Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

David Graybill

Male 1791 - 1874  (83 years)


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  • Name David Graybill 
    Born 1791  , Wilkes (now Ashe), North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Died 19 Apr 1874  Jefferson Township, Ashe, North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Joseph Graybeal Cemetery, Piney Creek Township, Ashe, North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I3417  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Father John Peter Graybill,   b. 3 Oct 1762, York, York, Pennsylvania, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 11 May 1842, , Jackson, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 79 years) 
    Mother Christina Wampler,   b. Abt 1753, Lebanon Township, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 10 Oct 1844, , Jackson, Ohio, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 91 years) 
    Married Abt 1779  , Frederick, Maryland, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F263  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Barbara Burkett,   b. 1796, of, Wilkes (now Ashe), North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 22 Apr 1874, Jefferson Township, Ashe, North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 78 years) 
    Married 1814  , Ashe, North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F1757  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. Censuses:
      1800 US: Ashe County, North Carolina. The total population for Ashe County, North Carolina in 1800 was 2785, including slaves. The 1800 Ashe County Census was the first for the northwestern most county in the Tar Heel State. This county was formed in late 1799 and included all of Wilkes County west of the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountain. The 977 square miles that then composed Ashe County has been further divided, first in 1849 to form Watauga County, North Carolina and again 10 years later to form Alleghany County. This record includes families who may have been living in those areas at the time. The original census was in rough alphabetic order, and this does not facilitate the research of particular communities. I include all interrelated families of this time and place to better show relationships. A word of explanation on some of these families:
      A. Mary and Barbara Burkett who married Peter and David Graybeal, had a father named Christian - unsure as to which is correct of the two.
      B. Elizabeth Eller appears to be Elizabeth Dick, the wife of Peter Eller who had just died per his probate of 1799.The one daughter is probably Mary; unsure who the two boys are since there should be three: Jacob, Henry, and George. John Eller would be Elizabeth's eldest son and married to Susannah Kerns.
      C. Henry Graybeal would have recently married Celia Henson and also the eldest son of [John] Peter and Christina [Wampler] Graybill who also appear to be in this same census. Note that Peter evidently had owned slaves at that time - the census does not say how many.
      D. One of the William Hensons could be somehow related to William Henson who marries Nancy Graybill and to Celia Henson who marries Henry Graybeal.
      E. The two Koons are probably brothers and are sons of Devault Koon judging from their ages. This would make them uncles to George Koons who eventually marries Mary Eller.
      F. James Lewis, b. abt. 1790, marries Christena Graybill in 1807 - there may be a connection with these two James Lewis.
      G. William Pennington marries Barbara (or Elizabeth) Eller and may be the younger of the two here listed.
      H. Michael Stucker is a misspelling for Michael and Catherine Eller Stoker with their three oldest children: Polly, David, and Elizabeth.
      Head of Family; Males 0-9, 10-16, 16-26, 26-45, 45+; Females - 0-9, 10-16, 16-26, 26-45, 45+:
      Burkett, Christian; 1-2-0-1-0; 1-0-2-0-0
      Burkett, Christian; 4-1-0-1-0; 1-0-1-0-0
      Eller, Elizabeth; 1-0-1-0-0; 0-0-1-0-1
      Eller, John; 3-0-0-1-0; 1-0-0-1-0
      Graybeal, Henry; 0-0-1-0-0; 2-0-1-0-0
      Graybeal, Peter; 2-1-1-0-1; 3-1-0-0-1
      Henson, William; 0-1-1-0-0; 2-0-1-0-0
      Henson, William; 3-0-0-0-1; 1-1-1-0-0
      Koons, George; 0-0-1-0-1; 0-0-0-0-1
      Koons, John; 0-0-1-0-1; 0-1-2-0-1
      Lewis, James; 2-2-1-0-1; 4-1-0-0-1
      Lewis, James, Jr.; 1-0-1-0-0; 1-0-1-0-0
      Pennington, William; 0-1-0-1-0; 1-2-1-0-1
      Pennington, William; 0-0-1-0-0; 0-0-1-0-0
      Stucker, Michael; 1-0-0-1-0; 2-0-0-1-0

      1810 US: Ashe County, North Carolina; I include several related families in my database for this time and place. Some notes:
      A. One of the two William Penningtons is married to an Eller - I assume it is the one with a younger wife.
      B. One of the two Christian Burketts is probably the parent of Barbara and Mary who married Graybeal brothers.
      C. James Lewis married Christina Graybill.
      D. The older Peter Graybill would be John Peter and Christina Wampler Graybill. The other Peter and Henry would be their sons.
      E. Adam Wilker could be Adam Welker, father of James Welker who later marries Elizabeth Stoker.
      F. Surprisingly there is no Michael Stoker who should be there unless in adjoining county.
      G. One of the two George Koons should be the George Koons of this database.
      H. Not sure why two J. Ellers unless the transcriber inadvertently named the "J." as both Jacob when in fact the older one is John. Peter Eller would be a brother.
      I. The older Peter Graybill would be John Peter Graybill, father of the other two Graybills: Henry and Peter [Jr.].
      Head of Family; Males 0-9, 10-16, 16-26, 26-45, 45+; Females - 0-9, 10-16, 16-26, 26-45, 45+; Slaves:
      Pennington, W. (William); 1-0-1-0-0; 2-0-1-0-0
      Bourket C. (Christian); 2-2-2-0-1; 5-1-1-1-0
      Wilker, A. (Adam); 0-1-2-0-1; 0-1-0-0-1
      Graybill, H. (Henry); 3-0-0-1-0; 2-0-1-0-0
      Lewis, J. (James); 1-0-1-0-0; 1-0-1-0-0
      Graybill, P. (Peter); 0-1-0-1-0; 0-1-0-0-1
      Graybeal, P. (Peter); 1-0-1-0-0; 1-0-1-0-0
      Graybill, H.; 2-0-1-0-0; 3-0-0-1-0
      Koons, G. (George); 2-0-0-1-0; 2-0-0-1-0
      Pennington, W. (Wm); 2-0-1-0-0; 2-0-0-0-1
      Eller, P. (Peter); 3-0-0-1-0; 2-0-0-1-0
      Eller, J. (Jacob); 2-3-1-0-0; 2-0-0-1-0
      Burket, C. (Christian); 4-1-0-0-1; 0-1-0-0-1
      Koontz, G. (George); 1-0-0-1-0; 2-0-1-0-1; 3
      Eller, J. (Jacob [John?]); 2-0-0-1-0; 1-0-1-0-0

