Benjamin Walter Graves

Benjamin married Margaret Embree on 18 Jan 1832. Margaret (daughter of Elisha Embree and Nancy Wilhoit) was born on 27 Apr 1817 in Cumberland Co, Kentucky; died on 18 Jul 1902 in Midway Co, Texas; was buried in Hill Cem, Midway Co, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Elouisa Catherine Graves was born on 24 Feb 1843 in Kentucky; died on 17 Feb 1926 in Belton, Bell Co,Texas.

Thomas married Mary "Polly" Chilton in 1785 in Kentucky. Mary (daughter of George C. Chilton and Ann Bayne Owsley) was born in 1765; died after 1815. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Rice Graves (216) was born about 1729 in St. George Parish, Spotsylvania Co., Va., and died 1814 in Louisa Co., Va. In Spotsylvania Records, O. Book 1738-49, p. 466, June 7, 1748, he is called "Rice Graves, son of Thos. Graves Sr." and would hardly have been so designated had he then been 21 years of age.

He married Jane Young, daughter of John Young and Christian Bruce, about 1751-2. (John Card Graves said this was his second marriage.) Jane died in 1812.

We next find Rice as defendant in a chancery suit brought by Thomas Graves on Feb. 6, 1752 (Spots. Rec., O. Book 1749-55, p. 166). In 1759, he was appointed to serve under John Robinson, surveyor of roads (Spots. Rec., O. Book 1755-65, p. 140). In 1760, as Rice Graves of Spotsylvania Co., he bought from William and Mary Macon of New Kent Co. 190 acres "on North Anna River of Pamunkey" (Louisa Rec., Deed Book D, p. 31), and probably moved at once into Louisa Co. Parenthetically, it might be remarked that all the members of this Graves family had their habitat, so far as can be determined, either on the north side of the Northanna River in Spotsylvania Co., or on the south side in Louisa Co. Not until John ventured into North Carolina did any of them stray far from this river. In 1772, Rice added more land to his holdings (Louisa Records, Deed Book D-1/2, p. 375), and in 1777 we find him listed with five tithables (Harris' History of Louisa Co., p. 169). Rice was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He was administrator of his mother's estate, 15 Aug. 1782. He was on the first U.S. census in 1783 in Essex Co., Va., and his family then consisted of four whites and three blacks. In 1806 (Louisa Rec., Deed Book K, p. 253), describing himself as old and infirm, he appointed his son John to act as trustee in an equal division of his property among his children. In Deed Book L, p. 225, July 10, 1809, two of his sons, Thomas and Benjamin, release their brother John, who was trustee, from further responsibility. In the settlement of the estate as returned by John Graves (Will Book 5, p. 572, July 10, 1815) occur these entries: "Aug. 1812, to pd. Absalom Waller for preaching Mother's funeral", and "Aug. 1814, to pd. Wm. G. Hiter for preaching Father's funeral." (R-21, R-910, R-915)

Children - Graves

+459. John Graves, m. Mary Ragland, 24 Aug. 1795, d. 1843.

+460. Thomas Graves, b. Oct. 1763, m(1) Mary Chilton, 25 Aug. 1785, m(2) Marley P. Walthall, 19 Oct. 1842, d. May 1847.

+461. Benjamin Graves, b.c. 1765, m. Sallie Cole, d.c. 1846.

462. Elizabeth Graves, m. Enos (or Uriah) Tate, 12 Oct. 1772 (Louisa Co., Va.), d. 1807. He may have been a son of Zimri Tate, although John Tate gave consent for the marriage.

+463. Richard Graves, m. Sarah Arnett, 20 Nov. 1780, d. by 1811.

464. Susanna Graves, m. James Chiles, 20 Dec. 1785 (Louisa Co., VA).

+465. Mary Graves, m. William Arnett, 11 Dec. 1781.

+466. William Graves, b. 29 Jan. 1768, m. Lydia Ann Williams, 2 May 1793, d. 12 Dec. 1852.

467. Lucy Graves, m. Joseph Pettus, 9 Feb. 1784. See #455 for descendants.

468. Nancy Graves, m. Lewis Johnson (?), 16 Oct. 1820 (Louisa Co., Va.). Nancy made her home near Huntsville, Madison Co., AL. Her will dated 6 Aug. 1827 gave her sister Lucy Pettus a negro woman, to her niece Maria Graves a negro woman, to Thomas Arnett a negro boy, gifts to the heirs of her deceased niece Susannah Long, to James O. Pettus a negro man and some furniture; to her sister Catherine Graves a negro man, all of her household and kitchen furniture, stock of horses, cattle and hogs, and her land; and appointed her nephew James O. Pettus executor. It is likely that her sister Lucy Pettus and family, Thomas Arnett, and her sister Catherine Graves, were then living in Madison Co., AL, instead of Ky.

