Born 21 May 1906 in Salt Lake City, Hampton Clawson Godbe was the son of Anthony Hampton Godbe and Ruby Clawson Godbe. His genealogy is one that contains many influential and colorful early Utahns: William S. Godbe was his paternal grandfather, and Hiram B. Clawson was his maternal grandfather. The life of William S. Godbe, founder of the Godbeite Movement, intrigued Hampton Godbe and he intended to write a book about it. He made it his project in his retirement years to collect information about his grandfather, and trace his many relatives. The book was never published, but much information was compiled. Hampton Godbe attended East High School, where he served as editor of the student newspaper. He went on to work for the
The Hampton C. Godbe papers (1864-1990) consist of materials collected by Godbe documenting the life of his grandfather, William S. Godbe, in preparation for a proposed biography. Included are correspondence, notes, articles, and memorabilia. Principal subjects discussed in the collection are Hiram B. Clawson and his family, the Godbeite movement, Brigham Young, mining and business affairs in Utah Territory, polygamy, and early Utah newspapers. Also included are additional research notes of Hampton Godbe on other topics, as well as personal papers, memorabilia, and news clippings. Some materials relate to Hampton Godbe's dispute with Salt Lake City mayor J. Bracken Lee over the operation of the Metropolitan Water District (1961-1965).
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
Two original items located in box 5, folder 3 have been removed and placed in Reserve. Access must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the item/items if being used. For further information, please review the information provided in the folder level description.
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's
Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.
Photographs were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P0113).
Boxes 1-10 were donated in 1993 (4 linear feet).
Boxes 11-12 were donated in 1996 (circa 1 linear feet).
Processed by Jennifer Breaden in 1993.
Addendum processed by Heather Harkness in 1999.
Includes family group record of W.S. Godbe and Mary Hampton; family trees for W.S. Godbe, Mary Hampton, Annie Thompson, Rosina Colborn; pages from family Bible; graph of grave plots; notes by Hampton Godbe.
Includes records of Hampton C. Godbe and Nancy Louise Garnett Godbe, Anthony Hampton Godbe and Ruby Clawson, Robert Godbe Warnock and Joan Lingenfelter, Alva Eldredge Walker and Betty Louise Godbe Walker, Gordon Blair Harding and Jaime Warnock Harding.
Includes families of the Godbe wives, with notes by Hampton Godbe regarding Lawrence James Godbe, Frank Godbe, Alice Sheehan Beck,
Benjamin Hampton, Ernest Godbe, Alfred Godbe, children of W. S. Godbe, and cemetery records.
Includes "Anthony H. Godbe"; "Mrs. Anthony Godbe in a Quaint Dress;" A. H. Godbe obituary; letter to A. H. Godbe from National Press
Bureau regarding W. S. Godbe biography; document stating A. H. Godbe's election to the Commercial Club; notes regarding A. H. Godbe's association with Cecil Rhodes.
Includes receipt to Sallie W. Godbe and D. L. Wertheimer from the estate of E. L. Godbe; receipt and documents regarding will of E. L. Godbe; receipt for stock from A. H. Godbe; Pioche stock document.
Includes certificate of Veteran status, will, correspondence between H. C. Godbe and Wiley Deavers regarding John Godbe.
Includes "Hampton Family of Utah," notes on Ernest Lacey Godbe and others, genealogical charts of Murray Charles Godbe and Alta Young.
Includes notes by Hampton Godbe on Augusta, Charlotte, Gordon Ivins Kirby, and types of marriage in Mormonism.
Includes definition of "Divorce a Vinculo Matrimonii," information regarding divorce, Cobb vs. Cobb copy of libel order, notes on Brigham Young's wives, affidavits in divorce case, polygamy, article by Mary Cable Page from "The Mormon Prophet and his Harem," and Brigham Young's will.
She writes that she misses them, also expresses concern over money issues.
June 28, 1864: She writes of her aunt's funeral, the theatre being open, the wedding of Mary Ann, the death of Mrs. Cox, and the prevalence of measles; October 11, 1868: Writes that Anne is sick with the flu; December 4, 1873: Chides him for not writing, says Willie got home safe, describes Willie and Alfred meeting, her headaches, tells him to tell Samuel she misses him, and she hopes he prospers; January 29, 1874: Tells him of the death of Mrs. Teasdale, and that Anthony is a father; January 31, 1874: Tells him not to worry about money; February 29, 1874: Tells him about her headaches, and her plan to go to San Francisco for a month.
