POPHAM, Edward (?1711-72), of Littlecote, Wilts.

The Pophams regularly represented Somerset and Wiltshire constituencies after acquiring Littlecote from the Darells in the sixteenth century. Having succeeded to the family estate, said to be worth £6,000 p.a.,Gent. Mag. 1735, p. 559. Edward Popham was returned at a contested by-election for Great Bedwyn in 1738, standing as a Tory on the Bruce interest. He was afterwards returned five times for the county unopposed, voting consistently against the Administration. The 2nd Lord Egmont wrote of him in his electoral survey, c.1749-50: ‘I believe will be thoroughly with us, has a very large property but excessively encumbered as I have heard’. He died 14 July 1772.