
School
National Schools, Guithavon Street
Residences
Family lived at 27 Bridge Street and Bert was there till he married, then at 2 St Nicholas Road. Then moved to Tenerife c 1990 and lived with daughter Maureen till died when aged about 90.
Jobs
Paper round at school.
Apprentice printer (Davis, 70 Newland Street, later Clarkes) from age 14-21. After 1945 went to Clarkes at Chelmsford.
His brothers’ jobs
Henry Charles (Charles), first in garden, then Hoffmans at Chelmsford, then in the army and killed in Belgium in 1917.
Arthur Stanley a baker, Pratts in Newland Street at first.
Harold, started with Marshall shop in Newland Street, then to Luckin Smith driving van, then in Fire Service.
Extracts from relevant documents
Witham census returns
1851 census, HO 107/1783, f.211, schedule 115, Mill Street, no. 7 Pattisson Terrace [later Mill Lane]
James Godfrey Head M 22 Porter to ironmonger born Essex, Wickham Bishops
Sarah Godfrey Wife M 24 born Essex, Witham
1861 census, RG 9/1107, f.78. p.15, schedule 83, Butler’s Chase
[later known as Lawn Chase]
James Godfrey Head M 32 Porter born Essex, Wickham Bishops
Sarah Godfrey Wife M 34 born Essex, Witham
Carry Godfrey Daur 7 Scholar born Essex, Witham
Elizabeth Godfrey Daur 3 Scholar born Essex, Witham
James Godfrey Son 8 mo born Essex, Witham
1871 census, RG 10/1695, f.10, p.11, schedule 59, Bridge Street
[probably what is now no. 27]
James Godfrey Head Mar 42 Ironmonger’s porter born Essex, Wickham Bishops
Sarah Godfrey Wife Mar 44 born Essex, Witham
Elizabeth Godfrey Dau Unm 13 Scholar born Essex, Witham
James Godfrey Son 10 Scholar born Essex, Witham
Jane Godfrey Dau 7 Scholar born Essex, Witham
Louisa Godfrey Dau 4 Scholar born Essex, Witham
Henry Godfrey Son 2 born Essex, Witham
1881 census, RG 11/1809, f.5, p.3, schedule 15, ‘14’ Bridge Street
[probably what is now no. 27]
James Godfrey Head Marr 52 Ironmonger’s porter born Essex, Wickham Bishops
Sarah Godfrey Wife Marr 54 born Essex, Witham
James Godfrey Son S 20 Hotel ostler [deleted and ‘servant’ written over] born Essex, Witham
Henry Godfrey Son S 12 Scholar born Essex, Witham
1891 census, RG 12/1425, f.6, p.6, schedule 39, Bridge Street
[probably what is now no. 27]
James Godfrey Head Widr 62 Ironmonger’s porter born Essex, Wickham Bishops
Carrie Godfrey Dau S 37 born Essex, Witham (chronic rheumatism)
Louisa Godfrey Daur S 34 Housekeeper born Essex, Witham
Henry Godfrey Son S 22 Grocer’s porter born Essex, Witham
William G Cheek Boarder S 21 Chemist’s porter born Essex, White Notley
Essex Weekly News, 14 April 1891

1901 census, RG 13/1725, f.6, p.3, schedule 15, Bridge Street
[probably what is now no. 27]
Henry Godfrey Head M 32 Grocer’s warehouseman (worker) born Essex, Witham
Florence Godfrey Wife M 30 born Essex, Black Notley
Henry C Godfrey Son 2 born Essex, Witham
Arthur S Godfrey born Essex, Witham
Later children included Herbert James Godfrey, born 1906?
Miscellaneous
James[?] Godfrey . Notes of Mrs Peecock said that Harry Godfrey was ‘carman’ at Carrington Wilson, ironmongers. Probably meant James, his father, who was in the census as ironmonger’s assistant. No date (ERO Acc A10510)
Harry Godfrey. See photos JG’s M129-M133, including wedding of Harry Godfrey and Florence. Harry was a warehouseman at Spurge’s drapers, Newland Street
Henry C Godfrey was in the Essex Regiment in the First World War and was killed. He is on Witham War memorial and Commonwealth War Graves web site, which gives the following: HENRY CHARLES GODFREY, Private 32404, 1st Bn., Essex Regiment, who died on Thursday 16 August 1917 . Age 19 . Son of Henry and Florence Godfrey, of 27, Bridge St., Witham, Essex. TYNE COT MEMORIAL Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Panel 98 to 99.
Essex County Chronicle, 19 January 1917
page 6, see xerox on newspaper file. ‘Witham Church School. Children and parents and friends, distribution of certificate for full attendance. Songs, and address by the Vicar. Vast opportunities. Boys had won the County’s Challenge shield this month for their attendance. Mrs F Round presented the certificates. ‘Little Ellen Bright’ thanked her and the Vicar. List of winners. Includes H Godfrey, A Poulter, W Peirce.
A lot of work has gone into this, well done.
I am related to the Godfrey`s of Brightlingsea who spread out to Suffolk, Colchester, Jersey, Coggershall and then Braintee, if any connection please feel free to get in touch.
Good to hear from you. Jim/Bert Godfrey used to be my next-door neighbour until he moved to Tenerife to live with his daughter. I think his grandson might have done some work on the family – would you like to hear from him if I can track him down ?
All the best, Janet
My name is Keith Godfrey I am related to James Godfrey 1797-1880, spouse was Kitty Handley 1801-1873, residing in either Witham or Witham Bishops. I believe James parents were James and Elizabeth Godfrey but I am having difficulty finding information now.
Kind Regards
Keith Godfrey
Hello Keith
I can see James and Kitty on the Gyford family tree here in my website, which I think you have seen. James is given there as being a son of Robert.
I don’t suppose you recognised any of their sons as being ancestors of yours – Cornelius b.1826, James b.1828 or Robert b.1850 ?
As I’m sure you know, to work out your family history, you really need to start with yourself and work backwards in time. You might meet up with that family or you might not.
There’s a great deal of information online now but I am not very familiar with it.
Sorry I can’t be more help.
I haven managed to trace my Godfrey contact, so am sending a separate reply. I hope you find it, replies seem to pop up in different places.