Frances Tracy, the catholic, female owner of the
“Freeman’s Journal” 1802
According to Fitzpatrick & Scott,
the account began when Francis Higgins (c1746 – 1802) incurred a debt of
gratitude early in life to Thomas Tracy. As a boy, Higgins’s father was
murdered. Homeless and barefoot, he did odd jobs at Newgate
prison also known as ‘The Black Dog’. He became acquainted with a sheriff’s
officer named Tracy who was kind to him. There are
newspaper references to a Tracy connected with Newgate
Prison in 1765. This debt was re-paid when Thomas Tracy was on his deathbed in
very straitened circumstances, when Higgins promised to take care of Miss
Frances Tracy. As such, she became his ward. According to Thomas Tracy’s
granddaughter, the Tracy family came from Kildare and his wife was a Hamil (Hamilton?)
The close relationship between Higgins and the Tracys is demonstrated in a will made by Higgins on the 19th
September 1791. This will was still in force at the time of his death in 1802,
at which time his fortune had greatly increased. In the will, he states:
“Whereas I lent the sum of £1,500, on bond and
security of Thos Tracy, of Ross-lane, pawnbroker,
whom I have for a long series of years known to be an honest, industrious man. I do hereby bequeath, and my will is that six months’
notice shall be served on him before any execution shall be issued on his bond
for the money; and it is my will that £1,000 be paid to his sister Miss Frances
Tracy, and paid her out of the original sum lent on
the bond of said Thomas: and it shall be optional and at the discretion of Miss
Frances T racy to take his and other security she may think proper for the
payment of said £1,000; and I also leave to Anne, Catherine, and Mary Tracy, the daughters of said Thomas, the sum of £100
each; and in case of their death, or the death of two of them, then their share
is to revert to Miss Frances Tracy; and I request
my executors, hereinafter named, will give every friendly aid to this bequest
of £1,000, it being a sum inadequate indeed to unjust scandals and calumnies on
my account thrown out against her.
“and
the aforesaid Miss Frances Tracy is to be my
residuary legatee, to have whatever sum or sums of money that shall remain over
and above said several bequests, all my just debts to be paid; and confiding in
my executors’ justice, friendship, and impartiality...” (Fitzpatrick & Scott)
Francis Higgins’ connection with the “Freeman’s
Journal” began in June 23rd 1783 when he is listed as one of the
“Sureties…Francis Higgins, Esq., of Ross Lane” He is not listed from October 14th
1790 to April 16th 1798, after which date he is listed until his
death in 1802.
John Magee, was a rival newspaper owner, was
well known for his satires that he published in “Dublin Evening Post” and “Magee’s Weekly Packet”. A newspaper war between John
Magee and Francis Higgins of the “Freeman’s Journal” commenced in February
1789, but it was of too violent a nature to last too long. In 1790, the war was
over when Magee was in prison. During the exchange of words, Magee printed
libellous accounts of Higgins and the people associated with him in a ‘letter’
published in the “Evening Post” dated from “Plato’s Regions”. He sued by those
libelled. The Chief Justice granted fiats against Magee for £4000 at the suit
of Daly, and on the affidavits of Higgins’ associates, £800 for John Brennan
and £1000 for Miss Frances Tracey, whose characters were aspersed. In the
reports in the Freemans Journal of February 1790, it alternates that the suit
was brought by James Tracy and Francis Tracy.
The affidavit of John Brennan stated that he
was formerly a grocer of Aungier Street, and as he
had no children he had retired to a farm in Kilmacud.
In the Dublin Evening post of 28th May last (1789), an article was
published reflecting the reputation of Francis Higgins of Stephen’s Green, Esq.
and that Brennan’s house in Kilmacud was to be
converted into a receptacle for entertaining women of infamous character for
the said Francis Higgins. A young lady of fair reputation and good character,
of the name of Tracy, did for some time before reside with her aunt in his
house.
The affidavit of Frances Tracy stated that she was a
spinster of the city of Dublin, whose parents died some time ago leaving her a
property, which she added to very considerably by
labour and industry. Last August, as she was ill she went to live with her
aunt, Mrs. Christian Hamilton at the house of Mr. John Brennan of Kilmacud. She judged that the dispersions on her good
character justified recompense of £1,000.
