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I (Marty Grant) am a 5th Great Grandnephew of Alexander Grant.
Alexander Grant was born ca 1755/61 per the various census records. I base this approximate birth range on several records. For the 1800 census, he was aged 26-44, or born ca 1755/1774. The 1790 census gave him as age 16+ or born before 1774, so that doesn't help to narrow it down any further. He did not make it to the 1810 census. He was listed on the 1782 tax list, so assuming you had to be 21 or up to be listed, he was born ca 1761 or before. Combine all of these and you get ca 1755/1761. He was a soldier in 1777, but I don't know what the age requirements were to serve. If you had to 16 and up, then that puts him born before ca 1761, which doesn't narrow it down any further.
Alexander Grant was probably born in Virginia, perhaps Louisa, Goochland or Albemarle County.
Alexander is a proven son of William Grant and Mary of Rutherford Co, NC and was named in his Will
Alexander's father William Grant moved to what is now Rutherford Co, NC around 1771. It seems that the rest of the family joined them a year or two later.
During the American Revolution, Alexander Grant, along with his brother William Grant Jr, and their father William Grant Sr all served in Captain Robert Porter's Tryon County Company in 1777. Their father William Grant Sr served as a Sergeant, while Alexander and William Jr were Privates. All three only served 71 days. No other records have been located showing additional service.
The 1782 Tax List for Rutherford Co, NC showed Alexander Grant with 1 poll, but no land. This indicates he was 21 years old by then, or born ca 1761 or earlier. Tally this with his 1800 census record showing him age 26-44 or born 1755/1774, then we have 1755/61 as an approximate birth date.
Alexander also began appearing on Juries in Rutherford Co, NC court in 1782 and was listed numerous times throughout his life on juries and road juries and in other ways. The first record I have for him was a serious one. Dated October 1782, Alexander Grant was on a jury to determine if John Goodbread was guilty of Treason. Apparently Goodbread had been accused of being a Tory, or a British sympathizer during the war. They found him guilty and all his property was ordered confiscated.
Alexander was listed on the 1785 Rutherford Co, NC tax list, again with 1 poll, but no land.
We have found no marriage record for Alexander Grant, but it is generally believed that his wife Susannah was Susanna Morris, daughter of John Morris who died in 1780 at Kings Mountain. In July 1782 Susanna Morris "being of proper age" came into court and chose William Grant as her guardian. The same court record shows her brother John Morris also choosing William Grant. And on the same date, in the same Court session William Grant took in all the other children of John Morris, deceased, and also took in his property. This shows that Susannah was probably living in the same household with Alexander Grant, and other evidence seems to show his wife was a Morris, so it is reasonable to assume they are one and the same person. I'm told that for Susannah to have been of "proper age" to choose her own guardian, then she must have been 14 or older, but under 21, so in 1782 that would make her born ca 1761/1768. The census records show she was born ca 1765/75, so combined we have an approximate birth date of 1765/68.
Though no marriage record has been found, it would seem that Susannah Morris and Alexander Grant married between 1782 and 1788.
Alexander Grant was listed in the Court minutes on juries, etc in 1783, 1788, and probably other years that I've missed.
He was listed on the 1790 census in Rutherford Co, NC in the 3rd company. His father William and brother Andrew were listed in the 1st company. John Crawford and William Yancy were his neighbors on either side. From some of the names, I'd guess this was the area of Rutherford that became McDowell County in 1842 or right on or near the county line.
1790 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1790 Rutherford Co, NC pg 116 Alex Grant 1-2-3-0-0 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 16 and Up (before 1774) Alexander GRANT (1755/61) s/o William & Mary 2 Male(s) under 16 (1774/1790) William GRANT (1788/89) son Son? (1774/90) --> gone by 1800 3 Female(s) any age (before 1790) Susanna MORRIS Grant (1765/68) Margaret GRANT (c1788) daughter Daughter? (Bef 1790) --> gone by 1800
The 1790 census shows two unidentified children with Alexander, one boy under 16, and one girl (ages not given). These were both gone from his household by 1800, so might have died, or could have been some of Susanna's younger siblings.
Alexander Grant was named in his father William Grant's Will (1794) as son and as one of the Executors.
On 13 Feb 1796 Alexander witnessed a Deed between Arthur Johnston and Wooten Harris for land on Second Broad River. (Rutherford Co, NC Deed Book 9 page 408).
On 14 Jul 1796 Alexander Grant purchased 100 acres on Cove Creek from Arthur Edwards. (Rutherford Co, NC Deed Book 4 page 3).
On 13 Aug 1796 Alexander Grant purchased 188 1/2 acres on Cove Creek from Colonel James Miller. (Rutherford Co, NC Deed Book 5 page 252).
