JOHN MORRISSEY -- John Morrissey, the ex-prize fighter, politician and gambler, died on Wednesday evening of last week, at Saratoga after a protracted illness. John Morrissey was born in the town of Templemore, Tipperary County, Ireland, Feb. 12, 1831 and was therefore in his 48th year. He came to this country when five years of age, and for a number of years made his home at Troy and Lansingburg, N.Y.. He began life for himself in the establishment of Davidson Brothers, iron founders, where it is said he attracted much notice on account of his muscular strength. He is also accredited with the occupation of bruch manufacturer, steamboat deck hand and runner for a steamboat company in New York City.
He made his first public appearance as a pugilist in California in 1852. He returned to New York soon after, and was victorious in several encounters with the chief boxers of that time and place. It is stated by Morrissey's friends, that he was adverse to the prize fight with Heenan, and only consented after being taunted with cowardice by Heenan's backers. The night previous to the departure of Morrissey for the battle-fields he called on one of his benefactors, it is said, and executed a written contract agreeing in the sum of $25,000 not to enter the prize-ring again, win or lose on the present fight. The results of the fight are well known to every one, it having been a victory for Morrissey.
His qualifications peculiarly fitting him for a war dpolitician, he naturally embraced politics, and his merits were acknowledged by the New York Democracy, who elected him a Representative to the Fortieth Congress, in which he served on the Committee on Revolutionary Pensions.
He has since served in the new York State Senate several terms, but perhaps is as well of better known as the proprietor of the great Saratoga gambling establishment, and another nearly equal in magnificence in New York City. It is said he leaves a fortune of a million and a quarter of dollars.
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BIRTHS
In this town, May 5, a daughter to Capt. Wm. H. Cooley
In Lee, May 4, a son to Robert A. Heath
In Hinsdale, April 20, a daughter to Albert E. and Louise H. Denison; April 24, a son to John C. and Elizabeth E. Thickins; April 26, a son to James T. and Mary A. Dermody
In New Ashford, May 6, a daughter to Van Buren Mallory
In Adams, May 1, a daughter to Rev. L V Price
In North Adams, April 27, a son to R R. Andrews; April 28, a daughter to E B Cady
In Housatonic, May 1st, a son to Noble B. Turner; April 21, a son to Charles E. Hill.
In Curtisville, April 22, a son to August Wigle
In Holyoke, April 28, a daughter to W H Blake, formerly of Lee.
Marriages
In this town, May 6, by Rev. J. L. Jenkins, Geo. Henry Gillett to Mattie Bradshaw Smith, both of Salisbury, Conn.
In this town, May 4, at the American House, by Rev. Dr. Boynton, Frank L. Snow to Lizzie A. Williams, both of West Cummington; also, Jetson A. Tower, of West Cummington, to Carrie Longley, of West Hayley.
In Lee, May 1, by Rev. A. Ostrander, William Gorham of Great Barrington, to Grace C., daughter of John Moore
In North Adams, May 8th, by Rev. Father Coyle, Mr. Thomas F. McGrath, of this town, to Miss Eliza Dowling, of North Adams.
In Mill River, May 5, by Rev. Father Hennessy, Edward McLaughlin, to Miss Mary Ann Gallagher, both of New Marlboro.
In Barrington, May 3, by Rev. Evarts Scudder, John Durant, of New Marlboro, to Henrietta M. Turner, daughter of William P Turner of Barrington.
In Housatonic, May 1, by Rev A Nash of Curtisville, Wm. H. Williams, of Curtisville, to Miss Gerty Rogers, daughter of Jacob Rogers of Housatonic.
DEATHS
In this town, May 6, Mrs. Mary Fields, aged 72, widow of the late Spencer Fields. Funeral today at the residence of her son-in-law, J. M. Isham.
In Lee, May 3, Mary, wife of Joseph Jessup, aged 82 years, 11 months and 28 days; May 7, Alice May, aged 2 years and 9 months, daughter of Dr. D. M. Wilcox; April 6, suddenly, Mrs. Mary Gorham, aged 70 years.
In Barrington, May 5, Sarah E., wife of Frank Jaqua, aged 39 years; May 1,Cora A. Loring, wife of E. F. Bill, of Providence, R. I., aged 23 years.
At Hartsville, April 27, Charley B., youngest son of Andrew J. Knight, aged 5 years.
In Troy, N.Y., April 2, Mrs. C. B. Tobey, aged 73, mother of T. P. Tobey, of this town.
At Buffalo, N. Y., April 27, Esther Mary, aged 67 years, wife of Socrates Squier, formerly of Lanesboro and Pittsfield.
At Onconta, Otsego Co., N.Y., April 27, Henry M. Tobey, aged 62 years, formerly of West Stockbridge.
At Blossberg, Pa., April 22, Mrs. Mary J. Little, aged 90 years, 1 month, 2 weeks and 2 days, formerly of Lee, and mother of Mrs. E. A. Kingsley and Edmund T. Little
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