James Graham (abt. 1839 - 1901)

Born about 1839 in County Armagh, Ireland

Ancestors

Son of Samuel Graham and Elizabeth (McInally) Graham

Husband of Janet (McInnes) Graham — married 26 Nov 1861 in Pollokshaws, Renfrewshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 6 Mar 1901 at about age 62 in Pokeno, Waikato, New Zealand

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Biography

James Graham was born in Ireland.

James Graham was born about 1839 in County Armagh, Ireland. He was the son of Samuel Graham, an agricultural labourer, and Elizabeth McInally. James’ parents had at least nine children.

Birth location
James' parents were married in County Armagh, Ireland. Records for his mother’s siblings Helen (McInally) Devine and John McInally show that they were born in County Armagh. They also married in County Armagh. It seems likely that James and his siblings were born in County Armagh.

The Famine Years (1845-1852)
James' early life coincided with the years of the Irish Potato Famine. The famine was likely the reason why his parents decided to leave Ireland and take their children elsewhere.

James Graham migrated from Ireland to Scotland.

Scotland
James' parents moved the family from Ireland to Scotland in about 1850. They appear in the 1851 Scotland Census and it shows that all their children were born in Ireland (the last in 1849). His mother's siblings also moved to Scotland with their families: Helen (McInally) Devine by 1845, John McInally by 1857 and Catherine (McInally) Kinnon by 1871 (these were James' aunts and uncles and their families).

The Graham family settled near Cathcart in Renfrew County, on the south side of Glasgow, south of the River Clyde. His mother's siblings also lived in Cathcart or the nearby town of Pollokshaws in the parish of Eastwood. The 1851 and 1861 Scotland Census show the Graham family living in a home in "Newlands", an area of farmland about halfway between Cathcart and Pollokshaws. In 1851, James, age 10, was attending school. His father was working as a labourer in a quarry, as were his older brothers John and William. ^[1]

James' sister Rachel married in 1852, but her husband seems to have left. Rachel and her son returned to live with her parents. In the decade that followed, James' brother William Graham and his sister Jane Graham both married and left home to start their own families. By 1861, James' father Samuel Graham was working as an agricultural labourer and five of James' siblings were cotton mill workers.

In the 1861 Scotland Census (taken on Sunday 7 April), James, listed as age 19, was working as a farm servant and ploughman in the household of James Mather on Waukers Farms in the parish of Eaglesham in Renfrewshire. His future wife Janet McInnes, listed as age 25, was also working as a farm servant in the same household. ^[2]

Marriage
On the 26th of November 1861, James, age 22, a ploughman from Fenwick, married Janet McInnes, age 23, a farm servant from Fenwick. Fenwick is a village in East Ayrshire, about 15km southwest of Eaglesham. They were wed at 75 Main Street, Pollokshaws in the Parish of Eastwood by David Stewart, the Minister of East Free Church, Pollokshaws, after banns according to the forms of the Free Church of Scotland. James' parents were listed as Samuel Graham, a labourer, and Elizabeth McInnally. Janet's parents were listed as the late Donald McInnes, a shepherd, and Janet McCallum. Their witnesses were Arch Carson and James' sister Elizabeth Graham. ^{[3] [4]}

James and Janet's daughter Mary Graham was born on 14 December 1862 in Cathcart, Renfrewshire. ^[5] Mary was baptized on 4 January 1863 in the Cathcart Old Parish Church. ^[6]

James Graham migrated from Scotland to New Zealand.

Emigration
James and Janet decided to emigrate to New Zealand. Records show that James, Janet and their 18-month-old daughter Mary sailed aboard the Helenslee leaving Glasgow on 10 September 1864. The 334 passengers on board were selected by an agent for the Auckland Government in Glasgow. The Helenslee was a 3-masted wood sailing vessel which made several voyages to Auckland carrying immigrants. This was her second visit to the colony. "She had favourable winds almost from the start, but Captain Brown and the passengers had an anxious time when passing through icebergs on November 18. The bergs extended for several miles, and were from 80ft to 100ft high." They arrived at Auckland just before Christmas, on 23 December 1864 after a little more than 100 days at sea. Passengers were ferried to the Queen Street wharf by means of cargo boats. During the voyage there were 9 births and 14 deaths, twelve of which were infants. ^[7] James and Janet would never again see their parents, siblings or other family members. James' mother passed away in 1867 and his father died in 1881.

