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Descendant of a Regicide

by Joseph Gough

285 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #04-2518; ISBN 1-4120-4710-2; US$25.00, C$29.00, EUR20.50, £14.50

King Killers (Regicides): these are the people who signed the death warrant for King Charles I. Three of the Regicides escaped to America. What happened to the other Regicides?

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About the Book      About the Author      Excerpts      Catalogue Information

About the Book

This book is about a descendant of one of the Regicides. A Regicide is a Latin word for King-Killer, the name given to those judges responsible for the trial and execution of King Charles I in 1649. After the Restoration in (1660) of the monarchy they were accepted from the general pardon granted by the Act of Indemnity. At the time 41 of the 59 signers of the death warrant were still alive. Fifteen of them fled. General Goffe was one of the three that fled to New England. Nine of those who signed the warrant and four others closely connected with the trial were hanged. Six others, who were deemed less politically dangerous, were imprisoned for life; some were later reprieved.

General William Goffe, a son of a Puritan clergyman was a colonel of infantry and member of the High Court who signed the death warrant of the King. He was also one of Cromwell's ten major generals. The Regicides or King-killers as they were called, were after awhile, closely hunted, but the authorities and people of New England effectually concealed them from their enemies for years.

I believe that General William Goffe changed his name to William Gough and lived in Maryland until his death in 1679. This is the year General Goffe died.

This book is about William Gough's family who I believe are descendants of a Regicide. I will also tell what I believe are General William Goffe's English relatives.

Letter from Author's new found cousin, LtCol Michael J. Gough, USAF (Ret) In August, 2001, after receiving a Gough history, I became consumed with the search for my heritage. I eventually joined a popular forum and discovered Joseph Gough helping many people understand their Maryland/Kentucky heritage. I could tell by his answers that we were of the same lineage. I answered his request to 'post my line' and was pleasantly surprised by his "Hello Cousin" reply. Since that time Joseph and I have reestablished our family ties while he has helped countless cousins learn their heritage.

During the course of his research Joseph discovered coincidences that indicated a possible conspiracy of royal proportions. The conspiracy involved two fugitives. William Goffe was a fugitive from the King Charles II. William Gough was a fugitive from English religious persecution. Goffe was a Puritan compatriot of Oliver Cromwell. Gough was a Catholic gentleman trying to quietly live his life in Maryland.

By the very nature of conspiracy, direct evidence is hard to find. Every person associated with Goffe was subject to the King's harsh justice. Therefore, no direct evidence could exist or all co-conspirators were at risk. Joseph has compiled a circumstantial case that William Goffe did not die in a cave or basement in the frontier town of Hadley, Massachusetts. Rather he established his Hadley cover story and then escaped to Maryland where he lived out the remainder of his life. Who would look for a proper Puritan in the Catholic Colony of Maryland? This is a history book with elements of a mystery novel. Read it for its historical content and ponder it's mysteries.

LtCol Michael J. Gough, USAF (Ret)

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About the Author

I am a direct descendant of William Gough, 'a Descendant of Regicide.' I am not a writer or professional genealogist, I am only interested in family genealogy. I started a search for my English connections and discovered that my ancestor was one of the 59 signers of King Charles I's 'Death Warrant'. I found information about his life that in England and why he would sign the death warrant. I tried to find as much information about other regicides and their ultimate fate as I could - and included the information in this book. I also have found English relatives of General William Goffe.

Reviews

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"Your book was the culmination of years of labor and you say it was a labor of love. For anyone who is wanting an example of how to write a book on their family history, I would want them to know this is "the book". It not only protrays our family history but also is a very enlighting narrative of your earlier life. I have given this book to friends and family because it is so enjoyable. I also used your research to back up my proof to gain Charles Gough credit for his Rev War service. I was already a member of DAR but it gave me a lot of pride to credit our ancesator's record. I am so thrilled with your success and want everyone to know you are a gifted writer".

Sandra Massie

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Excerpts

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Catalogue Information

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