John Goodner, Senior

John Goodner, or Johannes Gűttener, as the name would have been spelled in German based on the best information available, was apparently the head of the immigrant family. I wish to emphasize the word "apparent" for no proof exists of this Goodner's exact relationship. Our deduction as to his apparent position as head of the family is entirely circumstantial.

It was not known that such a man existed until a reference to him was found in the Guilford Co, North Carolina, Minute Book for the August Term. 1784, page 112. This reference was most revealing and enlightening, since it proved that there had been two John Goodners living in Guilford County.  The reference is as follows:

"Ordered that a bill of sale given by John Goodner, dec'd, to Daniel Gillispie remain in the hands of the clerk, as it is suggested the same was extorted in an unlawful manner."

From this we learn that he was deceased in 1784, that at the time of sale he was apparently elderly and senile, since it was the view of the Court that he was unable to rightly handle the sale in question, not being in full possession of his faculties. In setting aside the sale one can surmise that the action of the Court was instigated by the complaint of a child or his children. The action of the Court was evidently permanent, as no further reference to it could be found in subsequent Court records.

He was born in Germany about the year 1720, probably in the Palatinate, and perhaps as previously mentioned in the town of Homburg in the Saar, which town is situated within a mile and a half of the Rhine.  The seat of the Goodner family was discussed under the subject of "The Immigrant Family,” to which the reader is referred. John, or Johannes, was married in Germany, and all of his children were born in Germany, these being, John, Jr., Peter, Conrad, and Catherine.

There may have been other children, particularly daughters.  The absence of complete marriage records in Orange and Guilford counties in North Carolina preclude any possibility of ever finding out from such sources.  Neither do we know whether John left any parents. or brothers and sisters, in Germany or not.  It would be logical to assume that he did, and there is also the possibility that a brother may have preceded him to America.  There was a Michael Goodner who arrived in America in 1752 (Rupps' Thirty Thousand Immigrants, page 289) No descendant of this Michael had ever been found to our knowledge.  His name does not appear in the census returns of any of the original states for the year 1790. and no other reference to him has been unearthed.  He may have been deceased by 1790, leaving only daughters to survive him, or sons, if he had any, may have been living in areas not subject to census in 1790.  There is a tradition in the family that originally two Goodner brothers came to this country.  These two may have been Michael and John, but if so, Michael came over several years before John.

Since John was deceased by 1784, the indications are that he was elderly and senile, and since in that day people of 60 years of age were old, if we should estimate his age at death as 60, then his year of birth would have been around 1720, and his age at the time of coming to America between 38 and 54 years, the more logical conclusion tending toward the lower figure.

In the 1779 Tax List of Orange County, North Carolina, a John Goodner is shown as having taxable property in the value of $1,001.00.  While there were two “Johns," this record is undoubtedly that of Senior, as the younger John would hardly have been able to accumulate such an amount of taxables by that year, his estimated age then being 29 to 34 years.  No record could be found showing a grant of land to John, nor was there any record of a purchase.  The list of land grants by Lord Granville is not at all complete, so we cannot say for a certainty that John did not receive one.

Walter Goodner, son of John, Jr., sold a farm in Orange County, North Carolina, March 28, 1796, located Travis Creek and consisting of 292 acres, to one Peter Tickle. In the deed it states that the tract of land is the same as John Goodner received from the State.  This would indicate that it was a grant from the State of North Carolina, and as the State did not achieve statehood until 1776, then the grant would have had to have been after that date.  A record of this grant fails to appear among the usual records covering State grants. This grant could have been to either Senior or Junior.

We know that Conrad was living in Orange County in 1778, the year in which he was drafted or enlisted in the Continental Army, so it is logical to assume, being single, that he was living with his parents.  As John Goodner is the only one shown on the Tax list, and thus being the head of a household of some substance, it would be logical to suppose also that John was the parent.

At the time of his death, shortly before August of 1784, John, Senior, was living in Guilford County, probably either with son, John, or son, Peter, both living in Reedy Fork community.  Conrad must also have been living there for he in 1782 married into the family of the Scherrers, residents of that community, their farm being a couple of miles north and east of the Friedens Church, where probably all attended.  The Scherrers did for a certainty.  It is pleasing to think, and logical to suppose that Conrad Goodner and Elizabeth Scherer were married in the old church.

We do not know where John Senior is buried except that it was in Guilford County.  The most logical place because of his residence would have been the burial ground at the Friedens Church.

Of the supposed children of this John, namely, John, Jr., Peter, Conrad, and Catherine, each will be handled in this genealogy under separate headings.  

Colonial Inn, Hillsboro, North Carolina.  Formerly called "Corbin Inn."  Built 1782.

1b        John Goodner, Jr, whom it is believed was the eldest son of John Goodner, immigrant, and head of the family in America, was without doubt born in Germany.  His birth date is unknown, but an estimation has been made that it was between the years 1745 and 1750.  Extremely little is known about him, and his relationship with Conrad and Catherine cannot be proved.  However, there seems to be little question that he was an elder brother, and he is so shown in the hypothetical family chart. What evidence there is lends considerable weight to that supposition.

