Maurice FitzGerald, 14th Knight of Kerry
Irish hereditary knight (died 1729)
Sir Maurice FitzGerald, 14th Knight of Kerry (died 1729) fought for James II in the Williamite War in Ireland, but after the defeat he conformed to the established religion by joining the Church of Ireland. He became Deputy Lieutenant of Kerry.
Birth and origins
Maurice was the eldest son of Sir John FitzGerald and his wife Honora O'Brien. His father was the 13th Knight of Kerry. His mother was the third daughter of Connor O'Brien, 2nd Viscount Clare.[1] Both parents were Roman Catholic. He was one of four brothers.
Family tree
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Maurice FitzGerald with wife, parents, and other selected relatives. |
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Williamite War
FitzGerald fought for James II in the Williamite War in Ireland (1688–1691) alongside his brothers John, Daniel of Ballyruddery, and Thomas of Ardglass.
Marriage and children
On 30 June 1703 FitzGerald married Elizabeth, second daughter of David Crosbie (died 1717), of Ardfert Abbey, High Sheriff of County Kerry, by his wife Jane Hamilton, daughter of William Hamilton of Liscloony, County Offaly.[3] His wife was a Protestant and the sister of Maurice Crosbie, 1st Baron Brandon.
Maurice and Elizabeth had three sons of whom:
- John (1706–1741), his immediate successor
- Robert (1717–1781), who succeeded as the 17th knight
—and nine daughters, known as the "Nine Geraldines", of whom:
- Jane, married George Herbert, Esquire of Currans[5]
- Honora, married Richard Meredyth, Esquire of Dicksgrove (near Currans)[6]
- Bridget married first Thomas Sandes and secondly Mr. Creagh[8]
- Margaret, married John Hewson of Ennismore[9]
Later life and death
Their children were raised as Protestants. Their daughters married into the Herberts (twice), Merediths (twice), Sandes', Creaghs, Stacks, Hewsons, Collis', Rices and Days.
In 1708 FitzGerald conformed to the established religion. His marriage, conversion, and the subsequent marriages of his children further alienated the Knights of Kerry from the local Catholic populace. FitzGerald became Deputy Lieutenant of Kerry.
FitzGerald died at Ballinruddery Castle, near Listowel, on 9 December 1729.
Notes and references
Citations
- ^ Burke 1883, p. 406, right column, bottom. "... with 6 daus, Margaret, m. to Hugh O'Reilly; Ellen, m. to Sir Roger Shagnessy; Hornora, m. to John Fitzgerald, Esq., of Castleishen, and 2ndly to John Macnamafra, Esq.; Sarah, m. to Daniel Sullivan Bear; Mary m. _ Power of Doonil ..."
- ^ Burke 1879, p. 565, left column, line 37. "Maurice FitzGerald, Knight of Kerry m. [married] 30 June, 1703, Elizabeth, 2nd dau. [daughter] of David Crosbie, Esq. of Ardfert by Jane his wife, younger dau. [daughter] and co-heir of William Hamilton, Esq. ..."
- ^ Burke 1879, p. 565, left column, line 43, left. "Jane, m. [married] George Herbert, Esq. of Currens;"
- ^ Burke 1879, p. 565, left column, line 43, right. "Honoria, m. [married] Richard Meredyth, Esq. of Tierna;"
- ^ Burke 1879, p. 565, left column, line 44. "Bridget, m. [married] 1st Thomas Sandes, and 2ndly Mr. Creagh;"
- ^ Burke 1879, p. 565, left column, line 45. "Margaret m. [married] John Hewson. Esq. of Ennismore;"
Sources
Further reading
- Public Record Office of Northern Ireland: The FitzGerald (Knights of Kerry) Papers (MIC/639 and T/3075)
- Personal Family history. Confirmation would be appreciated.
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