LEIGH, Robert (?1729-?1803), of Rosegarland, co. Wexford.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1790-1820, ed. R. Thorne, 1986
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

1801 - 1802

Family and Education

b. ?1729, o.s. of John Leigh, MP [I], of Rosegarland by Mary, da. of John Cliffe, MP [I], of Mulrancan. educ. by Dr Shem Thompson, Leixlip; Trinity, Dublin 10 July 1748, aged 19. m. Feb. 1750, Arabella, da. of Robert Leslie of Glasslough, co. Monaghan, 3s. 1da. (who m. Ponsonby Tottenham*). suc. fa. 1758.

Offices Held

MP [I] 1758-1800.

Dep. gov. co. Wexford 1763.

Lt.-col. Wexford co. militia 1763.

Biography

Leigh sat in the Irish parliament for New Ross, of which he was co-patron with his brother-in-law Charles Tottenham, for 42 years. He was returned to Westminster in 1801, but had not taken his seat by 25 Mar. and was listed ‘inactive’. If he attended, he doubtless supported government as he had always done. In 1802 it was his co-patron’s turn to nominate at New Ross. Leigh died soon afterwards, his will dated 10 Apr. 1802 being proved on 10 May 1803.

PRO 30/9/13, pt. 2.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: Arthur Aspinall

Notes