Beyond our Elusive William Daniel

Mr. Goodson may have been Elias or James (both daughters named sons Elias), but per DAR #42800 Mazie Sims Curtis 1954; James was the father. See his pension App; Rev. File of SC, State Archive Dept., File #2951-A, & Vol. N p 198 Book of Indents , SC pg. 281; Copies of this DAR Application should be obtained, as the app. states that photocopies of the Bible records are attached! Resided during the Revolution in Cheraws District, SC.

The following information came from the Internet on November 15, 1997. It says that James Goodson was probably born about 1740 (1830 Census listed James Goodson, Sr. as aged 90-100).

I found this information connecting the Goodson family to Francis Marion (I wonder if William Daniel also had a connection since he named his son for him, but have not found any information to back this theory). This information comes from Marion's Men, A List of Twenty-five Hundred compiled by William Willis Boddie, 1938 which I found in the Fort Worth Public Library (Gen/973.3457/BODDIE). It lists the following people each from the Pay Indent Book N. This series of books is the list of those who after the Revolution submitted claims for services and were paid. These are the names: Arthur Goodson (200), James Goodson (196), Thomas Goodson (199), and William Goodson (201). James Goodson mentioned in this record could be Penelope Goodson's father. The others might be related. James named a son Thomas, but this was after the war. Were these people James Goodson's brothers?

The 1790 Census of Cheraw District, Darlington County, South Carolina, includes the Ursell, Arthur, and Jonathan Goodson households adjacent to each other. James Goodson, p. 47 includes one male over 16, 3 males under 16, and 6 females.

The 1800 census of Darlington District included two James Goodson households. The first, p. 120 (which is probably our James) includes 2 males under 10, one male 10-16, one male 16-26, one male over 45, one female under 10, one female 10-16, two females 16-26, and one female 26-45. The other one (probably referred to as James Goodson, Jr. in later records), p. 123 includes one male under 10, one male 10-26, one male 26-45, 4 females under 10, and one female 16-26 (1 slave).

The 1810 Census includes three James Goodson households. Our James is probably the one referred to as James Goodson, Sr. even though the others may not be his sons (this was common practice to identify which was older or younger when there were more than one with the same name). James Goodson, Sr., P. 663 included one male under 10, 3 males 10-16, one male over 45, 2 females 16-26, one female over 45. James Goodson You., p. 674 included two males under 10, one male 26-45, one female 10-16, one female 16-26. James Goodson, Jr., p. 671 included one male under 10, one male 10-16, one male 26-45, five females under 10, 2 females 10-16, one female 26-45, and 7 slaves.

The 1820 census of Darlington District listed two James Goodson households. James Goodson, Sr. included one male 10-16, two males 16-26, one male over 45, and one female 45. James Goodson Jr. included one male 10-16, one male over 45, 2 females under 10, 2 females 10-16, one female over 45 and 12 slaves. He lived next to Elijah Goodson and Henry and James Blackman.

The 1830 census of Darlington County listed James Goodson, p 212--James Goodson, sen. 2 males 10-15, 1 male 90-100, and one female 70-80. It also listed James Goodson Jr., p. 214--James Goodson, Jr., one male 60-70 and one female 50-60. James Goodson is said in this reference to have died about 1833.

A James Goodson served under Captains King, Giles, Amos Windham, Col. Baxter, and Gen. Marion in the militia from 10 October 1781 to 6 January 1782. (Bobby Gilmer Moss, Limestone College, ROSTER OF SOUTH CAROLINA PATRIOTS IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1985, p. 369.) A Thomas Goodson and a Benjamin Goodson also served under Francis Marion. There may be a connection with these people. Also, could this be a clue to where William Daniel served?

In September of 1832, a J. Goodson was present when the Saw Mill Baptist church met in their new meeting-house in Bennettsville, South Carolina. This was in Marlboro County area. Could this be James Goodson?

I obtained the following information at the Fort Worth Public Library on March 25, 2003 (I suspect these people are related to Penelope Goodson, wife of Theophilus Daniel and slaves of the families. The Thomas and James may be the sons of this James Goodson): There were a James Goodson, Joshua Goodson, and a Thomas Goodson in a list of members of Swift Creek Bapt. Church in Darlington, SC in 1852. There is a black mail (sic) named George (W. Goodson). Among the females are Ann Goodson, Charlotte Goodson, Pernice Goodson, Martha A. E. Goodson, Francis Goodson and daughter, Mary A Goodson, Elizabeth Goodson, and also some named Bozman. There are black femails (sic) named Dolly (W. Goodson) and Susan (N. G.) and... (I was unable to finish this).

Swift Creek Baptist Church, Darlington. SC Church Records 1852-1940, pub. no. 5003-38, call no. 975.7, FW Public Lib. (I was unsure if this was a Primitive Baptist Church. From what I saw of the statement of faith, it may have been a missionary group at this point.)

Thos Goodson Married Sarah Jenkins Oct 24, 1782 (Old Darlington District Genealogy Chapter of The South Carolina Genealogical Society, Records, Documents and Family Name, Early Marriages Gleaned from the pages of "THE DIARIES OF EVAN PUGH", 1762-1801, p. 224, submitted by Joanne Harley, http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/7212/records6.html, accessed 7 Sep 2005). Is this a connection to the family? Rev. Pugh ministered at the Welsh Neck Baptist Church and Cashway by Feb 1767 (later called Mt. Pleasant).

There is a J. Goodson listed among members meeting for the first time in the new meeting house when Saw Mill Baptist Church moved to Bennettsville. Could this have been a member of this family?

A Henry Goodson is listed among the Isle of Wight petitioners (Oct 1677) pleading for William Wilson during Bacon's rebellion. Again, this was before our known family, but it could be a hint as to the origin of the family in America.