John Goldy was born in Burlington County, New Jersey sometime between March and June of 1756, a third generation American of Scottish descent and the sixth and last child of Joseph and Margaret Wells Goldy.  Little else is known of his early years.

Shortly after the Continental Army recaptured Trenton and Princeton, New Jersey in early January of 1777, General George Washington moved his Army to high ground near Morristown and proceeded to recruit new troops.  John Goldy enlisted at the age of 20 in the 2nd New Jersey Regiment, Company G, as a private on January 20, 1777 at Burlington, New Jersey.

His first battle engagement was June 26, 1777 in Union County, New Jersey at Short Hills, also known as the battle of Ash Swamp.

He was promoted to Corporal on July 1, 1777.

He fought in the battle of Brandywine Creek in Pennsylvania on September 11, 1777, stationed with General Washington's main force at the crossing at Chadd's Ford.

He was promoted to Sergeant on November 1, 1777.

Sergeant Goldy spent the winter of 1777 with Washington's Army at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, not breaking camp until June 19, 1778.  As part of the main Continental Army, his unit participated in the pursuit of the British across New Jersey, engaging quickly in battle at Monmouth on June 28th.

Sergeant Goldy was also at the battle of Springfield, New Jersey on June 23, 1780 and was present at the surrender of the British at Yorktown, Virginia on October 19, 1781.

Discharged after the war near New Windsor, New York on May 20, 1783, Mr. Goldy was awarded a 100-acre land grant in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania for his service.  His discharge order was signed by Colonel W. Stewart, and his land warrant number was 8327.

John Goldy married Mary McCulley on October 19, 1784 at Pemberton, New Jersey.  Mary McCulley was born in Burlington County, New Jersey in 1763.  Mr. Goldy moved to Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania with his family in 1797 to claim his 100-acre land warrant.  Mr. Goldy and his wife are listed as farmers in the enumeration of taxables for Loyalsock Township, which was taken in March of 1800.  In 1806, the land occupied by Mr. Goldy was organized into the Borough of Williamsport.

Mr. Goldy applied for a Veterans Pension in 1818, and was awarded $8.00 per month as a result of his service during the Revolution.  He listed his net worth as $53.75, with five sheep and four hogs topping the list at an estimated value of $19.50.  His pension certificate is number 3782, commencing on May 5, 1818 and continuing until his death.

John and Mary Goldy were the parents of four sons and three daughters:  Joseph, who married Hannah, daughter of John Blair; Samuel, who married Mary Ann Durham; William; John Budd, who married Phoebe, daughter of Levi Blair; Achsah, who married a Mr. Thorp; Sarah, who married Robert Andrew McMurray; and Harriet E, who became the wife of James Eliott.

Mr. Goldy resided in Lycoming County until his death on July 4, 1831 at the age of 75 in Williamsport Borough.  Mr. Goldy left no will and his burial spot is not known.

Mary Goldy applied for and was granted a widow's pension.  She died in Williamsport in 1843 at the age of 80.  Except for a sum of $70.00 to be divided equally among her three daughters, she left all of her belongings to her son-in-law, Robert Andrew McMurray.  Mary Goldy's burial spot is also unknown.