Rev. 9 Feb. 2005, Gen. 169

COMMENTS

This genealogy is gradually being revised as a result of the findings of the Graves/Greaves DNA Study.  In this version, one section that is not descended from Capt. Thomas Graves has been removed and put in a separate genealogy (gen. 145, John Graves of Halifax Co., VA).  Another portion of the genealogy has been shown to be descended from Thomas² Graves rather than from Francis² Graves, and has been moved as a result of that finding.  Two other branches of the family have been shown to not be descended from Capt. Thomas Graves and have been put in separate genealogies (gen. 152, Thomas Graves of Lunenburg Co. & Mecklenburg Co., VA, and gen. 94, Thomas Sims Graves of Culpeper Co., VA and Fayette Co. & Nelson Co., KY).  In addition, the connections for several genealogies have been shown by DNA analysis and have been added to this genealogy.  Some of these results can be seen in the master table of DNA results.  Other changes will be made as further evidence is obtained.

GENERATION 1

Thomas Graves (1), gentleman, arrived in Virginia in October of 1608, coming from England in the ship "Mary and Margaret" with Captain Christopher Newport's second supply.  Although John Card Graves (R‑915) states that Thomas was accompanied by his wife Katherine, sons John and Thomas, and eight others, including Henry Singleton and Thomas Edge, most other historians agree that he did not bring his wife and children over until later.  It is likely that he did not even marry Katherine until 1610, and his first child was born about 1611.

Thomas Graves was one of the original Adventurers (stockholders) of the Virginia Company of London, and one of the very early Planters (settlers) who founded Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in North America.  He was also the first known person named Graves in North America.  Captain Thomas Graves is listed as one of the original Adventurers as "Thomas Grave" on page 364, Records of the Virginia Company of London, vol. IV.  Although the Records of the Virginia Company state that in 1622 was granted "a patent to Thomas Graves of Doublin in the Realm of Ireland, gent.", this may be a clerical error.  As stated in the original charter of the Virginia Co. of London, the first Adventurers to Virginia were to be from the city of London.

King James I of England, on April 10, 1606, granted letters patent (charter) to Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Somers, Richard Hakluyt, Edward-Maria Winfield, Thomas Hanham, Raleigh Gilbert, William Parker, and George Popham, in whose names the petition for the charter to the Virginia Company of London had been made, for the founding of two colonies in Virginia.

In 1606 the name Virginia designated the North American coast north of Spanish Florida.  The First Colony was to "begin their first plantation and place of their first sojourning and dwelling in any place along the aforesaid coast of Virginia or America where they thought it suitable and convenient, between the aforesaid thirty-four and forty-one degrees of the aforesaid latitude."  The Second Colony was to locate at some point between thirty-eight degrees and forty-five degrees of northern latitude. (Rec. Va. Co., vol. IV, p. 368)

The First Colony (consisting of knights, gentlemen, merchants and others of the city of London) made a settlement at Jamestown on May 13, 1607, which became permanent.  The Plymouth grantees (from the English cities of Bristol and Exeter, the town of Plymouth, and other places) established the Second Colony at Sagadagic (on the coast of what became Maine) in August 1607, but abandoned it in the spring of 1608.

On May 13, 1607, Captain Christopher Newport's fleet of three small ships, the Susan Constant, the Godspeed and the Discovery, with 105 colonists, reached the site of this first permanent English settlement, and called it James Towne.  Captain Newport returned to Jamestown on Jan. 8, 1608 with the first supply in the John and Francis.  The Phoenix, commanded by Captain Francis Nelson, which had sailed as part of the first supply, finally arrived on 20 April 1608.  More than half the settlers died that first winter.

Captain Newport sailed again for England and arrived at Blackwell May 21, 1608.  Capt. Nelson returned to England in the Phoenix early in July 1608, with requests from Virginia to be sent by the second supply.  Capt. Newport left England in the Mary and Margaret, a ship of about 150 tons, with the second supply, probably in August of 1608.  Many sources give the arrival date of this second supply as being early in October 1608.  We do know that it was after Sept. 10, 1608.

A comparatively complete record, with the names, of the little band of first planters who came in 1607 and the two supplies of 1608 is given by Captain John Smith in his Historie.  These three expeditions brought a total of about 295 people -- the first settlers numbering about 105, the first supply 120, and the second supply about 70.  Of the whole number, 92 are described as "gentlemen."

Regarding the title of "Captain" which is attached to Thomas Graves in Virginia historical records, he had no such designation in the Charter of 1609 wherein all the Adventurers (stockholders) of the Virginia Company are listed, and is shown by Captain John Smith on his arrival in Virginia simply as "Thomas Graves, Gent."  Thus it appears that he acquired the title of Captain after arriving in Virginia.

Thomas Graves early became active in the affairs of the infant colony.  On an exploring expedition he was captured by the Indians and taken to Opechancanough. Thomas Savage, who had come to Virginia with the first supply on the John and Francis in 1608, was sent to rescue him, in which he was successful.

The winter of 1608-09 was much better than the previous winter, but soon after Capt. John Smith returned to England for medical treatment in October 1609, the "Starving Time" reduced the population of about 500 to no more than sixty men, women, and children.  In June of 1610, the survivors were in the process of abandoning the settlement, when Lord Delaware arrived as governor of the colony.  From that time on, there was apparently no further serious thought of abandoning the town.  However, even by 1616, the colony had a total population of only 351, of whom 81 were farmers or tenants.

In 1617 the Virginia Company, hoping to expand population and agricultural production in the colony, encouraged private or voluntary associations organized on a joint stock basis to establish settlements in the area of the Company's patent.  The Society of Smith's (or Smythe's) Hundred (later called Southampton Hundred) was organized in 1617.  In addition to Captain Thomas Graves, the Adventurers included Sir Thomas Smith, Sir Edwin Sandys, and the Earl of Southampton.  Soon after April 29, 1619, Governor Yeardley wrote to Sir Edwin Sandys: "I have entreated Capt. Graves, an antient officer of this company, to take charge of the people and workes."

