After taking the summer off (from the beginning of June to the end of September) I'm finally back at the genealogy. Here's where I'm at.
The GRAVES family continues to allude me. Other than George Graves' will, and some best guesses, there really isn't a lot about him or his family. The will only left me frustrated with more questions than answers. A researcher in Toronto did some lookups for me through the Methodist records at the United Church archives last week, and found nothing about the GRAVES family.
I said I'd work on the GRAVES until the end of the summer, find whatever I could and then move on to another family line. Since I didn't really do much I spent September and October trying to figure out where else I could look, and thought the United Church archives might have something. I think that at some point I will get the information required to extend this line, but I'm not sure where to look so it's time to move on. I still haven't found the document of how the GRAVES brothers got their original land in Pittsburgh. That might be a lead to follow up on.
I had an interesting experience this summer. My mom got a phone call from my Dad's uncle who lives about 30 miles away from me. This uncle had got a phone call from a lady named Lorraine in Ontario who shares a common MILTON ancestor with me. She had seen my first middle and last name on the internet attached to a family tree (I thought I had been more discreet about who I was; I can't even find the website that she's talking about) and started phoning people with the same last name in my area. It was my maiden last name, not my married name so that made it a little tricky for her. Luckily the first person she picked was my great-uncle. I don't know him very good, and he doesn't really know who I am, but through the conversation remembered that his nephew had married a Wilmot girl and thought maybe that was the link she was looking for. Luckily he has done his own genealogy and got her name and email address. He passed it onto my Grandpa (his brother) who passed it onto my mother and she to me.
I sent Lorraine an email and she mailed me pages of genealogy that she had got from another lady in BC quite a few years ago. I was pretty excited to get it. Some of it is stuff I already know but I'm going to try and see what else I can find out. Thanks to Lorraine, the next family line I'll work on is the Milton's.
I've also had someone contact me about the Dunlop family. I wasn't sure if one of the sisters of my great-great-great grandma, Ann Dunlop Wilmot was married to Mr. McAdoo, but from some obituaries that were sent to me by a man named Preston, it would seem that they are. I'm excited to have this information, and I'm wondering if I should have the obituaries checked at the Queen's University library (or just another reason to go back, right?) It's been really neat to have complete strangers send information that has answered questions that I didn't know how to get the answers myself.
I still have a lot of wills and land documents to try and read and type out to find the useful information. I think it's easier to have someone read it and someone else type it at the same time. I find it's easier to figure out what some of the words are when it's being read out loud. My trouble now is to get someone to sit with me to do just that.
And so on it goes. I never expected that it it would take this long to get all of my great-grandpa Wilmot's ancestors out of North America. But one day I will, I'm sure.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
What next?
I feel like I'm really stuck.In the Abstract Index of for Pittsburgh Township (LDS film #199690) George Grave and Adam Graves were given land via a patent. From what I understand, if there was a patent, there should be a petition from the patent holder.
However, there is not a petition for this George Graves in the Upper Canada land petitions. So the question becomes: How did George Graves get his land from a patent if he never made a petition?
If he petitioned before 1791, could the petition have been made in Lower Canada? And if the petition was made before 1791 in Lower Canada (Upper Canada did not exist before 1791 and it was all Lower Canada) would land have been granted in what is now Ontario? It would seem that the patent was granted in February 1797, but a petition could have been made years before the patent was given.
So I'm trying to get a hold of the petitions of Lower Canada from the Library and Archives Canada website. Some of them are on line, but not all of the records. I believe I can write the Library and Archives Canada and they will mail me a photocopy of the document.
Was it possible that there could be a patent without a petition? Or could the petition be lost?
And how do I get a copy of the patent? If I can get a copy, will it provide more information? I ordered film MS1 Reel 6 of series RG 53-2 from the Archives of Ontario that should be an index to Land Patents so hopefully that will turn up more clues.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Deed of George Graves and wife to George Graves
Concession I Lot 12&13: Instrument Number N122 (Microfilm 5145) Written and registered in 1839
On March 27 1839 George Graves the elder of Pittsburgh and Catherine his wife and George Graves the younger of Pittsburgh sold Lots Number Twelve and Thirteen in the first Concession on the River Saint Lawrence.
This could have been when George Graves the younger got married to Mary. He was married by the time George sold the land in 1848.
