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Surnames > Graham > Lewis Graham
The author (Marty Grant) is
a 5th Great Grandnephew of both Lewis Graham and Rebecca Eastridge.
Special thanks to Sonya Anderson, Jerry Baker, Jim
Brackett, Elaine Graham, Larry Graham, Melvern Graham, Kathryn Staley,
Fran Tabor and others for shared research on the Graham-Grimes family.
Throughout this page I'll mention one document
frequently: 1905 court case Gilliland vs. Board of Education.
This case was about Lewis' brother Jeffrey's family, but Lewis and family
were mentioned a few times.
The ethnicity of the Graham has been in question since
the early 1800's. Arguments still ensue today. The early census takers
(1820-1840) listed them as Free Persons of Color. On later censuses (1850,
1860, etc.) they were listed as either White or Mulatto. I don't
know the actual ethnicity of the family except that they claimed to have
Portuguese blood, while those that didn't like them claimed they were part
African. (Both could be true of course as they are not mutually exclusive.)
Update: DNA test results show a descendant of Lewis
Graham, and one from Jeffrey Graham, match each other, and both are
Haplogroup E3a which is an African group. This should put the question to
rest. There is African ancestry in the Graham line. This doesn't preclude
a Portuguese connection, of course, but it does show an irrefutable
African connection.
Lewis Graham was born 1 May 1789 [per
tombstone] in North Carolina [per 1850 census]. He was probably born in
Wilkes County [per 1905 case Gilliland vs. Board of Education].
Like many people of his surname, it sort of evolved from
"Grimes" to "Graham" over time.
Lewis' parents are unidentified. None of the records
found for him, including the 1905 court case, name his parents, or give
any strong clues to their identity. Testimony in the case shows that his
family probably originated in Wilkes County, North Carolina. There were
Grimes there early on. Lewis has a proven brother
Jeffrey Graham (1784-1855), and two
other proven siblings: Nancy Graham and John Graham, of whom nothing is
known.
Refer to Jeffrey's page for speculation and analysis of
possible parents for them using the 1790, 1800 and 1810 census.
Lewis brother Jeffrey appears in Buncombe County records
in 1808, but there is no record of Lewis there until 1817.
I was unable to find Lewis Graham on the 1810 census. He
would have been about 21 then, but not necessarily a head of household
yet. I was unable to find his brother Jeffrey that year either.
At some point before 1820, Lewis Graham
married Rebecca Eastridge. Her maiden name is given in the
1905 court case. It is also referred to in the same source as Estes.
I have discovered that the two names are sometimes used interchangeably.
There is contradictory evidence that Rebecca's maiden name was Keener
instead. This comes from the death certificate of one of the children.
Neither the 1905 court records nor the death certificate can be considered
primary evidence, so neither can take precedence over the other. Further
evidence is needed to be sure either way. The court record shows that
Rebecca and Frances (wife of Jeffrey Graham) were sisters.
Rebecca was born ca 1799/1800 per her age of 50 on the
1850 census. This is really close to her 1860 age of 59 showing her born
ca 1800/01.
She was born in North Carolina [per 1850 and 1860 census], but I
don't know where. There were Eastridge / Estes families in Wilkes and Ashe
County, North Carolina. It seems reasonable she was from there. I don't
know who her parents were, but there was a Micajah Eastridge from
that area who was in Buncombe County by 1820 near the Grahams. He could
easily be her father, though I have no evidence that he was.
If her maiden name is Keener instead of Eastridge, that
presents its own problems. In 1790 there were two Keiner households
in Lincoln Co., NC, but none others of that surname or similar in western
NC. In 1800 there was a John and Martin Keener in Lincoln, but no others
of that surname in western NC. There were six there by 1810, but still
none in other western NC counties. If that is Rebecca's maiden name, then
she must be connected to one of those Lincoln County families. This isn't
far from Buncombe at all.
On 29 Nov 1817 John Long and Lewis Graham received a joint
land grant (# 2324) of 50 acres on the west side of the French Broad
River. The land was entered (officially claimed) on 30 Aug 1816. [Buncombe
Co., NC Deed Book 11 page 130].
Who was John Long? Were he and Lewis related or were they
business partners buying this land jointly for an investment?
It is interesting to note that there was a John Long who
married Ann Graham (daughter of
Archibald Graham) in Lincoln County just a few years before this. That
John Long was an Uncle to a Lewis Graham who was son of
Arthur Graham of Lincoln. Is this
a coincidence or is it the same Lewis Graham?
