James Grant (c1802/04) and Sarah Elliott of Rutherford Co, NC

James Grant was born ca 1802/04 (based on census analysis) in Rutherford County, North Carolina. I'm not totally sure of his approximate birth date, but I base it on several factors. One is that his father died in 1805, so he was born before that date. Two, in the list of heirs in a Court record (dated 1809), the children seem to be named in age order, and James is listed after John (c1800), and before Martha (1805). That clearly puts James' birth at ca 1800-1805. The first census he appears on by name gives his approximate birth as ca 1800/10 so that confirms what I have so far. Backing up to the 1810 census, he is probably with his mother, one of the sons age "under 10" (born ca 1800/10), and in 1820, he is probably the extra male with his brother John, aged 16-17, or born ca 1802/04. This is how I came up with ca 1802/04 for his approximate birth. As you can see, there is some room for error.

James Grant was possibly named after his uncle James Morris, brother of his mother Susanna, and if so, his name might be "James Morris Grant" (just speculation, as I've seen nothing showing this James with a middle initial).

James Grant is a proven child of Alexander and Susanna (Morris) Grant He is a proven child, as named in the estate records of his father, and in deeds among his heirs dividing property.

In January 1809 term of Rutherford County 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.) 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.

James was probably home with his widowed mother for the 1810 census. He would have been about 5 to 9 years old, and Susanna did have one apparent son aged "under 10" (born ca 1800/10) with her that year.

James would have been about 15 to 19 years old by the time of the 1820 census. His mother 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. John's household included a male age 16-17 (born ca 1802/04), however, this might be John himself, since any male in this age category was suppose to also be enumerated in the 16-25 age group (born ca 1794/1804), and there was only one male in that category, probably John himself. If James was not home with them that year, I don't know where he was.

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).

Around this general timeframe (ca 1824), James Grant would have turned 21 (if I've calculated his birth date accurately), so he begins appearing in the public records on his own behalf. However, he was not the only adult James Grant in Rutherford County at the time, so it is possible that some of the quoted records below are not actually him, but one of the others.

In June Court, 1824, James Grant and John Morris and James Humphreys were appointed Patrollers in Captain R. Bradley's Company for one year. (Rutherford Co, NC Court Minutes 1821-1825 page 262).

On 9 Feb 1825, Susanna Grant (James' mother) deeded James Grant 50 acres on East Side of Cove Creek. Witnesses were William Grant (James brother), and Susan Hill. (Rutherford Co, NC Deed Book 34 page 350).

In May Court, 1825, James Grant and John Morris and James Humphreys were appointed Patrollers in Captain R. Bradley's Company for one year (this was the second year for James). (Rutherford Co, NC Court Minutes 1821-1825 page 353).

On 16 Dec 1825, James Grant obtained a marriage bond in Rutherford County to marry Sally Elliott (Sarah Elliott). Jesse Elliott was bondsman (probably a brother of hers). I'm not 100% sure that this is the same James Grant, but it seems to me that it is. Sarah was born ca 1800/10 (per 1830 census), and is a daughter of William Elliott (based on her being named as his heir in an 1834 deed, though this could mean he was an unmarried brother).

On 31 Jan 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. It should be noted that James signed this deed with an X. (Rutherford Co, NC Deed Book 36 page 20).

On 5 Aug 1827, James Grant sold his brother William Grant his 30 1/2 acre tract he inherited from his parents estate. Witnesses were John Morgan. James signed this deed without a mark. (Rutherford Co, NC Deed Book 41/42 page 11).

On 15 Aug 1827 William Grant sold James Grant 25 acres. Witnessed by John Logan. (Rutherford Co, NC Deed Book 39/40 page 406).

James Grant was listed on the 1830 census in Rutherford County. Unfortunately this census was alphabetical, so I can't tell who his neighbors were.

In July Court, 1831, James Grant brought a case against Jonathan Elms. No details were included. (Rutherford Co, NC Court Minutes 1830-1837 page 39).

Also in July 1831 Court, James Grant was listed as being on a jury. (Rutherford Co, NC Court Minutes 1830-1837 page 42).

In April Court, 1833, James Grant was listed on a jury. (Rutherford Co, NC Court Minutes 1830-1837 page 175).

In July 1833 Court, James Grant was listed as a juror. (Rutherford Co, NC Court Minutes 1830-1837 page 186).

On 16 Feb 1834, James Grant sold 29 acres to Isaac Ledbetter, it being land drawn by Sarah Grant, James' wife from the estate of William Elliott, deceased (presumably her father). Witnesses were H. Harris, Teary Bradley. James and Sarah Grant both signed. (Rutherford Co, NC Deed Book 39/40 page 153).

They were still in Rutherford for the 1840 census. They were not near any of the other Grants on this listing.

The 1840 census is the last record I've found for James Grant. It is also possible that this 1840 census entry is actually for James W. Grant instead, (though he died sometime in 1840). If that is the case (and I don't know if it is), then perhaps James and Sarah had previously left Rutherford County after the 1834 deed where they sell land to Isaac Ledbetter.

Presumably James and Sarah Grant moved away somewhere (either in the 1830's or early 1840's), but to this date, I have not found them anywhere. It is also possible that they both died in that timeframe. There are many men named "James Grant" on the census indexes, and I have not checked them all, so perhaps I'll stumble across this couple somewhere in the 1850 or 1860 census in some other state. I did check all the "James Grant" listings in 1850 Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

Children

James Grant and Sarah Elliott had one child per the 1830 census, a male "under 5", or born ca 1825/30. This child was not with them in 1840 (if the 1840 entry I have is for the same James Grant), so he may have died young. I have no data on any other children.

Researcher List

Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list:

1. James¹ Grant , born 1802/04 in Rutherford Co, NC; died aft 1840 in Rutherford Co, NC, son of Alexander Grant Pvt and Susanna Morris . He married on 16 Dec 1825 in Rutherford Co, NC Sarah "Sally" Elliott , born 1800/10 in Rutherford Co, NC; died aft 1840 in Rutherford Co, NC, daughter of William Elliott .