Horsham

The chief interests in Horsham at George I’s accession were those of Charles Eversfield, a Tory, and of the Ingrams, Viscounts Irwin, Whigs. As neither owned a majority of burgages each relied on the independent burgage holders for votes. In 1715 there was a contest at which two Eversfield candidates were returned but the seats were awarded to the Ingrams on a petition alleging partiality by the returning officers, as well as malpractices by the sitting Members’ agent, who was committed to the custody of the serjeant at arms.1CJ, xviii. 24, 172-5. In 1722 Eversfield and the Ingrams shared the seats to avoid the expense of a contest. Next year Eversfield contracted for £6,000 to convey 20 burgages in the borough to Arthur, 6th Viscount Irwin, and to give up his interest. The contract, however, was not completed at the time, because Irwin could not raise the purchase price and Eversfield owned insufficient burgages. After the death of Lord Irwin in 1736, his successor Henry, the 7th Viscount, called on Eversfield to complete the contract, giving the Ingrams complete control of the borough. Between 1736 and 1743 Lord Irwin acquired some 20 further burgages to make his position unassailable.2W.T. Albery, Parl. Hist. Horsham, 74-75, 80.