Clara Grinage

Seamstress, 1900

Married ca. 1883 in [Mercer Co., New Jersey] to William B Davis
Born ca. 1865 in [Trenton], Mercer Co., New Jersey

To them were born:

Notes

• Clara's age in the census records: in 1870, age 3; in 1880, age 14; in 1900, age 32 (b. 1867); in 1910, age 43; in 1920, age 53; in 1930, age 57.
• News report, Trenton Sunday Advertiser, 06 Dec 1891:
  "Sunny" Warburton's Reception.
  A Bottle of Catsup Hurled in His Face / by Clara Davis When He Attempt- / ed to Enter His Restaurant.
    George C. Warburton, the rosy-faced little restaurateur at the northwest corner of Warren and Front streets, met with an unexpectedly warm reception when he returned home yesterday afternoon from a few days' visit to Allentown, Pa. Clara Davis, who has been his housekeeper, and who says she is as fully interested in the business as he, saw Warburton coming down Warren street and having heard that he had been spending the week in convivial feminine society, the fires of jealousy were naturally aroused in her bosom. She stood in the doorway as he approached, and told him to go where he had been all week. He paid no attention to her and tried to get through the door. She pushed him back and locked it. Warburton then endeavered to effect an entrance through the Front street side of the restaurant, but Mrs. Davis, who was now thoroughly warmed up to her work, hurled a large bottle of catsup in the face of the intruder, ruining his new suit of clothing and so marring his personal beauty as to render him for the time being an object of jealousy for no woman.
    As soon as he recovered from the shock Warburton flew to Justice Matheson for redress. Not to be rash, the Justice dispatched Detective Pilger for Clara. When he heard her side of the story he told her to go home and that she did not give Warburton half enough.
    Warburton, still swearing vengeance, went before Justice Mills and swore out a warrant against the woman for assault. The warrant was given to Constable Brannin, who soon had Clara before the Justice.
    "Do you think I am going to let him go off on a racket for three or four days," she said to Justice Mills, "and me have to pay his bills and debts, and then let him come back again as if nothing had occurred. No, sir; I am not that kind of a woman. He has done that several times, but he can't work it off on me any longer. My money is in the place as well as his, and I am going to run it. I have two children to look after, and I guess I can make a living without 'Sunny.' I have possession of the restarurant and mean to hold on to it."
    Justice Mills discharged Clara upon her own recognizance.
    There was quite a little excitement around the restaurant at the time of the assault and most of the crowd sided with Clara.
• News report, Trenton Times, 08 Dec 1891:
  Woes of Clara Davis.
  The Trouble She is Having With Her Business Partner.
  She Made it Warm For "Sunny" War- / burton–He in Turn Made it Warm for / Her and Now She Proposes to Heat up / the Atmosphere for a Justice of the / Peace.
    Clara Davis, the business partner of George C. Warburton, gave bail for her appearance at court and was released from the County Jail yesterday.
    The circumstances of her arrest and commitment are both laughable and serious. George and Clara run a restaurant at the northwest corner of Warren and Front streets. A few days ago George went to Allentown, Pa., and Clara heard that he was holding high carnival with with some of the dames of that Pennsylvania town. When therefore she beheld his beaming countenance approaching on Warren street she came to the door and told him to go back to the other women where he had been spending the week. He did not heed the warning, but attempted to push into the house. She then locked the door, and he ran around to the Front street entrance where she met him with a bottle of catsup, spoiled his complexion and ruined his new suit of clothes.
    He then rushed to the office of Justice Matheson and asked for a warrant for his housekeeper and she was brought to the station to explain wherefore she had used "Sunny" so roughly.
    "Do you think I am going to let him go off on a racket for three or four days," she said to Justice Matheson, "and me have to pay his bills and debts, and then let him come back again as if nothing had occurred. No, sir; I am not that kind of a woman. He has done that several times, but he can't work it off on me any longer. My money is in the place as well as his, and I am going to run it. I have two children to look after, and I guess I can make a living without 'Sunny.' I have possession of the restarurant and mean to hold on to it."
    The Justice, who is a woman's rights man, advised an increased dose of catsup for the next escapade and refused to issue a warrant.
    George then lost no time in going to Justice Mills, who issued the warrant but released Clara on her own recognizance. This did not satisfy George, as he wanted Clara put where she couldn't hurt him and he hastened to the office of Squire Hulse, who committed Clara to the County Jail. There she learned that it was unlawful for Squire Hulse to commit her after she had been released by Justice Mills, and she will probably make things warmer for the Justice than she did for "Sunny."
• News report, Trenton Times, 31 Jan 1895:
  Warburton's Handy Knife.
  He Threatened to Kill the Husband / of a Woman He Loved.
    A warrant was issued this morning by Justice Coutier for the arrest of George T. Warburton, better known about town as "Sunny." He is charged with having committed an atrocious assault and battery last night upon William Davis of No. 95 Bellvue avenue. It is charged that "Sunny" has been living the past four years with Clara Davis, wife of William. A few days ago, however, Davis and his wife made up again, and the husband took up quarters with his wife, at her Bellvue avenue home.
    This did not suit Warburton by any means. He had been enjoying a handsome living for years at Clara's expense and disliked to see her husband come back again. He began to quarrel with Clara and her husband and yesterday afternoon while Davis was absent Warburton grabbed a large knife and threatened to make mince meat out of Clara if she did not give up Davis again. Her screams attacted Officer Gilbert, who took the knife away from "Sunny" and put him out. Last night he put in an appearance again. This time he began to quarrel with Davis and after several words ensued he pulled a knife on Davis and swore he would cut the latter's heart out. Davis fled from the house, leaving Warburton in possession. This morning he went before Justice Coutier with the result stated.
• News report, Trenton Times, 01 Feb 1895:
  Clara Davis' Charge
  She Says Office Capple Offered to / Compromise a Case–Mrs. / Davis Under Bail
    George T. Warburton came to police headquarters this morning and gave himself up. He was given a hearing at 9 o'clock upon the charge of atrocious assault with intent to kill William Davis, of 193 Cooper street.
    Justice Coutier read the complaint and Warburton pleaded not guilty. Davis was sworn and said that he was up to see his wife at No. 91 Bellevue avenue on Wednesday morning last when Warburton, who was in the kitchen, threatened that if he, Davis, came out to the kitchen he would "do him." Fearing there would be trouble Davis made his escape from the house. Clara Davis, whom all the trouble is about, substantiated her husband's story, saying that Warburton stood behind the door with a long knife, ready to put it into her husband if he showed up. Other girls who live at the house also testified to the same facts. Warburton denied the charge, and was held in $500 bail for his appearance at court.
