This story is about Marjory’s first cousin 11 times removed William Gooch. He was born in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England in 1681 and died in London in 1751 at the age of 70. However, he spent 22 years of his life in Virginia, 13 as Lieutenant Governor.
While Lieutenant Governor may not sound all that important, the two Crown Governors to whom he reported (George Hamilton, First Earl of Orkney and Willem Anne van Keppel, Second Earl of Albemarle) never actually visited Virginia. William Gooch was in charge from 1727 to 1740.
Gooch’s policy as governor was to protect the western part of the territory from Native Americans and the French. He authorized promoted the settlement of the Shenandoah Valley in order to buffer the rest of the colony from Indian attacks.
One of his greatest successes was the passage of the Tobacco Inspection Act of 1730. The Act raised the quality of Virginia’s tobacco and reduced fraud, which greatly increased the demand for Virginia tobacco. During his time as governor, he also distinguished himself militarily in New Grenada, South America.
Gooch honored himself by naming Goochland County just west of Richmond. Also, one of the westernmost Shenandoah Valley towns at that time, Staunton, was named for his wife Rebecca Staunton Gooch in 1747.
William Gooch was made the 1st Baronet of Benacre Hall in 1746 and a Major General in 1747. While still a commoner, a Baronet ranks above a Knight, and the title is hereditary. While William and Rebecca (Staunton) Gooch had one son who they raised in Williamsburg, he passed at the young age of 25. After William’s return to England in 1749 and his death in 1751, the baronetcy passed to his brother, Bishop Thomas Gooch. The bishop’s descendants still carry the title today along with the Benacre Estate in Norfolk (shown below) today.
Governor William Gooch was not the first member of the family to come to Virginia. Marjory’s 10th great grandfather and William’s uncle Lieutenant Colonel Henry Gooch (1635-1683) was living in York County by 1656.
William Gooch was also not the first Colonial Virginia Governor among Marjory’s kin. See “West Family – Barons, Scoundrels, and Governors” for more.
While Lieutenant Governor may not sound all that important, the two Crown Governors to whom he reported (George Hamilton, First Earl of Orkney and Willem Anne van Keppel, Second Earl of Albemarle) never actually visited Virginia. William Gooch was in charge from 1727 to 1740.
Gooch’s policy as governor was to protect the western part of the territory from Native Americans and the French. He authorized promoted the settlement of the Shenandoah Valley in order to buffer the rest of the colony from Indian attacks.
One of his greatest successes was the passage of the Tobacco Inspection Act of 1730. The Act raised the quality of Virginia’s tobacco and reduced fraud, which greatly increased the demand for Virginia tobacco. During his time as governor, he also distinguished himself militarily in New Grenada, South America.
Gooch honored himself by naming Goochland County just west of Richmond. Also, one of the westernmost Shenandoah Valley towns at that time, Staunton, was named for his wife Rebecca Staunton Gooch in 1747.
William Gooch was made the 1st Baronet of Benacre Hall in 1746 and a Major General in 1747. While still a commoner, a Baronet ranks above a Knight, and the title is hereditary. While William and Rebecca (Staunton) Gooch had one son who they raised in Williamsburg, he passed at the young age of 25. After William’s return to England in 1749 and his death in 1751, the baronetcy passed to his brother, Bishop Thomas Gooch. The bishop’s descendants still carry the title today along with the Benacre Estate in Norfolk (shown below) today.
Governor William Gooch was not the first member of the family to come to Virginia. Marjory’s 10th great grandfather and William’s uncle Lieutenant Colonel Henry Gooch (1635-1683) was living in York County by 1656.
William Gooch was also not the first Colonial Virginia Governor among Marjory’s kin. See “West Family – Barons, Scoundrels, and Governors” for more.
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