From Jack Goins and Pat Spurlock
"the lawsuit occurred in the mid_1850s in Claiborne County. It alleged the brother of Elijahs daughter's husband spoke "false, maliciouse, scandalous and defamatory words... alleging the plaintiff to be a mulatto, meaning a person of mixed blodd one degree removed from a full blood negro... as reason of which said several grievances the plaintiff hath been greatly damaged and subjected to .. disgrace and infamy of a mixed blodd person"
According to Pat Spurlock Elijah is grandson of Tommy Goins of Claiborne County Tennessee
Excerpt of a letter written in 1927 from William H. Goins to the Reverend Taylor who then lived in Rock Wood, Illinois.
" My great grandfather was named Joe Goins or Gwinn of Surry Co., North Carolin now Mount Area NC. My grand George Goins of near Sneedville Tennessee. He had ONE BROTHER I HAVE BEEN TOLD NAMED ELIJAH.
William Eaton, Indian trader, was living in Granville County, North Carolina in 1754 where it was reported he allowed some Saponi Indians to live on his lands. The list of William Eaton's Militia for 1754 shows William Chavis as a 'Negro' but it has been demonstrated through court records, tax records, census records, etc., no one could determine the race of these people who were called mulatto in one place, listed as Indian, white, etc., in the next list.
As William Chavis was married to Francis Gibson, daughter of Gibby Gibson and sister to Gilbert Gibson and kinfolks of Gideon Gibson the Indian trader, no doubt related to the Indian Gibsons of Charles City County, ---- in all likelihood they are 'probably' the Saponi Indians living on Eaton's land.
- Edward Harris, negro
- William Chavers, negro
- William Chavers Jun., Mu)
- Thomas Gowen, mulatto
- Mickael Gowen, mulatto
- Edward Gowen, mulatto
- Robert Davis, mulatto
- William Burnel, mulatto
MOSES BASS
9 Nov 1785. Will of Moses Bass of Prince Georges Parish, George Town Dist, Province of SC, being indisposed in Body.... to MOURNING GOING, dau of JACOB GOING, one cow marked with a cross & over bit & undr bit in one ear and cross & whole under nick in the other ear; to SARAH GOING, dau of JACOB GOING, one cow marked in the above mentioned mark; to ELIZABETH GOING, dau of JACOB GOING, one cow marked with a cross & undr bit & over bit in each ear and branded ME; to ANNE GOING, dau of JACOB GOING, one heifer marked with a cross and under bit & over bit in each ear branded ME; to CYNTHA GOING, dau of JACOB GOING, one heifer yearling marked with a cross & over bit & under bit in each ear & branded ME; to my beloved cousin Jeremiah Bass, tract of 100 ac granted to John Smith, and one negro named Peter, one negro woman named Fann, one negro boy named Jack with their increase; my wife Elizabeth Bass to have the use of said plantation & tract of land granted to John Smith her lifetime and the use of negroes Peter, Fann & Jack & their increase her life time; to my beloved cousin Wright Bass, the plantation, mill, & tract of land containing 444 ac that I now live on, one negro woman Jane, my wife Elizabeth Bass to have the use of the plantation, mill & tract of land and negro woman her lifetime; to Henry Harison, son of James Harison, one negro woman Cate & increase, my wife to have the use of the negro woman her lifetime; to JOSEPH GOING, JUNR, one negro girl named Judah & increase, my wife to have the use her life time; to my beloved wife Elizabeth Bass, one negro man named Jack, one woman named Florah, one woman named Nan, one boy named Isum, one boy named Roger, and my cattle, about 110 head, branded ME, all my stock of horses & mares, all my household furniture & plantation tools, 26 head of sheep, and my hogs, also negro girl Violet; to JACOB GOING, a plantation of 50 ac granted to John Crawford; I appoint my wife Elizabeth Bass and my friend Luke Whitefield and James Harison, executors, dated 28 Feb 1777. Moses Bass (M) (LS), Wit: Malachi Murfee, Jeremiah Bass (x), Right Bass.
A true copy taken from the original and examined by Hugh Horry, Ordinary G Town Dist. Whereas I, the within named Right Bass, am the eldest son of Edward Bass deceased, who was eldest brother of the within named Testator Moses Bass, which said Moses Bass departed this life without issue, whereby I, said Right Bass became his heir at law, and I am willing that all the several devises & bequests in the said will should have full effect, for the memory of my deceased uncle Moses Bass and for the several devisees in the within will, and five shillings, I confirm all the devises, legacies and bequests, 9 Nov 1785. Right Bass (LS), Wit: Chas Cotesworth Pinckney, Wm Smith. Proved in Charleston Dist by the oath of Charles Cotesworth Pinckney 28 Jun 1786 before Dl. Mazyck, JP. Rec 28 Jun 1786. S-5, 283-284. (Holcomb, SC Deed Abstracts, 1783-1788, Bks I-5 thru Z-
30 July 1799
Wright Bass and Nancy his wife to Levi Gibson 140 acres fro 35 pounds on Gum Swamp part of 500 acres known as the Mill Tract sold by Daniel Laroach Esq to James Owens and by him to Moses Bass and bequeathed in his will to Right Bass, Sr and bequeathed by him to Right Bass Jr.