On March 27 1839 George Graves the elder of Pittsburgh and Catherine his wife and George Graves the younger of Pittsburgh sold Lots Number Twelve and Thirteen in the first Concession on the River Saint Lawrence.
This could have been when George Graves the younger got married to Mary. He was married by the time George sold the land in 1848.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Is this the George Graves I'm looking for?
Could my George Graves have fought in the War of 1812?
This George was working for the Lower Canada Militia.
Was he a Quatermaster? And what is a Quartermaster?
Did he have a brother, cousin, nephew, uncle named Jacob?
This George was working for the Lower Canada Militia.
Was he a Quatermaster? And what is a Quartermaster?
Did he have a brother, cousin, nephew, uncle named Jacob?
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Deed of George Graves and wife to Samuel Chestnut
So I had transcribed the deed of George Graves and wife to Samuel Chestnut, but then decided I was probably breaking a copyright law to have it on the internet, so I'm just going to summarize it.
George and Mary Graves lived in Kingston Township and sold Concession I Lot 12 in Pittsburgh Township to Samuel Chestnut on 7 April 1848 for 237 pounds.
This is the George Graves who is the son of George Graves and perhaps Catherine Percy. He got the land from his father in 1839. His father would have died about January 1848. I wonder why he sold the land just after he died, and I wonder why he didn't sell it to one of his four brothers.
Samuel Chestnut was married to Mary Dunlop, the sister of my 3x great grandmother Anne Dunlop Wilmot.
George and Mary Graves lived in Kingston Township and sold Concession I Lot 12 in Pittsburgh Township to Samuel Chestnut on 7 April 1848 for 237 pounds.
This is the George Graves who is the son of George Graves and perhaps Catherine Percy. He got the land from his father in 1839. His father would have died about January 1848. I wonder why he sold the land just after he died, and I wonder why he didn't sell it to one of his four brothers.
Samuel Chestnut was married to Mary Dunlop, the sister of my 3x great grandmother Anne Dunlop Wilmot.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
NOTES ABOUT GEORGE GRAVES' WILL
I received the will of George Graves on the weekend. The good news is it confirms that George Graves was married to Catherine (assume Percy from her grave marker) and they had children together that are still alive and living with her on the 1852 and 1861 Census of Canada.
The confusing part is there are more children than I thought and they don't seem to fit anywhere. And it's not entirely clear if this is the George Graves who went to Sorel, Quebec in the 1780's.
It would seem that the will was written on 24 March 1847. It was registered by Henry Graves on 14 January 1848, so I assume that's the time when George Graves died.
He asked for the best of care for his wife Catherine after his death "accounting to her condition in life". When I first read that, I thought that perhaps she had a medical condition, but it could also mean that she be kept at the same standard of living that her husband had maintained for her.
George Graves mentions the following children:
Elizabeth, Henry, Michael, Hanah, Susan, Sarah Bryant, John and William. I believe these children are also children of Catherine. They are living near each other on the 1852 and 1861 census of Pittsburgh. Elizabeth was a spinster and he asked that Henry and Michael take care of her until her death. Susan, Sarah Bryant and Hanah were to be given a bed, a cow and six sheep when they turned 21 or got married, so they were younger than 21 in 1847 (this is consistent with the 1852 and 1861 census). Michael and Henry got the land at Concession 1, Lot 11&12. Sons John & William each would receive 50 pounds when they turned 21.
There are three other children, Elenora Graves, Jane Graves who married James Reunil and George Graves. He keeps these three children separate from all the others. I'm not sure how they would fit with the family, but it makes me wonder if they were from a previous marriage. Elenora and Jane only got one shilling sterling. Father George says that son George already got land and therefore wasn't going to get any more in his will. Unfortunately he doesn't say where the land is, but Instrument Number N122 registered in 1839 has George Graves the Elder and his wife Catherine giving land to his son (it's not clear if he's also her son) George Graves the younger on C1 Lot 12&13. If son George was receiving land, I think it's safe to say that he must have been 21 or older at the time. It also says that this son George was the eldest son of George Graves, so why was Henry the executor in the 1847 will?
