Sketch of Morrisson's Hotel
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Arthur Morrisson - Lord Mayor of Dublin, courtesy of Will Davis-Coleman
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Morrisson of Bellville, Stillorgan Road, Donnybrook
Arthur Morrison married Catherine
born circa 1765 circa 1795? born circa 1775?
died 1837 aged 72 died 11 Apr 1835
Bellville, Stillorgan Road
Arthur was the proprietor of the Mail Coach Tavern in Dawson Street before taking over a hotel at 28
Frederick street. He married Catherine circa 1795. Admitted Freeman to the Guild of Cooks in 1809.
In 1817 he leased no 1 Dawson Street (on the corner of Nassau Street) which had been the
corporation house of The Paving Board and opened it as a hotel. This was the Leinster Tavern and
Hotel but was frequently just referred to as Morrisson's but only officially became Morrisson's in 1840.
Arthur was churchwarden of St Anne’s in 1822 and elected high sheriff in 1824. His sister Catherine
married George Elvidge on 22 May 1811. George took over the hotel at 28 Frederick Street before
taking over a hotel at 46/47 Kildare Street.
The tithe applotment books show Arthur living in Donnybrook in 1824 and according to his will,
'Bellville built by me on the old road, presented to me by the Grand Jury with all the furniture'. Arthur
was elected alderman in 1829 and was Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1835/6. He and was one of the
overseers of Anglesea bridge built over the dodder in 1832, that same year he was coroner for Dublin.
The hotel building was said to be the town residence of the Fitzgerald family and Arthur erected the
Fitzgerald coat of arms above the principal entrances to the hotel. Catherine died 11 Apr 1835 and
was buried at Donnybrook but was reinterred in Mount Jerome. Arthur died 5 Oct 1837 at
Bellville in Donnybrook and was buried at Mount Jerome. In 1838 an obelisk was erected at the
junction of Anglesea road and Donnybrook in his memory. It is still extant and reads:-
MDCCCXXVIII Erected to the memory of the Late Alderman Arthur Morrisson as Lord Mayor the city of Dublin
he was respected and esteemed. He was a sincere friend Charitable Kind Generous. As a Christian and
citizen there were few to equal none to surpass him.
His son Robert was his sole executor. In his will he left his grandson Arthur, a house in Duke Street
and his granddaughter Isabella was left the interest of Bellville in Donnybrook. He left a bequest to his
faithful servant Gerard Clooney and 150 to his housekeeper Mary Jessop nee Kirwan who had suffered
slander as the hands of one of his family and who had cared for him through his long illness.
The hotel was frequented by the Lord Lieutenant and the nobility and was famous for its long room on
the 1st floor where many a Dublin festive occasion was celebrated. Grand Duke Michael of Russia
stayed in 1818 as did Archduke Maximilian of Austria. It was used for the meetings of Clubs and Societies
including The Beef Steak Club and the Agricultural Society. It was here on the 2 Nov 1818 that a small
number of gentlemen met to consider proposals to form a company for the better supply of the Dublin
Market with fresh fish. The Dublin Fishery Company was established and sent out its notice to
shipbuilders looking to purchase fishing smacks. This would change the face of fishing in Ireland and
bring about fisherman like Samuel Blackmore from Brixham in Devon settling in Ringsend. The hotel
witnessed the challenge of a duel by D’Esterre to Daniel O’Connell in 1815 and was where Remmy
Sheehan attacked O’Connell with an umbrella. Parnell was taken from his bed and arrested here on
13 Oct 1881. In 1840 Robert Morrisson sold the hotel to his brother in law John Baker. From 1840 to
1860 the hotel was owned by John Baker but after that it changed hands frequently. In 1899 the hotel
was sold to North British & Mercantile Insurance Co and was demolished to make way for their new
headquarters.
1 Margaret Morrisson married John Baker on 24 Jun 1814 (ML). John was a master tailor of the firm of
Richard and John Baker, Merchant Tailors of 11 Dawson-street. John was a warden for the Guild of
Tailors and purchased the Leinster Hotel in 1840 from his brother in law.
