The earliest record found in Kentucky concerning John Gossett was discovered by Mrs. W. B. Ardery, genealogist, Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky. It is a record of a note, dated July 9, 1788, for 24 pounds, 16 shillings, 6 pence, to Rachel Hull, Administratrix of John Hull (deceased), with promise to pay, July 9, 1789, lawful money of the State of Pennsylvania. Thomas Pere Chany was surety for John Gossett and signed the note. Witnesses were: W. Aness (or Amos) Quesent and James McLaughlin.

Five years later, a suit relating to this note was filed in the office of the Circuit Court of Bourbon Co., Kentucky, with title: Thomas Pere Chany vs. John Gossett - Box 20 - February 1793 - Case dismissed at defendant’s cost in 1794.

This record contains important items which link together various events, and additional information is furnished by Mrs. Ardery, as follows:

1. John Gossett spelled his name with long "S", as was the English custom.

2. James McLaughlin, who signed John Gossett's note as a witness, was brother-in-law of Joseph Duncan. The McLaughlins and Duncans came originally from Pennsylvania via Berkeley County, Virginia, and Joseph Duncan states in deposition "he established himself in Bourbon in 1788".

John Gossett's Signature

The English custom of signing his name with long "S" was characteristic of John's family -- his brothers, his father, and his father's brother Peter. This form was misinterpreted several times for "Gozet" which was copied into the records in Pennsylvania for both Peter and John Gosset of Cumberland County. In that area many German people lived and, evidently, German scribes who were employed translated names into German.

John Gossett came along in 1788 to Bourbon with family friends, originally of Pennsylvania, from Berkeley Co., Virginia where the Gossetts lived.

Although Mrs. Ardery's further comments in connection have no bearing on the Gossett history, they are interesting accounts of these highly responsible associates of John Gossett. She writes, "Joseph Duncan built our beautiful Duncan Tavern...The McLaughlins and Duncans went to Illinois near Jacksonville. Joseph Duncan's son became governor of Illinois, and McLaughlin, his uncle, was a state official before him."

John Gossett, accompanied by his bride, went to Kentucky in 1788, where his son Amariah was born (census of 1850). He had a singleness of purpose: to buy a horses and to take them to Pennsylvania. It is significant he promised "to pay lawful money of the State of Pennsylvania".

Records show John Gossett was in Bourbon County [Kentucky] in July 1788; again in 1793. Meanwhile (1789 to 1793), he was living in Pennsylvania.

In 1788, in Virginia, he was taxed for personal property (property other than real estate, such as horses); then, during the latter part of 1789 he was in Pennsylvania. These and other facts are verified by the following records:

1. As previously shown, the name of John Gossett appeared with the name of his father, Matthias Gossett, on a Personal Tax List of Berkeley County, Virginia, for only the one year of 1788. Thereafter, John Gossett's name disappeared from the list and he was no longer included in Virginia tax records.
   
2. In December 1789, John Gossett was living in Pennsylvania, in accordance with the date of a deed, as follows:
   
3. The name of John Gossett appears in the Allegheny County records as one of two trustees (the other trustee was Samuel Morgan) of the heirs (two minors) of John Herring (deceased). A deed to these trustees from William Herring and his wife is dated December 8, 1789, and the land so purchased is described as being in the section of Allegheny County where John Gossett lived. (Ref: Deed Registry, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Vol. 12, p. 263.) The men named as adjoining property owners were the early citizens of the district. William Herring, the seller of the land, might have been an uncle or even a grandfather of the two minor boys. Since John Gossett was not an owner of adjoining land, the implication is that there must have been some special reason why he (hardly 21 years of age) was chosen as one of the two trustees for the two minor children. It is possible that his wife was an aunt of the two boys and sister of Samuel Morgan, who was the other trustee. In that case, Honor and Samuel Morgan could have been grandchildren of Colonel Morgan Morgan. [January 1999: A marriage record was found proving Honor's maiden name to be Hull. This would not discount the statement above that she may have been a granddaughter of Colonel Morgan.]
   
4. The 1790 Federal Census listed John Gossett the head of a family of three persons (himself, wife, and young son), residing in Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania.
   
