Monthly Archives: July 2022

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Mary Ann McCracken (1770-1866): Faithful Until Death

2022-07-19T10:11:25+00:00

On this day in 1866 the people of Belfast learnt of the death of Mary Ann McCracken. She had lived through some of the most turbulent years of Irish history including the 1798 rebellion, the Great Famine and the Industrial Revolution. Passing away aged 96, Mary Ann lived into a period where photography was becoming popular. We have one photograph of her but this image of an older lady masks the strong willed and determined character that she possessed throughout her life. Mary Ann never married, or had any children of her own. However, after the execution of her brother Henry [...]

Mary Ann McCracken (1770-1866): Faithful Until Death2022-07-19T10:11:25+00:00

The execution of Henry Joy McCracken through the eyes of his sister, Mary Ann

2022-07-19T10:14:27+00:00

On this day 1798 Henry Joy McCracken was executed for his role as commander of the County Antrim forces of the United Irishmen. After the United Irish defeat in Antrim in June of 1798, Henry Joy fled to the Belfast Hills, whilst Mary Ann arranged his escape to America. However, he was seized on the way to the ship and tried by court martial. During his trial Harry, as he was affectionately known by his family, was given the option to save his life and go into exile if he informed on the other leaders. He refused and was subsequently hanged [...]

The execution of Henry Joy McCracken through the eyes of his sister, Mary Ann2022-07-19T10:14:27+00:00

Bastille Day: Belfast, it’s Charitable Society & the French Connection

2022-07-19T10:15:52+00:00

Captain John McCracken was enchanted by all things French. He spent considerable time travelling between Belfast and Bordeaux, transporting wine for his employer, the Black family. He had been held prisoner in France in the mid-1700s, but it did not diminish his admiration for the French people. When French prisoners were quartered in Belfast, Captain McCracken, his brother-in-law Robert Joy and other prominent businessmen of the town suggested to the government in London that a committee of townspeople should be appointed to look after the welfare of the prisoners. John also sought the services of an old weaver to teach his [...]

Bastille Day: Belfast, it’s Charitable Society & the French Connection2022-07-19T10:15:52+00:00

2022-07-06T09:48:40+00:00

The year 1847 was a dark one in Irish history, known as Black ’47, due to the number of famine related deaths. It wasn’t just the labouring classes who were impacted – many doctors, minsters and priests died due to contracting various diseases which fell under the ubiquitous term of ‘famine fever’, when helping the poor. One such example was Dr James McCleery, surgeon to the male side of the Poor House for 12 years, who died on this day (10th July) 1847. He had contracted famine fever from his patients. Surgeon McCleery, as he was referred to in our minute [...]

2022-07-06T09:48:40+00:00

On this day 1770 the abolitionist, philanthropist & reformer Mary Ann McCracken was born

2022-07-06T09:49:28+00:00

On this day, 8 July 1770, Mary Ann McCracken was born to Captain John McCracken and his wife, Anne McCracken, née Joy. Mary Ann McCracken would go on to led one of the most remarkable lives in the history of Belfast. She was an abolitionist, social reformer and activist who fought for the rights of women and championed Belfast’s poor throughout a long life that encompassed the most turbulent years of Irish history. A key figure in the Poor House Ladies Committee, where she helped educate and secure apprenticeships for hundreds of children; she was a teacher at the Lancastrian School [...]

On this day 1770 the abolitionist, philanthropist & reformer Mary Ann McCracken was born2022-07-06T09:49:28+00:00

Happy Independence Day! The Tale of John Paul Jones & the American Revolution in Belfast Lough

2022-07-04T14:27:06+00:00

Happy Independence Day to all our American followers! We thought it was an appripriate day to share the tale of John Paul Jones, who, on 13th April 1778 brought the American Revolution to our shores! John Paul Jones, a Scots-American, sailed his privateer, the Ranger, into Belfast Lough. He attacked, and captured the British warship HMS Drake and made off with its cargo. He described the scene: “The sun was now a little more than an hour from setting, it was therefore time to begin…The action was warm, close and obstinate; it lasted for an hour and five minutes when the [...]

Happy Independence Day! The Tale of John Paul Jones & the American Revolution in Belfast Lough2022-07-04T14:27:06+00:00

Happy Canada Day! John Delaney- The Boy from the Poor House who made Canada his home

2022-07-01T22:49:02+00:00

John Delaney was a 17 year old resident in the Belfast Poor House when he was offered the opportunity of travelling to Canada with Thomas Alexander Stewart as an apprentice to learn how to farm. T.A. Stewart was the son of Belfast Charitable Society founder, William Stewart, and lived with his family at Wilmont, Drumbeg. T.A. Stewart went bankrupt and decided to seek a new life in Canada, and offered the opportunity for an apprentice to go with him. John Delaney accepted this offer and sailed with Stewart to a new life in Upper Canada. The Stewart family, along with John Delaney [...]

Happy Canada Day! John Delaney- The Boy from the Poor House who made Canada his home2022-07-01T22:49:02+00:00

Marking Canada Day: The Hutchinson Family of Belfast & Canada

2022-07-01T22:59:13+00:00

In August 2016, we launched a search to reunite families with portraits of their loved ones which had been painted by Tobias Everard Spence between 1940 and 1980. On Canadian Day we thought we should re-share a previous story of  a tremendous journey for one family from Canada in their quest to find out information on their great-great-uncle Thomas Hutchinson. Hilary Tompkins, from Seattle, first contacted Clifton House in December 2016. She had been working with a genealogist from Bangor who had advised her of our search for relations of those who featured in our portraits. Hilary viewed the portraits online [...]

Marking Canada Day: The Hutchinson Family of Belfast & Canada2022-07-01T22:59:13+00:00
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