THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES LIST OF THE KNIGHTS AND BURGESSES WHO HAVE REPRESENTED THE COUNTY AND CITY OF DURHAM IN PARLIAMENT SECOND EDITION. "these were all honoured in their generation." SUNDERLAND : PRINTED BY MARWOOD AND CO. HERALD OFFICE. 1831. Hutograpfig of t&e sitting JtfUmfiers 182G. ^**^^Szz_ &utograpf)$ of tit sitting JtfUmfcers 1831. a^HjtiVt—^ &-*/& "fcCirt?**? JN S53 X PREFACE. UTCHINSON in the first volume of his History of the County of Durham,* and latterly Mr. Surtees in his history of the same county, have treated so largely on the representation of the county and city, that it would appear unnecessary in this place to do more than to furnish a hrief outline of the various attempts which have been made by the freeholders to obtain Representatives in Parlia- ment, and which at length terminated successfully in the reign of King Charles II. " The County of Durham was formerly exempt from the burthen " of sending Representatives to Parliament, in consequence of the Bishop's palatine jurisdiction, " by virtue of whieh, he, with the consent of his council, levied taxes, and raised men within the " Bishoprick, without reference to the authority of Parliament."f As early as 1562-3, 18th January, a bill was read in the House of Commons for levying fines in the County Palatine of Durham, and " to have two Knights from thence into the Parliament." In 1614, 21st May, a bill was read " for knights and burgesses to have place in Parliament for " the County Palatyne and City of Durham, and Borough or Town of Barnard's-Castell," which bill was committed 31st May, and the Bishop ordered to be heard by counsel. In 1620,t 6th March, another bill was read, when fourteen members were claimed. On the report, 1 1th March, it was agreed, that there should be " Knights for the County and Citizens for Durham : Hartlc- * Vol. 1, p. 539. t Surtees' Appendix, vol. 1, p. cxlvii. J In a letter to Bishop Neile, from his auditor, George Martyne, dated 10th Jan. 1620, he states that some dif- ferences had fallen out about the choice of persons to attend his lordship, respecting the " bill for knights and bur- gesses, adding that, "As the passage of this busynesse is not only likely, by your lordships' favourable consent, " to be much facilitated, but wholly effected, so I pray God that that respect may be given to your lordship in the "choosing of our knights and burgesses (when there shall be occasion) that you may receive as good content " therein as always you have given in this to all the country ; but, if it be not tymely prevented, it is generally " thought that the popish faction will make a very strong partye for choyce of one at least, if not of both the " Knights of the Shyre, having so farr alredy proceded, upon hope to have had knights this Parliament, that the " most of the freeholders of this countye have bene alredy by them, and those of there partye, intrcted and earn- " estly sollicited for there voices." . " pool to have Burgesses, because it is a Port Town," and Barnardeastle, " because it is the PrinceV " town, and he desireth it" : — the rest were rejected, because of pestering the House. Hartle- pool was afterwards " stricken out," the bill engrossed, and passed to the Upper House. A bill to the same effect appears in the Journals of the House in 1623, again in 1621, and in 1610 the subject was discussed, and a bill passed the Commons 7th April, 1642. In 1645, 8th April, the inhabitants of the county petition that the bill which " passed both " Houses" for knights and burgesses, and which was not to take effect till after the next session of Parliament, may have immediate effect — when it was ordered that they might bring in a bill " to pass to take effect from henceforth." Soon afterwards they petition that " some course" may be taken that they may have knights and burgesses ; and on the 21st Dec. 1646, an ordinance to that effect was read a first and second time ; and, on one occasion at this period, when " divers " gentlemen" of the County of Durham presented a petition, the Speaker informed them that their humble petition was very modest and discreet ; still, however, they failed in their main object of obtaining representatives. In 1650, the gentry, &c. submit their " humble desires" to the House, when they were informed, " that an equal care should be had of them therein with the " rest of the nation." During the Commonwealth, however, in the Parliaments of 1654 and 1656, members were returned both from the county and city ; but in the last Parliament of the Commonwealth, no members were admitted to represent either the County or City of Durham. In 16o9 (March 31st) a bill was brought into the House of Commons for restoring members for Durham, on a petition of the knights, justices of peace, grand jury, gentlemen, ministers, and freeholders, which was referred to a committee.* The Restoration revived the hopes of the freeholders ; and a bill was read a first time in the II (.use of Commons, to enable the county and city to send knights and burgesses to Parliament, 28th July, 1660, which passed the House as usual, and was ordered to the Lords. No further progress is on record until 1 06G, when the grand jury, at the Quarter Sessions holden at Durham 23d April, presented " a paper" to the magistrates, for procuring knights and bur- gesses, which they desired might be sent to the Bishop-j- (Cosin). At the sessions, 3d October, in the same year, the following petition was read in open court : — "To y Right Worshipful the Justices of Peace for ye County of Durham. "The peticon ofy e pTandJ ur y of yc said county in yc name of all the freeholders thereof — Humbly shewelh, that iously weighed the many and great advantages that all the other counties of this king- ■• mjoy by haveing Parliament men to represent them in that great Councell of the nation, soe that noe led, nor any other enacted (by which (hey ought to he governed, and to which they ought to be are related with commendable brevity in Burton's Diary, vol. 4, p. 310. Lord iert, for it Mr. Trevor, for it, viwell timed — Sir A. Haalerigg, against it, as come in irregularly — Mr. Brough- ton, J i they could long he content with a Bishop, and never complain, let ilicm stay awhile. i Setnona Book. PREFACE. i\ "obedient) without their consent, which undeniably is a very great privilcdge, and the undoubted birth-right " of all the free-borne subjects of England. This makes us reflect upon the sadnes of our owne deplorable condicon, "who (without any crime objected, or other cause pretended against us) are debarred of this priviledge to our no "small dishonour and disadvantage, for not to be partakers equally with our fellow-subjects in thi r«.;t trust " and priviledge, and to stand humbly at the doore of that house with a peticon where we should sit as judges, must " needs be a great ignominy, and very grevous to persons truly sensible of their countryes disgrace, then, to be sub- " ject to those lawes in the making of which we have not an equal] or any vote with our fellow-subjects, to pay ;ill " taxes and impositions whatsoever laid upon us without our consent (contrary to soe many acts of Parliament, and " the peticon of rights) to be liable to suffer deeply by the daily debates in Parliament both in point of trade and " other frequent emergencies, having none to speake for us in these cases to in forme the house and prevent the " damage. These undoubtedly are great disadvantages, and unsupportable to persons truly apprehensive of our " daily hazards. And of these we have (especially) two very sad instances, the first the £26,000 lent the " army about 7 & 20 years agoe ; the other this great additional] charge now laid upon us in this present monthly " assessment. The former (in all likelihood) might have been procured, and the latter prevented, or (at least) " much mitigated, if wee had members of our owne to have acted these businesses for us in the