletree Thomas and her sister, Sarah Elizabeth Ogletree Pinson. This history was related to Ruth Conaway Kendrick in April 1966. JAMES GOGGANS was a cotton farmer in South Carolina. After he married CASSANDRA PETERSON, he decided to go to the Mississippi Delta. At that time, one could grow more cotton there than any other place known. He left South Carolina with his wife and one child. They traveled, riding with two horses and what camping equipment they could carry - sometimes camping along the road, or stopping with some farmer kind enough to take them in. They traveled through Georgia and Alabama to Mississippi. Soon after arriving in the Delta, they began having chills and fever. After one or two years they left the Delta and came to Coosa County, Alabama. There he bought a three hundred acre farm and built a house - about six miles from Nixburg. He became a prosperous farmer and lived there until he died. About one mile from the Goggans farm there is a log church known as Shiloh. The cemetery is known now as Old Shiloh. JAMES and CASSANDRA GOGGANS are buried in the Old Shiloh cemetery. There is a new church about five miles from the old church known as New Shiloh. The cemetery at Old Shiloh has a stone wall around it which is still standing. The wall was built by slaves. There are oak trees eight feet in diameter - some grown through graves. the GOGGANS place is now owned by Mrs. Towns, the daughter of my niece, Linnie Bell Lowe, deceased and her husband, E. L. Towns. As the history goes...CASSANDRA PETERSON was said to be a beautiful woman. She had black hair and was small - never weighing as much as 100 pounds. Somewhere among the relatives there is a bed spread, hand woven by CASSANDRA before the civil War. At one time, Sallie and Tom Porter had this spread. The older Goggans family had black hair and dark complexion. The red or brown hair that showed up in the later generations was inherited from the Works side of the family. ---------- Information taken from Deed Book J, page 231 - April 9, 1794 JAMES GOGGANS, with dowry signed CASSANDRA GOGGANS, wife of JAMES GOGGANS, sold to Henry Butler. ---------- ANNALS OF NEWBERRY by John B. O'Neal & John A. Chapman p. 529 "Goggans' Old Store" JAMES GOGGANS, the first occupant of Goggans' Old Store, and from whom it took its name, was, I believe related to all the Gogganses in Newberry County. He was a brother of old Mrs. Mangum, who was the mother of the late Rev. Daniel Mangum, who did more to build up the Baptist Church in the upper part of Newberry County than any other man has ever done. The old store was on the road leading from Newberry to Laurens by way of Belfast and Milton, about three or four hundred years above where the late Washington Floyd use to live. The writer has now in his possession the deed of conveyance given by JAMES GOGGANS and Ezekiah Eastland to Stephen Herndon on the 22nd day of March 1809, and signed by their wives, CASSANDRA GOGGANS and Elizabeth Eastland relinquishing their rights of dower, on the 4th of April, 1809; also a deed from JAMES GOGGANS to Stephen Herndon, 21st of March 1809, with relinquishment of dower by his wife, CASSANDRA GOGGANS, on the 4th of April following. One or the other of these deeds, I suppose, conveyed the site of the old store. The writer has the impression that JAMES GOGGANS then lived for a time in Georgia; from then he went to Perry County, Alabama, and finally settled in Coosa County, where his two sons, William and Dr. James P. Goggans, and several of his daughters still reside. At one time the neighborhood around Goggans' Old Store was very populous. Then Goggans' Old Store was in its prime it was, I suppose one to the most public places in the country; but a stranger, to see the place now could scarcely realize that it once had so much life and activity; for of all the people who once used to rendezvous at the old store for the purpose of fun and frolic, there is not one left to tell the tale. ---------- NEWBERRY COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL by George Leland Summer, Sr. p. 22 Historic Sites in City and County Goggans' Old Store - A Revolutionary War Site. It is located opposite to where the old Longshore store once stood, above Bush River. A few miles North of that place was the original home of Captain John Floyd, A Revolutionary War patriot and officer. ---------- Information taken from "Minutes of Bush River Church" In 1802, JAMES GOGGANS and Elizabeth Goggans and William Peterson were received into Bush River Church. In 1824 JAMES GOGGANS was dismissed by letter. ---------- 1810 NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROLINA CENSUS p. 116 JAMES GOGGANS 1 male 26 - 45 1 female under 5 1 female 16 - 26 ---------- 1840 COOSA COUNTY, ALABAMA CENSUS p. 288 JAMES GOGGANS 1 male 10 - 15 1 male 15 - 20 1 male 50 - 60 1 female 50 - 60 ---------- 1850 COOSA COUNTY, ALABAMA CENSUS p. 045 JAMES GOGGANS 68 M W SC CASSANDRA 62 F W SC James 21 M W Med Student Ala Betha Mayfield 20 M W Farmer Ga ---------- 1860 COOSA COUNTY, ALABAMA CENSUS p. 20 postoffice: Rockford CASSANDRA GOGGANS (wid) 72 W F Keeping House SC J. P 32 W M Doctor Ala Mary J. 32 W F House wife Ala J. A. 6 W M Ala Philip 5 W M Ala Alice 3 W F Ala ---------- Deed 26 JAMES GOGGANS Perry County, Alabama The State of Alabama) Know all men by these presents that I Perry County ) James Witton of the state and county aforesaid for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred and sixty four dollars to me in hand paid by JAMES GOGGANS of the state and county the receipt whereof is here by acknowledged have this day bargained sold and