Revised 29 May 1998, Gen. 261

John M. Graves (1) was born 15 Nov. 1783 in St. Mary's Co., MD, and died in 1844 in Washington Co., KY. He married ------ Barnes. She was born about 1793 in St. Mary's Co., MD, and died in 1866 in Washington (or Marion?) Co., KY. Their names were shown on the marriage license of their son, John M. Graves, and her name looked like Gideon Barnes, but that might be a misreading. They lived in Marion Co., KY.

The members of this family were Catholic, and much family information has been obtained from baptismal records and other early Catholic records in western KY. They were under the parish of the well-known priest Father Elijah Durbin of the Louisville, KY diocese. Records found include documentation for the children of slaves of the family. Dr. John M. Graves and wife are recorded as godparents to slaves and later servant children. As godparents, other family names mentioned include Blandford, Shelby, Medley, Elliott, and Boone.

They may have been closely related to the John Graves who married Sarah Catherine Noble, was about the same age as John M. Graves, and also settled in Marion Co., KY. This John Graves was from St. Mary's Co., MD. (R-1)

Children - Graves

+2. John M. Graves, b. 17 Nov. 1811, m. Lucinda Ann Merriman, d. 18 Dec. 1883.

+3. William S. Graves, b. 28 Aug. 1820, m. Helen A. Shelby, d. 26 Jan. 1902.

CHILDREN OF JOHN M. GRAVES (1) AND ------ BARNES

Dr. John M. Graves (2) was born 17 Nov. 1811 in Marion Co., KY, and died 18 Dec. 1883 in Henderson Co., KY. He married Lucinda Ann Merriman (given as Ann Lucinda in some documents). She was born 13 Jan. 1813 in Nelson Co., KY, in the vicinity of Bardstown, and died 28 Jan. 1870 (or 28 July 1871) in Union Co., KY. One of their fathers, probably hers, was supposedly named William, and was a shipping merchant from Ireland. Her mother was Mary Janette Tou of France. However, the marriage license of John and Lucinda gives her father's name as John Maryman (should be Merriman).

There is a family legend that there were 7 original Graves brothers, and that there were 7 doctors in the family, all educated in England.

One family story is that the Merriman family was related to the family of Robert E. Lee of VA. The name Merriman is found spelled many ways -- Merryman, Maryman, and Maraman -- but the correct spelling is Merriman. (R-1, R-2)

Children - Graves

+4. Joseph Edmund Graves, b.c. 1840, m. Martha Ellen Blandford.

+5. Ann Virginia Graves, b.c. 1841, m. Thomas Wilkins Campbell.

+6. George Marion Graves, b.c. 1841-45, m. Elizabeth Anna Markham.

+7. William Lon (or Don) Graves, m. Mary Louise Blandford.

+8. Mary Janette Graves, b. 6 March 1845, m. William Franklin Aton, 1882.

+9. William Pascal Graves, b.c. 1847, m. Phoebe ------.

+10. James Muir Graves, b.c. 1849, m. Fatie Cassidy.

+11. John M. Graves, Jr., m. Martha Haynes, c. 1889.

+12. Thomas Jefferson Graves, b.c. 1852, m. Nancy Mary Martin, 6 June 1888, d. 26 Aug. 1920.

William S. Graves (3) was born 28 Aug. 1820 in Marion Co., KY, and died 26 Jan. 1902 in Dycusburg, Crittenden Co., KY. He married Helen A. Shelby on 27 Oct. 1852. She was born 15 Nov. 1835 in Livingston Co., KY. They lived in the Paducah, KY area. (R-2)

Children - Graves

13. Catherine Graves, b. 1 Sept. 1853, d. 4 Dec. 1892.

14. William S. Graves, b. 12 Aug. 1855, d. 27 Jan. 1858.

15. George S. Graves, b. 8 June 1857, d. 16 April 1858.

+16. William T. Graves, b. 7 May 1859, m. Mary A. ------, d. 1928.

17. Cora Adaline Graves, b. 2 June 1861 (Dycusburg, KY), d. 6 Jan. 1941 (Dycusburg, KY).

+18. George E. Graves, b. 7 Aug. 1864, m(1) Minnie Byrd Hobson, 7 Dec. 1886, m(2) Fanny Campbell, 5 June 1895, d. 1 Sept. 1900.

