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I (Marty Grant) am a 1st cousin 6 times removed to Mira Grant, and a possible cousin to John A. Head, though certainly related by marriage.
Mira Grant was born ca 1809/10 (per 1850 and 1870 census). The 1860 census gives her age as 60, or born ca 1799/1800. She was presumably born in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Her name "Mira" is short for "Elmira", but all records (but one) that I've found for her show her as either "Mira" or "Miry".
Mira Grant is daughter of Clementine Grant, and like her siblings, born out of wedlock. Her father is not known. I have no suspects for who Mira's father might be. The proof of Mira's relationship to Clementine is that she and her siblings were all named in an 1841 estate record as siblings of James Grant, deceased. James and Mary (who was also named as an heir) were proven children of Clementine as named in court records, so by extrapolation, the others all belong to Clementine as well. Clementine was often in court for bastardy.
Clementine Grant never appeared on a census record, so presumably, she was always residing with other family members, and was never the head of her own household (or at least she wasn't during census years), even though she raised 6 children.
Mira Grant would have been about 1 year old or under by the time of the 1810 census (if she was actually born yet when the census taker came around). However, Clementine's location that year is unproven, but I strongly feel she was living with her oldest daughter Franky Pearson, who in turn, had an apparent female child with her aged "under 10" (born ca 1800/10), which could very easily be Mira Grant. This is highly speculative of course.
By 1820, Mira would have been 10 years old, more or less. I have not ascertained the location of Clementine in 1820, so wherever she was, Mira was undoubtedly with her.
Now, on 19 Apr 1822, John Head obtained a marriage bond in Rutherford County to marry "Mira Grant". James Grant (Mira's brother) was the bondsman. There is some problems with the date of this marriage bond. First of all, if Mira was born ca 1810, then she was only 12 years old in 1822. While women did often marry very young back then, 12 was almost unheard of. This tells me that either the year "1822" is incorrect, or that Mira was slightly older than I suspect, or then again, she may have married around the age of "12".
John A. Head was born ca 1799/1800 in Rutherford Co, NC, son of Phillip Head and Mary Tanner. John may have been married before his marriage to Mira, for he (or they?) seemed to have a son (James Head) who was born ca 1820. Of course it is possible that James was their son, and his birth date is off slightly, or that he was a son of John and a previous wife, or that he wasn't a son at all, but a nephew.
John Head was listed on the 1830 census in Rutherford County, on the page following his parents, so not too far away. No Grants were too nearby.
1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1830 Rutherford Co, NC pg 455 John Head 0100100000000-2000100000000 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 20-29 (1800-1810) John A. HEAD (1800) s/o Phillip 1 Male(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) James HEAD (1820) son 1 Female(s) 20-29 (1800-1810) Mira GRANT Head (1810) wife 2 Female(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) Daughter? (1825/30) Daughter? (1825/30)
On 4 Oct 1833, John Head and others were listed as purchasers at the estate sale of his late father Phillip Head, deceased. (Rutherford Co, NC Estates Book A page 108).
In October 1834, John Head was appointed administrator of the estate of Barbara Humphreys, deceased. (Rutherford Co, NC Estates Book A page 108).
I have not been able to locate John Head on the 1840 census, though I did find two of his siblings (Isam and Joseph) listed in Rutherford County, but I found no trace of John, and I've scoured the census record several times looking for him and some other "missing" persons. I did find a "John Hod" listed, who is suspicious, but he and his wife are both enumerated in the 50-59 age group (born ca 1780/90) which does not work at all. The birth places of their children born ca 1838, 1840 and 1841 are all "NC", so presumably they were still in Rutherford, but missed by the census taker for some reason.
On 6 Nov 1841, Mira Head and her siblings were named as heirs in the estate of their brother James Grant, deceased. The estate record gave his heirs as: "Thomas Grant, Susan Grant, Miry Head, Polly Dalton and Franky Pearson, brothers and sisters of the deceased...". (Rutherford Co, NC Estates Book B page 167).
They were listed on the 1850 census in Rutherford County, North Carolina in Mountain Creek District. They were next door to Mira's probable niece Malinda Grant Nix (daughter of Susan Grant), and just two houses from Mira's sister Susan Grant.
1850 RUTHERFORD CO, NC Page 325 House/Family # 1357/1402 - MOUNTAIN CREEK DIST Twp HEAD JOHN 50 M W FARMER 40 NC 1799/1800 HEAD MIRA 40 F W NC 1809/1810 HEAD JAMES 18 M W NC 1831/1832 HEAD PHILLIP 16 M W NC 1833/1834 HEAD ALBERT 14 M W NC 1835/1836 HEAD ELMUND 12 F W NC 1837/1838 HEAD CYNTHIA 10 F W NC 1839/1840 HEAD MARY 2 F W NC 1847/1848 HEAD NANCY 2 F W NC 1847/1848
John A. Head died in August 1859 in Rutherford County, North Carolina of "Dyspepsia and old age", after having been sick for 6 months. (per 1860 Census Mortality Schedule).
In September 1859, Martin Walker was appointed administrator of John Head's estate. Unfortunately, no family data was given in his estate records. (Rutherford Co, NC Estates Book D page 523).
For the 1860 census, Mira and her younger children were listed in Rutherford County in Mountain Creek District (Post office of "Cuba"). She was listed between the families of her married sons James and Elbert Head. Mira's sister Susan Grant was just a few households away.
1860 RUTHERFORD CO, NC Page 337 House/Family # 891/ 891 -- MOUNTAIN CREEK DIST Twp CUBA P.O. HEAD MIRA 60 F W 25 NC 1799/1800 HEAD ARMINA 22 F W NC 1837/1838 HEAD CINTHIA 20 F W NC 1839/1840 HEAD MARY 19 F W NC 1840/1841 HEAD NANCY 15 F W NC 1844/1845
Mira and some children, and apparently a bunch of grandchildren were together for the 1870 census in Rutherford County, listed in Green Hill Township (this is the same area they were in before, but with a new name). Several of her married children were very close by.
1870 RUTHERFORD CO, NC Page 97 House/Family # 111/ 107--GREEN HILL Twp HEAD MIRAH 60 F W KEEPING HOUSE 25 NC 1809/1810 HEAD ELMINA 33 F W AT HOME NC 1836/1837 HEAD MARY 26 F W AT HOME NC 1843/1844 HEAD NANCY 23 F W AT HOME NC 1846/1847 HEAD MARY ANN 9 F W NC 1860/1861 HEAD SARAH E 5 F W NC 1864/1865 HEAD JOHN E 3 M W NC 1866/1867 HEAD SILLER L 0 F W 6/12 NC 1869/1870 HEAD MARY E 5 F W NC 1864/1865 HEAD LOUISA 1 F W NC 1868/1869 HEAD VINIA L 3 F W NC 1866/1867
Mira and children and grandchildren were in neighboring McDowell County, North Carolina for the 1880 census. I don't know why she moved there, though she had plenty of cousins there. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.
I have no data on them after 1880.
John Head and Mira Grant had at least 7 children, perhaps more. There were also a large group of grandchildren, apparently born out of wedlock to one or more of their daughters.
Grandchildren (parents unknown) though probably from Almina, Mary and Nancy Head:
Sarah E. Head (c1865)
John E. Head (c1867)
Mary E. Head (c1865)
Louisa Head (c1869)
Elvina L. Head (c1867)
Fannie S. Head (c1875)
Elmira E. Head (c1864)
James Head was born ca 1819/20 (per 1860 and 1870 census) or ca 1831/32 (per 1850 census). That is a huge difference in the approximate birth year for this person. He was apparently home with his parents for the 1830 census (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25). I don't have the families' 1840 census entry yet. He was home with his parents in 1850 ("James" age 18, born NC). This age must be way off.
On 13 Sep 1855, James Head obtained a marriage bond in Rutherford County to marry Lurany Keeter. Andrew Tomberlin was bondsman. Lurany Elvira (or "Alvira") Keeter was born ca 1829/30, daughter of Ichabod and Martha (---) Keeter.
James and Lurany were listed next door to his widowed mother for the 1860 census:
1860 RUTHERFORD CO, NC Page 337 House/Family # 890/ 890 -- MOUNTAIN CREEK DIST Twp CUBA P.O. HEAD JAMES 40 M W DAY LABOR NC 1819/1820 HEAD ELVIRA 30 F W NC 1829/1830 HEAD JOHN 1 M W NC 1858/1859
James and family were still in Rutherford for the 1870 census, just a few houses from his mother, and near many other relatives.
