Martin Trentham, Jr. and Elizabeth Martinleer Eppinger, my 6th great grandparents, have been the subject of many posts on this blog – with good reason. A rascally couple, they show up in documents found in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Mississippi for more than 80 years They were on the move and mischievous for sure – stealing horses, claiming land they never farmed, and living (allegedly) to be 150 years old.

Martin and Elizabeth were recently joined on my family tree by another couple named Martin and Elizabeth. Martin Goodger and his wife, Elizabeth (Pankey) Goodger, are my 5th great grandparents. I’ve only just started researching the Goodgers so my knowledge of this Martin and Elizabeth is emerging. For those close family members following this blog, Lula Betty Boren’s mother was Mary Emma Goodger. That’s our connection.

Martin and Elizabeth Goodger’s story is a tragic one. Martin died around 1799 in Chesterfield County, Virginia. He left behind his widow, Elizabeth, and several children – most of whom were minors. His death was likely not unexpected. They must have known it was coming because Martin had a will prepared naming all of the members of his young family. The land they lived on was not owned outright and this was a problem. A fellow Goodger researcher and distant cousin concluded that when Martin died, Elizabeth and her children were essentially “homeless”.

At the time, land was not in short supply. Fortunately, the Native Americans had plenty to spare which they willingly shared with their European neighbors. Elizabeth and most of her children headed to Georgia where they were literally giving land away in lotteries. Elizabeth’s lucky number came up finally in 1821. By then the Goodgers were firmly rooted in Georgia. Elizabeth’s son Stephen, my 4th great grandfather, had already been married, widowed, and married again by 1820. Stephen and his second wife, Julia (Veazey) Goodger, left Georgia at some point after 1830 and headed to Mississippi – the future birthplace of my great grandmother, Lula Betty Boren.

I’ll be heading to the Library of Virginia in Richmond some time soon. Martin and Elizabeth’s presence in Chesterfield County, Virginia was captured on several historical documents that are held in their archives. What better excuse does one need to visit Richmond? Day trip!!!

Kenfolk: Tranthams
Relation: Emerging
Common ancestors: More Goodgers and Pankeys (who were FRENCH!)