The Schooner JENNIE GRAHAM

Copyright © 1998 by Jerry Brown. This copy contributed for use in 
the USGenWeb Archives.  

 

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From;  "Grahams of Gartmore in Western Ontario"  compiled and edited by
Angus A. Graham, M.A., D.D. Former principal, Moose Jaw College, Moose Jaw,
Sask.  Dr. Graham documented 10 related families of Grahams who emigrated in
the early 19th century from Argyll to Ontario, 5400 names in all. It was
done, he says, at  the request of Clan Graham of London.  (England or
Ontario?) This volume deals with two of those families;  Glencoe-Mosa
Grahams and Glencoe-Ekfrid Grahams.  It was the author's intent to publish
the remainder if enough subscriptions were raised.  Don't know if that ever
happened or not. I suppose it would be good to post the entire volume
eventually, but it will be a huge typing job;  it is 72 pages long with
many, many names.  

The Captain Duncan Graham mentioned was From Glencoe, Ontario rather than
Michigan, but hundreds of descendants of this very large family migrated to
Michigan at different times between 1850 & 1890.  Many in Sanilac Co,
Detroit, Kalamazoo.  


Captain DUNCAN GRAHAM was the son of DUNCAN GRAHAM, one of the originals of
the Glencoe-Mosa [town & twp in Middlesex Co, ON] Grahams, and was in his
ninth year when the family emigrated [from Cambelltown, Argyll, Scotland].
On Fegruary 7, 1854, he married ANN GRAHAM, the daughter of DONALD GRAHAM,
the original of the Glencoe-Ekfrid [town, twp in Middlesex Co, ON] Grahams.
The ceremony was conducted by Rev. W. R. Sutherland at the Ekfrid Church
near the crooked tree.  For many years he sailed the Great Lakes, having
received his Captain's commission at Buffalo on January 1, 1861.

On April 30, 1872, he was drowned when his vessel, the schooner "Jennie
Graham," capsized in a great storm on Lake Huron about twelve miles from
Sarnia.  His widow was left with a family of two girls and six boys, the
youngest being seven months old.  His last words, as he was swept away on a
plank among the ice floes, were "May God take care of my wife and children."
More than thirty years later a friend of the family heard the sailors on a
Great Lakes boat singing the following song:

"The Schooner JENNIE GRAHAM"

How sad and dismal is the tale
Which I relate to you, 
About the Schooner "Jennie Graham"
Her officers and crew.

Who sank within the stormy deep,
To rise in life no more,
Where winds in raging tempests sweep
Lake Huron's rock-bound shore.

They left St. Catharines on the lea, 
Their glad songs did resound;
They were so full of life and glee, 
And westward they were bound.

Twas little thought the cords of death 
Would snare them on their way;
That they, so full of life and health, 
Should in Lake Huron lay.

Oh Captain Graham, your many friends
Will long for your return;
They'll vainly look for your return
Back into Glencoe town.

They'll surely miss your genial smile;]
Your hand they'll clasp no more, 
For in fathoms deep you are fast asleep 
On Huron's rock bound shore.




dz