Robert Echlin

Lieutenant-General Robert Echlin (c. 1657 – c. 1723) was an Irish officer of the British Army, who for many years commanded the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons He also sat in the Irish House of Commons and the House of Commons of Great Britain. In later life, embittered by his chronic state of poverty, lack of professional advancement and failing military career, he espoused the Jacobite cause, and died in exile in France. He was the first owner of the famous Echlin Sword. Family He was born at Ardquin, County Down, youngest son of Robert Echlin, and great-grandson of Robert Echlin, Bishop of Down and Connor from 1612 to 1635. The Echlin family came to Ireland from Fife in the early seventeenth century. His mother was Mary Leslie, daughter of Henry Leslie, Bishop of Meath and his wife Jane Swinton; the Leslies also came to Ireland from Fife. His father died shortly after Robert's birth, and seems to have left his family badly provided for, although his mother's second marriage to Sir Robert Ward, 1st of the Ward Baronets of Killagh, presumably restored the family's financial position. Robert's elder brother Sir Henry Echlin had a successful career as a barrister and judge, ending with a term as second Baron of the Court of Exchequer (Ireland), he was created the first of the Echlin baronets in 1721, and became a substantial landowner, with his principal seat at Kenure House, Rush, County Dublin, and another residence at Clonagh Castle in County Kildare. The third brother John also prospered: he was the father of Charles Echlin MP.