The information in Chapter nine respecting Paul Guidon’s career after leaving Halifax in 1776, was obtained from a document pasted in the back of the old service book, and written at Paul’s request by a Lieutenant of the British Army stationed at Quebec in the year 1780.

Mrs. Godfrey left Parr Town late in the fall of 1784 for Halifax, and soon after sailed from the latter place for England.  Her mission to Halifax and the St. John had been a failure.  She could get no promise that her husband’s property would be restored to him, or that any compensation would be granted him in lieu thereof.

As the brigt. in which Margaret Godfrey took passage sailed out of Chebucto Harbour, she remarked to the captain that people who attempt to settle in a new colony would do well before leaving comfortable homes in the old land to find out what protection is guaranteed settlers, and what class of persons they are likely to settle among.  And as she cast a last look upon the colony, as she entered the companion way to the cabin, she pointed her hand toward the shore, remarking, “my husband and I came out to this land in very comfortable circumstances fifteen years ago; to-day, without a penny to call my own, I leave the colony forever.”  The vessel ran across the ocean in thirty-six days, and Mrs. Godfrey was once again on English soil.

Nothing having been accomplished in Nova Scotia by his wife’s visit, Captain Godfrey once more made an attempt for relief to the Lords of Parliament at home.

After the close of the American war, a commission was appointed by Parliament with power to inquire into the losses and services of the Loyalists in America.  Captain Godfrey, as has been stated in a previous chapter, had put his case before many commissions, before Lords many.  To use a common expression, “his case had gone the rounds.”  And now, as a last effort, he was about to present his claims before the Lord Commissioner of Losses and Services of the American Loyalists.  In his memorial the captain stated to the Lords Commissioners, his services as a soldier to the time of settling in the colony, concluding with giving in detail the losses he had sustained on the River St. John, in His Majesty’s Colonial possession, by the cruel and savage acts of Indians and rebels.  He also stated in his memorial that he could have joined the service of Mr. Washington, and that great inducements were held out to him to do so, and to desert the cause of his king and his country.  The memorial concluded as follows: 

“Your memorialist therefore, humbly prays, that his cause may be taken into consideration, and that he may be granted such relief, as in the benevolence of His Majesty King George the Third’s Commissioners, his losses and services may be found to deserve, and that he and the subjoined witnesses may have a hearing from your Honourable Board.”

Witnesses: 

THOMAS BRIDGE, ESQ., }
No. 2 Bridge Street, Surry Side } To Property.
}
MR. BARTLEY, }
Delzex Court, near the Temple. }