Civil War in Rapides Parish, Louisiana

I love history, but war history has never been an interest of mine.  That has all changed! 

While researching my Robert Graham family in Louisiana I came across the Civil War military records of Robert’s son William Jackson Graham and some of Robert’s sons-in laws, which gave me insight into the military lives of these soldiers.  What I really want to know is how did the rest of the family survive and endure the war.  

While browsing online, I came across a communication, dated 21 Sept 1864 from Abraham Lincoln to General Canby in Louisiana. The gist of the letter says that the loyal Union people of Rapides Parish were “in great destitution---almost absolute starvation”.  Since most had taken the oath of allegiance General Baily was asking for permission to take donated food to them from New Orleans. For a complete and a more graphic account of their circumstances, see. To Edward R. S. Canby (Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln)

While these documents apply only to Union sympathizers, it does illustrate the dire circumstances of those who were living behind the Confederate lines in Rapides Parish, LA.

WOW! 

What an eye opener. This was my first official glimpse into the plight of my own ancestors who were living in Rapides Parish, LA during the Civil War.  They were going hungry, maybe even starving!

This one document spiked my curiosity about the lives of my ancestors living in the south during and after the Civil War.   I am now reading Brokenburn: The Journal of Kate Stone 1861 - 1868. Kate, a young woman in her early 20s at the outbreak of war, chronicles the day to day lives of her family members throughout the Civil War and its aftermath. Although I am not yet done reading it, I am completely captivated by her diaries. I am particularly looking forward to reading about her family’s escape to eastern Texas and their lives as war refugees. 

Family lore says that my own Graham ancestors also fled to Texas during the Civil War. I am hoping Kate’s descriptions of life there will give me insight into my own ancestor’s plight, their flight to Texas, and life as refugees.

  ____________________________

Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 8. Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865. (accessed 7 Jan 2013) http://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/lincoln8/1:34?rgn=div1;view=fulltext  2006 .

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.

_______________________________________________ 

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>.

Dear Graham Descendants,

Last year I visited with my husband's sister and we started talking about the family.  Well she pulled out old boxes of photos, newspaper clippings, funeral memorial cards etc... Pretty soon she shared with me her grandmother's wedding ring and the bride and groom cake toppers from her parent's wedding cake along with all kinds of other things that she and her mother had saved.  I was able to photograph the items and scan all the photos and other bits of paper.  She had quite a few photos with no names or dates, but luckily another distant cousin's grandfather (age 92) was able to identify the people, and in some cases, even tell us where the photos were taken.  I was then able to share these photos and new information with other members of my husband's family on the family blog, so....

Now I wonder, do any of you have old photos or memorabilia stashed in old photo albums and boxes in the attic or basement?  How about funeral cards, newspaper clippings, or old documents of any type?  Maybe you have things that you inherited from your parents or grandparents -- dare I dream that anyone reading this might have an old Graham family Bible with names and dates recorded in it.

If you have any of these things, how about sharing them with other family members?  What I am suggesting is if you can photograph or scan old photos or other bits of old family history and email them to me.  I'll post them here on the Graham family blog for all to see.  Even if you don't know who the people are in the photos, maybe someone else will.

Maybe, just maybe by sharing old photos, newspaper clippings, or other old items someone will recognize something and identify it for us all.  And, just maybe that old bit family history hidden away in a box or album will be something that will enrich our Graham family history for you, your children and grandchildren.

You don't have to be too perfect in your photo taking; I can clean up most photos before posting them.

Nothing is too insignificant to not be of historical interest to our family. But if you aren't sure if something might be of interest, ask me -- I'll probably say YES!

I'll be happy to give everyone credit for their photos or scans, or if you would rather remain anonymous I can do that to. 

You can email me at norah@rvinglover.com

Ruth Smith's Birthplace

Ruth Smith wife of Robert Graham was born 5 Dec 1813 in - and that is the question.

Where was Ruth Smith born? 

We don't have a lot of information about Ruth prior to her marriage to Robert Graham.  We don't know who her parents were.  Family tradition says that her father was a trapper, but with a common last name it is going to be a problem to discover her parents.

The first order of business is to determine where Ruth was born, and then perhaps we can narrow down possible Smith families to discover which one she came from.   In looking over the available documents that list Ruth's possible birthplaces we discover that there is no agreement and several possibilities.

The 1850 (Jackson Parish, Louisiana) and 1860 (Rapides Parish, Louisiana) censuses both show Ruth as being born in Kentucky.  This is significant because these are the only 2 records of her birth that were created when she was still alive.

The 1870 Mortality Schedule for Rapides Parish, Louisiana states that she was born in Mississippi. We don't know who gave this information, but it couldn't have been Ruth, herself.

