Henry J. Godwin

     Henry J. Godwin was born on 26 November 1820 at Queen Anne's Co., MD.^2,3,1 He married Julianna Stevens Rochester, daughter of Francis A. Rochester and Eliza Downes, on 19 May 1847 at Queen Anne's Co., MD.^2,3,4,1 Henry J. Godwin died on 15 October 1853 at Queen Anne's Co., MD, at age 32; His tombstone was transcribed as 17 Oct.^2,3,1 He was buried in October 1853 at 1020 White Marsh Rd, Centreville, Queen Anne's Co., MD.⁵ His estate was probated in January 1855 at Queen Anne's Co., MD. Julianna Stevens Rochester was the executor of Henry J.'s estate; Note that this estate file is primarily for another Henry Godwin. Only pages 18 - 29 apply to Henry J. Godwin.⁶
Henry did not leave much evidence during his short lifetime. The primary evidence we have to connect him to his parents and wife are land records. He inherited several tracts of land in Queen Anne's County from his father. After his marriage to Julianna and the birth of four children, he died soon thereafter. Apparently John Francis was the only child who survived him. John's tombstone in the graveyard of his farm on White Marsh Road is inscribed with his full birth and death dates. This property was the tract known as White Marsh Addition, which was originally purchased by his grandfather Nathan Godwin. Henry's estate was mixed up with that of another Henry Godwin. The only portion of the estate record found was a register of the items in his estate sale.