Family Lore as Clues to the Truth

We can't dismiss family stories, without checking them out.

Many times we learn that these stories, which were passed down from generation to generation have changed over time.  Much like the game of telephone, the stories change, are embellished or important facts forgotten with each new telling of the story.   However, in every family story, no matter how distorted over time, there are probably some grains of truth.  So, it is worth searching for the evidence that will prove or disprove each statement in the family story.

Our family lore is no different.

Robert Graham was born in Mississippi on August 20, 1818. He moved to Texas in about 1836. He then moved to Natchitoches, La., about 1841. Robert Graham married Ruth Smith (b. Dec. 5, 1813; d. Jun. 2, 1869) about 1843. Soon after marring Ruth Smith (a trapper's daughter) from Natchitoches, they moved to Forest Hill, Rapides Parish, La.  (Robert Graham 1818-1890 Family Story)

There is more to this story, but for this blog I am only dealing with this first paragraph. The story can easily be found throughout the Internet, as it has been repeated many times and in many places. Some of it can be verified and some of it cannot.

The evidence below will show that it is highly unlikely that Robert Graham and Ruth Smith married in Natchitoches, LA, and while they did eventually move to Forest Hill, Rapides Parish, Louisiana, it was many years later.

• Robert GRAHAM was born on 20 August 1818 and he died 10 Feb 1890.  These dates are probably correct as they appear on his headstone, Graham Family Cemetery, Forest Hill, Rapides Parish, Louisiana  (headstone photo by Elizabeth Mix)  So, far we don't have any collaborating evidence for his birthdate. 
• To date, there is no evidence, to prove that Robert moved to Texas in or about 1836, but as a young man of about 18 years of age, it is entirely possible. However, if he did move to Texas it was as a man already married to Ruth Smith.
• A land record dated 1 February 1836, for Robert and Ruth Graham in Scott County, Mississippi clearly demonstrates that Robert Graham and Ruth Smith were married prior to this date in 1836.  (Book C, page 63 Scott County Land Records).   (Research by Virginia Butter Fields)   Additional information added, 11 Jan 2013: Virginia Butter Fields explains that this record information including the Book C page 36 were found in the Scott County, Mississippi book containing the section and township records.  When she looked up the land by the legal definition, she found the purchase and sale history along with the book and page number noted.  However, the original deed was not located in the present day Book C.
• The next wrinkle in the story is that Robert moved to Texas about 1836.  There were several Graham families in eastern Texas, so it is possible... however.....

•  On 28 August 1838, Robert and Ruth Graham sold this same property to Jackson Graham.  (Nov 2012 research by Virginia Butter Fields)
• Then there is the 1840 Scott County, Mississippi Census, with a Robert Graham and 2 females, of the correct age ranges.  (Robert Graham, 1 male 20-29 years, 1 female under 5 years, 1 female 20-29 years). No other Robert Graham family in 1840 Mississippi fits this census as cleanly.
• Robert's & Ruth's oldest daughters may have been born in Mississippi, placing Robert and Ruth in Mississippi at least as late as 1839.
• Sarah C. Graham born about 1839 Mississippi (1850 Census Jackson Parish, Louisiana)
• Christiana Elizabeth Graham, born about 1842 Mississippi (1850 Census Jackson Parish, Louisiana), although all subsequent censuses list her as being born in Louisiana, so her birthplace is not definitive.
• Robert and Ruth Graham moved to Jackson Parish, Louisiana before 20 Oct 1843, when their son, William Jackson Graham was born.  So, regardless of whether Christiana was born in Mississippi or Louisiana, we can still be certain that Robert and Ruth were in Scott County, Mississippi by 29 September 1840, when the census was taken.
   
• The Robert Graham family appears on the 1850 Census in Jackson Parish, Louisiana. 
• Robert Graham registered Jackson Parish, LA Land Patents in 1851, 1858 and as late as 7 Dec 1859.
• The family lived in Jackson Parish, Louisiana for about 16 or 17 years -- which means they did not move to Rapides Parish, Louisiana right after they married. A review of the 1860, 1870, 1880 and 1890 census records, along with death records for most of the Graham children suggest that all of the 7 remaining children were born in Jackson Parish, Louisiana between 1845 and 1855. 
• The Robert & Ruth Graham family first appear in Rapides Parish, Louisiana on 16 Jan 1860 when Robert registered a Land Patent, and again on the 1860 census taken 10 July 1860.     

From the traditional family story, we have been able to prove that Robert Graham was probably born in Mississippi in 1818.  He did, indeed, marry Ruth Smith, although no marriage record has been found - the Scott County Courthouse burned in 1872, so we may never have the record.  And, we do not know who her parents were.  And, yes, the family did move to and live in Forest Hill, Rapides Parish, Louisiana, but not before 1860.

The lesson here is to read and mine those family stories for clues to be proved or disproved with facts, supported by evidence.

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Sources:

Fields, Butter Virginia. Robert Graham Research Report November 2012. email correspondence. 3 Jan 2013.

Mix, Elizabeth. Photo of Robert Graham headstone taken 1997.

Willis, Randy. Robert Graham 1818-1890 Family Story. (no date) "Ancient Faces". accessed 3 Jan 2013. <http://www.ancientfaces.com/story/robert-graham-1818-1890-family-story/382965>.