Christian Graham's Deed of Gift

Sometimes, we find evidence of our ancestor's past that makes us uncomfortable.  This is one of those times.

As I continue to look for evidence that might prove the parentage of Robert Graham (1818-1890) m. Ruth Smith I am always squirreling away any information that comes my way.  A few years ago, my sister Mary sent me this deed of gift, which clearly states the mother son relationship between Christian Graham and her 2 youngest sons Jackson Graham and Robert Graham.  At the time I had never heard of Christian Graham, and I found her gift of a slave was pretty unsettling, so I just put the deed aside and almost forgot about it.  But now that I know that this Robert Graham, living in the right place at the right time, was 1 of the 2 Robert Grahams living in Scott County, Mississippi in 1836.  One of these men is most likely my ancestor.  The question is which one.

Here's the Deed of Gift from Christian to her sons.  Maybe one day, we will know if this Robert Graham is the one who married Ruth Smith or the Robert Graham who married Charlotte Pennington.

Photo of Deed taken by Marty Cassidy 2013

Scott County, Mississippi, Deed & Will Book A 1835 - 1839 part 1 p. 13, Christiana Graham to Jackson Graham and Robert Graham Deed of Gift, 19 Sept 1836; County Court Clerk's Office, Forest.

Abstract: Deed of Gift

p. 13

I Christian Graham of County of Scott, Mississippi for my two youngest sons, Jackson Graham
& Robert Graham give grant and convey jointly a negro Boy Named Aaron about twenty eight years of age which I purchased from John Haynes.

Signed - 19th day of September in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred thirty six in the presence of R. Waterman

Appeared before me Ralph Waterman Clerk of the Probate Court Christiana Graham who acknowledges that she signed the written Deed of Gift freely.  22 day of September 1836.
              
Abstracted by
Norah Glover
20 May 2013

Robert & Ruth Graham sell land to Jackson Graham

Okay, so it's been awhile since my last post.  In fact it has been a very long time... life sometimes just gets in the way.

So, as everyone knows I've been on a quest to find my 3rd great-grandfather Robert Graham's parents.  I wish I could say I have discovered definitive proof of his parents, but alas the proof is still playing hard to get.  But the evidence is mounting.

Just to recap, Robert Graham born in Mississippi on 20 Aug, 1818.  He married Ruth Smith sometime  before  28 Aug, 1838.  Even though, no marriage record for Robert and Ruth has been found, we know they were married before 28 Aug. 1838 because when Robert sold property in Scott County, Mississippi to Jackson Graham, the record states that his wife was Ruth Graham.  The surname Smith appears on Ruth's headstone located in the Graham Family Cemetery, in Rapides Parish, Louisiana.

 Photo taken by Elizabeth Mix

The headstone clearly states that Ruth Smith was the beloved wife of Robert Graham.

Deed from Robert and Ruth Graham to Jackson Graham

Photos by Marty Cassidy 2013

Citation: Scott County, Mississippi, Will and Deeds, A 1835-1839, Part 1, page 282-283  Robert & Ruth Graham to Jackson Graham  28 Aug 1838, County Court Clerk's Office, Forest.



Abstract of Deed:

Indenture made this twenty eighth day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight between Robert Graham and Ruth Graham his wife of the county of Scott and state of Mississippi of the first and Jackson Graham of the county and state aforesaid of the second part, in consideration two hundred dollars. Parcel of land in the county of Scott and state of Mississippi lots number Ten and fifteen, eleven and fourteen in section number thirty six in Township number eight north of Range number seven east containing one hundred and sixty three 42/100 acres. Signed Robert Graham,

Ruth Graham in the presences of Jas J Chambers. Ruth Graham having been examined by R. Waterman JP separate & apart from her husband acknowledged that she signed sealed and delivered said deed freely
Recd to be recorded 4th Sept 1838 J J Chambers Clerke 

Abstracted 19 May 2013 by: Norah Glover

This deed tells us several things:

1. Robert and Ruth Graham were husband and wife on 28 Aug 1838 and they owned 125+ acres in Scott County, Mississippi, which they sold to Jackson Graham for $200. This small sum may be indicative of a family relationship.
2. Jackson Graham was also of Scott Co., MS in 1838

Robert and Jackson Graham probably share more than just a surname.

Stay tuned....as I continue to explore this relationship.