Description:A number of letters written to Sir William relate to his political and estate concerns in Yorkshire. Sir William’s father Sir Thomas Gower had served as MP for New Malton from 1661-1672. A letter dated 29th September 1672 addressed to Sir William from a person named Danby concerns the death of Sir Thomas Gower (1605-1672), William’s father, and the succession of William’s nephew Thomas in his place.
Danby writes ‘haveing since receved an acount from my tenants att mallton of there readynes to comply with my desires of electing my cousen Leveson in the roome of his deceased father I can now assheure your Lordship I will not only bee ready to sarve him with my interest there but that the votes I give him shall in all lieklyhood secure him Burghesse of Mallton’.
Danby’s letter shows that local elections considered the views of local tenants. Danby assures Sir William that he will support his nephew Thomas based on his tenant’s ‘readynes to comply’. The letter reflects the political prominence of the Gower family in Yorkshire at this time.
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