Gracy Davis

Gracy
wife of
Wm. Davis
Nov. 18
1853
Aug 13
1890
Not dead
but asleep
DAVIS

Photo Credit: Rosa G. Gonzales

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Little is known about Gracy Davis as she died at a time when there are no extant local papers to check for an announcement of the death. However, it appears from other documents that this Gracy is “Grace Johnson†who married William Davis on September 9, 1874 in the presence of Elder Moses St. Clair. Elder St. Clair (also spelled “Sinclairâ€) was an elder of the local African-American community after the Civil War. William and Grace are listed in the 1880 census as living on Tanacahua Street with children Billy, Walter, Lavine, and Nettie. In this census all are listed as “mu†which means they were classified in that social system as “mulatto†(that is, of mixed white and black ancestry). Gracy lists herself in this report as “Mary G.†and William is working as a “Draymanâ€. This would usually mean that he was employed to haul supplies for local businesses. In the 1880 census, Gracy indicates that she can read and write, while William is unable to write. Gracy lists her husband William as a native of North Carolina (his parents also) and herself as a native of Texas (her parents also). Gracy died at only 37 years old on August 13, 1890. William subsequently remarried and is listed with his new wife in the 1900 census. They have only been married for 3 years. He is still a “hackdriver†(maybe carrying human cargo now) and is doing well in so far as he has not been unemployed for any months during the last year. He now owns his home free of any mortgage on Chipita Street. By this time he is able to both read and write, and with his young wife (she is 29 years old and he is 51 years old) he already has a new son, Edward M. Davis, born in December of 1898.

Research and transcription: Michael A. Howell