The 1820 census showed Jeffrey Graham and brother Lewis listed side by side in Buncombe County. Both were listed as Free Colored. Jeffrey’s neighbor on the other side was Peter Long (bef 1775).

1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1820 Buncombe Co, NC pg 86 Jeffrey Grimes 000000-00000-FPC=1010-3010
Analysis:
1 Free Colored Male 26-44 (1775-1794)	Jeffrey Graham (1784)
1 Free Colored Male 0-13 (1806-1820)	James R. Graham(1819) son
1 Free Colored Female 26-44 (1775-1794)	Fanny Eastridge Graham (1798) wife
3 Free Colored Females 0-13 (1806-1820)	Deliah Ann Graham (c1811) daughter
					Phoebe Graham (c1814) daughter
					Jane Graham (c1816) daughter

Jeffrey was still in Buncombe County for the 1830 census. He was listed between the households of John Garland and Andrew Bell, and just three houses from his brother Lewis Grimes. They were certainly still in the Long Shoals or Avery Creek area. Thomas Estrege (c1800/10) was listed on the following page, but not too far away. He certainly could be a brother of Fanny's.

1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1830 Buncombe Co, NC pg 240 Jeffrey Grimes 0000000000000-0000000000000-FPC=300100-231000
Analysis:
1 Free Colored Male 36-54 (1775-1794)	Jeffrey Graham (1784)
3 Free Colored Males 0-9 (1820-1830)	James R. Graham (1819) son
					Miles W. Graham (1826) son
					Thomas J. Graham (c1831) son
1 Free Colored Female 24-35 (1794-1806)	Fanny Eastridge Graham (1798) wife
3 Free Colored Females 10-23 (1806-1820)Deliah Ann Graham (c1811) daughter
					Phoebe Graham (c1814) daughter
					Jane Graham (c1816) daughter
2 Free Colored Females 0-9 (1820-1830)	Mary Graham(1822) daughter
					Rosanna Graham (c1827) daughter

Both Jeffrey and his brother Lewis were listed as voters in the 1835 Congressional Elections. They both were listed as "Graham" this time, and both voted in Bent Creek Precinct. This is interesting, as laws had just been passed preventing free blacks from voting, yet the Grahams were allowed to. This shows (as was confirmed in the ca 1905 court case) that their peers did not consider them to be of black or African origin, or if so, they were willing to "look the other way." This is also the first record showing Jeffrey as a "Graham" instead of a "Grimes".

Jeffrey was listed on the 1840 census in Buncombe County. He was next door to John West and William Evans (his son-in-law). Jeffrey’s brother Lewis was on the other side of William Evans. All three of these (Jeffrey and Lewis Graham and William Evans) were listed in the "Free Colored" columns.

1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

Fanny Eastridge Graham died on 2 Feb 1855 [per tombstone], and is buried at the Graham Cemetery.

Jeffrey Graham died just a month later on 14 Mar 1855 [per tombstone] and is buried at the Graham Cemetery.

Strangely, Jeffrey’s brother Lewis died the same year, on 5 Aug 1855. Perhaps some contagious sickness was going around.

On 10 Apr 1855, Joseph Lance and Jesse Sumner signed a guardian bond for Drucilla Elvira Graham, orphan of Jeoffrey Graham, deceased. [Buncombe Co, NC Loose Estates - Jeffrey Graham. 1855. North Carolina Archives.]

This would typically end the discussion of Jeffrey Graham. However his name appeared in the Buncombe County records again 50 years later.

To summarize, in 1905 Robert Gilliland brought a suit against the Buncombe County Board of Education on behalf of his children. It seems someone objected to them attending the "White" schools because they had "Black" blood in their family. (A relative told me these children were blond haired blue eyed, but that didn't matter if they were thought to have black blood in their lineage!) Mr. Gilliland had married a daughter of Theodore Graham and thus came the "tainted" blood.

The case was a huge sensation and made the local papers and even attracted national attention. Many locals testified on behalf of the Graham family. A few locals testified against them. The court case is over 230 pages most of which is testimony. A lot of family data is given going back to Jeffrey Graham (1784-1855). Much is discussed about the ethnic origin of the Grahams. Most testified that the Grahams were dark skinned but didn't appear to be of African origin. Those who knew them well said they had heard them claim to have Portuguese ancestry. Unfortunately no one stated who that ancestor was or how he / she tied into the family.

The Gillilands won the case, but the Board of Education appealed. The Gillilands won that case as well. However by this time they had moved out of Buncombe County due to threats against their lives.

Among the testimony is information about Jeffrey Graham, his wife Fanny, and their eleven children, and a few grandchildren. Jeffrey's brother Lewis is mentioned a few times as are some of his children.  Some of the testimony is contradictory, and some of it was refuted or disputed by other witnesses. My personal view on this is that no one here was lying outright, but merely telling their version of events based on what they knew personally or had heard.