    As told yesterday, Warburton, who has been living with Clara Davis the past four years, had a quarrel with her on Wednesday last, and that evening he went before Squire Reading and swore out a warrant against her for keeping a disorderly house. Constable Joseph Capple served the warrant and Clara says he told her that if she gave him $10 he would settle the case and she need not go to the Squire's office. This she says she refused to do. She went to Squire Reading's office, where she was placed under $300 bail for keeping a disorderly house. "Yes, it is true that constable Capple offered to settle the case for $10," said Clara this morning to Justice Coutier, "and I think it is a case of trying to blackmail me." The girls in the house also say Capple made the offer.
    Capple, of course, denies the accusation.
• News report, Trenton Times, 18 Jun 1895:
  At Mercer Court
  More Than a Score of Prison- / ers Charged To-Day.
    Prisoners ... were charged in Mercer Court today by Prosecutor Stockton. ...
    Judge Gummere ordered the clerk to enter a rule to send all the indictments ... to the Quarter Sessions Court. Judge Woodruff is the presiding Judge of the Quarter Sessions Court, in which Judge Gummere does not sit.
    Judge Woodruff announced that Col. Perrine would defend "Sonny" Warburton, indicted for adultery, in case the prisoner did not get counsel.
    The following pleas of not guilty were taken:
    Clara Davis, keeping disorderly house and committing adultery with George Warburton, alias "Sonny."
    George T. Warburton, adultery with Clara Davis.
• News report, Trenton Sunday Advertiser, 24 May 1896:
  Good Work Of The Police
    Here is a table ... of important arrests and the disposition made of such cases by the courts and Grand Juries.
    Disorderly Houses.
    Clara Davis, 91 Bellevue avenue, May term, 1895. Twenty-five dollars and costs.
• In 1900 Clara was a boarder in the household of George T Warburton.
• In 1910 Clara was reported to be the mother of 3 children, of which 3 were alive.
• News report, Trenton Sunday Times-Advertiser, 01 Feb 1914:
  Thousand In Cash / Is Awaiting Woman
  Claim Agent is Searching for / Mrs. Clara Davis Who / Missing
    Search is being made by T. Sewell Welch, of 410 West Fourth Street, Wilmington, Del., claim agent for the P. R. R. Relief Association, for Mrs. Clara Davis, who was formerly Miss Clara Grinnage, and who when last heard from was a resident of this city. Mr. Welch says that he is anxious to place $1,000 in Mrs. Davis' hands, the amount being due her as a death claim on her husband who was recently killed in a railroad accident near Wilmington.
    Mrs. Davis is said to have been separated from her husband for over a year. She has a married sister here, Mrs. Harvey Lightcap of 123 Pearl Street. Her mother, Mrs. Sarah Grinnage is also living with Mrs. Lightcap.
    Claim agent Welch says that Mrs. Davis is legally entitled to the money but that if she does not come to claim it, the sum will be turned over to the courts for settlement. If this is done the woman will have to go through certain process to recover it and that the cost will be about $300 which will be deducted from the $1,000.
• News report, Trenton Evening Times, 02 Feb 1914:
  Mrs. Clara Davis Will / Receive Her $1,000
    Mrs. Clara Davis of 112 Ewing Street, to whom $1,000 is due from the Pennsylvania Railroad Relief Association as the result of the death of her husband, who was killed on the railroad near Wilmington, Del., recently, will journey to Wilmington to claim the money if it is not forwarded to her today. T. Sewell Welch, of Wilmington, claim agent of the relief association, has the money, and was searching for Mrs. Davis last week to place it in her hands.
    Mrs. Davis is said to have been separated from her husband about 25 years ago, but according to Claim Agent Welch the money is due her.
• News report, Trenton Evening Times, 04 Feb 1914:
  Davis After / Benefit Moneys
  Had Been Long Separated From / Husband But Never Di- / vorced–Making Application
    To lay claim to benefits to be paid by the Pennsylvania Railroad and by several lodges and labor organizations, Mrs. Clara Davis of 112 Ewing St., and her son, left here yesterday for Wilmington. Her husband, William Davis, was killed on the railroad near Wilmington.
    Although having been separated from her husband more than 24 years, Mrs. Davis says that she was never divorced.
    The amount to be paid by the Railroad Relief Association is said to be $1,000 and Mrs. Davis will make application for this through T. S. Sewell, the claim agent, of Wilmington who has been trying to locate Davis' widow.
    The Davises were married in this city about thirty years ago and had three children, two boys who are both now living in this city, and a daughter now married and living in Philadelphia. Davis was last seen by one of his sons in this city less than two weeks ago.
• News report, Trenton Evening Times, 14 Feb 1914:
  Believed Husband / Dead, But He Isn't
  Stolen Coat Found on Corpse / Prompts Divorced Wife to / Seek Insurance Money
    The finding of a man, killed on the railroad near Wilmington, some time ago, wearing a coat belonging to William Davis, formerly of this city, led to the belief that the dead man was Davis and resulted in his wife, Mrs. Clara Davis, of 112 Ewing Street, this city, attempting to collect death benefits from the railroad company. It later developed that the coat had been stolen from Davis and that the man killed on the railroad was unknown.
    Mrs. Davis, who has not been living with her husband for many years, commenced negotiations with a claim agent in Wilmington to collect $1,000 death benefit supposed to be due from the railroad company, but publicity given the affair through the newspapers resulted in the discovery that Davis was alive and and had been working in Baltimore a number of years.
    Mrs. James Cooper [sic pro Haley], of 197 Cooper Street, a sister of Davis, notified him that efforts were being made to collect death benefits, and in letters to his relatives Davis declared he had been divorced from his first wife, Mrs. Clara Davis, and that any benefits to be paid upon his death would be paid to his second wife.
    Davis will leave Baltimore in a few days for Dayton, O., where he expects to make his home in the future. He is a stone mason and declares he has never worked on a railroad.
• Trenton Property Sold, Trenton Sunday Times-Advertiser, 14 Oct 1928:
    Locust Street, 137, Sabatino Amadio and wife to Clara G. Davis; 14 6x122.
• In 1930 Clara owned a house valued at $4000.
• Trenton Property Sold, Trenton Sunday Times-Advertiser, 21 Jul 1940:
    Locust Street, 137, Clara G. Davis to James Drinnon; 14.6x122.
• Hamilton Realty Transfers, Trenton Sunday Times-Advertiser, 12 Oct 1941:
    McAdoo Avenue, J. W. Holloway Company to Clara G. Davis. 160x100.
• Obituary, Trenton Sunday Times-Advertiser, 06 Oct 1946:
  Mrs. Clara G. Davis
    Mrs. Clara G. Davis, widow of William B. Davis, died yesterday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nutt Sr., 1225 North Olden Avenue, with whom she resided. She is survived by a daughter, Mrs. David Drinnan of Philadelphia, a sister, Mrs. Harvey Lightcap of this city, and a grandson, James Drinnan of Phiadelphia.
    The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock from the Poulson & Van Hise Home for Services, 408 Bellevue Avenue. Interment will be in Colonial Memorial Park. Friends may call tomorrow evening from 7 to 9 o'clock.
• Clara was buried in Colonial Memorial Park, Trenton, New Jersey.

