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Graves Family Association







This is an arbitrary and partial list of Graves/Greaves family members who are well-known. Let us know if you have any suggestions for additions or changes. The genealogy number of each person is given in parentheses after the person's name and occupation.

Notable or famous members of the various Graves/Greaves families include:

All the links below take you to more details about the member further down the page. To get back to this list scroll back up to the top of the page.

James ArnessJAMES ARNESS is a brother of actor Peter Graves. He is descended from John Graves of Concord, MA (Gen. 166).

 

Peter GravesPETER GRAVES is a brother of actor James Arness. He is descended from John Graves of Concord, MA (gen. 166). He was born Peter Aurness on 18 March 1926 in Minneapolis, Hennepin Co., MN, son of Ruth (Duesler) Salisbury and Rolf Aurness. He starred in the television series, Mission Impossible, and has acted in various other television and movie roles.

 

George H. W. BushGEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH is descended from Capt. Thomas Graves of VA (Gen. 169) through his daughter Verlinda.

 

George W. BushGEORGE WALKER BUSH is the oldest son of George H. W. Bush. He is descended from Capt. Thomas Graves of VA (Gen. 169) through his daughter Verlinda.

 

Hoagland Howard CarmichaelHOAGLAND ("HOAGY") HOWARD CARMICHAEL was born 22 Nov. 1899, died 27 Dec. 1981 in Rancho Mirage, CA, and was buried in Rose Hill Cem., Bloomington, Monroe Co., IN. He first married Ruth Meinardi on 14 March 1936 in New York City, NY, and married second Wanda Mackay about 1977. He was descended from Peter Graves of Surry Co., NC (Gen. 11), as follows: Peter1, Mary2, Peter F.3 Carmichael, Michael Taylor4 Carmichael, Howard Clyde5 Carmichael, Hoagland Howard6 Carmichael.

 

Grover ClevelandGROVER CLEVELAND was born 18 March 1837 in Caldwell, NJ, and died 24 June 1908 in Princeton, NJ, son of Richard F. Cleveland, a Presbyterian minister, and Ann Neale. His parents named him Stephen Grover Cleveland, but he dropped the Stephen. He was a Democrat and president of the United States 1885-1889 and 1893-1897. According to a ruling of the State Dept., he was both the 22nd and the 24th president, because his two terms were not consecutive. He was descended from Thomas Graves of Hartford, CT and Hatfield, MA (Gen. 168), and is listed as #3646 in the 1985 book on that family.

 

John R. CoffeeJOHN R. COFFEE was born 2 June 1772 in Prince Edward Co., VA, and died 7 July 1833 in Florence, Lauderdale Co., AL. He went to Tennessee with his mother in April 1798, and settled on the Cumberland River a few miles above Nashville. He was a general and was known as the "Father of Tennessee." He married Mary Donelson, daughter of Capt John Donelson II and his wife Mary Purnell, on 3 Oct. 1809 in Davidson Co., TN. She was 16 years old when they were married. She was born 13 June 1793, and died 11 Dec. 1871. He was descended from Thomas Graves of VA (gen. 169), via Thomas1, John2, Ralph3, Ralph4, Henry White5, Elizabeth6 m. Joshua Coffee, John R.7 Coffee.

Calvin Coolidge(JOHN) CALVIN COOLIDGE was born in Plymouth, Vermont, on July 4, 1872, and died Jan. 5, 1933 in Northampton, Massachusetts. He was the 30th President of the U.S. (1923-1929). He was the son of a village storekeeper. He was graduated from Amherst College with honors, and entered law and politics in Northampton, Massachusetts. Slowly, methodically, he went up the political ladder from councilman in Northampton to Governor of Massachusetts, as a Republican. En route he became thoroughly conservative. (Most of this information and what follows is from www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/cc30.html.)

He was descended from Rear Adm. Thomas Graves of Charlestown, MA (gen. 28), via Thomas1 Graves m. Katherine Gray, Rebecca2 Graves m. Samuel Adams, Susanna3 Adams m. Daniel Waldo, Bethia4 Waldo m. Thomas Littlefield, Esther5 Littlefield m. Samuel Soper, Esther6 Soper m. m. Silas Briggs, Asa7 Briggs m. Elizabeth Paul, Sally8 Briggs m. Israel Putnam Brown, Sarah9 Brown m. Israel Chase Brewer, Sarah Almeda10 Brewer m. Calvin Galusha Coolidge, John Calvin11 Coolidge m. Victoria Josephine Moor, John Calvin12 Coolidge (1872-1933) m. Grace Anna Goodhue.

