Matthias Gossett, Sr.

Part I    

Matthias Gossett, Sr., (1736-1812?) & Other Gossett Family Members
List of Deeds & Tithables for 54 Years, 1758-1812,

Loudoun Cnty, Virginia & Berkeley Cnty [Formerly Frederick County, Virginia (now West Virginia)]

(Revised September 2015)


[Click here for historical perspective on the evolution of counties and their boundaries in the region.]

Primary data collected from the West Virginia State Archives, Charleston, WV (May, 2010) and online & microfilm resources of Loudoun Cnty, Virginia (March 2015), plus other sources, as stated.

Evangeline Gossett Newcomer in The Family of Gossett, published in 1954, made assumptions regarding Matthias Gossett Sr. (1736-1812?) and his three sons, Matthias Gossett Jr. (1767-1820), John Gossett (1758-1823), and Jacob Gossett (1770-1852), based upon Personal Tax Lists (tithables), Berkeley County, Virginia (now West Virginia), covering 5 years, 1787 - 1792. This information has provided a basis for ancestral data of numerous Gossett Family members who have lived or are living, in the United States of America.

To gain more complete information, this study evaluated 30 years of tax records (covering 39 years) beginning with 1774. The 1774 List of Tithables and Wheel Carriages in Berkeley County, Virginia, edited by William H. Rice, was published in June, 2006, based upon recently discovered materials in the Stewart Bell, Jr., Archives Room of the Handley Regional Library in Winchester, Virginia. (Source 4).

Also, research has discovered Land Records and Tithables beginning 12 Sep 1758 through 20 Jun 1771, in Loudoun Cnty, VA, which give evidence of the earlier presence of Matthias Gossett (Sr), Mary, his wife, and their son John. Sufficient record is cited in the MESDA (Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts) Craftsman Database, which can be accessed online. References are made to primary records in Loudoun County, VA. Matthias Gossett (1736-1812?) is cited as a potter located in the German Settlement, on the Potomac River, near Lovettsville, VA. The Lease Deed also includes his wife Mary and son John. (See maps of German Settlement and location of the Matthias Gossett Land Lease, Exhibits 1E & 1F).

From examining a copy of the tax districts in Berkeley County, in 1774, we found William Patterson’s District included the property on Back Creek, where Matthias Gossett Sr. (1736-1812?) and family/families, are reported over a 39-year time span. (See the attached Berkeley County map of tax districts from Source 4, following the list of Sources)

The other 29 years of tax records, 1783 - 1812, were obtained on microfilm, West Virginia State Archives. Copies were made by Eric & Judy Gossett Talla of each tax year used in this analysis.

In total, the study now includes a time span of 54 years, with evidence present for most years. To the knowledge of the authors, this synthesis of information has never been undertaken.

The primary Gossett Family members of this study, and their approximate life spans, are as follows:

Matthias Gossett, Sr. 1736 - 1812? Patriarch; no record of marriage but assumed wife Mary (Ross Littler), based upon new Land Lease in 1758 with marriage thought to be about 1757.
John Gossett, Sr. 1758 - 1823 Oldest son of record;
married Honour Hull, 8 Apr 1788.
Matthias Gossett, Jr. 1767 - 1820 Middle son of record;
married Mary Garner 17 Jan 1788,
Jacob Gossett 1770 - 1852 Youngest son, of record;
married Mary Sarah Dunham bet 1790-92.
John Gossett 1790 - 1845 Son of Matthias Gossett, Jr.,
married Nancy Crabb,19 Mar 1812.

Deeds, Tithable & Other Data, Including Loudoun Cnty, Virginia, as well as Frederick Cnty (now Berkeley Cnty) Virginia (WV).

YEAR
Matthias Sr.
Matthias Jr., Son
John, son
Jacob, son
John, son of Matthias Jr.
Notes

