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- 1790 - "U.S. Federal Census; http://persi.heritagequestonline.com
Series: M637 Roll: 7 Page: 350; BROTHERS
GRAHAM JOSEPH MAJ NC MECKLENBURG SALISBURY DIST 1790
1-free white male over 16 yrs, 1-free white male under 16 yrs, 2-freefemales, 0-other free persons,
8-slaves
GRAHAM GEORGE NC MECKLENBURG SALISBURY DIST 1790
1-free white male over 16 yrs, 2-free white male under 16 yrs, 2-freefemales, 0-other free persons,
4-slaves
GRAHAM JAMES NC MECKLENBURG SALISBURY DIST 1790
0-free white male over 16 yrs, 0-free white male under 16 yrs, 1-freefemales, 1-other free persons,
0-slaves" Note: I do not know why James was not listed other thanhis name on this census, but I believe that their mother/step-motherwas living with James & his sisrter/wife per the census recording afree person in the household. [Transcribed 15 July 2008, SLJuhl,Compiler & Joyce Lorraine Clore Elkins daughter - E-mailsljuhl1234@yahoo.com]
Lincoln-Mecklenburg-Rowan County NcArchives Biographies.....Graham,Joseph, Major General October 13, 1759 - November 12,
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Carolyn Shank Carolynshank@msn.com December 22, 2007, 5:28 pm
Author: Charlotte Journal Dec. 2, 1836
A REVOLUTIONARY HERO GONE!
Died, at his residence in Lincoln County, on the 12th ult., MAJORGENERAL
JOSEPH GRAHAM, aged 77 years.
GEN. GRAHAM was born in Pennyslvania, October 13th, 1759. His mother,being
left a widow with five small children and slender means to supportthem,
removed to North Carolina when he was about seven years of age andsettled in
the vicinity of Charlotte. He received the principal part of hiseducation at
an academy then taught in Charlotte, and was distinguished among hisfellow
students for talents, industry, and the most manly and conciliating
deportment. His thirst for knowledge led him, at an early period, tobecome
well acquainted with all those interesting events which preceded andprepared
him for our Revolution Struggle.
He was present in Charlotte on the 20th of May, 1775, when the first
Declaration of Independence was formally and publically made. The deep
impression made upon his mind by the solemn and illustrious decisionsof that
day, gave good evidence that he was then preparing for the noble standwhich
he took during the war.
He enlisted in the Army of the United States in the month of May,1778, at
the age of 19 years. He served in the Fourth Regiment of NorthCarolina under
COL. ARCHIBALD LYTLE and acted as an officer in CAPT. GOODEN'SCompany. The
troops to which he was attached were ordered to rendezvous atBladensburg in
Maryland. Having proceded as far as Caswell County, they receivedintelligence
of the battle of Monmouth, and that the British having gone to NewYork, their
services would not be needed. He returned home on furlough.
He was again called into service on the 5th of Nov., 1778, and marched
under the command of GENERAL RUTHERFORD of Purrysburg, on the Savannahriver,
soon after the defeat of GENERAL ASHE at Brier Creek. He was with thetroops
under GENERAL LINCOLN in the trying and painful struggles againsGENERAL
PROVOST, and fought in the Battle of Stono on the 28th of June, 1778,which
lasted an hour and 20 minutes.
During nearly the whole campaign, he acted as Quarter Master. In July,
1779, he was taken with fever, and after two months severe illness was
discharged near Dorchester and returned home.j
After recovering from the affects of sickness and privation, he aidedhis
mother in the support of her family and was ploughing in her fieldwhen he
received intelligence of the surrender of Charleston, and that theBritish had
defeated COL. BUFORD of the Waxhaw, and were within 40 miles ofCharlotte.
Instead of being deterred by the sufferings of the previous campaign,or the
perils of that alarming moment, he removed at once to leave theplough, and
enter the Army.
He was immediately appointed Adjutant of the Mecklenburg Regiment, and
spent the summer with them in opposing and assailling the troops ofLORD
ROWDON. When it was understood that the British were marching toCharlotte, he
was commanded by GEN. DAVIDSON to repair to that place and takecommand of
such force as should collect there, and to join COL. DAVIS. TheBritish Army
entered Charlotte the 26th of Sept. 1780. GEN. GRAHAM was assigned thecommand
of his troops which sustained the retreat of GEN. DAVIS, and opposed
TARLETON'S Cavalry and a Regiment of Infantry for four miles on theroad
leading to Salisbury.
