BottomThe Godfreys
The first mention of Godfreys in the Garsington parish registers occurs with the baptism of John, son of John Godfrey, on 24th June 1744. The registers go on to record the baptisms of a large family - Edward (b.1746), Mary (b.1749), Ann (b.1752), Elizabeth (b.1755), Joan (b.1757), Richard (b.1760), and Thomas (b.1762).
John, Edward and Thomas all married and produced families. Thomas, the youngest, married Mary and in 1791 James was born, followed by Elizabeth (b.1792), Thomas (b.1796), Susanna (b.1799), Mary (b.1801), and Ann (b.1803)
The marriage of Thomas Godfrey (b.1796) and Elizabeth Grant is recorded on 24th November 1817. Their children were Charles (b.1819), Richard (b.1822), Henry (b.1824), Ann (b.1827), Kezia (b.1829), Levi (b.1832), Vincent (b.1838) and Harriet (b.1840)
Garsington registers record the baptisms of 69 Godfrey children between 1744 and 1852, and 33 Godfrey deaths between 1771 and 1853.
Thomas Godfrey (b.1796) and his family at the time of the1841 Census. The only address given is Garsington.
|
Name |
Age |
Occupation |
Whether Born in County |
|
Thomas Godfrey |
45 |
Yes |
|
|
Elizabeth Godfrey |
40 |
Yes |
|
|
Charles Godfrey |
20 |
Yes |
|
|
Richard Godfrey |
20 |
Yes |
|
|
Henry Godfrey |
15 |
Yes |
|
|
Levi Godfrey |
9 |
Yes |
|
|
Vincent Godfrey |
3 |
Yes |
|
|
Harriet Godfrey |
6 months |
Yes |
There were 6 families called Godfrey living in Garsington in 1841. A total of 30 individuals. They included James, a 35 year old thatcher, and Charles, a baker, also 35.
At the time of the 1851 census there were 22 Godfreys in Garsington, by 1861 the numbers had gone down to 16, and by 1871 they had dropped to 10. In 1881 only Charles (b.1819), his wife Harriet and their children remained.
Name Relation to Head of Household Age Occupation Place of Birth Charles Godfrey Head 62 Agricultural Labourer Garsington, Oxon Harriet Godfrey Wife 54 Garsington, Oxon Richard Godfrey Son 22 Agricultural Labourer Garsington, Oxon Emma Godfrey Daughter 20 Farm Servant Garsington, Oxon John Godfrey Son 15 Agricultural Labourer Garsington, Oxon Harriet Godfrey Daughter 5 months Garsington, Oxon
The figures reflect the national picture. During the 19th century tens of thousands of men, women and children left the country for the towns. In 1851 for the first time more people were living in towns than in the country and, by 1881, there were over twice as many.
What became of the Godfreys who chose to leave Garsington ? The 1881 census index reveals James (b.1828) living in Oxford and Henry (b.1825) living in Cowley. Richard Godfrey (b.1822) married Eliza Rawlings, whose brother, Charles, emigrated to Ontario. The baptism of Richard and Eliza's son, Simeon, is recorded in the Garsington registers on 22nd February 1852, but after that, there is no record of them.
By 1891 John Godfrey was living with his young family at South End, Garsington.
Name Relationship to Head of Household Age Occupation Place of Birth John Godfrey Head 27 Agricultural Labourer Garsington, Oxon Emily Godfrey Wife 31 Garsington, Oxon Herbert Pym Son 8 Scholar Garsington, Oxon John Pym Son 6 Scholar Garsington, Oxon Eliza Godfrey Daughter 4 Scholar Garsington, Oxon William Godfrey Son 1 Garsington, Oxon
William (b.1890) married Annie Elizabeth Simms on 18th April 1917. He was at the time in the Royal Army Medical Corps. His father, John, gave his occupation on the marriage certificate as shepherd.
William returned to the village after the war. He and his wife, Annie, became licensees at the Red Lion p.h. and there raised two children, William and Margaret.
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