Ephraim Gooding, the first of the family of whom we have detailed record, was born in Dighton, Massachusetts, and removed to Bristol, New York, in the early part of the nineteenth century. He made the entire journey on foot, and upon his arrival purchased a large tract of land. He married Corintha Spencer, who was born in Bristol, New York, daughter of Abijah Spencer, who came from Massachusetts, and one of the first settlers at Bristol, Ontario. and she was one of the first white children born in Bristol.