The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-21

with the proud motto: THE Right Is
Sufficient for Me-" During Cromwells
Irish war part of the Graham clan moved
from Scotland to the north of Ireland.
Taking part in the Rebellion of 49,
against England, their estates were con-
fiscated and the leaders were condemned
to death BY the united efforts of the
few Grahams who remained loyal ana
their friend and neighbor, the Duke OF
Abercorn, the death sentence was chang
ed to Punishment for life, and the large
family connection came to America.
Some settled In East Tennessee, where
they founded the town of Tazewell. There
they led an ideal life, reproducing as far
as possible the old life In Ireland. Aris-
tocrats to their finger tips, the last thing
they subscribed to was the declaration
that "all men were created equal
There In the wilderness they formed a
nucleus of wrath and refinement and Gull
ture famous in its day They built
churches and founded schools On Sun
day the Irish brothers and sisters with
their wives and husbands assembled
around the sacramental table and par
took of the Lords Supper in their
Ieverent fashion On week days all OF
them would take turns in assembling at
each others houses for supper which
consisted of broiled ham, chicken, beef
biscuit and waffles, pickles. preserves,
honey, pound and sponge cake, tea and
coffee Before supper was served san
garu was handed around as an appetizer.
The brothers sang Irish songs, the sisters
knitted and chatted and the children
danced In all these meetings the utmost
good feeling prevailed, and when the
parting good nights were exchanged, they
were always followed by Il wish you
well" from each one.
Volumes could be written of the differ
ent members of that remarkable family
and their family life. There was Will
liam Graham, the older brother of Hugh,
who founded colleges, freed his slaves,
paved the town and brought water in
pipes from a spring three miles away,
which in that day and time was con-
sidered the most remarkable thing he did,
There was Mrs. william Houston, who
ruled the clan with rod of iron. Once
when a new preacher suggested Wednes-,
day night prayer meeting, she said IF
you wish to pray during the week, pray
in your closet; this church will be I'M
locked only on Sunday And on Sun
day it was unlocked, and only them .Alasi
only memories remain of people and
town. Soldiers burned and plundered the
town and the gay Irish brothers and
sisters are peacefully sleeping their long
sleep.
The Famous Lucy Graham.
Hugh and Katherine Graham had a
large family. Lucy. the. eldest daughter,
married James Williams of Nashville,
Tennessee, who was minister to Turkey
under President buchanan. They went
by Paris and were presented at the court
of Louis Napoleon by Senator Mason of
Virginia, then minister to France. who
afterwards, with Slidell, presented the
claims of the southern confederacy to the
same court for recognition. A letter de-
scribes how the ladies had to kneel on
the front seat of the carriage to give room
to their voluminous skirts.
In Constantinople the American en-
bassy became famous for its southern
hospitality. Mr.. Williams was a man of
large estates in Tennessee. and Mrs.
Williams had been most admirably trained
for her position by her life at castle
Roche" where her father had insisted
on European etiquette and training for
his daughters. The years there were de-
lightful ones. In the voyage of the Nile
into lower Egypt the family were oe-
companied by Lord Dufferin, and his
mother Lady Dufferin daughter of the
famous English actor Richard Brinsley
Sheridan, and sister of the Hon. Caroline
Norton. They were also accompanied by
young French nobleman. who took with
him a corps of photographers, whose pic
lures of pyramids. temples and all OBJ
jects of interest were bound in four
volumes; one was presented to Empress
Eugene, one to the empress of Austria
one to Mary Williams. the Frenchman
keeping the fourth for his chateau
treasurers.
Lady Dufferin was very gifted wo-
man, and among Mrs. Williams valued