Abram "Abraham" Grafius born Dec. 7, 1812 in Pennsylvania. On Ancestry.com there is a record of baptism for an Abraham Grafius born Sept. 7, 1813 at York, PA to Jacob & Catharina Grafius and baptized June 23, 1813, but Abraham's cemetery record lists him born 1812, so that may not be his.
Laws of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of PA,
1844. No. 247. An Act. To authorize the governor to incorporate the Lock Haven turnpike road company in Clinton County.
Section 1: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of PA in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same. That (list of names), Abraham Grafius, of said county of Clinton, are hereby appointed commissioners, to do and perform the several things hereinafter mentioned. (List of duties).
1850 Lock Haven, Clinton, PA, Abraham Graffius 37 born abt 1813 PA, a Merchant, real estate $2,500, Mary A 30 born abt, Emma L 5, Sally T 3, John 1. Next door living is Jacob Graffius 37 and family. This Jacob and Abraham are mentioned in the Historical Sites of Clinton County, PA (BELOW).
1860 Lock Haven, Clinton, PA, Abe Grafius 47 born abt 1813 PA, a Merchant, real estate $10,000, personal estate $3,000, Mary A 40 born abt 1820 PA, Emma 15, Laura 7, Mary Barger 22, a Servant.
1870 Lock Haven, Clinton, PA, Abraham Grafius 57 born abt 1813 PA, Mary Ann 51 born abt 1819 PA, Laura 17, living with or next o Peter Mellick adn family.
Abraham died on Sept. 26, 1872. The obituary lists last Thur. (Oct. 3rd), but the Orphan’s Court & Wills Index has the 1st, yet cemetery record lists died Sept. 26th.
The Renovo Record, Thur., Oct. 10, 1872
Death of An Old Citizen.
On Thursday morning last, Mr. Abraham Grafius, aged 60 years, Cashier of the First National Bank of this city, on awaking put his hand to his head and complained that he was unwell, and shortly after he was a corpse. Mr. Grafius came to this city in 1838 and engaged in business with his cousin. He continued therein until 1864, when he was elected Cashier of the First National Bank of this city, which he filled up to the time of his death. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. He leaves a widow and two daughters. Mr. Grafius bore a good business reputation. He was an indefatigable worker. His funeral was attended from his late residence, on Saturday last. The remains were interred in Highland cemetery – Lock Haven Republican of last week.
Clinton County, PA Orphans Wills.
Grafius Abraham, Lock Haven, died 10-1-1872, File No. 648, Will Book B, p. 84, Admx. Mary A. Grafius written Dec. 7, 1867.
1 Give all household furniture to wife Mary Ann and for her to receive income from his estate all her life.
2 After her death, divided equally between children Emma L and Laura Grafius.
Highland Cemetery
1.20.1 Elliott Laura G, w/o A. Jr., born 3-28-1850, died 11-1-1901
1.20.1 Grafius Mary Ann, born 2-9-1820, died 10-13-1881
1.20.1 Watson Emma L Grafius, w/o Dr. R. B., born abt 1846, died 3-9-1885
1.20.1 Watson Robert Belville, M.D., G.A.R., (stone face down), born abt 1838, died 10-9-1925
1.20.1 Grafius Abram, born 12-07-1812, died 9-26-1872
1.20.2 Grafius John Small, s/o Abram & Mary Ann, died 9-25-1850
1.20.3 Grafius Sarah Thompson, age 5.7.18, d/o Abram & Mary Ann, died 9-17-1850
1.20.4 Sanderson Agnes Louise, 1878, 1957
1.20.5 Sanderson William C., 1872, 1961
1.20.6 Thorne Laura Watson, age 70, 8-16, 1940
1.20.7 Watson Infant, d/o Dr. R. B. & E. L, no dates
------
Daughter Emma and husband:
Historical and Biographical Work: Or Past and Present of Clinton County, PA, 1892, J. Milton Furey, p. 203.
