Thomas Graham of

Rowan County, North Carolina, Garrard County, Kentucky and Monroe County, Indiana

Thomas Graham, son of John Graham, has been a challenge to research. Garrard County tax lists from 1799 to 1812 list Thomas. He always owned several horses. In 1802 and 1803, Thomas owned five slaves, but none later than that. In 1810, Thomas "Grayham" purchased 97 1/4 acres of land in Garrard County from William Berry for twenty eight pounds and one shilling. The land was bounded by Thomas Grayham, Lapsleys heirs, Wm. Adams, Stapps heirs and John Graham. Witnesses were Enoch and John Graham. Thomas apparently did not pay taxes on this land. Possibly he did not own it long enough to pay taxes.

The 1810 census for Garrard County listed the Thomas Graham family next to John Graham:

In 1813, Thomas paid taxes on 175 acres on Gilbert's Creek. Up to that year, his father, John, had paid taxes on 175 acres on Gilbert's Creek. The 1814 deed mentioned previously causes one to suspect that Thomas may have been paying the taxes on his father's farm while it was being sold. According to the 1814 deed, Thomas' wife's name was Jenny.

Ashley Grimm shared information about a Thomas Graham married to a Jane Cloyd (or Lloyd) and I agree that this is Thomas, the son of John Graham. The date or location of their marriage is currently unknown. Thomas and Jane had 7 known children (names and spouses were obtained from Thomas' Will found in Monroe County Indiana Land records, Feb 20, 1836, Book D, Page 1)

Ashley also explained why I could not find Thomas Graham (wife Jenny) mentioned in any tax lists after 1814. She referenced a copy of Thomas Madison Graham's biography from Warren County, Iowa which states that his father moved him and his family to Indiana in 1814 where he grew into manhood. This also seems to explains the 1814 deed of the Gilbert's Creek farm in Kentucky.

Regarding the surname Cloyd - a Mercer County, Kentucky will for Benjamin Graham (Book 1, page 41) was filed in 1790. In that will Benjamin mentioned his wife, Faithful. Also mentioned in the will were four daughters. Benjamin Graham owned land east of Harrodsburg.

Ten years after the death of Benjamin, Faithful Graham, remarried in Garrard County: She was married to James Cloyd on April 9, 1800, by Peter N Bainbridge, Baptist minister. Her daughter, Betsy (Elizabeth) Graham, married Allen Vaughn in Lincoln., Ky., on March 10, 1806. The bride’s mother, Faithful Cloyd, gave consent. Enoch Graham served as surety on the bond. (Marriage # 338). A Mercer County guardian Bond dated April 22, 1806, showed that Faithful Cloyd was appointed guardian of Mary Grimes and Jane Grimes, orphans of Benjamin Grimes. Enoch Grimes and Hugh Smith served as security on the bond.

I hope someone can explain how James Cloyd might have been related to Jane (Jenny) Cloyd Graham.

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