In short, the inference of Magee was that
Frances Tracy was the mistress of Frances Higgins.
However, much sympathy has been given to Magee’s
situation. Gilbert states that in their affidavits these
parties did not state a single instance of actual or specific damage, nor swear
to any real or substantial loss; the Judge was consequently much censured for
having thus issued fiats to the collective amount of £7800 against Magee,
towards whom he was believed to bear ill-will for having personally abused him
in his own papers, and who at this period was under a criminal information in
his own Court, at the relation of Higgins.
The Right Hon. George Ponsonby
before the Irish House of Commons on the 3rd March 1790 made a
speech on the conduct of the Lord Chief Justice Clonmell
“I proceed to the affidavit of Frances Tracy: in it she complains of those
publications which we have heard read; the tendency of them is to charge her
with being unchaste and too intimately acquainted with a man to whom she is not
married; but she says, nay, she swears, she is a modest woman…is single and
unmarried…her character and reputation are totally ruined and she rates her
loss at £1,000. The Chief Justice participates in her apprehensions, and with
more, I think, of the gallantry of a knight-errant than that of a judge…”
Madden states that when Magee first made the
charges against Miss Frances Tracy, it was quite evident he was eaten up with
passion and violent animosity to Higgins. Miss Tracy was a lady of unblemished
character not only previous to her marriage to Mr. Harvey but subsequently to
it, and up to the time of her decease.
A further twist in the tale is that although
the “Freeman’s Journal” had been set up as a free press in opposition to
British (not protestant) administration; Francis Higgins was a spy for that
administration. As Madden states “Francis Higgins (is)…illustrative of
the…worst period of Irish history, secretly employed in espionage and in the
newspaper press by the Government of that time, of unprecedented prostitution
of principle and venality.”
Further to this, the Marquis of Cornwallis, in
one of his communications to the Duke of Portland, in the latter part of 1800 (a warrant dated 20 December 1800?),
brings forward the claims of several gentlemen of distinguished loyalty, who
had “done the State some service,” of a secret nature, which service, he
proposed should be rewarded. Amongst these was a Francis Grenville Tracy, to
whom a pension of £300 is recommended, one of the highest amounts. The nature of the services to government for such a
large sum have not been discovered, nor
has the identity of the recipient. It was intimated that this referred to
Frances Tracy but this is discounted by Madden. In
Bartlett, there is the following reference: “It is likely that he was Higgin’s illegitimate son by Frances Treacy
to whom Higgins would bequeath the Freeman’s Journal. It is possible that he
received this pension at Higgins’s suggestion. In Higgins’s will, dated 19
September 1791, Frances Tracy was named as the principal legatee, being awarded
£1,000 and the residue of his estate. I believe she was the boy’s mother”
(Cornwallis corr., iii, 321; Fitzpatrick, Sham Squire, pp.151-2.) However, in 1784, Francis Higgins & Frances Tracy were the
sponsors to the baptism of Francis Michael Tracy, son of Thomas Tracy and Mary
Ellery (see below).
Madden, in his earlier book on the United Irishmen in the late 1850’s,
further states “A brother of that lady, Philip Tracey, was buried in the little
cemetery of the monastery at Clondalkin. He died
there a few years ago, in a state of mental imbecility.” Fitzpatrick & Scott state the following: “In the little graveyard attached to the monastery of
Mount St. Joseph [Clondalkin] his remains repose
within a few yards of a handsome white marble monument, erected by the
representative of the most illustrious of Irish patriots [Michael Dwyer?], to
the memory of Mr. [Thomas] Tracy, who is named in the Sham Squire's will, and
who in early life was connected with his newspaper. For many years before his
death Mr. Tracy, in a state of idiotcy, was an inmate
of this monastery.”
Francis Higgins died on the 19th
January 1802 and Frances Tracy was the executor of his will dated 19th
September 1791. (Francis Tracy. Exec of Francis Higgins of St.
Stephens Green Dublin, 8th July 1802, Prerogative Court will.) She
was the main beneficiary, inheriting remainder of the estate including the
newspaper (and the property Stephens-Green and Blackstaheny?)
