Father of five known children: Sarah Jane (1839-1908), Thomas Stephen (1841-1863), Martha Frances (1843-?), William Judson (1849-1936), and James Otey Leftwich (1853-1934).
From "Virginia Baptist Ministers: Fourth Series" by George Braxton Taylor, 1913, J. P. Bell Company, Inc., Lynchburg, VA, pp 277-279.
Thomas Clarke Goggin was born January 2, 1815, being the oldest son of Stephen and Jeanette Goggin. When he was sixteen years old he made a profession of religion, and on August 6, 1831, was baptized into the fellowship of Morgan's Church (then known as Goose Greek Church), a church which was organized in 1787. In 1832 he was granted 'the privilege of exercising his gifts in prayer and exhortation within the bounds of his church." In 1838, he was ordained. On December 4 of the same year he was married to Miss Elizabeth Jane, youngest daughter of Thomas and Sarah Johnson. During his long ministry he married 582 couples. While he was, during a period of some sixty years, pastor of various churches and a preacher far and near, his membership continued to the day of his death with Morgan's Church. During the pastorate of Rev. James Leftwich there was much opposition to missions and giving to the Boards in Morgan's Church. Finally, Mr. Goggin made a motion one day that all who were not in favor of contributing to these objects be allowed to withdraw. Seven got up, put on their hats and walked out, Brother Leftwich remarking as they departed that there were seven and that their number would not increase, which prediction was verified.
He was for a longer or shorter period, pastor of the following churches: Morgan's (Goose Creek), Palestine, Staunton, Old Fork, Hales Ford, Fairmont, Boone Mill, Blue Ridge, Enon (Hollins), New Hope (Beaver Dam), Mount Zion, Suck Spring, Timber Ridge, Mount Olivet, Quaker, Bethlehem, Shady Grove, and Stony Road. Of "Morgan's" he was pastor three times and for some twenty years. He was what might be called now the old-style Virginia country preacher. From about Tuesday to Friday of each week he worked on his farm and attended to his material affairs. On Friday he set out for his Saturday appointment. On Saturday he met this engagement, preaching and holding the business meeting of the church. On Sunday he preached once or twice or even three times at as many places, and on Monday returned home. In the case of Mr. Goggin, at least one of his appointments was thirty-seven miles away. Besides his preaching in churches and at regular appointments, many a sermon was delivered at schoolhouses, private residences, in the woods and other places. His labors touched Botetourt, Montgomery, Giles, Craig, Roanoke, and perhaps other counties. A large part of his work was without financial compensation. He was a fearless defender of the doctrines of the Baptists. Once he was preaching on the subject of baptism at Floyd Court-House. There were few Baptists at this place and no Baptist church. After he had spoken an hour and a half, he was about to close, but his audience cried out to him to go on, as they wanted to hear him. So he continued, and his sermon reached out over two hours and three-quarters. This was the longest sermon he ever preached.
He was moderator of the Strawberry Association for twenty-one successive sessions, from 1849 to 1868, a period of nineteen years. During part of this time the body held two meetings each year. He would probably have been continued in this office for yet many more years by his brethren, but his modest, retiring disposition suggested that this honor be given to others. For years his presence and his words of exhortation were a benediction to the Association. One year, when the Association met at Bethlehem Church, some younger brethren, in their ardor and zeal, undertook to reprove and rebuke the older brethren in the ministry. After hearing their words, Brother Goggin arose and spoke about as follows: "I do not know what I ought to say; perhaps I ought not to say anything, but I feel like putting a little salve upon the bleeding backs of these dear old brethren who have been lashed so here to-day." During the session of the "Strawberry" at Liberty (now Bedford City), in 1889, there was a beautiful expression of the affection in which Brother Goggin was held. A buggy and harness, which some of his friends had purchased for him, was presented to him by Rev. Dr. W. R. L. Smith, at that time pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lynchburg.
When Rev. G. Wheeler first began to preach he frequently accompanied his senior, T. C. Goggin. Mr. Goggin had been his pastor for ten years and had exerted a strong religious influence upon him in the days of his youth. The younger man shrank from preaching in the presence of this father in ministry, but Mr. Goggin would decline to take the young man's place, saying: "Brother Wheeler, I can not do it. If I do it to-day, you will want me to do it next time, and I want you to put the harness on and go to work and I will pray for you." On May 27, 1861, when a company set out for the War from an old mill about two miles from Liberty (Bedford City), his own son being one of the company, T. C. Goggin was present to see them start. He took on of the men by the hand and said: "Remember the one thing needful."
The last years of his live Brother Goggin spent in the home of his son, in Vinton. Through this period, when he was approaching then going beyond the age of fourscore years, he went to preaching "when many younger stayed at home because of the weather." He died April 19, 1895, and was buried at Morgan's Church, Bedford County, the funeral sermon being preached by Rev. Gabriel Wheeler.
