Henry Goding

Henry Goding, son of Henry Goding, was born in 1642.^1,2 He died at Watertown, Middlesex Co., Massachusetts, 13 October 1720.^1,2

Henry married Elizabeth Beers, daughter of Anthony Beers and Elizabeth (…), at Watertown, 7 April 1663.^3,2,1,4

That Henry is the son of Henry, the mariner of 1628, appears to be conjecture by the author, based on "the name is the same," and there is no other candidate.⁵

Said to have been apprenticed to a weaver, Godding offers no evidence, other than that Henry knew the trade, as evidenced by the town records.

He is first found in the Watertown records at his marriage to Elizabeth, and then 29 October 1663 is was paid £1-20-0 by the town for dressing Hugh Passam's [Parson's] leg. In 1667 he donated £1-2-1 for repairs on the school house. He was defendant, along with others, 26 January 1680, for allowing his cattle to roam without paying the herdsman, and the selectmen ordered him to pay his part.

On 12 June 1681, Ruth Bloyced granted him the land formerly belonging to her father, Hugh Parsons, and became a member of his family, remaining there until she died. This four acre plot would remain in the family's possession for many years. It was described as bounded westerly by the King's commons, northerly by Thomas Philpot, easterly by William Priest, and southerly by Willliam Shattuck. The transfer was recognized by the town on 3 Mar 1711/12.

A public meeting was held in Watertown, 9 May 1694, Henry and son Timothy attending, to protest the building of church because they had no say in it's location. They did agree to stand by the decision of a committee of four who were chosen to represent them.

He was involved in a dispute with Davis Church over some land formerly occupied by Thomas Philpot. The selectmen decided for Henry and he would pay an annual rent of ten shillings.

The town boted 19 July 1698 that "the land that henry Goddins hous stands on shall be Legualy Confirmed to him or his heirs by the town with in one year after the decease of the widdow Bloice."

He complained against William Shattuck, 4 October 1699, about some apple trees which Henry claimed belonged to him, depending on where the line between them was drawn. A committee decided in favor of Henry.

The widow Bloss/Bloyce finally died 31 December 1711. At a town meeting, "The Selectmen being informed by William Godden: that Ruth Bloss lay Dead at their House: the select-men Considering that sd Bloss had of late been the towns Care, it is Ordered that the Town Treasuree do prouide four gallonds of Wine all so Suger and spice: that So sd bloss may haue a decent finerall at the towns Cost and Charge."

11 September 1717, Henry transferred for £25 the four acres granted to him by Ruth Bloss to the Massachusetts commissioners. It was described as partly orchard, mow, and plow land, bounded east by William Shattuck, south by William Shattuck Jr., west and north by the commons.⁶

Henry left a will dated 1 December 1712, and it was proved 9 November 1720 and stated in part:

Imprd After all my just debts, and funeral charges being first paid I give to my two sons Timothy Godden, and William Godden, and to their geirs and Assigns forever all my Estate both Real, and Personal equally to be divided between them they paying to my daughter Elizabeth Bull twenty shiliings out of my Estate (being with what she hath already had her Portion). My two above sons to take the whole care and charge equally to maintain me during my natural life in this world whom likewise I constitute, make and ordain my executors of this my last Will and Testatment.⁷