Rebecca Sandoe Preston1

b. 13 April 1844, d. 4 May 1926
FatherThomas M. Preston1 b. 14 May 1807, d. 22 Feb 1875
MotherEvaline Gray1 b. 2 May 1813 or 3 May 1813, d. 5 Dec 1884
Birth13 Apr 1844 Rebecca Sandoe Preston was born on 13 Apr 1844 in Washington County, Virginia.2,3,1 
Marriage31 Mar 1863 She married Capt George Graham, son of William Graham and Isabella Buchanan, on 31 Mar 1863 in Washington County.1 
  George was apparently on leave from his position as Captain of Co. F. of the 37th Virginia Infantry when the couple married. Five weeks after the wedding he was seriously wounded during the Battle of Chancellorsville and was transported back to the hospital at Emory and Henry College. When he recovered, George was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates. He was re-elected in 1869.4,5 
Cens-Sum However, Rebecca and George spent the majority of their married lives farming land in the Glade Spring district of Washington County. They appear to have lived comfortably; the 1870 census valued their land at $7,500 and their personal property at $2,000 [significant amounts in post Civil War Washington County]. In 1880 4 servants helped run the farm. The couple did not have children of their own but in 1900 a cousin Lula Graham was enumerated in their home.6,7,8 
  George died in 1905. Rebecca continued to share her home with Lula who in 1910 was listed as Rebecca's niece. Lula was 21. An 11 year old, enumerated as Toy Lane, was listed as an adopted son (Rebecca was 66). Also present in 1910 was 40 year old Fannie McBroom, enumerated as a lodger. The census noted that the farm on which they were living was southwest of Antioch.9 
Death4 May 1926 Rebecca died on 4 May 1926 at age 82.2 
Burial She was buried at Rock Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.2 

Related Links and Images:

George and Rebecca lived in this house on Rivermont Dr. where it crosses the Middle Fork of the Holston River. The adjacent bridge used to be known as Graham's Bridge. Land in the area was originally owned by George's father William and his father John Graham. The first photo is recent. The second photo dates to George and Rebecca's ownership10
Rebecca's headstone
Other interments in Rock Spring Cemetery
Last Edited4 May 2012

Citations

  1. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 135. Record reported to state: George Graham, 37y, sgl, b. & resid WCV, farmer, s/o Wm & Isabella Graham AND Rebecca Sandoe Preston, 18y, sgl, b & resid WCV, d/o Thomas M. & Eveline Preston; marr: 31 March 1863 by R.S. Reese.
  2. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 207. Stone reported to read: Rebecca S. Graham, 13 Apr. 1844-4 May 1926.
  3. [S2123] "Thomas M. Preston Bible", The Library of Virginia (http://www.lva.lib.va.us).
  4. [S2729] "Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Belonging to Units From Virginia," digital images, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : accessed March 2012); George Graham, captain, Co. F., 37th Virginia Infantry.
  5. [S2881] Lewis Preston Summers, History of Southwest Virginia 1746-1786; Washington County 1777-1870 (Richmond: J.L. Hill, 1903), p. 531, 553.
  6. [S635] Geo Graham household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring township, p. 24, dwelling 198, family 204, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr. 2007, image 28 of 49. Household consists of Geo Graham, 38, farmer, owns land val at $7,500 and pers. prop of $2,000; Rebecca, wife, 26; also 3 farm laborers; all b. VA.
  7. [S165] George Graham household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring district, ED 94, page 35A (p. 70 stamped), dwelling 299, family 302, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, April 2007, image 35 of 54. Household includes: George Graham, 48, farmer; Rebecca, 36, wife; also 4 servants; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  8. [S634] George Graham household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Glade Spring district, ED 109, sheet 1A, dwelling 2, family 2, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2007, image 1 of 29. Household includes: George Graham, 68, b. Aug. 1831, marr 37 yrs, owns farm, no mortgage; Rebecca, wife, 56, b. Apr. 1844, marr 37 years, no children indicated; __ [poss Lula] Graham, cousin (female), 12, b. Mar 1888; also 3 farm laborers and 1 servant; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  9. [S237] Rebecca Graham household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring district, ED 117, sheet 18B, dwelling 310, family 316, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Apr 2007, image 36 of 45. Household includes: Rebecca Graham, 66, wid, owns farm, is farmer; Lula, niece, 21; Toy Lane, adopted son, 11; Fannie McBroom, 40, lodger; all b. VA; all parents b. VA; farm notes as SW of Antioch.
  10. [S1376] Photo courtesy Martha Keys.