Contributed by Sarah Grace Monroe
Margaret Ridge Davis (1850 - 1935)
Margaret Ridge, born in April 1850, was a daughter of Mr. Jefferson Ridge, a Cherokee farmer from Arkansas and Mrs. Corine (King) Ridge, described by family records as a Black woman. She and her siblings Frances Jane (Ridge) Densmore, Ellen (Ridge) Sternam Caldwell and brother Ellis Ridge were all kidnapped at a young age and sold into slavery. According to family members, Margaret Davis was much younger than her sister Frances born 1843 and her brother, Ellis Ridge Sternam. After slavery Margaret and Frances were reunited with the Ridge family members.
Margaret Davis
By 1880, Margaret had moved to Austin where her sister Frances lived. She was noted as a widow with two children who boarded with the Brantleys on Mulberry Street (10th) in Austin. From 1881 through 1935, Margaret lived on Juniper, Catalpa and Waller Streets near Oakwood Cemetery. She supported her family working as a washerwoman.
Margaret Davis had three children: Herdie Davis and Arthur Davis stayed in Austin. Daughter Mrs. Lizzie (Davis) Hawkins lived in San Antonio. Herdie married Melvina and was employed as a waiter. Arthur’s wife was Eliza Mazy. He was a musician in a string band. Margaret also had at least two grandchildren Jennie/Mary Davis and Alford Davis.
Frances Densmore - sister of Margaret Davis
Margaret Davis died on December 12, 1935 of congestive heart failure on East 9th Street at the age of 85 years. She was buried in section 4, probably in the historic colored grounds, on December 15. Perhaps her burial was near her son Arthur, born in 1879, who died in 1918. Both have unmarked graves. Margaret’s older sister Frances died in 1925 and is buried in Bethany Cemetery.
Burial Location Unknown