5. A tax return for the year 1791 (Pennsylvania Archives, Series III, vol. 22, p. 670) is specific as to John Gossett's residence. Here he is named John Gossett of Moon Township, Allegheny County. This tax return enumerates real estate by acres but since no acreage is given for John Gossett, it is evident that he did not own land. His tax of one shilling, eight pence, must have been laid on other taxable items, probably horses, cattle, etc..
   
6. For a brief period, such as a visit to his parents, John and Honor Gossett were in Virginia in 1791, when their second child, John, was born (Census 1850, Highland Co., Ohio). Both of his parents were still living in 1791.
   
7. From the fall of 1789 through 1792 John Gossett may have been engaged in transporting supplies from Redstone (now the present town of Brownsville), Pennsylvania, to the encampment of General Wayne's army, which was encountering the hostile Indians in "the Northwest Territory". Ohio histories state that in 1794 in Bourbon County, Kentucky, he was occupied with this gainful enterprise, having migrated from Redstone. For that purpose, therefore, he had bought horses from Rachel Hull in Kentucky in 1788; then, taxes were levied on his equipment in Pennsylvania in 1791.
   
8. The many removals with accompanying short stays in a state make it difficult to obtain information regarding John Gossett before he reached Ohio. Nevertheless, these facts are established:
   
9. John Gossett was a son of Matthias Gossett of Virginia. It is confirmed by records that he was temporarily in Bourbon Co., Kentucky, in 1788; resided in Pennsylvania 1789 through 1792; returned to Bourbon Co. before February 1793 (Records of suit: Chany vs, Gossett); and, he was living in Bourbon Co., Kentucky, in 1794, 1795, and 1796.
   

There are records of two deeds, which disclose that John and Honor Gossett were living in Bourbon Co., Kentucky, in 1795 and 1796, viz.-

1. In the Office of the County Clerk for Bourbon Co., Kentucky. Deed Bk, C, p. 469-September 5, 1795. The trustees of the town of Paris deed to John Gossett lot known on town plat as no. 41 located on High Street with 66 feet front and running back 214 1/2 feet.
   
2. In Bk. C, p. 706, John Gossett and wife, Honor, deed aforementioned lot no. 41 to Joseph Duncan in consideration of 80 pounds, July 18, 1796 John Gossett and wife styled "of the town of Paris".

Highland County and New Market, Ohio

David Scott in his History of Highland County, Ohio, pub. 1856, p. 70, wrote the following summary on John Gossett:

"John Gossett was a native of Pennsylvania and emigrated at an early day from Redstone to Bourbon County, Kentucky. When Wayne's army moved west in 1794, Gossett engaged in transporting supplies to them at their encampment in the northwest; in 1797 he moved his family to the settlement at Chillicothe (Ohio). He resided there two years, going to New Market where he continued to reside the remainder of his life. In the spring of 1801, John Gossett began operating a gristmill near New Market, the first built in Highland County."

When the Treaty of Peace with the Indians was concluded by General Wayne in 1795, there followed an immigration to Ohio from Virginia, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. From Pennsylvania groups of people drifted down the Ohio River in wide heavy boats and landed at Manchester. And from Kentucky they journeyed with their possessions loaded on pack horses, driving their stock, and arrived at Manchester. Although there were no roads, a trail from Manchester led inland to the undeveloped district.

The first settlement was made in 1796 in the vicinity of Chillicothe situated 40 miles up the Scioto River. The rich, productive land was laid off in farms of one and two hundred acres and sold for two dollars per acre. By 1798, Chillicothe had become an important town and the seat of justice of Ross County, which embraced a large area. At Chillicothe information for purchasing land was obtained and from Chillicothe emerged the investors who settled on farmlands in every section of the region.

In 1797, John Gossett and his family moved from Bourbon County, Kentucky, to Chillicothe, where they spent two years. He may have bought a farm there, then sold it, but no records of such transactions exist. Many early records in Ross County were lost.

In 1799, John Gossett and his family were among the first settlers of the present county of Highland at the settlement of New Market about 35 miles southwest of Chillicothe. At that time Highland County was part of Ross County, which was later divided into smaller counties.

