Andrew Dougherty
"The Card Man of
New York"

Andrew Dougherty was born on March 15th, 1826 in Londonderry, North Ireland. His father was Bernard Dougherty and his mother is currently unknown.

In 1828, Bernard Dougherty had another son Hugh Dougherty. Hugh and Bernard would later live in Andrew Dougherty’s household in America.

They moved to America in 1834, and Andrew was 9 years old. Soon after they moved, evidence suggests that Bernard Dougherty’s wife was separated, divorced or possibly passed away.

From 1834 to 1844, he would have many jobs:

• Printroom at The Native American Citizen of Brooklyn Newspaper.
• Felt & Company, a Stationery Business owned by David Felt that manufactured stationery, blank books, and playing cards.
• Allaire Works Company, a Manufacturer of steam engines and other mechanical equipment.
• The bark Condor, a Whaling Vessel from New Belford, Massachusetts under the command of Captain Richard L. Norton.
• George Cook’s Stationery Business on Fulton Street which also manufactured playing cards.

Dougherty was 20 years old in 1846 when he married Mary Gough, a 23-year-old Irish woman he met at a bakery.

In November of 1846, Thomas Crehore’s playing card factory in Dorchester was destroyed by a fire and Crehore died a month later. Dougherty purchased card-making machines, plates and equipment from the estate in 1847. Samuel Hart also benefitted from the estate.

On July 11th, 1847 Andrew and Mary had their first daughter, Mary Agnes Dougherty (1847 -1872).

Dougherty rented a loft on at 148 Ann Street in 1848. This is where he would produce his first deck of cards.

Dougherty partnered with the Coughtry Brothers, and moved to 78 Cliff Street in 1849.

They manufactured playing cards at this location under the name Coughtry & Dougherty and under the label US Card Manufactory until 1853, when the partnership was dissolved.

On June 15th, 1849 Andrew and Mary had their first son Edward J. Dougherty (1849 – 1924).

In November of 1852, Andrew and Mary had another son named Andrew Dougherty Jr. (1852 – 1927).

On July 28th, 1854 Andrew and Mary had another son, Willian Henry Dougherty (1854 – 1911).

In 1855, the Dougherty household hired an 18-year-old servant named Bridget Martin.

On December 7th, 1856 Andrew and Mary had another son, Hugh Dougherty (1856 – 1858) after Andrew Sr.’s Brother.

In 1858, Dougherty moved his business to a larger estate at 26 Beekman Street and the top four floors of 28 Beekman Street.

Sadly in 1858, Hugh Dougherty died on April 25th. Mary was pregnant when he died, and they had a daughter named Amelia Dougherty on August 9th.

On August 8th, 1859 Andrew Dougherty was granted Patent No. 25,000 for a color printing press.

In 1860, the Trow City Directory listed an address at 18 Spruce Street which was likely a store or for storage. His home address was 96 Carroll Street in Brooklyn.

In 1861, Andrew and Mary had their last son named Oscar Vincent Dougherty.

On June 17th, 1862 Andrew Dougherty received Patent No. 35.592 for paper cutting machines.

On February 7th, 1865 Andrew Dougherty was featured in an article by the Brooklyn Daily Eagle called “The Wealthy Citizens of the 2d District.” His Income was listed as $16,000.

On August 28th, 1866 Andrew Dougherty improved on his design for the color printing press, and received Patent No. 57,486 for his improvements.

In 1868, Mary Dougherty Jr. married a man named Samuel Castner Jr and they moved to Philadelphia.

In 1869, Mary and Samuel had a daughter name Mary Julia Castner.

In 1870, Mary and Samuel had a son named Samuel Castner the 3rd.

Unfortunately Mary Agnes Castner’s health began to fail, and they moved back to Brooklyn so she could be with her family.

Mary Agnes Castner died of Tuberculosis on May 17th, 1872. Their son Samuel Castner the 3rd died within the same month of the same disease.

If you’d like to read more about the Castner family, you can read about them in Records of the American Catholic Historical Society.

In 1871, Dougherty purchased the buildings at 76, 78, and 80 Centre Street.

Dougherty spent two years renovating this building to make it a grand playing card factory, and moved into it in 1874.

On October 11th, 1875 Dougherty secured the Patent No. 168,626 for the Triplicate Brand which featured miniature image of the entire card in the corner of each card. This was Dougherty’s response to the New York Consolidated Card Company’s patent for Corner Indices.

On May 21st, 1876 Dougherty secured Patent No. 179,847 for his own version of Corner Indices.

In 1876, Dougherty had an exhibit at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In 1878, Dougherty had an exhibit at the Paris Exposition, and took home a Silver Medal for his Triplicate Brand. New York Consolidate Playing Card Company also had an exhibit at the Paris Exposition, and won a Gold Medal for their Squeezers Playing Cards.

On May 29th, 1883 Dougherty secured Patent No. 278412 for an Indicator that combined the Triplicate Indicators with regular Corner Indices.

In 1883, Dougherty constructed an addition in the back of the building at 143 Worth Street.

On April 7th, 1889 Oscar Vincent Dougherty died at only 28 years old.

In 1889, due to failing health Dougherty had to move in with his daughter Amelia Dougherty and son-in-law David Hildreth in Manhattan at 13 East 65th Street.