Obituary of Ibbie Graves - Bell County, TX

Submitted by Janet Gardner 11/98
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This Bell County newspaper clipping is undated.


Negro Dies at 110 years of Age - The following obituary appeared in the Brenham 
Banner one of the oldest and leading newspapers in Texas. The subject was the 
mother of Charley GRAVES, the colored man that works at J.H. JAMES and Sons 
grocery store.

The News promised to public it some time ago but had failed to do so from several 
almost unavoidable causes. Aunt Ibbie GRAVES, who was buried at Independence last 
Tuesday was one of the oldest colored citizens of Washington County and deserves 
more than mere passing mention. She was said to be one hundred and ten years old. 
She was born in South Carolina in 1811 and came to the Republic of Texas with her 
master, Dr. G. W. GRAVES, when Indians and Mexicans roved the hills of Independence 
with as much liberty as the present day civilian goes about his daily duties.

Aunt Ibbie witnessed the steady advance of civilization. She was here when the state 
fell in 1833. She saw the railroads replace the long trains of ox wagon freighters. 
She witnessed the institution of telephones and telegraph lines. She has ridden in 
the automobile in place of oxcarts and saw thousands of discoveries and devices and 
inventions recorded within the past one hundred years. For the greater part of her 
life she was a consistent an conscientious member of the Baptist Church. She was the 
mother of fifteen children, six of whom are living namely, Timoxena BYRD and Peter 
GRAVES of Independence, Allen GRAVES of Brenham, Narcisus EWING, of Welborn, Charlie 
GRAVES, of Belton, Austin GRAVES, of Oakdale La.

She was a woman of remarkable constitution. Although so old, she maintained her 
strength and vitality up to about three months ago, when she fell and broke her hip 
from which she never fully recovered. Her husband Peter GRAVES, was a notable 
blacksmith in the early days of Texas. The outlines of the foundation of his ship 
can still be traced at Independence. Uncle Peter and Aunt Ibbie having come here 
during the days of the Texas Republic with their distinguished masters, Dr. G.W. 
and Henry L. GRAVES, so prominent in the educational and religious history of Texas, 
accord them a place in our history not enjoyed by many. Both black and white loved 
and respected Aunt Ibbie.