On a high tract of land the town of New Market, named for a village in Virginia, was mapped out in 1798, to imitate the city of Philadelphia. The surveyor, Henry Massie, and the first settlers believed the favorable site might make New Market the seat of a new county and the chief city of the west. In the summer and late fall of 1799, the first settlers departed from Chillicothe, carrying their belongings on pack horses, traveled through the unbroken wilderness, and arrived at New Market. In the fall of 1799, John Gossett arrived with his family at New Market.

References for the information on New Market, Highland County, and John Gossett are:

1. Ohio Hundred Year Book (Found in Ohio State Library at Columbus.)
   
2. David Scott, History of Highland County, pub. 1856.
   
3. History of Ross and Highland Counties, Ohio, pub. by William Bros., Cleveland, 1880.
   
4. J. W. Klise, State Centennial History of Ohio, pub. 1902.
   
5. Court Records, Offices of the Recorders of Highland and Ross Counties in Ohio.

There are remarkable incidents connected with the history of Highland County. The region was inhabited by a prehistoric people, who left earth and stone works and have provided an interesting study to the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society. Later, Highland County was a hunting ground of nomadic tribes of Indians who left tomahawks and burial mounds. Highland County was the location of several battles fought during the years from 1791-1795 between the Indians and surveying crews of military lands. It was part of the Northwest Territory that w"s reserved in 1784 for Virginia veterans of the Revolutionary War and was called "Virginia Military District".

Records of land granted to soldiers for services rendered date back as early as 1799 but were not recorded in Highland County until 1916. Few records dated as early as 1802 are on file in the Recorder's Office of Highland County. For the most part, the earliest records have been retained in Chillicothe, Ross County, [Ohio].

There are large areas in Highland County more than one thousand feet above sea level. The early settlers were impressed with the healthful climate, with the beauty of the natural features of caves and waterfalls, and with the fertile soil. There were vast forests of trees -- the buckeye, sugar tree, elm, walnut, oak, hickory, wild cherry, and sycamore.

All of the land in the vicinity of New Market had to be cleared by the settlers of 1799, consequently no crops were raised the first year. Food and other necessities, even axes and other implements, had to be brought from a distance on pack horses. For meat the settlers relied upon the abundant game consisting of wild turkey, deer, and bear. There were great quantities of berries and nuts and honey. The settlers had brought cows and the milk was kept cool in nearby springs. It was difficult to obtain flour; since the nearest mill was thirty miles away at The Falls of Paint.

Fierce wild animals --wolves, panthers and bears -- were numerous and dangerous. However, the skins of the animals were dressed and made into leather. Bear and buffalo skins were made into warm bed covering. There was very little money in the country, and the skins of animals were frequently used as a medium of exchange for needed articles, such as salt.

The first cabins built at the new settlement of New Market were constructed of logs with clapboard roof, clay chimney, and puncheon floor. Each new settler was assisted by his neighbors in building his cabin which consisted of one room and was built in a few days. Labor was unavailable. These pioneers were young, vigorous, and daring. The hardships were a challenge, not a handicap. In the struggle for existence, a spirit of brotherhood prevailed. The first school was taught in a log cabin situated on the school lot which was donated by John Gossett. This schoolhouse was used as the first place of worship. A post office was established at New Market in 1799, connected with a weekly mail line between Chillicothe and Cincinnati. The mail was carried by pack animals.

Everybody was a farmer in those early days, although it was impossible to make a livelihood from the land. Consequently, in conjunction with farming, almost every early settler acquired a trade, such as tanning, shoe-making, carpentering, coopering. The men grew flax and the women spun their own cloth for the clothing of the family. These capable women produced their woolen materials, and they made their blankets, carpets, quilts, soap, and they raised large families.

All of the pioneer farmers in Ohio raised grains. Producing the same commodities that farmers produced in eastern states, they had no market until they began to convert their grains into alcoholic liquors. Distilleries sprang up in Highland County and in other sections. For its quality, Ohio whiskey became widely known throughout the country. These events explain why the enumeration of stills, gallon measures, whiskey, wine, etc., is found recorded as property in the estate of many an early pioneer in Ohio.

