By A. H. Godbey
The name Godbey is well known from
early times in England. Originally it
was Goadbye, Godebye, Godesbye, the name of an ancient Danish Settlement in
Leicestershire, (Barber, English Family names, p. 152) and meaning the town,
village, or community of the Goad or Gode (Danish Gud, Guth) family. The first syllable is a very common element
in the Danish names, (e. g. Gudrun, Gythorm, Godfrey, Godsir, Godbold, Godsal,
Godloe, Godleigh, Goddard, Godwin, Godbard, Godall, Goodsli, Godkin, Godbed,
etc.). The name "Goad" is
commonly written "Goode" in modern times. The modernized form Godbey, Goodby, Godbye, Godsby, is found in
the earliest parish records which begin in the reign of Henry VIII; yet the
older form "Goadby" is still found occasionally, even in modern New
York; Godsby is also still in use.
There has been no figure of
permenent national note in executive, legislative or administrative work,
except Co. Christopher Godbey, for many years an officer in the Bengal
Army. Some of the family attained
genteel rank very early and have been in minor official positions and the Godby
coat of arms and crest are well known in English Heraldry. (Fairbairn, Vol. 1 p. 206; II, p. 118, fig.
44) (Book of Family Crests, Vol. II, p. 202: I, plate re, fig. 3) The crest is a chevelier in full armor,
proper, with visor down. The
"Edward Godby" or Godsby is found repeatedly as that of one of
genteel rank. Perhaps an Edward Godbey
was first to bear arms.
The Godbey family has been in London
for more than 400 years, as shown by the various parish registers. Thomas and John are the prevelent baptismal
masculeine names. Peter, Robert, Mark,
Georges are known. James Godbey of
London attained national distinction as a stipple engraver, 1790-1815; but the
Dictionare of National Biography knows nothing of his antecedents. London directories show that the Godbeys are
still there; some in courtly circles.
The first Godbey in America was
"Thomas Godby of Blunt's Point."
The Virginia census of 1624 tells us that he was then 38 years old
(hence born in 1587) and that he came over in the ship Deliverance in 1605 (1608).
The other members of the household are Joane Godby, aged 42, who came
over in the Flying Berte in 1621, and John Curtis and Christopher Smith, aged
22 and 24 years. It is not possible to
tell from this record if Joan was wife or sister of Thomas Godby; if married to
him after she came to America, or if she had married in England waiting for her
husband to make his fortune. He had
stood by the side of Captain Smith, and had seen all of Jamestown's hardest
days; had been a shareholder in the Virginia Company, and received his first
dividend of land from Sir Thomas Wyatt Dec. 1, 1624. This 100 acres was at Blunt's point, a little below Kecoughtan or
Elizabeth City. Hence he is spoken of
as "Godby of Blunt's Point", or Kiccaughtan. In the census of Elizabeth City 1623, the
names are given as "Thomas Godby" and Joan Godby.
He probably made two or three trips
to England, as the laws of the time allowed a colonist 50 acres of land for
each time that he crossed the Atlantic.
Hence we consider that the Thomas Godbye who is shown by the records as
landing in 1637 in the Isle of Wight County, just across the bay from Blunt's
Point, is the same man, while the extant records of Lower Norfolk shows another
Thomas Godey who landed in that county more than once a little later and had
connections of a business sort in Isle of Wight County.
The will of "Thomas Godbye,
Planter" of Elizabeth River in Lower Norfolk was drawn April 18, 1652
proved Feb. 15, 1653, "Anne, my Deere and loving Wife" is the sole
executrix. Codicil five days before
death, made legacy to wife's sister Elizabeth Beane, (George Bain was witness
of will of "Allexander Rose" proved the same that Thomas Godbye'
was.). But nothing further has been
published relative to the Bain family in Norfolk. The tendency of neighbors to move in groups is illustrated by the
Bain family appearing alongside the Godbey family in other counties, for a
hundred years) signed by Thomas R. Godbye, and (?), indicating a coat or
crest. It is doubtful if the
"Ann" of this will is "Joane" of the Elizabeth City census.
Then the Norfolk records show us
"Thomas Godbye" among 60 persons brought over by Cornelius Lloyd in
1642 and again one in three in 1647 again by Frances Empercar in 1653. (Fifty acres of land was allowed for each
man or woman who crossed to America, as often as he did so). In 1655 this traveling Thomas Godby himself
imports several. The will of this
Thomas Godby, drawn 9-23-1671, was proved 2-21-1686. And also leaves everything to the disposal of his "wife
Ann." It is impossible just now,
to tell the relation of the second Thomas Godby to the first; the will of Mr.
Bordas, a ship-captain, in 1667 leaves his book and instruments to Ann Godbey,
wife of Thomas Godbey; she is executrix.
The will of John Jacob, 1681, leaves her his chest, and also makes her
executrix. Probably she was only
daughter of Jacob, only grand-daughter of Burdas.
