Leonard Waller Groce

Leonard Waller Groce

• Father: Jared Ellison Groce b. 12 October 1782, d. February 1839
• Mother: Mary Ann Waller d. 1814

• Leonard Waller Groce was born on 27 September 1806 in Lincoln County, Georgia.
• He married Courtney Ann Fulton, daughter of (?) Fulton and Unknown (?), on 17 November 1831.
• Leonard Waller Groce and Courtney Ann Fulton appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Austin County, Texas, living next to the remarried widow of Leonard's brother Jared.. Other members of the household included Jared Fulton Groce, William Wharton Groce, Henrietta Groce, Eliza Ellen Groce, Leonard Waller Groce, John Harris Groce and Martha McKay Groce.
• He was a farmer, according to the 1850 census.
• On Thursday, 15 March 1860, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Colonel & Jarrot Groce came in the rain."
• Leonard Waller Groce appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Hempstead Precinct, Austin (later Waller) County, Texas, and Courtney and the children are enumerated separately in Hempstead Precinct.
• On Thursday, 25 October 1860, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Colonel Groce and family and Mr. J. Groce came this evening."
• The following appeared on 29 March 1867 in Flake's Bulletin: [Married] At the residence of Colonel L. W. Groce in this city, on the 26th inst., by the Rev. Mr. Eaton, Mr. John W. Campbell to Miss Sarah L. Davis, both of Danville, Montgomery county.
• Leonard Waller Groce became a widower at the 16 July 1869 death of his wife Courtney Ann Fulton.
• The following appeared on 16 July 1869 in The Galveston Tri-Weekly News: We have to announce the death of another among the most respected of our old citizens. Mrs. Col. Leonard Groce, died this morning about seven o'clock, at the residence of her sister, Mrs. E. O. Lynch. She was sick before she left home, near Hempstead, about ten days ago with the diarrhoea. She was the daughter of Mr. Fulton of Rapides parish, La., where she was born. She married Col. Groce and came to Texas soon after the declaration of Texas independence in 1836. There are few ladies in Texas more extensively known or universally respected than Mrs. Groce. Col. Groce's residence, well known as Groce's Retreat, was perhaps more noted for its hospitality before and during the campaign of 1836, than any other place in this part of Texas, but it became still more noted as the retreat of the soldier and way-worn traveler, after its hospitalities were dispensed by Mrs. Groce. Long will her name be gratefully remembered by thousands who have partaken of her unbounded hospitality.
       It is about two months since her brother, Mr. Wm. Fulton, came over from his home in Havana, on a visit to his sister, Mrs. E. O. Lynch, and was suddenly taken sick and died. And now, in so short a time, Mrs. Lynch has the misfortune to lose a sister while also on a visit to see her. This is indeed a heavy bereavement. We understand that Mrs. Lynch has now but one surviving brother and no sister; that brother is Mr. Mark Fulton, now living with Col. Groce.
• Leonard Waller Groce appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Hempstead PO, Austin (later Waller) County, Texas. Other members of the household included Marcus Bibb Groce, Charles Courtney Groce, Ellison Kirby Groce, Martha McKay Groce and Mark Fulton.
• He was a farmer, according to the 1870 census.
• Leonard Waller Groce died on 29 August 1873 at age 66 in Liendo plantation, Austin (later Waller) County, Texas.
• For additional biographical information, see The Texas Handbook Online.
• And for a description of Liendo Plantation, in Waller County, see The Texas Handbook Online.
• Camp Liendo, or Camp Groce, was on Liendo Plantation: The Texas Handbook Online.

• Last Edited: 9 Apr 2012