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James P Godsill

James P Godsill

Born
1870-01-01 12:00:00
Died
1914-01-01 12:00:00
Gender
Male
Place of migration
Migrated to/Born in USA

James P Godsill was born about 1865-775 in NY -according to 1910 US Census in New York; 

Wedded to Elizabeth T Holden; dob 1879-195?  Marriage recorded at St John the Evangelicist RC Church in White Plains, Westchester Co, New York & state record, 26 Sept 1907  

His trade was noted as Plumber in the city directories. 

in 1898, working as a plumber, he lived with a John Godsill -presumably his brother- who is listed as an Electrician

The marriage license of a Julia Godsill of White Plains, NY -presumably his sister- is witnessed & signed by James Godsill (the middle initial not shown), and lists parents as Mary Spillane and William Godsill (both of Ireland). Julia is wed to James McCormack

Mary Spillane's last name may be correlated to Garyspillane parish, Knocklong, co Limerick, Ireland ???? just a theory

James had 3 children:

Aileen Patricia Godsill / Armstrong, dob 1908, baptised at St John

John Francis Godsill, dob 1910 -died 4 mos later-  but baptised at St John the Evangelicist RC Church, White Plains, Westchester Co, NY, USA

Geraldine Elizabeth (confirmed: Marie) Godsill / Pruett , dob 1912, d 1996

By 1915, however, his wife begins to be listed in local directories as Mrs Elizabeth Godsill (wid Jas), so it is presumed James has died -although there is no record or grave or church record found to confirm this.  According to James' daughter, Geraldine (who never knew her father) the family gossip was that he was not well liked in Eliz. Holden's family, and may have been an alcoholic.  If so, there is a strong possibility that he may have been committed to one of the nearby "insane asylums" for "treatment" and thus, never heard from again. Just  theory -however, out of Poughkeepsie, NY (the town over, home of the ill-famed asylum, Hudson Valley Insane Asylum) there is a death record for a James P Goodsill, death noted as 1914, dob about 1867 (if memory holds) --could this be our James misspelled?  Relatedly, Mr Goodsill's grave is a mere few rows away from the family plot of Patrick Holden (Elizabeth's father). Still, this cannot be confirmed. 

Also muddying the waters is that Mary Spillane Godsill -presumed mother- has a lovely gravestone, engraved with the names of her husband William Godsill, her son John, son William, and daughter Julia Godsill McCormack ... but not James.  

Why? Family shame? or was he unrelated? 

Any help in verifying James' kinship & lineage is greatly appreciated!

 

Associated communities

Limerick

County Limerick, or Luimneach in Irish, is located in the med-west region of Ireland.  Limerick became Ireland’s inaugural National City of Culture in 2014 with a wide variety of events happening around the city.  We have a population of approximately 195,175.  We look forward to  helping you connect with your ancestors’ place of origin.   

Other ancestors in this community

Buildings in this community

  • Old Abbey House, Shanagolden, Co Limerick

    Location: Limerick

  • Treanmanagh TOWNLAND

    Location: Limerick

    Treanmanagh, Pallasgreen, Co. Limerick

  • Kilpeacon House in 1850

    Location: Limerick

    Kilpeacon

  • Bunratty Castle

    Location: Limerick

Timeline events in this community

  • 1860s

    St. Patrick's Graveyard

    <p>Parish Priest</p>

    1861-01-01 12:00:00

  • 1880s

    Foundation of South Liberties GAA Club

    1884-01-01 12:00:00

  • 1840s

    Irish press warns against Jamaican Indentured Servitude

    <p>The theme was always the same: the pestilential climate of the island, the reduction of poor emigrants to slaves, the severity and cruelty of the planters (and planter-dominated Assembly clinging to every vestige of oppression) and, of course, the absence of priests and chapels.</p>

    1840-12-01 12:00:00

  • 1880s

    1887 All Ireland Senior Gaelic Football Final

    1888-04-29 12:00:00