Midleton

Midleton was enfranchised by the 1671 charter of 22 Chas II granted to Sir John Brodrick incorporating the corporation with a sovereign, two bailiffs and 12 burgesses. The borough appears to have been completely close and the seats filled by nomination, occasionally by members of the family: for instance, Edward Brodrick (0238) sat from 1768 to 1776, and Henry Brodrick (0239) was elected apparently aged 18 in 1776. After 1730 the Brodricks were absentees. Midleton was disfranchised at the Union, and the compensation of £15,000 was received by the then Viscount Midleton.