Rev. 17 April 2007, Gen. 220

DESCENDANTS OF FRANCIS GRAVES OF GLOUCESTER CO. & ESSEX CO., VA

GENERATION 1

Francis Graves, Sr. (1) was born about 1630 in Virginia, and died about 1691 (before 5 Aug. 1691). The birth date of Francis is inferred from the fact that he was still a minor and described as "orphan of Capt. Thomas Graves decd." in 1642. From this date until 1672 we have no information about Francis. According to Mrs. Hiden, it is likely from the associates his family chose that he spent some time in Gloucester Co., VA before settling in Essex Co., VA. It is also probable that he lived in Essex Co. before patenting land there, and that the 714 acres he patented 10 Oct. 1672 (S.L.O. 6, p. 436) "on the south side of the river, part on the branch of Gilson's Creek and part on Hoskins Creek adjoining Mr. Beverley's corner," represented a choice of location rather than just the reward for transporting 14 persons.

He married Jane Maguffey (or McGuffy or Maguffy) before 28 Nov. 1678. Her maiden name may have been Davenport, and she may have first married Mr. Maguffey, secondly Francis Graves, and thirdly John D. Doughty. The marriage of Francis to Jane was his second (according to Mrs. Sue Davis). At the time of his marriage to Jane he gave certain cattle to his step-children, John and Jane Maguffey and Elizabeth Davenport (Old Rappahannock Records, Deeds and Wills 6, p. 57). The original deed is preserved among the loose papers of Essex Co. and shows Francis Graves's firm signature.

In 1694, after Francis had died and Jane had remarried John Doughty, this new husband deeded certain property to Jane's sons, Francis, Richard, and Thomas Graves (Essex Deeds and Wills 6, Reverse of book, p. 296). Doughty died between 1704, when he is listed in the Quit Rent Roll (Va. Mag., vol. 33, p. 262), and 1715, when Francis and Thomas Graves (sons of Jane and Francis) appear on the list (Essex Quit Rent Roll 1715, Archives Div., Va. State Library).

According to The Diary of Robert Rose, p. 320, Francis Graves, Jr., who died in 1748, had a nephew Benjamin Graves who had been overseer, first for the Rev. John Bagge on Thomas Button's "Range" plantation in Essex Co. in 1726 and earlier, and then for Parson Rose at the glebe in Essex Co., Va.

One of the most disputed issues regarding Francis Graves has been the identity of his parents. It has long been believed that Francis was a son of Capt. Thomas Graves of VA (genealogy 169). A record referred to Fra. Graves, orphan of Thomas Graves. This child was originally said by genealogist William Montgomery Sweeny in a published article in 1935 (R‑906) to be a son of Capt. Thomas Graves. This was repeated by Mrs. P. W. Hiden in 1936 (R‑907). However, others provided evidence that the last child of Capt. Thomas Graves was a daughter, and that the male Francis Graves was a son of someone else unknown. After a thorough search and examination of the documentary evidence, it was decided that this last child of Thomas probably was a son, as explained in the Appendix at the end of this book. However, the results of the Graves DNA Study indicate that Francis was a son of another Graves immigrant, and the child of Capt. Thomas Graves was a daughter. Since the documentary evidence is ambiguous and the DNA evidence is conclusive, there is now no question that the youngest child of Capt. Thomas Graves was a daughter. As a result, the male Francis Graves and his descendants have been removed from genealogy 169 and placed in this separate genealogy. (R‑14, R‑20, R‑906, R‑907, R‑918)

Children - Graves, by first marriage

+2. John Graves, m. Johanna ‑‑‑‑‑‑, d. 1720.

Children - Graves, by Jane Maguffey

+3. Francis Graves, Jr., b. 1679, m. Anne Reynolds (?), 1699, d. 1748.

+4. Richard Graves, m. Hannah Kent, 1715, d.c. 1730.

+5. Thomas Graves, b.c. 1684-5, m. Elizabeth Moody, c. 1708-10, d.c. 1742-3.

GENERATION 2

CHILDREN OF FRANCIS GRAVES (7)

John Graves (2) married Johannah ("Hannah" or Joanna) ‑‑‑‑‑‑. They lived in St. Anne's Parish, Essex Co., Va. He died 1720 in Essex Co.

The following discussion is from the Graves Family Newsletter, 1993, pages 30-31. The Graves ancestry of Jane Graves who married John Coffey is of considerable interest to the many descendants of this couple. An excellent book on the Coffey family was published in 1984 by Marvin D. Coffey, James Bluford Coffey, His Ancestors and Descendants in America, Vol. II - Ancestors. On page 31 of that book, he states: “About 1728 John Coffey married Jane Graves, the daughter of John Graves, deceased, and his wife Hannah... The origin of our Graves ancestors is far from clear... Unfortunately, we cannot identify our John Graves as one of [the known men named John Graves who were descended from Capt. Thomas Graves of VA]...”

“Coffey genealogists who have looked into our Graves ancestry claim that the parents of John Graves (d. 1720) were James Graves and his wife Jean Mayfield...” He goes on to provide evidence that casts doubt on this ancestry, however.

Jane is named as a daughter in the will of John Graves, dated 5 Sept. 1719 in Essex Co., VA. James Graves (Jane’s brother) made a will in Essex Co., dated 10 Jan. 1724, naming his wife Jean as executrix but naming no children (making it unlikely that James could have been the father of John or anyone else).

The two previous Graves ancestries for Jane Graves that have been suggested have been through John² Graves, son of Capt. Thomas Graves, and through Francis², Francis³. Both of these have been shown to be very unlikely.