house. Wee are "confident yt your Worships (who are as fully concerned in this business as we are) will be pleased to joyne with " us & assist us (by all just ways & meanes) in these our endeavours to right our hitherto injured county, and (wee " doubt not) but yt you will prefer the publicke good before any of your owne private interests and concernments ; " that we may declare to all the world and record to posterity how highly instrumental all of you have been for ye " procuring of this great, both honour and advantage for this county, and be assured you shall find us freely and " willingly to contribute with you to the charge of soe good and necessary a work." The petition concludes with a desire that the magistrates would send proper persons to solicit Parliament. On the petition being read, the bishop required of the grand jury who " penned" the same, and immediately entered his " protestation against it." On the Bench,* however, the question was carried by a majority of eleven to five. John Tempestf and William Davison, J Esqrs. were sent to London by the Magistrates : and although their mission was unsuccessful, yet their zeal was duly appreciated, and they were re- ceived on their return to the County with great rejoicings. § The Freeholders then published their reasons for desiring Representatives in Parliament ; of which the following is a brief summary : — * The Deane (Sudbury), Dr. Basire, Thomas Cradocke, Samuel Davison, and William Blakiston, Esquires, entered their dissent; whilst Sir Nicholas Cole, Knight and Baronet, Henry Lambton, John Tempest, Anthony Byerley, Ralph Davison, Cuthbert Carr, Lodowick Hall, Robert Clavering, Ralph Carr, John Morland, and Chris- topher Sanderson, Esquires, gave their assent to the same. f Of the Isle, and of Old Durham: the first member for the County of Durham under the act of Charles II. % Eldest son of Ralph Davison, of Wynyard, and grandson of Sir Alexander Davison, Knight, one of the loyal defenders of Newcastle: barrister at law. " Counsellor Davison died suddenly at Hardwick, 2Gth April, 1696."— Jacob Bees' Diar y ; in the possession of Robert Surtees, of Mainsforth, Esq. which is frequently quoted in the following pages. He was a glover at Durham, and his diary extends over a space of 2-3 years. § Extract of a letter from Bishop Cosin, to his secretary, Miles Stapleton, Esq. : — " The newes that you write of " Mr. Jony Tempest and his vain-glorious coming in triumph with cue hundred and fifty horse before him into " the country lookes like a great insolence or somewhat that is worse, for he is neither Lieutenant nor Deputy That all Counties, and even the County Palatyne of Chester, have Knights and Burgesses — that they are subject to all imposts by Parliament, and that they are liable to prejudice in their trade in the proportioning of aids, Sec. from the want of Representatives — and that the jurisdiction unty Palatine would not be impaired thereby. • replies at some length, stating, that by antient privilege the County is exempt from ..s and Burgesses — that he is bound by oath to maintain such privilege — that it would alter the Palatine constitution — that Breve Regis non currit in Comitatu Palatino Dunel- the return he makes to writs infringing his immunities — that the City of Durham and all other Corporations in the County have their Charters from the Bishop — that this attempt was first made about fifty-three years since by a few discontented gentlemen, who sought to lessen the Bishop's power — that the whole County withstood the innovation then, and many do so now, though others, to obtain their purpose, offer the Bishop the nomination of one Knight and one Burgess for his consent — that there was no such precedent but in Cromwell's time — that their complaint of taxes laid on them without their consent, is nothing new — that they don't suffer on that account, the Bishop always taking special care in proportioning the taxes, and that taxes are laid on the Clergy in the Bishoprick, who have no Representative to vote for them, " but only their own Bishop of Durham." The Bishop shortly afterwards published further reasons, " calculated chiefly to resist the adduced precedent of the County Palatyne of Chester."* In the postscript of a letter from the Bishop to John Tempest and Ralph Davison, j Esqrs., 1 lth Dec. 1667, he says, " you do not keep your first offer and promise, that the Bishop for the time being shall have the chusing of one Knight and one Burgess, "J and this was, perhaps, the ground-work for the Bishop's continued opposition to the wishes of the County. The bill introduced under such conflicting interests, was lost in the House of Commons, 26th March, 1668, by a feeble majority of 65 to 50. The Bishop's well-deserved popularity suffered by his constant opposition to this measure ; he 15th January, 1671, and two years afterwards (during the vacancy of the See) apparently or hath he any office under the King, or the Bishop, and what this triumph lends unto, or who m< n thai li I fves to meet him and Mr W| illiam] D[avison], if you tooke notice of them as it be yon did, you Bhall not doe amiss to let us know with all other circumstances that helong to that matter. ' ■ •• thinke all this great meeting and trooping of the horse before him, was to comfort him for the great loss " whi re, both of his own spirits, and of John Jfoplin's intended burgesses, who 'tis likely enough hath o, and the raiser of this new troop to meet his master. What you say of Mr. Lodowick Hall ■oop thai day, it is to be doubted was rather to joyne with the company of horse that went ibei for the better service of Mr. J. T. lb W. I), then to repress any disorder that might arise ' Mr. II. ill seem oi late to be his great friend, voting upon the bench with him, and subscribing hither, with as much forwardness as any of the rest." Hunter's MSS. No. 11. oi Wiiii.,,, Davi on, E q, mentioned in the preceding page ; also a barrister at law. I d letter, rlunter'i MSS. No. 24, Dean and Chapter's Library. PREFACE. X J without difficulty, an act was passed to empower the Freeholders to elect two Knights for the County, and the Mayor, Aldermen, and Freemen of the City of Durham* to elect two Burgesses to represent them in Parliament. From that period, the County and City have enjoyed this privilege without interruption. It will be seen by the following list, that the representation of the County has never been suffered to fall into the hands of a stranger, but has been fairly distributed amongst the leading families of the county. In the City, the Bishops have heretofore exercised considerable influence but at present there is no direct preponderating interest, unless a long-established connexion with the families of Lambton and Tempest, equally honourable to both, may be so considered. At present, the number of freeholders exceeds 6000 — and the freemen may be stated at 1 100. * The Act states, that the members are " to be elected and chosen by virtue of the Kino-'s writ, to be awarded " by the Lord Chancellor or Keeper of the Great Seal of England, for the time being, in that behalf, to the Lord " Bishop of Durham, or his Temporal Chancellor of the said County of Durham, and a precept to be thereupon " grounded and made by the Lord Bishop of Durham, or his Temporal Chancellor for the time being, to the Sheriff " of the said county for the time being." But in consequence of various doubts which arose regarding the issuing of the writ for the city, no members were returned for the latter before 1678. The Committee of Elections reported to the House, 25th Feb. 1677-8, that it did not appear plain who should order the election. If the Sheriff of the county, who hath only a precept and no writ, then he must order in the city, where there is a Mayor ; and the like is not done in England, and recommending to leave the doubt for further consideration. However, a writ was ordered immediately, and the High Sheriff's precept to the Mayor, 22d March, 1677-8, states, that he has received a precept or Writt of Mandamus made and awarded by the Bishop of Durham, of the Chancery of Durham, under the seal of the County Palatine, grounded on his Majesty's writt issued out of the High Court of Chancery, to the said Bishop directed, whereby he is commanded to cause to be elected, within the City of Durham, two sufficient and discreet burgesses. He, therefore, requires the Mayor to summon the aldermen and freemen, and to proceed to the election, and to certify the same to him without delay. IWemiwo for tty County, fctsurpaticn. 