At the end of the will, George Graves signs his name and the abreviation for Lieutenant. This I think is the biggest question of all. Is this the same George Graves who was the Lieutenant who recieved his land in 1797? He also calls himself "George Graves the Elder" at the beginning of his will, so why would he do that if his father's name was George? Would not his name be then George Junior? Or would it have changed to "Elder" when his own father George died? If it is the same man, he would have been 60+ when having children with Catherine Percy in the 1840's. While that's not impossible, it makes more sense to me that Lieutenant George who got his land in 1797 is not the same Lieutenant George who married Catherine Percy, but that both the father and the son were a Lieutenant. I'm not sure how to confirm this information. There must be early Canadian military records, but I don't know how to access them yet. On the 1891 census, Michael Graves says his father was born in the USA, and if it is the same George Graves who got land in 1797 then I think it's the same George Graves who came from Maryland to Sorel in 1783. If that George Graves had a son who is in fact married to Catherine Percy, how could he be born in the USA if his father left the states in the 1780's?
As for census information, the 1852 census for Kingston is lost so it's difficult to know where the other three children might have lived. There are three George Graves in Upper Canada over the age of 20 on the 1852 census, but it would seem that he was given land in 1839 in Pittsburgh Township. He must not have been living on that land in 1852. The three choices for George Graves from the 1852 census do not appear to be a good match as a possible son of George Graves who did in the 1840's.
George Graves age 39 of Camden East Township, Addington County
George Graves age 27 of Pickering Township, Ontario County
George Graves age 29 of Markham Township, York County
These three locations are east of Kingston. I would have expected George's land to be somewhere between Kingston and Sorel. I think it's more probable that George lived in Kingston Township where the 1852 census is lost. Perhaps there are tax assessment records for earlier years than 1852 for Kingston Township; there are for Pittsburgh Township in 1844 and 1846.
I also searched the 1852 census for James & Jane Rennil but no luck. I tried variant spellings such as Renil and Renal. There is not an Elenora Graves on the 1852 census.
None of these names match the children of George Graves and Agness Wilson from the Sorel Christ Church Anglican Baptism register.
I have to contact the land records office in Toronto to find the patent of George Graves in 1797. Perhaps that will have more information.
And did his children apply for land as a DUE or SUE? I will also need to explore that avenue.
The confusing part is there are more children than I thought and they don't seem to fit anywhere. And it's not entirely clear if this is the George Graves who went to Sorel, Quebec in the 1780's.
It would seem that the will was written on 24 March 1847. It was registered by Henry Graves on 14 January 1848, so I assume that's the time when George Graves died.
He asked for the best of care for his wife Catherine after his death "accounting to her condition in life". When I first read that, I thought that perhaps she had a medical condition, but it could also mean that she be kept at the same standard of living that her husband had maintained for her.
George Graves mentions the following children:
Elizabeth, Henry, Michael, Hanah, Susan, Sarah Bryant, John and William. I believe these children are also children of Catherine. They are living near each other on the 1852 and 1861 census of Pittsburgh. Elizabeth was a spinster and he asked that Henry and Michael take care of her until her death. Susan, Sarah Bryant and Hanah were to be given a bed, a cow and six sheep when they turned 21 or got married, so they were younger than 21 in 1847 (this is consistent with the 1852 and 1861 census). Michael and Henry got the land at Concession 1, Lot 11&12. Sons John & William each would receive 50 pounds when they turned 21.
There are three other children, Elenora Graves, Jane Graves who married James Reunil and George Graves. He keeps these three children separate from all the others. I'm not sure how they would fit with the family, but it makes me wonder if they were from a previous marriage. Elenora and Jane only got one shilling sterling. Father George says that son George already got land and therefore wasn't going to get any more in his will. Unfortunately he doesn't say where the land is, but Instrument Number N122 registered in 1839 has George Graves the Elder and his wife Catherine giving land to his son (it's not clear if he's also her son) George Graves the younger on C1 Lot 12&13. If son George was receiving land, I think it's safe to say that he must have been 21 or older at the time. It also says that this son George was the eldest son of George Graves, so why was Henry the executor in the 1847 will?
At the end of the will, George Graves signs his name and the abreviation for Lieutenant. This I think is the biggest question of all. Is this the same George Graves who was the Lieutenant who recieved his land in 1797? He also calls himself "George Graves the Elder" at the beginning of his will, so why would he do that if his father's name was George? Would not his name be then George Junior? Or would it have changed to "Elder" when his own father George died? If it is the same man, he would have been 60+ when having children with Catherine Percy in the 1840's. While that's not impossible, it makes more sense to me that Lieutenant George who got his land in 1797 is not the same Lieutenant George who married Catherine Percy, but that both the father and the son were a Lieutenant. I'm not sure how to confirm this information. There must be early Canadian military records, but I don't know how to access them yet. On the 1891 census, Michael Graves says his father was born in the USA, and if it is the same George Graves who got land in 1797 then I think it's the same George Graves who came from Maryland to Sorel in 1783. If that George Graves had a son who is in fact married to Catherine Percy, how could he be born in the USA if his father left the states in the 1780's?