On 4 Dec 1905 W. W. Johnston, aged 78 gave a statement for Gilliland vs. Board of Education. Some interesting bits:

...he frequently heard his father and several other old men say that a negro by the name of Grimes bought his freedom, who married a white woman who gave birth to Jeffrey Grimes or Graham, and he Jeffrey Grimes or Graham, married Fannie Eastrick and that he heard Jeffrey Graham or Grimes say that his father bought his freedom ...

On 25 Jan 1906 Harriet Burton, aged 70-80 "a colored woman" gave a statement for Gilliland vs. Board of Education. Some interesting bits:

...that her maiden name is Harriet Grimes and that she is a daughter of Felix Grimes, a colored man (negro), now dead. that the said Felix Grimes was the son of Jeffrey Grimes, and that his mother was Jennie Patton, the first wife of said Jeffrey Grimes and a slave at the time of her marriage to him; that both Jeffrey and Jennie Grimes were colored persons (negroes) ... after living with Jennie, his first wife, for several years, the said Jeffrey Grimes ... left his said wife and at some later date ... was married to a woman named Estridge, her first name and her color being unknown to the deponent. ... that the said Jeffrey Grimes recognized the deponent as his grandchild and treated her as such, holding her on his knees and playing with her many times.

Theodore Graham testified that he didn't even know Harriet Burton. (See his testimony in his section below.)

On 27 Jan 1906 William Greenlee, aged 75 "a colored man" gave a statement for Gilliland vs. Board of Education. Some interesting bits:

... that he knew Jeffrey Grimes and Louis Grimes well. That Jeffrey Grimes was very dark, darker than Jane Patton, who he was reputed to have married, who was also the mother of Felix Grimes colored (a negro); knew Felix Grimes and his mother well; also knew that they claimed to be related to Jeffrey Grimes. That the said Felix called the son of Jeffrey and Jane Patton, Jeffrey's reputed wife. That the said Jeffrey and Louis are brothers.

On 7 May 1906 Maria Grimes, age not given,  gave a statement for Gilliland vs. Board of Education. Her testimony gives a different story regarding Felix Grimes, though similar to the others:

...She is the daughter of Felix Grimes; that her father was an illegitimate child; and that Jeffrey Graham was his reputed father. The deponent further says that she has heard her father say repeatedly that he was an illegitimate child, and the son of Jeffrey Graham. Deponent further says that her mother, Rebecca Grimes, has always told her that her father, Felix Graham, was an illegitimate child; ... her grandmother, the mother of Felix Graham, was a colored woman, and that her reputed grandfather, Jeffrey Graham, the father of Felix Graham was a white man.

By Maria's testimony it appears that Jeffrey fathered Felix out of wedlock. DNA testing may put this one to rest if we can find a male descendant of Felix interested in taking the test.

On 8 May 1906 Major W. W. Rollins gave a statement that Jeffrey was only married once:

...he knew Jeffrey Graham and was well acquainted with him and his family and that to the best of his knowledge Jeffrey Graham was never married but once as her ever heard of and that he married a white woman and was never married to a negro. ... He has seen the wife of Jeffrey Graham and knows her to be a white woman.

Albert was a grandson of Jeffrey, and his s estate was split up numerous ways among the descendants of Jeffrey Graham. This was the result of a lawsuit over some land. The land was sold and the earnings divided 7 ways. This estate file is in the Loose Estate records for Buncombe County, on file at the North Carolina Archives.

The first paper (dated 1907), was the suit brought by R. N. Baker and wife Bell Baker against the following (a huge list):

The next paper contained a similar list, but this one showed who each group was an heir of, and how much of the estate they were entitled to. This one was also dated 1907. This one does not list the spouses, so combine it with the first list, and you have a pretty good outline of the entire Jeffrey Graham family, excepting a few of his children who died without heirs.

The same record shows Frank Graham, Wiley Graham, Orley Graham, Carrie Graham and Cordie Graham are minors without guardians. Elvira Graham and Mary Tabor are elderly and more than 70, and have sold their 1/7th each to R. N. Baker and wife Bell Baker, so we shall give them home and comfort for their natural lives.

The size of the land was not sufficient to divide up so many ways, so it was sold and money distributed among the heirs. The land was in Avery Creek Township.

The heirs who were not named were Deliah Ann Graham, wife of William Hampton; Jane Graham, Thomas J. Graham and Margaret Graham, all of whom were dead leaving no children.

In the 1905 court case it was alleged that Felix Grimes (c1809) was an illegitimate son of Jeffrey Graham and Jane Patton (a slave). Theodore Graham denied they were related.

Deliah Ann Graham (c1811)

Phebe Edith Graham (c1814)

Jane Graham (c1816)

James R. Graham (1819)

Mary Graham (1822)

Miles Washington Graham (1826)

Rosanna Graham (c1827)

Thomas Graham (c1831)

Margaret Graham (1831)

Alpheus Theodore Graham (1833)

Drucilla Elvira Graham (1836)

Deliah Ann Graham was born ca 1810/11 in Buncombe Co., NC. She was apparently home in 1820 (age "under 13", born ca 1806/20), and still home in 1830 (age 10-23, born ca 1806/20), and still home in 1840 (age 24-35, born ca 1804/16), but gone by 1850, so probably married or dead by then.