R. B. Watson, M.D.
Dr. R. B. Watson was born at Gettsyburg, Adams county, Pa., in 1838. He prepared for college at what was then called the Lawrenceville school, at Lawrence, N.J. He entered Princeton college in 1855, and graduated from that institution in 1859. He then began the study of medicine with Dr. W. Q. Davis, of Milton, Pa. In 1861 he entered the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, and graduated from there in 1863. He then went to the war, and after a few months was appointed surgeon for the United States Army hospital, at Chester, Pa., which position he held until April, 1865. In June 1865, he came to Lock Haven, where he soon acquired a lucrative practice. Dr. Watson was married in December, 1866, to Emma L. Graffius, daughter of Abraham Graffius, one of Lock Haven’s oldest and most prominent citizens. His wife died in 1884, and in September 1887, he married Miss Anna Elliott, of Jersey City. At the present time Dr. Watson is president of the Clinton County Medical society, State Member of the Pennsylvania Medical society, a member of the American Medical association, and a member of the National Association of Railway Surgeons. He is one of the trustees of the Great Island Presbyterian church, and has been for ten years a trustee of the Lock Haven Normal school, as well as one of its strongest supporters. He is one of the best physician in the city of Lock Haven, and one of her most useful citizens.
The bio above lists that daughter Emma died in 1884 and also there is a record with that date, but her cemetery record lists died 1885?
Clinton County, PA Orphans Court Index
Watson Emma L, Lock Haven, died 3-9-1884, File No. 1523, Adm. R. B. Watson, minors Grace, H. & Mary.
-----
Historical Sites, Clinton County, PA
The Abraham Grafius House, 200-210 E Water St., Lock Haven, PA., dwelling-store. (attached photo of his)
The Jacob Grafius House, 214-216 E. Water St, Lock Haven, PA.
The Jacob Grafius Building, 217 E Water St, Lock Haven, PA.
Some believe the fort to have been at the Grafius House, west of the museum. This has been the prevailing belief for many years. This belief is based on the
fact that the Daughters of the American Revolution placed the monument there, which states that it is within the stockade of Fort Reed. It says,"Located in
the stockade of Fort Reed, built in 1775 for defense against the Indians."
This belief also comes from the first edition of History of the West Branch Valley, by John F. Meginniss, in which he states,"Reed’s Fort was erected on the
site now occupied by the J. Grafius House in Lock Haven."
In Past and Present of Clinton.
It is widely believed that the monument placed at the site of the Grafius Building was in the correct location, and marks the site of Fort Reed. But there is
some doubt about this. In fact, there has always been some doubt.
The Grafius Properties
Deeds at the courthouse describe the properties that were purchased by the Grafius brothers in the 1840s. They purchased the property of the Grafius House,
at 217 East Water Street, widely thought to have been the site of Fort Reed. However, though the monument may stand at that location, this may not have
been the correct site, according to the 1899 article.
The Grafius brothers also purchased a property east of the canal, where the Horizon House now stands. They may have owned property here that was on or
near Fort Reed, though that is unprovable. Perhaps excavation of the area, or a study with ground-based radar, would be able to tell us more.
The stockade of Fort Reed, which would have surrounded multiple structures, is universally described as being large, though no maps or pictures remain to
show the exact area covered. It is conceivable that the stockade may have overlapped the Grafius property on the east of the canal, and still covered the area
that is now the Heisey Museum. This could have been later confused with the Grafius House property on Water Street, which may have mistakenly been
thought to be the property that covered part of the fort.
Dr. Winner may have made an effort to retrieve timbers from the river in 1959 and rebuild the stockade, but that doesn’t prove that the stockade was there
in the first place. And there may have been a well in the basement of the Grafius House, but there is also a stone circular well in the basement of the Heisey
Museum. If early settlers needed a well within the stockade of the fort, there’s one at each site.
Deeds 1840 & 1843.
"....To Jacob Grafius and Abraham Grafius and to their heirs and [illegible] the other undivided hail part of four certain Lots of grounds situate on the Town
of Lock Haven, aforesaid and described as follows, for here of adjoining each other and bounded on the North by Main Street on the West by the Bald
Eagle Canal, on the South by Willards Alley and on the East by Lot No. 69 and known on the general plot of said Town as Lots number seventy (70) and
seventy one (71) containing each one quarter of an acre more or less according to the town plot."
