However, he did not inherit the ancestral estates of the Barony, including Dudley Castle, which descended on a relative, John Ward.
On Ferdinando's death in 1757 the barony fell into abeyance between his sisters.
Ferdinando took his seat in the House of Lords on 26 November 1740[3] and he inherited Halesowen Grange from his father, William Lea, who died on 31 January 1741.
[1] On Ferdinando's death at Halesowen Grange on 21 October 1757, the title of Baron of Dudley fell into abeyance between his sisters.
The abeyance was terminated in 1916 when a descendant of Ferdinando's eldest sister, Anne, was recognised 12th Baron Dudley.