The Godfreys of Arden, Ole Kennebec

Linda Godfrey | Oct 08, 2009

Photo: Irene Monds and Linda Godfrey

On September 12, 2009, a long-time dream of mine was realized when 80 people gathered for a Godfrey family reunion at the Arden Legion.

I started researching my family’s genealogy to pass the time while awaiting surgery. Through the internet, I connected with others who were also searching and someone sent me an old newspaper clipping of Herbert Godfrey and Herbert Bell beside the grave of my great-great grandfather, John J. Godfrey, on the old Godfrey homestead. 

My brother Robert, his family and I, along with our cousin Marjorie Godfrey Burton, made our first trip to Arden in July 2007 but did not find the stone. However, I did find out that Mr. and Mrs. Monds owned the property that John J. Godfrey and Eliza Boomhower once owned. The farm is on the east side of Arden Road, across from Bill Pringle's home, which is the old homestead of Peter Mosier (1816) and Mary Boomhower (1821). It has been said that wherever the Godfreys went, the Mosiers went too. 

I then decided to organize a reunion, which was held on September 12. We discovered that all the Godfreys could not only cook well, they also like to eat, and we had enough food to feed an army. The matriarch of the family is Isobella Godfrey Tice, 83, who is the daughter of Ashley and Mary Godfrey, and loves music and dancing! The reunion was the most amazing and moving experience in my life.

Some of the group drove to the Monds’ residence and they were so gracious in letting us roam the property. We found the original icehouse, root cellar, and old barn. Mrs. Monds enlightened us about the farm and the people of Arden, and her husband Earl told us where we would find the grave of our great-great grandfather. The next day we returned and found the stone, on which is written: John J. Godfrey, died Nov. 30, 1878, age 57 yrs. A loving friend, a father dear/a tender parent lieth here/Great is the loss we here sustain.

Bill Pringle said he used to play there as a boy and that there was another stone beside it. We didn’t find the second stone, but will return in two years to look for it. I know that Mary Belanger, John Godfrey, Philip Godfrey Sr., James John Godfrey and perhaps Eliza are also buried there and I would like to do something about preserving the cemetery.

In my research I found a memoir written by Ruby Brown of the Heath clan in Arden, which states that Arden is a "little bit of heaven on earth". I call it Mystical Arden, and it truly is "heaven on earth". The stars in the sky glisten and pristine lakes abound. Many family roots come from this tiny town and it seems to have a special place within their hearts as well as mine.

As I gazed out over Kennebec Lake, I thought of how much my family wanted to go back to Arden. They often spoke of Ole Kennebec and their memories. My aunt used to tell of horse-drawn sleigh rides on the cold winter nights. They would be home playing cards and they could hear the sleds racing by and they could tell by the bells who was winning.

Arden isn't big now, nor was it back in the 1800s, so everyone married their neighbours; thus, all of Arden and its families’ histories were celebrated on Sept. 12. I can promise you it will not be the last gathering; I am already working on the next one for 2011.

We would like to thank everyone for attending and for the wonderful food. We would also like to thank Earl and Irene Monds and Bill Pringle for all their help, and the wonderful people from the Legion in Arden who were so gracious to us, especially Angie Deline, who did a great job in assisting me.