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POPHAM, Sir Francis (1646-74), of Littlecote, Wilts. and Houndstreet, Som.
Available from Boydell and Brewer
Constituency
Dates
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