The Andrew Jackson Wallace Family

A reliable source for the birth of Andrew Jackson Wallace has not been found. Family folklore places his birth to have occurred around 1812 in Chesterfield District, SC. The Chesterfield County 1810 Census contains an entry for Betsey Wallace who most likely is the Mother of Andrew.

1810 CENSUS: Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; Page#564, Line#03 Betsey WALLACE Household, 1 Female, age 16 to 25 [Betsey]; 2 Females, age under 10; 2 Males, ages 10-15 and 1 Male, age under 10. 

The next record of Betsey is a local newspaper announcement initiated by her son Eli Wallace on 3 February 1840 -- Whereas, Eli Wallace made suit to me to grant him Letters of Administration of the Estate and Effects which were of Elizabeth Wallace. This announcement  shows that Betsey Wallace died before 3 February 1840. 

Four of these 5 children are believed to be known; but, one daughter and the husband/father are still unknown.

Based on Betsey age as reported in the 1810 Census, age 16-25; she was borne between 1785-1794.

Andrew Jackson Wallace first appears in the Chesterfield County 1840 Population Census. He is married and his age is reported to be between 20-29 making his birth to have occurred between 1811- 1820. If these numbers are correct it could be interpretative as Betsey being with Child (Andrew) when the Census were taken in her home. Note: On  25 August 1861, Andrew Jackson Wallace enlisted with Capt. Kelly's Co, Light Artillery (Chesterfield Artillery) to serve in the Civil War. He reported has age as 44 making his birth year to be 1817 instead of the 1812 date that is being passed among on-line trees. 

Clearly, very little interest was place on age and birth dates in early America and the loss of record compounds this problem.

As stated, Andrew Jackson Wallace was married in 1840 and had 2 females in his household; 1 female, age 10 –14 and 1 Female, age 15 to 19. The oldest female, age 15-19 is Mary Ann Graves wife of Andrew Jackson Wallace. Their first borne child, a son, was borne about 1841.  

In 1840, Mary Ann Graves, is also found in the household of her Mother, Mary Graves, b. 1795. She (Mary Ann) was borne about 1825 making her age to be 15 in 1840. The father of Mary Ann Graves is unknown. Andrew Jackson Wallace and Mary Ann Graves were married in 1840. Records prior to the Civil War were destroyed during that war making a record of their marriage impossible to find.

Andrew Jackson Wallace was a farmer as most men were during this era. Mary Ann was a stay at home Mom.  Andrew and Mary owned a tract of land containing 225 acres on Boggy Branch.   

The 1850 Agricultural Census describes his operation thusly: 

Wallace, Jackson, was Owner, Agent, or manager of a farm consisting of 20 improved acres, and 105 unimproved acres. The cash value of the farm was $500, and the value of farming implements and machinery was $50. The livestock consisted of 1 horse(s), 0 Ass(es) and Mule(s), 2 Milch Cow(s), 0 working Oxen, 2 other cattle; 0 Sheep, and 25 Swine, valued at $155. The farm produced 0 bushel(s) of Wheat, 0 bushel(s) Rye. 150 bushel(s) Indian Corn, 0 bushel(s) of Oats, 0 lb(s) of Rice, 0 lb(s) of Tobacco, 0 bale(s) of ginned Cotton of 400 lbs, 0 lb(s) of Wool, 7 bushel(s) of Peas and Beans, 0 bushel(s) Irish potatoes, 0 bushel(s) Sweet potatoes, 0 bushel(s) of Barley, 0 bushel(s) of Buckwheat, and 0 gallon(s) of Wine. The value of the garden produce was not recorded. Also harvested was 10 lb(s) of Butter, 0 lb(s) of Cheese, and 1 ton(s) of Hay.  

On 18 May 1889, Andrew Jackson Wallace deeded a 147-acre tract of land belonging to the heirs of William Wallace to his son, Hampton Wallace for the sum of one hundred dollars. (DB 10:85)

6 March 1872, Andrew Jackson Wallace and his two sons, David and Caleb signed an agreement with S. H. Powers and Company not to exceed one hundred and fifty dollars for the said S. H. Powers and Company to supply their need in manure, provisions and family supplies for the current year. Those provisions are to be used by Andrew Jackson and his two sons to cultivate a tract of land rented by the Jackson’s from Thomas E. Powe. (DB 3, Page 704).

