Bridget (Graham)and Wesley Jay

We are the descendants of three of the six children of Bridget (Graham) and Wesley Mack Jay.

 

Daughters  Savannah,  Alice, and Regina Jay were born between 1857-1861 . Little is known of their other sister Annie and brothers Mack and Fed.

 

The Jays were a God-fearing family that affiliated with the Lockhart Church in Saluda County.

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Bridget was the 8th child of Charles Graham (1798-1872) and Nancy (1803 -1866). 
 

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

 

He writes that Middleton “Mid” Graham (pronounced in those parts as Gray-ham) owned about 300 acres of land and about 15 slaves, including Charles and Nancy Graham.  Mid either purchased them and their children from his father or received them as a gift from his father, Jesse. Although Charles and Nancy lived most of their life in slavery, they did experience freedom before their death.

Bridget had seven brothers and one sister. Her brothers 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 for some slaves was very difficult. Many would not be convinced that they were free. Some would not register to vote, and others would not pursue an education.
 

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.

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