Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

magnetic force arc felt and recognized t>y
the most unobservant people. Notable
among these men is Colonel Richard J.
Goodman, of II art ii>rd. Connecticut. Mr.
Goodman descends from one of the oldest
families, the immigrant ancestor heing of
the same name.
(I) Richard Goodman, immigrant, was
horn in England, and came from there to
America, first settling at Cambridge,
Massachusetts. He was a proprietor of
that town in [633, and on May 14th of the
following year was admitted a freeman.
He formed one of the company of Rev.
Thomas Hooker, and removed to Hart-
ford, being among the first settlers. Later
he removed to Hadley, Massachusetts,
ind there met his death on April 1, 1678.
He was killed by the Indians in King
Philip's War. During his residence in
Hartford he married, December 8, 1659,
Mary Terry.
(II) Richard (2) Goodman, second son
)f Richard (1) and Mary (Terry) Goodnan,
was born March 23, 1663, in Hadley,
^nd died in Hartford, May 14, 1730. The
nventory of his estate was one hundred
ind thirty-seven pounds, seven shillings
knd eight pence, showing him to have
jeen a man of thrift and prudence. He
named Abigail Pantry, born January II,
678-79, died January 26, 1708, a daughter
»t John Pantry.
(III) Timothy Goodman, fourth child
">i Richard (2) and Abigail (Pantry)
joodman, was born September 22, 1706,
ind died March 12, 1786. Through his
lather-in-law, John Pantry, he received
ands, and on March 4, 1729, he located in
.Vest Hartford, near Farmington. His
lome there was burned to the ground, and
he Boston "Chronicle" of May 2, 176S,
ontains an account of this loss. He mar-
ied Joanna Wadsworth, daughter of Jou
.eph and Joanna Wadsworth, granddaugh-
ENCYCLOPEDIA OE BIOGRAPHY
ter of the intrepid Captain Joseph Wadsworth,
whose name will long be famous
because of his connection with the Charter
Oak.
(IV) Richard (3) Goodman, sixth child
of Timothy and Joanna (Wadsworth)
Goodman, was born April 10, 17.18, and
died in May, 1834, in West Hartford. He
served in the Revolutionary War as a
member of Captain Seymour's company
of Hartford. In 1771 he married Nancy
Seymour, who was born February 16,
175 1, at West Hartford, died January 27,
1792, a daughter of Captain Timothy and
Lydia (Kellogg) Seymour.
(V) Aaron Goodman, son of Richard
(3) and Nancy (Seymour) Goodman,
born July 20, 1773, in Wf
est Hartford, was
the first postmaster of that town, which
office he held until his death, March 28,
1832. He married, April 15, 1804, Alma
Cossitt, born December 10, 1780. at
Granby, died at Plainfield, New Jersey,
November 13, 1868, daughter of Asa and
Mary (Cole) Cossitt.
(VI) Aaron Cossitt Goodman, son of
Aaron and Alma (Cossitt) Goodman, was
born in the town of West Hartford, on the
old homestead, April 23, 1822, and his
death occurred at the family home in
Hartford, July 29, 1899. He was for many
years one of the leading and prominent
citizens of the city of Hartford. He in-
herited many desirable qualities from
worthy forebears, and at the tender age of
thirteen years was employed in the book
store of Sumner & Company of Hartford.
With grim determination he applied him-
self to his tasks, and so well did he suc-
ceed that in 184 1 he was asked to go to
Philadelphia in the employ of a publish-
ing house there. He only remained there
a year, and in 1842 returned to Hartford,
where he again became associated with
his first employer, but as a partner of the