Page 15. John George Graham became a Blacksmith. He married Phoebe Sarah Exley on November 8, 1897. Perhaps they met at church or perhaps Phoebe, who came from a family of preachers, converted John. They were married in the Christian Chapel at St Georges Road, North Fitzroy. John was aged 36 and Phoebe was 32.

John George Graham c 1885

John Graham in his band suit

John had a house built at 29 Ross Street, just up the road from his parents’ house at number 13. It was a pretty, weatherboard house which still existed until the end of 2005 when it was demolished and a new house built on the site.

29 Ross Street, Toorak

Marriage Certificate of John George Graham
and Phoebe Sarah Exley

Sarah senior and her daughter were living at 13 Ross Street. She lived to see the birth of her first grandchild, my father, William Henry Graham. He was born on 20 August 1898. On 2 April 1901, when William was three years old, Sarah died in the home of John and Phoebe at 29 Ross Street of senile decay and cerebral paralysis. She was 83 years old.

Sarah was buried with William in the church of England section of the St Kilda cemetery. Added below William’s epitaph is the following:

• "Also Sarah, beloved wife of the above, died 1 April 1901, aged 83 years, Rest Sweet Rest."