 At the time of the Reform Act in 1832, its population was just over 1,000, and the town contained 201 houses.Like most small boroughs in the Unreformed Parliament, Seaford came under the influence of a series of "patrons" (local magnates who were allowed to choose both the borough's MPs in return for favours to the town and the voters); but, as in the other cinque ports, there was also a powerful government interest, since a large number of the voters were employed as customs and excise officers.From before the end of the 17th century, the Pelham family could generally nominate one of the two MPs.