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Caswell County Genealogy
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 1854 - 1942 (87 years)
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| Name |
Graves, Barzillai Shuford |
| Born |
5 Jul 1854 |
Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Fraternal Organization |
Mason |
| Name |
Baz |
| Occupation |
1930 |
| County Commissioner |
| Reference Number |
3181 |
| Died |
3 May 1942 |
Yanceyville, Caswell County, North Carolina |
| Buried |
First Baptist Church of Yanceyville, Yanceyville, Caswell County, North Carolina |
| Person ID |
I3141 |
Caswell County |
| Last Modified |
17 Mar 2023 |
| Father |
Graves, William Blair, b. 12 Mar 1827, Yanceyville, Caswell County, North Carolina , d. 14 Oct 1894, Yanceyville, Caswell County, North Carolina (Age 67 years) |
| Relationship |
natural |
| Mother |
Shuford, Mary Elizabeth, b. 8 Apr 1835, Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina , d. 8 Dec 1861, Yanceyville, Caswell County, North Carolina (Age 26 years) |
| Relationship |
natural |
| Married |
30 Aug 1853 |
Buncombe County, North Carolina |
| Reference Number |
16067 |
| Family ID |
F821 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family |
Graves, Malvina F., b. 27 Oct 1870, Mount Airy, Surry County, North Carolina , d. 12 Dec 1955, Hendersonville, Henderson County, North Carolina (Age 85 years) |
| Married |
6 Nov 1894 |
Surry County, North Carolina |
| Reference Number |
23604 |
| Children |
| + | 1. Graves, Mary Elizabeth, b. 16 Mar 1896, Yanceyville, Caswell County, North Carolina , d. 11 Jan 1977, Yanceyville, Caswell County, North Carolina (Age 80 years) [natural] |
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| Last Modified |
17 Mar 2023 |
| Family ID |
F1654 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
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| Notes |
- Barzillai Shuford Graves (1854-1942)
(click on photograph for larger image)
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The players and coach (left-to-right beginning on back row the to first player seated on left:
1. Jim Slade
2. John Graves
3. John H. Kerr
4. B. S. Graves (coach)
5. Steve Richmond
6. Pomp Richmond (with bat)
7. Nat Graves (has ball in his hand; could be the pitcher)
8. Bob Roan (apparently the catcher)
9. A. Yancey Kerr
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Last Photograph: "B. S. Graves Dies," The Bee (Danville, Virginia), Monday, 4 May 1942
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Baz Shuford Graves House in Yanceyville
1939 Barzillai Shuford Graves Newspaper Article and Photograph
2005 Yanceyville Walking Tour
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Barzillai Shuford (Baz) Graves was sheriff of Caswell County and mayor of Yanceyville. Around 1890 he built a substantial Victorian house on West Main Street in Yanceyville, North Carolina. Between 1922 and 1926 he was Clerk of the Caswell County Superior Court. Purportedly a member of the Caswell County Board of Commissioners (Caswell County, North Carolina).
Caswell County Sheriff: Barzillai Graves 1879-1891
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"B. S. Graves of Yanceyville is at the Swannanoa."
Asheville Citizen-Times (Asheville, North Carolina), 26 November 1902.
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Yanceyville Postmaster: 1916
Mr. Barzillai Shuford Graves (1854-1942), agent for the surety bonding company, has designated his first cousin Mr. Robert Sterling Graves (1870-1962) Yanceyville postmaster, until an appointment can be made by the government. The Reidsville Review (Reidsville, North Carolina), 1 February 1916, Tuesday, Page 6.
This interim appointment was necessitated by the January 26, 1916, death (pneumonia) of Yanceyville Postmaster Henry Williams Perry (1869-1916). When the "government" did act, it appointed Mrs. Sallie Willie Graves Perry (1880-1960), wife of deceased Postmaster Henry Williams Perry (and sister of the Robert Sterling Graves mentioned above). She owned the building in which the Yanceyville Post Office was located.
The next year (1917) she sold the building to Crowell Automobile Co., which eventually established a Ford dealership in Yanceyville. In the 1930s this dealership became Johnny Gunn's Caswell Motor Co.
In 1918 she resigned the postmaster position because she had married D'Arcy William Bradsher (1853-1929) and moved to Roxboro, Person County, North Carolina.
