Descendants of Peter Godfrey

Peter Godfrey of Newbury, Ma. was born in England in 1631 and died 05 October 1697 at Newbury; he disposed in 1661 as being age 30 and in 1669 as age 38. The prevailing consensus is that he was the younger brother of John Godfrey, an early settler of Essex County who was born in 1622. There was a John Godfrey who came on the ship Mary and John, sailing 24 March 1638 who settled in Newbury; he was born in 1611. Chronologically, this John could be the father of our Peter but he could not be the father of John Godfrey who was born in 1622, the presumed brother of our Peter. As such, without further evidence, we do not show John, born in 1611, as being the father of our Peter Godfrey. On 13 May 1656 at Newbury, Peter Godfrey married Mary Brown who was born in Newbury in 1636 and died in Newbury on 15 April 1715 in her 81^st year of age. She was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Healy Brown of Newbury. Peter Godfrey could write and was possessed of some education. He signed the Oath of Allegiance in 1678.

Peter Godfrey, husbandman (farmer) made his will on 06 March 1693 which was proved 05 October 1697. In this will he notes that he had given to his two eldest daughters, i.e., Mary and Margaret, “in a way of portion what was and is my will”; he gives 10 L each to his three youngest daughters, i.e., Elizabeth, Joanna, and Sarah; son James “shall have a my lot of land in Newbury upon the commons plus 10 L in good pay”; he gives his son Andrew, who is unable to care for himself, one half of my freehold lot in Newbury if he is capable to make use of same; if not capable, this lot along with the rest of my real and personal property is bequeathed to my son Peter, Jr. who will fully provide for me, my wife and if necessary Andrew, what is required for them during their natural life”. Peter Godfrey, Jr. was designated as executor of Peter, Sr’s will. Peter Godfrey, Sr. was evidently a hard working farmer who provided for his family and managed to accumulate some additional land and nominal cash estate.

As noted above, Peter and Mary Brown Godfrey had eight surviving children as well as a daughter, Mary (1), who died nine months after birth. All of the children were born in Newbury, Ma. Their first child was Andrew who was born 03 March 1657 but was incompetent, i.e., unable to take care of himself. The second child was Mary (1) as noted above who was born 21 October1657 and died 01 November 1657. Their third child was Mary (2) who was born 23 January 1661 and married John Ordway on 05 December 1681. Daughter Margaret, who was born 09 October 1663, to come. Daughter Elizabeth was born 08 February 1667 and married, as his second wife, on 08 July 1704, Joseph Pillsbury. Son Peter, Jr. was born 24 November 1669 and married Hannah Poore on 10 September 1703. Daughter Joanna was born on 16 March 1672 and was living unmarried in 1693. Son James was born 09 March 1677 and married Hannah Kimball on 10 February 1700. Daughter Sarah was born 07 April 1680 and was living in 1693.

References: PH7:307; PH17:V2:266; PH71:V13:120; PH81:272; PH87:265; PH97:74 PH222:V7:156; PH226:V1:436-437; FH21:745-746; EA:V13:120

Margaret Godfrey, the fourth born and third surviving child of Peter and Mary Brown Godfrey was born on 09 October 1663 and died 08 November 1706 at Newbury. She married, on 12 July 1681at Newbury, Ma, Joseph Richardson who was born on 18 May 1655 and died on 04 May 1724. He was the son of William and Elizabeth Wiseman Richardson of Newbury, Ma.

References:PH7:623; PH71:V13:120; PH17:V2:266; FH21:746; FH247:814-817