Whitchurch was a proprietary borough, but its proprietors changed. About 1750 its patrons were Lord Portsmouth and John Selwyn. On Selwyn’s death in 1751 his interest passed to his son-in-law, Thomas Townshend; and from 1754 to 1774 one Member was chosen by Townshend and the other by Portsmouth. In 1774 and 1780 Thomas Townshend jun. (later Lord Sidney) and his nephew Lord Midleton were returned and Midleton held his seat after 1784, although by then he and Sidney were politically opposed.
Volume
Number of seats
2
Right of election
in burgage holders
Background Information
Number of voters: about 70
Constituency Type
Constituency ID