released, and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell and release unto the above named JAMES GOGGANS all that tract or plantation of land where on said Goggans now lives containing sixty acres lying and being in the county of Perry in the district of lands sold at Cahoroba it being the north part of north point quarter section N 20 Township No. 19 and Range No. 10 commencing at the corner adjoining section No. 19, No. 18, and No. 17 and running along the line between section No. 20 and section No. 19 to a hickory corner then from said Hickory corner a direct East course until it runs opposite the half mile stake between section No. 20 and section No. 17 thence a direct course to said half mile stake thence cornering on said stake, it runs along the line between the section No. 20 and No. 17 to the first above named corner to have and to hold the above mentioned sixty acres of Land together with all and singular the rights privileges and appurtenances there unto belonging or in any wise incident or appertaining to the only proper are of the said JAMES GOGGANS his heirs and assigns forever - and I do herby bond myself my heirs, Executors, Administrators and assigns firmly by these presents to warrant and forever defend the above described sixty acres of Land from all Lawful Claims or claims of any person or persons lawfully claiming the same or any part thereof In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six of the American Independence the fiftieth year. His Signed sealed and delivered James x Witton SEAL in presence of her mark P. Betsy X Day mark her Rebecca X Witton mark Theressa Goggans
State of Alabama) Personally before us William Sphires & G. Perry County ) Barnett the Justices of the Peace in and for the county of Perry came James Wilton and acknowledged that he did assign the within deed for the an and purposes therein mentioned 6 August 1826 his attns James X Witton SEAL William Shires ) ) mark Glen Garnett ) ) The State of Alabama ) Personally before us William Shires Perry County ) & G. Barnett the Justices of the Peace in and for the County of Perry came Polly Witton consort of the within named James Witton and being by us privately and us that she doth willing and that deed ---------- Deed JAMES GOGGANS Perry County Alabama 1835 State of Alabama Perry County. Know all men by these presents that I JAMES GOGGINS of the State and County aforesaid for and in consideration of the sums of One thousand dollars to me in hand paid by Susannah and Geo. A. Stinson of the same State and county the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged have bargained sold and released and by these presents do grant bargain sell and release unto the above named Susannah & Geo A. Stinson all the tract or plantation of land whereon I now live containing sixty acres lying and being in the County of Perry in the district of lands sold at Cahaba and being the north part of North West quarter section No. 20 Township No. 19 & Range No. 10 commencing at the corner adjoining section No. 19, No. 18, and No. 17, and running along the line between section No. 20 and section No. 19 to a Hickory corner there from said Hickory corner a direct east course until it runs opposite the half mile Stake between section No. 20 and section No. 17 thence a direct course to the same half mile stake thence cornering one said Stake it runs along the line between the section No. 20 & No. 17 to the first above named corner and also the east half of the north east quarter of section nineteen of range ten in township nineteen in the district of lands sold at Cahaba and lying in the County of Perry adjoining Wm Schiree and others to have and to hold the above named and mentioned tracts of lands together with all and singular the rights privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise incident or appertaining to the only proper use of the said Susannah & George A. Stinson their heirs and assigns forever I the said JAMES GOGGINS do hereby bind myself my heirs executors administrator and assigns firmly these presents do warrant and forever defend the above described lands containing one hundred and thirty nine acres and ninety five hundredths of an acre from all lawful claim or claims of any persons or persons lawfully claiming the same or any part thereof in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the thirtieth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five of American Independence the fifty ninth signed sealed and delivered in the presence of: Benjamin Ford JP JAMES GOGGANS SEAL Moses Bledsoe JP The State of Alabama) Personally before us Benjamin Ford and Perry County ) Moses Bledsoe the justices of the peace in and for the county of Perry JAMES GOGGANS and acknowledged that he did assign the within deed for the use and purposes therein mentioned this the 30th day of January 1835 Benjamin Ford JP JAMES GOGGANS Moses Bledsoe JP The State of Alabama) Personally before us Benjamin Ford and Perry County ) Moses Bledsoe the Justices of the peace for the county of Perry CASSANDRA GOGGINS consort of the within named JAMES GOGGANS and being by us privately examined apart from her said husband said that she does willingly and without compulsion dread or fear of any person or persons assign over to the within names Susannah & George A. Stinson all her right and titles to the within named and described lands in this the 30th day of January 1835 Benjamin Ford JP CASSANDRA GOGGANS SEAL Moses Bledsoe JP Recorded 11th April 1835 J. B. Nave Register ---------- JAMES & CASSANDRA GOGGANS 1854 Coosa County, Alabama p 616 JAS. GOGGANS The State of Alabama) Know all men by