 

Ding DarlingJAY NORWOOD ("DING") DARLING was a renowned editorial cartoonist who advocated conservation of our nation's natural resources. Father of the Federal Duck Stamp Program, founder of the National Wildlife Federation, creator of the Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit Program, "Ding" Darling laid the groundwork for the system of today's National Wildlife Refuges. He was descended from Thomas Graves of Hartford, CT (gen. 168).

Born in Norwood, Michigan in 1876, Jay Norwood Darling was to become one of the most well known men of his era. A nationally syndicated editorial cartoonist, he was famous for his witty commentary on the many different subjects that concerned the nation.

 

Frank Murray DixonFRANK MURRAY DIXON was born on July 25, 1892, in Oakland, California, to Frank Dixon, a preacher, and Launa Murray. Dixon's father was one of a long line of poor farmers from the North Carolina piedmont region who made a career from the Baptist pulpit and occasional lecturing. Dixon's uncle was the Reverend Thomas Dixon, a lawyer, preacher, state legislator, and best-selling author of several novels, including The Clansman (1905), which was later the basis for The Birth of a Nation, the first silent film to treat a serious subject.

He is descended from genealogy 169.

 

Jesse FranklinJESSE FRANKLIN was the father of Mary Cleveland Franklin, who married Solomon Graves, a lawyer who was also active in politics. Solomon was descended from John Graves of Northamptonshire, England & VA (gen. 270). Jesse Franklin was U.S. Senator (1799-1813) and Governor of NC (1821-1822). Southern Heroes of 1776 Monument erected at Greensboro, North Carolina, to Colonel Joseph Winston and Governor Jesse Franklin, patriots of American Independence, and to Richard Taliaferro, soldier.

Absalom Graves GainesABSALOM GRAVES GAINES was born 27 March 1827 in Boone Co., KY, son of Richard Gaines and Judith Rice, and grandson of Susannah Graves and George Gaines. He was descended from Capt. Thomas Graves of VA (gen. 169). He was a Universalist Church minister. He was selected as president of St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY, in 1872. Rev. Absalom Graves Gaines, D.D., LL.D., was a native of Kentucky, educated at the University of Virginia.

 

Adam GravesADAM GRAVES, born April 12, 1968 in Toronto, Ontario, is a former professional hockey player. Drafted in 1986 by the Detroit Red Wings, he played from 1987 through 2003. He is best-known for his 10-year tenure with the New York Rangers. He also played for the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, and San Jose Sharks. He finished his career with 329 goals and 287 assists. Graves grew up in Toronto with his parents, Robert Henry and Lynda Surgeoner Graves. Graves has two older sisters, Richenda and Lynette, as well as a younger adopted brother, Mark. Graves also grew up with many foster siblings.

 

(David) Bibb Graves(DAVID) BIBB GRAVES, called Bibb, was born 21 April 1873 at Hope Hull, Montgomery Co., AL, and died 14 March 1942 in Sarasota, FL. He married Dixie Bibb, daughter of Peyton Bibb and Isabel Thorpe, on 10 Oct. 1900 at Montgomery, AL. His parents were David Graves and Mattie Bibb, and his paternal grandparents were Russell Graves and Miss Hinkle. He was descended from Francis Graves of VA (gen. 220), via Francis1, Francis2, William3, William4, David5, Robert Russell6, David7, David Bibb8.

 

DANNY GRAVES was a U.S. baseball player. Danny Graves

Danny is a descendant of genealogy 270 through his father Jim. (Danny, James Oliver Graves, Oliver Keen Graves, Greenup "Green" Graves, Joseph Graves and Sally Bedford, Joseph Graves and Phereby Thurman, Thomas Graves and Mary Chilton, Rice Graves and Jane Young)

 

Denyce GravesDENYCE GRAVES is an African-American opera singer. She was born March 7, 1963 in Washington, DC. Her ancestry is not presently known. Her father, Charles Graves, left the family in her young years. Her mother, Dorothy Graves-Keener, remains strongly involved in her life.