1758
Age 22
Unborn
Age 1
Unborn
Unborn
Age  Baseline
12 Sept 1758 Lease Indenture to Matthias Gossett, Mary, his wife, and John Gossett, his son.  150 acres.  Loudoun Cnty, VA, Deed Book A, 1757-1760, p. 201 "... for 150 acres, running down Potomack River from the Mouth of Kittocton Creek..."
1760
 1 Tithable
–
–
–
–
 Loudoun Cnty. VA, James Hamilton list.
13 May 1761 Lease Indenture to Matthias Gossett, Marey, his wife, and John Gossett, his son.  140 acres.  Loudoun Cnty, VA, Deed Book B, 1760-1761, p. 197.
14 Sept 1762 Lease Indenture, Matthias Gossett assigning his lease of 150 acres. Loudoun Cnty, VA, Deed Book C, 1761-1763, p. 386.
1762
1 Tithable
–
–
–
–
 Loudoun Cnty, VA Another list found for 1762, 1 Tithable, for Matthias Gosot, p. 105 on index, under Charles Tyler (Taylor?), List of Tithables..
09 Nov 1763 Overcharge of county leveys, refunded to Matthias Gossett. Loudoun Cnty, VA, Book B, p. 266. The Historians Guide to Loudoun County, VA, Vol I, Colonial Laws of Virginia and County Court Orders, 1757-1766, by John T. Phillips, II, Goose Creek Productions, Leesburg, VA, 1996. p. 413. Chapter on Tithable List Amendments.
11 Apr 1764 Thomas Awbrey, Plaintiff against Matthias Gossett, Potter, Loudoun Cnty, VA, Order Book B, 1762-1765, p. 327.
16 Aug 1764 Matthias Gossett, a defendant at court, is a potter. Loudoun Cnty, VA, Order Book B, 1762-1765, pp. 426 & 657. See same reference above for 09 Nov 1763, chapter on Trades and Profession.
22 Oct 1764 Frederick Cnty, VA for 202 acres.
02 Jun 1766 Frederick Cnty, VA, Lease Indenture in Frederick Cnty (now Berkeley) VA (WV), Fairfax to Matthias Gossett, on the drains of the Opeckon River, 350 acres.
20 Jun 1771 Loudoun Cnty, VA, Deed Book H, 1770-1772, p. 180. “Matthias Gossett of the County of Loudoun”
1771
Age 35
Age 4
Age 14
Age 1
Unborn
  
1772
 Berkeley Residence, Berkeley Cnty, VA (WV), Rent Roll, Virginia Compiled Census & Census Substitutes, Index, p. 607-1890.
1774
2 Tithables
–
–
–
–
Listed together, Matthias Gossett Sr. and probably his oldest son John Gossett.
Matthias Sr., age 38;   John, age 16.
1775-1782 No Lists of Tithables for this period found by researchers.
1783

1 Tithable

Age 47

–

Age 16

–

Age 25

–

Age 13

–

Unborn
1784
1 Tithable
–
–
–
–
1785
1 Tithable
–
–
–
–
Three separate lists appeared on “James Campbell’s List”-- appeared to be a revision of taxes, not separate property. One Tithable included Matthias Sr. only; another with Samuel Dunham
(future in-law; another inventory with both men on the same page. Each person was 1 Tithable.)
1786
1 Tithable
–
–
–
–
1787
1 Tithable
–
–
–
–
Additional Berkeley inventory in 1787 included Matthias Sr.
1788

1 Tithable

Age 52

1 Tithable

Age 21

2 horses, Married !

1 Tithable

Age 30

1 horse, Married !

Age 18

0 horses

–
Inventory, 9 Nov 1788, used as Tithable list
1789, Nov 3
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
–
–
–
1790, Apr 29
2 Tithables
1 Tithable
John on 1790 census, Allegheny Co., PA

Jacob probably included w/ Matthias Sr.

Married,

Age 20

John, son of Matthias Jr., born
1791, Sept 12
2 Tithables
1 Tithable
–
Jacob just turned 21, probably incl. w/ Matthias Sr.
–
1792
Age 56
Age 25
Age 34
Age 22
Age 2
1792, Sept 3
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
–
1 Tithable
–
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
–
1 Tithable
–
1794
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
–

1 Tithable

(Age 24)

–
1795
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
–
Jacob to KY
–
1796
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
–
–
–
1797
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
–
–
–
1798

1 Tithable

Age 62

1 Tithable

Age 31

1 Tithable

Age 40

–

Age 28

–

Age 8

1799
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
 Census specific to Back Creek
1800
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
Census taken on Back Creek
1801
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
Census taken on Back Creek
1802
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
–
–
–
1803
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
–
–
–
1804
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
–
–
–
1804, Oct 8
Indenture, showing Matthias Sr., transferred property in Berkeley Co, VA to Jacob Gossett of  Montgomery Co, KY. Book 19, p. 185. (Property on Back Creek, Berkeley Co, VA); Deed also used as proof of Matthias Sr. wife Mary not living, because she didn’t sign Indenture.
1805

1 Tithable

Age 69

1 Tithable

Age 38

(on next page of list?  Didn't copy the record!)