I did not find a John Long listed in Buncombe County on
the 1810 or 1820 census. There were no Longs at all in Buncombe those
years, but there were several Johns in neighboring Lincoln County then.
In 1820 there was only James Long and Peter Long in
Buncombe, but they were right next to Jeffrey and Lewis Grimes on that
census. Was the "Long Shoals" named for this family? I would guess that
these two Longs are probably related to John Long of the 1817 grant.
The 1820 census showed Lewis Graham and brother Jeffrey listed side by side
in Buncombe County. Both were listed as Free Colored. None of the women in
Lewis' household are a proper age match for Lewis' wife Rebecca. That could be
an error or perhaps she wasn't his first wife. The household also has an
interesting racial mix with two free whites and five "free colored" listed. Who
was the older woman? Was it Lewis' mother or perhaps his mother-in-law?
1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation
of this census)
1820 Buncombe Co, NC pg 86 Lewis Grimes 010000-00001-5-0
Analysis:
1 Free Colored Male 26-44 (1775-1794) Lewis Graham(1789)
1 White Male(s) 10-15 (1804-1810) Son? Brother?
2 Free Colored Males 0-13 (1806-1820) Son? (1806/20) --> gone by 1830
Son? (1806/20) Marvel (c1818) son?
1 White Female(s) 45 & up (before 1775) Mother? Mother-in-law?
1 Free Colored Female 26-44 (1775-1794) Rebecca Eastridge Graham (c1800) wife
1 Free Colored Female 0-13 (1806-1820) Daughter? (1816/20)
Lewis was still in Buncombe County for the 1830 census. He was listed
between the households of Samuel Taylor and Thomas McKimish, and just three houses
from his brother Jeffrey Grimes. They were probably still in the Long Shoals area. Thomas Estrege (c1800/10) was listed on the following
page, but not too far away. He certainly could be a brother of Lewis' wife
Rebecca. The enumerations don't quite correlate to the family from the 1820 and
1840 census entries.
1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation
of this census)
1830 Buncombe Co, NC pg 240 Lewis Grimes 0000000000000-0000000000000-FPC=010100-311100
Analysis:
1 Free Colored Male 36-54 (1775-1794) Lewis Graham(1789)
1 Free Colored Male 10-23 (1806-1820) Son? (1806/20)
1 Free Colored Female 36-54 (1775-1794) Sister? Sister-in-law? --> gone by 1840
1 Free Colored Female 24-35 (1794-1806) Rebecca Eastridge Graham (c1800) wife
1 Free Colored Female 10-23 (1806-1820) Daughter? (1816/20)
3 Free Colored Females 0-9 (1820-1830) Nancy Graham(c1822) daughter
Daughter? (1820/30)
Daughter? (1820/30)
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."
Lewis was listed on the 1840 census in Buncombe County. He was next door to
William Evans (his
nephew) and Tilman Tilly. Lewis' brother Jeffrey 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)
1840 Buncombe Co, NC pg 153 Lewis Grimes 0000000000000-0000000000000-FPC=221100-340100
Analysis:
1 Free Colored male 36-54 (1785-1804) Lewis Graham (1789)
1 Free Colored male 24-35 (1804-1816) Son? (1806/20) Marvel Graham (c1818) son?
2 Free Colored males 10-23 (1816-1830) Columbus W. Graham (c1827) son
S. Keener Graham (c1830) son
2 Free Colored males 0-9 (1830-1840) Albert Graham (c1832) son
Azelberry C. Graham (c1833) son
1 Free Colored female 36-54 (1785-1804) Rebecca Eastridge Graham (c1800) wife
4 Free Colored females 10-23 (1816-1830)Nancy Graham (c1822) daughter
Daughter? (1816/20) --> gone by 1850
Daughter? (1820/30) --> gone by 1850
Daughter? (1820/30) --> gone by 1850
3 Free Colored females 0-9 (1830-1840) Frances Eliza Graham (c1835) daughter
Evaline Narcissa Graham(c1839) daughter
Delia A. Graham (c1840) daughter
Lewis and family were listed on the1850 census in Buncombe County. They
were not near any other known relatives. Brother Jeffrey was also listed,
but not nearby. They may have all lived in the same area, or then again, perhaps
Lewis was still on or near Long Shoals, which was only a short distance away
anyway from Jeffrey on Avery Creek. Lewis' family was listed as "Grimes" on this record, while his
brother Jeffrey's family was still Graham. Note that the entire
household was listed with race code of
"M" for Mulatto except for Rebecca who was "W" for White.
