Zeroing in on Parentage Using Census Data

Robert Graham was born 20 August 1818, or so his headstone tell us.  And the census records throughout his life consistently report that he was born in Mississippi.  But, without any actual documentation, can we pin down Robert's birthplace to a specific county in Mississippi?

The first census where we can identify Robert Graham is 1840, in Scott County, Mississippi.  In fact, there are 2 men named Robert Graham listed on that census.  Careful, study of both men through the census records, tells us that 1 of them was probably born in North Carolina sometime between 1816 and 1818.  This Robert is also referred to as Robert Graham Sr. on some of the tax rolls, while Robert Graham born in Mississippi on 20 August 1818 is referred to as Robert Graham Jr.

One of these men's father is Robert Graham b. before 1775 in North Carolina m. Christian Keahey d. 1825 in Hinds County, Mississippi  (at least Hinds County is where his probate records are located). and the other Robert Graham's father is Anthony Graham.

Both the elder Robert and Anthony Graham came from North Carolina to Mississippi on or before 1820.  While we don't know the exact arrival years, we can assume that Robert came before Anthony, as only Robert Graham appears on the 1816 Wayne County, Mississippi Territorial census.  By 1820, both Robert and Anthony are listed on the 1820 Wayne County, Mississippi Territorial census.

Since Robert Graham born in 1818 in Mississippi and both potential fathers were living in Wayne County, MS on or before 1820, it is probable that our Robert was born in Wayne, County, MS.  Even more important this also suggests that our Robert Graham was the son of the elder Robert Graham and Christian Keahey.

Robert Graham and Christian Keahey are known to have had a son named Robert.  In fact, we know from Robert Graham's 1827 probate records and Christian's 1836 deed of gift that Robert was their youngest child. A son born between 1816 and 1818, when they were already living in Mississippi. According to the census records, their next oldest son, George Jackson Graham, was born 12 April 1816. He was also born in Mississippi -- presumably, he too was born Wayne County, Mississippi.

The other Robert Graham, born between 1816 and 1818, was born in North Carolina.  Since Anthony Graham was not listed in Mississippi in 1816, we can assume he left North Carolina after the birth his son Robert Graham.     
 
Again, while not definitive proof, the analysis of the census information suggests that Robert Graham b.  20 Aug. 1818 in Mississippi was the youngest son of Robert Graham and Christian Keahey.

Anthony Graham & Robert & Charlotty Graham

This deed, while not concrete proof, does add another piece of evidence to support the hypothesis that Robert Graham m. Charlotte Pennington was the son of Anthony Graham.

This particular deed is very nice in that it also lists other Graham family suspected of being children of Anthony and Assenith Graham.  For example; Christian Sigrest was probably a daughter of Anthony; her husband being Thomas Sigrest.  Below is the abstract of the deed. Feel free to contact me for more information on this deed. 

Mississippi, Rankin County, Deed records, 1829-1936; index, 1824-1910. Chancery Clerk, Rankin County.  FHL microfilm, 38 rolls. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Rankin County, Mississippi, Deed Book 9:6; FHL microfilm 873,417

 “Anthony Graham & others To James Holmes”

Twenty first day of February A.D. 1860 between Anthony Graham Sr. Robert Graham and M. S. Sigrest of the County of Scott and Lorenzo D. Graham of the County of Newton of the first part. And  James Holmes of the County of Rankin of the Second part…for fifteen hundred dollars.

Tracts of land…in the County of Rankin, Mississippi designated as the N ½  E ½  NE ¼  of Sec No 3 and the W 1/2 NW ¼ & S ½  E 1/2 [illegible] ¼ of Sec No 24 of Township No 6 of Range No 4 East being land entered by Anthony Graham 6^th Feb 1833 also the N 1/2 E ½  SW ¼  of Sect No. 24, and the S ½ E ½ NE ¼ of Sec No 23 T 6 of R 4 East being land entered on the 26^th January 1835 by Robert Graham  also the N ½ W ½ NE ¼ Sec 23 and the  S ½ W ½ NE ¼ Sec 24 Same Township & Range being land entered on the 4 March 1834 by Felix Flowers. Also the W ½ NW ¼ Sec 19 Township 6 Range 5 East being land entered 15^th April 1835 by KM & J. S. Hobson.  Also the S ½  E ½ NE ¼ Sec 24 T6 of R4 East entered by Thomas Sigrest Dec 11 1836 also the W ½ SE ¼ & E ½ SW ¼ Sec 14 and [illegible] ½ SE ¼ & N ½ E ½ NW ¼ Sec 24 Same Township and Range containing in all Seven hundred and Twenty Three 92/100 acres /723 92/100

