William Graham (bef 1755-1824) and Elizabeth Bellamy of Horry Co., SC

Marty and Karla Grant

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[Graham Home] - [Table of Contents] - William Graham (bef 1755-1824)

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William Graham is my 5 times great uncle.

William Graham was born before 1755 per his age on the 1800 census (45+). I don’t know where he was born, perhaps in South Carolina. He was most likely of Scottish or English ancestry.

What is now Horry County was part of Craven County until 1769 when Georgetown District was created from it. The area remained Georgetown until 1801 when Horry District was carved out from it. It remained Horry District until 1868 when all districts became counties, thus it was Horry County from then on.

I don’t know who William’s parents were for certain. Carolyn Buckley lists him as a son of John Graham and Mary Johnston, and that certainly works age-wise, location-wise and association-wise. I don’t know if there is primary evidence for John being William’s father, but there is circumstantial evidence.

William has a proven brother named Gilbert Graham and is probably closely related to the other early Grahams in Horry like Joseph Graham (bef 1755-aft 1810), James Graham (1755/65) and John Graham (1755/65-1811). John (1755/65) is a proven son of an older John Graham (wife Mary Johnston).

William Graham was listed on a land memorial dated 22 Dec 1774 with 150 acres on Pee Dee River in Craven Co., SC. This means he purchased, inherited or was granted that land sometime before that date. It is possible the above record is a different William Graham, however, our William would have been 19 or older at that time so it could be him.

William Graham married Elizabeth before ca 1790. Carolyn Buckley says that Elizabeth’s maiden name was Bellamy. I don’t know what her source was for that. The 1790 census for Georgetown District shows three relevant entries: John Bellemee, John Bellemee Jr and Abraham Bellemee. These are probably Elizabeth’s relatives. William and Elizabeth did name one of their sons Abraham Graham. Elizabeth Bellamy was born ca 1765/1774 per census analysis.

William is listed on the 1790 census in Georgetown District. In fact, there are two of them, one in Prince Frederick Parish and one in Prince George. The one in Prince George is ours, I believe.

1790 Census - Georgetown District., South Carolina, Prince George Parish

Page	Name	Males 16+	Males under 16	Females	Others	Slaves
507	William Graham	1	2	2	~	10

My analysis (who each person *might* be):

1m 16+ (before 1774) William Graham (bef 1755)

2m -16 (1774/1790) 1. Son? (1774/1790) > gone by 1800

2. Son? (1774/1790) > gone by 1800

2f (before 1790) 1. Elizabeth Bellamy Graham (1765/74) wife

2. Daughter? (Before 1790) > gone by 1800

10 Slaves (before 1790)

They are listed on the 1800 census in Georgetown Dist., SC in Kingston County just two houses from James Graham (1755/65) and seven from John Graham Senr.

1800 Census - Georgetown District, South Carolina, Kingston County

Page

Name

M0-9

M10-15

M16-25

M26-44

M45+

F0-9

F10-15

F16-25

F26-44

F45+

FPC

Slaves

772

Willm Graham

My analysis (who each person *might* be):

1m 45+ (before 1755) William Graham (bef 1755)

1m 0-9 (1790/1800) William B. Graham (1792) son

1f 26-44 (1755/1774) Elizabeth Bellamy Graham (1765/74) wife

1f 0-9 (1790/1800) Susannah Graham (c1800) daughter

13 Slaves (before 1800)

On 16 Apr 1801, Thomas Grainger of Georgetown District sold land to William Graham Esq, being 430 acres on Pleasant Meadow Swamp of Little Pee Dee River. It’s part of a grant to Grainger dated 7 May 1798. Adjoining land includes William Graham and John Cannon Grainger. Thomas Grainger signed the deed with a mark. Witnesses were Samuel Foxworth and Stephen M. Foxworth (who later married an Elizabeth Graham). On 19 Apr 1804, Dewtry Grainger, wife of Thomas Grainger relinquished her dower rights. (Horry Co., SC Deed Book A1, pp. 227-228).