The Godbys were closely associated
with the Quakers and with leading men of the colony. They got fined for attending a quaker meeting at a
neighbor's. They are warmly attached to
an old Quaker school teacher Richard Russell, who in his will in 1667 leaves a
bequest for educating the poor, and a number of books for various friends,
including Ann Godbey. Ann Godbey talked
too much. She charged a neighbor with
being a witch. The clear headed
authorities were not going to have any Salem craze and had passed an ordinance
that any one making such a charge should be fined. It cost Tom Godby a tidy little bunch of tobacca, 300 lbs., and
cost.
Of the next generation, we know
two. I. Cary Godby or Godbee, as the
records frequently spell it, and Edward Godby.
Cary Godby moved into Chowen Co., North Carolina. Records show he had children by 1700. The Cary Godby who lived in Newbern,
Carteret County and was one of his Majesty's Justices, 1749-1758, must have
been son of the first Cary; and the Nathaniel Godby, George Godbey, Bliss
Godby, John Godby, who are active patriots in Pitt. Co., N. C. a few miles from
Newbern during the Revolutionary War, are probably sons of this second Cary
Godbey, while the John Godbey who is an old soldier in the N. C. Colonial
Militia may be brother of this second Cary.
This branch need not be traced.
II. Edward Godby or Godbee, as the
old record spell it, moved in time from Lower Norfolk to Middlesex Co. The old Christ Church parish register dates
back to 1653. But no Godby entries are
in it until 1701, when we have "Mary, daughter of Edward Godbee and
Frances his wife, born 10-13-1701, Bapt., Oct. 23, 1701. Rebecca, bapt. 6-2-17-3; John bapt.,
4-1-1705."
Edward dies soon after; and Frances
Godby and Thomas Cheedle are married 7-26-1708. There are no Cheedle entries; but the family remains there, for
we find the marriage of Mary Godbee and Henry Tugwell, March 30, 1722, Rebecca
Godbee married John Kidd, 2-21-1720.
Their descendants in the Middlesex Register are many, also George Godbe
(Godloe?) married Diana Minor, 1-13-1728.
Older children of Edward Godby,
William? and George, may have been born before Edward came to Middlesex. These -- John, the youngest child, probably
settled in Caroline County. Certain
groups moved together; Godby Cunter, Farmer, Tomson are neighbors in Middlesex,
again in Caroline, late in S. W. Va.
The John Godby born in 1705 was probably the one who patented 400 acres
of land in -- and 1734. Thomas Godby
patented 1200 there in --. Probably
neither resided there long. John Godby
-- in the few remnants of the Carolina records, from --. His children cannot be certainly named, but
he -- the same John was born 1705.
-- my great-grandfather William
Godbey was born in -- County, Va., in 1781 (so sketch of Rev. Josiah ---
published in Cooper Co., Mo. in 1862 declares). -- documents show his father's name was John and grand-father's
was William and that he was a Revolutionary --
The almost total destruction of Caroline records -- to conjecture
between John, born in Middlesex -- and settling in Caroline, and William born
1651 -- John. Boes this 76 years cover
two generations or three? All
probabilities favor the latter. The
pioneers married early. John, father of
William -- probably the grandson of John, born 1705, and was -- born after
1750. Thus the line from Thomas Godby
-- Norfolk is Edward, born ?, died between 1705 and -- John, born 1705, settled
in Caroline; William born 1725-30. We
do not know the names of wife and other children, at present. But from old family papers we know that the
oldest son of this William was also named William, that he was born in 1750,
and his wife Zannah was born in 1751, (as a specimen of the early marrying
habit, notice that Wm. Godbey and Zannah were married in 1768, and their oldest
son, John, was born in 1769, when his father was 19 years old, and this son
John himself married at 16, Naomi Bain).
The second son of this first William was also named John, and is our own
ancestor.
These two brothers, John and
William, came to Southwest Va., probably just after the Revolution, for John,
oldest son William was married in Montgomery County, in 1783 (the marriage bond
to Naomi Bain is still on file).
Russell and George Godbey came to Halifax County about the same
time. All four were Revolutionary
soldiers from Caroline County. Russell
and George were pretty certainly brothers of William and John, (although they
may have been cousins.). We know of
three George Godbeys in Revolutionary Army; two Virginians, one N.
Carolinian. There was a John Godbey in
New York before the Revolution, Probate Judge, and secretary to Sir Henry
Clinton. N. Y. records show no
descendants. (He may have been a
Londoner.)
The descendants of the brothers
William and John are now very numerous.
William settled near New Berne, in the present Pulaski County, then in
Montgomery, purchasing land there in 1797.
He died in 1833; his will mentions his wife Zannah; sons Benjamin,
Gabriel, Francis, (Marion), George, William; daughters of Sarah Cunter, Patsy
Farmer, Lucy Redge, Susanna Covey. (The
John who married Naomi Bain died in 1803 intestate; personal appraisement
$1330.55; equal to $5,000 these days.)