Signed:

Anthony Graham (seal)
Robert Graham (seal)
M J Sigrest (seal)
Christian X Sigrest (seal)
L D Graham (seal)
Charlotty Graham (seal)
Mary Graham (seal)

Abstracted by:
Norah Glover
30 July 2013

Two Robert Graham families of Scott County Mississippi

What we know:

Two Robert Grahams are known to have been born about the same time, 1816 - 1818, and both lived in Scott County, Mississippi in 1840: Robert Graham m. Ruth Smith (my direct ancestor) and Robert Graham m. Charlotte Pennington.  The problem is to determine the parentage of Robert Graham m. Ruth Smith.  Since there are no documents that tell us the names of either of Robert Graham’s parents, we are left to build a case through circumstantial evidence.  

We do know that an elder Robert Graham m. Christiana had a son named Robert.  This evidence comes from three different legal documents.  The first was the March 1827, guardianship order located in the Hinds County, Mississippi Probate Court records.  And on 3 December 1827, Robert is again noted as a minor in the disposition of the elder Robert Graham’s estate. (see previous blogs for more on these documents).

 The third document was the deed of gift registered in Scott County, Mississippi 19 Sept 1836, wherein Christiana Graham (Robert’s widow) gave the slave Aaron to her 2 youngest sons: Jackson and Robert.   Since there are only 2 Robert Grahams living in Scott County in 1840, we can assume with some confidence that one of them was the Robert Graham named in Christany Graham’s gift. 

In this blog I'll discuss Robert Graham m. Charlotte Pennington.  Many family historians, without explanation, have attributed this Robert Graham as the son of Robert & Christian Graham. While the evidence is not conclusive it does point to a different conclusion.

Robert Graham m. Charlotte Pennington

Robert Graham b. about 1816 – 1818, most likely in North Carolina (1860 and 1880 federal census).  Only the 1850 census lists his birth as South Carolina. 

Robert married Charlotte Pennington 24 Sept 1836 in Rankin County, Mississippi (FamilySearch, "Mississippi, Marriages, 1800-1911, [index]," database, FamilySearch.org , accessed 4 Feb 2013).

 Photo taken at the Rankin County Courthouse by Marty Cassidy 2013

Rankin County was one of the parent counties of Scott County formed in 1833.

Possible children of Robert and Charlotte Graham were:

1.  Unknown male  b. between 1837 and 1840 (possible son as Robert and Charlotte married in Sep 1836), or he may have been another related or unrelated male.
2.  Lafayette Graham b. 1838 Mississippi
3.  Frank Graham b. 1843 Mississippi
4.  Anthony Graham b. 1844 Mississippi 
5.  William Graham b. 1846 Mississippi

1840 Census

Robert Graham first appeared in the 1840 federal census for Scott County, Mississippi, with 2 males under 5 – these would have been the unknown male if he was born before or in 1840, and Lafayette b. 1838.  2 males between 10 and 29 – Robert fits this category.  The other male is unknown.  1 female between 10 and 29 was consistent with Charlotte’s age. 

Both Robert Graham were enumerated on the 1840 Scott County, Mississippi census. I have discussed the other Robert Graham’s 1840 census records previously.  

1841 Scott County Tax Rolls

Robert Graham Sr. and Robert Graham Jr. appeared on this year’s tax roll.  The sr. and jr. only designated  older and younger, not a father-son relationship.  

1845 Scott County, Mississippi State Census

Neither Robert Graham appeared on this census. 

1845 Newton County Tax Rolls

This was the first year that Robert Graham appeared in Newton County.  This would have been the Robert Graham m. Charlotte Pennington, as we will see them again on the 1850 and 1860 censuses for Newton County, MS.  

1850 Census

On the 1850 federal census Robert and Charlotte Graham were enumerated as family # 2 living in Newton County Mississippi, which was adjacent and to the east of Scott County Mississippi.  Family #3 appearing on the next line in the census was Anthony Graham b. 1770 in North Carolina.

Living with Anthony Graham were possibly his children:

·          

• Benjamin Graham b. 1830 in Mississippi
• Asenath Graham (f) b. 1833 in Mississippi (named for her mother Assenith?)