The record of the
sureties (owners) of the “Freeman’s Journal”, under date of August 6th
1802, is the following notice – “Frances Tracy, bond for £300: Sureties, Thomas
Tracy, pawnbroker, Ross Lane and Richard Cole, stationer, Trinity Street.” The
Tracy pawnbroker address is the directories is located in Kennedys Lane from
1796 to 1828
According to Madden, a large memorial to
Francis Higgins was erected in Kilbarrack Churchyard
on which is listed his charitable donations. His name had been vandalized but
the following is of interest:
“…’S, Esquire,
…of Dublin.
….this life on the 19th
of January, 1802
Aged 56 Years:
By Philip Whitfield
Harvey, and Frances, his Wife,
Legal Representatives
of the Deceased
Donations …”
Frances Tracy, of Stephen's green, married Philip Whitfield Harvey and the marriage settlement is dated
the 16th in September 1802. According to Fitzpatrick (2001), it included
details of the property of the bankrupt Magan, a spy
to whom Higgins had paid large amounts of money. Philip Whitfield Harvey was
the son of Whitfield Harvey, printer, who married Miss Mary Kelly (Pues’ Occurrences, No.1590, Nov.16th
to 18th, 1765). His grandfather was Dean Harvey, Dean of Gorey, Co. Wexford. He was the descendant of an ancient
family, who had large possessions in Wicklow and
other parts of Ireland, which were amongst the forfeitures of the Revolution of
1688. He was ex-army and had a commission in the Middlesex Militia (from
1794?). He had lived with his uncle Colonel Kelly of Half Moon St., Piccadilly,
London who mixed much in good society. Madden states
that Philip Whitfield Harvey sued for an outstanding dept to his uncle Colonel
O’Kelly owed by Francis Higgins and that these claims were eventually
compromised, resulting in his marriage to Miss Frances Tracy.
However,
Fitzpatrick & Scott state that a relative of Higgins from Northern Ireland
disputed the will and that there was a settlement.
The owners of the “Freeman’s Journal” changed in
November 13th 1802, to “Philip Whitfield Harvey, bond for £300:
Sureties, Thomas Tracy, pawnbroker, Ross Land and Richard Cole, stationer,
Trinity Street.” The next change is
“Bond for Robert Harvey for £300: Sureties, Thomas Tracy, pawnbroker, Ross Land
and Richard Cole, stationer, Trinity Street.” Madden says that the change in
the Harveys may have been due to a libel action. On
December 28th 1802, the names of the sureties changed until July 6th
1807 when Thomas Tracy, Kennedy Lane is stated.
Philip Whitfield Harvey, took control of the
paper—"and thus The Freeman's Journal, after its sad years of more
than Babylonish captivity, was redeemed and placed in
the control of an honourable man." Michael Staunton, who succeeded him,
wrote of Harvey, on his death in August, 1826, that "he raised the journal
from a state of comparative obscurity and decay to the first rank of the
metropolitan Press." "His enterprise led him to print the first
twenty – column sheet that was ever used at the diurnal Press in this or any
other part of the British Dominions." "Harvey was a very serious
sufferer in the warfare waged against the independent Press in the Saurin Administration. In his effort to resist that
ruthless persecution his pecuniary losses were great, and one publication
caused him an incarceration of nine months."
In 1806, there was a conveyance of lands previously owned by Higgins at Blackstaheny by the Harveys and the Tracys to Andrew Rorke of Clonsilla: consideration £1084.12s.6d.
Frances Tracy died in 1818. The following
obituary was in the “Morning Register” for November 21st 1818:
“Died, in Stephen’s-green on Tuesday last (the
15th of November), Mrs. Harvey, wife of Philip Harvey, Esq. This
truly benevolent and most excellent woman lost her life by a malady which in
all cases is most rapid in its progress, but in hers raged uncontrolled, in
spite of the earliest and best medical and surgical advice which this City
could supply. In the whole circle of society, we believe there was a more
amiable or estimable person to be found. She possessed all the qualities which
could endear her to those who knew her, and make her a useful member of
society; an excellent understanding, a kind heart, mild and unobtrusive
manners, warmth and constancy in friendship, and the most unaffected adour to be serviceable to all her
fellow creatures.”
