Elizabeth Porter was the daughter of Benjamin Porter and Ann Campbell. In "1764," she became the second wife of widower "Soldier John" Grigsby (William H Grigsby's Genealogy of the Grigsby Family in Part, Including a Brief Sketch of the Porter family, Dec 1878 and 1905, p 1, see photo, plus many others old books).
They had 9 known Grigsby children in "Culpeper Co., Virginia" except for Reuben, born in Rockbridge Co. Eight of these children are connected below:
Ann, 15 Jun 1766* to 1766-67
Joseph, 6 Jul 1768 (Mary A. W. Scott)
Jane Ashley, 19 Oct 1769 (Wm Paxton)
RACHEL, 7 May 1771 (Alex. McNutt)
Martha, 19 Sep 1772 (Alexander Trimble)
Elisha, 17 May 1774 (Eliz.Hawkins Porter)
Elizabeth "Betty," 10 Mar 1776 (Wm McNutt)
Frances, 2 Feb 1778 (Thos Beckham)
Reuben, 5 Jun 1780 (Verlina Alexander Porter)
The Grigsby Family Bible begins with "James Grigsby born 10 Nov 1748," includes siblings (thru 1761) John, Jr., Charles, Sally, and William, plus the children of John Sr.'s second wife Elizabeth Porter Grigsby (1766-1780): Ann, Joseph, Jane, Rachel, Martha, Elisha, Elizabeth, Franky and Reuben. It also includes the children of James & Franky (Porter) Grigsby, 18 Sep 1770 to 18 Dec 1779. "Rachel Grigsby" is handwritten on the first page and Elisha Grigsby is printed on the next page. The old bible has hand written data and a typed transcription page of names with dates, of the same. The Grigsby Family Bible was presented to the Rockbridge County Historical Society on 28 Jul 1947 by J(ames) Granville Johnston (FaG #171756341, HTML is no longer working), from the Oxford Congregation, Rockbridge Co., Virginia, Film # 007769168, item 10, on Familysearch 103-106/759 (see photo).
DATA on her husband JOHN GRIGSBY: "John Grigsby, whose ancestors were unquestionably of Welsh origin..." per Henrietta Hamilton McCormick's Genealogies and Reminiscences, Chicago by the author, 1897, p 13, plus has more on his family. My personal copy of this and other books were given to my kin by HHM's husband Leander, with a signed note, etc. Note: Grigsby is more commonly believed to be Anglo Saxon or English in origin.
1774 Augusta Co., Virginia, Capt. Wm Nalle's Company, in Lord Dunsmore's Expedition, French & Indian War, Virginia vs Ohio Valley natives, compensated in 1775 for 118 days service, paid £8, 17 shillings, p 103, notes on R & L sides not legible. They marched to Fort Pitt in August 1774. He also commanded a a company in the 13th regiment of the Continental Line.
"John Grigsby for damage done his gun(,) impressed for Orange Militia in 1777 by Johnny Scott Capt. 10s."
In 1778, John Grigsby purchases land and then sells the same land 8 years later, in 1786. Orange County Deed Books #17, page 84 and Book #18, page 441.
May 1780, Orange Co., Virginia Public Service Claims for Rev. War contributions made by John Grigsby. Court Book 11.
Oct 1780 & Jan 1781, Culpeper Co., Virginia War Public Service Claims for Rev. War service, drafted militiamen John Grigsby, troops for the Continental Army militia to service for 18 months, in class 49. 1780 General Assembly Act signed to fill Virginia quota of troops for the Continental Army. Aged ABOUT 60, he would seem to be too old to serve, other than contributing goods.
1 Feb 1781, John Grigsby, Augusta Co. grantee, patent C, p 314-15, 10 shillings, assignee of Robt Poag, 80 acres in the Fork of the James River, Land Office Grants C, John Poags 12 Mar 1764 survey. Plus Patent C, p 316-317, 28 acres, 5 shillings, assignee of John Poag, surveyed 16 Mar 1768, in the fork of the James River, recorded 1 Feb 1781.