 

Earl GravesEARL GILBERT GRAVES, founder of Black Enterprise magazine and owner of a Pepsi Cola bottling business, was descended from Edward Austin Greaves of England & Barbados (gen. 984). He was born Jan. 9, 1935, and grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. He died April 6, 2020, at the age of 85.It is possible that this Greaves family is related to other Greaves families of Barbados, including Genealogies 256, 578 and 813.

Georgia GravesGEORGIA GRAVES was an American singer of classical music. She was born about 1902 in Nebraska, daughter of William E. and Delilah E. Graves, both born in Illinois. It has been proposed that she is a descendant of genealogy 165 through her father (Georgia Graves, William E, Charles Washington Graves, John Graves and Rebecca Crowe, Charles Graves and Elizabeth Barney. Charles is a proposed son of John Graves and Elizabeth Cilley)

 

HENRY GRAVES was descended from John Graves of Concord, MA (gen. 166). He was born 11 March 1868 in Orange, Essex Co., NJ, and died 21 March 1953 in New York City, NY. He married Florence Isabel Preston on 21 Jan. 1896 in New York City. She was born 3 March 1870 in Irvington-on-Hudson, NY. They lived at 420 Park Ave., New York City, NY. Born into a prominent banking family, Mr. Graves made millions in banking and railroads. He was also an avid art and watch collector.

 

HENRY LEE GRAVES, first President of Baylor University at Independence, was descended from John Graves of Northamptonshire, England & VA (gen. 270). He was born 22 Feb. 1813 (or 1812) at Yanceyville, N.C., died 4 Nov. 1881 at Brenham, Texas, and was buried in Brenham. He married Rebecca Williams Graves, daughter of Gen. Azariah Graves and Elizabeth Williams, on 3 Feb. 1836 in Caswell Co., NC. She was born 8 Oct. 1812, and died 18 Nov. 1865 at Fairfield, Texas. He secondly married widow Myra Lusk Crumpler, in 1872.

 

Howard D. GravesLT. GEN. HOWARD D. GRAVES was born 15 Aug. 1939 in Roaring Springs, Motley Co., TX, died 13 Sept. 2003 of cancer in College Station, TX, and was buried 23 Sept. 2003 in West Point Cem., West Point, NY. He was descended from William Graves of VA, NC & KY (genealogy 13).

 

JOHN ALEXANDER GRAVES III, writer, was born 6 Aug. 1920, and died 31 July 2013 at his home in Glen Rose, TX. He married Jane Cole of New York City, N.Y. in 1958. He was educated at Rice Univ., Houston, TX and Columbia Univ., N.Y. City, N.Y. He served as an officer in the Marines during World War II. He is a writer and a college teacher. He was descended from Capt. Thomas Graves of VA (gen. 169).(John2, Ralph3, Ralph4, Henry White5, Henry6, Ralph7, Elijah8, Richard Stanford9, John Alexander10, John Alexander Jr.11, John Alexander III12).

 

John Woodcock Graves, 1795-1886JOHN WOODCOCK GRAVES (1795-1886), distinguished songwriter, was born on 9 February 1795 at Wigton, Cumberland, England, son of Joseph Graves, plumber, glazier and ironmonger, and his wife Ann Matthews. (According to Transcripts of the Marriage Registers of Wigton St. Mary's, 1781-1797, Joseph Graves, bachelor of this parish, 24 yrs., & Ann Matthews, spinster of this parish, 27 yrs., by banns, on 1 Dec. 1792, in the presence of J. G. Taylor and John Bank.) Although the earlier ancestry is not known, it is almost certain that he was part of genealogy 377 and related families of Cumbria. The information about his family is in genealogy 983.

The main reason Graves (and John Peel) is known today is because of his writing of "D'ye ken John Peel?" The story of this and the words (both the original and the revised version) can be found on the Tullie House Museum website. A good version with words displayed can be found on Youtube.

