Augustus Frederick Godson (1835 - 1906)

Ancestors

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Eldred Godson [send private message]

Biography

Name: Augustus Frederick Godson. Given Name: Augustus Frederick. Surname: Godson. A Given name was found in addition to a first name in the NAME tag.

Born 1835

Died 1906

Note: {geni:about_me} Sir Augustus Frederick Godson, MP for Kidderminster, from 1886 until 1906. At the end of article 3.3 I mentioned that a mortuary and chapel were built in his memory at Mill St Hospital, Kidderminster. Here is a picture of the chapel from a Supplement to the Kidderminster News, dated 5th March 1908. Does anyone know if the chapel still exists?.

The museum store contains a Founder’s jewel for Godson Lodge, No. 2385, presented to the Master of the Lodge, Enoch Wood in 1891. The jewel features the Godson arms of six martlets on a red background with a gold bar across the centre, as shown on the front of this newsletter. I had better not include the photograph of this without obtaining copyright permission. These arms were used, with the motto ‘FORWARD’, by Sir Augustus Frederick Godson [Chart BD3], and I learnt that Lodge No. 2385 at Oldbury, Worcestershire is named after him. He served as Provincial Grand Master of Worcestershire (1895-1906) as well as MP for Kidderminster (1886-1906).

I believe a Godson Lodge No 2385 medal has been auctioned recently at the Malvern Auction Centre in Worcestershire, and no, I didn’t bid for it. And I know a Godson Lodge still exists in Worcestershire (they are presently among the sponsors of a fundraising expedition through Africa). But why Lodge No 330 had its Godson association remains a mystery – I’m hoping the Library and Museum of Freemasonry will reply eventually to my enquiry!.

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Sir Edmund Lechmere was succeeded as Provincial Grand Master by Sir Augustus Frederick Godson, the MP for Kidderminster, who was honoured after his death with a beautiful three-pane memorial window in Malvern Priory.

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"At a meeting of the Lechmere Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 59 Worcester, held at the Masonic Hall, Worcester on August 14th 1884, it was proposed by W Bro W Barkley PGD and seconded by Bro Henry Wilson, Worshipful Master, that the Grand Master for Mark masonry, The Earl of Kintore, be solicited that he will, under Regulation No.54 of the Constitutions of Grand Mark Lodge grant a Provincial Grand Lodge for a Province of Worcestershire. The said Province having now two successful Mark Lodges; and this Lodge further recommends that W Bro Augustus Frederick Godson be the first Provincial Grand Master.". The motion being put from the Chair was unanimously carried. Four days later, on 18th August 1884, at a meeting of Godson Lodge of Mark Master Masons, Bro GR Green, proposed a similar proposition which was also carried unanimously. On the 8th December 1884 at the Masonic Chambers, 95 High Street, Worcester, under the Banner of the Lechmere Lodge of Mark Master Masons No 59, the first Meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark master Masons of Worcestershire was held for the Installation of Bro Augustus Frederick Godson as Provincial Grand Mark Master. The second meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge was held under the banner of Godson Lodge on Monday 15th February 1885 at the Masonic Hall, Kidderminster, when the Provincial Grand Master presided. 2009 sees the 125th anniversary of the Mark Province of Worcestershire and the growth from just 2 Lodges to 21 Mark Lodges and 15 RAM Lodges, representing over 500 Mark Masons. Provincial Grand Masters of Worcestershire.

1884-1906 Augustus F Godson, MP. 1907-1919 Lord Athlumney. 1919-1933 William T Page. 1934-1946 CD Eaton. 1946-1950 RM Hadley. 1950-1960 Vernon W Grosvenor. 1960-1968 William S Burton. 1969-1981 Frank Clifford. 1981-1986 GE Rackstraw. 1986-1993 Rev Canon A Webb. 1993-1998 Dr JHH Oliver. 1998-2005 Colin Woodward. 2005- Francis C Spencer.

File File: http:/photos.geni.com/p13/7b/89/e4/87/53444839c4cc66c0sir_augustus_frederick_godson_by_sir_john_bennjamin_stone_1898_npg_original.jpg?no_ssl=true. Format: jpg.

Sources

• Unsourced family tree handed down to Eldred Godson.