Philip Whitfield Harvey died in 1826. His obituary was in the 10th
August 1826 “Morning Register”. He was
buried in Drumcondra, with the Lord Mayor and the two
Grattan MPs in attendance at the funeral. There was no reference to Tracys. His death resulted in a change of ownership of the
“Freeman’s Journal” and on October 5th 1826, his son-in-law, Henry
Grattan junior, took over ownership of the paper, who in the previous June had been elected for his
father's old seat, the City of Dublin. He disposed of The Freeman's Journal in
1830 to Mr. Patrick Lavelle
Frances Tracy and Philip Whitfield Harvey had
one daughter, Mary O’Kelly Harvey. The Freeman’s Journal of December 1st
1804 states “At Stephen’s-green, the lady of Philip Whitfield Harvey, Esq., of
a daughter”. The Freeman’s Journal of 1826 has the following notice of her
marriage “Henry Grattan, jrn., to Miss Mary O’Kelly Harvey, of the Co. of Wexford, of
the Harveys.” Mary O’Kelly Harvey lived in Glenwood, Co. Wicklow and
Henry Grattan M.P. (b. 1787) brought into this family a Celbridge
property. She died the later part of 1866. Grattan died in 1859 in his seventieth year.
In a letter of Mrs. Grattan May 4th
1866, details are given of her mother’s family:
“My mother, Miss
Frances Tracy, was the daughter of Mr. Thomas Tracy. The maiden name of Mrs.
Tracy was Hamil, and that of her mother Eustace.
“The family of my grandfather, Thomas Tracy, were of an old
respected Catholic family of that name, in the county of Kildare, and had large
possessions in that county; but were dispossessed of them in the time of penal
law persecution…
“In that family of
Tracy was the Rathcool Peerage, and in the family of
Eustace, of Kildare, connected by marriage with the former, was the title of Blessington. An ancestor of my father was the last Roman
Catholic chief justice in Ireland – Chief Justice Tracy, long previously to the
Catholic Emancipation Act, of 1829…
“Though I lost my
dear mother at the age of twelve years, I have a strong remembrance of her. Her
noble qualities approached so near perfection they made a deep and lasting
impression on my mind. All my recollections of her are of one
whose life was passed in doing works of charity and of kindness to all who came
into contact with her. It was through the influence of that ever active
goodness of her nature that Mr. Higgins was brought to repent of his acts, and
to contribute largely to various charitable institutions in Dublin. She
possessed not only the rare excellence of sound judgment and common sense, but
kindness of heart in an eminent degree. Her personal appearance was remarkably
attractive, and equally so was then charm of her
conversation, and the cordiality of her look and manner…”
References:
Bartlett,
Thomas ed. (2004) Revolutionary Dublin 1795-1801. The Letters
of Francis Higgins to Dublin Castle. pp327&n, 370.
Four Courts Press, Dublin.
Cook, Theodore Andrea (????) Eclipse & OKelly:
Being a Complete History So Far as is Known of that ...
Curren, James (1865) “The Sham Squire”. Letter to the
Irish Times. 22/23 November 1865.
Fitzpatrick, William John (1892) Secret Service Under Pitt.p.124
Fitzpatrick, William John and Scott,
John (1869) Curious family history. p. 74, 76,
77, 97, 99 [link]
Gilbert,
John Thomas (1859)
A history of the city of Dublin. McGlashan & Gill, Dublin. Vol. III, p.27-8.
Madden, Richard
R. (1857-1860) The United Irishmen, their lives and times. Vol.
4. 2nd ed. Duffy, Dublin
Madden, Richard
Robert (1867) The History of Irish Periodical Literature: From the
end of the 17th to the middle of the 19th century. TC Newby, London.
Vol II pp.
342, 348, 349, 354, 357, 360-6, 432, 433, 493, 494, 499, 501, 513,
517, 519, 520, 521, 526, 529, 531.
Notes and Queries (1913) VIII:
321.