Certain old deeds on file in Guilford County, North Carolina, reveal that the name of his wife was Annie, that neither of them could sign their own names, - therefore they were unlettered. An "X" was used for their signatures. We also known from these deeds that both were deceased by 1796, - that their deaths occurred between 1787 and that year, and that in 1796. they had but one heir, a son. whose name was Walter. In disposing of that may have been the old home place of John and Annie in 1796, a copy of the deed being here reproduced, he stated that he was "the son and heir of John Goodner, deceased.” This deed also stated that John had been just prior to his death a resident of Guilford County, and that the property sold was located in Orange County on the waters of Travis Creek. At that time Guilford and Orange counties were contiguous, as Alamance County was not found until 1849.  This tract of land had been obtained from the State of North Carolina and it consisted of 292 acres.  Since it had been obtained from the State and since North Carolina did not achieve statehood until 1776, it shows that the grant was obtained after that date.  The record of the grant appears to be missing from the State Archives, which is unfortunate. since it might have given us official proof of residence in Orange prior to 1779, the year in which the name of John Goodner appears as a taxable.

There is uncertainty as to whether this grant was made to John, Senior, or to John, Junior, as it could have been made to either.  Under the laws of North Carolina then, as well as now, land falls directly to the heirs; it does not move through Probate Court unless there are insufficient assets in the personal estate to cover what debts there may be.  Thus the land could have fallen to the heirs of John, Sr. who could have assigned their interest to John, Jr. in consideration of him taking care of his parents to their maturity, or even for a cash consideration. This is being mentioned as a possibility.

This farm may have been the one on which Conrad was living at the time he sold oats and fodder to the Continental Army and at the time he was drafted into the North Carolina line in 1788, since he had no farm of his own unless he rented one.

In addition to this grant, John Goodner obtained two others from the State, both in November of 1784, and we can be quite sure that these grants were made to John, Junior, since the "Senior" was deceased by then.  One of these grants was for a tract of land situated on the waters of Reedy Creek in Guilford County, and consisting of 400 acres.  This he sold to Andrew Smith on May 7th, 1787, both parties being residents of Guilford County.  The location of this farm was in the same neighborhood in which Mary Goodner lived.  It is interesting to note also that two daughters of this Andrew Smith married sons of Jacob Daniel Scherrer, and thus became sister-in-law to Conrad Goodner's wife, the former Elizabeth Scherrer.

The other land grant was in Surry County, North Carolina, for 450 acres, situated on the Middle fork of Blews Creek: dated November 3^rd, 1784.  A search of later records in the Surry County Court Records revealed nothing further on this tract of land; no record of sale was found.  It is not therefore known whether John defaulted on the contract of purchase and lost it, or whether it fell by law to heirs on the death of John. which in this event would have been to his son, Walter.

Walter's name does not show as head of a household in "either Guilford or Orange County for the years 1790 - 1810, and later, but apparently does show in the Guilford County census returns for the year 1810.  The name of his father fails to appear likewise in the 1790 census, and he may have been deceased by then, or perhaps living in the household of another person. A discussion of Walter's situation will be gone into later.

Since John Goodner and his wife, Annie, both died in Guilford County, it is evident that both were interred there.  The site of their burial is not known.  It may have been the graveyard at Friedens Church, since that was one of the earliest burial sites in the county, and since the possibility is good that this was the church they attended.  There are now many unmarked graves in this cemetery, the old stones having long since weathered away. possibly there were many that were never marked.

1c         Walter Goodner, only son and heir of John and Annie Goodner, was born about the years 1765 to 1775, most likely between 1770 and 1775.  The place of birth is thought to have been in America, in either Pennsylvania or in Orange County, North Carolina, based upon the best judgment exercised on the few facts known.  The early period of boyhood was probably spent on his father's farm in Orange County.  In 1796, we find him living in Guilford County, the sole heir of his father, at which time he sold to Peter Tickle of Orange County a tract of land inherited from his father.

His name does not appear in the 1790 census, but does show in the 1800 census, indicating marriage shortly after 1790.  The micro-film record of the 1800 census returns for Guilford, located in the North Carolina State library in Raleigh, shows a Walter Goodner and wife in the 26-45 age bracket, with one male and three females, all under age 10, and with 8 slaves of all ages.  Shown in the 1800 Guilford census, in the Microfilm record in Washington, is the name of another Walter and wife, both in the 16 - 26 age bracket, with one male under 10.  This would be the son of Mary and "Peter,” for some reason unexplainable, the name of the first Walter above fails to appear in the Washington film, according to the researcher.  This son of John and Annie apparently moved away after 1800, for his name fails to appear in the 1810 census of Guilford County.

We find in certain census returns of Vermilion County, Illinois, where Walter, the son of Mary and Peter, finally settled permanently, two Goodners who were not the sons of that Walter. or his brother, Jacob, and who must therefore have had to be sons of Walter, son of John and Annie. There is no other known parent to whom they can be attributed. These two Goodners were a Henry and a Walter.

