APPENDIX: KEY RECORDS OF EARLY GRAYSONS

 

I. Benjamin Grayson Records in Wilkes Co. NC

 

 

1779    3/9/1779

Burke NC        Benjamin Grason          Land entry for 100 acres on Lower Creek.

Next to Sam Allen, and according to annotation, later “to Issac Cox  Den by William White”

 

1779    6/19/1779

Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        Land grant for 400 acres on King’s Creek entered.

            Date is 12/7/1778 Abstracts of Wilkes land entry book.

1779    6/19/1779

Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        Edmond Tilley enters 150 acres at conditional line

                                                                        between BG & said ET.

 

1782    4/5/1782

Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        Survey of 290 acres conducted- Edmond Tilley & two others signed.

 

1784    7/31/1784        Benjamin Grayson        Payment for NC militia service; Morgan District.

 

1784    11/9/1784

Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        Land grant for 290 acres issued.

 

1785    Wilkes NC       B.Grasson                    Tax list- 1 poll, 300 acres.

 

1786    Wilkes NC       B. Grissom                   Tax list- 1 poll, 300 acres; Capt. Isbel’s district

                                                                        (Book # 11).

 

1787    Wilkes NC       B. Graysom                  Tax list- 1 poll, 300 acres

 

  1787   Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        1st Census- 1 male 21-60, 5 males < 21,  3 females. Capt. Isbel’s district.

 

1788    Wilkes NC       B. Graysom                  Tax list- 1 poll, 300 acres

 

1789    Wilkes NC       B. Grissom                   Tax list- 300 acres- Capt. Witherspoons District #11.

                                                                       

1790    Wilkes NC       Ben Grayson                US Census- Living in 9th Company of Morgan District. He has 3 males > 16, 2 under 16 & 2

                                                                        Females. He is listed next to Sarah & Levi Laxton and John Grayson. Who is missing girl

 compared to 1787? - daughter who married, ex-wife of brother William, child died young,

 wife who died, etc.

           

1790    Wilkes NC       B. Grissom                   190 acres; John is not listed.

 

1791    7/24/1791

Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        Witness to land purchase by John Grayson.

 

1791    7/25/1791

Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        Jury duty-County Court; also Edmond Tilley, Witherspoon,

 

1792    Wilkes NC                                           No BG on tax roll- however district 11 where he apparently lived is missing for this year.

 

1793    11/6/1793

Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        Jury duty-County Court

 

1793    11/7/1793

Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        Jury duty- case involving Andrew Baird, Lewis Carlton also on jury.

 

1793    11/8/1793

Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        Jury duty- County Court;

 

1793    Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        Tax List, 1 poll, 190 acres (John now has 100-

                                                                        Did he give him 100?)

 

1794    11/8/1794

Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grason          Road orders; also Carlton, Witherspoon, Edmond Tilley, John Greyson, etc.

 

1794    Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        Tax list- 1 poll, 190 acres, Jonathan Spooks District.

 

1795    11/3/1795       

Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        Property attached in suit from Andrew Baird Thomas Carlton was

 security. He still had 290 acres of  land on 1800 tax list so apparently

 was not lost.   

 

1795    Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grissom         Tax list; 1 poll, 190 acres

 

1796    2/2/1796

Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grason          Jury duty- County Court

 

1796    8/16/1796

Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        Witness to purchase 155 acres on Kings Creek by Jesse Grayson from

Nebruzrodon Coffey; Philip Davis, Annanias Allen & Witherspoon are

neighbors. Listed in County Court minutes as 154 acres on 10/31/1796.

 

1796    Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        Witness to purchase of additional 145 acres from N. Coffey

 

1796    Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grisson          1 poll, 190 acres

 

1797    Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        1 poll, 190 acres, Capt.Carlton’s District.  No list has been found for 1798. 

 

1799    Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        0 poll, 290 acres, Capt. Carlton’s  District--implies he was born in 1733- he

is now 66 YRO.Benjamin Grayson Jr.  1 poll, no land, Capt. Carlton’s District

 implies he is now 21 - born ca 1778 so unlikely to be son of Stacy Ellzey’s

Benjamin unless he just moved here.

