Upper Level: Swett

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Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Richard Godfrey 1735-1825 Lydia Doane 1741

Richard Godfrey
Parents: George Godfrey and Mercy Knowles
Born 1735 Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts
Occupation: Mariner

Married Lydia Doane 23 Dec 1756 Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts

Note: Marriage intention (engagement) announced 4 Dec 1756 Chatham Barnstable, Massachusetts

Marriage record for Richard Godfrey and Lydia Doane
Transcription: December 23, 1756 the marriage covenant was solemnized between Richard Godfrey jr (not sure why it claims Jr., as his father's name is George) and Lydia Doane, both of Chatham, before the Reverend Mr. Stephen Emery, the Minister of the Gospel at Chatham, as appears under his hand so to me James Covel, Town Clerk

Died after 1800 Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts

Buried
Sources
North America, Family Histories

Marriage: Massachusetts Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records
Mayflower Births and Deaths Vol 1 and 2

Mayflower Families Through Five Generations; Volume 6 (Stephen Hopkins), John D. Austin, General Society of Mayflower Descendants; Plymouth, Massachusetts; 1992, Page number: entry 425, page 454, child i (meaning first child)
1800 US Census Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts
New England Historical and Genealogical Register page 46 Vol 127

Occupation: his son-in-law's estate papers

AGBI

Family Search
ancestry.com

Lydia Doane
Parents: Colonel Joseph Doane and Dorcas Eldredge

Born 25 May 1741 Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts

Died

Buried
Sources
Marriage: Massachusetts Town Clerk, Vital and Town Records

North America, Family Histories

New England Historical and Genealogical Register page 46 Vol 127

Mayflower Births and Deaths Vol 1 and 2

AGBI

Family Search
ancestry.com

CHILDREN
Richard and Lydia's family according to book,
Chatham statistics and Town Meetings

Doane Godfrey
Born 11 Dec 1759 Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts
Military: Private, Revolutionary War, Massachusetts 16th Regiment, Enlisted 8 Sep 1777. He was still there in December.
Married ?
Died
Buried
Sources
Birth: Massachusetts Town and Vital Records
Book: Mayflower Births and Deaths Vol 1 & 2
Military: U.S. Revolutionary War Rolls
AGBI
Family Search
ancestry.com
Joseph Godfrey
Born 11 Jan 1763 Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts
Married?
Died Perhaps died young?
Buried
Sources
Birth: Massachusetts Town and Vital Records
Book: Mayflower Births and Deaths Vol 1 & 2
New England Historical and Genealogical Register
AGBI
Family Search
ancestry.com
Molly Godfrey
Born: 26 May 1766 Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts
Married: Captain Levi Young 25 Mar 1788 Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts

Children: Joseph, Phoebe, Lydia, Eliza, Polly, Levi, Joshua, Richard, Mercy, Asenath

Levi Young and Molly's marriage record
Note: Their marriage intention was published 15 Mar 1788

Note: Levi, a mariner, died before 14 January 1810, as proven in probate/estate papers.

Molly on 14 January 1810 gave permission for her father, Richard Godfrey, to become administrator of her late-husband's estate.

Her brothers (James and Benjamin) were also signers on the estate papers. Between them and their father, they had to pay the Judge $4,000 and had to make a full inventory list by 30 April 1810.

The children (Joseph, Phebe, and Lydia, who was not listed among their children prior to this) signed a letter stating they wished their mother to be their legal guardian on 1 May 1810. The letter was also signed by Richard Godfrey, their grandfather.

The problem is that Levi left behind an enormous debt of $1109.55 (the equivalent of $21,615.45 in 2020). Molly had no means of income that I've found.

26 June 1810, Richard had posted the auction in The Eagle (newspaper) printed in Castine, Maine and given the court a copy. He made sure he had it posted in public for three weeks prior to the auction.

The required court-ordered public post of the auction of Levi's and Molly's belongings

Partial Transcription (couldn't read all of it):
Notice: to be sold at public auction by order of cort at the dwelling house of Molly Young the 25th day of July next at two of the ...in the after noone the estate of Levi Young late of Orrington, deceased, consisting 31 acres of land, half of a good dweling house - wood house with a good well of water under the same and half of a good barne said estate...the county made and is within half a mile of ... John Brewer

Also at the same time and place will be sold by order of Hon. Jbe Nelson, Esqr, Judge of .... the reversion of widowes dower consisting of half a good house and ...acres land conditions made known at the time and ....of sale

Orrington, April 15, 1814 (signature of Richard Godfrey, Molly's father)
Adjoined to August the seventh at the same place when with her sold to the administrator without ...... (followed by another signature of Richard's)

27 June 1810, Richard petitioned the Judge and claimed the estate was insolvent.

6 February 1812 Richard again petitioned the court stating that after the "widow's third" had been given to the widow (Molly) and everything else sold (land, etc.) there wasn't enough money to pay the claims against the estate. After selling all they could, they only came up with $544.55.