"On Monday morning, February 28, 1781, the militia marched away from Lexington and Bivouacked that night at "Fruit Hill," the home of "Soldier John" Grigsby, in the neighborhood of Faling (sic) Spring Presbyterian Church; the Grigsby family had come to Rockbridge County only a little over a year before." Rockbridge Co., Virginia Notebook, Complied from Articles by Dr. George W. Diehl as published in the News-Gazette, Lexington, Virginia, compiled by A. Maxim Coppage, III.
I have an original 1781 Rockbridge Co., Virginia deed between (I believe) her step son James Grigsby. James paid 10 shillings for 59 acres (surveyed 1779) in Rockbridge on the waters of Buffaloe Creek, corner to Wm Gibson. I have no idea why my kin kept it. I SUSPECT James was the first born son of John Grigsby and his first wife, Rosanna Etchison, born 1748. I put a copy of this document on James' site, connected through his dad's site.
John Grigsby received 200 acres of land for his revolutionary war service (per Genealogist my grand hired). Land was most likely in Kentucky or Ohio (searching for doc).
Alexander McNutt (1854-1812) was the son of John "Scotch Johnny" McNutt and Katherine Rebecca Anderson. He married Rachel Grigsby, on 7 Jan 1790 at her Fruithill Home in Rockbridge Co., Virginia by Rev. Samuel Houston. She is the daughter of John Grigsby and Elizabeth Porter. They had 13 known McNutt Children, listed on his wifes' site.
He served in the Revolutionary War in the Rockbridge County Virginia Militia, in 1780 as a Sergeant and Ensign under Capt. Jas Gilmore and Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan in SC. (See the Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 43, #2, Apr-Jun 1999, p 144, John H. Gwathmey's History Register of Virginia In the Revolution, p 538 and VASSAR's Master Spreadsheet of Revolutionary War Veterans).
He is listed as member #42 on the Falling Spring Church register to 1800. John Grigsby has pew #4 and pledged 25 pounds before 1794. Notes: "When the 1794 Pew Assignment was made his son James took claim to Pew #4 on his father's claim. Died April 7, 1794. His was the first burial in the new cemetery Falling Spring." Family Search original register.
John's Rockbridge Co., Virginia will book 1, p 4-7:
In the name of God, Amen I John Grigsby of Rockbridge County being at this time in a low state of health but having the due exercise of reason and knowing the uncertainty of life and that it may please God to call me hence do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament. Item I give unto….
-my son JOHN Grigsby five shillings current money of Virginia over and above what he has already received.
-my son CHARLES Grigsby thirty pounds Virginia Currency, likewise a feather bed with furniture and a couple of sheep.
-my son WILLIAM Grigsby thirty pounds Virginia currency.
-my daughter SARAH Welch** exclusive of what she has already received twenty-five pounds Virginia currency.
-my daughter JANE Paxton five shillings current money of the State of Virginia over and above what I have already given her.
-my daughter RACHEL McNut five shillings current money of the State of Virginia over and above what I have already given her.
-I lend unto my loving wife ELIZABETH Grigsby all my estate real and personal to have and to hold the same during her natural life in joint trust discharging debts and gifts or legacies as above in a reasonable time, and that she my said wife in joint trust with chosen Executors herein mentioned do act discretionary with my younger sons and daughters in manner following:
-That MARTHA, ELIZABETH and FRANKY shall have at age or marriage equal to their sisters Jane Paxton and Rachel McNut including all they received at marriage and my sons JOSEPH, ELISHA and REUBEN to have the plantation whereon I now live divided equally amongst them by any three or more neighbors whom they shall appoint and at the decease of my wife the remainder shall be divided equally among my sons and daughters, viz: Joseph, Jane, Rachel, Martha, Elisha, Elizabeth, Franky and Reuben having no respect in the division to such sum as shall be given to any of them either at age or marriage and further it is my will that if any of my last named sons and daughters should die intestate his, her, or their share of the estate as above mentioned shall be equally divided among the survivor or survivors.
-appoints beloved wife Elizabeth Grigsby, Executrix and Joseph Grigsby, Executor.
-In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eleventh day of May, Domini one thousand seven hundred and ninety two.
Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presence of: John X Grigsby
John Paxton Robert Snodgrass mark
William X Arnold David Willack mark A Copy Teste: Harry B. Wright, Clerk
-John signed it with his mark (not a signature) and it was proved 3 June 1794. Per the recorded copy.
