Our Proud Heritage: The Legacy of William Graham Sr. and Sarah Jacobs
We are honored to be the descendants of William Graham Sr. (b. 1790) and Sarah Jacobs (b. 1794) of Bladen County, North Carolina. Both William and Sarah were born free in North Carolina, living as free persons of color long before the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863.
The earliest known record of William and Sarah together appears in the 1840 United States Federal Census, which lists them residing in Bladen County with a household of seven. Nearby, their eldest son, John Graham (b. 1810), is documented with a household of six, and their eldest daughter, Elizabeth Graham (b. 1819), is recorded alongside her husband, Henry Bowen, with a household of three. By the 1850 United States Federal Census, William and Sarah appear living with two of their sons and a grandson, identified as “Mulatto”—a classification historically applied to individuals of mixed racial ancestry, including Native American, African, and European heritage.
Ancestral Roots and Native American Heritage
Our lineage traces back to the original inhabitants of this land—Native Americans who lived here thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. Extensive research, supported by thousands of historical documents, indicates that Sarah Jacobs’ family members were landowners in Duplin, New Hanover, Bladen, and Brunswick Counties, North Carolina, as early as the mid-1700s.
Further historical records, including documented war pensions, confirm that Sarah’s father, Zachariah Jacobs (Holmes) (1753–1847), along with several uncles and cousins—such as Primus Jacobs (1760–1834) and Hezekiah Jacobs (b. 1755)—valiantly served in the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). Many of Sarah’s relatives are recognized members of the Lumbee Indian Tribe of Robeson County, the Coharie Indian Tribe of Sampson and Harnett Counties, and the Waccamaw Siouan Indian Tribe of Bladen and Columbus Counties, North Carolina.
The Legacy of William Graham Sr.
While much remains unknown about William Graham Sr., historical records confirm that he was born free in North Carolina, was of mixed ancestry, and was never enslaved. His descendants embraced both African American and Native American identities, reflecting the diverse cultural heritage of their lineage.
Two of William and Sarah’s sons played pivotal roles in establishing religious institutions in their communities:
• James Graham (1814–1884) was a founding member of Graham Chapel AME Zion Church, established in 1872 in East Arcadia, North Carolina.
• Henry Graham (b. 1830) helped found Tabernacle Believers Holiness Church, located in the Youngstown Community of Bladen County.
Family and Descendants
William and Sarah Graham had at least eight known children, though historical evidence suggests there may have been more. Their children include:
• John Graham (b. 1810)
• James Graham (1814–1884)
• Elizabeth Graham-Bowen-Freeman (1819–1911)
• Joseph Graham (b. 1827)
• Margaret “Peggy” Graham-Baldwin (b. 1827)
• Henry Graham (b. 1830)
• Martha G. Graham (b. 1835)
• William “Jack” Graham Jr. (b. 1836)
The last confirmed record of William Graham Sr. is in the 1850 U.S. Federal Census, where he is listed as residing in Bladen County, North Carolina. It is believed that he is buried somewhere between the Buckhead and Youngstown Communities. Sarah Graham appears in the 1860 U.S. Federal Census at the age of 73, living with her daughter, Elizabeth. She is thought to be buried near her husband.
Preserving Our Family’s Legacy
This family history has been carefully researched, compiled with passion, and shared with a deep commitment to honoring our ancestors and uncovering the truth of our lineage. We welcome any additional information that may further enrich our understanding of our family’s remarkable heritage.
Thank you for visiting and for joining us in celebrating the enduring legacy of William Graham Sr. and Sarah Jacobs.
