Lincoln was an open borough, returning neighbouring country gentlemen. The most important Whig interests were those of the Monsons of Burton, two miles away, who held one seat almost continuously 1722-68, and of Sir Thomas Lumley Saunderson, who in 1723 inherited estates in the county. In 1727 Sir John Monson, who was standing for re-election, told Newcastle that
the other two candidates had given hard money, a thing before unknown in this town, which obliges me to do the same thing. Sir Thomas Saunderson acts very heartily for Sir John Tyrwhit, and spends money very freely for him but without designing to hurt me: the consequence is, I must give so much money to secure my own votes (who in these populous elections when money is stirring expect likewise to be gratified) that it will cost me nigh a thousand pounds more than it needed to have done would I have joined with Mr. Hall, but as your Grace expressed a desire to have Sir John chosen ... I will not join with him [Hall] but assist Sir John what I am able without openly joining him.
SP Dom. 36/3/30.
Despite this assistance Tyrwhitt was defeated by Hall, a Tory, soon after which Saunderson went into opposition. Thereafter the borough became increasingly venal. In 1734 it was said of Coningsby Sibthorpe, a Tory, that ‘it must be money that gives him the election’, and of the third candidate, Thomas Chaplin, nephew of Sir Robert Chaplin, a former South Sea Company director, that
a month since, at his very name the populace cried out they would have no South Sea money, but rather than not have a third man, [I] believe they will accept some of it.
Letters and Pprs. Banks Fam. (Lincoln Rec. Soc. xlv), 161.
At the next general election Tyrwhitt’s son, standing apparently as a Whig, defeated Sibthorpe. In 1747 when Saunderson, now Lord Scarborough, joined with the Tories to support Sibthorpe, Charles Monson’s election expenses came to over £7,000.
in the freemen
Number of voters: about 650