Clinton F. Goffney was a few days shy of his 29th birthday when he executed his will; “the uncertainty of [his] earthly existence” likely alludes to a terminal illness.

Goffney’s mother Lucy Ann Barnes Goffney had died just days earlier, but as her only child, he knew he stood to inherit a one-acre lot she owned adjacent to G.W. Suggs, Samuel H. Vick, Charles Bynum, and James Battle. Goffney left this land and all the rest of his property to his uncle, Frank O. Barnes of Durham, North Carolina.

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C.C. Goffney, 35, married Lucy Ann Barnes, 24, on 7 March 1900 at Lucy Barnes‘ house in Wilson.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: teamster C. Columbus Goffney, 36; wife Lucy Ann, 24; son Clinton, 7; and brother-in-law Frank O. Barnes, 17, tobacco stemmer day laborer.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: house carpenter Christopher Goffney, 44; wife Fannie [sic], 33; son Clinton, 16; Freeter Mosely, 19, insurance agent.

In the 1916 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Goffney Clinton F (c) cook h 410 E Green

Clinton F. Goffney registered for the World War I draft in New York City, Manhattan County, New York. Per his registration card, he was born 28 February 1897 in Wilson, N.C.; resided at 514 Lenox Avenue, New York, N.Y.; his father was born in Cherokee, N.C.; his employer was Mr. Moore, Clarissa Apartment House, 2400 Seventh Avenue; and his nearest relative was mother Lucy A. Goffney, 147 Suggs Street, Wilson.

In the 1922 and 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Goffney Clinton (c) tobacco wkr h 704 Suggs

Lucy Ann Goffney died 11 February 1922 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 15 February 1876 in Wilson to Edwin Barnes and Lucy Ann Barnes; was the widow of Columbus Goffney; lived at 704 Suggs; and was buried in Wilson [likely Vick Cemetery.] Clinton Goffney was informant. [Lucy Gaffney’s estate consisted of a house and lot valued at $1400 and “B&L stock” valued at $200.]

Goffney died 4 June 1927 in Wilson. Per his direct certificate he was born 28 February 1893 to Columbus Goffney and Lucy Barnes; was single; worked as a day laborer; lived at 704 Suggs; and was buried in Wilson [most likely, in Vick Cemetery]. Informant was Frank O. Barnes, Durham.

Will of Clinton F. Goffney (1922), North Carolina Wills and Probate Records 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.