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I (Marty Grant) am a 3rd Great Grand nephew of Rachel L. Grant.
Rachel L. Grant was born August 1834 (per census analysis) in Macon Co, NC, somewhere near the Cowee community. The 1900 census record gave her birth as Aug 1836, but other records seem to suggest 1834 would be accurate, so I've combined the month from the 1900 census, plus "1834" based on her age in 1850.
She was probably named for her aunt Rachel Miller (c1820) (her mother's sister). I don't know what her "L" middle initial stood for, but it could be "Lou", or some variation. I base that possibility on the several other women named "Rachel Lou Grant" in the same family. However, it is just a guess on my part that this Rachel is also a Rachel Lou.
Rachel L. Grant was a daughter of Thomas B. Grant and Mary Miller. This is proven by the 1850 and 1860 census records as well as a deed dated 1886 from her mother Mary giving Rachel some land in Swain County.
Rachel's father Thomas died the when she was 11 years old, so she spent her teen years without a father. She was 27 years old when her mother remarried in 1861.
Rachel was apparently home with her parents for the 1840 census (age "under 5", born ca 1835/40).
Rachel was home with her widowed mother for the 1850 census in Macon Co, NC ("Rachel" age 16, born Macon).
Rachel was home with her widowed mother for the 1860 census in Macon Co, NC ("Rachel L., age 24 born Macon).
Around 1860, Rachel had the first of 3 children born out of wedlock. Of these three children, only one has a proven father (George born 1866) who was a son of William "Bill" Forrester. I strongly suspect that her last child (Adam born ca 1872) was a son of Daniel E. Evans, but I have no direct proof, so it is just speculation based on circumstantial evidence (so don't quote me on that).
On the 1870 census, I found Rachel in Jackson County, North Carolina, living with (and apparently married to) Daniel E. Evans (1840) (son of William Evans and Phebe Graham). They were next door to Rachel's brother John Patton Grant (1845) who was married to Daniel's sister Darthula Evans. Note that I said Rachel and Daniel were apparently married. I don't think they were actually husband and wife, but they were living together, and she, and her children, were listed under the Evans surname, though later records show them all as Grants.
1870 JACKSON CO, NC Page 250 House/Family # 45/ 46--DEEP CREEK Twp EVANS DANIEL E 30 M M FARMER 200 169 NC 1839/1840 EVANS RACHEL 32 F W KEEPING HOUSE NC 1837/1838 EVANS JOHN H 10 M W NC 1859/1860 EVANS GEORGE W 5 M W NC 1864/1865
There are at least three possible explanations for this apparent arrangement. One: Daniel and Rachel were married sometime in the 1860's (no record found though), but they later divorced with Rachel taking back her maiden name; Two: They were living together "in sin"; or three; they were living together, but just as in-laws, and Rachel and the kids were listed under his surname by mistake (a common census error). I'd accept number two or three as more likely explanations. I don't think they were actually married, but let us examine the evidence. Unfortunately, the 1870 census did not give marital status, nor did it list the relationship of each member of the household, so you can only make assumptions based on the 1870 record. However, in 1880 and 1900, Rachel was listed as "widowed", and with surname of "Grant". Daniel Evans had married someone else in 1877 (and married again in 1888). Daniel's 1910 census entry showed that his current marriage (from 1888) was his second marriage. This leaves no room for a marriage to Rachel Grant, as Daniel's first wife was from 1877 (Mary H. Fuller) and his second was from 1888 (Mary H. Lequire).
So, Daniel Evans marriage and census records seem to refute that he and Rachel were actually married. Rachel listing herself as a "widow" on the 1880 and 1900 census seem to also preclude it. Single mothers often listed themselves as "widows" to cover up their situation. This more or less settles the issue that Daniel and Rachel were not married, but it does not settle whether or not Daniel was the father of any of her children. Also, further proof that Rachel was never married is found in her son George's marriage record, where he listed his parents as only "Rachel Grant". No father was listed. However, his death certificate gave her name as his mother, and "Bill Forrester" as his father.
In 1871, Swain County was created from the section of Jackson County where they were living.
On 4 Jan 1875, R. Grant witnessed the marriage of her sister Isabella Grant to Elisha Sherrill in Swain County.
