Francis Godfrey (abt. 1595 - bef. 1669)

Francis Godfrey migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). (See The Directory, by R. C. Anderson, p. 133) Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm

Biography

This is profile the profile for Francis Godfrey, early immigrant to Plymouth Colony.

Date of Birth

Francis's date of birth is uncertain. Based on the fact that he died in 1669, Francis was probably born after 1585. Based on the fact that his only known child was probably born about 1626, he was probably born before 1605. A reasonable mid-range estimate is about 1595.

Parentage

The parentage of Francis Godfrey has not yet been determined.

A geni.com page for Francis,^[1] a FindAGrave page for Francis^[2] and many family trees show him as the son of a Richard Godfrey and an Isabel (Ramadale) Godfrey. However, no reliable evidence for that proposition has been found. No reliable evidence of even the existence of an Isabel Ramadale or Ramadaile has been found. While there were many Richard Godfreys, no reliable evidence has been found that links any particular one to this profile's Francis Godfrey.

A search on familysearch.org for Francis Godfrey (and name variants) born in England in 1585-1605 finds 6 baptisms by that name, and there were no doubt at least as many whose births and baptisms are not currently in the databases. No reliable evidence has been found that links any of those records to this profile's Francis Godfrey.

Place of Birth

Francis was probably born in England, but the location is unknown.

If, as speculated below, the record of the 1622 marriage of a Francis Godfrey and Elizaveth Hall at St. Michael's le Belfrey in York relates to this profile's Francis Godfrey, it would be likely that Francis was born in or near York, Yorkshire.

Marriage

As established by his will and estate inventory, at the time of his death, Francis was married to a woman named Elizabeth. Her maiden name is unknown. It is also unknown whether he was the mother of his daughter Elizabeth. If she was the mother of Elizabeth, then, based on their daughter's estimated date of birth (1626), they were probably married sometime in 1620-1626. Since that date range is before the likely date of Francis's immigration to New England, they were probably married in England.

It is possible that this profile's Francis Godfrey was the Francis Godfrey who married Elizabeth Hall on September 8, 1622 at St. Michael's le Belfry in York (listed as North Riding, Yorkshire).^[3] However, absent additional evidence, the connection between that record and this profile's Francis Godfrey should be considered speculative.

Children

Francis and, presumptively, Elizabeth had the following child:

1. Elizabeth, b. probably about 1626 in England, m. June 1644 probably in Duxbury, d. 1 November 1680 in Bridgewater (see Elizabeth's profile for sources)

Some secondary sources and family trees suggest that Francis may have been the father of additional children. However, the bequests in Francis's will fairly clearly indicate that Elizabeth was his only child who was alive at the time and that, if he had any other children, they had no then living children.

Immigration

The precise date and means of immigration to New England of Francis and his family are unknown. The first record of Francis in New England is a record of the grant to him of land in the Plymouth Colony on September 3, 1638.^[4] It is likely the immigrated in the summer of 1638, but it is possible that he immigrated earlier.

Residency of Duxbury

The original grant of land to Francis consisted of a "garden place" at Stony River and 20 acres lying on the northwest side of Greens Harbor River.^[4] Duxbury had two brooks called Stoney Brook,^[5] so the garden plot was probably on one of them. The Greens Harbor River ended up in Marshfield, but prior to Marshfield being split off from Duxbury in 1640, would have also have been in Duxbury. The location of Francis's initial place of residence may have also have been in Duxbury, but that is uncertain. By 1643, however, Francis was definitely living in Duxbury, as he was included in the list of men of Duxbury ages 16-60 who were able to bear arms.^[6] In land transactions in 1644^[7] and 1649,^[8] Francis is described as "of Duxbury."

Residency in Marshfield

Francis appears to have moved over the border into Marshfield sometime in 1649-1650, as a December 1650 land transaction describes Francis as "of Marshfield."^[9] The proposition that Francis had moved out of Duxbury about 1649 is also supported by the fact that he was not one of the original proprietors of the Duxbury New Plantation (which became Bridgewater), which was purchased from the Indians in 1649 and allocated among the inhabitants of Duxbury.^[10]

Residency in Bridgewater

It is unclear when Francis and his family moved from Marshfield to Bridgewater. He was not named in the original list of freemen in 1656,^[11] but was named in the list of men who took the Oath of Fidelity in Bridgewater in 1657,^[12] which shows that he had settled there by at least that date. Francis remained in Bridgewater until he died, as in his will, he stated that he was "of Bridgewater." Francis acquired substantial landholdings in Bridgewater, as show by the fact that he bequeathed almost 100 acres to his wife in his will.