"John Miller, Sheriff of Clinton County To J+A Grafius"
"...Frame house and lot of ground in the Western Addition of the town of Lock Haven containing about one fourth of an acre situate on Water Street and
known as the part of the said Western addition....."
Laws of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of PA,
1844. No. 247. An Act. To authorize the governor to incorporate the Lock Haven turnpike road company in Clinton County.
Section 1: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of PA in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same. That (list of names), Abraham Grafius, of said county of Clinton, are hereby appointed commissioners, to do and perform the several things hereinafter mentioned. (List of duties).
1850 Lock Haven, Clinton, PA, Abraham Graffius 37 born abt 1813 PA, a Merchant, real estate $2,500, Mary A 30 born abt, Emma L 5, Sally T 3, John 1. Next door living is Jacob Graffius 37 and family. This Jacob and Abraham are mentioned in the Historical Sites of Clinton County, PA (BELOW).
1860 Lock Haven, Clinton, PA, Abe Grafius 47 born abt 1813 PA, a Merchant, real estate $10,000, personal estate $3,000, Mary A 40 born abt 1820 PA, Emma 15, Laura 7, Mary Barger 22, a Servant.
1870 Lock Haven, Clinton, PA, Abraham Grafius 57 born abt 1813 PA, Mary Ann 51 born abt 1819 PA, Laura 17, living with or next o Peter Mellick adn family.
Abraham died on Sept. 26, 1872. The obituary lists last Thur. (Oct. 3rd), but the Orphan’s Court & Wills Index has the 1st, yet cemetery record lists died Sept. 26th.
The Renovo Record, Thur., Oct. 10, 1872
Death of An Old Citizen.
On Thursday morning last, Mr. Abraham Grafius, aged 60 years, Cashier of the First National Bank of this city, on awaking put his hand to his head and complained that he was unwell, and shortly after he was a corpse. Mr. Grafius came to this city in 1838 and engaged in business with his cousin. He continued therein until 1864, when he was elected Cashier of the First National Bank of this city, which he filled up to the time of his death. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. He leaves a widow and two daughters. Mr. Grafius bore a good business reputation. He was an indefatigable worker. His funeral was attended from his late residence, on Saturday last. The remains were interred in Highland cemetery – Lock Haven Republican of last week.
Clinton County, PA Orphans Wills.
Grafius Abraham, Lock Haven, died 10-1-1872, File No. 648, Will Book B, p. 84, Admx. Mary A. Grafius written Dec. 7, 1867.
1 Give all household furniture to wife Mary Ann and for her to receive income from his estate all her life.
2 After her death, divided equally between children Emma L and Laura Grafius.
Highland Cemetery
1.20.1 Elliott Laura G, w/o A. Jr., born 3-28-1850, died 11-1-1901
1.20.1 Grafius Mary Ann, born 2-9-1820, died 10-13-1881
1.20.1 Watson Emma L Grafius, w/o Dr. R. B., born abt 1846, died 3-9-1885
1.20.1 Watson Robert Belville, M.D., G.A.R., (stone face down), born abt 1838, died 10-9-1925
1.20.1 Grafius Abram, born 12-07-1812, died 9-26-1872
1.20.2 Grafius John Small, s/o Abram & Mary Ann, died 9-25-1850
1.20.3 Grafius Sarah Thompson, age 5.7.18, d/o Abram & Mary Ann, died 9-17-1850
1.20.4 Sanderson Agnes Louise, 1878, 1957
1.20.5 Sanderson William C., 1872, 1961
1.20.6 Thorne Laura Watson, age 70, 8-16, 1940
1.20.7 Watson Infant, d/o Dr. R. B. & E. L, no dates
------
Daughter Emma and husband:
Historical and Biographical Work: Or Past and Present of Clinton County, PA, 1892, J. Milton Furey, p. 203.
