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 Harding Tracy (1775-1823)

 

Harding Tracy and Daniel O’Connell

 

In 1815 Daniel O’Connell composed a speech regarding Napoleon achievements, his law system, the state of justice in Ireland and of particular note that Judge Day was under the influence of Dublin Castle. Some accounts state that it was delivered at a ‘purported’ meeting in Tralee but O’Connell later stated that it had been held in Cork. O’Connell sent the manuscript of this speech to the ‘Mercantile Chronicle’ in Cork for publication. When the speech was published, Mr. Saurin, the Attorney-General was determined to prosecute and the only person he could find liable was the registered printer, Mr. Harding Tracy. O’Connell could not be convicted as the manuscript of the speech was destroyed, except for a part of which that later became available. The paper was prosecuted and Tracy pleaded guilty in court in Dublin, where O’Connell defended the case. Tracy received a two year sentence, a fine of £300, and find security for the peace, himself in £300 and two sureties for £200 each. Part of the sentence was later remitted but he remained in gaol from May to December 1816. He contracted an illness in prison, which stuck to him till his death. The Tracy family maintained that he was totally neglected by O’Connell.

 

The following is a report from the Belfast Newsletter of the 31st May 1816 of the sentencing hearing:

 

Libel. Court of King's Bench Dublin, Saturday May 18.

The King v. Harding Tracy, Printer of the Cork Mercantile Chronicle.

This day the defendant was brought up to receive the sentence of the Court, for having published a libel in his paper on 17th April 1815. To the indictment the defendant pleaded guilty; and filed, in mitigation of punishment, two affidavits. The first was the prisoners affidavit, which stated in substances, "that he had no concern in the publication of the libel, except that of being the registered printer of the paper; that he had never read the publication said to contain the libel; that he had never seen the original manuscript, or even a copy thereof, nor did he know what became of the manuscript; that his health was very much impaired, and that he was advised by physicians that protracted imprisonment would be destructive of his life; that he was ready to make every atonement in his power to the law of his country, and concluded by stating, that he had a life a wife and five children solely dependent on his labour for subsistence, and that by his confinement they would left destitute of support. The second affidavit was one made by Dr. Walsh. It stated, that defendant was in bad health, and that confinement might be productive of the loss of life...

 

[there follows about three columns of a report of the hearing ending with]...The publication now stands as the speech attributed to Mr. O'Connell by his client, which charge he (Mr. O'Connell) has not thought proper to deny. The defendant had not stated, in his affidavit, his ignorance of the author; and for this reason, as well as for these considerations already mentioned, the Court did not think him entitled to any favour in the way of mitigation of punishment; and that the sentence of the Court is, that he, Harding Tracy, shall be imprisoned in the gaol of Newgate for two years, and pay a fine of 300l and that after the expiration of that imprisonment, to enter into a recognizance to keep the peace, himself in 200l and two securities in 200l each.

 

The Proceedings of the Irish Catholic association of 1823-5, after the death of Harding Tracy, give a rebuttal of the allegations against O’Connell.

 

The Dublin Evening Post of the 11 February 1834 is a four page, five column, broadsheet. Four column inches on page 2 and over 3/5th of the back page are given over to the case of Harding Tracy and the “selfishness and treachery” of O’Connell’s character.

 

1.    There is a synopsis of the affair.

2.    There follows an account printed in the Evening Mail shortly after Tracy’s death. It states “Mr. O’Connell was counsel for the printer. He first recommended the destruction of the manuscript (for fear of accidents) and then advised him to plead guilty.” It further states that while in jail Tracy received four pages of the manuscript of the speech from a fellow printer in Cork which he could have used to his advantage and O’Connell’s disadvantage, which he did not do. To the hour of his death, he never received a shilling, nor have his family since, from O’Connell. It states that he was greatly indebted for the help received from a fellow prisoner, the Roman Catholic barrister Mr. Eneas McDonnell.

3.    There follows on an account from the Dublin Chronicle of the next day added the following: That Tracy never received, nor his family, even his usual wages during the period of his imprisonment. Even in Newgate, when he laboured for the Dublin Chronicle, a journal patronised by Mr. O’Connell, was he paid, nor his family. On his release, he was given a position with the Dublin Chronicle until his death.

