Richard Thomas Tracy (1826-1874)
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Dr. Richard Thomas Tracy
(1826-1874) Richard Thomas Tracy M.D. physician, was born on
19 September 1826 at Limerick to a Protestant professional family, son of
Thomas Tracy, gentleman, and his wife Elizabeth,
née Coglan. At sixteen he determined to be a doctor and not enter the Church
as his mother had hoped. In preparation, he worked for a time as a wardsman
and dresser in the County Limerick Infirmary. He began his medical studies in
1845 in the Dublin School of Medicine and in 1848 graduated licentiate of the
Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland. In December he was appointed to the
Cholera Hospital, Glasgow, and in May 1849 took by examination the M.D.,
Glasgow, with honours. In 1849 he received a cheque for £10 from F. Kashings(?) Toone of Ballincor for his services to the Poor of Lorha, Tipperary. The
cheque was sent to Ballyduff (Dingle, Kerry?). He practised briefly in King's
County, Ireland, and at Reading, Berkshire, England, but becoming uncertain
of his future, he decided to migrate and South Australia was chosen on the
toss of a coin. On 29 April 1851 he married his cousin Fanny Louisa Sibthorpe
(Marriage Registration: Richard Thomas Tracy, Limerick, 1851 Vol.6 p.610) and on 16 May they left
England in the Ballangeich, to which he was surgeon. They reached
Melbourne on 20 August 1851 and soon sailed for Adelaide. Tracy began practice in
North Adelaide and befriended a schoolteacher James Bonwick. On news of the discovery of gold in Victoria,
they formed a small party and left for Melbourne in February 1852. They first
went to Forest Creek (Castlemaine) and then to Bendigo and had some success.
Quickly tiring of the life, Tracy went back to
Adelaide in June but soon returned to Melbourne with his wife and infant
daughter; until 1864 he practised in Fitzroy, becoming its first health
officer, a magistrate, and a trustee of St Mark's Church of England. Moving
to Collins Street East, he became assistant surgeon to the East Melbourne
Corps of Artillery, Victorian Volunteer Force, with the relative rank of
lieutenant, captain in 1867. An original and active member of the Victorian
Medical Association, Tracy later joined the rival
Medico Chirurgical Society of Victoria, and helped to unite these two bodies
as the Medical Society of Victoria, of which he was president in 1860. He was
one of the original committee that first published in 1856 the Australian
Medical Journal. He was rapidly successful in his practice and with John Maund was medical co-founder in 1856 of the Melbourne
Lying-in Hospital and Infirmary for Diseases of Women and Children (later the
Royal Women's Hospital), to which he was appointed honorary physician for
life. His work was more and more directed to obstetrics and gynaecology, and
he became one of the outstanding figures in these specialities in Australia
in the nineteenth century. He was admitted to the University of Melbourne
(M.D. ad eund., 1857) and in 1864 was appointed first lecturer in
obstetric medicine and diseases of women and children at the university, at a
salary of £100 with fees. He performed the first successful ovariotomy in
Victoria in 1864 and quickly established an international reputation as a
pioneer gynaecological surgeon. In 1871 he was elected an honorary fellow of
the Obstetrical Society of London, a very great distinction, and two years
later became a fellow of the Medico-Chirurgical Society of London. He visited
Britain in 1873 and spent much time in London with the eminent surgeon Thomas
Spencer Wells, whom he greatly admired. Tracy's health, however, was
deteriorating and returning to Melbourne in April 1874 he died on 7 November
from an abdominal malignancy. He was survived by his wife and six of his
seven daughters. He left an estate valued for probate at £24,000, including a
valuable collection of books on medical and general subjects which was
auctioned soon after his death. A marble bust of Tracy
by Charles Summers is at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne. Ref: Forster
FM (1965) A case of ovariotomy
instruments sent by Thomas Spencer Wells to Richard Thomas Tracy. J Obstet Gynaecol Br
Commonw. 1965 Oct;72(5):810-5. Forster FMC (1964) ‘Richard Thomas Tracy and his part in the history of ovariotomy’, Australian
and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 4 (1964), no 3. Forster,
Frank MC. Dr. Richard Thomas Tracy.
