Susannah Sarah Washington Graham

Susannah Sarah Washington Graham (February 26, 1816 – May 2, 1890) was an American gardener and political hostess who, as the wife of Governor William Alexander Graham, served as First Lady of North Carolina from 1845 to 1849. She cultivated extensive gardens at Montrose Gardens, her estate in Hillsborough. Graham was a member of the Washington family.

Early life Graham was born Susannah Sarah Washington on February 26, 1816, in Kinston, North Carolina, to John Washington and Elizabeth Herritage Cobb Washington. She was a member of the Washington family. Graham was called Susan by her family. They had ten children, including William Jr.

When Graham's husband moved to Washington, D.C. to fill a vacancy in the United States Senate caused by the Robert Strange, she stayed behind in Hillsborough with their children. Following her time in Raleigh during her husband's administration, they moved to Washington, D.C. while her husband served as the U.S. Secretary of the Navy under President Millard Fillmore. The family returned to Hillsborough, where they lived at Nash-Hooper House.

Graham died on May 2, 1890 in Raleigh. She was buried in the Hillsborough Old Town Cemetery, adjacent to Hillsborough Presbyterian Church.