General Notes

on headstone: She"s gone to worlds above
Where  Saints and Angles meet
To realize our Saviours love
And Worship at his feet.

The following is a letter sent to me from Owen Graham about Etta and John Graham because I had asked him if he knew any thing about there kinship to each other. Were they cousins. His Answer was that it was told in his family that they were distant cousins.

Regarding Etta and John Peter. Louella Graham Ryan was the oldest child of this marriage. After Etta died, Louella came to live with my grandparents. Roughly about the time my dad was born. She was always a close member of our family, and I saw her probably at least 3 times a year for my entire life. I remember Aunt Lou telling me about the relationship of her parents, but I do not remember it exactly. My recollection is that Etta and John Peter are extremely distant cousins. I believe that John Peter Graham's family originally came from South Carolina, whereas we (and Etta) are North Carolina Grahams. Jim Farmer is also a descendent of Etta and John Peter, and I believe has both lines researched. I know that Anthony Graham, Etta's grandfather, had brothers in Bell County, but I do not believe that John Peter is a descendent of one of those Grahams. I will see what more I can find out. My grandfather mentioned Etta numerous times in his "Dear Folks" letters, and possibly I will find something in there. I know that Etta was a pretty and charming girl, and being a good deal older than my grandfather, he found all of her beaus and courting of great interest. I believe John Peter was nearly 50 years old when they married. She died very young, of breast cancer, so he ended up out living her some 23 years. I also have an extremely charming letter written at Louella's death by a close friend, "Things I remember about Mrs. Ryan & Things She told me." If you are interested, I will try to transcribe it into the computer and send it on to you. It has a good deal about Louella's family, although not completely acurate, very interesting, none the less. Louella was a wonderful person, and except by accident, would still be with us today. Her mind was still sharp at 99 yrs. old.
As you are related to Etta's side, you and I are cousins. My grandfather was Etta's youngest brother (b. 22 Nov 1884). You must tell me our relationship. Perhaps I have information that would be useful to you. And I like to keep track of my cousins. We have had 70-odd reunions of the Archibald Layfayette Graham family. In my 60 years I probably haven't missed a dozen. It would be nice if one of your trips to Conroe coincided with that reunion.
Best wishes,
Cousin Owen

PS
For John Peter Graham, I can find only this at the moment. Not sure about the accuracy:
"Etta Graham was born 7 NOV 1873 in Milam Co. Texas, and died 13 JUN 1911 in Milam Co. Texas. She married John Peter Graham 7 July 1897 in Milam Co. Texas, son of George A. Marsden Graham and Sarah Elizabeth Cox. He was born 7 Dec 1848 in Horry Co., South Carolina, and died 12 December 1934 in Milam Co., Texas.