Biography of George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth 1647-1691

Paternal Family Tree: Legge

Maternal Family Tree: Audrey Saunders 1551-1588

1672 Battle of Solebay

1682 Sinking of the Gloucester

On 02 Mar 1642 [his father] Colonel William Legge and [his mother] Elizabeth Washington (age 26) were married.

Around 1647 George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth was born to Colonel William Legge and Elizabeth Washington (age 31).

In Nov 1667 George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth (age 20) and Barbara Archbold Baroness Dartmouth (age 17) were married.

On 13 Oct 1670 [his father] Colonel William Legge died at Minories. He was buried at Holy Trinity Church, Minories [Map].

1672 Battle of Solebay

                    On 28 May 1672 Philip Carteret (age 31) and Winston Churchill were killed at Solebay, Southwold [Map].                

                    Edward Montagu 1st Earl Sandwich (age 46) was killed. His son Edward Montagu 2nd Earl Sandwich (age 24) succeeded 2nd Earl Sandwich.                

                    George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth (age 25) fought.                

                    Charles Harbord (age 32) was killed. The inscription on his. Monument in Westminster Abbey [Map] reads ... Sr. Charles Harbord Knt. his Majesties Surveyor General, and First Lieutenant of the Royall James, under the most noble and illustrious captain Edward, Earle of Sandwich (age 46), Vice Admirall of England, which after a terrible fight maintained to admiration against a squadron of the Holland fleet for above six houres, neere the Suffolk coast, having put off two fireships, at last being utterly dissabled and few of her men remaining unhurt, was by a third unfortunately set on fire: but he (though he swam well) neglected to save himselfe as some did, and out of the perfect love to that worthy lord (whom for many yeares he had constantly accompanyed in all his honourable imployments, and in all the engagements of the former warr) dyed with him at the age of XXXIII, much bewailed of his father whom he never offended, and much beloved of all for his knowne piety, vertue, loyalty, fortitude and fidelity.                

                    Captain John Cox was killed in action.
                
                    Admiral John Holmes (age 32) fought as commander of Rupert.
                
                    The Gloucester took part.

Click to expand text ...

On 14 Oct 1672 [his son] William Legge 1st Earl Dartmouth was born to George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth (age 25) and [his wife] Barbara Archbold Baroness Dartmouth (age 22).

In 1682 George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth (age 35) was created 1st Baron Dartmouth. [his wife] Barbara Archbold Baroness Dartmouth (age 32) by marriage Baroness Dartmouth.

Sinking of the Gloucester

On 03 May 1682 the Duke of York (age 48) and his retinue including John Churchill 1st Duke Marlborough (age 31) and George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth (age 35) were seen off on their journey north by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland from Margate Roads, Kent [Map]. James (age 48) was possibly travelling to Edinburgh to collect his six months pregnant wife Mary of Modena (age 23) to ensure their child was born in England.

Before 1683 George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth (age 36) was appointed Admiral of the Fleet.

Evelyn's Diary. 01 May 1683. I went to Blackheath [Map], to see the new fair, being the first procured by the Lord Dartmouth (age 36). This was the first day, pretended for the sale of cattle, but I think in truth to enrich the new tavern at the bowling-green, erected by Snape (age 39), his Majesty's (age 52) farrier, a man full of projects. There appeared nothing but an innumerable assembly of drinking people from London, peddlars, etc., and I suppose it too near London to be of any great use to the country.

Evelyn's Diary. 11 Jun 1683. The [his son] Lord Dartmouth (age 10) was elected Master of the Trinity House; son to George Legge (age 36), late Master of the Ordnance, and one of the grooms of the bedchamber; a great favorite of the Duke's (age 49), an active and understanding gentleman in sea affairs.

Evelyn's Diary. 26 May 1684. Lord Dartmouth (age 37) was chosen Master of the Trinity House, newly return'd with the fleete from blowing up and demolishing Tangier. In the sermon preach'd on this occasion, Dr. Can observ'd that, in the 27th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, the casting anchor out of the fore-ship had been cavill'd at as betraying total Ignorance: that it is very true our seamen do not do so, but in the Mediterranean their ships were built differently from ours, and to this day it was the practice to do so there.

In 1685 George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth (age 38) was appointed Constable of the Tower of London.

In 1688 [his mother] Elizabeth Washington (age 72) died.

Before 25 Dec 1688 [his son-in-law] Philip Musgrave (age 27) and [his daughter] Mary Legge were married.

In Jul 1691 George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth (age 44) was imprisoned at Tower of London [Map].

On 25 Oct 1691 George Legge 1st Baron Dartmouth (age 44) died at Tower of London [Map]. He was buried at Holy Trinity Church, Minories [Map]. His son [his son] William Legge (age 19) succeeded 2nd Baron Dartmouth.