1734

Date: Tuesday 14 May 1734.

Poll book reference: Coventry Archives, PA96/36/4.

The History of Parliament, petitions lodged following the election, and an endorsement on the poll itself are all in agreement: only three candidates stood for election at Coventry in 1734 (John Neale, Sir Adolphus Oughton, and John Bird). However, a fourth votes column within the poll book reveals that at least twenty other men received votes ?Äî most of whom cannot be identified. Two are the brothers of the 'original' candidates: Henry Neale (11 votes) and Thomas Bird (29 votes). While several received only one or two votes, 'A. Owen' received no fewer than 11 votes, and 'Montagu' 10.

Other men who received votes: A. Davis, A. Owen, Alderman Smith, Archer, Bromley, Burberry, Burk, Chapman, Col. Mounta, Copson, Craven, E. Owen, Grove, Henry Neale, J. Eburn, Mason, Montagu, Pool, Thomas Bird, and Wheatley.

Candidates: John Neale (Whig); Sir Adolphus Oughton (Whig); and John Bird (Whig).

John Neale had been elected for Coventry in both the general and by-elections in 1722. He had supported the Excise Bill which introduced new taxes on goods, against the corporation's wishes. In 1734, he wrote to the Prime Minister, Robert Walpole: 'I have no ways agreed to join with anybody at Coventry yet, but my friends tell me I may bring in whomsoever I have a mind to, if I have a mind to, if I insist on it, and I can say I think my interest as good there as ever, but if you are sure of Sir Adolphus [Oughton] for the future I should be 10th to turn him out, but if not, I will be ready to obey your commands'.

Sir Adolphus Oughton had served as MP for Coventry since 1715. Following the contentious 1722 general election, he had been wounded in a duel by Lord Craven, the leading Tory for the county.

John Bird came from a notable silk- and ribbon-weaving family. Robert Walpole had appointed him receiver of the land tax for the county in 1723. He stood on an anti-Excise bill promise.

Oughton and Bird were returned for the constituency. Neale questioned Bird's property qualification, but the election result was upheld.