SERGISON, Thomas (1701-1766), of Cuckfield Place, Suss.

Sergison’s influence at Lewes, based on property he owned in the town, though not sufficient to return him to Parliament, caused trouble and expense to Newcastle. He unsuccessfully contested the borough three times between 1734 and 1743, but finally came to an agreement with Newcastle and was returned as his candidate. He seems to have asked no favours for himself, but to have looked after his family. Here is the entry against his name in Bute’s list, written probably in 1763: ‘Has two brothers, one in the navy receiving pay but not serving, the other quartered upon Mr. Shelley, auditor for South Wales, half the salary, and likewise two sons-in-law, one of them Charles Langford had a private pension till lately. The other is Mr. Thomlinson, Member for Steyning.’ Sergison, following Newcastle, voted against Government on the peace preliminaries, 9 Dec. 1762, and opposed the Grenville Administration; and Newcastle, in a list of 3 Mar. 1764, included him among his ‘sure friends ... to be sent to upon any occasion’. Apparently he never spoke in the House. He died 13 Dec. 1766.