–

Age 47

–

Age 35

–

Age 15

1806
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
–
–
–
Matthias Jr. Tithable appears to continue on next page; have portion of page.
1807
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
–
–
–
1808
No List of Tithables available
1809
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
–
–
–
1810
1 Tithable
1 Tithable
–
–
–
1811

1 Tithable

Age 75

1 Tithable

Age 44

–

Age 53

–

Age 41

1 Tithable

Age 21

1812
Died (Aft Sept 8, 1811) Age 76

Moved to OH

Age 45

Living in OH

Age 54

Living in KY

Age 42

1 Tithable

Age 22

 

Conclusions and Notations Regarding Tithables Data & Other Information

John Gossett (Sr) new assumed birthdate about 1758, seems to be a more appropriate age for his service in the Revolutionary War. One DAR application indicates John's birth about 1760, while his gravestone indicates he was born in 1769.

1774:   Listed are 2 tithables together. This is not information commonly listed in research at this time because of its recent discovery and publication. Given new data, John would be the son of Matthias Sr., and not assumed brother of Matthias S.r, as previously noted

1775-1782:   Assume no available lists of Tithables, suffered consequences of the Revolutionary War.

1760, 1762, 1783-1787:   Matthias Gossett Sr., 1 Tithable each year.

1788:   John Gossett (Sr.), son of Matthias Sr., married Honor Hull, 8 Apr 1788. Moved to Pennsylvania, then later, Kentucky. Record of purchase of Paris city lot on High Street, Bourbon Co, KY, 5 Sep 1795, and sold on 18 Jul 1796.  Prior to 1789 John had been living in Pennsylvania.

1791-1794:   3 families, 4 generations, living at this location including Matthias Sr., Matthias Jr., and Jacob Gossett.

1798-1801:   Oldest son John Gossett (Sr.) and family have returned to live at the Matthias Gossett Sr. farm, for 3-4 years, before moving to Ohio. This seems logical, because John Gossett (Sr.) lived in PA, KY, PA, and finally OH. He was found in Washington Co, PA in the 1790 Census; and later, buying and selling a city lot, Paris, Bourbon, KY, 1795-1796.

Historians in Pennsylvania and Ohio indicated that John and Honor were early on in Ohio in 1797 (Chillicothe from KY), and to New Market, Highland County, OH, 35 miles southwest of Chillicothe, in 1799. Needless to say, these dates conflict with the 1798-1791 Tithables list in Berkeley Co, VA, when a John Gossett was listed as a taxpayer. A likely scenario is that Berkeley County, VA became home base for a period of time while John Gossett was transporting supplies and materials to the New Market area, where John Gossett began operating the first gristmill, the first built in Highland Co, Ohio. (David Scott, History of Highland County, Ohio, 1856, p. 70.) The mill was located on 200 acres, White Oak Creek, and was purchased 9 Nov 1801, Warranty Deed recorded Vol 1, page 600 of Highland County, OH.

After 1794:   Jacob Gossett no longer appeared on the tax roles with his father or in Berkeley Co, VA.

1799:   Matthias Sr.’s youngest son Jacob and family appeared on Montgomery Co, KY tax roles in the area where he remained until his death. (This later became Bath Cnty.)

1811:   Sale of property by Matthias Gossett Sr., witnessed by Matthias Gossett Jr.

1811 & 1812:   It’s logical to assume that John Gossett (son of Matthias Gossett Jr.) lived at or near his father’s farm until his grandfather Matthias Gossett Sr. died. Upon his father’s death, Matthias Jr. moved with family in 1812 to Ashtabula Twp, Jefferson, OH to be with other family members, Our previous research lead us to conclude that Matthias Gossett Sr., probably died at his home on Back Creek, Berkeley, VA in 1811-1812.

As postulated by a Samuel Dunham researcher, like his neighbor Samuel Dunham, it’s reasonable to assume Matthias Sr. was probably buried at his farm, with a grave or graves that are no longer visible. Possibly he was buried with his wife Mary, in a Quaker cemetery, similar to Hopewell Friends (Quaker) Monthly Meeting. Because of their beliefs, Quaker graves were unmarked. Unverifiable date of Matthias Sr. death, 7 Sep 1811 is one that has been misconstrued. Date of death should be AFTER 7 Sep 1811, which is the date of the last deed Matthias Sr. signed. .

1812:   John Gossett, son of Mathias Gossett Jr., married Nancy Crabb 19 Mar 1812.  1812 was last year John Gossett, son of Matthias Jr, was listed in Berkeley Co, VA list of Tithables; he followed his father to Ohio.

Return to Homepage                       Previous Page               Next: Part II (Matthias Gossett, Sr.— A Clergyman?)