William Man Godschall facts for kids

William Man Godschall (born 1720, died 1802) was an English dairy farmer. He was also a member of important groups like the Royal Society.

About William Man Godschall

William Man Godschall was born William Man. He changed his last name to Godschall when he got married in 1752. His wife, Sarah, was from a wealthy family. With her money, they bought a large estate called Weston. This land was near a village then known as Weston Gomshall, which is now part of Albury, Surrey. They lived in a big house on the estate called Weston House.

William Man Godschall was a member of several important societies. These included the Royal Society, which is a group for scientists, and the Society of Antiquaries of London, which studies history. He was also part of the Society of Arts. He had a special university degree called an LL.D.

His Work with Important Papers

In 1777, Godschall worked with another person named Samuel Horsley. They helped to organize and list the papers of the famous scientist Isaac Newton. These papers were kept at a place called Hurstbourne Park.

Later, in 1781, Godschall gave a collection of 220 letters to the University of Oxford. These letters were written by Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon, an important historical figure. Godschall gave them through John Douglas, who was a bishop.

His Published Work

In 1787, William Man Godschall wrote a book called A General Plan of Parochial and Provincial Police. This book talked about how to improve public order and safety in towns and villages. He got help with this book from Samuel Glasse.

During the mid-1780s in England, there were many social problems. Godschall's book suggested ways to make communities safer. He especially criticized the large number of places selling alcohol, saying they caused problems. He also believed it was very important to teach young people well. He thought that children should be removed from homes where they were not being cared for properly, especially by the age of ten.

His Family Life

William Man Godschall was the son of William and Mary Man. They lived in Clapham and London. His sister, Elizabeth, married Benjamin Mee. Their granddaughter later became the mother of Lord Palmerston, who was a future Prime Minister.

William Man Godschall married Sarah Godschall, who was an heiress. Her father was Nicholas Godschall, and her uncle was Sir Robert Godschall, who had been the Lord Mayor of London.

William and Sarah had a son who survived them, named Samuel Man Godschall (1764–1821). Samuel went to college with Robert Malthus, who was a famous thinker. Samuel later married Robert Malthus's sister, Anne Catherine Lucy Malthus. After Samuel's death, his wife sold the Weston Gomshall estate and Weston House in 1822 to Henry Drummond. She passed away in 1823.

Another son, William John Man Godscall, also went to Christ Church, Oxford. He became a lawyer but died before his father in 1798. He never married.