Michael Grant (c1750) of Wayne Co, NC

I (Marty Grant) am not related to the Michael Grant family as far as I know. I am very interested in him though.

Michael Grant was born ca 1750 or before (but probably not too much before). He is, in my opinion, a son of John Grant and Mary of old Dobbs Co, NC (now Wayne Co, NC) who settled in the Walnut Creek area before 1750. I have no overwhelming proof that John is his father, but they were neighbors and circumstantial evidence make it seem likely.

The first record we find for Michael Grant was his appearance on a Dobbs Co, NC Militia Muster list dated 20 Nov 1771. He was listed in Captain Martin Caswell's Company. Assuming he was at least 21 then, he was born ca 1750 or earlier. Since he didn't appear on the 1769 Tax list, then we can assume he had just recently turned 21 by 1771.

Michael Grant purchased land (or some other kind of property) from James Hinson circa 1777-1779 in Dobbs (now Wayne) Co, NC. (Dobbs Co, NC Deed Book 11 page 17 1777-1779)

The above deed was probably for 110 acres of land on Walnut Creek, as that is where Michael later lived, and on 17 Jan 1778 he was listed as a neighboring land owner of John Burley when he (Burley) entered 250 acres on south side of Walnut Creek. (State of North Carolina Entries of Claims for lands within the County of Dobbs 1778-1790 by William L. Murphy Jr)

Michael Grant was listed on the 1786 Wayne Co, NC Tax list and taxed for 110 acres, and for 1 white poll.

On the 1790 census Michael Grant was listed in Wayne Co, NC next to William Grant and Elisha Grant on one side, and Elisha Uzzell Jr and Elisha Uzzell Sr on the other side. This clearly shows Michael to live in the area of modern New Hope Township, somewhere on Walnut Creek.

Michael Grant was still in Wayne Co, NC for the 1800 census. His wife must have died between 1790 and 1800. None of his sons seem to be with him in 1800, though I haven't found them elsewhere on the 1800 census. They may have been with other families as farm laborers. In 1800, Michael Grant was listed between Nathaniel Daniel and Henry Roberts (my ancestor). This was clearly Walnut Creek area, as I know Henry Roberts also owned land and lived on that creek.

Michael Grant remarried circa 1800, but I don't know the name of his new wife. As often was the case when a man remarried, he gave his children by the previous wife their inheritance via a Deed of Gift so as to avoid conflict with the second family. Michael Grant followed this practice, and on 16 Nov 1801 he deeded various livestock and furniture and other items to his daughter Nancy Grant. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 7 page 271)

On the same date he also gave his 110 acres of land on Walnut Creek to his son Lewis Grant and also various livestock, furniture, etc. This was all to belong to Lewis, but Michael reserved his life's right to the land, meaning it he could enjoy it as long as he lived, and it couldn't be sold without his consent. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 7 page 271)

Both of the above deeds were witnessed by Barnabas McKinney, a neighbor of theirs, and also witnessed by Needham Grant, whom I believe is also a son of Michael, though he wasn't deeded anything.

On 9 Mar 1805 Lewis Grant of Greene Co, NC sold the 110 acres to Barnabas McKinney. The deed does not state that Michael Grant approved of it, but he was one of the witnesses. In 1812 Michael Grant sold the same land to Barnabas McKinney, so I guess that was him giving up his life right to it. (See below for that record). (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 8 page 235)

Michael Grant was listed on the 1810 census of Wayne Co, NC still obviously in the Walnut Creek area. He was listed as "Micajah" Grant. "Micajah" and "Michael", while not exactly the same name, are often used interchangeably in public records. Michael was listed between Henry Hopson (my ancestor) and Drury Smith. Both of these were associated with the Grant family in various ways, primarily as neighbors or witnesses mentioned in deeds. A "Charity Grant" was listed just three houses from Michael in 1810. I have no idea who she was, but I think this is actually Elisha Grant, probable brother of Michael.

Michael's new wife and two new children show up with him in 1810 census. On 22 May 1811 Michael Grant gives both of these children (listed as Michel and Polly Grant) a deed of gift of various sundry items (no land). This deed was witnessed by Henry Hopson (my ancestor, and Michael's neighbor), Charles Lawhon, Shadrack Daniel and Thomas Grant (if I'm right, Thomas is a nephew of Michael, and a son of Elisha Grant or possibly William Grant) (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 9 page 370).