[Bass.FTW]
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Death and birth date from Gen Forum message #1325. Will dated Feb 28 1777 filed in Prince George Parish, Georgetown District, SC
Moses, born say 1728, received land on the north side of Bear Swamp by his father's will. He entered 100 acres on the west side of the Northwest River about 3/4 mile from Raft Swamp including his improvements on 21 November 1752. He was living near "the drains of Drowning Creek" on 1 February 1754 when Robert Carver entered 100 acres there [Philbeck, Bladen County Land Entries, nos. 677, 934]. He was taxable on 3 "white" tithes in Cumberland County, North Carolina, in 1755 [T&C 1], and he received a grant for 100 acres on Raft Swamp in Cumberland County on 21 October 1758 [Hoffman, Land Patents, I:474]. On 19 August 1761 the Cumberland County Court granted permission for the mill he had erected on Raft Swamp to be designated a public grist mill, and the court granted him a license to keep an ordinary [Minutes 1759-65, 70].
In May 1762 he posted bond not to leave the county before the next court to answer a suit by the governor and James Simpson, but he was not mentioned again in the Cumberland County Court Minutes. His estate was settled in Prince George Parish, Georgetown District, South Carolina, on 28 February 1777. His estate mentioned his cousins, Jeremiah and Wright Bass, and Mourning, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Ann Going, children of Jacob Going [South Carolina DB S-5:283, 284].
His estate settlement did not mention any children, but he was probably related to William Bass, head of a Fayetteville, Cumberland County household of 5 "other free" and 1 white woman in 1790 [NC:42]. He may have been the "William Bass a free negro" who was presented by the Granville County Court for living together in fornication and adultery with Patsy House [CR.44.289.19, no date].
Wright Bass was in the North Carolina Militia- 2nd Regiment -as a Privatein Augustine Spain's Company formerly commanded by Benjamin Exxum. He was a Sergeant in the South Carolina Militia during the Revolutionary War (1775-1882).
His wife's name was Elizabeth. They had five children: a son Right, and four daughters, Martha, Mary, Rachel, Sarah. Wright died in 1829 in South Carolina.
(This material is excerpted from the Bass Family of Black Creek by Al am sure that Bells book doesn't say. I don't think Ivan Bass says so in his book , Bass Family History either. However, I have a letter from Ivan Bass wherein he states that he is satisfied that Edward Bass was the father of Wright, Jeremiah, Arthur and Ephriam. That Wright, who died in South Carolina is his son is pretty well documented. Jeremiah is the father of Jonathan and Esau who are covered in the Bass Family History. Arthur and Ephriam were residents of the Black Creek - Great Swamp area of what is now Wayne and Wilson Co. in North Carolina and are the ancestors of most of the Basses who live in that area.]
[According to a History of Isle of Wight County Virginia, "The Nansemond Indians live again. They never really died out but it took Oliver L. Perry, Sr. two years to verify things he had been told as a child. The trail began with his great grandmother's death certificate and led to a fragile old family Bible. Helen C. Rountree, an Old Dominion University anthropologist, helped Perry find the Bible. The Bible documented the 1638 marriage of an Englishman, John Basse to Keziah Elizabeth Tucker, daughter of the King of the Nansemond Indian Nation. Stuck in the Bible was a copy of a Norfolk County Circuit court paper certifying that William Bass is of English and Indian descent and is not a Negroe (sic) nor a Mulatto as by some falsely and malitiously stated. His late mother was a vertuous woman of Indian descent lawfully begotten."]
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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 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
----Edward Gowen Lost Homestead During Revolutionary War
Edward Gowen, of of Edward Gowen Jr. was born about 1727 probably in Charles City county, Virginia. He was probably brought to Brunswick County, Virginia by his father about 1744, He was married about this time, wife's name unknown. He appeared in the 1753 tax list of adjoining Granville County, North Carolina in the list of Osborn Jeffrys. "Edward Gowen, mulatto," appeared on the October 8, 1754 muster roll of the Granville County militia under Capt. Osborn Jeffreys.
"Edward Gowen and wife, black" were taxable in the 1771 tax list of Philemon Hawkins in Bute County, along with his brother, Michael Gowen. Bute County was organized in 1764 with land from Granville County, and Edward Gowen found himself in the new county.
By June 3, 1778 Michael Gowen had removed to Craven County, North Carolina and had permitted Edward Gowen to move to his land in Bute County on Taylor's Creek. On that date Michael Gowen deeded 80 acres on Taylor's Creek to Jenkins Gowen, with the provision that Esward Gowen and his wife be permitted to liver there as long as they lived. Jenkins Gowen left for Revolutionary Service about this time, and the sheriff sold the land for unpaid taxrs August 3, 1779, according to Deed Book, M, page 179.
By 1972 Edward Gowen was back in Granville County where he was taxed on 90 acres on Ford Creek District. Edward Gowen on October 14, 1788 conveyed his interest in the estate of Elizabeth Bass to his nephew, Thomas Gowen for L26\5 accprdomg to Granville County Will Book, 2, page 79.
Edward Gowen was enumerated in 1786 state census of Granville County as the head of a household composed of 2 'frre colored' males and three free colored females." He reappeared there in the 1810 census as the heard of an "other free" household composed of five people.
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GENI SITE
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 JohnCassady 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.[John Sevier jp] "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
ChildrenLevi 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
Thomas served as a private in the Revolutionary War.
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.
