Family Bible Pages

EDWIN GOFFIGON LETTER

The following letter is owned by Mrs. Chas. Dennis (Laura) of Franktown, Virginia 23354 and her sisters who are Goffigon descendents. The author was the lighthouse-keeper on Smith Island, and this letter was written to his daughter-in-law, Linda. (She was the wife of his son, John Goffigon). He died three days after writing to Linda, leaving no will. Thus this letter can be considered as a nuncuperative will. Some of the above facts were supplied by Nancy H. Garrett, Cheriton, Va. Copied and typed by Jean M. Mihalyka in July, 1986.

Linda If I die on this Island I want you to see that I am buryed alongside on My dear wife. I do not want any cloth clothing put on me. I want to be buryed in the old fashion way with white shirt, drawers and socks and a white cambric or flannel rapper. I want to go in white robes when I leave this world.

What little property I leave I want distributed (To wit) Nannie to have my old gold piece, trunk and spie glass, writing desk & book case & Bible. I want you to have my Bedstead, bed matrass & covering. I want John to have all of my clothing, & chairs, settea & all other things I have not mentioned. My brass Andirons to be kept for my gand Son Edwin Goffigon, after paying my burial expences if any money is left, I want my gand Son Edwin Nottingham to have it