Alexander Witnessed a deed on 10 Jan 1798 between James Morris Sr and wife Elizabeth to James Morris. Elizabeth Grant Morris was Alexander's sister, I believe. (Rutherford Co, NC Deed Book 9 page 381).
Alexander was listed on the 1800 census in Rutherford Co, NC. Unfortunately, the 1800 census was alphabetized, so we can't determine who his neighbors were at that time.
1800 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1800 Rutherford Co, NC pg 113 Alexander Grant 11010-11010-0-0 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 26-44 (1755-1774) Alexander GRANT (1755/61) died 1805/1806 1 Male(s) 10-15 (1784-1790) William GRANT (1788/89) son 1 Male(s) 0-9 (1790-1800) John GRANT (1794/1800) son 1 Female(s) 26-44 (1755-1774) Susanna MORRIS Grant (1765/68) 1 Female(s) 10-15 (1784-1790) Margaret GRANT (c1788) m James Morgan in 1802 1 Female(s) 0-9 (1790-1800) Mary GRANT (1793) daughter m Jesse Morgan in 1809
On 17 Dec 1802 Alexander Grant signed as bondsman for the marriage of his daughter Margaret "Peggy" Grant to James Morgan.
On 17 Apr 1804 Alexander purchased 346 acres on Main Cove Creek and Broad River. (Rutherford Co, NC Deed Book 22/23 page 121).
In 1804 (date was illegible) Alexander Grant received a land grant from the State of NC. (Rutherford Co, NC Deed Book 24/26 page 154).
In April 1805 term of Court, Alexander Grant and James Boyle made bond for 75 pounds each assuring the county "that the following children of Clemmy Grant, Viz, Mary and James Washington shall not become chargeable to the County".
Alexander Grant died between April 1805 and July 1806 for in July 1806 his wife Susanna Grant and William Morgan returned the Inventory of his estate to the court. He couldn't have been any more than 55 years old when he died.
In January 1809 term of Court, Susanna Grant was appointed guardian of the infant (under 21) children of Alexander Grant, deceased. In those days children were considered orphans when their father died, even if the mother was still living. The mother, if still living, was often the one appointed their guardian. This record named these children, all under 21 (or born in the range of 1788/1809): William, Polly, John, Morris, James & Patsy Grant, orphans and infants of Alexander Grant, deceased. Margaret, the oldest known child, wasn't named, as she was already 21 and already married.
Susanna was listed as head of household on the 1810 census in Rutherford County. The 1810 census was alphabetized, so we still can't determine who her neighbors were.
1810 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1810 Rutherford Co, NC pg 377 Susanna Grant 11200-10110 Analysis: 2 Male(s) 16-25 (1784-1794) William GRANT (1788/89) son Jesse MORGAN (1785) son-in-law 1 Male(s) 10-15 (1794-1800) John GRANT (1794/1800) son 1 Male(s) 0-9 (1800-1810) James GRANT (c1802/04) son 1 Female(s) 26-44 (1765-1784) Susanna MORRIS Grant (1765/68) wd/o Alexander 1 Female(s) 16-25 (1784-1794) Mary GRANT Morgan (1793) daughter 1 Female(s) 0-9 (1800-1810) Martha GRANT (1805) daughter
I feel confident that the extra male and female in Susanna's 1810 household are her married daughter Mary Grant and her new husband (married 1809) Jesse Morgan. This is backed up by the fact that Jesse Morgan isn't found listed elsewhere on this census. They also fit perfectly into her household.
On 12 Apr 1813 James Morgan of Rutherford Co, NC sold 30 acres on Montford Cove to Susanna Grant, widow of Alexander Grant. The deed mentioned that he was an heir of Alexander Grant. Witnesses were John Grant and William Grant (both are sons of Alexander and Susanna). (Rutherford Co, NC Deed Book 29/31 page 187).
On 7 May 1819 Susanna Grant received a state land grant of 50 acres on Cove Creek. (Rutherford Co, NC Deed Book 32/33 page 8).
Susanna was not listed as a head of household on the 1820 census, however, it seems that she and her unmarried children were all residing with her son John Grant.
1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1820 Rutherford Co, NC pg 372 John Grant 001100-01001 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 16-25 (1794-1804) John GRANT (1794/1800) s/o Alexander & Susanna 1 Male(s) 16-17 (1802-1804) * James GRANT (1802/04) brother 1 Female(s) 45 & up (before 1775) Susanna MORRIS Grant (1765/68) mother 1 Female(s) 10-15 (1804-1810) Martha GRANT (1805) sister
One problem with this census is the males age "16 and up but under 18" i.e. 16-17. Any male fitting this description was supposed to be listed in this column and also in the 16-25 column, but since there was only one male in the 16-25 column and one in the 16-17 column, generally that would only indicate one male (not two). However, this wasn't always strictly adhered to, and I think this is one of those cases, and John's brother James was the 16-17 year old, while John himself was about 20 at this time. I could be wrong, and James may not be in this household at all. We know that John didn't marry until 1822, so the extra females here are most likely his mother Susanna and his sister Martha, both of whom are perfect fits in this census.
