Civil Elizabeth Mathis Goff, 1730-1787.

Question

I have been at the Birmingham, Alabama downtown library today researching the Goff family. I have been unable to locate definitive information about Civil Elizabeth Mathis Goff, 1730-1787. I have on my Ancestry tree that she was the first wife (of 3) of Revolutionary War Patriot, John Goff, 1717-1809.  She was also the mother of John Goff's children. However, I cannot find anything in print in any books about her. I have seen information on the internet that indicates that her father may have been Ezekiel Mathis and mother Elizabeth Bennett Mathis from the Isle of Wight County, Va.

For my research purposes, I need to find documentation that she lived. was married to John Goff and died. Are their any Bible records or other records of her birth, marriage or death? Do you know of any books that document her? I recently saw something that said that she was buried in the Red Hill Cemetery in Duplin County, NC. However, today at the library, I could not locate the cemetery.

Any help would be appreciated.

Honey Taylor

Answer 1

Not necessarily the best records, but here they are:

ame:	Civil Elizabeth Mathis
Spouse:	John Goff
Parents:	Ezekial Mathis, Elizabeth Boddie
Birth Place:	Isle Wight, VA
Birth Date:	1725
Marriage Place:	Edgecomb, NC
Marriage Date:	1750
Death Place:	Duplin, NC
Death Date:	1787

 

Source Citation

Birth year: 1725; Birth city: Isle Wight; Birth state: VA

Source Information

Edmund West, comp.. Family Data Collection - Individual Records

Name:	Civil Elizabeth Mathis
Spouse:	John Goff
Marriage Date (Day, Month, Year):	1750
City:	Edgecomb
State:	NC

 

Source Information

Edmund West, comp.. Family Data Collection - Marriages 

Answer 2

Transcription of Ezekial Mathis will mentions a daughter named Elizabeth:

: "In the name of God, Amen. I, Zeakell Mathews of the Isle of Wight County, being sick and weak in body, but in sound Sense and memory all praise to God for it, therefore I appoint this my Last Will and Testament in form followeth I commit my soul to God that gave it the father of spirits trusting that I shall have pardon for all my sins of my soul Savior Jesus Christ. I commit my body to the earth to be buried in a Christian manner and for what estate it hath pleased God to bless me with after my debts are paid I give and bequeath as followeth: I give and bequeath to my son Zeakell Mathews one black mare known by the name of Foff only reserving the first Fold (foal) she brings and that I give to my son Edward Mathews the foresaid fold that to be his full part. I give and bequeath to James Bennit my cooper tooles to make a two headed cask that to be his full part. I give and bequeath to my daughter Martha Hunnicut five shillings credit and no more. I give and bequeath to my daughter Pricilla Morgan five shillings credit and that to be her full part. I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Mathew one bed. As for the rest of my estate in what coin or sower I give and bequeath to my loving wife and seven children named Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary, Unity, Edmond, Moses, Enos. I do appoint my loving wife to be my Extor: of this my last will and testament.

 Witness my hand seal this 21st day of March, 1738/39. I give and bequeath the plantation whereon I now live to my son Edmond Mathews and if he dies without heir to my son Moses and if he dies without heir to my son Enos."
Test: Nathanial Ridley Zeakell (his mark, ZM) Mathews

At a court held for Isle of Wight County December 22, 1740 The last will and testament of Zeakell Mathews Dece'd was present in court and being proved by the oaths the witnesses thereunto is ordered to be recorded.
The will is recorded in Isle of Wight Co., VA Will BK. 4, pg 305....Isle of Wight County, VA courthouse