      1815: The following names are rom the website http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/ashe/vitals/1815tax.txt accessed 20 Dec 2008: "Ashe Co., NC, 1815 Tax List" (The oldest surviving Ashe Co. tax list. The original is in the NC Archives in Raleigh.)
      Every Name Index Alphabetized by Sandra Lake Lassen, October 1996 1499 Lakeside Drive, West Jefferson, NC 28694 slassen@infoave.net. Page numbers coincide with typed, unalphabetized version by Mrs. W. O Absher & Mrs. W. C. Sidden (undated) donated to the Ashe Co. Public Library."
      I mark my ancestors and their siblings with an asterisk (*). It is apparent that many had migrated to Ohio by the time this tax list was made in 1815. Noticeably absent are the Stokers and many of the Graybills. Other names are surnames in the area of other related families:
      Burkett, John 16
      Eller, Henry* 5
      Eller, Jacob* 4
      Eller, Peter* 10
      Faw, Jacob 16
      Graybeal (Graybel), David* 4
      Graybeal, Eli 4
      Graybeal, Henry* 2
      Graybeal, Peter* 16
      Henson, Nancy 2
      Koons, Devault 3
      Koons, Gaspar 2
      Koons, George* 3
      Koons, John 3
      Koonts, Geo.* 17
      Kounts, Mary* 17
      Penington, Aaron 10
      Penington, Ephrom 9
      Penington, Levi 5, 9
      Penington, William 10
      Pennington, Micajah 1
      Welker, David 2

      1820 US: Ashe County, North Carolina, 19 pages as the follow related families:
      Henry Eller, 1,0,0,1,0,0//2,0,0,1,0,0,1.
      Jacob Eller, 2,1,0,0,1,0//4,1,0,1,0,0,1.
      David Graybeal, 3,0,0,1,0,0//0,0,1,0,0,0,1.
      Henry Graybeal, 3[or 5],1,0,0,1,0//2,2,0,1,0,0,1.
      Peter Graybeal, 3,1,0,0,1,0//2,0,1,0,0,0,0,
      George Koons, 1,1,0,0,1,0//2,2,1,0,1,0,1.
      No Hensons.
      No William Penningtons.
      No Stokers.
      No apparent Shaws - a page with possible Shaws is very light copy and hard to read; the two that could be Shaws [or something else] look like first names Nathan and Gabriel as heads of households.

      1830 US: Ashe County, North Carolina, entire county search for related families found the following:
      Henry Eller, p. 26a, males 0-5:2; 5-10:2; 15-20:1; 40-50:1//females 10-15:2; 30-40:1.
      David Graybeal, p. 26a, males 0-5:2; 5-10:2; 10-15:1; 30-40:1//females 0-5:1; 5-10:1; 30-40:1.
      Henry Graybeal, p. 34a, males 5-10:1; 10-15:1; 15-20:1; 20-30:1; 50-60:1//females 0-5:1; 5-10:1; 20-30:1; 40-50:1.
      Peter Graybeal, p. 39a, males 10-15:2; 20-30:1; 40-50:1//0-5:1; 20-30:1; 40-50:1.
      No William Hensons, Penningtons, Stokers, nor Shaws.

      1850 US: Ashe County, North Carolina, p. 304B, 26 Oct 1850, dwelling 982 (next couple of houses have their children Simeon, John, and Rebecca with their families):
      David Grabeal, 60, farmer, $3,000, NC.
      Barbary, 52, NC.
      Calvin, 21, labour, NC.
      Louisa, 16, NC.

      1860: Jefferson Post Office, Ashe, North Carolina, p. 497b, 11 Jun 1860, dwelling 162 (next door neighbor is their son Eli Graybeal, age 41; also there is a David Burket, age 40, who may be a relative of Barbara Burkett):
      David Graybeal, 66, farmer, $8,500 real estate, $2,958 personal property, NC.
      Barbary, 61, NC.
      Calvin, 30, NC.
      Susanah, 19, VA.
      Joisa, 2, NC.
      Cicero, 1, NC.
      Selack Mitchell, 17, male, NC.

      1870: Jefferson Twp., Ashe, North Carolina, p. 497b, 6 Sep 1870, dwelling 42:
      David Graybeal, 76, farmer, $4,000 real estate, $400 personal property, NC.
      Barbary, 73, keeping house, NC.
      Sarah, 16, domestic servant, NC.

      2. Per website http://www.ls.net/~newriver/nc/ashe1815.htm: "Ashe County, North Carolina - 1815 Tax List. Ashe County, North Carolina was formed in 1799 from Wilkes County. From 1799 until 1859, Ashe County included the most of the land now included in Alleghany and Watauga Counties, and part of what is now Avery County, North Carolina. In 1815, Ashe County was bounded by Carter County, Tennessee on the west, Grayson County, Virginia on the north, by Surry and Wilkes Counties on the east and Burke County, North Carolina on the South. This list was abstracted and totals were combined for brevity for individuals with multiple tracts of land. I abstracted this document years ago and omitted portions that I wish I hadn't now. Don't take it as absolutely accurate. Five categories are given: Name, number of acres of land, valuation in dollars, polls, and local situation or name of neighbors. I added the number of tracts of land in the consolidation process." [He did not get the parts of Ashe County that are now part of Alleghany and Watauga Counties. Also no Stokers found.]:
      Henson, Nancy 100, 50, -, Long Branch, 1 [Nancy Mary Graybill?]
      Graybeal, Henry 200, 255, 1, Laurel Fork, 3
      Koons, Gasper 150, 150, 1, Charles Francis, 1
      Koons, George 205, 200, 1, North Fork, 1
      Koons, John 90, 130, 1, North Fork, 1
      Koons, Devault 150, 200, 1, North Fork, 1
      Graybeal, David 350, 212, 1, Old Field Creek, 2
      Eller, Jacob 300, 200, 1, Horse Creek, 2
      Eller, Henry 250, 200, 1, M. Carpenter, 1
      Eller, Peter 215, 320, 1, 1
      Pennington, William 103, 150, 1, 1
      Burket, Chris. 1260, 1800, 1, Buffalo [Father of the two Burkett girls who md. Graybills.]
      Judd, John 196, 250, -, Pine Swamp [Father of Margaret Judd?]
      Koonts, Mary 340, 600, 3, S.F. New River [Mary Eller?]
      Koonts, Geo. 250, 150, 1, Pond Mountain

