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Joseph Graham

Joseph, a Revolutionary soldier, was born in Chester County, PA 13 Oct 1759. He was the son of James Graham and his second wife, Mary Barber McConnell. James Graham, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and had emigrated from County Down Ireland in 1733, first settling in Berks County, PA.
The family relocated to Spartanburg, S. C. about 1763 and then settled in Mecklinburg, S. C. about 1768. Joseph was educated at Queen's Museum in Charlotte.
In 1778 he enlisted in the 4th regiment of the North Carolina Continental line, serving as quartermaster sergeant for a year. He volunteered again in 1780 and was appointed adjutant. Later, he became Capt. of a battalion of horse soldiers known as the North Carolina Rangers. During this time he saw service in both North and South Carolina and was in some fifteen engagements.
In the fall of 1780, while in command of the reserve, he was involved in his most fearsome battle at Charlotte, N. C. Joseph was desperately wounded in that battle, receiving nine severe wounds. His friend and fellow officer, Col. George Locke, was killed in defense of that city. By their brave actions they were able to delay the advance of Cornwallis, and the British afterwards dubbed the place "Hornets Nest".
Joseph recovered quickly and was able to resume his service by Nov. of that year. He then organized a company of dragoons and was appointed Major. He served near Wilmington until Nov. 1781 when his service ended. He had served 3 years and shown excellent capacity as a soldier.
After the war Joseph owned a tobacco plantation and held various public office's. He was commissioned to collect and sell government property, and for a time served as sheriff. In 1788 he was a delegate to the convention called to consider the Constitution of the United States. He sat in the state Senate until 1794 and displayed great interest in internal improvements and public education. Later, in 1814 -15 he was a member of the Council of state and was one of the first members of the board of trustees of the University of North Carolina. He served in that capacity until his death, 12th November, 1836.
In 1787 he married Isabella Davidson, daughter of John Davidson (1735 - 1832) and Violet (Wilson) Davidson of Mecklinburg County.
In 1795 he moved his family to Vesuvius Furnace in Lincoln, County N. C., where he had acquired an iron mine, furnace and forge. This new venture was extremely profitable and he amassed a considerable fortune.
From the close of the war until his death Joseph took an active interest in military maters. He outlined a plan for a state military school and presented it to the legislature but it was never enacted.
In 1814 when President Madison ask North and South Carolina for reinforcements to aide Gen. Jackson in the Creek Indian War, Gov. Hawkins nominated Joseph to command the brigade. He was appointed, but the war department failed to furnish supplies. The brigade was so delayed that by the time they reached Jackson, the battle of Horseshoe Bend was already over.
In the 1820's Joseph began writing a series of letters and articles for Archibald D. Murphy, who was collecting material for a history of North Carolina. These writings are a valuable record of Revolutionary warfare in the Carolinas. Joseph's account of the Mecklinburg Declaration of Independence, based on memory, is a major reference work on the reliance of the proponents of the authenticity of the Declaration. .Though Joseph's public life is well documented his private life is more elusive. He and Isabella had at least 11 children, of which William was the youngest son. Yet, as of this writing, I have only verified the following:
John Davidson Graham - married Elizabeth Conner
James Graham born in Lincoln County, N.C., January 7, 1793.
William Alexander Graham - b. 5 Sept 1804 Vesuvius Furnace, Lincoln Co., N. C. married Sarah Susanna Washington
Sophia Graham - married John Ramsey Witherspoon
Ref.:Biographical Directory of the American Congress, 1774-1949; The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence (1905) G. W. Graham; Hist. sketches of North Carolina(1851) J. H. Wheeler; The N. C. Standard (Raleigh, N. C.) Obit. Dec. 7, 1836; DAR Records