Thomas Godbehere (β 1771-03-03 – 1848-08) was my 4th-great-grandfather, being the father of Rebecca, wife of Henderson Fisher, by his wife Isabella “Sabella” Taylor. He was born in North Stoneham, England, and immigrated to Virginia and later settled in Tennessee. His will is dated 1848-06-11 and was probated that August, so he died between those dates; a county history says he died in August.
Thomas was the son of Thomas Godbehere (sometimes Godby) and Isabella Rebecca Durman (β 1745-12-26 – 1775-10-07), who married in Marylebone in London 1769-07-13. Thomas Sr.’s ancestry is undetermined. Thomas Sr., and possibly Isabella, are said to be of Lewisham, County Kent in their marriage record. Isabella was the daughter of John and Sarah Durman.
Surname
The unusual surname derives from the forename Godebert, meaning bright god. Over the centuries, it has had many variations, including Godbey, Godebrich, Godber, and so on.
The first recorded uses as a surname date from around the 13th century. One of the earliest examples is Roger Godberd, an outlaw who was suspected to have taken refuge in Sherwood Forest from 1267 to 1272, and has been proposed as the basis for the legend of Robin Hood.
Since I have not traced Thomas beyond his father, the more immediate evolution of the name is unknown. Thomas’s baptism and his mother Isabella’s burial have the name as Godby, so there was variation even then, although his parents’ marriage record has Godbehere. There are Godbys in the adjoining town of South Stoneham who are very likely related. The earliest record I have found is a William Godby buried in 1682.
False claims
A commonly circulated claim gives Thomas a middle name of Richard and a birth in 1775. There appears to be no documentary evidence of this middle name, and this birth is wrong by 4 years. The origin of these claims is undetermined.
The correct identification of his baptism and parents appears to have been first made in a 2002 post by descendant Sidney Bean.⟮1⟯
Immigration
I have not found any record of him in England beyond his baptism.
An entry in a family Bible says he came first to Norfolk, Virginia on 1816-11-23, and to Wolf Creek, Rhea County, Tennessee in 1817-03. His marriage in 1818 was soon after that.
He is first noticed in an American census in 1830 in Rhea County.⟮2⟯
Children
Thomas and Sabella had six children, who were recorded in the family Bible:
- Thomas “Lon” (1819-06-17 – 1891-09-26), married Mary Ann Holland.
William Godbehere - William (1820-10-19 – 1906-04-10), married first Nancy W. Holland, married second Nancy M. Snodgrass (widow?), married third Nancy Ann Carmody (widow?).
- Sara Sabilla (1821-02-06 – 1895-10-25), married Thomas Reed Holland.
- Arvazina (1823-06-19 – 1827-05-29), died age 3.
- Richard Durman (1825-03-19 – 1857), married Martha J. Rose.
- Rebecca Angeline (1827-04-27 – 1895-07-09), my great-great-great grandmother and wife of Henderson Fisher.
Richard was presumably named after Thomas’s maternal uncle Richard Durman.
Here are census records showing Thomas as head of household in Rhea County:
| Year | Counts | Inferred births |
|---|---|---|
| 1830⟮2⟯ | 1 ♂ <5, 1 ♂ 5–9, 1 ♂ 10–14, 1 ♂ 50s, 1 ♀ <5, 1 ♀ 5–9, 1 ♀ 40s | 1770–1780 ♂ 1780–1790 ♀ 1815–1820 ♂ 1820–1825 ♂♀ 1825–1830 ♂♀ |
| 1840⟮3⟯ | 1 ♂ 5–9, 1 ♂ 10–14, 1 ♂ 15–19, 1 ♂ 20s, 1 ♂ 60s, 1 ♀ 10–14, 1 ♀ 15–19, 1 ♀ 50s | 1770–1780 ♂ 1780–1790 ♀ 1810–1820 ♂ 1820–1825 ♂♀ 1825–1830 ♂♀ 1830–1835 ♂ |
This nearly exactly corresponds to the above list, except there is a stray male born 1830×5 in the 1840 census. This could be a son who died young, or another relative such as a grandson. No younger child appears in the 1850 census, when “Sebilla” is widowed and living with her son Richard.⟮4⟯
Will
His will is dated 1848-06-11 and recorded that August:⟮5⟯
I Thomas Godbeheare, seignor, of the county of Rhea and state of Tennessee planter do make and publish this my last will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made and first I direct that my body is decently entered on my own farme at the common burying place in Rhea County in a common decent manor and to my Estate as it hath pleased God to give me I desposed of the same as follows. First I direct that all my debts and funeral expences be paid as soon after my deseace as possable out of any moneys that I may die possessed of or may first come into the hands of my Executors. Secondly I give and bequeath to my wife Sibbeller one Sixth part of my land during her natural life at her death to be equally divided between my children said land to divided lenth ways also I give and bequeath to my son Thomas William Daughter Sara S. & son Richard D. and Daughter Rebecah A. each an equal part of my land with my wife Sebbellar diveded lenth ways as before directed. I direct that there be a sale made of the still and all utentials Belonging thereto and farming utentials of my live stock two cows and calves one mare six sheep all the hogs the household furniture books set apart for the use of my wife Sebbeller the remainder of my live stock to be sold together with still and utentials and farming utentials all of which I direct to be sold and the proceeds thereof to be equally divided between my children to wit. My son Thomas & William & daughter Sarah S. and son Richard D. and Daughter Rebecca A. so each to be equal shears in all money collected and I do hereby make and apoint my beloved sons Thomas Godbehear and William Godbehear executors of this my last will and Testament in witness whereof I Thomas Godbehear the said Testator have to this my will written on one sheet of paper set my hand and seal this eleventh day of June in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and forty Eight.