1653. — Henry Dawson.* 1054. — Robert Lilburn, EsQ.f George Lilburn, Esq.J * In some other lists he is called Henry Davison. -j- Colonel Robert Lilburn was the eldest son of Richard Lilburn, of Thickley Punchardon, in this county, and brother to the celebrated Colonel John Lilburn, of independent memory, com- monly called " Freeborn John." He was baptized at St. Andrew's, Auckland, 2d Feb. 1613 ; was a Commander of the Parliamentary forces, and was appointed Governor of Newcastle in 1647. In the following year, he sat on the King's trial, and signed the warrant for his execution. He was afterwards Major-General of the North of England, and, together with Sir Arthur Haslerigg, ruled the county of Durham during the interregnum. He represented Malton in 1659. On the Restoration, he was tried with the other regicides, October 16, 1660 ; he offered no defence, but entreated the favour of the King, and his sentence was commuted to perpetual banishment to the Island of St. Nicholas, near Plymouth, where he died in 1665. \ Of Sunderland, Esq. uncle to Robert (abovementioned) ; was probably first an adventurer in trade at that place, and was afterwards carried forward, together with the increasing fortunes of his more active Republican relatives, to a considerable pitch of local influence. During the whole of the civil wars, he acted as the only Magistrate within the limits of the borough of Sun- derland. He sat constantly on all Committees of Sequestration, and contrived, in virtue of his office, to get possession of a colliery at Harraton, belonging to the lessees of Sir John Hedworth, winch cleared him £15 a-day. He survived the Restoration, and died in 1677, aged 99. Surtees Durham, vol. 1, page 258. 1 1 (Tfiarlr* $$. 1656. — Thomas Lilburn, Esq.* James Clavering, Esq | 1675. — John Tempest, Esq J Thomas Vane, Esq.§ * Eldest son of George Lilburn, of Sunderland, Esq. (before named) ; lie lived at Offerton, where the family held considerable estates. In his politics he was a Kingling, or one who voted that the crown and title should be offered to Cromwell — and in the pamphlets of the day he is called a Captain of Horse, worth £273 per annum. In the following Parliament, 1658, he re- presented Newcastle. He bore a commission of Major in Monk's army. He died 25th March, 1665, and was buried at Houghton-le-Spring. On his monument, he is described as "one of the instrumental persons in his Majesty's happy restoration." f The Claverings are a branch of the ancient Claverings of Calleley, who are themselves the male representatives of the Barons Fitz Roger, of Warkworth, who assumed their present sirname from the hundred of Clavering, in Essex. James Clavering, of Axwell Park, Esq. was High Sheriff of the county of Durham in 1650 ; but, in 1656, it would seem that he was an object of suspicion to the government, for in the information of Lady Hall, dated 7th Nov. in that year, it is stated, " that one Mr. Clavering, of Axwell, in the county of Durham, who was chosen a " Member of this present Parliament, but not admitted, did lend to Charles Stewart £4000 since •' March last." — Thurloe's State Papers. In the following year, however, the Churchwardens' books of Gateshead shew, that he had at least set out for the purpose of attending his public duty ; as one of their charges to the parish is " for one gallon of muld sack, had of Mr. Watson, bestowed on Mr. James Clavering, Justice of " Peace, at his taking journey to Parliament, 9s. — 1657." He was created a Baronet 5th June, 1661, and stood an unsuccessful contest for the county in 1675. He was buried at Whickham 2 1th March, 1701-2, aged 82. \ Of the Isle, and of Old Durham, by his marriage with the heiress of John Heath, of Old Durham, Esq. ; son of Sir Thomas Tempest, Knight, Attorney-General of Ireland ; descended from thr ancient family of Holmside, in the County Palatine, and of Studley, in the County of York. He was nominated for a Knight of the intended Order of the Royal Oak, at the Restora- tion, which was never carried into effect, from the fear of exciting discontents and jealousies. He repr< tented the county in this and the succeeding Parliament, and was buried at Forcet, Co. York, 26th July, \i\'M . lie was of the court party; and in a pamphlet written with a vio- lent tincture of party spirit, called "A seasonable Argument to persuade all the Grand Juries to p< titiMn tor a new Parliament, or a List of the principal Labourers in the great Design of Po- Amsterdam, H>77 he is called " ;i Papist, a Pensioner, and a Court-dinner ■ Man, and haa w^ a Customer's place at Hull for his son." § Of Hal' Ideal BUrviving son of Sir Henry Vane, and grandson of Sir Henry Vane, Election, 21st June.* Candidates. Tempest 1034 votes Vane 856 J>ir James Clavering, Bart 747 Air. Vane died four days after the election ; a new writ was issued on the 14th day of October following, and he was succeeded on the 25th October by his younger brother, Christopher Vane, EsQ.-f 1678-9. — Sir Robert Eden, Baronet.;}; John Tempest, Esq. Election, 24th February. Candidates. Eden 1338 Tempest 1173 Christopher Vane, Esq.§ . . . 921 Secretary of State to King Charles I. He was attacked by the small-pox, and " was in a fever " at Raby upon y e day of his election, whereby he died y e fourth day after, June 25th, in the " morning." He was buried at Staindrop. * The contest lasted three days, and 1446 freeholders voted. f Who was an unsuccessful candidate at the three succeeding elections for the county. He was created Baron Barnard, of Barnard's Castle, 8th July, 1699. He died 28th Oct. 1723, aged 70, and was buried at Shipbourne, Co. Kent. X This family was first seated at Preston-on-Tees, then at Belsis, by marriage with the heiress of Lambton, of Belsis, (a family certainly connected with the Lambtons, of Lambton), and after- ward at West- Auckland, by marriage with the co-heiress of Dalton and Hutton. Sir Robert was the eldest son of John Eden, Esq. and was created a Baronet 13th Nov. 1672. He represented the county in 1689, 1698, 1702, 1705, 1708, and 1710. He was buried at St. Helen's Auck- land, 17th May, 1720. § He presented a petition against the return (26th March, 1679) in which he states that 16 tffjarU* 5$. 1679.— William Bowes, Esq.* Thomas Featherstonhaugh, Esq.-J- Election, 24th August. Candidates. Bowes 1048 Featherstonhaugh 979 Christopher Vane, Esq 803 Sir Mark Milbanke, Bart. % 671 1680. — William Bowes, Esq. Thomas Featherstonhaugh, Esq. Election, 21st February. Nicholas Conyers, Esq. High Sheriff, did "set at liberty a great number of Roman Catholic con- victs," on promises made " that they would vote for Eden and Tempest." * Of Streatlam Castle, descended from the junior branch of the ancient family of Bowes of Streatlam, Co. Pal., great grandson of Sir George Bowes, Knight Marshal, by his second wife Jane, daughter of Sir John Talbot. He was created a knight 13th April, 1684. He represented the County in the Parliaments of 1679, 1680, 1695, 1702, and 1705. He died 7th Feb. 1706, and was buried at Barnard Castle. The elder branch of his family is represented by Thomas Bowes, of Durham, Esq., and the junior branch by Thomas Lyon Bowes, Earl of Strathmore. ■f Of Stanhope Hall, representative of the very ancient family of that name seated at Stanhope from the reign of King Stephen. He married Anne, daughter of John, and sister of Sir James Clavering, Bart. He was buried at Stanhope, 30th July, 1684. I The first person mentioned in the pedigree, according to family tradition, (although he is modestly stilcd in the Herald's visitation Mealbanks, who sailed in a ship from Shields), was cup-bearer to Mary Queen of Scots, and, in consequence of fighting a duel, was obliged to fly to England tax safety, and purchased an estate at Chirton, near North Shields ; — his great grandson Mark was Mayor of Newcastle in 1658 and 1672, and married Dorothy, one of the wealthy daughters and co-heirs of Ralph Cock, Alderman of Newcastle, (familiarly called " Cock's canny tunnies"). Sir Mark was his eldest son. He was nominated for a Knight of the Royal Oak on the Restoration, and was created a Baronet, 7th August, 1661. — He died the year after the contest, md wu buried at Croft, 2d July, 1680. $amr$ ££. 17 Candidates. Bowes, 1 180 Featherstonhaugh 978 Christopher Vane, Esq 681 ♦> $amr0 HE. 1685. — Robert Byerley, Esq.* William Lambton, EsQ.t Election, 16th March. 1688. — Robert Byerley, Esq. William Lambtox, Esq. Election, 18th December. avlc& 3&. 1679. — William Blakiston, Esq. Sir Richard Lloyd, Knight.* Election, 10th September. f Candidates. Blakiston 514 Lloyd 506 William Tempest, Esq ... 504 1680. — Sir Richard Lloyd, Knight. William Tempest, Esq. 3) antes ffl. 1685. — Sir Richard Lloyd, Knight. Hon. Charles Montagu.J Election, 12th March, 1684-5. * Sir Richard Lloyd, LLD. knighted at Whitehall 16th Jan. 1676, son, of Andrew, and grandson of Richard Lloyd, of Aston, in the county of Salop, Spiritual Chancellor to Nathaniel Lord Crewe, Bishop of Durham, afterwards Judge of the Admiralty. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John Jones, and had a numerous family. He died at Doctors' Commons, 28th June, 1686, and was buried at St. Benet's, near Paul's Wharf, London. •j" A singular circumstance took place at this election, which does not appear to have excited any particular observation : — The Lord Bishop of Durham, who had been admitted into the Wor- >hipful Company of Mercers, 16th Oct. 1676, voted for Sir Richard Lloyd and William Tem- pest, Esq. X Fifth son of the gallant Edward, first Earl of Sandwich, and nephew to Nathaniel Lord Crewe, Bishop of Durham. He was appointed Spiritual Chancellor of the Diocese, 19th Nov. 1685, and served the office of High Sheriff for the county. He represented the city in the Parliaments of 1685, 1695, 1700, and 1701, and died in 1721. His elder brother, John, was Dean of Durham. &LliUtam HE. 35 J 688. — George Mokland, Esq.* Henry Liddell, EsQ.f Election, 19th December. ©onbentton parliament, 1688-9. — George Morland, Esq. Henry Liddell, Esq. Election, 10th January. J Candidates. Morland 599 Liddell 407 William Tempest, Esq 278 1689-90.— William Tempest, Esq. George Morland, Esq. Election, 3d March. § * Of Windleston, eldest son of John Morland, an Alderman of the city of Durham. He was Mayor of Durham, 1690, and represented the city in the Convention Parliament, and in the first Parliament of William III. He was buried at St. Oswald's, 26th March, 1711. y Of Newton, near Durham, eldest son of Sir Thomas Liddell, of Ravensworth Castle, Baro- net, and great-grandson to the first Baronet who was one of the loyal defenders of Newcastle against the Scots' army. He again represented the city in 1695, and was an unsuccessful candi- date in 1698. He afterwards represented Newcastle in several Parliaments. He died in 1723, and was buried at Kensington 3d September. J >A new election for Burgesses was upon the 10th day of January, being Thursday, this " year 1688, when Mr. Morland, Mr. Liddell, and Capt. Tempest : but y e two first was chosen " Burgesses." — Bee's Diary p. 245. The Mayor's return (11th Jan.) states that the burgesses were elected " in pursuance of his highnes the Prince of Orange's letter." § " An Election for Burgesses for Parliament was chosen the 3d day of March, being " unday, this yeare — Morland and Tempest was chosen without any opposition." — Bees Diary , p. 244. 36 aEUUam IM. 1695. — Hon. Charles Montagu. Henry Liddell, Esq. Election, 30th October.* 1698. — Hon. Charles Montagu. Thomas Conyers, Esq.| Election, 28th July. Candidates. Montagu 673 Conyers 424 Henry Liddell, Esq 408 1700-1. — Hon. Charles Montagu. Thomas Conyers, Esq. Election, 13th January.J 1701. — Hon. Charles Montagu. Sir Henry Bellasyse, Knight.§ * Of this election, Jacob Bee has the following curious entry in his Diary, p. 240: — " Octo- " ber 30th — An election, supposed to be one of the day above, betwixt Montagu, Liddell, and " Blackston, but Blackston declined it, and stood noe pole ; Liddell and Montagu chosen." "f Of Elemore, son of Nicholas Conyers, of Bowlby, Co. York, and Biddick, Co. Pal. Esq. by his third wife, Margaret, daughter and heiress of Nicholas Freville, of Hardwick, Co. Pal. He represented the city of Durham in eight Parliaments, and .died October 4th, 1728. His only daughter married George Baker, of Crooke Hall, Esq. afterwards of Elemore. X In a MS. not sufficiently authentic to be quoted as authority, this election is stated to have been contested, and the following numbers are given : — Montagu, 590 — Conyers, 401 — Tem- pest, 300. § Of Brancepeth Castle, descended from the ancient family of Bellasyse, of Henknoll, Co. Pal. and of Pottoe, Co. York, son of Sir Richard Bellasyse, of Ludworth and Owton, Knight, by his second wife, Margaret, daughter of Sir William Lambton, Knt. He represented the city in the Parliaments of 1702, 1705, and 1710. He was a Lieut.-General in the British forces in Flanders, under King William III. sometime Governor of Galway, in Ireland, and of Berwick-upon-Tweed. Qurrn 3nnr. 1702. — Sir Henry Bellasv.se, Knight. Thomas Con ye as, Esq. 1705. — Sir Henry Bellasyse, Knight. Thomas Conyers, Esq. Election, 14th May.* 1708. — Thomas Conyers, Esq. James Nicholson, Esq.| He died 16th Dec. 1717, aged 70, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. One of his ancestors exchanged the family estate of Bellasis for Henknoll, and the circumstance was long preserved in the following lines, inscribed on the church windows of St. Andrew's, Auckland : — M i?r lla*n>0, BfUaggp*, Daft toa* tt»_> jiouur I M 2&itirn rxrljang^ ticUat&v* for feenfcnou." * This election was contested, and Mr. George Sheffield, a citizen of Durham, was a candidate. In an imperfect manuscript poll-book, in the possession of Mr. George Andrews, of Durham, of which a few of the first leaves are remaining, the numbers are given, when Bellassys had 12'* votes — Conyers 148 — and Sheffield 73. In a note in the same book it is stated, that "it wis " not expected that there would have been any pol at all, but George Sheffield, a tanner in " this city, for reason it is unknown, having made a party of y e meaner sort, demanded a p>l, " which altho' opposed by Mr. Morland, upon account of y* candidates unfitness for such a post, " yet being persisted in, was granted and taken accordingly." Jacob Bee also mentions this con- test with his usual quaint brevity, p. 224 : — " Sir Henry Bellesses, — Squire Conyers, — George " Sheffield, stood a pole for Members of Parliament — but Sheffield gave up .'" "f" Of West Rainton, (whose father James appears to have followed the humble occupation of a cordwainer). He married Jane, one of the daughters of William Heslop, butcher, sister to the lady of Sir John Duck, Baronet. He died in 1727, and was buried at St. Nicholas,' Durham, 16th August, leaving three daughters and co-heiresses, viz. Jane, who married Thomas Earl of Strathmore, (grandfather to the present Earl) ; Anne, who married the Hon. Patrick Lyon, younger brother to the said Earl ; and Mary, who died a spinster. Sir John Duck (named in the foregoing note) was the wealthiest burgess on the civic ann.i!