Capt. Thomas Graves was a member of the First Legislative Assembly in America, and, with Mr. Walter Shelley, sat for Smythe's Hundred when they met at Jamestown on July 30, 1619.  The time of Capt. Thomas Graves' removal to the Eastern Shore is not known.  It was, however, after August 1619, since he was then a representative from Smythe's Hundred to the first meeting of the House of Burgesses.  It was also prior to Feb. 16, 1623, for "A List of Names: of the Living in Virginia, Feb. 16, 1623" shows Thomas Graves "at the Eastern Shore".  His patent for 200 acres on the Eastern Shore is of record 14 March 1628 (Patent Book No. 1, p. 72, Land Registrar's Office, Richmond, Va.).  This land was in what was then known as Accomack, now a part of Northampton Co.  It was granted by Dr. Thomas Pott, Governor of Virginia, and was on the eastern side of the Bay of Chesapeake, westerly of the lands of Capt. Henry Flute, an explorer of the Bay, "by virtue of the adventure of five and twenty pounds paid by the said Capt. Thomas Graves to Sir Thomas Smyth, Treasurer of the Virginia Company."  He paid a "quit rent" of one shilling for fifty acres, payable at the feast of St. Michael the Archangel (Sept. 29) each year on a part of his land.

In the census of February 1625, Capt. Thomas Graves was one of only 51 people then living on the Eastern Shore. He was put in charge of the direction of local affairs later in 1625.  In Sept. 1632 he, with others, was appointed a Commissioner "for the Plantacon of Acchawmacke".  He was one of the Burgesses to the Assembly, representing Accomac, for the 1629-30 session and the 1632 session.  He attended many of the meetings of the Commissioners, but he was absent from Dec. 30, 1632/3 until Oct. 23, 1633/4.  It appears that he was out of the country.

The old Hungars Episcopal Church is located about seven miles north of Eastville, on the north side of Hungars Creek.  Hungars Parish was made soon after the county was established, and the first minister was Rev. Francis Bolton, who was succeeded by Rev. William Cotton.  The first vestry was appointed in 1635.  The first vestry meeting was on Sept. 29, 1635, at which Capt. Thomas Graves headed the list of those present.  The first church edifice was erected in 1690-95 and was still standing around 1900, one of the oldest churches in the country.  In addition to Capt. Thomas Graves, the other persons named by the court as vestrymen of Hungars Church were William Cotton, minister, Obedience Robins, John Howe, William Stone (first Protestant Governor of Maryland), William Burdett, William Andrews, John Wilkins, Alexander Mountray, Edward Drews, William Beniman and Stephen Charlton.

Captain Thomas Graves died between November 1635 when he was witness to a deed and 5 Jan. 1636 when suit was entered against a servant to Mrs. Graves (Adventurers of Purse and Person, pp. 188-189).  His birth date is not known, but is believed to be about 1580.  That would have made him only about 55 years of age at his death.

Very little is known about Katherine, wife of Capt. Thomas Graves.  Her maiden name may have been Croshaw. (There was a Raleigh Chroshaw, Gent., who arrived with the second supply with Thomas Graves.)  Just when she came to Virginia is not recorded.  She and her children are not included in the 1625 census of the Eastern Shore, although Capt. Thomas Graves is.  The patent granted to John Graves (son of Capt. Thomas Graves) on Aug. 9, 1637 states that the 600 acres granted to him in Elizabeth City was "due in right of descent from his father Thomas Graves, who transported at his own cost himself, Katherine Graves his wife, John Graves the patentee, and Thomas Graves, Jr., and 8 persons." (Cavaliers and Pioneers, Nugent.)  The 50 acres assigned for each person transported shows they came after 1616.  The other 8 persons transported did not include any members of Capt. Graves' family.  The girls, Ann, Verlinda, and Katherine obviously came later, and Francis was born in Virginia. The last reference to Mrs. Graves shows her living at the Old Plantation, Accomac, as of May 20, 1636.

Since Captain Thomas Graves had been active in the affairs of Virginia from his arrival, the absence of any mention of him during certain periods indicate he had returned to England.  This is also confirmed by patents issued to him and to others in which he is mentioned. Mrs. Hiden stated: "Even a cursory reading of Northampton (formerly Accomack) records reveals how frequent were the trips to England, Ireland, Holland, and New England" of those living on the Eastern Shore.  Mrs. Hiden also stated (R‑909, p. 34): "We know from the land patents that Capt. Thomas Graves made several trips out of the country, to England presumably, and on one of his return voyages his family accompanied him."

Thomas Graves was probably unmarried when he arrived in Virginia in 1608.  He was young, and adventure was probably the reason for his coming to Virginia.  He was obviously educated, of some "social status" and financial means, and a leader.

It is likely that he returned to England, possibly in Oct. 1609, either on the same ship with Captain John Smith (who left Virginia for England for treatment of his wounds resulting from an explosion), or on one of the other seven ships which arrived in Virginia in August 1609.  In that way he would have missed the "Starving Time" of the winter of 1609-10, which so few survived.

He may have then married in England in about 1610, fathered John Graves and Thomas Graves, remained in England for several years, and returned to Virginia prior to the formation of Smythe's Hundred in 1617, or possibly a little later.  It is known that he was "entreated to take charge of the people and workes" at Smythe's Hundred in April 1619, and was there then.

Also, there is no record of his being in Virginia after the meeting of the Burgesses in July-August of 1619 until he is shown as living on the Eastern Shore in 1623.  It seems reasonable that he was in England at the time of the Indian Massacre of March 1622, and upon returning to Virginia settled on the Eastern Shore where it was less perilous to live.  The fact that he fathered three children, the girls, during this period certainly lends support to his being in England.  (R‑14, R‑901, R‑915)

Children - Graves

+2.  John Graves, b.c. 1611, m. ‑‑‑‑‑‑ Perrin, c. 1624 or later, d.c. April 1640.

