* At this election Sir Thomas Roe and Mr. Waller were returned burgesses for this borough, and Mr. Holland and Mr. Taylor pretended they were elected, though not returned. Here the question arose,-whether the inhabitants, or the mayor, bailiffs, and select number of burgesses only, should have power of election? Resolved, "That all the inhabitants of this borough have all generally the right of election of burgesses to serve in Parliament. Roe and Waller were consequently unseated.-Journ. of H. of

C., Vol. 2.

At this election there was a double return, viz. Alexander Blake and Roger Palmer returned by the mayor and burgesses, and Richard Winwood by the burgesses, the former under the hand of the mayor and common seal, the latter without. The House determined in favour of Blake and Palmer.-Journ. of H. of C., Vol. 8.

On the question which arose at this election it was determined, "that the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses, not exceeding the number of thirty, had alone the right of election."-Journ. of H. of C., Vol. 8.

§ This election was unsuccessfully contested by Sir John Ernley, Knt. and John Powney, Esq., who at first were returned for the borough, and subsequently unseated on the petition of the above members. The resolutions of the House upon the petition were, 1. "That the mayor, bailiffs, and burgesses, not exceeding thirty, have not the right of electing members for this borough." 2. "That this borough has a right to send burgesses to Parliament by prescription." 3. "That all the inhabitants of the said borough have a right of electing members to serve in Parliament." 4. "That Sir John Ernley and Mr. Powney are not duly elected." 5. "That Mr. Winwood and Mr. Starkey are duly elected." Upon this decision, Messrs. John Carey and John Powney, who had been previously returned, were declared to be not duly elected.-Journ. of H.of C., Vol. 9.

At this election it was resolved, "That in the borough of New Windsor, those inhabitants only who pay scot and lot have a right to vote in the election of burgesses to serve in Parliament for this borough.-Journ. of H. of C., Vol. 9.

The return of these members was petitioned against by William Adderley, Esq. and Sir Algernon May, when it was resolved by the House, after fully considering the claims of the petitioners, 1. "That the right of election is in the mayor, bailiffs, and a select number of burgesses only." 2. That Henry Powle, Esq. is duly elected." The numbers being equal between Sir Algernon May and Sir Christopher Wren, the election as to them was declared void, and Sir Algernon May was returned in a contest with Samuel Starkey, Esq., and retained that seat upon petition.-Journ. of H. of C., Vol. 10. ** At this election, the mayor having taken upon himself unduly to return Baptist May, Esq. and Sir Christopher Wren, the above members petitioned to have the return amended in their favour.-Journ. of H. of C., Vol. 10.

sham (a peer.)

Aug. F. Keppel.

Travers.

1722 Earl of Burford. Earl of In

1713 C. Aldworth. Christopher 1768 Lord Geo. Beauclerk.

Wren.

1715 *Sir Hen. Ashurst, Bt. Sam.

1768 Rich. Tonson,v. Beauclerk

(deceased.)

1772 Hon. Jno. Montagu, v. Tonson (deceased.)

Hon. Aug. F. Keppel. Hon.
Jno. Montagu.

1780

SPen. Portlock Powney.

1727 Lord V. Beauclerk.

Visc.

1784

1787 Earl of Mornington, v. Montagu (deceased.)

1788 Pen. P. Powney, v. The

same (accepted office.)

1790 Earl of Mornington.

Powney.

P. P.

*This was a contested election, when Christopher Wren and Thomas Gayer were declared to be elected, the poll being, Wren, 141; Gayer, 137; Sir Henry Ashurst, 136; Samuel Travers, 135. Upon petition, however, the two former were unseated, the right of election being agreed to be in the inhabitants paying scot and lot.-Journ. of H. of C., Vol. 18.

This was a double return. Beauclerk, 133; Richard Oldfield, 133. The former obtained his seat on petition.

A contested election. SA contested election. A contested election. A contested election.

** A contested election.

Fox, 137; Chas. Bowles, 86.

Montagu, 214; Powney, 174; Hon. Aug. F. Keppel, 158.
Grant, 151; Henry Isherwood, 140.

Johnston, 141; Wm. Vining Perry, 32.

Williams, 212; Greville, 203; Richard Ramsbottom, 187. The latter petitioned against the return of the two former, whereupon Mr. Williams was declared to be not duly elected, as also the petitioner, who was convicted of bribery.— Journ. of H. of C., Vols. 5, 59.

++ A contested election. Vansittart, 200; Anthony Bacon, 163.

A contested election. Disbrowe, 200; Ramsbottom, 162; Arthur Vansittart, 149.

* A contested election. Ramsbottom, 408; Pechell, 230; Sir J. E. De Beauvoir, 205. The unsuccessful candidate petitioned against the return of Pechell, on the ground of bribery, &c. Petition discharged.—Journ. of H. of C., Vol. 88.

+ A contested election. Ramsbottom, 353; De Beauvoir, 239; Sir T. Elley, K.C.B., 231. On the petition of Elley and several voters, which set forth that several unqualified persons had given their votes for De Beauvoir, that gentleman was unseated.

A contested election. Ramsbottom, 326; Gordon, 292; Sir J. E. De Beauvoir, 182; Capt. Thos. Bulkeley, 140.

§ A contested election. Ramsbottom, 316; Neville, 311; Wm. F. Ferguson, 265; Sir J. E. De Beauvoir, 130.

101

ALPHABETICAL LIST OF MEMBERS,

GENEALOGICALLY AND BIOGRAPHICALLY ANNOTATED.

ADDERLEY, WILLIAM, sat for Windsor in the Parliament of 1689, succeeding to this seat on petition. He died in 1693.