After a long and well directed fire upon the British from theCourthouse to
the Gum Tree, GEN. GRAHAM retreated with the men under his command andformed
on the plantation now owned by JOSEPH McCONNAUGHEY, ESQ. and againattacked
their advancing column of infantry. There his life was providentially
preserved from the bursting of a gun fired by the soldier who stood athis
side, and whose arm was wounded. After again retreating, he formed onthe hill
where Sugar Creek Church now stands. There owing to the impudent, buthonest,
zeal of a MAJOR WHITE, they were detained too long, for by the timethey
reached the Cross Roads, a party of British Dragoons were coming upthe road,
heading from CAPT. KENNEDY'S, and after close pursuit for nearly twomiles
overtook them. COL. FRANCIS LOCKE of Rowan County, an intelligent andbrave
officer, was killed upon the margin of a small pond, now to been atthe end of
MR. ALEX. KENNEDY'S LANE. Between the spotand where MR. JAMES A.HOUSTON
livesm, GEN. GRAHAM was cut down and severely wounded. He receivednine
wounds, six with the sabre and three with lead. His life was againnarrowly
and mercifully preserved by a large stock buckle, which broke theviolence of
the stroke, which to human view, must otherwise have proved fatal. Hereceived
four deep gashes of the sabre over his head and one in his side andthree
balls were afterwards removed from his body.
After being much exhausted by loss of blood, he reached the home ofMRS.
SUSANNAH ALEXANDER, who yet lives near the same place, where he waskindly
nursed and watched during the night, and his wounds dressed as well as
circumstances would permit. The next day, he reached his Mother's,where MAJOR
BOSTWICK now lives. From that, he was taken to the hospital, and wastwo
months recovering.
Thus, at the tender age of 21 year, we see this gallant officerleading a
band of brave men as ever faced a foe, to guard the ground consecratedby the
Declaration of American Independence, and when the foot of tyranny was
treading on it, and assistance proved unsuccessful, leaving his bloodas the
best memorial of a righteous cause, and of true heroism in itsdefence.
While the whole country was in distress, its property pillaged, itshouses
forsaken, and its defenseless inhabitants flying from the shock ofarms, a few
noble sons of Mecklenburg compelled LORD CORNWALLIS to designanteCharlotte as
the "Hornet's Nest" of America.
As soon as he recovered from his wounds, he again entered the serviceof
his country. GEN. WILLIAM L. DAVIDSON, who had command of all themilitia in
the Western counties of North Carolina, applied to him such rank asthe number
of men raised would justify. It proved not only his energy of purpose,but
great influence, that, at that difficult and hazardous period, hecould raise
a company of 55 men in two weeks. They were mounted riflemen, armedalso with
swords, and some with pistols. They suppllied themselves with horses,procured
their own equipments and entered the field, without commissary or
quartermaster, and with every prospect of hard fighting and little
compensation.
After TARLETON'S signal defeat at the Cowpens, CORWALLIS resolved topursue
GEN. MORGAN. At that time GENERAL GREENE had received the command ofthe
Southern Army and had stationed himself at Hick's Creek, on the Northside of
the Peedee, near to Cheraw. After MORGAN'S victory and successfulretreat,
GEN. GREENE left his main army with GEN. HUGER, and rode 150 miles tojoin
MORGAN'S detachment. The plan of opposing LORD CORNWALLIS in crossingthe
Catawba River was arranged by GEN. GREENE,and his execution assignedto GEN.
DAVIDSON. Feints of passing were made at different places, but thereal
attempt was made at Cowan's Ford.
Soon after the action commenced, GEN. WM. L. DAVIDSON was killed,greatly
lamented by all who knew him as a talented, brave and generousofficer. The
company commanded by GEN. GRAHAM was the first to commence the attackon the
British, as they advanced through the river, which was resolutelycontinued
until they reached the bank, loaded their arms, and commenced a heavyfire
upon his men, two of whom were killed. It was supposed that GENDAVIDSON was
killed by a Tory, who was pilot to the British in crossing the river,as he
was shot with a small rifle ball. COL. WM. POLK and REV. MR. McCALLwere near
to him when he fell. His body was found that night and buried in thepresent
graveyard of Hopewell Church.
The North Carolina Militia was then placed under the command of GEN.
PICKENS of South Carolina, and continued to pursue the British as they
advanced toward Virginia. GEN GRAHAM with his company and some troopsfrom
Rowan County, surprised and captured a guard at Hart's Mill, one and ahalf
miles from Hillsboro, where the British Army then lay, and the sameday were
united to COL. LEE'S forces. On the next day, he was in action underCOL.
PICKENS with COL PYLES, who commanded 350 Tories on their way to join
TARLETON. These Tories supposed the Whigs to be a Company of BritishTroops
sent for their protection and commenced crying, "God Save the King."TARLETON
was about a mile from that place, and retreated to Hillsboro'. Shortly
afterward, GEN. GRAHAM was in an engagement at Clapp's Mill, on theAlamance
and had two of his company killed, three woounded and two takenprisoners. A
few days afterwards, he was in action at Whitsell's Mill under thecommand of
COL. WASHINGTON.