Assets in Providence, Rhode Island?

The inventory of Francis's estate included separate appraisals goods and chattels in Bridgewater and Providence, Rhode Island and showed that almost half of his goods and chattels were appraised at Providence.^[13] It is unknown why a large portion of Francis's goods and chattels were appraised at Providence and no other records connecting him to Providence have been found.

Occupation; Public Offices

Francis was a carpenter by trade, as he is described as such in land transactions in 1649^[14][8]. and 1650.^[15][9] In 1646, the town of Marshfield hired him to build a bridge (presumably of wood) across the South River.^[16]

No record has been found of Francis holding any public office in Duxbury, Marshfield, Bridgewater or elsewhere.

Will; Death; Estate

Francis made his will on 26 February 1666/7. It was proved at the Court held ad Plymouth on 29 October 1669 by oath of Nathaniel Willis. In his will, he described himself as "aged Inhabitant of the Towne of Bridgewater," made his wife Elizabeth Godfrey sole executrix and appointed Mr. James Browne of Rehoboth and Samuel Edson of Bridgewater as overseers. He bequeathed:

• To "my wife Elizabeth Godfrey" (1) my whole Complete Purchase of lands" including his dwelling house, 40 acres at "Salsbury plaine," 20 acres of upland on "Johns River joying the land of Mr Thomas Thacher," 20 acres of upland on the "Townse river," 2 acres in "Flaggy meddow and on the other syde John Carye senior" and one share at the North end of the plaine usually Called Salsbury plaine," (2) "one broad and one narrow axe one hand saw one hatchett one square one Drawing knife one adds one hammer one pair of Chisells: two augers one mortising auger one smaller auger; three plaines one Joynter one smoothing plaine one rabbiting plaine all the best I have," and (3) "all the rest of my estate good Cattle whatever" not otherwise bequeathed.
• To "my Daughter Elizabeth Cary two Cowes which wee Call moose and Dazey," "two pair fo Canvas sheets," and "my great bible."
• To "my Grandchild John Carye", (1) "a Compleat Purchase of lands both upland and meddows . . . onely I have exchanged six acres of upland with him lying to the lands att my house for six acres lying next to his land at Johns River ... the six acres of land at my house belonging now to my house being given the my wife Elizabeth aforesaid" and (2) "my Green Cloake," "one suite of Apparrell and my troopers Coate one hatt one pair of stockengs one paire of shooes," and "all my working tooles" not otherwise bequeathed.
• To "my Grandchild Elizabeth Cary one tow yearling heiffer."
• To "my soninlaw John Carye ser: all the rest of my wearing Clothes" not otherwise bequeathed.
• To "my servant John Pitcher one broad axe."
• To "my servant Richard Ginings if hee live with my wife Elizabeth Godfrey and Carry himselfe as hee ought untill hee be twenty yeares of age ten pounds."^[17]

An inventory of the moveable goods and cattle of Francis Godfrey "lately Deceased being an ancient Inhabitant of Bridgewater" was exhibited at a Court at Plymouth on 29 October 1669 on the oath of his widow Elizabeth Godfrey. There were two separate appraisals: at Bridgewater and at Providence, Rhode Island. The goods at Bridgewater were appraised on 30 July 1669 by William Brett and John Willis at £63, 12s, 11d. The goods and cattle at Providence was appraised on 27 July 1669 by John Field and Resolved Waterman at £54, 4s, 6d.^[13][18]

The fact that Francis made his will on 29 October 1666/7 and part of his estate was appraised on 27 July 1669 means that he died sometime between the two dates, probably in early July 1669.