 

1800    3/30/1800

Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        Witness to will of Edmund Tilley; Lewis Carlton is executor.

 

1800    Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grissom         On Tax list; no poll, 290 acres.

 

1800    Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson        Tax list- no polls, 290 acres, Cariton District. BG Jr. not listed- has he moved?

 depends on when Ann Wisdom estate sale was- see below. 

           

1801    Wilkes NC       Benjamin Grayson &    made purchases from Ann Wisdom estate. Estate sale- reported in 11/1801

 but likely took place earlier -but after 10/25/1799. Benjamin Grayson Jr.

(William Grayson also!)

 

1821    12/25/1821

Wilkes NC       B. Grayson                   Witness to land sale by William Grayson to Elijah Hampton.

 

 

 

II. Benjamin Grayson Records in Tennessee

 

1788    11/6/1788

Greene TN       Benjamin Grissom         Married Mary Privett; A Catherine Grissom married John Dotson the next

 day and Sarah Grissom married Robert Mansfield on 10/16/1788.

 

1792    11/21/1792

Knox TN         Benjamin Grayson        Witness along with Robert Love for will of James McCarty

 

1793    Jan-March

Knox TN         Benjamin Grayson        On jury duty 5 times

 

1793    May

Knox    TN       Benjamin Grayson        Witness with Robert Love to will of Lamos McCarter

 

1797    2/11/1797

Knox TN         Benjamin Grayson        Court dispute with William Pruett - Settlement of $16.00 awarded.

 

1801    Roane TN                                            County created

 

1802    Roane TN        Benjamin Greyson        In Capt. John Walkers Co.

 

1802    Knox TN         Benjamin Grayson        On tax roll; paid poll tax, living next to John Grayson.

 

1805    Roane  TN       Benjamin Grisham         On Tax list; Also Fuller Pruit, 3 William Browns and 3 Crouch families;

 No BG on 1808 tax list.

1805    6/1805

Roane TN        Benjamin Grayson        On first Roane Co. Jury- June 1805 session.

 

1805    10/28/1805      Stacy Grason                Married William Brown according to Emma Middleton Wells in “History of

Roane Co. “-1927.

 

1806    Knox TN         Benjamin Grayson        Paid poll tax; No land; living near John Grayson Capt. Hardin’s Company.

 

1807    Knox TN         Benjamin Grayson        Did not pay poll tax; therefore probably born 1756/7; Living next John Grayson

 

1807    Roane  TN       Benjamin Grayson        On witness docket f or 9/1807, 12/1807 etc. to testify in case Daniel Mason

vs Robert Taylor. Robert McCorkle & Thomas Reid also scheduled.

 

1807    Bledsoe Co.,                                        TN created- most of it came from Roane Co.

 

 

1809    2/26/1809

Bledsoe TN      Benj. Grayson              Both BG & a BG Sr. signed Indian lands petition. Benj. Grayson Sr.

 

1815    Bledsoe TN      “Berry” Grayson           Entry on Bledsoe 1815 Tax list according to book on early TN tax lists.

Richard Grayson claimed that it was Benjamin on original list.

 

 

 

III. Jesse Grayson Records

 

1796    8/16/1796

Wilkes NC       Jesse Grayson              Purchased 155 acres on Kings Creek from N. Coffey-Witnesses were

Aranias Allen (father or brother of Jesse’s wife!?) And Benjamin Grayson.

1796    Recording Date

Wilkes NC       Jesse Grayson              Purchased 145 acres on Kings Creek from N. Coffey

 

1797    Wilkes NC       Jessee Grayson             First appears on tax list with 145 acres- in Cariton  District-1 poll- probably born

1775/6

 

1799    Wilkes NC       Jessee Grayson Tax list, 1 poll, 145 acres, Cariton District.

 

1800    8/25/1800

Wilkes NC       Jesse Grayson              Purchased items from Edmund Tilley estate.

