my dear children,

Two letters written by Mary Eliza Godfrey nee Giles (born 1795 in Tavistock (?) who married Joseph James Godfrey, Surgeon, of Liverpool 4th January 1821 in Chatham. Lived in Chatham and Liverpool, brother William Giles was Dickens' first schoolmaster in Chatham.

The first letter recalls her grandparents and early life in Tavistock with a brief mention of Dartmouth. The second letter is an account of her life in Dartmouth from 1799 until 1910 where her father was the Baptist Minister.

My Dear Children,

As you requested, I will endeavour to give what I can remember of my father and parental grandfathers. My paternal grandfather died many years before my birth. He held an estate in Totnes, Devon, leaving his estate to his eldest son, my father's eldest brother. Their mother, therefore, with her young family, left Totnes and took them to Horrabridge, where her own family resided. They all died before I was born. My father was educated at a grammar school, and soon after he left school he went to Tavistock, and was introduced to my mother's family. Her father, Eustace Pike, was at this time an officer in the navy. His only son was midshipman in the same ship, commanded by the Duke of Clarence. At Tavistock my father became acquainted with a Mr. Coak (or Coke), and was invited by him to go out as a missionary to Sierra Leone, with six other young men, but they were first to go to London to study medicine, to prepare them for their work; and while the preparations were being made my father was married; and my mother was sent with my father to study midwifery, to prepare her to go with him.

My mother did study very diligently, and received a certificate. She then returned to Tavistock with my father, and on the 14th January, 1795, I was born, and my father returned to finish his studies at the hospital, and-x obtained certificates in surgery and medicine. He then returned to W
Tavistock, and it was decided that their wives should not go with them at first, until they had seen the state of the country. As I am writing entirely- from memory, and have not one written paper to guide me, I cannot give the exact time the young men left England. They arrived out safely, and were introduced to the Governor, Z. Maccauley. He received my father most kindly, and gave him good encouragement to proceed; but the country was in a bad state, and by many it was considered, most dangerous to remain, and the other young men were so alarmed at what
they heard, that my father was very reluctantly compelled to return with them.

On his passage home he studied the Bible prayerfully and carefully on the subject of believers' baptism, and by the clear teaching he was convinced. He had never been baptized, and although he had been sent out to teach the Gospel to the heathen, he had not learned nor obeyed his Master's commands, and was greatly distressed and perplexed. He heard that at Portsea- now Devonport - there was a Baptist Minister, Mr. Isaiah Burt. To him he went, and was baptized by him. This so grieved my mother, she being a member of the Church of England, that, thinking him ' to be dead to the Church, she put on deep mourning the day .he was immersed. She then with earnest prayer read the New Testament and the Church Catechism, to strengthen her views on infant baptism. When she came to the question, What, is required of those to be baptized? the scales suddenly fell from her eyes. She saw she had been in error and freely confessed it to my father, which gave him great joy.

At this time there was a small church at Dartmouth, Devon, to which he was invited, to become its Pastor, which he did, and I was left at Tavistock until they were settled. At Dartmouth my parents endured great persecution for the Gospel's sake; but the Church greatly increased, and my mother was baptized by my father. My grandfather took me from Tavistock to see her. It was a most solemn service; the congregation were in tears My grandfather was astonished and pleased. The next day he took me back to Tavistock with him. He was Superintendent of a Sunday School established by Mr. Raikes. To this school I was taken the next Sunday. Many changes were at that time going on at Tavistock; the first spinning-jenny was set up by Mr. Arkwright, which caused great dissatisfaction amongst the weavers. My grandfather took much interest in these things, and took me to see them.

The Duke of Bedford was a benefactor to Tavistock, and made many improvements. He caused the church bells to ring the tune called "Old York.” But it was composed for the words:

"old Nobbe is dead, that good old man,

That fired us in the Tower;

As we began, so we'll keep on,

From eight to twelve and four."

