Edward Marlborough Fitzgerald

Birth records

Edward (1785) was born around 1785 in Banna, near Tralee in present day Kerry (then Galway). There are many Fitzgeralds in Ireland, and there were several families in the area. Maurice was his father (probably named after at least one very famous Maurice Fitzgerald from history).

The record of birth is indirect, from the Admissions Register of Lincoln's Inn in 1808 (see below).

Training

In 1808 Edward travelled to London to train as a lawyer.

Admission to Lincolns Inn in London in 1808 "aged 23" reads "folio 119. Edward Marlborough Fitzgerald, gent, (age 23), 1 s. of Maurice F., of Banna, co. Galway, Esq."

Employment and career

After leaving Lincolns Inn, Edward joined the 31st Regiment of Foot (1811). This unit served with "The Royal Corsican Rangers". He rose to Lieutenant by 1830.

Edward Marlborough FitzGerald, Gent, to be ditto, without Purchase, vice Alley, promoted in the Royal Corsican Rangers. (1811). Lieutenant Edward Marlborough FitzGerald, halfpay 31st Foot. (1830)

Later he was a language teacher and writer. This lasted from about 1812 to 1838, possibly unsuccessfully - as he went into debt, and tragedy struck.

Marriage records

Edward married an unknown person sometime after he came to London in 1808, but little is known of this. He is just known as a widower at the time of his second marriage in 1832.

Edward married Sarah Powell Baumgardt in 1832 at Old Church,Saint Pancras in London.

2nd marriage

Court and other mentions

The Court for the relief of insolvent Debtors 13th October 1838 (The London Gazette) reported his bankruptcy.

"Edward Marlborough Fitzgerald , late of No. 6 Sussex terrace, Old Brompton, Middlesex, Lieutenant in the 31st regiment of Foot and late teacher of languages and author - in the Queens Bench"

Death records

This death record relates to a drowning from the Guernsey ferry in 1839. This tragic loss may have been suicide, after the death of his wife Sarah and son, Gerald Clarke Fitzgerald. This is recorded in "The Guinness Legend" by Michelle Guinness.

Guinness, M. The Guinness Legend. Sevenoaks, Kent: Hodder & Stoughton 1990. ISBN 0-340-53669-1. Page 68.

Record of death in Limerick archives

The Limerick reference to the death of EMF notes him as being son of "the late Maurice F of Lifford". This Maurice is referred to as part of the Fitzgeralds of Co. Clare (Kilcarragh).[7]