Graves Research May 3, 2003 Portsmouth Public Library 601 Court Street Portsmouth, VA Compiled by J. Curtis Fruit I went to the Portsmouth Public Library in the Esther M. Wilson Memorial Room and asked the lady there for some help finding information on Robert A. Graves. The first thing I looked at was "The Emmerson Papers." She found the information in a card catalog and then gave me a book to look at which was titled: "The Emmerson Papers - Vol III" Abstracts from the Norfolk and Portsmouth newspapers 1836-1860 In the book I found three entries. They were as follows: On page 34, under the year 1848, under date October 18, 1848, it read, "We learn from the Chronicle and Old Dominion that Messrs Graves & Ferebee, of Portsmouth, have obtained a contract for the building of one of six revenue schooners, for which proposals were opened on the 10th inst." ----------- On page 26 and 27, for the year 1854, I found a page and a half article, dated July 12, 1854, which speaks of the launch, on the previous day, of the barque, "Edward A. Rawlins." I made two copies of the full article which describes the boat and says that it was made by Messrs. (Robert A.) Graves & Bro. I will re-type the entire article here. July 12, 1854 A SPLENDID LAUNCH Yesterday at 11:00 o'clock, the beautiful barque Edward A. Rawlins, slid into her appropriate element in elegant style, from the yard of Messrs. [Robert A.] Graves & Bro., Gosport. So carefully had all of the necessary arrangements been made, that she moved off with mathematical trueness and precision, without an accident to detract in the least from the animating sight. After she had taken her first wild plunge, her symmetrical proportions were presented to the admiring beholders, and were singularly striking. There was, indeed, something of reckless daring in her proud look as she stood out to view, gently and gracefully bowing, as it were, the pride of her strength and beauty. She looks, in fact, as if she will battle fearlessly with the wild fury of the howling storm-spirit, while proudly and swiftly careering upon the surging billows of Old Ocean. Her length is 120 feet between perpendiculars, breadth of beam 26 feet, depth of hold 10 1/2 feet. She is built in the strongest and most substantial manner, her fastenings being equal t those of any vessel of her class ever built here or elsewhere; while her superior model is well calculated for speed. She is owned by Josiah Wills and George Bluford, Esqs.,extensive merchants and shippers of this city. Her name is in honor o E. A. Rawlins, Esq., a native and former resident of Norfolk, who is partner of Mr. Willis in an extensive establishment in New Orleans. She will probably be ready for her first voyage in three or four weeks, her freight for a port in South America [Rio] having been arranged [at Richmond]. Her commander will be Capt. E. M. Beaman, so favorably known to the mercantile community, for is energy, fearlessness and nautical skill. May he have many and prosperous voyage in his noble barque. The Messrs. Graves are certainly entitled to credit for the masterly style in which they have constructed the vessel, ad we heartily congratulate them on their signal success. The liberal owners provided a handsome collation at Mr. Smaw's, in the immediate vicinity of the yard, where hundreds were invited after the launch, to partake of plentiful repast. A variety of potable articles, including the best of champagnes and London Dock, of course disappeared with astonishing rapidity. We are pleased to state, that the parties who have added this splendid craft to their list of vessels, have just contracted for a ship of 600 tons - t be built as early as practicable. This is what we like to hear and record. Most heartily do we say, success to such an enterprise! An advance story of the launching locates the Graves' yard as, 'near the Navy Yard gate,' which would apply to practically any part of the Gosport water-front.]" ------------- On page 7, under the year 1856, on the date March 11,I found an article which read, "Life Insurance. Mr. George Bain, agent in Portsmouth of the Mutual Benefit Insurance Company of Newark, N.J., has paid out during the last six months the amounts insured on the lives of the following: (he lists six people altogether, among whom is) R. A. Graves $2,000" -------------- I also saw a Portsmouth City Directory for the year 1872, showing an Emily Graves, widow of Robert A. Graves, living at the corner of Washington and County Streets. And then there was also a Portsmouth City Directory for the years 1877-78, which showed Robert A. Graves, living at the same address as shown for Emily Graves, above. This must have been the first R. A. Graves' son, and since he is listed, at this point, and his mother is not, it may prove useful to search the time frame 1872-1878 for some record of her death. ------------------ I also saw a book, and I have no idea of the title, in which there were many various types of information. Several pages came from a book of the "Knights Templars." There, in a listing of the officers and members, was an entry showing that William Graves and Robert A. Graves were "Sir Knights.