This catalogue describes those papers of the More and More Molyneux family which relate to involvement in local affairs, 1447-1848. For a full introduction to the family, its estates and records see catalogue LM.
The following is a detailed summary of the contents:
LM/SECTIOND/1 SECTION D.1: BOROUGH OF GUILDFORD, GUILD MERCHANT AND ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL 1447-1709
LM/SECTIOND/2 SECTION D.2: SURREY PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS c.1679-MID 18TH CENT
For the county and borough parliamentary seats held by the Mores and More Molyneuxes, see the introduction to papers relating to parliamentary affairs, section C. For papers relating to the Mores' activities in Parliament, see section C.1. Other letters and papers relating to parliamentary elections, 1558-1740, will be found in 6729/- and LM/COR/- [database available].
LM/SECTIOND/3 SECTION D.3: ELECTIONS IN PARLIAMENTARY BOROUGH OF HASLEMERE 1640-1780
The interest of the More and More Molyneux family in the two parliamentary seats of Haslemere during the 17th and 18th centuries derived from their ownership of the manor of Haslemere which they held until 1784 (the manor, covering the borough area of Haslemere parish, deriving from title to the manor and hundred of Godalming, obtained in 1601). The manor bailiff acted as the returning officer. Francis Wolley, nephew of Sir George More, sat for Haslemere in 1601, and Poynings More was MP in 1624-1626 and 1640. During the minority of William More II his uncle James Gresham attempted to sit for the borough in 1660 and 1661 but without success. He did succeed in 1679 and his nephew William More also represented Haslemere between 1675 and 1681. Thereafter the family's influence lapsed until 1754 when James More Molyneux was returned and was succeeded by his brother Thomas (d.1776). Despite the presence of the family in the town, the borough was contested in 17 of the 28 elections between 1660 and 1780 and disputes as to the conduct of elections and the nature of franchise qualification (by freehold tenure within the borough: see inter alia LM/763/126, D.3.6 and LM/763/163, D.3.13 below) frequently arose (see ME Clayton, 'Elections and Electioneering in Haslemere, 1715-1780', MPhil thesis, 1993). The two borough seats were abolished by the Parliamentary Reform Act, 1832. See Basil Duke Henning, ed., History of Parliament: The House of Commons, 1660-1690 (1983), Romney Sedgwick, ed., History of Parliament: The House of Commons, 1715-1754 (1970) and L Namier and J Brooke, eds., History of Parliament: The House of Commons, 1754-1790 (1964). For correspondence concerning elections, 1675-1683, see LM/COR/5/11, LM/COR/6/ and 6729/1/40 [database available]; also LM/COR/11 for correspondence during the time of Sir William More Molyneux. See also LM/1374/12, section F.28.3.3, for a poem about Thomas Molyneux's election, nd. See LM/1087/27/box 2, section A.1 for election accounts, 1753; see LM/1087/3/6, section A.4.2 for accounts of presents to tenants, 1767-1769. See LM/290-LM/304, LM/S/12-13 et al, section A.3.8, for records of the manor of Haslemere. See introduction to section C for discussion of the parliamentary careers of the More and More Molyneux family.
LM/SECTIOND/3/1 D.3.1: PRE-1675 ELECTIONS 1640-1661
LM/SECTIOND/3/2 D.3.2: 1675 BY-ELECTION 1675-1676
The return of William More at the by-election of 7 Jun 1675 was disputed by Sir Philip Lloyd, who gathered witness depositions and threatened to bring a petition before Parliament: however, the petition appears never to have been brought (see History of Parliament op. cit.).
LM/SECTIOND/3/3 D.3.3: ELECTIONS 1679-1681
At the election of February 1679, Sir William More and James Gresham contested successfully against Francis Dorrington. However, in the August election Denzil Onslow of Pyrford joined Dorrington against the More interest and was declared elected alongside More at the hustings; despite an altered return by the bailiff Rapley following the scrutiny, which returned More with Gresham once again, the elections committee declared Onslow and Dorrington as the returned MPs. Sir William More was returned with George Woodroffe in the election of 1681, a result which was to be disputed by Onslow and Dorrington but which was never considered because Parliament was again dissolved. Sir William More died in 1684.
LM/SECTIOND/3/4 D.3.4: 1715 ELECTION 1715
Sir Nicholas Carew and Sir Montagu Blundell were elected for Haslemere in March 1714.
LM/SECTIOND/3/5 D.3.5: 1722 ELECTION 1722-1728
Sir William More Molyneux contested the March 1722 election unsuccessfully against James Oglethorpe and Peter Burrell. See also LM/1379/1, section F.13, for a menu for the 'election breakfast', 1722.
