Graves, William

Submitted by edpope on

addresses on flyleaf of vol xv of Godwin's diary: W Graves 16 Walbrook / 25.4.1809 Graves calls / 17.5.1809 theatre; adv. Graves / 7.9.1809 seek Zoust, at Grave's &c, w. M(ary) J(ane) / 31.10.1811 call on Graves / 1.11.1811 Graves calls (not seen) / 17.11.1811 Burr, A Curran, Biggs & Graves dine / 24.12.1811 Graves calls

Shortly before Aaron Burr had to leave England in April 1809, Godwin wrote a number of names and addresses in the flyleaf of his diary vol 15 he'd begun in February (where they are transcribed on GD website but not coded). Four of them Godwin noted in his diary in the week he last saw Burr. Graves of Walbrook wasn't listed in directories but appeared in Land Tax lists. A William Meeker Graves son of William & Elizabeth was born in Walbrook in 1808 and died 9 weeks later, as recorded in the register of the Fenchurch-st Quaker meeting, but stating that Graves was not a member. William P Meeker was also in Godwin's list of Burr's contacts, though he never appeared in the diary. William Parsons Meeker merchant of Basinghall-st, London, partner with Samuel Denman at Philadelphia, was a bankrupt in 1808 (Manchester Mercury 18.10.1808). His genteel furniture and effects at Basinghall-st were auctioned (Morning Chronicle 21.12.1808). He got his certificate on 8.4.1809, dividends were being paid up until 1834. The bankruptcy papers are one of those that survive at Kew (Nat Arch B3/3214 not seen). According to Ancestry, Meeker was born 1769, married Elizabeth Vandenbrandt, and died at sea in 1812.

The "seek Zoust" of 1809 was Godwin looking for a print of Shakespeare by Gerard de Zoust (or Soest d. 1681) and he called at several printsellers with his wife. According to DNB Graves family per. c. 1812-1892, Robert Graves (d.1825) had a print shop in Pall Mall, but it didn't appear in any directories, still I reckon "Grave's" referred to him.