As for census information, the 1852 census for Kingston is lost so it's difficult to know where the other three children might have lived. There are three George Graves in Upper Canada over the age of 20 on the 1852 census, but it would seem that he was given land in 1839 in Pittsburgh Township. He must not have been living on that land in 1852. The three choices for George Graves from the 1852 census do not appear to be a good match as a possible son of George Graves who did in the 1840's.
George Graves age 39 of Camden East Township, Addington County
George Graves age 27 of Pickering Township, Ontario County
George Graves age 29 of Markham Township, York County
These three locations are east of Kingston. I would have expected George's land to be somewhere between Kingston and Sorel. I think it's more probable that George lived in Kingston Township where the 1852 census is lost. Perhaps there are tax assessment records for earlier years than 1852 for Kingston Township; there are for Pittsburgh Township in 1844 and 1846.
I also searched the 1852 census for James & Jane Rennil but no luck. I tried variant spellings such as Renil and Renal. There is not an Elenora Graves on the 1852 census.
None of these names match the children of George Graves and Agness Wilson from the Sorel Christ Church Anglican Baptism register.
I have to contact the land records office in Toronto to find the patent of George Graves in 1797. Perhaps that will have more information.
And did his children apply for land as a DUE or SUE? I will also need to explore that avenue.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Will of George Graves
Microfilm #5153 (from Queen's University; I'm not clear if this is a microfilm number from Queen's or if this film number could also be used at the Library and Archives Canada)
Frontenac County Abstract Index Book, Instrument Number A32, (familysearch.org film #199690)
To the Register of the County of Frontenac. A memorial to be registered of a will in the following words. In the name of God Amen. I George Graves the Elder of the township of Pittsburgh in the Midland District of the Province of Canada Yeoman do make publish and declare this my last will and testament as follows.
In the first place I order that all my just debts and funeral expenses shall be paid by Executor and executrix hereinafter named, I hereby charge all my real estate and hereditaments whatsoever with the payment of the several legacies and sums of money hereinafter mentioned, and also with the maintenance and support of my wife Catherine Graves and of such of my children as I shall hereafter make such provision for and I hereby expressly exempt my personal estate from the payment of such legacies, and such charges of maintenance as aforesaid, and charge the same wholly and solely on my said real estate.
Frontenac County Abstract Index Book, Instrument Number A32, (familysearch.org film #199690)
To the Register of the County of Frontenac. A memorial to be registered of a will in the following words. In the name of God Amen. I George Graves the Elder of the township of Pittsburgh in the Midland District of the Province of Canada Yeoman do make publish and declare this my last will and testament as follows.
In the first place I order that all my just debts and funeral expenses shall be paid by Executor and executrix hereinafter named, I hereby charge all my real estate and hereditaments whatsoever with the payment of the several legacies and sums of money hereinafter mentioned, and also with the maintenance and support of my wife Catherine Graves and of such of my children as I shall hereafter make such provision for and I hereby expressly exempt my personal estate from the payment of such legacies, and such charges of maintenance as aforesaid, and charge the same wholly and solely on my said real estate.
I do further order and devise that my said wife Catherine Graves shall be supported and maintained in a decent and respectable manner according to her condition in life by my sons Henry Graves and Michael Graves, in consideration of the lands by one to them respectively devised and charged with such maintenance. Further I do will and devise that my daughter Elizabeth Graves shall be decently supported and maintained during her natural life, or until her marriage, by my said sons Henry Graves and Michael Graves and I hereby make such maintenance chargeable on the said lands hereby devised to them.