19. Emma A. Graves, b. 24 March 1866.

20. John Augustus ("Gus") Graves, b. 25 Aug. 1868, d. 10 May 1943 (Dycusburg, KY).

21. Francis Eugene Graves, b. 20 June 1871, d. 5 April 1938.

22. Ernest A. Graves, b. 26 Aug. 1878, d. 23 Oct. 1878 (Dycusburg, KY).

CHILDREN OF JOHN M. GRAVES (2) AND LUCINDA A. MERRIMAN

Joseph Edmund Graves (4) was born about 1840. He married Martha Ellen (or Helen) Blandford, daughter of Richard Blandford and Rosella Boone. She was born 11 June 1852. He was a farmer, and may also have been a veterinarian.

An old history book of Union Co., KY states that Joe Graves' farm house was destroyed by fire in 1885. It was located in an area about one mile from Seven Gums in Union Co., KY. The value of the house was approximately $500. (R-1)

Children - Graves

23. Lucinda Ula Graves, b. 16 July 1871. Godmother was grandmother Rosella Boone Blandford.

24. Joseph Edmund Graves, Jr., b. 1 Jan. 1875. Godparent was Ann Medley.

25. George Martin Graves, b. 1878.

26. Mary Magadline Graves, b. 1880. She became a nun in the Order of Poor Clair in Evansville, IN. She later left that order and became a teacher.

27. Elmo Graves, b. 1882.

28. James Cleveland Graves, b. 1885.

29. Francis Thomas Graves, b. 1887.

Ann Virginia Graves (5) was born about 1841, and was baptized at St. Vincent Church, Union Co., KY. Her godmother was Nancy Elliott. She married Thomas Wilkins Campbell. Their first 5 children were born in Union Co., KY, and the last 4 in Springfield, MO, so they must have moved to MO about 1875-76. (R-1)

Children - Campbell

30. Emma Campbell, b. 20 June 1867.

31. Thomas Wilkins Campbell, b. 17 Jan. 1869.

32. Mary Elija Campbell, b. 23 Nov. 1870. Godmother was Mary Janette Graves, sister of Ann Virginia.

33. Frances Lee Campbell, b. 23 Nov. 1872. Godmother was Martha Graves, wife of Joseph E. Graves.

34. James Muir Campbell, b. 31 Dec. 1874.

35. Maggie Campbell, b. 24 Jan. 1877.

36. John Graves Campbell, b. 10 March 1879.

37. Ann Virginia Campbell, b. 11 Dec. 1881.

38. Katie Agnes Campbell, b. 26 Feb. 1884.

George Marion Graves (6) was born about 1841-45. He married Elizabeth Anna Markham of Union Co., KY. He was a farmer. (R-1)

Children - Graves

39. Stella Ursla Graves, m(1) ------ Hopgood, m(2) Ed Risinger (a widower with 4 or 5 children). She had no children by either marriage. Godmother was Martha Blandford, wife of Joe Graves.

40. Emma Louise Graves, b. 1880, died at a young age.

41. George Romanus Graves, b. 1883, m(1) ------ Lynn, m(2) ------ Robinson. Godmother was Aunt Ann Virginia Campbell.

42. Lilly Mary (or Marian) Graves, m. Fred Arnold.

William Lon (or Don) Graves (7) is not proven as a son of Dr. John M. Graves. The fact that William Pascal Graves was a son raises the question of whether two children would have been given the first name of William. In any case, if he was not a son, he was closely related. (R-1)

Children - Graves

43. Rose Etta Graves, b. 8 Nov. 1875.

44. Richard Jessamin Graves, b. 1882.

45. William Kendrick Graves, b. 1886.

Mary Janette ("Molly") Graves (8) was born 6 March 1845 in Hickman Co., KY. She married William Franklin Aton of Uniontown, KY in 1882 as his second wife. Both her husband and her father-in-law were blacksmiths. She inherited 5 children of her husband's deceased first wife. One of her step-sons, William Albertis Aton, married Ada Rosella Graves in 1889, with Mary B. Blandford as her attendant.

There is a complete biographical sketch of this Aton family in the 1886 edition of the Union Co., KY history, pages 813-815 (given below with selected abbreviations).

"NELSON HAMILTON ATON, one of the best mechanics in Union Co. is the son of John and Susana (Thomas) Aton. John, a blacksmith, was born in Adair Co., KY, Oct. 20, 1800. In 1822 he moved to Washington Co., IN, and the same year married. In 1843 he settled in Union and in 1860 died in East St. Louis, IL. Subject's grandfather, John Aton, came from Germany when but three years old. Susana Aton, our subject's mother, was born in NC in 1803, came to Union about 1820, and died in NC about 1856.