Many on line trees and his FindAGrave Memorial shows Andrew dying abt 1888; but, we know from Chesterfield County Deed (DB 10:85) that Andrew Jackson Wallace died after 10 May 1889. And Thanks to a fellow genealogist we now know that he received a Civil War Pension Check on 20 April 1894 making his known DEATH DATE to be AFTER 20 April 1894.  

Chart Courtesy of Dennis Wallace

Andrew Jackson Wallace and Mary Ann Graves had the following children:

i. Andrew Jackson Wallace Jr. was born about 1841 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina

ii. Clement Clermont Wallace was born about 1844 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.  

iii. Henrietta Kelsoe Wallace, born 7 Jul 1846, Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Louis J. Gainey; died 21 Jan 1916, Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina.

  iv. David J. Wallace was born on 10 May 1847 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.

v. William Caleb Wallace was born on 11 Sep 1848 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.

vi. Laura C. Wallace, born abt 1850, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Samuel John Hunter, 1870, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; died 12 Dec 1929, Kershaw County, South Carolina.

vii. Hampton Henry Wallace, born 12 Sep 1853, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Sarah Anne Ross, abt 1870, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; died 21 May 1927, Mt. Croghan, Chesterfield, South Carolina.

viii. John Duncan "Dock" Wallace, born 12 Oct 1854, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Phallie Jane Plyler, 1891; died 19 Mar 1915.

ix. Harriet Elizabeth Wallace, born 16 Jul 1857, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Robert Daniel Taylor, 1870, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; died 4 Nov 1913, Carroll County, Mississippi.

x. William Wallace was born about 1858 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.  

Mary Ann (Graves) Wallace died at some point after the 1880 Census was enumerated. No tombstone, obituary, death notice or Family Bible documenting her death has been found. Extant newspapers have been reviewed without success. 

I have one last parting comment. The Father of Betsey Wallace's children are unknown. Her husband and Companion is unknown. One thing is for certain, All the trees on-line with Isham Wallace as her husband are all creative fiction and will not pass the Genealogical Proof Standard.   

Mary Ann (Graves) Wallace and her husband Andrew Jackson Wallace are my 3rd Great Grand Aunt and Uncle.

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1. 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 111B, Line 38, Dwelling 206, Family 206, Household of Jackson WALLACE; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: viewed 20 November 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.

2. 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 94B, Line 38, Dwelling 206, Family 206, Household of Jackson WALLACE; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com: viewed 20 November 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M653-1217.

3. 1880 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Old Store, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #8, Page: 383C; Line 45, Dwelling 138, Family 138, Household of A. J. WALLACE; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 20 November 2011); citing  National Archives Microfilm T9-1225.

4. Land Deed - Andrew Jackson Wallace and his two sons, David and Caleb signed an agreement with S. H. Powers; 6 March 1872; Deed Book #3; Page(s) 704; Register of Deeds; Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; November 2023.

5. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed November 2023); Memorial page for Andrew Jackson Wallace; (1812-aft May 1889); Find a Grave memorial # 196825436, Citing Five Forks Church Cemetery; Pageland, Chesterfield County, South Carolina

6. Andrew Jackson Wallace & Mary Ann Graves, (Early 1840), SC Marriages: Married 1840 based on 1840 Census and birth of 1st Child in 1841.; Chesterfield , South Carolina, South Carolina.

7. 1860 Agriculture Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, agriculture census, Chesterfield County, Page 1/443 (Penciled; Line#9, Jackson Wallace; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : on-line November 2023); citing National Archives Microfilm AD261 Roll 3.

8. Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (https://www.fold3.com/ : accessed November 2023), entry for A. Jackson Wallace, Pvt.; Unit Capt. Kelly's Co, Light Artillery (Chesterfield Artillery); Confederate.

9. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com: accessed November 2023); Memorial page for Mary Ann Graves Wallace; (1825-unknown); Find a Grave memorial # 202050730, Citing Five Forks Church Cemetery; Pageland, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.

10. James C. Pigg, 1850 Federal Agricultural Census for Chesterfield County, South Carolina (Tega Cay, South Carolina: Chesterfield County Genealogical Services, 1996), page 8.

11. Many thanks to my distant Cousin Dennis W. for information on this family. 

Census Sunday~Mary Graves Household

For many years I have studied and puzzled over the composition of the Mary Graves Household in the 1850 Chesterfield County Census. Her household is Dwelling 110, Family 110 on page 106. ¹

 



Within this family is my 2nd great Grandmother Sarah Jane Graves, age 16, just a few years before she and my 2nd Great Grandfather William A. Purvis were married.
All of us who have researched our ancestors for a  while knows that censuses before the 1880 Census provides no reference to relationships of  individuals that are enumerated within a household.