- 1850 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)
1850 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 289B House/Family # 1265/1265 - Twp
GRIMES LEWIS 60 M M LABORER NC 1789/1790
GRIMES REBECCA 50 F W NC 1799/1800
GRIMES NANCY 28 F M NC 1821/1822
GRIMES ELLSBERRY 17 M M LABORER NC 1832/1833
GRIMES ELIZA 15 F M NC 1834/1835
GRIMES EVALINE 11 F M NC 1838/1839
GRIMES ADELIA 10 F M NC 1839/1840
GRIMES THOMAS 8 M M NC 1841/1842
Lewis Grimes died on 5 Aug 1855, just a few months
after his brother Jeffrey and sister-in-law Fanny. They are all buried at the
Graham Cemetery. I wonder if some contagious disease was going around to take
them all away at the same time.
Lewis’ widow Rebecca was listed on the 1860 census next door to several of
Jeffrey’s children in the Avery Creek area.
- 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 # 750/ 736 -- Twp AVERY CREEK P.O.
GRAHAM REBECCA 59 F W TAYLOR 70 NC 1800/1801
GRAHAM ELBERRY 26 M M BLACKSMITH NC 1833/1834
GRAHAM ELIZA 25 F M SEAMSTRESS NC 1834/1835
GRAHAM NARCISSA 22 F M SEAMSTRESS NC 1837/1838
GRAHAM DELIA 20 F M NC 1839/1840
GRAHAM THOMAS 19 M M NC 1840/1841
I did not find Rebecca on the 1870 census. Most of her unmarried children
were living together over in Blount County, Tennessee that year. This suggests
she was dead by then.
Lewis Graham and his family were mentioned in the 1905 court case Gilliland
vs. Board of Education. More details are given on
Jeffrey Graham's page.
Children of Lewis and Rebecca
(Eastridge) Graham.
Lewis and Rebecca had several children as proven by the 1850 and 1860
census. The earlier census records seem to show others who are not
identified. The 1905 court case mentions two others sons of Lewis. These
two were gone from home by 1850. There still remain at least three
daughters who are unidentified. DNA testing proves that Marvel
Grimes/Graham is related to Lewis and Jeffrey, though it doesn't
prove that he was Lewis' son, that seems the most likely connection
though.
Unknown Son (1804/10)
Unknown Son (1806/20)
Unknown Son (1806/16) Marvel Graham
(c1818)
Unknown Daughter (1816/20)
Nancy Graham (c1822)
Unknown Daughter (1820/30)
Unknown Daughter (1820/30)
Columbus W. Graham (c1827)
Selathiel Keener Graham (c1830)
Albert Graham (c1832)
Azelberry C. Graham (c1833)
Frances Eliza Graham (c1835)
Evaline Narcissa Graham (c1839)
Delia A. Graham (c1840)
Thomas Graham (c1842)
Unknown Son (1804/10).
Lewis Graham had an apparent son this age. He was apparently home in 1820 (age
10-15, born ca 1804/10), but gone by 1830. His age might be too old to be an
actual son of Lewis. He could be a nephew or boarder who was just living with
Lewis in 1820. Since he was in the "White" column in 1820, and everyone else was
in the "Free Colored" columns, that probably means he was not Lewis' son, but
some other relative or boarder.
Unknown Son (1806/20).
Lewis Graham had an apparent son this age. He was apparently home in 1820 (age
10-13, born ca 1806/20), but gone by 1830, so possibly married or dead by then.
Unknown Son (1806/16).
Lewis Graham had an apparent son this age. He was home in 1820 (age
10-13, 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
possibly married or dead by then.
I think it is highly likely that this unidentified son is
Marvel Grimes / Graham (c1818). There
are a couple of strong reasons for connecting Marvel to Lewis:
- DNA testing shows that Marvel is of the same lineage as Jeffrey
Graham, proven brother of Lewis Graham, so they are closely related.
- Marvel was listed as "M" (Mulatto) on the 1850 and 1860 census.
- He lived nearby (Haywood Co., NC in 1850; Jackson Co., NC in 1860)
- He fits age-wise
- By 1870 Marvel's children had moved to Blount Co., TN as had many of
Lewis' children.
To me, the DNA test results are the clincher here, and convince me that
Marvel is indeed a son of Lewis Graham.
Unknown Daughter (1816/20).