4.    There is a reply from Daniel O’Connell delivered at a meeting of the Catholic Association on the 3rd July 1824 in which he lays out the charges directed against him; a) That Tracy in possessing the manuscript had O’Connell completely in his power but refused to use it. b) That Tracy had a bed of straw in prison and was neglected. c) That Tracy’s family was left to starve. d) That Tracy had got an illness in prison of which he died. There is a comprehensive reply to the charges. He stated that Tracy did not plead and was eventually released as a result of three affidavits stating that O’Connell was not connected with the publication. O’Connell paid a half guinea a week for a good bed and also got Mr. McDonnell to help him. He paid 32 to 40 shillings for his board. During his imprisonment his wages at the Mercantile Chronicle was paid to his wife every week. Tracy died seven years after being released from jail.

5.    There was a copy of a letter sent to the papers by Eliza Tracy the wife of Harding Tracy. She stated that the report of the speech published stated that the purported meeting was held on the 14th April 1815 in a south Parish Chapel of Cork. The manuscript was copied by a living near relative of hers. She states that her husband “Intoxicated by flattering promises, and led away by wily persuasion, he was induced to leave his home and plead guilty to the charge”. Her husband was sentenced on the 18th May 1816. Again, he was seduced in believing that he would be liberated in a few weeks, his fines paid, his family would be afforded every comfort. The promises were not kept and his wages were stopped. She heard that her husband was dangerously ill, and to ask friends for the money to travel to see him. He was in a bad state. Due to the generosity of Mr. McDonnell until his removal. for the first four months he had breakfast and dined with him. He paid for his own bed. His family in Cork received only £3. In jail, he was employed as compositor for the ‘Dublin Chronicle’, in combination with his son, for which he was still owed the bulk of the wages. After his release, an application for aid from O’Connell for a “few pounds”, was replied with two guineas, which is all the support that was ever received from O’Connell.

6.    There was a statement from his son. He had an interview with Mr. McDonnell in Kilmainham jail. Mr. McDonald said that O’Connell had pleaded poverty for not having done something for your family and that £400 would not compensate the family for the sacrifices they had made. He said that he had not contradicted O’Connell’s account because they were in dispute and that it would have been attributed to that circumstance. A letter addressed to Dr. Coyne, to rectify the situation was given to the son including the sum of £10.

7.    There is a short paragraph stating that Dr. England, owner of the Cork Mercantile Chronicle, had contradicted O’Connell’s account to Tracy’s friends.

8.    It is then stated that O’Connell had sent a letter of apology to a relative of Judge Day.

9.    There is then an account of two letters sent by Harding Tracy to Mr. O’Connell. The first received no reply and the second resulted in the messenger being abused.

10. It concludes by stating that it was Judge Day’s intercession that secured Harding Tracy release.

 

Fagan, in the main, backs O’Connell account of events. He states that Harding Tracy was of strong Tory connections. He names the person who found part of the manuscript as a Mr. Higgins. He states that while in jail, Harding Tracy was employed as compositor for the ‘Dublin Chronicle’ at a wage of over four pounds a week. In addition he states that Harding Tracy son George Tracy, who was an apprentice there had his wages raised. He states that O’Connell secretly aided Harding Tracy. In 1824, after Harding Tracy’s death, the ‘Correspondent’ the paper that he and his son George had worked on after his imprisonment, charged that O’Connell had allowed him to pine in jail, of letting his family starve and of refusing him all assistance when he was released from jail. His son, George, tried to establish the case against O’Connell. Fagan goes on to state that Harding, on his return to Cork, was catechised by his brother printers, and also stated that he had nothing to complain about O’Connell at Mr. Haly’s own dinner table.

 

Keenan states that Frederick Conway had a different impression of O’Connell’s conduct. Conway recounted the affair of Harding Tracy in the Dublin Evening Post on 11 February 1834. That O’Connell was not a bit worried if those who tried to assist him or took his legal advice ended up in gaol. He always wanted to continue the legal struggle in their behalf, regardless of the risks, they not he, ran.  But on no account would he pay to get them out of prison. This had happened with the editor of the Dublin Evening Post, John Magee in 1814, Harding Tracy the printer in 1815, and Edward Hay in 1819. Conway, like the Earl of Donoughmore, was a staunch anti-vetoist. It states that many other Catholics came to the same conclusions about O’Connell at the same time.

