Harriett Frances Tracy

b. July 1868
  • Harriett Frances Tracy was born in July 1868 in New York.
  • 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.
  • Zillah Townsend appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in New York City, New York County, New York, at 49 East 25th Street cousin Haviland H. May, age 20, and two female domestic servants.. Other members of the household included Harriett Frances Tracy, Mary Robinson.
  • 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 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."
  • She married George J. Thompson.
  • George J. Thompson and Harriett Frances Tracy appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in Oyster Bay Township, Nassau County, New York, on the road from Oyster Bay Cove to Oyster Bay.. Other members of the household included Zillah Townsend Thompson and George Alanson Tracy Thompson.
  • George J. Thompson and Harriett Frances Tracy appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Manhattan, New York, at 162 East 61st Street. Other members of the household included Zillah Townsend Thompson and George Alanson Tracy Thompson.
  • The following appeared on 9 September 1916 in the New York Herald: Among the debutantes of the coming season will be Miss Zillah Townsend Thompson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Thompson, of No. 162 East Sixty-first street and Oyster Bay.
  • George J. Thompson and Harriett Frances Tracy appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in Manhattan, New York. Other members of the household included Zillah Townsend Thompson and George Alanson Tracy Thompson. Son George is enumerated in the household twice -- as George Thompson, age 19, and as Alanson Thompson, age 16.
  • Harriett Frances Tracy became a widow at the 25 February 1925 death of her husband George J. Thompson.
  • The following appeared on 28 February 1930 in The Putnam County Courier: George Thompson, 62 years old, died Tuesday, Feb. 25, 1930, at his residence, 162 East Sixty-first Street, New York city, of an infection suffered only a few days before which developed into blood-poisoning.
         At his becside were his wife, Mrs. Harriet Tracy Thompson; his daughter, Mrs. Adolph H. Wenzell, the former Miss Zillah T. Thompson, and his son, George Alanson Tracy Thompson.
         Mr. Thompson was an Englishman and was born in Liverpool. He was well known for his intense interest in sports, principally hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club at Oyster Bay and a former member of the Racquet and Tennis Club, New York city.
         Funeral services were held Thursday morning at 11 a. m., and the body brought to Carmel and placed in the vault in Raymond Hill Cemetery for interment later.
  • Last Edited: 22 Dec 2011

Family: George J. Thompson b. circa December 1865, d. 25 February 1925