Priscilla Goddard was born in the village of Cliffe Pypard and baptised at St Peter's Church in June 1765. The entry in the register reads: Priscilla Daughter of Edward Goddard Esq & Joanna his Wife was born Sund: March 31. The Goddard family acquired the Manor of Cliffe Pypard in 1530 when it was sold to John Goddard of Aldbourne. The story goes that the Goddard family acted as rector presented to the living, but that Edward (Priscilla's father) was so dissatisfied with the incumbent cleric that he took holy orders himself and in 1780 presented himself for the job. Priscilla probably received an education appropriate for the daughter of the Lord of the Manor, either at home by a governess and then tutors or at a private school for young ladies. I can only guess at the events of Priscilla's life because - here I go again - there is no written evidence! She probably received music lessons and painting lessons. She could probably play the piano and sing and no dou...