The possibilities are that John, the father of Jane Graves, was a son or grandson of one of the 3 sons of Capt. Thomas Graves, John, Thomas, or Francis. John², b.c. 1611, d.c. 1640, didn’t have a son John. Looking at his 3 sons: Ralph, b. by 1629, had no son John named in his 1667 will; William, b. by 1631, had only 1 daughter and no sons, per a 1668 document; Thomas, b. by 1631, had a son John who was b.c. 1665, d. after 1737, lived in King and Queen Co., VA, and was clearly not the father of Jane.

Looking at Thomas², he had no son John. His son Thomas, b.c. 1639, had a son John, b. by 1677, d. by 1716, lived in Gloucester Co., VA, clearly a different John; son Jeffrey had no son John; William had a son John who was not baptized until 1689.

This leaves only Francis², youngest son of Capt. Thomas Graves. Since the sons of Francis by his marriage to Jane Maguffey were born too late to be the father of John, John could only have been by a first marriage of Francis².

The descent that is believed to be correct is: Capt. Thomas¹ Graves; Francis², b.c. 1630, d.c. 1691; John³, b. before 1678, d. 1720, Essex Co., VA; Jane⁴, b.c. 1701-05, m. John Coffey. On page 140, 1980 Graves Family Newsletter, is the statement, “Some authorities think Francis married an unknown first wife, leaving descendants living in Essex Co. prior to his marriage in 1678 to the widow Jane Maguffey.” Since Francis was about 48 years of age when he married Jane Maguffey, it is certainly reasonable to think he had been married before that and had one or more children. In a letter to Kenneth V. Graves on 29 Feb. 1984, Mrs. Sue Davis of Benton, AR wrote: “John shouldn’t be listed as a child of Jane Maguffey. He was by a first wife.” Sue Davis was a very thorough researcher, and did much outstanding and reliable research on the Graves family. (Note: The discussion in this section referring to Francis Graves as a son of Capt. Thomas Graves was written before it was realized that Francis was not a son of Thomas. The appropriate change needs to be made.) (R‑14)

Children - Graves

6. Benjamin Graves

7. James Graves, m. Jean (or Jane) Mayfield, d. 1724 (Essex Co., Va. His will dated 19 Jan. 1724. She was dau. of Robert Mayfield (will dated 3 Dec. 1714, Essex Co., Va.).

8. Martha Graves

9. Ann Graves

+10. Jane (or Jean) Graves, b.c. 1701-5, m. John Coffey.

Francis Graves, Jr. (3) was born 1679 in Rappahannock Co., VA, and died in 1748 in Essex Co., VA. He married Anne (or Ann) Reynolds (?) in 1699. She may have been his second wife. She was living as late as 21 Oct. 1765, for on that date "on petition of Ann Graves it is ordered that James and Robert Reynolds, James Key and James Clark or any three of them divide the estate of Francis Graves deceased as devised in his will" (O.B. 26, p. 284). It is partly supposition that her last name was Reynolds, based on the fact that the Reynolds were neighbors and had a daughter named Anne.

They moved from Rappahannock Co., where Francis Jr. had been born, to Essex Co., VA, where they lived and died. The will of Francis Graves, Jr., made 25 June 1746, was proved 18 Oct. 1748 in Essex Co. (Will Book 8, pages 90-91). The following six children were all named in this will. Of his daughters, only Clara was married in 1748.

Francis and his brother Thomas continued to live in Essex Co., unlike their brother Richard who moved away. Their associates were the Reeves, Reynolds, Wallers, Hipkins, Colemans, Streshleys, Pamplins, Roanes, and Upshaws, though most of the exact relationships are not known. Most of these families came to Essex Co. from Gloucester Co., VA. (R‑14, R‑20, R‑907)

Children - Graves

11. Jane Graves[1]

12. Ann Graves; it has been said that Ann married John Satterwhite. However, the Satterwhite family generally say that John Satterwhite m. Ann Price, dau. of Robert Price and Elizabeth Brooke. (R‑14)

+13. Clara Graves, m. Aaron Higginbotham, Sr., c. 1746.

+14. Elizabeth Graves, b.c. 1733, m. Benjamin Higginbotham, 21 Feb. 1753 (or 1750), d. after 1790.

15. Mary Graves, b. 1788, m. Col. Hugh Mulholland, d. 17 April 1826 (Orange Co., N.C.). Her birth date does not fit with that of Elizabeth and of her supposed father Francis; should it be 1738?

+16. William Graves, b.c. 1724, m. Dorothy ‑‑‑‑‑‑, d.c. 1809.

Richard Graves (4) left Essex Co., Va. between 1708 and 1714 (Essex O.B. 1708-14, pp. 608-609). He and Francis Shackelford had bought a sloop in partnership and they probably engaged in coastwise trade. Richard apparently died about 1730, since this seems to be the Richard Graves of Craven Precinct, N.C., who in his will, dated 11 April 1730, referred to nephews "Richard and Francis, sons of brother Thomas Graves in Virginia." In the Essex Order Book mentioned above, Francis Graves (Richard's brother) testified in Sept. 1714 that, since leaving Essex Co., Richard had sent him a small Indian boy in payment for a debt.

Richard took a prominent part in the affairs of Craven Precinct and was a person of recognized ability. In 1726 he represented the Precinct in the Lower House of the Assembly of N.C. (Colonial Records of N.C., vol. 2, p. 528).

He married Hannah Kent, daughter of Thomas Kent and Ann Cornell, in 1715 in Albemarle District, NC. Ann was a daughter of Thomas Cornell and Rebecca Briggs.