 

1800    11/8/1800

Wilkes NC       Jesse Grayson              Witness to power of atty. Re: Barlows ; Thomas Carlton also a witness.

 

1800    Wilkes NC       Jessee Grayson Tax list- 1 poll, 140 acres, Cariton District.

 

1801    Wilkes NC       Jesse Grayson              Made purchases from Ann Wisdom estate. Estate sale-reported in 11/1801 but

 likely took place earlier -but after 10/25/1799.

 

1804    10/25/1804

Wilkes NC       Jesse Grayson              Sold 150 acres of Kings Creek Land to Edward Long of Burke. Witness Edmond

Tilley & Wm. Dyson. Proven 7/1810.

1805    11/4/1805                               

Wilkes NC       Jesse Grayson              Sold 55 acres on Kings Creek to Moses Stansbury. Witnessed by Benjamin

Holt. Proven 1/1815.

 

1805    Recording Date

Wilkes NC       Jesse Grayson              Purchased 30 acres from L. Bradley. Probably happened before 1804-

 

1805    11/4/1805

Wilkes NC       Jesse Grayson              Sold 50 acres Kings Creek land to Benjamin Holt.Adjoins Lawrence Bradley.

 Moses Stansbury is witness. Proven 1/1815

 

1805    Wilkes NC       Jesse Grayson              Tax list- 80 acres & 1 poll. Purchases- 155 +145+30= 330 minus sales of

150 + 55 + 50= 255  Leaves him with 75 acres by 1805.

 

1806    Knox TN         Jesse Grason                Tax List- No land, 1 poll, Capt. Chiles Company.

 

1808    6/29/1808

Bledsoe TN      Jesse Grayson              State of Tenessee grants land to Burrall Lassetar  On 8/14/1811 next to

 lands of Jesse and William Hixson. (Third District- on Sequatchie River).

 Date is date of survey.

1822    9/10/1822

Marion TN       Jessee Grayson             Witness to Joseph Grayson will.

 

1825    3/23/1825

Rhea, TN         Jessee Grayson             Scheduled to give evidence in case State vs- John Allen regarding counterfeit

 money charge. Rhea county is next to Bledsoe.

 

1828    1/10/1828

Bledsoe TN      Jesse Grayson              Land transaction involving “tract on which Jesse Grayson formerly lived;

 also adjoining 100 acre Grason tract. Mentions Timothy Hixson Sr.

 & Joseph Hixson tract.

           

1830    9/7/1830

Marion TN       Jesse Grayson              Sold 200 acres to Amos Griffith. Proven 1/26/1831.

 

1830    Marion TN       Jessie Grayson              Census data; age 50-59; 2 boys 5-10; 1 boy 15-20; 2 men 20-30 and 1

 man 50-60; 1 woman 50-59; 3 girls; 1 each 5-10, 10-15, and 15-20; and

10 slaves.  Jessee was not on 1840 Marion census.

 

1835    2/11/1835

Marion TN       Jesse Grayson              Witness to sale of land from Benjamin F.  Gryson to Henry Grayson.

 

 

 

IV. John Grayson Records

 

1789    Wilkes NC       John Grayson               First census appearance- In Capt. Witherspoon District (# 11). Implies born ca. 1768.

 

1790       Wilkes NC    John Grayson               1790 US Census; Listed in Morgan District, 9th Company next to Ben Grayson &

 John Parker. He has 1 male over 16 and one female.  

1791    7/24/1791

Wilkes NC       John Grayson               Purchased 100 acres from Thomas Shepard et al.  Benjamin Grayson was a witness.

 

1793    Wilkes NC       John Grayson               Tax list - 1 poll, 100 acres. Note not on 1792 but- district 11 is  missing from 1792 list.

 

1794        11/8/1794

Wilkes NC       John Greyson               Road orders; also B. Grason.

 

1794    11/16/1794     

Wilkes  NC      John Grayson               Sold 100 acres on middle fork of King’s Creek to Ann Wisdom. Proven 1/1797.

Laurance Bradley, John Walker and Wm. Durham were witnesses. Listed in

County Court minutes on 1/31/1797.