In the 1850 census a Henry Goodner is shown, age 60 years, and born in North Carolina.  The name of his wife was Nancy, age 50 years, birth place, Pennsylvania.  No others are known in his household.  At his age of 60, any children would have been old enough to marry and have their own households and in the census returns of Vermillion County, we find Goodners of a generation later than Henry who could have been his sons.

In the 1840 census of Vermillion County, we find a "second" Walter Goodner, born between 1790 and 1800.  His household is given as follows:

This WaIters name fails to appear in the 1850 census, and neither was it shown in the 1830 census of Vermillion, indicating that he arrived in that county after the census was taken in 1830 and either moved away, or died before the 1850 census was taken.  Since no widow Goodner is shown in the 1850 census, the deduction that they moved from the county seems to be more logical. We do not know where.  As in the case of Henry, there are Goodners shown in the generation later who were not sons of the other Walter, or his brother, Jacob, and who may therefore have been sons of this Walter.  The census returns showing these "unknown" Goodners will appear later in the book under the Appendix.

Henry Goodner’s name first appears in the Vermilion County, Illinois, census in 1850, and that of this Walter in 1840.  The thought immediately arises, where were they living before they appeared in Vermillion County?  Some of the Goodners referred to as possible sons gave Ohio as their place of birth.  Now the only county in Ohio where we know Goodners definitely lived was Preble County, the home for some seventeen years of Walter Goodner, born 1775, son of Mary and of Peter.  A search was made in that county, as well as adjoining counties of Warren, Butler, and Hamilton. Nothing was found. There are 88 counties in the State of Ohio and it is impractical to make census searches in all of them, so apparently this matter will have to rest until some lead develops which will permit a somewhat concentrated search.

We have not been able to locate any descendants of these '"unknown" Goodners, who probably would be able to clarify the relationships.  It is surprising that none of them have turned up, considering the thousands of letters written to Goodners all over the United States. There is no question but that somewhere some are living.

Copy of Land Grant from State of North Carolina to John Goodner

Taken from Book C, Page 212, Recorder's Office, Dobson, Surry County, North Carolina, by author. April 1^st, 1957.

John Goodner.

State of North Carolina To All to Whom these presents shall come.  Greetings. Know ye that we for & in consideration of the Sum of fifty Shillings for every hundred acres hereby granted paid into our Treasurer by John Goodner have given and granted and by these presents so give and grant unto the said John Goodner a Tract of Land containing four-hundred am fifty acres am lying and being in our County of Surry on the Middle Fork of Blews Creek beginning at a Chestnut in John Cummin's line, runs north forty chains to Pointers, thence links made with G. Read, runs North fifty-five degrees West fourteen chains to a black Jack. North thirteen degrees West twenty-five to a B. Oak in James Gamil's line, thence West on s^d line to Coffin's line forty chains to a Stake & thence North to the Beginning as by the plat hereunto annexed cloth appear: together with all woods, waters, mines, minerals, hereditaments & appurtenances to the said land belonging or appertaining To hold to the said John Goodner, his heirs and assigns forever; Yielding and paying to us such sums of money yearly or otherwise as our General Assembly from time to time may direct.  Provided always that the said John Goodner shall cause this Grant to be registered in the Register's Office of our said County of Surry within twelve months from the date hereof, otherwise the same shall be void & of no effect. In Testimony whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made patent and our great Seal to be hereunto affixed.

Witness. Alexander Martin, Esq. , our Governor Captain General and Commander in Chief at Newbern the third day of November in the Ninth Year of our Independence and in the Year of our Lord one-thousand seven-hundred and eighty-four.

Seal   A. Pearce, P. Sec.

Grant From the State of North Carolina To John Goodner – 1784

Copied by Mrs. Lennie Goodner Goit and Forwarded to Hubert W. Lacey

From Records Of Deeds, Guilford County, North Carolina

Grant No. 1128.

A Grant From the State To John Goodner.

To All to Whom these presents shall come Greeting:

KNOW YE that we for & in consideration of the Sum of Fifty Shilling for every hundred acres hereby Granted paid into our treasury by John Goodner have Given and Granted by these presents do give and Grant unto the said John Goodner a tract of land containing Four-hundred acres lying & being in one County of Guilford on the waters of Reedy Fork Beginning at a Black Oak on Samuel Fulton's line running thence South Forty-eight Chains to a Post Oak near a small branch thence East eighty-three chains crossing a branch to a hickory grub near a marked black jack on the East side of a hill thence North fifty-one chains to black Jack Saplin thence South Eighty-eight Degrees West to the Beginning as by the plat hereunto annexed Doth appear together with all woods, waters, mines, minerals, hereditaments and appurtenances to the Said John Goodner his Heirs, and assigns for ever yielding and paying to us such sums of Money yearly or otherwise as our General Assembly from time to time May Direct provided always that the said John Goodner shall cause this Grant to be registered at the Register’s office of our Said County of Guilford within twelve months from the Date hereof otherwise the same shall be void and of no effect.