HOME / ROSEBERRY-SUTTON
/ KEISTER-FOSTER
/ HOWELL-BURNOP
By John Emory Godbey
Thomas R. Godbey, born in England
1587, came to Jamestown, Va. in the ship Deliverance in 1608.
As the Colonists were required to
practice military drill, the muster rolls are among the earlier historic
data. These rolls, in the case of
families, give staches of the families.
The muster roll of Elizabeth City,
Va. for 1624 has "THOMAS GODBEY, his muster. Thomas Godbey came over in 1608 in Deliverance age 38, Joane
Godbey came over in 1621 in Flying Heart Age 42, John Curtis came over in 1621
in Flying Heart age 22, Christopher Smith came over in Flying Heart age
24." It is presumed that Curtis
and Smith came over with Joane and after she was married remained a time with
the Godbeys. The ages were at the time
of the muster.
Land Grant or Bred: The Virginia
Historical Magazine Vol. 1, pg. 191 has this record: "Thomas Godbey of
Kicoughtan, Elizabeth City, Yeoman, as his first dividend, 100 acres, between
New Port News and Blunts Point, granted 12-1-1624. Thomas Godbey, born 1587 came to Va. in Ship Deliverance, 1608
and Joane Godbey, 42, came in Flying Hart 1621." The above record indicates that Thomas Godbey was a member of a
land syndicate. His will shows that his
property was in land on Elizabeth River, Lower Norfolk Co.
The will of Thomas Godbey, of
Elizabeth River, Lower Norfolk Co., Va. Planter Book C. p. 76 Apr. 8th, 1652
Recorded 2-20-1653. (This is actually the
second Thomas' will. Details of the
first Thomas' death will be found in one of the subsequent excerpts) The estate is bequeathed to "Anne my
deere and Loving wife, sole Executrix."
There is a codicil date 2-10-1653.
From these dates we may fix 2-15-1653 as within a few days of the date
of Thomas Godbeys death. The will is
certified by X, showing that Godbey was illiterate. This accounts also for the varied spelling of the name, which one
finds in early official records, as Godbey, Godbye, Godbee, Godby. The name was evidently pronounced to the
recorder who spelled it according to his own judgement.
There is no direct proof that any
children were born to Thomas and Joan Godbey.
Their names appear in a Census of the date Feb. 16, 1623, but there are
no children, and none are mentioned in the will. This latter circumstance, however, is not very significant, for
the wills of those times show that is was the custom, rather for a man to leave
all his property to his widow.
Thomas R. Godbey died 66 years of
age, and had been married 28 years. (This
is incorrect due to the confusion between the first and second Thomas Godbey.)
THOMAS GODBEY II (This is actually the third Thomas Godbey)
The colony records show another
Thomas Godbey, of Elizabeth River, Lower Norfolk, Co., who was as I assume,
from many evidences, the son of Thomas R. being of proper age for a son, and
evidently connected with the emigrant of 1608, as indicated by his home and
property. This is the record of his will. His wife also is named Ann. "Will-Thomas Godbey of Elizabeth River,
9-28-1671, recorded 2-21-1686.
"Unto Ann, my deare and loving wife all my lands and tennyments,
which I now possess at the head of a branch that comes out of the sothern
branch of Elizabeth River, in the County of Lower Norfolk, Va." Witness Francis Sayer, Richard
Whittle."
The above dates show that this will
was made and signed 9-28-1671, and was put on record 2-21-1686 which latter
date we may accept as about the date of the death of Thomas Godbey, the son of
Thomas R.
Of the doings of this second Thomas
Godbey we find scant record. He was a
land holder, and tobacco raiser, and the fact that a friend bequeathed to him a
distillery suggestive.
But Tom's wife, Ann made herself interesting
to the Colonists. She was fined for
attending a Quaker meeting at the house of Richard Russell and Tom paid the
fine with 200 pounds of tobacco. This
was in 1663.
William and Mary Quarterly Vol. 1-p.
59. The bound volumes of a paper
published by the students of William and Mary College, in the Carnage Library
St. Louius, in an article on Witchcraft tells us that Ann Godbey, wife of
Thomas Godbey, was hailed before the court and fined for calling Nick
Robinson's wife a witch. Again her
husband paid the fine with 200 pounds of tobacco. The evidence that Ann Godbey was an -- woman, and a person of
mark in her community is found in a number of wills in which she is named as
executrix. Richard Russel the Quaker,
leaves her books, William Bordas, in his will bequeaths "my books and
instruments of navigation to Ann Godbey, wife of Thomas Godbey." He directs that Ann Godbey or John Porter
shall execute his will; evidently Ann Godbey if living. This will was put to record 10-15-1667. Our dates will show that Ann Godbey lived
many years after this date. John Jacobs
of Elizabeth River whose will was recorded 5-12-1681, left "to Ann Godbey
my chest all that it contains in it," and he makes Ann Godbey sole
executrix of his will.
