and the Manor of Fentonagh (1604–1671)

Origins, Rise, Fragmentation, and Transfer to the Eccles Estate

Introduction

The Leigh Baronetcy of Tyrone, created in February 1622, represents a short but significant phase in the history of landownership in County Tyrone. Although the title itself endured for little more than a decade, it was closely connected with the Manor of Fentonagh (Castleleigh), one of the earliest Plantation estates in the Fintona district.

The estate originated under John Leigh in the early years of the Plantation of Ulster and later passed to his brother, Sir Daniel Leigh, 1st Baronet. Following the extinction of the baronetcy in 1635, the estate entered a prolonged period of fragmentation through inheritance, remarriage, and legal dispute. This process culminated in its sale in 1671 to Gilbert Eccles, marking the foundation of the later Ecclesville estate.

Origins of the Leigh Family in Ulster

In the early seventeenth century, three brothers:

John Leigh
Edmond Leigh
Daniel Leigh

arrived in Ulster under the patronage of Sir Henry Bagenal.

1607 – Captain Edmond Leigh served as Sheriff of Omagh
1608 – Edmond Leigh died shortly afterwards

The surviving brothers, John and Daniel Leigh, retained lands formerly belonging to the Abbey of Omey, forming the basis of their later estate in Tyrone.

Establishment of the Manor of Fentonagh

1 April 1604 – Grant by Sir Ralph Bingley to John Leigh of a manor in County Donegal
(Source: Betham’s Transcripts)
c.1610 – Plantation grant of approximately 2,000 acres in County Tyrone
- Erected into the Manor of Fentonagh (Castleleigh)
- Situated in the Precinct of Clogher

Terms of the Grant

Rent: £10 13s 4d
Tenure: Common socage from Dublin Castle
Included:
- 600 acres in demesne
- A court baron
- Numerous townlands (balliboes)

Development of the Plantation Estate

By 1619 (Pynnar’s Survey)

Fortified bawn of lime and stone
Stone dwelling house
Village of eight houses
Approximately 41 British settler families

1622 Survey

Fortified enclosure (approx. 93 feet square)
Three flankers
Gatehouse and defensive works

One of the earliest structured Plantation settlements at Fintona.

Creation of the Leigh Baronetcy

February 1622 – Sir Daniel Leigh created 1st Baronet of Tyrone

Family

Wife: Mary Stanton
Children:
- Sir Arthur Leigh
- Mary Leigh (m. George Arundell)

Union of Estate and Title

20 February 1631 – Death of John Leigh
→ Estate passes to Sir Daniel Leigh
6 August 1632 – Regrant of Fentonagh lands confirmed

Estate and title now united in one line

Extinction of the Baronetcy

1 February 1633 – Death of Sir Daniel Leigh
27 February 1635 – Death of Sir Arthur Leigh (without issue)

The baronetcy becomes extinct

Fragmentation of the Leigh Estate (1635–1671)

Transition from Baronetcy to Dispersed Ownership

Introduction

The extinction of the Leigh Baronetcy in 1635 marked a decisive turning point in the history of the Fentonagh estate. With the death of Sir Arthur Leigh without issue, the estate ceased to exist as a unified hereditary holding and instead entered a prolonged period of fragmentation.

Between 1635 and 1671, ownership passed through a complex network of widows, remarriages, legal claims, and financial pressures. During this period, the estate was no longer controlled by a single lineage, but instead divided among interconnected families, primarily the Bingley and Meredith families, before its eventual consolidation under Gilbert Eccles.

1. Collapse of the Direct Male Line

1635 – Death of Sir Arthur Leigh (2nd Baronet) without issue
The baronetcy became extinct
No direct male heir to consolidate the estate

This created the structural weakness that led to fragmentation.

