Pamphlets, Religious (Volume 1); Commemorative Discourses

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1864. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... WILLIAM GOODELL William Goodell, for half a century a zealous laborer in the anti-slavery, temperance, and kindred reforms, was the son of Frederic and Rhoda (Guernsey) Goodell, and was born in Coventry, Chenango County, N. Y., Oct. 25, 1792. The place of his birth is situated in what is now a part of Broome County, and was at the time a pioneer settlement in the then far west. He is supposed to have been the first white child born in that vicinity. He was a lineal descendant of Robert Goodell, one of the early settlers of Danvers, then Salem, Mass., where some of his descendants still live. Robert came from Ipswich, England, in 1634, with a wife and three children. Among the heir-looms of some of Robert Goodell's descendants is found a coat of arms, granted to Goodell, Earl Stonham, County Suffolk, March 1, 1612, which gives a slight indication of the rank of his remoter ancestors, though none of their character. This latter, however, is indicated by the character of Robert's descendants in this country, who have been noted for sobriety and integrity. In their ranks have been clergymen who preached temperance, and laymen who practiced it, at a time when drinking customs were all but universal in even the most intellectual and religious circles. We have record of one John Goodell of Worcester, a descendant of Robert, but belonging to another branch of the family from that of the subject of this sketch, who died in 1827, aged 82 years, leaving a bequest of $1,000 to a temperance society founded in part by himself. The name was formerly spelled variously; as Goodell, Goodall, Goodale, Godall, and even Goodie, according to the the taste or judgment of the writer. Robert spelled his name Goodell, as do most of his descendants. It is worthy of remark that a famil...