 

1794    Wilkes NC       John Grayson               Tax list, 1 poll, 100 acres, Jonathan Spooks district.

 

1795    Wilkes NC       John Grison                  Tax list - no land but 1 poll; He has bought & sold land by now.

Does not appear on tax list of 1796, 1797, 1799, 1800 or 1805.

 Inference is he left Wilkes by 1795/6.

 

1797    3/16/1797

Knox TN         John Grayson               Purchased land

 

1800    Knox TN         John Grayson               On jury duty

 

 

1806    Knox TN         John Grayson               On tax list, 200 acres, Capt. Hardin’s Company, 1 poll

 

1807    Knox TN         John Grayson               On tax list

 

1810    Wilkes NC       John Grayson               1810 US census; 1 male 16-25; 1 female 16-25 1 female under 10.

This probably is son of William!

 

1812    Knox TN         John Grayson               On tax list

 

1820    Knox TN         Jno Grason &               Made purchases from Daniel Yarnell estate.

                                     Jno Grosen

 

1827    Knox TN         John Grayson               On tax list

 

1828    Knox TN         John Grayson               On tax list

 

1830    Knox TN         John Grayson               Listed as age 70-79; If born in 1768 would only be ,62.-

 

1834    Knox TN         John Grayson               On jury duty- wouldn’t he be too old- perhaps this is a different John.

 

1841    November

Knox TN         John Grayson               Sold land

 

 

 

V. Joseph Grayson Records

 

1794    Wilkes NC       Joseph Grayson            First time on tax list, 1 poll, no land, Jonathan Spooks District. Possibly

born ca 1773!

 

1795    8/1/1795

Knox TN         Joseph Grayson            Along with Drury Brazeale appointed patroller.

 

1798    Knox TN         Joseph Grayson            Married Elizabeth “Pattie” Brazeale

 

1800    7/11/1800

Knox TN         Joseph Grayson            Bought 400 acres from Henry Breazeale. (RR Grayson writeup says this

 occurred 7/20/1801)

 

1801    Anderson TN   Joseph Grayson            Appointed Anderson County Commissioner In Acts of Tennessee.

 

1801    Anderson TN   Joseph Grayson            Appointed Anderson County Commissioner In Acts of Tennessee.

 

1801    4/24/1801

Anderson TN   Joseph Grayson            Purchased 400 acres from Stockley Donelson

 

1801 12/15/1801        

Anderson TN   W. Joseph Grayson      Appointed Cornor according to County Court records of newly formed

Anderson County. On same page in court record he is called W. Grayson.

 

1802    Anderson TN Joseph Grayson              On Tax List- Capt. Davis's Company; In Wolf Valley; 300 acres, 1 poll

 

1802    Anderson TN   Joseph Grayson            On Tax List- Capt. Davis's Company; In Wolf Valley; 300

acres, 1 poll

 

1802 3/1802   

Anderson, TN Joseph Grayson             Court minutes acknowledge conveyance of 100 acres of land

 from Joseph Grayson to Samuel Frost.

 

1802 6/15/1802

Anderson TN   Joseph Grayson            Court minutes register a deed of conveyance for 40 acres of land from

 John Leit to Henza Johnson, Wm. Standefer, Wm. Robertson, Joseph

Grayson & Hugh Montgomery.

 

1802 6/16/1802

Anderson TN   Joseph Grayson            Court gives Joseph Grayson $14.50 reimbursement.

 

1802 6/16/1802

Anderson TN   Joseph Grayson            Deed of conveyance from Kinza Johnson, Wm. Stanefer,

Wm. Roberson, Joseph Grayson & Hugh Montgomery for Lot 39 in

Burrville to William Brazle (Robert Brazle withess).

 

1804    3/12/1804        Joseph Grayson            Selected for Grand Jury in Anderson Co.

Anderson TN

 

1804        6/12/1804       

Anderson TN   Joseph Grayson            On jury for Jacob Cox vs. John Stuart & Henry Taylor.