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The researcher is advised that not all the claims made in the following two obituaries have been confirmed. Example: The second obituary claims that Barzillai Shuford Graves was the first president of the Bank of Yanceyville. This is incorrect as he was not born when the Bank of Yanceyville was chartered in 1852. Of course, this may have been the second iteration of the Bank of Yanceyville, which was chartered in 1906. And, not confirmed is whether he was the Mayor of Yanceyville. Also, note the differences between the two reports.
B. S. Graves, Of Caswell, Is Stricken
Yanceyville, May 3 (Special to Daily News) -- Barzillai Shuford Graves, Caswell county's grand old man, died at his home here tonight about 9 o'clock of infirmities due to old age. Mr. Graves, whose name had been prominently connected with political, religious and civic activities in this section for almost 70 years, had been in failing health during recent months.
Mr. Graves got an early start in politics. Before he was 21 years old he was elected sheriff of Caswell county and served in this capacity for several terms. Later he was named clerk of Superior court and remained in office for a number of years. He had also been a member of the board of county commissioners for several terms. He was a delegate to the Democratic national convention which first nominated Franklin D. Roosevelt for President.
The oldest Mason in Caswell county, Mr. Graves for 60 years was a charter member of Clinton Masonic lodge and also held membership in the John A. Graves lodge and the Caswell Brotherhood lodge. He was a lifetime member of Yanceyville Baptist church.
Me married Miss Mallie Graves, daughter of Judge Graves, of Mt. Airy. She preceded him in death. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. J. P. Burke, of Hendersonville, wife of Rev. Mr. Burke, and a grandchild.
Arrangements for the funeral were incomplete tonight, but services probably will be held Tuesday.
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Caswell County Trivia: Other than for the salubrious mountain air, why would Caswell County Sheriff Barzillai Shuford Graves (1854-1942) decide to spend summer months in Asheville?
"Sheriff Graves, of this county, will rusticate this month and perhaps August in Asheville, N.C., to recruit his health. We wish him a good time and increased health."
C. N. B. Evans, Editor. The Milton Chronicle (Milton, North Carolina), 1 July 1880, Thursday, Page 3.
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B. S. Graves Passes In Yanceyville/Prominent Caswell Leader Dies At 87
Yanceyville, N.C., May 4 (Special to The Bee) -- Barzillai Shuford Graves, former mayor of Yanceyville, Caswell county sheriff, chairman of the county Board of Commissioners and clerk of Superior court, died last night at his home after a period of gradually declining health. His age was 87.
Mr. Graves held a number of additional responsible positions in the county during his lifetime and was a pioneer advocate of the county's good-road policy. He was the first president of the Bank of Yanceyville, which position he filled with distinction for many years, and was an outstanding leader in other constructive movements.
He was a charter member and first master of the former John A. Graves Masonic lodge, which recently was re-named Caswell Brotherhood No. 11. Last year he received the 50-year certificate for membership in the lodge.
Mr. Graves began his career of county work at the age of 22, when he was elected sheriff. He held that position for 12 years, later taking on more responsible work.
Surviving are his wife, the former Miss Malvina Graves, of Mount Airy; one daughter, Mrs. J. P. Burke, of Hendersonville; two sisters, Mrs. T. L. Sellars and Mrs. C. T. Holt, of Burlington, and one granddaughter, Miss Betsy Graves Burke. He also leaves a number of nieces and nephews.
An interesting note in the family history of Barzillai Graves is that his great grandfather was the first white child born in North Carolina, west of the Blue Ridge mountains.
Funeral services will be conducted tomorrow morning at 11 o'clock at Yanceyville Baptist church, which he served as deacon and as superintendent of the Sunday school.
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"We regret to report that [Yanceyville] Mayor B. S. Graves is suffering from a painful sprain of his ankle. However, he is now resting quietly and so far as we can foresee a few days of rest will bring him around o.k. Baz is a model farmer and he will this year put into effect a practical demonstration of intensive farming."
The Reidsville Review (Reidsville, North Carolina), 2 June 1911.
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Yanceyville Telephone Co.
"The Yanceyville Telephone Company, of Yanceyville, Caswell County, was incorporated yesterday in the [North Carolina] Secretary of State's office, to operate a line from Milton via Hamer, Yanceyville, Purley, Gatewood, to Danville, VA, and from Yanceyville to Reidsville, Greensboro, Burlington, Graham, Hillsborough, Roxboro, and other points. The capital stock paid in is $1,000, which may be increased to $3,000. The incorporators are G. T. Hubbard, of Hamer; B. S. Graves and S. A. Malloy, of Yanceyville, and S. G. Woods, of Purley."