Our subject was born in Washington Co., IN, 2 miles from Salem, Dec. 7, 1825. Under his father he learned his trade, and is considered one of the best blacksmiths and machinists in the county. He has invented all kinds of farm implements in his life, many of which are being used in the county now. His "new ground" and "hill-side" plows are being used everywhere. Mr. Aton also owns and manages a farm of 102 acres, half of which is now in cultivation. His shop, 40 x 42 feet, was built in 1847. Very frequently he has as many as three hands assisting him. The dwelling now occupied by him was built in 1859. It is a nice two story frame well arranged, with 8 rooms. All of subject's ancestors were strict Catholics. He is and always has been a Democrat. Mr. Aton received his education in Indiana schools. The old gentleman is a fine talker, and has a splendid memory, which aided us greatly in the line of casualties, etc.

On Jan. 26, 1847, Mr. Aton married Elizabeth Ann Cissell. She is the daughter of Charles and Catherine (McPherson) Cissell. Her father was born in Indiana in 1790, settled in Union in 1820, and died here in 1863. Her mother was born in Maryland in 1787, and died in Union Co. in 1856. Our subject has the following children: William Franklin, a blacksmith, living in Morganfield, married Mary Janette Graves; they have five children. James Benedict, a blacksmith, living at District No. 4, in Morganfield Precinct, married Emma C. Alvey and has two children. Jefferson Douglas, a blacksmith in Corydon, KY, married Mary Diskin; they have three children. Susana, married John W. Stuart, a farmer in the county, and has one child. Thomas Pascal, a painter, now living in Arkansas, married Maria Janette Berry, and has two children. Mary Ada, married Austin Frame, a farmer living in the county. Subject's single children are Samuel Henry, Edward Walter, Eugene, Charles, and Martin Travis.

Mr. Aton is a man greatly respected in his community, and, though the father of eleven children, has succeeded in raising them up to be honorable men and women."

"WILLIAM FRANKLIN ATON, whose ancestry has already been mentioned, is a blacksmith in Morganfield. He is the oldest son of Nelson Hamilton and Elizabeth Ann (Cissell) Aton. Subject was born at the old Aton place, on the Morganfield and Raleigh road, four miles from Morganfield, Jan. 7, 1848.

Subject has been twice married, first to Miss Rosa Russell, who died in 1881, leaving him five children, secondly to Mary Janette Graves in 1882. The present wife was born in Hickman Co., KY, March 6, 1845. She is the daughter of Dr. John M. Graves, born in Marion Co., KY, Nov. 17, 1811, and married Ann Lucinda Merriman, who was born in Nelson Co., KY, in 1812. Dr. Graves died Dec. 18, 1883, and his wife Jan. 28, 1870. Subject's children are as follows: Mary Lillian, William Albertis, Charles Ellis, Mary Virginia, and Ada Amelia, two, not named, are dead.

Subject received his education in Union Co., going to school in all about three years. He has been living in Morganfield for several years, following his trade. In politics he is a Democrat. He owns three acres of land near the Ohio Valley deposit that are very valuable. Subject has been a member of the Catholic Church all his life." (R-1)

William Pascal Graves (9), called Pascal, was born about 1847 in KY. He married Phoebe ------. He was listed in the household of his father in the 1870 census. The only other reference to him is an old letter received by the family of Ann Virginia Campbell from Dr. John M. Graves after the death of Lucinda in 1870, in which he mentioned that Pascal was enroute to Kansas and he had not heard as to whether he made the journey.

He also made mention in his letter of visiting Joseph's family out on their farm and how very hard they worked. He also mentioned John M. Jr.'s plans to be married in the fall and that Molly (nickname for Mary Janette) had come to stay with them a while. (R-1)

Dr. James Muir ("Jim") Graves (10) was born about 1849. He was a physician. He married Fatie Cassidy of Dyscusburg, KY. One of their grandsons was a law student, but it is not known which one. (R-1)

Children - Graves

46. Hugh Graves

47. Lon Graves

48. George Graves, m. Molly ------. He was a barber and she was a nurse at Marion, KY.

49. John Ed Graves

50. Mayme Graves, m. Edge Campbell (of Kauttawa (?), KY).

John M. Graves, Jr. (11) married Martha Haynes about 1889. She was a Protestant at the time of their marriage but later became a Catholic. (R-1)

Children - Graves

51. Mary Elizabeth Graves, b. 1891.

52. James Jackson Graves, b. 1892.

53. Lucie Anna Graves, b. 1894.

54. Cora Catherine Graves, b. 1895.

55. George Marion Graves, b. 1898; named for his uncle.

56. Virginia Graves, b. 1900.

Thomas Jefferson Graves (12) was born about 1852 in Union Co., KY, and died 26 Aug. 1920. He was a farmer and a carpenter. He married Nancy Mary Martin on 6 June 1888 at Sullivan, KY, by Rev. Sam Martin, a Baptist minister.