Chronology of Records

• 1638. At a Court of Assistants at New Plymouth on September 3, 1638, Francis Godfrey is granted twenty acres of lands lying on the norwest side of Greenes Harbour River, and a garden place at Stony River, neere Edward Bumpass, to be viewed & layd forth for him by Mr. Collier, Jonathan Brewster, & Wm Basset, (wch land was, the 28th October, 1640, by them layd forth as aforesd, from a marked trey by the bridg ovr the river lying to the heigh way leading to Scituate, on the right hand, in length nor west & by north, & in bredth tenn acres, lying to another marked trey upon the sd river noreast & by east.)^[4]
• 1639. At a Court of Assistants of the Plymouth Colony on October 7, 1639, "Captaine Miles Standish, Mr Alden, & Mr. Ed. Winslow are appoynted to lay forth the lands and meaddow graunted to Job Cole, as also the lands graunted to Francis Godfray & Robert Carver, and to pportion their number of acrees.^[19]
• 1643. August 1643 list of "The Names of all the Males that are able to beare Armes from xvi. Yeares old to 60 Yeares, within the sevrall Towneshipps" for the town of Duxborrow includes Francis Godfrey.^[6]
• 1644. "The last of ffebruary 1644. Roger Chaundler of Duxborrow acknowledeth acknowledged the sale of five and twenty acres of land to ffrancis Godfrey of the same lying on the Northerne side of the ffreshett that runeth into Greene Harbour where the way to Sittuate crosseth the same being on the upper side the said payth."^[20][7]
• 1646. At a Marshfield town meeting in 1646, "it was agreed that Ed. Winslow should agree with F. Godfrey for making a bridge over South River, and what he shall agree the town are ready to affirm."^[16]
• 1649. On 26 February 1648/9 "Constant Sowthworth of Duxbery and Thomas Sowthworth of Plymouth his brother" sold to Francis Godfrey of Duxbury, carpenter, 100 acres of land at the North River.^[14][8]
• 1650. On 10 December 1650, Francis Godfrey of Marshfield, carpenter, sold to "Anthony Eames and Mark Eames the son of the said Anthony both of them of Hingham . . . a Certaine psell of land Containing one hundred acars bee it more or less together with one dwelling house upon it with all the appurtenances belonging thereunto lying upon the North River in the Colony of New Plymouth . . . with all the meddow ground belonging therunto."^[15][9]
• 1657. A list of names of those who have taken the Oath of Fidelitie of the Towne of Bridgewater in the Yeare 1657 included 9 men, including Francis Godfrey.^[12]
• 1665. Francis Godfrey received a lot in an allocation of lots by the town of Bridgewater on October 9, 1665.^[21]
• 1667. Francis Godfrey made his will on 26 February 1666/7.^[17]
• 1669. The personal estate of Francis Godfrey at Bridgewater was appraised on July 30, 1669; his personal estate at Providence was appraised on July 27, 1669.^[13]

Research Notes

• One tantalizing possibility was the 9 May 1602 christening at St. Peter's, Leeds, Yorkshire of Francis Godfrey, son of Richard. The parish register transcription includes a note that Richard was of nearby Armley.^[22] Geographically this is close to the location of the 1622 marriage listed below. However, a 1602 baptism is probably too later to relate to a person who was married in 1622 and, in any event, this child died 26 Oct of the same year, buried at the same church, father Richard.^[23]
• Francis' son-in-law John Carey was from Somersetshire, England according to the Bridgewater vital records (although when this unusual information was added to the original VR and by whom is not certain). Was the Godfrey family from this area also?
• A duplicate version of this profile was previously linked as a son of Richard Godfrey supposedly of Devon, England but without sources. That version also claimed that Francis came to the US on the Fortune (the ship that came after the Mayflower) to Duxbury also without sources.