The North Carolinian (Raleigh, North Carolina), 17 September 1903.
In 1931, the Yanceyville Telephone Co. was operated from the second floor of the Florance Building (became the Dime Store).
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1. Grattan T. Hubbard (1855-1905) (Hamer merchant and postmaster)
2. Barzillai Shuford Graves (1854-1942) (Caswell County Sheriff, among other positions held)
3. Dr. Stephen Arnold Malloy (1872-1944) (Yanceyville medical doctor)
4. Samuel Green Woods (1853-1935) (Purley farmer, lumber mill owner, merchant)
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"B. S. Graves, prominent local resident, was honored Monday night by the presentation of a 50-year pin in the Masonic Lodge. The meeting was a special Past Master's Night, with good attendance, and its particular purpose was the honoring of Mr. Graves, who originally joined the Old Clinton Lodge No. 107 in 1889. He remained a member of the Old Clinton Lodge until 1898, when he became a charter member of the Johnny Graves Lodge 494.
"Mr. Graves was the first master of the lodge, opening its first meeting and presiding over its final meeting before it became the Caswell Brotherhood No. 11. During the meeting Mr. Graves was presented the Master's Station. John O. Gunn was recognized by the master and presented the 50-year pin. The extreme unusualness of the honor of serving a lodge 50 years made the occasion a notable one both for Mr. Graves and for the other lodge members."
The Herald-Sun (Durham, NC), 22 September 1940.
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Yanceyville. Feb. 3. -- The meeting of the Caswell County Tobacco Growers' Association was held here Monday to elect delegates to the district meeting in Reidsville next were elected in the following order: Tuesday, February 7. Seven delegates. B. S. Graves, Yanceyville; S. F. Nicks, Leasburg; William Lea, Blanche; E. B. Blackwell, Quick; H. T. Watkins, Blanche; F. R. Warren, Prospect Hill; J. A. Burton, Hightowers.
The Bee (Danville, Virginia) (4 February 1922)
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B. S. Graves, accompanied by Miss Elizabeth Graves and Miss Ruth Harrelson spent Tuesday in Wentworth and Reidsville.
Yanceyville News Items, May 5 1922: The Bee (Danville, Virginia), 6 May 1922.
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The fiddle has been missing for 78 years. The story begins with an 8 year old kid at the poorhouse on County Home rd in Yanceyville and hopefully will end with “The Fiddle Sings Again”. I have been following the family tree of musician Sebastian Phillips for about 13 years. He died in 1935 of cancer. Before he died he gave away his fiddle and pocket watch. The fiddle I tracked to High Point and the watch went Otha Chambers. There is also a family bible in Virginia. Then there is the murder of Candis Phillips and “Grass seed for Sheriff Graves”. If you are interested in this story and in helping reunite the fiddle with the Phillips side let me know. There is more to this story. Rob Catsburg55@nc.rr.com. Email 15 August 2013.
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A Brutal Negro Lynched
Danville, Va., Oct 3. -- The negro man, Mebane, who outraged and afterward killed Mrs. Hugh Walker, near Milton, N.C., on Sept. 28, was arrested last night, and to-day, while being carried from Milton to Yanceyville, N.C., was taken from the officers by about 200 men and hanged and shot.
The New York Times
Published: October 4, 1885
Some say that Bud Mebane's body was driven through town on a wagon with a sign saying “Grass seed for Sheriff Graves.”
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Caswell's Politics and Crops
Caswell County, August 9. -- The Republicans have had their convention, to nominate county candidates. Willis Carey is snubbed, and poor Tom Harrison, who has been a mere speck, is a speck no longer. Bigelow takes the place as candidate for the Legislature in place of Carey, and no reason can be assigned except Bigelow is a mulatto, a little nearer white, and the niggers evidently are tired of niggers, and Carey is what he terms a "negro." John Barnwell is the white man who takes the place of Harrison on the ticket. Barnwell is ignorant and innocent; once was elected commissioner by the negroes, but was never re-elected. Bas. S. Graves, the present Sheriff, a good Democrat, was nominated, and Maj. Jeff Brown, the present incumbent, a brother of the old war horse Bedford, was nominated for Register of Deeds.
