The James Goad Family

Charles Pinkney and Matt Goad (both proven veterans of nearly two years of battle) tookoff for Madison County on 10 August 1864. Charles P. and Martha Goad were expectingtheir first child and it was born in November. Matt came back to his unit on 10 Novemberand was confined to the guard house for a few days, then was returned to duty. CharlesPinkney was absent for six months. He returned in February 1865 and was restored toduty without trial but with full loss of pay. As can be seen by this punishment, neitheroffense was considered serious. It would be truly fascinating to know and understandfully the actions of these two young men during this time period.Almeda Jane Goad WilmothAlmeda Jane Goad was born 16 May 1841 in Madison County, Arkansas. She married aMr. Wilmoth and died soon afterward, leaving one child. Nothing else is known of thisfamily.James Madison Goad (1842-1938)James Madison (called Matt) Goad was the son of Alexander and Jane Henderson Goadof Madison County, Arkansas. He was born in this county on 12 August 1842. Matt wasthe seventh child of Alexander and Jane. His namesake was his Uncle James MadisonGoad (also a seventh child) and not the Arkansas County of Madison where he wasraised.Nothing is known of Matt Goad’s early childhood, but he is listed as living in his father'shousehold in the 1850 Madison County census and in the same (Bowen) Township in1860 census, still in his father's household. He is listed as James M. Goad age 17 in1860. He enlisted in the Union Army on 15 March 1863 at Fayetteville for 3 years. Hewas assigned to Company G, First Arkansas Infantry during the Civil War. Matt'sgravemarker is inscribed with his military unit so he was no doubt proud of his service inthe Civil War. I have not traced Matt's Company actions during the war but this wouldnot be difficult to do as much data is recorded about this. (See Charles Pinkney Goad inthis booklet (page 23) for a similar accounting of service record.)Matt Goad is listed in the 1870 census of Madison County as living with Jack andMahaley Jane Dickson Williams and family. This is Matt Goad's future mother andfather-in-law and other information indicates the Williams family lived in Floyd County,Kentucky before moving to Madison County. Matt is listed as Madison Goad, age 27,occupation farm labor. I do not believe, in the light of this information, that MadisonGoad was married until after July 1870 (date of this census report). Matt Goad marriedMary Ann Williams Matlock (a widow of Samuel Matlock who was killed in Arkansasduring the Civil War). From information in the 1870 census of Madison County,Arkansas. Living near St. Paul, Arkansas and next door to Jack and Mahaley Williamswe find:• Mary Matlock, age 23, born in Arkansas• Samuel Matlock, bor 1864, born in Arkansas30