Family and Education

b. 29 Sept. 1595, 1st s. of Stephen Smalman of Wilderhope and Jane, da. of Francis Lawley of Spoonhill, Salop. educ. Exeter Coll., Oxf. 1610, BA 1613; I. Temple 1610, called 1620. m. 30 Oct. 1623, Abigail, da. of Hugh Morris of Lloran, Denb., 4s. 2da. suc. fa. 1635. d. 10 May 1639.1 sig. ff[rancis] Smalman.

Offices Held

Freeman, Much Wenlock, Salop by 1625.2

Biography

Smalman’s grandfather, a lawyer of local origin, bought Wilderhope manor, part of Wenlock liberty, in 1583; his son and grandson were also called to the bar of the Inner Temple, and presumably practised before the Council in the Marches at Ludlow. Smalman’s father, one of the senior burgesses of Wenlock, procured his return for the borough in 1626, in tandem with his uncle Thomas Lawley*. In May, James Clarke II* of Hereford successfully claimed privilege for one of his servants, but Smalman was noted as absent without excuse at the call of the House on 2 June. At the next election he gave way to George Bridgeman, son of the recorder, apparently by agreement, as his father signed the election return.

Smalman succeeded to his estates in 1635, but did not enjoy them for long, dying on 10 May 1639. In his will of 7 Mar. he bequeathed his daughters portions of £500 and £250, and hoped that his under-age heir would apply himself ‘to virtuous learning and the study of the Common Law’. He was the last of the senior branch of the family to sit in Parliament.3

Ref Volumes: 1604-1629

Authors: John. P. Ferris / Simon Healy

Notes

• 1. Trans. Salop Arch. and Nat. Hist. (ser. 3), ii. 326; iii. 3, 18; Al. Ox.; I. Temple database of admiss.; C142/610/97.
• 2. Trans. Salop Arch. Soc. (ser. 2), vi. 276.
• 3. Ibid. ii. 326-7; iii. 17; Procs. 1626, iii. 265-6, 312-13, 347; PROB 11/180, f. 415v; C142/610/97.