The Democrats hold their convention on the fourth Saturday in August, and according to the present organization of the party, no doubt representative and working men will be selected. Caswell will try to redeem herself, and be no longer classed as a certain Republican county.
The late heavy and continuous rains have done considerable injury to the corp of tobacco, and corn on the bottom and creek flats, which could not have been much better, has been somewhat damaged. Tobacco in its growing state needs but little rain, an occasional shower is all that is necessary. Exceeding wet causes cessation of growth, and frequently kills. The crop with the most favorable season hence, will be late, and not an average.
Sidney L. Stephens was shot accidentally, it is said, a few days ago in Yanceyville. The gun was loaded with shot, one shot taking effect just below the eye on the nose. It was so deed the doctors declined to probe for it, thinking the probing would endanger the eye. Stephens is deputy sheriff, and was in the act of delivering Nat Powell into the hands of the jailer when the gun was discharged in the hand of Solomon Corbett. Corbett did not, after the shot, see Stephens, but it is said he was shooting at a coon. The prisoner had a shot or two, and the deputy's horse was badly shot, so much so as to disable him. Here's a chance shot that may afford a chance shot for the lawyers.
T.
The Raleigh News (Raleigh, North Carolina), August 12, 1880, Thursday, Page 2.
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"B. S. Graves, prominent local resident, was honored Monday night by the presentation of a 50-year pin in the Masonic Lodge. The meeting was a special Past Master's Night, with good attendance, and its particular purpose was the honoring of Mr. Graves, who originally joined the Old Clinton Lodge No. 107 in 1889. He remained a member of the Old Clinton Lodge until 1898, when he became a charter member of the Johnny Graves Lodge 494.
"Mr. Graves was the first master of the lodge, opening its first meeting and presiding over its final meeting before it became the Caswell Brotherhood No. 11. During the meeting Mr. Graves was presented the Master's Station. John O. Gunn was recognized by the master and presented the 50-year pin. The extreme unusualness of the honor of serving a lodge 50 years made the occasion a notable one both for Mr. Graves and for the other lodge members."
The Herald-Sun (Durham, NC), 22 September 1940.
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1860 United States Federal Census
Name: B S Graves
Age in 1860: 6
Birth Year: abt 1854
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1860: Caswell, North Carolina
Gender: Male
Post Office: Yanceyville
Household Members: Name Age
Wm B Graves 33 (William Blair Graves)
M E Graves 25 (Mary Elizabeth Shuford Graves)
B S Graves 6 (Barzillai Shuford Graves)
H R Graves 4 (Harriet Rebecca Graves)
C Reagan 20
1880 United States Federal Census
Name: B. S. Graves
Home in 1880: Yanceyville, Caswell, North Carolina
Age: 25
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1855
Birthplace: North Carolina
Relation to Head of Household: Self (Head)
Father's birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's birthplace: North Carolina
Occupation: Sheriff
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Gender: Male
Household Members: Name Age
B. S. Graves 25
1910 United States Federal Census
Name: Barzilla S Graves
Age in 1910: 55
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1855
Birthplace: North Carolina
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birth Place: North Carolina
Mother's Birth Place: North Carolina
Spouse's Name: Malvina
Home in 1910: Yanceyville, Caswell, North Carolina
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Household Members: Name Age
Barzilla S Graves 55
Malvina Graves 40
Mary E Graves 14
1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Barzillai S Graves
Age: 65
Birth Year: abt 1855
Birthplace: North Carolina
Home in 1920: Yanceyville, Caswell, North Carolina
Street: Yanceyville Road
House Number: Farm
Residence Date: 1920
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relation to Head of House: Head
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Malvina Graves
Father's Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother's Birthplace: North Carolina
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Farmer
Industry: General Farm
Employment Field: Own Account
Home Owned or Rented: Owned
Home Free or Mortgaged: Free
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members
Age Relationship
Barzillai S Graves 65 Head
Malvina Graves 50 Wife
Mary E Graves 23 Daughter
1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Baz S Graves
Home in 1930: Yanceyville, Caswell, North Carolina
Age: 75
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1855
Birthplace: North Carolina
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Malvina
Race: White
Household Members: Name Age
Baz S Graves 75
Malvina Graves 60
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