On 24 March 1812, the petition was granted.

Died after April 15, 1814 - since Richard presumably dated the last part of the auction post that way

Buried
Sources
Birth: Massachusetts Town and Vital Records
Book: Mayflower Births and Deaths Vol 1 & 2
North America, Family Histories

New England Historical and Genealogical Register
AGBI
Maine Wills and Probate Records, Hancock estate files 1790-1915, Images 1827-1848

Family Search
ancestry.com
Captain Richard Godfrey
Born 20 Aug 1769 Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts

Occupation: Mariner?
Married Mercy Young 15 Feb 1790 Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts

Children: Doane, Elisha, Richard, Mercy, Lydia, Alva, Phebe, David

Richard Godfrey and Mercy Young's family

Died 5 October 1827 Orrington, Penobscot, Maine
Buried
Sources
Book: Mayflower Births and Deaths Vol 1 & 2

Marriage: Massachusetts Town and Vital Records

1810 US Census Orrington, Penobscot, Maine

1820 US Census Orrington, Penobscot, Maine

AGBI Vol 64 page 58

New England Historical and Genealogical Register

Death: US newspaper extractions from the Northeast and listed as posted in the Columbian Centinel newspaper, 14 Nov 1827 issue

Family Search
ancestry.com
George Godfrey
Born 23 May 1771 Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts
Married?
Died May have died young
Buried
Sources
Birth: Massachusetts Town and Vital Records

Book: Mayflower Births and Deaths Vol 1 & 2

New England Historical and Genealogical Register page 47 Vol 127

AGBI Vol 64 p 35

Family Search
ancestry.com
Polly Godfrey
Born 12 Jun 1773 Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts

Note: also seen her name as Paula
Married?
Died
Buried
Sources

Birth: Massachusetts Town and Vital Records

Book: Mayflower Births and Deaths Vol 1 & 2

AGBI page 47 Vol 127

Family Search
ancestry.com

Lydia's headstone
*Lydia Godfrey

-H-
4th Ggrandmother

Born 9 May 1775 Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts
Married 1) Isaiah Nickerson 12 Oct 1793 Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts
Children: George, Ruth, Isaiah, Polly, Lydia
2) William Parsons 13 Dec 1807 Massachusetts

Died 14 Sep 1836 Sangerville, Piscataquis, Maine

Buried: Knowlton Mills Cemetery, Sangerville, Piscataquis, Maine

Sources

Birth: Massachusetts Town and Vital Records

Book: Mayflower Births and Deaths Vol 1 & 2

AGBI page 47 Vol 127

Family Search
ancestry.com

Dorcas Godfrey Knowles headstone
Dorcas Godfrey
Born 31 Jul 1777 Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts
Married Dr. Abner Knowles 9 Jul 1795 Eastham, Barnstable, Massachusetts

Children: Chloe, Hannah, Narcissa, Dorcas, Mary, Abner, Ruth, Lydia, Jerusha, Eliza, Hezekiah
Died 1846 Dexter, Penobscot, Maine
Buried Elmwood Cemetery, Dexter, Penobscot, Maine
Sources

Birth: Massachusetts Town and Vital Records

Book: Mayflower Births and Deaths Vol 1 & 2

AGBI page 47 Vol 127

Family Search
ancestry.com

Headstone: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/100495530/dorcas-knowles
James Godfrey
Born 15 Aug 1779 Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts
Married Mehitable Swett 2 Dec 1802 Orrington, Penobscot, Maine

Children: Lavina, Mehitable, Elmira, Alfred, George, Patty, Betsey, Alfred, Sarah

Died 15 Mar 1844 Orrington, Penobscot, Maine

Buried: Dean Hill Cemetery, Orrington, Penobscot, Maine
Sources

Birth: Massachusetts Town and Vital Records

Book: Mayflower Births and Deaths Vol 1 & 2

AGBI page 38 Vol 64

North America, Family Histories

Family Search
ancestry.com

Memorial: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84364345/james-godfrey
Benjamin Godfrey
Born 9 May 1782 Chatham, Barnstable, Massachusetts
Married Polly Gould 30 Dec 1812 Orrington, Penobscot, Maine
Children: Dorcas, Sarah, Benjamin, Louisa, Anna, James, Cinderilla, Mary