R. B. Watson, M.D.
Dr. R. B. Watson was born at Gettsyburg, Adams county, Pa., in 1838. He prepared for college at what was then called the Lawrenceville school, at Lawrence, N.J. He entered Princeton college in 1855, and graduated from that institution in 1859. He then began the study of medicine with Dr. W. Q. Davis, of Milton, Pa. In 1861 he entered the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, and graduated from there in 1863. He then went to the war, and after a few months was appointed surgeon for the United States Army hospital, at Chester, Pa., which position he held until April, 1865. In June 1865, he came to Lock Haven, where he soon acquired a lucrative practice. Dr. Watson was married in December, 1866, to Emma L. Graffius, daughter of Abraham Graffius, one of Lock Haven’s oldest and most prominent citizens. His wife died in 1884, and in September 1887, he married Miss Anna Elliott, of Jersey City. At the present time Dr. Watson is president of the Clinton County Medical society, State Member of the Pennsylvania Medical society, a member of the American Medical association, and a member of the National Association of Railway Surgeons. He is one of the trustees of the Great Island Presbyterian church, and has been for ten years a trustee of the Lock Haven Normal school, as well as one of its strongest supporters. He is one of the best physician in the city of Lock Haven, and one of her most useful citizens.
The bio above lists that daughter Emma died in 1884 and also there is a record with that date, but her cemetery record lists died 1885?
Clinton County, PA Orphans Court Index
Watson Emma L, Lock Haven, died 3-9-1884, File No. 1523, Adm. R. B. Watson, minors Grace, H. & Mary.
-----
Historical Sites, Clinton County, PA
The Abraham Grafius House, 200-210 E Water St., Lock Haven, PA., dwelling-store. (attached photo of his)
The Jacob Grafius House, 214-216 E. Water St, Lock Haven, PA.
The Jacob Grafius Building, 217 E Water St, Lock Haven, PA.
Some believe the fort to have been at the Grafius House, west of the museum. This has been the prevailing belief for many years. This belief is based on the
fact that the Daughters of the American Revolution placed the monument there, which states that it is within the stockade of Fort Reed. It says,"Located in
the stockade of Fort Reed, built in 1775 for defense against the Indians."
This belief also comes from the first edition of History of the West Branch Valley, by John F. Meginniss, in which he states,"Reed’s Fort was erected on the
site now occupied by the J. Grafius House in Lock Haven."
In Past and Present of Clinton.
It is widely believed that the monument placed at the site of the Grafius Building was in the correct location, and marks the site of Fort Reed. But there is
some doubt about this. In fact, there has always been some doubt.
The Grafius Properties
Deeds at the courthouse describe the properties that were purchased by the Grafius brothers in the 1840s. They purchased the property of the Grafius House,
at 217 East Water Street, widely thought to have been the site of Fort Reed. However, though the monument may stand at that location, this may not have
been the correct site, according to the 1899 article.
The Grafius brothers also purchased a property east of the canal, where the Horizon House now stands. They may have owned property here that was on or
near Fort Reed, though that is unprovable. Perhaps excavation of the area, or a study with ground-based radar, would be able to tell us more.
The stockade of Fort Reed, which would have surrounded multiple structures, is universally described as being large, though no maps or pictures remain to
show the exact area covered. It is conceivable that the stockade may have overlapped the Grafius property on the east of the canal, and still covered the area
that is now the Heisey Museum. This could have been later confused with the Grafius House property on Water Street, which may have mistakenly been
thought to be the property that covered part of the fort.
Dr. Winner may have made an effort to retrieve timbers from the river in 1959 and rebuild the stockade, but that doesn’t prove that the stockade was there
in the first place. And there may have been a well in the basement of the Grafius House, but there is also a stone circular well in the basement of the Heisey
Museum. If early settlers needed a well within the stockade of the fort, there’s one at each site.
Deeds 1840 & 1843.
"....To Jacob Grafius and Abraham Grafius and to their heirs and [illegible] the other undivided hail part of four certain Lots of grounds situate on the Town
of Lock Haven, aforesaid and described as follows, for here of adjoining each other and bounded on the North by Main Street on the West by the Bald
Eagle Canal, on the South by Willards Alley and on the East by Lot No. 69 and known on the general plot of said Town as Lots number seventy (70) and
seventy one (71) containing each one quarter of an acre more or less according to the town plot."
"John Miller, Sheriff of Clinton County To J+A Grafius"
"...Frame house and lot of ground in the Western Addition of the town of Lock Haven containing about one fourth of an acre situate on Water Street and
known as the part of the said Western addition....."