The relationship of these four individuals are not given. I think we can safely say the Sarah Jane, age 16, and [William] Thomas Graves, age 14, are siblings.  But, whose siblings?

Are they children of David and maybe a deceased wife? David is listed here as age 32, making his birth year to be 1818. His tombstone in the St. Mary’s Presbyterian Church cemetery shows that he was born 22 January 1812. So David may be older than was reported to the Census taker. ²

David and Mary can be found in the 1860 census. Sometime after 1860 Mary Graves died. Then around 1871 David W. Graves at age, 59 or 53 married Mary Anne Gulledge. They had five children; three daughters and two sons.³

I just don’t believe this is the fist marriage for David W. Graves thus the two children in Mary Graves household are David’s from a previous marriage and he is the Father of Sarah Jane, age 16, and [William] Thomas Graves, age 14.

Nor do I believe that Mary Graves had two small children at age 39 and 42 years of age. Census data confirms this in that Mary Graves is listed as a widow in both the 1830 and 1840 Census for Chesterfield County, South Carolina. ^{4 5}

Mary Graves is the Grandmother of the two children and the Mother of David W. Graves. 

To my readers, given the facts as presented do you think the children are the son and daughter of David W. Graves or do you have other thoughts. I’m open to suggestions concerning this family. 
  










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[1] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 106A, Line 8, Dwelling 110, Family 110, Household of Mary GRAVES; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 20 November 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[2] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 1 January 2008); Memorial page for David W. Graves; (22 January 1812–21 November 1898); Find a Grave memorial # 47922854, Citing Saint Mary's Presbyterian Church Cemetery (old); Patrick, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.
[3] 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 171A, Line 6, Dwelling 1083, Family 1081, Household of Mary GRAVES; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 20 November 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M653-1217.
[4] 1830 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, page 243, Household of Mary Graves; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 2008); citing National Archives Microfilm M19_172.
[5] 1840 U S Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 347, Line 15, Household of Mary Graves; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 15 January 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M740_Roll 510.

52 Ancestors: #40, David W. Graves

 

Amy Johnson Crow of No Story To Small has started a challenge of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.
From her blog “The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor. Not only should this get me blogging more, but also to take a deeper look at some of the people in my family tree.”

The focus of my blog post today is David W. Graves, prime candidate for 3rd Great Grandfather.
 
One of the biggest challenges and disappointments in my 38 years of research is that my direct Purvis line has been “frozen in times” at my 2nd Great Grand Parents William A. Purvis and Sarah Jane Graves. For years I have searched with no obvious advancement. 

Many of the ideas, suggestions, conclusions espoused in this article are the opinion and thought process of the author of this blog. Solid, concrete proof prior to Civil War is almost non-existent in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. 

With the advances in DNA it made sense that I should test in an effort to extend these two lines.  My male Y-DNA-67 test and Family Finder results gave me two clues on the Purvis line.¹

• I matched with a descendant of James F. Purvis b. 1760 in Chesterfield, son of John Purvis and Sarah Johnston; James F. Purvis, b. 1760 is a brother to Gilbert Purvis.²
• I also have almost a “prefect” match with Joseph Purves, (1770 – 1841) born 13 May 1770 in Chirnside, Berwickshire, Scotland.³

Sarah Jane Graves Purvis, age 16, b. 1834
Sarah Jane Graves is my 2nd Great Grandmother. She married William A. Purvis sometime before 1860; mostly the later part of the 1850’s. In the 1850 Census for Chesterfield County, she is enumerated in the household of Mary Graves, female, age 55, born in SC. ⁴



As genealogist we all know that census prior to 1880 shows no relationship other that head of Household  thus labeling each individual within the household as either male or female.
Thus, looking at the above image of the 1850 census for Household #110 , we have no idea about relationship of the four individuals listed.  

David W. Graves is listed as age 32 making his year of birth to be 1818. But his tombstone at St. Mary’s  Presbyterian Church Cemetery (old) in Patrick, Chesterfield County, South Carolina shows his date of birth as 22 January 1812.

• David W. Graves, b. 1818  (1850 & 1860 Census)
• David W. Graves, b. 1825  (1880 Census)
• David W. Graves, b. 22 January 1812 (Tombstone)

I think it safe to say that David W. Graves is a son of Mary Graves age 55. If he was in fact born in 1812 then Mary would have been 17 at time of  David’s birth, which is a possibility.
  
