Ansel Goodman Land Records in Bedford Co. Virginia

Ansel Goodman lived in Bedford Co., VA at the time of his enlistment with Capt. Charles Gwatkins in 1777. He was married at the time. He stated he was about 80 in 1832, so was probably b. ca 1752.

Ansel Goodman's first recorded land purchase in Bedford Co., VA, was for 150 ac., on 7 Aug 1786, from Raba Brown, and wife Elizabeth, she also relinquishes dower rights. (Be DB 8:71). See transcription below.

This was almost certainly Abraham/Arabia Brown, son of Israel Brown, and Ansel and his father Robert's close neighbor in 1758, on Flat Rock Creek, Lunenburg Co. Or, possibly a son of that Abraham/Arabia Brown. This is probably the same Arabia Brown who testified on Ansel's behalf in Russell Co., KY court that recorded and ruled on Ansel's Rev. War pension application, and who knew Ansel before and after the Revolutionary War.

On 28 May 1788, Ansalom (Ansel) and wife Edith sold this land in two parts, one parcel of 56-1/4 ac to Henry Maderis, and the rest to adjoining neighbor Charles Caffery. Sig: Ansel Goodman, Sig: Edith Goodman. (Be DB 8:72). See transcription below.

This probably establishes the date after which Ansel and family removed to Stokes Co., NC, where they are recorded in the 1790 Stokes Co. US Census, but in none of the earlier Stokes Co records I have found. Also notable about the second transaction, is that Ansel and Edith apparently both personally signed their names. Another deed recorded by the same clerk, and on the same DB 8:72 page that includes the deeds mentioned above, clearly identified and differentiated "His X Mark" signatures. In Ansel's 1832 pension application, he is indicated as using "His X Mark".