Plowden, Francis (1806) The History of Ireland from the invasion under Henry II to its Union with Great Britain on the first of January 1801. Philadelphia. p.275, 291
Ponsonby, George (1790) The speech of George Ponsonby, Esq; in the House of Commons of Ireland, on Wednesday the 3d of March, 1790, upon the subject of fiats. Dublin, M.DCC.XC. [1790]. 56 (pp. 24, 38-9, 41-7)
29 Jan. - 2 Feb. 1790 Belfast Newsletter
Dublin arguments case Richard Daly, John Magee, ended court King’s Bench adjourned motion term. appearance rescued quantum bail reduced marshal Marshalsea Miss Frances Tracy, Mr. John Brennan, Kilmacud, Dublin Chronicle. attorney general crown attachment absolute rule.
23 - 26 Feb. 1790 Belfast Newsletter
Dublin 23 House Commons Mr. G. Ponsonby, motions proper officer lay copy affidavit filed court King’'s Bench. chief justice Richard Daly, John Magee, copies orders Francis Tracy, John Brennan, Francis Higgins, county candidates attended friends Kilmainham Mr. Finlay, proceeded carriage Mr. Talbot, accompanied attached carries foot attended hand wind instruments close poll.
26 Feb. - 2 Mar. 1790 Belfast Newsletter
resolutions Whig club respecting John Magee, Duke of Leinster committee appointed consider report far liberty subject affected case prisoner Four Courts marshalsea. fiat granted writ issued affidavit Richard Daly, sustained damages publication Dublin Evening Post printer copy bail reduce, Tracy, Brennan, Higgins. apprehend power judge sum liberty subject resolved unanimously.
2 - 5 Mar. 1790 Belfast Newsletter
House Commons officer presented bar order copies declarations Francis Higgins, Richard Daly, Frances Tracy, John Brennan, John Magee,
5 - 9 Mar. 1790 Belfast Newsletter
Dublin Evening Post. charged gaining subsistence gambling children daughters son suffer. Brennan, Miss Tracy, Mr. Bushe, opposed
29 June - 2 July 1790 Belfast Newsletter
Counsellor verdict plaintiff 200. Mr. Magee. arrested for fragment fiats pending Francis Higgins, Mr. Tracy, Mr, Brennan, Kilmacud.
11 - 15 Mar. 1791 Belfast Newsletter
…John Magee, chief justice court King's Bench. Frances Tracey, John. Brennan, Dr. Duigan…
15 - 18 Mar. 1791 Belfast Newsletter
court King''s Bench, Higgings, Magee, Daly, Brennan, Tracy, Mr. Day
18 - 22 Mar. 1791 Belfast Newsletter
King''s bench affidavits writs fiats John Magee, suits Higgins, Daly, Brennan, Tracey
Papers of the Langdale Family (Incorporating Stourton and Harford) of Houghton
Hall and Holme on Spalding Moor
Marriage settlements of Whitfield Harvey and
Frances Tracey (1802). Also many Grattan papers.
Hull
University, Brynmor Jones Library: Papers of the Langdale Family (Incorpora...
Grattan Bellew Papers,
1609-1942
http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000581375
4 Jul
1833-1 Nov 1833
Letters and memorials from Whitfield Dennis Molloy, 32
Meath Street, Dublin, to Lieut Col [Sir William] Gosset, [Under Secretary, Dublin Castle], and Henry William
Paget, 1st Marquess Anglesey, [Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland, Dublin], asking for relief or a government position, referring to his
past services, and mentioning persons he gave information about as Lord Clonmell, Francis Higgins, Miss Fanny Tracey, PW Harvey, and the 'Freeman's Journal'.
13 items; 24pp CSO/RP/1833/3172
Thomas Tracy of Kildare & ???
Hamil/Hamilton
Frances Tracy
Anne Tracy
Catherine Tracy
Mary Tracy
Philip Tracey
The following are the records found for the Tracy family:
Thos Tracy m. Maria Ellary
30 January 1780 Wit: Chris Fitzgerald & Cath
Fitzgerald. St. Andrews RC
Thomas Tracy & Mary Ellery
Elizth
b. 12/11/1780 Sp Rowland Power & Frances
Tracy. St Michaels & John RC.
Darby b. 10/3/1782 Sp Willm
Hagan & Ann Power. St Michaels & John RC.
Mary Cathe b. 30/3/1783 Sp
John Power & Eliz Tracy. St
Michaels & John RC.
