William Graham (1745 - 1814)

Born 11 Aug 1745 in Forteviot, Perthshire, Scotland

Husband of Eunice Elizabeth (Taylor) Graham — married 3 Aug 1789 in Guysborough, Nova Scotia

Descendants

Died 10 Aug 1814 at age 68 in Whitchurch-Stouffville, York Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada

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Biography

Lieutenant William Graham served with Loyal American Rangers during the American Revolution.

Captain William Graham served with Duke of Cumberland's Regiment during the American Revolution.

Col. William Graham was born in 1745. He was a British Loyalist officer during the Revolutionary War, first in the Loyal American Rangers and later in the Duke of Cumberland’s Regiment, after which he relocated from New York to Chedebucto (now Guysborough) Nova Scotia, where he was granted a town lot.^[1]. The family relocated to York, Upper Canada (now Toronto, Ontario) in 1784. He passed away in 1814. ^[2]

Notes

According to A.C. Jost: "Captain Graham was an officer of the 22nd Regiment, and a prominent Mason in the regimental Masonic Lodge. His name is to be seen on a demit given to William Grant from the Lodge. He moved to Ontario, where his death took place. The families of Grahams at present living in the County [Guysborough County, Nova Scotia] are descended from another stock. Wife's name [E]unis Elizabeth. Family: 1. William, 2&3. Adam & Peter (twins), 4. Margaret, 5. Jane. Captain William Graham died in 1813 and his wife died in 1814. 1. William Graham died unmarried in 1825 4. Margaret Graham married James Edminson. 5. Jane Graham married Thomas Coates."^[3]

There are elements that don't quite align - there is a John Graham in the list of member of the Associated Departments of the Army and Navy that arrived at Chedebucto, but not a William Graham. This John Graham is also listed in the land grant, but not William. ^[4] William Graham is included in the 3 Aug 1790 allocation of town lots at Guysbororough.^[5] This is likely the same William Graham who was allocated a substantial parcel of land at Sydney County (now Guysborough County) that same year, as 800 acres is consistent with an allocation for an army Captain.^[6]

The headstone^[7] gives a somewhat different account: "Lt. No. 3 Company, Loyal American Rangers 1780-1782; Captain - 2nd Battalion Duke of Cumberland's Regiment of Foot 1782-1784; Settled at Manchester, Guysborough, Nova Scotia... Moved to York, Upper Canada 1784... Capt 1784 and Lt Col 1st Regiment York Militia 1812-1814." I believe this to be the more reliable history. Graham's service as Captain in the Duke of Cumberland's Regiment is supported by an entry in the Manchester Township Book: "A Return of the Names and Number of the Lots Laid Out the Officers and Privates of Lord Montagu's Regiment, commonly called the Duke of Cumberland's, Laid Out in the Township of Manchester in the County of Sydney agreeable to the Warrant of Survey and Grant of the Same - February 1785", "Captain William Graham, Lot #2, 800 acres" ^[8]

It is entirely possible that both accounts are correct, and that Graham transferred first from the 22nd Foot to The Loyal American Rangers, which was later absorbed into the Duke of Cumberland's Regiment. But given the headstone I suggest that the earlier service in the 22nd Regiment is speculative, whereas the latter service in the LAR and DoC is certain.

Sources

1. ↑ Marion Gilroy, Loyalists and Land Settlement in Nova Scotia, PANS, Publication No.4, 1937, p.127
2. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/115629925/william-graham : accessed 12 May 2022), memorial page for Colonel William Graham (11 Aug 1745–10 Aug 1814), Find A Grave: Memorial #115629925, citing Aurora Cemetery, Aurora, York Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada ; Maintained by Wheezy (contributor 47625858) .
3. ↑ A.C. Jost, Guysborough Sketches and Essays, revised edition, 2009, p.362
4. ↑ Nova Scotia Land Papers 1765-1800: Hubbell, Nathan and others – 1785: https://archives.novascotia.ca/land-papers/archives/?ID=594&Doc=warrant
5. ↑ William Graham, South East Division, Lot E 11; in Manchester Township Book: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G96W-J4RW?i=51&cat=165595
6. ↑ Nova Scotia Land Papers 1765-1800: Graham, William – 1790; Warrant to Survey. Surveyor's Certificate: 800 acres in the County of Sydney: https://archives.novascotia.ca/land-papers/archives/?ID=1410&Doc=warrant&Page=201109403
7. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/115629925/william-graham : accessed 12 May 2022), memorial page for Colonel William Graham (11 Aug 1745–10 Aug 1814), Find A Grave: Memorial #115629925, citing Aurora Cemetery, Aurora, York Regional Municipality, Ontario, Canada ; Maintained by Wheezy (contributor 47625858) .
8. ↑ Manchester Township Book: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-896W-JHQP?i=59&cat=165595

Whitchurch Land Abstracts

• Lot #76 Con 1 Whitchurch, York, Ontario, Canada
  • Patent dated 25 October, 1798 - Capt. William Graham
  • Instrument # 33108 - 1848 Agreement
  • Instrument # 72221 - 1858 Quit Claim
  • Instrument # 678 - 1871 Release of Dower (Peter Graham’s wife, Elizabeth)
  • WILL of William Graham, instrument #63472, (1813 Will written, 1856 Will registered)

Whitchurch Land Deeds

• Instrument # 33108
• Instrument #72221
• Instrument #678
• Instrument #63472 (NOT a copy of the Will.)
  • William Graham late of the County of York, Home District of the Province of Upper Canada
    • Will written: 26 February, 1813
    • Will registered: 12 August, 1856
    • Land mentioned:
      • Whitchurch Twp,
        • Con 1, Lots 76, 77
        • Con 2, Lots 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 25.
        • Con 3, Lots 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24.
        • Con 4, Lot 17 (20 acres)
      • York Twp,
        • Lot 9 (4/5 acre) northside of Newgate Street now city of Toronto.
    • Witnesses: Samuel S Wilmot; James Miles; Isaac Philip.
    • Only heir mentioned: Peter Graham