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!
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 1st Jan 1870 (circa) | |
| Date of Death | 1st Jan 1914 (circa) | |
