One of the most valuable genealogical sources is the family Bible. Long before the widespread registration of births, marriages, and deaths, families often recorded important events in their Bibles. These records can preserve information that may not survive elsewhere.
Recently, I obtained a transcription of a Graves family Bible record that documents several generations of the Graves and Pate families of Virginia and Tennessee. After reviewing the information, I added the Bible as a source in my RootsMagic database and used TreeShare to update the information in my Ancestry tree. I also attached the Bible record to several individuals on FamilySearch, including Easom Graves, Beamon Graves, and a number of Beamon’s descendants.
The Bible record contains information on my Graves line and extends the family back into Virginia before the move to Tennessee.
According to the Bible:
Beamon Graves was the son of Easom Graves and Judith Parrott of Halifax County, Virginia. Easom and Judith were married on 11 January 1787 and migrated to Tennessee in 1805.
The Bible further states:
Easom Graves was the son of John Graves of Spotsylvania County, Virginia.
While such statements should be verified with additional records whenever possible, family Bible entries often preserve traditions and relationships that can guide future research.
The Bible identifies Beamon Graves and his wife:
Beamon Graves, born 13 January 1788, died 12 July 1865
Susannah Pate Graves, born 1793, died 26 September 1892
It also identifies their children:
Sally Graves, married Phillip Ray
Susannah (“Puss”) Graves, married Jim Ray
Armannilla Graves, died about age 15
Jerry Graves, who moved to St. Joseph, Missouri
John Gassaway Graves, died young
Octavos (“Tobe”) Graves, married Elvira Thaxton
Wade Hampton Graves, married Elvira Elizabeth Teele
Henry Mickelberry Graves, married Jennie Pate and died during the Civil War
The Bible then continues with information about Wade Hampton Graves and his descendants, providing births, deaths, and marriages spanning multiple generations.
In addition to the Graves family information, the Bible preserves valuable details about the Pate family. It identifies Susannah Pate Graves as the daughter of Stephen and Polly Pate and states that Stephen Pate was the son of Anthony Pate, a Revolutionary War soldier. The record also names Anthony’s parents as Edward and Martha Pate and lists several of their children.
One particularly valuable feature of this Bible record is that it contains information on collateral relatives. Such records can help researchers identify siblings, spouses, migration patterns, and family connections that may not be obvious from census or probate records alone.
Transcription of the Graves Family Bible
FamilySearch IDs have been added to some of the Graves family members
Wade Hampton Graves Bible
Facts obtained from the family bible of Wade Hampton Graves, born on Salt Lick, Jackson County, Tenn. Bible now
Page 134 (image 107 of 292)
in possession of his son , Geo . B. Graves , Belle Meade Drive , Nashville , Tenn .
Beamon Graves, father of Wade Hampton Graves, born Jan. 13, 1788, died July 12, 1865. [KJZZ-8GQ]
Susannah Pate Graves, wife of Beamon Graves, born 1793, died Sept. 26, 1892.
Wade Hampton Graves, [KZBG-MXZ] born Nov. 10, 1832, died Aug. 28, 1901; married Elvira Elizabeth Teel, Jan. 1, 1857.
Elvira E. Teel Graves, born July 29, 1840, died Jan. 22, 1912.
The children of Wade Hampton and Elvira T. Graves were:
Burnetta Susan, born April 7, 1860.
Josephine, born April 27, 1862, died July 9, 1862.
Cartez Henry, born March 21, 1864, died Jan. 5, 1874.
George Beamon, born Jan. 14, 1868.
Verlena Edna, born Aug. 17, 1875.
Lee Hatton, born March 3, 1872, died Feb. 28, 1875.
Infant daughter, born 1858, died 1858.
Burnetta Graves and James Radford Draper were married Dec. 7, 1879. They had one child, a son, who lived only a few days.
Lena Graves and Joseph J. Pate were married July 25, 1895. Their children were:
Earl Graves, born June 14, 1896.
Willie George, born Oct. 5, 1897, died July 28, 1902.
John Henry, born June 29, 1899.
Alberta Teele, born June 25, 1812. [The year reads 1812, but is likely 1912 based on marriage date and births of other children.]
George Beamon and Anne Carver Graves were married Nov. 26, 1901. Their children were:
Martha Marma, born Aug. 10, 1906.
Anne Elizabeth, born Aug. 24, 1912.
Mrs. Nettie Graves Draper married J. W. Draper, Jan. 18, 1891.
She married J. A. Montgomery, Nov. 1, 1916.
Page 134 – right column
She married J. R. Richmond, Nov. 28, 1920.
She was faithful to each husband unto death.
Earl Graves Pate and Frieda B. Hays were married Jan. 6, 1919.
Their children were:
Miriam Louell, born Oct. 12, 1919.
Earl Graves, Jr., born June 4, 1923.
Frieda Jean, born Nov. 25, 1924.
Lloyd Whitefield, born July 26, 1926.
John Henry Pate and Adeline B. Hays were married May 14, 1925.
Their children were:
Joe Henry, born March 28, 1926.
Virginia Adeline, born May 31, 1928.
Robert Hays, born Oct. 12, 1929.
Beamon Graves and Susannah Pate were married about 1810.
Sally Graves, married Phillip Ray.
Susannah (Puss) Graves, married Jim Ray.
Armannilla Graves, died about the age of 15.
Jerry Graves, who moved to St. Joseph, Mo., and there left a large family.
John Gassaway Graves, died while a young man.
Octavos (Tobe) Graves, married Elvira Thaxton.
Wade Hampton, married Elvira Elizabeth Teele.
Henry Mickelberry Graves, married Jennie Pate, died during the Civil War and was buried in Richmond, Va.
Beamon Graves was the son of Easom Graves [L7NP-2S5] and Judith Parrott of Halifax County, Va., who were married Jan. 11, 1787. They came to Tennessee in 1805.
Easom Graves was the son of John Graves of Spotsylvania County, Va.
Some of John Graves children were:
Reuben Graves, [L5JW-4ST] born 1760; married …
Page 135
Elizabeth Yarbrough, Nov. 28, 1786. He fought in the Revolutionary War.
Polly Graves, married Akin Roberts, 1794.
Frances Graves, married John Shepard.
William Graves, married Rebecca East.
Winfield Graves.
Susannah Pate Graves was the daughter of Stephen and Polly Pate.
Stephen Pate, born 1768, died 1846.
Anthony Pate, son of Edward and Martha Pate, and father of Stephen Pate, fought in the Revolutionary War.
Thomas and Leroy were also the sons of Anthony and Sarah Pate.
Family Bible records should always be evaluated alongside other evidence, but they remain one of the most important sources available to genealogists. They often preserve relationships, dates, and family traditions that may not appear in official records.
This Graves family Bible provides evidence for multiple generations of the Graves and Pate families while also offering clues for future research into their Virginia origins and Tennessee migration.
Have you discovered a family Bible in your research? What clues did it provide that could not be found elsewhere?
