Family and Education

b. c.1555, 1st s. of Edward Popham by Jane, da. of Richard Norton of Abbot’s Leigh, Bristol. educ. M. Temple 1568. m. Dorabella, da. of John Bayley, 4s. 8da. suc. fa. 1586.

Offices Held

Recorder, Bridgwater 1586; j.p.q. Som. from c.1591.

Biography

Popham inherited his father’s estate, his influence in Bridgwater, and his office of recorder. This usually carried with it a seat in Parliament, but in 1593 Popham was not returned, perhaps standing down for the mayor, who was. Popham’s name has not been found among the surviving records of the Parliament of 1589. On 10 Nov. 1597 he was appointed to the committee of a bill concerning Langport Eastover, Somerset, and on 14 Dec. 1601 he was one of the committee for the bill repealing a statute regulating the length of kerseys. For his attendance at this Parliament he was paid £6, as well as £2 for his fee as recorder. He died a rich man in 1602, six months before his son Edward came of age.

Vis. Som. (Harl. Soc. xi), 87-8, 125; C142/211/156, 271/149; PCC 19 Montague; Hatfield ms 278; Jarman, Hist. Bridgwater, 274; D’Ewes, 684; Townshend, Hist. Colls. 103; Bridgwater archives, no. 1586.

Ref Volumes: 1558-1603

Author: Irene Cassidy

Notes