The only other documents listing possible birthplaces are the death certificates of some of her children.  The informants in some cases were her grandchildren, and in other instances the relationship of the informant is unclear, at this time.  Of the 5 death certificates examined (William Jackson Graham 1940; Julia Ann Willis, 1936; Emily Butter, 1933; Mary Ann (Maggie) Willis, 1940; and Annie Willis, 1936) Alabama (3), Louisiana (1), and Mississippi (1) were listed.

Looking back at the history of the Mississippi Territory at the time of Ruth's birth in 1813, we find that it encompassed both of what we know as Mississippi and Alabama.  If Ruth were born in part of Mississippi that is now Alabama, that could account for some confusion on the part of her grandchildren.  But other than Kentucky having once been part of Virginal (before Ruth's birth), there shouldn't be any confusion with Kentucky and Alabama or Mississippi.   

My best "guess", at this time, is that Ruth Smith was probably born in Kentucky as this is the only state listed on the censuses during her lifetime.  Perhaps this will change once more records and more of Ruth's family is found.

William Jackson Graham - Laura Dyer Marriage

On th 24th of January 1870 Wm J. Graham and Laura Dyer were issued a marriage license in Rapides Parish, Louisiana.  William Jackson Graham, son of Robert Graham and Ruth Smith was 26 years old and Laura Dyer, daughter of William Dyer and Mary Hurbert was 20 years old at the time of their marriage.  

The Minister's Marriage Return tells us that they were married at the home of Laura Dyer's father William Dyer on 26 January 1870.   There are 2 records of this marriage at the Rapides Parish courthouse.  One is a handwritten statement and the other is the standard form.  Both are essentially identical and we are left to wonder why 2 records were submitted.

Additional names to research from these records are:  Wm Randolph, Thomas E. Randolph, F. Richard Barker, Mathew P. Willis 

Records obtained from the Rapides Parish Courthouse, Alexandria, Louisiana.

William Jackson Graham

As I started to review my records/files on William Jackson Graham, oldest son of Robert Graham and Ruth Smith I quickly realized that my assumption about his birthplace was wrong.

According to the 1850 census, Jackson Parish, Louisiana Wm J. Greyham was 7 years old and he was born in Louisiana.  In fact, he was the first of Robert and Ruth's children to be born in Louisiana, which is important to know to try and pin down the year when the family moved from Mississippi to Louisiana. 

Christiana E. age 8 was most likely born in 1842, and we know from William Jackson Graham's death records that he was born on 29 Oct 1843, which means that the family moved sometime in 1842 or before the end of Oct 1843.   

His death certificate also states that he was born in Jackson Parish, Louisiana.  The informant of the information on the death certificate was H. R. Graham (Hadley Robert Graham), one of William's sons.

However, Jackson Parish was not formed until 1845, so William could not have been born in Jackson Parish in 1843.  Jackson Parish was created 27 February 1845 from Claiborne, Ouachita, and Union Parishes (1).   Obviously, William Jackson Graham was born in one of these other parishes, but which one?

As a side note, William's younger sister Julia Ann also thought to be born in Jackson Parish was actually born 22 Feb 1845 which was just 5 days before the Jackson Parish was formed.  

A quick online search of the BLM GLO for all land patents acquired by any Robert Graham turned up only 3 in Jackson Parish and 1 in Rapides Parish that could have been our Robert Graham.  While these records do place the Robert Graham family in Jackson and Rapides Parishes at specific times, they do not help with the birthplace of either William Jackson or Julia Ann Graham.

 
On the 1850 Jackson Parish census Robert Graham is listed with real estate valued at $250.  This would have been property he acquired prior to the earliest land patent in 1851.  It is not know when he acquired this earlier property or in which parish -- Jackson or if before 27 Feb 1845, which parish. 

The next steps will be to see if there are any courthouse records for Robert Graham in Jackson Parish and in any of the 3 prior Parishes (Claiborne, Ouachita, or Union) or perhaps church records of William and Julia Ann's baptisms. 

More about William Jackson Graham in upcoming blog posts.

 
1. Family Search https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Jackson_Parish,_Louisiana 

What Happened to Sarah?

Sarah C. Graham (abt 1838 - after 1850), was the oldest daughter of Robert Graham and Ruth Smith. 

Sarah C. Greyham appears on the 1850 census in Jackson Parish, Louisiana as an 11 year old born in Mississippi.  This family is no doubt the same as Robert and Ruth Graham.  All the ages and birthplaces of every family member matches those in future censuses.

She may also be the under age 5 female associated with a Robert Graham on the 1840 census in Scott County, Mississippi.

 

Beyond these 2 records there is no hint as to what happened to Sarah C. Graham after 1850.   In 1860, Sarah would have been 21 years old; was she already married when the rest of the family moved from Jackson Parish to Rapides Parish, Louisiana in 1860, or perhaps she died sometime between 1850 and 1860?