The collection is open for research.
Permission to publish material from Stafford J. Godfrey Papers must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Stafford J. Godfrey Papers, Ms2018-026, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
The Stafford J. Godfrey Papers were purchased by Special Collections in April 2017.
The processing, arrangement, and description of the Stafford J. Godfrey Papers was completed in September, 2018.
The collection of Stafford J. Godfrey, 21st New York Infantry Regiment, contains his diary written from May, 1861 to August, 1863, detailing his day to day activities, primarily his camp duties. Also included his Godfrey's discharge paper dated August 3, 1863, membership application to the Union Veteran Legion, dated May 18, 1863, a card distributed by ladies aid society of Buffalo titled, "Counsel to our Volunteers: How to Prepare for the Campaign," and a name card from H.D. Godfrey.
Stafford J. Godfrey was born in New York in 1827. He enlisted in the 21st Regiment, New York Volunteers as a musician in April of 1861. His profession was listed as "cheese making," and following his service, he returned to farming in Wyoming County, New York. Prior to the war, he married Phebe Ward (1831-1884) and the couple had two children. Godfrey eventually retired from farming and lived with his daughter and son-in-law. He died in 1911 and is buried in Varysburg, Wyoming County, New York.