The Fisher family is one of great antiquity in England. The family records in that country have been traced, showing an unbroken male line back to the year 1100 A.D. This search was made necessary to prove title to property that was in chancery in England, and was vital in determining the case. The history is herein traced from the family in Albany to the year 1804. The family seat at that time was White Haven, England. The men were machinists and shipwrights usually, that being a shipping and shipbuilding port. They were generally communicants of the Established Church of England, and of high standing.
(I) Isaac Fisher was born in White Haven, England, in 1804, died 1845. He was a machinist and shipsmith, and served in the English navy for some years. He spent his life entirely in England. He married ———— Mossup, who died in England. They had seven sons and three daughters, most of whom grew to mature years. Two of them, Joseph P. and John, came to the United States, both settling in Albany, New York. John was a machinist and blacksmith; married Sarah Spencer; both died in Albany, leaving issue.
(II) Joseph P., son of Isaac and ———— (Mossup) Fisher, was born in White Haven, Cumberland county, England. He was taught the machinist's trade by his father and worked with him in White Haven until after the close of the civil war in the United States, when with his brother John he came to this country and settled in Albany, New York. He established a business here in his own name and had a very successful career until his death, March 12, 1883. He was a member of the Masonic order, belonging to both lodge and chapter, who honored him with the funeral ceremonies of the Order. He was a Democrat in politics. He married Alice De Lacey, born in county Cavan, Ireland, June 11, 1845, daughter of Patrick and Catherine (McGovern) De Lacey, both born in county Cavan. The De Lacey family were originally from France. The branch settled in Ireland during the Cromwellian wars. Patrick De Lacey died in his native county in Ireland, leaving a widow and six children, all of whom later emigrated to the United States. They came in [a] sailing vessel and were fifty-nine days on the voyage. They settled in Albany, New York, where the mother died April 18, 1876. The children were all educated and reared in the Catholic religion, and became useful members of their commonwealth. Catherine (McGovern) De Lacey, was a wise and faithful mother. Coming to a strange land with her family, she lived to see them settled and prosperous in their adopted country. One son, James De Lacey, enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, during the civil war, and was killed at the battle of Antietam. Another son, Peter De Lacey, also enlisted in the Union army, joined "Ellsworth's Zouaves" with whom he served three months, then re-enlisted in the navy, serving on the gunboat "Seneca." After the war he settled in New York City, developed qualities of political leadership, became the warm friend of Richard Croker. He became leader of his district, an influential member of Tammany Hall and is still prominent in the politics of New York City. A daughter of the family, Jane De Lacey, married Francis Kiernan, now deceased, resides in Albany, and has a son, Peter D. Kiernan, of Albany, and a daughter, Mary Kiernan, who married Charles Walsh, of Albany. Mary, the second daughter, married William Sennett, now deceased, and had a son William, who died in infancy; she resides in Albany.
Alice, youngest daughter of Patrick and Catherine (McGovern) De Lacey, was born in county Cavan, Ireland. She came to the United States in girlhood with her widowed mother and her family. She has since resided in Albany, New York. She is an active member of the Catholic church. She married Joseph P. Fisher. Children:
- Catherine, born January 2, 1876.
- John A., February 2, 1878, completed his education at the Christian Brothers Academy and the State Normal College; is in business in Albany and is one of the rising young business men of that city; is active in the church, and a Democrat in politics.
The children both reside at the family home, No. 201 Clinton avenue, Albany.