Sir Francis Godolphin, Kt., MP

Sir FRANCIS GODOLPHIN, Knight M P Cornwall; Governor Scilly Isles, Well regarded Tin Mine Owner; Granted Power of Coining Silver (1540–1608)

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Sir Francis Godolphin FamilySearch Family Tree Birth: Circa 1535 - Cornwall, England Death: Apr 4 1608 - Breage, Cornwall, England, UK Parents: Thomas Godolphin I, Katherine Godolphin (born Bonython) Spouses: Margaret Godolphin (born Killigrew), Alice Skeritt Children: Blanche Kekewich (born Godolphin), Jane Basset (born Godolphin), Lady Thomasine Godolphin, William Godolphin MP, Elizabeth Godolphin, Ursula Crudge Deputy Governor of Scilly (born Godolphin), Catherine Godolphin, and names of 2 more children Siblings: Anne Godolphin, William Godolphin of Helston, Agnes Peter (born Godolpin), Letitia Fursman (born Godolphin), Gentle Godolphin, Margaret Godolphin

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Family and Education

• born c.1534, 1st son of Thomas Godolphin by his 1st wife Katherine, daughter and heiress of Edmund Bonython of Bonython; brother of William.
• married (1) 1552, Margaret, daughter of John Killigrew of Arwennack, 3 sons 6 daughters;
• married (2) Alice, daughter of John Skerret of Tavistock, Devon, widow of John Glanville, same place.
• Succeeded father and uncle Sir William† 1570.
• Knighted 1580.[1]

Offices Held

• Justice of the Peace of Cornwall from c.1575, quit by 1583,
• sheriff 1579-80, 1604-5;
• dep. lt. from 1585;
• receiver-gen. duchy of Cornwall 1586;
• Commissioner on piracy in Cornwall by 1587;
• custos rot. 1597;
• recorder, Liskeard by 1604 or 1605.[2]

Biography

Godolphin was one of a number of inter-related Cornish gentry who represented the county in Elizabethan Parliaments. His first wife was a Killigrew; through his sister he was connected with the Arundell family; one of his daughters married a son of Edward Ameredith, another married George Carew. This last marriage linked Godolphin with the other knight of the shire for Cornwall in 1589—Peter Edgecombe, Carew’s uncle. Many of this south-western group were strong protestants, and judging from his will Codolphin was too. In addition to having influential local connexions, he owned large estates in the county and was a leading duchy of Cornwall official. He achieved a county seat in 1589, being appointed to committees considering returns (10 Feb.) and Exchequer reform (27 Feb.). As knight for Cornwall he was included in the subsidy committee on 11 Feb. 1589. He was returned to the 1595 Parliament for Lostwithiel, the main local centre of duchy activity. He spoke on the subsidy (7 Mar.), and was active on the subsidy committees (26, 28 Feb., 1 Mar.). He was appointed to the committee on privileges and returns (26 Feb.) and to another on Plymouth harbour (29 Mar.).[3]

Godolphin employed 300 men in the tin and silver mines on his estates: in 1584 it was reported that the ore yielded 30 lbs. of silver per cwt. He was the lessee of the Scilly Isles, a new lease of 1570 safeguarding his rights there, and he was responsible for the defence of the islands. About 1593 he undertook to build a fort on St. Mary’s. As deputy lieutenant he had responsibility in Cornwall under successive lord lieutenants for taking musters and, during the Armada period, for beacons, fortification of ports, rounding up of recusants, and arrangements for provisioning the fleet at Plymouth. After the Spaniards landed at Mousehole in July 1595 Godolphin ‘engaged himself very worthily’ at Penzance.[4]

He was buried at Breage 23 Apr. 1608. His will, dated 4 Oct. 1606, was proved 13 May 1608 by his eldest son William, his successor as receiver of the duchy. As well as bequests to his wife and children, Godolphin left £200 to the poor, £40 towards equipping a local house of correction, should it be set up, and 20 marks to build ‘lodges’ for four tinners. Four preachers were to receive 13s.4d. for sermons at Helston church.[5]

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: J.C.H.

Notes

• 1. Vis. Cornw. (Harl. Soc. ix), 80-1; Vivian, Vis. Cornw. 184; Rylands Eng. ms 311; F. G. Marsh, The Godolphins , passim.
• 2. SP12/179; Duchy of Cornw. recs. roll 256; PRO Index 4208 and 6800, f. 65; Lansd. 115, f. 224; J. Allen, Hist. Liskeard, 234.
• 3. D’Ewes, 430, 431, 440, 471, 474, 478, 481, 494, 512; Townshend, Hist. Colls. 74.
• 4. CSP Dom. 1581-90, pp. 185, 304, 305, 502; A. L. Rowse, Tudor Cornw. 54-5, 385, 402-3, 405-6, 415-17; VCH Cornw. i. 493; Lansd. 86, f. 189.
• 5. PCC 46 Windebanck.