2. Control Through Widows and Marriage

Following 1635, control of the estate shifted into the hands of widows:

Dame Mary Leigh

Widow of Sir Daniel Leigh

Married:

Captain John Bingly
Captain John Cheswis
James Chadwick

Elizabeth Leigh (née Ryves)

Widow of Sir Arthur Leigh

Married:

John Bingley, Esq.
Alderman William Smith of Dublin

Estate control now depended on marriage alliances rather than inheritance

3. Emergence of the Bingley–Smith–Meredith Line

Through these marriages, estate interests became concentrated in:

John Bingley (Dublin merchant class)
Alderman William Smith (civic elite)
Dorothea Bingley (later Meredith)
Arthur Meredith

This marks the transition from:

Plantation settler family → urban/administrative ownership

4. Legal Disputes and Financial Claims

The estate appears repeatedly in legal and governmental records:

1640 – Chancery litigation involving Leigh heirs and associates
1646 – Petition of Dame Mary Leigh (£4,000+ claim)
Civil War military arrears and compensation claims

These records indicate:

Disputed rights and ownership
Loss of stable rental income
Dependence on litigation for recovery of funds

The estate was becoming legally complex and financially unstable

5. Civil War Impact

The 1640s significantly accelerated fragmentation:

Deaths of key figures (Bingly, Cheswis)
Loss of estate income
Disruption of tenancy structures
Increased reliance on Parliament for compensation

The estate shifted from:

Productive landed unit
→ financially strained and contested asset

6. Evidence from the Civil Survey (1654–1656)

The Civil Survey provides the clearest picture of the estate in its fragmented state:

Lands held by:
- Alderman William Smith
- Lady Leigh
Over 1,600 acres still identifiable as part of the former Leigh estate

Despite fragmentation:

The estate remained geographically coherent
But was administratively divided

7. Transition to the Meredith Family

By the 1660s, control had effectively passed to:

Dorothea Bingley (daughter of Elizabeth Leigh)
Arthur Meredith (her husband)

Key developments:

1662 – Administration of Bingley estate to Dorothea
1670 – Administration of Elizabeth Leigh to Dorothea Meredith
Lease evidence referencing estate annuities

This represents the final consolidation before sale

8. Final Disposal of the Estate

30–31 May 1671
Sale of the Manor of Fentonagh

Vendors:

Arthur Meredith
Dorothea Meredith

Purchaser:

Gilbert Eccles

Marks the end of Leigh-derived ownership

Chain of Control (Simplified)

Leigh (pre-1635)
→ Widows (Mary & Elizabeth Leigh)
→ Bingley / Smith
→ Meredith
→ Eccles (1671)

Historical Significance

This period represents:

The collapse of a Plantation baronetcy within one generation
The transfer of land through female inheritance lines
The growing role of:
- Urban elites
- Legal mechanisms
- Civil War compensation systems

Most importantly, it explains how:

A structured Plantation estate became a fragmented legal asset
before being reconstituted under the Eccles family

Documented Timeline and Evidential Record

1604

1 April: Grant by Sir Ralph Bingley to John Leigh
(Betham’s Transcripts)

c.1610

Marriage of Sir Daniel Leigh to Mary Stanton

Early 17th Century

Births of Arthur Leigh and Mary Leigh

20 February 1631

Death of John Leigh
Estate inherited by Sir Daniel Leigh

6 August 1632

Regrant of Fentonagh confirmed

1 February 1633

Death of Sir Daniel Leigh

27 February 1635

Death of Sir Arthur Leigh (no issue)

c.1636

Dame Mary Leigh marries Captain John Bingly

19/27 September 1638

Elizabeth Leigh marries John Bingley

Sir John Bingley, Knt

28 March 1638, 17 Nov/d

Wife Elizabeth

only son John

daur Flower

gdson John Bingley son of John

5th Dec 1639

This assurance is taken

in Y hand of me Sir Wm.

