David Goff Papers

The "View now" link directs to the finding aid only. Please email wvrhcref@westvirginia.libanswers.com or call 304-293-3536 for more information about accessing collection A&M 1027 David Goff Papers, 1840-1878. Papers of David Goff (ca. 1804-1878) of Beverly, West Virginia, an attorney and land promoter for Harrison, Randolph, and Tucker Counties. Goff became prosecuting attorney in 1835, served as a Colonel in the Virginia militia in 1844, was superintendent of Randolph County schools in 1853, served as a member of the Virginia Assembly, and was a West Virginia State Senator from Randolph County (1875-1877). The papers include correspondence; land papers, particularly, for Randolph County; court case papers; receipts; bank statements; accounts; and miscellaneous papers concerning the affairs of various clients. Subjects of the correspondence include estate settlements; land sale and management; politics; movement to construct a turnpike and railroad through Canaan Valley; sale by heirs of 1,000 acres of land in Randolph County owned by Chief Justice John Marshall; several letters written during the Civil War and post-war period concerning conditions in Beverly; possibility of removal of family from territory held by Federal forces, by Truce Boat; post-war value of Virginia money; conditions in Missouri and opinions on the government and general condition of the country. Correspondents include Spencer Dayton, B. H. Shackelford, William MacCorkle, George C. McCall, Edwin Maxwell, W. P. Cooper, Maria W. D. Orme, Charles Newmann, Isaac A. Morris, L. Haymond, and H. O. Middleton.