Deliah married William Hampton in the 1840's. William was born ca 1782/83 in NC and had been previously married. By his first wife he had several children.

They were listed on the 1850, 1860 and 1870 census in neighboring Haywood County.

Mr. Hampton died in the 1870's, presumably in Haywood.

By the 1880 census Deliah was back in Buncombe and living with her sister Mary Tabor.

1880 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1880 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 7B    House/Family #   122/ 127 -- AVERY CREEK Twp

TABORN MARY          M F  52    W KEEPING HOUSE        NC  NC  NC  1827/1828
HAMPTON D            M F  68    W KEEPING HOUSE        NC  NC  NC  1811/1812
TABURN JOHN          M M   6    S                      NC  NC  NC  1873/1874

Deliah Ann Graham Hampton died sometime before 1900, presumably in Buncombe County.

Phebe Edith Graham was born ca 1813/14 (per 1850 census) in Buncombe Co, NC, either in Avery Creek or Long Shoals region. She is a proven child of Jeffrey as named in the 1907 Estate division of Albert Graham.

Phoebe (also spelled "Phebe") was apparently home with her parents for the 1820 census (Free colored female age "under 13", or born ca 1806/1820).

She was apparently still home in 1830 (Free colored female age 10-23, born ca 1806/1820).

Sometime before 1839, Phoebe married William Evans in Buncombe County. See their own page for more information.

Jane Graham was born ca 1815/16 (per 1850 census) in Buncombe Co., NC. She was home in 1820 (age "under 13", born ca 1806/20), and still home in 1830 (age 10-23, born ca 1806/20), and still home in 1840 (age 10-23, born ca 1816/30), and still home in 1850, "Jane" age 34. For some reason she was listed as a male in 1850.

I did not find Jane on the 1860 or later census records. She was mentioned in the 1905 court case, but no spouse was mentioned, so perhaps she never married. She was not named in the 1907 estate settlement so apparently she had no heirs.

James R. Graham was born July 1819 (per 1900 census) in Buncombe Co, NC, either in Avery Creek or Long Shoals region. He is a proven child of Jeffrey as named in the 1907 Estate division of Albert Graham. He was also home with Jeffrey for the 1850 census.

I don’t know what James’ middle initial of "R" might stand for.

James was apparently home with parents for the 1820 census (Free colored male age "under 13", or born ca 1806/1820).

He was apparently still home in 1830 (Free colored male age "under 10" born ca 1820/30).

He was apparently still home in 1840 (Free colored male age 10-23, born ca 1816/1830).

He was with parents for the 1850 census ("James Graham" age 32, Race = "M").

James was in Buncombe for the 1860 census next door to brother Miles Graham. James had several of his siblings living with him. They were next to (on the other side) Rebecca, widow of Lewis Graham, their Uncle.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1860 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 320   House/Family #  749/ 735 --  Twp  AVERY CREEK P.O.

GRAHAM JAMES          40 M M FARMER            2000   800 NC                   1819/1820
GRAHAM THOMAS         30 M M                              NC                   1829/1830
GRAHAM THEODORE       26 M M                              NC                   1833/1834
GRAHAM MARGARET       28 F M                              NC                   1831/1832
GRAHAM ELVIRA         23 F M                              NC                   1836/1837

James was still in Buncombe for the 1870 census, listed in Bent Creek Township. His two unmarried sisters were living with him. They were near several other siblings as well.

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1870 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 136B  House/Family #   27/  27--BENT CREEK Twp

GRAHAM JAMES          51 M M FARMER                 500   225 NC  1818/1819
GRAHAM MARGARET       38 F M KEEPING HOUSE          400    75 NC  1831/1832
GRAHAM ELVIRA         32 F M HOUSE KEEPING          400    75 NC  1837/1838

James R. Graham never married, but he had an "out of wedlock" relationship with Laura Ann Pinner in the early 1870's, that produced two children. Apparently, James acknowledged these children, and they took his surname, and they lived with him as well. Their first child (Daniel Francis Graham) was born in April 1872, and their second (Charles J. Graham) was born in May 1875.

L. A. Pinner was charged with Bastardy and obtained a "Bastardy Bond" in August 1877 in Buncombe County. The bondsmen were herself, Robert H. Fox, S. G. Brigman, M. M. Graham (Merritt M. Graham), J. R. Graham (James R. Graham) and M. W. Graham (Miles Washington Graham). The bond does not say which of these was the father of the child in question, nor is the child named, but I’d guess this was for Charles J. Graham, born in 1875.

James was listed on the 1880 census in Buncombe County, with his two sons with him. His marital status was listed as "Single". He was next door to his brother Theodore Graham. Interestingly, James’ sons were listed as "Nephews" on this census, though other records prove they were his sons.