469. Catherine ("Kate") Graves, unmarried in 1815.

Source:
Graves Family Association (Genealogy #169)

(247) Sixth Generation. Died 1814. Lived Louisa County, Virginia. For settlement of estate see Louisa County Will Book 5, page 572. Married Sarah ___________, who died 1812. Source: Adventurers of Purse and Person (2005).

Note that Graves Family Association has wife as Jane Young, while Dorman has wife as Sarah ______ .
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Virginia County Records
SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY 1721-1800
DEED BOOK D 1742-1751, Page 185

Decr. 4, 1750. George Woodroof of Spts. Co., Planter, and Jane, his wife, to Rice Graves of sd. County, planter. £10 curr. 100 a. in Spts. Co. Robt. Huddleston, John Smith, James Fox. Dec. 4, 1751. Rice Graves3 was a son of Thomas Graves2 and Ann Davenport, who married Jane Young. This tract was part of the two patents filed by George Woodroof near Arnold's Run, and would have been situated nearby to his father's land, and that of his uncle, John Graves2. Source: John Graves of Northamptonshire, Revisted By Robert L. Atteberry and Carmen J. Rosado (Last updated February 2011).

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=caswellcounty&id=I2391

Rice married Jane Young in 1751 in Louisa, Louisa Co, VIrginia. Jane (daughter of John Young and Christian Bruce) was born in 1729 in Spotsylvania, Spotsylvania Co, Virginia; died in 1812 in Louisa, Louisa Co, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

George married Ann Bayne Owsley in 1768. Ann was born about 1747; died after 1770. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 6 Jun 1768, Spotsylvania Co, Virginia

Notes:

Thomas Graves was born in 1691 (based on a deposition, Caroline O.B. 1746-54, p. 362), and died in 1768 in Spotsylvania Co., Va. Mrs. Hiden states: "in the absence of documentary proof, we can still feel confident that Thomas Graves was the son of a John Graves who had lived in King and Queen Co. but was of the Gloucester Co. family, born about 1670, son of Thomas and Mary Graves, son of Thomas, son of Capt. Thomas." [Note that the connection to Captain Thomas Graves is incorrect based upon DNA testing done by the Graves Family Association.]

Thomas Graves consistently maintained his residence on the Pamunkey in Spotsylvania Co., Va. His wife Ann (or Anne or Sarah Ann) has generally been thought to be a Davenport, daughter of William Davenport and Anne Woodruff, but Mrs. Hiden thought she was more likely a Clark, or of that family connection. Mrs. Taylor says she was born before 1696. She lived until 1782, and during the Revolution she furnished supplies to the Continental troops.

It appears that Thomas Graves first married Mary Perkins by 1715, and had by this marriage only three children, two daughters and one son. His wife then died and he remarried by no later than 1721. The son was John Graves and one of the daughters was Eleanor Graves, based on Thomas Kimbrough's will dated 20 Sept. 1777 in Caswell Co., NC. The source for the former statement is a record from the Bible of Solomon Graves, son of Rev. Barzillai Graves (who died 1827). A copy of the Bible record was made by the NC Archives in 1971.

The will of Thomas Graves (Spotsylvania Co. Rec. Will Book D, p. 318) was dated 17 Oct. 1767, probated 6 June 1768, but final settlement was not until July 1802. Thomas is credited with a total of 16 children. However, the estate settlement plainly states there were only 15 legatees. There were probably other children who died before reaching adulthood. There is some question about some of the following children, and additional proof is needed. Mrs. Ethel Taylor suggests that there may also have been another child named Sarah.

Children by Mary Perkins

1. Eleanor Graves, b. probably by 1712, m. Thomas Kimbrough, d. aft. Sept. 1781.
2, John Graves, b.c. 1715, m (1) ________ Herndon, m (2) Isabella Lea, c. 1752, d. 18 Jan. 1792.