1870 RUTHERFORD CO, NC Page 97 House/Family # 114/ 110--GREEN HILL Twp HEAD JAMES 50 M W FARMER 284 NC 1819/1820 HEAD RANEY E 41 F W KEEPING HOUSE NC 1828/1829 HEAD JOHN J 12 M W AT SCHOOL NC 1857/1858 HEAD SAMUEL 10 M W AT SCHOOL NC 1859/1860 HEAD MARY J 8 F W NC 1861/1862 HEAD JAMES C 6 M W NC 1863/1864 HEAD MIRAH E 3 F W NC 1866/1867 HEAD FEDDY A 1 M W NC 1868/1869
In 1880, they were still in Rutherford, and next to brother Elbert Head.
1880 RUTHERFORD CO, NC Page 458B House/Family # 130/ 138 -- GREEN HILL Twp HEAD JAMES W M 64 M FARMER NC NC NC 1815/1816 HEAD L A W F 50 WF M KEEPING HOUSE NC NC NC 1829/1830 HEAD JOHN W M 21 S S FARM LABOR NC NC NC 1858/1859 HEAD SAMUEL W M 20 S S FARM LABOR NC NC NC 1859/1860 HEAD MARY W F 18 D S DOMESTIC SERVANT NC NC NC 1861/1862 HEAD J K W M 15 S S FARM LABOR NC NC NC 1864/1865 HEAD M E W F 11 D S NC NC NC 1868/1869 HEAD G M W M 8 S S NC NC NC 1871/1872
I have no data on them after 1880.
Unknown Daughter (1825/30). John Head had an apparent daughter this age with him in 1830 (age "under 5", born ca 1825/30). I don't have his 1840 listing, but she was not home in 1850, so probably had married or died before then.
Unknown Daughter (1825/30). John Head had an apparent daughter this age with him in 1830 (age "under 5", born ca 1825/30). I don't have his 1840 listing, but she was not home in 1850, so probably had married or died before then.
There is a marriage bond dated 17 Sep 1847 between Thomas Hays and "Vina Head" in Rutherford County, with Henderson Hays as bondsman. I did not find this couple in 1850, so I can't say if she may be one of John and Mira's children or not.
Phillip Head was born ca 1833/34 (per 1850 census), presumably in Rutherford County. He was home with his parents in 1850 ("Phillip" age 16). He was probably named after his grandfather Phillip Head who died in 1833, probably just before younger Phillip's birth, or about the same time.
Phillip Head married Lucy --- in the 1850's, probably before ca 1857. I didn't find a marriage record for them in Rutherford County. I don't know Lucy's maiden name.
Phillip and family were in Rutherford for the 1860 census, a few pages from his mother and siblings.
1860 RUTHERFORD CO, NC Page 336 House/Family # 870/ 870 -- MOUNTAIN CREEK DIST Twp GREEN HILL P.O. HEAD PHILLIP 28 M W DAY LABOR NC 1831/1832 HEAD LUCY 21 F W NC 1838/1839 HEAD GEORGE 3 M W NC 1856/1857 HEAD MARY 0 F W 5/12 NC 1859/1860
I did not find Phillip and family in 1870 or later. There is a Phillip Head on the index in nearby Yancey County, but I haven't checked yet to see if it is him.
J. Elbert Head was born ca 1835/36 (per 1850 census), presumably in Rutherford County. He was home with his parents in 1850 ("Elbert" age 14). I don't know what his "J" first initial stands for, perhaps "John" after his father.
On 7 Jan 1858 Elbert Head obtained a marriage bond in Rutherford County to marry Susannah Keeter. John A. White was bondsman. Susannah Keeter was born ca 1830/31, daughter of Ichabod and Martha (---) Keeter.
Elbert and family were listed next door to his widowed mother for the 1860 census:
1860 RUTHERFORD CO, NC Page 337 House/Family # 892/ 892 -- MOUNTAIN CREEK DIST Twp CUBA P.O. HEAD ELBERT 25 M W DAY LABOR NC 1834/1835 HEAD SUSAN 29 F W NC 1830/1831 HEAD ISHAM 2 M W NC 1857/1858 HEAD MIRA 0 F W 6/12 NC 1859/1860
Elbert and family were still in Rutherford for the 1870 census, just a few houses from his mother, and near many other relatives.
1870 RUTHERFORD CO, NC Page 97 House/Family # 113/ 109--GREEN HILL Twp HEAD ELBERT 35 M W FARM LABOR NC 1834/1835 HEAD SOUSAN 35 F W KEEPING HOUSE NC 1834/1835 HEAD JASON 10 M W AT HOME NC 1859/1860 HEAD JOHN 8 M W NC 1861/1862 HEAD PHILLIP 5 M W NC 1864/1865 HEAD SAMFES? 3 M W NC 1866/1867 HEAD NOAH 1 M W NC 1868/1869
In 1880, they were still in Rutherford, and next to brother James Head.