1880 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1880 GRAHAM CO, NC Page 7     House/Family #   116/ 120 -- AVERY CREEK Twp

GRAHAM J R           M M  61 HD S FARMER               NC  NC  NC  1818/1819
GRAHAM DANIEL        M M   7 NE S                      NC  NC  NC  1872/1873
GRAHAM CHARLEY J     M M   5 NE S                      NC  NC  NC  1874/1875

It is entirely possible that James R. Graham married someone in the 1880-1900 time frame, for his 1900 census entry showed his marital status as "Widowed". This may mean that Laura Pinner (the mother of his two children) had died, and he considered her a common law wife, but that is just a guess on my part.

James was listed on the 1900 census in Avery Creek Township. He (and all his close relations) were all listed with a race of "B" (Black) for this census. This was a census where there seemed to be no middle ground (Mulatto), but only Black or White.

1900 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The birth dates given in 1900 were part of the original census record)

1900 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 219A House/Family #   12/  12--AVERY CREEK Twp

GRAHAM JAMES R                 HD B M JUL 1819  80 W          NC  NC  NC
GRAHAM CHARLES J               S  B M MAY 1875  25 S          NC  NC  NC

James R. Graham died sometime between 1900 and 1907, for he was mentioned in the Albert Graham Estate Papers (dated 1907), but his children (Daniel and Charles) got his portion of the inheritance, indicating that James was dead.

James R. Graham had only two children, as named in the 1880 and 1900 census, and in the 1907 estate of Albert Graham (his nephew). These children were both sons of Laura Pinner, I presume. Daniel Francis Graham (1872) moved to Swain County with his Evans cousins, and married Mary Caroline Grant, a cousin (daughter of John Patton Grant and Darthula Evans). Charles J. Graham (1875) remained in Buncombe County.

Mary Graham was born January 1822 (per 1900 census) in Buncombe Co, NC, either in Avery Creek or Long Shoals region. She is a proven child of Jeffrey as named in the 1907 Estate division of Albert Graham. She was also home with Jeffrey for the 1850 census.

Mary was apparently home with her parents in 1830 (Free colored female age "under 10" born ca 1820/30).

She was apparently still home in 1840 (Free colored female age 10-23, born ca 1816/1830).

She was with parents for the 1850 census ("Mary Graham" age 27, Race = "M").

Mary Graham married Marshall Tabor (sometimes spelled "Taborn") in the 1850-1860 timeframe. Marshall was born ca 1820/21 (per 1860 census) in Guilford County, North Carolina (also per 1860 census). I believe he is a son of William W. Tabor, but have no direct proof. They were living side by side in 1860, and both were from Guilford, and both were "Mulatto", so it seems reasonable to assume they were father and son.

Mary and Marshall, and his father and his children by Mary’s sister Rosanna were all in Cherokee County, North Carolina by the 1860 census. They lived in Cheoah Township, which later became Graham County. Mary and husband were next door to William W. Tabor, Marshall’s presumed father.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1860 CHEROKEE CO, NC Page 226   House/Family #  794/ 794 -- CHEOAH Twp FORT MONTGOMERY P.O.

TABOR MARSHAL         39 M M FARMER                    90 GUILFORD NC   1820/1821
TABOR MARY            38 F M                              BUNCOMBE      1821/1822

Mary was listed on the 1870 census in Buncombe, next to her brother Theodore. She had a "Marshall Tabor" age 28 (born ca 1841) living with her. I don’t know who he was, though he could be her child, but not with her in 1860. Is this the same Marshall Tabor who was with her in 1860, seemingly her husband? His age must be way off here in 1870 for that to be true. It does clearly give his age as "28". If it were "48", then that would fit.

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1870 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 137   House/Family #   29/  29--BENT CREEK Twp

TABOR MARSHALL        28 M M FARM LABOR                   175 NC    1841/1842
TABOR MARY            46 F M KEEPING HOUSE                    NC    1823/1824

For the 1880 census, Mary was head of household again, and near her siblings. A young John Tabor (c1874) was with her. Was he her child? Or a nephew?

1880 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1880 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 7B    House/Family #   122/ 127 -- AVERY CREEK Twp

TABORN MARY          M F  52    W KEEPING HOUSE        NC  NC  NC  1827/1828
HAMPTON D            M F  68    W KEEPING HOUSE        NC  NC  NC  1811/1812
TABURN JOHN          M M   6    S                      NC  NC  NC  1873/1874

Mary was with her nephew Jethro Graham on the 1900 census. She was mistakenly listed under his surname, but I’m sure it was her.

1900 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The birth dates given in 1900 were part of the original census record)

1900 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 219A House/Family #   10/  10--AVERY CREEK Twp

GRAHAM JETHROW D               HD B M MAR 1875  25 M  5       NC  NC  NC
GRAHAM CALLIE M                WF W F     1877  22 M  5       NC  NC  NC
GRAHAM MARY                    AU B F JAN 1822  78 W          NC  NC  NC

On 11 Nov 1905 Mary Tabor, aged 84 gave a statement for Gilliland vs. Board of Education. Some interesting bits:

Q. If your father or mother ever stated to you what race of people you and they belonged, please state what they or either of them said, giving the time and place if you can recollect?