      3. Various deeds in which a David Graybeal is listed in the Ashe Co., NC records per entry from Rootsweb.com Worldconnect 17 Feb 2004 database ":480580" of Donna Shell . Note that the earlier deeds seem to involve his two brothers Henry and Peter and his probable brother-in-law James Lewis; later deeds involve his children:
      A. State (NC) # 0782 to: Graybeal, David 1811-02-01; 50.00 a., On Horse Creek/S 110, E 72, Jacob Eller's Line, N 110, to 1st Station; $, Rcd: 1837-10-02, Bk: M, p. 295; Witnesses: Peter Graybeal, Henry Eller. B. Graybeal, Peter to: Graybeal, David 1814-04-05; 100.00 a., Old Field Creek/waters of Big Horse Creek, $ 150, Rcd: 1902-07-22, Bk: TT, p. 241; Witnesses: Henry Graybeal, James Lewis. C. Bunyard, Samuel to: Graybeal, David 1822-10-08; 150.00 a., Upper p/o 300 acre tract/Old Field Creek/adj Wm. Powers, $ 100, Rcd: 1832-08, Bk: E, p. 414; Witnesses: Loamina Powers. D. May, Jacob to: Graybeal, David 1829-06-01; 99.00 a., On Horse Creek the waters of North Fork New River, $ 150, Rcd: 1832-11, Bk: E, p. 469; Witnesses: John May. E. Graybeal, David to: Dixon, David 1838-01-23; 50.00 a., $, Rcd:, Bk: M, p. 528. F. Graybeal, Peter [Jr] to: Graybeal, David [brother] 1838-10-17; 188.00 a., Land on North Fork of New River held in trust for Susan Hauck & her children, $ 0, Rcd: 1839-06-23, Bk: M old, p. 525. G. State (NC) #5006 to: Graybeal, David 1850-02-26; 50.00 a., On Big Horse Creek, $, Rcd:, Bk: V new, p. 252. H. State (NC) #3318 to: Graybeal, David 1855-01-05; 6.00 a., On Big Horse Creek, $, Rcd:, Bk: Vn, p. 438. I. Graybeal, David to: Graybeal, Peter 1859-01-26; ___.__ a., 5 tracts on Buffalo Creek/96a, 49a, 100a, 26.5a, 100a; $, Rcd:, Bk: U, p. 92.
      J. Graybeal, David to: Graybeal, Calvin 1862; 200.00 a., On Big Horse Creek, $1,000, Rcd: 1862-10-16, Bk: U, p. 477; Witnesses: John C. Greear, W. H. Parsons. K. Graybeal, David to: Graybeal, Simeon 1862; 361.00 a., Old Field Creek, the waters of Big Horse Creek, $ 800, Rcd: 1863-05-14, Bk: U, p. 554; Witnesses: Calvin Graybeal, Joseph Graybeal. L. Graybeal, David to: Graybeal, Simeon 1862; 100.00 a., Old Field Creek, the waters of Big Horse Creek, $ 167, Rcd: 1863-05-18, Bk: U, p. 555; Witnesses: Rebecca J. Graybeal. M. Graybeal, David [Sr] to: Graybeal, Joseph 1862-01-15; 300.00 a., On Old Field Creek, $ 900, Rcd: 1862-10-17, Bk: V, p. 488; Witnesses: Calvin Graybeal, Micagor Lewis. N. Graybeal, David to: Graybeal, Joseph 1862-01-15; 300.00 a., On Old Field Creek [duplicate of V/488], $ 900, Rcd: 1902-01-21, Bk: TT, p. 102; Witnesses: Calvin Graybeal, Micagor Lewis O. Graybeal, David to: Spencer, Rebecca 1862-05-30; 258.00 a., On Big Horse Creek; $ 400, Rcd: 1862-10, Bk: U, p. 468; Witnesses: Calvin Graybeal, Joisa Greear [daughter]. P. Graybeal, David to: Graybeal, Simeon 1862; 361.00 a., Old Field Creek, the waters of Big Horse Creek, $ 800, Rcd: 1863-05-14, Bk: U, p. 554; Witnesses: Calvin Graybeal, Joseph Graybeal Q. Graybeal, David to: Graybeal, Simeon 1863; 50.00 a., On Big Horse Creek, $, Rcd: 1863-05-08, Bk: U, p. 553; Witnesses: Calvin Graybeal. R. Graybeal, H. heirs to: Graybeal, David 1867-03-01; 33.00 a., p/o Henry Graybeal estate on Big Laurel Creek; $, Rcd: 1869-09-26, Bk: V new, p. 537.

