William’s father, James Grahame (1765-1811), was a Glasgow advocate who married Janet Graham in 1802. Janet’s father, Richard Graham, of Torduff, Gretna, was town clerk of Annan and owned the
Everholm and Motte and Bailey. Richard initially passed the Annan property to James in 1803.
James became an Anglican clergyman and as The Rev James Grahame, he became known as ‘The Sabbath Poet’. But he only lived in Annan for a short period of time. On his untimely death, William inherited the property.
William emigrated to Canada in his 20s and returned to Annan in 1850, where he and his children lived at The Moat for most of the 19th century. All of his surviving sons and daughters eventually returned to Canada. His descendants are now dispersed throughout Canada and some have since moved back across the Atlantic to England.
This week, eight cousins travelled from Canada and England to get-together, and they were joined at the Everholm by some other members of the community where they planted a tree in memory of William.
The gathering had been planned prior to the first lockdown and members of the family had been video calling to stay in touch, with some having never met in person before this week.
The Moat House, where William once lived, is now a holiday apartment available for rent. Quite remarkably some of the family stayed there during their visit to Annan, walking on the very floorboards where William would have walked.
While in Annan, the group also enjoyed various other events including a talk with Annan historian – John Thomson, a guided tour of Annan Museum, a tour of the town’s churchyards and a visit to Ruthwell.
