The next great contest [after 1741] was in 1807, when the most exciting and expensive contest which ever occurred in the history of electioneering took place in this county, when the two great aristocratic families, Fitzwilliam (Whig) and Harewood (Tory), were contesting for the representation of the county in Parliament. The candidates were William Wilberforce, Esq., Lord Milton, and the Hon. Henry Lascelles. The real struggle was between Milton and Lascelles, as both parties concurred in the election of Mr. Wilberforce. During the fifteen days' poll, the county was in a state of the most violent agitation, party spirit being wound up to the highest pitch by the friends of the two noble families, and everything being done that money or personal exertion could accomplish; the roads in every direction were covered with conveyances of all descriptions, conveying voters from the most remote corners of this great county to York to record their votes. The poll commenced on May 20th and ended June 5th, when the numbers polled were - Wilberforce 11,806; Milton 11,177; Lascelles 10,989. 117 persons went from Pudsey, and they voted as follows:- Milton 98, 94 of them being plumpers; Lascelles 18; Wilberforce 18. The following is a list of the Pudsey voters: