Anne Clark Tracy

b. 21 August 1829, d. 1 April 1896
  • Anne Clark Tracy was born on 21 August 1829 in Georgia.
  • Edward Dorr Tracy and Rebecca Caroline Campbell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1840 in Bibb County, Georgia. Other (counted but unnamed) members of the household apparently included Anne Clark Tracy, Edward Dorr Tracy Jr., Philemon Tracy and Matilda Caroline Tracy.
  • On 26 February 1850, Anne Clark Tracy wrote to Evelina Alexander Barnes:
         Mrs Green Wood, Danville, Texas
    My dear Mrs Wood,
         I do not think I can let aunt Eddy’s letter go without writing you a line to tell you how much I regret that I did not see you before you left for Texas, & how very much I miss you. It scarcely seems like Montgomery when I think you are so far away – I often tell aunt Eliza that I intend to visit “The Col” & Mrs Menard in the Spring, & if I do I shall still hope to see you again. Tell Lizzy that I am going to make the grand tour before I choose the fairy spot where our school is to be established, & she shall certainly know in time to assist in the selection – I hear that Montgomery has been very gay all the winter & Mrs Brown told me today that two parties were to be given this week to the bride, Mrs Jim Farley, one by Mrs Ogbourne & the other by Mrs W Farley. The former is to be a large dancing party, a ball room built especially. I was a good deal amused at the description of the bridegroom’s coat, which I heard was of a light blue, lined throughout with white satin, having white kid buttons & thread lace cuffs, rather a fancy article you may imagine though I guess the description is rather exaggerated - I hope we will soon receive a letter from you, telling us of your safe arrival at Danville as we all feel much anxiety to hear. With love to Lizzie, I remain,
         yr very aff Annie T.
    Minimal punctuation added by the transcriber to enhance readability.
  • Rebecca Caroline Campbell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. Other members of the household included Anne Clark Tracy, Philemon Tracy, Edward Dorr Tracy Jr., Matilda Caroline Tracy, Campbell Tracy and Harriet Charlotte Tracy.
  • She married William Butler Johnston on 2 August 1851 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia, or 2 September.
  • Flora McQueen Campbell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. Other members of the household included Anne Clark Tracy, Susan Campbell Rowland, Alexander McKenzie Rowland, Edwin Campbell Rowland, William Butler Johnston and Edward Tracy Johnston.
  • William Butler Johnston and Anne Clark Tracy appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. Other members of the household included Caroline Tracy Johnston, Mary Ellen Johnston, Susan Campbell Tracy, Georgia Elizabeth Tracy and John Spring Baxter.
  • The following appeared on 26 May 1886 in The Macon Telegraph: In the New York World of Sunday is found a statement that Agnes Ethel, the well known actress, is made wealthy by her husband's death. Her husband was Francis W. Tracy, was a nephew of Judge Edward D. Tracey, who lived in Macon. Major Phil Tracey, son of Judge Tracey, was about the same age of Francis, Jr., and they were very fond of each other. When the Major was killed at Sharpsbury, during the war, he went after the body and had it buried in New York, where it still reposes. Because of his friendship and relationship, the surviving members of the Tracey family in Macon were so handsomely remembered.
         The following is from the World:
         "Agnes Ethel, who created such a sensation on the American stage some years ago, and who has since lived in retirement, is, by the will of her late husband, Francis W. Tracy, left a millionairess. Mr. Tracy died at his residence in Buffalo on April 21, leaving a fortune of about $3,000,000. His nearest relatives were his widow and Miss Harriett F. Tracy, a daughter by his first wife.
         "From the complications in the Tracy family history there has been a great deal of curiosity manifested as to the probable distribution of the estate, but until Friday the contents of the will were kept secret. Then it was filed for probate with the surrogate of Erie County, and the hearing was set down for the 28th inst. The body of the will is in itself a formidable document, and there is attached to it a small army of codicils.