John was listed in the DAR Linage Books and my app was accepted by D.A.R. through him. He served in the 13th Virginia Regiment. Earlier, in Mar 1741, he served in Augustine Washington's (Pres. Geo. Washington's father) Company in the Battle of Cartagena in Columbia, S.A. under Admiral Vernon.
Some other sources: History of Virginia, Vol IV, p 28; (Dr. George West Diehl's genealogical articles in the local News-Gazette) Diehl's Rockbridge County Notebook by M. Coopage; History of Rockbridge Co., Virginia by O.F. Morton, p 489, & his Military file.
-In 1687, John Grigsby, Sr., this John's grandfather, resided in Stafford Co., Virginia where in James Ashton's will of 1687 (Index of Wills, P.C.C. 168601693, Vol. 11, p 9) says To Ric. Elkin 100 acres of land adjoining upon John Grigsby "of the Quarter Divident." Per the Virginia Colonial Records Project survey #3928.
-5 Jan 1709, Stafford Co., Virginia Northern Neck Grant to John Grigsby, 887 acres, Paspitansey Creek. 20 Aug 1725 Stafford Co., Virginia Land Grant, to Thos. Grigsby, 80 acres on the branches of the Pasbytanzy, adjoining Peter Ashton, John Grigsby, and others.
-"John Grigsby, the IMMIGRANT, was transported to Virginia from England by Peter Ashton." Apprentices of Virginia, 1623-1800 by Harold B. Gill, 1989 lists blacksmith John Grigsby in Stafford Co., Virginia, beginning date 11 Mar 1728. This John Grigsby born 8 Aug 1624 in Maidstone, in SE England, and died 11 Oct 1730 in Stafford Co., Virginia, per the Grigsby DNA site. John (Sr.) married to Sarah Jane Prosser/Rosser and or Jane Redman. His son Charles, 1682 - 11 Nov 1740 and "Sarah Wilkerson" are believed to be the parents of this John Grigsby, born 1720. For more info on this John's elder kin, contact the National Grigsby Family Society, formed in 1981. I have not researched Charles or John, Sr. in any great detail but others have and there's lots online to pursue. They "were in Stafford Co., Virginia in 1660."
23 Jul 2005 the National Grigsby Family Society's reunion hosted tours of "7 Hills Home Tour - Includes tours of Fruit Hill, Fancy Hill, Herring Hall, & Hickory Hill. Possible tour of Liberty Hill & Cherry Hill. View of Rose Hill." "R. Brian Grigsby." per Tour PDF online, 1-13.
The Virginia Historical Society house the Grigsby Family Papers, 1745-1940 (bulk 1811-1895).
Her husband's burial was the first one at Falling Spring Cemetery. Their son, Reuben and his wife Verlinda, Elizabeth "Betty" McNutt and Jane A. Paxton and their husbands are all also buried here.
Her gravestone says:
SACRED
TO THE
MEMORY OF
ELIZABETH GRIGSBY
Who was born Feb. 22nd
1734, & departed this
life, Oct. 7th 1807.
----.----
The Library of Virginia has her obit from the 23 Oct 1807 in the Staunton Eagle. Mrs. Elizabeth Grigsby, died At Lexington, Va., on the 7th inst., from a fall from her horse. (p. 3, c. 3).
*Ann Grigsby born 1766: on either 13 SEPTEMBER (in HHMcCormick's Genealogies and Reminiscences) or on 5 JUNE (in Wm H Grigsby's Genealogy of the Grigsby Family in Part..., p 1). The latter source adds: "…All the daughters, except ANN, WHO DIED IN INFANCY, married at the old Rockbridge homestead (Sally possibly excepted.)." See photo.
**Sarah Welch and her husband Thomas Welch built Fancy Hill, one of the "7 Hills of Rockbridge," connected to the Grigsby family. Her Glasgow home is on the National Register of Historic Places 081 - 0015, 1997. It's on the east side of Route 11 at the junction with 680.
