Irene Cobb was most likely born on 31 Jul 1836 in Kentucky
G, although some sources show her as born in 1837 or 1838, after her parents moved to Tennessee.
4,5,6,7,8 She probably moved to Stewart Co., Tennessee
G, with her parents about 1837.
15,16,17 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
G.
18 Her mother died on 11 Sep 1841, when Irene was 5 years old.
19,20 She appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Trigg Co., Kentucky
G, enumerated 2 Aug 1850, in the household of
Marcus Marcellus Tyler and
Sarah Jane Mims, her late mother's sister and her husband.
21 She also appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Stewart Co., Tennessee
G, 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.
22,23 She had clearly moved to Clarksville
G with her father and stepmother by 1851.
24,25,26 Irene married
Francis Patten Gracey, son of
Mathew Lyon Gracey and
Maria A. Tilford, on 10 Nov 1857 in Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee
G, with Rev. A. Mizell officiating.
9,10,11 After their marriage, Irene and Francis Patten Gracey settled in Eddyville where he carried on a mercantile and tobacco business, which he continued until he joined the Confederate service.
27 On 26 Dec 1859 Irene's father gave her a lot in Eddyville
G that he had purchased some years before.
28 Irene and Frank appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Eddyville, Lyon Co., Kentucky
G, 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.
29 
Cobb, Kentucky, rail stop named in Irene's honor
by her husband
photo by author
With her husband away at the war, Irene, Julien, and perhaps other members of the household move to Clarksville, Tennessee
G. They had relocated there by 15 Nov 1861, when he obtained leave to visit them and find permanent arrangements for them.
30 According to family tradition, while her husband was away during the Civil War, Irene decided he needed to see his small son. This would have been after Clarksville was occupied by Federal troops in Feb 1862. 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.
31 Irene and Irene settled in Clarksville
G after the War.
32,31 They appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee
G, 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.
33 Irene was named an heir in the will of Frank Gracey, her husband, dated 2 Sep 1879 in Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee
G, to receive one half of his estate.
34 Irene and Frank appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee
G, enumerated 14 Jun 1880, with three black laborers, one male and two female. Their son Julien was listed as living with them.
35 Irene appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee
G, in the household of her son Julien and his wife,
Minnie Irene Thomas.
36 Irene died on 31 Mar 1906 in Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee
G, at age 69, at the home of her son Julien.
12,13 She was buried on 1 Apr 1906 in Greenwood Cemetery, Clarksville, Montgomery Co., Tennessee
G, in her husband's lot.
14,3