Pōkeno
James and Janet settled in Pōkeno a small town in the Waikato region in New Zealand, 53 km southeast of Auckland. They were among the first settlers in the region. James and Janet would have four more children, all born in Pōkeno:

1. Elizabeth Graham, born in 1866
2. James Graham Jr., born in 1867 ^[8]
3. Rachel Graham, born in 1870 ^[9]
4. Samuel Graham, born in 1872 ^[10]

James' nephew Robert Eddie, son of his sister Jane (Graham) Eddie, emigrated to New Zealand at age 18 in about 1880. It is possible that he was joining his uncle (whom he had never met). If this was the case, then James may still have been in contact with his family back in Scotland and Ireland (his sister Jane had returned to Ireland).

James appears in a 1900 New Zealand voters list which shows his address as Freehold Lots 17 and 19 in Pokeno. He was listed as a Pokeno farmer. His sons also appear in the same record and are listed as James Graham Junior, Pokeno farmer, residential, and Samuel Graham, Pokeno farmer, residential. ^[11]

Death
James died at age 62 in 1901. He had been suffering from dropsy for over a year. ^{[12] [13]} He was buried in Pokeno Cemetery in Pokeno. ^{[14] [15]} His last will and testament, written in April 1900, left all his property to his wife Janet. ^[16]

Obituary in the New Zealand Herald
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. New Zealand Herald, 12 March 1901, Page 4

Our Pokeno correspondent writes:— I regret to announce the death of one of our oldest settlers in the person of Mr. James Graham, aged 62, who passed away at one o'clock on the night of March 5. For the past 18 months the deceased has been a great sufferer from dropsy. He was unable to lie down, and has been sitting among pillows, night and day, for a long time, During the past few weeks he had been evidently failing fast. A few hours before he died, he sent for his eldest son and his wife, who live near, and talked with them about farm matters and other things, then asked them to feel his heart, if it beat rather quickly, and immediately after, said, "There's the last," and died without a struggle, apparently without any pain. He was perfectly conscious to the end. The funeral took place on March 7, at half- past two, at the' Presbyterian cemetery, Pokeno. The cortege was the largest seen in the district, for a very long time, an evidence of the high respect in which the deceased gentleman was held. Numbers of the mourners came from other districts, many miles away. The Rev. Mr. Wonsbone officiated at the grave. The late Mr. Graham came from Scotland, and settled in Pokeno Valley some 37 years ago, where two of his sons, who are married, now hold farms. There are still six of the original settlers left in the district.—[Own Correspondent.] ^[17]

James was mentioned in the obituary of his daughter Mary (Graham) Landon who passed away on 23 May 1952. ^[18]

