Right of election
Devizes
Background Information
Number of voters: at least 35
Constituency business
| Date | Candidate | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 22 June 1790 | HENRY ADDINGTON | |
| JOSHUA SMITH | ||
| 30 May 1796 | HENRY ADDINGTON | |
| JOSHUA SMITH | ||
| 25 Feb. 1801 | ADDINGTON re-elected after vacating his seat | |
| 21 Mar. 1801 | ADDINGTON re-elected after appointment to office | |
| 5 July 1802 | HENRY ADDINGTON | |
| JOSHUA SMITH | ||
| 23 Jan. 1805 | THOMAS GRIMSTON ESTCOURT vice Addington, called to the Upper House | |
| 4 Nov. 1806 | JOSHUA SMITH | |
| THOMAS GRIMSTON ESTCOURT | ||
| 6 May 1807 | JOSHUA SMITH | |
| THOMAS GRIMSTON ESTCOURT | ||
| 10 Oct. 1812 | JOSHUA SMITH | |
| THOMAS GRIMSTON ESTCOURT | ||
| 16 June 1818 | THOMAS GRIMSTON ESTCOURT | |
| JOHN PEARSE | ||
| Wadham Locke | ||
| William Salmon |
Main Article
<p>In 1790 the Devizes corporation was under the prevailing influence of the leading clothier and former Member, James Sutton, whose brother-in-law Henry Addington was both recorder and Member; and of the London merchant Joshua Smith, whose residence was at Erlestoke, three miles away. In 1805, on Addington’s elevation to the peerage, Sutton’s brother-in-law was replaced by his son-in-law, a member of the corporation who, as Addington expected, was ‘chosen unanimously’.<a class='fnlink' id='t2' href='#fn2'>2<span>PRO 30/8/107, f. 160.</span></a> But Smith’s retirement in 1818 occasioned a contest. In a manoeuvre which caused some indignation in the borough,<a class='fnlink' id='t3' href='#fn3'>3<span>See PEARSE, John.</span></a> a stranger, John Pearse, put up by William Salmon, banker, attorney and deputy-recorder, who stood as well, defeated a local gentleman and succeeded in establishing his hold. His opponent, Wadham Locke, a native banker married to a Sutton, led the reform movement in the borough and later won a seat.</p>
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