On 8 Feb 1812 Michael Grant sells his 110 acres on Walnut Creek to Barnabas McKinney. This is the same land that Michael had previously given to Lewis Grant in 1801, reserving his life right to the land. Lewis sold it to Barnabas McKinney in 1805. Apparently Michael remained living on the land until this time at least, when he sold it for L5.00 to Barnabas McKinney Sr. This deed was witnessed by Henry Hobson (my ancestor) and Kizzie McKinney. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 9 page 380).

Michael Grant died between 1812 and 1818. His Estate paperwork began on 17 Aug 1818 in Wayne Co, NC. The only heir mentioned was Michael Grant, who was appointed a guardian (Joseph Burton or Benton) on 13 Nov 1819. At this time Michael was about 19, but until you were 21 you had to have a guardian. Michael Grant's estate records are found at the NC Archives in the Wayne County Loose Estates and they are also filed in the Wayne Co, NC Wills and Miscellaneous Record Volume 4, page 204, page 363, and page 371. In the Accounts section notes were listed on Elisha Grant, John Grant and Stephen Grant. Elisha Grant is probably a brother of Michael. Stephen Grant is Michael's nephew, probably a son of William Grant. There were two John Grant's around at this time, so I don't know which this might be that owed Michael money.

Children

Fortunately, Michael Grant's children are all proven by deeds, (except one). He was married at least twice, and we don't know the name of either wife.

Lewis Grant birth date is in serious conflict. According to the 1830 census, he was born ca 1760/70, which probably isn't correct. The 1820 census shows him age 45+ (born before 1775), which barely fits (but does fit) with Michael Grant's 1790 household showing two sons under 16 (born 1774/1790). If Lewis was born ca 1774/75, then it fits perfectly. However, ca 1760/70 just doesn't work for a number of reasons, in my opinion. Lewis Grant was given 110 acres of land on the south side of Walnut Creek in Wayne Co, NC by his father Michael Grant in a deed of gift dated 16 Nov 1801. Lewis sold this land to Barnabas McKinney on 9 Mar 1805. That deed listed him as being a resident of Greene Co, NC, so he moved there before 1805. Unfortunately, Greene County is a burned county, and most of the early records are lost. The 1810 census is also lost for the county. However, Lewis was listed there on the 1816 Tax list in Captain William Hooker's District, which showed him with 160 acres of land. The 1820 census shows him there as well, and so does the 1830 census. He doesn't appear on the 1840 census, so he must have died ca 1830-1840. See his own page for additional information.

Needham Grant was born ca 1774/1790 in Wayne Co, NC. I have very little data on him. He isn't a proven son of Michael Grant, but it seems likely that he is his son. The 1790 census shows Michael Grant with two boys under 16, and one of those is Lewis. In the two deeds of gift to Lewis and Nancy in 1801, Needham Grant witnessed both of them. Also on the 1816 Greene Co, NC Tax list, both Lewis Grant and Needham Grant were listed together in Captain William Hooker's District. Unfortunately, Greene County is a burned county, and most of its early records are lost. Needham was not listed on the 1820 census there, nor did I find him anywhere else in 1820. The 1810 census for Greene Co, NC is lost, so we don't know if he lived there then, though I suspect that he probably did. He either died ca 1816/20 or moved away during that time.

Nancy Grant was born ca 1790 in Wayne Co, NC. She was given property (livestock, etc) by her father Michael Grant in a deed dated 16 Nov 1801. The 1800 census shows Michael Grant with an apparent daughter under 10 (born ca 1790/1800), and this could be Nancy. I don't have any record of her after the 1801 deed. I don't know who she married.

Michael Grant was born ca 1800 in Wayne Co, NC. He was given property (livestock, etc) by his father Michael Grant in a deed dated 22 May 1811. When his father died in 1818, Joseph Burton (or Benton) became Michael's guardian. I didn't find Michael Grant on the 1820 census, and he didn't seem to be in Joseph Burton's household (though he could have been). He married ca 1820/25 in Wayne or perhaps in Greene County to Sarah ---. He was listed on the 1830 census in Greene Co, NC, and in Lenoir Co, NC in 1840 and 1850. See his own page for additional information.

Mary "Polly" Grant was born ca 1800/10 in Wayne Co, NC. She was given property (livestock, etc) by her father Michael Grant in a deed dated 22 May 1811 in Wayne Co, NC. That is the only record I have for her. I don't know who she married. A Mary Grant was listed as one of the purchasers in Michael Grant's estate in 1818, but I don't know if it was her or not.