Thomas Graves, age 16, b. 1836
Thomas Graves is William Thomas Graves. He married Mary Gilley Lassiter on 26 July 1857.
MARRIAGE: St. David's Parish, South Carolina; Minutes of the Vestry 1768-1832; Parish register 1819-1924, Page 105, by Brent H. Holcomb, C.A.L.S., Southern Historical Press, Greenville, SC 1991. July 26, 1857 at the residence of James Hewitt, William Graves and Mary G. Lassiter, both of the district.⁵

Their first born daughter, Clarinda was born on 23 October 1859. Their next child, also a daughter, Nancy Jane was born in 1862. 

NAME: "St. David's Parish, South Carolina Minutes of the Vestry 1768-1832, Parish Register 1819-1924" by Brent H. Holcomb, 1991. Page 67-68.(1) 1874-Jany 1st Fest. Circumcision. At St. David's Church, after the Last lesson at Morning Prayer, Clara Edna Green[Clarinda], aged 14, daughter of Mary and Wm. Thos. Graves. Sponsors Jacob Gainey, Miss R. A. Reddy & Revd. Jno W. Motte, page 67.  (2)1874-Jany 1st Fest. Circumcision. At St. David's Church, after the Last lesson at Morning Prayer, Nancy Jane, aged 12, daughter of Mary and Wm. Thos. Graves. Sponsors Jacob Gainey, Miss R. A. Reddy & Revd. Jno W. Motte (Page 68).⁶

William Thomas Graves died 15 October 1862 at Charlestown Hospital, Virginia from pneumonia.⁷
Based upon the the ages of the two children in the above listing, Sarah Jane, age 16 and [William] Thomas, age 14; it’s logical they are siblings. 

So, we are at a point where we have two siblings living in the household of an Older woman who may be and is most likely their Grandmother with a young man, age 32+ that could be their father. 

Mary Graves, age 55, b. 1795

Mary Graves is old enough to be David's mother and the grandmother of the two children, Sarah Jane and [William] Thomas Graves. She lived through the 1860 census and died sometime between 1860 and 1870. No obituary, estate file or tombstone has been found for her. ⁸



After the death of Mary Graves, David W. Graves  married Mary Ann Gulledge about 1872. She was a daughter of Daniel Gulledge and Jane Henderson. 

One of the major reasons that I think that David W. Graves is the father of Sarah and William Thomas is this marriage after the death of Mary Graves, whom I believe to be his Mother.

I believe that David was previously married to an unknown wife and they had Sarah Jane and William Thomas before the wife/mother passed away. I don’t believe that David waited until he was age 60 (1872-1812) to find a wife and marry Mary Ann Gulledge, Thus, Mary Ann Gulledge would be a second wife. 



In conclusion, this is David W. Graves and his two children, Sarah Jane and William Thomas in the household of His Mother, Mary Graves. 

I’m open to suggestions from you, my readers, on how I can use DNA to prove or reject the suppositions made within this blog. Any comments greatly welcomed and appreciated. Sometimes, I think I have developed a case of “tunnel vision” when contemplating this line. 






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[1] http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/purvis/results
[2] https://my.familytreedna.com/family-finder/matches.aspx
[3] http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/15610355/person/442821121?ssrc=
[4] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 106A, Line 8, Dwelling 110, Family 110, Household of Mary GRAVES; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 20 November 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[5] Brent H. Holcomb C.A.L.S., St. David's Parish, South Carolina Minutes of the Vestry 1768-1832,: Parish Register 1819-1924 (Greenville, South Carolina: Southern Historical Press, 1991), page 105.
[6] Brent H. Holcomb C.A.L.S., St. David's Parish, South Carolina Minutes of the Vestry 1768-1832,: Parish Register 1819-1924 (Greenville, South Carolina: Southern Historical Press, 1991), pages 87-68.
[7] Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (http://www.fold3.com/ : accessed 13 October 2013), entry for Thomas GRAVES, Private; Co. C, 8th SC Infantry; Confederate.
[8] 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 171A, Line 6, Dwelling 1083, Family 1081, Household of Mary GRAVES; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 20 November 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M653-1217.

Surname Saturday~Graves

Sarah Jane Graves is my 2nd Great Grandmother. She married William A. Purvis sometime before 1860. Sarah and William A. were living as a couple in 1860  Anson County. My Great Grandfather, their only child had not yet been born or conceived.
 