As the time for which his men had engaged expired, and the countryannoyed
by Tories, GEN. GREENE directed him to return with his company andkeep them
in a compact body until they crossed the Yadkin, which they did March14,
1781. After the battle at Guilford, the British retired to Wilmingtonand but
little military service was performed in North Carolina during thesummer of
1781. After the first of November, COL. FANNING surprised Hillsboro'and took
GEN. BURKE prisoner. GEN. RUTHERFORD, who had been taken prison atGATES'
defeat and with many other distinguised citizens had been confined incustody,
was dischared and returned home about his time. -- He immediately gaveorders
to GEN. GRAHAM, in whose military prowess and general influence he hadthe
utmost confidence, to raise a troop of calvary in Mecklenburg. Threetroops of
Dragoons and about 200 mounted Infantry were raised and formed into aLegion,
of which ROBERT SMITH ESQ., who had been a Captain in the NorthCarolina Line
was appointed Colonel, and GEN. GRAHAM was appointed Major. Theyforthwith
commenced their march towards Wilmington -- South of Fayetteville,with 96
Dragoons and 40 mounted infantry, GEN. GRAHAM made a gallant andsuccessful
attack upon a body of Tories, commanded by the noted Tory COLONELSMcNEIL ,
RAY, GRAHAM, and McDOUGAL. This action took place near McFall's mill,on the
Raft Swamp, in which the Tories were signally defeated, their leaders
dispersed in dismay and their cause greatly injured. That 136 Whigsshould
attack and triumphantly defeat 600 Tories, headed by four Colonels,reflects
great honor upon the bravery and intelligence of their youthfulleader.
A short time afterwards, he commanded one Troop of Dragoons and two of
mounted infantry, in surprising and defeating a band of Tories on MR.ALFRED
MOORE'S plantation, opposite to Wilmington. On the next day, he ledthe Troops
in person, which made a resolute attack on the British garrison nearthe same
place. Shortly afterwards, he commanded three companies in defeatingthe
celebrated COL. GAYNY, near Waccomaw lake. Shortly afterr this, thewar was
terminated in the South by the surrender of LORD CONWALLIS at Yorktownin
Virginia.
This campaign closed COL. GRAHAM'S services in the Revolutionary War,
having commanded in 15 engagements with a dgree of courage, wisdom,calmness
and success, surpassed, perhaps, by no officer of the same rank.Hundreds who
served under under him have delighted in testifying to the upright,faithful,
prudent, and undaunted manner in which he discharged the duties of histrying
and responsible station.
After the close of the War, he was elected first Sheriff ofMecklenburg
County, and gave great satisfaction by the faithful and exemplaryperformance
of the duties of that office. He was afterwards, for a number ofyears, a
prominent member of the General Assembly from the same County. Aboutthe year
1787, he was married to the second daughter of MAJ. JOHN DAVIDSON. Bythis
marriage he had 12 children, seven of whom have survived him. Not longafter
his marriage, he removed to Lincoln County and engaged in themanufacture of
Iron, and for more than 40 years before his death, conducted a large
establishment with great energy and prudence.
In the year 1814, when the war with the Creek Indians was raging with
violence, and GENERALS JACKSON, COFFEE and CARROLL, were repellingwith signal
bravery, their ruthless aggressions, North Carolina determined to send1000
men to aid the volunteers from Tennessee and Georgia in the confllictwith
those savages. GEN. GRAHAM'S renown as an officer, and his worth as aman,
commended him as leader of the troops from this State. He received the
commission of General, and was strongly solicited by the Governor ofthe State
to accept the appointment. Although the circumstances of his familyrendered
his absence one of great loss and self-denial, he promptly obeyed thecall of
his country and marched at the head of a fine Regiment of Volunteersto the
scene to the conflict. they arrived about the time the last stroke of
punishment was inflicted upon the Creeks by GEN. JACKSON, at thebattle of
Horse Shoe; and in time to receive the submission of those theyexpected to
conquer. Several hundred of the lower Creeks surrender to them. Formany years
after the last war, he was Major General of the 5th Division of theMilitia of
North Carolina.
By the life of temperance and regular exercise, with the blessing ofGod,
he enjoyed remarkable health and vigor of constitution. On the 13th of
October, 1836, he made the following minute in his Day Book, "This dayI am 77
years of age and in good health, Dei Gratis."
As the disease which terminated his life was apoplexy, its paralyzing
stroke was sudden and unexpected. He rode from Lincoln on the 10th of
November, and on the evening of the 12th, closed his eyes upon thecares and
trials of a long and useful life.
File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/nc/lincoln/bios/graham21nbs.txt
This file has been created by a form athttp://www.genrecords.net/ncfiles/
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1790 - "U.S. Federal Census; http://persi.heritagequestonline.com
Series: M637 Roll: 7 Page: 350; BROTHERS
GRAHAM JOSEPH MAJ NC MECKLENBURG SALISBURY DIST 1790
1-free white male over 16 yrs, 1-free white male under 16 yrs, 2-freefemales, 0-other free persons,
8-slaves
GRAHAM GEORGE NC MECKLENBURG SALISBURY DIST 1790
1-free white male over 16 yrs, 2-free white male under 16 yrs, 2-freefemales, 0-other free persons,
4-slaves
GRAHAM JAMES NC MECKLENBURG SALISBURY DIST 1790
0-free white male over 16 yrs, 0-free white male under 16 yrs, 1-freefemales, 1-other free persons,
0-slaves" Note: I believe that their mother/step-mother was livingwith James & his wife per the census recording one other free personin the household.
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