      4. Website http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/ashe/deeds/deedsabs.txt accessed 14 Dec 2008:
      "Ashe County, NC - Deeds - Abstracts of selected deeds." This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kyle R. Graybeal krgrebiel@verizon.net, 37 Spring Lake Drive, Stafford, VA 22554. Revised 9 October 2001. This file contains abstracts of selected deeds from Ashe County, North Carolina Land records, mostly involving Graybeal family members. The information contained herein does not constitute the sum total of deeds in the Ashe County records involving Graybeal individuals. There are a few incomplete fields in some records especially in acreage, land description & witness names. This means that I have not copied them, not that the information is missing from the court records. The file now includes more deeds and has been corrected for errors dealing with land grants appearing in the original file. In the original file, the entry date and the date the deed was signed were reversed. This new file corrects that problem.
      Information sorted in date order, which is yyyy-mm-dd. Grantee & Grantor names are [last], [first]. Witness names are [first], [last]. NFNR = North Fork of New River. Mn and Vn means Deed Books M new and V new respectively. Information in [ ] inserted by me and correct to the best of my knowledge. Information in () added for clarification. Price paid, proven date, and registered date not included to save space. I have this information on most deeds in case it is desired. Some compass directions are indicated by N, S, etc., rather spelled out. Deeds for state grants did not require witnesses' signatures. The indication that a particular person signed with an "x" is not consistent from record to record in this transcription. {Kerry's note: I have refined the list so as to cut it off after whom I think may be the first generation after John Peter Graybill and Christina Wampler; see that more complete list with John Peter Graybill - this partial list are for those only including the name of David Graybill. Please note that David, son of John Peter, lived 1794 to 1874 in the area; however, he also had a nephew in the area, son of Peter, who was named David (1815-1894) as well as a grandson, David M. (1852-1927) who could be part of these following deeds.}:
      State (NC) TO: Graybeal, David 50 a., Grant: 0782, Ent: 1811-02-01; Signed: 1811-02-01; On Horse Ck/S 110, E 72, Jacob Eller's Line, N 110, 1st Station. Book: Mn, 295; Witness: Peter Graybeal, Henry Eller.
      Graybeal, Peter TO: Graybeal, David 100 a. Signed: 1814-04-05; Old Field Creek/waters of Big Horse Creek. Book: TT, 241; Witness: Henry Graybeal, James Lewis.
      Bunyard, Samuel TO: Graybeal, David 150 a.; Signed: 1822-10-08; Upper p/o 300 acre tract/Old Field Ck/adj Wm. Powers. Book: E, 414; Witness: Loamina Powers.
      May, Jacob TO: Graybeal, David 99 a.; Signed: 1829-06-01; On Horse Creek the waters of North Fork New River. Book: E, 469; Witness: John May.
      State (NC) TO: Graybeal, David 20 a., Grant: 1597, Ent: 1828-04-04; Signed: 1830-12-18; On the Big Laurel; Book: E, 387.
      State (NC) TO: Graybeal, David 40 a., Grant: 2096, Ent: 1834-11-10; Signed: 1836-11-23; On Parson's Branch of Big Laurel Creek. Book: Vn, 477.
      Peppers, Ruben TO: Graybeal, David 50 a.; Signed: 1837-07-10; Book: Vn, 251.
      Graybeal, David TO: Dixon, David 50 a.; Signed: 1838-01-23; On Big Horse Ck/S 110, E72, Ballou's line/N 110, 1st Station; Book: M, 528. Witness: Eli Graybeal, Sammuel Bowers.
      Graybeal, Peter [Jr] TO: Graybeal, David 188 a.; Signed: 1838-10-17; Land on NFNR held in trust for Susan Hauck & her children. Book: Mn, 525; Witness: R. Gentry.
      Graybeal, Peter TO: Graybeal, David & John 188 a.; Signed: 1839; Land held in trust for Susan Hauck & her children. Book: Mn, 425; Witness: R. Gentry.
      Graybeal, Henry TO: Graybeal, Dav. 70 a.; Signed: 1841-10-20; Big Laurel Fork NFNR John Graybeal line/cond crnr And. & Dav Graybeal; Book: P, 403; Witness: Jeremiah Osborn, Eli (x) Graybeal.
      Bower, S. TO: Graybeal, Joseph 30 a.; Signed: 1843-11-22; Book: S, 010; Witness: Reason Jones, David Graybeal.
      Graybeal, John et al TO: Graybeal, Eli 40 a.; Signed: 1844-02-08; Laurel Fork of NFNR, p/o 50a. grant to Henry in 1822. Book: O, 472; Witness: Jeremiah Osborn, David Graybeal (This deed contains the signatures of all of Henry's children including signatures of his daughters' spouses).
      State (NC) TO: Graybeal, David 30 a., Grant: 4538, Ent: 18470308; Signed: 18481130; Book: Y, 180.
      TO: Graybeal, David? a.; Signed: 1849-05-28; Book: P, 182.
      State (NC) TO: Graybeal, David 40 a., Grant: 4696, Ent: 1847-04-06; Signed: 1849-09-24; Book: P, 181.
      Graybeal, Peter TO: Graybeal, David? a.; Signed: 1849-11-22; Book: P, 144.
      Burkett, C. (x) TO: Graybeal, David 366 a.; Signed: 1850-10-22; Book: P, 372.
      Murcheson, Rod TO: Graybeal, David? a.; Signed: 1850-12-13; Book: P, 474.
      State (NC) TO: Graybeal, David 50 a., Grant: 5006, Ent: 1850-02-26; Signed: 1852-11-08; On Big Horse Creek. Book: Vn, 252.
      Graybeal, David(x) TO: Hamilton, George 77 a.; Signed: 1853-12-03; Book: S, 377.
      State (NC) TO: Graybeal, David 6 a., Grant: 3318, Ent: 1855-01-05; Signed: 1855-04-28; On Big Horse Creek. Book: Vn, 438.
      Jones, John TO: Graybeal, David 30 a.; Signed: 1856-02-16; Book: S, 497
      Graybeal, John TO: Graybeal, David 150 a.; Signed: 1856-02-25; Book: S, 342
      Graybeal, David TO: Graybeal, Peter 371.5 a.; Signed: 1859-01-26; 5 tracts on Buffalo Creek/96a, 49a, 100a, 26.5a, 100a. Book: U, 092.
      Graybeal, David TO: Graybeal, Calvin 200 a.; Signed: 1862; Big Horse Creek. Book: U, 477; Witness: John C. Greear, W. H. Parsons.
      Graybeal, David TO: Graybeal, Simeon 361 a.; Signed: 1862; Old Field Creek, the waters of Big Horse Creek. Book: U, 554; Witness: Calvin Graybeal, Joseph Graybeal.
      Graybeal, David TO: Graybeal, Simeon 100 a.; Signed: 1862; Old Field Creek, the waters of Big Horse Creek. Book: U, 555; Witness: Rebecca J. Graybeal.
      Graybeal, David TO: Graybeal, Simeon 50 a.; Signed: 1862; Big Horse Creek. Book: U, 556; Witness: Rebecca J. Graybeal.
      Graybeal, David [Sr] TO: Graybeal, Joseph 300 a.; Signed: 1862-01-15; Old Field Creek. Book: U, 488; Witness: Calvin Graybeal, Micagor Lewis.
      Graybeal, David TO: Graybeal, Joseph 300 a.; Signed: 1862-01-15; On Old Field Creek [duplicate of V/488]. Book: TT, 102; Witness: Calvin Graybeal, Micagor Lewis.
      Graybeal, David TO: Spencer, Rebecca 258 a.; Signed: 1862-05-30; Big Horse Creek. Book: U, 468; Witness: Calvin Graybeal, Joisa Greear.
      Graybeal, David TO: Graybeal, Simeon 50 a.; Signed: 1863; Big Horse Creek. Book: U, 553; Witness: Calvin Graybeal.
      Phillips, J. H. TO: Graybeal, Calvin 50 a.; Signed: 1866-06-30; Big Horse Creek; Book: Vn, 250; Witness: David (x) Graybeal, P. J. Hardin.
      Commissioners For: Graybeal, David (heirs)? a.; Signed: 1874-08-06; Partition of the lands of David Graybeal (deceased); Book: X, 514.

      5. FHL Book 929.273EL54h "George Michael Eller and Descendants of His in America," compiled by James W. Hook, 1957, also on FHL film 896571, item 2, pp. 17-31, clarifies early North Carolina counties and land grant practices:
      "Land grants in North Carolina originated with an entry application which was filed in the county where the land was situated and if not lost are now on file there. This was followed, sometimes soon and sometimes years later by an order from the land office for the tract to be surveyed. Sometimes soon and sometimes years later the survey was made and a surveyor's plat filed with the Secretary of State in Raleigh. Then came the grant which may have been issued reasonably near the date of the survey or sometimes several years later. These grants, orders to survey and the survey itself are on file now in the Secretary of State's office at Raleigh...
      Many counties were formed from what originally was Rowan County, namely Surry and Guilford in 1770, Burke and Wilkes in 1777, Randolph in 1779, Iridell in 1788, Stokes in 1789, Buncomb in 1791, Ashe in1799, Davidson in 1822, Yancey in 1833, Davie in 1836 and Yadkin in 1850. Some of these counties were grandchildren of Rowan County; for instance Wilkes was taken partly from Burke and partly from Surry, Randolph from Guilford, Buncomb and Yancy form Burke, Ashe from Wilkes and Stokes and Yadkin from Surry. These facts must be kept in mind when tracing early Rowan County families."

