Elizabeth (Ainge) Godfrey (1798 - 1877)

Born 18 Mar 1798 in Church Lench, Worcestershire, England

Ancestors

Wife of Thomas Godfrey — married about 1824 in Hanbury, Worcestershire, England

Descendants

Died 9 May 1877 at age 79 in Clarkston, Cache, Utah, United States

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Biography

Elizabeth was the first of seven children. John Ainge is not Elizabeth's biological father, but after he and Mary Wimlott (or Whimlott - also written Whimlett) were married he raised Elizabeth as his own. Some records are unclear ---suggesting John Anige's wife was Sarah Bradley, but a self-endowment card in the Family History library records state Elizabeth's mother was Mary Wimlott. A marriage license for her parents is dated 19 December 1799 at Church Lench. With information that suggests Elizabeth's sister Sophia had another mother, it is likely Mary Wimlott Ainge died, perhaps before the second Elizabeth was born as well.

She joined the Mormon Church about 1848 shortly after her son John Godfrey was baptized. He was the first Godfrey to join the church and she was the second.

Tradition suggests Thomas and Elizabeth immigrated aobut 1865. Their granddaughter, Comfort Elizabeth Godfrey says, "My grandpatents came in 1865" in the records of Larry Talbot of Salt Lake. However, at the DUP Museum the record says 1866 and quotes Comfort Elzabeh Godfrey Flinders. Their son John Godfrey and his wife Mary Pittaway Godfrey and family came in 1862 on the William Tapscott sailing ship and church records show Elizabeth also emigrating then. However, ship records seem to indicate Thomas and their son Samuel (their deaf son, according to Daisy (Mrs. Joe) Godfrey) came in 1868, with Elizabeth following in 1869.

An Elizabeth Godfrey, "age 59" sailed form Liverpool on the Manhatten September 22, 1869 from Stoke---which seems to fit, except for the age. Elizabeth would have been 71 if she came in 1869. Her deposit in the Perpetual Emigration fund was 14 pounds, 14 shilings, with a balance due of 16 pounds, 5 schillings. The record shows 40 shillings was returned (Historian's office CR 271/25#3-Emigration from Liverpool, British Mission 1863-1874.)

Since this is the only indication of their emigration it seems logical that these dates are correct, despite the oral traditions carried down and later recorded.

The British church records show the family's records were received from Crossing Green. They also indicate the custom of re-baptizing was in effect, and several, including Elizabeth were baptized more than once.

Both Thomas and Elizabeth and their son Samuel are buired int he Clarkston cemetery in Cache County.

Sources

• Ancestors and descendants of Lydia Gover and John Ezekiel Godfrey

Researched and compiled by Elinor Godfrey Hyde Transcribed by Angela Harris