 

In retrospect, it may have been unwise of Harding Tracy to have engaged Daniel O’Connell as his defence counsel, in circumstances where O’Connell was implicated but not on trial.

 

Belfast Newsletter 31 May 1816

Dublin Evening Post, 11th February 1834 p.2 & 4

Fagan, William Trant (1847) The Life and Times of Daniel O'Connell. O’Brien, Cork. Vol. 1, p.307-9

Freemans Journal 5 & 14 July 1824

Keenan, Desmond (2002) The Grail of Catholic Emancipation

Proceedings in Dublin, May 13, 1823 to Feb. 11, 1825 - Irish Catholic assoc - 1825 - 80 pages

 

Office of Chief Secretary of Ireland

28 Dec 1822-1 Jan 1823

Letter from police magistrates, head police office, Dublin, to William Conyngham Plunket, Attorney General of Ireland, 1 January 1823, enclosing copy of information of Robert Kelly, sworn before Henry Charles Sirr, police magistrate; and also copy of information of Standing [Harding] Tracy of 15 Crow Street, Dublin, each concerning the identification of the origin of printed slips, which were circulated during the riot at the New Theatre Royal, Dublin, on 14 December 1822. Kelly refers to his involvement in printing some of the slips, but states that he will not reveal 'the name of the person that employed me'; also describes his view of an incident in which a bottle was thrown at Richard Wellesley, 1st marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, inside the theatre, 28 December 1821. Tracy states that the typeface of the printed slips is not that used by any of the Dublin printing offices. Refers to a printed slip entitled 'No Popery', and to another entitled 'The Protestants want Talbot' [an allusion to former Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Earl Talbot], 1 January 1823.

3 items; 9pp CSO/RP/1823/1

9 Feb 1825-15 Feb 1825

Letter from Thomas S Townshend [Townsend], Thornberry, [County Cork], to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, offering recommendation for Elizabeth Tracy, widow, as suitable candidate to fill the post of house keeper to the War Office, [London]. Encloses letter from Thomas Townshend Sr, in support of Tracy and memorial from Tracy to Gregory, expressing her interest in the post. Mentions having support for her application from Captain Drought of County Limerick plus two members of the Townshend family. Refers to the death of her husband, Harding Tracy, printer of the ‘Correspondent’ newspaper, from the ‘sufferings he endured from imprisonment &tc for a libel by [Daniel] O'Connell’.

3 items; 7pp CSO/RP/1825/33

 

Royal Irish Academy

12 W 13 (120) Eliza Tracy, July 1824

Newspaper clippings, reporting on the imprisonment of Harding Tracy, editor of the Cork Mercantile Chronicle for publishing a libelous speech [penned by Daniel O'Connell] against the administration of justice and Judge [Robert] Day and O'Connell's apparent lack of compassion and support towards Mrs. Tracy during her husband's incarceration. With published copy of Mrs. Tracy's statement, written 19 July 1824 from Crow street, Dublin confirming her husband has been deceived by "deceitful assurances" motivating him to plead guilty to the libel charge and acknowledging the "kind assistance" of Judge Day is securing an early release for her husband and arranging a private room for Harding while interned in Newgate (Gaol).

12 W 13 (137) Eliza Tracy, 20 February 1834, 22 February 1834.

Newspaper clippings, reporting on the imprisonment of Harding Tracy, editor of the Cork Mercantile Chronicle for publishing a libelous speech [penned by Daniel O'Connell] against the administration of justice and Judge [Robert] Day and O'Connell's apparent lack of compassion and support towards Mrs. Tracy during her husband's incarceration. With published copy of Mrs. Tracy's statement, Dublin confirming her husband had been mislead and as a consequence pleaded guilty to a libel charge "a crime of another" and acknowledging the "kind assistance" of Judge Day is securing an early release for her husband and arranging a private room for Harding while interned in Newgate (Gaol). With overview of an interview between Mr. Tracy’s son and [Eneas] MacDonnell (McDonnell), a roommate of Tracy’s when interned at Newgate (Gaol).

