Some newspaper articles
New Orleans Herald, 24 November 1803
Old Gracey family butler's strange disappearance
New Orleans - It has been 6 months since the body of Edward Gracey, youngest son of Abigail and Robert Gracey and last surviving member of the famous and glamourours Gracey family, was found, hanging in the attic.
His old employees are still living in the doomed Gracey Manor. How ever, George Ramsley the family butler seems to have disappeared from the earth. No one has seen him after the tragic events at the last ball at the Manor.
At that ball it was discovered that Elizabeth Henshaw, the young fiancee of Edward was murdered. Shortly after that, Gracey Manor was the talk of the town. Not because of its beauty and its inhabitants, but about strange things that were happening.
There was a mention of a strange blinding light a few hours later. The police took statements of the inhabitants, but left non the wiser. As George Ramsley was not reported missing the case was dropped.
New Orleans Herald, 24 May 1803
Edward Gracey announces his engagement
New Orleans - Tonight another great ball will be held at Gracey Manor. Edward Gracey, the youngest son of Abigail and Robert Gracey, is rumoured to announce his engagement to Miss Elizabeth Henshaw, daughter of the gamekeeper of the mansion, a Riley Henshaw and his late wife Martha. It is said that tension runs high at Gracey Manor.
Young Edward is determent to marry the one he loves, while George Ramsley, headbutler to the Gracey family is against it. People heard him say that Miss Henshaw was totally unsuitable for his young master. She's low class and (worst of all) mixed race. Her mother was an American woman, while her father is a black man. That is something unheard of. Edward should marry one of his own kind and not the daughter of a black gamekeeper.
Tension is running high at Gracey Manor. As far as we know Ramsley is the only one of the staff that is against the marriage. The others see her as a dear friend.
George Ramsley himself is of doubtfull descent. Robert Gracey met him 20 years ago in England, while on a business trip. It is believed that Ramsley killed a man, and was about to be hanged, when Mr Gracey met him. Mr Ramsley saved him from an armed robbery, and as thanks for his help, he payed a fee to the captain of his ship to get Mr Ramsley out of England. He then took him in as headbutler. He also kept a close eye on the education of the then 10 years old Edward.
I hope you all enjoy the story so far. The name Riley (Henshaw) is choosen as a tribute to one of my hero's, BB King. His real name was Riley King.