Very strict church discipline at this time was observed by the Bishop, Rector and Corporation. A first cousin of my mother's, was misnamed a justice of peace. His sacred office on the Lord's Day at the time of Divine Service, was to drive round the streets and turn back any who were going to Dissenting places of worship. My nurse, who was a good woman, was once taking me to one of these forbidden places. We were stopped and ordered to turn back; we did return, and went through another street, and heard the Gospel preached. The next and final event that I could remember at Tavistock before leaving, is my dear grandfather coming" to ~ tell me, with great joy, that I had a little brother, which the doctor had taken to my mother on the 30th December. The 31st was her birthday, and her first-born son was intended to be a birthday present, and so he was; and she was delighted, and now wished her first-born daughter to go home and not return again at present; so with great joy -yet with bitter sorrow at leaving my grandparents, my aunts, dear nurse, and loving friends - I left Tavistock. My dear grandfather died soon after he had taken me home.

The preceding papers give a short account of my childhood's days at Tavistock, where I left at the end of December, 1798, just before my fourth birthday, 14th January, 1799. Being left with middle-aged persons, not trained in a nursery with other children, gave me delight to listen to the conversation of intelligent persons; and, being the only grandchild in my grandparents' family, they indulged me by answering my childish questions and explaining what they thought I might remember to repeat to my parents at home; and the Interrogations of my dear father and mother enabled me to retain in my memory the various incidents of my little life, and the ardent love I felt for my dear grandparents, aunts, dear nurse, and other friends, gave me great pleasure to answer their questions, and now, though it has been an effort to write the papers, it has brought back dear bygone days which the occurrences of daily life prevent recurring.

M. E, Godfrey

My Dear Children,

In compliance with your request, I will endeavour to write a few incidents in my early life, after my final return home to remain with my parents at Dartmouth. It is a bold attempt at my age, and I fear it will not repay you for the trouble of reading it.

When first I returned home at Dartmouth it was a great joy to me to have my little brother put into my arms, and was told by my mother that when he was a little older he was to be under my care to teach him to walk, talk, and read; so I must go to school first and team to teach him. This made me feel myself a great girl, having a sister fourteen months younger than myself, and a baby brother.

At this time (1799) Dartmouth and the villages were suffering great distress through a severe frost. The River Dart was frozen over, so that the coal barges could not bring coals; wood also was scarce and dear. The French war was going on; all kinds of food were taxed; and religious liberty unprotected; the magistrates were most bitter against the preaching of the Gospel. The little Baptist Church was firm to its principles, and God raised up a good rich man to be a great support to it and a comfort to my dear father. He was a banker and shipbuilder; his name was Tanner. There was also another gentleman who was, I believe, partner in the bank and a wholesale grocer; his name was Allison. He lived in a large house in Lower Street. These houses were let out in flats, and my father hired a flat in his house. Mr. A. had never been married. He was fastidious in his taste, intellectual, well-bred, had seen a great deal of good English society, a godly man and a lover of good men; so it was a privilege to live in his house, and my father and he enjoyed each other's society. One day in my hearing he said to my father, and looked at me when be said it, how thankful be was to find that Mrs. Giles was a lady. He considered it most important, and he thought she possessed all the essentials. She was chaste, modest and elegant in her style of dress, lively in conversation, and her knowledge of vocal music was perfect. All this, spoken of my mother, gave me the childish idea that she was superior to women in general, and that I must not do anything contrary to her mild wishes. The Church also cherished great respect for her, and her dress was Imitated by ladies in the town. Good Mr. Flavel, who was Minister of St. Saviour's Church at Dartmouth, had gone to his rest and reward; left In his congregation seven godly persons to be witnesses to his faithful teaching. These persons, In the midst of fearful persecution from the Magistrates, Mayor and Corporation, were baptized and joined the Baptist Church.