Bio researched and written by LSP
Elizabeth Porter was the daughter of Benjamin Porter and Ann Campbell. In "1764," she became the second wife of widower "Soldier John" Grigsby (William H Grigsby's Genealogy of the Grigsby Family in Part, Including a Brief Sketch of the Porter family, Dec 1878 and 1905, p 1, see photo, plus many others old books).
They had 9 known Grigsby children in "Culpeper Co., Virginia" except for Reuben, born in Rockbridge Co. Eight of these children are connected below:
Ann, 15 Jun 1766* to 1766-67
Joseph, 6 Jul 1768 (Mary A. W. Scott)
Jane Ashley, 19 Oct 1769 (Wm Paxton)
RACHEL, 7 May 1771 (Alex. McNutt)
Martha, 19 Sep 1772 (Alexander Trimble)
Elisha, 17 May 1774 (Eliz.Hawkins Porter)
Elizabeth "Betty," 10 Mar 1776 (Wm McNutt)
Frances, 2 Feb 1778 (Thos Beckham)
Reuben, 5 Jun 1780 (Verlina Alexander Porter)
The Grigsby Family Bible begins with "James Grigsby born 10 Nov 1748," includes siblings (thru 1761) John, Jr., Charles, Sally, and William, plus the children of John Sr.'s second wife Elizabeth Porter Grigsby (1766-1780): Ann, Joseph, Jane, Rachel, Martha, Elisha, Elizabeth, Franky and Reuben. It also includes the children of James & Franky (Porter) Grigsby, 18 Sep 1770 to 18 Dec 1779. "Rachel Grigsby" is handwritten on the first page and Elisha Grigsby is printed on the next page. The old bible has hand written data and a typed transcription page of names with dates, of the same. The Grigsby Family Bible was presented to the Rockbridge County Historical Society on 28 Jul 1947 by J(ames) Granville Johnston (FaG #171756341, HTML is no longer working), from the Oxford Congregation, Rockbridge Co., Virginia, Film # 007769168, item 10, on Familysearch 103-106/759 (see photo).
DATA on her husband JOHN GRIGSBY: "John Grigsby, whose ancestors were unquestionably of Welsh origin..." per Henrietta Hamilton McCormick's Genealogies and Reminiscences, Chicago by the author, 1897, p 13, plus has more on his family. My personal copy of this and other books were given to my kin by HHM's husband Leander, with a signed note, etc. Note: Grigsby is more commonly believed to be Anglo Saxon or English in origin.
1774 Augusta Co., Virginia, Capt. Wm Nalle's Company, in Lord Dunsmore's Expedition, French & Indian War, Virginia vs Ohio Valley natives, compensated in 1775 for 118 days service, paid £8, 17 shillings, p 103, notes on R & L sides not legible. They marched to Fort Pitt in August 1774. He also commanded a a company in the 13th regiment of the Continental Line.
"John Grigsby for damage done his gun(,) impressed for Orange Militia in 1777 by Johnny Scott Capt. 10s."
In 1778, John Grigsby purchases land and then sells the same land 8 years later, in 1786. Orange County Deed Books #17, page 84 and Book #18, page 441.
May 1780, Orange Co., Virginia Public Service Claims for Rev. War contributions made by John Grigsby. Court Book 11.
Oct 1780 & Jan 1781, Culpeper Co., Virginia War Public Service Claims for Rev. War service, drafted militiamen John Grigsby, troops for the Continental Army militia to service for 18 months, in class 49. 1780 General Assembly Act signed to fill Virginia quota of troops for the Continental Army. Aged ABOUT 60, he would seem to be too old to serve, other than contributing goods.
1 Feb 1781, John Grigsby, Augusta Co. grantee, patent C, p 314-15, 10 shillings, assignee of Robt Poag, 80 acres in the Fork of the James River, Land Office Grants C, John Poags 12 Mar 1764 survey. Plus Patent C, p 316-317, 28 acres, 5 shillings, assignee of John Poag, surveyed 16 Mar 1768, in the fork of the James River, recorded 1 Feb 1781.
"On Monday morning, February 28, 1781, the militia marched away from Lexington and Bivouacked that night at "Fruit Hill," the home of "Soldier John" Grigsby, in the neighborhood of Faling (sic) Spring Presbyterian Church; the Grigsby family had come to Rockbridge County only a little over a year before." Rockbridge Co., Virginia Notebook, Complied from Articles by Dr. George W. Diehl as published in the News-Gazette, Lexington, Virginia, compiled by A. Maxim Coppage, III.
