The Graves Family of York County

Abstract

We come next the children of Richd. Croshaw Graves, youngest son of Ralph5 (d. 1749). For the data on this line, the writer is indebted Mr. Chas. M. Graves of New York City and Mrs. R. M. Lett of Newport News, Va., who kindly furnished a Bible record. Richd. Croshaw6 m. probably about 1760 Elizabeth, dau. of Joseph Valentine and d. about 1798 (New Kent Tax Lists. Archives Div. Va. State Library). He appears in the first census, 1782, as living in New Kent Co. with a family of 9 persons. He commanded New Kent & Chas. City Co. militia. His children (order of birth unknown) were Henry7, WM.7, Richd.7, Joseph7, Edmund Valentine7, Polly7 & Elizabeth7. With reference Henry7, we have a petition in 1796 from New Kent Co. stating that he assisted in 1781 in the Commissary Dept. under the direction of John Brown who writes but he died of smallpox before he settled his acct. and I am informed by his father his vouchers got lost. I have reason believe if his acct. could be justly settled there would be a considerable balance due him. According his father's statement, Henry7 died in Oct. 1781 under 21. WM.7, also a son of Richd. C.6, was b. at the family home, Indian Fields, in New Kent Co. and later moved Charles City Co., buying land there in 1792 (W. & M. (1) 16, p. 140) from Wm. Cowles. He resided on this land until his death, 15 April 1807. He m. Dec. 3, 1795, Tabitha Walker (d. Dec. 18, 1848). Their third son, Robert Walker8 Graves (July 2, 1800-Mar. 28, 1858) m. Dec. 3, 1822, Eliz. Cornelia Egmon (Dec. 26, 1804-Mar. 3, 1848). Eliz. Egmon was the dau. of Cornelius Egmon (d. Dec. 1814) who m. Feb. 10, 1804, Sarah B. Clarke (d. Oct. 1814), dau. of John Clarke. Robt. W.8 & Eliz. Graves had the following children: (1) Sally Ann9 1824-1831, Richmond Enquirer, Sept. 16, 1831, Died on Aug. 23, 1831, Sarah Ann9, eldest dau. of Robt. W.8 Graves of Charles City Co. in the 8th yr. of her age. (2) Eliz. Cornelia9 b. July 26, 1826, m. July 26, 1848, Benj. C.8 Graves, her cousin, son of Edmund V.7 Graves. (3) Martha Malvina9 b. 1828, d. young. (4) Robt. Walker9 b. July 16, 1830. (5) Mary Minge9 (1833-1882) m. Sept. 29, 1858, Carter Perkins. (6) Musidora9 b. 1836, d. young. (7) John Freeman9 b. May 13, 1838. (8) Wm. Cornelius9 b. June 9, 1839. (9) Tabitha9 b. 1841, d. young. (10) Frances Egmon9 b. 1843, d. young. (11) Henrietta Robinson9 b. July 30, 1846. (12) Laura Ann9 b. 1849, d. young. Besides Robt. W.8, whose children have been mentioned, Wm.7 & Tabitha Graves had also Joseph C.8, W. W.8, Elizabeth8 & Malvina8 not yet christened, as her father's will, probated in Charles City Co. records, notes. (W. & M. (1) 3, p. 202). Richd.7, son of Richd. Croshaw6 Graves & Elizabeth Valentine, was b. 1772 or 3. The writer has no information regarding his wife. He served in the General Assembly of Va. in 1822. Among the petitions from New Kent Co. (Archives Div. Va. State Library) is one from Archibald Lacy reciting that on Mar. 17, 1822, Capt. Richd. Graves of New Kent Co. challenged him to a duel tomorrow between 10 & 12 o'clock either a fist fight or draw lots for 2 cups placed on a table & covered with a cloth, one filled with water & one with poison. Wm.