To my daughter Elenora Graves I bequeath one shilling Sterling. To my daughter Jane Reunil wife of James Reunil I bequeath one shilling sterling. To each and every of my daughters Hanah Graves, Susan Graves and Sarah Bryant Graves I devise and bequeath one bed and bedding, one cow and six sheep, the same to be given to each of them when they shall respectively arrive at the age of twenty one years or marry. I do further give devise and bequeath unto my son Henry Graves and his heirs and assigns the easterly one fourth part of lot number eleven in the first concession western boundary of the Township of Pittsburgh in the said Midland District and also the westerly half of lot number twelve in the said first concession of the said township of Pittsburgh, to hold the same unto and to the use of him the said Henry Graves his heirs and assigns for ever, subject nevertheless to payment of the legacies and other charges herein bequeathed and made chargeable on the same and half of my personal estate not herein otherwise dispersed of.
To my daughter Elenora Graves I bequeath one shilling Sterling. To my daughter Jane Reunil wife of James Reunil I bequeath one shilling sterling. To each and every of my daughters Hanah Graves, Susan Graves and Sarah Bryant Graves I devise and bequeath one bed and bedding, one cow and six sheep, the same to be given to each of them when they shall respectively arrive at the age of twenty one years or marry. I do further give devise and bequeath unto my son Henry Graves and his heirs and assigns the easterly one fourth part of lot number eleven in the first concession western boundary of the Township of Pittsburgh in the said Midland District and also the westerly half of lot number twelve in the said first concession of the said township of Pittsburgh, to hold the same unto and to the use of him the said Henry Graves his heirs and assigns for ever, subject nevertheless to payment of the legacies and other charges herein bequeathed and made chargeable on the same and half of my personal estate not herein otherwise dispersed of.
I do further give desire and bequeath unto my son Michael Graves the westerly three fourth parts of lot number eleven in the said first concession of the said township of Pittsburgh to hold the same to him the said Michael Graves his heirs and assigns to the use of him the said Michael Graves his heirs and assigns for ever, subject nevertheless to the [?] [?] of the legacies and other charges herein bequeathed and made chargeable on the same, and half my personal estate not herein otherwise disposed of. To my son George Graves I bequeath one shilling sterling, having already given him lands for his advancement.
To my son John Graves I do give and bequeath the sum of fifty pounds to be paid to him, when he shall arrive at the age of twenty one years by [my said sons Henry Graves and Michael Graves. I also give and bequeath to my son Wil]liam Graves the like sum of fify pounds to be paid to him when he shall arrive at the age of twenty one years by my said sons Henry Graves and Michael Graves and chargeable on the said lands devised to the said Henry and Michael. And I do further will order and devise that in case anyone or either of my said children excepting Eleonora Graves, Jane Reunil and George Graves shall happen to die in my lifetime or shall happen to die after my decease under the age of twenty one years or being daughters or a daughter shall die after my said decease not having married, then all such share or shares of my said real estate or personal legacy or bequest as shall have been herein by me devised or bequeathed by me to any such of my said children or either of them as shall happen to die as herein before mentioned shall be go and remain unto and to the use of the survivor or survivors of them my said sons Henry, Michael, John and William and my daughters Hannah Susan and Sarah Bryant and to their heirs and assigns according to the nature and description thereof respectively share and share alike. And I do hereby nominate and appoint my said son Henry Graves Executor and my said wife Catherine Graves Executrix of this my will written on five pages of paper. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fourty seven.
Signed George Graves Leut (L.S)
Signed sealed published and declared by the said George Graves the Elder the Testator in the presence of us who in his presence at his request have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses
Signed Arch. John Macdonell
Signed Geo. A. Cumming
Which will is witnessed by Archibald John Macdonell and George Alexander Cumming both of Kingston, Esquires and this memorial thereof is required to be registered by me Henry Graves one of the Devisees. As witness my hand and seal at Kingston this thirteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight.
Henry Graves
Signed and sealed in the presence of G.A. Cummings & H Smith Jr
by the oath of George Alexander Cumings within named the 14th day of January 1848
Register
One line appears to be missing from the photocopy. The italics are the line that I think should be there.
Signed George Graves Leut (L.S)
Signed sealed published and declared by the said George Graves the Elder the Testator in the presence of us who in his presence at his request have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses
Signed Arch. John Macdonell
Signed Geo. A. Cumming
Which will is witnessed by Archibald John Macdonell and George Alexander Cumming both of Kingston, Esquires and this memorial thereof is required to be registered by me Henry Graves one of the Devisees. As witness my hand and seal at Kingston this thirteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight.
