Graves, Charles 1809-1905

GRAVES, MOORE

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 12/7/2004 at 17:33:04

Charles Graves
On Saturday night at 9 o'clock occurred the death of Charles Graves, aged 96 years, 7 months and 1 day. He was born in slavery, in Maryland, September 8, 1809. When a baby his mother was sold and taken to Kentucky where he resided until he was married. To this union two sons were born. He and his wife were sold as slaves and separated, he going to Missouri and she remaining in Kentucky. Mr. Graves remained in Missouri till the war broke out and then ran away from his master and came to Newton where he has resided ever since.

He was a member of the A. M. E. Church and the funeral services were held from there this afternoon at 3 o'clock conducted by Rev. Bouton, the Free Methodist Pastor. ~ The Newton Daily News, Monday, September 11, 1905, Page 1, Column 3
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Oldest Negro Dead

Charles Graves, probably by several years the oldest negro resident of Newton, died at the home of Mrs. Mary Moore 114 East South street last Saturday night about nine o'clock at the age of 96 years, 7 months and 1 day. He was born September 8, 1809, in the state of Maryland. From thence he came in his mother's arms to Kentucky where he spent the years of his boyhood and served as a slave. While there he was married to a young slave girl belonging to one of his master's neighbors. To them two sonce were born who he had not seen since he was taken from and family and sold to a slave holder in Missouri. One once since has he heard from his wife and that was about a year later, the letter bearing the news that she ws again married. at the outbreak of the Civil War he ran away from his master and came to Newton, in 1861, where he has since resided, for the past eighteen or ninetten years with Mrs. Moore. He was a member of the A. M. E. church of this city and lived a Christian life for the past several years. He express himself as willing and ready to die and when the end came he passed peacefully to sleep.

The funeral was held at the A. M. E. church Monday afternoon at two o'clock, Rev. J. S. Bootin officiating, and the interment was made in the Newton cemetery. ~ Newton Journal, September 13, 1905.