Children by Ann Davenport

3. Thomas Graves, b. by 1721, m. Isabella Susan Bartlett, by 1751, d. 18 Nov. 1801.
4. Solomon Graves, b. by 1723, m. Sarah Winfield, c. 1746, d.c. 1785.
5. William Graves, b. 1720-30, m. Mary ________, d.c. 1791.
6. Richard Graves, b.c. 1725, m. Lucy Davenport, 1750, d. after 1788.
7. Susanna Graves, b. by 1740, m. William Pettus, 1759, d. by 1802.
8. Rice Graves, b.c. 1729, m. Jane Young, 1751-2, d. 1814.
9. David Graves, b.c. 1730, m. Agnes Holloway, d. Jan. or Feb. 1808.
10. Nancy Graves, b.c. 1735, m. William Lea, d. by 1809.
11. Rosanna Graves, m. John Spencer.
12. Louisa Graves, m. Thomas Pulliam. He was son of Thomas Pulliam Sr. who died testate, Spots. Co., 1758.
13. Robert Graves, b.c. 1735-40, m. Jean ________.
14. Jonathan Graves, married, d. by 1768. He probably married a Davenport, since a William Davenport was made guardian of his son William.
15. Mary Graves, m. ________ Campbell (?). John Bostick signed receipts for her in all disbursements from her father's estate.

Source: Graves Family Association.
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=caswellcounty&id=I1404

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Birth:
As Spotsylvania County, Virginia, was not created until 1721, Thomas Graves could not have been born there. However, he could have been born in the area that became Spotsylvania County (which was created from parts of Essex, King and Queen, and King William counties).
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=caswellcounty&id=I1404

Will:
The Will of Thomas Graves of Spotsylvania 1767

I, Thomas Graves of the County of Spotsylvania thru the abundant mercy and goodness of God, though weak in body yet of a sound and of perfect understanding and memory do make ordain and constitute this my last will and testament as follows, primis, I commend myself and the whole of my estate to the mercy and protection of Almighty God, etc. I will and ordain that the funeral of my body be only such as shall beseem a Christian at the discretion of my Executors, hereinafter named. I lend to my wife Anne Graves for and during her natural life two Negro slaves Daniel and Margery. I also lend to her all of my tract of land whereon I now live in Spotsylvania County, likewise a third part of the profits arising from my mill, she paying one third part toward repairing the said mill. I also lend to my wife one third part of the stocks of cattle, horses, pigs, etc. I also lend to my wife all of my stock of household and kitchen furniture during her natural life and after my said wife?s death, my will and desire is that what I have here lent be equally divided amongst all my then surviving children or the heirs of such as shall be dead. Son, Thomas Graves, son in law Wm. Pettus and my nephew Joseph Graves Executors

Thomas Graves

Signed, October 17th in the year of our Lord 1767

Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared by the above named Thomas Graves for and as his last will and testament in presence of us and in his presence we subscribed our names as witness:

Francis Merriwether, James Smith, John Graves Jr., James Smith, Doctor, and William MacGehee.


John Graves Jr., who witnessed the will, is believed to have been John Graves Jr.3, son of Thomas Graves2' brother, John Graves2 and brother of Joesph Graves3. Source: John Graves of Northamptonshire, Revisted By Robert L. Atteberry and Carmen J. Rosado (Last updated February 2011).
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Probated, June 6, 1768


Source: Thomas Sims Graves Website

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=caswellcounty&id=I1404

Thomas married Sarah Ann Davenport (maybe Clark?) about 1721 in King William Co, Virginia. Sarah (daughter of Davis* Davenport and Ann* Woodruff) was born about 1696 in Pamunkey Neck, King and Queen Co, Virginia; died on 15 Aug 1782 in St. George Parish, Spotsylvania Co, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Graves, Ann Davenport [daughter of Davis, wife of Thomas Graves] participation in the Revolutionary War: Provisioner, Continental and State Troops, Spotsylvania County. [Ann died concurrent with the end of the War in 1782, at or near 88 years, per Graves Bible record.]

Of Ann's fourteen children and multitudinous grandsons there were many who served Virginia during the Revolution in the Continental Line, State Troops, and/or County Militias, in public offices or as providers of food, fodder, guns, and such other supplies required to keep soldiers in the field. No attempt has been made to identify descendants of Thomas Graves and Ann Davenport by their Revolutionary postures, and such a task has not been undertaken by Graves genealogists to our knowledge except as to individual lines in qualifying for memberships in the DAR or SAR.

Source: The Pamunkey Davenports.
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=caswellcounty&id=I2588

According to Graves Family Assoc:
His (Thomas Graves) wife Ann (or Anne or Sarah Ann) has generally been thought to be a Davenport, daughter of William Davenport and Anne Woodruff, but Mrs. Hiden thought she was more likely a Clark, or of that family connection. Mrs. Taylor says she was born before 1696. She lived until 1782, and during the Revolution she furnished supplies to the Continental troops.

Notes:

Married:
U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
Name: Thomas Graves
Gender: male
Birth Place: VA
Birth Year: 1691
Spouse Name: Ann Davenport
Spouse Birth Place: VA
Spouse Birth Year: 1696

John married Christian Bruce about 1720. Christian was born about 1700; died after 1740. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]