1. Abraham Godwin was a representative in the New Jersey General Assembly, former fife major in the American Revolutionary War, and brigadier general during the War of 1812.
24 Facts About Abraham Godwin
1. 2.
Abraham Godwin was born to Captain Abraham Godwin and Phebe Coole in Totowa, New Jersey.
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Abraham Godwin's father built up the area around Totowa, now known as Paterson, New Jersey, building the Godwin Hotel and creating the first stage coach line for tourists to travel to the Passaic Falls.
4.
Abraham Godwin's grandson, Parke Godwin, was an acclaimed author and journalist.
5.
Abraham Godwin's father joined the American cause in early 1776 and was captain of Marines stationed on board the USS Lady Washington in New York City.
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Abraham Godwin's older brother Henry became a Quartermaster in Fishkill, New York, and his younger brother David was a Drummer.
7.
Abraham Godwin's father survived getting shot during the Siege of New York.
8.
The British raided the Abraham Godwin homestead, stripping Phebe and the daughters of everything.
9.
David was ordered to send for help, Henry was captured by the British, and Abraham Godwin jumped into the Hudson and swam to shore.
10.
Abraham Godwin was present at the Siege of Yorktown, witnessed the surrender of Charles Cornwallis to George Washington, and received an honorable discharge signed by George Washington.
11.
Towards the end of the war Abraham Godwin became an engraving apprentice of Andrew Billings, a silversmith and an engraver of bookplates.
12.
Abraham Godwin soon found himself with high-profile projects, like his engraving of the certificate for the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen of the City of New York or his certificate for the Fire Department of New York City, among others.
13.
Abraham Godwin led the group surveying the land surrounding the falls.
14.
Abraham Godwin voted for the gradual abolition of slavery in 1804, and the law was overruled in 1807.
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Abraham Godwin attended numerous lodge meetings with the Freemasons in Trenton, New Jersey from 1802 to 1820.
16.
Abraham Godwin quickly rose to the rank of brigadier general because of his time in the New Jersey State Legislature.
17.
Abraham Godwin patrolled the beaches between Atlantic City and Sandy Hook, and was praised when he brought volunteers from Paterson to help build the first fort in Sandy Hook.
18.
Abraham Godwin retired to a peaceful life running a hotel in Paterson.
19.
Abraham Godwin wrote poems and songs, continued engraving, and made many paintings.
20.
The Abraham Godwin Hotel was a well known tourist attraction while he was alive.
21.
Abraham Godwin was nominated the only elector for Andrew Jackson in New Jersey in 1828.
22.
Abraham Godwin died of unknown causes in Paterson on October 5,1835.
23.
The Godwin Hotel lost its prestige after Abraham died, and it fell into disrepair.
24.
Many remnants of Abraham Godwin still remain in Paterson, Ridgewood, and the surrounding areas.