Goff Family Research Notes

Goff family genealogy is fascinating to me for a couple of reasons, number one: because my maiden name is Goff and number two: the Goff family community. Yep, my lovely cousins. They seem to be just as crazy about genealogy as I am. It’s good to be a Goff.

This is My Passion

I feel like I have been drawn to solve the puzzle of how we got here. What paths did my ancestors take for my father to be born in Lawrence, Kansas? Why did they move around so much in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and Michigan? And, ultimately, why did they end up settling down in Kansas? How are we connected to Anthony Goffe of Rehoboth, Bristol, Massachusetts?

DNA Really Helps with Genealogy Research

My father has taken the Y-67 DNA test and is part of the Goff*Gough*McGough research project on familytreedna.com. He has several matches to others that are related to Anthony Goffe. I know that we are as well, but as a researcher, it is imperative that I prove each relationship.

With that being said, I feel that it’s important for me to document the various twists and turns I encounter in my Goff family research. And, because I am a visual person, I have to see the same information in many different forms. Or, maybe it’s because of my lack of ability to focus on one thing – oh look at that pretty butterfly! I digress!

My Brain is a Complicated Web!

I have been told that most people don’t think like me. Originally, it was directed to me as a negative aspect of my thought process. However, I tend to believe that it is actually a positive indication of how my brain functions. It’s very complex, scattered, and kind of like multiple particles of dust in the air. And then, it all comes together and makes sense. At least to me, and hopefully, the end result and the thought process along the way makes sense to you.

My ultimate goal is to prove the relationships and document the Goff family line that I am proud to be a part of. However, a large part of what I do is to help provide answers for my family members. And, hopefully, get some answers from them as well. So, without further ado, here we go!

I created this chart so that I could visualize the lineage more clearly.

You can print out a copy of it as a pdf here.

The family originated in England and I have a lot of research to do for that segment. The research focuses on the Goff family once they arrived in Massachusetts.

This Research Begins in Massachusetts

As a side note, if you need to research early vital records in Massachusetts, they have a wonderful free online resource website. The main link is Massachusetts Vital Records. Searching by town, county or surname allows you to zoom into your family line more quickly. Check it out!

Beginning with Anthony Goffe II who was born in Rehoboth, Bristol, Massachusetts; I am still researching the vital record for his birth. This is what I have been able to document.

Anthony Goffe II of Billerica, MA b. 6 Dec 1656 Rehoboth, MA d. Feb 1727 Barrington, RI married at Billerica on 29 Sep 1685 Sarah Polley, of Woburn, MA b. 2 Jun 1670 Rehoboth, MA d. Feb 1727 Barrington, RI. Marriage Source – New England Marriages Prior to 1700 which can be found on Google Books. Another great free research resource.

After their marriage, they lived in Woburn, MA and had two sons that died soon after they were born – these are the only two children recorded as being born in Woburn, MA:

1. Joseph b. 1 Nov 1687 d. 1687;
2. James b. 3 Jun 1689 d. 4 Jun 1689.

Source: Woburn, MA Vital Records

3. Robert, my 7th Great Grandfather, is said to have been born in Rehoboth, MA. However, he is not listed in the Rehoboth, MA Vital Records. This leads me to believe he was born in another town in Massachusetts or possibly another state.

Robert & Hannah Goff’s Family

Robert b. 17 Feb 1691 – d. 5 Dec 1763 Rehoboth, MA married on 8 May 1733 in Rehoboth, MA Hannah Horton b. 28 May 1704 Rehoboth, MA d. 21 Dec 1752 Rehoboth, MA. They lived in Rehoboth their entire lives.

They had five children documented as follows:

1. Comfort, my 6th Great Grandfather, b. 25 Sep 1734 Rehoboth, MA – d. 1814 Rush, NY married on 8 May 1733 in Rehoboth, MA Hannah Horton b. 28 May 1704 Rehoboth d. 21 Dec 1752 Rehoboth;

The remaining children of Robert and Hannah are listed below. This information is being provided to help or assist in your research of the siblings, however, I have not personally verified it.

2. Hezekiah b. 4 Sep 1736 Rehoboth, MA d. 1786 Middletown, CT;

3. Susannah b. 20 May 1737 Rehoboth, MA d. Unknown;

4. Enoch b. 3 Nov 1741 Rehoboth, MA d. Unknown; and

5. Levi b. 23 Jun 1745 Rehoboth, MA d. Unknown.

Anthony & Sarah Goffe’s Children 4-10

The remaining children of Anthony and Sarah are listed below. Again, this information is being provided to help or assist in your research of the siblings, however, I have not personally verified it.

4. Samuel (Lieut.) b. 6 Jul 1694 d. 28 Nov 1771 m. 25 Dec 1718 at Swansea Rachel Toogood b. 23 Apr 1693 d. 24 Oct 1780 – 4 children;

5. Richard b. 10 Oct 1698 d. 28 Apr 1743 m. 19 Jul 1722 Martha Toogood – 8 children;

6. Anthony III b. 24 May 1700 d. 23 Mar 1790 m. Elizabeth Watts;

7. John b. 1703 d. 1760 m. 20 Apr 1723 Sarah Pullen;

8. Anne b. 1706 d. unk. m. 14 May 1749 Ephraim Wheaton Jr

9. Rebecca b. 1708 d. unk.

10. Hezekiah b. 1712 d. 1786 m. 31 Oct 1743 Bethia Morris b. 6 Jul 1723 – 10 children.

Part 1 of the “Goff Research Notes Series” – Stay Tuned!

If you are researching any of the Goff family siblings, their information would also be available on the links provided in this post. I will update my remaining Goff family bloodline members in future posts.

Hopefully, this will aid in your research as much as it is helping me to document my family lines. Let me know your thoughts and any input you have regarding the Goff family via my by contacting me here.

Enjoy,