Lewis Graham had an apparent daughter this age. She was home in
1820 (age 10-13, 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 1816/20), but gone by 1850,
so possibly married or dead by then.
Nancy Graham was born ca
1821/22 (per 1850 census) in Buncombe Co, NC. She was apparently home with her
parents in 1830 (age "under 10", born ca 1820/30), and still home in 1840 (age
10-23, born ca 1816/20) and still home in 1850 ("Nancy" age 28).
I did not find Nancy on the 1860 census. She was not home with her widowed
mother that year nor elsewhere as far as I could see.
She was back in Buncombe for the 1870 census listed in Bent Creek Township near her
cousins (children of Jeffrey Graham).
- 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 138B House/Family # 55/ 55--BENT CREEK Twp
GRAHAM NANCY 45 F M 50 NC 1824/1825
I did not find her in 1880.
Unknown Daughter (1820/30).
Lewis Graham had an apparent daughter this age. She was home in 1830 (age
"under 10", born ca 1820/30), and still home in 1840 (age 10-23, born ca
1816/20), but gone by 1850, so possibly married or dead by then.
Unknown Daughter (1820/30).
Lewis Graham had an apparent daughter this age. She was home in 1830 (age
"under 10", born ca 1820/30), and still home in 1840 (age 10-23, born ca
1816/20), but gone by 1850, so possibly married or dead by then.
Columbus W. Graham was born ca 1826/27 [per 1860
census] in North Carolina, probably Buncombe County. His 1870 census entry lists
him as "Collins W." Graham, though he is referred to in the 1880
census and the 1905 court case as "Columbus" Graham. The court record
is the proof that Columbus is a son of Lewis Graham.
Columbus was apparently not listed with his parents in 1830. He was apparently
with them in 1840 though, aged 10-23 (born ca 1816-1830). He was not home with
his parents in 1850 nor found anywhere else.
Sometime right around 1850 Columbus married Elizabeth C. Price,
probably in Pickens District, South Carolina where her family was living. Her
maiden name is proven by the 1905 court case. She was born ca 1831/32 in North
Carolina [per 1860 census]. I don't know what county, but Haywood seems likely
since her sister Rebecca was born there.
Her parents are not given in the court record, but it is said she is a sister
to Rebecca Price who married Keener Graham.
Columbus and Elizabeth are listed on the 1860 census in Pickens District,
South Carolina. Everyone in the household is listed as born in North Carolina. I
don't know if that is a census error or it means they didn't come to SC until
just before census time. The youngest child was 1 year old.
- 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 PICKENS DIST, SC P/H/F 44 / 327 / 328 The 2nd Regiment -- Cheohee P.O.
GRAHAM C W 33 M W BLACKSMITH 200 50 NC 1826/1827
GRAHAM ELIZABETH 28 F W NC 1831/1832
GRAHAM JANE 10 F W NC 1839/1840
GRAHAM LEWIS M 7 M W NC 1842/1843
GRAHAM THERDUS W 5 M W NC 1844/1845
GRAHAM CANDIS V 3 F W NC 1846/1847
GRAHAM DELIA A 1 F W NC 1848/1849
During the 1860's they moved their family to Blount County, Tennessee. Other
members of the family had also gone there.
They were listed there on the 1870 census.
- 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 BLOUNT CO, TN P/H/F 16 / 114 / 117 District No 7 -- Maryville PO
GRAHAM COLLINS 48 M W 300 NC 1821/1822
GRAHAM ELIZABETH C 42 F W NC 1827/1828
GRAHAM NANCY J 20 F W NC 1839/1840
GRAHAM LEWIS M 16 M W NC 1843/1844
GRAHAM THERDIOUS W 15 M W NC 1844/1845
GRAHAM CANSIS 13 F W NC 1846/1847
GRAHAM DELIA A 11 F W NC 1848/1849
GRAHAM WALKER E 9 M W SC 1850/1851
GRAHAM SELATHIEL K 5 M W NC 1854/1855
GRAHAM MARY E 2 F W TN 1857/1858
They moved to Morgan County, Alabama by 1880 and were listed there for that
census. Interestingly, Columbus lists his birthplace as NC (correct) but lists
his father as being born in "Wayles" (Wales), which isn't correct.
I was unable to find them on the 1900 census.
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 Keener Grimes, a tailor in Asheville, who married a servant
of Dr. Hardy by the name of Matilda Forney, a negro; that Columbus Grimes,
another son of Louis, a nephew of Jeffrey Grimes, lived with a free negro woman
by the name of Aunt Sooky Baird.
