The Darbys at Leap

The Darby family’s long association with Leap stretches from the seventeenth century through Jonathan Charles Darby and Mildred Darby, before the castle was destroyed by fire in 1922.

Leap Castle in 1919 — Western side, 1919

The existing Darby page is primarily genealogical: a sequence of Jonathan Darbys, Admiral Sir Henry d’Esterre Darby, later heirs and finally Jonathan Charles Darby and Mildred Dill (Mildred Darby).

Architectural transformation

The construction and remodelling account associates major expansion with 1753: the entrance orientation changed, a Gothic western doorway was added, internal floor levels were altered, twin wings were added and the Priest’s House received Gothic remodelling.

Ongoing research

The ongoing George Atkinson / 1753 letter investigation belongs here once the primary-source wording and provenance are fully documented.

Mildred Darby

Mildred’s photographs, published writing, correspondence and paranormal accounts deserve a dedicated person collection rather than being scattered across unrelated pages. The archive preserves this linking model; a fuller Mildred collection remains an active research and editorial project.

Before the burning

The pre-1922 photographic collection gives the Darby-era narrative a visual record of the western approach, other exterior elevations, Mildred in the Great Hall and the Upper Hall gallery.

HISTORICAL NARRATIVE · SOURCE REVIEW

Archived source material

The Darbys

The material below is preserved from the Leap Castle archive while citation, source reconciliation and editorial review continue.

Jonathon Darby the 2^nd, a Cromwellian soldier obtained Leap Castle in 1649. This was lieu of payment for his services. Jonathon and his wife Deborah had a son also named Jonathon.

Jonathon the 3^rdwas married in 1693 to Anna Maria d’Esterre.

In 1698, Jonathon the 3^rdwas tried for treason and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered. During a power shift within the British monarchy, Jonathon Darby was pardoned by William of Orange, who was subsequently crowned as King of England. Jonathon the 3^rdis thought to be the famous ‘Wild Captain’.

The son of Jonathon the 3^rdand Anna Maria named Jonathon the 4^thwas born in 1708.

Jonathon the 4^thmarried Susannah Lovett in 1745 and died in 1776.

Jonathon the 4^thwas succeeded by his sons Jonathon Darby the 5^th, born at Leap in 1746 and Henry d’Esterre born in 1748, Robert and Christopher born 1758.

Jonathon Darby the 5^thmaintained the Leap Estate until his death in 1802. As Jonathon fathered no male children, Leap Castle was passed on to his younger brother Henry.

Henry d’Esterre Darby, born in 1750 climbed through the Naval ranks to become Admiral Sir Henry d’Esterre Darby in 1799. Henry died in 1823 baring no children of his own. Upon Henry’s death, the Leap Castle estate was inherited by his brother John Darby.

John Darby married Anne Vaughan and died in 1834. He was succeeded by their sons William Henry, Christopher, George, Susan, Jonathon, Horatio d’Esterre, John Nelson and Sarah Darby.

William Henry Darby inherited Leap Castle died in 1880. His eldest son had died in 1872 aged 45 so the Leap Estate was passed on to his grandson Jonathon Charles Darby.

Jonathon married Mildred Dill aka Mildred Darby in 1889.