Francis Michl b. 17/10/1784 Sp Francis Higgins & Frances Tracy. St Michaels & John RC.
Thos b. 25/12/1785 Sp Pat Leeson
& Margaret Lawless. St Michaels & John RC.
Thomas b. 16/8/1789 Sp Michl
Ellery & Frances Tracy. St Michaels & John RC.
Michl
b. 11/10/1790 Sp Moreus O’Hara & Ann Fitzimmins. St Michaels & John RC.
Elizth
b. 19/12/1791 Sp Willm Callaghan & Bridg Derham. St
Michaels & John RC.
Marcus Tracy b. 11 May 1794 Sp. Marcus O’Hara & Margaret Egan
Jermh O’Hara Tracy b. 2 June 1797 Sp. Marcus O’Hara
& Frances Tracy
Mary Tracy and
Marcus O'Hara, 1788, Marriage Licence, page 435
Mary (Ann)
Tracy & Marcus/Manus/Marius
O’Hara
Edward O Hara b. 1789 Sp. Mr. Wall & Mrs. Dawson
Marius O’Hara b. 1790 Sp. Willm
Dawson & Esther Cooney
Michl O’Hara b. 1791 Sp. Thos Tracy & Cathe Tracy
Thos O’Hara b. 1792 Sp. Hugh King & Sarah Sheridan
Ann Tracy
Mary & Marcus O'Hara
James
O'Hara b. 15 November 1793 Sp. Bartholomew Gannon & Judith O'Neill St Michaels &
John RC.
Marcus O'Hara
Hello Tracy
Clan,
I am interested
in your Marcus O'Hara who married a Mary Tracy, sister of Francis
Tracy, in St Peters Church Parish. Marcus O'Hara, pawn
broker, is of great interest to me.
Do you know any
more of this Marcus O'Hara?
This 1812
(Father) Marcus died in 1813 in the Storming of St. Sebastian He
was married in 1788. I am pretty sure he had a (Son) Marcus
who worked with the Tracy Pawn shop (Kennedy lane?) and learned
foundry skills from a neighbor. Then around 1825 or 30 or so he
left for the US. He would be a line that died out so far as I
know. However, Marcus, Brassfounder in the
US, was related to Charles Franics O'Hara born
Pittsburgh PA or Tyrone Ireland. (Son Rufus - 1870
Florida Deed)
Tracy [Frances] Miss of Dublin m. W Harvey Esq Sep 1802 Walker's
Hibernian Magazine
24 September 1802
Star (London)
W. Harvey, Esq. to Miss
Tracy, of Stephen's-green, Dublin.
Thomas Tracy, Pawnbroker, Kennedys Lane (No.’s 5, 6 or 26) from 1796
-1825
26 March 1796 (FJ) Meeting of the Pawn-Brokers
of the City Dublin...Tho. Tracy...
Goldsmiths Registered – Company of Goldsmiths
in Dublin - 1798 Thos Tracy [6
Kennedys Lane]
21 May 1810 to 13 March 1811 (FJ) St. Nicholas
Within...Thomas Tracy, No.5 Kennedy's-Lane, Churchwarden... [may
have converted from RC]
9 July 1810 (FJ) Twenty Pounds Reward...Whereas
on Friday Morning, the 7th July, about One o'Clock,
two Sturdy Ruffians attempted to break into my house, by cutting a pane of
glass; and in which they would have succeeded but in the noise having alarmed
my ??? when they made off. Now in order to bring to
justice the said villains and to prevent Society
suffering further by their ??? I will give Twenty
Pounds Reward to any person discovering and prosecuting them to con???. Thomas Tracy, 5, Kennedy's-lane
1811 Thomas Tracy, Dublin, Pawnbroker
(Intestacy)
April 28, 1811 Freemans
Journal...Notice - All those who have deposited Property at the late Mr.
Tracy's, Pawnbroker, No. 5, Kennedy's Lane, Dublin - are hereby informed, that
unless the same be redeemed...
