Graham Family Wills and Records NC and SC Transcribed and Submitted by Audrey Poole Source: York county SC Wills (Unrecorded) "York County Estates: Case 18, File 770 (SC Archives microfilm C2018): Will of James GRAHAM. I devise all that tract of land on the Catawba River known as the Lefer (surname LEFER?) tract to my brother, William A. GRAHAM, supposed to contain upwards of 1000 acres in York District, South Carolina, also in Gaston County, North Carolina. To my brother William A. GRAHAM all the slaves that I own and now in possession of that LEFER land including Turner and his family, also BEN, JIM, JACK, HARVEY, MARY, and HER CHILDREN, also CARTER. All the stock on that plantation to my brother William A. GRAHAM, including all the corn, cotton, wheat, oats and rye that have grown there during the year 1848, all my household furniture at the LEFER place. To my brother William A. GRAHAM all my land in Lincoln County (state?), including the EARHARDT place, the BRADSHAW tract, the MOODY place and the land which I purchased of J. R. WITHERSPOON and my sister Sophia amounting in different surveys! to about 1600 acres, on William's, Anderson's and Snyder's Creek. To my brother all my Negroes that I own on my EARHARDT place with all the stock, etc. I won upwards of 3000 acres of land in the state of Tennessee lying in Tipton and Haywood counties and which I hereby devise to my three sisters Sophia G. WITHERSPOON of Alabama, Violet W. ALEXANDER and Mary H. MORRISON, now in the hands of my agent John SHARP who resides in Tipton County (state?). My house and lot in Rutherfordton (NC?)* near 200 acres of land adjoining Co. TANNER'S saw mill, about 200 acres adj. Mrs. PRATHER'S mills on first Broad River, a little less than 100 acres on the Rock Mountain, also 2200 acres in Caldwell County (state?) and in addition to that all my lands in Catawba County (state?) supposed to be 100 acres, all those lands to be sold and the proceeds divided equally among the children, devisees and heirs at law of my three deceased brothers, that is John A. GRAHAM, Joseph GRAHAM, & Dr. George F. GRAHAM. The money that I deposited with the Rev'd R. H. MORRISON and a note I have one James W. PATTON of Buncombe County, and I have on Alfred D. KERR and Franklin DAVISON, then the two last notes are collected and cashed and from an aggregate sum, with money deposited with Mr. MORRISON, to be equally divided among my three sisters. All my other notes & debts due to be divided among my brother William & my sisters Sophia, Violet and Mary which shall constitute one share, and the other among the children of my three deceased brothers. I appoint my brother William A. GRAHAM, exr. I also give to him my gold watch, all my wearing apparel, a new buggy & harness which I bought in Philadelphia, and my saddle horse and saddle & bridle, 26 Oct 1848. James GRAHAM (Seal). Wit: Joseph W. CALLOWAY and L. B. BRYAN of Rutherford being called as witnesses. Will was proved and executor qualified." *Note: When James Graham is speaking of "Rutherford", he is speaking of Rutherford Co, NC. Names seen here, including his brother and witnesses, are there. When he speaks of Lincoln County, there is one in NC, as well as TN, where he also had land. (aep) Source: York County SC Will Book A, 1787-1799: By Brent Holcomb "Pages 69-70: Will of Jane GRAHAM of York County. 16 August 1790. To my daughter Margaret TEMPLETON, all my tract of land in the aforesaid county, containing 389 acres joining the lands of John CARNAHAN on Turkey Creek; likewise three pots, three pewter dishes, six plates, and one pewter tea pot, one three year old sorrel more; to my daughter Nancy, one sermon book, also one feather bed with the furniture thereunto belonging; to my daughter Margaret all my apparel of whatsoever kind or quality with my large Bible and the remaining part of my estate. My daughter Margaret TEMPLETON and my friend Hugh BERRY, exrs. Jean GRAHAM (X) (LS). Wit: James WILSON, George TEMPLETON, William TEMPLETON (+)." "Will of Margaret GRAHAM of York District .to my granddaughter Margaret GRAHAM my bed and furniture. To my son Arch'd GRAHAM my house & lands on which I now live and all the balance of my property including the legacy left me by my brother in North Carolina. I appoint my son, Archibald GRAHAM executor, 1 May 1854. Margaret GRAHAM (X) (Seal). Wit: John Cheek SMITH, Wm. FELTS, Senior, Silas FELTS. Proved by the oath of John Cheek SMITH and Silas FELTS 21 Sept 1859. Qualified Archibald GRAHAM as executor 21 Sept 1859." Source: Mecklenburg County, NC Tax and Will Book by Ralph B. & Herman W. Ferguson "260, p 105. George GRAHAM. 18 Dec 1824, probate in May 1826 Ct by John IRWIN and Robert I. DENKINS. I will to my wife Lydia GRAHAM, for her use and disposal, the Negroes JACOB, EDWARD, NEELUS, LUCY, AMY, PHEBE, GEORGE, MARY and JOE, her mare and two colts, four cows, two beds, her own bureau, all her wearing apparel, her saddle and bridle, and the clock. The residue of my estate, that is land, Negroes (except those named above?), and all other property I will to be equally divided among my son John GRAHAM and my daus Mary CARRUTH, Betsy Caroline BOSTICK, and Jane MC REE. I will my pipe and segar (cigar?) tube (sic) to Thomas G. POLK. Exrs: None named. Wit: John IRWIN, Jno BOYD, and R. I. DENKINS. Isaac ALEXANDER, CMC." "261, p 109. William GRAHAM. 11 July 1818, probate in April 1819 (?) Ct. Being in bad health, I will to my wife Margaret, in lieu of her dower, support from my plantation, the Negroes SAMSON, CHARLES, SARAH and DELILAH, two horses, two plows and other farming utensils, four cows, and all household furniture not generally known to belong to (sons) Joseph and Griffith. I give to my sons, John, James, and Richard, now in Tennessee, the Negroes and other property they now have as well as the land that I possess in that state which is to be equally divided among them. I give to my sons William, Samuel, and Ezekiel, the NEGROES AND PROPERTY THEY NOW HAVE. I will to my son Alexander GRAHAM the Negro HANNAH and HER FOUR CHILDREN on condition that he give up all claim to any debts owed by me to him. I give to my son Griffith the Negroes POLL and JACK and that part of my plantation on which he now lives adj. his brother John and Wm BELL. I will to my son Joseph all the remainder of the tract on which I live, subject to the encumbrances to his mother, and Negroes SAM and FLORA. The (aged?) Negro PHILLIS is to live with my wife or with others of my family who are to provide for her while with them. I will to my son James the Negro LUCE, child of HANNAH, and Joseph and Griffith are to have their share of the household furniture. Exrs: None named. Wit: J. Mc Knitt (Dr. Joseph Mc Knitt ALEXANDER), Jos GRAHAM, and Griffith R. GRAHAM." "559, p 51. Joseph GRAHAM. 23 June 1821, probate in May 1830 Ct. Being weak in body, I will that something be done for the graves of my parents and leave $100 for that purpose. I will that my land and 'other stuff' be sold and that my just debts be paid, and that none of my brothers concern themselves (about my affairs?) without business (just cause?). I will to my brother Richard GRAHAM my Negro FLORA, and at his death she is to descend to his son Joseph; to my niece Margaret GRAHAM $100; to (my niece?) Elmira GRAHAM my mare; to my brother William GRAHAM for the use of his son William $100; to my brother Ezekiel GRAHAM $100; and to William, son of (my brother?) John (GRAHAM?), the Negro SAM. Sole Exr: William (?), son of John. Wit: None listed."