+3.  Thomas Graves, b.c. 1616, wife unknown, d.c. 1674.

+4.  Verlinda Graves, b.c. 1618, m. William Stone, d. 13 July 1675.

+5.  Ann Graves, b.c. 1620, m(1) William Cotton, before 10 July 1637, m(2) Nathaniel Eaton, by 1642, m(3) Francis Doughty, 8 June 1657, d. 2 March 1683/4.

+6.  Katherine Graves, b.c. 1622, m(1) William Roper, c. 1636, m(2) Thomas Sprigg, 3 March 1650.

+7.  Francis Graves, b.c. 1630, m(1) ‑‑‑‑‑‑, m(2) Jane Maguffey, d.c. 1691.

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GENERATION 2

CHILDREN OF THOMAS GRAVES (1) AND KATHERINE ‑‑‑‑‑‑

John Graves (2) was the oldest son of Captain Thomas Graves.  In the absence of documentation, Mrs. Hiden estimated his birth in one instance to be "by 1605" and "not later than 1616" in another.  Based on all available evidence, it seems likely that he was born about 1611.  He was almost certainly born in England, since he did not receive land as an "Ancient Planter." All persons in Virginia prior to 1616 received an additional 50 acres.  He was "of age" (21 years of age or older) before 19 Feb. 1634/5, for he had sued John Parramore (Accawmacke 1, p. 26), proving he was born at least by 1614, and on that date the Acchawmacke Court's decision was "John Parramore ordered to pay a debt of 100 lb. tobacco to John Graves".

(Note: On p. 48 of Louise Graves' book (R‑901) is a comment that should be taken into consideration, since it indicates the possibility that he was not yet 21 in 1634/5.  "It was the custom for the boys in Virginia to be married anywhere from 16 to 21 and the girls from 15 or 16 to 18 years of age.  It is sad to relate, but life expectancy and the average age at death was around age 35 in those days, although many lived to be very old, even as in the present.  It is noted that in almost all the wills of the period, while the testator's property did not usually come into the control of the male heir until he was 21 years old, yet sometimes the testator would declare that his son was to be considered 'of age' when he reached 16.")

John Graves died intestate in Elizabeth City County, possibly in April 1640.  His death was between 29 May 1639, when he patented land, and 30 April 1640, when William Parry was named his administrator and bond was made (Northampton Co., Book 2, p. 281).  Capt. Roper, William Cotton and Capt. Stone, brothers-in-law of John Graves and administrators of the estate of Capt. Thomas Graves, were originally appointed administrators of John Graves' estate, but in April 1640 they resigned and William Parry was appointed.

John Graves seems to have been the only one of his name in the county.  Because most of the early records were destroyed, very little information is available about him, but land records and patents do reveal some facts.

On 9 Aug. 1637, John Graves patented 600 acres in Elizabeth City County near the upper end of the Back River, "due in right of descent upon his father Thomas Graves who transported at his own costs himself, Katherine Graves, his wife, sons John Graves, the patentee, and Thomas Graves, Jr., and 8 persons, Henry Singleton, Thomas Edge, Robert Phillips, Thomas Griggs, Thomas Phillips, Francis White, William Symber, Jone Packett."  This patent is proof that Capt. Thomas Graves did not bring his family until after 1616, for had they come earlier they would all have been "Ancient Planters" and entitled to 100 acres each instead of 50 acres.  This patent was near the lands of Capt. Adam Thoroughgood and east of the dwelling of Ohner Van Kirk.  In 1638 and 1639 he received additional patents.

The holdings of John Graves were near the York County line and almost directly opposite Hungar's Creek in Northampton Co. (formerly Accawmacke) on the Eastern Shore, where his father had lived and where his sisters were still living at that time.

The wife of John Graves is not known, but John Card Graves stated (R‑915): "He married a daughter of the illustrious Perrin family, large property owners, and prominent in Virginia history."  He gave no basis for this statement.  (R‑915)

Children - Graves

+8.  Ralph Graves, b. by 1629, m. Rachel Croshaw, c. 1652-4, d. 9 May 1667.

+9.  William Graves, b. by 1631, married, d. before 1668.

+10.  Thomas Graves, b. by 1631, m. Elizabeth ‑‑‑‑‑‑.

   11.  Sarah Graves, m. Thomas Dipnall (Burgess from James City Co., Va. in 1654), by 1661.

+12.  daughter, m. William Grenther.

Thomas Graves (3) by some accounts was born about 1617, probably in England.  He died about 1675 in Gloucester Co., Va., and left his land to his sons Thomas, Jeffrey and William.  He settled in Gloucester Co., Va., and acquired large tracts of land there, part of which was granted in 1657.  He patented 53 acres and later 240 acres in Gloucester Co., also 300 acres in Lancaster Co., Va.  He was known as "Thomas Graves, Sr. of Timberneck Creek, Gloucester Co., planter."  The name of his wife is not known, although it is believed to be Elizabeth (or Katherine).  (R‑915)

Children - Graves

+13.  Thomas Graves, b.c. 1639, m(1) Mary ‑‑‑‑‑‑, before 1677, m(2) Elizabeth ‑‑‑‑‑‑.

+14.  Jeffrey Graves, m. Dorothy ‑‑‑‑‑‑, before 1680.

+15.  William Graves, m. Mary ‑‑‑‑‑‑, by 1686.

