I'm presently unsure who the parents of Thomas and Matthew Graydon are at this time. Most researchers believe that the origin of the family name is from Ulster Ireland from the clan of Gray, under the Earl of Gray. In colonial records the spelling is extremely inconsistent from one record to the next. I have found it spelled Graden, Grayden, Greydon, Graydon and Greden. Flora Graydon Gambrll wrote that the name was orginally Gray and later became Grayson and then Graydon. She says, "As far as we can find out, the first Graydon came to Boston in the British Army. He later married a Philadelphia lady. He had four sons. The 2nd, Sterling, came to Laurens County (S. C.) as a surveyer about the time of the American Revolution. His oldest brother was pribater secretary to George Washington during the revolution, and there is a book called "Graydon's Memoirs" which tells this story. " I have not been able to find any evidence supporting this assumption. Records for this family are particularly rare perhaps because the records were destroyed during wars, floods or other natural disasters.  A recently discovered writing by the grandson of Thomas stated that he was "a native of Pennsylvannia". (see Thomas' records)

The following story was written by Anne Elcybeth "Elsie" Terry Vance, about 1952 as part of the family history for her children. She was the ggranddaughter to Thomas Graydon, her parents being Robert Y. H. Terry. The following was taken from a written history that she was able to get from her father's memories of the family written about 1906.

"Thomas Graydon's father was a soldier in the southern division of the Continental Army. There being no funds for commissary or weapons each man furnished both his food and weapon. As the force might be near a man's home he was granted furlough to see his family and get the necessary food. Grandfather Graydon had gone in to his home for this purpose. In some way the Tories, who were very active in that section, found out that he was home. They surrounded the house, took him prisoner and hung him in his own doorway. They stood guard till they knew he was dead, then rode off, leaving his family to take him down and bury him.Ê His wife was completely overcome, so his two daughters took him down, made his coffin of "split out" boards, dug his grave and buried him in his garden. Thomas Graydon the only son was a little boy, too small to help. Grandfather Graydon gave his life for his loved American. I never knew his given name. Papa always spoke of him as "Grandfather." He said as a little boy in South Carolina, he had often stood by that grave of his great grandfather at the old home in North Carolina" [Norfleet 3/6/03]

The records on this family were developed Lewis Wood before 1995 and forwarded to me by his cousin, Elizabeth (Graydon) Peery.

These researchers believe that Mathew Graydon is the brother of my Thomas Graydon. Although there is no proof to verify this at this time I include this Graydon in the line with the hope that someone will provide the needed connective material. You will also note that there are a few disagreements with what I put together for the family of Thomas Graydon. For instance James is included in both families for the time being.

1800 - US Census, Laurens Co., Roll: 50  Page: 43

Mathew Graden, (perhaps brother of Thomas)
males 0 0 1(16-20) 0 0
females 0 0 1(16-20) 0 0 - 0 0
[US Census 1800, Laurens co., SC. p43]

1810 - US Census, Laurens Co., has another Graden the right age to be a brother to Thomas Graydon.

Thomas Graden
males 3 (U-10), 1 (16-26), 1 (26-45)
females 3 (U-10), 2 (10-16) , 1 (16-26), 1 (26-45) 2 slaves

 p. 61b

 Sollomon Graden
males 2 (U-10), 1 (26-45)
females 1 (26-45), 4 slaves

 There is no record for Matthew Graden in Laurens Co.

Matthew Graden age (20-30)
wife " Age (20-30)
Son " " (10-15) (age 2 in the 1830 census)
son " " (5-10) (age 1 in 1830 census)
son " " (under 5)
(Matthew Graden Jr. and family was living with his father in the 1830 census)

Abstacts of Early Records of Laurens Co. S. C. 1785-1820
Greenville Co. Cem. records, South Carolina Genealogical Society.
Greenville Republican, Greenville. S.C. Mar, 15. 1828 issue
Norfleet, Mary Vance, records and history as recorded by her grandmother, Anne Elcybeth "Elsie" Terry Vance. 3/5/03 - email- mvn471@montrose.net
Marriage and Death Notices from Upper SC Newspapers, 1833-1865
Hemphill, J. C. Men of Mark in S. C.,Vol. III, 1908, p198-99
Peery, Elizabeth- records of(heir of James Graydon), 114 Brookside Cr., Greenville, SC 29609 (864) 292-9426, email-PerryDean@aol.com 2 Nov 2000
 
 

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web pages created by Elroy Christenson- echriste@sccd.ctc.edu - last updated 10/14/06