The will of Bordas, and the will of
Jacobs, the peculiar character of the bequests which they make to Ann Godbey,
and the fact that she is executrix of each, sets us guessing that Ann was the
daughter of one of these men. Our guess
is that she was the daughter of Bordas for why should he leave her his books
and instruments of navigation but as an heirloom?
New England History and General
Register has this entry: Cornelius
Lloyd hath due three thousand acres for farms, of persons whose names are
underwritten,". Thomas Godbey is
the 43rd name in this list. The date
12-15-1642. It is probable this record
refers to the first Thomas Godbey. The
records of the Virginia Land Office show the entry of land by Thomas Godbey in
1653 in Lower Norfolk Co.
BREAK IN THE HISTORY
Reckoning the death of the 2nd (3rd) Thomas Godbey as occurring in
1686, whose will mentions no children, (as we have noted was common in the will
of the times) we cannot, for lack of names trace the family line. We have a lot of fragments which might be
put together, if official records were more thoroughly searched. I can only preserve the fragments, watchful
for links which will unite them.
Fragments: The Register of Christ Chuch Middlesex Co., Va. contains this
record: "Edward and Frances
Godbee" (The index has it Godbey) have their children christened: Mary born 10-10 baptized 10-27, 1701. Rebecca Baptized 5-2-1703, John Baptized
4-2-1705. In the same Register I find
marriage of Thomas (Sir name indistinct) and Frances Godbey and that this note,
which I pick up in the St. Louis Library points to other records in Middlesex
Co., which would if I could obtain them, connect the chain. I suspect however that the most valuable
records were those of Caroline Co. which were burned in the Civil War. My grandfather was born in Caroline during
the revolution, his father being in the army.
GODBEY'S BLUFF: An article in Harper's monthly Vol. IV Dec.
1857 describes a bluff on New River, VA., named for the Godbey settlement on
the bottom lands opposite. The article
states, "The Godbeys grandfather, father and son have lived here for the
but end of a century." The river
makes the boundary between Pulaski and Montgomery counties. The place is about three miles from
Newbern. The Godbey settlement was on
the bottom lands in Montgomery County opposite the bluff.
Influenced by the magazine article I
addressed a letter to the postmaster at Newbern to give me the name of some one
best acquainted with the Godbeys. He
gave me the name of F. M. Farmer. I
wrote
him in 1905 and
he answered with this statement.
"Godbey's Bluff or Looking Glass - so called from a great pannel in
the Cliff is on the opposite side of the river from the farms. My grandfather, Francis Marion Godbey was
born and died on the place. His brother
Ben, inherited a place joining in. That
place was sold sixty years ago. The old
home, from what I can learn, has been in possession of the Godbeys for 150 to
200 years. The last heirs sold out in
1900. The county owns the place now as
a poor farm."
From such data the time of the
Godbey settlement on New River can only be approximately guessed. It was some time before the revolutionary
war. The picture of the first house has
been furnished me. It was built with
beams set upright with portholes, like a stockade. This was for the defense against indians.
It
is interesting to know that the Godbeys were in America 124 before the birth of
George Washington.
FAMILY
OF WILLIAM GODBEY, MONTGOMERY CO., VA
Through the aid of Mr. Farmer, and my
nephew Dr. A. H. Godbey, now professor in Duke University, I secure the
following record of the family of William Godbey, who it appears, was the first
settler at the Bluff on New River, Montgomery Co., Va. and hence known as
Godbey's Bluff. William Godbey born in
Hallifax Co., Va., 9-28-1750, Zanna his wife born in Hallifax Co., Va.
11-10-1751. Their children: John born
3-30-1769 married Nannie Bane 12-10-1785, Patty born 12-10-1773 married
Townsend Farmer 1792, William born 6-6-1775 married Nancy Dickerson, Gabriel
born 11-15-1778 moved to Casey Co., Ky., Lucy born 3-13-1783 married Mr. James
Hedge, Francis Marion, born 6-24-1784 married Roda Whitt, Sarah born 2-9-1789
married John Gunter, George born 2-28-1791 married Nancy Elswick, Susanna born
6-1-1793 married Sam Covey, Benjamin born 6-7-1798 married Nancy x x.
Resin Vermillion Godbey reported to
me in 1906 that his grandfather William owned several farms at the Bluff. Besides the home place he had the horse shoe
farm, the Pocket Farm and others.
The will of William Godbey is dated
10-28-1829 proved 1-1833. The records
show that the property was appraised at $4679.55 and was sold at $5008.00 and
the children shared alike, except Benjamin whose property was held in trust to
go to his children at his death, he having life use of it.
