GOODSON, John, physician, born in England; died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 28 December. 1727. He was the first English physician that came to Pennsylvania under Penn's charter, and was among the first that bought lands in the province of the "Free society of traders." Immediately after his purchase he was appointed "chirurgeon" to the society, and was sent to the province, arriving there shortly before Penn. Previous to his coming to this country he had practiced his profession in London. In 1685 he was appointed a judge of the courts of common pleas and quarter sessions and the orphans' court, which office he held many years. From 1686 till 1701 he was one of the proprietaries commissioners of property, and in November, 1694, was appointed by Penn to be deputy-governor, or assistant to Governor Markham, which office he filled until October, 1696, when he resigned. He was an eider of the Society of Friends.