 

Burkett H. GravesJOSH GRAVES, Dobro® Guitarist of bluegrass and country music fame, was born Burkett H. "Buck" Graves, 27 Sept. 1928 in Tellico Plains, Monroe Co., Tennessee. He was descended from John Graves and Susan ------ of SC & Carter Co., TN (genealogy 92).

 

Michael GravesMICHAEL GRAVES, world famous architect, was born 9 July 1934 in Indianapolis, IN, and died of natural causes at his home in Princeton, NJ, on Thursday, March 12, 2015. He was descended from Thomas Sims Graves of Culpeper Co., VA and Fayette Co. & Nelson Co., KY (genealogy 94), and probably before that from Francis Graves of VA (genealogy 220) (previously believed to be the youngest son of Capt. Thomas Graves of VA).

 

MICHAEL GRAVES (November 26, 1935-March 30, 2016) was an American actor who lived in New York City, NY and Sante Fe, New Mexico with his third wife Jennifer Lee Graves and children.

Michael is not a Graves descendant, but the start of a new Graves lineage for his children. Each of his children (his son Phillipe Coquet, daughter Leslie Marie Graves, and his daughter Rebecca Ann Graves Brogdon) started their acting career under the surname Graves.

His daughter Leslie Marie Graves started on Broadway as a child before moving into television work, including two years as Brenda Clegg on CBS soap opera Capital. She was born 29 September 1959 in Silver City, New Mexico, and died in Hollywood California on 23 August 1995 at age 35. She was married to drug counselor Jerry Schoenkopf (famous for counseling Elliott Smith), they had two children: a girl (Amanda) and a boy (Jimmy, born in 1994).

 

MORRIS COLE GRAVES, painter, was born 28 Aug. 1910 in Fox Valley, OR, and died 5 May 2001 in Loleta, CA. He was descended from Deacon George Graves (gen. 65). He was the sixth of eight children of Edwin L. and Helen M. Graves. He was the only one of the children to be born at the family's homestead in Fox Valley (Linn Co., OR). Within several years the family abandoned the homestead and returned to Seattle, WA. Before completing high school he shipped as a merchant sailor, and in 1929 and 1930 visited Japan, where he quickly succumbed to the influence of nature in Japanese art and thought. In 1932, while visiting relatives in Beaumont, Texas, he finished high school and after a brief period in Los Angeles he returned to Seattle, in 1936 enrolling in the Federal Arts Project there. Later that year he held his first one-man show at the Seattle Art Museum.

 

Nancy Stevenson GravesNANCY STEVENSON GRAVES, sculptor, filmmaker, painter, print maker, watercolorist, and stage designer, was born 23 Dec. 1940 in Pittsfield, MA, and died 21 Oct. 1995 in New York City of cancer. She first married Richard Serra. At the time of her death, she was married to Avery L. Smith. She is descended from genealogy 165 through her father, Walter Lucien Graves, Lucien Chase Graves, Jonathan Graves, Jacob Graves, Nathaniel Graves, William Graves, William Graves, William Graves.

 

Robert Ranke GravesROBERT RANKE GRAVES, celebrated poet, novelist, critic, and historian, was born 24 July 1895 and died in 1985. He married Annie Mary ("Nancy") Nicholson, daughter of William Nicholson, the artist. She was born 13 Sept. 1894. He was descended from the Graves family of Yorkshire and Mickleton Manor, Gloucestershire, England (gen. 68).

See http://www.lacasaderobertgraves.com/index_eng.php and the site for St. John's College Robert Graves Trust at http://robertgraves.org/ for more information about Robert.

 

Rupert Simeon GravesRUPERT SIMEON GRAVES was born 30 June 1963 in the seaside resort town of Weston Super Mare, Avon, England. He is descended from Robert Greeves of Great Dalby, Leicestershire, England (genealogy 338).

When making his stage debut in "The Killing Of Mr. Toad" at The King's Head Theatre, Rupert Graves' abilities were soon noted, so much so that he was offered the part of Freddy Honeychurch in the Merchant Ivory production of "A Room With A View", now regarded as a cinema classic. As of 2024, he has appeared in 108 TV show and movies, directed two features, and written three features.