One incident I will mention which, but for its great sin, would be ludicrous. The baptistery had to be filled at that time by pails of water fetched from a conduit about five minutes' walk up a steep hill to the Chapel. This was done most cheerfully by good men, members of the Church, who I can fancy in my mind's eye I see now, for I enjoyed watching them from a window. My father's house was just above the Chapel at this time; this house had been built for him by the Church. So we had removed into it, and could see these good men, with a large hoop and a pail each side, toiling up the hill and looking so cheerful and happy; but as they went up the aisle they spilt the water. This was told to a magistrate, who sent his son on the Sunday morning with some ducks, hoping they would quack and disturb the congregation. This, however, it did not; the ducks were quietly driven back. The service was performed with great solemnity; prayers were earnestly offered up for their enemies, and many persons went to the Chapel to see what kind of persons the dippers were, and many were converted and joined the Church. My mother at this time was much engaged with the Church and her little family • my sister Sarah, fourteen months younger than myself, William, and Mary. My brother was my little pupil, after school-hours. I was about seven years of age - a young teacher. He was to learn first passages of Scripture and hymns. His first hymn was to be that sweet little hymn of one of the Rylands, I do not know which. The hymn is an epitome of the Gospel, and agreed with my dear father's creed to the end of his life. It may be out of print, so I will write it out

Lord, teach a little child to pray,

Thy grace betimes impart;

And grant the Holy Spirit may

Renew my infant heart.

A sinful creature I was born

And ever since have straved:

I must be wretched and forlorn

Without Thy mercy's aid.

But Christ can all my sins forgive,

And wash away their stain,

And fit my soul with him to live,

And in His kingdom reign.

To Him let little children come, For

He has said they may;

His bosom then shall be their home,

Their tears hell wipe away.

For all who early seek his face

Shall surely taste his love;

Jesus shall guide them by His grace,

To dwell with Him above.

My pupil being a clever little fellow, soon learned to read and repeat many passages of Scripture, and committed to memory Watts' divine songs at the age of seven. But I was a better teacher than a nurse. In teaching him to walk, I let him fall and bruise his forehead, for which I was called a careless girl, which made me cry bitterly. When he was old enough, in the spring the primroses, which grew abundantly on the fields, allured us to go too far and climb the slopes, which made us late at the twelve dinner. For this fault my father reproved me sharply; next delinquency occurred when Mr. Opie Smith, of Bath, visited us. He was a good, holy man, who had extended large sums of money upon building Baptist places of worship, in order to extend the denomination, and offered to pay my father's expenses and supplies from his church if he would collect the sums required from one or two. He had heard my father speak of his little family, and thought he should like to see them. When he came he brought presents for each child. William's was a book, handsomely bound, with gilt edges.

There was a service at the Chapel that evening, and my mother left the servant to take charge of the house and wash up the tea things, and left me to take care of the children: The servant, however, chose to alter this command, and said she would take the children as she wanted to speak to a young man at the door. So off she went, taking the little pets with her and their presents to show the young man. William ran to the new ground quickly to show his book to a schoolfellow who was going there sail a boat which has been given him. They went to the slip It was high water and high wind; a heavy wave caught the boat. My brother tried to save it, and dropped his book, and in trying to pick it up, another wave dashed drew him into the water. The other little fellow ran off to tell me. Away I ran to the quay, and saw the peak of his cap above the water, and a boatman putting a boathook to try to save him. He said, "He is too far gone, and I cannot swim" I said, "Will you hold the hook, and let me jump in?" He said, "That's right: grasp it tight, and I will pull you to the slip." It was a few yards from it, so fearlessly I jumped In, sank once, rose, held the hook, took hold of the pinafore, and drew him out unconscious but alive. We were taken home just as my mother returned from chapel. She was much alarmed but her son was soon restored, to her great joy, and I was sent to bed, had some elderberry wine and water sent to me, and slept soundly.

;

My father had gone to see Mr. Smith off by the stage coach. In the morning William was rather languid, and in deep sorrow for the loss of his book. We were both down to breakfast and told by my father that we were both naughty children -I for giving up the children to the servant, and William for running away. But having been punished by being sent to bed, we were only to promise never to do so any more. The servant was dismissed. At low water the book was found, much soiled, but readable. My dear parents, though strict in discipline, were very Indulgent, and gave us enjoyable and innocent pleasure. My father and the deacons of the Church had several mission stations; as it would not be called, then called preaching stations, for which they kept a pretty boat, and called it "The United Brethren," and as there were plenty of fish in the Dart, and no steamers to drive them away, they caught fish on their way, and supplied their families with fine fish when the weather was fair. They also took their wives occasionally, and left them on the other side of the river. This gave my mother an opportunity of taking her family. This was a great treat to us. We took our basket prepared for all we required, landed on a lovely .pot, sheltered by rocks, on which were goats skipping about, gathered wood to boil the kettle, and sat down to tea. After tea we gathered a large basket of periwinkles, took them home to boil for breakfast, and gave some to our friends who had no boat About six o'clock the boat called for us, and we went home greatly invigorated and delighted. My dear parents had much to talk over about the poor benighted country people who had never heard the Gospel before.