1860 Census

The family in 1860, was still living in Newton County, Mississippi. On this census Anthony Graham age 90 was now living with Robert and Charity Graham.   Perhaps Charlotte also went by the name of Charity, or the enumerator made an error.

 

Children living with Robert and Charity were:

• Benjamin Graham, b. 1840 in Mississippi (named for his uncle?)
•  Antony Graham, b. 1842 in Mississippi  (named for his grandfather?)
•  William Graham, b. 1845 in Mississippi

1870 Census

By 12 July 1870, Robert and Charlotte Graham were back in Scott County, Mississippi. None of their children were living with them.  

1880 Census

By 1880, Robert and Charlotte Graham had moved to Vernon Parish, Louisiana, and they were living with Robert’s brother Benjamin Graham.   He was indicated as the brother on this census.

Discussion:

Both Robert Grahams were residing in Scott County, Mississippi in 1840 (Federal Census).

Anthony Graham appeared next to Robert and Charlotte Graham on the 1850 Newton County, MS. Federal census.  And, more telling was that by 1860, the aging Anthony Graham had moved into the same household as Robert and Charlotte.  This certainly lends credibility to the hypothesis that this Robert Graham was the son of Anthony Graham, as both Anthony and Robert move from Scott County to nearby Newton County sometime before 1845. 

The Newton County Tax rolls list Anthony Graham starting in 1838, apparently he had already moved at least by that date, and Anthony Graham, age 70, did not appear on the Scott County, MS census. Of note is the fact that a Benjamin Graham living with Anthony Graham in 1850, was probably a son.   The fact that Robert is designated as Benjamin’s brother on the 1880 census lends weight to the evidence that Anthony Graham b. 1770 in North Carolina was also the father of Robert Graham m. Charlotte Pennington. 

It seems that Anthony Graham, age 90, probably died sometime between 1860 - 1870.  A search for Anthony Graham's grave on the Internet was negative. No search for Anthony Graham's probate records was conducted as the Newton County probate records only extend back to 1876.   

Still to be analyzed are land records of Anthony Graham. These may hold additional evidence for family relationships.   

What's in a Name?

Another way of looking at determining parentage, when there is no definitive document providing the information, is to look at naming patterns.   While not conclusive evidence of family relationship, names can provide clues that may help unravel family relations.

In a recent blog, I offered  names for Robert and Christian Graham’s children, as obtained from Robert’s probate records.  Those children were (*indicate named as minor heirs in probate records): 

1.       Margaret

2.       John

3.       Charles

4.       Anthony

5.       Reuben *

6.       Sarah *

7.       Christian *

8.       Archibald *

9.       George Jackson *

10.   Robert *

For example we know that the 2 Robert Grahams, living in Scott County, Mississippi were born about the same time 1816 – 1818, one in Mississippi and one in North Carolina, they had different wives (Ruth and Charlotte), and named their children differently.   

Children of Robert Graham m. Ruth Smith

1. Sarah C.
2.  Christiana Elizabeth
3.  William Jackson
4.  Julia Ann
5.  Emily
6.  Lorenzo Dow
7.  Demerius  or Demarius
8.  Ruth M.
9. Mary Ann
10.  Annie

A quick review, shows that Robert and Ruth Graham’s children had some similar names to the elder Robert & Christian Graham: 

 Sarah

 Christian(a)

 Jackson. 

According to Farmer in The History of the Graham Family for the Graham Family Reunion 1979, the elder Robert Graham’s wife Christian was Christian Keahey.  Her mother’s maiden name was Jackson, and Christian was also her maternal grandmother.  She also had a brother George Jackson Keahey who died in 1808.   These facts all still need to be researched and documented.   But, they are tantalizing clues.  

And, now a quick look at the known children (determined from census records) of Robert Graham m. Charlotte Pennington

1. Lafayette
2. Benjamin 
3. Frank
4.  Anthony 
5.  William

The only name match here is Anthony.  This will become important as I continue to look at other options for Robert Graham’s father.  

In the future, I’ll take a look at all of Robert Graham m. Christian Keahey grandchildren’s names to see if there are any further matches that might be clues to family relationships .

Robert Graham's Father?

Who are the potential fathers for Robert Graham b. 20 Aug 1818 in Mississippi, m. Ruth Smith, d. 10 Feb 1890 in Rapides Parrish, Louisiana?  There are a number of candidates who were living in Mississippi just before the time that our Robert was born.