I have not been able to trace out
all the branches of the family of William Godbey of Montgomery Co., Va. Here are some notes: John of the family of John, the eldest son,
I have no record, official entries show that he remained at the Bluff. William born at the Bluff, 6-6-1775, married
Nancy Dickerson of Montgomery Co., and in 1800 removed to Logan Co. (Now in West Va. in which section many of
his descendents still remain.
Chapmanville is the P. O. address of several.)
The names of Williams children
were: Polly born 4-6-1799, Russell
12-2-1800, John 8-3-1802, Wm. F. 6-11-1805, Obed 6-22-1807, Letitis 6-20-1810,
Eliza 12-2-1814, Nancy 6-17-1818.
My last correspondence with this
group was with John H. Vickers of Chapmanville. He said the family was noted for its old people. He says the entire list given above lived to
be very old.
Russell-named in the list, left
Logan Co. and settled at Curtis, Ills. in 1830. An article in the Petersburg, Ill. Democrat, celebrating
Russells' 88th birthday says, "His land at Curtis was surveyed by Abraham
Lincoln, for which service "old Abe" received in payment two
buckskins, tanned by Mr. Godbeys own hands.
Mr. Lincoln utilized them to add to the serviceableness of his pantaloons."
Gabriel the third son of William of
Montgomery moved to Casey Co., Ky. I
doubt if I have full record of his family.
His sons were: John a Baptist
preacher, Timothy, also a preacher whose home was at Waynesville, Ky. He was born 1813, David of whom I have only
the name. John the Baptist moved to
Missouri in 1848 and settled at Cherry Valley, Crawford Co., He had a son William, born 1-17-1834, also
Grabriel T. who died in 1865. George R.
was a son of William, born 1850. He
moved from Crawford Co. to St. Louis.
John W. (or Jr.) son of Gabriel T.
was born 1864. He lives at Sligo,
Mo. As Descendants of Rev. Timothy
Godbey of Waynesville, Ky. I have his
son J. C. and grandson J. F. who is my informant, resident at Joyce, Ky. He has only furnished me intials and no
dates.
George 5th son of William of
Montgomery, born 2-28-1791 has left us a tolerably definite history. He was converted when 19 years old and
joined the Methodist Church 7-9-1810.
He was licesnsed to preach 9-1828, ordained a deacon by Bishop Emory at
Winchester Va. in 1835, and elder by Bishop Morris at Cincinnati, Ohio in
1840. He removed to Tenn. and mad his
home at Cleveland where he died, 8-11-1875, being 84 years of age. He was never member of a confrence but was
an earnest and efficient preacher. His
children were Rev. Crockett Godbey, a member of the Tenn. Confrence, Jackson,
Mariah, Julia, Rachel. These children
were born at the Bluff. Jackson settled
at Jacksonville, Va. where he spent his life.
He served as Clerk of the Court, lived to be old and reared a large
family. I was entertained by his son
Walter at our general conference in Memphis 1894. Walter afterward went to California. Rev. Crocket Godbey's children were Rev. Crocket C. a member of
the Alabama Conference, and E. W. a lawyer of Decatur, Alabama. E. W.'s only child was Gladys.
Crockett C.'s children were: Eva
born 1900, Edgar 1902, Luther 1904, Charline 1906, James McCoy and John C.
Kilgore twins born 1912.
Jackson Godby's children born at
Jacksonville, Va. were Nannie Pick, Alice Lee, Josephine Gay, Walter Henry,
with whom I lodged at Memphis. Julia
Ann married Rice Montague and they now live at Portland, Oregon.
Francis Marion, son of William
Godbey of Montgomery Co., Va. His
children were: William, Archibald, John, Resin V., Susan married a Briggs,
Hannah married Ike Carpenter, Amanda married James Rankin, Rhoda married Andrew
Miller, Mary married John Lenkhouse, Rachel married James B. Farmer.
I have not the order of birth or the
dates for the above list of names. But
I am of opinion that we have here a most remarkable record of longevity. F. M. Farmer, the son of Rachel, in the
above list wrote me in 1906 that all this list had passed 80 years. Four were still living all past 80, six had
died all past 84. The father Francis
Marion, died at 86, the mother at 94.
F. M. Farmer who gave me this information was living in the old home
neighborhood at Godbey's Bluff. About
1915, and after his death, I took up the case with his daughter, who assured me
her father's statement was correct. All
the persons were dead at that time, but she could not give dates. I doubt if any else can be found to equal;
father 86, mother 94 and ten children all passing 80 years of age at time of
death.
With these notes I close the sketch
of that branch of the Godbey family descended from William of Godbey's Bluff,
New River, Montgomery Co., Va. One who
would investigate the official records must seek them chiefly in Pulaski Co.,
for Montgomery, though presently the home of the Godbeys was in Pulaski until
1839. I have a good deal of matter from
Christiansburg, Pulaski representing will and deeds recorded there which are
not included in the sketch here given.
The article about Russell Godbey of Ill. in the Petersburg, Ill.
Democrat states that his grandfather William of Montgomery was a soldier of the
Revolution.
