THE EPPRIGHTS - DAVID AND MARY ANN

David Eppright was born in Maryland, July 17, 1817. As he was growing up, his family is said to have moved to Tennesse, then to Indiana, ending up in Missouri. At the age of 24 he married Mary Ann Smelser, also from Missouri. Information shows him working as a wheelwright which he continued to do after they moved to Texas in 1846.

David and Mary Ann had eight children born to them:

Katherine “Katie” Elizabeth (1846-1894)
Mary Jane “Jennie” (1848-1936)
Martha Ann (1850-1909)
John Thompson (1852-1854)
George Jacob (1854-1910)
Exer Clementine (1856-1865)
Alice Lourinda (1858-1934)
Eugeneie Susanna (1860-1862)

1880 census figures show David as the owner of 2,030 acres of land in Travis County. His land and buildings were valued at $5000 and farming machinery listed for $2500. He also owned livestock valued at $350. 

Much of the land owned by David was located in the Blue Bluff Road / Gilleland Creek area but he also owned more land east of there. His homestead was  a short distance west of Blue Bluff Road. 

EPPRIGHT LAND ON BLUE BLUFF ROAD AND GILLELAND CREEK ROAD

Politically, he was a Prohibitionist; socially, he was a member of the Masonic order. Religiously, both David and Mary Ann were charter members of the newly-formed Bethlehem Baptist Church in 1857 and they continued as members as it developed into Manor Baptist Church. By 1899, David and Mary Ann were the only remaining charter members of the church. 

AUSTIN WEEKLY STATESMAN FEBRUARY 15, 1877

AUSTIN DAILY STATESMAN JULY 23, 1899

In a book titled PIONEERING IN THE SOUTHWEST by A.J. Holt (1923) the author tells of his experience with Deacon David Eppright at the Bethlehem Church in Manor. 

On his 80th birthday in 1897, The Austin Weekly Statesman described him as one of the most philanthropic citizens of the community for many years. 

David Eppright died July 20, 1900 at the age of 83. Newspaper obituaries described him as "a highly respected and true Christian gentleman..." and "one of our most prominent and influential citizens".

Austin Daily Statesman July 21, 1900

THE HOUSTON DAILY POST JULY 22, 1900

An inscription on David's headstone says, 

"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die"

Mary Ann died February 2, 1908. Although it is extremely worn and difficult to read, the engraving on her headstone appears to be;

"Aged 84 Y s, 9 M s, 14 D s". 

"She died in sure and certain hope of eternal life through the atonement of a crucified Saviour"

David and Mary Ann are buried in the city of Manor Cemetery.