Ulysses FitzMaurice facts for kids

Ulysses Fitzmaurice (born around 1744 – died August 21, 1772) was an important official from Britain and Ireland. He worked as a leader in the colonies and was the lieutenant-governor of Saint Vincent from 1766 to 1772.

Early Life and Career

A portrait of William Leyborne Leyborne, who became governor after FitzMaurice passed away.

Ulysses Fitzmaurice was born in England around 1744. People believed his father was William FitzMaurice, 2nd Earl of Kerry. He was an Irish nobleman and an officer in the British Army. Fitzmaurice's mother was from Germany. He also had four half-siblings named Aboan, James, Robert, and John.

On December 2, 1766, Fitzmaurice started his job as the lieutenant-governor of Saint Vincent. This island is in the British West Indies. He took over from Lauchlin McLean. From July 26, 1768, Fitzmaurice also acted as the governor of the Windward Islands. He stepped in when the main governors, Robert Melvill and Thomas Gore, were not there.

Leading Grenada and Other Islands

In 1769, Fitzmaurice tried to make the French people in Grenada happy. He gave some of them jobs as justices of the peace. These officials help keep peace and order. He appointed them in the island's six areas, called parishes.

In June of that year, he went back to Saint Vincent. He sent a report to London for the Earl of Hillsborough. This official worked for the Board of Trade. Fitzmaurice's report explained how he tried to stop fighting between the British and the Garifuna people. He used nine groups of soldiers from the 32nd Regiment of Foot to help.

On April 15, 1771, new members were needed for the Grenadian Assembly. This was a group that helped govern the island. Fitzmaurice chose two Frenchmen to join. His official title was "Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Southern Caribbean Islands." This included Grenada, the Grenadines, St. Vincent, Dominica, and Tobago. He made an official announcement to protect the freedom of the Caraibes, free mulattoes, and free negroes.

His Passing

Ulysses Fitzmaurice passed away on August 21, 1772. After his death, William Leyborne Leyborne became the new governor. Fitzmaurice did not have a will or any children.

At the time he died, Fitzmaurice owned a large coffee farm called Bowood. It was 400 acres in Saint Andrew Parish, Grenada. He also had a small property in County Kerry, Ireland. His personal belongings were worth about £3,456. In August 1776, a request was made about Fitzmaurice's property. Aboan Fitzmaurice, his half-sibling, tried to claim the property but was not successful.