FAMILY OF JOHN GODBEY 1752, Godbey's
Bluff, New River, Va.: William Godbey
whose descendants I have sketched had a brother John. This John Godbey was also a revolutionary soldier, so stated by
John Monroe Godbey who had it from the statement of William Godbey or Casey
Co., Ky. the son of John whom we are considering. As his brother William was born in Halifax Co., Va. 1750 we
assume that John was born there in 1752.
After serving in the Revolutionary War it seems that John Godbey started
to Kentucky. He had at the time a wife
and three children. His wife falling
sick he stopped in Greenbriar Co., now in W. Va. When his wife died this caused him to abandon his purpose. He remained in Greenbriar, married again and
there spent his days. His children
were: By his first wife: John came to
Ky., Wm. Also, and Fannie. By his
second wife: George, Joseph, Sallie.
George I understand never married.
He went to Tenn. Sallie never
married, she lived with her brother William in Casey Co. and died
2-6-1856. John came to Kentucky and
settled in Pumkin Hollow on the Cumberland River. He had a son Josiah, who was killed under the harrow, while
harrowing his field. He also had a son
John but I know little of this branch of the family. William Godbey, son of John of Greenbriar, being my grandfather,
I have given attention especially to his immediate line.
WILLIAM GODBEY who came from
Virginia to Ky. 1804. I observed that
the obituary of Wm. Godbey of Casey Co., Ky. stated that he was born in
Caroline Co., Va. 6-18-1781. This was
during the War of the Revolution and I understand the father John, who was my
great-grandfather, was in the army at the time of William's birth. An unsettled question is whether said John
Godbey had his home at the time in Caroline or at the Bluff in Montgomery Co.,
Va. on New River. (It must be noted
that Montgomery County really was not then in existance, as it was formed of a
division of Pulaski in 1839. The
official records of the Godbeys, deeds, wills, and marriages, are chiefly found
at Chritiansburg, the county seat of Pulaski).
Those records name many Godbeys not mentioned in my sketch of William of
Montgomery.)
Monroe Godbey of Bethelridge Casey
Co., Ky. says John Godbey lived on New River and left there to go to
Kentucky. Wm. Godbey came from
Greenbriar Co., Va. to Kentucky about 1804.
He reached Pumpkin Hollow on the Cumberland River with one dollar, a
wife and three children. (I think
Pumpkin Hollow was in Pulaski Co.)
After some years he pruchased a farm four or five miles east of Somerset
in Pulaski Co. where he lived until 1831, when he removed to Casey Co. and
remained there (at Bethelridge) til his death 4-2-1876 being 95 yrs. old. Wm. Godbey's first wife was Sarah Smith, she
was the mother of all his children and died 9-15-1836. Mr. Godbey then married Martha Curl who
survived him eight years. The family
record is on the following page.
WILLIAM GODBEY'S FAMILY RECORD: William Godbey b. 1-18-1781 d. 4-2-1876, wife Sarah Smith b.
3-10-1783 d. 9-15-1836, 2nd wife Martha
Curl b. 3-22-1793 d. 1-15-1884. Children: John born 12-23-1801
d. 1885 married Orphy Kelley, Jacob b. 3-1-1803 d. 3-22-1885 m. Fanny Jones, Fannie b.
7-18-1804 married James Reece, Nancy b. 1-23-1806 d. 9-14-1875 m. Edmund Debord, Ibby b. 3-29-1807 married Eli
Haynes, Matilda b. 2-20-1808 m. Wm. Gastineau, Sally b. 8-12-1810 d. 10-9-1850
married Samuel Regon 2nd John Cundiff, William b. 2-10-1812 d. 5-29-1835, Henry
Harrison b. 10-28-1831 d. 9-29-1896 married Polly Jones, Joshua b. 11-5-1815 d.
2-12-1905 m. Sallie Randolph, Josiah b. 6-30-1817 d. 3-20-1890 m. Sena Kelly,
Josephus b. 6-30-1817 d. 9-29-1817, Malissa b. 1-27-1820 d. 8-3-1863 married Miles
Wesley.
John Godbey, son of William of
Casey, moved to Missouri in 1865 and settled at Smithton, Petis Co. and was
killed by lightning aged 84. His
children were William Buck, a Methodist Preacher and noted evangelist and writer,
died 88, Josiah P. a Methodist Preacher now ('26) is superannuate, resident,
Fayette, Mo. Sallie married John
Pierce, Smithton, Mo., Martin deceased, died at Smithton, John K.
deceased. He was a Baptist Preacher
died at Smithton.
Jacob Cox Godbey, son of William of
Pulaski spent his life near the old home.
His children were Thomas Jefferson, a Methodist Preacher of the Ky.
Conference, now deceased, Ephraim-Hustonville, Ky., Elizabeth - married Robt.