Sources

1. ↑ "1851 Scotland Census", database with images, ScotlandsPeople, National Records of Scotland and the Court of the Lord Lyon (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk); James Grahame in the household of Samuel Grahame, citing parish number 560 , Cathcart, Renfrewshire, household schedule number 32, page 9, line 15, roll CSSCT1851_117, reference number 560/ 2/ 9.
2. ↑ "1861 Scotland Census", database with images, ScotlandsPeople, National Records of Scotland and the Court of the Lord Lyon (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk); James Grahame, servant/ploughman in the household of James Mather, citing registration number 561, Eaglesham, Renfrewshire, household schedule number 1, line 4, roll CSSCT1861_75.
3. ↑ "Scotland Statutory Registers - Marriages", database with images, ScotlandsPeople, National Records of Scotland and the Court of the Lord Lyon (https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk); digital image, James Graham and Janet McInnes, marriage, 26 November 1861, 75 Main Street, Pollokshaws in the Parish of Eastwood in the County of Renfrew; citing Registration Number 562/61.
4. ↑ Marriage: "Scotland Marriages, 1561-1910"
   FamilySearch Record: XYQ9-8YW (accessed 5 March 2023)
   James Graham marriage to Janet McInnes on 26 Nov 1861 in Eastwood, Renfrewshire, Scotland.
5. ↑ Birth of daughter Mary Graham: "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950"
   FamilySearch Record: FQZ2-D27 (accessed 5 March 2023)
   Mary Graham born to James Graham on 14 Dec 1862 in Cathcart, Renfrewshire, Scotland, United Kingdom.
6. ↑ Baptism of daughter Mary Graham: "Scotland Church Records and Kirk Session Records, 1658-1919"
   citing Baptism, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom, The National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh; FamilySearch digital folder 004137182.
   FamilySearch Record: Q2HR-K7XF (accessed 5 March 2023)
   James Graham's daughter Mary Graham baptism on 4 Jan 1863 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom.
7. ↑ Helenslee voyage and passenger list, Captain: Brown, Sailed Glasgow 10 September 1864, Arrived Auckland 23 December 1864, Reference: Archives New Zealand Micro 5019, https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~ourstuff/genealogy/Helenslee.htm
8. ↑ Birth Registration of child James Graham: "New Zealand, Civil Records Indexes, 1800-1966"
   citing Birth, New Zealand, registration number 1867/15552, Archives of New Zealand, Wellington.
   FamilySearch Record: Q24J-RK1G (accessed 5 March 2023)
   https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/Search/Search.aspx?Path=%2FqueryEntry.m%3Ftype%3Dbirths
   James Graham born to James Graham in 1867 in New Zealand.
9. ↑ Birth Registration of child Rachel Graham: "New Zealand, Civil Records Indexes, 1800-1966"
   citing Birth, New Zealand, registration number 1870/16515, Archives of New Zealand, Wellington.
   FamilySearch Record: Q24J-1C84 (accessed 5 March 2023)
   https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/Search/Search.aspx?Path=%2FqueryEntry.m%3Ftype%3Dbirths
   Rachel Graham born to James Graham in 1870 in New Zealand.
10. ↑ Birth Registration of child Samuel Graham: "New Zealand, Civil Records Indexes, 1800-1966"
    citing Birth, New Zealand, registration number 1872/16833, Archives of New Zealand, Wellington.
    FamilySearch Record: Q24V-SQKV (accessed 5 March 2023)
    https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/Search/Search.aspx?Path=%2FqueryEntry.m%3Ftype%3Dbirths
    Samuel Graham born to James Graham in 1872 in New Zealand.
11. ↑ "New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981", Name: James Graham, Pokeno farmer; Electoral Year: 1900; Address: Freehold Lots 17 & 19, Pokeno; District: Waikato; Region or Province: Waikato
12. ↑ Death - Death registration data - Reg no. 1901/515 for James Graham, death age 62. Accessed at BDM Online https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/ on 6 Feb 2021
13. ↑ Death: "New Zealand, Civil Records Indexes, 1800-1966"
    citing Death, New Zealand, registration number 1901/515, Archives of New Zealand, Wellington.
    FamilySearch Record: QGXS-W8K5 (accessed 5 March 2023)
    https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/Search/Search.aspx?Path=%2FqueryEntry.m%3Ftype%3Ddeaths
    James Graham death 1901 in New Zealand.
14. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
    Find A Grave: Memorial #175946919 (accessed 5 March 2023)
    Memorial page for James Graham (1839-6 Mar 1901), citing Pokeno Cemetery, Pokeno, Waikato District, Waikato, New Zealand (plot: BLOCK GRAVES. ROW N. Plot 5); Maintained by AndreaKiwi (contributor 48230642).
15. ↑ Burial: "BillionGraves Index"
    citing BillionGraves (http://www.billiongraves.com : 2012), Burial at Pokeno Public Cemetery, Pokeno, Auckland, New Zealand.
    FamilySearch Record: QL8G-ZKMJ (accessed 5 March 2023)
    http://billiongraves.com/pages/record/person/23791360
    James Graham burial (died on 6 Mar 1901) in Pokeno, Auckland, New Zealand.
16. ↑ Probate: "New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Probate Records, 1843-1998"
    citing record number 3947, Archives New Zealand, Auckland Regional Office; FamilySearch digital folder 101099474.
    FamilySearch Record: Q2XL-Z7DZ (accessed 10 March 2023)
    FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-C9T3-19R3-S Image number 00264
    James Graham probate in 1901 in Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. Occupation: Settler.
17. ↑ News Item on Death - New Zealand Herald, 12 March 1901, Page 4. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19010312.2.20
18. ↑ Obituary of daughter Mrs Mary Landon: "New Zealand, Obituaries, 1844-1963"
    citing New Zealand, various New Zealand newspapers; FHL microfilm 7,832,199.
    FamilySearch Record: QGTV-2PJQ (accessed 5 March 2023)
    FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CS3C-T93H-K Image number 00115
    Name: Mr James Graham; Relationship To Head: Father; Image Pal

DNA Confirmations

• DNA confirmation to mother: Maternal relationship is confirmed by a triangulated group on MyHeritageDNA who share a 11.9 cM segment on chromosome 17, consisting of Eric Bain and his 3rd cousin 1x removed, MB (daughter of Mavis (Watson) Burt) and his 4th cousin 1x removed, IHM (son of Annie (Cowan) McFie). (MB and IHM are 4th cousins.) These matches have been independently verified via the MyHeritage Chromosome Browser. Their most-recent common ancestors are Samuel McInally and Sarah Johnston, the 4x great grandparents of Eric Bain and 3x great grandparents of both MB and IHM. (accessed 08 February 2024)

See also:

• FamilySearch Person: LBFH-1GZ