Arthur Goodson, born before 1774 and possibly the son of George Goodson [7], appears in several Darlington District records. It is not certain if all of the following are the same person [6]:
Arthur Goodson's name appears for Revolutionary War claims for services rendered between 20 August 1783 and 31 August 1786 in South Carolina [1].
The 1790 census of Darlington County, Cheraw District, South Carolina lists:
Arthur Goodson 1m>16 (2 slaves) [2]
(Another Arthur Goodson was enumerated in 1790 in Richmond County, North Carolina: 1m>16, 1m<16, 2f).
Arthur Goodson was married by the Rev. Evan Pugh, a Baptist minister who served in the PeeDee area of South Carolina. The wife's name was not given, but the date of the marriage was 14 July 1791 [3].
The 1800 census of Darlington County lists Arthur Goodson on p. 116:
Arthur Goodson 2m <10, 1m 26-45, 2f <10, 1f 26-45 (1 slave)
Book D, pp. 96-97 of Darlington County deed books records that on 19 Dec 1810 Arthur Goodson sold 530 acres of land on Swift Creek to Nathan Beck. This land was bounded on NW by heirs of John Standley's land, NE by land surveyed for William Goodson and land belonging to the heirs of Jesse Bozeman, SE by the lands belonging to James Goodson and William Standly (plat attached in deed book, showing land on Roberts branch). The deed was signed by Arthur Goodson's mark, and witnesses were Joel Bliss and Jacob Odom. The deed was recorded 11 Jan 1812.
Arthur Goodson does not appear in later censuses in Darlington District. It is extremely likely [8] that he is the Arthur Goodson who appeared on the Putnam County, Georgia tax list in 1813. An Arthur Goodson was also listed as a private serving in Few's 3rd regiment in the War of 1812 from Georgia [4].
Arthur Goodson of Putnam County, Georgia died in 1818 in Putnam County, Georgia. His will, dated 21 May 1818, reads as follows [9]:
I Arthur Goodson of the state and county aforesaid being in my right mind and perfect senses make this my last will and Testament. I bequeath to my beloved wife Nancy Goodson the plantation where I now reside with two hundred and thirteen acres of land and with all of my cattle and hogs the young bay mare the Percy filly with my household and kitchen furniture and all my working tools at her care and disposal till our youngest child comes of age or during her widowhood and also the two negroes Farrah and Jeba also twelve hundred and seventy-nine Dollars in the hands of Robert Asher but more or less when collected to be put in the Publick Bank at Milledgeville and the said Nancy Goodson To draw the interest as she has cause till our youngest child comes of age, then to be drawn thence I give to my daughter Fran__y Fifty dollars and I also give to my daughter Anney Fifty dollars and I also give to my son Martin one hundred dollars and the sorrel horse and I also give to my son Noel two hundred dollars and the Bay horse and I also give to my son Alexander three hundred dollars and the black mare's colt and the other four head of horse creators to be sold and for Moses Justus Senr to collect the money and to keep the money until my Son William comes of age then to be divided equally between William John Green and Epsey. Also when the youngest child comes or age or at the end of her widowhood, then all stated household kitchen furniture my working tools to be sold and the ______ and the money to be equally divided between Elizabeth Mary Lyda William and John and Green Epsey vows I the said Arthur Goodson conclude my last writen will and testament.
He appointed as his executors Moses Justus [10], Noel Goodson and Martin Goodson. On 6 July 1818, his widow Nancy applied for Letters of Administration.
Nancy Goodson was living until at least 1830, as she is found listed in the 1820 and 1830 census indexes in Putnam County, Georgia. It is possible that Nancy was listed in 1840 in the household of Noel Goodson in Putnam County as there was a female aged 60-70 listed in his household.