We are the descendants of Charles & Nancy Graham and the three daughters of Bridget Graham and Wesley Mack Jay. The sisters, Savannah, Alice, and Regina were born between 1857 and 1872 in an area of Edgefield County, SC that would later become Saluda County. It is situated northwest of the central part of the state.

The history of the Grahams is based on the writings of Ira Graham (1896-1987), grandson of Charles & Nancy.

About two miles west of Saluda a man named Middleton “Mid” Graham (pronounced in those parts as Gray-ham) owned about 300 acres of land and about 15 slaves including Charles and Nancy. Charles was born in 1798 and died in 1872 at the age of 74. Nancy was born in 1803 and died in 1866 at the age of 63. Mid either purchased them and their children from his father or received them as a gift from his father Jesse. Although they lived most of their life in slavery, they did experience freedom before their death. Charles and Nancy had seven sons and three daughters. 

 
The sons took up carpentry, blacksmithy, and wheelwrighting. They were sent to all parts of the state to build houses, cotton gins, and corn mills. To practice their trade, they were taught to read, write, and do simple mathematical calculations by the slave master, who collected their pay and gave them only enough money for their expenses. When the slaves were freed in 1865, the children who had little education taught the other slaves to read and write. The transition to free citizens by some slaves was very difficult. Many would not be convinced that they were free. Some would not register or vote and others would not try to get an education.
 

Bridget Graham & Mack Jay

Bridget was the 8th child of Charles and Nancy Graham. She married Mack Jay who was born in Saluda County, SC. Bridget Jay and Mack Jay lived in the Pen Creek area.   

The Jay family was God-fearing and affiliated themselves for the most part with the Lockhart Church in Saluda County. One can only imagine the hardships and maltreatment that they faced, but they possessed the will and determination to provide for themselves and their children.

Children: Annie Jay, Savannah Daniel, Alice Allen, Regina Holt, Mack Jay, and Fed Jay.