Family and Education

o.s. of Edward Goddard of Hartham Park, Corsham and Ogbourne St. Andrew. m. Elizabeth, da. of John Smith of South Tidworth, Hants, 6s. 1da. suc. fa. 1676.1

Offices Held

Commr. for assessment, Wilts. 1673-d.

Biography

Goddard came from an obscure branch of a prolific family, which had held land in Wiltshire since the 13th century, though none had previously sat in Parliament. His interest in politics was probably aroused by his brother-in-law John Smith, and he was returned to the first Exclusion Parliament for Marlborough, two miles from his home. Shaftesbury marked ‘Mr Goddard of Ogbourne’ as honest. He was named to no committees, made no speeches, and was given leave to go into the country on 17 Apr. 1679; but he is listed as voting for the exclusion bill. He died on 10 June and was buried at Ogbourne St. Andrew. No later member of this branch of the family entered Parliament.2

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690

Author: John. P. Ferris

Notes

• 1. Misc. Gen. et Her. (ser. 4), iii. 212, 214; Wilts. Vis. Peds. (Harl. Soc. cv), 68; Aubrey and Jackson, Wilts. Colls. 83.
• 2. R. Jefferies, Goddards of North Wilts, 8, 41; Coll. Top. et Gen. v. 357.