1860 CENSUS: Morven, Anson County, North Carolina; Roll: M653_887;  Image: 160; Family History Library Film: 803887; Page: 300; Line 34, Dwelling 1238, Family 1188; William A. PURVIS, age 34, Shoemaker, born in NC; Sarah PURVIS, female, age 26, born in SC; Joseph WHITE, age 33, Cooper, born in NC and Laura WHITE, age 30, born in NC. ¹

Sarah first appeared in the 1850 Chesterfield County Census as a 16 year old female in the household of Mary Graves, age 55, born in SC.
 
1850 CENSUS: Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Roll: M432_851; Image: 216, Film #0444814, Page 106A, Line 8, Dwelling 110, Family 110; Mary GRAVES, age 55, born in SC; David W. GRAVES, age 32, Tailor, born in SC; Sarah J. GRAVES, age 16, born in SC and Thomas GRAVES, age 14, born in SC. ²

The composition of this household is:
Mary Graves, age 55, born in SC  (Born 1795)
David W. Graves, male, age 32 (born 1818)
Sarah J. Graves, female, age 16 (born 1834)
[William] Thomas Graves, male, age 14 (born 1836)

I have studied, pondered, agonized and struggled over this family composition for many years with one thought in mind – Who are the parents of Sarah J.. Graves?.

Is this Grandma Mary Graves with her son David W and two grand children?
or
Is Mary the Mother of the the three living with her?

Another cog in this conundrum is the correct age of David W. Graves. His tombstone in the Old St. Mary’s Presbyterian Church shows that he was born 22 January 1812. If this date is correct and if Mary was also born as stated in 1795 then Mary would be 17 years old when her son David W. Graves was born.³

My thoughts are that Mary is Mother of David W. Graves and Sarah J. and William Thomas are her grandchildren. I also believed that David W. Graves is the father of Sarah J. and William Thomas Graves. Now I just need a way to proved or disproved this information. 

After the death of Mary Graves, David W. Graves married Mary Ann Gulledge about 1872. To this union 5 children were born 2 sons and 3 daughters.  David reported his age as 42 in 1860 and age 55 in 1880.

What do you think with the facts as presented here: Was David previously married and the Father of Sarah Jane and William Thomas Graves or is there inadequate evidence to draw a conclusion?





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[1] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 106A, Line 8, Dwelling 110, Family 110, Household of Mary GRAVES; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 20 November 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.
[2] 1860 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) No ED, page 300, line 34, Dwelling 1238, Family 1188, Household of William A. Purvis; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1976); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 887.
[3] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, digital image, (http://www.findagrave.com : Accessed on 1 January 2008); Headstone for David W. Graves; (22 January 1812–21 November 1898); Records of the Saint Mary's Presbyterian Church Cemetery (old); Patrick, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.

Mary, David and Sarah –Oh No!! Another Brick Wall

David W. Graves is my 3^rd great Grandfather if he is the father of Sarah Jane Graves and William Thomas Graves. There is conflicting information on David’s birth date thus his age.  He died 21 November 1898 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. David W. Graves’s tombstone in the Old St. Mary's Presbyterian Church Cemetery[1] records his birth as Jan 22, 1812.[2]

David married Mary Ann Gulledge about 1872 in Chesterfield County, SC. She was the daughter of Daniel Gulledge and Jane Henderson. Mary Ann was born on 15 May 1842.

In 1872 when it is believe that David W. and Mary Ann were married; David was 60 years old and Mary Ann was 30 years of age.  

Do you believe that David W. Graves lived to be 60 years of age before he found a young lady that would agree to marry him? I don’t either.

Now, In 1850 David is enumerated with an older lady whom I believe is his mother – Mary Graves.[3]

1850 CENSUS: Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Roll: M432_851; Image: 216, Film #0444814, Page 106A, Line 8, Dwelling 110, Family 110;

Mary GRAVES, age 55, born in SC; birth year = 1795.

David W. GRAVES, age 32, Tailor, born in SC;

Sarah J. GRAVES, age 16, born in SC and

Thomas GRAVES, age 14, born in SC.

The first problem with this listing is that it does not support the birth date on David W. Graves’s tombstone. If he was 32 in 1850 then his birth year would be 1818 maybe dropping about 6 years from his actual age. His military Service record indicates he was 40 year of age when he enlisted into the Civil War on 25 August 1861.[4]

The other question I have about this listing is the family composition.  Records before the Civil War are few and far in between in Chesterfield County.  Based on actual practice for this time I think it unlikely that David W. Graves’s first marriage took place when he was 60 years of age. Therefore, I believe this Census listing is a listing of two families:

Mary Graves[5], age 55; Mother of David W. and grandmother to the two younger children.

