Wilts Notes and Queries. 131 



The Sheriff of "Wilts Imprisoned at Devizes. — This outrage 

 was actually committed in 1741, by the partizans of Sir Edmund 

 Thomas and Edward Bayntun Rolt, Esq., at a contested election 

 for the borough of Chippenham ; the object being to neutralize the 

 hostile influence of Anthony Guy, Esq., not, of course, in his capa- 

 city of High Sheriff of the County, but as being the principal man 

 in Chippenham and the oldest of the twelve burgesses who claimed 

 the management of the affairs of that town. The offence however 

 was equally great, and it is surprising that no reprisals were made 

 by the injured party. 



Mr. Guy having declared himself favourable to two other candi- 

 dates, Alexander Hume and John Frederick, Esquires, it was 

 resolved to get him out of the way, under pretence of an attach- 

 ment for his Under-sheriff's omitting to make return of a writ 

 against one Thomas Brown, for the small sum of £27 (an omission 

 owing to the Under-sheriff's illness) : and Richard Smith, a coroner 

 of the county, actually proceeded to take Mr. Guy into custody, 

 though that gentleman offered him £10,000 bail for his appear- 

 ance. At the instigation of John Norris, Adam Tuck, and William 

 Johnson the then bailiff or mayor, the coroner kept Mr. Guy all 

 night in one of the Chippenham inns under a guard of armed men, 

 and the next morning conveyed him with the same convoy to the 

 town of Devizes, where he remained in custody till the election was 

 over ; after which they had the courtesy to carry him back to his 

 own house and set him at liberty. 



It is hardly necessary to add, that a petition from the un- 

 successful candidates appealed against a return effected by such 

 means ; but though the Sheriff's party were finally defeated by a 

 small majority in the House ; it does not appear that any attempt 