Old Limerick Journal, No. 23 Spring 1988 – Australian edition McCalman,
Janet, Sex and Suffering: Women's Health and a Women's Hospital. The Royal
Women's Hospital, Melbourne 1856-1996, Melbourne University Press, Melbourne,
1998. McCalman,
Janet (1999) Sex and Suffering:
Women's Health and a Women's Hospital. Johns Hopkins University Press.Pearn JH. Dr Richard Thomas
Tracy MD, LRCS 1826 Sayers CE (1956) The Women's Melbourne Tracy RT (1865) Inaugural Lecture of
the Course on Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children. Melbourne:
[Publisher unknown], 1865. http://www.thewomenshistory.org.au/history/guides/general/TRACY.htm http://www.thewomenshistory.org.au/history/guides/general/hdms.htm0242.htm |
Image source: Sex and Suffering:
Women's Health and a Women's Hospital p 5 Richard
Thomas Tracy; M.D. Member 1857, PIV, Brunswick Street, Collingwood, Vic,
Australia
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Thomas Tracy (d. 1848) m.
Elizabeth Coghlan (b. 1799 – 1866) 14 September 1813 Saint Michael Limerick
(LDS)
1. Thomas Tracy, (bootmaker, 13 Patrick-street) and Eliza
Coghlan/Coglan
1.1 John Coghlan Tracy,
born 1822, TCD M 1846. B.A. Vern. 1849.
17 May 1858 The Argus (Melbourne, Vic)
DEATHS. On the 16th February, at his residence
in London, the Rev. John Coghlan Tracy, B.A., Trinity College, Dublin,
Assistant Minister of Stockwell, Surrey, and only brother of Richard T. Tracy,
M.D., of this city.
1.2 Dr. Richard Thomas Tracy (b. 19 September 1826 d. 7 November 1874 Melbourne, Australia) m. Fanny Louisa Sibthorpe 29
April 185
1.2.1 Eva Tracy (d. 1903)
m. Henry St. Quintin (1846-1916)
1.2.2 Blanche Mary Tracy
(1859-1943) m. Charles D'Ebro (1850-1920)
1.2.3 – 1.2.7
http://www.geni.com/family-tree/index/6000000008008137489
??? George Wingfield Tracy
1848 Thomas Tracy of 13 Patrick St Limerick, 24 February 1848, Prerogative Court will.
Char1/13/p153.
27 January
1866 (NG) Death
January 23rd, at Dublin, in her 67th year, Elizabeth,
relict of the late Thomas Tracy, Esq, Limerick
November 3, 1846 (FJ) Court of Chancery
...The following gentlemen
were admitted by the Benchers as students...John Coghlan Tracy, eldest son of Thomas Tracy, of the city of
Limerick, bootmaker.
Alumni
Dublinenses: Trinity Dublin
John Coghlan Tracy, Pen. (P.T.), Oct 14, 1842, aged 20; s. of Thomas, Calceolarius; b. Limerick. B.A. Vern. 1849.
Kings
Inns Admission Papers 1607-1867
John Coghlan Tracy, 1st s. of Thomas, Limerick, bootmaker, and Eliza Coghlan; ed. TCD M 1846.
April 13, 1847 (FJ) Dublin Police
The
row at the Music Hall - Mr. Henry Watson, of 6 Lower Pembroke street,
attorney's apprentice; Mr. Henry Rice, of 7 Peter street, Medical Student; and
Mr. John Tracy, Student, 31 College; were charged with violent and disorderly
conduct at the Music Hall, on the night of last Saturday...A young gentleman
named Richardson...stating that he should have been taken into custody instead
of Mr. Tracy. He was quarrelling, and Tracy was endeavoring to get him away
when he was arrested...discharged Mr. Tracy.
September 27, 1852 (BL)
The
Bishop of Lincoln held an ordination in the Cathedral of his diocese, on Sunday
last, when the following were admitted into holy orders: - Deacon - John C. de
Tracy, B.A., T.C., Dublin...
