William Goodson, generally known in Darlington County records as William Goodson Sr., was apparently born before 1755 [1].
When the first federal census was taken in 1790, only one William Goodson was recorded in Cheraw District (i.e. Darlington County), on p. 46, near George Goodson:
Wm. Goodson 2m >16, 2f
The following deed, recorded in Darlington County in 1798, would seem to indicate that he was the same William Goodson living there in 1790:
Book D, pp. 157-169, 24 Aug 1796
William Goodson Sr. to Edwin Goodson
William Goodson Sr. of Darlington District to Edwin Goodson for 10 pounds sterling lawful current money, 250 acres land on SW side of Great Pedee River and S side of Black Creek and on Belly Ach Creek bounding all sides by vacant lands, granted to said William Goodson Sr. 15 Oct 1784. At death of said William Goodson Sr. and his wife's death all rights, etc. to Edwin Goodson
Signed: William Goodson
Witnesses: Stephen Vickers (his mark), Josiah Goodson, Benjn Barrett
Affirmed: Abel Waddell JP, 26 Jan 1798, recorded 14 Feb 1798 by Evander W. Iver, Clk Ct in Book A, No 7, pp. 294-29[5?], rerecorded in Book D 25 Jan 1812.
The 1800 census of Darlington County listed three William Goodson households:
- William Goodson, p.116
- 4m<10, 1m 26-45, 2f<10, 1f 26-45 (1 slave)
- William Goodson, p.116
- 1m 10-16, 1m 16-26, 1m >45, 1f >45
- William Goodson, p.123
- 1m 16-26, 1f 16-26
1810 found three William Goodson households:
- William Goodson, p. 651
- 1m 26-45, 2f<10, 1f 26-45
- William Goodson Sr., p. 685
- 1m>45, 1f 10-16, 1f>45
- William Goodson Sr., p. 690
- 1m>45, 1f 10-16, 1f>45
In 1814, Edwin Goodson, having left South Carolina, sold the land he had bought from William Goodson Sr., but indicated that William Goodson was still living there:
Book H, pp. 62-62, 18 Dec 1814
Edwin Goodson to George Bruce
Edwin Goodson of the State Georgia for $250 to George Bruce of Darlington District, SC, 250 acres of land more or less on the south side of Black Creek the waters belley ache branch including the lands and plantation where William Goodson Senior now lives.
Signed: Edwin Goodson (his mark)
Witnesses: Shadr. Stewart, Zach. W. Smith
Recorded 9 Feb 1821
Another deed in 1815 lists William Goodson selling more of his land, apparently part of that granted to him in 1784:
Book F, pp. 369-370, 28 Dec 1815
William Goodson Senior to John Youbanks
William Goodson Sr. of Darlington District for $200 to John Youbanks of Darlington District, land on south side of Black Creek on the waters of Bellyache and adjoining on SE by William Goodson Sr. and NW on Jonathan Wright's land, SW and S and SE on Jesse Mercer's land. 200 acres of land more or less including place, houses, fields and improvements where said John Youbanks now lives. Was an original grant.
Signed: William Goodson Sr (his mark)
Witnesses: Henry Blackman, James Blackman (his mark)
Affirmed: Henry Blackman, 18 Jan 1815, recorded 18 Jan 1815 by James Standley JP.
A few days before this, George Bruce sold that land bought from Edwin Goodson to James Goodson:
Book F, pp. 376-377, 15 Dec 1815
George Bruce to James Goodson
George Bruce of Darlington District for $550 to James Goodson 250 acres of land more or less SW side Bellyache branch ... originally granted to William Goodson on 15 Oct 1784 by Gov. Benjamin Girard. But William Goodson Senior now on the premises is to have use of that part of said land which he now occupies during his natural life.
Signed: George Bruce
Witnesses: James Williams, Wm. Goodson Jr.
Dower: Elizabeth Kimbrough Bruce wife of George Bruce relinquished dower rights, examined by Albert Fort of Darlington District, 10 Feb 1816.
Affirmed: James Williams, 15 Dec 1815, recorded 14 Feb 1816 by Shd. Stewart JP.
Two months later, William Goodson Sr. sold the land where he was living to James Goodson, "blacksmith" (apparently James Goodson Sr.):
Book G, p. 6, 25 Feb 1816
William Goodson Senior to James Goodson
William Goodson senior of Darlington District for $400 to James Goodson (Black Smith) of Darlington District, land on south side of Belleyache Branch adjoining [Moses Turlick's?] old place and granted to said William Goodson senior 250 acres more or less. Being the place where said William Goodson now resides including improvements.
Signed: William Goodson (his mark)
Witnesses: Matthew Brunson, William Goodson Junior (his mark)
Affirmed: Matthew Brunson, 19 Mar 1816, recorded 29 Aug 1816 by James Handly JP
William Goodson Sr. was still living in February 1820, as seen by the following deed:
Book G, p. 359, 17 Feb 1820
James Goodson Sr. to Moses Sanders - Mortgage
James Goodson Sr. of Darlington District for $93.62 to Moses Sanders of Darlington District 200 acres more or less on Swift Creek being the same tract whereon now lives and which was conveyed to me by William Goodson Sr. including improvements
Signed: James Goodson Sr. (his mark)
Witnesses: Joshua M. Sanders and Charles Bruce, recorded 6 Mar 1820.
William Goodson Sr. probably died not long after this, as only one William Goodson was listed in the 1820 census of Darlington County, aged 26-45. This would be too young to be William Goodson Sr.