these & wife Coosa County ) presents that we JAMES to GOGGANS and CASSANDRA Wm M. Goggans GOGGANS his wife of the state and county above named for and in consideration of the sum of five hundred dollars to us in hand paid by William M. Goggans of the same state and county the receipt where of is such acknowledged have this day bargained sold and released and by these presents do grant bargain sell and convey unto the said William M. Goggans all that tract or plantation of land where he now lives it being the north west quarter of sections ten (10) of township twenty two (22) of range no twenty (20) east of the Tallapoosa land district containing one hundred and sixty acres be the same more or less together with all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise incident or pertaining to the same that said William M. Goggans - To have and to hold the above described leased in fee simple forever and so the said JAMES GOGGANS and CASSANDRA his wife do have warrant and forever defend the above described land unto the said William M. Goggans his heirs and assigns forever. We also bind ourselves our heirs administrators and assigns to warrant and defend the above described land against all lawful claim or claims of any person or persons lawfully claiming the sum of any part thereof.In witness whereof we hereunto set our hands and seals this 24th day of June in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty four and of the independence of the United States the seventy Eighth year. JAMES GOGGANS Signed sealed & delivered) CASSANDRA GOGGANS in presence of etc. ) James P. Goggans James M. Radford Albert J. Radford the State of Alabama) I Isaac W. Suttle Judge of Probate for Coosa County ) said county hereby certify that James P. Goggans a subscribing witness to the foregoing conveyance known to me appeared to be this day & being sworn stated JAMES GOGGANS & his wife CASSANDRA GOGGANS the Grantors in and voluntarily executed the same in his presents and in the presents of the other subscribing witness on the day the same date; that he attested the same in the presence of the grantors and of the other witness and that such other witness subscribed his name as a witness in his presence given under my hand at office this 11th day of December A.D. 185. J. W. Suttle Judge of Probate Received in office for Record Dec. 11th A. D. 1854 J. W. Suttle, Judge ---------- JAMES GOGGANS P. 573 Deed Coosa County, Alabama The State of Alabama) Know all men by these presents that we Coosa County ) JAMES GOGGANS and CASSANDRA GOGGANS his wife for and in consideration for the sum of six hundred and forth dollars to us in hand paid by Adam Hill all of the State and county above named the right whereas is hereby acknowledged have this day bargained sold and release unto the said Adam HIll all that tract or plantation of land known and distinguished as the north half of section seventeen (17) of Township Twenty two (22) of Range Twenty (20) East in the Tallapoosa Land District containing three hundred and twenty acres more or less together with all and singular the rights heriditaments and appurtances thereunto belonging or anywise to the same to the only proper use of the said Adam Hill his heirs assigns in fee simple for ever and we do hereby bind ourselves our heirs executors administrators and assigns firmly by these presents to warrant forever defend the above described land unto the said Adam Hill his heirs and assigns for ever against all lawful claims or claims of any person or persons lawfully claiming the same or any part thereof in witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals this 20th day of February 1845. Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Jas. H. Bradford) JAMES GOGGANS SEAL G. W. Chandler ) CASSANDRA GOGGANS SEAL The State of Alabama) Personally came before me J. W. Suttle Coosa County ) Clerk of the county court of said county. George W. Chandler one of the subscribing witnesses to the within deed who after being duly sworn saith on oath that he saw JAMES GOGGANS and his wife CASSANDRA GOGGANS the grantors within named sign seal and deliver the within deed to Adam Hill the grantee therein named on the day and year therein written and for the purposes there specified and that he also saw Jas. H. Bradford the other subscribing Witness sign the same and that they all signed in the presence of the other. Sworn to & subscribed before me this 27th day of July. G. W. Chandler J. W. Suttle Clerk filed for record July 17th 1846 J. W. Suttle Clerk ----------- JAMES GOGGANS Deed 1840 p. 177-8 Coosa County, Alabama Know all men by these presents that we JAMES GOGGIN and CASSANDRA GOGGIN his wife for an in consideration of sixty dollars to them in hand paid by Jos H. Bradford the receipt where of we do hereby acknowledge do hereby grant bargain sell enforce and confirm unto the said Jos H. Brandford all that parcel of ground situate & lying and being in the county of Coosa & State of Alabama or known as follows. Beginning at the South East Corner of the west half of Section ten in Township Twenty two & Range Twenty. East in the Tallapoosa land district & running with said line to the first branch thence running North with said Branch to the south range of Ely Hatcher thence East from the mouth of said Branch down the creek ot the line dividing section ten between said Goggins & Bradford thence south with said line to the beginning supposed to be twelve acres be the same more or less. To have and to hold the aforegranted premises to the said Jos A. Bradford his heirs and assigns to their use and behoof forever. Since we doth covenant with the