      6. FHL book 975.5763 H2h "Annals of Tazewell County, Virginia, from 1800 to 1922," by John Newton Harman, Sr., Member Virginia Historical Society (Richmond, 1922[updated 1975]), pp. 428-31, "Graybeal-Greear Families"; this article provides the descendancy of the two brothers Peter and David Graybill:
      "The Graybeal family is of Dutch descent. The first history we have of them gives them located in Bottetourt County, Virginia. Two brothers, Peter and David, married sisters by the name of Burkett. They all talked and read in their native tongue, and spelled the name "Graybill".
      One of these brothers immigrated to Ash County, N. C., late in the 17th century, and located near Jefferson in Ash County. At this time they changed their name to spell "Graybeal," instead of "Graybill" hence the difference in the way the name is now being spelled. Peter Graybeal, Sr. had three children: John, David and Betsy, who married ___ Shaw.
      John Graybeal (son of Peter, Sr.), married Martha Howell (first wife). She died about 1865. They located on old Field Creek, Ash County, N.C. When returning from church in about 1883, he was thrown from a young horse and killed.
      Their children: Rhoda, who married a Mr. Green; Peter; Jacob; Sarah, who married a Mr. Greear; Mary, who married a Mr. Harden (first), a Mr. Jones (second), and a Mr. McCarroll (third); and Davis.
      John Graybeal (of Peter), married Jane Nye (second wife). Their children: Martha Jane, who married a Mr. Johnson; Rhoda, who married a Mr. Green (Children: Peter Green, who married a Harden (first) and a Perkins (second); Jacob Green, who married Alice Forster of Illinois, and located at Bryant, Ill. They have three children: James, Minnie and Willard Forster); and Sarah.
      Sarah Graybeal (daughter of John, Peter), married John Calvin Greear, September 29, 1866. They left Grayson County, Virginia, and located in Tazewell County, at Wittens Mills, Va., where she died June 13, 1902.
      Their children: Mattie Greear, who married Charles F. Faulkner (Children: Ollie, who married a Mr. Cummins; Allen; Felix; Grace; Emma; Blake; Sarah; Verna; Jesse; Fay; and Calvin); William Brown Greear, who married Nancy Flora Gillespie, September 24, 1902 (Children: William Brown, Jr., and David Calvin Gillespie); Eugene Marshall Greear, who married Susie McNew, March 9, 1904 (Children: Thomas McNew and Eugene Marshall, Jr.); Troy Miller Greear, who married Grace Smoot, April, 1903 (Children: John Richard, Ella Sarah and ___); Clabe Baker Greear, who married Teura Strader, July, 1908 (one child: Louis Strader); Clyde Howell Greear; and Cora Ella Greear, who married Elbert S. Hurt (one daughter, Frieda Catherine).
      David Graybeal (son of Peter, Sr.) married Barbara Burkett (daughter of Christine) had seven children: Joseph, Simeon, Eli, Rebecca, Calvin, Thomas, and Joisa.
      Joseph Graybeal (son of David, of Peter), married Clarissa Faw. They located on a part of David Graybeal's estate on Little Horse Creek, Ash Co., N. C. Their children: Nancy, who married Thomas Burk; Jane, who married Hiram Weaver; Simeon; and Barbara, who married Hiram Weaver.
      Simeon Graybeal (son of David, of Peter), born September 5, 1822; died September 28, 1913; married Martha Greear November 4, 1847 daughter of Shadrach). They located on a part of the old homestead, but later bought property in Tazewell County. Later they removed to Greenbrier Co., W. Va. She was born March 25, 1883; died March 25, 1903.
      Their children: Granville Monroe, Troy W., Fields Jerome, Eva, Sarah, who died in infancy, Livonia N., Avery L., Charles Lee, and Nora A.
      Monroe Graybeal (son of Simeon, of David, of Peter), born February 22, 1849; died October 4, 1924; married Sarah McCarter, ___.
      Their children: W. Fields, who married Mariah L. Sayers (first wife) June 20, 1894 (one son, David). He married Virginia Spracher (second wife) in 1907 (two children: Evelyn and Monroe). He married Vivian Dailey (third wife); Virginia 0. Graybeal married Herbert Leonard (one daughter, Ruth); Arthur Simeon Graybeal married Elizabeth Hopkins, February 23, 1907 (one son, Hopkins); Charles J. (dec'd), who married Elizabeth Ratcliffe, 1908; Flora Graybeal married Charles Harman (their children: Bernard, Gladys, Nell, and Virginia); Mona Graybeal married B. I. Payne (Children: Helen, Elizabeth, Mary Hunter and a son, ___); Ellen Graybeal; Myrtle Graybeal, Orla G. Graybeal - all three died young; and Elsie, who married William P. Armontrout.
      Troy Graybeal (son of Simeon, of David, of Peter), born September 28, 1853; died September 1, 1922; married Charlotte Warren (first wife), who died March 25, 1901. He married Cornelia Mauzy (second wife).
      Their children: Joseph Walter, who married Bertha Taylor; Lelia, who married Jesse F. Bright (Child, Raymond Edward); Jennie, who died 1903, at age of twenty-four years; Oran, who married Birdie Ocheltree, first, (Children: Rogers, Sidney, and Jesse), two children by second wife: Oran Avery, Jr., and ___); Munsey, who married Ellen Martin (both dec'd); Maude, who married R. M. Riffe (Children: Catherine, Elizabeth, who married Brown McFerrin; John, Robert and Charlotte); Carl, who married Elizabeth Stolner; Bright (dec'd); Essie Ellen, who married W. S. Penn (Children: Elizabeth, W. S., Jr., Arthur (dec'd) Esther and Walter Edward; Gladys, who married Dwight Boggs; Zylphia; and Ival Grace.
      Fields Jerome Graybeal (son of Simeon, of David, of Peter), married Nancy Isabelle Steele (daughter of Robt), June 11, 1879. Their children: Pearl; Robert Wiley, who married Rubie C. Nicholas (Children: Neva Steele and R. W., Jr.); Larrie Lee, who married Thena Brown; Roy Everett, and E. Grace. Eva Graybeal (daughter of Simeon, of David, of Peter), married J. Munsey Ratcliffe. They had one daughter, Mattie, who died when twelve years of age.
      Lavonia Graybeal (daughter of Simeon, of David, of Peter), married Rev. Wilfred Lawson. They had three children: Phillip, Eric, and Olin Greear.
      Avery L. Graybeal (son of Simeon, of David, of Peter), married Katherine Clarke. They had four children: Willie Esther, who married Alta L. Bobbitt (Children: A. L., Jr. and Carl Preston); Viola Miriam; Naomi Ruth and Paul Herman.
      Lee Graybeal (son of Simeon, of David, of Peter), married Nettie West. Three Children: Carl, Howard and Marie.
      Nora Graybeal (daughter of Simeon, of David, of Peter), married G. Augustus Ratcliffe. Their children: Fred, Mattie, Willard, Bessie, Clyda, Lois, Mildred, Lenore and Donald (dec'd).
      Eli Graybeal (son of David, of Peter), married Milly Wyatt. Their children: Calvin, who married Lucy Howell; Willie; David (dec'd) and Celia, who married a Graham.
      Rebecca Graybeal (daughter of David, of Peter), married William Spencer. They located on Grassy Creek, N. C. Their children: Catherine, who married John Thomas (one son Calvin, who married ___ Cornett); Fielding Spencer, who died in the West; Lee Spencer (dec'd); Melvin; Eli; John, who married Jennie Perkins and moved to Colorado. There were several children. His wife died and John returned to Virginia and married a Miss Young (second wife).
      Calvin Graybeal (son of David, of Peter), married Susannah McCarrell. They located on Horse Creek, Ash Co., N. C., where they both lived and died. Their children: Cicero, who married a Wilcox; Adolphus; Joisa, dec'd; Rebecca, who married Nelson Baldwin; Ellen, who married William Patton (Children: Ollie, John, Ruth); William; Oscar; and Laura, who married Adolphus Eller.
      Joisa Grabeal (David, of Peter), who married John Calvin Greear March 10, 1853. They located in Grayson County, Va. Their children: Jennie, who married Dr. J. R. Gross (Children: Joisa, Bessie and Victor); Rebecca, who married a Mr. Butt and Robey.
      Thomas Graybeal (of David) no further record."

