A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Godby, John Hardy
GODBY. (Captain, 1814. h-p., 17; h-p., 36.)
John Hardy Godby is son of the late John Godby, Esq., Steward of the Royal Hospital, Greenwich, by a daughter of Josiah Hardy, Esq. (grandson of Josiah Burchett, Esq., many years Secretary of the Admiralty), H.M. Consul at Cadiz, and formerly Governor of the Jerseys, North America. He is cousin of Capt. John Duff Markland, R.N.
This officer entered the Navy 23 June, 1794, on board the Monarch 74, Capt. John Cooke, bearing the flag at Newfoundland of Sir Jas. Wallace. On next joining, as Midshipman, the Hebe 38, Capt. Paul Minchin, he assisted. In company with the Melampus, at the capture, 3 July, 1795, of six out of 13 French vessels, laden with military stores, and convoyed by a ship of 26 guns, a lugger, and also by two armed brigs, one of which. La Vésuve was likewise taken. Until promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, 15 Oct. 1800, we next find Mr. Godby successively serving in the Tourterelle, Capt. John Cooke, Seahorse 38, Capt. John Peyton, La Nymphe 36, Capts. J. Cooke and Percy Fraser, Royal George 100, flag-ship of Lord Bridport, and Amethyst 36, Capt. J. Cooke. La Nymphe, during the period of his attachment to her, took, in company with the San Fiorenzo 36, the French frigates La Résistance of 48, and La Constance of 24 guns, 9 March, 1797. After serving for nearly five years, as Lieutenant, on the Mediterranean, Newloundland, and Home stations, in the Experiment, Capt. John Saville, Athénienne 64, Capt. Sir Thos. Livingstone, Lapwing frigate, Capts. Alex. Skene and Fras. Wm. Fane, and Boadicea 38, Capt. John Maitland, Lieut. Godby was promoted to Commander’s rank by commission dated 25 Sept. 1806. His subsequent appointments were, in 1808-9, to the Rolla, Trompeuse, and Prospero sloops; in the latter of which he destroyed a Danish privateer cutter, of 2 guns and 25 men, near Christiansand, on the coast of Norway, 17 Feb. 1811. He continued in the Prospero until his advancement to Post-rank 27 June, 1814; and on 1 Oct. 1846 he accepted the Retirement.
Capt. Godby married, 24 April, 1832, Catherine, daughter of the late John Andrews, Esq. Agents – Messrs. Halford and Co.