   16.  Mary Graves (given by John Card Graves, but not by most other sources).

Verlinda Graves (4) was born about 1618 in Va., and died 13 July 1675 in Charles Co., Md.  She married Capt. William Stone before 1640, perhaps about 1634 or 1638 in Va.  He was born about 1603 in Lancaster, Lancashire, England (or Somerset, England), and died 21 Dec. 1660 in Charles Co., Md.  He was Governor of Maryland, the first Protestant Governor, Capt. of Colonial Service, and the third Colonial Governor appointed by Lord Baltimore 6 Aug. 1648.  After his retirement from public life, he resided on his estate "Poynton Manor."  In addition to the 6 children listed below, R‑327 also listed Matthew Stone.  (R‑120, R‑141, R‑168, R‑327)

Children - Stone

+17.  Thomas Stone, b.c. 1638, m. Mary ‑‑‑‑‑‑, d. 1676.

+18.  John Stone, b.c. 1642, m(1) Elizabeth Warren, m(2) Eleanor Bayne, d. 1698.

+19.  Elizabeth Stone, b.c. 1650, m. William Calvert, 1662, d. 1707.

 20.  Richard Stone

+21.  Mary Stone, b.c. 1656, m(1) Benoui Thomas, m(2) Robert Doyne, 1674, d. 1656.

 22.  Catherine (or Katherine) Stone

Ann (or Anne) Graves (5) was born about 1620, and died 2 March 1683/4 in Charles Co., Md.  Her will was proved 18 July 1683 in Charles Co., Md.  She first married Rev. William Cotton, son of Andrew Cotton and Joane ‑‑‑‑‑‑, before 10 July 1637 in Hungar's Parish, Accawmack (or Accomac) Co., Va.  He died in 1640.  There is a tradition in the family that he was a son of widow Joan Cotton of Bunbury, Cheshire Co., England, and was granted 350 acres of land on the main branches of Hungar's Creek, adjoining the lands of his brother-in-law, Capt. William Stone. This consisted of 100 acres for personal adventure of himself and wife and 250 acres for the transportation of five persons to Virginia, viz. Eleanor Hill, Richard Hill, Edward Eason, and Domingo and Sambo, negroes. William Cotton was succeeded by Rev. John Rozier.

Ann secondly married Nathaniel Eaton, son of Richard Eaton, about 1641 (by 1642).  Nathaniel was assistant to Rev. Rozier, and was previously the first head of Harvard College.  He went to Virginia after his dismissal from Harvard.  He fled from his creditors in Virginia about 1647, deserting his family, and died in 1674.

Ann thirdly married Francis Doughty, son of Francis Doughtie, on 8 June 1657.  He died about 1683.  He, like Ann's first two husbands, was Rector of Hungar's Parish. She later went with him to Rappahannock Co., where he was Rector of Sittenbourne and South Farnham Parishes in 1665.  (R‑114, R‑915)

Children - Cotton

+23.  Verlinda Cotton, b. 1638, m(1) Thomas Burdett, 1 Sept. 1658, m(2) Richard Boughton.

Children - Eaton

 24.  Samuel Eaton, d.c. April 1681 (Charles Co., MD).

 25.  Nathaniel Eaton

 26.  Alexander Eaton (?)

Katherine (or Catherine) Graves (6) was born about 1622, and died on or before 1668 at Resurrection Manor, Calvert, Prince George's Co., Maryland.  She first married Lt. (later Capt.) William Roper about 1636.  He was also a resident of Accawmack (Northampton Co.) on Virginia's Eastern Shore, and a burgess representing that county.  His plantation was on a small neck of land with a waterfront location.  Here he carried on a profitable trade.  He died about 1650 in Va.

After Capt. Roper's death, Katherine married another neighbor, Lt. Thomas Sprigg, son of Thomas Sprigg and Katherine Griffin, on 3 March 1650/51.  They were both living in Northampton Co., Va. at the time.  Thomas Sprigg was born in 1630 in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England, and died in 1704 at Resurrection Manor, Calvert, Prince George's Co., Md.  His will was probated 29 Dec. 1704.  After Katherine died, he married Eleanor Nuthall in 1668.

Shortly after Katherine's marriage to Thomas Sprigg, they moved to the new colony of Maryland, where her brother-in-law, William Stone, had gone as governor. Thomas Sprigg's land certificate in Maryland shows that he transported himself, his wife Katherine, Verlinda Roper, Nathaniel Sprigg, and several others.  Verlinda Roper was Thomas's young stepdaughter; Nathaniel may have been an infant son -- no other record of him has been found.

Sarah Sprigg is listed by some writers as a daughter of Katherine Sprigg and by some as a daughter of Thomas Sprigg's second wife.  In 1770, Thomas Sprigg executed a deed of gift which identified Sarah as his oldest daughter.  Sarah was already married and even had a married daughter, Sarah Pearce Beall, who was also mentioned in the deed.  When we consider ages and dates, it seems likely that Sarah was from her father's marriage to Katherine Graves Roper.  (See Md. Hist. Mag., VIII:75.)

Thomas Sprigg, Jr. is shown as the son of Katherine Sprigg in Adventurers of Purse and Person, pp. 190, 192. His birthdate is uncertain, but was probably about 1665. One possibility is that his mother died at or soon after his birth, and he was brought up by his stepmother, Eleanor Nuthall Sprigg.

In Maryland, Katherine and her family settled first in Kent Co., and then across the bay in Calvert Co.  (R‑11, R‑116)

Children - Roper

 27.  William Roper; given a calf in the will of his godfather William Burdett.

 28.  Verlinda Roper

Children - Sprigg

 29.  Nathaniel Sprigg, b.c. Dec. 1650 (by Jan. 1658) (Northampton Co., VA), died young.

+30.  Sarah Sprigg, b.c. 1657, m(1) John Pearce, m(2) Enoch Coombs, d.c. 1736.

+31.  Thomas Sprigg, b.c. 1665, m. Margaret Mariarte, c. 1690, d.c. 1738.