Benjamin and Patty's family

Died

Buried
Sources

Birth: Massachusetts Town and Vital Records

New England Historical and Genealogical Register page 46 Vol 127

Book: Mayflower Births and Deaths Vol 1 & 2

AGBI page 26 Vol 64

North America, Family Histories

Family Search
ancestry.com

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Anson Lowell 1798- 1843 Mary F Baker 1795

-H-
4th great grandfather
Anson Lowell
Parents: Nathaniel Lowell and Lois Colson

Born 30 Nov 1798 Bucksport, Hancock, Maine
Married Mary F Baker 19 Nov 1815 Orrington, Penobscot, Maine
Note: On Maine Marriages, they have 17 Dec 1815 as the date. Perhaps the February date is the engagement date - or banns. In Bucksport Town records it lists that the marriage was 'published' 5 Nov 1815 and 'certified' 19 Nov 1815 in Bucksport, Hancock, Maine.

Died 30 Jan 1844 Bucksport, Hancock, Maine (age 43y)

Probate: 15 January 1845

Anson's headstone. Note the year 1844. If he was 45 and 3 months, that would mean he was born in Oct.

Buried Riverview Cemetery, Bucksport, Hancock, Maine

Sources
FGS listing: Bucksport Town Records, Vol 2, Vol 3
Marriage: Maine Marriages 1771-1907 Film 11724 Batch I00651-0 AND
Book: The historic genealogy of the Lowells of America from... by Delmar R Lowell p 669

Headstone: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/72724832/anson-lowell

11 Feb 1815: Though listed in Maine Marriages, I believe that through common sense/logic, that is is actually Anson and Mary's engagement record.

5 Nov 1815: Here Anson and Mary are already married (She is referred to as a wife, not Miss Mary Baker). and are being granted a certificate of marriage on 17 Dec 1815.

Mary Thompson "Molly" Baker
Parents: Moses Baker and Martha Atwood

Born 19 October 1793 Orrington, Penobscot, Maine

Mary (Molly) and siblings' birth record from page 18 of Maine Births and Christenings.
I have also seen in another original source with a different birth date: 19 Nov 1793 in Wellfleet, Barnstable, Massachusetts

Died 16 December 1857 Bucksport, Hancock, Maine

Mary Thompson Baker Lowell's headstone

Buried Riverview Cemetery, Bucksport, Hancock, Maine
Sources
Birth: Maine Births and Christenings, page 18 Image 41 (seen above)

Birth: Massachusetts Town and Vital Records Note: her name is given as Molly in the record

AGBI (shows her name as Molly)

1850 US Census Bucksport, Hancock, Maine (age 55)

Book: The historic genealogy of the Lowells of America... by Delmar R Lowell p 667
Headstone: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/72725017/mary-lowell

CHILDREN

Sarah's headstone
Sarah Ann Lowell

Born Abt Nov 1816 Bucksport, Hancock, Maine

Married Solomon Swett 1 Mar 1836 Orrington, Penobscot, Maine

Marriage record for Sarah and Solomon

Children: Ezekiel, Solomon, Nathaniel, Rachel, Mary, Charles, Francis, George, Samuel

Died 21 December 1888 Brewer, Penobscot, Maine

Buried Oak Hill Cemetery, Brewer, Penobscot, Maine
Sources
1860 US Census Shirley, Piscataquis, Maine (age 43)

1870 US Census Brewer, Penobscot, Maine (age 53)

1877 US City Directory Bangor, Maine (husband is listed, but she is a widow)

1880 US Census Brewer, Penobscot, Maine (age 63)

Marriage: Maine Marriages 1771-1907 Film 11724 Batch I00651-0
Book: The historic genealogy of the Lowells of America from... by Delmar R Lowell p 677

Headstone: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98354291/sarah-ann-swett

-H-
3rd Great grandmother
*Martha A Lowell
Born 30 Aug 1820 Bucksport, Hancock, Maine
Married William Willey Quimby 1 May 1836 Bucksport, Hancock, Maine
Children: Mary, Dorcas, Levinia, William, Fannie, George, Josiah, Silas

Died 13 April 1897 Bucksport, Hancock, Maine

COD: La Grippe (Flu)

Martha's Death Record

Buried Hillside Cemetery, Bucksport, Hancock, Maine

Martha's headstone

Sources

1850 US Census Bucksport, Hancock, Maine (age 30)

1860 US Compiled Census Bucksport, Hancock, Maine (age 40 )

1870 US Census Bucksport, Hancock, Maine (age 50 )

1880 US Census Bucksport, Hancock, Maine (age 60 )

Book: The historic genealogy of the Lowells of America from... by Delmar R Lowell p 677