1880 RUTHERFORD CO, NC Page 458B House/Family # 129/ 137 -- GREEN HILL Twp HEAD J E W M 50 M FARMER NC NC NC 1829/1830 HEAD SUSAN W F 49 WF M KEEPING HOUSE NC NC NC 1830/1831 HEAD ISOM W M 21 S S FARM LABOR NC NC NC 1858/1859 HEAD JOHN W M 16 S S FARM LABOR NC NC NC 1863/1864 HEAD PHILLIP W M 13 S S FARM LABOR NC NC NC 1866/1867 HEAD SUSON? W M 11 S S FARM LABOR NC NC NC 1868/1869 HEAD NOAH A W M 10 S S FARM LABOR NC NC NC 1869/1870
I have no data on them after 1880.
Armina Head was born ca 1837/38 (per 1850 census), presumably in Rutherford County. Her name is given differently on each record, so I'm not sure which is most accurate. She was home with parents in 1850 ("Elmund" age 12), and still home in 1860 ("Armina" age 22) and still home in 1870 ("Elmina", age 33).
Almina (or whatever her name actually is) had at least three children out of wedlock: Mary A. Head (c1861); Priscilla Head (c1870) and William Head (c1874). There were some others at home with her and her mother in 1870 who might belong to her, but I don't know if they do or not.
She was listed as head of household in 1880 McDowell County just a few houses from her mother. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.
Daughter Mary Ann. Head was home in 1870 ("Mary Ann" age 9) and home in 1880 ("Mary A." age 18). Daughter Priscilla L. Head was home in 1870 ("Siller L." age 6 months) and in 1880 ("Precilla" age 10). Son William was home in 1880 (age 6).
Cynthia Head was born ca 1839/40 (per 1850 census), presumably in Rutherford County. She was home with parents in 1850 ("Cynthia" age 10), and still home in 1860 ("Cinthia" age 20). She was not home in 1870, so probably married by then.
I did not find a marriage record, but I feel fairly sure that Cynthia married John Lackey between 1860 and ca 1863. They were living next door to her mother in 1870. I noticed them there and that John's wife Cynthia was the same age as Cynthia Head, so it seems likely they are one and the same person. John Lackey was born ca 1839/40, probably in neighboring McDowell County where there were several Lackey families.
1870 RUTHERFORD CO, NC Page 97 House/Family # 110/ 106--GREEN HILL Twp LACKEY JOHN 30 M W FARM LABOR NC 1839/1840 LACKEY SYNTHIA 30 F W KEEPING HOUSE NC 1839/1840 LACKEY HULDY 7 F W NC 1862/1863 LACKEY JOHN M 5 M W NC 1864/1865 LACKEY GEORGE G 2 M W NC 1867/1868
They were in neighboring McDowell County for the 1880 census, just a couple of pages from Cynthia's mother. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.
Mary Head was born ca 1840/41 (per 1860 census), presumably in Rutherford County. She was home with parents in 1850 ("Mary" age 2), and still home in 1860 ("Mary" age 19), still home in 1870 ("Mary" age 26) and still home in 1880 ("Mary" age 34).
Mary may be the mother of one or more of the children listed with her and her mother in 1870 and 1880. I don't know yet if this is true, but it seems reasonable.
Nancy Head was born ca 1847/48 (per 1850 census), presumably in Rutherford County. She was home with parents in 1850 ("Nancy" age 2), and still home in 1860 ("Nancy" age 15), still home in 1870 ("Nancy" age 23) and still home in 1880 ("Nancy" age 29).
Nancy may be the mother of one or more of the children listed with her and her mother in 1870 and 1880. I don't know yet if this is true, but it seems reasonable.
Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list:
1. John A1 Head, born 1799/1800 in Rutherford Co, NC; died Aug 1859 in Rutherford Co, NC, son of Phillip Head and Mary Tanner. He married on 19 Apr 1822 in Rutherford Co, NC Elmira Grant, born 1809/10 in Rutherford Co, NC; died aft 1880 in McDowell Co, NC, daughter of (---) ? and Clementine "Clemy" Grant.
Children of John A Head and Elmira Grant were as follows:
+ 2 i James2 Head, born 1819/20 in Rutherford Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Rutherford Co, NC. He married Lurany Elvira Keeter.
+ 3 ii Phillip2 Head, born 1833/34 in Rutherford Co, NC; died aft 1860. He married Lucy (---).