      7. FHL book 929.273 P684pn: "Graybill/Stoker/Eller/Smith/Koons/Pitt Connections," by Norman E. 'Gene' Pitt, 1996, pp. 72-75, book has extensive downline of this family:
      "David Graybill/Graybeal, b. 1794, Jefferson, Wilkes Co. (now Ashe Co.), NC or possibly in Rural Retreat, VA; d. 19 Apr 1874, Ashe Co., NC; md. 1814, Ashe Co., NC to Barbara Burkett. Some of their children evidently changed the spelling of their name to Graybeal. Their children were Eli Daniel, Joseph, Daniel, Rebecca, Simeon, John, Calvin, Catherin 'Katy' and Louisa Joicy." Looking at some of the descendants, it appears several were in the Confederacy during the Civil War."

      8. Per website http://www.ls.net/~newriver/nc/asheslv.htm, which is a decade by decade census derived tabulation of slave holders in Ashe County from 1800 to 1860 and after a full PAF database for all individuals associated with Wilkes/Ashe county, no slave owners were found for families with the surnames Pennington, Henson, Hodson, Koons, Stoker, White, McDaniels, Kerns, Judd, nor Shaw. Slaveholders that were found:
      Burkett, Christian (father of Burkett daughters who married Graybeals): 1850 -6; 1860 - yes.
      Eller, Jacob: 1830 - 1
      Graybeal, David: 1860 - 3
      Graybeal, John: 1860 - 5 [Note this John Graybeal is too young to be a brother to David or Peter.]
      Graybeal, Peter: 1800 - yes; 1830 - 2

      9. It appears from a full search of Ashe County, NC in the 1850 census, only Jacob Eller, David Graybeal, and Peter Graybeal are of the original pre-1800 Ellers, Graybills, Koons, and Stokers. Many descendants with these surnames were found except for Stokers.

      10. Per website http://www.ls.net/~newriver/nc/ashe1812.htm "The men from Ashe County who served in the War of 1812 served in the 1st and 2nd Companies, of 5th North Carolina Militia Regiment (Ashe County). A total of 58 men are thought to have served in the 1st Company, but only 30 men were found to have served in the 2nd Company." Graybills were found but not Koons, Ellers, Stokers, etc. Names: Graybeal, David, 1st Company, 5th NC Militia Graybeal, Henry, 1st Company, 5th NC Militia

      11. Burketts, Graybeals, and Ellers mentioned in the book "History of Western North Carolina," by John Preston Arthur, 1914, chapter 8:
      "Some Early Settlers of Ashe. These noble, self-sacrificing men and women of the early times endangered their lives and braved many hardships in the wild Indian country to open the way to happy homes, schools, churches and the blessings of our present civilization. Some of these were Henry Poe, Martin Gambill, Thomas Sutherland, Timothy Perkins, Captain John Cox, Henry Hardin, Canada Richardson, James Douglas, Daniel Dickson and Elijah Galloway. Besides these were many others whose names awaken much unwritten history: Miller, Blevins, Ham, Reeves, Woodin, Barr, Baker, Eller, Goodman, Ray, Burkett, Graybeal, Houck, Kilby, Ashley, Jones, Gentry, Smith, Plummer, Lewis, Sutherland, McMillan, Colvard, Barker, Senter, Maxwell, Calhoun, Sapp, Thomas, Worth, Oliver and others."
      Also the following quote is found; note that they were from Germany and may only have sailed from Holland - they were not Dutch: "The Graybeals. They are said to be of Dutch ancestry, are generally thrifty and successful folk, and own much real estate and live stock. They are honest, frugal and among the best citizens of Ashe."

      12. Children from Rootsweb.com Worldconnect 17 Feb 2004 database ":480580" of Donna Shell :
      Eli Daniel Graybeal b: 18 Jul 1818 in Ashe Co., NC
      Joseph Graybeal b: 26 Oct 1819 in Ashe Co., NC
      Daniel Graybeal b: 26 Oct 1819 in Ashe Co., NC
      Rebecca Graybeal b: 1821 in Ashe Co., NC
      Simeon Graybeal b: 1822 in Ashe Co., NC
      John Thomas Graybeal b: 9 Apr 1826 in Ashe Co., NC
      Calvin Graybeal b: 14 Mar 1829 in Ashe Co., NC
      Catherine Graybeal b: 1830 in Ashe Co., NC
      Louisa Joicy Graybeal b: 1834 in Ashe Co., NC