Maine U.S. Death Records

Maine U.S. Wills and Probate Records

Headstone: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/72720534/martha-a.-quimby
Nathaniel Lowell
Born abt 1822 Bucksport, Hancock, Maine
Unmarried

Died

Buried

Sources

1850 US Census Bucksport, Hancock, Maine (age 27)

Book: The historic genealogy of the Lowells of America from... by Delmar R Lowell p 677
Moses B Lowell
Born abt 1824 Bucksport, Hancock, Maine

Moses Lowell and Elizabeth Colson
marriage record

Married Elizabeth E Colson 14 Sep 1851 Monroe, Waldo, Maine
Children: Nathaniel (who died of consumption at age 17)

Died 1855

Buried

Sources
1850 US Census Bucksport, Hancock, Maine (age 24)

Marriage: Maine Marriages 1771-1907 Film 11565 Batch M52289-1
Book: The historic genealogy of the Lowells of America from... by Delmar R Lowell p 677
Isaiah Lowell
Born 2 April 1827 Bucksport, Hanock, Maine
Occupation: Seaman (1850)

Married Susan Baker abt 1850
Children: Lillian, possibly Abner

Died

Buried

Sources
1850 US Census Bucksport, Hancock, Maine (age 21)

Book: The historic genealogy of the Lowells of America from... by Delmar R Lowell p 677

From a Funeral Program

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me

I want no rites in a gloom-filled room

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little - but not for too long

And not with your head bowed low

Remember the love that we once shared

Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey that we all must take

And each must go alone

It's all part of the Master's plan

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart

Go to the hills we know

And bury your sorrow among the trees

Miss me, but let me go.

The Line

Every minute someone leaves this world behind.
We are all in “the line” without knowing it.
We never know how many people are before us.
We can not move to the back of the line.
We can not step out of the line.
We can not avoid the line.

So while we wait in line -

Make moments count.
Make priorities.
Make the time.
Make your gifts known.
Make a nobody feel like a somebody.
Make your voice heard.
Make the small things big.
Make someone smile.
Make the change.
Make love.
Make up.
Make peace.
Make sure to tell your people they are loved.
Make sure to have no regrets.
Make sure you are ready.

I'm My Own Grandpa

Many, many years ago when I was 23,
I got married to a widow
who was as pretty as could be.
She had a grown up daughter
who had a hair of red.
My father fell in love with her
and soon the two were wed.
This made my dad my son-in-law
And changed my very life.
My daughter was my mother,
for she was my father's wife.
To complicate the matters worse,
although it brought me joy,
I soon became the father
of a bouncing baby boy.
My little baby then became a brother -in-law to dad
and so became my uncle though it made me very sad.
For if he was my uncle,
then that also made him brother to the widow's grown-up- daughter,
who of course, was my stepmother.
Father's wife then had a son,
who kept them on the run.
And he became my grandson, for he was my daughter's son.
My wife is now my mother's mother
and it makes me blue.
Because, although she is my wife,
she's my grandma too.
If my wife is my grandmother,
then I am her grandchild.
and every time I think of it,
it simply makes me wild.
For now I have become the strangest case you ever saw.
As the husband of my grandmother,
I am my own grandpa!

Quotes from the Prophets

President Gordon B Hinckley: "It is good to look to the past to gain appreciation for the present and perspective for the future. It is good to look upon the virtues of those who have gone before, to gain strength for whatever lies ahead. It is good to reflect upon the work of those who labored so hard and gained so little in this world, but out of whose dreams and early plans so well nurtured, has come a great harvest of which we are the beneficiaries. Their tremendous example can become a compelling motivation for us all, for each of us is a pioneer in his own life."

President Spencer W Kimball: "I hope to see us dissolve the artificial boundary line we so often place between missionary work and temple and genealogical work, because it is the same great redemptive work!"

President Joseph Fielding Smith: " The responsibility on behalf of our kindred dead rests with equal force on all, according to our individual ability and opportunities...the greatest and grandest duty of all is to labor for the dead."

The Passing of the Pot (Chamber Pot)

As far back in childhood
As memory may go
One household vessel greets me
That wasn't made for show
Beneath the bed twas anchored
Where only few could see
But served the entire family
With equal privacy
Some called the critter Peggy
And some the thundermug
And others called it badger
A few called it jug
To bring it in at evening
Was bad enough no doubt
But heaven help the person
Who had to take it out
Our big one was enormous
And would accomodate
A watermelon party
Composed of six or eight
When nights were dark and rainy
It was a useful urn
On icy winter mornings
The cold rim seemed to burn
At times when things were rushing
And business extra good
Each took his turn a waiting
Or did the best he could
Sometimes when in a hurry
To our disgust and shame
We fumbled in the darkness
And slightly missed our aim
The special one for company
Was decorated well
But just the same it rendered
That old familiar smell
Today this modernism
Relieves me a lot
And only in my vision
I see that homely pot.
(author unknown)

Poem about ancestors

Though steep is the path I follow today,
The footprints of time will show me the way.
For many have traveled a smiliar road,
And carried an equal of heavier load.