 

1804    9/1804

Anderson TN   Joseph Grayson            Appointed to grand jury.

           

1804    9/13/1804        Joseph Grayson            Replaced Reuben Ragland as overseer.

 

1804        6/12/1805       

      Anderson TN   Joseph Grayson            Court ordered that bounds be observed by the overseers. His lands are

                                                                   near Eagle Ford on Clinch River. He is near Henry Farmer, Horton,

                                                                  Clardy, John Parks & the Chestnut Ridge Meeting House.

 

1805    Anderson TN   Joseph Grayson            1805 Tax list entry.

 

1805        9/11/1805

            Anderson TN   Joseph Grayson            John Kirby, Samuel Frost, Joseph Grayson, John McWhorter & Issac

                                                                        Norman observed old Knox road beginning at the Eagle Ford on Clinch River

to the Knox line (mentions Copper Ridge).

 

1805    9/12/1805       

            Anderson TN   Joseph Grayson            Jury duty for December 1805.

 

1805        12/1805          

Anderson TN   Joseph Grayson            Appointed traverse juror.

 

1805    12/11/1805     

Anderson TN   Jas. Grayson                 On juries for Andrew White Assess vs William  Davidson and Vowell

                                                             vs Dwiggins.

1805    12/13/1805     

            Anderson TN   Joseph Grayson            Paid by court for expenses of $60.25

 

1808        3/19/1808       

            Anderson TN   Joseph Grayson            Deed from Joseph Grayson to William Wright for 300 acres was registered.

                                                                        Thomas Wright & Samuel Frost proved deed.

 

1809    2/26/1809

Bledsoe TN      Joseph Grayson            Petition relating to Indian boundary lines; his name appears twice. Second is

                                                             next to Wren Grayson & in same handwriting.

1822    9/10/1822

Marion TN       Joseph Grayson            Made will; was probated May 1823. Jessee was a witness.

 

1828    9/28/1825

Bledsoe TN      Joseph Grayson            Land transaction -Bledsoe Co. Within the bounds of lot 5, adjoining tract

                                                            where Joseph Grayson formerly lived.  Joseph Hixon also mentioned.

Also note-similar Jesse G. entry

 

 

 

VI. William Grayson Records

 

1780    Wilkes NC       William Grayson           From Laxton Family History published as a Lenoir News Topic on 1/9/1914

 (and found in Caldwell Co. Library)  one learns that a Levi Laxton; (who

 was next to Ben Grayson on 1790 Wilkes Census) reportedly found one of

 his uncles, a William Grayson, among wounded at Kings Mtn. Battlefield &

attempted to return him home but he died on the way was buried near where

 town of Hickory is located.

 

1794    5/ 1/ 1794

Burke NC        William Grayson           Received 100 acres from John Bailey 

 

1794    Burke NC            ???     Grayson         Capt. Simerel’s District, 100 acres near Coffey & Baird. Could be Benjamin

or William; 1 poll.

 

1794    Scott KY         William Grayson           On tax roll; Probably be a different William

 

1795    Scott KY         William Grayson           On tax roll; Probably be a different William.

 

1799    Recording Date

Wilkes NC       William Grayson           purchased 200 acres from Wm. Johnson.

 

1799    10/2/1799

Burke Co.        William Grayson           Sold (or purchased?) 100 acres to Solomon Smith.

                                                                        Proved in court April, 1800 by Henry Smith.

 

1800    Recording Date

Wilkes NC       William Grayson           Received State land grant for 50 acres.

 

1800    Wilkes NC       William Grayson           Not on Tax list- if he was born in 1767- he should be.

 

1800    Wilkes NC       William Grayson           On US census; 3 boys 0-10; 1 male 26-45;

2 girls 0-10; 1 female 16-26. William was \born 1755-1774

 

1801    Recording Date

Wilkes NC       William Grayson           Purchased 50 acres from H. Rousseau

 

1801    Wilkes NC       William  Grayson          Made purchases from Ann Wisdom estate. (Also Benjamin & Benjamin Jr.).

Estate sale - reported in 11/1801 but likely took  place earlier -but

after 10/25/1799.