On the same date (27 Jan 1906), Swan Greenlee, aged 65, "a colored man" gave
a similar statement:
... he knew Keener Grimes, son of Louis Grimes, the said Louis being a
brother of Jeffrey. That the said Keener married a negro girl belonging to Dr.
Ged Hardy by the name of Matilda Forney; and that he lived with her for a number
of years. ... that he knew Columbus Grimes, another son of Louis; that he took
up and lived with an old free negro woman called Aunt Sooky Baird.
Theodore Graham, a first cousin to Columbus disagreed with the above:
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.
Selathiel Keener Graham was born ca 1829/30 [per 1860
census] in Buncombe Co., NC [per 1860 census].
The 1905 court record is the proof that Keener is a son of Lewis Graham.
Thanks to Sonya Anderson for data shared on this family. Until she cleared
it up for me, I did not realize that S. K. Graham was the same person as Keener
Graham. He mostly used his initials "S. K." on records instead of his given or
middle name.
S. K. was apparently not listed with his parents in 1830. He did seem to be with them in 1840 though, aged 10-23 (born ca 1816-1830). He was not home with
his parents in 1850 nor found anywhere else. His brother Columbus was also
"missing" in 1850.
Keener married Rebecca A. Price 31 Jan 1853 [per divorce record], possibly in
Cherokee Co., NC where they were living for the 1860 census. She was born ca 1833/34
in Haywood Co., NC [per 1860 census]. The 1905 court case shows that Rebecca and
Elizabeth (wife of Columbus Graham) were sisters. Their parents names were not
given. I didn't find a likely match for her on the 1850 census. Sonya
Anderson found a Hardin Price family in Pickens Dist, SC in 1850 that had an
Elizabeth who matched the age of this Rebecca's sister. There was no Rebecca in
the household, but there was an Ann of about the same age. Everyone was listed
as born in SC though. Could be them, but more research is needed.
Keener and wife were listed on the 1860 census in Cherokee Co., NC. I don't
know what drew them there. His 1st cousin Mary Graham Tabor was living there
that year but not in the same section. She lived up in what is now Graham County
(appropriately named!) while Keener lived way down in the southern part of
Cherokee 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 513 House/Family # 1179/1179 -- FORT HEMBREE Twp P.O.
GRAHAM S K 30 M W TAYLOR 75 BUNCOMBE 1829/1830
GRAHAM REBECCA 26 F W HAYWOOD 1833/1834
During the 1860's they moved north to Knox County, Kentucky. Keener and
Rebecca were divorced around 1867 in Knox County.
In 1868 S. K. Graham married Cornelia Norton possibly in Knox Co., KY.
She was born ca 1843/44 in Macon (now Jackson) Co., NC a daughter of
Roderick Norton and Drucilla ---. She was with her parents for the 1850 census
(Macon) and 1860 census (Jackson). I don't know how she hooked up with S. K.
Graham unless he came back to NC after his divorce or she went to Kentucky for
some reason. Her family was still in
Jackson County for the 1870 census.
Although Keener was a Tailor early on, he later became a Physician,
apparently during the 1860's.
S. K. Grayham and family were listed on the 1870 census in Knox Co.,
KY. This particular census
lists his birth place as Pennsylvania.
- 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 KNOX CO, KY P/H/F 38 / 1 / 1 Subdivision No 93 -- Barbourville PO
GRAYHAM S K 47 M M PHYSICIAN 1100 / 165 PA 1822/1823
GRAYHAM CORNELIA 24 F W NC 1845/1846
GRAYHAM THOMAS 6 M W NC 1863/1864
GRAYHAM EMMA 3 F W KY 1866/1867
GRAYHAM ANNER 7/12 F W (Dec) KY 1869/1870
By the 1880 census they were in central Kentucky in Hart County. The census
entry has lots of problems but it does appear to be the same people.
- 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 HART CO., KY Page 279 House/Family # 216/ 222 -- HORSE CAVE # 5 Twp
GRAHAM SANEL? K W M 50 M FARMER NC NC NC 1829/1830
GRAHAM CORNELIA W F 36 WF M KEEPING HOUSE NC NC NC 1843/1844
GRAHAM DEMMIE W F 13 D AT HOME KY KY KY 1866/1867
GRAHAM ANOR W F 11 D AT HOME KY KY KY 1868/1869
GRAHAM CORDELIA W F 9 D AT HOME KY KY KY 1870/1871
GRAHAM WILLIAM W M 3 S KY KY KY 1876/1877
GRAHAM LUCILLA W F 1 D KY KY KY 1878/1879
They were apparently back in Knox County shortly after this for on 11 Jul
1887 S. K. Graham was murdered there. I don't know the details.
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 Keener Grimes, a tailor in Asheville, who married a servant
of Dr. Hardy by the name of Matilda Forney, a negro; that Columbus Grimes,
another son of Louis, a nephew of Jeffrey Grimes, lived with a free negro woman
by the name of Aunt Sooky Baird.
