in the 1800's new england states waqs the reference of "goodman" refering to a man of God?

Answer 1

"Goodman" and "Goodwife" were titles used in Elizabethan times (and beyond -- they appear in Puritan New England in the 17th century). They refer specifically

Note that most of the Elizabethan titles added a descriptive prefix such as good, kind, fair or noble (cf. also "your GRACE", "your HONOR"). "Goodman" and "Goodwife" were used for people who were NOT of the nobility.

For a list of a number of these titles, separated by gender, class and occupation see the charts at:

http://www.sonic.net/~wtallant/uo/speak2.htm

Answer 2

Not really "Goodman" and "Goodwife" (or just "Goody") were polite titles for a man and a (married) woman just like Mr. and Mrs.