Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-07-15
Will LIAM A. GRAHAM,
or NORTH CAROLINA.

The Secretary Of the Navy, and nominee
Of the Wing party for the Vice Presidency,
is a native of Lincoln county, ia that state,
and was born IN the year 1904. His father,
the late General Joseph Graham, was born
in the county Of Chester, IN he State Of
Pennsylvania, III the year 1863, Of parents
who had emlgrated from the North OF Ire
land though Of Scotch origin thence, by
the remogal of a widowed mother, he was
transferred in early childhood TO the vicini-
ty OF Charlotte, in the county Of Mecken-
burg, North Carolina. Here he grew to
mans estate, aud received such education
as the county could then afford, at an
academy IN Charlotte, called Queens col
lege. lie was then The associate of Jack
son, Adair, aud many others who SUISSE
quenily became distinguished IN the history
of the country. When youth, about ff-
teen years of age, he was present at the IA
nous " Declaration Of Independence" on
the Doth of May, 1755, by the people Of
Mecklenberg and late IN life, furnished
his testimony in relation to tina, event, when
its authenticity was called in question: and
his certificate will be found appended to
the published accounts of that remarkable
occurrence, 50 llOlbItDlt 10 luG DdiIlbllSUl
aud yalor of the people Of that county
With two elder brothers, he entered the
glorious revolutionary army at an early
age, and served several campaigns IN the
Carolinas and Georgia, in which he rose to
the rank of a major of Cavalry. la sharp
action on the occasion of the entrance of
the British army, under Lord CORVALLIS,
into Charlotte, in September, l7e0, Major
Graham, commanding q corps Of Cavalry
under Col. Dayie, was cut down, wounded,
and left for dead, a short distance from that
village. Recovering from his wounds, he
participated actively in the campaigns OF
1871, and continued IN the service until
the end of the war After its close, he
1 filed many important public trusts, and was
/ for many years a member OF The State Leg
/ lslature, and of both the Conventions which
delberated on the adoption of the Federal
Constitution by North Carolina In the
war of 1912, having the appointment of a
] Brigadier General of Militia, he volunteer
ed his services, and commanded a brigade
called out from North and South Carolina
against the Greek Indians, and Joined the
army of General Jackson soon after the
battle of the Horse Shoe, in time TO receive
the submission of that powerful tribe. He
died in 1896, at the advanced age of II
years, beloved, honored aud respected by
the people of the good old Wing State of
North Carolina.
William Alexander Graham, his young
est son, was educated in his native State.
After the usual course Of preparatory in
struc,ion, he entered the University of
North Carolina, and was graduated with
/ the highest distinction in class of unusual
merit. His professional studies in prepara-
ton for the bar we're pursued in the office
of the Hon. Thomas Rufiin, the present
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of that
State, and one of the ablest lawyers of A.
merica. He commenced the practice of
law thoroughly prepared, and fixing his res
idence at Hilisborough, in Orange county,
soon attained the highest distinction in his
profession, and was eminently successful as
an advocate Mr.. Graham always had a
right appreciation of the character Of his
| profession and its noble aims Pure in
heart himself, benevolent in his disposition,
and generous in all his impulses, he early
became the friend of the poor and unfortu-
nate. The oppressor and wrong deer found
no advocate in him; bat he was always
ready TO give his aid to the widow and or
phan, without fee or reward aud his hap
piest efforts in his profession were made in
their cause. In him are happily blended
the graces of the christian gentleman and
the virtues of the pure and upright man.
j All who know him love him for these quail