Henry, born at Lyshoy (sometimes spelt Lissoy) just 6 miles from Athlone, grandson of Charles and Ann, was the only son of the Rev. Henry Goldsmith. He is also the nephew of Oliver Goldsmith the known Irish novelist, playwright and poet(buried in Temple Church, London).

Henry was at Trinity College at the time of his father's death in 1768 when he was 18 years old. Henry was commissioned in the Army 12th July 1773 in the 54th Regiment of Foot and promoted to Lieutenant on 27th November 1775. In 1776 he left England for New York to join his Regiment which was constantly engaged during the 1776 / 82 Revolution. He was wounded twice and became much indebted to the tenderness of a young lady of Rhode Island, Mary Mason, whom he married in Trinity Church, Newport in 1779. On returning to Ireland in 1781 to find his mother in difficult circumstances, he sold his commission (worth approximately £560 in those days, and a step which he afterwards most bitterly regretted) and remained in Ireland until 1783 when he returned to Newport, New Jersey.

He accompanied the Loyalists to New Brunswick, living at St. Andrews where he received the appointment of collector of Customs. The record of All Saints Church shows that Henry was elected to the Vestry of the Church on August 15th, 1785, and again in 1788. In 1786 he purchased land, some 200 acres with subsequent purchases made up to 1792. Later he became Deputy Assistant Commisssary General at Annapolis. The following is his family with Birth and Death:

GOLDSMITH Henry 5 Jul 1755-6 June 1811

FATHER GOLDSMITH Rev Henry 9 Feb 1722-Dec 1768
MOTHER Not KNOWN -Catherine Hodson?

SPOUSE MASON Mary 1759-1832
CHILDREN
GOLDSMITH Mary 3 Jan 1780 - 3 Nov 1799
GOLDSMITH Susan Mason 25 Mar 1784 16 Oct 1784
GOLDSMITH Henry 22 Aug 1786 5 Dec 1845
GOLDSMITH Ann 4 Jan 1788 1823
GOLDSMITH Hugh Colville 2 Apr 1789 8 Oct 1841
GOLDSMITH Catherine 2 Jan 1791 26 Aug 1791
GOLDSMITH Catherine 19 Apr 1792 - 1871
GOLDSMITH Elizabeth 13 Jun 1793-1848
GOLDSMITH Oliver 6 Jul 1794-23 Jun 1861
GOLDSMITH Charles 19 Jun 1795-17 Jan 1854
GOLDSMITH Susan Mason 10 Aug 1796-10 Sep 1796
GOLDSMITH Jane 13 Jul 1797-6 Dec 1876
GOLDSMITH Benjamin Mason 26 Nov 1798-15 Feb 1884
GOLDSMITH Mary 10 Jul 1800-10 Sep 1800

Date June 10 1811
Newspaper The New Brunswick Royal Gazette
d. Thursday, Henry GOLDSMITH, Esq. Asst. Comm. General.