Rev Joseph and Mrs Leeson. (The only picture we have).

Rev Joseph Leeson MA. Vicar of Fishlake from 1846 to 1850. 

Joseph was born 7 March 1813 in Dublin, Ireland son of Captain the Hon Robert Leeson (1773-1850). His mother was Philippa Julian Neve. He was baptised on 22 April 1817 in Oxford. The baptism records from John the Baptist (Merton College) Oxford say ‘Joseph son of Honble Robert & Philippe Julian Leeson, opposite Merton College by Egerton Robert Neve Assist Minister- NB Privately Baptised in the City of Dublin April 10 1813’.

Joseph's grandfather was Joseph Leeson (1712-1783) the 1st Earl of Milltown. Milltown being is a small suburb of Dublin. A member of the Irish House of Commons. 

His eldest son, also Joseph (1729-1801) inherited his fathers Earldom becoming the 2nd Earl of Milltown but due to his lack of heirs his younger brother Brice then became the 3rd Earl of Milltown.

Back to the reverend Joseph who married 10th February 1838 to Jane  Lloyd (1814-1851).Rev Joseph Leeson MA. Vicar of Fishlake 1846 to 1850.

He was inducted to the living at Fishlake on 15 August 1846 and read himself in the following Sunday. While incumbent at Fishlake he made his mark by overseeing the complete rebuilding the old decaying vicarage. The present vicarage as seen today is largely due to Joseph Leeson.

At the same time he was Chaplain to Lord Cloncurry, it is hard to image how he could have managed both responsibilities as his lordship lived in Ireland, maybe he was an absentee Chaplin?

The 2 nd Baron Cloncurry otherwise Valentine Browne Lawless, peer and politician (1773-1853) lived at Lyons Hill, Ardclough, County Kildare. The family connection was through his uncle Joseph Leeson whose widow Emily married Lord Cloncurry.

Joseph and his wife Jane had three children, Cecillia  Frances Lucy born Ireland (1840 -1928), Robert William Frederick born Durham (1842-1906), Jane Lucy born Durham (1846-). In 1905 his son Robert laid claim to the Earldom of Milltown but failed and the Earldom became dormant.

Rev Joseph Leeson died 4 years after coming to Fishlake on 25 th April 1850 at the young age of 37. His Will was probated in 1861, his estate was worth less than £10. So at the time of his death he was not a rich gentleman as one might have expected.

Rev. Leeson's memorial stone is on the floor of the Church and reads as follows. In memory of / The Rev Joseph Leeson / MA / vicar of this parish / who after a very short illness / departed this life / 25th April 1850 / aged 37 / Where ye also ready for in / such an hour as ye think not / the son of man cometh.

Rob Downing 27 February 2018.

Rob Downings research at htthttps://wordpress.com/view/fishlakeheritage.wordpress.com