John Gossett purchased several hundred acres of land southeast of New Market. The price of land was $2.00 per acre. The recorder of Ross County at Chillicothe found the following record of early date:

November 9, 1801, John Gossett purchased from Henry Massie by Warranty Deed Recorded in Volume 1, Page 600, 200 acres of land in Highland County for $400.00.

In 1801, on his land situated on White Oak Creek, John Gossett erected the first gristmill in the county. It was a huge log building with a clapboard roof. Its construction required almost a year because all of the material had to be made on the location with few available tools. The wooden parts were cut from solid logs and the millstones were fashioned from granite boulders. The iron used in the building was transported from Kentucky. The millwright was John Smith, a skilled Scotchman, to whom John Gossett gave 100 acres of land for his services.

The gristmills of our pioneer forebears were a good example of man's ingenuity. The machinery was very intricate. The first millstones were cut from buhrstones, which were imported to this country from Scandinavia. Soon the craftsmen of New England learned to make their own stones from native granite. They were five to seven feet in diameter and often weighed 2000 pounds. Each stone had a hole in the center and channels chiseled from the center to the outer rim. The bottom stone was stationary; the top one revolved, and the flour or meal flowed out through the channels and center hole.

After operating the mill about two years, John Gossett sold it with 395 acres of rich bottom land to Lewis Gibler, who continued the milling business. In connection with his mill, in 1803, Lewis Gibler started a distillery, which was the first in operation in the township. (See History of Ross and Highland Counties, Ohio, pub. by William Bros., Cleveland, p. 489.) The stone foundation of the Gossett mill remains standing today, and William Gibler, a descendant of Lewis Gibler, owns and resides on the farm.

Having disposed of his farm and mill, John Gossett bought another farm two miles east of New Market and lived the remainder of his life. His new home was located on a creek which was named "Gossett's Fork of Brush Creek". On page 489, History of Ross and Highland Counties states: "A saw- and grist-mill was built some two miles southeast of town, New Market, about 1850, on Gossett's Fork of Brush Creek."

As comprehensively as possible, this history deals with the individual efforts and personal associations of John Gossett, pioneer, when the Northwest was opened to settlers. He contributed courage, enterprise, loyalty, and specific action that helped to build the locality in which he lived. To know the part he played is a sustaining inspiration to those who come after him.

Since Highland County formerly was a township of Ross County, most of the early records of Highland County to 1806 are still retained in the Recorder's Office or Ross County at Chillicothe. Although some of them have vanished, the records show that the county of Highland was surveyed and organized by the Acts of the Legislature, February 18, 1805, and Highland County was established May 1, 1805. However, it was not formally separated from Ross County until 1807.

Highland County had a much larger territory originally than it now has. New Market, being the only settlement near the center of the county, became the temporary county seat. The Act of 1805 provided that "the courts of said county shall be holden in the town of New Market until a permanent Seat of Justice shall be established in said county.

The first court was held in New Market June 12, 1805, under the Constitution of the State of Ohio. Of course there was no court house or no suitable building in the town where the court could assemble, so this first session of the court was held in the open air under a large oak tree.

Ohio histories, including Klise's State Centennial History of Ohio, state that a record on the books of the commissioners names John Gossett as one of the grand jurors of this first court for Highland County, June 12, 1805. And at the first election, November 4, 1805, the record also states, "George W. Barrere was elected senator and John Gossett was elected representative to the state legislature". Historians relate that these two leading citizens of New Market rode together through the woods on horseback, in 1805, as the first legislators to represent Highland County, to be present at the seat of government at Chillicothe, then the capital of Ohio.

George Barrere and family, emigrating from Kentucky to New Market in 1801, bought a house and opened a tavern. He served several years in the legislature as senator, then as associate judge of the county. A descendant of Senator Barrere, Granville Barrere, is now editor of the News-Herald, Hillsboro, Ohio.

John Gossett was, again, the state representative in 1809. Highland County was represented with Ross County in 1806-7, and Joseph Swearingen was the Representative in 1808. These dates have been verified from authentic sources.

Intensive research has been made regarding the exact years John Gossett was a state legislator. Historians differ on the dates, and some records erroneously refer to "James" instead of "John" Gossett. One Hundred Year Book and The Biographical Annals of Ohio, compiled under Authority of the Act of April 19, 1904, pp. 203 and 282, state, "James Gossett was representative in 1809."