Abram "Abraham" Grafius born Dec. 7, 1812 in Pennsylvania. On Ancestry.com there is a record of baptism for an Abraham Grafius born Sept. 7, 1813 at York, PA to Jacob & Catharina Grafius and baptized June 23, 1813, but Abraham's cemetery record lists him born 1812, so that may not be his.
Laws of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of PA,
1844. No. 247. An Act. To authorize the governor to incorporate the Lock Haven turnpike road company in Clinton County.
Section 1: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of PA in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same. That (list of names), Abraham Grafius, of said county of Clinton, are hereby appointed commissioners, to do and perform the several things hereinafter mentioned. (List of duties).
1850 Lock Haven, Clinton, PA, Abraham Graffius 37 born abt 1813 PA, a Merchant, real estate $2,500, Mary A 30 born abt, Emma L 5, Sally T 3, John 1. Next door living is Jacob Graffius 37 and family. This Jacob and Abraham are mentioned in the Historical Sites of Clinton County, PA (BELOW).
1860 Lock Haven, Clinton, PA, Abe Grafius 47 born abt 1813 PA, a Merchant, real estate $10,000, personal estate $3,000, Mary A 40 born abt 1820 PA, Emma 15, Laura 7, Mary Barger 22, a Servant.
1870 Lock Haven, Clinton, PA, Abraham Grafius 57 born abt 1813 PA, Mary Ann 51 born abt 1819 PA, Laura 17, living with or next o Peter Mellick adn family.
Abraham died on Sept. 26, 1872. The obituary lists last Thur. (Oct. 3rd), but the Orphan’s Court & Wills Index has the 1st, yet cemetery record lists died Sept. 26th.
The Renovo Record, Thur., Oct. 10, 1872
Death of An Old Citizen.
On Thursday morning last, Mr. Abraham Grafius, aged 60 years, Cashier of the First National Bank of this city, on awaking put his hand to his head and complained that he was unwell, and shortly after he was a corpse. Mr. Grafius came to this city in 1838 and engaged in business with his cousin. He continued therein until 1864, when he was elected Cashier of the First National Bank of this city, which he filled up to the time of his death. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. He leaves a widow and two daughters. Mr. Grafius bore a good business reputation. He was an indefatigable worker. His funeral was attended from his late residence, on Saturday last. The remains were interred in Highland cemetery – Lock Haven Republican of last week.
Clinton County, PA Orphans Wills.
Grafius Abraham, Lock Haven, died 10-1-1872, File No. 648, Will Book B, p. 84, Admx. Mary A. Grafius written Dec. 7, 1867.
1 Give all household furniture to wife Mary Ann and for her to receive income from his estate all her life.
2 After her death, divided equally between children Emma L and Laura Grafius.
Highland Cemetery
1.20.1 Elliott Laura G, w/o A. Jr., born 3-28-1850, died 11-1-1901
1.20.1 Grafius Mary Ann, born 2-9-1820, died 10-13-1881
1.20.1 Watson Emma L Grafius, w/o Dr. R. B., born abt 1846, died 3-9-1885
1.20.1 Watson Robert Belville, M.D., G.A.R., (stone face down), born abt 1838, died 10-9-1925
1.20.1 Grafius Abram, born 12-07-1812, died 9-26-1872
1.20.2 Grafius John Small, s/o Abram & Mary Ann, died 9-25-1850
1.20.3 Grafius Sarah Thompson, age 5.7.18, d/o Abram & Mary Ann, died 9-17-1850
1.20.4 Sanderson Agnes Louise, 1878, 1957
1.20.5 Sanderson William C., 1872, 1961
1.20.6 Thorne Laura Watson, age 70, 8-16, 1940
1.20.7 Watson Infant, d/o Dr. R. B. & E. L, no dates
------
Daughter Emma and husband:
Historical and Biographical Work: Or Past and Present of Clinton County, PA, 1892, J. Milton Furey, p. 203.