                David W. Graves, age 32 or 38,

                                Sarah Jane Graves, granddaughter, age 16, b. 1834

                                William Thomas Graves, grandson, age 14, born in 1836

That would imply an unknown Wife and a marriage year around 1832/1833 for David W. Graves.

This is another one of my recurring “brick walls.”

I wrote a lengthy article back in 2008 on this line that can be viewed here:

http://www.gravesfa.org/gen558discussion.htm

Scroll down to the section about mid page and see the section entitled:

Additional Comments andInformation Relating to the Connection Between Genealogies 558 and 270

I would greatly appreciate your feedback on this family.

•         Do you that Mary is the Mother of the others in the household?

•         Do you think the younger children may be grandchildren?

•         Any other feedback you care to make.

Thank you for reading my blog and for your comments.

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[1] James C. Pigg, Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey; Self-Published, 1995, page 943. Tombstone of David W. GRAVES; 22 January 1812–21 November 1898, Old St. Mary's Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

[2] Jim Tipton, Find A Grave, digital image, http://www.findagrave.com; Headstone for David W. Graves; (22 January 1812–21 November 1898); Memorial # 47922854; Record of the Saint Mary’s Presbyterian Church Cemetery (old); Patrick, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA; Accessed on 1 January 2008.

[3] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 106A, Line 8, Dwelling 110, Family 110, Household of Mary GRAVES; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 20 November 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.

[4] http://www.fold3.com/image/#20|77197010

[5] 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 171A, Line 6, Dwelling 1083, Family 1081, Household of Mary GRAVES; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 20 November 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M653-1217.

Military Monday–Thomas Graves

Thomas Graves was born about 1820 in Anson County, North Carolina. He is a brother to my 3rd Great Grandfather Davis W. Graves. Their father is unknown and his Mother is Mary Graves, b. 1795 and listed in the 1850 Census for Chesterfield County, South Carolina.[1]

The 1850 Census shows Thomas’ Wife as Eliza. However, his Civil War record lists her as Mary. In 1850,  Thomas married his wife  Eliza “Mollie” Rivers about 1837. Another daughter Martha Jane was born in October 1841. They had two daughters, Mary, age 12 and Eliza, age 10.[2]

When the Civil War started in January 1861, Thomas waited before finally enlisting on 13 August 1861 as a Private into Company "C". 8th Regiment SC Infantry. I’m sure he was very concerned with leaving 3 young daughters and a wife all along to fend for themselves while he was away.[3]

Right away the September – October 1862 Company Muster Roll shows Thomas sick and hospitalized. It also states that he was reported dead but not officially.

The very next Company Muster Roll for November – December 1862 reports that Thomas Graves died of pneumonia of 15 October 1862.[4]

This is where the confusion starts. Mary Graves, Widower, filed for a claim for his pay and effects on 24 December 1862. Several of the letters filed by Mary Graves are unreadable on-line.

http://www.fold3.com/image/#20|77411038

http://www.fold3.com/image/#20|77411040

Mary Graves, the Widower, collected $48.46 from the Confederate government. His body must have remained buried somewhere near Charlestown Hospital, Virginia. No tombstone exists for Thomas Graves in Chesterfield County.

http://www.fold3.com/image/#20|77411050

His oldest daughter, Mary Ann married William F. Rivers who also died during the war. She then married Ferguson Hale Smith. Mary Ann died about Nov 1870.

His youngest daughter Martha Jane married Elisha B. Smith. She died 24 Mar 1905.

No record of daughter Eliza Graves has been found after the 1850 census. 

Eliza "Mollie" Graves is living with her daughter Martha and her Elisha Smith in 1880 Census. Eliza died 29 October 1898 and is buried in the Smith cemetery on the NC/SC state line. This Cemetery was in a bad sate back 20 years ago when I visited it and took photo's.




David and Thomas also had a sister, Mary Ann Graves that married Andrew Jackson Wallace.


Thomas Graves is my 3rd grand uncle, a brother to my 3rd Great Grandfather.

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[1] 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page 176B, Line 19, Dwelling 1196; Family #1196, Household of Thomas GRAVES; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 September 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.

[2] Ibid.

[3] http://www.fold3.com/image/#20|77411035

[4] http://www.fold3.com/image/#20|77411037