On the same date (27 Jan 1906), Swan Greenlee, aged 65, "a colored man" gave
a similar statement:
... he knew Keener Grimes, son of Louis Grimes, the said Louis being a
brother of Jeffrey. That the said Keener married a negro girl belonging to Dr.
Ged Hardy by the name of Matilda Forney; and that he lived with her for a number
of years. ... that he knew Columbus Grimes, another son of Louis; that he took
up and lived with an old free negro woman called Aunt Sooky Baird.
On the same date (27 Jan 1906), Hardin Mallery, aged 77, "a colored
man" gave a similar statement:
...that he knew Keener Grimes, sometimes called "Dock"; didn't know
whose son he was. Keener or "Dock" was a tailor in Asheville, and
married a colored girl belonging to Dr. Hardy by the name of Matilda
Forney. The deponent further saith that he knew Kenner (sic) well, and
was at Dr. Hardy's often when Kenner was there, as he also had a wife
there at the same time. Dock left his wife but still worked in Asheville
at his trade.
Theodore Graham, a first cousin to Keener disagreed with the above:
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.
Albert Graham was born ca
1831/32 (per 1850 census) in Buncombe Co, NC. I don't know for sure if he is a
son of Lewis, but it seems likely. Lewis did have an apparent son his age per
the earlier census records, and he was listed nearby in 1850.
He was apparently home with his parents for the 1840 census (age "under 10",
born ca 1830/40). He was not with his parents in 1850.
Albert was living with a Pinner family for the 1850 census.
- 1850 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)
1850 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 282 House/Family # 1155/1155 - Twp
PINNER H 52 M W FARMER 200 NC 1797/1798
PINNER ISABELLA 54 F W SC 1795/1796
PINNER SALLY 25 F W NC 1824/1825
PINNER JANE 23 F W NC 1826/1827
PINNER MARGARET 21 F W NC 1828/1829
PINNER CHARITY 19 F W NC 1830/1831
GRIMES ALBERT 18 M M LABORER NC 1831/1832
I did not find him in 1860 or after.
Azelberry C. Graham was born
ca 1832/33 (per 1850 census) in Buncombe Co, NC. He was apparently home with his
parents for the 1840 census (age "under 10", born ca 1830/40), and still home in
1850 ("Elsberry" age 17), and with his widowed mother in 1860 ("Elberry"
age 26).
Azelberry (or "Asa") married Evaline Elizabeth --- sometime ca
1866-1867 either in NC or TN (no marriage record found.) She was born ca 1848/49
in NC [per 1870 census]. I don't know her maiden name.
They were listed on the 1870 census in Blount Co., TN. Asa's brother Columbus
was also there that year and in the same district, but not listed nearby.
Several of Asa's siblings were living with him, including an unidentified
Rebecca Graham. She could be Marvel Graham's daughter though the age doesn't
match.
- 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 BLOUNT CO, TN P/H/F 136 / 2/ 2 District No 7 -- Maryville PO
GRAHAM AZELBERRY 37 M W BLACKSMITH 0 / 600 NC 1832/1833
GRAHAM ELIZABETH E 21 F W KEEPING HOUSE NC 1848/1849
GRAHAM REBECCA *16 F W AT HOME NC 1853/1854
GRAHAM FRANCIS E 28 F W AT HOME NC 1841/1842
GRAHAM NARCISSA E 25 F W AT HOME NC 1844/1845
GRAHAM DELIA A 22 F W AT HOME NC 1847/1848
GRAHAM DOCTOR W 3 M W TN 1866/1867
LAFFRET? WILLIAM 16 M W FARM LABOR TN 1853/1854
Who were all those people with Asa? Elizabeth E. is his wife. Frances E.,
Narcissa E., and Delia A. are his sisters. Doctor W. Graham is his nephew
(parents unknown) and William Laffret (Lafollette?) is a hired laborer. That
leaves Rebecca. Her age is clearly written as 16 but there is a strange mark
next to the "1" that may be someone trying to make it into a "7" instead. It
isn't clear enough to be sure. If it is meant to be age 76, then this is clearly
Rebecca Eastridge Graham, Asa's mother. If it is meant to be 16 then who is it?
