In the early eighteenth century Ruthin was dominated by the Myddeltons of Chirk Castle, Tories, and Holt by the Cottons of Lleweni, Whigs. These two families contended for supremacy in Denbigh till 1715, when it passed under the control of the Myddeltons, whose candidate defeated the sitting Member John Wynne of Melai, previously returned on the Cotton interest.
For over a century the representation of Carmarthen was almost monopolized by the Vaughans of Golden Grove, Whigs, whose family represented it in most Parliaments from 1621. This hegemony came to an end with the death in 1724 of Richard Vaughan, who had held the seat since 1685. He was succeeded by James Phillips, the son of a local alderman, who was defeated in 1727 by Arthur Bevan, recorder of the borough.
The chief interest in Cardigan Boroughs was that of the Pryses of Gogerddan, Tories, who controlled Cardigan and Aberystwyth; Tregaron was controlled by the Powells of Nanteos, also Tories; and Lampeter by the Lloyds of Peterswell, Whigs. Up to 1729 Tories were returned without a contest except in 1725, when Thomas Pryse of Dol unsuccessfully attempted to take advantage of a minority in the Gogerddan family to secure his own return by arranging for a mass admission of freemen at Aberystwyth.W. Powell to Mr.
By 1713 Thomas Wynn of Glynllivon, the leader of the local Whigs, had won control of the constituency from the Tory families by the mass creation of non-resident voters in the boroughs of Nevin and Pwllheli, after which the seat remained under Glynllivon dominance for over 70 years. The only challenge, in 1722, was instigated by William Owen of Brogyntyn, who had retaliated by admitting many non-resident voters in his borough of Criccieth. In 1724 Wynn control was consolidated by the acquisition of the constableship of Caernarvon castle, carrying with it the mayoralty of Caernarvon.
The control of Brecon was disputed between two local Whig families, Morgan of Tredegar and Jeffreys of the Priory. In 1715 the sitting Member, supported by the Tredegar interest, was returned unopposed. In 1722 William Morgan of Tredegar was returned without a contest, but made his election for Monmouthshire, putting up his younger brother, Thomas, who was returned both on this occasion and in 1727 against Priory candidates.
Beaumaris was controlled by the Bulkeleys of Baron Hill, Tories, who under George I returned Henry Bertie, the 4th Lord Bulkeley’s brother-in-law, defeating William Bodvell, a Whig, in 1722. After Bodvell’s defeat a petition was presented reviving the claim of the borough of Newborough to share in the representation, but no decision was reached on it.
Winchelsea was a Treasury borough which by 1715 had been allowed to fall under the control of two wealthy business men, George Dodington and Robert Bristow. On Dodington’s death his interest passed to his nephew, George Bubb Dodington, who from 1722 chose to sit for Bridgwater, returning ministerial nominees till 1734, when he brought in his brother-in-law E. H. Beaghan.
In practice the right of election at Seaford, a decayed port, was confined to inhabitants paying scot and lot,T. Hurdis to Newcastle, 24 June 1747, Add. 32711, f. 499. though this was not confirmed by the House of Commons till 1761. From 1715 Members were returned on the recommendation of the Duke of Newcastle, whose estate of Bishopstone adjoined the town and who controlled the local Treasury patronage. In 1722 the voters, numbering 51, signed a letter to Sir William Gage and Sir Philip Yorke, stating that:
The chief interests at Sandwich were those of the Administration, based on admiralty and customs patronage, and of the Oxendens, a neighbouring Whig family, who held one seat from 1713 to 1754. The other seat was usually filled by the secretary to the Admiralty.
Rye was managed by giving the corporation posts in the customs service, with which this stagnant port was well provided, having in 1729 a collector, a deputy collector, and twenty other officers.S. H. Nulle, The Duke of Newcastle, 40 n. 2. Under George I and George II the patronage was administered through Sir John Norris and Phillips Gybbon, who had been adopted by the corporation as their patrons, sharing the representation till their deaths in 1749 and 1762.
