Rev. 3 Jan. 1997, Gen. 365

Sylvester Graves (1) was born 13 Feb. 1818 in Berkshire Co., MA, and died 14 Oct. 1880 in Marshfield, MO. He was buried outside Marshfield on a farm with his wife and Henry Martin and his wife. He married Harriet Morrison on 12 Sept. 1840 in North East, MA, by Charles Patterson, JP. She was born 22 Nov. 1824.

He owned a farm in Mount Washington, Berkshire Co., MA, where he apparently farmed. The farm was foreclosed on in 1844. He served in the Civil War, enlisting at Cornwall, CT (although he was living in West Cornwall at the time). He was in the 11th Conn. USV and 2nd Regiment C.V. Heavy Artillery. His normal trade when enlisting was a carpenter. In Marshfield he was listed on the 1880 census in Ozark Twp., Webster Co., MO as a farmer.

With respect to the fact that their son Warner was also called Downing Warner Graves, it is interesting to see that one of the descendants of Thomas Graves of Hartford, CT had this same name. That person was #2055 in the book on that family, was born 4 Nov. 1799, died 16 Feb. 1860 in Williamsburg, Hampshire Co. (next to Berkshire Co.), MA, and married Sarah Wells in 1826 in Goshen, Hampshire Co., MA. Perhaps there is a connection. (R-1)

Children - Graves

+2. Warner Graves, b. 22 Jan. 1842, m. Anna L. Sartain, 22 July 1870, d. 29 Aug. 1910.

3. Sena Lucretia Graves, b. 17 Feb. 1844.

4. Andrew Jefferson Graves, b. 5 Nov. 1846, d. 20 Sept. 1864.

5. Mary Elizabeth Graves, b. 20 Aug. 1848, d. 6 Nov. 1872.

6. Lucelia Permelia Graves, b. 6 Oct. 1850. She is probably the Mrs. Celia Harrington who d. 10 Oct. 1868 (as recorded in the family Bible).

7. Henry Martin Graves, b. 13 Sept. 1852.

8. Thurry Ann Graves, b. 16 Nov. 1854.

9. Eatith Ellen Graves, b. 30 March 1857, d. 17 Sept. 1861.

10. Eatith Ellen Graves, b. 25 Nov. 1861.

11. Mirra Arsella Graves, b. 24 Sept. 1866.

CHILDREN OF SYLVESTER GRAVES (1) AND HARRIET MORRISON

Warner Graves (2), also known as Warren and Downing Warner Graves, was born 22 Jan. 1842 at Mount Washington, MA, died 29 Aug. 1910, and was buried at Napa, CA. He married Anna L. Sartain on 22 July 1870 at Marshfield, MO.

He served in the Civil War as Cpl., "I" Co., 5th Conn., USV. He served from the opening campaigns to Chattanooga, Tenn., discharged because of expiration of enlistment. He fought at Cedar Mt., winchester, Chancelorville and Gettysburg. He was captured on 21 July 1863 at Snicker's Gap, VA, was paroled, and finished up his tour at Chattanooga.

He went to Missouri after the war and tried his hand at farming. He became the general manager of the Continental Insurance Co. (Western Division), and owned and operated a gold mine at West Point, CA for investment purposes. (R-1)

Children - Graves

+12. John Wesley Graves, b. 17 Feb. 1874, m. Grace Gertrude France, 4 Dec. 1894, d. 27 July 1942.

CHILDREN OF WARNER GRAVES (2) AND ANNA L. SARTAIN

John Wesley Graves (12) was born 17 Feb. 1874 in MO, died 27 July 1942, and was buried at Long Beach, CA. He married Grace Gertrude France in Kansas City, MO. He was a mining engineer at his father's gold mine in West Point, CA. He later became a building contractor and built many of the prominent early buildings in Long Beach. There is one example of his work left called the Blackstone Hotel. He was a fighter, taking no lip from any man. (R-1)

Children - Graves

13. Downing W. Graves, b. 1895, d. 1910. He was shot in the eye by a .22 rifle that was supposed to be unloaded.

+14. Thomas Bayse France Graves, b. 25 March 1898, m. Doris A. Shockley, 29 Sept. 1929, d. 12 March 1977.

CHILDREN OF JOHN W. GRAVES (12) AND GRACE G. FRANCE

Thomas Bayse France Graves (14) was born 25 March 1898 in Chillicothe, MO, died 12 March 1977, and was buried at Long Beach, CA. He married Doris A. Shockley on 29 Sept. 1929 in Long Beach, CA. He was an artist and a painting contractor whose clients were some of the notables of Hollywood. He died without an enemy in the world. (R-1)

Children - Graves

+15. Thomas France Graves

Return to Alphabetical Ancestor Listing

Return to Main Page