 

Sam GravesSAMUEL ("SAM") GRAVES, Congressman is descended from John Graves/Greaves of Northamptonshire, England & Virginia (gen. 270) as follows: John1, Thomas2, David3, Samuel4, William Edward5, John William6, Samuel W.7, Wilferd Walter8 (Sam's grandfather). He is a life long resident of Missouri's Sixth Congressional District.

Congressman Graves was born in Tarkio, Missouri on November 7, 1963. While attending the University of Missouri, Sam met his wife, Lesley. Upon graduation, Lesley and Sam married and moved back to Tarkio. Lesley teaches sixth grade at Tarkio Elementary School. They have three children; Megan, Trey, and Emily.

 

SAMUEL GRAVES (17 April 1713 - 8 March 1787) was a British Admiral who is probably best known for his role early in the American Revolutionary War. He was descended from the Graves family of Yorkshire and Mickleton Manor, Gloucestershire, England (gen. 68). He had no children, just a ward (daughter of his late sister-in-law) who married his godson John Graves Simcoe, who later became first Governor General of Upper Canada. He was the uncle of Admiral Thomas Graves, 1st Baron Graves, who was a first cousin of Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Graves. Graves died at his estate at Hembury Fort, Honiton, Devon.

For more information about Admiral Samuel Graves, his home near Honiton, Devon, and his godson, John Graves Simcoe, see the monograph by Martin Habell.

 

William GravesWILLIAM PIERCE EVANS GRAVES was editor of National Geographic magazine. He was descended from Capt. Thomas Graves of VA (gen. 169). He was born in 1927 in Washington, DC, and died 12 June 2004. He was a son of Ralph Augustus Graves (a former assistant editor of National Geographic) and Elizabeth Evans.

 

WILLIAM PRESTON ("BILL") GRAVES was governor of Kansas, 9 Jan. 1995-13 Jan. 2003. He was descended from Thomas Graves of Lunenburg Co., & Mecklenburg Co., VA (genealogy 152), and probably from Francis Graves of VA (genealogy 220) before that.

 

William Preston Graves
In this picture, he is the second from the right, making a presentation.

 

 

William Sidney GravesMAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM SIDNEY GRAVES was descended from John Graves of Northamptonshire, England & VA (gen. 270) as follows: John1, John2, Thomas3, Lewis4, Lewis5, Andrew Carroll6, William Sidney7.

Death claimed Graves from coronary artery disease on 27 Feb. 1940 in Shrewsbury, NJ, and he was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with honors commensurate of his rank. Mrs. Graves died Nov. 23, 1957, and is buried at Arlington with her husband. (This information provided by Dr. Thomas L. Graves of Gulfport, MS.)

 

ANN GREAVES, born Ann Summers, is believed to be the creator of the world-famous Bakewell Pudding. Ann was born in 1778 in Swanwick, Derbyshire, and died in 1866. She first married James Hudson, the first innkeeper of the Rutland Arms, they had 3 children, and he died April 19, 1805. She than married Mr. Greaves in October of 1805. He apparently died before 1841, since she was living with her son William in 1841, and he was listed as the hotel keeper of the Rutland Arms Hotel.There is more than one version of the story of how the pudding was first made, but they all involve Mrs. Ann Greaves and her accidental creation of this pastry.

A book has been written about Mrs. Greaves. It is called ANN SUMMERS, CREATOR OF THE WORLD FAMOUS BAKEWELL PUDDING, by Paul Hudson (ISBN 9780955225178).

 

Lord Tony Greaves-2ANTHONY ROBERT ("TONY") GREAVES, Baron Greaves of Pendle, Lancashire, was born 27 July 1942 in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. His ancestry is not known. He is a Liberal Democrat member of the House of Lords in the U.K. He went to Oxford after schooling at Queen Elizabeth Grammer School, Wakefield, before moving to the North West. He was a member of the Lancashire County Council for 25 years, and a Local Councillor on Colne and Pendle Councils. He is married with two daughters, one of whom was a candidate in the Preston City Council elections in 2006.

 

Clinton GreavesCLINTON GREAVES was a Buffalo Soldier and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Clinton Greaves was born into slavery on August 12, 1855 in Madison County, Virginia. His father was born John Greaves, a blacksmith; we do not know his mother's name. His earlier ancestry is also unknown.

Clinton was a laborer and a resident of Prince George County when he enlisted in the Army for the first time on November 21, 1872 from Prince George's County, Maryland. He was 23 years old.