said Brandford his heirs and assigns that we are lawfully seized in fee of the aforegranted premises that they are free from all incumbrances that we have a good right to sell and convey the same to the said Branford his heirs and assigns and that we will warrant and defend the said premises to the said Brandford his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims and demands of all persons. In witness whereof we the said JAMES GOGGINS and CASSANDRA GOGGINS hath here unto set our hands and seal this 26th day of December in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and forty. Signed sealed and delivered in JAMES GOGGANS SEAL presence of his CASSANDRA GOGGANS SEAL Joseph X Tucker mark State of Alabama) I R. W. Cleveland, Clerk of the County Coosa County ) Court of said county do hereby certify that on the 22 day of March 1841 the above named JAMES GOGGANS personally appeared before me and acknowledged the above instrument to be his free act and deed. Given under my hand the day and year above written R. W. Cleveland Clerk The above and foregoing instrument of writing received for record on the 222 day of March 1841 R. W. Cleveland Clerk ---------- JAMES GOGGANS Bond p. 398-400 Coosa County, Alabama 1848 J. GOGGANS) The State of Alabama) Whereas by my hand dated To ) Coosa County ) and delivered on the J. A. & ) fourteenth day of January Ann Jordan) one thousand and Eight hundred and thirty nine. I with and banned my self to Reuben Jordan to make Execute and deliver unto him good and valid titles in the following tract or parcel of land viz, the north east quarter of section one (1) township twenty two (22) of Range Twenty (20) in Tallapoosa land district and whereas I have received from the said Reuben Jordan, the full amount of the purchase money for said lands. And since the delivery of said band the said Reuben Jordan hath defended this live without the titles having been made by me as bound us aforesaid and whereas John A. Jordan and Ann Jordan have been appointed administrator and administrates of all and singulars the goods and chattels rights and credits of the said Reuben Jordan and has applied to me to make title according to the condition of said bond Now therefore in consideration of the premises and also of one dollar to me in hand paid by the said John A. Jordan and Ann Jordan at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, I JAMES GOGGANS and CASSANDRA GOGGANS his wife at the county and state aforesaid, have granted bargained and sold, enforced and confirmed and do by these presents grant bargain sell and convey and enforce and confirm unto the said John A. Jordan and Ann Jordan Administrators as aforesaid, the afore described tract or parcel of land, viz, the North East quarter of section one Township Twenty two (22) of Range Twenty (20) in the Tallapoosa Land District To have and to hold the same to themselves upon the following trusts and conditions viz, that the same shall be held by them in the same manners and with the same rights to the heirs and distributors of the said Reuben Jordan as, if the deed had been made to the said Reuben Jordan, in his lifetime absolutely and with out trust in presence of the stipulations of said bond. The term intend and meaning of these presents being that rights of the heirs and aforesaid shall be the same under this deed as if a deed and title had been made and conveyed to the said Reuben Jordan in his lifetime and that upon the division of the said lands and apportionment among the heirs and distributes aforesaid, that each one of them shall his or her share absolutely free from and discharged of all trusts whatsoever and I hereby covenant with the said John A. Jordan and Ann Jordan administrators as aforesaid and with the heirs of said Reuban Jordan that the title to said land and each and every trust thereof I will forever warrant and defend to them severally to part as he as she may receive such allotment or division as may be made between them In Witness Whereas I have hereunto put my Warrant A. D. One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty six) The bond set forth in this Signed sealed and delivered in ) deed as given to Reuben presence of ) Jordan is represented by G. W. Chandler ) the Admr, as lost and this deed is made Jas. H. Bradford ) in full disray of the same JAMES GOGGANS SEAL CASSANDRA GOGGANS SEAL The State of Alabama) Personally came before me J. W. Sutton Coosa County ) clerk of the county court for said county Joseph H. Bradford one of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing deed, who after being sworn saith on oath that he saw JAMES GOGGANS and CASSANDRA GOGGANS wife of the said JAMES sign seal and deliver the same on the day and year therein mentioned to the aforesaid John A. Jordan and Ann Jordan administrators of the Estate of Reuben Jordan Dec'd that this defendant signed his name thereto as witness in presence of the said JAMES and CASSANDRA GOGGANS and that he said G. W. Chandler the other subscribing witness sign the same in presence of the said JAMES & CASSANDRA GOGGANS that they all signed in presence of Each other sworn to and subscribed before) me this 3rd day of July 1848 ) Jas. H. Bradford J. W. Suttle Clerk ) filed for record July 3rd 1848 J. W. Suttle Clerk ---------- p. 310-311 OUR FOLKS by Maron Summer Eve Nixburg, Ala. Nov. 28 1850 Mail: Mr. James P. Goggans Medical Student Charleston, South Carolina Fish Pond, Coosa November 26th 1850 Beloved Son. It is with pleasure that we embrace the present opportunity of writing to you a few lines wishing to inform you that through the goodness of God we all enjoy a reasonable