Like his ancestors, John Gossett had no middle name, so he could not have, on occasions, dropped "John" and signed "James". According to all court records, there was no James Gossett living at that time in the county. Only John Gossett's name appeared in the first census of Highland County in 1807. "James" was on no tax lists as a property owner. The Clerk of the Probate Court of Highland County gives information: "... We searched our records here and we find no estate or will of a James Gossett on our books in those early days."

As early as 1856, David Scott was writing his History of Highland County. He had all the fine qualities of a great historian and he lived near the period of the early settlement in Highland County. Unfortunately, he died before completing his history. David Scott in his History of Highland County states that John Gossett was assemblyman in 1803, representing his district before Highland County was organized, and was present at Chillicothe at the first session of the Ohio State Legislature. Thus, John Gossett was a member of the Constitutional Assembly which wrote the noteworthy document, The Constitution of the State of Ohio.

These facts indicate that John Gossett was the State Representative in 1803, 1805, and 1809 for Highland County.

The black top hat which John Gossett wore when he was a dignitary at Chillicothe has been preserved among family mementos and it is in the possession of Lavina Gossett Roush of Hillsboro, Ohio. This rich silk plush hat has a French blue brocaded lining, which is stamped in gold lettering with an interesting trademark "Made in Paris", encircled by a French name to indicate a firm.

The often repeated "boot story" is quoted from History of Ross and Highland Counties, Ohio, pub. 1880 by Williams Bros. in Cleveland, p. 485:

"Mr. Scott relates an amusing anecdote of Mr. Gossett's first visit to Chillicothe as representative. He was dressed in plain homespun and wore a pair of fair-leather shoes. On his arrival at the seat of government he put up at the best hotel, and on retiring gave his shoes into the care of the servant to be cleaned. In the morning he could not find his shoes, and applied to the servant for them. The latter protested that he had returned as many as he carried away. The landlord was appealed to, it being Mr. Gossett's belief that they had been stolen. If so, the landlord would replace them as soon as a pair could be made, but meanwhile suggested that Mr. Gossett try the only pair left, which he found a perfect fit. He then made an examination, and found, to his surprise, that they were really his own shoes; but, as they had never before been blackened, he did not recognize them as being the fair-leather pair he had worn the day before."

The organization of the new county and the meeting of the courts at New Market aided greatly to the growth of the settlement of New Market. Residents of remote sections traded at New Market. General stores and taverns and a barber shop were opened. To produce linen and cotton for clothing, the first carding machine used in Highland County was established, and a successful factory for making wool hats was built. Michael Stroup, a professional hat maker who had a market in the eastern states for his hats, moved to New Market about 1801, to operate his factory in proximity to an area that supplied wool.

Although an uncouth element existed, as always exists in every frontier settlement, New Market became the leading community of business and education and advancement, and became the center of the political and social life. In New Market, meetings were held and tea parties given, where dainty chinaware and solid silver spoons of the Fiddle-back pattern were used. The pioneer women had brought, however, very few cherished possessions, such as sterling silver, but they had brought culture and a multitude of sterling qualities. Several churches were organized and church buildings were erected. A classical school, where Latin, Greek and Hebrew were taught, was opened in a cabin on White Oak Creek in the vicinity of New Market.

Everywhere development was in progress. A State road was surveyed in 1804-1805 from Chillicothe to Cincinnati. To have this highway pass through New Market, John Gossett and other citizens of New Market contributed funds for its construction at a cost of eighteen dollars per mile for fifty miles. Nine highways had been opened leading to New Market.

August 13, 1806, John Gossett and 72 other citizens of New Market subscribed to an agreement, promising to pay, individually, definite sums of money to the county treasury for public buildings, provided the Legislature passed a law fixing the seat of justice for Highland County permanently in the town of New Market. (The Indenture is in Highland County Records, Recorder's Office, Hillsboro, Ohio, vol. 7, p. 576.)