R. B. Watson, M.D.
Dr. R. B. Watson was born at Gettsyburg, Adams county, Pa., in 1838. He prepared for college at what was then called the Lawrenceville school, at Lawrence, N.J. He entered Princeton college in 1855, and graduated from that institution in 1859. He then began the study of medicine with Dr. W. Q. Davis, of Milton, Pa. In 1861 he entered the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, and graduated from there in 1863. He then went to the war, and after a few months was appointed surgeon for the United States Army hospital, at Chester, Pa., which position he held until April, 1865. In June 1865, he came to Lock Haven, where he soon acquired a lucrative practice. Dr. Watson was married in December, 1866, to Emma L. Graffius, daughter of Abraham Graffius, one of Lock Haven’s oldest and most prominent citizens. His wife died in 1884, and in September 1887, he married Miss Anna Elliott, of Jersey City. At the present time Dr. Watson is president of the Clinton County Medical society, State Member of the Pennsylvania Medical society, a member of the American Medical association, and a member of the National Association of Railway Surgeons. He is one of the trustees of the Great Island Presbyterian church, and has been for ten years a trustee of the Lock Haven Normal school, as well as one of its strongest supporters. He is one of the best physician in the city of Lock Haven, and one of her most useful citizens.
The bio above lists that daughter Emma died in 1884 and also there is a record with that date, but her cemetery record lists died 1885?
Clinton County, PA Orphans Court Index
Watson Emma L, Lock Haven, died 3-9-1884, File No. 1523, Adm. R. B. Watson, minors Grace, H. & Mary.
-----
Historical Sites, Clinton County, PA
The Abraham Grafius House, 200-210 E Water St., Lock Haven, PA., dwelling-store. (attached photo of his)
The Jacob Grafius House, 214-216 E. Water St, Lock Haven, PA.
The Jacob Grafius Building, 217 E Water St, Lock Haven, PA.
Some believe the fort to have been at the Grafius House, west of the museum. This has been the prevailing belief for many years. This belief is based on the
fact that the Daughters of the American Revolution placed the monument there, which states that it is within the stockade of Fort Reed. It says,"Located in
the stockade of Fort Reed, built in 1775 for defense against the Indians."
This belief also comes from the first edition of History of the West Branch Valley, by John F. Meginniss, in which he states,"Reed’s Fort was erected on the
site now occupied by the J. Grafius House in Lock Haven."
In Past and Present of Clinton.
It is widely believed that the monument placed at the site of the Grafius Building was in the correct location, and marks the site of Fort Reed. But there is
some doubt about this. In fact, there has always been some doubt.
The Grafius Properties
Deeds at the courthouse describe the properties that were purchased by the Grafius brothers in the 1840s. They purchased the property of the Grafius House,
at 217 East Water Street, widely thought to have been the site of Fort Reed. However, though the monument may stand at that location, this may not have
been the correct site, according to the 1899 article.
The Grafius brothers also purchased a property east of the canal, where the Horizon House now stands. They may have owned property here that was on or
near Fort Reed, though that is unprovable. Perhaps excavation of the area, or a study with ground-based radar, would be able to tell us more.
The stockade of Fort Reed, which would have surrounded multiple structures, is universally described as being large, though no maps or pictures remain to
show the exact area covered. It is conceivable that the stockade may have overlapped the Grafius property on the east of the canal, and still covered the area
that is now the Heisey Museum. This could have been later confused with the Grafius House property on Water Street, which may have mistakenly been
thought to be the property that covered part of the fort.
Dr. Winner may have made an effort to retrieve timbers from the river in 1959 and rebuild the stockade, but that doesn’t prove that the stockade was there
in the first place. And there may have been a well in the basement of the Grafius House, but there is also a stone circular well in the basement of the Heisey
Museum. If early settlers needed a well within the stockade of the fort, there’s one at each site.
Deeds 1840 & 1843.
"....To Jacob Grafius and Abraham Grafius and to their heirs and [illegible] the other undivided hail part of four certain Lots of grounds situate on the Town
of Lock Haven, aforesaid and described as follows, for here of adjoining each other and bounded on the North by Main Street on the West by the Bald
Eagle Canal, on the South by Willards Alley and on the East by Lot No. 69 and known on the general plot of said Town as Lots number seventy (70) and
seventy one (71) containing each one quarter of an acre more or less according to the town plot."
