He briefly represented Onslow Township in the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in 1775.
He was baptized in Malden, Massachusetts on 6 December 1716, the son of Richard Upham and Abigail Hovey.
On 15 July 1757, he married Elizabeth Putnam (née Nurse), a widow.
[note 1] Upham was also named as coroner for Onslow township on 21 March 1765.
He was elected to the House of Assembly in a by-election, taking his seat June 12, 1775.