Moore, Caroline, Matilda - deceased, William - lived at Humphrey, Ky., Fanny
Reece's children so far as I knew them were: John, Sam, Shelton, Sallie, Baber
and Lizzie. There were others no
doubt. John came with Josiah Godbey to
Missouri in 1852 married and settled in Monitor Co. Nancy Deboard. I know
nothing of this branch. Ibba Haynes
moved to Pettis Co., Mo. Had but one
child Sarah who married Robert McFarland.
Matilda Gastaneau I know nothing, Sallie Cundiff I know nothing, Wm. son
of William, I know nothing, Harrison died early leaving an only son Monroe
brought up by his Grandfather. His son
Perry, I met in 1905.
Joshua, son of William of Casey born
12-5-1815 died 2-12-1905 age 91. His
children were John born 8-11-1838, Josiah, Nimrod, William, James, Alexander,
Jeremiah, Perry, Susy, Josephus, Joseph, Ibby, Eli, Timothy. I do not think this is a full list or that
the names are in order of birth.
Joshua, the father, John, Josiah, James, Eli, Timothy were all Methodist
Preachers. Of the sons of Josiah I
record L. A. Dante, Va., George, Tipton, Ind., Josiah Jerngan President of
School at Arlington, Tex., Cisco ?, Ardmore, Okl.
JOSHIAH GODBEY'S FAMILY: Josiah, son
William Godbey of Casey Co., Ky. born 6-30-1817 died 4-20-1890, aged 73 years
married Sena Kelly born 5-25-1818 - 10-27-1836. Their children were: William Clinton born 9-15-1837, John Emory
8-11-1837, Martha Jane 6-16-1842, Milton April or Sept. 10, 1845, Sarah Hellen
11-13-1847, Samuel McGinnis 8-3-1850.
In 1852 they moved to Missouri.
Josiah 6-26-1853, Nancy Margaret 10-10-1856, Thomas Kelly 2-16-1858,
Alice 5-26-1863. Alice had infantile
paralysis and was the first to go away.
She died at the age of 26.
Josiah was next. He graduated
from Central College, Fayette Mo., was licensed to preach, joined the
Conference. Married Annie Priest of
Pettis Co. was transferred to Texas and died of tuburculosis at Monterey,
Mexico, aged 30 years. Milton was a
Physician. He married Roberta Simpson,
practiced medicine there and died at the age of 50. Nancy Margaret married Nathanniel Gower of Pettis Co., Mo. had three daughters and died of Tuburculosis
at the age of 34. Samuel McGinnis
graduated at Central College, Fayette Mo.
Was licensed to preach, served various charges in Missouri, transferred
to California, edited Pacific Methodist, returned to Mo., transferred to Ark.
taught Prarie Grove Academy, Located to Texas, President Cappell Hill Female
College, returned to S. W. Mo. Conference, made associate Editor Christian
Advocate Nashville, Professor in Hendrix College. Moved to Fla. and died at Waldo, Fla. 69 years of age. His children one son and two daughters
graduated at Vanderbilt. His son Robert
was a drill officer in the World War.
His daughter Lena translator of War orders into French and German and
out of these languages into English in War Office Washington, D. C. Lois was domestic science demonstrator in
which she is still engaged. The widow
and two daughters live at Barton, Florida.
William C. was a preacher and college President and he died in Chicago
at the age of 79. Martha Jane married Gerrase
Smith, a Methodist Preacher who died many years. Martha died aged 83.
Sarah Hellen married David Shy of Pettis Co., They reared a large family, two sons and five daughters. Both sons Physicians. One died last year the other Dr. Milton Shy
is in Sedaria or Sedana where his mother is still living.
Thomas K. married in Cooper Co., Mo.
and went to Waldo, Fla. where he has prospered as a horticulturalist and is
called the Burbank of Fla.
A matter to note is that of the six
sons of Josiah Godbey only William the eldest leave a child to perpetuate the
Godbey name. Williams sons are Allen H.
Prof. of Semetics in Duke University, Durham, N. C., Victor A. Presiding Elder
of Marshall District E. Texas Conference.
Prof. Ernest Godbey principal Public School Houston, Texas. Walter A. Principal of Shepherd School St.
Louis. J. ?. Godbey - my first wife and
four children. I leave now to
perpetuate the Godbey name. I was
married to my second wife in 1911. We
are in good health and comfortable circumstance and would be delighted to have
a visit from Josiah Jernigan Godbey.
* * * * *
COLONIAL
SURRY - Surry People Before the
Council and General Court - page 81
Death of Thomas Godby
Benefit of Clergy
Claimed
In March 1628
in Virginia, a person found guilty of manslaughter escaped death because he
could read and write. The persons
concerned in the case are not Surry people but it is thought this incident may
be of general interest.
