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:
Thomas/Thos Tracy & Mary Ellery/Elery
Elizth Tracy b. 12 Nov 1780 Sp
Rowland Power & Frances Tracy. St Michael & John Parish
Darby Tracy b. 10 Mar 1782
Sp Willm Hogan & Ann Power. St Michael & John Parish
Mary Cathe Tracy b.
30 Mar 1783 Sp John Power & Eliz Tracy. St Michael & John Parish
Francis Michl
Tracy b. 17 Oct 1784 Sp Francis Higgins & Frances Tracy. St Michael & John Parish
Thos Tracy b. 25 Dec 1785
Sp Pat Leeson & Margaret Lawless. St Michael & John Parish
Thomas b. 16/8/1789 Sp Michl Ellery & Frances Tracy. St Michaels & John RC.
Michl Tracy b. 11 Oct 1790 Sp Mareus O’Hara & Ann Fitzsimmins. St Michael & John Parish
Elizth Tracy b. 19 Dec 1791 Sp Willm Callaghan & Bridg Derham.
St Michael & John Parish
Marcus Tracy b. 11 May 1794 Sp. Marcus O’Hara
& Margaret Egan. St Michael & John Parish
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/Mary
Ann Tracy &
Marcus/Manus/Marius/Mark O’Hara
Edward O Hara b. 1789 Sp. Mr. Wall & Mrs.
Dawson. St. Michael’s & St. John’s RC
Marcus O’Hara b. 25 Jul
1790 Sp. Willm Dawson & Esther Cooney. St. Michael & St. John Parish
Michl O’Hara b. 7 Oct 1791 Sp. Thos & Cathe
Tracy. St. Michael & St. John Parish
Thos O’Hara b. 2 Sept 1792
Sp. Hugh King & Sarah Sheridan. St. Michael & St. John Parish
James O'Hara b. 15 November
1793 Sp. Bartholomew Gannon & Judith O'Neill. St. Michael & St. John Parish
Mathias
Thos O’Hara b. 1 Mar 1795 Sp. Thos &
Francus Tracy. St. Michael & St. John Parish
No 401583 Tracey to OHara
34 Dec 1806 Betwn Thos Tracey of Kennedys
lane in the City of Dublin Pawnbroker of the one part & Mary OHara of King St in the sd City
Widow of the other part...to King St. Near Stephens Green in the Subbs of the City of Dublin...sd
Thos Tracey in conson of the sum of 300 of him hand
by the sd Mary OHara...
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...
436885 Draper to Tracey
25 May 1811 Between George Draper of the City of Dublin Esq of of the one part &
Catherine Tracey Admr of Thos Tracey late of Kennedy
Lane in the sd City of the other part...lett unto the so Cathe Tracey All
That Dwelling House Messuage or Tenem
with the yard a Backside behind the same situate on the South side of Kennedy
lane in the County of the City of Dublin formerly in the posse of Arthur Shepheard Publick Notary or his undertenants & then lately in poss
of one Joseph Hamilton & also all that & those the house Building or Tenemt wherein the Exch
Offices...Term of 999 years at the yearly rent of 252 Ster
payable...
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: 17
June 2025