It was previously believed that the wife of Richard Graves was Hannah Cosolvo, daughter of Lawrence Consolvo, but that is not correct. Thomas Kent and Ann Cornell had six daughters. Sarah was the oldest and Hannah was the youngest. The Kents were Quakers, but Hannah married “out of union[2]” to Richard. Sarah Kent married Lawrence Consolvos when Hannah was 11 years old. Their only son, Thomas, was born 1684 and died 1687. Sarah married two more times, to John Johnson and to William Long, and died 3 May 1718. Hannah Kent first married John Smithwick, who died in 1696. She married second Furnifold Greene (or Farnifold Green), killed in the Tuscarora War. She married Richard Graves third, and then married George Linnington (or Lillington?), whom she survived.

North Carolina Colonial Records, 1693-94, Thomas Lepper proved ten rights: Thomas, Ann, Sarah, Rebecca and Ann Kent, Jr., along with five men, including hemself. The Kents had come to Perquimins Precinct from Massachusetts, and were Quakers. Hannah Kent was born 10 May 1673. The marriages of several of her sisters are in the Quaker records, but her isn’t. See Journal of North Carolina Genealogy, pp. 1379-1380, Winter 1964, and also Virkus, VII, p. 641, showing the Kent family. The Albemarle Co., NC Quaker records are found in Berkeley Parish Records, published by Hathaway. (R‑1, R‑907)

Children - Graves

+17. Mary Graves, m. Richard Nixon, Jr.

+18. Thomas Graves, m. Sara Turner, c. 1745, d.c. 1767.

Thomas Graves (5) was born about 1684-5, and died about 1742-3. He married Elizabeth Moody, daughter of John Moody and Mary ‑‑‑‑‑‑, about 1708‑10. She was born about 1690 and died about 1739.

From the will of Thomas' brother Richard, we know that Thomas had sons Richard and Francis. There seem to be no documents in Essex Co. that prove other children, but from the fact that John Graves qualifies as administrator we consider him the oldest son. He was not a son of either Francis or Richard, as their wills show, and his birth is too early for him to have been a grandson. By elimination, therefore, he was a son of Thomas. (R‑23, R‑907)

Children - Graves

19. John Graves, b. 10 Dec. 1712. This is the John Graves who was previously thought to have married Susannah Dicken. However, it has been proven that was John⁵ in genealogy 169, descended Thomas¹, Thomas², Thomas³, John ⁴, John⁵.

+20. Richard Graves, b. by 1717, m. Elizabeth Hill, d. by 1771.

+21. Francis Graves, b. 1724, m. Susannah (?) ‑‑‑‑‑‑, d. 23 March 1792.

GENERATION 3

CHILDREN OF JOHN GRAVES (2) AND JOHANNA ‑‑‑‑‑‑

Jane Graves (10) was probably born about 1701-05. Her name was given as Jean in her father's will (?), but the names Jean and Jane were often used interchangeably. She married John Coffey, son of Edward Coffey (or Coffee) and Ann Powell, probably about 1728, in Essex Co., Va. Edward died testate in Essex Co., probate 20 March 1716, naming sons John and Edward, both under age 16, son Austin (although there is a possibility this is a daughter Austis or Austes), and daughters Martha, Ann, and Elizabeth. John died testate in 1775 in Albemarle Co., Va., naming his wife as Jean. (Incorrect information is shown in The Abridged Compendium of American Genealogy, vol. 3, p. 464.)

John was born no earlier than 1700 in Essex Co., Va. (since he was under 16 when his father died), and died in March 1775 in Albemarle Co., Va.

Jane and John lived in Spotsylvania Co., Va. (where many records were lost when the courthouse was burned in the War Between the States in 1865) and also in Albemarle Co., Va.

It has been believed by some that Jane and John had another daughter, Martha Elizabeth Coffey, who married John Cleveland. However, that is not correct. Elizabeth Coffey, daughter of Edward Coffey and sister of John Coffey, is the one who married John Cleveland. This couple lived most of their lives at Blue Run, Orange Co., Va., and had several famous sons, most notably Col. Benjamin Cleveland of Revolutionary War fame.

Also, at least one source (R‑20) states that John Cleveland was born 1701, died 1786, and married Martha about 1720. These dates would have made it impossible for Martha to be a daughter of Jane and John. Mr. Coffey (R‑922) has concluded (after thorough examination of the evidence) that John Cleveland was born 31 July 1714 in Gloucester Co., Va., died in Nov. 1778 in Blue Run, Orange Co., Va., and married Elizabeth Coffey on 20 April 1734. She was born about 1714 in Essex Co., Va.

The first 6 children listed below were born in Essex Co., Va., Reuben was born in either Essex of Spotsylvania Co., and Benjamin was born in Spotsylvania Co., Va.

Further information on Jane Graves and John Coffey and all their known descendants is given in James Bluford Coffey, His Ancestors and Descendants in America, vol. II, by Marvin D. Coffey, 1984. However, as an aid to people trying to connect to this ancestor, the next 4 generations after Jane and John Coffey are given in this book also. (R‑14, R‑20, R‑29, R‑922)

Children - Coffey

+22. James Coffey, b. 4 July (?) 1729, m. Elizabeth Cleveland, c. 1750, d. Sept. 1786.

+23. William Coffey, b.c. 1731, m. Elizabeth Osborne, c. 1758, d.c. 1828.

+24. John Coffey, b.c. 1733, m(1) Dorcas Carter, m(2) Nancy Richardson.

+25. Edmond Coffey, b.c. 1735, m. Nancy Barnett, d. 1808.

26. Winifred Coffey, b.c. 1739, m. Nicholas Moran.

+27. Thomas Coffey, b. 7 March 1742, m(1) Elizabeth Smith, m(2) Sarah Fields, d. April 1825.

+28. Reuben Coffey, b. 1744, m. Sally Scott, d. 1818.

+29. Benjamin Coffey, b. 1747, m. Polly Hayes, c. 1775, d. 4 Jan. 1834.

+30. Elizabeth Coffey, m. Thomas Fields, d. after 1807.

