The papers consist of Godden's apprenticeship indenture of 1812, the oath of Fisherman and Dredgerman, 1821, the transfer of registry of the smack BETSY, 1848, oyster fishing accounts, 1853, and some notes on ships and fishing.

Administrative / biographical background
Godden was born at Chatham, Kent, in 1795. He served an apprenticeship of seven years with William Brown of Gillingham and his freedom as a fisherman and dredgerman was bestowed by the City of Rochester Admiralty Court in 1821. He was then able to fish along the River Medway between Sheerness and Snodland. In the following year Godden married Ann Sarah Elliott at St. Mary’s church in Chatham. He died at Gillingham in 1870.