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William Grant was born ca 1720-1730 or even as late as 1740. We can't narrow down his birth date any better than that, unfortunately. We suspect he was born in VA or perhaps Scotland. His oldest proven child (Alexander Grant) was born ca 1755/1761, and his youngest known son (Thomas Grant) was born ca 1772/73 in VA (per the 1850 and 1860 census). This means that William Grant and family were somewhere in Virginia prior to arriving in Tryon (now Rutherford) Co, NC ca 1771. Thomas was born in VA after William appeared in Tryon Co, NC records, indicating two possible things: One: William came to Tryon Co, NC alone, leaving wife and other children in VA, sending for them (or going and getting them) later, or Two: Thomas' birth year is off slightly. Either of these could be correct.
We know that prior to 1771 William Grant was somewhere in VA. Unfortunately, Virginia Court Houses and records suffered badly during the Civil War, especially since most of the war was fought there. However, we still have enough to go on to give us some leads.
Records show that John Dalton (1758-1838) referred to William Grant Sr as his Uncle. Therefore, John Dalton's father David Dalton (c1738-1804) and William Grant Sr were either brothers-in-law, or half-brothers. (See my page on William Grant for more analysis of their possible relationship). Regardless of how David Dalton and William Grant were related, it clearly seems that they were connected prior to their arrival in NC. Fortunately, we know that the David Dalton family had connections in Albemarle Co, VA as well as Louisa and Goochland Co, VA. These seem to be likely places to look for William Grant prior to 1771. Don Grant Jr checked some records in that vicinity and said he found nothing of note in Albemarle Co, VA but found signs of a Grant family in Louisa Co, VA. I'm not sure what he found exactly, but I've done some checking myself and found some interesting items. There is probably much more waiting to be found.
On 25 Jun 1747 an Alexander Grant received a Land Grant in Goochland Co, VA for 370 acres on Elk Licking Branch of Lickinghole Creek. (Virginia Patents book 26 page 33). I have a copy of this land grant. My map shows clearly that Lickinghole Creek runs inside Goochland Co, VA but over half of the length of the creek runs parallel with and only two miles from the Louisa Co, VA border. The Douglas Register shows an Alexander Grant marrying Agnes Jerat on 20 Dec 1751. The Douglas Register covered Goochland and Louisa Counties. Louisa Co, VA Tax lists show an Alexander Grant in Trinity Parish of Louisa Co, VA in 1767, 1768, again in 1768 (a 2nd Alexander, perhaps?), in 1769, 1770, 1771, 1773 (a John Grant also listed in 1773), and in 1781. Louisa Co, VA marriage records show an Alexander Grant marriage bond dated 28 Apr 1780 to Martha Parish. The 1782 tax list shows no Alexander Grant in Louisa Co, VA. However, in 1782 and 1787 an Alexander Grant Sr and Jr were listed in nearby Fluvanna Co, VA. I'm sure they are the same people. This Alexander Sr left a will naming heirs: Agness, Alexander, John, Peter, Robert and a daughter Jane Hale.
So the above records in Goochland and Louisa tell us that an Alexander Grant was in the area by 1747 and still there at least until 1773. The 1781 listing may be for a younger Alexander Grant, or perhaps the same one as before. The reason this is significant (to me at least) is that our William Grant names his oldest son "Alexander". It was something of a Scots tradition to name your first born son after your own father. This rule was often broken though, so it doesn't prove anything. I have done no significant research in Goochland or Louisa or Fluvanna County, Virginia yet to try and sort these Alexander Grant families out to see if we are connected. At present, Alexander (Sr) is my prime candidate for a brother of our William Grant Sr. It is also possible that he is not related at all. Time will tell (hopefully!) Since William Grant himself was never listed on those Tax Lists in Louisa, I could be barking up the wrong tree, but I have a gut feeling about it, and will keep looking.
There were several other places in Virginia where Grants were found, but I don't know how or if we are connected to them. The 1787 Census shows several Grant families in a few counties. This was already after our Grants were in NC, but it can provide some leads: Accomack, Bedford, Berkeley, Botetourt, Bourbon, Charles City, Chesterfield, Culpeper, Dinwiddie, Fauquier, Fayette, Fluvanna, Fredericksburg (town), Halifax, Hampshire, Hanover, Henry, Jefferson, King and Queen, King George, Loudon, Mercer, Nansemond, Norfolk, Pittsylvania, Prince William, Spotsylvania, Westmoreland, and York.
Of those we can automatically eliminate several from consideration, mainly those in the section of Kentucky and West Virginia, that in 1787 were still part of Virginia. It isn't likely ours immigrated to western NC from either KY or WV. That removes: Berkeley (WV), Bourbon (KY), Fayette (KY), Hampshire (WV), Jefferson (KY), and Mercer (KY).
That leaves several counties to check out: Accomack, Bedford, Botetourt, Charles City, Chesterfield, Culpeper, Dinwiddie, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Fredericksburg (town), Halifax, Hanover, Henry, King and Queen, King George, Loudon, Nansemond, Norfolk, Pittsylvania, Prince William, Spotsylvania, Westmoreland and York. Still a large list.
We can narrow the above list down a little bit more by backing up in time to 1770, at which point, I'm fairly sure William Grant was still in Virginia. In 1770 some of the above counties hadn't been created yet, but were part of larger counties. Fluvanna didn't exist in 1770, but was still part of Albemarle (until 1777). Henry didn't exist in 1770 but was still part of Pittsylvania (until 1776). The rest were still around in 1770.
A Thomas Grant was in Norfolk Co, VA in 1682. He is the earliest I have record of so far. In 1703 and 1704 a William Grant was in Princess Anne Co, VA. These are some of the earliest references I have.
I'll post more leads as I find them.
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