CHILDREN OF FRANCIS GRAVES, JR. (3)

Clara Graves (13) married Aaron Higginbotham, Sr., son of John Higginbotham and Frances Riley, not later than 1746 (possibly 1739) in Amherst Co., Va. He was a brother of Benjamin who married Clara's sister Elizabeth. He was born in 1715 in Va., and died in 1785 in Amherst Co., Va., since his will was proved 3 Oct. 1785 in Amherst Co.

Aaron was a Captain in the Amherst Co., Va. Militia in 1769. He was also a Church Warden and Vestryman of Lexington Parish, Amherst Co., Va. (R‑918, R‑921)

Children - Higginbotham

+31. Samuel Higginbotham, b.c. 1745, m. Jane Satterwhite, c. 1769, d. 1803.

+32. Mary Ann Higginbotham, b. 11 Oct. 1749, m(1) Henry Franklin, Jr., m(2) Benjamin Arnold.

+33. Aaron Higginbotham, Jr., b. 1752, m. Nancy Croxton, 4 Dec. 1775, d. 1794.

34. Tamasin Higginbotham, m(1) Robert Howard Cash, Jr., m(2) William Sandidge.

+35. Margaret Higginbotham, b.c. 1758-63, m(1) Edward Cox, m(2) Thomas Morrison, 2 June 1783.

+36. Frances Graves Higginbotham, m. Joseph Higginbotham Morrison.

Elizabeth Graves (14) was born about 1733 in Essex Co., Va., and died after 1790 in Elbert Co., Ga. She married Benjamin Higginbotham, son of John Higginbotham and Frances Riley, on 21 Feb. 1750 (or 1753) in Albemarle Co. (now Amherst Co.), Va. He was born about 1728 in Goochland Co. (now Amherst Co.), Va., and died in 1791 in Elbert Co., Ga. His father, John Higginbotham, was born 1695 in St. Philip Parish, Barbados, and died 1741-44 in Goochland Co. (now Amherst Co.), Va. Benjamin was a brother of Aaron Higginbotham who married Elizabeth's sister Clara. Benjamin moved his family to what became Elbert Co., Ga. from Amherst Co., Va. about 1784. Thomas Higginbotham, his uncle, moved to Georgia from Virginia in 1751. All the following children were born in Albemarle Co. (or its successor, Amherst Co.), Va. (R‑18, R‑918)

Children - Higginbotham

+37. Ann Higginbotham, b.c. 1752, m. Jacob Higginbotham, 18 Oct. 1772.

+38. Caleb Higginbotham, b.c. 1755, m. Mary Ann Cash, before 1775, d. 1823.

+39. Benjamin Higginbotham, Jr., b.c. 1758, m. Mary Gatewood, 21 Jan. 1782, d. 3 Sept. 1810.

+40. William Higginbotham, b.c. 1761, m. Dorothy Sandidge, before 1784, d. 1842.

+41. Joseph Higginbotham, b.c. 1763, m. Frances Higginbotham, 17 Dec. 1788, d. 1817.

+42. Francis Higginbotham, b.c. 1765, m. Dolly Gatewood, 2 Dec. 1783, d. 26 March 1829.

William Graves (16) was born about 1724 (as proven by oath in Henry Co., VA) in Essex Co., VA, and died about 1809 in Franklin Co., VA. He married Dorothy ‑‑‑‑‑‑ (probably Smith, of the Peyton Smith family). They moved to Pittsylvania Co., VA about 1773, in the area of Pigg River.

There has been some confusion between this William Graves and another one. See the Appendix of this book for an article from the Graves Family Newsletter, 1984, pp. 36-41, discussing the results of extensive research that shows that this William Graves was not the William Graves who was a son of Thomas Graves who was born 1691 and married Ann Davenport, but rather a son of Francis Graves, Jr.

Other misconceptions and areas for further research and evidence are listed below.

· It was believed that Gov. Bibb Graves (of Alabama) was descended from that William Graves. That is not correct.

· Mrs. Hiden (R‑907) stated that this William Graves was born 1700-1702, and that Francis Graves (#21) was his son. That is not believed to be correct.

· Mr. Bill Thompson (R‑186) lists Reuben and Edmond as children, but not Catherine and Jane.

· John Card Graves listed a Thomas Graves as a child between Mollie and Catherine.

· It is possible that Peter Graves, born about 1750-55, was a son of this William Graves. He was probably not, although he was probably closely related.

(R‑14, R‑19, R‑179, R‑186, R‑915)

Children - Graves

43. Francis Graves, never married. He served in the Rev. War as lieutenant and quartermaster. He received a grant of 2560 acres on 29 Nov. 1783 and 160 pounds 18s 8d for 84 months of war service. The land was in Sumner Co., Tenn. He died without wife or children, and his co-heirs were his brothers Peyton and William Graves.

+44. Nancy Ann Graves, b.c. 1753, m. William Swanson, Jr., 1776, d. 25 July 1830.

+45. William Graves, b. 9 July 1755, m. Sarah Smith, 5 Nov. 1782, d. 24 Feb. 1836.

+46. David Graves, b. 1757, m. Nancy Pinkard, 27 Jan. 1793, d. 20 Aug. 1833.

47. John Graves; this may be the father of William L. Graves, ancestor of Mr. Charles D. Fonville.

+48. Peyton Graves, b. 1767, m. Charlotte Pinkard, 11 Nov. 1788.

+49. Mary Graves, m. Nathan McGuire Swanson.

50. Catherine Graves

51. Jane Graves

CHILDREN OF RICHARD GRAVES (4) AND HANNAH KENT

Mary Graves (17) married Richard Nixon, Jr., daughter of Richard Nixon and Elizabeth ‑‑‑‑‑‑. (R‑218)

Children - Nixon

52. Garthry Nixon

53. Mary Nixon

54. Richard Nixon

55. Thomas Nixon, b.c. 1746, m. Christian Williams, before 1770.

Thomas Graves (18) died about 1767 in Craven Co., N.C. He married Sara Turner, daughter of Robert Turner, about 1745.

