This family history is a report on the descendants of William Goudy who was born about 1715 and died in York County, Pennsylvania before 6 Jun 1769. I began my initial research into my Gowdy ancestors by reading Hon. Mahlon M. Gowdy's book titled A Family History-Gade-Gadie- Gaudie-Gawdie-Gawdy-Gowdy-Goudy, etc. In my research of this family, I found some errors in Mahlon Gowdy's work and have tried to identify and correct those with this history.

Some information was learned regarding William's siblings; therefore, that information is given under Generation No. 1 with "Unknown" parents. I was unable to locate any additional information about William's life prior to the forming of York County from Lancaster County in the year 1750. There was a William Goudy on the Chester County, Pennsylvania tax rolls in 1724, 1725 and 1726 in Marple Twp, but he was probably not the William who died in 1769. In 1736 and 1739 there was a William Goudy on the Chester County tax rolls in Londonderry Twp who possibly may have been William who died in 1769. In addition, there was a John Goudy in East Caln Twp in both 1739 and 1749.

The spelling of the surname changes often among the various records that were researched and even among members of the same generation. The surname was found spelled most often as Gowdy or Goudy, but was also found as Goude, Goudie, Gaudy, and in one instance was Gandy.

Research credit must also be given to other Gowdy descendants, some of whom provided considerable information: Michael Smith (see Michael's web page at Descendants of William Goudy), Holly Breidenback, Tom Goldrup, and Robert Wood. Without their assistance, some of this information might not have been available to me.

1. Unknown GOUDY. His spouse has not been identified.

1. William GOUDY, born about 1715, died before 6 Jun 1769.
2. John GOUDY, born about 1730 (often referred to as John Sr in York County, PA records). John married Agnes _____ and they apparently had no children as his will mentions only nieces and nephews. John's will was dated 17 Aug 1796 in Franklin Township, York Co, PA, and he died before 16 Apr 1800 in Franklin Township, Adams Co, PA when his will was recorded. His will names his wife Agnes; nephew John GOUDY, son of William; nephew William GOUDY, son of William; sister Elizabeth ANDERSON (if alive); niece Mary VOGAN; niece Elizabeth VOGAN; and nephew John ANDERSON, son of Elizabeth. Friend, William HAMILTON, served as executor of the estate with a final accounting done in court on 9 Jun 1801 at Gettysburgh.
3. Elizabeth GOUDY, born about 1730. She died before 24 Dec 1800.
4. Unknown GOUDY. She married Unknown VOGAN in probably Pennsylvania. She probably died before Apr 1800 since she was not named in her brother’s will. She had two daughters Elizabeth VOGAN and Mary VOGAN.





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