When my father went to these mission stations on horseback, William or I went with him on a pillion, and William on the horse's back behind my father. This was the custom for women and children at that time. So, after being reproved for my faults as a nurse, my father called me to him and told me to prepare to ride on horseback with him, to see Mrs. Fall, at Heathfield Farm. My mother then would prepare a long skirt to cover the feet, and I must take hold of his girdle and hold it carefully. This gave me great joy, and at nine in the morning we started. The high hills made me timid, and the narrow lanes brought us frequently in contact with the bramble bushes, but the hedges were gorgeous with wild flowers, and the wild strawberries looked so inviting as to make my mouth water. So on we rode jig-jog until we stopped at the house of a dear good man, who was waiting at his door to welcome us. His first salutation to my father was, "Come in, thou blessed of the Lord;" and my father said, "Will you allow me to introduce my daughter to you, Mr. Varwell?" He shook me heartily by the hand and took me in. The dinner was ready for us, and we were ready to cat it Alter dinner we went into another room. A large Bible lay "open before us, and a few friends waiting to hear it expounded, who appeared greatly pleased, and requested the visit to be repeated. After two hours we started for Heathfield Farm, and found Mr, and Mrs. Fall waiting to receive us. They gave us a hearty greeting and took us in for tea, for which our ride had given us keen appetites. After tea we were taken to a bam, where Mr. Fall's workpeople were assembled to hear my father preach. They were very attentive. A little shepherd boy was there, with his sweet voice, and the hymns were remarkably well sung. They appeared very attentive to the sermon, which they said they had greatly enjoyed.The little shepherd boy was educated by his master, and sent by Church to be educated for the ministry, and became an earnest of the Gospel. The next morning, after breakfast, Mr. Fall had a horse and pony made ready for his daughter to take me, for a ride in the fields, where paths bad been prepared for his family to ride. So I was lifted on a pony. Never having been on even a pony's back alone, I was rather timid at first, yet enjoyed it much. When we came to a second field on the other side of the hedge we heard a very sweet boy's voice singing a hymn in our Old Selection, beginning with the words "Jesus my all to heaven is gone." Sarah Fall said: "That is our little shepherd boy. He has gone to the bam and heard Mr. Giles preach, and I hope he is converted." That is the little shepherd boy above mentioned.

My father spent the remainder of the day in visiting the sick and conversing with those who were under strong conviction of sin. I spent a pleasant afternoon with the family in reading, work, and sacred vocal music, and listened to my father's account of what he had seen and heard. The next morning we returned home and told my mother what enjoyment we had experienced, which made her rejoice also. My father had three other Stations • Slapton Sands, Ditsom, and Brixham. The latter was formed into a Church, and dear, good Mr. Daniel, afterwards of Ceylon, was its first Pastor. I heard him preach his first sermon at Dartmouth when I was about eleven years of age. There were other Stations at which my father called on his way, just to talk and read the Bible to the poor ignorant peasants; and it was interesting to listen to them. Few of them had seen a Bible or heard the Gospel. One poor man was asked if he bad heard of Jesus Christ: he said he had never heard of that gentleman. At what they then called Ditsom, the Rector and Churchwarden were enraged at the intrusion into what they called their Parishes, and sent roughs to pelt us with rotten plums, if in plum season, or with turfs of grass. But this did not deter my father, nor really injure us, but we were sadly bedaubed; yet my dear father rejoiced that the Gospel was gladly received by many, and as many as received the glad tidings were baptized and united in Church fellowship. At some of these places my father had to cross the river, and employ the horse-boat to take his home. The ferry-men had a superstition that it was unlucky to take a parson on board, so it was only on the promise of giving extra money that they would fetch him at night; and then, if the wind was high, they would come and swear and say they had a Jonah on board and should be all drowned. My dear mother knew this, and if well went down to the quay to wait until the boat came. She was timid, but heroic and prayerful, and felt confident that her prayer would be heard; and they were brought home safely, looking cheerful and thankful. William and I always sat up until their return; so we heard my father relate to my mother how much he rejoiced to see the work of the Lord prosper.

