Popham lane
Popham Lane, Pophamcounty:
coords:
Hampshire
SU556440
The place is described in text Cox 1738
- road - Hampshire
Yet here is a small Memorial of their [Popham Family] Name in a Lane, called Popham Lane, famous at this Time for the badness of the Roads, and anciently frequent Robberies committed there. Tradition says, That Sir John Popham, afterward Lord Chief Justice of England, used to act the Bandits there in his youthful Days, and therefore it was called after his Name, but that's a notorious Slander upon that good Man; for the Family was removed into Somersetshire before he was born, and there was his Nativity.
Period - 18th century, early
Twelve tedious miles we bore the sultry sun,
And Popham-Lane was scarce in sight by one:
The straggling village harbour'd thieves of old,
'Twas here the stage-coach'd lass resign'd her gold;
That gold which had in London purchs'd gowns,
And sent her home a Belle to country towns.
But robbers haunt no more the neighbouring wood:
Here unown'd infants find their daily food;
For should the maiden mother nurse her son,
'Twould spoil her match when her good name is gone.
Our jolly hostess nineteen children bore,
Nor fail'd her breast to suckle nineteen more.
Be just, ye Prudes, wipe off the long arrear;
Be virgins still in town, but mothers here.
