Capt George Graham1

b. 9 August 1831, d. 26 August 1905
Capt. George Graham
Washington Co. News, Feb. 20, 1969 (3rd Annual Historical Edition)
FatherWilliam Graham2 b. abt 8 Apr 1788, d. 23 Dec 1866
MotherIsabella Buchanan2 b. Mar 1794, d. 29 Jul 1860
Birth9 Aug 1831 Capt George Graham was born on 9 Aug 1831 in Washington County, Virginia.1,3 
Military  During the first few days of the Civil War George served as first lieutenant of Company F. (Glade Spring Rifles) of the 37th Virginia Infantry (CSA), however he was promoted to Captain in June 1861. George was wounded at Chancellorsville in May 1863 when part of a shell struck him in the head. He returned to Washington County to recuperate, spending time at Emory and Henry College which was used as a hospital during the war.4,5,6,7  
Marriage31 Mar 1863 He married Rebecca Sandoe Preston, daughter of Thomas M. Preston and Evaline Gray, on 31 Mar 1863 in Washington County.3 
Public Serv  George resigned his commission in Co. F on Feb. 16, 1864. He had been elected to the Virginia General Assembly the previous fall. George was re-elected in 1869.8,9 
Cens-Sum However he and Rebecca 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.10,11,12 
Death26 Aug 1905 George died on 26 Aug 1905 at age 74.1 
Burial He was buried at Rock Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.1 

Related Links and Images:

Read two letters written during the Civil War by Capt. George Graham
Capt. Graham's roll of Co. F. 37th VA Infantry13
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 picture is recent; the second dates to George and Rebecca's ownership14
George's headstone
Other interments in Rock Spring Cemetery
Last Edited30 Jul 2013

Citations

  1. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 207. Stone reported to read: Capt. George Graham, 9 Aug. 1831-26 Aug. 1905, age 74y.
  2. [S5] Elizabeth Kelly Allison, Early Southwest Virginia Families, p. 59.
  3. [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.
  4. [S2884] Letter, Moses H. Buchanan to Arthur R. Buchanan, May 7, 1863.
  5. [S958] James L. Douthat, Civil War Records of Washington Co., Virginia, p. 9.
  6. [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.
  7. [S1310] "Roll of F. Co., 37th Virginia Infantry", Washington County News - 3rd Annual Historical edition, Feb. 20, 1969, page 11A. The original roll was compiled by Capt. George Graham and was reproduced for the historical edition.
  8. [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; letter of resignation dated Feb. 16, 1864 at Richmond, Virginia.
  9. [S2881] Lewis Preston Summers, History of Southwest Virginia 1746-1786; Washington County 1777-1870 (Richmond: J.L. Hill, 1903), p. 531, 553, 785.
  10. [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.
  11. [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.
  12. [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.
  13. [S1376] Newspaper image courtesy of Martha Keys.
  14. [S1376] Photo courtesy Martha Keys.