      13. FHL film 702: "Journal of John Stoker, b. 1817; Journal starts November 1, 1869." John was the son of David Stoker and Barbara Graybill. Selected family related passages from his journal:
      P. 1: Nov. 1-4, 1869: The journal starts with John leaving as a 52 year old missionary with Jesse N. Perkins as a companion from Salt Lake City on the railroad to Omaha, NE. The railroad had just recently been completed so he details the progress of the transcontinental railway journey.
      P. 2: Saturday, Nov. 6, 1869: "Went to Bluff City with J.N. Perkins. Sunday 7th, spent the fore noon with Moroni Stoker - took dinner with him." [William Moroni Stoker, 1834-1929, was John's first cousin thru John's father's brother Michael S. Stoker, 1805-1858.]
      P. 3: "Monday 8th. Went up to Musketoe to see Simeon P. Graybill. Stayed all night. Tuesday 9th, took dinner with Aunt Margaret Stoker, Uncle Eller Stoker's widow, and returned to Aunt Martha's at Trading Point, Potawatamie Co., Iowa. Wednesday, 10th. Wrote a letter to Mr. Wm. Atkinson in Bountiful, Davis Co., Utah. Thursday 11th. Visited Wm. McDaniel in Harrison Co. 40 miles north. Friday 12th. Visited the grave of Zibiah Birdno [could also be Binders], my wife's mother. Saturday 13th. Returned to Aunt Martha's at Trader's Point. Sunday 14th. Spent the day with Aunt Martha's family. Monday 15th. Went to Bluff City to look for a letter but got none and returned to the Point. [Simeon Graybill, 1816-1889, was John's first cousin twice thru his father's sister Polly Stoker, 1792-1864, and thru his mother's brother Michael Peter Graybill. Eller Stoker, 1816-1855, was John's father's brother and married to Margaret Judd, 1822-1893. Aunt Martha was Martha Carr McDaniel, 1808-1873, wife of John's father's brother Michael S. Stoker, 1805-1858. William McDaniel, 1810-1885, is John's brother-in-law. John's Mother-in-law, Zibiah (McCarley) McDaniels, 1786-1860, apparently remarried a Mr. Birdno after her husband James McDaniel, 1762-1820, died.]
      Pp. 4-9: The journal details their departure from Council Bluffs area by various means including railroad, hack, steamboat, packet boat, hired horses, and on foot with luggage to "Leith Co. 5 miles north of Estillville," Virginia via many detailed waypoints including but not limited to DesMoines, Chicago, Cleveland, Wheeling VA, Burlington on the Ohio River, the "Big Sandy" on the line between Kentucky and Virginia, the "Pound Gap" summit of Cumberland Mountain, the "High Nob the highest point in Virginia." John details with whom they stayed and what hospitality they received. Along the way they see and preach the Gospel to many McLelland/McClelland relatives of his companion. In Leith Co., VA, on Monday, Dec. 13, 1869, he "wrote a letter home to my family and one to Ash[e] Co., North Carolina to David and Henry Graybill" which they mailed the next day from Estillville. [John's mother, Barbara Graybill, had two brothers - Henry, ca1780-ca1843, and David, 1794-1874 - who remained in Ashe Co. where she was born; however, Henry was dead by then but his "Uncle" David responds later on Jan. 22.]
      Pp. 10-17: They stayed in the area doing missionary work mainly among McClellands. He notes on Christmas day while staying with Samuel McClelland, they went to a meeting and heard a Dunkard preach. On Monday, Dec. 27th, John notes, "wrote a letter to my family also one to my sister-in-law Martha Stoker at Bluff City, Iowa. [Martha Carr (McDaniel) Stoker was whom he referred to as Aunt Martha previously in his journal since she was married to his father's brother Michael S. Stoker, but she was also a sister-in-law since she was the sister to John's wife Jane McDaniel.] John notes on Saturday, Jan. 8th, that he "went to the widow Quillins to inquire concerning the Wampler family." [I am unsure who the widow was, but John's maternal grandmother was Christina Wampler, 1753-1844.] On Tuesday, Jan. 11th, John notes, "Went to Patsy Daughterty's to inquire after my mother's relatives." On Thursday, Jan. 13th, he notes that he "went to Wm. Wampler's, took dinner." [I do not have either a Patsy Daughterty or William Wampler in my database - they must be of a later generation than John's grandmother Christina Wampler.] He also notes on the same day that he received a letter from his son-in-law J. Tolman and daughter in Utah. On Saturday, Jan. 22nd, John notes, 'Received a letter from my son David Stoker, Davis Co., Utah dated Jan'y 1st, 1870, gave particulars of my son John Stoker's sickness but getting better. Also received a letter from my uncle David Graybill, Ashe Co., Jefferson, North Carolina." On Jan. 24th, he writes back to his uncle David Graybill.
      Pp. 18-24: Starting on Jan. 26th, 1870, the missionaries are on the move: first to Bristol (VA?), then thru Chattanooga, Nashville, Sparta, to Putnam Co., Tennessee where they did missionary work with the Perkins and Mayberry families who relatives of his companion, Jesse Perkins. On Sunday, Feb. 13th, 1870, John wrote letters to his son David Stoker in Davis Co., Utah and one to Aunt Martha Stoker and cousins in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie Co., Iowa. On the next day he went to Gainesboro where he received a letter from his son David Stoker. Beginning Feb. 16th, 1870, John proceeds by boat down the Cumberland to Nashville then to St. Louis via the Mississippi River from Cape "Jerido". On Feb. 23rd, took the ___ from St. Louis to Trader's Point where again he sees Aunt Martha. He sends money to his companion in Decatur Co., Iowa to help him get to Council Bluffs. He also sends a letter to Utah asking his family for money for himself and his companion.
      Pp. 25-33: John arrives Feb. 26 and remains in Pottawattamie Co., Iowa until March 24 when he, Jesse Perkins who arrives March 9, and several other missionaries from the East Coast join up in Omaha for the trip home to Utah by railroad which he notes cost $50.75. Generally he is staying with his Aunt Martha. Some journal entries during that time period dealing with family follow: "Sat., Feb 26th, 1870: Went up to Musketoe Creek to Simeon Peter Graybill, my cousin. Stayed over night. Sunday, 27th. Went to Walker's Grove in Harrison Co. to Sidney R. Graybill, my cousin, with Moroni Stoker to see some sick cousins Michael and Elizabeth Graybill. [Sidney Rigdon, 1836-1893, Michael S., 1827-1910, and Elizabeth, 1833-1891, are siblings and all children of Polly Stoker, John's father's sister.] Stayed over night. Monday 28th. Cold and windy. Remained all day. Stayed all night. Tuesday, March 1st 1870. Returned to Aunt Martha Stoker's at Traders Point. Read a letter from David Stoker, my son, to John A. Stoker, dated Feb'y 21st, 1870. Stayed overnight… Thursday 3d. Cousin Jared Stoker killed 2 turkeys, the 2 weighing 40 lbs. [John Alexander Stoker, 1837-1918, and Jared, 1843-1912, were first cousins and sons of Michael S. Stoker, brother of John's father David.] Stayed over… Tuesday 8th, being my birthday, age 53… Wednesday 9th… was weighed being 184 lbs… Friday 18th… went to Aaron Thomas, took dinner and spent the day with him and family. [Aaron Morris Thomas, 1833-1920, was married to John's first cousin, Elizabeth Jane Stoker, who was the daughter of John W. Stoker, a brother of John's father David.] Returned to Aunt Martha Stoker's… Saturday 19th… Sent a letter to Wm. Atkinson in Bountiful, Davis County, Utah, heard from home by a letter wrote to John A. Stoker dated March the 12th, 1870. All was well… Thursday 24th… John A. Stoker and Joseph Stoker took me and Bro. Jesse N. Perkins to Omaha with a wagon. Rained before we got there. Joseph Stoker went over the River with us met about 30 of the missionaries at the St. Charles Hotel. [Joseph Jehiel Stoker, 1846-1921, was a brother of John Alexander and William Moroni Stoker.] Left Omaha at 6 p.m. on the Emigrant Cars for home…"
      Pp. 33-35: John details the train trip which started March 24th and arrived home in Bountiful March 29th after switching to the Utah Central in Ogden. He notes his arrival "in the midst of family and friends with a hearty God bless you… and a hearty shaking of hands." The missionary journal ends at this point.
      Pp. 36-227: The balance of John's journal book is genealogical notations of family. Many pages are blank, which I did not copy. Besides family, John would also note many other unrelated Stokers who he must have gleaned from books and other sources. He also notes some totally unrelated non-Stoker individuals with whom he evidently has some acquaintance. I have entered the pertinent data with each family in my database.

