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Note: During the Revolutionafy War, Major John Goffe volunteered in 1777, under Col. Daniel Moore and in 1778 served in the Rhode Island campaign, in Capt. James Aiken's company of New Hampshire militia. He fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill. He was also selectman and member of the Committee of Safety of New Hampshire. Major John-4 GOFFE (Col. John-3, John-2, John-1) was born 16 Feb 1727; m. 17 Sep 1749 to Jemima Holden of Groton, MA, dau of Ens. Stephen & Hannah (Sawtelle) Holden. She was b. 24 Feb 1727 in Groton MA and d. 11 Sep 1818. He died 3 Feb 1813. They settled in Bedford NH on a new farm on which the lived and died. They were members of the Presbyterian church. He was a farmer by profession. On arriving of age, he was set up in business in Bedford by his father, who built the first sawmill and grain mill in the town, on a small stream (Crosby's brook) about three mile below Manchester on the opposite side of the river. He was commissioned a coroner by Gov. Benning Wentworth in 1762. He also held a commission of lieutenant in the First Company, Ninth regiment of militia as early as 1761, and perhaps earlier. In 1764 Governor Wentworth gave him a captain's commission, and in 1768 he was promoted to the rank of major.He served in the Revolution, as did several of his sons, two of whom lost their lives in the that struggle: Stephen was lost at sea, and William was killed in an engagement. Stephen's last letter is dated: Boston, Sept 4, 1777 in which he says, "I am going out in a brig from Boston for a five month's cruise," Reportedly he was never heard from again. The last letter from William was to his brother John, dated, "Fort Miller (NY) July 16, 1777," in which he writes to let him know that he had lost his captain in battle, two sergeants, and eight privates. "I do not expect to come home very soon, for we have battles almost every day." In the old graveyard in Bedford NH, there rest side by side the mortal remains of John Goffe, Esq., Col. John GOffe and Major John Goffe. At the right hand side of each of their places, lie the ashes of their wives.
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