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Heytesbury
Borough
Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1715-1754, ed. R. Sedgwick, 1970
Available from Boydell and Brewer
Available from Boydell and Brewer
Background Information
Right of Election:
in burgage holders
Number of voters:
26
Elections
Date | Candidate | Votes |
---|---|---|
24 Jan. 1715 | EDWARD ASHE | |
WILLIAM ASHE | ||
19 July 1720 | EDWARD ASHE re-elected after appointment to office | |
22 Mar. 1722 | EDWARD ASHE | 20 |
PIERCE A'COURT | 19 | |
Sir John Osborne | 2 | |
Sir John Buckworth | 1 | |
13 Apr. 1725 | LORD CHARLES CAVENDISH vice A'Court, deceased | |
16 Aug. 1727 | HORATIO TOWNSHEND | |
EDWARD ASHE | ||
29 Apr. 1734 | EDWARD ASHE | |
PIERCE A'COURT | ||
6 May 1741 | EDWARD ASHE | |
PIERCE A'COURT | ||
26 June 1747 | WILLIAM ASHE | |
PIERCE A'COURT | ||
25 Jan. 1751 | WILLIAM A'COURT vice Ashe, deceased |
Main Article
From the reign of Charles II till 1772 Heytesbury was completely controlled by the Ashe family and their successors the A’Courts, who owned most of the burgages and as lords of the manor appointed the returning officer. The seats were held by successive owners of the borough, Edward Ashe (for 52 years), William Ashe and Pierce A’Court Ashe; the other was usually given to close relatives. Except in 1722, when there was a negligible opposition, all Members were returned unopposed. All the Members were government supporters.1
Author: R. S. Lea
Notes
- 1. J. A. Cannon, ‘Borough of Heytesbury in 18th Cent.’, Wilts. Arch. Mag. lvii. 223-4.