1 Kate Baker eldest daughter married Patrick Brophy of 64 Dawson Street, State dentist on
28 Jan 1836 at St Anne’s Church. Patrick died on 6 Nov 1862 with a fear of being buried alive.
His will left a proviso that his head should be cut off before being interred. This was later
denied by his solicitor James Burke and the Irish Times was asked to print a retraction. The
will was then contested by his brother who claimed that undue influence had been
exerted by his adopted daughter Miss Godden.
2 John Andrew Baker born circa 1820 married Caroline Pare, daughter of William Pare of
Castle Avenue, Clontarf at Clontarf on 27 Sep 1851.
1 Arthur Wyndowe Wilbert Baker born circa 1853 in Clontarf, a dentist and MD of 18
Lower Fitzwilliam Street. Of 9 Idrone Tce Blackrock, he married Anne Margaret
Constance Stubbs daughter of John William Stubbs at St Georges on 7 Dec 1881.
They moved to Merrion Square and had ten children of whom 7 survived by 1911.
John secondly married Jane Affleck Macarthy daughter of Jeremiah Macarthy, merchant
tailor on 5 Jul 1860 at St Anne’s Church. He was a dental surgeon and lived at Clare Street.
Jane died 3 Feb 1885 aged 57 and John died 30 May 1890 at 7 Clare Street and left 8K in
personal estate. They were buried at Mount Jerome.
2 Ronald Hepburn Baker, third son born circa 1862 was a BL of 1 Lower Fitzwilliam
Street. He moved to England and married Annie Mora Malcolm. He died in England
in 1926.
3 Mary Baker. It was announced in the newspapers on the 4 Aug 1846 that she married
Thomas Spencer Lenney of Brenchley in Kent, this was later retracted and pronounced a
hoax.
2 Elizabeth Morrisson born circa 1797 married John Wiber, solicitor in 1815. They lived at South Frederick
Street before moving to Wentworth Place. John was clerk of the Guild of St James (Guild of Cooks)
and was insolvent in 1836. Eliza died 30 Jul 1838 shortly after the birth of her thirteenth child at
Wentworth Place.
1 Maria Caroline Wiber, eldest daughter married John William Hipwell, of Wexford, son and
heir of George Hipwell at St Mark’s Church in March 1838.
2 Eliza Wiber, fourth daughter married B A Samuel Gatchell on 12 Mar 1864 at St Peter’s
Church.
3 Martha Wiber born circa 1827 died at the Ladies Home, Harcourt Tce on 3 Jun 1899.
3 Robert (Bob) Morrisson, only son born circa 1802 was elected in 1824 to represent the Corporation
of Cooks in the City of Dublin Council. He married Fanny, eldest daughter of Joshua Kearney of
Henry Street on 16 Dec 1826 at St Mary’s Church. He took over the running of the hotel and also
catered events at the Rotunda including the Great Brunswick Dinner for the visit of King George IV.
The Great rooms at Morrissons were used to host bazaars in aid of the deaf and dumb and infant
schools and many other charitable events. Robert sold the hotel to his brother in law in 1840 and
moved to England. Robert died circa 14 Mar 1872 at Brompton and Fanny died 24 Jan 1895.
1 Isabella Morrisson
2 Arthur Morrisson born circa 1833 married Rose Bartolozzi Anderson in London in 1858.
3 Georgina Frances Morrisson second daughter born circa 1837 married Edward Nainby on
2 Jul 1864 at Marylebone Church in London and lived at Chiswick. They had at least seven
children, three of whom entered the acting profession. Robert, Margaret and Mary R.
4 Lydia Morrisson born circa 1843.
The relationship to Sir Richard Baker (1780- 1853) of Mount Erroll, Donnybrook, (beside Bellville) and Dawson
Street is not understood. Richard was a tailor of 11 Dawson Street who married Mary Smith in 1832 and was
created knight in 1833. They had two sons (Richard Randolph 1820-1850 and Edmund 1828-1854). He was
possibly brother to John Baker who married into the Morrisson family. His wife Mary born circa 1797 died
8 Jan 1867 at 11 Dawson Street. Their daughter Mary Catherine (spinster) was granted letters of admin.
© June Bow & Karen Poff – December 2020/updated April 2024
Arthur Morrison married Catherine
born circa 1765 circa 1795? born circa 1775?
died 1837 aged 72 died 11 Apr 1835
Bellville, Stillorgan Road
Arthur was the proprietor of the Mail Coach Tavern in Dawson Street before taking over a hotel at 28
Frederick street. He married Catherine circa 1795. Admitted Freeman to the Guild of Cooks in 1809.
