Richard VAUGHAN of Ruardean 1702-1777 (General)
by isherwop 
, Saturday, September 03, 2011, 02:38 (4883 days ago)
According to a reference I have read Richard Vaughan and his sons John and Richard were elected to be freeholders of the parish in the county elections of 1776. Please can anyone tell me a bit more about what this means, who would have voted and, where the records would be accessible.Thanks
Peter I New Zealand.
Richard VAUGHAN County Elections 1776
by m p griffiths , Saturday, September 03, 2011, 08:12 (4883 days ago) @ isherwop
previous thread - The Poll at the Election of a Knight of the Shire of Gloucester 1776 (on Google Books)
On the prefix : Begun on Monday 6th and continued until Friday 17 May 1776
The Hon. George Cranfield BERKELEY and William Bromley CHEFTER Esq: Candidates
Henry Lippincott Esq: - High Sheriff
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looks like 'George' won! - click on the picture (enlarges)
http://www.grosvenorprints.com/stock.php?artist=Gainsborough%2C+Thomas&WADbSearch1-...
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more background re: LIPPINCOTT and CHESTER
http://www.trinity-bris.ac.uk/1765-1829
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and on page 126 of the Book on Google
Townthip : Ruardean
Freeholders Name: Richard VAUGHAN
Of What Freehold confifts: Meffusage and Lands
In Whole Tenure: Himfelf
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Townthip: Ruardean
Freeholders Name: VAUGHAN John
Of What Freehold confifts: - Meffusage and Lands
In Whole Tenure: Himfelf and James MOTLOE
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Townthip: Ruardean
Freeholders Name: VAUGHAN Richard Jnr
Of What Freehold confifts: Houfe and land
In Whole Tenture: Himfelf
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http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=19101
The Gloucestershire Records Office hold records - if you type in the search box County Election 1776 (you get more hits if you don't put the s after Election) - and even more (440 hits) if you just type in 1776
there are 'many hits'
inc: Letter to the Gentlemen, Clergy & Freeholders of the County of Gloucester
Copies can be obtained from the Records Office
http://ww3.gloucestershire.gov.uk/DServe/DServe.exe?dsqApp=Archive&dsqDb=Catalog&am...
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Vaughan of Ruardean (family tree)
Richard VAUGHAN of Ruardean 1702-1777
by rookancestrybest , United Kingdom, Saturday, September 03, 2011, 21:37 (4883 days ago) @ isherwop
In laypersons' terms, most people (male or female) could not vote in the early 1700s, but landownership was the qualification for being able to do so.
Richard VAUGHAN of Ruardean 1702-1777
by isherwop , Sunday, September 04, 2011, 09:39 (4882 days ago) @ rookancestrybest
Thanks for your comments. It sounds as if I have been misled by the words "were voted freeholders of the parish in the county elections 1776." Should the wording have been "voted in the 1776 county election because they were freeholders of the parish" It seems you were not voted to be a freeholder but rather you were entitled to vote as a freeholder because you owned property. Is this the correct interpretation? Thanks again
Peter I
Richard VAUGHAN of Ruardean 1702-1777
by rookancestrybest , United Kingdom, Tuesday, September 06, 2011, 20:26 (4880 days ago) @ isherwop
Certainly a man owning land would be able to vote but I am not sure whether the statement you found may also be correct. It will need more research before dismissing it as a misinterpretation. Perhaps someone else will be able to shed more light onto it.