^{[23] [22] [3] [15] [14] [20] [21] [1] [16] [2] [11] [10] [5] [17] [13] [9] [8] [7] [12] [6] [19] [4]}

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "Francis Godfrey, of Bridgewater," geni.com
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Find A Grave: Memorial #191082398
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Yorkshire, North Riding : York : St Michael le Belfre : : "Parish Register" database, FreeREG (https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/581845abe93790eb7f7d7160 : viewed 19 Sep 2021) marriage Frauncis Godfrey to Elizabeth Hall 08 Sep 1622
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3} Shurtleff, Nathaniel B., ed. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, Court Orders, Vol. I, 1633-1640. 1855. p 95. Link to page at hathitrust.org.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Winsor, Justin. A History of the Town of Duxbury, Massachusetts, with Genealogical Registers. 1849. p 32. Link to page at google.com.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} Shurtleff, Nathaniel B., ed. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, Court Orders, Miscellaneous Records, 1633-1689. 1857. p 189. Link to page at hathitrust.org.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2} Pulsifer, David. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, Court Orders, Deeds, &c., Vol I., 1620-1651. 1861. p 109. Link to page at hathitrust.org.
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3} Pulsifer, David. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, Court Orders, Deeds, &c., Vol I., 1620-1651. 1861. p 163. Link to page at hathitrust.org.
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3} Pulsifer, David. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, Court Orders, Deeds, &c., Vol I., 1620-1651. 1861. p 206. Link to page at hathitrust.org.
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1} Mitchell, Nahum. History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. 1840, p 10. Link to page at archive.org.
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} Mitchell, Nahum. History of the Early Settlement of Bridgewater in Plymouth County, Massachusetts. 1840, p 27. Link to page at archive.org.
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1 12.2} Shurtleff, Nathaniel B, ed. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, Court Orders, Miscellaneous Records, 1633-1689. 1857. p 185. Link to page at hathitrust.org.
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3} "Plymouth Colony Wills and Inventories." The Mayflower Descendant. Vol 17. p 156. Link to page at americanancestors.org.
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1 14.2} "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9Z7-5CPM?cc=2106411&wc=MCBR-538%3A361612701%2C362501301 : 22 May 2014), Plymouth > Deeds 1620-1651 vol 1 > image 177 of 239; county courthouses and offices, Massachusetts.
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1 15.2} "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89Z7-5C9T?cc=2106411&wc=MCBR-538%3A361612701%2C362501301 : 22 May 2014), Plymouth > Deeds 1620-1651 vol 1 > image 220 of 239; county courthouses and offices, Massachusetts.
16. ↑ ^{16.0 16.1 16.2} Richards, Lysander Salmon. History of Marshfield. 1901. p 27. Link to page at archive.org.
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1 17.2} "Plymouth Colony Wills and Inventories." The Mayflower Descendant. Vol 17. pp 155-156. Link to pages at americanancestors.org.
18. ↑ "Massachusetts, Plymouth County, Probate Records, 1633-1967," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G97D-VQDB : 8 March 2023), Wills 1633-1686 vol 1-4 > image 265 of 616; State Archives, Boston.
19. ↑ ^{19.0 19.1} Shurtleff, Nathaniel B., ed. Records of the Colony of New Plymouth in New England, Court Orders, Vol. I, 1633-1640. 1855. p 135. Link to page at hathitrust.org.
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1} "Massachusetts Land Records, 1620-1986," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9Z7-5CGR?cc=2106411&wc=MCBR-538%3A361612701%2C362501301 : 22 May 2014), Plymouth > Deeds 1620-1651 vol 1 > image 136 of 239; county courthouses and offices, Massachusetts.
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1} Puffer, Loring W. Records of John Cary, the First Town Clerk of Bridgewater, Mass., from 1656 to 1681. Wm. L. Puffer, Brockton, 1889. p 8. Link to page at archive.org
22. ↑ ^{22.0 22.1} Yorkshire, West Riding : Leeds : St Peter : : "Parish Register" database, FreeREG (https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5be2d9dbf493fd2b470496fc : viewed 19 Sep 2021) baptism Frauncis Godfray 09 May 1602
23. ↑ ^{23.0 23.1} Yorkshire, West Riding : Leeds : St Peter : Other Transcript : "Parish Register" database, FreeREG (https://www.freereg.org.uk/search_records/5cc8124bf493fd4fa62f7603 : viewed 19 Sep 2021) burial Frauncis 26 Oct 1602

See also: Anderson, Robert C. The Great Migration Directory: Immigrants to New England, 1620-1640: A Concise Compendium (New England Historic Genealogical Society, Great Migration Study Project, Boston, 2015), p. 133.