The son of Josiah Godfrey, weaver, and the brother of Josiah Godfrey, potter (F).
| 1739 | 2 Nov. He became a free potter (F, G). |
| 1739 | Potter, Temple parish (P). |
| 1740 | He stood surety of £5 for William Thomas to keep an alehouse in Temple parish (AKL). |
| 1743 | He stood surety of £5 for Nathaniel Cambridge to keep an alehouse in Temple parish (AKL). |
| 1754 | Potter, Temple parish (P). |
| 1762 | 25 Oct. He was described as a potter when his son, Henry, was apprenticed to Samuel Pavey, glazier (A). |
| 1767 | 21 Nov. A lease refers to Henry Godfrey, aged 18 years, son of James Godfrey, potter, who was one of the lives on another lease dated 24 June 1763 in respect of a property on Temple Backs (BRO Temple Ab313). |
| 1769 | 6 Jul. ‘Know all Men … that We the Mayor Burgesses and Commonality of Bristol do owe … to James Godfrey of the City of Bristol, Potter, in the Sum of Nine hundred and Seventy Eight Pounds Six Shillings and Six Pence half penny … in trust and to and for the use and Benefit of the Hospital situate in Temple Street in the said City of Bristol founded by Dr Thomas White (deceased)’ (BRO 04106(2)). |
| 1774 | Potter, Temple parish (P). |
| 1775 | Potter, 19 Temple Street (SD). |
| 1775 | 25 Mar. Described as a potter when his son, James, was apprenticed to a cordwainer (A). |
| 1780 | 2 Sep. Noted as a potter when William Horwood became a free hooper because of his marriage to James Godfrey’s daughter Mary (G). |
| 1781 | 31 Jan. Noted as a potter when his son, James, became a free cordwainer (G). |
| 1781 & 1784 | Potter, Temple Street (P). |
| 1790 | 22 Feb. He was dead when his son, John, was apprenticed to William Harwood, cooper (A). |
| Rate and tax book entries: [25 Mar 1748-29 Sep 1786] James Godfrey Temple Street (Temple-W,Wa,L,LS) |
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| Children: Wife Mary Ann, bapt 27 Apr 1746 (TPR), Henry, bapt 3 Apr 1748 (TPR), Mary, bapt 10 Sep 1750 (TPR), James, apprenticed 25 Mar 1775 (A) |