Sources

• 1870 - U.S. Census, New Jersey, Mercer Co., Hamilton Twp., Page No. 82 [=106 verso], 684-679, 16 Jul 1870
• 1880 - U.S. Census, New Jersey, Mercer Co., Chambersburg, District 1, E.D. 111, Page No. 38 [=496B], 388-402, Clinton St. [sic], 14-15 Jun 1880
• 1900 - U.S. Census, New Jersey, Mercer Co., Trenton, Ward 1, Prct. 3, E.D. 58, Sheet No. 17A [=278A], 324-329, 117 Monmouth St. [sic], 16 Jun 1900
• 1910 - U.S. Census, New Jersey, Mercer Co., Trenton, Ward 1, Elec. Dist. 3, E.D. 47, Sheet No. 1B [=133B], 14-15, 112 Ewing St., 15 Apr 1910
• 1920 - Trenton City Directory: Davis Clara G, h 112 Ewing
• 1920 - U.S. Census, New Jersey, Mercer Co., Trenton, Ward 1, E.D. 50, Sheet No. 30B [=259B], 586-657, 112 Ewing St., 19 Jan 1920
• 1930 - U.S. Census, New Jersey, Mercer Co., Trenton, Ward 10, E.D. 11-47, Sheet No. 7B [=46B], 132-133, 137 Locust St., 07 Apr 1930