He didn't have a sister by that name. His presumed brother Marvel Graham did
have a daughter named Rebecca A. Graham born ca 1847. It isn't a perfect age
match, but it could be her. That Rebecca did marry a Lafollette, so that could
explain some things.
Asa and family were still in Blount County for the 1880 census.
- 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 BLOUNT CO, TN P/H/F 114 / 31 / 31 -- VILL OF LOUISVILLE
GRAHAM AZA M M 36 BLACKSMITH NC NC NC 1843/1844
GRAHAM ELISABETH W F 34 WF KEEPING HOUSE NC NC NC 1845/1846
GRAHAM ELIZA M F 30 SI WORKS IN HOUSE NC NC NC 1849/1850
GRAHAM DOCK M M 16 NE WORKS ON FARM TN TN NC 1863/1864
They were in Rhea Co., TN by the 1900 census. I haven't traced them beyond
this.
Frances Eliza Graham was born ca 1834/35 (per 1850
census) in Buncombe Co, NC. She was apparently home with parents for the 1840
census (age "under 10", born ca 1830/40), and still home in 1850 ("Eliza" age
15), and with her widowed mother in 1860 ("Eliza" age 25). She was with her
brother Azelberry in 1870 and 1880 in Blount Co., TN, and with them in 1900 in
Rhea Co., TN. She never married.
Evaline Narcissa Graham
was born ca 1838/39 (per 1850 census) in Buncombe Co, NC. She was apparently
home with parents for the 1840 census (age "under 10", born ca 1830/40), and
still home in 1850 ("Evaline" age 11), and with her widowed mother in 1860 ("Narcissa"
age 22). I have no record of her after this.
Delia A. Graham was born ca
1839/40 (per 1850 census) in Buncombe Co, NC. She was apparently home with
parents for the 1840 census (age "under 10", born ca 1830/40), and still home in
1850 ("Adelia" age 10), and with her widowed mother in 1860 ("Delia" age 20). I
have no record of her after this.
Thomas Graham was born ca
1841/42 (per 1850 census) in Buncombe Co, NC. He was home with his parents in
1850 ("Thomas" age 8), and with his widowed mother in 1860 ("Thomas" age 19). I
have no record of him after this.
Researcher List
Persons researching this family (click
here for data on how to get on or off of this list):
Register Report
1. Lewis1
Grimes
, born 1 May 1789 in Wilkes Co,
NC; died 5 Aug 1855 in Buncombe Co, NC; buried in Graham Cem, Buncombe
Co, NC, son of (---) Grimes
. He married bef 1820 in Buncombe Co, NC Rebecca
Eastridge
, born 1799/1800 in NC; died aft
1860 in Buncombe Co, NC, daughter of (---) Eastridge
and ? (---)
.
Children
of Lewis Grimes and Rebecca Eastridge were as follows:
+ 2
i Marvel2
Grimes
, born 1817/18 in Buncombe Co,
NC; died aft 1860 in Jackson Co, NC. He married Nancy
(---)
.
3
ii Nancy2
Grimes
, born 1821/22 in Buncombe Co,
NC; died aft 1870 in Buncombe Co, NC.
+ 4
iii Columbus W2
Graham
, born 1826/27 in Buncombe Co,
NC; died aft 1880 in Morgan Co, AL. He married Elizabeth C
Price
.
+ 5
iv Selathiel Keener2
Graham
, born 1829/30 in Buncombe Co,
NC; died aft 1880 in Knox Co, KY. He married (1) Rebecca A
Price
; (2) Cornelia Norton
.
6
v Albert2
Grimes
, born 1831/32 in Buncombe Co,
NC; died aft 1850 in Buncombe Co, NC.
+ 7
vi Azelberry C2
Graham
, born 1832/33 in Buncombe Co,
NC; died aft 1900 in Rhea Co, TN. He married Evaline
Elizabeth (---)
.
8
vii Frances Eliza2
Grimes
, born 1834/35 in Buncombe Co,
NC; died aft 1900 in Rhea Co, TN.
9
viii Evaline Narcissa2
Grimes
, born 1838/39 in Buncombe Co,
NC; died aft 1870 in Blount Co, TN. She married on 12 Sep 1872
in Blount Co, TN James Wear
.