portion of health at this time. Hoping that these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. Dear Son, we received your letter of the 5th instant, was glad to hear that you had arrive safe and was in good health. Your letter never reached Nixburg until last Wednesday which was the 20th of the month. I took it out of the office that evening & Mr. Walden informed me that it came that morning. We were sorry that it was so short, but we can look over that knowing you had been so short a time there that you could not have much to write. Things here are about as they were when you left with some few exceptions. Mrs. Brown died next Monday after you left here. The morning before she died she supposed herself much better and requested the doctor to write to her father that she felt like getting well, but about the time the doctor sat down to his dinner she took a violent fit of coughing, which occasioned some large blood vessel to burst in her stomach. She called the doctor and told him she was bleeding and never spoke more but died in less than five minutes. I hear of some other deaths in the county but none very near us. There has also been some marriages in these parts. Elizabeth Haynes for instance is married to a man by the name of Ford. Mahala Forbus is married to a plank road Irishman by the name of Sara Dowrey. Patrick Pearson & Elizabeth Martin I understand will marry on Sunday morning next. David Mahan and Samuel Peterson has both sold their land and intend to start for Arkansas about Christmas. David got $1450. for his place and $800. in hand. Sam got $700. and half of it in hand. They are selling off all their other stuff as fast as they can. They both sold their land to the same man, which was Alban Willingham of Swamp Creek. Mr. Shepperd has also sold his place to Parson McKinsie and Shepperd is going with David & Sam to Arkansas. Your mother sends you her best and wishes praying the Lord may protect you and keep you from all harm. Mr. Chandler adds the same blessing. My Son, write to us often, write as soon as you receive this as your sister Betsey wants to hear from you before she leaves for Arkansas. Write everything you think we would like to hear - the prices of produce in Charleston and the commodities and inform us all about the Medical School and how you improve. I shall add no more at present, but remain your affectionate father and mother till death. JAMES GOGGANS, CASSANDRA GOGGANS Mr. James P. Goggans P.S. Bethel got home Tuesday evening after he left you at Atlanta ---------- Will of JAMES GOGGANS 1854 Coosa County, Alabama State of Alabama Coosa County I n the name of God, Amen I, JAMES GOGGANS of the above named State and County, being of sound and disposing mind and memory but feeble in body and knowing that all must die, do make this my last Will and Testament. First, I therefore commit my body to the Dust from whence it came and my soul to God who gave it. Second, as to my worldly estate I will as follows that my wife CASSANDRA GOGGANS have one half of the half section of Land whereon I now live during her natural life and that my son, James Peterson Goggans have the other half of said tract of land during his natural life, provided that the said James Peterson Goggans lives with, takes care of, and provides for his Mother. My will further is that I give to my wife my Negro Man, Green and that the balance of my Negroes be equally divided between my other six children, either by lot or by sale as they think proper. It is my will that my son, James Peterson Goggans lives with his Mother on the farm which we now live and take charge of the same and divide the proceeds thereof equally between himself and his Mother, and that further that James Peterson Goggans and his other retains on the farm all the stock of all kind that they need for the purpose of carrying on the Farm, and also all the farming tools and also it is my will that at the death of my wife that her part of the land, stock and farming tools be sold at Public sale to the highest bidder and the proceeds divided equally among all the children except James Peterson Goggans, who is to have no part nor lot in the same and further my will is that the piece of land whereon John S. Ogletree now lives go to and become the property of his wife, my daughter Nancy Ogletree and her children, and that the Negro woman Emaline, now in possession of John S. Ogletree become the property of said wife and her children. Now inasmuch as William M. Goggans and Nancy Ogletree has had land and James Peterson Goggans has had money equivalent, my will is that Tanyse Redford, Abigail Mayhand and Elizabeth Mayhand, my daughters, have each four hundred dollars. My present crop of cotton, together with all that is to be sold the proceeds thereof, I wish applied to the payment of my debts, and the furniture of all kinds to be retained by my wife. I make and constitute this to be my last will and testament revoking all others previously made by me, this the Eighth Day of September 1854 John Loyall JAMES GOGGANS SEAL J. Elan Fieldes Richard Plunkett ---------- Bk 3 p 545 The State of Alabama) Probate court vacation Term Coosa County ) October 30th AD 1854 This day came James P. Goggans and presented to the court for probate an Instrument of Writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of JAMES GOGGANS, deceased. it is therefore ordered by the court that said writing be filed and notice Given to all persons concerned in the premises by publications in Dorseys Dispatch a newspaper published in the City of Wetumpka, one a week for three successive Weeks, to appear at a Regular Time of this