CG86

Collection

Edward Goff (or Gough) was born in Huntington, Herefordshire in 1738, the son of a farm labourer. In his early life he worked as a farm hand before moving to London where he was employed as a coalheaver. Eventually the ownership of this business passed to him.    He had no formal schooling and had taught himself to read and write. He was an active member of the Baptist Church and left money to found schools in Herefordshire and the surrounding counties for the education of the poor. In Herefordshire these schools were set up in Huntington, Fownhope and Madley. Goff died in 1813 and is buried in an unmarked grave in Hay churchyard. Huntington School was established in 1791 and originally accommodated boys and girls of all ages until its reorganisation in 1947 when senior pupils went to Kington School.