In Testimony whereof we have caused these letters to be made patent and our Great Seal to be hereunto affixed.  Witness Alexander Martin, Esquire our Governor Captain General & Com. in Chief at Newbern the eighth Day of November, the Ninth Year of our Independence & in the Year of our lord thousand seven-hundred & eighty-four.

Recorded in the

Secretary's office

Weared P. Soy

(Note: John Goodner sold this tract of land of 400 acres May 7^th, 1787 to Andrew Smith for 20 Pounds Specie, the deed for which was signed by John and Anney Goodner.)

Record Of Deed From John And Anney Goodner To Andrew Smith

In Guilford County, North Carolina Courthouse

Copied by Mrs. Lenna Goodner Goit and Sent to H. W. Lacey

From Record of Deeds, Guilford County, North Carolina

At Greensboro, North Carolina, Courthouse, Book 4, Page 244.

John Goodner To Andrew Smith:

THIS Indenture the Seventh day of May in the Year of our Lord One-thousand seven-hundred and eighty-seven and in the twelfth year of our Independence, between JOHN GOODNER of the one part and Andrew Smith of the other part, both living in Guilford County & State of North Carolina,

WITNESSETH, that for and in consideration of the sum of twenty pound specie by the said Andrew Smith to the said John Goodner in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby fully acknowledged, he the said John Goodner for himself & his heirs hath Granted, Bargained, sold, alined, enfeoffed, & set over & by these presents doth Grant, Bargain, sell, alien, enfeoff and set over unto the said Andrew Smith, his heirs, & assigns all that piece, Parcel of tract of land lying and being  in Guilford County aforesaid on the waters or Reedy Fork beginning at a black oak on Samuel Fulton's line, running thence South forty-eight Chains to a post Oak near a small branch, thence East eighty-three Chains crossing a branch to a hickory Grub near a marked black oak on the East side of a Hill, thence fifty-one Chains to a Black Oak sapling thence South eighty-eight degrees west to the Beginning, containing in the whole four hundred acres of land To Have and To Hold the aforesaid four-hundred acres of land with the appurtainces and all rights, Privileges & Improvements thereunto belonging to him the said Andrew Smith, his heirs and assigns forever, he only yielding and paying such sums of money yearly or otherwise as our General Assembly from time to time may direct, and the said John Goodner doth oblige himself his Heirs, Executors & Administrators to warrant and Defend the aforesaid land & premises or any part or Parcel thereof to him the said Andrew Smith, his Heirs and assigns forever from and against him the said John Goodner, his Heirs and assigns and all persons lawfully claiming or to claim by, from or under him or them or any of them.

In Witness Whereof the said John Goodner hath hereto set his Hand and Seal the Day & Year first above written.

The execution of the within Deed was proven in open court by the oath of Andrew Flack and was ordered to be registered.

Test. Tos Searey C C

Copy of A Deed From Walter Goodner To Peter Tickel

Deed Record Book No. 5, Page 441, March 28^th, 1796

Orange County, North Carolina, Hillsboro, - County Seat

This indenture made this 28^th Day of March in the Year of our Lord one-thousand seven hundred and ninety-six, between Walter Goodner, son and heir of John Goodner, deceased, of Guilford County and the State of North Carolina, of the one part and Peter Tickel of Orange County and State aforesaid of the other part.

Witnesseth, that the said Walter Goodner in consideration of the sum of two-hundred and fifty pounds to him in hand paid by the said Peter Tickel. at or before the sealing and delivering of the presents "the receipt whereof he the said Walter Goodner doth hereby acknowledge hath granted, bargained, sold, aliened, released and confirm and by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell. Release and confirm from him and his heirs unto him the said Peter Tickel, his heirs and assigns forever all that part, tract or parcel of land and premises situated lying and being in the County of Orange and State of North Carolina on the waters of Travis Creek.

Beginning at a white oak running west fifty-four chains to a post oak South nineteen chains to a white oak thence east eight chains to a red oak west forty-four chains to a white oak east forty-four chains, to a stake north 20 chains to a black jack east two chains to a white oak north forty-one chains to the first station containing two-hundred and ninety-two acres, more or less, being a tract of land obtained from the State by John Goodner registered in the County office for that purpose reference being thereunto had will more fully appear and the reversion and reversions remainder and remainders, rents. traverse thereof and also all the estate, right, title, interest, property, claims and demand whatever as well in equity as in law of him the said Walter Goodner and his heirs of in and into the said seat, tract or parcel of land and premises of in and unto every part and parcel thereof.

To have and to hold the tract or tenor of land above mentioned and singular other than the premises thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining unto the said Peter Tickel, his heirs and assigns forever to the only proper use and behoove of him the said Peter Tickel, his heirs and assigns and the said Walter Goodner for himself, his heirs and assigns doth covenant grant to and with the said Peter Tickel, his heirs and assigns forever by these presents that he the said Walter Goodner and his heirs the said seat, tract or parcel of land and premises hereby bargained and sold and every part and parcel thereof against him the said Walter Goodner, his heirs and assigns to the said Peter Tickel, his heirs and assigns shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents.

