Individual Details

There is a biographical scketch of Thomas in The Heritage of Caswell County North Carolina, 1985, item #272. It states that he was probably the oldest son of John, born about 1740 in Spotsylvania Co VA. Neither marriage of his father seems to have occurred quite this early so this date is probably off by some years and he may well have been a child of the first wife. He came to North Carolina, Orange Co that became Caswell Co, about 1753 with his parents. He is on the first tax list of 1777 with assets of over 605 £. He was deceased by Apr 1799 when the inventory of his estate was ordered. Division of his land was approved Jan Court 1800 when 2497 acres were allotted to his 10 children.

Thomas first married a daughter of Jacob Miles. Jacob Miles named the four eldest Graves grandchildren - Jacob, John, James & Martha - in his will. About 1782, Thomas Graves married Hannah Simmons Hanor, who may have been a relative the first wife. Her father Thomas Simmons named Thomas Graves, son-in-law, as executor of his will in 1794. Hannah died in 1803.

Caswell Co WB C, p.394
July Court 1799. Sale of estate of Thomas Graves, 16 and 17 May 1799, at his late dwelling house by Solomon Graves, Azariah Graves and Thomas Gunn, adm. Sales to Hannah Graves, Jacob Graves, John Graves Jun. Thomas Gunn Jun. Nancy Graves, Thomas Graves, Isbell Graves, Azariah Graves, Jun. John Graves Sen. John Graves, Solomon Graves, Azariah Graves, Sen., etc.
p.399 Appraisal and division of negroes belonging to the late Thomas Graves to the following legatees: Hannah Graves, widow. Jacob, John, & James Graves and Thomas Gunn [married to daughter Martha] - these four were probably the children of Thomas Graves's first wife. Nancy Graves, Thomas Graves, Isbell Graves, Azariah Graves, Lewis Graves, Major Graves. Each legatee share was 155.18.2. Two negroes Hannah & Peter not appraised nor allotted as they are being demanded by George Barker. 25 slaves allotted. Division by John Graves, Alex Murphey, Saml. Morton, Bazzley Graves.
p.428 Allotment of land of Thomas Graves to legatees:
John Graves - land adj. Dr. Johnston, 214a
Jacob Graves - land adj Thomas Yancy, the widow's dower & Mill Crk, 282a
James Graves - adj widow's dower, the north fork Country Line Crk & Mill Crk, 128a
William Moore - land called Carrol's tract, 183a [must have married Nancy Graves]
Azariah Graves - land called Red land fork adj Thomas Kimbrought and Country Line Crk, 354a
Major Graves - Williams tract at Ridge Path crossing the creek, 188a
Thomas Graves - French's tract on North fork of the south fork of Country Line Crk adj Alex Murphey and Kimbrough's line to small hickory near the old Court house Road, 210 1/2a
Thomas Gunn - Joneses Tract adj. widow Browning's old line along the Ridge Path, 212a
Esbel Graves - new survey adj. Alex Murphey, Jno & Thomas Kimbrough, 376a
Lewis Graves - Wiley's Gract adj Thomas Wiley, John Richmond, and Shadden's corner, adj. John Graves Jun., 350a
Division by Alex Murphey, John Graves, Barzillai Graves
Total acres divided 2497 1/2. Value 1552.10.6

Caswell WB E, p.89
Apr Court 1804
6 Apr 1804 Division estate of Thomas Graves Sen and Jun to Hannah Graves [the widow], Jacob Graves, John Graves, James Graves, Thomas Gunn [ married to dau Martha - these four were by the first wife], William Moore in right of wife [Nancy, dec'd daughter], Isbell Graves, Azariah Graves, Lewis Graves, Major Graves, Thomas Graves Jun. dec'd

Birth	Abt 1750	Spotsylvania County, Virginia
Marriage		Miles
Marriage	Abt 1782	Hannah Simmons
Death	Apr 1799	Person County, North Carolina

Spouse	Miles ( - )
Child	John Graves ( - )
Child	Jacob Graves ( - )
Child	James Graves ( - 1827)
Child	Thomas Graves Jr ( - 1802)
Child	Martha Graves ( - 1802)

Spouse	Hannah Simmons ( - 1803)
Child	Nancy Graves ( - 1803)
Child	Isabel Graves ( - 1815)
Child	Azariah Graves (1787 - )
Child	Lewis Graves ( - )
Child	Major Graves ( - )

Father	John Graves (1714 - 1792)
Mother	Isabell Lea ( - 1796)
Sibling	John Herndon Graves (1749 - 1829)
Sibling	Ann "Nancy" Graves (1754 - 1818)
Sibling	Mary Graves (1756 - 1831)
Sibling	Rev. Barzilla Graves (1759 - 1827)
Sibling	Isabella Graves (1761 - )
Sibling	Solomon Graves (1766 - 1830)
Sibling	Gen. Azariah Graves (1768 - 1850)
Sibling	James Graves (1772 - 1790)