Individual Details

The date of death appears to be the date of Thomas Graves' will

Thomas is proved as a son of John Graves in the following manner, through his association with his brother John Jr..

From a WorldConnect file:

'It is obvious John, Jr, was of age by 1713 and most likely either of age or very close to in 1706-7 when given the land on Pamunkey by his father, John, Sr'. 'The first record of John's arrival in Spotsylvania Co. is found in Deed Book A, p 405. John GRAVES, Jr. of St. Stephens Parish, King and Queen, purchases 200 ac. of land in Spots. for 100 ac. of land in King William from Thomas Gambrill of St. Margaret's parish, King William, 24 May 1729. Wit: Thomas GRAVES. This deed is the key to the relationships of the King William-King and Queen GRAVES to those who are later in Spotsylvania. It proves John Jr. of Spots. is the same John Jr. who received the 100 ac from his father in King Wm in 1706.

It also proves Thomas GRAVES is a brother of John Jr., and therefore also a son of John GRAVES Sr. because, in 1765, John and Frances deed this very same land to their son Joseph, reserving a lifetime tenancy for themselves, Spotsylvania. Deed Bk F, p 563, May 31, 1765 This Joseph is then named by Thomas Graves as his nephew and an executor of his will, confirming that John Jr and Thomas were brothers.'

From another file which quotes a book by a Mrs. Hiden:

Will was dated October 17, 1767 Spotsylvania Co. Rec. Will Book D,page 318.

Thomas Graves (102) was born in 1691 (based on a deposition, Caroline O.B. 1746-54, p. 362), and died in 1768 in Spotsylvania Co., Va. Mrs. Hiden states: "in the absence of documentary proof, we can still feel confident that Thomas Graves was the son of a John Graves who had lived in King and Queen Co. but was of the Gloucester Co. family, born about 1670, son of Thomas and Mary Graves, son of Thomas, son of Capt. Thomas."

Thomas Graves consistently maintained his residence on the Pamunkey in Spotsylvania Co., Va. His wife Ann (or Anne or Sarah Ann) has generally been thought to be a Davenport, daughter of William Davenport and Anne Woodruff, but Mrs. Hiden thought she was more likely a Clark, or of that family connection. Mrs. Taylor says she was born before 1696. She lived until 1782, and during the Revolution she furnished supplies to the Continental troops.

It appears that Thomas Graves first married Mary Perkins by 1715, and had by this marriage only three children, two daughters and one son [John]. His wife then died and he remarried by no later than 1721. The son was John Graves, but the names of the daughters by this first marriage are not known. The source for these statements is a record from the Bible of Solomon Graves, son of Rev. Barzillai Graves (who died 1827). A copy of the Bible record was made by the N.C. Archives in 1971. A detailed discussion of this is in the Appendix of this book.

One of his daughters may have been Susanna who married William Pettus.
Louisa Co VA DB B
p.321  Thomas Graves of Spotsilvania [sic] Co in consideration of my promise upon the intermarriage of my daughter Susanna to William Pettus.  One negro girl Judy forever.  27 Aug 1759 Thomas (T) Graves.  Wit:  John Pettus, Robert Graves.  28 Aug 1759. Deed of gift proved in open Court by both of the witnesses

The will of Thomas Graves (Spotsylvania Co. Rec. Will Book D, p. 318) was dated 17 Oct. 1767, probated 6 June 1768, but final settlement was not until July 1802. Thomas is credited with a total of 16 children. However, the estate settlement plainly states there were only 15 legatees. There were probably other children who died before reaching adulthood. There is some question about some of the children, and additional proof is needed.


The Will of Thomas Graves of Spotsylvania 1767
I, Thomas Graves of the County of Spotsylvania thru the abundant mercy and goodness of God, though weak in body yet of a sound and of perfect understanding and memory do make ordain and constitute this my last will and testament as follows, primis, I commend myself and the whole of my estate to the mercy and protection of Almighty God, etc. I will and ordain that the funeral of my body be only such as shall beseem a Christian at the discretion of my Executors, hereinafter named. I lend to my wife Anne Graves for and during her natural life two Negro slaves Daniel and Margery. I also lend to her all of my tract of land whereon I now live in Spotsylvania County, likewise a third part of the profits arising from my mill, she paying one third part toward repairing the said mill. I also lend to my wife one third part of the stocks of cattle, horses, pigs, etc. I also lend to my wife all of my stock of household and kitchen furniture during her natural life and after my said wife’s death, my will and desire is that what I have here lent be equally divided amongst all my then surviving children or the heirs of such as shall be dead. Son, Thomas Graves, son in law Wm. Pettus and my nephew Joseph Graves Executors
Thomas Graves
Signed, October 17 th in the year of our Lord 1767
Probated, June 6, 1768


Lousia Co VA DB D
p.133   13 Nov1768   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

Birth	1691
Birth	1691	King and Queen County, Virginia
Marriage	Ca 1715	Living
Death	17 Oct 1767	Spotsylvania County, Virginia
Marriage		Mary Perkins

Spouse	Mary Perkins ( - )
Child	John Graves (1714 - 1792)
Child	Eleanor Graves ( - 1777)

Spouse

Living

Father	John Graves (1662 - 1747)
Mother	Susannah [Graves] ( - )