Maurice FitzGerald, 14th Knight of Kerry
# Maurice FitzGerald, 14th Knight of Kerry

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. Both parents were Roman Catholic. He was one of four brothers.

Family tree :

| John 12th Knight fl. 1640 | John 12th Knight fl. 1640 | John 12th Knight fl. 1640 | John 12th Knight fl. 1640 | John 12th Knight fl. 1640 | John 12th Knight fl. 1640 | | | Katherine FitzGerald | Katherine FitzGerald | Katherine FitzGerald | Katherine FitzGerald | Katherine FitzGerald | Katherine FitzGerald |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Thomas d. 1667 d.v.p.* | Thomas d. 1667 d.v.p.* | Thomas d. 1667 d.v.p.* | Thomas d. 1667 d.v.p.* | Thomas d. 1667 d.v.p.* | Thomas d. 1667 d.v.p.* | | | Jane Everard | Jane Everard | Jane Everard | Jane Everard | Jane Everard | Jane Everard | | | Connor 2nd Viscount Clare 1605–1670 | Connor 2nd Viscount Clare 1605–1670 | Connor 2nd Viscount Clare 1605–1670 | Connor 2nd Viscount Clare 1605–1670 | Connor 2nd Viscount Clare 1605–1670 | Connor 2nd Viscount Clare 1605–1670 |
| | | John 13th Knight d. c. 1680 | John 13th Knight d. c. 1680 | John 13th Knight d. c. 1680 | John 13th Knight d. c. 1680 | John 13th Knight d. c. 1680 | John 13th Knight d. c. 1680 | | | Honora O'Brien | Honora O'Brien | Honora O'Brien | Honora O'Brien | Honora O'Brien | Honora O'Brien | | | |
| | | | | Maurice 14th Knight d. 1729 | Maurice 14th Knight d. 1729 | Maurice 14th Knight d. 1729 | Maurice 14th Knight d. 1729 | Maurice 14th Knight d. 1729 | Maurice 14th Knight d. 1729 | | | Elizabeth Crosbie | Elizabeth Crosbie | Elizabeth Crosbie | Elizabeth Crosbie | Elizabeth Crosbie | Elizabeth Crosbie |
| John 15th Knight 1706–1741 | John 15th Knight 1706–1741 | John 15th Knight 1706–1741 | John 15th Knight 1706–1741 | John 15th Knight 1706–1741 | John 15th Knight 1706–1741 | | | Margaret Deane | Margaret Deane | Margaret Deane | Margaret Deane | Margaret Deane | Margaret Deane | | | Robert 17th Knight 1717–1781 | Robert 17th Knight 1717–1781 | Robert 17th Knight 1717–1781 | Robert 17th Knight 1717–1781 | Robert 17th Knight 1717–1781 | Robert 17th Knight 1717–1781 | | | Katherine Sandes | Katherine Sandes | Katherine Sandes | Katherine Sandes | Katherine Sandes | Katherine Sandes |
| | | Maurice 16th Knight 1734–1779 | Maurice 16th Knight 1734–1779 | Maurice 16th Knight 1734–1779 | Maurice 16th Knight 1734–1779 | Maurice 16th Knight 1734–1779 | Maurice 16th Knight 1734–1779 | | | Anne FitzGerald | Anne FitzGerald | Anne FitzGerald | Anne FitzGerald | Anne FitzGerald | Anne FitzGerald | | | Maurice 18th Knight 1774–1849 | Maurice 18th Knight 1774–1849 | Maurice 18th Knight 1774–1849 | Maurice 18th Knight 1774–1849 | Maurice 18th Knight 1774–1849 | Maurice 18th Knight 1774–1849 | | | Maria La Touche | Maria La Touche | Maria La Touche | Maria La Touche | Maria La Touche | Maria La Touche |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Peter 1st Baronet Valencia 1808–1880 | Peter 1st Baronet Valencia 1808–1880 | Peter 1st Baronet Valencia 1808–1880 | Peter 1st Baronet Valencia 1808–1880 | Peter 1st Baronet Valencia 1808–1880 | Peter 1st Baronet Valencia 1808–1880 |
| XXX | XXX | XXX | XXX | XXX | XXX | Subject of the article | Subject of the article | Subject of the article | Subject of the article | Subject of the article | Subject of the article | XXX | XXX | XXX | XXX | XXX | XXX | Knights of Kerry | Knights of Kerry | Knights of Kerry | Knights of Kerry | Knights of Kerry | Knights of Kerry | XXX | XXX | XXX | XXX | XXX | XXX | Baronets Valentia | Baronets Valentia | Baronets Valentia | Baronets Valentia | Baronets Valentia | Baronets Valentia | XXX | XXX | XXX | XXX | XXX | XXX | Viscounts Clare | Viscounts Clare | Viscounts Clare | Viscounts Clare | Viscounts Clare | Viscounts Clare |

## 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. 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
* Honora, married Richard Meredyth, Esquire of Dicksgrove (near Currans)
* Bridget married first Thomas Sandes and secondly Mr. Creagh
* Margaret, married John Hewson of Ennismore

## 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.