In February 1820, when the census was taken, young Robert Graham would have been 7 years old. That puts him in the males under 10 category.  All of the following Graham male heads of households, appearing on the 1820 Mississippi Federal Census, had male children under age 10 listed in their households. 

• Robert Graham (1820 Wayne County, MS - 3 males under age 10)
• Anthony Graham ( 1820 Wayne County, MS - 3 males under age 10)
• William Graham (1820 Wayne County, MS - 3 male under age 10)
• Zacharia Graham (1820 Wayne County, MS - 2 males under age 10)
• Joseph Graham (1820 Jackson County, MS - 1 male under age 10)
• Thomas Graham (1820 Lawrence County, MS - 1 male under age 10)
• William Graham (1820 Marion County, MS - 2 males under age 10)

 

Ancestry.com Trees:

The following claims have been made for the parents of Robert Graham m. Ruth Smith.  A quick search of Ancestry.com will find all three listed as his parents in various trees.  Unfortunately, none of these trees provides any sources for Robert's parents.

• William Graham  - no name of wife.  This was first proposed by Julian Dow Graham, a grandson of Robert and Ruth Graham.  The information came from a newspaper article he wrote, which was published in "The South Rapides Chronicle" 21 Feb 1973, Vol 4 No. 3.  It is unknown if William Graham had a son named Robert. 
  
• Robert Graham and Christian Keahey: This couple had a son named Robert.  James Morris Farmer suggested that the Robert Graham m. Charlotte Pennington was the son of Robert and Christian Graham (p.14 The History of the Graham Family).
  
• Anthony Graham and Assenith (various spellings): This couple may also have had a son named Robert.  Anthony Graham age 80 was living next to or very near Robert Graham in 1850.  In 1860 he was living with Robert and Charlotte Graham. (1850 & 1860 Newton County, MS., Federal Censuses) 

 

FamilySearch.org Pedigrees

A search of submitted pedigrees to FamilySearch.org revealed 5 charts for the Robert Graham who married Ruth Smith.  Only 2 of the pedigrees suggest parents for Robert:

• William Graham: this appears to be submitted by one of the same persons who submitted to Ancestry.com.  There is no accompanying discussion or sources.
  
  
• Robert Graham & Christian Keahey:  this pedigree was accompanied with several well known sources and discussion but no firm conclusions. The submitter does warn that the information needs to be proved.

Robert Graham abt 1770 - 1825

In the never ending search for the parents of my Robert Graham born 20 Aug 1818 in Mississippi, who married Ruth Smith sometime before 1838, and died 10 Feb 1890 in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, this week I am looking at the Robert Graham born sometime before 1770 in North Carolina, who married Christian Keahey, and died Feb 1825 in Hinds County, Mississippi. It is certain that this Robert Graham also had a son named Robert Graham, but which Robert Graham was this?

Farmer's history of the Graham Family:

Previous researchers have provided an undocumented list of children for Robert and Christian Graham.  The best known is the list compiled by James Morris Farmer in The History of the Graham Family for the Graham Family Reunion 1979.  Farmer does a great job of providing background information and sources on the Grahams. However, like most family historians of his time, he does not tell us how he determined the different family relationships.  The list of children for Robert and Christian Graham from Farmer is:

1. John Graham
2. Charles Graham
3. Anthony Graham
4. unknown son from 1820 census
5. Reuben Graham
6. Sarah Graham
7. Archibald Graham
8. George Jackson Graham
9. Robert Graham - wife Charlotte Pennington  

I left off the spouses for the children, with the exception of Robert Graham's wife.  It is the Robert’s wife's name that helps to distinguish between the 2 Robert Graham living in Scott County, Mississippi in 1840.  See my previous blog for more on this discussion.

Graham children's guardianship order:

The probate records for Robert Graham Sr. who died in 1825, supplies the names of his minor children as of March 1827.  The following record was transcribed by me on 15 July 2013.

Hinds County Probate Court 

March Term 1827

“Pleas and Proceedings had before the Hon. Jno W. N. A Smith Judge of the Probate for Hinds County the 4th Monday of March 1827”

[deleted section not applying to Robert Graham]

"Ordered that John Graham be appointed Guardian of the person and property of Reuben Graham and Sarah Graham Archibald Graham Christian Graham George Jackson Graham and Robert Graham Minors and heirs of Robert Graham deceased he having given bond and took the oath according to law." 

