Andrew Richey senior was most likely born around 1750 in Ireland into a protestant family. He may have married Margaret Gillies, but this has not been proven.
Andrew Richey senior worked as a merchant in Dublin, probably in the linen trade like his sons that were all involved in either the linen and woollen trades.
Andrew married and had five sons and possibly a daughter. His known children were –
- Samuel b 1769 Ireland. Silk weaver. Married Anne Haswell in 1790 at St Catherines, Dublin.
- Andrew b 1770 Ireland d 1825 Dublin. Andrew was a Linen Draper and merchant operating at 22 Dame Street, Dublin from 1797 until his death in 1825.
Saunders Newsletter 17 Dec 1825
He married Sarah Ridgely (1783-1853) and had eight children. He died aged 45 years in Dublin. Click name to see more.
- William b 1771 Ireland, d 1848 Dublin. William was a silk merchant and tabinet mercer, operating out of 4 Hanover Street, and 11 Marks Alley, Dublin between 1812 and 1846. William first married Ann and had nine children, but they lost four as babies. Ann died in childbirth with the ninth in 18o7.
William then married Mary Ann Phillips in 1807 at St Nicholas Without, Dublin. In 1829 William spoke at a public meeting in Dublin, reported in the newspapers under “Distress in the Liberty of Dublin” regarding the present state of distress in the manufacturing districts of the city, in particular silks and other produce of the loom due to the free admission of foreign silks.
Admission into Freeman of Dublin City 1822
In Midsummer 1822 William, of Hanover Street, was admitted into the Freeman of Dublin City by grace.
William was a churchwarden and claimed an exemption from parish fees in 1841 because of his office. He was also appointed to a Special Jury Panel for 1844. His wife Mary died in 1845 and William died in 1848. They are both buried at St Lukes, Dublin.
- Robert b 1779 Ireland d 1827 Dublin. Robert worked as a wholesale linen draper and woollen merchant at his premises at 91 Grafton Street and appears in the trade directories for quite a few years from 1801-1826. He also struggles with insolvency in 1824 and again in 1826.
Saunders Newsletter 20 Oct 1827
Robert firstly marries Catherine Smith (1781-1803) in 1803, and has three children with her – Alexander (1803), Mary Ann (1804-1805) and Mary Jane (1807-). He then married Anne Robinson (1781-1855) and had two more children – William (1814) and Charlotte (1815-1902).
The National Library of Ireland holds a 1804 manuscript of Robert Richey, linen draper – New Linen Drapery warehouse 89 Grafton Street within one door of Exchequer St.
After Robert’s death his wife Anne, is advertising in the Dublin newspapers, goods for sale in October 1827 at his premises in Grafton St.
- Mary Richey, of St Michael, marrying a Robert Boyde of High St, carpenter on 18 May 1804 in Dublin (by license) at St Michael the Archangel, which is very possibly a sister of the boys listed above.
Alexander b ca 1787, Ireland d 1840 Dublin. Alexander placed a notice in the Dublin Evening Post in 1805 advising he had in the past transacted business for his brother Andrew in 22 Dame Street, but is now commencing business (furniture, calicos, quilts, table linen, sheeting, drapery) on his own account at a large warehouse at 11 Dame Street.
Dublin Evening Post 19 Nov 1805
In 1810 he takes on a partner, but by 1817 he is back in business at 26 Lower Sackville St, linen draper. Alexander was also involved in supporting the building of an episcopal chapel in 1832 connection with the Asylum for Penitent Females, Upper Baggot St (where his nephew Rev R J C Richey would be chaplain).
Alexander may have married Anna Hine, and two children – Maria in 1808 and Joanne in 1809.
There is a death notice for an Alexander Richey aged 53 of Moira Place, Dublin who died in March 1840, which may be for him.
It is unknown when and where Andrew Richey senior died.