         "To his widow, Agnes Ethel Tracy, the deceased gives the handsome dwelling house at Franklin and Court streets, Buffalo, and the furniture, pictures and plate contained therein; also the horses, carriages and other articles of personal property about the premises. Further than this he bequeaths to her one-half of all the residue of his property, both real and personal. Next in order the will mentions the daughter, and in a way, it is said, which displeases her to such an extent that she intends to contest the will. To her he leaves in the hands of the executrix and executors, as trustees, $100,000, to be invested in first-class securities and applied to her use as long as she lives. In case of her death it is provided that the principal then remaining shall go to her issue, if she have any living, and if there be no issue the amount is to be considered as a part of the residuary estate. In explanation of the small amount left to his daughter, Mr. Tracy says in the will: 'I have limited this bequest in her favor for the reason that her mother is possessed of an ample fortune.' In a codicil to the will the daughter's bequest is slightly changed, it being provided that from the $100,000 held in trust she shall be paid an income not exceeding $3,000 for maintenance and education till she be twenty-one years of age, and that thereafter the entire income, interest and profits shall be applied to her while life lasts.
         "Among the remaining private bequests are the following: To William Shelton the income of $40,000 so long as he lives; to Anna Tracy Johnston and Harriet Tracy, daughters of Edward D. Tracy, his uncle, each $30,009; to the two daughters of his cousin, Edward D. Tracy, late of Macon, Ga., $15,000 each, and to Tracy Baxter, of Macon, Ga., $15,000."
         Other bequests are made to orphan asylums and other institutions. The World closes its article with the following concerning the fortunate actress:
         "Agnes Ethel was once a poor sewing-girl, and was employed by Matilda Heron, the famous emotional actress and the mother of Bijou Heron. Recognizing the girl's fitness for the stage, Mrs. Heron brought her out in a small part. Her first great success was under Augustin Daly at the Fifth Avenue Theatre, in the emotional line represented by 'Frou-Frou.' She was leading lady in the part, with Clara Morris supporting her. Later she went to Europe and had her own play, 'Agnes,' written for her by Victoria Sardou. This is the play of which 'In Spite of All,' played lately by Miss Minnie Maddern, and 'Anselma,' in which Mme. Janish played recently, are adaptations. In this play, Miss Ethel reached the height of her success, and it was then that Mr. Tracy fell in love with her. She is said to have returned his affection, and they were married after a brief courtship, Mr. Tracy making the sole condition of the alliance that his wife should leave the stage. To this she consented, and during the dozen or more years which have since elapsed she has never appeared before the public except in occasional amateur performances."
  • The following appeared on 29 December 1891 in The Macon Telegraph: /[fraught with errors/] With the death of Mrs. Edward D. Tracey, which occurred Monday at the home of her son-in-law, Dr. John S. Baxter, another old resident and respected lady of this city has passed to the other side.
         Mrs. Tracey was the widow of the late Hon. E. D. Tracey, who was mayor of the city of Macon forty-five years ago and a most distinguished citizen, who did much for the city during his terms of office and in his private life.
         The deceased lady, who at the time of her death was over 80 years old, was one of the most estimable of her sex, and in her more active days was ever foremost in the works which redound today to the credit of her name and the city which she loved so well. She was the mother of Brigadier General Edward D. Tracey and of Major Philip Tracey, both of whom where killed during the war in the service of the Confederacy, and were distinguished soldiers throughout their too short service. The former, Gen. E. D. Tracey, was the only Brigadier-General in the Confederate service whom Macon could claim as her own. Major Philip Tracey was killed at the battle of Gettysburg while with the Sixth Georgia regiment. Both were and even now are counted among the most brilliant orators and conversationalists that Macon and the State of Georgia have honored.
         Mrs. Tracey was the mother of Mrs. William B. Johnson, and the grandmother of Hon. Tracey Baxter, Mrs. George Duncan and Mrs. W. H. Felton. She leaves behind her only two children, Mrs. William B. Johnson and Miss Hattie Tracey.
         Old residents of Macon will find much in the history of the deceased lady to bring them back to the days of long ago.
  • Anne Clark Tracy died on 1 April 1896 at age 66 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.
  • She was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.
  • Anne Clark Tracy and her husband William Butler Johnston are the subjects of a purportedly historically accurate romantic novel, Sunrise, by Jacquelyn Cook. In the novel, Ann's aunts are called Eddy, Carry, Queeny. (Smyrna, Georgia: BelleBooks, 2008.)
  • Last Edited: 21 Nov 2014

Family: William Butler Johnston b. 9 November 1809, d. 20 October 1887