Individual Details

Lousia Co VA DB D
p.133   13 Nov 1768   John Graves of North Carolina, oldest son and heir at Law of Thomas Graves of Spotsylvania, Colony of Virginia.  To Wm Pettus of Louisa Co.  Thomas Graves by his last Will, particular legacies set a part of his estate to be equally divided amongst all his children and the heirs of such as shall be dead, but having not empowered his Executors to execute such deeds or convey land. Alone hath power to convey the same. Said Thomas Graves died possessed of a certain tract in Louisa Co.  476#'s, 10 sh....   Rest unfortunately too dark
p.145  27 May 1769.  William Pettis of Louisa & Susannah his wife to Joseph Graves of Spotsylvania Co.  Thomas Graves late of Spotsylvania did in his lifeteme own a tract in Louisa Co 493 acres, with a water grist Mill and one acre of land there annexed.  Will dated 7Oct 1767 directed should be equally divided amongst all his children.  John Graves as oldest son could convey the same.  Signed:  William Pettis.  Wit: Georgie Pottie, Charles Barrett, Junr. 12 Jun 1769

John Graves was listed in tax lists in both St. David & Gloverston District in Caswell Co NC in 1777. One of these could be his son John Herndon Graves.

The name John Graves is found on the Oct 1769 List of Regulators of Orange Co NC. [Orange Co was the parent county of Caswell] From the SOUTHERN GENEALOGISTS EXCHANGE QRTRLY, Vol 22, #100; Winter, 1981; p.163.
Supplied Troops during the Revolution. Was a North Carolina State Representative 1788, 1791-1792.

John Graves settled in the Orange (later Caswell) County area ca 1753. The administration bond was filed with Caswell Co. Court 18-Jan-1792, appointing Azariah and Solomon Graves administrators over their father's estate. The 30-Mar-1792 court ordered that John & Thomas Graves also be made administrator jointly with their brothers. The inventory of John's estate appears in Caswell County, NC Rec. Will B, p. 459. The legatees were: Isbell, Azariah, Thomas, Barzillai, John, & Solomon Graves, John Kerr, Ann Yancey, & Thomas Slade.


Caswell County, NC Will Book B, p. 459, March court 1792, Inventory of the estate of John Graves Sen. taken at his dwelling house 20 Mar 1792. A riding chair and horse were given to the widow by consent of all legatees; also one smiths anville and bellows given Barzilla Graves by consent of legatees. Legatees: Isbell Graves, Azariah Graves, Thomas Graves, Barzilla Graves, John Kerr, Ann Yancey, John Graves, Thomas Slade, Solomon Graves. Inventory of that part of estate left to widow and of part not yet divided. By Azariah, Solomon, John and Thomas Graves. [ Caswell County, NC Will Books 1777-1814 by Katherine Kerr Kendall, p. 39]


[There is a great deal of conflict and confusion about the wives and children in this family - too many similar names and close connections with other families. They are listed here as what seemed to be the most reliable as found in various databases online and agrees with those named as heirs.]

Birth	19 Dec 1714	King William County, Virginia
Marriage	Abt 1748	Isabell Lea
Death	Nov 1792	Caswell County, North Carolina

Spouse	Isabell Lea ( - 1796)
Child	John Herndon Graves (1749 - 1829)
Child	Thomas Graves (1750 - 1799)
Child	Ann "Nancy" Graves (1754 - 1818)
Child	Mary Graves (1756 - 1831)
Child	Rev. Barzilla Graves (1759 - 1827)
Child	Isabella Graves (1761 - )
Child	Solomon Graves (1766 - 1830)
Child	Gen. Azariah Graves (1768 - 1850)
Child	James Graves (1772 - 1790)

Father	Thomas Graves (1691 - 1767)
Mother	Mary Perkins ( - )
Sibling	Eleanor Graves ( - 1777)