No troubles I face are new to this earth,
That man has not faced from time of his birth.
The route has been charted and roads have been paved
By legions before me who were stalwart and brave.

Their steps never faltered nor courage grew dim,
For they trusted the Lord and let Him led them.
If my faith and my trust remain steadfast and true,
God will guide and protect me in all that I do.
- Dolores Karides

The Elusive Ancestor

I went searching for an ancestor.
I cannot find him still.
He moved around from place to place
and did not leave a will.
He married where a courthouse burned.
He mended all his fences.
He avoided any man who came to
take the US census

He always kept his luggage packed,
This man who had no fame,
and every 20 years or so,
This rascal changed his name.
No one else inthis world is
searching for this elusive man,
so I play "Gene-solitaire"
To find him, if I can!

I'm told he's buried in a plot,
with tombstone he was blessed;
but the weather took engravings,
and some vandals took the rest.
He died before the county clerks
were appointed to keep records
No family Bible has emerged -
In spite of all my efforts.

To top it off, this elusive ancestor
who has caused me many groans -
left me even one more challenge:
He brothed a lady,
by the name of "Jones"!
(Got this from a publication
put out by the DUP organization
that names the author: Merrell Kenworthy)

Poem: Heaven's Door

If I should go before you,

If life on earth were through;

I'll stop just inside Heaven's door,

and there I'll wait for you.

You've but to look 'cross star filled skies,

Past the moon and then beyond;

To know my leaving could never break,

This heart's undying bond.

And if you should go before me,

If your journey on earth were through;

You know I will be close behind,

I'll never be far from you.

Across the span of time and space,

This love will reach this far;

For you'll always carry a bit of my heart,

No matter where you are.

Allison Chambers Coxsey©1995 ~ All Rights Reserved

Which Shall It Be? by Adelaide Proctor

Which shall it be?

"Which shall it be? Which shall it be?
I looked at John and John looked at me,
And when I found that I must speak,
My voice seemed strangely low and weak:
˜Tell me again what Robert said,"
And then I, listening, bent my head.
This is his letter:˜I will give
A house and land while you shall live,
If, in return, from out your seven,
One child to me for aye is given."

I looked at John's old garments worn;
I thought of all that he had borne
Of poverty, and work, and care,
Which I, though willing, could not share;
I thought of seven young mouths to feed,
Of seven little children's need,
And then of this.

˜Come, John,said I,
We'll choose among them as they lie
Asleep. So, walking hand in hand,
Dear John and I surveyed our band:
First to the cradle lightly stepped,
Where Lilian, the baby, slept.
Softly the father stooped to lay
His rough hand down in a loving way,
When dream or whisper made her stir,
And huskily he said: ˜Not her!"

We stooped beside the trundle bed,
And one long ray of twilight shed
Athwart the boyish faces there,
In sleep so beautiful and fair;
I saw on James rough, red cheek
A tear undried. E'er John could speak,
He's but a baby, too," said I,
And kissed him as we hurried by.

Pale, patient, Robbie's angel face
Still in his sleep bore suffering's trace.
˜No, for a thousand crowns, not him!"
He whispered, while our eyes were dim.
Poor Dick! bad Dick! our wayward son”
Turbulent, restless, idle one”
Could he be spared?
Nay, He who gave
Bade us befriend him to the grave;
Only a mother's heart could be
Patient enough for such as he;
˜And so," said John, ˜I would not dare
To take him from her bedside prayer."

Then stole we softly up above,
And knelt by Mary, child of love;
˜Perhaps for her ˜twould better be,"
I said to John. Quite silently
He lifted up a curl that lay
Across her cheek in a wilful way,
And shook his head: ˜Nay, love, not thee,
The while my heart beat audibly.

Only one more, our eldest lad,
Trusty and truthful, good and glad,
So like his father. ˜No, John, no!
I cannot, will not, let him go."

And so we wrote, in courteous way,
We could not give one child away;
And afterward toil lighter seemed,
Thinking of that of which we dreamed,
Happy in truth that not one face
Was missed from its accustomed place;
Thankful to work for all the seven,
Trusting the rest to One in heaven."