 

James Peter ('Jimmy') GreavesJAMES PETER ("JIMMY") GREAVES was born 20 February 1940. His ancestry is not known. He was an English football player, and more recently a television pundit. He played his first Football League game in 1957, scoring on his Chelsea debut. By the time he retired in 1971 his goals total stood at 491, 357 in league matches for Chelsea, Spurs and West Ham. Jimmy set a record of scoring on his debut for each new team he played for, including England. Though he scored 44 times for his country, with a better ratio than Bobby Charlton, in just 57 internationals, Jimmy missed out on the World Cup win in 1966.

Jimmy was born Feb. 20, 1940 in the East End of London. His Dad was also Jimmy Greaves, a train operator on the Roding Valley section of the Central Line of London Transport. Here is a photo of the two of them from the front cover of the London Transport Magazine, Jan. 1967.

 

William Abraham GreavesWILLIAM ABRAHAM GREAVES was an American artist. He was descended from (gen. 70). He was born 12 March 1847 in Watertown, NY, and died 9 May 1900 in Kansas City, MO. He married Sarah Gertrude Dale 19 Sept. 1871 in Tionesta, PA.

 

JOHN MUNFORD GREGORY, JR. was governor of Virginia. He was descended from Capt. Thomas Graves of VA (gen. 169) as follows: Thomas1, John2, Ralph3, Ralph4, William5, Ralph6, Letitia Powers7, John Munford8 Gregory, Jr. He was born in Virginia on July 8, 1804 and was a member of the Virginia state House of Delegates from 1831 to 1840. He served as acting Governor of Virginia from 1842 to 1843 and then as a state court judge in Virginia. Gregory died on April 9, 1884 and was buried at Shockoe Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.

 

ALEX HALEY has been believed to be descended from John Graves of Northamptonshire, England & VA (gen. 270) as follows: John1, Thomas2, Nancy3, Thomas4 Lea, Chicken George5 Lea, Tom6 Murray, Cynthia7 Murray, Bertha George8 Palmer, Alexander Murray Palmer9 Haley. However, it appears that may not be the correct ancestry for his Thomas Lea, and that his line was probably descended from a brother of the Isabella Lea who married John Graves and the William Lea who married Nancy Graves (both children of Thomas Graves, b. 1691). Alex Haley is best known for his book, Roots, which was made into a very popular television special on ABC.

Alex Haley
Copyrighted photo used with permission of Mickey Adair, www.availablelightphoto.com

He was born in Ithaca, New York on August 11, 1921, and reared in Henning, Tennessee. His book RootsRoots and the television series based on it. In 1977 Roots won the National Book Award and a special Pulitzer Prize. Roots has been translated into 37 languages, and sold more than one million copies in the first year, and a total of 6 million copies in hardcover and millions more in paperback. The blockbuster television mini series "Roots: The Saga of an American Family," was broadcast on ABC television in 1977, and was watched by an estimated 130 million viewers. He died February 10, 1992, of a heart attack.

 

Rutherford B. HayesRUTHERFORD BIRCHARD HAYES was the 19th President of the United States (1877-1881). He is descended from Thomas Graves of Nahant & Lynn, MA (gen. 213). As president, he oversaw the end of Reconstruction and the United States' entry into the Second Industrial Revolution.

 

Barbara MandrellBARBARA MANDRELL was born 25 Dec. 1948 in Houston, TX, and was raised in Oceanside, near Los Angeles, CA. She is descended from William Graves and Elizabeth of VA, NC & KY (gen. 13).

 

 

Mandrell sistersLOUISE MANDRELL was born Thelma Louise Mandrell, 13 July 1954 in Corpus Christi, TX. She is descended from William Graves and Elizabeth - of VA, NC & KY (gen. 13).

 

Steven Terrence McQueenSTEVEN TERRENCE MCQUEEN, called Steve McQueen, was born 24 March 1930 (exact birth year not known with certainty) in Indianapolis, IN, and died in 1980. He married Neile Adams in 1956. She was a singer, dancer, and actress, who was born in Manilla of Eurasian ancestry. They had 2 children, daughter Terry Leslie McQueen and son Chad McQueen. He was descended from John Graves of Northamptonshire, England & VA (gen. 270), by at least 2 different lines. The first 5 generations of the one that is proven are: John1, John2, Joseph3, Nancy C.4 m. John Coleman Goodwin (also a Graves descendant), Lloyd King5 Goodwin, etc.