Mr. Mrqs. Tracy of Kennedy's Lane (which
adjoined Ross Lane) subscriber to the 1819 William Stitt's
Practical Architect's Ready Assistant; or Builder's Complete Companion
Mark Tracy, Architect, of 5 Ross Lane, Dublin, listed in 1824 Pigot Directory
http://www.dia.ie/architects/view/5371
1825 The Dublin Society by
Wright (now Royal Dublin Society (RDS))
Royal Dublin Society House, Kildare-Street
The Board-room communicates with the
Conversation-room, an apartment of considerable, though much inferior,
dimensions, where is a portrait of a once distinguished member, and very
meritorious antiquarian, General Valancy. Here are
likewise a series of 42 architectural drawings from classic remains of
antiquity, by Mr. Tracey, made at the expense of Henry Hamilton, Esq.,
of Fitzwilliam Square.
The Dublin Penny Journal,
Vol. 4, No. 174 (Oct. 31, 1835), pp. 137-139
8 May 1838 (FJ) Deaths - On the 30th ult., aged 40 years, Mr. Marcus Tracy, an
architect of taste and genius. He acquired a fixed and unalterable habit of
virtue, and is sincerely regretted.
19 October 1825 (FJ) Death - On
the 17th inst, in Kennedy's-lane, in the 70th year of her age, Anne, relict of
the late Nicholas Power, and sister to Mrs. Tracy.
14 November 1825 (FJ) Solemn
Dedication RC Church Marlborough-street - Mozart's Grand Mass...From St.
Michael and St. John's Parish...Miss Tracy, Kennedy's Lane, 2 tickets,
£2/0/0...
Catherine Tracy, Pawnbroker, 5 Kennedy Lane from 1826-1828
1828 Catherine Tracy, Kennedy’s Lane,
Spinster (Intestacy)
1829 Catherine Maria, Kennedy’s Lane
Spinster (Will)
Catherine M Tracy, 1829, Dublin & Glendalough
Diocese will. Exec: Michael Tracy, Kennedy’s Lane Dublin. IWR/1829/F/149.
(Also have a reference for Catherine Tracy, died 25/2/1829, aged 40
years, Clondalkin CI)
This may be a
reference to the family:
1817 Letter from Michael H Tracy, to Chief Secretary’s office, Dublin
Castle, requesting that his correspondence with government is not revealed to
Mr Harvey. Also encloses handwritten extract from
Freeman’s Journal newspaper regarding failure of ‘Mayor, Sheriffs, Commons and
Citizens’ to comply with act regulating financial arrangement, likely relating
to Dublin corporation.
1818 Letter
from Michael H Tracy, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin
Castle, requesting appointment to post of employment.
[Office of Chief
Secretary of Ireland CSO/RP/1818/614-5]
This may be a
reference to the family:
1827 Else v, Else
In January 1825, the deceased died [Captain Else],
possessed of an interest [from 1802] in an ironmongery establishment in
Kennedy's-lane, wherein Elso Smith [son of his wife,
the widow Anne Smith] was a partner...Mrs. Tracy, sister-in-law of Elso
Smith...and to Mrs. Tracy he gave as one of his motives, her personal
beauty;...
This may be a
reference to the family:
22 December 1828 (FJ) Chancery
Michael Tracy, Henry Grattan and wife Plaintiffs;
Ralph Hinds, George Southern Meares, James Martin and
others, Defendants
...6th June 1823 and 24 July 1827...the lands of Nedd Cornagee, and part of Tabberlien, called Daffin and Millea, otherwise Milleck, in the
County of Cavan prior to the plaintiffs mortgage...13 July 1815...
1830 Valuation of the City of Dublin
Parish of St. Nicholas Within
5 Kennedy-lane, Tracy, value £40, 12th class, £0/9/2.75 Minister's
money, 4 stories with small yard.
6 Kennedy-lane, Tracy, value £45, 12th class, £0/9/2.75 Minister's
money, 3 stories with small yard.
There is also the following reference, which may mean
that there was a connection to Mabbot Street:
15 November 1837- 16 August 1838 Pawnbrokers in Ireland
Pawnbroker:
Christopher Wall, 18 Mary's Abbey
Sureties: -
- Thomas Tracy, Mabbot Street;
Christopher
Hodgers, 167 Church Street;
and John Scott
of Kildare, Hotel-keeper
Last update: 01
September 2021