On 13 Jan 1804 John Graham Senr and wife Martha, of Horry, sold land to William Graham for $200. The land was 660 acres on Mitchells Swamp of Little Pee Dee River originally granted to Thomas Waring in Feb 1739, and from him transferred to John Moor 10 Apr 1744, and from Moor to William Coachman and from Coachman “to my father John Graham deceased” by deed 19 Jun 1766. The land lays “betwixt the plantation on which the said William Graham now lives and James Johnstons old plantation on Mitchell Swamp.” The deed was signed by John Graham Senr and Martha Graham (her mark). Witnesses were Arnold Godwin and Mary Graham. Mary Graham proved the deed on 23 Aug 1804. Martha Graham, wife of John, relinquished her dower rights on the same date (23 Aug 1804). (Horry Co., SC Deed Book A1, pp. 226-227).

The above deed is interesting in that it proves John Graham Senr was a son of an older John Graham. While it doesn’t prove a relationship between either of the John Grahams and William Graham, it strongly suggests there is one. An obvious answer is that the older John is also William’s father, but this doesn’t actually prove that.

On 27 Oct 1806, Moses Harrelson, James Singleton and William Graham made a bond to William Hemmingway, Ordinary for Horry District. The condition was that William Graham would be come guardian to Margaret Graham and raise her. An added note by William Graham dated 15 Jan 1807 referred to “Guardianship of brother Gilbert daughter” which proves who Margaret was, and also proves that William and Gilbert were brothers. (Horry Co., SC Administration Bonds 1803-1818, p. 31.)

On 8 Feb 1808 Darby Smith Hart Senr of Marlesborough (sic) District, SC made a deed to William Graham Senr for land in Horry District bounded by vacant land on all sides. Signed by Darby Smithhart (his mark). Witnesses were Mary Graham and James Johnston. (Horry Co., SC Deed Book A1, pp. 337.)

Why was William Graham listed as “Senr” on this deed? His son William B. Graham (1792) was only 16 then. At that age he could do certain types of business in his own name, though still a minor. The answer is that William Graham (c1782) son of Joseph Graham was of age at this time.

On 17 Feb 1808 William Smith of Horry made a deed to William Graham for 25 pounds for 824 acres on Pleasant Meadow Swamp of Little Pee Dee River having been granted to Smith on 3 Dec 1792. Signed by William Smith and Martha Smith, both made marks. Witnesses were Wright Sellers and Benj. Sellers. Martha Smith wife of William relinquished her rights on 8 Oct 1808. (Horry Co., SC Deed Book A1, pp. 334-335.)

Again on 17 Feb 1808, William Smith made a deed to William Graham, this one for 300 acres on Pleasant Meadow Swamp adjoining William Smith and Charles Edwards and Smithearts land. William and Martha Smith signed the deed with marks. Witnesses were the same as the prior deed. Martha relinquished her rights on 10 Oct 1808. (Horry Co., SC Deed Book A1, pp. 335-336.)

On 9 Apr 1808 William Smith of Horry made a deed to William Graham for 200 acres between Jeremy Ludlam’s land and Charles Edwards’ land. The deed was signed by William Smith (his mark) and Martha Prince (her mark). Witnesses were William H. Grice and Wright Sellers. Sellers proved the deed on the same day. On 10 Oct 1808 Martha Smith, wife of William Smith relinquished her rights to the land. She signed with a mark. (Horry Co., SC Deed Book A1, pp. 333-334.)

On 21 Nov 1808, William Graham Junr witnessed a deed from Martha Grice to her husband William H. Grice. This is either William B. Graham (1792) or William Graham (c1782) son of Joseph. (Horry Co., SC Deed Book A1, pp. 354.)

They are on the 1810 census in Horry Dist., SC, not listed near any other Grahams.

1810 Census - Horry District, South Carolina

Page

Name

M0-9

M10-15

M16-25

M26-44

M45+

F0-9

F10-15

F16-25

F26-44

F45+

FPC

Slaves

480

Wm Graham

My analysis (who each person *might* be):

1m 45+ (before 1765) William Graham (bef 1755)

1m 16-25 (1784/1794) William B. Graham (1792) son

1m 0-9 (1800/1810) Abraham J. Graham (1801) son

1f 26-44 (1765/1784) Elizabeth Bellamy Graham (1765/74) wife

1f 10-15 (1794/1800) Margaret Graham (1794/1800) d/o Gilbert Graham*

3f 0-9 (1800/1810) Susannah Graham (c1800) daughter > married before 1815

2. Eliza Ann Rebecca Graham (c1804) daughter

3. Margaret Ann Graham (c1808) daughter

20 Slaves (before 1810)

* William Graham became guardian to Margaret Graham in 1806. This might be her if still with him by 1810.