I have an original 1781 Rockbridge Co., Virginia deed between (I believe) her step son James Grigsby. James paid 10 shillings for 59 acres (surveyed 1779) in Rockbridge on the waters of Buffaloe Creek, corner to Wm Gibson. I have no idea why my kin kept it. I SUSPECT James was the first born son of John Grigsby and his first wife, Rosanna Etchison, born 1748. I put a copy of this document on James' site, connected through his dad's site.
John Grigsby received 200 acres of land for his revolutionary war service (per Genealogist my grand hired). Land was most likely in Kentucky or Ohio (searching for doc).
Alexander McNutt (1854-1812) was the son of John "Scotch Johnny" McNutt and Katherine Rebecca Anderson. He married Rachel Grigsby, on 7 Jan 1790 at her Fruithill Home in Rockbridge Co., Virginia by Rev. Samuel Houston. She is the daughter of John Grigsby and Elizabeth Porter. They had 13 known McNutt Children, listed on his wifes' site.
He served in the Revolutionary War in the Rockbridge County Virginia Militia, in 1780 as a Sergeant and Ensign under Capt. Jas Gilmore and Brig. Gen. Daniel Morgan in SC. (See the Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 43, #2, Apr-Jun 1999, p 144, John H. Gwathmey's History Register of Virginia In the Revolution, p 538 and VASSAR's Master Spreadsheet of Revolutionary War Veterans).
He is listed as member #42 on the Falling Spring Church register to 1800. John Grigsby has pew #4 and pledged 25 pounds before 1794. Notes: "When the 1794 Pew Assignment was made his son James took claim to Pew #4 on his father's claim. Died April 7, 1794. His was the first burial in the new cemetery Falling Spring." Family Search original register.
John's Rockbridge Co., Virginia will book 1, p 4-7:
In the name of God, Amen I John Grigsby of Rockbridge County being at this time in a low state of health but having the due exercise of reason and knowing the uncertainty of life and that it may please God to call me hence do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament. Item I give unto….
-my son JOHN Grigsby five shillings current money of Virginia over and above what he has already received.
-my son CHARLES Grigsby thirty pounds Virginia Currency, likewise a feather bed with furniture and a couple of sheep.
-my son WILLIAM Grigsby thirty pounds Virginia currency.
-my daughter SARAH Welch** exclusive of what she has already received twenty-five pounds Virginia currency.
-my daughter JANE Paxton five shillings current money of the State of Virginia over and above what I have already given her.
-my daughter RACHEL McNut five shillings current money of the State of Virginia over and above what I have already given her.
-I lend unto my loving wife ELIZABETH Grigsby all my estate real and personal to have and to hold the same during her natural life in joint trust discharging debts and gifts or legacies as above in a reasonable time, and that she my said wife in joint trust with chosen Executors herein mentioned do act discretionary with my younger sons and daughters in manner following:
-That MARTHA, ELIZABETH and FRANKY shall have at age or marriage equal to their sisters Jane Paxton and Rachel McNut including all they received at marriage and my sons JOSEPH, ELISHA and REUBEN to have the plantation whereon I now live divided equally amongst them by any three or more neighbors whom they shall appoint and at the decease of my wife the remainder shall be divided equally among my sons and daughters, viz: Joseph, Jane, Rachel, Martha, Elisha, Elizabeth, Franky and Reuben having no respect in the division to such sum as shall be given to any of them either at age or marriage and further it is my will that if any of my last named sons and daughters should die intestate his, her, or their share of the estate as above mentioned shall be equally divided among the survivor or survivors.
-appoints beloved wife Elizabeth Grigsby, Executrix and Joseph Grigsby, Executor.
-In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eleventh day of May, Domini one thousand seven hundred and ninety two.
Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presence of: John X Grigsby
John Paxton Robert Snodgrass mark
William X Arnold David Willack mark A Copy Teste: Harry B. Wright, Clerk
-John signed it with his mark (not a signature) and it was proved 3 June 1794. Per the recorded copy.