court to be holden on the Second Monday of December next to contest said Will if they chose, It is further ordered that notice Issue to all the Resident heirs to appear and contest if they chose - the heirs of said JAMES GOGGANS Deceased are as follows. CASSANDRA GOGGINS, Widow of said Decedent, Terressa Radford wife of Samuel Radford, Abigail Mahan wife of Alfred Mahan, Elizabeth Mahan, wife of David Mahan, Nancy Ogletree wife of John T. Ogletree, William M. Goggans and James P. Goggans all of Lawful age - witness J. W. Tuttle Judge of Probate ---------- Bk 3 The State of Alabama) Probate Court Regular Term Coosa County ) December 11th AD 1854 This day having been set to hear and determine whether an Instrument of Writing presented for probate at a previous term of this court as the Last Will and Testament of JAMES GOGGANS Deceased should be admitted to probate and recorded as the Last Will of said JAMES GOGGANS and notice of said Writing having been given by publication in Dorsey Dispatch a newspaper published in the City of Wetumpka once a Week for three succeeding Weeks to all persons concerned as Will to the Resident heirs of JAMES GOGGANS at this term of court and contest said (?will if) they choose and no one appearing to It is therefore ordered by the court the instrument of Writing be admitted to and recorded as the Last Will and Testament (?of) JAMES GOGGANS Deceased. WitnessJ. W. Tuttle, Judge of Probate (page of original torn off) ---------- Bk 3 p. 569 The State of Alabama) Probate Court Vacation Term Coosa County ) December 13th AD 1854 This day came William M. Goggans and James P. Goggans and makes application for Letters of Administration with the will annexed on the Estate of JAMES GOGGANS late of said county Deceased, and CASANDRA GOGGANS, widow of said legislator having waivered her right of Administration upon the Estate of his Deceased husband and Recommends that her two sons William M. and James P. Goggans be appointed administrators of said Estate It is therefore ordered by the Court that Letters of Administration issue to said William M. Goggans and James P. Goggans upon all and singular the Goods and Chattels Rights and Credits which were of the said JAMES GOGGANS deceased, upon their Entering into Bond with approved security in the sum of Thirty thousand Dollars. Conditioned as the Law directs. It is further ordered that said administrators Give notice of their appointment by publications in Dorseys Dispatch a newspaper published in the City of Wetumpka once a week for six successive weeks. It is further ordered that J. Elan Fielders, John B. Leonard and Toliver L. Austin be appointed appraiser to value and appraise the personal property belonging to said estate and return the same under oath to this court within sixty days from date hereof It is further ordered that said administrator Return an Inventory of all the personal Effects belonging to said Estate under oath to this court within six days from date hereof. Witness J. M. Tuttle Judge of Probate ---------- The State of Alabama) Know all men by these presents, that we Coosa County ) William M. Goggans, James P. Goggans, Daniel Crawford and Joseph Tuik, are held and firmly bound unto Isaac W. Tuttle Judge of Probate for said County and his successors in office in the sum of Thirty thousand Dollars the payment of which will and truly to be made and doing we bind ourselves our and each of our heirs, Executors, Administrations and assigns. Jointly and severally, firmly by these presents - sealed with our seals and dated this twelfth day of December A.D. 1854. The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the above bounder William M. Goggans and James P. Goggans has this day been appointed Administrators with the will and of all and singular the Goods & chattels. Rights & Credits of JAMES GOGGANS, Deceased, now if the said William M. Goggans and James P. Goggans shall well and truly and faithfully perform all the duties which are or may be by law required of them as such Administrators thru the above obligation to be void otherwise Remain in full force-- Wm. M. Goggans SEAL Approved by me James P. Goggans SEAL Decr 13th 1854 Daniel Crawford SEAL J. W. Tuttle Judge his Joseph X Tiuk SEAL mark ---------- December 1773 Deed where children sold land The State of Alabama) Know all men by these presents that we Coosa County ) Terressa Radford, Abigail Mahn & her husband Alfred C. Mahan, Wm. M. Goggans and his wife Sallie M. Goggans, J. P. Goggans & his wife Mary J. Goggans, and Nancy Ogletree as heirs of JAMES GOGGANS decd and J. P. Goggans and his wife Mary Goggans in their own and separate rights and interest for and in consideration of the Sum of Twelve hundred Dollars paid to us by D. L. McAllister the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged have bargained Sold, and hereby convey unto the Said D. L. McAllister the following described lands to wit: North half of Section Twenty Seven (27) Township Twenty Two (22) of Range twenty (20. To have and to hold said land unto the said D. L. McAllister his heirs and assignees forever and is understood in the conveying that the said Terressa Radford; Abigail Mahan, Wm. M. Goggans and Nancy Ogletree and J. P. Goggans hereby convey unto the Said D. L. McAllister his heirs and assigns all the rights titles, interest or claim that they have or may have in and to Said lands either in law or equity by reason of their being the children of the Said JAMES GOGGANS Decd or otherwise - and the Said J. P. Goggans conveys to said D. L. McAllister all and every interest he may have or now has, by reason of the provisions of the last will and Testament of the said JAMES GOGGANS Deceased or otherwise and we the said parties joining in this conveyance hereby covenant with the said D. L. McAllister his heirs and assigns that we have a good right to Sell Said land and we will warrant and defend the titles to Said land unto them forever. Witness our hands & Seal, this the 27th day of December 1883. Attest Jas. P. Goggans (SEAL) C. E. Radford Mary J. Goggans (SEAL) E. M. Thomas Terressa Radford (SEAL) J. M. Neighbors Nancy Ogletree (SEAL) J. W. Mahan W. M. Goggans (SEAL) M. J. Mahan Sallie M. Goggans (SEAL) A. C. Mahan (SEAL) Abigail Mahan (SEAL)
