Hunt Co., TX - William R. Graham ***************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: Billy Graham USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************** This is the WILL of William R. Graham - he was born in Ireland in 1775 and came to the USA in early 1800's - His son John Graham had a son named John Ransom Graham who was born in Merkel, Texas and his son Eli G. Graham and Eli's wife Wanda Fay Adkisson were long time residents of Greenville, Texas living on Henderson Street. Eli worked many years at the White Star Laundry there in Greenville. Eli was my GrandFather. Billy David Graham is my name born in Greenville 2/16/1947. ======================================================================= In the name of God Amen. I, William Graham of Lee County and state of Virginia being weak of body but of sound and disposing memory for which blessing I thank God considering the shortness of Life and the certainty of Death Hath thought proper to Settle my worldly concerns in the way and manner following viz I bequeath my body to the grave and my soul to God who gave it. I bequeath to my oldest daughter peggy betty one Moyety of my land beginning at an Elam on the north side of the stillhouse branch and up said branch and exactly dividing the Spring thence off and with the branch passing by the old sugar camp to the Right thence to the Stump of an old Bord tree thence with a straight direction to William Stuarts line and with the lines of the Same until it Strikes William Stuarts corner thence with a Straight line to the Sugar camp house thence down the Sugar camp branch until it strikes the Main branch and with the same to the beginning. Likewise the one half of the garden beginning at the Road with a straight line to the lower fence with the Dwelling House and all other Houses Included in said moiety I likewise bequeath to Peggy Betty the clock and all other of my kitchen and household furniture I desire to be divided between my Daughters Peggy Betty and Jane Stuart. I bequeath to my son Thomas that moiety of land lying on the west side of peggy betty's track and running with her line to the above mentioned board tree stump till it strikes Samuel Graham's line thence with said line till it strikes the branch to the Ellam corner to peggy bettys's tract. I bequeath to my sons John and Henry all that Moiety of land beginning at the branch and running with Samuel Graham's line to the corner on the north side of Wallings ridge thence to William Stuarts corner then with William Stuarts line till it strikes Peggy betty's Line and with the same to her corner and thence Dividing the branch to the beginning. My wagon and Still and all my horses cattle and Hogs and farming utensils I bequeath to John and Henry and out of the profits arising from said property all my just debts and funeral expenses to be paid and likewise to pay Job Crabtree whatever he may charge for a piece of land that I am to make good to William Stuart. I do hereby nominate and appoint Samuel Graham , James Graham and WilliamStuart as my lawful Executors to Execute this my will in the way and manner specified and hereby Disclaiming all other wills Do Declare this to be my last will and testament given under my hand this 24th day of April 1826 In presence of James Duff Nathaniel Dougherty William Graham (Seal) William Yeary Jr. Virginia At a court begun and held for Lee County at the courthouse on Tuesday the 28th day of September 1830 The last will and testament of William Graham Dec'd was proven by the oaths of James Duff Nathaniel Dougherty and William Yeary Junior Witnesses thereto and is ordered to be recorded Teste JWS Morrison DC ID: I577566525 Name: William GRAHAM Given Name: William Surname: Graham Sex: M Birth: Bef 1775 in Ireland Death: Bet 24 Apr 1826 and 25 Jun 1829 in Lee County, Virginia Probate: 28 Sep 1830 Lee County, Virginia Will: 24 Apr 1826 Lee County, Virginia Note: Surveyed the 30th day of July 1798 for William Graham 19 acres of land by virtue of an Entry made on a Treasury land Warrant 30 Jul 1798 No. 10886 and dated 7th day of February 1782 in the County of Wythe on the waters of Reed Creek ... The first recorded deed was dated February 9, 1802, when James Low of Lee County conveyed 71 acres of land, formerly belonging to John Lane, lying on both sides of Wallen Creek, to William Graham for $350. (DBK1, p 228). In 1806, he acquired additional land by purchase, lying at the foot of Elk Knob on the Northside of Wallens Ridge from Christian Plank and wife Aggie. (DBK 2-49) 26 Mar 1806 William Graham bought 39 acres from Christian and Aggy ( Peggy) Plank for $150. Plank had bought it from Benjamin Yeary. [ Lee County ] . I have not seen the name Benjamin anywhere else in family of Yeary. And August 26, 1806, purchased three tracts, lying on both sides of Station Creek, from William and Elizabeth Yeary for 400 pounds. (DBK 2-49) March 15, 1808, he entered 200 acres lying on Wallen Ridge, bordering said Graham's land, assignee of King and Beaty. 26 Aug 1806 William Graham bought 380 acres from William and Betsey Yeary on Powell river and north side of Wallings Ridge to corner of Joseph Martin’s, and 34 acres on north fork of Station Creek. 400 pd. The federal censs of 1820 records William Graham as a resident of Lee County with this family: 1 m above 45; 1 f above 45; 3 m10-16; 1 m 16-18; 1 m16-26; 1 f 16-26. Marriage 1 Nancy DUFF b: Bef 1775 in Ireland Married: Abt 1790 in Ireland Children James GRAHAM b: Abt 1792 in Scotland Samuel GRAHAM b: Bef 1800 in Ireland Peggy Betty GRAHAM b: Bet 1794 and 1804 Jane GRAHAM b: Bet 1794 and 1804 Marriage 2 Mary NEWLAND b: 5 May 1789 in Montgomery County, Virginia Married: Bef 1805 in Lee County, Virginia Children John GRAHAM b: 26 Jan 1805 in Lee County, Virginia ========================================================================= Henry GRAHAM b: 24 Aug 1807 Thomas Newell GRAHAM b: 1810 in Lee County, Virginia