GODSMAN, JAMES [SSNE 174]

Surname

GODSMAN, GOTSMANN, GUSSMAN

First name

JAMES, JACOB

Title/rank

MAJOR

Nationality

SCOT

Social status

OFFICER

Text source

Born in Scotland c.1633, James Godsman entered Danish service around 1658, and served the crown for one and a half years. In 1658 he was a cornet in a dragoon company which was defeated by Karl X Gustav of Sweden on Fyen. In 1662 he was a lieutenant in Captain Meldrum's company of infantry. In 1670 he was captain and company chief. Wounded in the storm of Kristianstad in 1676 and later captured then imprisoned at Malmo. In 1677 he was exchanged, and sent to Jylland to collect recruited troops. In 1677 he was a major in Prince Frederik's regiment. He was seemingly reduced in November 1679. He sought permit to leave to seek his fortune elsewhere in 1680. Died in 1693 in Nyborg. Godsman was married to Helen Wallace.

G. Lind, Danish Data Archive 1573; J.C.W. Hirsch and K. Hirsch (eds.), 'Fortegnelse over Dansk og Norske officerer med flere fra 1648 til 1814 (12 vols. compiled 1888-1907), IV, vol.1

Service record

DENMARK-NORWAY, QUEENS DRAGOONS

Arrived 1658-01-01, as ENSIGN

Departed 1680-12-31, as MAJOR

Capacity OFFICER, purpose MILITARY

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