John Gott was a legendary expert of Fauquier County history and was also an authority on the escapades of John Singleton Mosby and his men. Just mention a name of a person who lived in Faquier County in the 1800's or the 1900's and John could quote you their political affiliation, where they lived, their first, second, third and fourth cousins and each member of their family.  He was a story teller, an historian and a very dear friend of mine.  I'm extremely fortunate that I had the opportunity to ride with him around Loudoun and Fauquier Counties , and was able to hear him relate his warehouse of funny and amusing stories, in his very own unique way. He was a man of letters, and a man who will be missed by everyone who came in contact with him.  He was bigger than life to me and was always willing to share his knowledge with everyone, including this old man. He will be missed by the people in Fauquier, his many friends and associates and by historians everywhere.  And he will be deeply missed by me.  However, I was blessed that I had the opportunity to know him and that he considered me his friend.  There is no one person on this planet that I know that can replace John Gott. If there is a Hall of Fame of Historians, John Gott will be at the front of the class sharing anecdotes and stories with John Divine, Pat Jones and Jim Moyer.