Compiled by Russell Bastedo
State Curator
1998

Governor Ichabod Goodwin 1859, 1860. Goodwin (1794-1882) was born at North Berwick (ME). He had common schooling at South Berwick, then went to work for Samuel Lord, a Portsmouth (NH) merchant. By his early thirties Goodwin was master and part owner of several ships, and by 1832 he was a successful merchant and owner of two railroads and two banks. He also owned the Portsmouth Steam Factory, a textiles manufactory. Goodwin married (Sarah Parker Rice, of Portsmouth) in 1827.

Goodwin was several times elected a State Representative (1838, 1843, 1844, 1850, 1854, 1856). He was a Whig in his early years, and had the distinction of being the last Whig candidate for Governor of New Hampshire, in 1856. He lost, receiving 2,360 votes, and switched to the Republican Party. Goodwin was the Republicans' nominee for governor in 1859, and won a close election. He repeated his win in 1860.

Governor Goodwin was in power while the legislature did away with the Courts of Common Pleas, transferring their duties to the State Supreme Court. He supported a legislative resolution opposing the extension of slavery, and an anti-immigrant act aimed at the defining of police courts' powers to suppress "intemperance." He also supported efforts to regulate railroads.

In May 1861 Goodwin responded to the first calls for soldiers by borrowing funds against his own name to equip two regiments. The legislature affirmed the Governor's action that June, when they came into session.

In retirement Goodwin returned to work at Portsmouth. His home is today a part of Strawbery Banke Restoration.

Location: State House, Second Floor, Corridor, West Face, Beginning at Room 208
Portrait by E. Billings (possibly Edwin Billings, 1824-1893); Presented by Governor Goodwin