Francis Graves, Sr. (7) was born about 1630 in Virginia, and died about 1691 (before 5 Aug. 1691).  The birth date of Francis is inferred from the fact that he was still a minor and described as "orphan of Capt. Thomas Graves decd." in 1642.  From this date until 1672 we have no information about Francis.  According to Mrs. Hiden, it is likely from the associates his family chose that he spent some time in Gloucester Co., Va. before settling in Essex Co.  It is also probable that he lived in Essex Co. before patenting land there, and that the 714 acres he patented 10 Oct. 1672 (S.L.O. 6, p. 436) "on the south side of the river, part on the branch of Gilson's Creek and part on Hoskins Creek adjoining Mr. Beverley's corner," represented a choice of location rather than just the reward for transporting 14 persons.

He married Jane Maguffey (or McGuffy or Maguffy) before 28 Nov. 1678.  Her maiden name may have been Davenport, and she may have first married Mr. Maguffey, secondly Francis Graves, and thirdly John D. Doughty. The marriage of Francis to Jane was his second (according to Mrs. Sue Davis).  At the time of his marriage to Jane he gave certain cattle to his step-children, John and Jane Maguffey and Elizabeth Davenport (Old Rappahannock Records, Deeds and Wills 6, p. 57).  The original deed is preserved among the loose papers of Essex Co. and shows Francis Graves's firm signature.

In 1694, after Francis had died and Jane had remarried John Doughty, this new husband deeded certain property to Jane's sons, Francis, Richard, and Thomas Graves (Essex Deeds and Wills 6, Reverse of book, p. 296).  Doughty died between 1704, when he is listed in the Quit Rent Roll (Va. Mag., vol. 33, p. 262), and 1715, when Francis and Thomas Graves (sons of Jane and Francis) appear on the list (Essex Quit Rent Roll 1715, Archives Div., Va. State Library).

According to The Diary of Robert Rose, p. 320, Francis Graves, Jr., who died in 1748, had a nephew Benjamin Graves who had been overseer, first for the Rev. John Bagge on Thomas Button's "Range" plantation in Essex Co. in 1726 and earlier, and then for Parson Rose at the glebe in Essex Co., Va.

It was suggested that Francis was not a son of Capt. Thomas Graves, but of someone else, and that there was a Frances Graves who was a daughter of Capt. Thomas Graves.  This was thought to be incorrect, as explained in the Appendix at the end of this book.  However, the preliminary results of the Graves DNA Study indicate that Francis probably was a son of another Graves immigrant, and the child of Capt. Thomas Graves was a daughter.  (R‑14, R‑20, R‑906, R‑907, R‑918)

Children - Graves, by first marriage

+32.  John Graves, m. Johanna ‑‑‑‑‑‑, d. 1720.

Children - Graves, by Jane Maguffey

+33.  Francis Graves, Jr., b. 1679, m. Anne Reynolds (?), 1699, d. 1748.

+34.  Richard Graves, m. Hannah Consolvo, d.c. 1730.

+35.  Thomas Graves, b.c. 1684-5, m. Elizabeth Moody, c. 1708-10, d.c. 1742-3.

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GENERATION 3

CHILDREN OF JOHN GRAVES (2) AND ‑‑‑‑‑‑ PERRIN

Ralph Graves (8) was born at least by 1629 (probably about 1625), as he witnessed a deed in 1650 in York Co., Va., and died testate 9 May 1667 in York Co., Va. (according to the Bruton Parish Register).  He married Rachel Croshaw (or Crosher), daughter of Major Joseph Croshaw, about 1654.  Joseph Croshaw was a son of Raleigh Croshaw who arrived in Jamestown in 1608 on the ship "Mary and Margaret" with Capt. Thomas Graves.  Ralph Graves made a trip to England in 1652 for his father-in-law, Major Joseph Croshaw.

After Ralph died, his widow married Richard Barnes, and died 20 April 1669.  Richard died in Jan. 1674/5. Joseph Croshaw deeded to Ralph and Rachel 2000 acres of land in New Kent Co., Va. on 23 Dec. 1654.  Joseph was Justice of the Peace in York Co. in 1655, member of the House of Burgesses in 1659-60, and died 10 April 1667.  The will of Ralph Graves, dated 5 May 1667, proved 29 July 1667 in York Co., Va., names oldest son Ralph, youngest son William, eldest daughter Anne, youngest daughter Mary, wife Rachel, and uncle Richard Croshaw, executor.  In his will, he mentioned that he was in the prime of life, but feeble in body.  His will bequeathed his 1000 acre homeplace in York Co. to his wife and then to his son, Ralph Graves, Jr.  In 1675, Ralph, Jr. petitioned to be appointed guardian of brother William, denied.  (R‑14, R‑915)

Children - Graves

 36.  Anne Graves, b. before 1668, probably d. by 27 Oct. 1666.

 37.  Ralph Graves, b. 24 July 1653, m. Unity White, d. 1694.

 38.  William Graves, b. 2 March 1665.

 39.  Mary Graves, b. before 1668, d. 27 Oct. 1666.

 40.  Martha Graves, d. 27 Oct. 1665 (or 1666).

William Graves (9) was born by 1631, since he patented land in York Co., Va. in 1652.  He died before 1668 (York Co., Book 4, p. 178) when Rachel Graves, wife or widow of his brother Ralph, appeared on behalf of her son Ralph as next of kin to Ann Graves, daughter of William Graves, deceased.  This proves William had no other surviving children, since they would have been Ann's heirs.  It also proves that Ralph (8) was the oldest brother of William, and Ralph (37) was the oldest son of Ralph (8).  This follows the English inheritance laws of that time. William received a grant of 80 acres in York Co. on 13 Oct. 1656.  (R‑14)

Children - Graves

 41.  Ann Graves, d. by 1668.

Thomas Graves (10) was born by 1631.  He was an adjoining land owner to his brother William in 1652 in York Co. (Adventurers of Purse and Person, 3^rd edition, 1987, p. 331).  He married Elizabeth ‑‑‑‑‑‑.  On 26 May 1684, a judgement was granted Thomas Graves (York Co., Book 6, p. 580).  In August 1695, Thomas and Elizabeth Graves witnessed a deed (York Co., Book 1665-1701, p. 26).  The Virginia Quit Rent Rolls of 1704 show a Thomas Graves in King William Co. with 100 acres.  King William was a new county, having been formed from King and Queen Co. in 1702.  (R‑14)

Children - Graves

+42.  John Graves, b.c. 1665, married, d. after 1737.

