Marc Hyacinthe de Rosmadec

Marc-Hyacinthe de Rosmadec (c. 1635 – 14 May 1702) was a French naval officer who was appointed governor general of the French Antilles but died before taking office.

Marc-Hyacinthe de Rosmadec
Governor of the French Antilles
In office 4 January 1702 (appointed) – 14 May 1702 (died)
Preceded by	Charles Desnotz then Charles de Guitaut (interim)
Succeeded by	Charles de Guitaut (interim) Nicolas de Gabaret (interim) Charles-François de Machault de Belmont
Personal details
Born	c. 1635
Died	14 May 1702 Havana, Cuba
Nationality	French
Occupation	Naval officer

Family

Marc-Hyacinthe de Rosmadec was the second son of Sébastien de Rosmadec, marquis de Rosmadec and seigneur du Plexis-Josso, and of Julienne Bonnier (c. 1605-1674). His older brother Sébastien II (1626-78) was marquis du Plessis. Sébastien II's son was Sébastien III (born 1661), Comte de Rosmadec.^[1]

Career

Rosmadec joined the navy and was named lieutenant de vaisseau in 1666, then capitaine de vaisseau in 1671.^[2] He served with distinction in actions in Sicily and the English Channel.^[3] From 3 October 1677 to 11 May 1678 Marc-Hyacinthe Rosmadec, Chevalier de Tréguier, was captain of the 64-gun Bourbon.^[4] In 1689 he was in command of the 56-gun Fort (formerly L'Ecueil).^[4] He served in the Fort in the Battle of Bantry Bay on 11 May 1689.^[5]

In 1690 Rosmadec acquired the Château de Rocheux and its 1,235 acres (500 ha) estate from the Rochechouart family.^[6] On 6 February 1694 the chevalier de Rosmadec, capitaine de vaisseau, was made a chevalier of the Order of Saint Louis.^[7] He was given this reward after 25 years of service.^[3] On 13 April 1697 he was appointed squadron commander.^[7]

Appointment as governor general

The governor general of the Antilles Charles Desnotz died on 6 October 1701, and Charles de Pechpeyrou-Comminges de Guitaut was appointed interim governor general of the Antilles. Marc-Hyacinthe de Rosmadec was appointed to succeed Charles d'Esnos as governor general of the French Antilles on 4 January 1702.^[8] Marc-Hyacinthe died in Havana, Cuba on 14 May 1702.^[9] He died before taking up his post.^[10] His heir was Gabriel-Sébastien de Rosmadec, comte de Rocheux.^[11] Guitaud died on 7 September 1702 and was replaced as interim governor by Nicolas de Gabaret. Finally, Charles-François de Machault de Belmont took office in Martinique on 4 March 1703.