John St Leger (1674–1743) facts for kids

Sir John St Leger (1674–1743) was an Irish lawyer, politician, and judge. He came from an important family in County Cork. Many people at the time thought he became successful because of his family's influence, not just his legal skills. As a judge, he is best known for a famous case called Sherlock v. Annesley. This case caused a big problem for the government and led to him and two other judges being briefly put in prison by the Parliament.

Early Life and Career

John St Leger was born in Doneraile, County Cork. His father was also named John St Leger. His older half-brother was Arthur St Leger, 1st Viscount Doneraile. Arthur was very loyal to John. He helped John get his judge position in 1714. He also spoke up for John when he faced trouble with the Irish House of Lords in 1719.

John went to Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford for his education. He started studying law in 1691 but didn't become a lawyer until 1707. In his early years, he practiced law in England. He wasn't very active in his legal work. The writer Jonathan Swift once joked that St Leger didn't really "practice" law, but rather "followed it from a distance." John also worked for King William III in a small role. The King liked him and made him a knight in 1701.

Becoming a Judge

Later, Sir John St Leger returned to Ireland. He was suggested for a judge role in Cashel. However, the King's government said no. This might have been because of his political views. At that time, political differences in Ireland were very strong.

He became a member of the Irish House of Commons for Doneraile. This area was controlled by the St Leger family. When King George I became king in 1714, many judges were removed. These judges belonged to the Tory political party. St Leger was a Whig, a different political party. Because he was a Whig and had powerful friends and his brother's support, he was chosen to be a judge. He became a Baron of the Court of Exchequer (Ireland). Many people who knew him were surprised by this. The poet Samuel Garth famously said, "God help the country where St Leger is made a judge!"

Challenges for Irish Judges in 1714

To be fair, St Leger and the other judges faced a huge challenge. He himself said the Irish Court of Exchequer was in "confusion and disorder." There were many old cases waiting to be heard. Court rules were unclear, and cases often took more than a year to finish.

Things got better for a while when Sir Jeffrey Gilbert became the Chief Baron. He was a very good lawyer. After he died, his legal writings became very famous. He was popular in Ireland at first.

The Sherlock v Annesley Case

A normal court case, Sherlock v Annesley, suddenly caused a major problem for the government. This case was about a land dispute between two cousins in Naas, County Kildare. Judges Gilbert, St Leger, and John Pocklington heard the case in the Court of Exchequer.

At that time, both the Irish House of Lords and the British House of Lords claimed to be the highest court for appeals from Ireland. Each House heard an appeal from one of the parties in the case. This led to them giving different orders. The judges of the Exchequer Court felt they had to follow the order from the English House of Lords. This made the Irish House of Lords very angry.

The judges were called to explain their actions to the Irish House of Lords. After a short, heated meeting, the Lords ordered them to be arrested. St Leger's brother, Lord Doneraile, was one of the few who spoke against this punishment. Gilbert and Pocklington were held for three months. St Leger was released earlier because he needed to give evidence in another case in Cork.

Later Life

After this big problem, which led to the Declaratory Act of 1719, Chief Baron Gilbert decided to return to England. The Declaratory Act meant the Irish House of Lords lost its power to hear appeals. This power was not given back until 1782.

Even though his reputation was damaged, St Leger worked hard to get a promotion in Ireland. For some years, people wondered if he would become the Irish Chief Baron or be removed from his judge position completely. In the end, he stayed as a junior Baron until he retired in 1741. He was also a trustee of the King's Inns in 1731.

In 1725, St Leger and Bernard Hale (who took over from Gilbert as Chief Baron) almost died. They were at a court session in Monaghan. The courthouse roof, like many Irish courthouses then, was in bad condition and fell in. Luckily, the judges were not hurt. They finished the court session outside in the open air.

Sir John St Leger lived in Capel Street in Dublin and at Grangemellon in County Kildare. He died and was buried there in 1743.

Family Life

When he was in his twenties, Sir John St Leger married a rich widow named Mary Ware Fraser. She was the daughter of Sir James Ware junior. Mary was about twenty-five years older than him. She died in 1722 when she was around seventy.

After Mary died, John quickly remarried Lavinia Pennefather. Lavinia came from an important landowning family in County Tipperary. They had eight children:

• John (the oldest son)
• Arthur
• William
• Major-General Anthony St Leger, who started the famous horse race, the St Leger Stakes
• Catherine
• Lavinia, who married George Clarges
• Elizabeth, who married Ralph Burton
• General Barry St. Leger (1733–1789), a leading soldier known for his part in the Saratoga campaign

Images for kids

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  Barry St. Leger, son of John and Lavinia St Leger

See also

• Dependency of Ireland on Great Britain Act 1719