In witness whereof the said Walter Goodner hath set his hand and seal the day above written.

The execution of the within Deed was duly proved in the open Court by the oath Strader one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be registered.

Abner B. Bruce, CSC.

Record Of Deed From William Aston Downey To Walter Goodner.

Dated August 5^th, 1795. Book 6, Page 179. Deed Book, Guilford County, North Carolina

William Downey To Walter Goodner

This indenture made this 5^th Day of August, 1795, between William Downey of Guilford County and State of North Carolina, planter, and Walter Goodner, planter, of the same place County and State, Witnesseth that whereas the said William Downey for his part and value consideration to him in hand paid by the foresaid Walter Goodner doth bargain and sell for and by these presents both bargain and sell unto the said Walter Goodner, 200 acres of land formerly granted to William Aston Downey whereon the said William. Aston Downey now lives, together with improvements houses and with houses and with all other conveyances thereunto belonging.  Now this indenture further witnesseth that the said Wm. Aston Downey and have in consideration of 138 pounds to him in hand paid by the affs. Walter Goodner at or before the ensealing and delivering hereof the receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge for divers and other good causes am considerations, him hereunto moving, hath given granted bargained and sold, alined, conveyed and confirmed to by these presents doth freely and fully and absolutely give, grant, bargain, sell, alinate, convey and confirm unto the affs. Walter Goodner, his heirs and assigns forever all his rights or title or demand un and to the affs. promises am appurtenances unto the affs. Walter Goodner, his heirs or assigns forever with all and singular other privileges and appurtenances unto the affs. Walter Goodner or his heirs forever to the only proper use and benefit of the s^d Walter Goodner, his heirs or assigns forever and to and for no other interest or purpose whatever and the s^d Walter Goodner doth covenant and agree with the s^d Wm. Aston Downey that the land and premises affs. with their appurtenances against himself and heirs will forever defend the above mentioned land.

In witness whereof I have set my hand and affixed my seal in the presence of us all.

State of North Carolina, Guilford County.

February Court, 1797.

John Swisher proved the execution of the written deed in open court and on motion let it be registered.

Test: John Hamter, C. C.

(Note:  It is not known which of the two Walter Goodners was involved in the above transaction, since as far as we know both of them were living in Guilford County at the time.  However, since there is no deed on file transferring the property to others by the year 1810, and since Walter, the son of Peter (?) and Mary, had left Guilford by then, it is fairly well assured that the grantee above was Walter, son of John and Annie.

Mary Goodner.

Since Mary Goodner is the definitely known head of the household she represents and the only definitely known parent of Walter, Jacob, Henry, Elizabeth, and Mary (Polly) Goodner, it is proper that this chapter should carry her name, instead of the name of one we believe to have been her husband, or who might have been her husband.

Mary's maiden name is unknown. No record of her marriage exists so far as we have been able to find.  All records in Orange and Guilford Counties, North Carolina, have been searched several times and by different persons.  It is of course possible that they may have resided elsewhere at the time of the marriage, which would have been approximately in 1773 or 1774, but we have no knowledge of the Goodners residing in any other locality save that of Orange and Guilford Counties, up to the period of the Revolutionary War, or to be exact the year 1779 when the name of John Goodner first appears on the tax records of Orange County, which at that time included the present county of Alamance.  Very likely the Goodners resided in Orange County for a few years at least prior to the year 1778.  Tax records for the earlier period were very incomplete, and some missing.  It appears too that there was an organized movement at the time to avoid declaring one's personal estate and of paying taxes.  It is known that many refused to make returns, and went into hiding when the tax man was expected to arrive.

In view of the fact that it was an expensive procedure to obtain a marriage license, which generally cost anywhere from $15.00 to $60.00, and such hard money was hard to come by, many people did not bother to obtain them.  They were usually married by a local preacher, and no record made. In the back woods of North Carolina, and similar conditions prevailed in other outlying areas where there were no preachers, the young people often married themselves.  Then later when some preacher would pass through, they would have him perform the marriage ceremony, making the marriage legal before God and man.  I do not believe such a situation existed in Orange and Guilford Counties as late as 1770.

There has been much speculation as to Mary's maiden name, but whoever she might have been it can be assumed that she was of German parentage, since the children as far as we can determine were all brought up in a German, or "Pennsylvania Dutch" atmosphere, strangers to a large extent to the English language.  It has been reported  by descendants that John Cunningham Goodner, grandson of Mary, had stated that his father, Henry was a “full blooded Black Dutch and could hardly speak English.”  Had Mary been of Scotch-Irish or English stock, such a condition would not have existed.  What was meant by "Black Dutch" is not known.  No reference to such a term for that early period can be found.  The term was used many years later in the South, during the period leading up to and during the Civil War, in referring to those of German blood whose sympathies lay with the North.