State of Alabama) I John W. Johnson an acting Justice of the Coosa County ) Peace in and for Said county hereby certify that J. P. Goggans, and his wife Mary J. Goggans, Terressa Radford, Nancy Ogletree, W. M. Goggans and his wife Sallie M. Goggans who are known to me acknowledge before me that they Signed the foregoing conveyance voluntarily. In witness whereof I here unto Set my hand, this the 28th day of December 1883. John W. Johnson J.P.
State of Alabama ) I T. W. Mahan Justice of the peace in and for Tallapoosa County) Said county I hereby certify that A. E. Mahan and Abigail Mahan assigned the foregoing conveyance on the Same day - bears date voluntarily on this 27th day of December 1883. T. W. Mahan J. P. Filed for record January 19th 1884 Jno S. Bentley ---------- JAMES GOGGANS: MY ANCESTOR by Melba Neighbors Hagan January 14, 1994 Before I begin the story of JAMES GOGGANS, I would like to include some history of his parents and grandparents. JAMES was the youngest child of Daniel Goggans, born 1730 in Virginia, died November 1781 on Goggans Branch, Little River, South Carolina, and Nancy Williams Goggans, born ca 1732 in Virginia, died January 1782, also Little River, South Carolina. They were married in 1747 in Virginia. Daniel was the oldest of four sons of William, born ca 1700 in County Cork, Ireland, died ca 1766 in Culpepper County, virginia, and Elizabeth Beal, born 1715, died ca 1766 in Culpepper County. They were married 1729 in Lunenburg Parish, Virginia. The sons were Daniel, George, William and James, all born in Virginia. No record of other children was found. Daniel and Nancy Goggans left the Commonwealth of Virginia about August 1766 via the Great Wagon Road of The Irish to the Great Forests of South Carolina to what is now Newberry County. They had five children with them, Jane, born 1748; George, born 1750; Elizabeth, born 1754; William, born 1760; Anna, born 1765, fifteen months old. They were to add three more children in South Carolina, Jemima, born 1775; Jeremiah, born 1776; and James, born 1782 - four sons and four daughters. The story as told in Annals of Newberry is that "Daniel, a Whig, fought for independence under Marion's command. When he was home on furlough about November, 1781, his house was surrounded by a body of Tories. He fought them from inside the house until it was set on fire. He then came out with his hands in his arms, knowing he would be killed, and was instantly shot down. After he was killed, the flames were extinguished. The house stood there many years with scorched and blackened timbers, a monument of the horrors of that war." It is from this man that many of his descendants have been admitted into the DAR and SAR. As told by my great-grandmother, Sarah Elizabeth Pinson, and her sister, Mary Jane Thomas, granddaughters of JAMES, to a grandson, T. S. Porter: "JAMES GOGGANS was a cotton farmer in South Carolina. He and his wife, CASSANDRA PETERSON GOGGANS date of marriage unknown, decided to go to the Mississippi delta. At that time one could grow more cotton there than any other place known They left South Carolina traveling with two horses and what equipment they could carry, camping along the way or stopping with some farmer kind enough to give them lodging. They traveled through Georgia and Alabama into Mississippi. Soon after arriving in the delta they began having chills and fever. After a year or two, they left the delta and came to Coosa County, Alabama. He bought a 320-acre farm built a house about six miles from Nixburg, became a prosperous farmer, and lived out his life there on his farm. The Annals of Newberry gives a slightly different version: "JAMES and CASSANDRA made a deed to property in Newberry in April 1809. The writer's impression is that he lived for a time in Georgia, from there he went to Perry County, Alabama." We do know that he performed a wedding ceremony there in 1823, as Justice of the Peace. A daughter, Abigail, married Alfred C. Mahan December 1831, while the family was still in Perry County." In Newberry County, JANES GOGGANS was the first occupant of Goggans' Old Store, on the road leading from Newberry to Laurens by way of Belfast and Milton. The earliest record I found of his being in Coosa County was in the first book of minutes, page four, of the Commissioners Court. He and six other men were ordered by the Court of the May 1835 term to review and mark out a new road beginning at Rockford in a straight direction to the Tallapoosa Courthouse. The road would pass near his farm. He was fifty-three years old. On page ten, May 1836 term of court, JAMES GOGGANS, John P. Myers and Alexander Black were appointed commissioners of the sixteenth section in township twenty-two, range twenty in Fishpond Town. Robert P. Martin was Judge, A. C. Mahan, Clerk, and J. P. Daniel, Deputy. Page eighteen of May 1837 term, JAMES GOGGANS and seven other men were members of a jury appointed to review the road from Rockford to Dadeville, to change the road around Elijah McLemore's plantation. Page