John GRAHAM Jr.

     John GRAHAM Jr., son of John GRAHAM Sr., was born circa 1785. He was is believed to have been an attorney, planter, and Baptist Minister.
He served as administrator of the estates of both Edmund and Nancy Brown, his in-laws. He came to Alabama in the mid-1830s and died in Calhoun County. At the time of his death he was living on the following land: W 1/2 of NE 1/4 of Section 24, Township 12 and Range 10E. He died intestate, leaving a widow and four children under 21.

John purchased a government land patent 21 September 1791 in Richmond County, North Carolina. He entered 100 acres on the mouth of Beaverdam Creek on the east side of Gum Swamp, including some dead trees nearly against an old crossing. The warrant was issued 1 Feb 1792 and was later transferred to Hugh McInis. Edmund Brown and George Graham also had land on Gum Swamp purchased at the same time. George Graham's land was also on the east side of the swamp, bordered on the northwest by William Campbell..¹

John married Charlotte BROWN, daughter of Edmund BROWN and Nancy ANDERSON, circa 1810 in Marlboro County, South Carolina.

John GRAHAM Jr. was named an executor in the will of his father-in-law, Edmund BROWN, dated on 13 February 1821 in Marlboro County, South Carolina.²

John GRAHAM Jr. witnessed the probate of the estate of Nancy ANDERSON on 18 December 1824 in Marlboro County, South Carolina. Account of the Sale of the Estate of Nancy Brown, deceased, by John Graham, Administrator: John Graham, 1 pair of collar cards.35; George Usher, 1 lot of knives, forks, plates, & flesh forks.86; John Graham, 1 wash bowl.41; John Graham, 1 set of tea cups and saucers, and 1 bowl.38; John Graham, 1 blue pitcher.35; Edmund Brown, 1 flax haule.41; Edmund Brown, 1 reed sley(?).05; George Usher, 1 small jug and quart bottle.31; Josiah Brown, 1 skillet.50; Josiah Brown, 1 small pot.90; Edmund Brown, 1 pot.36; John Graham, 1 linning[Linen?] wheel.25; John Graham, 1 cow and calf, 10.00; Edmund Brown, 1 cow and calf, 12.75; John Graham, Sen., 1 small heifer, 4.62; John Graham, 1 steer, 4.95; John Graham, 1 small hog, 4.41; John Hynes, 1 heifer, 9.00; and George Graham, 1 sow and 4 pigs, 3.99. The appraisors of her estate were Joshua Fletcher, John Bundy, and Leggit Roberson.³

John GRAHAM Jr. was listed as one of the heirs to the estate of Nancy ANDERSON 7 April 1826 in Marlboro County, South Carolina. Final Settlement of Estate by John Graham, administrator: Paid Elias Pate towards his share of the clear estate $2.00. Balance due him now $4.46. Paid Edmund Brown his share of $6.46. In my hands for Jesse Brown his share of $6.46. Ditto for John Parker and wife. Ditto for the heirs of Celia James. Paid William Easterling ordinary fees of $6.00. My account for nursing and funeral charges in my hands $40.00. My share of the clear estate $6.44. Received of John Hynes on note $9.15. Received of Thomas Usher on note $4.00. Received of George Usher on note $1.17. A note I hold on John Graham, Sen. $4.62. Ditto note on Edmund Brown, $13.57.⁴

On 22 Apr 1828 Joshua Fletcher and Richard Smith of Marlborough District, South Carolina and Silas Jones and John Graham of Richmond county, North Carolina signed a $2000 bond as executors of the will of Nicholas Smth, dec'd of Richmond county.

Purchasers at the sale of the estate of Nicholas Smith on 23 May 1828 were Lewis Johnston, Joshua FLETCHER, Daniel Evans, John Baggett, Elizabeth Smith, William L. Adams, Reddie Lamb, Morrum Lamb, John GRAHAM, Richard Smith, Elxander GRAHAM, Edward Butler, William BUNDY, Nazareth Norton, John BUNDY, Johnas Caulder, Isom Scott, and Josiah BROWN.

New Hopewell Baptist Church was organized 14 August 1832 in Benton (now Calhoun) County. Members listed during 1835 included John and Charlotte Graham and some of their children. They asked for their letters of dismissal in 1841. Other members included Alexander and Mary Graham. It is not known when they joined, but there is a statement that in 1839, "Brother Alexander Graham made application for letters of dismissal for himself and wife Mary, which was granted." Whether John and Alexander were related is unknown.⁵

John GRAHAM Jr. died on 29 May 1842 in Calhoun County, Alabama.⁶ The following memorial was written in his honor: DIED--in Benton county, Ala., on the 29th of May 1842, JOHN GRAHAM, ESQ., in the 57th year of his age.
The deceased died suddenly from a pain in the chest. His family had returned from Church, one of whom he had engaged in reading the text from which the sermon had been preached, when in a moment he sunk from his chair, and his spirit fled away to God who gave life. Mr. G. was born in N. Carolina, where he resided until about 6 years ago, he removed to Ala., where he remained til his death. In his death a bereaved widow and ten children to mourn an irreparable loss. All his family (except his eldest son, a Baptist minister residing in the Sumter District ) reside near where he died. Mr. Graham was a man of strict morality from his youth. He was a man of good nature, established charity and affection for his fellow men. He resented an injury with mildness, and was seldom seen in passion…He trained his children to obedience yet seldom used the rod. His presence in his family was always received with the deepest reverence and respect.

When in his native State, for several years he served the people in matters of law, in 1829, he united himself with the Baptist Church and was soon after chosen Deacon, which office he filled with piety and zeal. He seldom had an enemy.

After removing to Alabama, he was called to fill his office again in the church. There he again secured to himself many valuable brethren and friends. He was benevolent and charitable in all his Christian views--a friend to Missionary purposes, with all the benevolent institutions of the day. He continued until his death, a man of deep piety, though his delicate, health prevented him from doing much in the cause of religion, over which he often expressed deep regret in private with his friends, as he did in his letters written to his son on the subject. The subject of religion engrossed the greater portion of his letters, many of which were lengthy.