Sir John Goddard, I

JOHN GODARD de Upham, then spelled Uppam, died Mar. 10, 1545; son

of Walter Godard , married Elizabeth, dau. of William Berenger, of Manning-

ford Bruce. He "Became a large landed proprietor towards the end of the

fifteenth century; and was in fact the founder of the family. He possessed

property at Standen-Hussey, Cliffe Pypard, Swindon, Berwick Bassett, Clatford,

etc., and established his sons in those places; from whom branched out the

Goddards of Engleshaw, South Marston, Castle Eaton, Rudloe, Hartham, Purton.

etc. . . . His second son, Thomas, was the ancestor of the Goddards of Swindon."

John Goddard had a grant of Land from Henry VIII., in 1541, in Wanborough

(Wanburg) and in Upham. After the dissolution of monasteries John Goddard

of Upham purchased some land at Westlecote, Swindon, which had belonged to

the nuns of Locock Abbey; having been given to them by Catherine Lovel.

This was the nucleus of the present large estate held by Goddard of Swindon.

In 1539 the master of Wiltz in the chapter-house of Westminster, contains

entries of Wlllyam Godeard (under-tithing of Cherell), Aldeborne; and John

Goddard, gentylman, three harness (?). He appears to have been succeeded

in the Swindon and Upham estates, or part of them, by Thomas Goddard. who

was commemorated by the monument in Aldbourne Church.