Meadowes entered parliament as member for
Tregony in 1698. His position as Knight Marshal was bought from
Lord Jersey. He returned to parliament as member for
Truro in 1702, and was elected again for Tregony in 1705. and his "future brother-in-law" Richard Taylor (1719–1763). Philip Meadows' father, Philip Meadows (1679–1752), was
Sheriff of Norwich in 1724 and
Mayor of Norwich in 1734. Sir Philip married Dorothy Boscawen, sister of
Hugh Boscawen, 1st Viscount Falmouth. The wife of Sir Philip's nephew –
the Hon. Admiral Edward Boscawen – was
the Hon. Mrs Boscawen (1719–1805), a prominent member of the
Blue Stockings Society. Also a member of the society was
Sir Leonard Smelt who, like Meadows, had been a member of the court of
King George II in 1720 when Meadows held the position of 'Comptroller of the Accounts of the Army' and Smelt held the position of 'Commissioner for Taking, Stating and Examining Debts Due to the Army'. In 1781, Smelt became Deputy Ranger of Richmond Park following the death that year of Sir Philip's son, Philip, who had held that position. Sir Philip and Lady Meadows had three sons and five daughters, including: •
Sidney (1699–1792) •
Philip (1708–1781) • Mary Meadows (1713–43) Sir Philip later resided at
Richmond, Surrey. He died at
Brompton on 5 December 1757. ==Notes==