"ELEAZER HEDDEN MARTIN, farmer of Lindle Precinct, is the son of John and Harriet (Hedden) Martin. His father, a farmer of NC, was born there about 1804, married in Hopkins Co., where subject's mother died when he was young. John Martin came to Union Co. in 1835 and died in Bordley May 14, 1876.

Our subject was born in that part of Hopkins that is now Webster, on May 3, 1826. He came to Union with his father in 1835, and attended her common schools until he was 19 years of age.

On Dec. 23, 1852, our subject married Lydia Ann Sisk, the daughter of Asa and Nancy (Oldham) Sisk. Her father was born in NC July 7, 1810, married in Montgomery Co., TN, in 1832, lived there 3 years of his life in Union, but died in Hopkins Co. March 10, 1851. He mother was born in Montgomery Co., TN, Feb. 26, 1808, and died on a visit to Union Aug. 3, 1881. Her paternal grandparents were John and Nancy Sisk; her maternal grandparents were Moses and Charlotte (Peterson) Oldham. Moses Oldham was killed by Indians. Mrs. Martin was born in Hopkins Co. Oct. 5, 1833. She is an amiable lady of intelligence, and a member of the Baptist Church, and the Masonic order of females known as the Eastern Star. The issue of this marriage has been eight children. James Knox, a farmer of Lindle Precinct, married Martha Ann Hughes, and has one child; William LaFayette, a common school teacher, but for the past four years a music teacher, married Marie Weldon Quirey, the daughter of Daniel and Ira Ann Quirey. The children at home are Nancy Mary, Harriet Elizabeth, Catherine Ray, John Jewett, Newton Campbell, and Franklin Hedden. They are all teachers, some in common schools and some in music. The family, when united in song, makes a choir of power and great attractiveness.

Mr. Martin has 135 acres of land in his home place, 129 of which is cultivated, besides 17 acres of woodland in another strip, all of which he manages in person. His home is a comfortable box house weather-boarded. In politics he is a Republican. He is a Mason and one of the charter members of the Bordley Lodge, of which he was Junior Warden. Eleazer Martin is a happy contented man, crowned with the best of riches, a healthy and honored family of children."

"THOMAS JEFFERSON GRAVES, occupation of agriculture and carpentry, built many items of furniture. Some that were used in generations down, included a solid maple flour and meal chest that would hold a capacity of 100 pounds each, a tool box and his only child's cradle.

Thomas Jefferson Graves lived his lifetime in Union and Webster Co., KY, owned land in Union Co., KY, near Sullivan, farmed in Webster Co. in an area known as fish trap area of Tradewater River region. They had only one son, and I believe a daughter who died prematurely. She is unnamed." (R-1)

Children - Graves

57. William Thomas Graves, b. 4 Aug. 1892, m. Opal Mae Mott, d. 1963.

CHILDREN OF WILLIAM S. GRAVES (3) AND HELEN A. SHELBY

William T. Graves (16) was born 7 May 1859, and died in 1928 in Paducah, McCracken Co., KY. He married Mary A. ------. She was born about 1864, and died in 1947 in Paducah, McCracken Co., KY. All their children died in Paducah, KY. (R-2)

Children - Graves

58. Joseph Shelby Graves, b. 19 Feb. 1885, d. 23 June 1896.

59. William Leander Graves, b. 11 June 1886, d. 4 June 1904.

60. Robert Emmett Graves, b. 1888, m. Ruth Ann ------, d. 1967. She was b. 1886, d. 1971 in Paducah, KY.

61. Mary Lucille Graves, b. 8 April 1890, d. 13 Aug. 1912.

62. George Edgar Graves, b. 21 April 1893, d. 6 Dec. 1896.

63. Helen Graves, b. 8 Oct. 1897, m. ------ Smith, d. 18 June 1979.

64. Katherine Graves, b. 2 Jan. 1906, m. ------ Meakin, d. 13 June 1990.

65. Sterling Eugene Graves, b. 13 May 1909, d. 6 April 1974.

George E. Graves (18) was born 7 Aug. 1864 and died 1 Sept. 1900, both in Dycusburg, Crittenden Co., KY. He first married Minnie Byrd Hobson on 7 Dec. 1886 and died 9 March 1892. He married second Fanny Campbell on 5 June 1895. She had two children, apparently by her first marriage, Virginia Campbell and Marie Campbell. (R-2)

Children - Graves, by Minnie B. Hobson

+66. Laura Lillian Katherine Graves, b. 17 Oct. 1887, m. Rex Platt Cornelison, 20 Sept. 1917, d. 30 Sept. 1968.

67. W. Herbert Graves, b. 8 Feb. 1890.

 Return to Alphabetical Ancestor Listing

Return to Main Page