Sidney Godolphin (colonel)

Colonel Sidney Godolphin (1652–1732) of Thames Ditton, Surrey was a British Army officer and politician who sat in the English and British House of Commons for over 40 years (non-continuously) between 1685 and 1737.

Godolphin came from a Cornish family and was the only surviving son of John Godolphin, judge of the Admiralty court, of St. Thomas's, near Launceston, Cornwall and St. James's, Clerkenwell. The Godolphin family had held a long lease of the Isles of Scilly since the late 16th century and he was Lieutenant-governor of the islands from 1690 and Governor for life from 1700. He was also Auditor of the Revenues in Wales.

Godolphin was returned as Member of Parliament for Helston in 1685 and held the seat until 1687.[1] He was returned as MP for Penryn in 1690 and held the seat until 1695. In 1698 he was elected again as MP for Helston which he held until 1713. He was also returned at West Looe in 1702 but chose to stay at Helston.[2] He regained the seat at Helston in 1715 but in 1722 changed to St Mawes. In 1727 he was returned instead for St Germans which he held until his death.[3] He served in Parliament long enough to become 'Father of the House'.

The Assessment Book of Thames Ditton showing assessments for the relief of the poor gives the Colonel's address as 'Ditton Street' — but it was probably Forde's Farm (later known as Boyle Farm):

"He spent his time in arms till his state of health, requiring ease and quiet, made him quit a military life, but not the service of his Country, which he represented in Parliament near fifty years, and died Father of the House. It was his felicity to be valued and countenanced by his Sovereign, esteemed and loved by his friends and relations..."