ALDWORTH. This family, which was formerly of Stanlake in Oxfordshire, and of which Richard Aldworth was Chief Remembrancer of the Exchequer in 1677, is now represented by Richard Griffin, LL.D. BARON BRAYBROOKE, of Braybrooke, co. Northampton, hereditary visiter of Magdalene College, Cambridge, recorder of Saffron Walden, co. Essex, and high steward of Wokingham, co. Berks. His lordship possesses the seat of Billingbere in this county. At Rashcombe and Wargrave are memorials of the Aldworths, of whom

THOMAS, sat for Reading in the Parliament of 1557.

RICHARD, sat for Reading in the Parliament of 1661. This gentleman founded, in 1646, the blue coat school in the parish of St. Giles's for 20 boys, endowing it with £4000 laid out in lands. He died 5 October, 1680, much regretted for his worth and character.

*

CHARLES, sat for Windsor in the Parliament of 1710. He voted, in 1713, in favour of the French commerce bill. This gentleman was killed in a duel with Colonel Chudleigh, 21 Sept. 1714. The facts of this case are thus stated in THE POLITICAL REGISTER of that period. "That day was fatal to Charles Aldworth, Esq. member of parliament for New Windsor, a young, rash man, who, having been some time in France and at the court of St. Germains, and imbibed there strong prejudices against the Hanoverian succession, was, upon his return to England, so indiscreet as publickly to drink the Pretender's health, which drew upon him several unlucky quarrels. Moreover, upon a supposition that the late ministry were of the same political principles with him, he made it his business to rail at the former administration; and in particular, had, a year or two before the Queen's death, charged it as a crime upon Colonel Chudleigh, a captain in the Foot Guards, the drinking the Duke of Marlborough's health. Colonel Chudleigh, cousin to the other, meeting unexpectedly Mr. Aldworth in the presence-chamber at St. James's, took that opportunity to expostulate with him about it, and some by-standers expressing their wonder that men who had publickly drank the Pretender's health had the confidence to appear in that place, Mr. Aldworth took the reflection to himself. Upon this, some other hard words passed between him and Colonel Chudleigh; and the latter being challenged by Mr. Aldworth, they both went out, fought in

*Alluding to the Levy-day, on the accession of George I. to the throne.

Marrowbone Fields, notwithstanding Colonel Bissett's endeavours to prevent it, and Mr. Aldworth had the misfortune to be killed on the spot." The king was extremely indignant at this.

RICHARD NEVILLE, sat for Reading in the Parliament of 1747, and for Wallingford in the Parliament of 1754. Mr. Aldworth succeeded to the estates of Edward Standen, of Aborfield, who died in 1730, and who is the person alluded to in the well-known ballad of Molly Mogg of the Rose. Born in 1717, he was the only son of Richard Aldworth, of Stanlake, by Catherine, daughter of Richard Neville, Esq.. of Billingbere, a descendant of the Earls of Abergavenny, (for whom see NEVILLE, page 182.) Mr. Aldworth was educated at Eton, subsequently removing to Merton College, Oxford. In 1739, he visited Geneva, where, forming an attachment to Mademoiselle Calandrini, daughter of the first Syndic, and descended from one of the best families of that place, he espoused that lady in 1748, and by her became the father of Richard Aldworth Neville, 2nd BAROn BrayBROOKE, (for whom see NEVILLE, page 182.) Returning to England in 1745, Mr. Aldworth at the general election of 1747 was chosen for Reading, and at the recommendation of his friend, Viscount Fane, was soon afterwards appointed under secretary of state to the Duke of Bedford, which office he filled till his grace's resignation in 1751. At the election of 1754

he was returned for Wallingford. In August, 1762, he succeeded to Billingbere and other estates in Berkshire, on the demise of the widow of his uncle, Henry Neville Grey,* and on this occasion he assumed the name of NEVILLE, in honour of the family of his maternal grandfather, from whom that property was derived. The same year he became secretary to the embassy at the court of France under the Duke of Bedford, brought over the definitive treaty in 1763, and returned to Paris as minister plenipotentiary, where he remained till the arrival of Lord Hertford. On his return he was graciously received by his monarch, and soon after appointed paymaster of the pensions. He died on the 17th July, 1793, having, during his administration in Paris, obtained general esteem for the amenity of his manuers and the politeness of his address. His name frequently occurs in the dispatches of our ministers, and he is mentioned by Lord Rochford, who succeeded him in his embassy, with high commendations for his abilities and character. Though naturally unassuming, and fond of tranquillity and retirement, he was equally diligent and able when called into the active scenes of public life, and fulfilled the duties of his station with no less acuteness than capacity.

ALFORD, FRANCIS, sat for Reading in the Parliament of 1572. We meet with a gentleman of the same name, who sat for Mitchel in Cornwall in 1571, for Grinstead, in Sussex, in 1585, and for Lewes, in the same county, in 1586-88. Hall Place, in the parish of Hurley, now the residence of SIR EAST GEORGE EAST CLAYTON, BART., belonged in the 17th century to the Alfords. The member for Reading is supposed to have been the representative of John Estbury or Isbury, the founder of the almshouse or hospital at Lambourn for ten poor men, the management of the estates belonging to which charity was vested, in 1589, in Mr. Alford and his heirs. Mr. Alford appears to have been an active member of the House, his name frequently occurring in the debates of that period.

*She was daughter and co-heiress of James, Lord Griffin, and espoused in second marriage, John, Viscount Lymington, afterwards Earl of Portsmouth. The estate of Billinghere was settled on her as a dowry, with a reversion to Mr. Neville.