 

 

 

 

Birth, Marriage and Death Notices:

 

Harding Tracy (1775 Cork-1823 Dublin) m. Eliza Hurly (b. 1779) 1800 Cork (LDS)

Harding Tracy & Eliza Hurley 1800 (Marriage Licence Bond)

 

May 29, 1823 Westmeath Journal - Death

On the 21st instant, at No. 15, Crow-street, Mr. Harding Tracy, many years Printer of the Dublin Correspondent.

 

1831 Sophia [Anne?] Tracy and John Geary (Marriage Licence)

May 24, 1831 (FJ) Marriages

In St. Mary's Church, on Sunday, the 15th instant, by the Reverend Mr. Kelly, John Geary to Anne [Sophia] Tracy of Capel-street, in this city.

October 11, 1852 (FJ) Death

September 18, was drowned, while bathing in the Scioto river, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America, John George, second son of John Geary, Esq, proprietor of The Capital City Fact newspaper, and nephew of the Messrs. Tracy, 32 Lower Sackville street, in this city, in the 17th year of his age.

July 11, 1857 (FJ) Marriage & 13 July 1857 Cork Examiner

June 17, at Fremont, Ohio, United states, America, by the Rev. Mr. Bushuell, Richard Harding Geary, Esq, eldest son of Colonel John Geary, late of this city, and grandson of the late Harding Tracy, Esq, to Miss Fannie Haynes.

7 May 1862 (FJ) Battle of Pittsburgh

...lost their lives at Pittsburgh...Captain Harding C. Geary, son of John Geary, of the Capital City Fact, Columbus...- Cincinnati Inquirer (The gallant young officer above alluded to was the nephew of the Messrs. Tracy, of 32, Sackville-street, in this city.)

4 May 1863 (FJ) Death

April 13, at Columbus, Ohio, U.S. America, after a short illness, Sophia, wife of Colonel John Geary, daughter of the late Mr. Harding Tracy, of Cork, and sister of the Messrs. Tracy of Sackville-street, in this city. Her untimely loss is deeply regretted by her sorrowing family and a large circle of friends who knew her kindly disposition.

6 May 1863  Cork Examiner

... Harding Tracy, of Cork, and sister of the Messrs. Tracy, of Sackville-street, Dublin.

 

Eliza Tracy and William Mooney 1836 Marriage Licence

Eliza Mooney, died 30/9/40 Chapel Street, wife of William Mooney, dau of the late Mr. Harding Tracy of Cork.

 

George R Tracy; Cork City COR>Dublin DUB IRL; Cork Examiner (COR IRL); 1856-10-31; dja

1 November 1856 (N) Death. Tracey - Oct 29 at 32 Lower Sackville street, Mr. George R Tracey, eldest son of the late Mr Harding Tracey of Cork.

October 30, 1856 (FJ) Death

October 29, at 32 Lower Sackville street, Mr. George R. Tracy, eldest son of the late Mr. Harding Tracy of Cork.

31 October 1856 The Cork Examiner,

Oct. 29, at 32, Lower Sackville-street, Dublin, Mr.  George R. Tracy, eldest son of the late Mr. Harding Tracy, of Cork.

 

Mr. Richard Tracy

Richard Tracy, Sackville-street, printer 1856 Intestate

Tracy - On the 21st instant [February 1860], at his residence, 32 Lower Sackville street, Dublin, Mr. Richard Tracy, second son of the late Harding Tracy, of Cork. He during life maintained a high ch??? for unresisting prolity, and his loss will be deeply felt by his sorrowing relations, and ??? circle of friends, who knew and appreciated his many kindly qualities.

23 Feb 1860 (BL) Deaths

February 21, at his residence, no.32 Lower Sackville Street, Dublin, Mr. Richard Tracy, second son of the late Mr. Harding Tracy, of Cork.

24 February 1860 Cork Examiner

... Richard Tracy, second son or the late Mr. Harding Tracy, of this city.

1860 The Phoenix NY

Richard Tracy, 82 Lower Sackville St, Dublin, died.

