Henry Godwin, born 1811. Died June 19, 1874.

Author of The Worthies of Newbury (1859); and The English Archaeologists’ Handbook (1867). The latter was described in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries as “the first attempt of its kind, and like all first attempts less complete than one could wish...” [2nd series, vol. 6, 1873-6 p. 353]

He was born at Bath, and settled in Newbury in 1837. He became a prominent Newbury solicitor, and was Clerk to the Magistrates.

He was involved in the Newbury Literary & Scientific Institution (founded in 1843 in Speenhamland, which moved to Bartholomew Street before moving again c.1862 to new premises in Northbrook Street). Adnams’s Newbury Almanack and Directory, for 1849 lists him as a vice-president of the Institution, by then in Bartholomew Street. He was involved in the “restoration” of St Nicolas’ Church.

In 1847 the Post Office Directory of Berkshire lists him with a Market Place address (p. 2003); the Post Office Directory of Berkshire for 1864 lists “Godwin & Son, solicitors, Northbrook street” (p. 632).

Macaulay’s Berkshire Directory of 1855 lists him as clerk to the Newbury Borough Magistrates (and listed again as part of Gray and Godwin, Northbrook Street); Secretary to the Newtown Road cemetery (with G. Povey as the keeper); and one of seven vice-presidents of what is there described as the “Literary and Mechanics’ Institution” (in Bartholomew Street).

He became a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries (FSA) on February 18, 1841. He was involved in the Congress of the British Archaeological Association held at Newbury in 1859 (see the Journal of the British Archaeological Association vol. xvi, 1860). He was a founder member of the Newbury District Field Club, and edited the first volume of its Transactions (1870-71).

He died on June 19, 1874 at his home The Lawn, Speen Hill [now 24 Old Bath Road]. Full obituary in the Transactions of Newbury District Field Club vol. 2 1872-5; and a brief obituary in the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries (which gives date of death as June 22).

Works
The Worthies of Newbury (full title, The Worthies and Celebrities Connected with Newbury, Berks and its Neighbourhood), J. Blacket, Newbury, 1859
The English Archaeologists’ Handbook, James Parker, Oxford, 1867.

Articles:
Archaeologia
vol. xliv 1873 pp. 459-479 “On Donnington Castle, Berkshire” (Paper read Feb 13, 1873)

Journal of the British Archaeological Association
vol. xvi (1860) pp. 232-234 “The Worthies and Celebrities connected with Newbury and its Neighbourhood.”
vol. xxviii pp. 313-327 “Notes on the West Saxon bishoprics, more particularly that of Sherborne”

Transactions of Newbury District Field Club
vol. i.
“Historical Notes on Kingsclere and Freemantle park”
vol. ii
“Shaw House and note on the Second Battle of Newbury” pp. 7-11
“Donnington Castle, Berks” pp. 23-48
“A brief sketch of the early history of Welford” pp. 80-87
“Ufton Court” pp. 107-110

Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries
2nd series vol. iv. p. 125. “J. Y. Akerman, Esq. F.S.A. communicated an account when he had recently received in a letter from H. B. Goodwin [sic] Esq. of a discovery of Roman remains on the estate of the Earl of Carnarvon, at Burghclere, Hants...” [Extracts from the letter are then quoted]
2nd series vol. v. p. 137.

Bibliography
Adnams’s Newbury Almanack and Directory, for 1849

British Library catalogue
Macaulays BerkshireDirectory 1855, Reading 1855

Post Office Directory of Derbyshire, Leicestershire...Berkshire...etc 1847, London p. 2003.
Post Office Directory of Northamptonshire, Huntingdonshire... Berkshire and Oxfordshire, ed. E. R. Kelly, London, Kelly and Co. 1864 Private pp. 630-631 and Commercial p. 632.
Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries 2nd series, vol. 6 1873-6 (obituary 1875 p. 353).
Transactions of Newbury District Field Club vol. 2 1872-5 (obituary pp. xvii-xix).

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