Although Dartmouth was a curious old town, the rich Newfoundland merchants had large, handsome houses in the suburbs. A Mr. Seal held a large estate, where he laid out one part which was called the Hermitage, for the benefit of the town. There was a lodge at the entrance gate, and a man kept to open it He was called a hermit; he never walked outside, but was allowed to talk and explain and answer questions put to him and direct visitors. The first walk was a mile long and sixty feet wide between the seats on each side the walk, and horse chestnut trees at the end of each seat There were inscriptions on the trees and on the seats which would amuse you for hours. Outside the seats was a wide border of what was called shaking grass. On the right side of the walk was the mouth of the river Dart, with its clear blue water and fish playing In it, for there were no steamers to drive them away. On the other side of the walk were lovely fields and wild flowers. At the end of the walk was what we now call a large lawn. On this lawn lived a man, in a pretty cottage which he had himself built, with no other tool than a knife, hatchet, and saw. It was covered with moss; and inside was a rude statue of the original hermit, who had lived to be a great age, quite alone on these grounds some centuries before. At the entrance of the lawn were two very wide iron gates, and as you entered you saw high slopes with trees planted, on which twelve peacocks were kept. You saw them before you as you entered, with their lovely plumage; and rivulets of clear water streaming down. Then, opposite the cottage, was a long table for tea services to be placed. The old man boiled the kettle on his wood fire, and found cups and saucers for a penny each. To this lovely place we were taken when we deserved an extra treat

To this Hermitage we were taken three times in the summer the first time when Dolly Chatter made her gooseberry pies from the early berry, which she sold at sixpence per dozen. So one morning, to our great Joys my dear mother said "You have been good children, so next week your father and I intend to take you to the Hermitage." Then we were all wild wlth delight, and I went with my mother to order the pies and some Devonshire cream, and cakes sixpence per dozen to cut open and eat with cream. This Dolly Chatter was a very important person in the town. In my mind's eye I can see her now. Besides having her shop, which she opened at eleven o'clock, she was the post-woman, and carried the letters. There was only one delivery. Her dress was unique. She wore a neat print dress over a linsey petticoat, and a print jacket, and a check apron tied round the waist, which formed a frill to the jacket. She wore a black gipsy hat, which was fastened to the cushion she wore on her head, Iwith her hair turned over it back and front Wore neat black stockings and shoes with high heels, and short petticoats. She had a pleasing face, and was the middle height, She had a sprightly walk, and so she carried the letters all the year round. Now we will take Dolly to her shop and prepare |for the Hermitage, where we went the next week with our basket. We sat down to a hearty tea. The peacocks came down and spread out their splendid tails. We had prepared crumbs for them. They walked round and dropped their lovely feathers for us. The old man had a nice meal left for him. We sang a hymn for him, which he enjoyed, and my father read a chapter out of the Bible; after which those who were strong enough walked to the Castle about a quarter of a mile from the lawn.

From the Castle there is a charming view of the mouth of the Dart, on both sides of the clear blue water, in which shoals of mackerel and other fish in it could be seen. There was much to be seen at this end of the extensive grounds; but it was now time to return home, and call for the party left on the lawn. They soon joined us. On our return home we were in great glee, having had such a treat, and for good conduct This gave me great joy; I thought If my parents were pleased God was pleased also. This was selfrighteausness, but I was but a child, and thought as a child. This ended one of my most happy days.

Soon after this came a great sorrow to my parents and myself, in the death of my little brother John at two years and one month old, the first breach in our family one month before my brother John Eustace was born. Now other engagements prevent my proceeding further. -December 24th, 1883.

