I research all Goldens, and similar names, whose family lines are believed to have settled in North America before 1800. Am in search of my Goldens — but find it quicker to collect them all and then to sort them out. As of mid-2018, I also research Gouldman and Keeling families that originated in Virginia prior to 1800.
Our Goulden/Golden line appears to have descended from the Keeling line that settled in Virginia, closely related to George Keeling (c1650 VA – 1720 NC) and Edward Keeling (c1640 EN/VA – 1697 VA). Our Gouldens may also have been Gouldmans briefly between 1660-1710/20 when the Goulden name was first recorded in the Rappahanock, Virginia area. My belief is that the Gouldmans also descend from Keelings.
So while I may not be related to your Goldens or Gouldings or Gouldens or …. I do want to know about them, and may be able to help find new information about them.
Best regards,
William “Bill” Golden
[email protected]
Parents of George W. Golden, b1762 South Carolina and d1859 Alabama
Several different sets of parents are suggested in online genealogies. All are not possible for various reasons. It is more likely that George W. Golden, b1762 South Carolina, is the son of Thomas Golden, c1720-c1790, who settled at Newberry, South Carolina by 1759.
An Approximate History of our Golden Family
Collected notes on the family of Thomas Golden who settled at Newberry, South Carolina by 1761, if not a year or two earlier. Wife’s and children’s names are unknown … but DNA creates a path back in time as to Thomas’s origins and family associations. Multiple males branches descending from Thomas Golden are yDNA Y700 tested.
Vardel Virgil Golden, c1814-c1860
Vardel Virgil Golden is not a known William and Nelly Golden descendant but there are DNA matches with descendant trees. Vardel/Virgil’s wife Barbara Cane (Cain) and her family are of South Carolina origin from the Laurens area (1810/20/30 census).
John James Golden (Hall), 1797 SC – 1857 TX
John James Golden
Birth 20 OCT 1797 • South Carolina
Death 04 NOV 1857 • Shelby, Texas
Current relationship: 2nd great-grandfather of 7th cousin
Notes – Mullinax Molineaux
DNA matches with Mullinax surname descendants, and with descendants with Mullinax in their tree exists across all branches of our Goldens that branched between 1770-1790.
Notes – Godden
Several of our Golden lines that branched between 1770-1790 have DNA matches with descendants of the Godden family of southeastern England in the Kent area.
Notes – Varnado & Varnadeau
Relationship of the French (Hugenot?) line Varnado & Varnadeau exists from mid-1700s in Orangeburg, South Carolina. This line would move to Louisiana and to Mississippi. DNA matches are not with any Varnado-surnamed individuals but the indirect matches via trees is numerous.
DNA – How to Share Your Ancestry DNA
How to share your Golden descendant DNA so more can be learned about our family history before 1800.
Pre-1761 Origin of Goldens of Newberry, South Carolina: Virginia
A Probable History of the Golden Family of Newberry, South Carolina Since 1761 Updated 2025.12.08 The individuals below may appear in your DNA matches. ~~~~~~ Origin of our Golden family immediately pre-1760 settlement in Newberry, South Carolina was probably in the Albemarle and Goochland area outside of Richmond, Virginia by 1720 at the latest. … Read more
Thomas Golden (Patriarch), of Newberry, South Carolina, born before 1735
Our family story begins about 1760 in Newberry, South Carolina with a farmer by the name of Thomas Goulden or Thomas Golden.
Thomas Golden was born before 1741 based upon him being nominated for a land grant in 1762, which should have required him to be age 21+ at that time. If presumed son William was born about 1750 and possible daughter Elender Golden was born about 1745 then Thomas would have probably been born before 1725, or thereabouts at the latest. Where Thomas was born is unknown.