Ryves to Y use of the

La: Grey also Bingley &

of my Sonn in Law John

Bingley and Dame Eliz

abeth his wife according

to the certain articles of

agreement made between

Ye ~~Dame~~ Lady Grey and

John Bingley of Y one part

and Y said Sir Wm Ryves

of Y other part on

Y Intermarriage of the

said John Bingley and Y said

Dame Elizabeth

Y Testator

Wm Ryves

Easter Term 1640

Chancery Bill involving Leigh estate

c.1642

Death of Captain John Bingly

c.1642–1645

Marriage to Captain John Cheswis

2 October 1645

Payment for arrears due

23 December 1646

Petition of Dame Mary Leigh (£4,000+ claim)

10 March 1647

Death of Sir William Ryves

c.1654

Death of John Bingley
Elizabeth Leigh remarries William Smith

1654–1656

Civil Survey records estate holdings

1654–1656 – Civil Survey of Ireland (Detailed Returns)

The Civil Survey provides a detailed breakdown of lands associated with the former Leigh estate in the parish of Donocavey and surrounding areas.

Church Lands (See of Clogher)

Held by Alderman William Smith of Dublin and Lady Leigh
Lands: Rachearan, Feinon, Ravarron (4 townlands)
Total: 200 acres

Breakdown:

Meadow: 20 acres
Arable: 120 acres
Pasture: 10 acres
Mountain & Bog: 50 acres

Rent (1640): £12

Parish Holdings – Donocavey

Holding 1

Toghafadda, Lisnecrieve, Edentudrie, Lackaghboy
240 acres

Breakdown:

Arable: 60
Pasture: 60
Barren: 90
Mountain & Bog: 30
Rent: £2 : 13 : 4

Holding 2

Aghnabrissel, Draughton, Dongoran, Screggore, Killaberrie, Dromlaghlin, Tullarush, Seanew
430 acres

Breakdown:

Meadow: 24
Arable: 110
Pasture: 115
Mountain: 100
Bog: 81
Rent: £5 : 6 : 8

Holding 3 (Principal Leigh Holding)

Held by William Smith (Alderman of Dublin) and Lady Leigh
Tonnagh, Terenan, Mullasilago, Corvelley, Scrunick, Tatewille, Cariglas, Corcries
550 acres

Breakdown:

Meadow: 22
Arable: 120
Pasture: 113
Mountain: 190
Bog: 110
Rent: £5 : 6 : 8

Holding 4

Tanaghittragh, Skelgagh, Killaliss, Lagashegall, Mullan, Druman, Ardatiny, Stradogor, Garvolly, Gargrim
550 acres

Breakdown:

Meadow: 34
Arable: 161
Pasture: 138
Mountain/Barren: 97
Bog: 30
Rent: £6 : 4 : 5

Summary of Survey

Total Acreage: 1,682 acres
Profitable Land: 960 acres
Unprofitable Land: 722 acres
Total Recorded Rent: £19 : 11 : 1

These returns demonstrate that, despite fragmentation, the estate remained substantial, structured, and still identifiable as the former Leigh holding in the mid-seventeenth century.

Barony of Strabane – Parish of Cappy

Held by Heirs of Sir Daniel Leigh
Lands: Shirrygrum & Lissnammallogh (Abbey lands)
66 acres

Breakdown:

Arable: 40
Pasture: 16
Bog & Mountain: 10

Value (1640): £8

20 January 1658

Death of Dame Mary Leigh

20 October 1662

Administration to Dorothea Bingley

c.1668

Chancery evidence of earlier marriage

21 May 1670

Administration to Dorothea Meredith

14 October 1670

Lease referencing estate annuity

30–31 May 1671

Sale to Gilbert Eccles

2 August 1675

William Smith elected Mayor of Dublin

8 November 1684

Death of William Smith confirmed

Key Individuals

Sir Daniel Leigh, 1st Baronet
Sir Arthur Leigh, 2nd Baronet
Dame Mary Leigh
Elizabeth Ryves / Leigh / Bingley / Smith
Dorothea Bingley / Meredith
George Arundell

Sources

Betham’s Transcripts
Patent Rolls, Ireland
Civil Survey of Ireland
Parliamentary Petitions
Chancery Bills
PRONI D526/1; T962/1
Plantation Papers (Hill)
TNA: C 7/323/18