17
May 1858 The Argus (Melbourne, Vic)
DEATHS. On the 16th February, at his residence
in London, the Rev. John Coghlan Tracy, B.A., Trinity College, Dublin,
Assistant Minister of Stockwell, Surrey, and only brother of Richard T. Tracy,
M.D., of this city.
May 11, 1849 (BL) University of Glasgow
Degrees...Doctors of
medicines...Richard T. Tracy...degree of medicine, with honours...Richard T.
Tracy...
1850 Thoms Directory of Ireland
Thomas Tracy, Limerick, Licentiates (College of
Surgeons)
1851 Census England
Richard T. Tracy, visitor,
Unmarried, 24 years, Member of Royal College, Ireland, M.D. Glasgow, born
Ireland, No. 3 Old Buildings, London (Middlesex)
May 2, 1851 (FJ) Marriage
April 29, in Limerick,
Richard T. Tracy, Esq, M.D. to Fanny, eldest daughter of W.G. Sibthorpe, Esq,
of that city.
July 23, 1852 (FJ) Births
January 18, at Adelaide,
South Australia, the lady of Richard T. Tracy, Esq, M.D., late of Limerick, of
a daughter.
October 15, 1852 (FJ)
Dr. Tracey, late of this
city, is realizing a large fortune by his profession, in which he is
distinguished, at the headquarters of the diggings in Australia. - Limerick
Chronicle
July 16, 1855 (FJ) Births
At Melbourne, Australia, the
lady of Dr. Tracy, formerly of Limerick, of a daughter.
14 April 1857 The Argus
(Melbourne, Vic)
On the 3rd inst., at 139 Brunswick-street, the wife of Richard Thomas
Tracy, Esq., M.D., of a daughter.
17 July 1862 The Argus
(Melbourne, Vic)
Tracy -On the 10th Init., at 189 Brunswlck-street, Fitzroy, the wife of
Richard Thomas Tracy, Esq, M.D., of a daughter;
17 April 1863 The Argus
(Melbourne, Vic)
TRACY.-On the 15th inst., at 139 Brunswick-street, Fitzroy, after a few
hours' illness, Ada Maud, fifth daughter of Richard Thomas Tracy, M.D., aged
four
years and nine months.
25 April 1863 The Argus (Melbourne,
Vic)
TRACY.-On the l0th inst,, at 130 Brunswick-street, -Fitzroy, after a few
hour's Illness, Ada Maud, fifth daughter of Richard Thomas Tracy, M D.
2 January 1871 The Argus
(Melbourne, Vic)
ST. QUINTÍN-TRACY -On the 16th ult., at St Petor'a Church, by the Rev.
H. H. P. Bondfield, assisted by the Bev. R. B Barlow, Henry William, third son
of Thomas St. Quintín, Esq., of Hatloy Park, Cambridgeshire, to Eva Helen
Adelaide, oldest daughter of Richard T. Tracy, Esq., M.D.
ST QUINTIN / WILSON
Henry William ST QUINTIN (b1846 d1916) born in Cambridgeshire UK came to
Melbourne, Australia approx 1868, and married Eva Helen Adelaide TRACY (twin
daughter of Dr. Richard Thomas TRACY) in Melbourne in 1870. They had four
children : Adelaide, Erroll, Charles and Edith, all born in Warrnambool. I seek
information on Charles Tracy ST QUINTIN (b.1873-d.1935), who married Mary
Millicent WILSON in Melbourne in 1900. I believe the ST QUINTIN family returned
to England, residing at different times in South Africa and Rhodesia as well as
England. Charles died in 1935 in South Africa, but at that time I believe he
was separated from Mary, and I also believe she did not reside in South Africa.
Mary died in Ballarat in 1949 aged 76. I seek descendants of Charles and Mary,
the only trace I have of Mary is a letter written by her solicitor in Ballarat
in 1935. Any information on Henry William's brother, John Edward ST QUINTIN
(b.1851-d.1907), who came to Australia at roughly the same time would be also
appreciated.
