MCCRACKEN COLLECTION
Mary Ann McCracken (1770-1866) was a social reformer, philanthropist and abolitionist who had family ties to the Poor House. Mary Ann was the niece of Robert and Henry Joy who designed and managed the lottery to fund its construction. Her father, Captain John McCracken, was on the Charitable Society’s Board, and Mary Ann later helped to found the Ladies Committee in the 1820s which she served on throughout its existence.
As such, Clifton House still holds a number of collections and artefacts relating to Mary Ann McCracken, some of which are on permanent display within the building. Throughout the year we would host dedicated talks and tours on the life of Mary Ann McCracken. We have a meeting space named after her within the building, and recently we have established the Mary Ann McCracken Foundation to continue to her philanthropic work in Belfast.
Find out more about our collections below
Ladies Committee Book
Inspired by the social reforming Quaker, Elizabeth Fry, who visited Belfast in the 1820s, Mary Ann and a number of women formed the Belfast Charitable Society’s Ladies Committee in 1827. The minute books reflect the women’s views and activities in relation to education, welfare, cleanliness and improvements for all aspects of the lives of the women and children resident in the Poor House.
Surrender of Lease
Following the death of her brother Francis McCracken, with who she lived with in Donegall Street, there was still six years left on the lease which she could not afford to buy herself out of. Led by Rev Macartney, who had served on the Poor House Committee, her friends came together and loaned her the £200 required. This document is the official surrender of the lease to the landlord.
Register of Plots
Mary Ann McCracken’s grave remained unmarked until 1909 when bones believed to be those of her brother, the executed United Irishman, Henry Joy McCracken, were placed in the McCracken plot at Clifton Street Cemetery. The headstone was erected by Francis Joseph Bigger, a noted antiquarian and solicitor. A transcription of the inscription was inserted into the Register of Plots held by Belfast Charitable Society.
