Biography of Arthur Chichester 1st Earl Donegal 1606-1675

In 1605 [his father] Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester (age 37) and [his mother] Anne Copleston (age 17) were married. The difference in their ages was 20 years.

On 16th June 1606 Arthur Chichester 1st Earl Donegal was born to [his father] Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester (age 38) and [his mother] Anne Copleston (age 18).

In 1616 [his mother] Anne Copleston (age 28) died.

After 19th February 1625 [his father] Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester (age 57) was appointed Governor of Carrickfergus.

After 19th February 1625 [his father] Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester (age 57) was created 1st Viscount Chichester of Carrickfergus, 1st Baron Chichester of Belfast.

After 19th February 1625 [his father] Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester (age 57) was appointed Lord High Admiral Lough Neagh.

Before 1630 Arthur Chichester 1st Earl Donegal (age 23) and Dorcas Hill (age 22) were married.

In 1630 [his wife] Dorcas Hill (age 23) died.

After 1630 Arthur Chichester 1st Earl Donegal (age 23) and Mary Digby Countess Donegal (age 18) were married. She the daughter of John Digby 1st Earl Bristol (age 49) and Beatrice Walcott. They were half sixth cousins.

Before 1634 [his brother-in-law] George Digby 2nd Earl Bristol (age 21) and Anne Russell Countess Bristol (age 13) were married. She the daughter of Francis Russell 4th Earl Bedford (age 40) and Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford (age 53). He the son of [his father-in-law] John Digby 1st Earl Bristol (age 53) and [his mother-in-law] Beatrice Walcott.

In 1647 Arthur Chichester 1st Earl Donegal (age 40) was created 1st Earl Donegal. [his wife] Mary Digby Countess Donegal (age 35) by marriage Countess Donegal.

On 8th July 1648 [his father] Edward Chichester 1st Viscount Chichester (age 80) died. His son Arthur (age 42) succeeded 2nd Viscount Chichester of Carrickfergus, 3rd Baron Chichester of Belfast. [his wife] Mary Digby Countess Donegal (age 36) by marriage Viscountess Chichester of Carrickfergus.

On 5th November 1648 [his wife] Mary Digby Countess Donegal (age 36) died in childbirth. She was buried at All Saints Church, Eggesford.

On 13th August 1651 Arthur Chichester 1st Earl Donegal (age 45) and Letitia Hicks Countess Donegal (age 25) were married. She by marriage Countess Donegal. The difference in their ages was 20 years.

In January 1675 [his son-in-law] John Butler 1st Earl Gowran (age 32) and [his daughter] Anne Chichester Countess Gowran and Longford were married. She the daughter of Arthur Chichester 1st Earl Donegal (age 68) and [his wife] Letitia Hicks Countess Donegal (age 48). He the son of James Butler 1st Duke Ormonde (age 64) and Elizabeth Preston Duchess Ormonde (age 59).

On 18th March 1675 Arthur Chichester 1st Earl Donegal (age 68) died. He was buried at St Nicholas' Church, Carrickfergus, County Antrim. His nephew Arthur succeeded 2nd Earl Donegal, 3rd Viscount Chichester of Carrickfergus, 4th Baron Chichester of Belfast. Jane Ichyngham Countess Donegall by marriage Countess Donegal.

On 12th May 1691 [his former wife] Letitia Hicks Countess Donegal (age 64) died.

[his daughter] Anne Chichester Countess Gowran and Longford was born to Arthur Chichester 1st Earl Donegal and Letitia Hicks Countess Donegal. She married (1) January 1675 John Butler 1st Earl Gowran, son of James Butler 1st Duke Ormonde and Elizabeth Preston Duchess Ormonde (2) after 1677 Francis Aungier 1st Earl of Longford.

[his son] William Chichester was born to Arthur Chichester 1st Earl Donegal and Letitia Hicks Countess Donegal.

[his daughter] Mary Chichester was born to Arthur Chichester 1st Earl Donegal and Dorcas Hill.