10
ix Delia A2
Grimes
, born 1839/40 in Buncombe Co,
NC; died aft 1870 in Blount Co, TN.
11
x Thomas2
Grimes
, born 1841/42 in Buncombe Co,
NC; died aft 1860 in Buncombe Co, NC.
+ 12
xi Doctor W2
Graham
, born Feb 1867 in Blount Co,
TN; died in AR. He married Eliza J (---)
.
Generation 2
2. Marvel2
Grimes
(Lewis1),
born 1817/18 in Buncombe Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Jackson Co, NC.
He married bef 1842 in Haywood Co, NC Nancy (---)
, born 1825/26 in NC; died aft
1880 in Etowah Co, AL.
Children
of Marvel Grimes and Nancy (---) were as follows:
+ 13
i Arthur Augustus3
Graham
, born 1842/43 in Haywood Co,
NC; died 24 Dec 1915 in Hot Springs, Garland Co,AR. He married
(1) Cynthia Elizabeth Henderson
; (2) Dolly Reynolds
; (3) Zonia Fickle
.
14
ii Mary M3
Graham
, born 1844/45 in Haywood Co,
NC. She married on 22 Oct 1861 in Jackson Co, NC John E
Henderson
.
+ 15
iii Rebecca A3
Graham
, born 1846/47 in Haywood Co,
NC; died aft 1880 in New Madrid Co, MO. She married Sparling
LaFollette
.
+ 16
iv Roxann L3
Graham
, born 1850 in Haywood Co, NC;
died abt 1885 in Etowah Co, AL. She married Jerry
Lafollette
.
4. Columbus W2
Graham
(Lewis1),
born 1826/27 in Buncombe Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Morgan Co, AL.
He married bef 1850 in NC Elizabeth C Price
, born 1831/32 in Haywood Co,
NC; died aft 1880 in Morgan Co, AL, daughter of (---) Price
.
Children
of Columbus W Graham and Elizabeth C Price were as follows:
17
i Nancy Jane3
Graham
, born 1849/50 in Buncombe Co,
NC.
18
ii Lewis M3
Graham
, born 1852/53 in Buncombe Co,
NC.
19
iii Theodorus W3
Graham
, born 1854/55 in Buncombe Co,
NC.
20
iv Candis V3
Graham
, born 1856/57 in Buncombe Co,
NC.
21
v Delia A3
Graham
, born 1858/59 in Buncombe Co,
NC.
22
vi Walker E3
Graham
, born 1860/61 in Pickens Dist,
SC.
23
vii Selathiel K3
Graham
, born 1864/65 in NC.
24
viii Mary E3
Graham
, born 1867/68 in Blount Co, TN.
5. Selathiel Keener2
Graham
(Lewis1),
born 1829/30 in Buncombe Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Knox Co, KY.
He married (1) on 31 Jan 1853, divorced Rebecca A
Price
, born 1833/34 in Haywood Co,
NC; died aft 1860 in Cherokee Co, NC, daughter of (---) Price
; (2) in 1868 in Knox Co, KY Cornelia Norton
, born 1843/44 in Macon Co, NC
(now Jackson Co, NC); died aft 1880 in Knox Co, KY, daughter of
Roderick Norton and Drucilla (---)
.
Children
of Selathiel Keener Graham and Rebecca A Price were as follows:
25
i Thomas3
Graham
, born 1863/64 in Cherokee Co,
NC.
26
ii Emma3
Graham
, born 1866/67 in Knox Co, KY.
Children
of Selathiel Keener Graham and Cornelia Norton were as follows:
27
i Anna3
Graham
, born Dec 1869 in Knox Co, KY.
7. Azelberry C2
Graham
(Lewis1),
born 1832/33 in Buncombe Co, NC; died aft 1900 in Rhea Co, TN.
He married in 1866/67 in Buncombe Co, NC Evaline Elizabeth
(---)
, born 1848/49 in NC; died aft
1900 in Rhea Co, TN.
Children
of Azelberry C Graham and Evaline Elizabeth (---) were as follows:
28
i Addie3
Graham
, born Jun 1888 in Rhea Co, TN.
12. Doctor W2
Graham
(Lewis1),
born Feb 1867 in Blount Co, TN; died in AR. He married in
1889/90 in Rhea Co, TN Eliza J (---)
, born Dec 1869 in TN.
Children
of Doctor W Graham and Eliza J (---) were as follows:
29
i John L3
Graham
, born Dec 1890 in Rhea Co, TN.
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