Highland County was formally separated from Ross County in 1807 and its boundaries were established so that no longer was New Market in the immediate center of the county. Hillsboro, about 12 miles to the northeast of New Market, was simultaneously laid out (in 1807) and was chosen the permanent county seat. There was great disapproval and disappointment among the citizens of New Market. The plans for future development were destroyed for this oldest town of the region. Today New Market is a small place with a few old buildings, while Hillsboro is a beautiful city with a population of about 6,000.

In History of Ross and Highland Counties, Ohio, pub. William Bros., Cleveland, 1880, p. 485, appears the following article:

"... Mr. Gossett bought, at Chillicothe, in 1823, the first iron moldboard plow ever used in Highland County. It was a great curiosity in those days, and was visited by people from a distance of twenty miles. Its cost was twenty-three dollars."

Historians describe John Gossett as "a quiet, modest man", "a very worthy and unassuming farmer, differing in no essential particular from his pioneer neighbors", "a man who had great energy and endurance and who met disappointment with an attitude of courage and cheerfulness", and as "one of the most distinguished and enterprising of the Highland County pioneers", "a man with high principles and generosity in his dealings with his associates". "He was a very kindhearted man, and if persons applying for flour or meal were unable to pay for it, he would cheerfully give it to them."

The foregoing quotations appear in references to John Gossett which are:

1. History of Highland County by David Scott, pub. 1856, p. 70, etc.
   
2. History of Ross and Highland Counties by William Bros., pub. 1880, pp. 95, 485, 489.
   
3. State Centennial History of Ohio by J. W. Klise, pub. 1902, pp. 86, 87, 170, 322-3.

John Gossett died in 1823 at the age of 54. The cause of his death is unknown. His will was made only six days before his death and before his estate was settled his younger daughter, Lavinah, had died.

John Gossett lived in a region which was infested with malaria-carrying mosquitoes along the water courses and violent epidemics of malarial fever were prevalent for many years. The pioneers had no antimalarial drugs, no quinine for chills and fever, but they tried to soothe the mosquito bites with oils.

The graveyard where John Gossett and his wife Honor are buried is two miles east of New Market and is called Sanders Cemetery. It is well-fenced, but is abandoned and overgrown with bushes and poison ivy. Many markers lie on the ground. John Gossett's stone is standing and bears the inscription: John Gossett departed this Life December 28th, 1823. Aged 54 years.

Honor Gossett is buried on the right side of his grave, but the corner of her gravestone which bore the dates is broken off and is disintegrated. [January 1999: Honor's headstone is in the possession of the Highland County Historical Society. A replacement headstone for both John and Honor is in place of the original.] A child's gravestone and a large grave marked with stones are on the left side of John Gossett's grave.

The foundation of an old log church remains near the cemetery and a cornerstone disclose the denomination was Baptist.

John Gossett's will, dated December 22, 1823, is on file and of record in the Probate Court of Highland Co., Ohio. It was written by a man when few of his associates could even sign their own names. John and Honour Gossett had two daughters and eight sons, namely: Amariah, John, Moses, Rachel, Lindsey, Abijah, Milton, Lavinah, Presley, and Wilson.

Following a copy of the will executed by John Gossett and filed in the Probate Court of Highland Co., Ohio, in the year 1823, recorded in Book B, page 49.

Will of John Gossett

In the Name of God amen.

I, John Gosset of New Market Township, and County of Highland, being sound in judgment and memory and viewing and considering the uncertainty of life and certainty of death, Do make, appoint and order this my last will and testament in manner and form as follows:

Viz and First: I give and bequeath unto my loving wife, Honour, the one third of my movable property after my debts are paid and one third of my real estate to be set of [off?] to and for her use during her natural life where ever she may choose.

My two sons, Amariah and John Gosset, I bequeath to each of them fifty dollars to be paid out of the sale and proceeds of my goods and chattels as soon as it can be sold and collected after my decease and,

Thirdly, I will and bequeath to my son, Moses Gosset, one hundred dollars to be paid out of the proceeds and sale of my goods and chattels as above mentioned on condition he shall be friendly to his mother, Honour, to furnish her with and to procure for her any needful articles that she shall stand in need of during her widowhood, but in case she shall marry, he, said Moses, shall be clear of this obligation yet so if he, said Moses, does not take care of his said mother during her widowhood, as above mentioned, he shall only receive but fifty dollars and said Moses shall dwell on my farm and occupy the same but not in the house with his mother and the rest of my children except with the consent of his mother if he said sees cause to occupy said farm but not to be compelled thereunto.