Sara secondly married John Fonvielle (or Fonville) by 1774. (R‑14, R‑60)

Children - Graves

56. Richard Graves, m. Ann Dawson, d. May-June 1774. He died testate in May or June 1774 in Craven Co., N.C. They had no children. His will was dated May 3, 1774, Craven Co., N.C., and probated June 4, 1774. It names nephews Graves Bright (son of Ann Graves and Simon Bright), and Richard Fonvielle (son of Hannah Graves and William Brice Fonvielle); wife Ann (Dawson); mother Sarah Fonville. (R‑60)

57. Thomas Graves

+58. Hannah Graves, m. William Brice Fonvielle, c. 1760.

59. Elizabeth Graves, may have married a Henry (see will of Elizabeth Graves Henry, Feb. 26, 1819, Will Book 3, p. 256, Craven Co., N.C.).

+60. Mary Graves, m. Simon Bright, c. 1771.

61. Ann Graves, m. Charles Crawford, 24 May 1783.

62. Sara (or Sarah) Graves, may have married a Lovett or a Howard.

CHILDREN OF THOMAS GRAVES (5) AND ELIZABETH MOODY

Richard Graves (20) was born by 1717 and died by 1771. He married Elizabeth Hill, sister or half sister of Richard Hill. Richard Hill died testate in 1764, Essex Co., Va. In his will he named Sarah, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Graves. (R‑14)

Children - Graves

63. Sarah Graves

+64. Richard Graves, Jr., b.c. 1735-40, m. Susannah ‑‑‑‑‑‑, d. 1797.

Francis Graves (21) was born in 1724 and died 23 March 1792. He married Susannah (?) ‑‑‑‑‑‑. (She may have been Susannah Longest, possible daughter of Timothy Longest, mentioned later in this section.)

His land seems to have been in the same neighborhood as that of his uncle, Francis Graves, and he associated with the same families. In 1757 (Deed Book 27, p. 321) he and William Reynolds, William Watkins and Leonard Hill witnessed a deed from Thomas Coleman to Richard Hill. The next year he bought of Samuel and Ann Cross 62 acres devised to said Samuel by the will of his father, Joseph Cross, who bought this land Feb. 19, 1744/5 from John Cheek of Drysdale Parish; witnesses: John Garnett, Jr., Joseph Cross, William Southworth (Deed Book 28, p. 79). In 1762, he bought from John and Mary Garnett 48 acres purchased by said Garnett in 1746 of Thomas Hobson (Deed Book 29, p. 83). In 1763 (Deed Book 29, p. 220) he bought 47-1/2 acres in South Farnham Parish, adjoining John Hill, Graves and Watkins, from Richard Holt, Sr., and Mary his wife of King and Queen Co. The Garnetts and Graveses had long been neighbors, and in 1751 (Deed Book 25, p. 131) Reuben and Sarah Noell for love and affection had deeded "to our brother John Garnett, Jr." land adjoining lands of "Ann Graves widow of Francis Graves," John Satterwhite, Philip Sanders and Ann Dickie, widow. In 1761 (Deed Book 29, p. 10) Thomas Davis, tailor, of the Parish of Nottoway, Co. of Amelia, sold to Francis Graves (husband of Susannah) of South Farnham Parish 100 acres in St. Ann's Parish which John Davis, father of said Thomas, purchased of George Coleman, adjoining John Garnett; wit.: Leonard Hill, James Evans, Richard Hill, Jr., and Martha Beazley.

The obituary of Francis Graves (Richmond, Va. Gazette and General Advertiser, April 4, 1792) is as follows: "Died on Friday" March "23rd at his seat in Essex after a long and painful illness which he bore with a deal of fortitude. Mr. Francis Graves in the 68th year of his age much lamented by all those who had the pleasure of his acquaintance."

His will (Essex Will Book 14, p. 285) mentions son Francis, to whom is left "the land I purchased of Thomas Davis"; daughter Luca Spearman; son Rice, who receives "land I purchased of Richard Holt and also that purchased from Samuel Cross to John Hill's line"; and daughter Betty Graves. The wording of these bequests shows that the sons were not at this time residents of Essex. The only mention in Essex that has been found of Rice is when with wife Elizabeth and Susannah Graves he witnessed on 21 Dec. 1779 the will of Timothy Longest. The will was proved 19 Dec. 1781 by Rice and Elizabeth Graves. Susannah, most likely, was Rice's mother, and had died in the interim. Francis's will mentions no wife, so he evidently was a widower. (R‑907)

Children - Graves

+65. Francis Graves, b.c. 1746, m. Martha Johnson, 19 Aug. 1783, d. by 1806.

66. Luca Graves, m. James Spearman.

+67. Rice Graves, b.c. 1750, m. Clara Satterwhite, c. 1772-77, d.c. 1822.

68. Elizabeth ("Betty") Graves

GENERATION 4

CHILDREN OF JANE GRAVES (10) AND JOHN COFFEY

James Coffey (22) was born 4 July (?) 1729 in Essex Co., Va., and died in Sept. or Oct. 1786 in Wilkes Co., N.C. (will dated 16 Sept. 1786, proved Oct. 1786). He was a Baptist minister, and also a Revolutionary War patriot, but no records have been found for his service. He married Elizabeth Cleveland, daughter of Alexander Cleveland, on 30 Aug. (?) 1750 in Orange Co. or Albemarle Co., Va. She was born in Feb. (?) 1726/27, and died in 1826 or 1827 in Bedford Co., Tenn. Their first 8 children were probably all born in Albemarle Co., Va., and the last 2 in Amherst Co., Va. (R‑922)

Children - Coffey

+69. Elizabeth Coffey, b.c. 1751, m. Robert Whiteside, c. 1770, d. 1811-12.

