Haunted Mansion- Master Gracey

MASTER GRACEY LAID TO REST

 NO MOURNING PLEASE AT HIS REQUEST

FAREWELL[1]

Name: George Gracey Jr.

Born:   October 31, 1830

Died:   February 29, 1872

            There have been three men to hold the title of “Master Gracey”. Ambrose from 1804 to 1810, followed by his son George (1825-1858) and then George Jr. (1858-1872). All three were buried at the Mansion. One was stolen, one lost and one remains.

Ambrose Gracey died in the wreck of a fast moving carriage. No one is sure why he had driven the horses to a frothing madness on a midnight ride through the back roads. The only known fact was that he had been thrown clear and crashed into a nearby oak, crushing his spine into powder. Juliet gave him the finest funeral ever seen in that part of the country and buried him in a new silk suit with several of his favorite jewels. A week later the grave was found open, body missing. Everyone assumed it was a robber after the valuable trinkets. A frightened Mrs. Gracey never revealed that she had held back the goods just before burial.

Some have mistakenly believed the Garden Tomb to be the elder George’s resting place. In actuality, His grave was adorned with a large stone bust and upright marker. This has been famously depicted by an Elma Belle original found in the Gallery. That painting was commissioned during the course of Mary’s murder trial and featured a hatchet through George’s pate. There was, of course, no such thing on the original statue which was washed away in 1859, along with so many about the mansion.

So what of the other grave? We find a simple memorial bearing the name Master Gracey which has neither dates nor pithy sentiment for one logical reason: George Jr. didn’t know when he was going to die; only that he soon would.

As the days grew darker in the Mansion he began to drink heavily, ruing his association with Madam Leota and longing to embrace the reaper. Suicide became an ever more appealing option as beloved family member’s died in one horrible manner after another. The only thing which prevented his step into oblivion was a deep and lasting thirst for revenge against the witches who had undone his family for generations.

Years of following the Medium’s advice had taught him a bit about her ways but as “Old Man ‘71” died, George began to seek for a means of requiting his desires. The Master knew he was wading through deep waters in which he would certainly drown but pressed forward regardless in a search for how to destroy Leota.

It was late in February when George chanced upon an old letter he had not seen in 15 years. Written by “Marc”, it spoke of an evil maternal line which sought to control this world and the next. One passage gave Master Gracey hope, “If the witch seeks to employ a talisman, let her. In doing this, she will place part of her power into it and thus weaken herself. This is dangerous if she should succeed but in that moment when the charm is cast, a brave man can alter the direction or object of her spell. Perhaps even catch her in it.”

George was shrewd and knew that Leota’s patience with him was wearing thin. She would seek the endgame soon, demanding marriage and control of the house. It was only if given freely to her that the powers of the Mansion would work correctly. He secretly prepared his will and business dealings, had a marker created for his grave and then sat back to await Leota’s next move.

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[1] Master George Gracey Tomb by George Coller, “Devilelephant” on Flickr.com