"John Miller, Sheriff of Clinton County To J+A Grafius"
"...Frame house and lot of ground in the Western Addition of the town of Lock Haven containing about one fourth of an acre situate on Water Street and
known as the part of the said Western addition....."
Laws of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of PA,
1844. No. 247. An Act. To authorize the governor to incorporate the Lock Haven turnpike road company in Clinton County.
Section 1: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of PA in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same. That (list of names), Abraham Grafius, of said county of Clinton, are hereby appointed commissioners, to do and perform the several things hereinafter mentioned. (List of duties).
1850 Lock Haven, Clinton, PA, Abraham Graffius 37 born abt 1813 PA, a Merchant, real estate $2,500, Mary A 30 born abt, Emma L 5, Sally T 3, John 1. Next door living is Jacob Graffius 37 and family. This Jacob and Abraham are mentioned in the Historical Sites of Clinton County, PA (BELOW).
1860 Lock Haven, Clinton, PA, Abe Grafius 47 born abt 1813 PA, a Merchant, real estate $10,000, personal estate $3,000, Mary A 40 born abt 1820 PA, Emma 15, Laura 7, Mary Barger 22, a Servant.
1870 Lock Haven, Clinton, PA, Abraham Grafius 57 born abt 1813 PA, Mary Ann 51 born abt 1819 PA, Laura 17, living with or next o Peter Mellick adn family.
Abraham died on Sept. 26, 1872. The obituary lists last Thur. (Oct. 3rd), but the Orphan’s Court & Wills Index has the 1st, yet cemetery record lists died Sept. 26th.
The Renovo Record, Thur., Oct. 10, 1872
Death of An Old Citizen.
On Thursday morning last, Mr. Abraham Grafius, aged 60 years, Cashier of the First National Bank of this city, on awaking put his hand to his head and complained that he was unwell, and shortly after he was a corpse. Mr. Grafius came to this city in 1838 and engaged in business with his cousin. He continued therein until 1864, when he was elected Cashier of the First National Bank of this city, which he filled up to the time of his death. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. He leaves a widow and two daughters. Mr. Grafius bore a good business reputation. He was an indefatigable worker. His funeral was attended from his late residence, on Saturday last. The remains were interred in Highland cemetery – Lock Haven Republican of last week.
Clinton County, PA Orphans Wills.
Grafius Abraham, Lock Haven, died 10-1-1872, File No. 648, Will Book B, p. 84, Admx. Mary A. Grafius written Dec. 7, 1867.
1 Give all household furniture to wife Mary Ann and for her to receive income from his estate all her life.
2 After her death, divided equally between children Emma L and Laura Grafius.
Highland Cemetery
1.20.1 Elliott Laura G, w/o A. Jr., born 3-28-1850, died 11-1-1901
1.20.1 Grafius Mary Ann, born 2-9-1820, died 10-13-1881
1.20.1 Watson Emma L Grafius, w/o Dr. R. B., born abt 1846, died 3-9-1885
1.20.1 Watson Robert Belville, M.D., G.A.R., (stone face down), born abt 1838, died 10-9-1925
1.20.1 Grafius Abram, born 12-07-1812, died 9-26-1872
1.20.2 Grafius John Small, s/o Abram & Mary Ann, died 9-25-1850
1.20.3 Grafius Sarah Thompson, age 5.7.18, d/o Abram & Mary Ann, died 9-17-1850
1.20.4 Sanderson Agnes Louise, 1878, 1957
1.20.5 Sanderson William C., 1872, 1961
1.20.6 Thorne Laura Watson, age 70, 8-16, 1940
1.20.7 Watson Infant, d/o Dr. R. B. & E. L, no dates
------
Daughter Emma and husband:
Historical and Biographical Work: Or Past and Present of Clinton County, PA, 1892, J. Milton Furey, p. 203.