+70. John Coffey, b.c. 1753, m. Mary ‑‑‑‑‑‑, c. 1773-4, d. 27 Dec. 1825.

+71. Archelaus Coffey, b.c. 1755, m. Eleanor Wade, c. 1775, d.c. 1783-4.

72. James Coffey, Jr., b.c. 1757, probably never married, d. probably N.C. or Tenn.

+73. Martha Coffey, b.c. 1758, m. Mastin Durham, 1774, d.c. 1826.

+74. Reuben Coffey, b. 16 Sept. 1759, m. Mildred Morris, d. 4 March 1842.

+75. Ambrose Coffey, b. 1762, m(1) Mildred Moore, m(2) Elizabeth Rice, m(3) Polly Garner (?), d.c. 1818.

+76. Eli Coffey, b. 1 March 1763, m. Hannah Allen, d. 5 Sept. 1847.

+77. Rice Coffey, b. April 1766, m. Sarah Bradford, 1790, d. 24 July 1853.

+78. Joel Coffey, b. 1770, m. Martha Coffey, 22 Aug. 1793, d. Dec. 1826.

+79. Lewis Russell Coffey, b. 18 Nov. 1772, m. Bidant Moore, 10 Dec. 1795, d. 29 Sept. 1850.

William Coffey (23) was born about 1731 in Essex Co., Va., and died before 28 March 1828 (date will was proved) in Nelson Co., Va. He married Elizabeth Osborne (or Osborn) about 1758, probably in Albemarle Co., Va. (R‑922)

Children - Coffey

+80. Osborn Coffey, b. 29 July 1759, m. Mary Nightingale, 15 Feb. 1783, d. 31 March 1840.

81. William Coffey, Jr., m. Polly Rippeto, 2 Nov. 1790.

82. Winnefred (Ureney?) Coffey, m. Thomas Hayes, 29 March 1792 (bond 28 March 1792).

83. Mildred ("Milley") Coffey, m. Samuel Collman (or Coleman), 1783.

84. Elizabeth ("Betsey") Coffey, m. John Bridge, 15 Sept. 1795.

85. Edmond F. Coffey, b.c. 1773 (age 72 in 1845), m. Elizabeth Burger, 3 April 1802.

+86. Jane Coffey, m(1) ‑‑‑‑‑‑ Anderson, 16 Dec. 1819, m(2) ‑‑‑‑‑‑ Fitzgerald.

87. Margaret Coffey, m. ‑‑‑‑‑‑ Monroe.

88. Mary Coffey

89. Frankey Coffey

John Coffey (24) was born about 1733 in Essex Co., Va. He first married Dorcas Carter, daughter of John Carter. He secondly married Nancy Richardson. There is no positive identification of his children or whether he had children by both wives. He probably had other children in addition to those listed below. (R‑922)

Children - Coffey

+90. Meredith Coffey, b.c. 1760-70, m. Esther ‑‑‑‑‑‑, c. 1797, d. 1838.

91. Thomas Coffey, b. 1766-84 (age 26-45 in 1810).

92. Sally Coffey, m. Benjamin Rhea, 9 Feb. 1802 (Grainger Co., Tenn.).

93. Jenny Coffey, m. Levi Miller, 23 Sept. 1806 (Grainger Co., Tenn.).

Edmond (or Edmund) Coffey (25) was born about 1735 in Essex Co., Va., and died in 1808 in Nelson Co., Va. He married Nancy Barnett in Albemarle or Amherst Co., Va. She died before 27 April 1829, probably before 23 March. Their first 4 children were married in Amherst Co., Va., and the last 2 in Nelson Co., Va. (R‑922)

Children - Coffey

94. Edmund S. Coffey, b.c. 1773, m. Tildy Fitzgerald, 3 Jan. 1798, d. after 1845.

95. William Coffey, m. Betsey Giles, 18 April 1800.

96. Reuben Coffey, m. Nancy Giles, 5 Sept. 1801.

97. Amelia ("Milley") Coffey, b.c. 1772, m. John Campbell, 22 Feb. 1793.

98. Nancy Coffey, m. Joel Campbell, Sept. 1817 (bond 29 Aug.).

99. Polly Coffey, m. John Steel, 28 Aug. 1819.

Thomas Coffey (27) was born 7 March 1742 in Essex Co., Va., and died in April 1825 in Wilkes Co., N.C. He first married Elizabeth Smith about 1762, probably in Albemarle Co., Va. He secondly married Sarah ("Sally") Fields about 1778-9, probably in Albemarle Co., Va. All the children by the first marriage were born in Albemarle Co., Va., and all the children by the second marriage were born in Wilkes Co., N.C., although the birth place for Sally was not stated. (R‑922)

Children - Coffey, by Elizabeth Smith

100. Elizabeth Coffey, b. 25 Oct. 1763, m. David Allen, d. 1850 (Owen Co.?, Ind.). Moved to Owen Co., IN in 1828.

+101. John Coffey, b.c. 1765, m. Hannah Wilson, 3 Oct. 1796, d.c. 1812.

+102. Thomas Coffey, b.c. 1767, m(1) Margaret Coffey, m(2) Nancy Pendley.

+103. James Coffey, b. 1772, m. Delilah Ferguson, 31 Aug. 1799, d. 1840.

104. Mary Coffey, b.c. 1775, m. William Coffey, 3 July 1796. See #129 for descendants.

+105. Smith Coffey, b.c. 1776, m. Hannah Boone.

