Irene Cobb

     Irene Cobb was most likely born on 31 Jul 1836 in Kentucky, although some sources show her as born in 1837 or 1838, after her parents moved to Tennessee.^{9,10,11,12,13} She married Francis Patten Gracey, son of Mathew Lyon Gracey and Maria A. Tilford, on 10 Nov 1857 in Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, with Rev. A. Mizell officiating.^14,15,16 She died on 31 Mar 1906 at age 69.^17,18 She was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, in her husband's lot.³
     Irene is probably one of the two females under age 5 listed in the household of her father, Dr. Joshua Cobb, in the 1840 Federal Census of Stewart Co., Tennessee.¹⁹
     She appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of 1st District, Trigg Co., Kentucky, enumerated 2 Aug 1850, in the household of Marcus Marcellus Tyler and Sarah Jane Mims, her late mother's sister and her husband.²⁰ She also appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Stewart Co., Tennessee, enumerated 5 Dec 1850, in the household of her father and stepmother, Marina Turner Bryan. Since her father's household was enumerated four months later, perhaps she had gone back to his home by then, or perhaps both households viewed her as living with them.^21,22
     After their marriage, Irene and Francis Patten Gracey settled in Eddyville where he carried on his mercantile and tobacco business, which he continued until he joined the Confederate service.²³ On 26 Dec 1859 Irene's father gave her a lot in Eddyville that he had purchased some years before.²⁴ They appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Eddyville, Lyon Co., Kentucky, enumerated 11 Aug 1860, reporting real estate of $600 and personal estate of $895. Their son Julien was listed as living with them, as well as his sister and brother, Ellen and Matthew, and three laborers, one from Ireland and two from Scotland, who appear to have been employees.²⁵
     With her husband away at the War, Irene, Julien, and perhaps other members of the household move to Clarksville, Tennessee. They had relocated there by 15 Nov 1861, when he obtained leave to visit them and find permanent arrangements for them.²⁶
     According to family tradition, while her husband was away during the Civil War, Irene decided he needed to see his small son. She loaded her son into the buggy and with servants started for Captain Gracey's headquarters. When she reached Federal lines, she was stopped. When she pleaded so desperately to be allowed to continue, she was given a pass through enemy lines and she reached her husband's headquarters safely.²⁷
     Irene and Irene settled in Clarksville after the War.^28,27 They appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, enumerated 28 Jun 1870, reporting real estate of $10,000 and personal estate of $6,000. The household also included seven apparent boarders, all but one black, perhaps some as household help.²⁹
     Irene and Frank appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, enumerated 14 Jun 1880, with three black laborers, one male and two female.³⁰
     Irene appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee, in the household of Julien Frank Gracey and Minnie Thomas, her son and his wife.³¹