Daughter (12) married a Mr. Grenther (perhaps William Grenther), according to the estate settlement of Ralph Graves (8).  (R‑14)

Children - Grenther

 43.  William Grenther, d. by 7 Sept. 1667.

CHILDREN OF THOMAS GRAVES (3)

Thomas Graves (13) was born about 1639.  His death date is unknown.  He was still living in 1707 when he had lot no. 1 in the new town of Gloucester.  He first married Mary ‑‑‑‑‑‑ before 1677 (possibly about 1669).  They lived in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., Va.

He and his brother Jeffrey inherited large tracts of land which their father had patented.  This land was beyond the head of Timberneck Creek, and between Severn and the Indian Road.  As part of their inheritance, they also received a tract of 400 acres in Abingdon Parish on 6 March 1675/6.  Thomas had other large grants in Westmoreland and Gloucester counties.

He secondly married Elizabeth ‑‑‑‑‑‑.  The christening of all the children listed below was recorded in the records of St. Peter's Church, Abingdon Parish.  (R‑915)

Children - Graves, by Mary ‑‑‑‑‑‑

+44.  John Graves, christened 1677, m. Rebecca ‑‑‑‑‑‑, probably d. by 1716.

+45.  Robert Graves, born or christened 4 Feb. 1682/3, m. Mary ‑‑‑‑‑‑.

 46.  Mary Graves, christened 19 Aug. 1685 (or 1674?).

Children - Graves, by Elizabeth ‑‑‑‑‑‑

 47.  Frances Graves, b. 1698.

Jeffrey Graves (14) married Dorothy ‑‑‑‑‑‑ before 1680. They lived in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., Va.  He and his brother Thomas had the several grants of land mentioned above.  (R‑915)

Children - Graves

 48.  Elizabeth Graves, b. 21 May 1680, probably died shortly after birth, although this could have been a birth date and the date for the second Elizabeth could have been the bapt. date for the same child.

 49.  Elizabeth Graves, b. 15 May 1681.

+50.  Jeffrey Graves, b. 24 May 1683, m. Elizabeth ‑‑‑‑‑‑.

 51.  Sarah Graves, baptized 1 July 1688.

William Graves (15) married Mary ‑‑‑‑‑‑.  They lived in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., Va.  The baptisms of all the following children were recorded in the records of St. Peter's Church, Abingdon Parish.  The gap in the baptismal dates of the following children is suspicious, but perhaps the family was not of the parish from 1689 to 1700.  (R‑14, R‑915)

Children - Graves

 52.  John Graves, bapt. 26 Dec. 1686, d. early.

+53.  William Graves, bapt. 29 April 1688, m. Martha (or Elizabeth?) ‑‑‑‑‑‑, d. by Oct. 1756.

 54.  John Graves, bapt. 5 June 1689, m. Elizabeth ‑‑‑‑‑‑.

 55.  Benjamin Graves, bapt. 28 April 1700.

 56.  Rebecca Graves, bapt. 27 Sept. 1702.

 57.  Robert Graves, bapt. 4 Feb. 1704.

 58.  Susanna Graves, bapt. 6 April 1707.

+59.  Edmund Graves, bapt. 4 Jan. 1709, married.

CHILDREN OF VERLINDA GRAVES (4) AND WILLIAM STONE

Thomas Stone (17) was born about 1635 or 1638 in Accomac Co., VA, and died in 1676.  He married Mary ‑‑‑‑‑‑.  (R‑186, R‑327)

Children - Stone

+60.  William Stone, b.c. 1666, m. Theodosia Wade, d. 1731.

 61.  Richard Stone

John Stone (18) was born about 1642 and died in 1698.  He first married Elizabeth Warren.  He secondly married Eleanor Bayne.  (R‑186)

Children - Stone, by Elizabeth Warren

 62.  Capt.) Thomas Stone, b. 1677, m(1) Martha Haskins, m(2) Katherine Boughton, d. 1727.  She d. 1750.

 63.  Matthew Stone, b. 1679, m. Rachel Smoot, d. 1750.  She was b. 1695, d. 1756.

 64.  John Stone

Children - Stone, by Eleanor Bayne

 65.  Walter Stone

 66.  Eleanor Stone

 67.  Elizabeth Stone

Elizabeth Stone (19) was born about 1650 and died in 1707.  She married Hon. William Calvert, son of Gov. Leonard Calvert, in 1661/2.  He was born 1642/3 in England, and died 10 Jan. 1682 in Maryland.  See the book Descendants of the Virginia Calverts for more information on this Calvert family.  (R‑120, R‑186)

Children - Calvert

+68.  Elizabeth Calvert, b.c. 1662, m. James Neale, 20 Dec. 1681, d. 1684.

+69.  Charles Calvert, b.c. 1664, m(1) Mary Howson, 1690, m(2) Barbara Kirke, d. 1733.

 70.  William Calvert, b.c. 1666.

+71.  George Calvert, b.c. 1668, m(1) Elizabeth Doyne, 1690, m(2) Anne Notley, 1691 (?), m(3) Hannah Neale, d. 1699 (or 1739).

+72.  Richard Calvert, b.c. 1670, m. Sarah ‑‑‑‑‑‑, d. 11 Nov. 1718.

Mary Stone (21) was born about 1656 and died in 1682.  She first married Benoui (or Benoni?) Thomas.  He died, and she secondly married Robert Doyne, Esq., in 1674.  He was the executor of the estate of Mary's mother.  He was born in 1654 and died in 1680 (or 1689).  (R‑141)

Children - Doyne

 73.  Wharton Doyne

 74.  William Doyne

 75.  Sarah Doyne

+76.  Verlinda Doyne, m(1) Samuel Taylor, m(2) John Brown.