R. B. Watson, M.D.
Dr. R. B. Watson was born at Gettsyburg, Adams county, Pa., in 1838. He prepared for college at what was then called the Lawrenceville school, at Lawrence, N.J. He entered Princeton college in 1855, and graduated from that institution in 1859. He then began the study of medicine with Dr. W. Q. Davis, of Milton, Pa. In 1861 he entered the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, and graduated from there in 1863. He then went to the war, and after a few months was appointed surgeon for the United States Army hospital, at Chester, Pa., which position he held until April, 1865. In June 1865, he came to Lock Haven, where he soon acquired a lucrative practice. Dr. Watson was married in December, 1866, to Emma L. Graffius, daughter of Abraham Graffius, one of Lock Haven’s oldest and most prominent citizens. His wife died in 1884, and in September 1887, he married Miss Anna Elliott, of Jersey City. At the present time Dr. Watson is president of the Clinton County Medical society, State Member of the Pennsylvania Medical society, a member of the American Medical association, and a member of the National Association of Railway Surgeons. He is one of the trustees of the Great Island Presbyterian church, and has been for ten years a trustee of the Lock Haven Normal school, as well as one of its strongest supporters. He is one of the best physician in the city of Lock Haven, and one of her most useful citizens.
The bio above lists that daughter Emma died in 1884 and also there is a record with that date, but her cemetery record lists died 1885?
Clinton County, PA Orphans Court Index
Watson Emma L, Lock Haven, died 3-9-1884, File No. 1523, Adm. R. B. Watson, minors Grace, H. & Mary.
-----
Historical Sites, Clinton County, PA
The Abraham Grafius House, 200-210 E Water St., Lock Haven, PA., dwelling-store. (attached photo of his)
The Jacob Grafius House, 214-216 E. Water St, Lock Haven, PA.
The Jacob Grafius Building, 217 E Water St, Lock Haven, PA.
Some believe the fort to have been at the Grafius House, west of the museum. This has been the prevailing belief for many years. This belief is based on the
fact that the Daughters of the American Revolution placed the monument there, which states that it is within the stockade of Fort Reed. It says,"Located in
the stockade of Fort Reed, built in 1775 for defense against the Indians."
This belief also comes from the first edition of History of the West Branch Valley, by John F. Meginniss, in which he states,"Reed’s Fort was erected on the
site now occupied by the J. Grafius House in Lock Haven."
In Past and Present of Clinton.
It is widely believed that the monument placed at the site of the Grafius Building was in the correct location, and marks the site of Fort Reed. But there is
some doubt about this. In fact, there has always been some doubt.
The Grafius Properties
Deeds at the courthouse describe the properties that were purchased by the Grafius brothers in the 1840s. They purchased the property of the Grafius House,
at 217 East Water Street, widely thought to have been the site of Fort Reed. However, though the monument may stand at that location, this may not have
been the correct site, according to the 1899 article.
The Grafius brothers also purchased a property east of the canal, where the Horizon House now stands. They may have owned property here that was on or
near Fort Reed, though that is unprovable. Perhaps excavation of the area, or a study with ground-based radar, would be able to tell us more.
The stockade of Fort Reed, which would have surrounded multiple structures, is universally described as being large, though no maps or pictures remain to
show the exact area covered. It is conceivable that the stockade may have overlapped the Grafius property on the east of the canal, and still covered the area
that is now the Heisey Museum. This could have been later confused with the Grafius House property on Water Street, which may have mistakenly been
thought to be the property that covered part of the fort.
Dr. Winner may have made an effort to retrieve timbers from the river in 1959 and rebuild the stockade, but that doesn’t prove that the stockade was there
in the first place. And there may have been a well in the basement of the Grafius House, but there is also a stone circular well in the basement of the Heisey
Museum. If early settlers needed a well within the stockade of the fort, there’s one at each site.
Deeds 1840 & 1843.
"....To Jacob Grafius and Abraham Grafius and to their heirs and [illegible] the other undivided hail part of four certain Lots of grounds situate on the Town
of Lock Haven, aforesaid and described as follows, for here of adjoining each other and bounded on the North by Main Street on the West by the Bald
Eagle Canal, on the South by Willards Alley and on the East by Lot No. 69 and known on the general plot of said Town as Lots number seventy (70) and
seventy one (71) containing each one quarter of an acre more or less according to the town plot."
"John Miller, Sheriff of Clinton County To J+A Grafius"
"...Frame house and lot of ground in the Western Addition of the town of Lock Haven containing about one fourth of an acre situate on Water Street and
known as the part of the said Western addition....."
Family Members
Spouse
Siblings
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Advertisement
