Trade in Ireland, Dublin, House of Commons.1

From the Dublin Evening Post :-
"The Committee on Trade sat on the Portuguese Trade, Cornelius Bolton, Esq; in the chair, when Mr. Skeys, a merchant of Lisbon, was examined, particularly as to what articles of manufacture of this country were admitted into that kingdom : He answered, white linens and camblets, but as to serges and woollens the custom-house officers there would, or could not give any direct answer, whether they were to be admitted or not."

Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft in Hackney.2

To Everina Wollstonecraft
"Tuesday night
... As to Skeys I try to suspend my judgement with respect to his rather unkind behaviour ..."

Married Frances BLOOD in Portugal, Lisbon, British Factory Chaplaincy.16

Groom - Hugh Skeys
Bride - Fanny Blood

Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft in Newington Green.2

To George Blood
"Newington Green, July 25
... When it does I will write to Betty Delane ... ... Skeys is quite delighted with the prospect; but Fanny is out of spirits, and tired with contending with sickness and care ... ... Skeys has received congratulatory letters form most of his friends and relations in Ireland and he now regrets that he did not marry sooner ... ... Betty Delane is a good girl and has your interest at heart tho' she does not profess much - call on her often - Her conversation will improve you."

Birth of son William SKEYS in Portugal, Lisbon.15

Death of Frances BLOOD in Portugal, Lisbon

Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft in Newington Green.2

To George Blood
"Newington Green, February 4th
... I have received a short unsatisfactory letter from Lisbon ... ... give my love to Betty Delane and the rest of the family..."

Research Note :-
Janet Todd in her "Collected Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft" makes a note that George Blood had returned to Dublin and that he received this letter in the care of Robert Home

Death of son William SKEYS in Portugal, Lisbon.15

Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft in Newington Green.2

To George Blood
"Newington Green, February 27th
... I was hoping Skeys would have sent them some trifle before this ... ... Willm was very well and thriving apace - Mrs. S. had taken him to her house ... ... I am quite pleased with the Delanes and Homes - remember me to them in the kindest style ... ... I will write to Betty Delane soon."

Research Note :-
News of the death of the baby William Skeys obviously had not yet reached Mary Wollstonecraft

Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft in Newington Green.2

To George Blood
"Newington Green, May 1st
... I have not heard from Skeys ..."

Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft in Newington Green.2

To George Blood
"Newington Green, May 22d
... a few days after they set sail I received a letter from Skeys, - he laments his inability to assist them, and dwell on his own embarrassments ... ... Be very particular in your account of your situation, and Betty Delane's reception of your father and mother"

Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft in Ireland, Dublin.2

To Everine Wollstonecraft
"Dublin, March 14th
Mr Skeys has at last delivered your letter ... ... I shall answer Skeys letter ... ... Lady K. offered me two tickets, for myself and Miss Delane to accompany me, I refused them on account of the expense of dressing properly, she then to obviate that objection lent me her black domino, I was out of spirits - and thought of another excuse; but she proposed, to take me and Betty Delane, to houses of several people of fashion who saw masques ... ... Betty D. as a forsaken shepherdess - and your sister Mary in a black domino"

Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft.2

To George Blood
"London, March 3d
... Have you written to Skeys? You ought not to neglect it."

Licence obtained for marriage to Elizabeth DELANE in Ireland, Dublin.17

"Skeys - Hugh and Elizabeth Delane 1790"

Married Elizabeth DELANE in Ireland, Dublin

Research Note .-
On the 4th September 1790 Mary Wollstonecraft mentioned Betty Delane as Mrs. Skeys for the first time, so therefore the marriage must have taken place before that date.
Looked after the children of Robert Home and Susanna Delane after Susanna's death in 1790 when Robert Home left for India.

Career.3

From the Dublin Evening Post :-
"HUGH SKEYS
(Nephew of the late Mr. William Skeys, of the Batchelor's-walk)
Takes the liberty of informing his Friends and the Public, that he has purchased the Dwelling House, Concerns, and Stock of Wines, belonging to Mr. Brabazon Noble, in Great Britain-street (No 113) where he intends carrying on the Wine Business in an extensive manner.
He flatters himself that his knowledge of Wines, acquired by a residence of several years in Portugal, will enable him to give general satisfaction."

Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft in London

To George Blood
"London, February 4th 91
Poor Susan has haunted me ever since I read your letter to Elizs - I only received it this morning, and I have not been able to drive her image from my mind, though I do not think that her death should be regretted on account of her children, for she would never have been an active mother - and they may be as well taken care of, putting tenderness out of the question, as if their mother was still alive. I shall write to Bess by this post, for I know the tenderness of her heart ... ...
Nay procure for you a comfortable situation if you should ever determine to leave Skeys."

Research note :-
George Blood was working for Hugh Skeys in Dublin at his shop in Great Britain Street.

Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft in London (New Store Street).2

To George Blood
"New Store Street, October 6th 91
... ... I do not wish Skeys to know anything of this application. ... ... Pray tell me all about yourself - and tell me whether there is any chance of the Child ever making its appearance?
Tell Bess that the Cups are on their way to her - I hope they will come in time.
Tell her also that now I have, in some degree, recovered my spirits, I do not find the child so troublesome as I did when I last wrote to her."

Research Note :-
1) Betty Delane, Mrs. Hugh  Skeys, was pregnant.
2) The child referred to on the last sentance was Ann, who was in Mary's care.

Letters of Mary Wollstonecraft in London.2

To George Blood
"January 2nd 92
"... ... But coincide with you in opinion that you have little to expect from Skeys ... ... Our friend Bess has an affectionate heart, but I always thought her far too much attached to the world, and her conduct since her marriage proves to me that I read her right ... ..."

Birth of daughter Ann SKEYS

Career in Ireland, Dublin.4

From the Public Advertiser :-
"Yesterday a Meting of the Corporation of merchants was held at the Exhibition Room in William Street, when the question of admitting Roman Catholics into the guild was again brought forward.
... ...
Lord Cloncurry supported the Address, which was warmly and ably opposed by Mr. Skeys ... ..."

Career in Ireland, Dublin.5

From the Sun :-
"Yesterday a Post Assembly was held at the Exhibition House, William-street, for the purpose of carrying into effect the Vote of the Corporation to raise a Regiment for His Majesty's service.
... ...
Alderman Howison, Mr. Howison, Mr. Pemberton, Mr. Skeys and Mr. Tandy, made some remarks on the advantage ... ..."

Career in Ireland, Dublin.6,7,8

From Lloyd's Evening Post :-
"The Corporation of this City having met yesterday to consider of the steps proper to be taken upon this subject of the Roman Catholic claims, ... ...
The Petition was read, paragraph by paragraph. Amendments were proposed to each paragraph by Messrs. Chambers, Ewing, J. Burns, G. Binns, J.Tandy, Skeys, etc."

From London Packet or New Lloyd's Evening Post :-
"The leading features of Opposition were first from Mr. Skeys, that the Petition urged a matter of historical falsehood, ... ..."

From the Times :-
"Mr. Chambers was supported by Mr. Willis, Mr. Tandy and Mr. Stephens; and at length the question of adjournment, moved by Mr. Skeys, being put, was negatived in a ballot, 40 against 33."

Career in Ireland, Dublin, Whig Club.9

From the Telegraph :-
"At a full meeting of the Whig Club held last night at Bennett's in Eustace-street, the Right Hon. Lord Blayney, Abraham Wilkinson, Esq. and the Rev. Charles Beamish were admitted members; at the same time the following Gentlemen were proposed to be balloted for at the next meeting, viz. Henry Duquery, Thomas Tandy, Hugh Skeys, and William Huban Esqrs."

Career in Ireland, Dublin.10

From the Evening Mail :-
"Yesterday a meeting of the freemen, freeholders, and householders of this city was held, for the purpose of uniting and strengthening the country against a foreign enemy, and for the protection of persons and property.
The Right Hon. W. B. Ponsonby was called to the Chair, and the business of the day was opened by Mr. Skeys, who after descanting on the state of the country, moved,
... ...
This resolution was seconded by Mr. Grattan, ... ..."

Career in Ireland, Dublin.11

From the Oracle and Public Advertiser :-
"The presentments of the late Grand Jury, and other cursory business being disposed of, the following grand Jury were sworn .-
Henry Stames, Esq. Foreman.
Hugh Skeys
... ..."

Career in Ireland, Dublin (Guild of Merchants).12

From the St. James's chronicle :-
"Yesterday the poll which took place on Monday for Common councilmen for the Guild of Merchants, having been counted in William-street, the following Gentlemen were declared duly elected :-
... ...
The following are the names of the unsuccessful Candidates .-
... ....
Hugh Skeys
... ..."

Died in Dublin (Phipsborough Lane).13,14

From the Dublin Evening Post :-
"In Phipsborough-lane, Mr. Hugh Skeys, merchant, many years respected as a spirited and independant citizen"

From the Freemans Journal :-
"The Friends of the later Mr. Hugh Skeys feeling deeply for the afflicted circumstances of his Widow and orphan Daughter, and convinced that their (???) requires an immediate and effective exerting of Benevolence, have resolved to do so by a subscription, and to all in the public to co-operate with them in furtherance of his urgent and interesting purpose, and they particularly entreat those acquainted with the worth of the deceased, to join with them in this mark of regard to the memory of a man who was himself full of affection to his friends, and of zealous and active benevolence to every human creature,
Subscriptions with be received by the following Gentlemen :Right Hon. the Lord Mayor,
... ..."