It is thought that the Goodners may have landed in Philadelphia along with the great mass of Palatinate Germans, and that they lived in Pennsylvania for awhile before migrating with other Germans and Scotch-Irish to North Carolina, which movement started as early as 1755 and continued up to the early period of the Revolutionary War, before military action became too hazardous to make the journey, when all migrations of people ceased until the termination of the war again made it safe to make extended journeys with household goods and cattle.  Records in all four of the so-called "German" counties of Adams, York, Lancaster, and Berks were searched without a single reference to a Goodner being found.

Among some of the descendants of Henry Goodner there is a belief that he was foreign born, which in this case would have meant Germany.  This belief is based on a statement reported to have been made by John Cunningham Goodner to his nephew, James Monroe Goodner, to that effect. If this was true, and since Henry \vas born to the best of our belief about 1777 or 1778, it would indicate that this family group could not have arrived in this country until after the end of the Revolutionary War, since it would have been impossible for them to arrive when the war was in progress when all the ports were blockaded by the British.  The war was officially ended Jan. 14, 1784, when Congress ratified the preliminary peace treaty drawn up in Paris the previous November.  The first known reference to Mary is the record of a purchase of 111 acres of land from Martin Wirick on August 18, 1788.  The family therefore would have had to arrive in this country between the years 1784 or 1783, and 1788 or 1787, which is of course possible, but to me in the light of other data not plausible.

Contradictory to this traditional belief is that in the census returns for Vermilion County, Illinois for the years 1850 and 1860, where Walter Goodner was living and who is considered to be the eldest male of the family, it shows in both returns that his birthplace was in North Carolina.  The descendants of Jacob Goodner, the other brother, adhere to the belief that he was born in North Carolina, and Jacob is believed to have been older than Henry.  Also it has been said by some of the older members in the Conrad Goodner line that all the Goodner brothers came over together.  

A Peter Goodner lived in Orange and–or Guilford County, North Carolina, who was paid for services of some kind in the Revolutionary War, either for military supplies or for military service, in November of 1783.  From the records in the official custody of the North Carolina Historical Commission come the following:  

An account of Specie Certificates paid into the Comptl. Office by John Armstrong, Entry Taker, for Land in No. Carolina.

From North Carolina Revolutionary Army Accounts

Vol. XII, Page 80. Folio 2.

The 1790 census returns for North Carolina do not show this Peter, and neither is his name found in the census returns of any of the other states where the census was taken for that year. It is of course possible that he may have been living in one of the outlying areas where the census was not taken, as was Conrad who at that time was residing in Sullivan County, Tennessee.  But Mary was the widow of some Goodner, and as all of the other Goodner males have been accounted for, it is my reasoned and considered belief that Peter was the husband of Mary, the father of her children, and was deceased by 1790.  We know definitely that Mary was a widow, since papers among her administration papers so state. Peter, at the time of his death, was a young man, being approximately in his low thirties, having been born in 1752 or 1754, as closely as we can estimate.

It is thought by some that if Peter had been the father then some of the children or grandchildren in the male line would have been named after him.  This would seem likely, it is true, but we do not have to look far to find another exception to this custom, or procedure, for Conrad Goodner although much beloved by his children failed to have a son named after him, nor a grandson either, except as a middle name.

Now if Peter was the husband of Mary and the father of her children, which seems to me in the face of known facts to be the logical conclusion, and since he was living in North Carolina during the Revolutionary War, then it would definitely prove that all of the children were born in this country.

Mary Goodner purchased from Martin Wirick, Aug. 18, 1788, a tract of land of 111 acres situated on the waters of Reedy Fork in Guilford County.  Martin Wirick, German, was probably the son of Jacob Wirick \who arrived in this country August of 1750.  It is interesting to note that John and Annie Goodner also owned acreage on the waters of Reedy Fork. undoubtedly their home place and which they sold to Andrew Smith in 1787.  John was probably a brother-in-law to Mary and a brother to Peter, deceased.  The deed reads as follows:

Record Of Deeds, Guilford County, North Carolina

At Greensboro, N. Carolina Courthouse

Book 5, Page 18

MARTIN WlRICK TO MARY GOODNER

THIS INDENTURE made this Eighteenth of August in the Year of our Lord One–Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty-Eight between MARTIN WIRICK & MARY GOODNER both of the County of Guilford County of North Carolina WITNESSETH that the Sd. Martin Wirick for & in Consideration of the Sum of Fifty. pounds good lawfull Money to him in hand paid by the Sd. Mary Goodner the receipt whereof the Sd. Martin Wirick Doth hereby acknowledge hath Granted, Bargained & Sold alined & Confirmed G by these presents Doth give Grant, Bargain, Sell, alien & Confirm Unto the Sd Mary Goodner: her Heirs and Assigns forever all G Piece or parcel of land Situate lying G being in the County of Guilford on the Waters of the Reedy. Fork of Haw River Being part of tract of land Granted by the Sd, State to Jacob Wirick beginning at a black jack Saplin on the West side of Sd. Tract of land running South Twenty-Eight Chains to a post oak saplin East Forty-three Chains to a Post Oak tree thence North Twenty- Two Chains & one pole to a black oak Saplin thence to first Station Fifty-Three Chains Containing One–Hundred- Eleven acres of Land to have and to Hold the aforesd one -hundred & eleven acres of land with the appurtenances Woods, Underwoods, waters, Mines, Minerals & heredetaments To the Sd Land belonging or appertaining to Hold To the sd Mary Goodner her Heirs forever the Sum or Sums of money or otherwise as our General Assembly from year or time to time may Direct only excepted & the Sd. Martin Wirick Doth Oblige himself his Heirs & Every of them to Warrant & forever Defend the foresd One-Hundred & Eleven acres of Land & every part or parcel thereof to her the sd Mary Goodner her heirs or assigns forever from & against him the sd Martin Wirick his Heirs & assigns & all every person or persons lawfulle claiming or to claim by from or under him or them or any of them & from & against all & all manner of persons who now Lawfully, may Claim or hereafter may Lawfully Claim sd lands & premises or any part or parcel thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand & to affix my Seal the Day and Year above written.

The Execution of the Within Deed was proven in open Court by the oath of Jacob Christman & was ordered to be Registered.

Teste. T. Searey

(Copied from Court House records by Mrs. Lenna Goodner Goit)

This tract of land became the family homestead and the family were still living on it at the time of Mary's death in the latter part of 1796 and no doubt the children. or some of them. continued to live there until it was sold in 1801.  The cause of Mary’s death is unknown, but some of the medical men in the family might be able to diagnose her illness from the detailed bill rendered by Dr. John Von Storre, which paper was among those on record in the administration of her estate.  These administration papers were located in the records in the Court House in Greensboro, North Carolina, and because of their great interest and value I had photo static copies made them.  They are herewith reproduced in facsimile.  

Real estate in North Carolina in the event of the death of the owner does not necessarily move through the Probate Court but devolves directly to the heirs, providing there are sufficient monies, or assets, in the personal estate with which to meet all debts, funeral expenses, and costs of administration.  This was true in those days as it is today, so I have been informed.  In Mary's personal estate you will note from the facsimiles shown that there were sufficient funds to meet all expenses, and that after these were met there was left a sum of 129 pounds 16 shillings and 9 pence to be divided equally among the five legatees, giving each 25 pounds 19 shillings and 4 pence.  The whole value of the personal estate was slightly over 146 pounds.  No paper existed giving an account of what these assets were.  These papers also show that Martin Wirick, the grantor of the 111 acre tract which Mary bought, also was the maker of her coffin; receiving for so doing the sum of six shillings and three pence.  Apparently he was a carpenter by trade.  The estate was finally closed by John Starrat and Thomas Dick, who were appointed by the County Clerk, John Hamilton, almost four years after Mary's death. Why such a long delay is not known.  However, Walter Goodner, who handled all of the debts incidental to her estate, had paid all of them with the exception of the costs of administration.

Mary was born approximately in the year 1755, if her age is based at 20 years at the time of the birth of her first child, Walter.  Her death occurred in the latter part of 1796, which would have made her age at time of death approximately 41 years.  She was undoubtedly interred in Guilford County, but where is not known.  The Reedy Ford on which her land was located is a small tributary of the Haw River, and thus Mary's plantation lay in the same general area as that of the Scherers and the other Goodners, probably not far from the village of Gibsonville. She may have been buried on her home place, or in the cemetery adjoining the old Friedens Church, which in those days was used jointly by the German Reformed and Lutheran denominations.

The Whitsett Institute at Whitsett in Guilford County is located on one of the old Scherrer places, which is near Gibsonville.  John Goodner and wife Annie had their home place also on the Reedy Fork.  They sold it to Andrew Smith in 1787.

The tract of land consisting of 111 acres which Mary bought from Martin Wirick in 1788 was Sold by her sons in 1801 to Jacob Swisher, but the sale was not proven in Court and thus not recorded until the February Court in 1805.  Witnesses to the signing of the deed were David Pryor, John Swisher, and Daniel Shoemaker, with the deed being proven in Court by Daniel Shoemaker.  Why the names of the two daughters did not also appear on the deed is not explainable, since they too were lawful heirs to the land.  Copy of the deed is given herewith.

The youngest child of Mary and Peter (?), was Polly (Mary.)  She undoubtedly came after Elizabeth, and as Elizabeth was born in 1778, as indicated by the 1850 census returns of Vermillion County, Illinois, then Polly was born, about 1779 to 1780 or 1781.  It is therefore reasonable to suppose that since no more children were born to Mary, that Peter, her supposed husband, died between the years 1780 and 1782.  The certificate for specie payment allowable to Peter as the result of any service or for supplies furnished to the Army, it is not known which evidently was for the purchase of land, and which was approved for payment in November of 1783 but not actually paid until May 25th, 1784, was evidently never consumated as far as land purchase was concerned, as no record of land grant to Peter can be found.  It is therefore additional evidence that Peter was deceased previous to 1784, or before any action could be taken in the securing of a land grant after May of 1784.  It was four years later in 1788, that Mary, the widow, purchased land from Martin Wirick.

