Mary Harris married John Goode, Jr. about 1715 probably at Henrico Co., VA (Later Chesterfield Co., VA in 1749). In his 09 Nov 1708 will John Goode, Sr. bequeathed to his son, John Goode, Jr., 100 acres of land laying next to the James River adjoining the land of his other son, Samuel Goode.

Following the tragic 1720-1730 murder of John Good, Jr. by Indians, his widowed wife, Mary (Harris) Goode, and her four children moved to what was then the south-western boundary of the colony. They bought land and settled on the banks of the Roanoke River in Mecklenburg County. During this period, colonization along the Roanoke was strongly encouraged by the colonial government, the region "being for the most part unseated and uncultivated". Settlers were exempted for five years from all taxes and tithes; although required to perform a share of the work exterminating the wolves. Traces of the pitfalls dug for the wolves by the early settlers in Mecklenburg County, VA were still visible into the late 19th century.

Children of John and Mary (Harris) Goode, Jr. were:
1) John Goode III, b. Henrico Co., VA , d. Aft. 1783. He sold his estate on the Roanoke River and bought a large, valuable track of land on Cox's Creek, Mecklenburg County. He farmed and raised champion quarter horses.
2) Thomas Goode, b. Henrico County, d. Aft. 1780, m. Agnes Osborne of "Osbornes" Henrico Co., VA. He was a planter who owned and retained an estate on the Roanoke River after he moved to Chesterfield County where he amassed an additional large property. Like his brother, John, he also raised champion quarter horses.
3) Bennett Goode, b. Henrico Co, VA, m. Abt. 1740 Martha Jefferson of "Osbornes" Henrico County, who was the aunt of POTUS Thomas Jefferson.
4) Mary Goode (1720-1758), m. William Megginson, Sr.

The widow, Mary Harris Goode, subsequently married, as his 2nd wife, Francis James, Sr. of Cumberland Co., VA and raised a second family. NOTE: Both of Mary (Harris) Goode James' parent's wills mention her as "Mary James". The 05 Oct 1729 Henrico County, VA will of Thomas Harris, Sr. (1669-1730) and the 29 Oct 1744 Henrico County, VA will of his widow, Mary (Jefferson) Harris (1680-1745), mention their daughter, Mary James. Mary (Harris) James married first, John Good, Jr. (1675-1730) and secondly, Francis James, Sr. of Cumberland Co., VA.

The 27 July 1756 Cumberland Co., VA will of Francis James, Sr. (see attached copy of the will) bequeathed to his wife, Mary James [Mary (Harris) Goode James] chattel, a feather bed and furniture. Among several children mentioned in the will were a son, Richard James and a deceased son, Francis James, Jr. (d. 19 Mar 1746). The executors of his will were Bennett Goode (a son of Mary (Harris) Goode James by her first husband, John Goode, Jr. [1675-1730]); Richard James, a son by Mary (Harris) James; and William Megginson, Sr. (1715-1763) who married Mary Goode (1720-1758), the daughter of Mary (Harris) Goode by her first husband, John Goode, Jr. Thus, William Megginson, Sr. was the son-in-law of Mary (Harris) Goode James. The will of Francis James, Sr. was probated on the 26 May 1760 in Cumberland Co., VA. This will helps to establish the connection of the Goode and the Megginson families.

Also attached to this memorial is a transcription of the 17 Dec 1759 Cumberland County, Virginia will of Mary (Harris) Goode James, Sr. Note: Her will also mentions Mary Goode, Martha Goode, and Bennit (Bennett) Goode, her children by her first husband, John Goode, Jr.

NOTE: The 18 Mar 1746 Goochland Co., VA will of Francis James, Jr. was written by William Megginson, Sr. (See the FAG memorial dedicated to William Megginson, Sr. (1715-1763) for a copy. The will of Francis James, Jr. was probated on 19 Mar 1746. This will helps to establish the connection of the Goode and Megginson families as well as their location in Goochland County.

Mary (Harris) Goode was the 1st cousin once removed through her mother, Mary (Jefferson) Harris, of POTUS Thomas Jefferson. (See Find A Grave Memorial #544).

Sources:
1) "Virginia Cousins" by Dr. G. Browne Goode, 1887, pp31 37, 43, 44.
2) "Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1607-1624/5" by John Frederick Dorman, 4th Edition, Vol. I, pp417-418.

Bio by Gresham Farrar.