Children - Coffey, by Sarah Fields

106. Martha ("Patsy") Coffey, b.c. 1780, m. (Rev.) James Dowell, 3 Sept. 1807, d. Indiana.

+107. William Coffey, b. 29 Nov. 1782, m. Annie Boone, 16 Oct. 1804, d. 21 May 1839.

+108. Reuben A. Coffey, b. 15 Sept. 1785, m. Polly Dowell, 1805, d. Feb. 1854.

+109. Elijah Coffey, b. 1788, m. Polly Hull, d. 1865.

110. Sally Coffey, b.c. 1792, m. Samuel Thomas Stewart, 2 March 1824, d. N.C.

+111. Lewis Coffey, b. 25 May 1796, m. Harriet E. Powell.

+112. Jesse Coffey, b.c. 1798, m. Winnifred Crumpton, 22 Dec. 1821, d. 1858.

+113. Larkin Coffey, b. 18 Feb. 1800, m. Catherine H. Wilson, 9 Jan. 1826, d. 12 Jan. 1881.

+114. McCaleb Coffey, b. 22 Aug. 1803, m. Elizabeth Collett, 1 Feb. 1828, d. 17 Feb. 1881.

Reuben Coffey (28) was born in 1744 in Essex or Spotsylvania Co., Va., and died in 1818 in Burke Co., N.C. He married Sarah ("Sally") Scott before 1772, probably in Albemarle Co., Va. Most of their children went to Owen Co., Ind. (R‑922)

Children - Coffey

115. John Coffey

+116. Reuben Coffey, b. 1772, m. Naomi Hays, 7 Feb. 1797, d. 30 Nov. 1851.

+117. Joseph Coffey, married, d. 1835.

118. Jesse Coffey, b. 1840.

119. Elizabeth B. Coffey, b. 30 July 1776, m. John Green (or Thomas Roper?), d. 5 March 1868 (Greene Co., Ind.).

+120. Elijah Coffey, b. 11 March 1779, m. Mary Abby Dyer, 23 Sept. 1803, d. 3 Sept. 1863.

+121. James D. Coffey, b. 23 Oct. 1786, m. Hannah Alloway Strange, d. 27 Oct. 1868.

122. Nancy Coffey, b. 10 Sept. 1788 (Globe, Burke Co., N.C.), m(1) ‑‑‑‑‑‑ Durham, m(2) Joel Anderson Dyer, d. 19 April 1866 (Ind.). Ancestor of Abby Dyer Griffin, early Coffey genealogist.

+123. William H. Coffey, b. 1789, m. Mary Faulkner, d. 17 Oct. 1844.

124. Thomas Coffey, d. before 1838. No children.

+125. Benjamin Coffey, b.c. 1790 (?), m. Exa Saphronia Stepp, 1816, d. 1843.

126. Jane Coffey, m. James Webb.

127. Sally Coffey, m. Samuel Curtis.

Benjamin Coffey (29) was born in 1747 in Spotsylvania Co., Va., and died 4 Jan. 1834 in Hawkins Co., Tenn. He married Polly Hayes, possibly a daughter of Jesse Hayes, about 1775 in Burke Co., NC. According to the 1790 and 1800 censuses, they had 5 male and 4 female children. The first child listed below is proven, the next three are probable, and the last five are possible. (R‑456, R‑922)

Children - Coffey

+128. John Coffey, b. 15 Oct. 1776, m. Elizabeth Rucker, 1 March 1804, d. 15 March 1845.

+129. William Coffey, b. 1778 (?), m. Mary Coffey, 3 July 1796.

+130. Bennett Coffey, b.c. 1779, m. Sally Ferguson, 5 Feb. 1805, d. by 1858.

+131. George Coffey, b.c. 1782, m. Margaret Rucker.

132. Jesse Coffey

133. Jane Coffey, m. Joel Coffey, 22 Aug. 1793, d. Sept.-Oct. 1839. See #78 for descendants.

134. Ann Coffey, m. Alexander McKinsey, 28 Oct. 1793 (Wilkes Co., N.C.).

135. Sarah Coffey, m. James Coffey, 30 Aug. 1794 (Wilkes Co., N.C.).

136. daughter

Elizabeth ("Betty") Coffey (30) died after 1807. She married Thomas Fields, brother of Sally and son of Richard Fields and Elizabeth Murrell. Elizabeth and Thomas moved to Wilkes Co., N.C. Thomas was active in the Yadkin Baptist Church, holding the office of clerk and later that of deacon. His will in 1807 listed wife Betty and the following children: James Crumpton, William Fields, Reuben Fields, Betsy Penley, Winifred Humphrey, Polly Humphrey, and Sally Penley. Presumably the first "child" is a son-in-law, and all children were by Elizabeth Coffey. (R‑922)

Children - Fields

137. daughter, m. James Crumpton.

138. William Fields

139. Reuben Fields

140. Betsy Fields, m. ‑‑‑‑‑‑ Penley.

141. Winifred Fields, m. ‑‑‑‑‑‑ Humphrey.

142. Polly Fields, m. ‑‑‑‑‑‑ Humphrey.

143. Sally Fields, m. ‑‑‑‑‑‑ Penley.

CHILDREN OF CLARA GRAVES (13) AND AARON HIGGINBOTHAM

Samuel Higginbotham (31) was born not later than 1747 (possibly 1745) in Albemarle Co., Va., because he was a member of a jury in 1768 and had to be at least 21 to serve. He died intestate in 1803 in Elbert Co., Ga., and was buried in what is now known as the "Hop Brener Place" which is about four miles north of Elbert, Elbert Co., Ga. There is a government marker on his grave.

