Submitted by Carolyn Buckley, Feb 29, 2008
| Jane Conner Graham (1798-1862), daughter of
Edward Conner and Sarah Wingate Grissett, married William
Bellamy Graham, son of William and Elizabeth Bellamy Graham,
grandson of John and Mary Johnston Graham of Mitchell Swamp,
present day Loris, Horry Co., SC. Mother of 17 children: Hosea Aldeton Graham, Sr. and wife Martha Ann Graham (first cousins) moved to TX in 1859 in covered wagons with a slave family given to Hosea by his mother Jane. William Bellamy Graham drowned in Winyah Bays of Georgetown SC in 1846. He and his brother Abraham Gerden Graham, slaves, Bob, Primus and son Stephen Joe were rafting a long chain of logs to Georgetown. On return trip back to the Gallant Old Graham plantation a storm and high winds overturned his boat loaded heavy with family and plantation supplies. Graham and a hitchhiker, Mr. Smith both drowned. Abe and the slaves washed ashore battered and bruised. They made it back to the plantation with the devastating news. Jane collapsed on her knees with grief. The next day she sent several of her older sons, Stephen Joe to search for their fathers body and bring "wills" home. The wake and funeral was a sad affair. Jane was left with 15 children at home, the two oldest married. She was a strong woman known as the Patriot Pioneer-Woman of Horry Co Jane carried on but never married again. She was buried beside the love of her life, Wills on the left of her and daughter Dorcas Lousia on the right side. Dorcas died from diptheria fever at age 17. |