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 .

Timeline Robert and George Jackson Graham

Sometimes it helps to make a timeline of events to connect people to one another overtime.  I offer this very short 13 year timeline to suggest a relationship connection between Robert Graham m. Ruth Smith and George Jackson Graham.

• Feb 1825 - Robert Graham husband of Christian dies in Hinds County, Mississippi (Hinds Co. MS Probate Records, 1822-1875)
• Mar 1827 - John Graham is appointed guardian of Robert Graham's minor children, which included George Jackson Graham and Robert Graham (Hinds Co. MS Probate Records, 1822-1875)
• Dec 1827 - disposition of Robert Graham's estate names George J. Graham and Robert Graham as minor heirs. (Hinds Co., MS. Probate, Inventory books, v 1 1822-1836)
• 19 Dec 1836 - Christian Graham gives the slave Aaron to her 2 youngest sons: Jackson Graham and Robert Graham (Scott Co., MS, Deed & Will Book A 1835 - 1839 part 1 p. 13)
• 28 Aug 1838 - Robert Graham and his wife Ruth Graham sell 163+ acres of land to Jackson Graham for only $200. (Scott Co., MS, Will and Deeds, A 1835-1839, Part 1, page 282-283)

While not definitive proof of a brotherly relationship, at the very least the Graham to Graham 1838 land sale suggests a family connection.

Sources:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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>.