Pvt. Wm J. Graham (Confederate Soldier)

According to the newspaper article written by his nephew Julian Dow Graham and published 21 Feb 1873 in The South Rapides Chronicle, we learned that Robert and Ruth Graham's son William Jackson Graham fought for the Confederate cause during the Civil War. 

William Jackson Graham, age 17 years 11 months enlisted in the 16th Regiment Louisiana Infantry, at Camp Moore, Louisiana to fight for the Confederacy.  His enlistment term was for the duration of the war.

Between Sept 29th and Nov 1st he was assigned to Company G. the Piney Woods Sharp Shooters.  They spent the first winter (1861) at Camp Benjamin in New Orleans. Then in "February, 1962, the regiment went to Corinth, Mississippi, as part of General Daniel Ruggles' brigade." (1)

As part of the Company G. 16 th Louisiana Infantry, William would have been at the:

• Battle of Shiloh
• Battle of Farmington
• Battle of Stirlings Plantation
• Battle of Missionary Ridge

Wm. J. Graham was captured by Union forces under Major General Thomas at the Battle of Missionary Ridge on 25 Nov 1863.

 His military records further indicated that he was eventually sent to the Rock Island Prisoner of War camp in Illinois. (2)    Family lore claims that William walked from Illinois to Louisiana after his release.  Upon finding that his family had gone to Texas he obtained a mule and went to Texas.  The story continues that when he arrived at the farm where his parents and siblings were staying they did not immediately recognize him.   The family eventually returned to Louisiana where William died 11 May 1925 of a cerebral hemorrhage (3) 

 

Transcript of obituary received from Louisiana State Archives attached to back of death certificate.

In the passing away Monday, May 11, of W. J. Graham, at his home in Forest Hill, South Rapides lost one of her oldest and most highly respected citizens.

Deceased was numbered among the pioneers of the parish.  he was a Confederate Veteran, serving throughout the conflict between the states.  He had been in ill health for sometime and his death was not a surprise to his family and friends.

Mr. Graham is survived by his wife and the following children: Mrs. Z. P. Scarbrock, of McNary, Arizona; Mrs. S A. Mallett, of Beaumont, Texas; Mrs. Charles Saxe, of Houston, Texas; Ellis Graham, of El Dorado, Ark., Hadley Graham, of Forest Hill, La; Arch Graham, of Forest Hill, and Jeff Graham, of Alexandria.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Hill, pastor of the Methodist Church of Lecompte, Tuesday amid a large concourse of friends and relatives, after which the remains were laid away in the family cemetery at Forest Hill. The Ku Klux Klan, of which deceased was a member, had charge at the grave. (4)

 

 

(1) 16th Volunteer Regiment Infantry http://www.acadiansingray.com/16th%20Regt.%20Inf.htm#G

(2) Widows Pension application by Laura Graham dated 8 Jun 1925. 
(3) Graham, William Jackson death certificate
(4) obituary copied on the back of his death certificate - newspaper not identified

Civic Duty - Newspaper Article

Elephind.com is a new search engine for locating historical news articles.  In just a few minutes, I was able to locate this article, which mentioned my 3rd great-grandfather Robert Graham.   

The Louisiana Democrat. (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, January 16, 1878, Image 2 Col 6 (about 2/3 down page). 

To read original article go to: 

http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82003389/1878-01-16/ed-1/seq-2/#words=/

Transcript of highlighted area:

On the motion of Mr. Calhoon,

Resolved, That in accordance with

a resolution passed by the Jury, ap-

pointing Commissioners to apportion

road hands in the respective Wards,

H.B. Nash, Robert Graham and

William Dyer as appointed Com-

missioners for Spring Hill Ward;

[rest of article deleted as it doesn’t apply]

 Transcribed by Norah Glover 23 July 2013

William Dyer was the father of Laura Dyer who married William Jackson Graham, son of Robert Graham.

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>.

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 

Christiana or Elizabeth or both?

One of the things that bothers me about Robert Graham's and Ruth Smith's list of children is daughters 2 and 3: 

• Christiana E. GRAHAM (Cal 1842-After 1900).  Born in , , Mississippi.
• Elizabeth GRAHAM  (Cal 1842-          ).  Born in Louisiana, USA. 

The things that are causing me trouble are:

Christiana E. Graham 

She only appears on the censuses as a child with her parents Robert and Ruth Graham.