 

Harding Charles Tracy

1 November 1865 (FJ) & 4 November 1865 (N) Deaths

Tracey - October 5, in Columbus, Ohio, United States America, Harding Charles Tracey, Esq., formerly of 32 Sackville-street, Lower, youngest son of the late Harding Tracy, Esq, of Cork, deeply and sadly lamented by his sorrowing family and friends. His remains were interred in Greelawn Cemetery, about two miles from the city.

2 November 1865 Cork Examiner

Harding Charles Tracy, Esq., formerly of 32, Sackville-street, Lower, Dublin, youngest son of the late Harding Tracy, Esq., of Cork. October 5, in Columbus, Ohio, United States America,

 

James Tracy

James Tracey died 1869, Dublin North PLU, Aged 48, b. 1821, died 6 May 1869 [James Tracy, 50, Sackville St. No.32 Lr. buried 8 May 1869 Mount Jerome Cemetery]

James Tracy d. 6 May 1869 32 Lower Sackville Street Dublin, gentleman bachelor, died Richmond Lunatic Asylum, to sister and only kin, Harriett Tracy, spinster

James Tracy d. 6 May 1869 Dublin 32 Lower Sackville Street Dublin, gentleman bachelor, died Richmond Lunatic Asylum, unadministered by sister Harriett Tracy, ...attorney of a nephew

 22 May 1869 (FJ) Death

May 20, after a lingering illness, Mr. James Tracy, of the firm of Tracy, Brothers, 32 Lower Sackville-street, fondly beloved and deeply regretted by his sorrowing sister.

 

Harriet Tracy

February 27, 1892 News from Ireland

Tracy - At 33 Lower O'Connell street, January 29, Harriet Tracy, aged 80? years.

 

 

1809 Report of the Pipe Water Commissions, Cork City

Harding Tracey, Half Moon St., £36/0/0

1814-5 Finance Accounts

Arrears of Advertisment Duty due by Printers of Newspapers in the Country

Tracey, Mercantile Chronicle, £52 [Cork?]

17 December 1816 (FJ) Provincial Intelligence

Cork, Dec. 14. Mr. Harding Tracy, late Printer of the Cork Mercantile Chronicle, has been liberated from imprisonment.

1818 (147) The finance accounts

Arrears of Newspapers, Messrs Tracy, Cork M. Chronicle, £30.2.6

1819 The finance accounts

Arrears due by Printers of Newspapers in the Country...Tracey, Cork Mer. Chronicle, £27...

 

 

1823 (BL) Gallagher & Co, No.10 Lower Sackville Street Dublin

Richard Tracy of the above establishment...Belfast [see advertisement opposite]

1824 The finance accounts

Arrear due by printers in Dublin...G.R. Tracey, Correspondent, £56.6.10 farthing

1825 & 1826 Commissioners for Auditing Public Accounts in Ireland

Stamp Duty - Arrears due by Printers of Newspapers in Dublin

"Correspondent", G.R. Tracey, £61/0/9 & £70/18/5.5

1826-1827 Dublin Directory

Richard Tracy, merchant tailor, 30 Capel St

December 15, 1841 (FJ) Letter

Mr. George Tracy, sub-editor of the Evening Packet [1828?]

July 15, 1829 to June 19, 1856  (FJ) Market and Grand Jury Dublin

...Richard Tracy...

January 23, 1830 (FJ) Dublin Corporation - Quarter Assembly

Mr. M'Cleery moved that the board be requested to re-consider the resolution, refusing the freedom to Mr. Tracy, a respectable merchant tailor, and the son of Mr. Harding Tracy, who, as they were all aware, fell a victim to designing demagogues, and was literally murdered in Newgate (hear). The motion having been seconded, passed unanimously. [Freedom of the City]

1830 Valuation of the City of Dublin - Parish of St. Andrew

15 Crowe-street, Tracey, value £32/10/0, 14th class, £0/9/2.75 Minister's money, 3 stories small rere.

1830-1836 Dublin Directory

Richard Tracy, merchant tailor, 38 Capel St

1837 Fictitious Votes - City of Dublin

G. Richard Treacy, freeman, Christmas 1835, 5 March 1835

George R. Tracey, £1, service, merchant admitted to Freedom of Guilds 12 January 1835

George Richard Tracy, 38 Capel-street, merchant, freeman, 23/30 May & 2 June 1835

Richard Tracey, claim by grace, passed 5 Oct 1829 p.166, sworn 11 June 1830 - Corporation of Tailors

Richard Tracy 30 October 1832

Richard Tracy, 38 Capel-street, clothier, leaseholder, £10, 11 Aug 1835

1837-1839 Dublin Directory

Richard & J Tracy, mens mercers, 70 Dame St

20 July 1838 (FJ) Liverpool July Meeting

...Irish sporting friends to cross the channel...G. and R. Tracy...

