DACKOMBE (DACKHAM), Edward (1579-1635), of Corfe Castle, Dorset

Dackombe’s great-grandfather acquired property in Corfe Castle by marriage. Although a younger son, Dackombe himself succeeded to the family estates in 1597. Three years later, when he came of age, it emerged that the Crown’s entitlement to his wardship had been concealed, and he had to pay £12 for the privilege of marrying without royal permission. Already the owner of around 80 acres at Corfe, he subsequently purchased 23 messuages in the borough, substantially increasing his local prominence. Hutchins, i. 510; WARD 5/11, p. 1947; C142/538/103.

Dackombe was first returned for Corfe Castle in 1604, being described by the corporation as ‘this honest and kind gentleman ... our townsman, ... a man of sufficient ability and livelihood’. Not. Parl. ii. 498-9. He left no trace on the records of the first Jacobean Parliament, and in 1614 made way for his distant cousin John Dackombe. In 1621 he arranged the election of his second wife’s stepfather, Sir Thomas Hammon. Vis. Dorset (Harl. Soc. xx), 35; The Ancestor, ii. 212. As the borough’s returning officer in 1624 and 1625, he was ineligible to stand himself, but surprisingly seems not to have influenced the choice of Members. Dackombe sat for Corfe again in 1626, but once more failed to contribute to the Commons’ proceedings. During this session, he was required to advance £10 to the Crown on a Privy Seal. APC, 1625-6, p. 370. He apparently played no part in Corfe’s 1628 parliamentary election.

Dackombe compounded for knighthood at £10 in 1631. He died in December 1635. No will or administration grant has been found. He was the last member of his family to enter Parliament, though in 1679 his grandson Edward Dackombe was severely reprimanded by the Commons for misconduct as the borough’s returning officer. Som. and Dorset N and Q, iv. 20; CJ, ix. 594b, 620b.