Harriet Charlotte Tracy

b. 9 September 1842, d. 11 November 1922
  • Harriet Charlotte Tracy was born on 9 September 1842 in Georgia.
  • Rebecca Caroline Campbell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. Other members of the household included Harriet Charlotte Tracy, Anne Clark Tracy, Philemon Tracy, Edward Dorr Tracy Jr., Matilda Caroline Tracy and Campbell Tracy.
  • Rebecca Caroline Campbell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. Other members of the household included Harriet Charlotte Tracy, Campbell Tracy, John Spring Baxter and Matilda Caroline Tracy.
  • Harriet Charlotte Tracy appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. Other members of the household included Rebecca Caroline Campbell and Tracy 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.
  • Harriet Charlotte Tracy died on 11 November 1922 at age 80 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia, at 290 College Street never having married.
  • She was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.
  • Last Edited: 26 Mar 2012