1840-1843 Dublin Directory

R & J Tracy, mens mercers, 32 Lr Sackville St

1841-1843 Dublin Directory

George & Harding Tracy, general printing office, 32 Lr Sackville St

R & J Tracy, mens mercers, 32 Lr Sackville St

8 June 1842 (NG) Present State of Tipperary. As regards agrarian outrages - their nature origin, and increase, considered - with suggestions for remedial measures, respectfully submitted to the Right Hon. Lord Elliot M.P. by a magistrate of the county. - Dublin:- G. R. Tracy - Price one shilling.

10 May 1843 (CE) Shipping?

...G. R. Tracy, 32, Lr. Sackville-street. Dublin, and sold by...

October 3, 1842 (FJ)

...printers for the corporation...Tracy...

1844- Dublin Directory

Brothers Tracy, printers & men’s mercers, 32 Sackville St lower

4 January 1844 Freeman's Journal

The special jury panel for 1844 as delivered by David Charles LaTouche, Esq, AB High Sheriff of Dublin this evening

Richard Tracey, 32 Lower Sackville street, merchant tailor

1848-51 Griffiths Valuation Dublin

Brothers Tracey, 32 Sackville Street Lower St. Thomas Dublin

 

 

 

Endowed School of the Corporation of Tailors, or Guild of St. John the Baptist

In 1840, when the Municipal Corporations Bill was pending, a return as to the Gild property was made, and on its passing it was resolved that the Gild's estate should be vested in trustees, members of the churches of England and Scotland, for the religious and general education of children of freemen of the Gild and other freemen of the city. Twelve trustees were appointed, three of whom were to hold the keys of the archives. They were Richard Tracy, William Mooney, David McCleery, Thomas J. Quinton, Allan Ellison, Wm. Roberts, James McMullen, George Macdona, Robert Singleton, John Whitty, Rev. Alex. Deeper, Charles Brien, Rev. T. D. Gregg (added), Robert Jackson, treasurer, Lewis de Zouche, secretary. On 9th April, 1841, a Deed conveying the Gild property to the above-named trustees was executed... On the abolition of the gilds in 1841, the Hall passed into the hands of the Trustees of the Tailors' Endowed School, which was transferred in 1873 to the Merchants' Hall, Wellington Quay...In 1840-1 Richard Tracy was Master of the guild...

Henry F. Berry (1918) The Merchant Tailors' Gild: That of St John the Baptist, Dublin, 1418-1841. The Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, Sixth Series, Vol. 8, No. 1 (Jun. 30, 1918), pp. 19-64

 

1 July 1840 Wexford Conservative

The Corporation - Guild of St. John. A meeting of the ancient and truly-loyal Corporation of Tailors was held on Wednesday at the Guild Hall for the purpose of swearing in the Master and Wardens for the ensuing year. The new officers are - Mr. Ricahard Tracy of Sackville street, Master...Masters Dinner. Mr. R. Tracy, the newly elected Master, entertained the Brethren and numerous guests at dinner at Judes's Hotel in the evening...

6 Jan 1896 (BL) Winter Ehibittion at the Royal Academy

...large silver tankard...made in Dublin in 1680 for the Guide of Merchant Tailors...on the handle..."Repaired A.D. 1841. Richard Tracy Master Wm Mooney Warden John Jones S."

February 14, 1848 (FJ) Houses and Lands

The Trustees of the school and Charities established by the Guild of St. John, hereby give Notice, that the Lease of the property comprising of the Houses respectively numbered

129, 130, 131, 132 in Church street

28, 29 and 30 Bow street

and the entire of the houses and Premises now standing on both sides of Bedford street in the City of Dublin

will expire on the 25th day of March 1848. Persons desirous to become tenants for same, or any part thereof, are invited to send in their proposals, addressed to the Treasurer, Mr. Richard Tracy, No. 32 Lower Sackville street, Dublin before the 1st day of March. Dated this 10th day of February 1848.