ninety-three, May 1840 term, JAMES GOGGANS, Esqr., of the Commissioners Court, tenders his resignation and was unanimously elected County Treasurer for the next three years. He had served four years as Commissioner. JAMES GOGGANS was paid by the court two dollars for drafting plots of the town of Rockford in August 1838. He purchased for the court in 1848 one hundred sixty acres from Asa Edwards for building a county poor house. From these records it can be seen that JAMES GOGGANS was very much involved in the new County of Coosa. The earliest deed record that could be found in Coosa County: He bought three hundred twenty acres from J. J. Harrison January 1, 1837, the north half of section ten, township twenty two and range twenty. No doubt he lived here until he bought another three hundred twenty acres from John and C. T. Cunningham, executors of the estate of Joseph Billups in 1837. This was in section twenty seven, township twenty two and range twenty, a mile or so away. This was the same property sold by the heirs of JAMES GOGGANS, deceased, after the death of CASSANDRA. A number of land transactions were made between 1837-1854. JAMES died September 26, 1854. His Last Will and Testament: State of Alabama Coosa County In the name of God, Amen I JAMES GOGGANS of the above-named State and County, being of sound and disposing mind and memory but feeble in body and knowing that all must die, do make this my Last Will and Testament. First, I therefore commit my body to the Dust from whence it came and my soul to God who gave it. Second, as to my worldly estate I will as follows, that my wife CASSANDRA GOGGANS, have one-half of the half-section of land whereon I now live during her natural life and that my son, James Peterson Goggans lives with, takes care of, and provides for his mother. My will further is that I give to my wife my Negro man, Green, and that the balance of my Negroes be equally divided between my other six children, either by lot or by sale as they think proper. It is my will that my son, James Peterson Goggans, live with his mother on the farm on which we now live and take charge of the same and divide the proceeds thereof equally between himself and his mother, and further that James Peterson Goggans and his mother retain on the farm all of the stock of all kind that they need for the purpose of carrying on the farm, and also all of the farming tools and also it is my will that at the death of my wife that her part of the land, stock and farming tools be sold at public sale to the highest bidder and the proceeds divided equally among all the children except James Peterson Goggans, who is to have no part nor lot in the same and further my will is that the piece of land whereon John S. Ogletree now lives go to and become the property of his wife, my daughter, Nancy Ogletree, and her children, and that the Negro woman Emaline, now in possession of John S. Ogletree become the property of said wife and her children. Now inasmuch as William M. Goggans and Nancy Ogletree have had land and James Peterson Goggans has had money equivalent, my will is that Teressa Radford, Abigail Mayhand and Elizabeth Mayhand, my daughters, have each four hundred dollars. My present crop of cotton, together with all that is to be sold, the proceeds whereof I which applied to the payment of my debts, and the furniture of all kinds to be retained by my wife. I make and constitute this to be my Last Will and Testament revoking all others previously made by me, this the Eighth Day of September 1854. JAMES GOGGANS SEAL John Loyall, J. Elan Fieldes, Richard Plunkett
JAMES GOGGANS died not quite three weeks later, September 26, 1854, age seventy-two years. CASSANDRA lived for more than twelve years, until November 22, 1866 age seventy-eight. JAMES and CASSANDRA lived near the Old Shiloh Baptist Church and were members there until CASSANDRA moved her membership to the newly organized Fishpond Primitive Baptist Church in 1842. Her husband remained with the Missionaries. When the mission question destroyed the fellowship, a separation became necessary. The log church of Old Shiloh later burned. JAMES and CASSANDRA are buried there. James Adrian Goggans, known as Dr. Adie, followed his father in medicine. He studied in Germany. He was one of the first to do appendectomies, usually on the kitchen table in the home of the patient. Dr. Adie's picture hung in the corridor of the old Russell Hospital in Alexander City, Alabama, until a new hospital was built. The old hospital building was used for a Junior College. In 1991 the Administrator could not find what happened to the picture. Before I began this story of JAMES GOGGANS, I made another visit to the records room in the Coosa Courthouse in Rockford. I had been many times and usually found new information. There is much history recorded there. This time I found that CASSANDRA could sign her name as she signed deeds with JAMES. So many people could not write. I also found why JAMES resigned as Commissioner: to become County Treasurer. After the death of CASSANDRA in November 1866, the plantation was sold for twelve hundred dollars to D. L. McAlister December 1883. I have used information from the Coosa County records, Dr. Woodrow W. Boyett's book on the Goggans, Petersons and other families, the book, Annals of newberry, and most of the book, Our Folks, a history of the Goggans family compiled by Maron Eve of South Carolina, with a great deal of help from Goggans descendants. My greatest appreciation to all these sources of information. I am proud to be a member of this family.
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