Phoebe Chapman

Jesse Graham (son of Charles Handy and Mary Gibbons) died date unknown.

He married Lavina Ogden. Jesse, the eldest child was born on the journey across the Atlantic on October 14, 1825 but on most of his certificates, he stated New York as his birthplace. Perhaps he is registered there. He died May 7, 1915 in Flos Township, Simcoe County. Jesse was the least favoured child - there is no record of Charles ever "selling" any land to Jesse although we found the family in the census of 1871, living on the land owned by George. Perhaps Charles was not pleased that Jesse didn't care for farming, preferring to go into the lumbering business. He married Lavina Ogden and they had six children, two of whom were born in the USA when the 1861 census was being taken in Canada. This showed up in the 1871 census. Lavina was said by William's grandchildren) to have mysteriously disappeared while picking berries in the Minesing swamp - nothing was found but her apron. They thought she was eaten by a bear or wolf. BUT!! She just as mysteriously reappeared at the home of the second son Johnathan, many years later.

She said no one had really bothered to look for her, she had gone to keep house for her brother. During her absence, Jesse married a much younger woman, Emma Davis who bore him a son. I have a copy of this 'marriage' and a letter from Frank who remembered the family living in Barrie and that his father had received very little from old Charles' will. Jesse died near Elmvale and is buried in nearby Allenwood cemetary. Johnathan buried his mother in Vasey. Jesse and Lavina's family is now quite large

- some of them had 10 to 18 children. Three daughters, Phoebe, Jane and Mary have yet to be found and researched. William farmed in the Elmvale district. Most of his descendents can be found in Simcoe County. Johnathan preferred the lumbering industry. He had a very powerful grip in his fingers

and could support his own weight and that of another person just clinging by his fingers and thumbs to a rafter in the back kitchen ceiling. Johnathan died as the result of a car accident. His descendents are scattered around Simcoe County and in the London and Kingston districts. Some are in New Brunswick. Alfred farmed in the Wyevale area (Simcoe) but now most of his descendents can be found in Toronto. Twin sons, Alberta & Elmer went West and we cannot find any trace of them.

Frank (Emma's child) - I found Frank's second wife and most of his family in Toronto and Ottawa. The above information has been taken from a report by the Genealogy World, 998 Douglas Street, Salt Lake City, Utah 84105, Researched by Lillian Bowdery in 1980. Children of Jesse Graham and Lavina Ogden are: Davis Graham, d. date unknown. Emma Graham, d. date unknown.