February 1860 (IT) Endowed School of the Corporation of Tailors, or Guild of St. John the Baptist, Back-Lane, Dublin

Wanted for the above school, a fully qualified Protestant Master. The course of instruction embraces Mathematics and a complete English and Mercantile Education, together with the rudiments of the Greek and Latin Classics. A Graduate of T.C.D. and one having a wife or female relative who must reside on the premises, will receive a decided preference. It is particularly requested that no gentleman will apply who is attending or will thereafter attend, Divinity Lectures, or who cannot give unquestionable proofs of his moral and religious character as well as his scholastic attainments. Applications with copies of testimonials must be sent to the Trustees, care of the Treasurer, Richard Tracy, Esq., 32 Lower Sackville-street, Dublin, before the 26th inst. The gentleman appointed would be required to enter on his duties early in March.

September 1862 Endowed School of the Corporation of Tailors, or Guild of St. John the Baptist

The trustees of this excellent school, founded by the late Richard Tracy, Esq., of 32, Lower Sackville-street, in the year 1841, met at their board-room, Back-lane yesterday. After the general business was over, Mr. James Tracy, in a short but pithy speech, on the Classical Education in Schools in general, and in particular the Irish Language, proposed to pay an Irish teacher out of his own pocket, and likewise to furnish a short-hand writer to instruct the boys. The meeting then adjourned.

 

1850 Thoms Directory of Ireland

Tracy Brothers, 32 Sackville Street Lower, woollen drapers, merchant tailors, hosiers, etc

1850 Shaw's Dublin City Directory

Tracy Brothers, 32 Sackville St Lower (woollen drapers)

1851 Census

Rich Tracey, 32 Sackville St Lr, Dublin City

The Racing Calendar for the Year 1851 by Robert J. Hunter,…Printed for the Proprietor by: George R. Tracy, 32, Sackville-Street And sold at the Publisher’s Office, No.1, North Cumberland-Street; ...1852

March 5, 1850 (FJ) Sporting - Tallaght Steeple Chases

...Judge, Mr. G. Tracy...

April 6, 1850 (FJ) Sporting - Dollymount Races

...Judge, Mr. G. Tracy...

May 27, 1850 (FJ) Sporting - Sandymount Races

...Judge, Mr. G. Tracy...

October 8, 1850 (FJ) Irish Metropolitan Steeple-chases

Subscribers...G R Tracy...

December 26, 1850 (FJ) Tallaght Steeple Chases

The stewards, in order to prevent deception have directed Mr. G. Tracy, the authorised printer, to publish the cards of these races.

March 10, 1851 (FJ) Kilcock Steeple Chases

The only genuine cards of the races are published by G.R. Tracy

December 11, 1851 (FJ) Confy Castle Steeple Chase

The Tracy Stakes - Hanicap Sweepstakes, 5 sovs each, 1 sov enterence, 50 sovs added by George R. Tracy, Esq., Dublin, Printer to the Turf Club. Three miles over Confy Castle course.

March 24, 1852 (FJ) Palmerstown Hunt Steeple Chases

All information respecting these races to be obtained from Mr. G.R. Tracy, at the Metropolitan Sporting Printing Office, 32, Lower Sackville-street, Dublin.

1852 The Racing Calendar for the Year 1851 by Robert J. Hunter,…Printed for the Proprietor by: George R. Tracy, 32, Sackville-Street

October 4, 1854 (FJ) Citizens Gold Challenge Cup

...Mr. GR Tracey handed in from a worthy citizen, Mr. Wm Egan, grocer, Summerhill, half a sovereign (hear, hear)...

The Racing Calendar for the Year 1854 by Hunter, Robert J.

Printers: Treacy, Dublin

 

September 18, 1852 (FJ) The late Fire in Dawson street

...donations received...Mr. George R. Tracy, Sackville street £1; Mr. Richard Tracy, do, £1; Mr. James Tracy, do, £1;...