      14. Website http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/statewide/military/1812roll.txt accessed 20 Dec 2008: "Muster Rolls Soldiers of the War of 1812 Detached from the Militia of North Carolina 1812 and 1814 Published in Pursuance of the Resolutions of the General Assembly of January 28, 1851 and the Resolution of the General Assembly of February 29, 1871. Under the Direction of the Adjutant General Raleigh Stone and Uzzell State Printers and Binders 1873":
      "Fifth Regiment, Ashe County:
      Henry Graybeal
      David Graybeal"
      [Kerry's note: I do not recognize any other names in the regiment as related to the family.]

      BIRTH:
      1. Wilkes County, NC split off to make Ashe County in late 1799.

      2. Year 1791 given per tombstone inscription. 1794 per censuses. I use 1794.

      MARRIAGE:
      1. Website http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/ashe/misc/grybel04.txt accessed 20 Dec 2009:
      "Letter, John Graybeal to Dona Graybeal."
      Letter from John Graybeal of Shell Creek, Tennessee to his grand-daughter Dona Graybeal of Fig, North Carolina. This letter was found among the papers and Letters of Dona Graybeal and her son W. Thomas Graybeal, of Emory, Virginia. Dona Graybeal was married to my great-uncle Winfield A. Graybeal, a Methodist Minister.
      John Graybeal, son of Andrew Graybeal, and grandson of Henry Graybeal of Ashe County, North Carolina, wrote the letter to his granddaughter Dona Graybeal, daughter of William Asbury Graybeal and Rebecca Graybeal. Both sides of Dona's family trace back to Henry Graybeal.
      Notes: The original letter was written in pencil on tablet paper with no punctuation and paragraph breaks. Paragraph breaks have been inserted where it seemed logical to do so for clarity. Periods have also been added at the end of sentences. Spelling remains as it was interpreted except where indicated by [ ]. References to "Winny" are to Winfield A. Graybeal Dona's husband and son of David Melvin Graybeal and Mary Anne Jones.
      Transcribed by Kyle R. Graybeal kgraybeal@erols.com:
      "Shell Creek Ten Jan 26 1915
      Dona we recv'd your letter was real glad to hear from you all. was glad you was having a good time & Doing some good in the caus of Religion there. Dont seam to be But little good Doing here. We have had some offel Bad weather this winter. the weather was the worst before Christmas i Ever saw. i think we got a litter from pa a few days ago Said Conly & wife had gone to New Mexico Lum has moved in bout 8 miles of us. i Recon Griggs preached a fine Sermon Sunday at Shell Creek We are having a fine day today 26 of Jan
      Well you asked me about the Graybeals. My father always told me they came from Penn to NC. My grandfather settled rite on the lands Elihu & your grandpa graybial lived. My granfathers name was Henry. Winnys grate granfathers name was David. he settled probably on the lands that Winnys granfather & Calvin graybeal lived on Hoss creek. the old man Petter settled near Jefferson, they Both maried Birkets
      My granmother graybeal was a Henson. ther was one them old graybeals Name was John he never was married. he fell Dead at a wood pile cuting wood. Ther was one Mike he went West long time ago they never could her from him after them Days. So that was all of the old graybeals. they was real Duch.
      My father always told me he couldent understand a word they would say when they talked in ther language though they could talk English all rite. i remember seeing all of them they wer Dunkards them days
      My grandfather was a Methodist Ex[h]orter a grate scriptonian i remember seeing my grandfather & old man Dav & Peter. My grandmother Died after i was a bot grown her name was Celia
      Well Dona i dont guess you can read this letter if you can you can almost Beat me so we hope you are all well and enjoying life. give Winny my Best respects and wishes and trust he may Do much good.
      Your grandma has had a Bad cold all this winter and holds rite on so we would glad to here from you all often. We remain your grandparents
      John Graybeal write soon"

      DEATH:
      1. See burial citation below.

      BURIAL:
      1. Per website <http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/nc/ashe/cemeteries/grybel03.txt>: "Joseph Graybeal Cemetery: copied and transcribed by Kyle R. Graybeal . Location: Piney Creek Township, north of Lansing, NC. The cemetery is located on the right side of NC route 194 going north, about 1.1 miles north of the stoplight at the intersection in Lansing, on a hill about 300 feet up from the road. There is a primitive road that leads up from the main road to a barn just a few feet above the roadway. The cemetery is not currently visible from the road, except possibly in winter, due to heavy growth. It is about one eighth of a mile or less north of several new brick houses on the right side of 194. There is a mobile home which is set back off the road and just at the foot of the hill and to the right below where the cemetery is located. Most burials are descendants of the following couple. Their tombstones:
      Graybeal, David 1791 - 19 Apr 1874 [s/o Peter Graybeal & Christina Wampler]
      Graybeal, Barbary 1796 - 22 Apr 1874 [d/o Christian Burkett & Catherine Perry]