CS Con Graham, William Alexander, Sr. - C.S. Senator, NC

William Alexander Graham Sr.
:CSA1stNat:
Graham.jpg


Born: September 5, 1804

Birthplace: Vesuvius Furnace near Lincolnton, North Carolina

Father: Major General Joseph Graham 1759 – 1836
(Buried: Machpelah Presbyterian Church, Lincolnton, North Carolina)​

Mother: Isabella Davidson 1764 – 1808
(Buried: Machpelah Presbyterian Church, Lincolnton, North Carolina)​

Wife: Susannah Sarah “Susan” Washington 1816 – 1890
(Buried:Hillsborough Old Town Cemetery, Hillsborough, North Carolina)​

Children:

CS Surgeon Dr. Joseph Graham 1837 – 1907​
(Buried: Elmwood Cemetery, Charlotte, North Carolina)​
Major John Washington Graham 1838 – 1928​
(Buried: Saint Matthews Episcopal, Hillsborough, North Carolina)​
Major William Alexander Graham Jr. 1839 – 1923​
(Buried: Machpelah Presbyterian Church, Lincolnton, North Carolina)​
Captain James Augustus Graham 1841 – 1909​
(Buried: Saint Matthews Episcopal, Hillsborough, North Carolina)​
Captain Robert Davidson Graham 1843 – 1905​
(Buried:Hillsborough Old Town Cemetery, Hillsborough, North Carolina)​
Dr. George Washington Graham 1847 – 1923​
(Buried: Elmwood Cemetery, Charlotte, North Carolina)​
Judge Augustus Washington Graham 1849 – 1936​
(Buried: Elmwood Cemetery, Oxford, North Carolina)​
Susan Washington Graham Clark 1851 – 1909​
(Buried: Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh, North Carolina)​
Alfred Octavius Graham 1853 – 1854​
(Buried:Hillsborough Old Town Cemetery, Hillsborough, North Carolina)​

Death.jpg

Eugene Berrien Graham 1858 – 1863​
(Buried:Hillsborough Old Town Cemetery, Hillsborough, North Carolina)​

Brother: US Congressman James Graham 1793 – 1851
(Buried: Machpelah Presbyterian Church, Lincolnton, North Carolina)​

Political Parties:

Before – 1860: Member of Whig Party
1860 – 1861: Member of Constitutional Union Party
1861 – 1865: Member of Democratic Party
1865 – 1868: Member of National Union Party
1868 – 1875: Member of Democratic Party

Education:

Attended Hillsborough, North Carolina Academy​
He was an active member of the UNC Dialectic Society​
1824: Graduated from University of North Carolina – (First Honors)​

Occupation before War:

1825 – 1840: Attorney in Hillsborough, North Carolina​
Owner of Three Plantations​
1833 – 1840: Member of North Carolina State House of Commons​
1840 – 1843: United States Senator from North Carolina​
1840 – 1843: Supporter of Henry Clay’s Programs while in the senate.​
1841 – 1843: Chairman Senate Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee​
1841 – 1843: Member of Senate Pensions Committee​
1843 – 1845: Attorney and Plantation owner in Hillsborough.​
1845 – 1849: Governor of North Carolina​
Disapproved of the Mexican War​
Supported national effort to raise a regiment for Mexican War.
Death 1.jpg
As Governor of North Carolina, he supported internal improvements​
Graham also supported railroad development as Governor.​
1849: Declined diplomatic missions to Spain and Russia.​
1850 – 1852: United States Secretary of Navy​
As Secretary of Navy, he relied on the Advice of Matthew Fontaine Maury​
As Secretary he led a constructive program of personnel reforms, exploration of Amazon basin and the Perry expedition to Japan.​
1850: Supporter of the Compromise of 1850.​
Graham Advocated moderation for the North and South.​
1852: Unsuccessful Whig Party Vice – Presidential Candidate​
1854 – 1866: North Carolina State Senator​
1860: Promoter of the Constitutional Union Party and John Bell.​

Civil War Career:

1861: He urged North Carolinians to rely on the constitution as a sufficient guarantor of their rights​
1861: Led Union men in defeating a statewide referendum to call a convention to consider secession in North Carolina.​
1861: After the firing on Fort Sumter and Lincoln’s call for troops he accepted the inevitable saying “blood was thicker than water”​
1861: Orange County Representative to Constitutional Convention​
1861: Only when there was no alternative did, he cast his vote for secession.​
1862: Declined to run for the office of Governor of North Carolina​
Advisor to Governor of North Carolina Zebulon Vance​
1864 – 1865: Confederate States Senator from North Carolina​
1864 – 1865: Member of Senate Naval Affairs Committee​
1864: Member of Congressional Joint Committee on Impressments​
Refused to support experiments in reorganization that might demoralize the army.​
Opposed virtually all of President Davis’s legislative programs.​
He believed habeas corpus suspensions were unconstitutional.​
He believed drafting slaves would destroy the meaning of Confederacy.​
He believed curtailing military exemptions would ruin the home front.​
He believed controlling states vessels in foreign commerce reduced imports by half.​
He believed frequency of presidential vetoes revealed a would–be despot.​
Most of his own bills sought to ease the tax and funding burdens on civilians.​
Leader of the Peace movement in the Confederate States Senate.​
1865: Supporter of advising separate state negotiations for the best reconstruction terms available.​

Occupation after War:

1865: Revealed the plight of southerners list who worked to preserve the Union until they saw no honorable alternative.​
1866: Elected to U.S. Senate but not allowed to take his seat.​
Leader of the redemption movement in North Carolina​
Prosecutor in the impeachment trial of Governor William W. Holden.​
1875: Elected to North Carolina Constitution Convention died before meeting.​

Died: August 11, 1875

Place of Death: Saratoga Springs, New York

Cause of Death: Organic Disease of the heart

Age at time of Death: 70 years old

Burial Place: Hillsborough Old Town Cemetery, Hillsborough, North Carolina
 
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The five sons serving in the CS Army

Major William A. Graham, Jr. 2nd NC Cavalry

Major John W. Graham organized Co D of the 56th NC

Capt Robt D Graham Co D of the 56th NC

Capt James A Graham 27th NC Regiment

Capt Joseph Graham Charlotte Artillery, Co C, 10th NC Troops
 
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