In 1715 the principal burgage owners were the Eyres of Brickworth and Anthony Duncombe, afterwards Lord Feversham. Another interest was vested in the Ashes of Heytesbury who, as lessees of the manor of Downton from the bishop of Winchester, appointed the returning officer. All these interests were pro-Administration.

In 1742 Duncombe strengthened his hold on the borough by buying the lease of the manor from Joseph Windham Ashe. By 1745 he owned 55 burgages,1 thus acquiring complete control. His method of electing Members was

to make a small part of one of these burgage tenures by lease to his tenants and tradesmen in the neighbourhood, which leases are by his agent delivered to them on the day of election, and after voting they are delivered up to his agent again, so that these voters are never in the possession or receive any rent of the land by virtue of which they claim their right of voting.2

The second Lord Egmont, in his electoral survey, c.1749-50, describes Downton as ‘in Lord Feversham totally’.