Contact: Mooneen Clarke - EMAIL: mclarke@inghams.com.au
Hello
everyone,
My
gggrandfather was Richard Thomas Tracy. He sailed to Australia as Surgeon in
the "Ballangeich" and arrived in Melbourne on 20th Aug 1851. He was
born in Limerick Ireland in 1826. He began his medical studies in 1845 in the
Dublin School of Medicine. He appears to have finished and graduated in
Glasgow.
Also
I was looking for any other people with an interest in the Tracy name.
I think his parents were Thomas Tracy and Elizabeth Coghlan.
Rick
Whistler mail to :- rwhist...@enter.net.au Oct 7 1997
1873
Dr. Tracy Of Melbourne
The
Australian Melbourne Journal contains an interesting account of a meeting of
the profession in Victoria to take farewell of Dr. Tracy of Melbourne, on the
occasion of a “twelve months” visit to the home country." Prior to
leaving, Dr. Tracy seems to have been loaded with marks of esteem and regard.
Besides receiving complimentary ad dresses, dinners, resolutions from various
quarters, he was presented with £6oo to be expended in plate, and with other
substantial testimonials. At the farewell dinner of the Medical Society, it was
mentioned that Dr. Tracy was the first to perform ovariotomy in Melbourne, and
has now performed the operation in twenty-two cases with only four deaths. Dr.
Tracy will be among the visitors at the forthcoming meeting of the Association
in London.
The British
Medical Journal, Vol. 2, No. 656 (Jul. 26, 1873), p. 89
1874 The Medical Register
Richard Thomas Tracy [Limerick]
190 Collins Street East, Melbourne, Australia
Lic. R. Coll. Surg. Irel. 1848
M.D. Univ. Glasg. 1849.
10 November 1874 The South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide,
SA)
TRACY.—On the 7th November, at his residence, 190, Collin’s street, Melbourne,
R. T. Tracy, Esq., M.D., aged 48 years.
9 November 1874 The Argus
(Melbourne, Vic)
DEATH OF DR. TRACY.
Dr. Tracy died on Saturday night, at his
residence, 190 Collins-street east, exactly seven months after his return from
Europe. Though his decrease has been known to be imminent ever since he
arrived, and' although the period of its occurrence has been pro- longed far
beyond the time that his exceedingly weak state then seemed to indicate, his
death will occasion a universal feeling of regret throughout the whole of the
Austral-asian colonies. We are sure, therefore, that the subjoined biographical
notice of him will be generally acceptable.
Richard Thomas Tracy was born on the 19th
September, 182G, in the city of Limerick Ireland, and, with an only brother,
received an education for entrance to the University of Dublin. As several
members of his mother's family were clergymen of the Church of England, it was
desired that her sons should qualify themselves for this sacred calling, but at
I6 years of age, the subject of this notice had made up his mind to adopt the
medical profession, and his love for it never after abated,
After a year's preliminary education of a very
practical kind at the County Limerick Infirmary (a beginning which was of much benefit
to him in his after career), he went in 1845 to reside with his brother, in
Trinity College, Dublin, and then entered upon a full course of medical and
surgical lectures, hospital attendance, &c.. During each of the three
succeeding Summer seasons or vacations, he volunteered for active work under
the board of health, attending the famine fever which was then desolating
Ireland, and at Celbridge, in the county of Dublin, almost succumbed to an
attack of that disease caught from a patient.
In 1848 be passed his examination, and received
the diploma of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, and immediately
afterwards visited Paris, where he saw a great deal of surgical work during
that eventful year. In December of the same year, he went to Glasgow, with the
intention of taking out a medical degree. There he became acquainted with the
now venerable Dr.. Andrew Buchanan, profea8or of tho Institutes of Medicine in
the Glasgow University, and through his influence obtained the responsible
appointment of resident Surgeon to the Cholera Hospital of that city,
containing 700 beds. For four months ho never quitted this hospital, and at the
close of the epidemic, he received the thanks of the authorities, as well as a
substantial pecuniary bonus.