From "Virginia Baptist Ministers: Fourth Series" by George Braxton Taylor, 1913, J. P. Bell Company, Inc., Lynchburg, VA, pp 277-279.
Thomas Clarke Goggin was born January 2, 1815, being the oldest son of Stephen and Jeanette Goggin. When he was sixteen years old he made a profession of religion, and on August 6, 1831, was baptized into the fellowship of Morgan's Church (then known as Goose Greek Church), a church which was organized in 1787. In 1832 he was granted 'the privilege of exercising his gifts in prayer and exhortation within the bounds of his church." In 1838, he was ordained. On December 4 of the same year he was married to Miss Elizabeth Jane, youngest daughter of Thomas and Sarah Johnson. During his long ministry he married 582 couples. While he was, during a period of some sixty years, pastor of various churches and a preacher far and near, his membership continued to the day of his death with Morgan's Church. During the pastorate of Rev. James Leftwich there was much opposition to missions and giving to the Boards in Morgan's Church. Finally, Mr. Goggin made a motion one day that all who were not in favor of contributing to these objects be allowed to withdraw. Seven got up, put on their hats and walked out, Brother Leftwich remarking as they departed that there were seven and that their number would not increase, which prediction was verified.
He was for a longer or shorter period, pastor of the following churches: Morgan's (Goose Creek), Palestine, Staunton, Old Fork, Hales Ford, Fairmont, Boone Mill, Blue Ridge, Enon (Hollins), New Hope (Beaver Dam), Mount Zion, Suck Spring, Timber Ridge, Mount Olivet, Quaker, Bethlehem, Shady Grove, and Stony Road. Of "Morgan's" he was pastor three times and for some twenty years. He was what might be called now the old-style Virginia country preacher. From about Tuesday to Friday of each week he worked on his farm and attended to his material affairs. On Friday he set out for his Saturday appointment. On Saturday he met this engagement, preaching and holding the business meeting of the church. On Sunday he preached once or twice or even three times at as many places, and on Monday returned home. In the case of Mr. Goggin, at least one of his appointments was thirty-seven miles away. Besides his preaching in churches and at regular appointments, many a sermon was delivered at schoolhouses, private residences, in the woods and other places. His labors touched Botetourt, Montgomery, Giles, Craig, Roanoke, and perhaps other counties. A large part of his work was without financial compensation. He was a fearless defender of the doctrines of the Baptists. Once he was preaching on the subject of baptism at Floyd Court-House. There were few Baptists at this place and no Baptist church. After he had spoken an hour and a half, he was about to close, but his audience cried out to him to go on, as they wanted to hear him. So he continued, and his sermon reached out over two hours and three-quarters. This was the longest sermon he ever preached.
He was moderator of the Strawberry Association for twenty-one successive sessions, from 1849 to 1868, a period of nineteen years. During part of this time the body held two meetings each year. He would probably have been continued in this office for yet many more years by his brethren, but his modest, retiring disposition suggested that this honor be given to others. For years his presence and his words of exhortation were a benediction to the Association. One year, when the Association met at Bethlehem Church, some younger brethren, in their ardor and zeal, undertook to reprove and rebuke the older brethren in the ministry. After hearing their words, Brother Goggin arose and spoke about as follows: "I do not know what I ought to say; perhaps I ought not to say anything, but I feel like putting a little salve upon the bleeding backs of these dear old brethren who have been lashed so here to-day." During the session of the "Strawberry" at Liberty (now Bedford City), in 1889, there was a beautiful expression of the affection in which Brother Goggin was held. A buggy and harness, which some of his friends had purchased for him, was presented to him by Rev. Dr. W. R. L. Smith, at that time pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lynchburg.
When Rev. G. Wheeler first began to preach he frequently accompanied his senior, T. C. Goggin. Mr. Goggin had been his pastor for ten years and had exerted a strong religious influence upon him in the days of his youth. The younger man shrank from preaching in the presence of this father in ministry, but Mr. Goggin would decline to take the young man's place, saying: "Brother Wheeler, I can not do it. If I do it to-day, you will want me to do it next time, and I want you to put the harness on and go to work and I will pray for you." On May 27, 1861, when a company set out for the War from an old mill about two miles from Liberty (Bedford City), his own son being one of the company, T. C. Goggin was present to see them start. He took on of the men by the hand and said: "Remember the one thing needful."
The last years of his live Brother Goggin spent in the home of his son, in Vinton. Through this period, when he was approaching then going beyond the age of fourscore years, he went to preaching "when many younger stayed at home because of the weather." He died April 19, 1895, and was buried at Morgan's Church, Bedford County, the funeral sermon being preached by Rev. Gabriel Wheeler.