A. I heard father and mother in conversation with Grandmother Estes say that we  was of the Portugese descent, when I was about 12 years old at the home of my father.

Q. What church did your father belong or of what church was he a member?

A. Methodist Episcopal Church.

...

Q. Do you remember your grandfather Graham?

A. I do not. I have heard my father speak often of him.

...

Q. Who was Nancy Graham or Grimes?

A. My father's sister. I have seen her.

Q. Who was John Graham?

A. My father's brother. Never seen him.

Q. Where did they live?

A. In Wilkes County, N.C.

...

Q. Was Jeffrey or Jefferson Graham very dark?

A. About my complexion but redder.

Q. What was the color of his hair and was it kinky?

A. Black, soft and a little curly, but not kinky.

Q. What is the reputation in the family as to what race you belong to?

A. Portugese.

Mary was named in the 1907 estate records of her nephew Albert Graham. She was listed as "Mary Tabor". It was stated that she was elderly, over 70, and that she had already sold her 1/7th of the estate.

I did not find her on the 1910 census so she may have died by then, or else I just missed her.

It does not appear that Mary and Marshall Tabor had any children, or at least none who survived.

Miles Washington Graham was born 15 May 1826 (source?) in Buncombe Co, NC, either in Avery Creek or Long Shoals region. He is a proven child of Jeffrey as named in the 1907 Estate division of Albert Graham. He was also home with Jeffrey for the 1850 census.

I don’t know what the source for his middle name is. Records did show "W" to be his middle initial.

For some reason, Miles’ name was often listed wrong on the census, once as "Jane", and again later as "Julius". I think the explanation for this is that the census we have now is the handmade copy of the original that the census taker made after completing the census. This handmade copy often contained transcription errors. The original copy of the census records were lost over the years.

Miles was apparently home with parents in 1830 (Free colored male age "under 10" born ca 1820/30).

Miles was apparently still home in 1840 (Free colored male age 10-23, born ca 1816/1830).

He was with parents for the 1850 census ("Jane Graham", male, age 34, Race = "M").

Miles married Sarah Ann — on 1 Nov 1853 (source?), presumably in Buncombe County. She was born November 1836. I don’t know her maiden name.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1860 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 319B  House/Family #  748/ 734 AVERY CREEK P.O.

GRAHAM MILES          34 M M FARMER             100   220 NC     1825/1826
GRAHAM SARAH          23 F W                              NC     1836/1837
GRAHAM MERRIT          3 M M                              NC     1856/1857
GRAHAM ALICE           2 F M                              NC     1857/1858
GRAHAM JAMES           1 M M                              NC     1858/1859
GRAHAM ALBERT          0 M M 9/12                         NC     1859/1860

Miles and family were listed on the 1870 census in Buncombe, near several siblings.

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1870 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 136B  House/Family #   25/  25--BENT CREEK Twp

GRAHAM JULES          44 M M FARMER                 500   357 NC    1825/1826
GRAHAM SARAH          34 F W KEEPING HOUSE                    NC    1835/1836
GRAHAM MERRITT        16 M M FARM LABOR                       NC    1853/1854
GRAHAM ALICE          14 F M AT HOME                          NC    1855/1856
GRAHAM JAMES          12 M M AT HOME                          NC    1857/1858
GRAHAM ALBERT         10 M M                                  NC    1859/1860
GRAHAM BAXTER          8 M M                                  NC    1861/1862
GRAHAM DORA            6 F M                                  NC    1863/1864

Miles and family were listed on the 1880 census near various relatives.

1880 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1880 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 7B    House/Family #   119/ 124 -- AVERY CREEK Twp

GRAHAM M W           M M  54 HD M FARMER               NC  NC  NC  1825/1826
GRAHAM SARAH A       W F  44 WF M KEEPING HOUSE        NC  NC  NC  1835/1836
GRAHAM JAMES J       M M  22 S  S FARMER               NC  NC  NC  1857/1858
GRAHAM ALBERT D      M M  21 S  S FARMER               NC  NC  NC  1858/1859
GRAHAM JOHN B        M M  17 S  S AT HOME              NC  NC  NC  1862/1863

For some reason, I was unable to locate Miles and Sarah on the 1900 census, but I believe they were still alive then, but perhaps not. It is possible that they had died by then.

The 1907 Estate records for Albert Graham (Miles’ son) mentioned their heirs, so it would appear that Miles was dead before 1900, or before 1907 at least.

The heirs named in the Albert Graham estate included: Baxter Graham, Merit Graham, Dosie Shipman, May Barrett, Frank Graham, Wiley Graham, Ollie Graham, Carrie Graham, Cordie Graham, Dora Graham and J. J. Graham, being children and grandchildren of Milus Graham.