One
William Bentley, who patented land in Elizabeth City in 1624 (C.P.), 50 - was
brought before the General Court on a charge of manslaughter. The first witness was Richard Rich, age 25,
who testified "that on the 8th day of February last, Thomas Godby, the
deceased, was at the house of William Parker at Merry Point, and that he, the
deponent, and divers others, drank between them five pints of burnt claret
wine, that Thomas Godby consumed about four cups of the same. At which time William Bentley, who had just
come ashore in a boat came into the house and asked if it were not their orders
when they heard men call to come and help them out of a boat, Whereupon Godby answered "do you think
we have nothing to do but to fetch you out of the water," ***
Bentley replied "hold your peace" and Godby called Bentley a
rascal and a rogue and Bentley did the like to him. Thereupon the said Bentley, sitting upon the bench on the left
side of Godby, struck him from the bench and presently rose up and gave him a
kick as he lay upon the ground.
*** Godby could not sit up but
tumbled down crying out, "Oh bentley, thou has kelled me", and also
said of him "I am cruelly foxed." *** And in the morning Godby was found dead in the said house."
William Bentley had pleaded
"not guilty" and had asked for a jury trial (Put himself upon the
Country). A jury of 12 men of whom one
was Francis Fowler of Surry, "found the said Bentley guilty of
manslaughter and he being asked what he had to say for himself that he ought
not to die demanded his clergy whereupon he was discharged to the
Ordinaray."
Before the ordinary in a church
court Bentley would be required to plead not guilty and to produce witnessess
who would state that they believed the defendant's oath. Nothing as to the fate of Bentley is shown
but he probably escaped further punishment as no witnessess were heard against
a prisoner in a church court and he was usually purged of the charge and set
free.
Thus it seems the English doctrine
of the Benefit of Clergy became a part of the Virginia laws.
In England, when a prisoner claimed
benefit of clergy, the text usually selected by the Court for him to read was
the first verse of the 51st Psalm beginning "Miserere mei deus",
"Lord have pity on me".
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The Roster of Confederate
Soldiers, 1861-1865
Godbey,
B.F. TX
16th Infantry Company C
Godbey, C. TN
63rd Infantry Chaplain
Godbey, E.C. General & Staff Chaplain
Godbey, Flavius
J. AR 23rd Infantry Company
K
Godbey,
George VA
129th Militia Carter's Company
Godbey, Jackson
VA 54th Infantry Company
B Captain
Godbey, James
H. VA 17th Cavalry Company
E
Godbey, John VA 4th Reserves Company
C
Godbey, L.C. VA Infantry 23rd Battalion Company
C
Godbey,Obediah VA 1st Cavalry State Line Company A
Godbey,
Thompson VA 4th Reserves Company
C
Godbey, T.S. VA 129th Militia Carter's
Co. 1st Sgt.
Godbey, W.G. AR 5th
Infantry Company
F 2nd
Lt.
Godbey, W.H.C. GA 8th
Infantry Company
D
Godby, A. VA Cavalry 37th Battalion Company
E
Godby, Alex VA Horse Artillery Jackson's
Company
Godby, Alex VA Local Defense Morehead's
Company
Godby, Benjamin
G. TX 1st Field Battery
Godby, Edmond
Rusel MS Infantry
1st
State Trooper Company E
Godby, Flavious
J. AR 23rd Infantry Company
K
Godby, French VA 36th
Infantry 2nd
Company D
Godby, George VA 36th
Infantry 2nd
Company D
Godby, Gordon
H. VA 36th Infantry Company
C
Godby, G.P. TN 19th
Infantry Company
A Sgt.
Godby, Jackson VA 4th
Reserves Company
H
Godby, James H.
VA 36th Infantry 2nd
Company C
Godby, J.C. GA INF 1st Local Troops Company
B
Godby, J.M. TN 13th Infantry Company
A, E
Godby, John GA 66th Infantry Company
F
Godby, John W. TX 32nd
Cavalry Company E
Godby, Moses VA Cavalry
Swann's Battalion Watkins' Company
Godby, Obediah
D. VA 36th Infantry 2nd
Company D
Godby, Samuel AL 16th
Infantry Company
F
Godby, Stephen GA Heavy
Artillery 22nd Battalion Company B
Godby, Stephen GA 2nd
Militia Company
E
Godby, Thomas GA Militia
Camden City (Mtd)
Godby, Thomas MS 10th
Infantry Old
Company E
Godby, Tolbert
S. VA 36th Infantry 2nd
Company D
Godby, W.H. GA 2nd Militia Company
E
Godby, William AL 16th
Infantry Company
F
Godby, William 3rd CSA Engineer Troops Company D
Godby, William
G. GA 3rd Reserves Company
I
Godby, William
J. MS 35th Infantry Company
A
Godby, William
J. VA 30th Battalion Sharpshooters Company A
Godby, W.J. TN 3rd (Forrest's) Cavalry Company B
Godby, W.S. AR Cavalry McGehee's Regt.
Company D 2nd Lt.
Godby, W.S. AR 5th Infantry Company
A 2nd
Lt.
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