Father of five known children: Sarah Jane (1839-1908), Thomas Stephen (1841-1863), Martha Frances (1843-?), William Judson (1849-1936), and James Otey Leftwich (1853-1934).
From "Virginia Baptist Ministers: Fourth Series" by George Braxton Taylor, 1913, J. P. Bell Company, Inc., Lynchburg, VA, pp 277-279.
Thomas Clarke Goggin was born January 2, 1815, being the oldest son of Stephen and Jeanette Goggin. When he was sixteen years old he made a profession of religion, and on August 6, 1831, was baptized into the fellowship of Morgan's Church (then known as Goose Greek Church), a church which was organized in 1787. In 1832 he was granted 'the privilege of exercising his gifts in prayer and exhortation within the bounds of his church." In 1838, he was ordained. On December 4 of the same year he was married to Miss Elizabeth Jane, youngest daughter of Thomas and Sarah Johnson. During his long ministry he married 582 couples. While he was, during a period of some sixty years, pastor of various churches and a preacher far and near, his membership continued to the day of his death with Morgan's Church. During the pastorate of Rev. James Leftwich there was much opposition to missions and giving to the Boards in Morgan's Church. Finally, Mr. Goggin made a motion one day that all who were not in favor of contributing to these objects be allowed to withdraw. Seven got up, put on their hats and walked out, Brother Leftwich remarking as they departed that there were seven and that their number would not increase, which prediction was verified.
He was for a longer or shorter period, pastor of the following churches: Morgan's (Goose Creek), Palestine, Staunton, Old Fork, Hales Ford, Fairmont, Boone Mill, Blue Ridge, Enon (Hollins), New Hope (Beaver Dam), Mount Zion, Suck Spring, Timber Ridge, Mount Olivet, Quaker, Bethlehem, Shady Grove, and Stony Road. Of "Morgan's" he was pastor three times and for some twenty years. He was what might be called now the old-style Virginia country preacher. From about Tuesday to Friday of each week he worked on his farm and attended to his material affairs. On Friday he set out for his Saturday appointment. On Saturday he met this engagement, preaching and holding the business meeting of the church. On Sunday he preached once or twice or even three times at as many places, and on Monday returned home. In the case of Mr. Goggin, at least one of his appointments was thirty-seven miles away. Besides his preaching in churches and at regular appointments, many a sermon was delivered at schoolhouses, private residences, in the woods and other places. His labors touched Botetourt, Montgomery, Giles, Craig, Roanoke, and perhaps other counties. A large part of his work was without financial compensation. He was a fearless defender of the doctrines of the Baptists. Once he was preaching on the subject of baptism at Floyd Court-House. There were few Baptists at this place and no Baptist church. After he had spoken an hour and a half, he was about to close, but his audience cried out to him to go on, as they wanted to hear him. So he continued, and his sermon reached out over two hours and three-quarters. This was the longest sermon he ever preached.
He was moderator of the Strawberry Association for twenty-one successive sessions, from 1849 to 1868, a period of nineteen years. During part of this time the body held two meetings each year. He would probably have been continued in this office for yet many more years by his brethren, but his modest, retiring disposition suggested that this honor be given to others. For years his presence and his words of exhortation were a benediction to the Association. One year, when the Association met at Bethlehem Church, some younger brethren, in their ardor and zeal, undertook to reprove and rebuke the older brethren in the ministry. After hearing their words, Brother Goggin arose and spoke about as follows: "I do not know what I ought to say; perhaps I ought not to say anything, but I feel like putting a little salve upon the bleeding backs of these dear old brethren who have been lashed so here to-day." During the session of the "Strawberry" at Liberty (now Bedford City), in 1889, there was a beautiful expression of the affection in which Brother Goggin was held. A buggy and harness, which some of his friends had purchased for him, was presented to him by Rev. Dr. W. R. L. Smith, at that time pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lynchburg.
When Rev. G. Wheeler first began to preach he frequently accompanied his senior, T. C. Goggin. Mr. Goggin had been his pastor for ten years and had exerted a strong religious influence upon him in the days of his youth. The younger man shrank from preaching in the presence of this father in ministry, but Mr. Goggin would decline to take the young man's place, saying: "Brother Wheeler, I can not do it. If I do it to-day, you will want me to do it next time, and I want you to put the harness on and go to work and I will pray for you." On May 27, 1861, when a company set out for the War from an old mill about two miles from Liberty (Bedford City), his own son being one of the company, T. C. Goggin was present to see them start. He took on of the men by the hand and said: "Remember the one thing needful."
The last years of his live Brother Goggin spent in the home of his son, in Vinton. Through this period, when he was approaching then going beyond the age of fourscore years, he went to preaching "when many younger stayed at home because of the weather." He died April 19, 1895, and was buried at Morgan's Church, Bedford County, the funeral sermon being preached by Rev. Gabriel Wheeler.
