GAGE, Sir William, 7th Bt. (1695-1744), of Firle, Suss.

Gage, a converted Roman Catholic, came of an old Sussex family, seated at Firle, half way between Lewes and Seaford. Returned for Seaford on Newcastle’s recommendation, he voted regularly with the Government, looking after Newcastle’s interests in both boroughs and reporting any local incidents of interest. For example:

Yesterday the commonalty of Seaford dined with us and they are all extremely easy and satisfied. But there was a melancholy scene in the evening. A journeyman shoemaker that had been in Seaford about a month dropped off the form and died in less than a quarter of an hour’s time, without making the least struggle for life. The poor man had eaten and drunk very hard.

When both the Members for Lewes died in 1743, it was Gage who advised Newcastle as to the probable local reactions to the various persons considered for the vacant seats and to whom Newcastle announced his final choice, for communication to the whole town, or only to the heads of it, as Gage should think proper.1Add. 35584, f. 249; 32699, f. 606; 32701, ff. 271-3. On his death, 23 Apr. 1744, Firle passed to his first cousin, Thomas, 1st Viscount Gage.