• 1850 Jackson Parish, Louisiana - age  8 born in Mississippi
• 1860 Rapides Parish, Louisiana - age 18 born in Louisiana

She never appears on any record (so far) after 1860.

While it is possible that Christiana E. Graham was married or had died by 1870, so far, I have not been able to locate any marriage or death/burial records in either Jackson or Rapides parishes, LA.

Elizabeth Graham 

She never appears as a child on the census, and only shows up once she is married to Joel E. Merchant.  

So far, I haven't found conclusive evidence that she is the daughter of Robert and Ruth Graham, but here is what I have found, relating to Elizabeth Graham:

• Marriage Bond and Marriage License - 19 Jan 1867 names Joel B. Merchant and Elizabeth Graham
• Marriage certificate from minister - 24 Jan 1867 (transcription follows - highlighting of names added by me)
• "Be it Remembered, That on the 24 day of January, 1867 Mr. Joel Merchant and Miss Elizabeth Graham personally appeared before me D H Willis minister of the Gospel in and for the Parish of Rapides, together with the witnesses G W Smith and D H Willis Jr all witnesses of full age, and resident in the said Parish, and that then and there said Mr. Joel Merchant and Miss Elizabeth Graham  having produced the License required by Law, signified their desire and intention before us the said Minister D H Willis Sr and witnesses to be united in the State of Matrimony. Whereupon, after due proclamation made, and no impediment being suggested, they, the said Mr. Joel Merchant and Miss Elizabeth Graham were by me, the said Minister D H Wills Sr in the presence of the said witnesses, JOINED IN WEDLOCK according to the Laws of the State of Louisiana, and by me the said minister duly pronounced to be Husband and Wife.
  In Testimony Whereof, The parties to the said Marriage hereunto affix their signatures together with me the said Minister D H Willis Sr and the aforesaid Witnesses on this 24 day of January 1867 at the residence of R Graham in the Parish aforesaid.
  [signed] Joel Merchant
  [signed] Elisabeth Graham
  WITENSSES:
  [signed] G W Smith
  [signed] D H Willis Jr 
  Given under my hand this the 24 day of January [signed] D H Willis Sr."
• The fact that they were married at the home of R. Graham (Robert?) is of interest.  The witnesses are also of interest:
• D H Willis Jr was married to another of Robert Graham's daughters: Julia Ann Graham
• G W Smith shares the Smith name with Robert Graham's wife Ruth Smith - a relative, perhaps?

• 1870 Census Rapides Parish - age 28 born in Louisiana
• living close to (listed next family to) William Jackson Graham family (Robert Graham's son) and only a few houses from Robert Graham's daughter Emily Butter and Robert Graham.  
• Additionally, Elizabeth Merchant and 3 of Robert Graham's daughters all have a minor female Walker child living with them. 
• And, living next (on the census) to Robert Graham are 2 Walker boys age 17 & 13 
• Further research on the Walker children shows they are all siblings on the 1850 census - more on them at a later time. 
• it would seem that there is a connection between the Walker children and the Grahams and Elizabeth Merchant. 
• 1880 Census Rapides Parish - age 38 born in Louisiana
• Elizabeth's ages in 1870 and 1880 would also be correct for Christiana E Graham
• Elizabeth Merchant died before 21 Dec 1888 - determined by the following evidence:
• Joel Merchant obtained Marriage license to marry Ella McCall on  21 Dec 1888; they were married on 23 Dec 1888 
• Louisiana Democrat April 10, 1889 page 3 (newspaper partial transcription)
  STATE OF LOUISIANA,
  Parish of Rapides - 12th Judicial District Court.
  Succession of Mrs. C. E. Merchant  No 535
  Whereas JOEL B. MERCHANT, Administrator of the above numbered and entitled Succession [...] -- 
• The initials C.E. certainly suggest that Elizabeth was not her first name, but probably her middle name.  And, the first initial C. matches with Christiana E. Graham. 
• I haven't been able to locate a death notice/certificate or burial place for Elizabeth Merchant
•  

While there is no one piece of evidence that resolves the problem of Christiana and Elizabeth C. Graham, there several lines of circumstantial evidence to suggest that these 2 women were one and the same.

I have ordered all 37 pages of the succession record of Mrs. C. E. Merchant from the Rapides Parish, LA courthouse.  I hope that this record will help solve this identity problem.  -- Stay tuned.

If anyone has any information that contradicts or add additional insight into these two female names I would love to hear from you.