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THE GRAVES FAMILY in America are of English ancestry (being a branch
of the family of which the Lords North were prominent members). Thomas
and John Graves came from England and settled at Hartford, Conn., about
1640. Their descendants settled along the Connecticut valley towards Vermont.
Two of the grandchildren of Thomas were killed by Indians at Hatfield in
1677.
Moses,
the oldest of nine children of Jeremiah and Lucinda (Hubbard) Graves, was
born at Conway, Mass., 1781, moved with his parents to Guilford, Vt., married
Wealthy Carpenter and settled at Westminster. He was a slate cutter
by trade, working each summer at Hoosick, N. Y. Having saved a sum of money
he invested it in land in central New York. The Indians soon after making
trouble in that section, he abandoned his claim and came with his family
to Kirby in 1814, and bought the farm now owned by Preston H. Graves, erected
a log house and a small barn, left the management of the home to his wife
and two children, Charles H. and Wealthy A., and went back to Hoosick to
earn money to pay for his farm, going every year, until age prevented,
going and coming all the way on foot. As soon as possible the family began
farming in the "primitive style." Charles H. dug out a quantity of sap
troughs and began sugaring. Going one morning with his sister, Wealthy,
to the "boiling place," they found a black bear helping himself. With an
axe and a stick and a great noise they drove him away and saved their sweetening
for the year.
Moses died October, 1854, his wife having died some
years before. Wealthy A. married and moved away. Charles H. continued to
live upon the farm all of his life. He married Mary Goodell of Westminster.
They had two children, Preston H. and Emmogene M. Charles H. served his
town as town clerk sixteen, years, justice of the peace twenty years, representative
from Kirby to the legislature six terms. He was one of the old school Vermonters,
meant what he said, and did what he promised. Born in 1809; died in 1884.
Mary, his wife, died in 1891. Emmogene M. never married, but lived
on the home farm until her death in 1891. Preston H. was born February
5, 1841, and has always lived upon the old Graves homestead. He married
Almira S. daughter of Rev. Lewis and Sarah (Hall) Jenkins of Burke, in
1864. There have been born to them four children, Harry S., 1865, who married
Junie Trefren and lives at Barton, Vt.; Nellie M., 1867, who married Guy
0. Clifford and lives at Meriden, Conn.; Susie E., in 1870, who died in
1872; Harvey P., in 1874, who lives on the home farm. Preston H. has been
town clerk thirty-five years, selectman thirty-seven years, justice of
the peace thirty-two years, and held other town offices; has been notary
public ten years, represented Kirby in the legislature three terms, was
assistant judge for Caledonia county four years, and is at present one
of the senators from Caledonia county.
Source:
Successful Vermonters, William H. Jeffrey, E. Burke, Vermont, The Historical
Publishing Company, 1904, page 128-129.
Prepared
by Tom Dunn, April 2005
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