Researcher List

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

1. Michael¹ Grant , born bef 1750 in Johnston Co, NC (now Wayne Co, NC); died 1818 in Wayne Co, NC, son of John Grant and Mary (---) . He married (1) bef 1775 in Dobbs Co, NC (now Wayne Co, NC) (---) ? , died 1790/1800 in Wayne Co, NC; (2) abt 1800 in Wayne Co, NC (---) ? , born bef 1765; died in Wayne Co, NC.

Children of Michael Grant and (---) ? were as follows:

+ 2 i Lewis² Grant , born abt 1774/75 in Dobbs Co, NC (now Wayne Co, NC); died 1830/40 in Greene Co, NC. He married (---) ? .

3 ii Needham² Grant , born 1774/90 in Wayne Co, NC; died aft 1816 in Greene Co, NC.

4 iii Nancy² Grant , born 1790/1800 in Wayne Co, NC.

Children of Michael Grant and (---) ? were as follows:

+ 5 i Michael² Grant , born 1799/1800 in Wayne Co, NC; died aft 1850 in Lenoir Co, NC. He married Sarah "Sally" (---) .

6 ii Mary "Polly"² Grant , born 1800/10 in Wayne Co, NC.

Generation 2

2. Lewis² Grant (Michael¹), born abt 1774/75 in Dobbs Co, NC (now Wayne Co, NC); died 1830/40 in Greene Co, NC. He married abt 1800 in Wayne Co, NC or Greene Co, NC (---) ? , born 1780/90; died 1830/40 in Greene Co, NC.

Children of Lewis Grant and (---) ? were as follows:

+ 7 i Hiram³ Grant , born 1802/03 in Greene Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Greene Co, NC. He married Lany (---) .

+ 8 ii Richard³ Grant , born 1814/15 in Greene Co, NC; died 1860/70 in Greene Co, NC. He married (1) (---) ? ; (2) Anna Mariah (---) .

5. Michael² Grant (Michael¹), born 1799/1800 in Wayne Co, NC; died aft 1850 in Lenoir Co, NC. He married in 1820/25 in Greene Co, NC Sarah "Sally" (---) , born 1799/1800 in NC; died aft 1850 in Lenoir Co, NC.

Children of Michael Grant and Sarah "Sally" (---) were as follows:

+ 9 i Mary³ Grant , born 1824/25 in Greene Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Lenoir Co, NC. She married ? (---) .

10 ii Patience³ Grant , born 1826/27 in Greene Co, NC; died aft 1850 in Lenoir Co, NC.

Generation 3

7. Hiram³ Grant (Lewis², Michael¹), born 1802/03 in Greene Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Greene Co, NC. He married in 1820/28 in Greene Co, NC Lany (---) , born 1808/09 in Greene Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Greene Co, NC.

Children of Hiram Grant and Lany (---) were as follows:

11 i Elizabeth "Lazzie"⁴ Grant , born 1825/26 in Greene Co, NC.

12 ii Lewis F⁴ Grant , born 1827/28 in Greene Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Greene Co, NC.

13 iii Thomas⁴ Grant , born 1829/30 in Greene Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Greene Co, NC.

8. Richard³ Grant (Lewis², Michael¹), born 1814/15 in Greene Co, NC; died 1860/70 in Greene Co, NC. He married (1) in 1830/38 in Greene Co, NC (---) ? , born 1810/20; died 1845/50 in Greene Co, NC; (2) in 1845/50 in Greene Co, NC Anna Mariah (---) , born 1827/28 in Greene Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Greene Co, NC.

Children of Richard Grant and (---) ? were as follows:

14 i Mary Ann⁴ Grant , born 1837/38 in Greene Co, NC.

15 ii Martha Jane⁴ Grant , born 1839/40 in Greene Co, NC.

16 iii John W⁴ Grant , born 1841/42 in Greene Co, NC.

17 iv Richard Franklin⁴ Grant , born 1843/44 in Greene Co, NC.

18 v Stephen Hiram⁴ Grant , born 1844/45 in Greene Co, NC.

Children of Richard Grant and Anna Mariah (---) were as follows:

19 i William K⁴ Grant , born 1851/52 in Greene Co, NC.

9. Mary³ Grant (Michael², Michael¹), born 1824/25 in Greene Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Lenoir Co, NC. She married ? (---) .

Children of Mary Grant and ? (---) were as follows:

20 i John Franklin⁴ Grant , born 1847/48 in Lenoir Co, NC.

21 ii Alexander⁴ Grant , born 1852/53 in Lenoir Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Lenoir Co, NC.