Rosanna Graham was born ca 1826/27 (per 1860 census) in Buncombe Co, NC, either in Avery Creek or Long Shoals region. She is a proven child of Jeffrey as named in the 1907 Estate division of Albert Graham. She was also home with Jeffrey for the 1850 census.

Rosanna was apparently home with her parents in 1830 (Free colored female age "under 10" born ca 1820/30).

She was apparently still home in 1840 (Free colored female age 10-23, born ca 1816/1830).

She was with parents for the 1850 census ("Mary Graham" age 27, Race = "M").

Rosanna Graham married a Mr. Tabor (also "Taborn") sometime before ca 1848. I don’t have direct proof, but it seems that her husband was William W. Tabor, born ca 1800 in Guilford Co, NC. I never found them living together on a census, but in 1860 he had several of her children with him in Cherokee Co, NC, while she was back in Buncombe with just one child. By 1870, he was nowhere to be found, but Rosanna was still in Buncombe with her children near her.

I did not find Rosanna on the 1850 census.

Rosanna was listed on the 1860 census in Buncombe County, near her siblings. Her supposed husband William was west in present day Graham County (then Cherokee County) with several of their children.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1860 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 319   House/Family #  744/ 730 AVERY CREEK P.O.

TABOR ROSANNA         33 F M WEAVING             25    30 NC      1826/1827
TABOR FLETCHER         4 M M                              NC      1855/1856

Rosanna’s children were in Cherokee County, next door to Rosanna’s sister Mary Graham and her husband Marshall Tabor, whom I believe is a son of William W. Tabor by an earlier marriage. It almost appears that William had a new wife with him in 1860 named Mary J. Perhaps he and Rosanna were divorced or just separated, or perhaps Mary was a daughter by a previous wife, or William and Rosanna's daughter, just born in a different County.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1860 CHEROKEE CO, NC Page 226   House/Family #  795/ 795 -- CHEOAH Twp FORT MONTGOMERY P.O.

TABOR WILLIAM W       60 M M FARMER                   100 GUILFORD      1799/1800
TABOR MARY J          17 F M                              MACON         1842/1843
TABOR JESSE W         12 M M                              BUNCOMBE      1847/1848
TABOR LUCINDA E        9 F M                              BUNCOMBE      1850/1851
TABOR HAMILTON         7 M M                              BUNCOMBE      1852/1853
TABOR THOMAS           5 M M                              BUNCOMBE      1854/1855

Rosanna was in Buncombe in 1870 with her son Fletcher with her still. Her other children were nearby. Son Ham was living with another family as a laborer, and the rest were in a household together.

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1870 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 141B  House/Family #   93/  93--BENT CREEK Twp

TABOR ROSA            46 F W KEEPING HOUSE           40    65 NC      1823/1824
TABOR FLETCHER        14 M M FARM LABORER                     NC      1855/1856

1870 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 137   House/Family #   34/  34--BENT CREEK Twp

TABOR JESSE           24 M M FARM LABORER                 125 NC      1845/1846
TABOR MILES           19 M M FARM LABORER                     NC      1850/1851
TABOR THOMAS          16 M M FARM LABORER                     NC      1853/1854
TABOR ELMIRA          21 F W KEEPING HOUSE                    NC      1848/1849

For the 1880 census, I was unable to locate Rosanna. I found most of her children living in other counties that year. Jesse and Thomas were in Haywood Co, NC; Hamilton was in Swain Co, NC; and Fletcher was in Cherokee County.

I didn’t find Rosanna in 1900 either, so perhaps she was dead by then, and perhaps before 1880.

Rosanna was named in the 1907 estate records of her nephew Albert Graham. She was mentioned as "Rosanna Tabor" and her heirs were named as: Tom Tabor, Ham Tabor, Fletcher Tabor, W. M. Tabor, J. T. Tabor, Isabella Tabor. They were listed as her "children and grandchildren". Since they were named this way, it seems that she was dead by then. I have identified a few of these. "Tom" was Thomas J. Tabor (1854), later of Haywood and Swain Co, NC; "Ham" was Hamilton Tabor (c1853) of Swain County; Fletcher was Fletcher Tabor (c1856) of Cherokee Co, NC; W. M. Tabor was probably grandson William Manning Tabor (c1869), parents unknown; and J. T. and Isabella were probably Jesse and Isabella, children of Fletcher, or perhaps they were someone else. It is hard to say.

Thomas Jefferson Graham was born ca 1830/31 (per 1850 census) or ca 1829/30 (per 1860 census), in Buncombe Co, NC, either in Avery Creek or Long Shoals region. He is a proven child of Jeffrey as he was living with him in 1850.

Thomas was apparently home with parents in 1830 (Free colored male age "under 10" born ca 1820/30).

Thomas was apparently still home in 1840 (Free colored male age 10-23, born ca 1816/1830).

He was with parents for the 1850 census and with his brother James for the 1860 census.

The 1860 census record is the last I’ve found for Thomas Graham. He was not found on the 1870 census. He may have died in the 1860-70 time frame, or moved away. I suspect he died though, as he was not named in the 1907 estate division of Albert Graham that named all of Thomas’ siblings.

