The Representative History of Great Britain and Ireland (Volume 5); Being a History of the House of Commons, and of the Counties, Cities, and Boroughs

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1816 Excerpt: ... DOWNTON. Downton, or Donckton is a borough-town and parish in the hundred of Downton, Wilts, five miles from Fordingbridge, and 90 from London; containing 509 houses, and 9,426 inhabitants, of whom 177 were returned as being employed in various trades. The principal employment is lace-making and malting. It has no market; but fairs are held on the 23d April for cattle and pedlary, and on 2d October for sheep and horses. REPRESENTATIVE HISTORY. This borough returned members to Parliament from the 23d Edward the First, to the 3Sth of Edward the Third, and then ceased till the 1st of Henry the Fifth, and from thence ceased again till the 20th of Henry the Sixth: after which it has continued to return as other boroughs till this time. Petitions, &c. Feb. 19, 1640. Ordered that the cause concerning the election for this borough be heard on Saturday come fortnight before the Committee of Privileges: but we do not find any report. May 3, 1660. Mr. Turner reported from the Committee of Privileges, touching the double return for this borough, with the opinion of the committee: That Thomas Fitz James and William Coles, esqrs., are returned by the bailiff to whom the warrant was directed, and ought to sit until the merits of the cause upon the said double return be determined. May 9, 1660. Mr. Turner reported that Giles Eyre the younger, and John Elliot were duly chosen: to which the House agreed. July 3, 1661. Sergeant Carleton reported 8 Joum. p. from the Committee of Privileges and Elections, touching the election for the borough of Downton, that the question was, whether the out-livers cienbeme that have freeholds, but no houses, within the bo-'p--a-rough, had voices, and the opinion of the com-Peckweii, mittee was that they had voices; and that Mr. vI'...