By the time of the Revolutionary War, the family had moved to the Greenville, South Carolina, area and David was one of several sons who served as a Patriot.
David Goodlett served in Roebucks Regiment (militia) and on May 27, 1784, received a land grant of 300 acres on “both sides of Richland Creek of Reedy River,” which now flows partially through the city of Greenville. On March 4, 1799, he received a grant of “298 acres on Richland Creek & Reedy River.” In 1806, Charles Pinckney, the governor of South Carolina, commissioned David to be Judge of the Court of Ordinary of Greenville District. According to the published book, The Goodlett Chain, the Goodlett’s were allied with the earliest Baptist Churches of Greenville.
David married Rachel (February 19, 1757–February 28, 1839) and they had nine children, including Jesse Goodlett. David Goodlett died on March 19, 1816, and is buried on the property of his old homesite within the present city limits of Greenville, South Carolina. His obituary notice published in the City Gazette of Charleston, South Carolina, March 30, 1816, states: “Died on Tuesday, 19th inst., near Greenville Court House, in 65th year of his age, of a painful, lingering illness, David Goodlett, Esq., Judge of Ordinary for said District. He was a native of Virginia, but ever since the Revolution, a respectable inhabitant of this state (South Carolina), a worthy, honest man and good citizen.”