EPPS  , the name of an

English family, well known in commerce and medicine . In the second half of the 18th century they had been settled near Ashford, Kent, for some generations, claiming descent from an equerry of Charles II., but were reduced in circumstances, when JOHN EPPs rose to prosperity as a provision merchant in London, and restored the family fortunes . He had four sons, of whom JOHN EPPs (1805-1869), GEORGE NAPOLEON Epps (1815-1874), and JAMES EPPS (182I-1907) were notable men of their day, the two former as prominent doctors who were ardent converts to homoeopathy, and James as a homoeopathic chemist and the founder of the great cocoa business associated with his name . Among Dr G . N . Epps's children were Dr Washington Epps, a well-known homoeopathist, Lady Alma-Tadema, and Mrs Edmund Gosse .