Goffe

Goffe, or Gough, William (d.1679 ?), a notable historical and legendary character of the 17th century, was an officer in the Parliamentarian army ' during the Civil War. He was prominent at the meeting of officers which decided to bring Charles I. to trial, and, as one of the king's judges, signed the death-warrant. He was one of Cromwell's major-generals, and a member of the new House of Lords, and received a grant of Irish land for his services. When at the Restoration he was excepted from the Act of Indemnity, he escaped to Massachusetts, but even there had to remain in hiding. Tradition says that when in 1675 the station of Hadley was attacked by Indians he suddenly appeared and rallied the settlers - a story made use of by Scott (Peveril of the Peak) and Fenimore Cooper.