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 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

II.ii.4. Henry Grattan junior and his wife Mary O'Kelly Grattan

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 marrid Maria Ellary 30 January 1780 Wit: Chris & Cath Fitzgerald, Anna Ellaey. St. Andrews Parish

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

 

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

27 Mar, 1818 Bond

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: 24 January 2022