The time frame of Thomas’ apparent death may suggest his demise was due to the Civil War, but that is just a guess.

Margaret Graham was born October 1831 (per 1900 census) in Buncombe Co, NC, either in Avery Creek or Long Shoals region. She is a proven child of Jeffrey as she was living with him in 1850, and also named in the 1907 estate records of Albert Graham.

Margaret was apparently home with her parents in 1840 (Free colored female age "under 10", born ca 1830/40).

She was with parents for the 1850 census and with brother James in 1860 and in 1870.

In 1880, Margaret and her sister Elvira were living together near their various siblings.

1880 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1880 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 7B    House/Family #   123/ 128 -- AVERY CREEK Twp

GRAHAM MARGARET      M F  48    S KEEPING HOUSE        NC  NC  NC  1831/1832
GRAHAM D ELVIRY      M F  44    S KEEPING HOUSE        NC  NC  NC  1835/1836

Margaret and Elvira were still together for the 1900 census and near various relatives.

1900 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The birth dates given in 1900 were part of the original census record)

1900 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 219A House/Family #    7/   7--AVERY CREEK Twp

GRAHAM MARGARET                HD B F OCT 1831  68 S          NC  NC  NC
GRAHAM ELVIRA D                SI B F AUG 1836  63 S          NC  NC  NC

Margaret Graham died ca 1907, for that is the date on her Estate File. She was not mentioned in the 1907 Estate records of her nephew Albert Graham, so she must have died earlier in the year, before his estate was divided.

Alpheus Theodore Graham was born December 1833 (per 1900 census) in Buncombe Co, NC, either in Avery Creek or Long Shoals region. He is a proven child of Jeffrey as he was living with him in 1850, and also named in the 1907 estate records of Albert Graham which names the heirs of Jeffrey Graham.

I don’t know what the source is for his first name being "Alpheus", though it does work with one of his census entries listing him as "A. T. Graham".

Theodore was apparently home with his parents in 1840 (Free colored male age "under 10", born ca 1830/40).

He was with parents for the 1850 census and with his brother James for the 1860 census.

On 9 Mar 1865 A. T. Graham married Caroline Rackard (a widow, her maiden name was Caroline L. Wells) in Sevier Co, TN. My original information on her showed that she was a "Rickert", but Larry Graham later told me that was not her maiden name, but that she was married before her marriage to Theodore Graham. Somewhere along the way, I obtained "Mills" as her maiden name, but I can't find a source for it, so I don't know where it came from. Caroline was born May 1841 (per 1900 census), in Tennessee, presumably in Sevier County.

After discussing Caroline with Larry Graham, I did a little digging into Sevier County records and found several items of interest. "Caroline Wells" married William Rackard on 30 Aug 1857 in Sevier County, and they were listed on the 1860 census there together. It was clearly the same Caroline who later married Theodore Graham. William Rackard was a son of Michael Rackard and Louisa ---.  They apparently had three children by the time William died ca 1864.

Back tracking, I found Caroline Wells on the 1850 census in Sevier County and it shows her with the George Wells and Sarah --- family, probably her parents.

I don't know why Theodore Graham was in Sevier County, TN in 1865, unless it had to do with the Civil War, but that is where he married widow Caroline Wells Rackard. They apparently returned to Buncombe County right away.

They were listed in Buncombe for the 1870 census, near various relatives. Caroline's three Rackard children were listed also, but mistakenly listed under the "Graham" surname.

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1870 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 136B  House/Family #   28/  28--BENT CREEK Twp

GRAHAM THEODORE       35 M M FARMER                1400   255 NC   1834/1835
GRAHAM CAROLINE       25 F W KEEPING HOUSE                    TN   1844/1845
GRAHAM MARTHA         12 F M AT HOME                          TN   1857/1858
GRAHAM WILLIAM        10 M M AT HOME                          TN   1859/1860
GRAHAM JACKSON         6 M M                                  TN   1863/1864
GRAHAM THOMAS          4 M M                                  NC   1865/1866
GRAHAM FANNY           3 F M                                  NC   1866/1867
GRAHAM EMALINE         2 F M                                  NC   1867/1868
GRAHAM NOAH            0 F M 5/12                             NC   1869/1870

In 1880, they were still in Buncombe surrounded by relatives.

1880 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1880 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 7     House/Family #   117/ 121 -- AVERY CREEK Twp

GRAHAM A T           M M  46 HD M FARMER               NC  NC  NC  1833/1834
GRAHAM CAROLINE      M F  42 WF M AT HOME              TN  TN  TN  1837/1838
GRAHAM THOMAS J      M M  14 S  S AT HOME              NC  NC  TN  1865/1866
GRAHAM MARGARET F    M F  13 D  S AT HOME              NC  NC  TN  1866/1867
GRAHAM DRUSCILLIE    M F  12 D  S AT HOME              NC  NC  TN  1867/1868
GRAHAM NOAH W        M M  11 S  S AT HOME              NC  NC  TN  1868/1869
GRAHAM JOSIAH        M M  10 S  S AT HOME              NC  NC  TN  1869/1870
GRAHAM MELVIN        M M   7 S  S                      NC  NC  TN  1872/1873
GRAHAM DANIEL J      M M   5 S  S                      NC  NC  TN  1874/1875
GRAHAM MARY T        M F   3 D  S                      NC  NC  TN  1876/1877
GRAHAM DERIAS E      M M   2 S  S                      NC  NC  TN  1877/1878

They were still in Buncombe for the 1900 census and near various relatives.

