CHAPTER I.
ANCESTRY AND PARENTS.
In Cumberland County, in the southern part of the State of New Jersey, may be found a little settlement called "Gouldtown." It contains a church, a school house, a blacksmith shop, a wheelwright shop, two stores and a post office. The community is made up almost entirely of farmers, and is of course very conservative as to modes of thought and expression.
It takes its name from the large family of Gould's who have so long occupied the place. There are, however, three other families more or less intermixed with the Gould family; viz: The Pierces, the Murrays, and the Cuffs; but the Goulds have usually maintained the leading position, both in number and influence.
Tradition connects this family with the early settlers of the State. John Fenwick, an Englishman, who had been a Major in the Parliamentary army under Cromwell, and who had been specially appointed by Cromwell to "see the sentence of death pronounced against the king, (Charles I.,) executed, in the open streets before Whitehall," after the Restoration emigrated to America. He had adopted the religious views of George Fox, and became associated with William Penn.
He arrived in New Jersey (Caesarea) in the year 1675, accompanied by his three daughters, two of whom were married, their husbands, five grandchildren, and ten servants.
One grand-daughter, Elizabeth, aged at the time of their arrival in America at eleven years, subsequently caused him much grief, and, it is said did much to bring his gray hairs in sorrow to the grave. "He does not disguise the sense of shame that hangs over him from her course of life, and strives to make her understand his displeasure, by depriving her of any part of his property, immediate or prospective, but on certain conditions."—Life of John Fenwick by John Clemens.
The crime committed by Elizabeth, was uniting herself in wedlock to a black man. It may have been an informal wedlock; as perhaps no one could be found in the colony who would have dared solemnize or record such a marriage. For its legality it may have had to depend upon Heaven's authority, and not upon the par-blind courts of men. The "certain conditions" upon which Elizabeth might share a part of her grandfather's property were, to leave "that Black," and repent of her sins. (See Fenwick's will.)
A tradition universally accepted, connects the Goulds with the issue of this marriage. The name of this man, however, is not found in any of the family records, and in Fenwick's will he is simply contemptuously called "that Black." A vague tradition says he was a slave whom Fenwick purchased of some trading vessel, giving in exchange for him a barrel of rum. If this should be true, the sequel shows how large a trouble he bought with a small price.
Benjamin Gould, the first Gould of whom we have any record, is declared to be the son of this Elizabeth. He is supposed to have had a brother named Richard. The dust of Benjamin Gould and "Ann" his wife, lies buried in the old family graveyard at Gouldtown.
To them were born Elisha, Abijah, Samuel and Anthony. Samuel died January 26th, 1793, and Abijah in 1806. Very little, indeed, is known of this generation.
It was simply an obscure family, struggling against terrible odds, and yet possessing intelligence sufficient to preserve some records and establish a graveyard.
The graveyard is a hallowed rallying place. Abraham's first possession in the land of promise was a family burying ground; and to this sacred spot as a last earthly resting place, his immediate descendants were taught to look.
To Abijah Gould were born Benjamin, Richard, Abijah Jr., Furman, Leonard and Hannah.
Furman Gould was for many years a licensed local preacher in the African M. E. Church and was an honored member of the Philadelphia Annual Conference. The older members of that Conference will readily remember his venerable appearance, coupled with his somewhat brusque and positive manners. He was a man who had views of his own, and the hardihood to express them.
Benjamin Gould quite early in life married Phoebe Bowen, a young woman brought up in the family of Reuben Cuff of Salem, N. J. To them were born Oliver, Tamson, Lydia, Jane, Abijah, Sarah, Rebecca, Phoebe and Prudence.
This Benjamin Gould, the brother of the Rev. Furman Gould, is doubtless well remembered by the older itinerant preachers, who labored in that section of the country, as for instance the Rev. Richard Barney and Bishop Wayman. He was a man of recognized worth, for many years chief steward of the church, of some literary culture, quite a wag, and very fond of practical jokes. He was a thrifty farmer for his times, and quite an extensive dealer in cordwood and hoppoles.
Phoebe Gould, his wife, was possessed of considerable intelligence and evinced a fondness for learning. Deeply pious, her mind was well stored with Bible truths and with choice hymns. She manifested a fondness for children, and could repeat from memory to their delight many long stories in verse; and she never failed to leave upon them an impression for good. She seemed to live in a very holy frame, and did not fail to bless all who came near her.
Benjamin Gould, the father of Rebecca Steward, passed away on the 18th of May 1851, and twenty-six years after on the same day of the month and at the same hour in the day, viz., May 18th 1877, Phoebe Gould, the mother, followed him to that better land. The heads of the family are gone over, and one by one the children who have walked in the footsteps of their parents are being gathered home after them. The latest grave is that which contains the precious dust of Rebecca Steward, fifth daughter of Benjamin and Phoebe Gould.