George’s parents, Edward and Margaret (nee Bickle) married in Marystow in 1764 and George was the seventh of eight known children: Mary (1765), John (1768), Edward (1771), Margarett (1773), Henry (1776), Grace (1778), George (1781) and Prothesia (1783). He is my 4 x great-grandfather….
He was certainly an interesting character although, as he lived most of his life before any censuses were taken, the only records available to trace him are the entries in parish records. George first married in Lifton on 4 March 1806 to Elizabeth Palmer, the daughter of Solomon and Joanna (nee Gould) Palmer of Lifton. Seven children were born of the couple:
- Joanna baptised 3 April 1806 Lifton, buried 14 May 1806 Lifton (of Stowford)
- Edward born 27 April 1808, baptised 7 June 1808 Stowford, buried 27 January 1834 Mary Tavy
- Elizabeth baptised 11 March 1811 Mary Tavy
- Mary baptised 27 September 1812 Mary Tavy
- John baptised 7 November 1814 Mary Tavy
- George baptised 13 April 1817 Mary Tavy
- William baptised 23 May 1819 Mary Tavy
When William was just 6 or 7 years old, his mother Elizabeth died and George Goddard was left with six children aged between 6/7 and 18 years old. He married less than six months after his first wife died, to Ann(e) Floyd on 27 October 1826 in Mary Tavy. They had fourteen years together though she also predeceased George, dying in September 1840 aged 62.
The 1841 census is challenging to read for Mary Tavy though George is clearly evident, aged 55, with four other Godard residents at the same address: Elizabeth, John, George and William (HO107/233/4/4/1). There is also a Mary Floyd aged 20 and George Maunder aged 2, suggesting that although Elizabeth Godard did not marry George Maunder until 12 October 1841, she may have had George by George Maunder prior to their marriage…..
And George Godard married for a third time in 1841 in Tavistock…..
Sidwill Frise, nee Cudlip, was also a widow when they married on 23 June 1841. In his will of 1847, George made it quite clear his wishes with regard to money which his ‘loving wife’ should receive, stating that Sidwill should be given ‘three shillings per week, that is to say twelve shillings per week …. as long as she shall remain a widow but if she marry she is not to have any more pay from my Executors…’.
His will also highlights that not one but two of his daughters married two Maunder gentlemen of Mary Tavy – Elizabeth Godard married George Maunder and Mary Godard married William Maunder…. two Godard sisters married two Maunder brothers!