In 1817 he leased no 1 Dawson Street (on the corner of Nassau Street) which had been the
corporation house of The Paving Board and opened it as a hotel. This was the Leinster Tavern and
Hotel but was frequently just referred to as Morrisson's but only officially became Morrisson's in 1840.
Arthur was churchwarden of St Anne’s in 1822 and elected high sheriff in 1824. His sister Catherine
married George Elvidge on 22 May 1811. George took over the hotel at 28 Frederick Street before
taking over a hotel at 46/47 Kildare Street.
The tithe applotment books show Arthur living in Donnybrook in 1824 and according to his will,
'Bellville built by me on the old road, presented to me by the Grand Jury with all the furniture'. Arthur
was elected alderman in 1829 and was Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1835/6. He and was one of the
overseers of Anglesea bridge built over the dodder in 1832, that same year he was coroner for Dublin.
The hotel building was said to be the town residence of the Fitzgerald family and Arthur erected the
Fitzgerald coat of arms above the principal entrances to the hotel. Catherine died 11 Apr 1835 and
was buried at Donnybrook but was reinterred in Mount Jerome. Arthur died 5 Oct 1837 at
Bellville in Donnybrook and was buried at Mount Jerome. In 1838 an obelisk was erected at the
junction of Anglesea road and Donnybrook in his memory. It is still extant and reads:-
MDCCCXXVIII Erected to the memory of the Late Alderman Arthur Morrisson as Lord Mayor the city of Dublin
he was respected and esteemed. He was a sincere friend Charitable Kind Generous. As a Christian and
citizen there were few to equal none to surpass him.
His son Robert was his sole executor. In his will he left his grandson Arthur, a house in Duke Street
and his granddaughter Isabella was left the interest of Bellville in Donnybrook. He left a bequest to his
faithful servant Gerard Clooney and 150 to his housekeeper Mary Jessop nee Kirwan who had suffered
slander as the hands of one of his family and who had cared for him through his long illness.
The hotel was frequented by the Lord Lieutenant and the nobility and was famous for its long room on
the 1st floor where many a Dublin festive occasion was celebrated. Grand Duke Michael of Russia
stayed in 1818 as did Archduke Maximilian of Austria. It was used for the meetings of Clubs and Societies
including The Beef Steak Club and the Agricultural Society. It was here on the 2 Nov 1818 that a small
number of gentlemen met to consider proposals to form a company for the better supply of the Dublin
Market with fresh fish. The Dublin Fishery Company was established and sent out its notice to
shipbuilders looking to purchase fishing smacks. This would change the face of fishing in Ireland and
bring about fisherman like Samuel Blackmore from Brixham in Devon settling in Ringsend. The hotel
witnessed the challenge of a duel by D’Esterre to Daniel O’Connell in 1815 and was where Remmy
Sheehan attacked O’Connell with an umbrella. Parnell was taken from his bed and arrested here on
13 Oct 1881. In 1840 Robert Morrisson sold the hotel to his brother in law John Baker. From 1840 to
1860 the hotel was owned by John Baker but after that it changed hands frequently. In 1899 the hotel
was sold to North British & Mercantile Insurance Co and was demolished to make way for their new
headquarters.
1 Margaret Morrisson married John Baker on 24 Jun 1814 (ML). John was a master tailor of the firm of
Richard and John Baker, Merchant Tailors of 11 Dawson-street. John was a warden for the Guild of
Tailors and purchased the Leinster Hotel in 1840 from his brother in law.