> >f Durham. His birth, parentage, &c. remain in impenetrable obscurity. He was bred a butcher, under John Heslop, in defiance of the whole craft, in whose books there still exists a genth repri- mand to Heslop, " to forbear to set John Ducke on worke in the trade of a butcher, on paine >i' 39s. lid." John Duck, however, was born to greatness, and grew rich in despite of the butchers, M 3fi (Qurnt *htitf. 1710.- -Thomas Conyers, Esq. Sir Henry Bellasyse. Election, — September. James Nicholson, Esq. who sat in the last Parliament, was also a candi- date, but declined standing a poll in consequence of a great number of honorary freemen having been created in favour of Mr. Conyers and Sir H. Bellasyse. Sir Henry Bellasyse having been appointed a commis- sioner in Spain, 15th February, 1711-12, a new writ was issued, and, after a short contest, and married either the sister or the daughter of his henefactor. He huilt a splendid mansion in Silver-street, and endowed an hospital at Lumley. In the former, a pannel still exists, record- ing his happy rise to fortune. The Baronet, then humble Duck, cast out by the butchers, stands near a bridge, in an attitude of despondency, and in the air a raven is seen bearing in his bill a [ iece of money, which, according to tradition, fell at his feet, and which, being " put out to use," was the nucleus on which he wound a splendid fortune. On the right is a view of the nansion-housc in Silver-street, and on the left the hospital at Lumley. He died without issue, and was buried at St. Margaret's, 31st Aug. 1691, where his wife — pia— prudens— felix — lies d beside him. (Queen Unite. Robert Shafto, Esq.* was returned. Candidates. Shafto Anthony Hall, Esq. Alderman of Durham. t 1713. — Thomas Coxyers, Esq. George Baker, Esq. J 0eorge $, 1714-15. — Thomas Coxyers, Esq.§ George Baker, Esq. 1722. — Charles Talbot, Esq.|j Thomas Coxyers, Esq. * Of Whitworth, elde st son of Mark Shafto, of Whitworth, Esq. and grandson of Sir Robert Shafto, Recorder of Newcastle. He was again elected for the city in 1727. He married Doro- thy, fifth daughter of Henry Dawney, second Lord Viscount Downe. He was buried at Whit- worth, 21st Dec. 1729. -j- Son of John, and grandson of John Hall, both Aldermen of Durham. He petitioned tin House, 5th April, 1712, stating that "great numbers of persons receiving alms, and persons in- " fiuenced by bribery and other illegal practices," had voted for Mr. Shafto, and gained a small majority against him. — The numbers on the poll have not been preserved. X Of Crook Hall, in right of his wife, Elizabeth, only daughter and eo-h?iress of Thomas Con- ycrs. of Elemore, Esq. and great-grandson of Sir George Baker, Recorder, and one of the loyal defenders of Newcastle against the Scots. He represented the city in the following Parliament. He died at Bristol, 1st June, and was buried at Lanchester, 12th June, 1723. § Members who voted against the repeal of the Triennial Act, 24th April, 1716 — Thomas Conifers, George Baker, Sir John Eden, and John Hedworth. They also voted against the Bill for strengthening the Protestant Interest, 7th January, 1719, and against the Peerage Bill, 17 IT'. |i Eldest son of William TaJbot, Bishop of Durham. He was appointed Lord Chancellor, 1733. and created Lord Talbot and Baron of Hensol. In relation to this election, it i- stated in 40 <$forge $. Election, 27th March.* Candidates. Talbot 860 Conyers 654 James Montagu, Esq.f 563 Mr. Talbot was appointed Solicitor-General, and a new writ was issued 23d April, 1726; and, on the 2d May following, he was again returned. ■» (Gtovqc $£♦ 1727. — Charles Talbot, Esq/J; Robert Shapto, Esq. Election, 18th August. one of Hunter's MSS. in the Dean and Chapter's Library, that " the present possession of this " uninterrupted supply of water conveyed to the Fountain, in leaden pipes, about 1200 yards or " more, calls for our gratitude to the valuable memory of our formerly dear and honourable re- " presentative, the late Lord Chancellor Talbot, who, upon his re-election for this city, upon his " being made his Majestie's Solicitor-General, generously consented to defray the expence of " laying a new and larger pipe, at the kind solicitation of the Rev. Dr. Rundell, Lord Bishop of " Deny, in Ireland, then a most worthy Prebendary of our Cathedral, at the time when the citi- " zens had subscribed £120 to begin the said work at their own charges." • This election is stated to have taken place between seven o'clock in the morning and nine at night on the same day ; and it is added that above one hundred and seventy honorary freemen voted, many of whom were made a short time previous to the poll. — Corporation Papers. f Eldest son of Charles Montagu (v. p. 34) and great nephew to Nathaniel Lord Crewe, Bishop of Durham. He presented a petition 25th Oct. 1722, against the return of Mr. Conyers, for " several illegal and corrupt practices," and objected to Mr. Conyer's qualification. He withdrew this petition 25th March, 1723, and was never afterwards a candidate. The Bishop gave him the estate of Newbold-Vernon, Co. Leicester, where he spent his days " with such cheerfulness, free- dom, and hospitality to the rich, and charity to the poor, that he was generally beloved." He died 8th Nov. 1748, and was buried at Newbold-Vernon. X March 14th, 1732-3, members who voted for and against the Excise Scheme. For — Charles Talbot ; Against — George Bowes, John Hedworth, and John Shafto, Esquires. <3covgc &t, u Mr. Shafto died 21st December, 1729. A new writ was issued on the 15th January following, and, after a severe contest, he was succeeded by his only brother, John Shafto, Esq.* Election, 2Gth January.! Candidates. Shafto 577 Henry Lambton, Esq. J 553 Charles Talbot, Esq. was appointed Lord High Chancellor 29th Novem- ber, 1733, and created Lord Talbot, Baron of Hensol, 5th December fol- lowing. A new writ was issued 17th January, and, on the 25th of the same month, Henry Lambton, Esq. was duly elected. 1734. — John Shafto, Esq.§ Henry Lambton, Esq. * Of Whitworth, father to Robert Shafto, Esq. M.P. for the county 1760, 1761. He repre- sented the city in the two succeeding Parliaments. He died in London, 3d April, 1742, and was buried at Whitworth. f The poll continued four days — 1133 freemen polled. Mr. Cradock had two votes, and Sir Thomas Hanmer one. X Of Lambton, eldest son of Ralph Lambton, of Lambton, Esq. nephew to William Lambton, Esq. who represented the county in 1685, &c. and great grandson of Sir William Lambton, who died in the royal cause at Marston Moor. He petitioned against the return of Mr. Shafto. He represented the city from 1733 until his death, 26th June, 1761. He died suddenly; and a cotemporary Journal, in recording the event, states that he " represented (the city) in five suc- cessive Parliaments, with unshaken loyalty to his king, and the utmost honour to himself: being neither biassed by party nor private interest, but always a strenuous advocate for liberty, and firmly attached to the good of his country, and in whom his constituents, on every occasion, found a sincere and steady friend." § Members who voted for the repeal of the Septennial Bill, 1734 — John Shafto and George Bowes, Esquires. I 42 (StOVQt 3E3E. 1741. — John Shafto, Esq. Henry Lambton, Esq. Mr. Shafto died in London 3d April, 1742. A new writ was issued on the 5th, and, on the 23d of the same month, John Tempest, Esq.* was elected. 1747. — Henry Lambton, Esq. John Tempest, Esq. Election, 30th June. Candidates. Lambton 737 Tempest 581 Robert Wharton, Esq.f 538 1754. — John Tempest, Esq. Henry Lambton, Esq. Election, 15th April. ' Of Old Durham and Sherburn, and afterwards of Wynyard, son of John Tempest, of Dur- ham, Esq. and grandson of William Tempest, Esq, M.P. for the city. He continued to repre- sent the city until the second Parliament of George III. He was buried at St. Giles', Durham, 17th May, 1776. 