In the former paper I have mentioned the death of my dear little brother. The nurse took him to the fair. The wind was very cold in the month of March. He bought a toy watch; its hands pointed to eight o'clock. He came home in great joy, saying, "Look, sister, Johnnie's watch, eight o'clock," He suddenly became very ill, from inflammation of the lungs, and was delirious from the first of the attack, and kept repeating over and over, while be could speak, "Eight o'clock, Johnnie's watch." These were his last words. The next night I sat up with the nurse, as my mother was very ill. At eight o'clock in the morning he passed away. This was my first bitter grief. Next followed the interment, and I can remember my dear father's expression of grief as he stood by the side of that little corpse, and sang that beautiful hymn.

"Peace 'tis the Lord Jehovah's hand

That blasts our joys in death

Changes the visage once so dear,

And gathers back the breath,”

He sweetly rests until the resurrection, under the first pew on the left side of the Little Baptist Chapel in Meeting House Lane. Under the window there was a large blue stone placed, where my dear sister Sarah and I spent many hours weeping bitterly over the grave; and, even now, looking back makes me sad, yet joyful that we shall meet again never to part, Should any of my dear children visit Dartmouth, I should so much like them to visit this dearly cherished spot. This occurred in my tenth year, 1805.

The next thing that I can remember in my family worthy of notice Was the birth of my (Dear brother John Eustace, on the 20th of April, 1805. Again another charge was given to my dear sister and myself. Sarah was to be his head nurse, and I was to be his teacher. My duty could only be done after school hours, but my little pupil was anxious to learn, and did me credit. At this time Dartmouth was visited like a plague with virulent smallpox; hundreds died. Vaccination had just been introduced in London. My dear father got some matter taken from a cow, and offered to vaccinate gratis any children brought to him. Numbers accepted the offer, and the smallpox was arrested, yet many were prejudiced. Those who had taken advantage of vaccination united together to give my father a handsome silver cream jug. My dear mother was now much engaged in visiting the sick and dying and conversing with new converts. In these labours she was greatly blest, and the Church had many additions by baptism.

About this time my father was invited to supply a Church at Lymington, Hants, left vacant by the death of Mr, Stradling. There was also a branch Church, under the pastorate of Mr. Mursel, father of Mr. James Mursell, senior, Leicester. Mr. Mursell wishing to resign, both Churches agreed to invite Mr. Giles to become the pastor of one united Church. He felt so attached to the Church at Dartmouth that he declined to accept the invitation; The Churches met for prayer for guidance, and, after due deliberation, concluded to lay the case before the Western Association, and beg them to plead for them to Mr. Giles, The Association listened to their request, and held a meeting for prayer that the Holy Spirit might guide them how to advise the Church; and, after deliberate conversation, my father was advised to accept the invitation, and, after earnest prayer, he Consented to take the step. This was a deep sorrow to all my family, M fly dear mother felt that it was the will of our Lord and Master, and therefore would not oppose it.

While the arrangements for our removal were going on, my youngest brother, Samuel, was born, 31st of October, 1809 - my parents' last born Of eight children. The death of my dear brother John left seven, who were all spared to have children of their own. My youngest sister and myself are the only survivors. The following February we left Dartmouth. I was fourteen years old the previous month. I do not remember the day of the month we left, but never shall I forget the last Lord's Day we spent with that sorrowing Church and congregation. The windows were all open and toed with listeners. There was no standing room inside the Chapel, and tip sobs were audible. Meeting House Lane was crowded with people, anxious to hear the last sermon. The text was taken from Phil. 1. 27: "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ: that whether 1 come and see you or else be absent I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast In one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel." On the following Tuesday, at 10 a.m., we left Dartmouth, with heartfelt sorrow. In the streets we passed through the deepest interest was expressed. We had to cross the Dart, and start from the other side. Many boats crossed the water with us, and the rigging of the vessels Were'manned with dear friends, who expressed their sorrow. My family shed tears of deepest grief when we took a last farewell. And so we left our beloved Dartmouth. And this ends this little imperfect sketch at present badly written, without the aid of glasses, at eighty-nine years of age.

By your loving mother

M.E. Godfrey

Belvldere House

Prince's Park

Liverpool, April 19th, 1884