 

John Motley Morehead IIIJOHN MOTLEY MOREHEAD III, the chemical engineer who through accidental circumstances in 1891 created calcium carbide and discovered that it was a cheap source of acetylene gas, thereby permitting the creation of Union Carbide Corporation, is a descendant of John Graves of Northamptonshire, England & VA (gen. 270).

His line of descent is: John1, Thomas2, b. 1691, Thomas3, John4, Mary5, John6 Kerr (1782-1842), a legendary evangelist, Frances7 Kerr, Mary Elizabeth8 Connally m. James Turner Morehead, John Motley9 Morehead III, no descendants, named for his grandfather John Motley Morehead, a governor of NC in the 1840s. John Motley Morehead III died January 7, 1965.

 

David MugarDAVID G. MUGAR, an Armenian-American businessman from Belmont, Massachusetts, is a descendant of Samuel Graves of Lynn, MA (gen. 83) as follows: Samuel1, Mark2, Ebenezer3, Samuel4, Ebenezer5, Joseph6, Amos Evans7, Joseph8, Herbert W.9, Marian G.10 Graves, David Graves11 Mugar. He is a member of the Mugar family of Greater Boston. He is CEO and chair of Mugar Enterprises. His father, Stephen P. Mugar was the founder of the Star Market supermarket chain, and was also a major Boston-area philanthropist. David Mugar attended the Cambridge School of Weston and in 1962 graduated from Babson College.

 

Mickey RooneyMICKEY ROONEY, legendary actor and entertainer, was a descendant of John Graves of Northamptonshire, England & VA (gen. 270). His line of descent is: John1, John2Graves, b. 1685, Thomas3Graves, b. by 1724, Anne4Graves, b.c. 1755, m. Richard Wait, (5) James Wait, m. Sarah Sims, (6) Zachariah Wait, b. 1821, SC, m. Rebecca W. Roberts, (7) Sarah E. Wait, b. 1859, MS, m. Palestine E. Carter, (8) Nellie W. Carter, b. 1893, MO, m. Joseph Tinian Yule (or Ewell), (9) Joseph Yule, Jr. (Mickey Rooney).

He was born Joseph Yule, Jr. in Brooklyn, New York on September 23, 1920, and died April 6, 2014 at the age of 93. Rooney was married eight times. In the 1950s and 1960s, he was often the subject of comedians' jokes for his alleged inability to stay married. At the time of his death, he was married to Jan Chamberlin Rooney, although they had separated in June 2012. He had a total of nine children, as well as 19 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

 

John Graves SimcoeLieutenant-General JOHN GRAVES SIMCOE (February 25, 1752 - October 26, 1806) was the first lieutenant governor of Upper Canada (modern-day southern Ontario and the watersheds of Georgian Bay and Lake Superior) from 1791-1796. He founded York (now Toronto) and was instrumental in introducing institutions such as the courts, trial by jury, English common law, freehold land tenure, and for abolishing slavery in Upper Canada long before it was abolished in the British Empire as a whole (it had disappeared from Upper Canada by 1810, but was not abolished throughout the Empire until 1834). Although not a Graves descendant, he was a godson of British Admiral Samuel Graves (born 1713, of genealogy 68), and greatly influenced by him.

John Graves Simcoe was the only son of John (1710-1759) and Katherine Simcoe . His father, a captain in the Royal Navy, commanded the 60-gun HMS Pembroke (James Cook was his sailing master) during the 1758 siege of Louisbourg. John Graves Simcoe's godfather was British admiral Samuel Graves. Simcoe married Graves' ward, Elizabeth Posthuma Gwillim, in 1782.

For more information about John Graves Simcoe and his godfather, Adm. Samuel Graves, see the monograph by Martin Habell.

 

Todd Graves, Raising Canes FounderTODD GRAVES (1972-) is an American entrepreneur and co-founder of Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, a fast food restaurant specializing in fried chicken finger meals.