With this list, we can say with certainty that at least the following were children of Robert Graham: 

• Reuben Graham
• Sarah Graham
• Archibald Graham
• Christian Graham
• George Jackson Graham 
• Robert Graham  

We already knew, from her 1836 deed of gift, that Jackson Graham and Robert Graham were the 2 youngest sons of Christiana Graham (See my blog, Christian Graham’s Deed of Gift). 

Jackson Graham and George Jackson Graham are one and the same; he continued to use both names off and on throughout his life.

Robert Grayham probate distribution of property:

It would be nice to think that the names of the minor children appear in chronological order, since the 2 youngest are already in chronological order.   And, it would be great to assume that John Graham was indeed the oldest son of Robert Graham, but there is nothing in writing to confirm this. 

The next piece of evidence also comes from the probate court. The following is my transcript of the division of Robert Grayham's property from the Hinds County Mississippi. Probate Court Records, Inventory books, v 1 1822-1836:  

December the 3rd day of 1827

This is to certify to the Honorable Orphans Court of Hines County that we the under[?]

commissioners legally appointed by the authority of the aforesaid Orphans Court have

properly discharged our duty as commissioners to make decisions in the Estate of Robert Gra[?]

deceased the divisions states as follows.  We allot to the widow of the Late Robert Grayham

One negro woman named Dinah appraised to 500 dollars and also 215.821/2 which [illegible]

715.841/2 which is one third of the Estate which she [illegible] as Dower to have and for her use

during the term of her natural life.

Christian Grayham R widow received           "           "           $715 [off the edge of the page]

Margaret Keahey                   do                  "           "             143 [off the edge of the page]

John Grayham                        do                  "           "             143 [off the edge of the page]

Charles Grayham                   do                   "           "             143 [off the edge of the page]

Anthony Grayham                  do                   "           "             143 [off the edge of the page]

Reuben Grayham                   do                   "           "             143 [off the edge of the page]

Sarah Grayham                      do                   "           "             143 [off the edge of the page]

Christian Grayham                 do                    "           "             143 [off the edge of the page]

Archibald Grayham               do                     "           "             143 [off the edge of the page]

George J. Grayham               do                     "           "             143 [off the edge of the page]

Robert Grayham                   do                     "           "             143 [off the edge of the page]

We do also certify that one negro girl named Mary appraised to $400 was equally divided amongst the five minor heirs I.E. Sarah Grayham, Archibald Grayham Christian Grayham George J Grayham and Robert Grayham one fifth part of said girl allotted to each and that the balance in money difference to make the above amount of [illegible] which negro Girl is to remain in the hands of John Grayham Guardian of said minor inheritants we set our signatures

                                                                                                Dempsey Smith

                                                                                                Alijah Genty

                                                                                                Henry Long

Transcribed 17 July 2013 by Norah Glover

At this time, there are only 5 minor children, as Reuben apparently reached adulthood after the March 1827 guardianship order.  With this division of property, we learn that Christian Grayham was indeed Robert's widow, and the additional names of Margaret Keahey (a married daughter?), John, Charles, and Anthony.  They all received the same identical shares of the Robert's estate as did Reuben and the 5 minor children.  It is likely that all of these named inheritants were the children of Robert and Christian Graham, but still we cannot say that this with absolute certainty.  Also, the order of Christian and Archibald differ on the 2 documents putting the exact order of the children in doubt.  

The names on this disposition of property list are to those on Farmer's list, with the addition of Margaret and Christian.  Margaret Keahey is a bit problematic as Keahey was also the mother Christian Graham's maiden name, but marriage to a Keahey cousin was not out of the question. It will take more research to resolve the relationship of Margaret to the rest of the family.

The spelling of the name Graham/Grayham differs between the 2 documents.  The name Graham is often spelled Grayham throughout official records in Mississippi. But there is no doubt that these names belong to the same family members.  

While this all helps to determine the names of Robert and Christian Graham's children, it still does not resolve the problem of which Robert Graham living in Scott County, Mississippi in 1840 was the son of Robert and Christian Graham. Additional research and analysis of the available records and information is needed.   

As always I invite comments and additional insight.

Sources:

Farmer, James Morris, The History of the Graham Family for the Graham Family Reunion 1979. Raleigh, N.C. 

Hinds County Mississippi. Probate Court Records, 1822-1875. Hinds County, Mississippi, US/CAN Film 878735. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Hinds County Mississippi. Probate Court Records, Inventory books, v 1 1822-1836. Hinds County, Mississippi. US/CAN Film 878746. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.