1757–1849. MP and Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief in Jamaica. 

George was the son of Mary Nugent’s half-brother, Edmund. George was illegitimate due to a flaw in his father’s marriage arrangements. As a result he did not inherit the Nugent, Clare and Westmeath titles. 

• 1757: Born 10 June 
• Educated at Charterhouse School and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich
• 1797: 15 November: married diarist Maria Skinner. They lived at Westhorpe House near Marlow, Buckinghamshire (purchased in October 1808; see description in Cundall page 344-46) and had six children including: Louisa Elizabeth
• 1819: Honorary DCL Oxford University
• 1849: 11 March died at Waddesdon House, Little Marlow, Berkshire, aged 91 (Cundall says Waddesdon House but surely this is a mistake for Westhorpe?)

See also the Family Tree.

Military Career

• 1773: 5 July appointed ensign in 39th Foot; served in Gibraltar
• 1777: in September joined Royal Fusiliers at New York as Lieutenant; served in the expedition up the Hudson, at the storming of the forts of Montgomery and Clinton, and in Philadelphia
• 1778: in April  promoted Captain in 57th Foot, and served in the Jerseys and Connecticut
• 1782: in May promoted Major in 57th Foot 
• 1783: promoted Lieutenant Colonel of 97th Foot
• 1783: returned to England at end of year and served in 13th Foot
• 1787-80: in Ireland as a aide-de-camp to Nugent Buckingham (see below)
• 1789: transferred to 4th Dragoon Guards
• 1790: transferred as Captain and Lieutenant to Coldstream Guards (see below)
• 1793: in Holland with Coldstream Guards
• 1793-94: formed Bucks Volunteers (see below)
• 1794: in Ireland and Walcheren (Netherlands) with the Bucks Volunteers
• 1796: in May promoted to Major-General
• 1803: promoted to Lieutenant-General
• 1813: promoted to General
• 1846: promoted to Field-Marshall

Also made captain and keeper of St Mawes Castle. 

Nugent's Military Career and Nugent Buckingham

George Nugent went to Ireland in 1787 as a aide-de-camp to Nugent Buckingham. In 1788, Buckingham proposed that George might fill a vacant Lieutenant-Colonelcy but, due to some confusion, George III appointed someone else. [i] In 1789, he tried again but the King blocked him. Having backed the King during Regency Crisis, Buckingham was furious and he announced his resignation, as did William Wyndham Grenville, then Home Secretary. This stirred William Pitt into action and a compromise was reached: George Nugent received a Lieutenant-Colonelcy of the 4th Dragoon Guards in Ireland. In 1790, he exchanged this for a Lieutenant-Colonelcy in the Coldstream Guards.

In 1793, George proposed raising his own regiment but was blocked by Lord Amherst. He then wished to become an aide-de-camp to the King but, despite the backing of Nugent Buckingham and George quitting his post in anticipation, he was ignored. In January 1794, the War Office gave way and George was allowed to raise a regiment at Buckingham and Aylesbury; this was 520 strong by the end of the month. [ii] These Bucks Volunteers afterwards became the 85th Light Infantry, and were stationed in Jamaica during his governorship.

Nugent Buckingham continued to create problems for Grenville, who was then Foreign Secretary. In September 1795, he pressed Grenville for George to be made a Major-General; this was initially refused but granted in 1796.

Politics and Government

• 1796–1802: MP for Buckingham
• July 1799 to March 1801: Adjutant General in Ireland; represented Charleville in the last Irish Parliament
• 1801-1806: Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief in Jamaica
• 1806–1807: MP for Aylesbury
• 1806: created a baronet
• 1811-13: commander-in-chief, India (his wife had mixed feelings about this appointment; journal entry)
• 1815: awarded GCB
• 1819-1832: MP for Buckingham. 

Richard Temple was not impressed by his parliamentary attendance:

Sr George Nugent never attends, but I cannot break his old heart and refuse him the continuance of his Seat as long as he chuses to twiddle with it. (Temple to William Henry Fremantle; 7 May 1826; BRO D-FR/46/12/90)

Jamaica

George Nugent distinguished himself distinguished himself during the 1798 Irish rebellion as a commander for the skill he used in placating Belfast. Lord Cornwallis, the Lord Lieutenant, admired his conduct and persuaded the government not to appoint George as Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief in Jamaica. After Cornwallis resigned over the Catholic question, George was appointed to Jamaica on 1 April 1801.

He arrived in Jamaica on 29 July 1801 and remained there until 20 February1806. 

In those days the like of the Governor of Jamaica was a succession of reviews, audiences, balls, holding of Courts of Chancery, tours of inspection, and disputes with the House of Assembly, chiefly in connection with the restriction of trade with the United States, and the support of the military forces in the island. He was wont to attend at King's House for the purpose of seeing those who wished to interview him, on Tuesdays and Fridays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. On other days he could be seen in the pen. (Lady Nugent's Journal page xlv).

Sources

Sack; Lady Nugent's Journal (including illustrations).