The headstone discussion spurs me to bring up an old controversy over
Maj. William Gooch of York Co. It has been said that he was the "uncle
of Governor William Gooch". The governor (1681-1751) was the son of
Thomas Gooch (d 1688), Alderman of Yarmouth, and Frances Lone (d
1696). Thomas did have a brother William who d 1655, but that William
was buried in Mettingham, Suffolk.

Mettingham Parish Register 1653-1787: "William Gooch gentille man the
sonn of William Esq was buried the first day of January 1655." Could
this entry refer to Maj. Wm Gooch of VA, whose tombstone in York Co,
VA, says he died Oct 1655? He might have been buried in England 1 Jan
1655/6 and commemorated in VA, but it seems unlikely.

Has any more work been done on Lt. Henry Gooch, High Sheriff of York
Co, who may have been the brother of Maj. Wm? At one point someone on
this list said, "Lt. Col Henry Gooch is called brother of Major
William Gooch in the will of Major William Gooch; Lt. Col Henry Gooch
was executor of the estate", but gave no citation for the location of
the will. I have been unable to find a will for Maj Wm to confirm this
claim. If it is true, it seems to be another refutation of the claim
that Maj Wm was the uncle of Gov Wm--the governor's uncles were
Richard and William, not Henry and William. How inconsiderate of the
Williams to die in the same year!

Kathleen Much
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