1900 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The birth dates given in 1900 were part of the original census record)

1900 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 219A House/Family #   11/  11--AVERY CREEK Twp

GRAHAM THEODORE T              HD B M DEC 1833  66 M 34       NC  NC  NC
GRAHAM CAROLINE L              WF W F MAY 1841  60 M 34  2  2 TN  TN  TN
GRAHAM NOAH W                  S  B M DEC 1869  30 S          NC  NC  TN
GRAHAM CALISTA C               D  B F MAY 1883  17 S          NC  NC  TN

Theodore Graham was a prominent part of the 1905 court case, in fact, he brought the case (though it was in the name of his son-in-law Robert Gilliland). Here is some of his testimony:

I, Theodore Graham, being duly sworn, do say in answer to the affidavit herein filed by the defendants:

I am the son of Jeffrey Graham, and the grandfather of the plaintiffs, and was on the 5th day of December last 72 years of age.

It is alleged by the defendants that the plaintiffs, my grandchildren, have a strain of negro blood in their veins derived from my father, Jeffrey Graham. Jeffrey Graham died in 1855. I have been informed and have always believed that he came to Buncombe County and located on French Broad River when he was quite a young man, and that he lived in that community all of his life. He certainly lived in that community from the time of my recollection until the time of his death. He was sometimes called Graham and sometimes Grimes, but he always wrote his name Graham. I most positively affirm that he always associated on terms of equality with white people, and that he never was treated as a Negro by anybody, so far as I know or have ever heard. He was for many years a prominent member of the Methodist Church. He always took a prominent part in church work; always associated on terms of equality with church members. The minister of that church generally stopped at our house. My father, Jeffrey Graham married a white woman, by the name of Fannie Eastridge. I have always been informed and believe that he was married in the State of North Carolina, and never heard until the above mentioned affidavits were filed by the defendants that he ever went to the State of South Carolina to get married. I do not believe that that statement is the truth.

I have never heard until it was alleged in the above mentioned affidavits that my father was ever married but once, and I do not believe the statement in said affidavit that his first wife was a colored woman; such statement is absolutely false to the best of my knowledge and belief. No such statement was ever made so far as I know prior to the filing of this affidavit, and no such tradition has ever existed in our family.

My father Jeffrey Graham, had four sons, James R. Milus Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Theodore. My brothers all lived in this county, and so far as I know none of them ever associated with Negroes, but on the contrary always associated with white people on terms of equality. I have lived on the waters of the Upper French Broad River in the community where I now reside all of my life. ...

The statement in the affidavit of the Negrow woman Harriet Burton to the effect that she has visited my home is absolutely false. I do not know Harriet Burton nor has she ever visited my house; nor have I ever recognized her as any relation of mine.

Keener Grimes mentioned in the affidavit of Hardin Mallery was reputed to be a cousin of mine. He married a white woman by the name of Rebecca Price, and I have never heard that he married a colored woman until I read it in the affidavit above mentioned. I do not believe it to be true.

Columbus Grimes or Graham mentioned in that affidavit is also a cousin of mine, and he married a sister of the wife of Keener– a woman by the name of Elizabeth Price. After their marriage they went to Texas or some Western State, and I do not believe that the said Columbus ever married a colored woman as stated in said affidavit. I never heard it stated before that he did.

Theodore was mentioned in the 1907 Estate records of his nephew Albert Graham, so he was still living at that time. His heirs were not named, as he had already sold his 1/7th of the estate to R. N. Baker and wife.

I did not find them on the 1910 or 1920 census.

I have a list of 10 children for Theodore and Caroline (plus Caroline's 3 from her first marriage). All of these children are proven by the 1860 through 1900 census records. Thanks to Dell Schmidt and Larry Graham for additional data on some of these children.

Drucilla Elvira Graham was born August 1836 (per 1900 census) in Buncombe Co, NC, either in Avery Creek or Long Shoals region. She is a proven child of Jeffrey as she was living with him in 1850, and also named in the 1907 estate records of Albert Graham.

Elvira was apparently home with her parents in 1840 (Free colored female age "under 10", born ca 1830/40).

She was with parents for the 1850 census and with brother James in 1860 and in 1870.

She was with sister Elvira in 1880 and 1900.

Elvira was mentioned in the 1907 Estate records of her nephew Albert Graham, and listed as being elderly, over 70 years old, and having already sold her 1/7th of the estate to R. N. Baker and wife.

I did not find her on the 1910 or later census records.