Copied From Records Of Deeds, Guilford County, North Carolina.

Greensboro, North Carolina, Courthouse.

Book 8, Page 273.

Walter Goodner, Jacob And Henry Goodner To Jacob Swisher.

THIS INDENTURE made this Twelfth of December in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred & One between Walter Goodner, Jacob Goodner & Henry Goodner of the County of Guilford & State of North Carolina of the one part & Jacob Swisher of the other part &, of the County & State afs.

WITNESSETH that the sd Walter Goodner, Jacob Goodner & Henry Goodner for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred pounds good & Lawfull money to them in hand paid by the sd Jacob Swisher the Receipt whereof the sd Walter Goodner, Jacob Goodner, Henry Goodner Doth hereby Acknowledge hath given Granted Bargained & Seled alined & Conferred & by these presents Doth give grant Bargain Sell Alien & Conferm Unto the sd Jacob Swisher his Heirs & assigns for ever all & piece or parcel of Land Situate Lying & being in County of Guilford on the waters of the Reedy Fork beginning at a Black Oak Saplin on the west side of sd Tract of Land Running South Twenty-Eight Chains to a Post Oak Saplin thence East forty three chains a Post Oak Tree thence North Twenty Two Chains & one pole to a Black Oak Saplin thence to the first Station Fifty three Chains Containing one hundred & eleven acres of Land to have & to hold afsd one hundred & eleven acres of Land with the appurtenances Woods Under Woods Waters Mines Minerals & hereditements to the sd Land belonging or appertaining to hold to the said Jacob Swisher his Heirs for ever the sum or sums of Money or otherwise as our General Assembly from year or Time to Time May Direct only Excepted & the s- Walter Goodner, Jacob Goodner and Henry Goodner Doth Obligate himself, their Heirs & every of them to Warrant & for ever Defend the Afsd. one hundred & eleven acres of Land & every part or parcel thereof to him the said Jacob Swisher his Heirs or Assigns for Ever from & against them the s- Walter Goodner, Jacob Goodner & Henry Goodner their Heirs & assigns & all & every person or persons Lawfully Claiming or to Claim by from or Under him or them or any of them & from & against all and all manner of Persons who now Lawfully May Claim or hereafter May Lawfully Claim the said Lands & premises or any part or parcel thereof.

In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and to affix My Seal the day & year above written.

Walter Goodner            (Seal)

Jacob Goodner            (Seal)

Henry Goodner            (Seal)

Daniel Shoemaker

David Pryor

John Swisher            St. N. Carolina

February Court 1805.

Daniel Shoemaker proved the Execution of the Within Deed in open Court & on Motion Ordered to be Registered.

Test:            J. Hamilton, Clk.

2b    Peter Goodner ([date unknown] – died 1780–8).

1c    Walter Goodner (1775–1864).  Married 1^st Susannah.  Married 2^nd Polly (Mary) Stark.  All children by Susannah.

1d    John Goodner (1794/5–1839).

2d    Rebecca Goodner (1798).

3d    David Goodner (1807–1858).

4d    Jacob Goodner (about 1810–1845).

5d    Margaret Goodner (about 1811– [date unknown]).

6d    Joel Goodner (about 1813–1904).

7d    Mary Ann Goodner (about 1820).

8d    Benjamin Franklin Goodner (1821 – [date unknown]).

9d    Catherine Goodner (about 1822– [date unknown]).

10d   Phoebe Goodner (about 1823– [date unknown]).

2c    Jacob Goodner (1776–1839).  Married 1^st Hester White.  Married 2^nd Mary Ann Harwood.  Married 3^rd Mrs. Zilpah Laforce.  All children by Hester.

1d    John Goodner (1800–1852).

2d    Catherine Goodner (1804–1841).

3d    Michael Goodner (1807–1889).

4d    Daniel Goodner (1810–1892).

5d    Sarah Goodner (1812–1904).

6d    James Jackson Goodner (1815–1887).

7d    Rachel Goodner (1817–1858).

8d    Margaret Goodner (1820–1845).

9d    William Dearborn Goodner (1824–1898).

3c    Henry Goodner (1777– [date unknown]);married Elanor Lokey.

1d    Mary Goodner (1800– [date unknown]).

2d    Elizabeth Goodner (1800– [date unknown]).

3d    John Cunningham Goodner (1802–1871).

4c    Elizabeth Goodner (1778–about 1860).  Married George Swisher.

1d    Henry Swisher (about 1802– [date unknown]).

2d    William Swisher.

3d    Sallie Swisher.

4d    Anthony Swisher.

5d    Margaret Swisher.

6d    Elizabeth Swisher.

5c    Mary (“Polly”) Goodner, (about 1780 – [date unknown]).  No data.