1 Kate Baker eldest daughter married Patrick Brophy of 64 Dawson Street, State dentist on
28 Jan 1836 at St Anne’s Church. Patrick died on 6 Nov 1862 with a fear of being buried alive.
His will left a proviso that his head should be cut off before being interred. This was later
denied by his solicitor James Burke and the Irish Times was asked to print a retraction. The
will was then contested by his brother who claimed that undue influence had been
exerted by his adopted daughter Miss Godden.
2 John Andrew Baker born circa 1820 married Caroline Pare, daughter of William Pare of
Castle Avenue, Clontarf at Clontarf on 27 Sep 1851.
1 Arthur Wyndowe Wilbert Baker born circa 1853 in Clontarf, a dentist and MD of 18
Lower Fitzwilliam Street. Of 9 Idrone Tce Blackrock, he married Anne Margaret
Constance Stubbs daughter of John William Stubbs at St Georges on 7 Dec 1881.
They moved to Merrion Square and had ten children of whom 7 survived by 1911.
John secondly married Jane Affleck Macarthy daughter of Jeremiah Macarthy, merchant
tailor on 5 Jul 1860 at St Anne’s Church. He was a dental surgeon and lived at Clare Street.
Jane died 3 Feb 1885 aged 57 and John died 30 May 1890 at 7 Clare Street and left 8K in
personal estate. They were buried at Mount Jerome.
2 Ronald Hepburn Baker, third son born circa 1862 was a BL of 1 Lower Fitzwilliam
Street. He moved to England and married Annie Mora Malcolm. He died in England
in 1926.
3 Mary Baker. It was announced in the newspapers on the 4 Aug 1846 that she married
Thomas Spencer Lenney of Brenchley in Kent, this was later retracted and pronounced a
hoax.
2 Elizabeth Morrisson born circa 1797 married John Wiber, solicitor in 1815. They lived at South Frederick
Street before moving to Wentworth Place. John was clerk of the Guild of St James (Guild of Cooks)
and was insolvent in 1836. Eliza died 30 Jul 1838 shortly after the birth of her thirteenth child at
Wentworth Place.
1 Maria Caroline Wiber, eldest daughter married John William Hipwell, of Wexford, son and
heir of George Hipwell at St Mark’s Church in March 1838.
2 Eliza Wiber, fourth daughter married B A Samuel Gatchell on 12 Mar 1864 at St Peter’s
Church.
3 Martha Wiber born circa 1827 died at the Ladies Home, Harcourt Tce on 3 Jun 1899.
3 Robert (Bob) Morrisson, only son born circa 1802 was elected in 1824 to represent the Corporation
of Cooks in the City of Dublin Council. He married Fanny, eldest daughter of Joshua Kearney of
Henry Street on 16 Dec 1826 at St Mary’s Church. He took over the running of the hotel and also
catered events at the Rotunda including the Great Brunswick Dinner for the visit of King George IV.
The Great rooms at Morrissons were used to host bazaars in aid of the deaf and dumb and infant
schools and many other charitable events. Robert sold the hotel to his brother in law in 1840 and
moved to England. Robert died circa 14 Mar 1872 at Brompton and Fanny died 24 Jan 1895.
1 Isabella Morrisson
2 Arthur Morrisson born circa 1833 married Rose Bartolozzi Anderson in London in 1858.
3 Georgina Frances Morrisson second daughter born circa 1837 married Edward Nainby on
2 Jul 1864 at Marylebone Church in London and lived at Chiswick. They had at least seven
children, three of whom entered the acting profession. Robert, Margaret and Mary R.
4 Lydia Morrisson born circa 1843.
The relationship to Sir Richard Baker (1780- 1853) of Mount Erroll, Donnybrook, (beside Bellville) and Dawson
Street is not understood. Richard was a tailor of 11 Dawson Street who married Mary Smith in 1832 and was
created knight in 1833. They had two sons (Richard Randolph 1820-1850 and Edmund 1828-1854). He was
possibly brother to John Baker who married into the Morrisson family. His wife Mary born circa 1797 died
8 Jan 1867 at 11 Dawson Street. Their daughter Mary Catherine (spinster) was granted letters of admin.
© June Bow & Karen Poff – December 2020/updated April 2024