This genealogy is gradually being revised as a result of the findings of the Graves/Greaves DNA Study. Ken Graves is the head of the Graves Family Association, and they are continually doing research to collect, connect and preserve the Graves family. Several years ago it was believed that our branch of the family descended from Captain Thomas Graves, the first known Graves in the United States. DNA testing has shown that not to be true. More research is also needed to discover the parentage of our William B Graves.
William B. Graves was born in NC (according to 1880 census information), and died about 1840, but definitely before Jan. 1847. William married Elizabeth ??????. They may have both been born in Elizabeth Co., NC. Their children were born in NC. Elizabeth apparently died after the 1860 census of Monroe Co., IN, since no further record can be found for her. Elizabeth married second Stephen Riddle on 31 May 1849 in Monroe Co., IN. He was born about 1775 in Guilford Co., NC, married first Mary Ouiette, went to Greene Co., IN in 1818, and settled on Big Spring. He and his first wife had twelve children. Stephen Riddle left a will, which mentions William C., Elijah, and Nancy Graves as his stepchildren (book 3, pages 41-42, box 50, Monroe Co., IN, Oct. 1853); none of his Riddle children was listed. The 1850 census of Greene Co., IN shows Francis M., Elijah T., and Nancy J. Graves living in the Riddle home. The probate papers of Stephen Riddle also give Isaac C. Graves as working on the Riddle farm.
It is possible that William B. Graves was a son of the Peter Graves of Surry Co., NC, who was born about 1750-55. This would make him a brother of Peter Graves, Jr., born about 1785, who married Sarah Carmichael. This is based mainly on the similarity of names and the fact that the families lived in the same area. |