Henry Graves
Signed and sealed in the presence of G.A. Cummings & H Smith Jr
by the oath of George Alexander Cumings within named the 14th day of January 1848
Register
One line appears to be missing from the photocopy. The italics are the line that I think should be there.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Ordinary Genealogy Miracle
Remember I said that genealogy is full of miracles? Well this week I felt like I was a part of one.
Sometime in January I was contacted via email by a man who said he had seen my post on Rootsweb about John Wilmot & Sarah Milton. He had purchased an old photo album off of ebay and it had photos of Wilmot's and Milton's. He sent me a list of names in the photobook and they weren't exactly my direct line Wilmot's or Milton's, but I could see how they tied in to my family tree. He scanned in and emailed me all the photos. The photos are very interesting. I love the old photographs. But for me personally the photos are not at all relevant to who I'm looking for. I almost didn't keep them, but i use ifamily for Mac, and I have never tried to add photos to the program and I wanted to see how easy it is, so I kept all the photos on my computer.
This past week I was contacted by a woman who was interested in the Alexander McIntosh & Isabella Graham family also of Pittsburgh Township. I had some information on this couple because two of their daughters had married Milton brothers. I did a look up for her of the Milton Cemetery Transcriptions and searched for family names in the Index of the book Lilacs and Limestones. After I sent the last email to her I remembered the pictures I received about a month ago and thought to check them for her family names. Of the 25 photos sent, over 1/2 were members of the Alexander McIntosh & Isabella Graham's family, so I forwarded those pictures as well.
It was very special for me to read of her joy at receiving the pictures. Since starting genealogy almost two years ago I have had a lot of people help me. People who seemed to be in just the right place at the right time so that the required information gets to the right place. Some were friends and some were strangers. I'm not sure there is a way to repay someone in that situation because the information is priceless and they aren't interested in a monetary payment. I have wanted to be able to help someone in that way, but up until a few months ago I'm not sure that I was confident enough to be able to say to someone try this or try that. After this week, I feel like I have been a part of someone else's success and I'm glad the pictures are with someone who has a family tie to them all together.
Sometime in January I was contacted via email by a man who said he had seen my post on Rootsweb about John Wilmot & Sarah Milton. He had purchased an old photo album off of ebay and it had photos of Wilmot's and Milton's. He sent me a list of names in the photobook and they weren't exactly my direct line Wilmot's or Milton's, but I could see how they tied in to my family tree. He scanned in and emailed me all the photos. The photos are very interesting. I love the old photographs. But for me personally the photos are not at all relevant to who I'm looking for. I almost didn't keep them, but i use ifamily for Mac, and I have never tried to add photos to the program and I wanted to see how easy it is, so I kept all the photos on my computer.
This past week I was contacted by a woman who was interested in the Alexander McIntosh & Isabella Graham family also of Pittsburgh Township. I had some information on this couple because two of their daughters had married Milton brothers. I did a look up for her of the Milton Cemetery Transcriptions and searched for family names in the Index of the book Lilacs and Limestones. After I sent the last email to her I remembered the pictures I received about a month ago and thought to check them for her family names. Of the 25 photos sent, over 1/2 were members of the Alexander McIntosh & Isabella Graham's family, so I forwarded those pictures as well.
It was very special for me to read of her joy at receiving the pictures. Since starting genealogy almost two years ago I have had a lot of people help me. People who seemed to be in just the right place at the right time so that the required information gets to the right place. Some were friends and some were strangers. I'm not sure there is a way to repay someone in that situation because the information is priceless and they aren't interested in a monetary payment. I have wanted to be able to help someone in that way, but up until a few months ago I'm not sure that I was confident enough to be able to say to someone try this or try that. After this week, I feel like I have been a part of someone else's success and I'm glad the pictures are with someone who has a family tie to them all together.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Christ Church Anglican Records
In November 2008 I looked at the LDS film #1430819 of Christ Church Baptisms, Marriages and Burials. I found 19 people with the last name of Graves who could possibly be related.
On 15 July 1784 they buried a woman they called Widow Graves age 77. Whoever she is, her husband died before her. Not much to go on.
Captain Adam Graves and his wife Christina start appearing in the register in 1789. They were the witnesses for a number of infant baptisms. They had a son baptized in the church as well. Jacob Graves was christened on 19 July 1789. There is no other mention of Jacob except there was a man named Jacob Graves as the sponser for the christening of a son of George & Agness Graves, James Hare, in 1812.