 

1802        9/15/1802       

Wilkes Co.       William Grayson           According to RR Grayson attested to handwriting of Jesse Grayson

in a deed recorded in the May term of 1806.

                                                                                   

1804    Wilkes NC       William Grayson           Made purchase from estate of Matthew Cox. Estate sale - reported in

Oct 1804 but occurred earlier.

 

1805    Knox    TN       William Grayson           Purchased saddle from estate of Jacob Neff. Eight Pruitt’s listed

as purchasers including Fuller. Sale was recorded at October Session

of Court but took place earlier.

           

1805    Wilkes NC       William Grayson           Tax List; 1 poll, 350 acres; Total of his previously recorded purchases

was 300 acres; in A. Parks district.

 

1806    Wilkes NC       William Grayson           made purchase from John Magee estate. Estate sale- reported May

1806 but occurred earlier.

 

1806    Wilkes NC       William Grayson           made purchase from Lucy Sanders estate. Estate sale- reported May

1806 but occurred earlier.

 

1807    Wilkes NC       William Grayson           Purchased 10 acres from Sharach Laws. Recording date.

 

1810    .Wilkes NC      William Grayson           Made purchase from Samuel Allen estate. Estate sale- reported

October 1810 but occurred earlier

 

1810    Wilkes NC       William Grayson           On US census from Wilkes.

 

1814    August

Wilkes  NC      William Grayson           Received State grant for 50 acres on Moravian Creek. Issued 12/5/1815.

 

1819    January

Burke   NC      William Grason             Presented will of John Bailey for probate .

 

1820    Wilkes NC       William Grason             On US census; was over 45

 

1821    2/25/1821

Wilkes NC                                           William Grayson           Sold 100 acres on Moravian Creek to Elijah Hampton.

Witnesses were B. Grayson & T. Welborn.

 

1830    Monroe TN      William Grayson           On US census.

 

 

 

VII.   Wren Grayson Records

 

1805    4/27/1805

Scott KY         Wren Grayson              On tax list- 1 white male over 21; females are not listed. Not on tax list in prior

years or after 1805.

 

1805    11/2/1805

Scott KY         Wren Grayson              Later records establish John Wren Grayson was Born on this date in KY.

- i.e. his autobiography in 2/1/1882 issue of Madison (Indiana) Courier.

 

1807    Bledsoe TN      Wren Grayson              Family moved to Bledsoe when John Wren Grayson was 2 (i.e. late 1807)

according to his Madison Courier Autobiography.

 

1809    2/26/1809

Bledsoe Co.     Wren Grayson              Signed petition relating to Indian boundary lines.

 

1814    9/13/1814

Knox TN         Wren Grayson              At age 32, enlisted in 3rd Regiment of E. TN Militia for period

9/20/1814-5/3/1815. Traveled 100 miles to Knoxville to do it which

 is consistent with his Living in Bledsoe Co., TN

 

1815    3/20/1815

Mobile AL       Wren Grayson              Discharged from military at Fort Charlotte.       

 

1815    9/25/1815

Bledsoe TN      Wren Grayson              Gave Power of Attorney to lawyers to get his Military pay.

 

1815    Bledsoe TN      Ren Grayson               Signed petition “to delay enactment of the Land Law during the

war between Great Britian and the United States”.

 

1815    Bledsoe TN      Ren Grayson                1815 Bledsoe Co. Tax list entry.

 

1824    Bledsoe TN      Wren Grayson              John Wren autobiography states that he lived in Bledsoe until nearly

manhood (i.e. abt 1826). In 1824         Wren’s last son Sandford was

born in TN. John Wren’s first son was born in Scott Co. KY in 1829.

 

1830    Scott KY         Wrign Grayson             On 1830 census of Scott Co., KY. He subsequently moved to Decatur

 Co., IN and lived in Westport where he died on 6/3/1865.

 

1850    11/2/1850

Decatur IN       Wren Grayson              Court Statement relating to application for bounty land