Arturo O'Neill de Tyrone
Encyclopedia
Arthur O'Neill of Tyrone, best known as Arturo O'Neill de Tyrone, was an Irish-born colonel who served the Spanish crown as governor of several places in New Spain
(1781–1794). He came from a lineage that occupied prominent European positions and titles, beginning before the sixteenth century.
the January 8, 1736. He was third of the five children of Henry O´Neill and Ana O´Kelly. One of his brothers was Lieutenant Colonel
Niall O'Neill (later Nicolás O'Neill y O'Kelley).
As a youth, Arthur O'Neill went to Spain in 1752 as a cadet in the Irish Regiment.
He was promoted to colonel of the Regiment of Hibernia
after serving with distinction against the British at Pensacola
in March 1781. At the battle's conclusion, on May 9, 1781, he was appointed governor of West Florida
in the service of New Spain
, proving to be an effective diplomat and an able administrator. Later he became a member of the Supreme War Council
of allies against Napoleon, replacing the governor Miguel de Uztaraiz.
On March 10, 1792 Arturo O'Neill became Marqués del Norte and governor of Yucatan
, Mexico
, replacing Don Jose Sabido de Vargas; and Viscount. In 1794, O'Neill stepped down as governor of West Florida
and was replaced later by Enrique White.
His last position was as a soldier in the army of Spain against Napoleon. Arturo O´Neill died in Madrid
in December 9, 1814.
One of his sons was Patrick O'Neill.
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
(1781–1794). He came from a lineage that occupied prominent European positions and titles, beginning before the sixteenth century.
Biography
Arthur O'Neill was born in Dublín, IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
the January 8, 1736. He was third of the five children of Henry O´Neill and Ana O´Kelly. One of his brothers was Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
Niall O'Neill (later Nicolás O'Neill y O'Kelley).
As a youth, Arthur O'Neill went to Spain in 1752 as a cadet in the Irish Regiment.
He was promoted to colonel of the Regiment of Hibernia
Regiment of Hibernia
The Regiment of Hibernia, called by many O´Neills in Spain, the "O'Neill's Regiment" was formed in 1710 from some of the many Irishmen who fled their own country in the wake of the Flight of the Earls and the penal laws and who became known as the Wild Geese a name which has become synonymous in...
after serving with distinction against the British at Pensacola
Pensacola
Pensacola is a city in the western part of the U.S. state of Florida.Pensacola may also refer to:* Pensacola people, a group of Native Americans* A number of places in the Florida:** Pensacola Bay** Pensacola Regional Airport...
in March 1781. At the battle's conclusion, on May 9, 1781, he was appointed governor of West Florida
West Florida
West Florida was a region on the north shore of the Gulf of Mexico, which underwent several boundary and sovereignty changes during its history. West Florida was first established in 1763 by the British government; as its name suggests it largely consisted of the western portion of the region...
in the service of New Spain
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
, proving to be an effective diplomat and an able administrator. Later he became a member of the Supreme War Council
Supreme War Council
The Supreme War Council was a central command created by British Prime Minister David Lloyd George to coordinate Allied military strategy during World War I. It was founded in 1917, and was based in Versailles...
of allies against Napoleon, replacing the governor Miguel de Uztaraiz.
On March 10, 1792 Arturo O'Neill became Marqués del Norte and governor of Yucatan
Yucatán
Yucatán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Yucatán is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 106 municipalities and its capital city is Mérida....
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, replacing Don Jose Sabido de Vargas; and Viscount. In 1794, O'Neill stepped down as governor of West Florida
West Florida
West Florida was a region on the north shore of the Gulf of Mexico, which underwent several boundary and sovereignty changes during its history. West Florida was first established in 1763 by the British government; as its name suggests it largely consisted of the western portion of the region...
and was replaced later by Enrique White.
His last position was as a soldier in the army of Spain against Napoleon. Arturo O´Neill died in Madrid
Madrid
Madrid is the capital and largest city of Spain. The population of the city is roughly 3.3 million and the entire population of the Madrid metropolitan area is calculated to be 6.271 million. It is the third largest city in the European Union, after London and Berlin, and its metropolitan...
in December 9, 1814.
One of his sons was Patrick O'Neill.
External links
- http://www.araltas.com/features/oneill/