In January 1822 court, the lands of Alexander Grant, deceased are ordered divided. Generally this would indicate that Susanna had died around this time, but apparently she was still living.
On 24 Aug 1823 a deed was made dividing land among Alexander Grant's heirs: William Grant, Polley Morgan, James Grant, Patsy Grant, John Grant and Peggy Morgan. This deed proves Alexander's family quite well. (Rutherford Co, NC Deed Book 34 page 186).
On 9 Feb 1825 Susanna Grant sold 50 acres on East side of Cove Creek to James Grant. Deed was witnessed by William Grant and Susan Hill. (Rutherford Co, NC Deed Book 34 page 350).
This appears to be the 50 acre land grant she received in 1819.
On 14 Mar 1825 William Grant and Thomas Morris were appointed administrators for Susanna Grant, deceased. This was her son and her brother. This shows she died between 9 Feb and 14 Mar 1825. (Rutherford Co, NC Court Minutes 1821-1825 page 331).
On 31 Dec 1826 Susanna's lands were divided in a deed, naming the heirs of "Susanna Grant, deceased, relict of Alexander Grant, deceased". Heirs were: William Grant, James and Peggy Morgan, James Grant, Jesse and Polly Morgan, John Grant, Holland and Patsy Bradley. (Rutherford Co, NC Deed Book 36 page 20).
Susanna's name was mentioned several more times in the court records up through 1827 in regards to her estate. Also the heirs traded parts of their inherited land in various deeds.
Alexander Grant and Susanna Morris had 7 proven children, proven in full by two important records, one was the 1809 court record appointing Susanna as guardian of Alexander Grant's infant and orphan children, and the other is the 1826 Deed dividing her land up among her heirs.
Margaret "Peggy" Grant (1788-1845)
Mary "Polly" Grant (1793-bef 1830)
Morris Grant (c1800/05-bef 1823)
Martha "Patsy" Grant (1805-1879)
Margaret "Peggy" Grant was born ca 1788 in Rutherford Co, NC. She married James Morgan in 1802 in Rutherford Co, NC. They lived in Rutherford awhile, then moved to Buncombe and remained there.
See their own page for additional information.
William Grant was born ca 1788/89 in Rutherford Co, NC. He married Sarah "Sally" Elms on or about 1 Feb 1813 in Rutherford Co, NC. William Grant is a proven child of Alexander and Susanna Grant by several sources, first he was named as an infant orphan of Alexander Grant in the 1809 court record. He was also named in the 1823 and 1826 deeds dividing the lands of Alexander and Susanna. See his own page for additional information.
Mary "Polly" Grant was born ca 1793 in Rutherford Co, NC. She married Jesse Morgan on or about 1 Dec 1809. They lived in Rutherford County until Mary's death, ca 1828, and then Jesse moved to the Hominy Creek area of Buncombe County where he remained. See their own page for additional information.
John Grant was born ca 1794/1800 in Rutherford Co, NC. John married Sarah Morris on 15 Dec 1822. They lived in Rutherford awhile, then later moved to Blount County, Tennessee where both died in the 1840's.
See their own page for additional information.
Morris Grant was born ca 1800-1805 in Rutherford Co, NC. He was obviously named after his mother's maiden name of "Morris".
He was named in the 1809 court record as an infant orphan of Alexander Grant, deceased. He probably died young, as wasn't listed on any of the other records, including the 1823 and 1826 deeds dividing the lands of Alexander Grant and Susanna.
It is also possible that he had moved away and the family didn't know where he was, or if he was still living, so he wasn't named among the heirs (this happened on occasion). But if he did not die young, then I have no idea where he may have moved to.
There was a Morris Grant who was a proven son of William Grant (listed above), brother to this Morris. This other Morris (son of William) was born 1815/20, so can't be the confused with this Morris (c1800-05) under discussion here.
I arrived at ca 1800/1805 as an approximate birth date for Morris, since he was named (in the 1809 court record) between John Grant and James Grant (and Martha was next after James). All the children were listed in proper descending age, so since we know John was born ca 1800, and Martha in 1805, that makes Morris' birth in between them, and probably even closer to 1800, or ca 1801 or 1802, since we have to squeeze James in there also.
James Grant was born ca 1800/1810, possibly ca 1802/1804 in Rutherford Co, NC.
James obtained a marriage bond on 16 Dec 1825 to marry Sally Elliott. They lived in Rutherford County up through 1840, and I have no data on them after that.
See their own page for additional information.
Martha "Patsy" Grant was born 25 Jul 1805 in Rutherford Co, NC. She married James Holland Bradley in 1827.
See their own page for additional information.
Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list:
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