GOOCHLAND.
Goochland was formed in 1727, from Henrico, and named from
a colonial governor of Virginia. It lies on the north side of James
River, and is 30 miles long, with an average width of 10 miles.
The surface is undulating, and in some places broken; the soil is
various, and much of it exhausted, though naturally good; that
on the James is of great fertility. It is drained by several small
streams, several of which afford water-power.
The county produces large crops of tobacco, corn, and oats.
Bituminous coal of an excellent quality is extensively mined, and
also small quantities of gold. Pop., whites 3,570, slaves 5,500,
free colored 690; total 9,760.
There are no villages in the county of any note. The Court-House,
which is 30 miles west of Richmond, and 1 mile N. of James
River, contains a few dwellings only.
Gen. Nathaniel Massie, one of the early pioneers of Kentucky,
and a man of indefatigable energy, was a native of this county.
He was at the head of a band of adventurous spirits who formed,
in 1791, the earliest settlement in the Virginia military district, and
the fourth in Ohio, at what is now the town of Manchester.
The late Gov. James Pleasants, who died in this county in 1836,
was a man highly valued both in public and private life.