+ 4 iii J Elbert2 Head, born 1835/36 in Rutherford Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Rutherford Co, NC. He married Susannah Keeter.
+ 5 iv Almina2 Head, born 1837/38 in Rutherford Co, NC; died aft 1880 in McDowell Co, NC. She married ? (---).
+ 6 v Cynthia C2 Head, born 1839/40 in Rutherford Co, NC; died aft 1880 in McDowell Co, NC. She married John Lackey.
7 vi Mary2 Head, born 1840/41 in Rutherford Co, NC; died aft 1880 in McDowell Co, NC.
8 vii Nancy2 Head, born 1847/48 in Rutherford Co, NC; died aft 1880 in McDowell Co, NC.
Generation 2
2. James2 Head (John A1), born 1819/20 in Rutherford Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Rutherford Co, NC. He married on 13 Sep 1855 in Rutherford Co, NC Lurany Elvira Keeter, born 1829/30 in Rutherford Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Rutherford Co, NC, daughter of Ichabod Keeter and Martha "Patsy" (---).
Children of James Head and Lurany Elvira Keeter were as follows:
9 i John J3 Head, born 1858/59 in Rutherford Co, NC.
10 ii Samuel3 Head, born 1859/60 in Rutherford Co, NC.
11 iii Mary J3 Head, born 1861/62 in Rutherford Co, NC.
12 iv James C3 Head, born 1863/64 in Rutherford Co, NC.
13 v Mirah E3 Head, born 1866/67 in Rutherford Co, NC.
14 vi Feddy A3 Head, born 1868/69 in Rutherford Co, NC.
3. Phillip2 Head (John A1), born 1833/34 in Rutherford Co, NC; died aft 1860. He married in 1850/57 in Rutherford Co, NC Lucy (---), born 1838/39 in Rutherford Co, NC.
Children of Phillip Head and Lucy (---) were as follows:
15 i George3 Head, born 1856/57 in Rutherford Co, NC.
16 ii Mary3 Head, born 1859/60 in Rutherford Co, NC.
4. J Elbert2 Head (John A1), born 1835/36 in Rutherford Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Rutherford Co, NC. He married on 7 Jan 1858 in Rutherford Co, NC Susannah Keeter, born 1830/31 in Rutherford Co, NC; died aft 1880 in Rutherford Co, NC, daughter of Ichabod Keeter and Martha "Patsy" (---).
Children of J Elbert Head and Susannah Keeter were as follows:
17 i Isham3 Head, born 1857/58 in Rutherford Co, NC.
18 ii Mira3 Head, born 1859/60 in Rutherford Co, NC; died 1860/70 in Rutherford Co, NC.
19 iii Jason3 Head, born 1859/60 in Rutherford Co, NC.
20 iv John3 Head, born 1861/62 in Rutherford Co, NC.
21 v Phillip3 Head, born 1864/65 in Rutherford Co, NC.
22 vi Samfes3 Head, born 1866/67 in Rutherford Co, NC.
23 vii Noah A3 Head, born 1868/69 in Rutherford Co, NC.
5. Almina2 Head (John A1), born 1837/38 in Rutherford Co, NC; died aft 1880 in McDowell Co, NC. She married Not married ? (---).
Children of Almina Head and ? (---) were as follows:
24 i Mary Ann3 Head, born 1860/61 in Rutherford Co, NC.
25 ii Priscilla L3 Head, born 1869/70 in Rutherford Co, NC.
26 iii William3 Head, born 1873/74 in McDowell Co, NC.
6. Cynthia C2 Head (John A1), born 1839/40 in Rutherford Co, NC; died aft 1880 in McDowell Co, NC. She married in 1860/63 in Rutherford Co, NC John Lackey, born 1839/40 in Rutherford Co, NC; died aft 1880 in McDowell Co, NC.
Children of Cynthia C Head and John Lackey were as follows:
27 i Hulda3 Lackey, born 1862/63 in Rutherford Co, NC.
28 ii John M3 Lackey, born 1864/65 in Rutherford Co, NC.
29 iii George G3 Lackey, born 1867/68 in Rutherford Co, NC.
30 iv Ella J3 Lackey, born 1872/73 in McDowell Co, NC.
31 v Cora G3 Lackey, born 1874/75 in McDowell Co, NC.
32 vi Edward Lee3 Lackey, born 1876/77 in McDowell Co, NC.
33 vii Zebulon V3 Lackey, born 1876/77 in McDowell Co, NC.