John Fitzgerald, 18th Earl of Kildare

John Fitzgerald was born in 1661, son of Wentworth Fitzgerald, 17th Earl of Kildare and was a Member of Parliament. He was buried on 4th December 1707. His first wife was Mary, eldest daughter of Henry O'Brien, Lord Ibracken and she died of smallpox and was buried on 28th November 1683. Their infant son Henry was buried on 21st February 1684 (date given in Old Style dating on his coffin plate). John's second wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Jones, Earl of Ranelagh. She was buried in the chapel of St John the Baptist on 22nd April 1758, aged 93. Her sister Catherine Jones had been buried there in 1740. Their two names were inscribed on a stone in the chapel in 1879.

Here lieth the reliques of the Rt. Hon. Mary Countess of Kildare, coheiresse to ye Duke of Richmond, who departed this life upon ye 24th day of November in the one and twentieth year of her age, anno Dom. 1683
The Rt. Honble. John, Earle of Kildare and Baron of Ophaley, dyed ye 9th of November 1707 in ye 48th yeare of his age
Here lyeth ye body of ye right Honble. Henry Lord Ophalia son to ye right Honble. John Earl of Kilda[are], who died in ye 7th month of his age on ye 18th of february in ye yeare of Our Lord 1683.

Henry O'Brien and his wife

Mary's parents are also buried in the Richmond vault. Henry O'Brien (buried 9th September 1678) was the only son of Henry, 7th Earl of Thomond and his wife Anne (daughter of the 5th Earl). His wife was Catherine Stuart, daughter of Lord Aubigny. She was baptised at St Martin in the Fields church in London and married Henry in 1664. She was buried on 11th November 1702. Their son George was buried on 8th May 1679 and they had another son Donatus. Her second husband was Sir Joseph Williamson. Her brother was Charles Stuart, Duke of Richmond and Lennox.

Funeral

4th December 1707

Location

Lady Chapel

Memorial Type

Vault

John Fitzgerald, 18th Earl of Kildare
Lady Chapel

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