1742, Dec. 10. — Members who voted against the Hanoverian troops being taken into British pay — John Tempest and George Bowes. Absent — John Hedworth and Henry Lambton, Esqrs. ■\ Descended from a younger branch of the ancient family of Wharton, of Kirby-Thore, Co. Westmoreland. Of Winston, Co. Pal. and afterwards of Old Park. Robert Wharton was son Thomas Wharton, of Old Park, M.D. Mayor of Durham, 1729 and 1736. He died 15th March, 1752, and was buried at St. Mary's the Less, Durham. (Srorge I££ 48 1761. — John Tempest, Esq. Henry Lambton, Esq. Election, Apri} 1st.* Candidates. Tempest 705 Lambton 546 Ralph Gowland, Esq.-j" 526 The election lasted three days. A scrutiny was demanded by Major Gowland, but declined on the 6th April, when the other candidates wen declared duly elected. Mr. Lambton died suddenly, 26th June, 1761; and in the month of October following, the Mayor and a majority of the Aldermen having dis- placed sixteen Common Councilmen, and named others of inferior fortunes, repealed the bye-law of the 8th Nov. 1728, by which none could be admitted freemen until their claims had passed three quarterly guilds, and made a new bye-law, under the sanction whereof above 200 occasional freemen were created. The writ was issued on the 28th November. The election * At this election the number of freemen belonging to each company stood as follows : — Mercers, Grocers 46 Drapers, Tailors 98 Masons 84 Cordwainers 192 Plumbers, Glaziers 29 Fullers and Felt-makers 42 Carpenters, Joiners 71 Barbers, Rcpers 86 Butchers 94 Weavers 86 Skinners, Glovers - 46 Curriers, Chandlers 36 Tanners IS Saddlers 13 Dyers IS Smiths 97 Total 10.50 Being an increase of 212 since the election of 1678. f Of Little Eppleton, at this time a Major in the Durham Militia, son of Samuel Gowland, of the City of Durham, by his wife Averil Skinner, and grandson of Ralph Gowland, of Durham, attorney. He was returned for the city on the death of Henry Lambton, Esq. but his triumph was short-lived, and he was ousted by a vote of the House, May 11th, 1762. He afterwards re- presented Cockermouth. 14 (Scorge £££♦ began on the 7th December, and continued without interruption until the 12th, when Ralph Gowland, Esq. was declared duly elected. Candidates. Gowland* 775 John Lambton, Esq-t % 752 * Total number of votes — For Major Gowland 560 Occasional votes 215 775 For General Lambton 752 Majority for Major Gowland 23 Majority for General Lambton, exclusive of the occasional votes. . . . 192 1312 legal freemen voted, which is the greatest number ever polled at Durham. -j- Of Lambton. He represented the city in five successive Parliaments and was deservedly popular with the citizens for the gallant stand he made in defence of their dearest rights and pri- vileges. He died on the 22d March, 1794. He entered the service as an ensign in the Cold- stream Guards, 12th Oct. 1722, was appointed Major-general 26th Feb. 1761, Lieut. -general, 30th April, 1770, and General, 30th Nov. 1782. The second battalion of the 23d foot was formed into the 68th : John Lambton was their first Colonel ; and this gallant corps still bears the name of the " Durham" Regiment. X On the termination of this celebrated contest, the General published the following address to the freemen : — " The very great support I have met with at the election of a member to represent you in Parliament, upon the " death of my late brother, demands my most sincere and grateful acknowledgments ; and tho' the warm endeavours " of my friends have not been attended with the success which might reasonably have been expected, yet I think " myself obliged in this public manner to declare my determined resolution steadily to pursue all proper measures " for the support of the liberties and privileges of the freemen of the City of Durham ; and to the utmost of my vet to endeavour to restore to you the freedom of electing your own representatives." — Durham, Dec. 12, 1761. Mr. Gowland, in an address dated the day after the election, after thanking the freemen for their support and affection, adds — " It would be unpardonable, not to mention to your further honour, that as you shewed a rare ex- " ample of disinterested affection, so also of peace and good decorum throughout the whole length of the poll ; and " which appeared with the greater advantage, as it was contrasted with so different a conduct on the part of your " opponents, more especially at the conclusion of the poll when assembled under an inflammatory flag, they broke into such outrageous violences as threw the whole town into consternation. Yet these men ignorantly boasted On a petition to the House of Commons* from General Lambton, it was resolved, 11th May, 1762, by a majority of 88 to 72, that the occasional freemen had no right to vote;f and the return was ordered to be amend- ed, by rasing out the name of Ralph Gowland,;): and inserting that of John- Lambtox, Esq. " themselves the assertors of your liberties!" This obnoxious flag was described before the House of Comniui bearing "the arms of Lambton and Tempest united — with a calf's-head and an ax, and other emblems ten '■ greatly to reflect upon Major Gowland and his friends :" and such was the enthusiasm of the moment, thai I usual order of things was reversed, the successful candidate and his friends sought their personal safety in conceal- ment ; and General Lambton, according to his own emphatic expression, was " chaired to the skies !" * In the M. S. diary of William Allan, of Richmond, Esq. Gentleman Usher to the Queen Charlotte (a friend of Major Gowland) he says — " May 5th, I went down to the House of Commons to hear Lambton's petition " for an undue election, when I heard the most ingenious, eloquent, and the most masterly harangue spoke by \0un2 " Cowper (counsel for Lambton), that ever fell from the tongue of man ; his action modest and graceful — his lan- •■ ixuage bold, striking, and expressive. In speaking of the honorary freemen, he took notice that officers of the army " and militia, gentlemen of distant and different counties, knights, and baronets, were daily taking up their freedom " as blacksmiths, plummers, Sec; that amongst the latter, there was a baronet of so very flexible, easy, and pliant a •• disposition, that in the month of September he personated the Duke of Aquitaine, and in the month of November •' he drop't into the pitiful character of a plummer. This set the house into a universal laugh, and the eyes of every •' one were fixed upon Sir Thomas Robinson!" Under May 11th, he says, (after giving an account of the divi- sion) — " tho' I have a great regard for Major Gowland, and tho' most of the gentlemen who supported him were - my good friends, yet this attempt was such a stretch of power, that, if suffered to proceed, it would have over- ■' turned the Parliamentary Constitution itself; — I glory in the determination of the House, for so nobly supporting " the privileges and liberties of the pecple. In all national acts, private friendship should give place to public good .'" f Thus were the rights of the people triumphant over the illegal and arbitrary influence of corporative authority. " And to prevent the possibility 7 of such an abuse of municipal power in future, the famous statute, known by the " name of the Durham (or Grenville) Act, passed in the third year of King George III. By this Act, no persons " have a right to vote, who have not been possessed of their franchise twelve calendar months before the first day of " the election. This does not extend to persons who are entitled to their freedom of right by the custom of the " borough, for such may be admitted at any time previous to an election, or even during a poll.