In May, 1849, he took his degree of Doctor of
Medicine in the Glasgow University, and returned to Ireland, and after a short
rest, took charge of a dispensary in King's County, but unable to content
himself with that limited sphere of action, ho followed his brother, who was
then residing as law student in Lincoln. Inn, London. His next movement was the
taking charge of the practice of Mr. Hooper, of Reading, Berkshire, of the old
firm of Harris, Morris, and Hooper, of. that town, Mr. Hooper having been
ordered to give up practice for a year. At the termination of this engagement,
he received a nomination for an assistant-surgeoncy in the army, but, after due
consideration, he decided to give it up, and have it transferred to a friend,
his principal reason for this decision being the reatrictions against marriage
for some years, of the existence of which ho was not previously aware. (He was
at this time engaged to be married). Negotiations for a share of a practice in
London were nearly completed, when, through the kindness of an old
city-solicitor (a friend of Dr. Tracy's brother), it was discovered that the
affair was a swindle, and he was a little perplexed as to his future course of
action. Letters had been received from some relatives of his intended wife, at
Adelaide, stating that there was an excellent opening for practice there, and
communications had also been received from relatives of his own in Canada, so
that his attention was necessarily drawn to the subject of emigration. His
ultimate decision was very quickly made one evening early in April, 1851. A
number of his brother's friends were present, and it was humorously suggested
that by the primitive method of tossing a coin, they should decide whether bo
was lo go to Australia or to Canada. Australia won, and Dr. Tracy never had
reason to regret the result. That same night he wrote to his intended wife,
asking if she had the courage to face the antipodes with him. The answer, as
may be supposed, was in the affirmative, and ho at once proceeded to Ireland,
and was married in Limerick on the 29th April, 1851, to Miss Sibthorpe, eldest
daughter of W. G. Sibthorpe, Esq., still of that city. The newly-married pair
proceeded immediately to London, and daily visited that first and greatest of
all national exhibitions, which was then open in Hyde-park.
On the same evening when, as before related,
Dr. Tracy had decided to go to Australia, he was offered by Mr. Fry, of Fry and
Davidson, Fenchurch-street, who was at the time in Dr. Tracy's brother's rooms,
in Lincoln's Inn, the appointment of surgeon to a new ship called the
Ballangeich, then on the berth for Melbourne and Adelaide. In this ship Dr. and
Mrs. Tracy sailed on the l6th May, 1851, and arrived in Hobson. Bay early in
August, All the passengers, except one family and Dr. Tracy's wife and himself,
remained at Melbourne, where he was entertained by the passengers at a dinner
at the Royal, now the Criterion Hotel. At this time the news of the discovery
of gold at Turon, in New South Wales, had arrived in Melbourne, and everything
was in a very dull state, in consequence of the exodus, which had already
begun. After a few days they continued their voyage to Adelaide, meeting with
moat disastrous weather, and they were 26 days before reaching that port. On
arrival Dr. Tracy settled in North Adelaide, and met many kind friends, among
others, one whom he had known well previously in Dublin, the late Dr. Eades.
Towards the end of the year the news of the discovery of gold in Victoria
emptied Adelaide of nearly all its male inhabitants, and in the middle of
February, 1852, a few weeks after his eldest daughter was born, Dr. Tracy
started, in company with Mr. James Bonwick, the well known Australian author,
and two other gentlemen, to try his fortune on the gold- fields. Proceeding to
the Loddon diggings, and afterwards to Bendigo, Dr. Tracy first engaged in
gold-digging, and with very fair results ; but as soon as he could procure from
town the necessary appliances, he commenced practice, and continued in active
professional work until the end of June, when his health giving way, he left
the gold-fields and returned to Adelaide, whence, after a short rest, and after
selling off everything, ho carne again with his wife and child to Melbourne. It
was at that time a most difficult matter to procure any accommodation, except
in tents ; but, after much trouble, ho finally settled down to practice in
Brunswick-street, Fitzroy, commencing there on the lat of September, 1852.
In 1854, he built the well-known house in
Brunswick street, in which he resided until the end of 1864, when ho removed
into Collins-street to the house (No, 190) which he had just built.
