Grab your handkerchiefs. Elizabeth Goodger‘s maiden name was probably not “Pankey” as I had hoped. Boo hoo.

I came to this sad conclusion about my 5th great grandmother during my recent visit to the Library of Virginia. Other family researchers cite Stephen Pankey, Jr.’s 1790 will as the source of her maiden name. A daughter named “Elizabeth” was indeed listed as one of his heirs. Martin Goodger, my 5th great grandfather, was one of two men who witnessed the will. Thus, my distant cousins surmised that Stephen’s daughter Elizabeth must surely have been Martin’s wife, Elizabeth Goodger.

I can certainly understand why they drew this conclusion. But it doesn’t make sense within the context of the rest of the will. The problem is twofold. First, Stephen’s will also introduces us to a daughter named Temperance who was married at the time. In the will, she’s identified as “Temperance Fowler”. Had Elizabeth been married to Martin Goodger when the will was drawn up, logically she would have appeared as “Elizabeth Goodger”. That didn’t happen. Second, Temperance’s inheritance was much smaller than the inheritances of her unmarried and, I suspect, underage siblings. As was custom, wills tended to favor the younger children who were not yet able to fend for themselves. Most of Stephen’s estate was earmarked to support “my wife and children, except Temperance”.

And then there’s the complete lack of Pankey DNA matches – folks who descend from members of the Pankey family. Nada.

Stephen Pankey, Jr. would have been a fantastic 6th great grandfather. A prominent citizen of Virginia, he represented Chesterfield County when delegates from across the state were called upon to ratify the Constitution of the fledgling United States. For the record, his father, Stephen Pankey, Sr., would have been an equally interesting 7th great grandfather.

Disproving an ancestral relationship is certainly not as fun as proving one. But, it’s an important part of the journey nonetheless.

Kenfolk: Tranthams
Relation: 5th great grandmother
Common ancestors: Not sure but it’s not the Pankeys