Adam was buried on the 26 Dec 1805 at the age of 54. That makes his birth about 1751. The witnesses to the burial are hard to read, but it looks like Adam Graves and George Graves Junior.
Christina was buried on 15 Nov 1826 at the age of 82. That makes her birth about 1744. In the register was the following description, "wife of the late Adam Graves, Esquire of this place. Formerly a captian in the service of his majesty in a Corps raised in what are now called the United States. The deceased was aged about 82 years." Interesting to note is that no one with the last name of GRAVES witnessed her burial.
She could have also been a sponser at the christening of George & Agness' son, William Henry in 1810. For any of the christenings she was a sponsor for, she only left her mark, and did not write her name. Adam wrote his name. Unfortunately I did not take my digital camera with me so I don't have a picture of his signature.
George Graves married Agness Wilson in 1803. They both signed their own names on the in the register. He was a merchant and she a spinster. If they were 20 to 25 years old, they may have been born between 1778 and 1783. I did not check the film for a baptism of Agness Wilson in those years.
George and Agness Graves had eight children baptized in the church
George Olivier baptized 30 Oct 1805 could be the George Graves I'm looking for who is the husband of Catherine Percy and father of Henry born in 1825 in Pittsburgh. He does seem a little bit too young, however, by about five years.
Another Graves family in the register was John Graves and his wife Mary. They had two daughters christened in the church. Martha was christenend on the 19 Feb 1786 and Ann was christenend on 19 Oct 1788. It appears that John as an adult was christened on 17 Sep 1786.
There is mention of one other Adam Graves. He was buried on 23 Aug 1823. It doesn't say his age, but "present at the burying" was George Graves, "brother to the deceased". It's possible that this George Graves could be the George married to Agness.
So my next steps are trying to see what I can find out from Pittsburgh Township land transactions (which I think I will have to hire someone who lives in Kingston) and creating a timeline of the events described in this law suit from 1862. Then I think I will look for land and probate records of William Henry (Sorel) for the Graves family.
Is the James Graves born in 1811 residing in Pittsburgh on the 1852 census be the same James Graves who was born to George & Agnes in January 1812?
On 15 July 1784 they buried a woman they called Widow Graves age 77. Whoever she is, her husband died before her. Not much to go on.
Captain Adam Graves and his wife Christina start appearing in the register in 1789. They were the witnesses for a number of infant baptisms. They had a son baptized in the church as well. Jacob Graves was christened on 19 July 1789. There is no other mention of Jacob except there was a man named Jacob Graves as the sponser for the christening of a son of George & Agness Graves, James Hare, in 1812.
Adam was buried on the 26 Dec 1805 at the age of 54. That makes his birth about 1751. The witnesses to the burial are hard to read, but it looks like Adam Graves and George Graves Junior.
Christina was buried on 15 Nov 1826 at the age of 82. That makes her birth about 1744. In the register was the following description, "wife of the late Adam Graves, Esquire of this place. Formerly a captian in the service of his majesty in a Corps raised in what are now called the United States. The deceased was aged about 82 years." Interesting to note is that no one with the last name of GRAVES witnessed her burial.
She could have also been a sponser at the christening of George & Agness' son, William Henry in 1810. For any of the christenings she was a sponsor for, she only left her mark, and did not write her name. Adam wrote his name. Unfortunately I did not take my digital camera with me so I don't have a picture of his signature.
George Graves married Agness Wilson in 1803. They both signed their own names on the in the register. He was a merchant and she a spinster. If they were 20 to 25 years old, they may have been born between 1778 and 1783. I did not check the film for a baptism of Agness Wilson in those years.
George and Agness Graves had eight children baptized in the church
- 11 Jun 1804 Christina
- 30 Oct 1805 George Olivier
- 27 Sep 1807 Maria Jane
- 19 Jun 1809 Julia
- 10 Jun 1810 William Henry
- 5 Jan 1812 James Hare
- 29 Sep 1816 John Mortimer
- 12 Feb 1819 Caroline Sarah
George Olivier baptized 30 Oct 1805 could be the George Graves I'm looking for who is the husband of Catherine Percy and father of Henry born in 1825 in Pittsburgh. He does seem a little bit too young, however, by about five years.
Another Graves family in the register was John Graves and his wife Mary. They had two daughters christened in the church. Martha was christenend on the 19 Feb 1786 and Ann was christenend on 19 Oct 1788. It appears that John as an adult was christened on 17 Sep 1786.