 

August 25, 1855 (FJ) Dublin Citizens' Gold Cup

Subscriptions were handed in:- Messrs GR Tracy and - Tracy, Brothers, Sackville street £1 each;...

 

1856 Richard Tracy, Sackvill Street, Printer (Intestacy) [??? George See obituary]

 

January 19, 1857 (FJ) One Pound Reward

Lost on Friday evening last, between the railway station at Salt Hill and the Antient Concerts Hall, great Brunswick-street, an Antique gold bracelelet, set with five pink topizes. Whoever will return it to Mr. Tracy, 32 Lower Sackville street, will receive one pound reward. 17th January 1857.

 

June 18, 1857 (FJ) The Gas Question

...Richard Tracy, 32 Lower Sackville street...

 

September 12, 1857 (FJ) Gold Watch Lost

Yesterday afternoon (Friday) supposed in a shop in Grafton street, a Lady's Gold Geneva Watch (Stauffor, Geneva, Makor) attached to a drop chain with a bunch of charms, gold dial and spider hands. A reward of one pound will be given on restoration to Mr. Tracy, 32 Lower Sackville street. Saturday 12th September 1847.

 

10 August 1861 (FJ) Four Courts

George Miller, detained at the suit of Harriet Tracey and James Tracey, a lunatic, by his next friend, the said Harriet Tracey.

9 December 1861 (FJ)  Court of Common Pleas - George Miller v. Harriet Tracey

This was an action for malicious arrest of the plaintiff on a judge’s fiat. The defense was a plea of justification. It appeared that the plaintiff had been an assistant in the establishment of Messrs. Cannock, White and Co. And that he agreed to take a shop and premises in Sackville street, at a tearly rent of £117. He accordingly lodged with Mr. Bergin, solicitor, the sum of £58, two quarters rent in advance, and sold goods to the brother of the defendant of the third quarter rent. He was subsequently arrested on a judges fiat, which had been obtained on the authority of a statement made by a shop-woman in his employment that he was going to America. An application was subsequently, made to Mr. Justice Hayes for his discharge, and it being shown that the statement was unfounded, he was accordingly discharged. The action was brought for this alleged malicious arrest.

9/10 December 1861 George Miller V. Harriette Tracy

This was an action to recover damages, laid at £1000 for false imprisonment. The plaintiff became the tenant of the defendant for the shop and part of the house 32, Lower Sackville-street, at an annual rent of £117, payable quarterly, when he commenced business as a draper. A fire broke out in the house some time afterwards, after which the plaintiff did not carry on business. The defendant caused him to be arrested on the 7th of August last for a sum of £72/15/0, the balance of rent which she alleged to be due, and he was detained in custody until the October following. The plaintiff alleged that the arrest was made maliciously, and that the amount claimed for rent was not due by him, as he had supplied goods to a large amount to the brother of the defendant, who owned one half of the house. She pleaded that her brother was not of sound mind, that the plaintiff was aware of this, and that she had warned him not to give any goods to her brother. She also stated that the Plaintiff had disposed of his property and intended to immigrate. The jury found for the defendant.

 

1862 Thom’s Dublin Street Directory

Harriett Tracy, Miss, (90l). 32 Sackville-street, Upper.

James Tracy, esq, 32 Sackville street lower

 

August 1862 The Freeman Franchise

Sir, Having been a registered Freeman of this city since the year 1840[?], and having since then uninterruptedly exercised the Parliamentary franchise, I was very much astonished at finding that a notice of objection had been left at my house, and purporting to bear signatures of Matthew McKeon, of 34 Montgomery street, I went to that address, and a notice of removal being posted thereon, I enquired, and was told that no person of that name resided there. I have for many years been a resident in Sackville street, and have acted as treasurer of the "North Dock Ward Protestant Club" and displaced many Radical Franchise seekers, which fact may perhaps account for the petty malignity displayed by a person totally unknown to me, and who shields himself under a false address, and for all that I know, under a false name.

I am sir, your obedient servant. James Tracy, 32 Lower Sackville street.

 

7 July 1870 (FJ) Jervis street Hospitals

...1s...Miss Tracy, Sackville street...

Jul 1870 Jervis Street Hospital

...donations...Miss Tracy, Sackville street...

 

 

Last update: 10 November 2023