They are listed on the 1820 census in Horry.

1820 Census - Horry District, South Carolina

Page

Name

135

William Graham Senior

Slaves=5501-7311

My analysis (who each person *might* be):

1m 45+ (before 1775) William Graham (bef 1755)

1m 16-25 (1794/1804) Abraham J. Graham (1801) son

1m 16-17 (1802/1804) * Same as above

1f 45+ (before 1775) Elizabeth Bellamy Graham (1765/74) wife

2f 10-15 (1804/1810) 1. Eliza Ann Rebecca Graham (c1804) daughter

2. Margaret Ann Graham (c1808) daughter

Slaves (23 total):

1m 45+ (before 1775) ?

5m 14-25 (1794/1806) 1. ?

2. ?

3. ?

4. ?

5. ?

5m 0-13 (1806/1820) 1. ?

2. ?

3. ?

4. ?

5. ?

1f 45+ (before 1775) ?

1f 26-44 (1775/1794) ?

3f 14-25 (1794/1806) 1. ?

2. ?

3. ?

7f 0-13 (1806/1820) 1. ?

2. ?

3. ?

4. ?

5. ?

6. ?

7. ?

William Graham Senr made his Will on 23 Oct 1820 naming:

• beloved wife Elizabeth the plantation, stock, etc., Negroes: Hestor, Lue, Statira?, Sealy, Darcus, Stepsey, Frank and Sam.

• son William, tract of land where he now lives 660a, Negroes: Charles? Murrior, Rimus, Caidgo?, Larry, Moses, and Bob.

• son Abraham, Negroes: Dolcy, Sabrey, Charles and Saul.

• dau Susannah McQueen. Negroes: Jude and her children Statira, Wealthy, Jack and Hardy.

• dau Eliza Ann Rebecca Graham. Negroes: Dyce, Luericha, Prince and Noble.

• dau Peggy Ann Graham. Negroes: Kitsey, Rigney, Stepsey (younger) and Jacob.

• Wife Elizabeth and sons William and Abraham executors

William Graham signed the Will. Witnesses were James C. Cochram, Isaac Hardee and Jane Graham.

Jane Graham proved the Will in court on 16 Aug 1824 meaning William had died by that date. This is likely Jane Conner wife of William B. Graham, and thus William Senr’s daughter-in-law.

On 3 Aug 1829, Benjamin Gause of Horry sold a Negro woman named Darcus to Peggy Ann Graham for $273 paid by Elizabeth Graham. Gause signed. Witnesses were Josias T. Sessions and A. W. McRae. (Horry Co., SC Deed Book B1, p. 382.).

I don’t know when Elizabeth Bellamy Graham died, though after 1829 and before 1850 for I didn’t find her on that census. There is a widow Elizabeth Graham on the 1830 and 1840 censuses in Horry, but that is Elizabeth, widow of James Graham.

Children

William Graham and wife Elizabeth had five children as proven by William’s 1820 Will. Census records suggest there might have been others, but perhaps those were nieces or nephews or other relatives residing with them at the time.

1. Unknown Son (1774/1790). Home in 1790, gone by 1800. Not named in 1820 Will so probably died before then, or not a son in the first place.

2. Unknown Son (1774/1790). Home in 1790, gone by 1800. Not named in 1820 Will so probably died before then, or not a son in the first place.

3. Unknown Daughter (before 1790). Home in 1790, gone by 1800 so married or dead by then. Not named in 1820 Will so probably died long before then or not a daughter in the first place.

4. William B. Graham (1792-1846) married Jane Conner.

5. Susannah Graham (c1800-aft 1860) married William J. McQueen (c1787-1851).

6. Abraham J. Graham (1801-aft 1880) married 1) Delilah Floyd, 2) Catherine M. ---

7. Unknown Daughter (1800/1810) home in 1810, gone by 1820 so probably married or dead by then. Not named in 1820 Will.

8. Eliza Ann Rebecca Graham (c1804-aft 1880) married James McQueen.

9. Margaret “Peggy” Ann Graham (c1808-1850s) married Daniel B. Holmes.

For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database pages for William Graham and Elizabeth Bellamy.

Revised: October 25, 2025

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