Elizabeth GODFREY

• In 1706, Jefferson, Godfrey and Sotheron are recorded as joint Lords of the Manor of Hook.  

• In 2023 an archaeological investigation at St Mary's Church, Hook, was carried out under the supervision of Dr Jon Kenny of 'Jon Kenny – community archaeology'. Jon had been consulted by the vicar of the church, Rev Philip Ball, because he was undertaking a renovation and improvement project on the floor of the nave. This would involve reflooring the nave, introducing underfloor heating and removing the fixed pews that dominate the nave at present. 

• Of particular interest was the burial inside the church of a relatively high-status woman who died between the mid-1700s and mid-1800s. A search of the burial records found only one high ranking female burial in that period. This was Elizabeth Godfrey, the wife of William Godfrey late of Hook, who had died 26th February 1766. 

• It seemed possible that a memorial on the chancel wall, just around the corner from the burial site, may record this death.

• Research showed that Elizabeth Godfrey's maiden name was Woodhouse. 

• She was born in 1701 and was the daughter of John Woodhouse and Lydia Scholey Woodhouse of Norton.

• Elizabeth married  William Godfrey of Hook, ‘a man of good estate’ on Sunday 30th September 1722 in Hook. 

• Their son, William, was baptised at Hook in 1723. 

• Elizabeth’s husband, William Godfrey, was buried on 12th August 1738 at Hook. 

• William Godfrey (Junior), the son of Elizabeth and William Godfrey (Senior), was ordained in 1747. 

• Elizabeth was buried at Hook on 1st March 1766 aged 65.

• At the time of the enclosure map (1768) a Rev William Godfrey is listed as one of the three Lords of the manor in Hook. He appears to be an absent landlord.

• Rev. William Godfrey was buried in the Nave of Hook Church on 30th July 1782, at which time he was serving as Clerk and Vicar of Crowle in the Isle of Axholme, Lincolnshire.  

According to the Clergy of the Church of England Database (https://theclergydatabase.org.uk/) William Godfrey was ordained as a Deacon on 20th September 1747.  Just over two years later, on 24th December 1749, he was ordained as a Priest.  The following day he became Curate of Althorpe with Keadby.

He appears to have served at Althorpe with Keadby for almost twenty years, before being appointed as Vicar at Crowle on 2nd September 1767.  Prior to William's appointment, the Vicar of Crowle was John Morton, who had served there from 1752 to 1767.

According to the Clergy Database, William continued in his role as Vicar of Crowle until his death on 24th September 1782, when he was succeeded by Rev. Joshua Gibson.  However, this date of death seems to be inaccurate as, according to William's memorial and to his burial record, he died on 28th July 1782.

It seems likely that there may have been a two month gap between William's (possibly unexpected) death and the appointment of his successor, Joshua Gibson who did, indeed, become Vicar of Crowle on 24th September 1782.  

Joshua Gibson was succeeded on his resignation in 1798 by Rev. Godfrey Egremont.  The first name of 'Godfrey' suggests there may have been some relationship with the Hook Godfrey family.  However, no evidence of this has yet been found.