From "Virginia Baptist Ministers: Fourth Series" by George Braxton Taylor, 1913, J. P. Bell Company, Inc., Lynchburg, VA, pp 277-279.
Thomas Clarke Goggin was born January 2, 1815, being the oldest son of Stephen and Jeanette Goggin. When he was sixteen years old he made a profession of religion, and on August 6, 1831, was baptized into the fellowship of Morgan's Church (then known as Goose Greek Church), a church which was organized in 1787. In 1832 he was granted 'the privilege of exercising his gifts in prayer and exhortation within the bounds of his church." In 1838, he was ordained. On December 4 of the same year he was married to Miss Elizabeth Jane, youngest daughter of Thomas and Sarah Johnson. During his long ministry he married 582 couples. While he was, during a period of some sixty years, pastor of various churches and a preacher far and near, his membership continued to the day of his death with Morgan's Church. During the pastorate of Rev. James Leftwich there was much opposition to missions and giving to the Boards in Morgan's Church. Finally, Mr. Goggin made a motion one day that all who were not in favor of contributing to these objects be allowed to withdraw. Seven got up, put on their hats and walked out, Brother Leftwich remarking as they departed that there were seven and that their number would not increase, which prediction was verified.
He was for a longer or shorter period, pastor of the following churches: Morgan's (Goose Creek), Palestine, Staunton, Old Fork, Hales Ford, Fairmont, Boone Mill, Blue Ridge, Enon (Hollins), New Hope (Beaver Dam), Mount Zion, Suck Spring, Timber Ridge, Mount Olivet, Quaker, Bethlehem, Shady Grove, and Stony Road. Of "Morgan's" he was pastor three times and for some twenty years. He was what might be called now the old-style Virginia country preacher. From about Tuesday to Friday of each week he worked on his farm and attended to his material affairs. On Friday he set out for his Saturday appointment. On Saturday he met this engagement, preaching and holding the business meeting of the church. On Sunday he preached once or twice or even three times at as many places, and on Monday returned home. In the case of Mr. Goggin, at least one of his appointments was thirty-seven miles away. Besides his preaching in churches and at regular appointments, many a sermon was delivered at schoolhouses, private residences, in the woods and other places. His labors touched Botetourt, Montgomery, Giles, Craig, Roanoke, and perhaps other counties. A large part of his work was without financial compensation. He was a fearless defender of the doctrines of the Baptists. Once he was preaching on the subject of baptism at Floyd Court-House. There were few Baptists at this place and no Baptist church. After he had spoken an hour and a half, he was about to close, but his audience cried out to him to go on, as they wanted to hear him. So he continued, and his sermon reached out over two hours and three-quarters. This was the longest sermon he ever preached.
He was moderator of the Strawberry Association for twenty-one successive sessions, from 1849 to 1868, a period of nineteen years. During part of this time the body held two meetings each year. He would probably have been continued in this office for yet many more years by his brethren, but his modest, retiring disposition suggested that this honor be given to others. For years his presence and his words of exhortation were a benediction to the Association. One year, when the Association met at Bethlehem Church, some younger brethren, in their ardor and zeal, undertook to reprove and rebuke the older brethren in the ministry. After hearing their words, Brother Goggin arose and spoke about as follows: "I do not know what I ought to say; perhaps I ought not to say anything, but I feel like putting a little salve upon the bleeding backs of these dear old brethren who have been lashed so here to-day." During the session of the "Strawberry" at Liberty (now Bedford City), in 1889, there was a beautiful expression of the affection in which Brother Goggin was held. A buggy and harness, which some of his friends had purchased for him, was presented to him by Rev. Dr. W. R. L. Smith, at that time pastor of the First Baptist Church of Lynchburg.
When Rev. G. Wheeler first began to preach he frequently accompanied his senior, T. C. Goggin. Mr. Goggin had been his pastor for ten years and had exerted a strong religious influence upon him in the days of his youth. The younger man shrank from preaching in the presence of this father in ministry, but Mr. Goggin would decline to take the young man's place, saying: "Brother Wheeler, I can not do it. If I do it to-day, you will want me to do it next time, and I want you to put the harness on and go to work and I will pray for you." On May 27, 1861, when a company set out for the War from an old mill about two miles from Liberty (Bedford City), his own son being one of the company, T. C. Goggin was present to see them start. He took on of the men by the hand and said: "Remember the one thing needful."
The last years of his live Brother Goggin spent in the home of his son, in Vinton. Through this period, when he was approaching then going beyond the age of fourscore years, he went to preaching "when many younger stayed at home because of the weather." He died April 19, 1895, and was buried at Morgan's Church, Bedford County, the funeral sermon being preached by Rev. Gabriel Wheeler.
Gravesite Details
Info from "Tombstone Inscriptions of Bedford, Virginia" Collected and compiled by The Peaks of Otter Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution 1940.
Family Members
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