August 12, 1868: Thanks him for letter but angry there is no return address, tells him she wishes she could make him happy like Bro. Harrison, tells him Frank and Sammy had gone to Bear River, says she has one item of news she will save until she sees him; March 26, 1869: Hopes he doesn't feel "unkindly" toward her, apologizes for something she said; May 24, 1869: Says she has not heard from him, hopes he is safely lodged. Went to the theatre with Annie and her children, spent a day with Mary's brother and children; June 2, 1869: Thanks him for letter, tells him to cast off his anxieties, wishes she could make him perfectly happy, says Ben is in the city; November 4, 1871: Received his letter from New York. She is sad about her "future prospects." She says the news she hears about him is not good. She talks about her new house, and her worry that people are talking about fighting; December 29, 1873: Received his letter from England, says words "coming home" mean nothing to her now. She mentions money matters, renting out her house, and says to give her best to his mother.
October 10, 1868: Clara says Anne is sick with dysentery, and Clara is lonesome. Samuel adds a note telling his father he wants to go to Bear River; June 22, 1871: Clara asks him to take her out in a buggy on the fourth of July. She also writes to her mother: "I have no father and no one to cheer me but you."
The President of the Council informs him George Cannon has filed a charge against him with the High Council. Godbe is charged with "harboring apostasy."
Godbe tells Young he is still his servant, despite their differences.
Godbe accuses Smith of acting in ignorance, bigotry and conceit.
January 17, 1871: Stenhouse writes about business precautions and putting jealousies behind them; February 12, 1871: Stenhouse tells Godbe that Elias and he must never expose themselves, not even to family. He says Godbe can trust him; February 13, 1871: Stenhouse writes about money for the printing office, and about Annie's wish to leave Godbe; September 17, 1877: Godbe writes to Campbell, Cullen and Co. regarding bullion and smelting facilities; March 24, 1881: to Mary Hampton Godbe from E. J. Sprague, regarding title for lot. One letter of unknown origin.
January 9, 1882: To his mother, asking for clothes from home to be sent to him at Antimony; January 15, 1882: Tells his mother that his father's health is improved, but life is lonely and cold; February 12, 1882: He has just returned from a trip to Beaver. Says his father shouldn't work so hard; February 13, 1882: Says stocks are up again so he can buy supplies for the grocery store; February 27, 1882: Says they have finished the work on the concentrator, tells her a little girl has died of pneumonia; August 9, 1882: He describes the camp and the concentrator, and overseeing the boarding house; October 19, 1882: He is sorry to hear of Murray's Typhoid Fever. Writes of assaying and his chemical lab; October 25, 1882: Says word was sent to shut down the mines. A new fellow (Stevens) was sent to do bookkeeping, expenses are bad, he is afraid Eastern investors will be mad at William Godbe. Says his father is too generous and doesn't write to tell him what to do; November 21, 1882: He writes that he has just returned from Beaver, and is concerned about his brother Murray; November 27, 1882: He writes that Uncle Ben has gone, and asks how Murray is; December 19, 1882: Says his father shouldn't work so hard and he'd be healthier. He just had his twentieth birthday. Says he remembers a dream his mother once had about him being drunk, which he never has been. He tells her he went deer hunting, and that he wishes he made more money; January 21, 1883: Reports on his salary, says when he saw her she didn't look well; April 10, 1883: Tells of a robbery in which he was the witness; April 17, 1883: Says Will has gone to Juab to meet William Godbe, business is good in the store, he makes $150 per month; November 30, 1910: Writes to his wife about business in Kentucky; February 6, 1914: From the elder Anthony Godbe to William Godbe's son Anthony, telling about the LaRiviere family; February 20, 1914: From the elder Anthony, giving more information about Samuel Godbe and family; June 11, 1917: To Anthony Godbe from Ross Moore, regarding the health of Ernest Godbe, who committed suicide soon after this letter was written; Four other letters are included in this series, their content not noted here.
Recipe for cough syrup, tickets and business cards, note regarding a cigar case, a shirt stud and pennies. Tickets are from the Queen's benefit concert for the widow and orphans of Samuel Godbe.
Included are papers concerning the sale of a lot on the Jordan River to W. S. Godbe, loan agreements, carbonate assays, purchase of interest in Little Cottonwood Mine, agreement between Frisco Smelting Co. and Horn Silver Mine.
Included are papers concerning the option for Godbe to buy Carbonate Lode, sale of Frisco Mining and Smelting Co. stock, sale of Cave mine; shares and stockholder information for Frisco and Bullionville.
Letterregarding Chicago stockholders to Godbe from William Tebb, letter regarding sale of lot for smelter to Godbe from Mr. Browne.
Regarding examination of Mayflower Mine.
Addresses the history of mining in Utah and Brigham Young, polygamy, and excommunication.
Included are an authorization of Notary Public for Theodore McNamee, mortgages for Main Street Lot 4 and Block 57 Lot 8 Plat B, the drugstore, Exchange Building, lots 2& 3 on block 46 plat B. Also the record of the purchase of a lot in St. George by W. S. Godbe from Orson and Sarah Pratt.
