Sir Godfrey Vassall Webster 5th Bart.

A counterclaim on behalf of Sir Godfrey Vassall Webster as tenant in tail of the estates in Jamaica belonging to Lord and Lady Holland (the latter previously Lady Webster) appears to have been successful to the extent of a £5000 payment from the total compensation. The claim may have been made on behalf of the 5th bart. (1789-1836) but paid to the benefit of the 6th (1815-1853), a naval officer.

Sir Godfrey, 5th bart., was the eldest son of Elizabeth Vassall (later Lady Holland) and her husband Sir Godfrey Webster, 4th Bart. Around 1794 his mother left his father for Henry Richard Fox, 3rd Baron Holland, and in 1797 Sir Godfrey, 5th bart., obtained a divorce, "retaining for life her West Indian fortune of £7000 per annum" [ODNB].

His father committed suicide in 1800. According to his mother, Sir Godfrey 5th bart. was ‘clever but … not handsome …, cold in his disposition, and taught by his father to be a boaster’ [quoted in ODNB, sourced to HoP, Commons, 1790–1820, 5.500]. Inherited an estate in debt, much of the estate was sold for £130,000. Lived at Battle Abbey, spent extravagantly. Married Charlotte Adamson in 1814. Separated from his wife and formalised an arrangement for the maintenance of their four children by 1828.

Was found to have sold all his own property by his death in 1836.

MP for Sussex 1812-1820.

T71/871 Westmoreland nos 27, 30 and 31. ODNB online, Christopher Whittick, 'Webster family' (per. c. 1650-1836), gentry.'

PROB 11/1347/13.

Brian Murphy / R. G. Thorne, 'Webster, Sir Godfrey, 5th Bt. (1789-1836)', History of Parliament online, accessed 10/09/2015.