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Jimmy's father (Ed. this is James Alexander Graham) was a contractor and builder.  he put up several large buildings about 30 years ago, there was an old hotel, still standing, near the waterfront that he put up.  I presume by this time there isn't much trace left of his accomplishments..   He was considered an expert swimmer.   Swimming with companions in the Hudson River, he was taken with a cramp.   He called for help but his friends thought he was joking as he was in the habit of clowning.   They did not go to his assistance until it was too late.  His wife died 3 days later of shock and premature child birth.   Lizze, the oldest child, kept the home together for a time.  I know my father (Ed. this was John D. Graham) was with her so there must have been some money to live on.  I do not know whether the parents owned their home or not.  The smaller children were adopted.   As soon as my father was old enough he drove the horses for a canal boat on the Erie Canal.

According to LDS records, Michael Graham was born in Barony, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland between 1815 and 1820.  Agnes Buchanan was also born in Barony, and her birth year was around 1819.  Michael and Agnes  were married in Barony on December 6, 1840.  The marriage register states that Michael was a joiner from nearby Bridgeton.  (The occupation of joiner meant wood worker or carpenter.)  While in Scotland, the couple lived on Belle Street in Glasgow. 

According to their granddaughter, Grace Graham Peebles, Michael and Agnes emigrated from Scotland to New York in July 1845 with their children, Elizabeth and 3-month-old John.  A 1936 newspaper interview with their son Nathaniel indicated that the family went back to Scotland shortly before Nathaniel’s birth.  An estimate of that birth date is August 13, 1846 or 1847.  Nathaniel claimed that when he was nine months old, the family returned to America.  The 1855 New York census states that Michael, Agnes, Elizabeth, John, and Nathaniel were all born in Scotland.  The younger children were born in New York.  

According to the 1855 state census, the Graham family lived in Dutchess County, NY at least between 1850 and 1853.  Then they moved to New Windsor in Orange County, NY where they had a house along the Quassaick Creek.  At that time Michael had already been naturalized, and his occupation was listed as cabinet maker.  Michael was a builder/contractor in the Newburgh/New Windsor area. He is said to have put up several large buildings including a hotel at the foot of the main street in Newburgh on the Hudson River.

In 1855 the family consisted of the parents, Michael and Agnes Graham, and their 6 children: Elizabeth, John D., Nathaniel Ferguson, James Alexander, Thomas, and Clarinda (later known as Clara). Two more children were born after the 1855 census: William C. and Mary.  Mary was later adopted and renamed Lillian. 

The story of the deaths of Michael and Agnes comes from John’s daughter, Grace Graham Peebles.  Around 1859 Michael was swimming in the Hudson River when he got a cramp.  He called to his companions for help, but they thought he was joking as he was prone to do.  His friends did not come to Michael’s aid in time, and Michael drowned.  Agnes died 3 days later from shock and premature childbirth.  Michael and Agnes were buried in Big Rock Cemetery in Newburgh.  On September 24, 1877 they were removed from Big Rock and were re-buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in New Windsor.  Their graves are west of section A, on the outer edge of the cemetery, near one of the cemetery driveways.

For a while 17-year-old Lizzie (Elizabeth),the eldest child, kept the family together.  Eventually the children were sent to live with different families, and the younger ones were adopted.  In spite of their separation, the eight Graham children managed to keep in touch with each other through the years.