The following was originally in: History of Albemarle County, Virginia: The Michie Company, Printers, 1901

Thomas Goolsby was one of the earliest settlers within the present bounds of Albemarle County, Virginia. In 1732, thirteen years before its organization, he patented twelve hundred acres on the James River. In 1745 he sold more than 500 acres to, Samuel Shelton and in the description of the deed are mentioned two tributaries of the James, called Holman’s and Goolsby’s Creeks. This deed is note-worthy also from a memorandum inscribed on it in 1788, showing that it had been previously recorded, but that the record had been destroyed by the British in 1781. Thomas Goolsby died in 1774. He was twice married, his last wife being, Lucy Bryant. His children were: William, Thomas, Susannah, the wife of Abraham Childress, Ann, the wife of a Nowling, Lucy, the wife of a Saunders, and Elizabeth. William owned land on the waters of the south fork of Hardware. He died in 1819, and his children were: William; Tabitha, wife of Joseph Harlan; Tarleton, who married Mildred Walker, daughter of Thomas Walker, son of Dr. Thomas Walker; Sarah, wife of John B. Thurmond; Susan the wife of a Davis; Fleming; Jane, the wife of Samuel Harlan; Arthur; Mary, the wife of Samuel Richardson and Nancy, the, wife of a Phillips.

Charles, James and John Goolsby of Albemarle County, were Revolutionary War soldiers, members of the 9th Virginia Regiment. Charles, who was a non-commissioned officer, and James were taken prisoners at Germantown; all three died in the service. They were beyond, doubt sons of Thomas Goolsby, as William was stated to be their heir. Tarleton Goolsby and his wife, Mildred, moved to Kentucky. Their children were: Sarah Goolsby (1799-1895) who married Simpson Sturgeon, son of Thomas Sturgeon II; William Goolsby (1805-1868) who did not marry; Maria Goolsby who married Thomas Elder, brother of John Scott Elder, in 1828; Margaret Goolsby (1809-1876) who married John Scott Elder, August 25, 1830; Betty Goolsby (18.13-1897) who married James Harris. Sisters married brothers.

Thomas Goolsby’s son was William. One of William’s daughters, Tabitha married Joseph Harlan, son of Jesse and Sarah (Harlan) Harlan. Another daughter, Jane, married  Samuel Harlan, also the son of Jesse and Sarah (Harlan) Harlan. A third daughter, Sarah, married John Thurmond. Sarah and John were the grandparents of Frances Bailey who married James White Harlan. James White Harlan was also a grandson of Jesse and Sarah (Harlan) Harlan.