Flint Boroughs

In 1715 Sir John Conway was returned unopposed for Flint Boroughs under an agreement made by the leading Tory families of the county.1See FLINTSHIRE. On his death in 1721 he was succeeded by another Tory, Thomas Eyton, who was unsuccessfully opposed by a Whig in 1722. Neither Eyton nor any other Tory stood in 1727 against two Whig candidates, Salusbury Lloyd, who was supported by the Administration, and George Wynne, who appears to have gained control of the borough machinery, using it to create numerous non-resident freemen.2NLW, Glynne of Hawarden mss 4952. Wynne secured the large majority of 685 to 312, but nearly half his votes were challenged by Lloyd on the ground that the franchise was confined to residents. On a double return, the House of Commons decided the point in Lloyd’s favour and, though this still left him in a minority, awarded him the seat.3CJ, xxi. 173-6. In 1734 Sir John Glynne stood under a new agreement made by the local Tories.4See FLINTSHIRE. He was opposed by Wynne, who this time had the support of the Administration as well as the advantage of nominating the returning officers in his capacity of constable of Flint castle. At the close of the poll Glynne had a majority of 12 but the returning officers disallowed 24 of his voters and returned Wynne, whose election was confirmed on petition.5CJ, xxii. 823, 832, 835, 839-41, 864, 866-7. This election cost Glynne and his ally, Thomas Mostyn, over £4,000, as a result of which both refused to have anything more to do with contests. In 1741, no local Tory candidate coming forward, Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, with the approval of the Flintshire gentry, put up his brother, Richard Williams, against Wynne.6Glynne of Hawarden mss 1, 4920, 4926, 5143-4, 5146. The returning officers put Wynne at the head of the poll, but this time he was unseated by the anti-Walpole majority of the House of Commons on petition.7CJ, xxiv. 26, 29, 129, 133, 136-7, 144-5. In 1747 Richard Williams was succeeded without a contest by his cousin, Kyffin Williams. That the borough was again under the control of the local squires was confirmed by the return in 1753 of Sir John Glynne, who was unanimously adopted as candidate by a meeting of the Flintshire gentry,8Glynne of Hawarden mss 1. thenceforth sitting without opposition until his death in 1777.