LM/SECTIOND/3/6 D.3.6: 1754 ELECTION AFTER 1714-1762
James More Molyneux and Philip Carteret Webb of Busbridge agreed to stand jointly for the election, building support by the conversion of leaseholds into freeholds and further purchase of land in the borough. Despite disagreements over control of the interest (see Clayton op. cit.), they were elected together in April 1754, defeating Peter Burrell and James Edward Oglethorpe who had held the seats since 1722. Burrell and Oglethorpe petitioned Parliament, but without success. See also LM/1087/27/box 2, section A.1, for account of expenses, 1753, and Ac1363/22/1-7 for copy of a ballad The Cow of Haslemere; or the Conjuror's Scrutiny, 1754, and related historical notes.
LM/SECTIOND/3/7 D.3.7: 1759 BY-ELECTION 1758-1759
On the death of James More Molyneux, Thomas More Molyneux was returned in an uncontested election on 24 Nov 1759.
LM/SECTIOND/3/8 D.3.8: 1761 ELECTION 1761-1764
Thomas More Molyneux and Philip Carteret Webb were returned at the Mar 1761 election. A petition against the result by Richard Muilman and Thomas Parker (Burrell's candidates) was withdrawn after advice that with evidence of their vote-splitting their case would not succeed (see History of Parliament: The House of Commons, 1754-1790 op. cit.).
LM/SECTIOND/3/9 D.3.9: 1768 ELECTION 1763-1774
Thomas More Molyneux and William Burrell were returned as MPs on 19 March 1768, being unsuccessfully opposed by James Edward Oglethorpe and John Johnstone. See also LM/1087/3/6, section A.4.2, for other accounts of expenses, 1767-1769.
LM/SECTIOND/3/10 D.3.10: 1774 ELECTION 1774-1779
The More Molyneuxes united their interest with that of the Burrell family after 1768. A by-election of May 1774 on the death of William Burrell was uncontested, returning Sir Merrick Burrell in his seat. The general election of October returned Thomas More Molyneux and Sir Merrick Burrell, against opposition from William Burke, a candidate of the Duke of Portland, and Henry Kelly. See also 6754/- for report on the election, 1775.
LM/SECTIOND/3/11 D.3.11: 1776 BY-ELECTION 1776
On the death of Thomas More Molyneux, Peter Burrell was given the support of the More Molyneux interest and was elected unopposed in Nov 1776.
LM/SECTIOND/3/12 D.3.12: 1780 ELECTION 1779-1780
In Dec 1779, Jane and Cassandra Cornwallis conveyed their life interest in the manor and borough of Haslemere to John Leech and John Chandler, who were probably acting as agents for Sir James Lowther, and reconveyed to him in 1784 (see LM/358/88/1-6). The election of September 1780 returned Sir James Lowther and Edward Norton uncontested.
LM/SECTIOND/3/13 D.3.13: UNDATED RECORDS 18TH CENT
LM/SECTIOND/4 SECTION D.4: CHARITIES 1625-1813
For accounts of giving grain to the poor, see LM/1087/2/12, section A.4.2, and for administration of the Haslemere Tolls Charity, see manor and borough of Haslemere, section A.3.8. See also BR/OC/4/3/5 and 6871/- for records of Jane More Molyneux's bequest to Abbot's Hospital, Guildford, 1802-1862. See LM/1687/47-50 section G.7.13 for papers relating to charities of Llansadwrn, Carmarthen, 1703-1747.
LM/SECTIOND/4/1 D.4.1: COMMISSIONER FOR CHARITABLE USES BEFORE 1684
LM/SECTIOND/4/2 D.4.2: POYLE CHARITY, OTHERWISE HENRY SMITH'S CHARITY, GUILDFORD 1625-1725
LM/SECTIOND/4/3 D.4.3: GUILDFORD CHARITY SCHOOL 17TH CENT-1733
LM/SECTIOND/4/4 D.4.4: FAMILY LEGACIES C.1687-1813
LM/SECTIOND/4/5 D.4.5 OTHER CHARITABLE TRUSTEESHIPS 1725-1759
LM/SECTIOND/5 SECTION D.5: WEY AND GODALMING NAVIGATIONS 1620s-1762
LM/SECTIOND/6 SECTION D.6: PAPERS RELATING TO LOCAL ROADS, INCLUDING TURNPIKES, AND BRIDGES 1744-1782
LM/SECTIOND/7 SECTION D.7: ST NICHOLAS CHURCH, GUILDFORD, AND FARNCOMBE CHURCH c.1630-1848