On 6 Feb. 1767 Thomas Steele, sen., recorder of Chichester, wrote to the Duke of Newcastle about Steyning:
The state of the borough is this. There are 102 in number who claim a right of voting, but not more than 90 whose claim will bear a scrutiny. Out of this number Sir John Honywood has 40 tenants who at present are all disposed to stand by him, and about six or seven others who are full as closely attached to him as any of his tenants. This gives him nearly or quite a majority of the 90 real votes. The rest are all a rope of sand and may be had by anybody.
The Honywoods throughout this period controlled one, and sometimes two, seats at Steyning; and usually returned members of their family or close friends.
in inhabitants paying scot and lot
Number of voters: about 100