Morrissey’s Horse Pullmans was established by Frank and Frances Morrissey. Frank was born in 1908 in Fethard, County Tipperary Ireland. He emigrated and arrived in America in February 1928. Frances (Carey) was born in 1909 in Movile, County Donegal, Ireland. She arrived in New York in April 1928. Frank and Frances were married in June of 1931.
Frank started working for Gordon Wright, at his stable in Bronxville, NY in 1931. This is where he would meet Frances. Together they would build what would become Lawrence Farms, in Mount Kisco, NY. Frank and Gordon went on to establish a Partnership in 1934 and so began expanding the operation out of his own Lawrence Farms. Their Farm also had the special history of being a hub for the horses boarded, as part of the Mount Kisco Country Club. They would operate the farm and provide lessons to members, and their children, as well as his outside clients for years to come.
Frank and Frances would go on to have two daughters, Margaret and Frances who were both avid show riders. They gave riding lessons and rented out horses for pleasure riding and field hunting.
The trucking business evolved out of the necessity to transport client’s horses to local hunts and horse shows. Frank bought his first van in 1941 and manufactured the horse box himself. The term “Pullmans” comes from the Pullman train cars that were first used to transport horses long distances.
The company grew over the years and expanded include several small vans and a tractor trailer. Daughter Frances met William Breede when he became a part-time driver for Frank in 1958. They were married in 1959 and continued to expand the business. They moved the business to its present location in Pawling, N.Y. in 1969.
Today the third generation of Morrissey’s, granddaughter Marcy and her husband Jim, continue to operate the business. And in keeping with tradition, Marcy and Jim’s son Mike, has joined the team as a master mechanic, as well as driver, continuing in the family business and strengthening his great-grandfathers’ legacy.