Edward Baber (MP)

He was the younger son of John Baber, who died in 1578, and Agnes Willet or Willett, who was born in Butcombe, Somerset, daughter of John Willet or Willett, and paternal grandson of John Baber, who died in 1526 in Chew Stoke, Somerset, and his wife, whom he married ca. 1500, Alice Adams, of the prominent landowning family of Chew Magna, Somerset.

He was educated at Lincoln's Inn and was called to the Bar. His legal practice was extremely lucrative and enabled him to become a substantial landowner in Somerset, buying the manors of Aldwick and Regilbury, Nempnett Thrubwell. He also bought a half-share of the family estate at Chew Magna from his elder brother. In addition, he owned houses in London and Bristol.

He became Recorder of Bath in about 1571 and Serjeant-at-law in 1577. His position as Recorder effectively entitled him to represent Bath in the House of Commons of England. He was a Member (MP) of the Parliament of England for Bath in the Parliament of 1571 and in that of 1572–1576.^[1] During his relatively brief Parliamentary career, he seems to have been a diligent committee man, sitting mainly on those committees where legal expertise was desirable.

He married Katherine Leigh, born in 1557 in Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, daughter of Sir Thomas Leigh, Lord Mayor of London and Alice Barker. They had four sons, including Francis, the eldest son and heir, and three daughters, including Mary, who married firstly Sir Roger Wilbraham, Solicitor General for Ireland, and secondly Sir Thomas Delves, 1st Baronet.

Sir Edward Baber died on 23 September 1578 and Katherine Leigh died on 10 March 1600/1601, both in Chew Magna, Somerset.

Sir Edward Baber and his wife Katherine Leigh are entombed at Saint Andrew's Anglican Parish Church in Chew Magna in the Baber Chapel.