Mary FitzMaurice, 4th Countess of Orkney facts for kids
Mary FitzMaurice, 4th Countess of Orkney (born Mary O'Brien; 4 September 1755 – 30 December 1831) was an important Scottish noblewoman. She held a special title called a "peerage," which meant she was part of the nobility in Scotland. Mary was the only child of Murrough O'Brien, 1st Marquess of Thomond and Mary O'Brien, 3rd Countess of Orkney.
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Who Was Mary FitzMaurice?
Mary FitzMaurice was a Scottish countess, which is a noble title for a woman. She was the fourth person to hold the title of Countess of Orkney. This title was passed down through her family.
Early Life and Family
Mary O'Brien was born on 4 September 1755. Her parents were Murrough O'Brien, who was the 1st Marquess of Thomond, and Mary O'Brien, who was the 3rd Countess of Orkney. She was their only child who lived to adulthood.
On 21 December 1777, Mary married a man named Thomas FitzMaurice. He was the younger brother of a very important person, the 1st Marquess of Lansdowne.
Becoming a Countess
Mary and Thomas FitzMaurice had a son in 1778, named John FitzMaurice, Viscount Kirkwall. John later had a son himself, who became the 5th Earl of Orkney.
Mary became the 4th Countess of Orkney on 10 May 1791. This happened after her mother, the 3rd Countess, passed away. She inherited the title and all the responsibilities that came with it.
Her Home at Cliveden
Mary's husband, Thomas FitzMaurice, died in 1793. Even after his death, Mary kept ownership of a famous house called Cliveden. This grand house was the main family home for the Earls of Orkney for many years. Today, Cliveden is owned by the National Trust. This means it is preserved for everyone to enjoy and learn about its history.
Later Life and Legacy
Mary FitzMaurice lived a long life and passed away on 30 December 1831. She died in a town called Beaconsfield. As the 4th Countess of Orkney, she played a part in the history of Scottish nobility and the legacy of the Orkney title.