There is mention of one other Adam Graves. He was buried on 23 Aug 1823. It doesn't say his age, but "present at the burying" was George Graves, "brother to the deceased". It's possible that this George Graves could be the George married to Agness.
So my next steps are trying to see what I can find out from Pittsburgh Township land transactions (which I think I will have to hire someone who lives in Kingston) and creating a timeline of the events described in this law suit from 1862. Then I think I will look for land and probate records of William Henry (Sorel) for the Graves family.
Is the James Graves born in 1811 residing in Pittsburgh on the 1852 census be the same James Graves who was born to George & Agnes in January 1812?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Quebec Research - Graves Family
I was reminded this weekend about the website MARY'S GENEALOGY TREASURES and thought I should use it for Quebec Research.
I've searched the following links using the surnames GRAVES, GREAVES and GROVES. Unfortunately I can't link to the search results, but these thoughts on the search results.
Non-Catholic marriages in the Montral area, 1766-1899
It would seem that William Henry (Sorel) must have been out of the Montreal region since none of the names seem to match who I'm looking for. According to Google maps, it was a fair distance away.
View Larger Map
PRDH - Repertory of vital events-1621-1799
I'm not sure what this site is, but it also does not seem to match the names of people I'm looking for. It also changed GRAVES to Gravet.
Index des mariages de la region de Sorel, Qubec, Canada
This index looked very promising since Sorel is the area that I'm looking in, but it would seem that the only marriages included are Catholic marriages. I did not find an entry for GRAVES but the time period is right and I know there were GRAVES getting married in the same time period.
Yourfolks.com
Has the right names, but I'm not quite ready to pay for the information until I think I know a wife's name. There is not a George Graves and a Catherine Percy listed.
Non-Catholic Burials in Montreal Area 1768-1875
Again, I checked this with no luck, so Sorel must not be close enough to be considered part of Montreal. I was hoping it was since the information prepared by Jean Graves said that the Graves family went to Montreal (she never talked about Sorel).
That's My Family
There are a number of Lower Canada Land Petitions for Adam Graves, but only one for George Graves. The time period looks correct for the Adam and George Graves I'm looking for. It would seem I could order the films from the Library and Archives Canada through inter-library loan.
Quebec and Eastern Townships Genealogy Research Page
This website looks like it could be the jackpot of links from Mary's Genealogy Treasures. I'm going to contact the website administrator about purchasing information for the following names.
I've searched the following links using the surnames GRAVES, GREAVES and GROVES. Unfortunately I can't link to the search results, but these thoughts on the search results.
Non-Catholic marriages in the Montral area, 1766-1899
It would seem that William Henry (Sorel) must have been out of the Montreal region since none of the names seem to match who I'm looking for. According to Google maps, it was a fair distance away.
View Larger Map
PRDH - Repertory of vital events-1621-1799
I'm not sure what this site is, but it also does not seem to match the names of people I'm looking for. It also changed GRAVES to Gravet.
Index des mariages de la region de Sorel, Qubec, Canada
This index looked very promising since Sorel is the area that I'm looking in, but it would seem that the only marriages included are Catholic marriages. I did not find an entry for GRAVES but the time period is right and I know there were GRAVES getting married in the same time period.
Yourfolks.com
Has the right names, but I'm not quite ready to pay for the information until I think I know a wife's name. There is not a George Graves and a Catherine Percy listed.
Non-Catholic Burials in Montreal Area 1768-1875
Again, I checked this with no luck, so Sorel must not be close enough to be considered part of Montreal. I was hoping it was since the information prepared by Jean Graves said that the Graves family went to Montreal (she never talked about Sorel).
That's My Family
There are a number of Lower Canada Land Petitions for Adam Graves, but only one for George Graves. The time period looks correct for the Adam and George Graves I'm looking for. It would seem I could order the films from the Library and Archives Canada through inter-library loan.
Quebec and Eastern Townships Genealogy Research Page
This website looks like it could be the jackpot of links from Mary's Genealogy Treasures. I'm going to contact the website administrator about purchasing information for the following names.
- Adam Graves
- George Graves
- James Graves
- Agnes Graves
- Christina Graves
- Mary Elizabeth Graves
- Catherine Percy (no matches but there are 135 Percy names)
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