POPHAM, Sir Francis (1646-74), of Littlecote, Wilts. and Houndstreet, Som.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1660-1690, ed. B.D. Henning, 1983
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

15 Nov. 1669 - 28 Aug. 1674

Family and Education

bap. 19 Mar. 1646, 1st surv. s. of Alexander Popham by 2nd w. educ. Christ Church, Oxf. 1662; travelled abroad 1663. m. Helena, da. and h. of Hugh Rogers of Cannington, Som., 1s. 1da. KB 23 Apr. 1669.1; suc. fa 1669.1

Offices Held

Freeman, Bath 1669; j.p. Wilts 1670-d., dep. lt. 1672-d.; commr. for assessment, Som. and Wilts. 1673-d.; col. of militia horse, Wilts. by 1674.2

Biography

Popham was a sufficiently good Anglican to be recommended by the bishop of Salisbury to succeed his father on the Wiltshire commission of the peace. Nevertheless he probably enjoyed the support of the Bath Presbyterians like his father before him; he was returned unopposed, and during his short and inactive parliamentary career voted with the Opposition. He was appointed to three elections committees and to that for better regulating the making of serges. At the Chippenham by-election in 1673 he used his interest in support of Francis Gwyn against Danby’s brother-in-law, Vere Bertie. He died of smallpox on 28 Aug. 1674, and was buried at Chilton Foliot. His son Alexander sat for Chippenham and Bath from 1690 to his death.3

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690

Author: Irene Cassidy

Notes

  • 1. Som. Wills, v. 109-10; CSP Dom. 1663-4, p. 178.
  • 2. Bath council bk. 2, p. 511; Hoare, Repertorium Wiltonense, 16; CSP Dom. 1671-2, p. 540; Salisbury Cathedral Lib. Bp. Seth Ward, Liber Notitiae, f. 53.
  • 3. Dering, 129; HMC Hastings, ii. 165; Top. and Gen. iii. 585.