During his residence in Fitzroy, Dr. Tracy took
a prominent part in all social movements, notwithstanding his active
professional duties. In the building of St. Mark’s Church, of which ho was
trustee for many subsequent years, he largely interested himself. He was also
the first health-officer of that district, and on two occasions ho received
handsome testimonials from the borough council in recognition of his services.
He also gave much of his time as a magistrate on the local bench, but he never
at any time meddled with politics or municipal affairs, his profession on
groB8ing his chief attention. He was early identified with the volunteer
movement, and received the commission of assistant Burgeon to the East
Melbourne Artillery corps on its formation. He was still surgeon of this corps
up to the time of his death.
In 1855, after many conversations with the late
Dr John Maund, he determined, in association with that gentleman, to start a
lying in hospital and infirmary for diseases peculiar to woman and children.
They were heartily supported in this movement by a number of ladies; and, as a
beginning, they rented the house, 41 Albert street, and earned on work there
until the present hospital was built in 1856. The establishment of this
hospital was in a great measure due to the exertions of many of Dr Tracy’s
personal friends, Mr. Richard Grice being one of the foremost in procuring funds,
sufficient to entitle the institution to Government support and to a grant of
land Of the great advantages derived by Dr Tracy from his connexion with this
hospital, there is no question He himself always gratefully acknowledged them
The opportunities it gave him for practice m a particular branch of medicine,
determined the special direction m which his abilities from that time more
distinctly showed themselves His natural energy, his clear headedness, and his
wonderful common sense, would always have given him a leading place in the
profession, but the circumstances which inclined him to the subject of
obstetrics as a specialty aided him also in reaching a position of eminence not
inferior to that of the most celebrated obstetric physicians m the old country
But if he derived great advantages from his association with the Lying m
Hospital, ho abundantly repaid the obligation in the diligent attention ho gave
to his duties He made for it its remark able success and prestige, and he
deserved all the renown it brought for him in return When, therefore, the
hospital was some years ago incorporated, the contributors only paid him |his
admitted duo by electing him physician for life.
Dr Tracy was also closely identified with the
establishment of the Medical Society and the Medical Journal. Of the former of
these he was president in 1860, and in his retiring address, read at the annual
meeting m January, 1861, ho said -
" Shortly after my coming to reside here
in l852 I was informed that a medical society was about being commenced One had
existed previously the principal object of which had been the circulation of
medical periodicals among its members The new Society was designated the
Victorian Medical Association, and soon numbered in its ranks a large proportion
of the medical men practising in Melbourne and its vicinity The affairs of this
body prospered for some time, and the nucleus of a library was formed. A few of
the members of the former society and others united, after the lapse of about
three years, and originated another society, which was formed the Medico-
Chirurgical Society of Victoria I bad been a member of the Medical Association
from the first, and, after watching the progress of the two societies for some
time I in conjunction with a few others, joined the Medico Chirurgical as well,
and at once we used our best efforts to bring about a union of the two This was
after a little time, accomplished and the pre sent Medical Society of Victoria
was the result."