Fourthly, I give and bequeath to my daughter, Rachel, intermarried to John Iler, fifty dollars to be paid out of the proceeds of the sale of my property as my other children above mentioned.

And finally and fully, I give all my real estate to be divided among my six youngest children, after their mothers decease, to be equally divided between Lindsey, Abijah and Millon [Jan. 1999: should read “Milton”] & Lavinah and Presley and Miles Wilson and if any surplus remains after the payment of the shares of Amariah and John and Moses and Rachel of the sale of my goods and chattels, the said surplus shall be equally divided between the six mentioned youngest to buy books and for their schooling.

And to execute this my last will and testament, I hereby appoint my wife Honour and my son Amariah Gossett executors of this, my Last Will and Testament, and I do hereby revoke and disannul all former wills made by me or in my name produced as witnesses my hand this twenty-second day of December and year of our Lord eighteen hundred and twenty three, 1823, pronounced and read in the presence of N B. If there has not sufficient to pay the shares or sums hereby ordered and bequeathed after the sale of my goods and chattels to Amariah, John, Moses and Rachel, it shall be paid the remainder when sale is made of my real estate after my wife decease.

John Gossett (seal)

Witness my hand

John Smith

Thos. Barrett

The following prices, appearing on records of John Gossett, Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio, no. 232, indicate values and conditions in 1823. Beef, hogs, and corn were very low; while nails at 22 cents a pound were very high, being hand made in those days. Money was scarce, and 1/2 cent was commonly used:

Receipts for payment-Account against the estate of John Gossett, Dec'd. December 3, 1824.

Rec'd of Honor Gossett the sum of 62 1/2 cents in part payment of $4.00 owing to me for making coffin for John Gossett, dec'd. As witness my hand. Wm. Dare. New Market Township, April 11, 1825.

Rec'd of Amariah Gossett the sum of 3 dollars and 37 1/2 cents in full on account against the estate of John Gossett, Dec'd. for making coffin for said Dec'd. As witness my hand. Wm. Dare.

In Record of Deeds, vol. 10, p. 512, Recorder's Office, Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio, appears a deed for the sale of John Gossett's farm. February 9, 1830. This deed indicates that Honor Gossett was living in 1830, as it bears her signature. It reveals that Lavinah had died and that Moses Gossett purchased October 18, 1825, from his two brothers, Lindsey and Abijah, "their two full shares of said land".

In addition to Honor Gossett's signature, the deed bears the signatures of the five oldest children-four sons and their wives, and the daughter Rachel and her husband: Amariah and Lydia Gossett, John and Mary Gossett, Moses and Milcah Gossett, Lindsey and Margaret Gossett, John and Rachel Gossett Eyler

Maud Carter Clement, author of The History of Pittsylvania County, Virginia (1929), p. 224, discussing the people who left Lynchburg, Virginia, and moved to Ohio, comments as follows:

"Among the many who left Virginia during the early part of the last century were the Quakers, a people not generally wealthy, for it was against their religious scruples to own slaves or to take oath of office, but they were honest, peaceable, industrious, making the best of citizens . . . They built the old stone Quaker meeting house near Lynchburg ... Later many of these same families and others ... moved to Ohio and settled in Highland and Warren Counties."

Evan Evans, a Quaker, came from Virginia about 1800, and the Rev. Edward Chaney, a Methodist minister, came about 1801. Their families and other superior families, who intermarried with the Gossett families, are represented today by worthy, prosperous descendants in Highland County.

Living in Highland County are many descendants of John Gossett. They are leaders in their communities, owning valuable farms, excelling in business and in the professions. Also, many descendants of John Gossett live in various parts of the United States. Frequently members of this Gossett branch have inherited remarkable talent in music, or in art. Occasionally one is endowed with great ability in mathematics.

The Gossetts of Highland County, Ohio, are light-complexioned and they have oval faces, long, straight noses, and blue eyes, which were characteristics of their Nordic ancestors, the invaders of Normandy, France, more than twelve hundred years ago.