Diarist.  (1771-1834). American wife of Field Marshall Sir George Nugent. See Family Tree. 

Her Family

Daughter of:

• Courtlandt Skinner. A lawyer born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey 1728
• Elizabeth Kearney. Daughter of Philip Kearney of Amboy, also a lawyer.
• Born 1771?
• Five children:
  • George Edmund (his birth on 5 October 1802)
  • Louisa Elizabeth
  • Edmund (his birth and death)
  • Emily (christened Maria Emilia)
  • Charles Edmund: born 7.50 am 15 June 1811 (Lady Nugent's Journal, page 353)
• Died 24 October 1834, aged 63, at Little Marlow

Maria's Journal tells us that she was small in stature, emotional, deeply religious, loving to her children and sympathetic towards slaves. However, Richard Temple did not approve of her treatment of Louisa Elizabeth:

Lady Sr George Nugent hacks her poor girl about too much. I wish she may not over do her objects, as Louisa is a very good & charming girl. (HEH ST 95; 25 May 1823)

George Nugent was appointed commander-in-chief in India in March 1811 but Maria had mixed feelings about the appointment (journal entry). On their departure to India on 27 June, the children, including newborn Charles Edmund, were left in the care of Anna Eliza Brydges and Richard Temple at Stowe: who with their parents were appointed joint guardians (HEH STG Correspondence Box 8 (29); Box 44 (21). June 1811). She was concerned, however, that the children had the correct (non-catholic) education: 

[…] I cannot find words that would sufficiently express my feelings […] of your kindness in taking the charge of our dear Children […] There is one thing of such importance however that I think it necessary to mention it in the fullest manner being so intimately connected with their happiness […] I mean the Subject of Religion. We have placed our Boy at a school that we are extremely satisfied with being most thoroughly acquainted with the Moral & Religious Principles of Mr Ward, who tho’ extremely strict & by less seriously thinking people might be called a Methodist […] Our dear little Girls. In choosing a Teacher for them we have considered moral & religious Principles as paramount to any accomplishments & in Miss Davey [Governess]  we have been fortunate […] (Maria to Nugent Buckingham, 14/06/1811/06; HEH STG Correspondence Box 44 (21))

Her Journal

Maria commenced her Journal in April 1801 just prior to her departure to Jamaica. It ends in Calcutta in November 1814. See Lady Nugent's Journal. 

Sources

Cundall (including illustration).