Rachel and her children were listed on the 1880 census in Swain County next door to her widowed mother Mary.
1880 SWAIN CO, NC Page 167 House/Family # 59/ 59 -- CHARLESTON Twp GRANT RACHEL W F 42 HD W KEEPING HOUSE NC NC NC 1837/1838 GRANT JOHN P W M 19 S S NC NC NC 1860/1861 GRANT GEORGE F W M 14 S S NC NC NC 1865/1866
On 14 Oct 1886, Mary Cargle (Rachel's mother) deeded to Rachel Grant, for natural love and affection, 50 acres on the South side of Tuckasegee River. (Swain Co, NC Deed Book 8 page 466).
On 17 Dec 1889 Rachel Grant deeded 50 acres on south side of Tuckasegee River to Henry T. Jenkins. This is apparently the same land her mother gave her in 1886. (Swain Co, NC Deed Book 11 page 482).
Rachel was living with her son George for the 1900 census. They were in Charleston Township, but I'm not sure where they were living exactly.
1900 SWAIN CO, NC Page House/Family # 32/ 32--CHARLESTON (2) Twp GRANT GEORGE W HD W M FEB 1865 35 M 7 NC NC NC FARM LABOR GRANT SARAH M WF W F JUL 1871 28 M 7 4 3 NC NC NC GRANT GROVER A S W M DEC 1893 6 S NC NC NC GRANT ROY L S W M MAR 1896 4 S NC NC NC GRANT JAMES H S W M SEP 1899 0 S NC NC NC 8/12 GRANT RACHEL L MO W F AUG 1836 63 W 3 1 NC NC NC
Rachel L. Grant died in Swain County between 1900 and 1910 for I was unable to locate her on the 1910 census, and she was not with her only living child George who was still in Swain County that year. I don't know where she is buried.
Rachel L. Grant had 3 children as proven by her 1900 census entry which showed her as having given birth to 3 children, only 1 of which was still living at that time. The 1870 and 1880 and 1900 census proves her children. Her son George is further proven by his marriage record and his death certificate.
John Parrish Grant was born ca 1860 (per 1870 census) in Macon County, North Carolina. I don't know who his father was, but it seems a reasonable assumption that his father was a "Parrish". There is a certain assumption here which I'll explain below. If I'm correct, then perhaps his name was actually John H. Grant, alias Parrish.
"John H. Evans" age 10 was with his mother Rachel in 1870 Jackson County. A few households away with Rachel's mother Mary was a "John Parrish" (Parrish as his surname) age 11. I strongly suspect these two are actually the same person. However, this is an assumption based on John listed in 1880 with middle initial of "P", perhaps for "Parrish". This is an assumption, but if correct, it may be proof that John's father was a Mr. Parrish.
"John P. Grant" age 19 was with his mother in 1880.
John H. Grant, alias Parrish, died sometime between 1880 and 1900, probably in Swain County. I did not find him on the 1900 census, and his mother was listed on that census as having 3 children born, but only one still living (George, whom she was with).
I don't think John ever married.
George W. Grant was born 14 Feb 1866 (per death certificate) in Macon County, North Carolina. His father was William "Bill" Forrester as proven by his death certificate. I only found one William Forrester who was old enough, and that was one born ca 1840/41 in Macon County, son of Jonathan Forrester and Lucinda Millsaps. He seems the best candidate for he lived near the Grants, and his sister Sarah Forrester married Joseph Grant, Rachel's brother.
I don't know what his "W" middle initial stood for, though "Washington" is certainly a likely choice.
He was home with his mother for the 1870 census ("George W. Evans" (sic), age 5).
He was with his mother for the 1880 census ("George W. Grant" age 14).
On 14 Jun 1891, George Grant witnessed the marriage of his first cousin Isabell Grant (daughter of John Patton Grant) to L. C. Duvall in Swain County.
On 11 May 1893, G. W. Grant age 28, married S. M. Thomasson age 22, in Swain County. Their marriage record gave George's parents as "Rachel Grant", and hers as "William and Myra Thomasson". They were married by J. M. Earls. Witnesses were S. C. Gibby (Sarah's step-brother), A. B. Grant (George's brother Adam Bud Grant), and M. L. Thomasson. Sarah M. Thomasson was born July 1871 in Swain County, daughter of William H. Thomasson and Myra Mary Panther.
