Patrick Draddy : Short Biography

Picture above: South Street circa 1890

Patrick Draddy was born in Meenoughter, Dangandonovan, County Cork in 1780. He was the brother of Mary Draddy Mansfield and John Draddy. It is believed John Draddy was the noted Irish scholar and stone carver also known as Seán Ó Dreada. 

Patrick immigrated to the United States in 1811. He was listed as an alien enemy in the U.S. Marshal’s District of New York returns of Enemy Aliens and Prisoners of War, War of 1812 papers; as single, living at 57 White Hall, NYC, occupation laborer.

Patrick starting appearing in the New York City directories as early as 1822, occupation grocer, 72 Wall St. By 1827 at 77 Wall St. By 1834 at 176-1/2 South Street living at 172 Madison. 

Sometime between 1835 and 1836 Patrick switched occupations and opened a junk shop on South Street and living at Depeyster. From 1838 until his death, Patrick ran his junk shop at 155 South Street. Old maps show the location of Patrick’s shop.

South Street had a rich and long history. South Street Seaport, was called the “Port of New York”. South Street knew it’s greatest period of success between the years 1815 and 1860, right before the Civil War. The advent of the ocean liner, a collection of ships that would cross the Atlantic on regular, fixed schedules contributed to the Seaport’s establishment as a major commercial port. Ocean liners such as the “Black Ball Line”, “Red Star”, and “Blue Swallowtail” began to sail between New York and Liverpool on set days and South Street became the busiest port in America to receive goods from across America, Europe, and Asia. Those immigrants arriving during the famine years, prior to Castle Garden, would have arrived at this location.

Photo: South Street 147 - 160, New York City today.

Patrick Draddy, was a major part of the history of South Street, not only earning a living, but as an integral part of the rich tapestry of South Street. A well and respected businessman, Patrick and his South Street Junk Shop were a central point for family looking for lost family members; he posting information wanted articles for many families to be addressed to him at his South Street address. A 1947 historical novel, “Praise at Morning”, written by Mildred Masterson McNeilly centers on South Street and it’s inhabitants, specifically mentioning Patrick Draddy and his junk shop on South Street, four times.

Catherine (maiden name unknown) was Patrick’s first wife (marriage date unknown).
She was born in Ireland in 1778 (circa) and died of paralysis 12 March 1838 in NYC at the age of 50. She is buried in St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral Churchyard in NYC.

Her death record which states she was married to Patrick Draddy and they lived on 40 Oak St. A NYC directory that shows Patrick at the same address.

Patrick married Mary Shea but the year is unknown. What is known is that Mary was born in Ireland in 1809 and she immigrated to the United States with her family in 1836. By the 1855 NY census, she and Patrick were married. It is possible that Mary was his second wife (she was thirty years his junior).

Patrick Draddy died on 20 August 1856 and was buried in a family plot in Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, Queens County, New York. In his will, with his many bequeaths, he mentions his nephews and nieces; David, John Draddy, and Bridget Draddy McKenna, (all of New York); Elizabeth Draddy O’Keefe (Massachusetts); Patrick and Mary Draddy (Ireland) - all sons and daughters of his brother John Draddy and Anastatia Ahern (another son, William Draddy who was a seaman, died in 1846 in NY, prior to the will). Michael Mansfield (my 3th great grandfather- New York). Patrick and John Treacy, (both living in LaSalle County, Illinois) and Thomas Treacy (deceased by time of will) also Thomas’ daughters, Mary and Bridget (New York).

Executives of the will were - Jeremiah Walsh, Edward Shea, and Bernard Duffy

Additional bequeaths were made to the;

Roman Catholic Asylum on Prince Street NYC

Roman Catholic Half? Orphan Asylum on Eleventh Street

Reverend Patrick McKenna for distribution among the poor

Reverend of the Clergy of St. James Church on James Street NYC