It was with Dr Maund, too, that he was
associated m the early struggles of the Medical Journal, a publication which,
now in the nineteenth year of its existence, has always numbered him among its
steadiest friends and most valued contributors His papers on the subjects with
which his special experience furnished him, are all of the most practically
interesting kind, and they show not only how thoroughly he was master of his
ort, but how conscientiously ho kept pace with the progress of obstetric
surgery in the old country Nothing could be a more complete acknowledgement of
his eminence in this direction than the compliment paid him m 1871 by the
Obstetrical Society of London, who elected him an honorary fellow of their
body. This is a distinction but rarely conferred, the list of British honorary
fellows amounting to nine only. When the Medical School of the University was
formed Dr Tracy was appointed lecturer and examiner m obstetrics and diseases
of women and children, the duties of which office he continued to perform until
the commencement of his long illness "When the Medical Benevolent
Association was proposed to be started, nine years ago, he entered warmly into
the project, and was one of its most active supporters and advocates, some of
the pleasantest meetings of the committee being held at his house About three
years ago his health began steadily to fail. The symptoms were for a long time
exceedingly obscure. He lost flesh, he had a constant pain in the right side,
his appetite was impaired and he suffered from sleeplessness his robust
typically healthy look forsook him, and it was manifest that his disorder was a
serious one He nevertheless refused to refer these unfavourable changes to any
cause other than overwork, and there seemed no good reason to doubt that this
was the explanation He had been labouring constantly for 23 years at his
profession, taking very little rest and giving himself very short holidays The
necessity of a long period of leisure was apparent, and his many friends,
therefore, urged upon him the desirability of a visit to Europe. To this
proposition, after some hesitation, he finally consented, and he left in the
mail steamer, on February 28 of last year As soon as his intention to go home
was made known, a meeting of his friends and patients was held, and the sum of
£600 was subscribed, to be expended by him during his visit, in the purchase of
a suitable memorial expressive of their regard and respect He was also
entertained at a dinner given by the Medical Society, and an address was
presented to him on the occasion. The Meridian Lodge of Freemasons too
expressed their good opinion of him at a banquet, and presented him with a
valuable jewel in recognition of his long connexion with the craft. In short
his going away w as generally regarded as a public event, and evidences of the
high esteem in which he was held were to be found on all sides. But the hopes
so generally enter tamed that his visit to Europe might result in his
restoration to health were, unhappily, ill founded. For a while the change of
scene and the relinquishment of professional anxieties seemed to revive him,
but the malady from which he was suffering was too surely fatal to be either
cured or much relieved, and this view was taken by the many eminent members of
the profession whom he consulted, so that when ho re turned to Melbourne last
April, it was clear that his days were numbered. For seven months ho has
lingered, slowly but surely wasting. For some time past lie has been kept
almost constantly under the influence of morphia yet his sufferings have
frequently been of the severest kind, and he has been unable to take
nourishment save in the simplest and blandest form. His mind, however, has been
unclouded all the time Ile has shown a keen interest in all the events that
have occupied public attention, and he has taken a calm and dispassionate view
of his approaching end. He has arranged all his affairs down to the smallest
particulars and only about a week ago, he wrote with his own hand the following
directions about his funeral -
"Memo.
"Directions for my Funeral
"I wish any public notice of my funeral to
contain merely the date, hour, and destination. I desire that no refreshments
of any kind shall be provided for those who attend my funeral, nor any
distribution of scarfs, gloves, or other such emblems of mourning The hearse to
be perfectly plain, no plumes or glass sides, and drawn by two horses No
attendants with feathers or plumes As many plain mourning coaches as are
necessary to convey the pall bearers and chief mourners, as no other carnages
are allowed to accompany the hearse within the gates of the cemetery I will
give the names of the eight pall bearers. The chief mourners will be those of
my sons in law who may be in Melbourne, and their immediate relatives.”
These arrangements he had decided upon before
the present movement commenced relative to reform in funerals-another of the
many evidences which might be quoted of the habitual common sense view ho took
of whatever concerned him. On Saturday noon, after being lifted out of bed for
a little change of position, ho said, "I feel very weak," He soon
after became insensible, and died at half-past 9 in the evening.
The idea of such a man as Dr. Tracy may be accounted a public loss,
for though not a public man, either in apolitical or municipal sense, he was so
well known and so thoroughly respected, both by the medical profession and the
public, that he was looked up to as a social institution. He had won his
success in the most legitimate way. He was both a scientific and a practical physician,
and perhaps no one over more completely inspired confidence in those who
consulted him. He was impulsive and quick- tempered, but full to overflowing of
kindness and genuine warm-heartedness. He was singularly prompt in emergencies,
but equally remarkable for the qualities of patience and endurance when these
were required. He was a fast and true friend, and generous, liberal, and
open-banded in the extreme. And though his long and painful illness may have
anticipated by its shadow the darkness which now rests upon him, he will not be
forgotten while rare ability, manliness, and honourable dealing, continuo to be
the attributes of those who most worthily practise the godlike art of healing.
Dr. Tracy leaves a widow and six daughters-three of whom are married - and
three grandchildren. He left special instructions that a post mortem
examination should be made, so as to make clear the disease from which he died.