 77.  Elinor Doyne

 78.  Mary Doyne, b.c. 1680, m. John Dawson, d. 1723.  He was b. 1676, d. 1769.

CHILDREN OF ANN GRAVES (5)

Verlinda (or Virlinda) Cotton (23) was born in 1638 (or 1645) at Bunbury, Northampton Co., Va.  She first married Thomas Burdett (or Burdette or Burdit) on 1 Sept. 1658. He was in the colony of Maryland before 1659, according to Early Settlers of Maryland by Gust Skourdas.  He was born about 1635 in England, and died in Feb. 1666 at Nangemy Creek, Charles Co., Md.  She secondly married Richard Boughton.  She made a deed of gift to her Burdett children 20 June 1668, before her second marriage.  (R‑114)

Children - Burdett

+79.  Elizabeth Burdett, b.c. 1659, m(1) John Hamilton, c. 1677, m(2) Richard Chandler, 1683, d. before 1686.

 80.  Frances Burdett, m. Col. Charles Ashton (?).

 81.  Parthenia Burdett, never married, d.c. 1697.

+82.  Sarah Burdett, b.c. 1669, m. Gerard Fowke, 31 Dec. 1686, d. 1734.

Children - Boughton

 83.  Samuel Boughton, d.c. 1714 (Charles Co., Md.).

 84.  Virlinda (or Verlinda) Boughton

 85.  Katherine Boughton

 86.  Mary Boughton

 87.  Thomas Boughton

CHILDREN OF KATHERINE GRAVES (6)

Sarah Sprigg (30) was born about 1657 (or 1660) in Northampton Co., Va., and died on or before 25 Nov. 1736 in Prince George's Co., Md.  She first married John Pierce (or Pearce or Peerce), son of John Pierce and Sarah ‑‑‑‑‑‑.  He died before 1701.  She secondly married Enoch Coombs.  (R‑116, R‑117)

Children - Pierce

 88.  John Pierce, b. 1674, m. Mary ‑‑‑‑‑‑, d. 1766.

+89.  Sarah Pierce, b. 1675, m. James Beall, 1693, d. 1761.

 90.  Thomas Pierce

Thomas Sprigg (31) was born about 1665 in Maryland, and died about 1738 in Prince George's Co., Md.  He married Margaret Mariarte, daughter of Edward Mariarte and Honor ‑‑‑‑‑‑, about 1690.  She was born about 1670 in Anne Arundel Co., Md., and died in 1739 in Prince George's Co., Md.  (R‑929)

Children - Sprigg

 91.  John Sprigg

 92.  Mary Sprigg

+93.  Thomas Sprigg, b.c. 1695, m. Margery Wight (?), d. 1725.

+94.  Edward Sprigg, b. 1697, m(1) Elizabeth Pile, m(2) Mary Belt, d. 1751.

+95.  Priscilla Sprigg, b.c. 1698, m. Ralph Crabb, 22 Aug. 1716, d. 1759.

 96.  Eleanor Sprigg, b.c. 1699, m. Henry Wright, 1716.

+97.  Margaret Sprigg, b. 1700, m(1) Francis King, m(2) Richard Keene, d. 1755.

+98.  Elizabeth Sprigg, b.c. 1703, m(1) Josiah Wilson, c. 1720, m(2) Turnor Wooton.

+99.  Osborne Sprigg, b. 1707, m. Rachel Belt, 11 July 1727, d. 7 Jan. 1750.

CHILDREN OF FRANCIS GRAVES (7)

John Graves (32) married Johanna ("Hannah" or Joanna) ‑‑‑‑‑‑.  They lived in St. Anne's Parish, Essex Co., Va.  He died 1720 in Essex Co.

The following discussion is from the Graves Family Newsletter, 1993, pages 30-31.  The Graves ancestry of Jane Graves who married John Coffey is of considerable interest to the many descendants of this couple.  An excellent book on the Coffey family was published in 1984 by Marvin D. Coffey, James Bluford Coffey, His Ancestors and Descendants in America, Vol. II - Ancestors.  On page 31 of that book, he states: “About 1728 John Coffey married Jane Graves, the daughter of John Graves, deceased, and his wife Hannah...  The origin of our Graves ancestors is far from clear...  Unfortunately, we cannot identify our John Graves as one of [the known men named John Graves who were descended from Capt. Thomas Graves of VA]...”

“Coffey genealogists who have looked into our Graves ancestry claim that the parents of John Graves (d. 1720) were James Graves and his wife Jean Mayfield...”  He goes on to provide evidence that casts doubt on this ancestry, however.

Jane is named as a daughter in the will of John Graves, dated 5 Sept. 1719 in Essex Co., VA.  James Graves (Jane’s brother) made a will in Essex Co., dated 10 Jan. 1724, naming his wife Jean as executrix but naming no children (making it unlikely that James could have been the father of John or anyone else).

The two previous Graves ancestries for Jane Graves that have been suggested have been through John² Graves, son of Capt. Thomas Graves, and through Francis², Francis³.  Both of these have been shown to be very unlikely.

The possibilities are that John, the father of Jane Graves, was a son or grandson of one of the 3 sons of Capt. Thomas Graves, John, Thomas, or Francis.  John², b.c. 1611, d.c. 1640, didn’t have a son John.  Looking at his 3 sons: Ralph, b. by 1629, had no son John named in his 1667 will; William, b. by 1631, had only 1 daughter and no sons, per a 1668 document; Thomas, b. by 1631, had a son John who was b.c. 1665, d. after 1737, lived in King and Queen Co., VA, and was clearly not the father of Jane.

Looking at Thomas², he had no son John.  His son Thomas, b.c. 1639, had a son John, b. by 1677, d. by 1716, lived in Gloucester Co., VA, clearly a different John; son Jeffrey had no son John; William had a son John who was not baptized until 1689.