Included are mortgages for the Tribune building, lot 7 plat B for children of William and Annie Godbe. Agreement for lease of room in the Exchange Building to George Higgins, agreement between Daniel Bertosh, Mary Godbe and Anna Mowery.
Letter regarding mortgage, notes on the Commerce Building, Exchange Building, and Godbe, Pitts and Co.
Promissory note from Joseph Howard and receipts.
Settlement to Henry Lawrence and W. S. Godbe.
Mary Godbe and Ben Hampton, W. S. Godbe and Charlotte Godbe.
Included are letters from Mr. Shearman, Mr. Boyce, A. Rant, and J. M. Spears to Godbe; letter from W. Snyder to James Hackett, and unknown letter from Copenhagen.
Thirteenth Ward assembly room shares, sale of mule teams, land certificates, agreements with Eldredge and Brown, and Leach and Co., agreement to arbitrate dispute over flour.
Northwest part of Salt Lake City, Endowment House, Godbe-Pitts Drug Co., Tribune Building, ZCMI, Home of Maude Adams, Octagon House, Salt Lake Theatre, William S. Godbe home, Lion House, Mill, Beehive House, Brigham Young School, Deseret Bank Building, Godbe Building, explosion of 1876.
Correspondence between Fawn Latey and Hampton Godbe regarding John Latey, who was married to Annie Thompson's sister.
News article, "Lawrence Testifies;" "Henry William Lawrence" from Men of Affairs in the State of Utah; and notes by Hampton Godbe.
Notes and bibliography by Hampton Godbe; articles from magazine: "Spiritualism and Priesthood," "Music in the Settlements," "Things Unaccountable," "Woman and Plural Marriage," "Value of Church Organization," "Our Family Difficulty," "Sophistry and Special Pleading," "The Limits of the Priesthood," "A Card to the Public," "A Card by W. S. Godbe," "An Appeal to the People," "Manifesto from W. S. Godbe and E. L. T. Harrison." Also included: "William
H. Shearman."
Copy of a drawing of H. B. Clawson, "A Thumbnail Biography" by Hampton Godbe, Certificate of Ordination into the Seventy Elders in the LDS Church, "History of Drama in the West."
This folder contains photocopies of the documents: "Sale of lot to Brigham Young from Lorenzo Snow" and "Sale of lot to Hiram Clawson from Brigham Young." The original items has been removed and placed in Reserve. Access must be given by the Manuscripts Curator and by appointment. An archivist must remain with the item if being used.
Also included in the folder is a poem "How Changed Thou Art," program of piano recital featuring Ruby and Ivie Clawson, report card for Ruby Clawson, Sand a Salt Lake Theatre program.
Family Reunion, notes from census sheets, Territory of Utah, business code of P. W. Madsen Furniture Co., notes on Stanley Harting, Teresa Phebe, Margaret Gay Judd, Rudger, Sidney Beattie, Phebe May, Thomas Alfred, Mary and Tessie; notes of meeting with Hiram Clawson, notes on Ellen Clawson letters, correspondence regarding Nebraska, miscellaneous notes, pedigree chart, bibliography, information from Ellen Tibbitts Chipps.
Alice Woodward Godbe, Samuel Thompson Godbe, Inez Didama Earl, Isabel Godbe, and Annie Thompson.
Helen Godbe Tuft, Alfred Godbe, and Ida J. Godbe.
Rosina Godbe, Benjamin Hampton, and the Hampton House of Hospitality.
The house on 4th East.
Miriam Brooks Jenkins, Clara Brooks Pitts, Allie Godbe Ruess, Sarah
LaRiviere.
Samuel and Warren Godbe, and paintings of the Godbe family.
Florence Godbe, Rosina Godbe, Miriam Brooks, Harry Pitts, Annie Thompson, Samuel Godbe, Lillian Godbe, Hampton family, the Depression, E.S.P., Ernest's suicide, polygamy, Charlotte Ives Cobb, Ellen Clawson, and Aunt Elva.
Douglas Godbe, Annie Godbe Murdoch, Sarah LaRiviere, Theresa Godbe Carey, Queen's benefit concert for Samuel Godbe's widows and orphans, Mary Hampton.
From his mother and his son John.
H. B. Clawson, Elias Lacy Thomas Harrison, Edward William Tullidge, William Henry Shearman, Henry William Lawrence, Benjamin Hampton, Deseret Drugstore, Jasper Godbe.
"The Evolution of Presiding Quorums of the LDS Church," "Creating A New Alphabet for Zion," "The Taylor-Cowley Affair," "Gentile Polygamist," "Cigarette Prohibition in Utah," Book Review on the Mountain Meadows Massacre.
Regarding Committee for Constitutional Government. Also included are letters of response to Hampton Godbe.
Originals of those found in box 9.
For Hampton C. Godbe v. Metropolitan Water District of Salt Lake City in regards to the unfair dismissal of Godbe.