*' — Oldfield's Bt sentative History — 1S1G. % After this decision of the House, Mr. Gowland, in an Adress to the freemen, dated 1 7th May. says — " Though " I have been unsuccessful, yet I should be unpardonable, if I did not return you my earliest and most sincere thanks " for that spirit, steadiness, and real friendship you have shewn me. If the part I have acted meets with your ap- " probation, I am happy ; and beg leave to assure you of my readiness to serve you upon all occasions ; and to add " to the best wishes of a grateful heart for the welfare and prosperity of the city of Durham.'' Major-Gen. Lambton, John Tempest, and Robert Shafto, Esqrs. voted in the minority on the debate concerning General Warrants and Seizure of Papers, 17th Feb. 17li'S. K 46 " tendency." In the following year he tried the effect of an Italian climate, but his strength rapidly declined, and he died at Pisa, on the 30th November, 1797, at the early age of 33 ; his remains were interred in the En burial ground at Leghorn. " Mr. Lambton's public life has been briefly traced. In every domestic relation ; in the spring and in the i. • " of life, moving in the highest rank of British society, he stood untainted by the contagion of vice, or of foil] . " ' blameless and pure — such was his renown.' He has left to his descendants the memory of his many virtu " mirror to reflect their honour or their disgrace, an inheritance purer and richer than the long-traced blood, or thi " ample possessions of their ancient line. May his latest posterity emulate his private worth and publi< Surtees' Durham, vol. 2, p. 173. 48 ©eorge %M. Sir Henry Vane Tempest, Baronet,* was returned. 1796.— W. H. Lambton, Esq. Sir H. V. Tempest, Bart. Mr. Lambton died at Pisa, 30th Nov, 1797 : a new writ was issued ; and he was succeeded, on the 9th Jan. 1798, by his only brother, Ralph John Lambton, Esq.-j* On the 28th Feb. 1800, Sir H. V. Tempest resigned the representation of the city; J and, after a severe contest, his brother-in-law, Michael Angelo Taylor, Esq.§ was elected. Election, 11th March.^" Candidates. Taylor 4C4 Matthew Russell, Esq.|| 360 ' Vide p. 19. f Now of Morton House, Co. Pal. J Stating that " the necessity of attending his private concerns demanded his presence in Ireland/' § Son of Sir Robert Taylor, Knight: M.A. F.A.S., Recorder of Poole. He married Frances Anne, only daughter of the Rev. Sir Henry Vane, Bart. L.L.D., Rector of Long Newton, and Prebendary of Durham. He was appointed a member of the privy council 23d Feb. 1831, and declined contesting the city at the general election in April, 1831. ^f This election was conducted with great spirit: it began on the 11th, and was continued on the 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 17th days of March. On the last day, George Baker, of Ele- more, Esq. polled 7 votes. 831 freemen polled. || Of Branccpeth Castle, and of Hardwicke, Vice-Lieutenant of the County of Durham, only ion of William Russell, of Brancepeth Castle, Esq, who was one of the richest commoners in England. He afterwards represented Saltash in several successive Parliaments, and died 8th . 1822, most sincerely respected and lamented; leaving an only son. "William, M.P. for I mint v. 1831. <&eorc$e Ml. 49 1802. — Ralph John Lambtox, Esq. Richard Wharton, Esq.* Election, J 9th July. Candidates. Lambton 530 Wharton 517 M. A. Taylor, Esq 498 This election continued to the 24th July. A petition^ was presented by some of the electors against the return of Mr. Wharton, 7th Dec. 1802, and renewed on the 23d Nov. 1803; a committee was appointed to ex- amine, &c. 8th Feb. 1804, and, on the 20th of the same month, his election was declared void, when a new writ was issued. After a contest of three days, Robert Eden Buncombe Shafto, Esq.J was returned. * Grandson of Robert Wharton, Esq. who was a candidate for the city in 1747, second son of Dr. Thomas Wharton, of Old Park, Co. Pal. ; — a Barrister at law. He was sometime Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, and afterwards joint Secretary of the Treasury. He was elected without opposition in 1806, 1807, 1812, and 1818. At the General Election, 1820, he. was an unsuccessful candidate for the county. He died, after a long and painful illness, at his house in Grafton-street, London. 983 freemen polled at this election, of which number 409 were single votes, or plumpers, for Wharton. -j- The charges were generally for bribery and corruption. 1. Bribery of non-resident voters in London, before the election. 2. Treating the resident voters at Durham after the teste of the writ. 3. That 80 freemen had been carried from London to Durham, and maintained there, and had received money for loss of time, and a sum to carry them back. The election was declared void; but from this general decision, it could not be collected on what ground the committee came to that conclusion. j Of Whitworth, eldest surviving son of Robert Shafto, of Whitworth, Esq. M.P. for the county, 1760. At the next election he declined a contest, stating that he preferred " the comforts "of private independence to that embarrassment which the perseverance in dubious and ever-to- " be-renewed contests would necessarily occasion." L so <&eovqe H£. Election, 2d March. Candidates. Shafto 385 Francis Tweddell, Esq.* 289 Charles Spearman, Esq.| 13 1806. — Ralph John Lambton, Esq. Richard Wharton, Esq. Election, 7th November. 1807. — Ralph John Lambton, Esq. Richard Wharton, Esq. Election, 14th May .J 1812. — Ralph John Lambton, Esq. Richard Wharton, Esq. Election, 7th October. 1 Descended from a family resident at Hesilden Hall, in the time of Queen Elizabeth ; second son of Francis Tweddell, of Threep-wood, Co. Northumberland, Esq. and brother to the accom- plished scholar, John Tweddell, fellow of Trinity Col. Cambridge, who died at Athens, 25th July. 1799, and was buried in the Theseum. f Of Thornley. He was proposed on the third day. % Sir Frederick Morton Eden, Baronet, son of Sir Robert Eden, Governor of Maryland, (younger brother to Sir John Eden, member for the county 1774) was a candidate, but declined a contest. In an address, dated 29th April, 1807, he declares that "no one is more sensible " than himself of the value of our civil and religious establishments, or more anxious to preserve " them inviolate." <5rorgr HL 51 Mr. R. J. Lambton accepted the Chiltern Hundred, 22d Nov. 1813,* when a new writ was issued, and a severe contest took place of nine days' duration, which terminated on the 10th December, in favour of George Allan, Esq.^ Election, 1st December. Candidates.] Allan 440 George Baker, Esq.^ 360 * In his address, dated September 23, he says — " On the day of Mr. Lambton's being nomi- " nated to represent this county in Parliament, it was stated, in opposition to his nominal " that I represented the city, and that one family ought not to fill two, out of the foui " mentary seats possessed by the county of Durham. As this objection had in itself great u " and was strongly urged, Mr. Lambton and his friends pledged themselves, that I should r " my seat, in the event of his being elected one of the representatives for the county. H. " since been so elected, and I feel it incumbent on me to comply with the declarations they • "in my name." f Of Blackwell Grange, M.A F.A.S. a Magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant of the county, only surviving son of George Allan, of Blackwell Grange, Esq. an eminent antiquary and coll and descended from an ancient and respectable family. He was a candidate at the next eh- but declined a poll, and, immediately afterwards, retired to France, and lived at St. Omers for • veral years greatly respected. He died, after a short but severe illness, in the 60th year i age, 21st July, 1828. His remains Avere interred in the family vault, at Darlington. J Ralph Skinner Gowland, of Darlaston Hall, Co. Stafford, Esq. only son of Ralph G<. Esq. who was returned for the city in 1761, was also a candidate; and, in an address, dated October, he says — "My only motive for requesting your suffrages is an anxious desire to sup- " port your independence and the welfare of the City of Durham : for the promotion oi' " glorious a struggle was made by my late respected father." On the 30th Xovemb. clined a contest, which, he says, " If pursued with that spirit which would ensure success, " necessarily lead me into an expense far beyond any idea I had formed on the - died at Caen, in Normandy, in 1822. § Of Elemore, grandson of George Baker, Esq. who represented the city in 1714. H dress dated 1st Dec. (the day of election) states, that "he has accepted the solicitations of a " great body of the resident freemen, from no other motive than that of assisting the ind< "of the city, pledging himself, if elected, to act as their representative, independently, faith "and honourablv." 