ELDE, Francis (?1692-1760), of Seighford, nr. Stafford.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1715-1754, ed. R. Sedgwick, 1970
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

19 Nov. 1724 - 4 Feb. 1725

Family and Education

b. ?1692, 1st s. of Francis Elde of Seighford by his 1st w. née Hunt of Worcs. educ. Trinity, Oxf. 18 July 1710, aged 18; M. Temple 1711, called 1718, bencher 1718. unm.

Offices Held

Master in Chancery Feb. 1724-d.

Biography

Elde was appointed a master in Chancery by Lord Chancellor Macclesfield, giving him ‘5,000 guineas in gold and bank notes’, shortly before Macclesfield’s impeachment for selling such appointments.1 He then stood for Stafford successfully against the 1st Viscount Chetwynd, who petitioned. When the petition came before the House

Thomas Foley [the other Member] said he was ordered by the borough to acquaint the House, that they could prove a bargain made for money, for Elde to resign his place [his seat] to Lord Chetwynd and that there were persons at the door to prove it and more at the town; so the report was put off for 10 days and those persons ordered to come up to prove their complaint at the Bar, and Mr. Elde not being in his place it was understood he must attend, though no order was made because it was only a complaint and not a charge.2

Expelled the House for having corruptly attempted to compromise the petition before it was heard by the elections committee, he was soon afterwards made a bencher of his Inn, but did not stand again. He died 5 Mar. 1760.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Eveline Cruickshanks

Notes

  • 1. Howell, State Trials, xvi. 871-2.
  • 2. Knatchbull Diary, 23 Jan. 1725.