His father froze to death[citation needed] during the French Invasion of Russia, where he might have been promoted to alferes, in the winter of 1812.

[clarification needed] João Maria Ferreira do Amaral was a distinguished and valiant officer of the Portuguese Royal Fleet.

In 1821, during Brazil's brief war of independence against Portugal, Ferreira do Amaral lost his right arm in the Battle of Itaparica on 7 January 1823.

During the Portuguese Civil War, he was one of the few navy officers that managed to make his way from mainland Portugal to the Terceira island in the Azores, where the Liberal side had established its base.

During his three-year tenure as governor, he implemented a range of policies to entrench Portugal's colonial authority over Macau.

António Teixeira Dória, her first husband, whom she had married in 1836, was a first mate in a navy corvette, whose commander was João Maria Ferreira do Amaral.

While Chinese officials regard him as a symbol of colonialism and national humiliation, the local Macanese community often praises his defense of Macau's autonomy and promotion of free trade with China.