52 CEfcoige $M. 1818. — Richard Wharton, Esq. M. A. Taylor, Esq. Election, 17th June.* ' Mr. Allan was a candidate, but two days before the election he took leave of the freemen. His farewell address, which excited a powerful sensation, deserves preservation here. " In a former address I certainly expressed a determination to abide the issue of a poll, but the arrangements I had " then in contemplation, have not been sufficiently matured to allow me to carry that object triumphantly into effect. " At the last election, after a contest unequalled in the annals of the City of Durham, highly honourable to *' vour constancy, and proudly flattering to my personal feelings, I was returned to Parliament by a large ma- " jority : but you must be fully aware, that a contest of such unparalleled duration could not have been maintained " without considerable sacrifices on my part, which, however, I do not regret, since they have afforded me the " highest gratification I could possibly receive, in the continued enjoyment of your unbounded confidence and ' ; support. For another contest of similar magnitude, I am, nevertheless, not now prepared, and this alone, and " not the most transient fear of the result, determines me to relinquish the honour of representing you in the en- " suing Parliament. " It would have been in my mind an imperious duty towards you, as well as an act of justice to the Candidates " who solicit your suffrages, to have given an earlier intimation of my sentiments, but I have not been permitted " to do so from particular circumstances, till this moment, when it is with painful regret I take my leave of you. " The support of my friends at the last election, and their steady adherence to my cause now, must be always re- '• membered with the most lively feelings of gratitude ; but that 1 have, conciliated the affections of many, who '• opposed my pretensions on political grounds, upon that occasion, must be to me also a strong and flattering '■ assurance, that in the exercise of my Parliamentary duties, my public conduct has been directly in unison with 4i my principles ; and that it is the firm conviction of all parties, (and I can avow it on my honour) I never gave " a vote in the House of Commons, from any other motive than the result of impartial judgment, and the dictates " of an honest conscience, as your independent Representative. " The constancy of my friends in London, my canvass in your city, and the general support of the distant " voters, would have secured my return beyond a doubt ; but I have to repeat my inability to command such " pecuniary resources as would be necessary to secure my electiou. " If, however, at any future time I should be deemed worthy of your attention, you may rest assured I shall be " ready to serve you ; and in thus taking my leave, if I said reluctantly, I should but ill express the anguish of " my feelings, when a retrospect to the day of my election calls to my view the proudest period of my life, and '■' the present the most painful moment of my existence." Some of Mr. Allan's warm friends, with more zeal than prudence, persisted in keeping his name on the poll until the 19th, when the numbers were — Foi Taylor 437 Wharton, 347 Allan, 27 ©rorgr Y:V. 1820.— M. A. Taylor, Esq. Sir Henry Hardinge, K.C.B.* Election, 7th March. Sir Henry Hardinge having been appointed Clerk of the Ofdnanc new writ was issued on the 25th March, and he was re-chosen, 1th April, 1823.f 1826.— M. A. Taylor, Esq. Sir H. Hardinge, K.C.B. Election, 9th June. * Gandson of Nicholas Hardinge, Esq. Clerk of the House of Commons, and joint S the Treasury, son of the Rev. Henry Hardinge, late Rector of Stanhope, Co. Pal. — brother-in- law to the Marquess of Londonderry, and brother to the gallant Captain George Nich I dinge, of the San Fierenzo, of 3G guns and 18G men, who fell in action with the Piedmontais frigate, of -18 guns and 524 men, an action second to none in the annals of Brit : 1 in commemoration of which, the House of Commons ordered a monument to his memory i:. Cathedral of St. Paul's, and the King granted an honourable augmentation to the fan (26th Nov. 1808.) The crest is peculiarly appropriate, viz. — a dexter hand passing through a wreath of laurel and a wreath of cypress. Sir Henr the army, and has lost an arm in the sendee of his country. He was appointed seller 30th May, 1S2S, and Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 30tl He declined being a candidate for the city at the general election of 1350, stating (24th .! that the best i conld make for the repeated favours conferred, was to retin spon ting the city when he could no do full justice to thi interests which affect so large a body of constituents. He has since been su for S:. Germs ins and Launceston. f Hedworth 1 .. Esq. younger brother of J. G. Lambton, Esq. M.P. w! Candidate with Ledge or consent, as he was abroad at the time; but manded in his name, and, at the conclusion of the second day, the numbers w« t Hardinge, 249 : Hedworth Lambton, Esq. GG— when the friends of Mr. 11. any further contest. M 54 Ororgr *F« Sir Henry Hardinge resigned his office 31st April, 1827 ; and, having been re-appointed to the same office, a new writ was issued, 29th Jan. and he was re-chosen 6th Feb. 1828.* Sir Henry Hardinge, having been appointed Secretary at War, again vacated his seat ; a new writ was issued, 30th May, and he was returned, for the fifth time, 9th June, 1828. aaauuam jot, 1830.— M. A. Taylor, Esq. Sir Roger Gresley, Bart.*)" Election, 2d August.J Candidates. Taylor 540 Gresley 486 William Chaytor, Esq.§ 436 * The election began on the 5th. Alexander Robertson, of New Broad-street, London, Esq. a considerable East India Merchant, and who had formerly sat in the House of Commons for Grampound, was nominated as a candidate. His address to the freemen did not reach Durham till the election was over. A poll was demanded in his name ; aud, on the close of the poll, on the second day, the numbers stood — for Sir H. Hardinge, 289 ; Mr. Robertson, 76. A petition was presented against the return of Sir II. Hardinge, but the parties did not enter into the requi- site securities. f Of Drakelow Hall, Co. Derby. He afterwards sat in the same Parliament for New Romncy. % This election lasted four days. The total number of freemen polled, 987 ; of which, Sir R. Greeley polled .'502 plumpers, Mr. Taylor, 192, and Mr. Chaytor, 102. § Of Witton Castle, Co. Durham, and of Croft, Co. York, since created a Baronet, 15th Sep. 1831. fcanilltam *V, 55 A petition was presented against the return of Sir Roger Gresley, and the committee decided (8th March) that he was "not duly elected." A new writ was issued on the same day, and, after a severe contest, William Richard Carter Ciiaytoh, Esq.* was returned. Election, ICth March. Candidates. Chaytor 495 Hon. Arthur Trevorf 470 John Clervaux Chaytorf 3 1831.— W. R. C. Chaytor, Esq. Hon. Arthur Trevor. Election, 2d May. * Eldest son of William Chaytor, of Witton Castle, Esq. f Of Wluttlebury House, Co. Northampton, (eldest son of Viscount Dungannon,) M.P. for New Romney, which he resigned on becoming a candidate for Durham. X Younger son of William Chaytor, Esq. Sunderland : printed by T. MARWOOD A: Co. Herald Office. % UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. i'oriu L9-50m-ll, '50 (2554)444 JN Sharo - 672 A list of the S53 1 knights and burgesses UCLA-Young Research Library JN672 .S53I y L 009 597 660 1 i 1 ITHFR' in ' I II I | | || AA 001352 859 nw