Francis Walsingham Tracy

Francis Walsingham Tracy

• Father: Albert Haller Tracy b. 17 June 1793, d. 19 September 1859
• Mother: Harriet Foote Norton b. circa 1800

• Francis Walsingham Tracy was born circa 1839 in New York.
• He was known as Frank.
• Albert Haller Tracy and Harriet Foote Norton appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York. Other members of the household included Francis Walsingham Tracy, Albert H. Tracy.
• Harriet Foote Norton appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, and three domestic servants.. Other members of the household included Francis Walsingham Tracy, Albert H. Tracy.
• He married Mary Robinson, daughter of Alanson Robinson and Zillah Townsend, on 25 September 1862.
• Francis Walsingham Tracy and Mary Robinson appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, and three foreign-born female domestic servants.. Other members of the household included Harriett Frances Tracy.
• He was a retired heir, according to the 1870 census.
• He and Mary Robinson were divorced in 1871.
• He married Agnes Ethel circa October 1873.
• The following appeared on 23 October 1873 in The Daily Critic: Agnes Ethel has married Francis W. Tracy, a Buffalo merchant, and left the stage.
• Francis Walsingham Tracy died circa 15 April 1886 in Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
• The following appeared on 18 April 1886 in The New York Times: From the Buffalo Courier, April 16. Mr. Francis W. Tracy having died without children by his wife, Agnes Ethel, this evidently gives full effect to certain conditional provisions of the will of his mother, who died a number of years ago, and under which several of the best of Buffalo's public and charitable institutions will receive splendid legacies. The portions of the will in question are herewith published as a matter of much general interest: "In case of the death of my said son leaving no issue begotten by him of his said wife, Agnes Ethel, and in case no such issue shall be born to him after his decease, or in case all issue by him so begotton by said wife shall die leaving no surviving issue, then, and in that case I give and bequeath as follows: To the Buffalo Fine Arts Academy the further sum of $50,000, of which a portion not exceeding $30,000 shall be used for the purchase of a suitable lot, and the remainder, together with the principal sum of $50,000 provided for in the foregoing fifth article hereof, (not of effect) shall be used for erection upon said lot of a fire-proof building suitalbe for the purposes of said academy, to be known as 'The Albert Haller Tracy Building,' unless before the legacy given in this article shall become payable said academy shall have been provided with a fireproof building or rooms suitable for this purpose, in which case the said legacy shall constitute a fund for the purchase of works of art to be known as 'The Albert Haller Tracy fund.' To the Buffalo General Hospital the sum of $150,000, of which $100,000 shall constitute a building fund, and be expended by the Trustees of said institution in the erection of an additional buildiing, either in pursuance of their present general plan or such other plan or plans as my Executors shall approve, which building shall be known by the title to be approved by my Executors containing the name 'Albert Haller Tracy,' and the remaining sum of $50,000 shall constitute a fund of which the interest shall be used for the general purposes of maintaining said institution. To the Buffalo Orphan Asylum the sum of $20,000. To the Charity Foundation of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the city of Buffalo $20,000."
• The following appeared on 21 April 1886 in The Philadelphia Inquirer: (Buffalo, N.Y., April 20) The will of the late Francis W. Tracy, husband of Agnes Ethel, was to-day filed for probate. Mrs. Agnes Ethel Tracy, Warren Bryant and John U. Wayland are named as executors. The public bequests are as follows: Buffalo Orphan Asylum, $10,000, Church Charity Foundation, $10,000; Buffalo Historical Society, $10,000; Buffalo General Hospital, $20,000; Young Men's Association, $10,000; Buffalo Fine Arts Academy, $20,000; Home for the Friendless, $10,000; Buffalo Catholic Institution, $10,000, making an aggregate of $100,000.
• He was interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, Erie County, New York.
• 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 30 May 1886 in The Cleveland Plain Dealer: 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 [sic], leaving a fortune of about $3,000,000. His nearest relatives were his widow and Miss Harriet F. Tracy, a daughter by his first wife.
• The following appeared on 15 September 1886 in The New York Times: (Buffalo, Sept. 14) Ex-Lieut.-Gov. Dorsheimer, of New-York, was the principal witness at to-day's hearing in the contest over Millionaire Tracy's will. He appeared on behalf of the estate, and his testimony was of a peculiarly interesting character. He was one of the most intimate friends of Frank Tracy, and knew the whole family intimately. The father, Judge Albert H. Tracy, who was a famous man in his day, and who laid the basis for the fortune the division of which is now contested, Mr. Dorsheimer described as the mentor of his youth. He was extraordinarily gifted and a wonderful conversationalist. . . . "In 1884, at my house in Hyde Park," said Mr. Dorsheimer, "Mr. Tracy told me about the cutting-off provision in his will, and I told him the provision was not safe and there would be a contest. He was very impatient and asked me to come to Buffalo to go over the will with him. He said that no lawyer would be indecent enough to contest the will, and added: 'I mean to make ample provision for my child, but not one dollar of my property shall go into her mother's hands.' Regarding his daughter's coming to him, which I advised, he said: 'After she gets to be 21 and the mistress of her own actions we'll see about it.'"
       Gov. Tilden and the witness called in 1875 at Mr. Tracy's house, and the latter attended a reception in honor of Mr. Tilden by Mr. Dorsheimer at his home, on Delaware-avenue. Frank was vigorous, went to the club, and was an enthusiastic admirer of Mr. Tilden. Frank made his only speech at the time of the campaign of 1876. In the evening Mr. Tracy frequently got "half seas over." When the witness urged the deceased to do something the latter spoke of the futility of ambition and how valueless were the prizes that were contended for. Once Tracy said: "If my daughter cannot obey her father's wish, and seeks to attack my will and defame my memory, she shall not have a dollar of my money."

• Last Edited: 21 Nov 2014