Downtown in New Haven in South Central Region, Connecticut — The American Northeast (New England)

Col William Goffe

Photographed by Michael Herrick, August 18, 2010

1. Col William Goffe Marker

Inscription. In Memory of the Regicide
Col William Goffe A member of the High Court of Justice which in 1649 tried and condemned King Charles 1st of England and a signer of the kings death warrant. He served with distinction in the Parliamentary Army and in 1655 was appointed one of the major generals who governed England under Cromwell. He was in turn a member of both Houses of Parliament. At the restoration of the monarchy he fled to New England with his father in law Col Edward Whalley. After several years of concealment in New haven the two regicides went to Hadley Massachusetts there remaining until the death of Whalley. Tradition relates that in 1675 during King Philips war Col Goffe suddenly appeared and rallied the citizens against the Indians and then vanished. From 1676 – 1679 he lived in Hartford under the name of T Duffell but of his death and place of burial nothing is known.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Wars, Non-US. In addition, it is included in the King Philip's War 1675-1676 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1649.

Location. 41° 18.482′ N, 72° 55.603′ W. Marker is in New Haven in South Central Region, Connecticut. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from Temple Street

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0.1 miles south of Elm Street, on the right when traveling south. Located on the rear wall of the Center Church On The Green. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 311 Temple Street, New Haven CT 06511, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Connecticut River Valley

and on the Connecticut Shoreline.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Haven County

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Stephen Goodyear (here, next to this marker); New Haven Common Burial Ground (a few steps from this marker); Theophilus Eaton (a few steps from this marker); Col Edward Whalley (a few steps from this marker); Quinnipiack (within shouting distance of this marker); First Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); New Haven Memorial Flagpole (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to the New Haven Green (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Haven.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. William Goffe - Wikipedia.

William Goffe, c. 1613/1618 - 1679/1680, was a religious radical from London who fought for Parliament during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Nicknamed “Praying William” by contemporaries, he was a leading advocate of putting Charles I on trial and later approved his execution in January 1649. He escaped prosecution as a regicide after the 1660 Stuart Restoration by fleeing to the New England Colonies.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, August 18, 2010

2. Col William Goffe Marker

(Submitted on April 21, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

2. Major General William Goffe - Find-a-Grave.

Son of Mr. Stephen Goffe, who was an incumbent at St Mary's, Haverfordwest, and at Stanmer, Sussex. James Phillips's article 'William Goffe the Regicide' in The English Historical Review (1892), vol. VII, pp. 717-720 showed his baptism was in 1618 at Haverfordwest, St Mary.

(Submitted on April 21, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

3. Angel of Hadley - Wikipedia.

The Angel of Hadley is the central character in a possibly apocryphal tale combining the execution of Charles I in England, King Philip's War and Hadley, Massachusetts. According to the tale Colonel William Goffe, who was wanted for his role in the regicide, was hiding in Hadley when it was attacked by Indians in 1675 or 1676.

(Submitted on April 21, 2026, by G.W.Bartlett of Hingham, Massachusetts.)

The back of the Center Church On The Green image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Michael Herrick, August 18, 2010

3. The back of the Center Church On The Green

The Col William Goffe marker is on the left corner of the building, between the columns.

Goffe Rallying the Men of Hadley image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

4. Goffe Rallying the Men of Hadley

from The Romance and Tragedy of Pioneer Life, by Augustus L. Mason, 1883.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,618 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 24, 2010, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. 4. submitted on July 18, 2019, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.