Samuel married Jane Satterwhite, daughter of John and Ann Satterwhite of Essex Co., Va., not later than 1770 (probably about 1769) in Essex Co., Va. It is believed by some that Jane's mother was Ann Graves (#12), sister of Clara Graves. However, it is more likely that she was a daughter of John Satterwhite, Jr. and Ann Price. Jane was born about 1750 in Caroline Co., Va., and died after 1790 in Elbert Co., Ga.

The civil and military positions held by Samuel Higginbotham included the following: member of a jury in Amherst Co., Va. in 1768; Lieut. in the Amherst Co., Va. Militia in 1769; Lieut. in the Rev. War, acting as a recruiting officer in Va.; Capt. in the Rev. War for Amherst Co., Va. in 1780; Church Warden and Vestryman for Lexington Parish, Amherst Co., Va. in 1781; tax collector in Lexington Parish, Amherst Co., Va. in 1782; Deputy Sheriff in Amherst Co., Va. in 1784; Major in the Amherst Co., Va. Militia in 1785; Colonel in the Amherst Co., Va. Militia in 1787. He moved to Georgia with his family in 1792. He was delegate from Elbert Co., Ga. to the Constitutional Convention in 1795. (R‑65, R‑69, R‑921)

Children - Higginbotham

+144. John Satterwhite Higginbotham, b. by 1771, m(1) Ann Stanton Higginbotham, 17 Dec. 1792, m(2) Martha Ricks, 5 Nov. 1826, m(3) Sarah Lourimore, 30 March 1834, d. 1842.

+145. Ann Higginbotham, b. 8 May 1772, m. William Fortson, 7 Aug. 1794, d. 21 April 1852.

146. Aaron Higginbotham, b.c. 1778, m. Clary G. Morrison, d. 1860.

+147. Volata Higginbotham, b. 1779, m. George Turman, 1796, d. 1838.

148. Clarysia Higginbotham, m. Stephen Cheatham, 5 April 1810.

149. Blackley (or Blakely) Higginbotham, b. 1785-89.

150. Samuel Higginbotham, Jr., m. Elizabeth ‑‑‑‑‑‑.

+151. George Green Higginbotham, b. 15 July 1791, m. Sarah Fortson, 20 Feb. 1817, d. 6 May 1859.

Mary Ann Higginbotham (32) was born 11 (or 17) Oct. 1749. She first married Henry Franklin, Jr. He died in 1782, since there is a record for a court held on June 3, 1782, in which Mary Ann is mentioned as the executrix of the estate of her late husband, Henry Franklin, Jr. He was a Revolutionary soldier. Mary Ann secondly married Benjamin Arnold. (R‑921)

Children - Franklin

152. Reuben Franklin, m. Matilda Harrison, 2 Nov. 1796.

153. Aaron Franklin

154. Jasper Franklin, b. after 1761, m. Polly Brockman, 27 Oct. 1796.

+155. Peachy Franklin, b. 1771-78, m. Susannah Dillard, 20 March 1799.

156. Antony Franklin, b. after 1777.

157. Henry Tarleton Franklin, b. after 1778, m. Jane Moss, 12 Dec. 1809.

Aaron Higginbotham (33) was born in 1752 and died intestate in 1794. He married Nancy Croxton, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Croxton, on 4 Dec. 1775. She died in 1823. Aaron was commissioned an Ensign in the Amherst Co., Va. Militia on 3 July 1786. In the inventory of his estate he was called "Captain", but no record of such a commission has been found. (R‑921)

Children - Higginbotham

158. Elizabeth Higginbotham, b. 11 July 1778, m. James Shields, 1 March 1797, d. 7 Sept. 1837. He was son of John Shields and Margaret Finley.

+159. Absalom Higginbotham, b. 2 May 1781, m. Mary C. Sandidge, 16 Nov. 1806, d. 7 July 1866.

+160. Sallie Higginbotham, b. 23 Sept. 1783, m. Washington Hill, 20 July 1803.

+161. Nancy Higginbotham, b. 12 June 1786, m. James Hix, 7 Nov. 1809.

+162. Aaron Higginbotham III, b. 23 Feb. 1789, m. Elizabeth Steward Sandidge, 22 May 1817, d. 8 March 1852.

163. Clara Graves Higginbotham, b. 1 Dec. 1791, m. Lindsey Sandidge, 16 Dec. 1811.

+164. Johannah Croxton Higginbotham, b. 26 Jan. 1794, m. George Washington Higginbotham, 27 June 1822, d. 4 Sept. 1860.

Margaret Higginbotham (35) was born after 1757. She first married Edward Cox on 14 Dec. 1778. She was under 21 because she received consent to marry from her father. Edward died in 1780. He was a Revolutionary soldier. His name appears with the rank of sergeant in Muster and Pay Rolls of different companies of Capt. Samuel Jordan Cabell and Capt. Benjamin Taliaferro. On Feb. 24, 1778, Edward Cox received his discharge from the Virginia Militia. Margaret secondly married Thomas Morrison on 2 June 1783. He died in Nelson Co., Va. (R‑921)

Children - Cox

165. Clary Cox, b. after 1759, m. Edward Ware Jopling, 19 Nov. 1805. She was under 21 in Oct. 1780, when a court of Amherst Co., Va. appointed her mother, Margaret Cox, her guardian.

Frances Graves Higginbotham (36) married her first cousin, Lieut. Joseph Higginbotham Morrison, in Amherst Co., Va. He was a son of William Morrison and Rachel Higginbotham. She died by Oct. 7, 1796, because for that date there is a Certificate of Marriage by the Rev. William Crawford for Joseph H. Morrison, widower, and Mary Walker, widow. Frances and Joseph had 7 children -- 3 sons and 4 daughters. (R‑921)

Children - Morrison

+166. Mary Dandridge Morrison, b. 1784, m. James Reagan, Jr., 1805, d. 1839.