This was performed yesterday afternoon by Dr. Motherwell and Neild, Dr. Martin
and Mr. James being also present. An enormous cancerous mass was found in the
abdomen, involving a considerable portion of the small intestine. It was of
necessity absolutely incurable, and no opera ion of any kind could have been of
service.
The funeral will take place at 3 o'clock
to-morrow.
19 November 1874 The Argus
(Melbourne, Vic)
THE LATE DR. TRACY.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS.
Sir,-It will be remembered that in February, 1873, just prior to Dr. Tracy's
departure for Europe, a number of his friends presented him with an address and
a sum of 600 guineas, to be applied by him to the purchase of some permanent
memorial of their esteem.
Dr. Tracy selected a set of three silver epergnes, and a silver tea and
coffee service. Ho also gave Mr. Summers, the sculptor, a commission to execute
a portrait bust in
marble.
A few weeks ago Dr. Tracy expressed a wish that after his death the bust
and plate should be deposited for a few days in some place where his friends
could see them, and where those who had contributed the cost could satisfy
themselves as to the fidelity with which lie had fulfilled their intentions.
In compliance with that wish, and with the kind consent of Messrs. Walsh
Brothers, jewellers, 53 Collins street east, the bust and plate may be seen
during the next few days at their place of business-not in the window.
-I am, &c., ROBERT WALLEN.
15 March 1882 The Argus
(Melbourne, Vic)
McDonald-Tracy-On the 8th inst, at Warrnam bool, by the Ven Archdeacon
Beamish, assisted by the Rev W Swliburn, Arthur Henry, son of Alexander
McDonald, of Sydney, to Adelaide Ethel, youngest daughter of the late R T Tracy, M D , of Melbourne
7 February 1891 The Argus
(Melbourne, Vic)
D'Enno-TRACY.-On the 2Sth ult., at Holy Trinity Church, Balaclava, by
the Rev. Dr. Torrance, assistcd by the Rev. F.1. Price, Charles A. D'Ebro to
Blanche Mary, daughter, of the late Richard T. Traoy, M.D.
26 February 1907 The Sydney
Morning Herald (NSW)
TRACY.-January 22, 1907, at Laugridge-road, Earls court, London, Fanny
Louisa Tracy, relict of Dr. Tracy, late of Melbourne, Victoria, aged 78,
beloved mother of Mrs. Cecil Griffiths.
1907
Australasian medical gazette
TRACY.— January 21st, at 63 Longridge-road, Earls' Court, London, Fanny
Louisa, widow of the late Richard T. Tracy, M.D.
George Wingfield Tracy
Sketcher and gold-digger, was
born in Ireland, a son of Thomas Tracy, gentleman, and Elizabeth, née Coghlan.
He presumably came to Adelaide with his brother, Dr Richard Thomas Tracy
(1826-74), and accompanied him when Richard formed a small party (including
James Bonwick) to travel to Victoria from Adelaide on news of the discovery of
gold. Castlemaine was the first field they prospected and George Wingfield's
only known art works are four small, naive paintings of the Castlemaine
goldfields: My Tent, 1852, Diamond Gully, 1853, McIvor, 1854
and Anderson's Creek, New Caledonia 1855 (Pioneers and Old Residents
Association, Castlemaine). Although Richard Tracy soon gave up the life of a
digger, George Wingfield obviously persisted for some time.
Drawings:
My Tent, 1852
Diamond Gully, 1853
McIvor, 1854
Anderson's Creek, New
Caledonia, 1855
http://www.daao.org.au/main/read/6252
George Wingfield Tracy
Dentist Castlemaine,
Victoria, 22 July 1878 to 1889?
Humphrey Wingfield Tracy,
Dentist, 6, Hatter street, Bury St. Edmonds, 1878-1889?
The Dentists register
[Note: John Tracy
& Mary Tracy
George Wingfield
Tracy birth 5 Oct 1832 bapt. 3 Nov 1834 Whiting Street Independent, Bury St
Edmunds, Suffolk]
Last update: 27
July 2011