John was listed in the DAR Linage Books and my app was accepted by D.A.R. through him. He served in the 13th Virginia Regiment. Earlier, in Mar 1741, he served in Augustine Washington's (Pres. Geo. Washington's father) Company in the Battle of Cartagena in Columbia, S.A. under Admiral Vernon.
Some other sources: History of Virginia, Vol IV, p 28; (Dr. George West Diehl's genealogical articles in the local News-Gazette) Diehl's Rockbridge County Notebook by M. Coopage; History of Rockbridge Co., Virginia by O.F. Morton, p 489, & his Military file.
-In 1687, John Grigsby, Sr., this John's grandfather, resided in Stafford Co., Virginia where in James Ashton's will of 1687 (Index of Wills, P.C.C. 168601693, Vol. 11, p 9) says To Ric. Elkin 100 acres of land adjoining upon John Grigsby "of the Quarter Divident." Per the Virginia Colonial Records Project survey #3928.
-5 Jan 1709, Stafford Co., Virginia Northern Neck Grant to John Grigsby, 887 acres, Paspitansey Creek. 20 Aug 1725 Stafford Co., Virginia Land Grant, to Thos. Grigsby, 80 acres on the branches of the Pasbytanzy, adjoining Peter Ashton, John Grigsby, and others.
-"John Grigsby, the IMMIGRANT, was transported to Virginia from England by Peter Ashton." Apprentices of Virginia, 1623-1800 by Harold B. Gill, 1989 lists blacksmith John Grigsby in Stafford Co., Virginia, beginning date 11 Mar 1728. This John Grigsby born 8 Aug 1624 in Maidstone, in SE England, and died 11 Oct 1730 in Stafford Co., Virginia, per the Grigsby DNA site. John (Sr.) married to Sarah Jane Prosser/Rosser and or Jane Redman. His son Charles, 1682 - 11 Nov 1740 and "Sarah Wilkerson" are believed to be the parents of this John Grigsby, born 1720. For more info on this John's elder kin, contact the National Grigsby Family Society, formed in 1981. I have not researched Charles or John, Sr. in any great detail but others have and there's lots online to pursue. They "were in Stafford Co., Virginia in 1660."
23 Jul 2005 the National Grigsby Family Society's reunion hosted tours of "7 Hills Home Tour - Includes tours of Fruit Hill, Fancy Hill, Herring Hall, & Hickory Hill. Possible tour of Liberty Hill & Cherry Hill. View of Rose Hill." "R. Brian Grigsby." per Tour PDF online, 1-13.
The Virginia Historical Society house the Grigsby Family Papers, 1745-1940 (bulk 1811-1895).
Her husband's burial was the first one at Falling Spring Cemetery. Their son, Reuben and his wife Verlinda, Elizabeth "Betty" McNutt and Jane A. Paxton and their husbands are all also buried here.
Her gravestone says:
SACRED
TO THE
MEMORY OF
ELIZABETH GRIGSBY
Who was born Feb. 22nd
1734, & departed this
life, Oct. 7th 1807.
----.----
The Library of Virginia has her obit from the 23 Oct 1807 in the Staunton Eagle. Mrs. Elizabeth Grigsby, died At Lexington, Va., on the 7th inst., from a fall from her horse. (p. 3, c. 3).
*Ann Grigsby born 1766: on either 13 SEPTEMBER (in HHMcCormick's Genealogies and Reminiscences) or on 5 JUNE (in Wm H Grigsby's Genealogy of the Grigsby Family in Part..., p 1). The latter source adds: "…All the daughters, except ANN, WHO DIED IN INFANCY, married at the old Rockbridge homestead (Sally possibly excepted.)." See photo.
**Sarah Welch and her husband Thomas Welch built Fancy Hill, one of the "7 Hills of Rockbridge," connected to the Grigsby family. Her Glasgow home is on the National Register of Historic Places 081 - 0015, 1997. It's on the east side of Route 11 at the junction with 680.
Bio researched and written by LSP
Inscription
SACRED
TO THE
MEMORY OF
ELIZABETH GRIGSBY
Who was born Feb. 22nd
1734, & departed this
life, Oct. 7th 1807.
----.----
Family Members
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