This leaves only Francis², youngest son of Capt. Thomas Graves.  Since the sons of Francis by his marriage to Jane Maguffey were born too late to be the father of John, John could only have been by a first marriage of Francis².

The descent that is believed to be correct is: Capt. Thomas¹ Graves; Francis², b.c. 1630, d.c. 1691; John³, b. before 1678, d. 1720, Essex Co., VA; Jane⁴, b.c. 1701-05, m. John Coffey.  On page 140, 1980 Graves Family Newsletter, is the statement, “Some authorities think Francis married an unknown first wife, leaving descendants living in Essex Co. prior to his marriage in 1678 to the widow Jane Maguffey.”  Since Francis was about 48 years of age when he married Jane Maguffey, it is certainly reasonable to think he had been married before that and had one or more children.  In a letter to Kenneth V. Graves on 29 Feb. 1984, Mrs. Sue Davis of Benton, AR wrote: “John shouldn't be listed as a child of Jane Maguffey.  He was by a first wife.”  Sue Davis was a very thorough researcher, and did much outstanding and reliable research on the Graves family.  (R‑14)

Children - Graves

 100.   Benjamin Graves

 101.   James Graves, m. Jean (or Jane) Mayfield, d. 1724 (Essex Co., Va.  His will dated 19 Jan. 1724.  She was dau. of Robert Mayfield (will dated 3 Dec. 1714, Essex Co., Va.).

 102.   Martha Graves

 103.   Ann Graves

+104.   Jane (or Jean) Graves, b.c. 1701-5, m. John Coffey.

Francis Graves, Jr. (33) was born 1679 in Rappahannock Co., VA, and died in 1748 in Essex Co., VA. He married Anne (or Ann) Reynolds (?) in 1699.  She may have been his second wife.  She was living as late as 21 Oct. 1765, for on that date "on petition of Ann Graves it is ordered that James and Robert Reynolds, James Key and James Clark or any three of them divide the estate of Francis Graves deceased as devised in his will" (O.B. 26, p. 284).  It is partly supposition that her last name was Reynolds, based on the fact that the Reynolds were neighbors and had a daughter named Anne.

They moved from Rappahannock Co., where Francis Jr. had been born, to Essex Co., VA, where they lived and died.  The will of Francis Graves, Jr., made 25 June 1746, was proved 18 Oct. 1748 in Essex Co. (Will Book 8, pages 90-91).  The following six children were all named in this will.  Of his daughters, only Clara was married in 1748.

Francis and his brother Thomas continued to live in Essex Co., unlike their brother Richard who moved away. Their associates were the Reeves, Reynolds, Wallers, Hipkins, Colemans, Streshleys, Pamplins, Roanes, and Upshaws, though most of the exact relationships are not known.  Most of these families came to Essex Co. from Gloucester Co., VA.  (R‑14, R‑20, R‑907)

Children - Graves

 105.   Jane Graves^[1]

 106.   Ann Graves; it has been said that Ann married John Satterwhite.  However, the Satterwhite family generally say that John Satterwhite m. Ann Price, dau. of Robert Price and Elizabeth Brooke.  (R‑14)

+107.   Clara Graves, m. Aaron Higginbotham, Sr., c. 1746.

+108.   Elizabeth Graves, b.c. 1733, m. Benjamin Higginbotham, 21 Feb. 1753 (or 1750), d. after 1790.

 109.   Mary Graves, b. 1788, m. Col. Hugh Mulholland, d. 17 April 1826 (Orange Co., N.C.).  Her birth date does not fit with that of Elizabeth and of her supposed father Francis; should it be 1738?

+110.   William Graves, b.c. 1724, m. Dorothy ‑‑‑‑‑‑, d.c. 1809.

Richard Graves (34) left Essex Co., Va. between 1708 and 1714 (Essex O.B. 1708-14, pp. 608-609).  He and Francis Shackelford had bought a sloop in partnership and they probably engaged in coastwise trade.  Richard apparently died about 1730, since this seems to be the Richard Graves of Craven Precinct, N.C., who in his will, dated 11 April 1730, referred to nephews "Richard and Francis, sons of brother Thomas Graves in Virginia."  In the Essex Order Book mentioned above, Francis Graves (Richard's brother) testified in Sept. 1714 that, since leaving Essex Co., Richard had sent him a small Indian boy in payment for a debt.

Richard took a prominent part in the affairs of Craven Precinct and was a person of recognized ability.  In 1726 he represented the Precinct in the Lower House of the Assembly of N.C. (Colonial Records of N.C., vol. 2, p. 528).

He married Hannah Consolvo, daughter of Lawrence Consolvo.  She had first been married to Farnifold Green.  (R‑907)

Children - Graves

+111.   Mary Graves, m. Richard Nixon, Jr.

+112.   Thomas Graves, m. Sara Turner, c. 1745, d.c. 1767.

Thomas Graves (35) was born about 1684-5, and died about 1742-3.  He married Elizabeth Moody, daughter of John Moody and Mary ‑‑‑‑‑‑, about 1708‑10.  She was born about 1690 and died about 1739.

From the will of Thomas' brother Richard, we know that Thomas had sons Richard and Francis.  There seem to be no documents in Essex Co. that prove other children, but from the fact that John Graves qualifies as administrator we consider him the oldest son.  He was not a son of either Francis or Richard, as their wills show, and his birth is too early for him to have been a grandson.  By elimination, therefore, he was a son of Thomas.  (R‑23, R‑907)

Children - Graves

 113.   John Graves, b. 10 Dec. 1712.  This is the John Graves who was previously thought to have married Susannah Dicken.  However, it has been proven that was John⁵ (#125), descended Thomas¹, Thomas², Thomas³, John ⁴, John⁵.

+114.   Richard Graves, b. by 1717, m. Elizabeth Hill, d. by 1771.

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