George and Sarah were in Swain County for the 1900 census. George's mother Rachel was living with them.
1900 SWAIN CO, NC Page House/Family # 32/ 32--CHARLESTON (2) Twp GRANT GEORGE W HD W M FEB 1865 35 M 7 NC NC NC FARM LABOR GRANT SARAH M WF W F JUL 1871 28 M 7 4 3 NC NC NC GRANT GROVER A S W M DEC 1893 6 S NC NC NC GRANT ROY L S W M MAR 1896 4 S NC NC NC GRANT JAMES H S W M SEP 1899 0 S NC NC NC 8/12 GRANT RACHEL L MO W F AUG 1836 63 W 3 1 NC NC NC
George and family were listed on the 1910 census in Swain County in Forney Creek Township. They were near many members of the Evans family, which makes me think they were in the Evans Knob area, but that was in Nantahala Township, but perhaps the township lines changed somewhat.
1910 SWAIN CO, NC Page House/Family # 239/ 239--FORNEY'S CREEK Twp GRANT GEORGE W HD M W 45 M 1 17 NC NC NC LABORER 1864/1865 GRANT SARAH M WF F W 39 M 1 17 7 6 NC NC NC 1870/1871 GRANT GROVER A S M W 17 S NC NC NC 1892/1893 GRANT ROY L S M W 15 S NC NC NC 1894/1895 GRANT JAMES H S M W 10 S NC NC NC 1899/1900 GRANT RACHEL M D F W 7 S NC NC NC 1902/1903 GRANT EMMA E D F W 5 S NC NC NC 1904/1905 GRANT CHARLES T S M W 1 S NC NC NC 1908/1909
They were still in Swain County for the 1920 census, however, they still had many of the same neighbors from 1910, yet were listed in Nantahala Township. This tells me they were somewhere near Evans Knox, perhaps in Judson or on Grassy Branch or near there.
1920 SWAIN CO, NC Page 218A House/Family # 127/ 131--NANTAHALA Twp GRANT GEORGE HD R M W 55 M NC NC NC FARMER 1864/1865 GRANT SALLIE WF F W 46 M NC NC NC 1873/1874 GRANT JAMES S M W 20 S NC NC NC 1899/1900 GRANT ESTELLA D F W 14 S NC NC NC 1905/1906 GRANT CHARLIE S M W 12 S NC NC NC 1907/1908
George W. Grant died on 6 Jul 1920 in Swain County. His death record gave his name as George W. Grant, and that he died in Forney's Creek Township. It gave his birth date as 14 Feb 1866, and that his father was Bill Forster, and mother Rachel Grant. The informant was R. V. Swain. He was buried 7 Jul 1920 in Thomasson Cemetery. Cause of death was blank. (Swain Co, NC Death Records Book 4 page 43).
I don't know when Sarah Thomasson Grant died.
Adam Bud Grant was born ca 1871/72 (per 1880 census) in Swain County. I don't know who his father was, but it could be Daniel E. Evans with whom his mother was living in 1870. This is just a guess though. I've seen no direct evidence that Adam was Rachel's son, but Ollie Vee Clark said he was Sarah's son (Rachel's sister), but that doesn't seem to be correct. I asked her about this and she said he could have been Rachel's instead. She said he was known as "Bud".
Adam was home with grandmother Mary Miller Grant Cargile for the 1880 census ("Adam Cargle" (sic) age 8).
On 11 May 1893, A. B. Grant witnessed the marriage of his brother George W. Grant in Swain County.
Ollie Vee Clark told me that Bud died in 1894 in White County, Georgia (don't know why he was there).
She also told me that Bud had lived with her grandmother for a time, and that he only had one hand, the other one having been cut off in a Syrup Mill accident.
Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list:
1. Rachel L1 Grant, born Aug 1834 in Macon Co, NC; died 1900/10 in Swain Co, NC, daughter of Thomas B Grant and Mary "Polly" Miller. She never married, but was associated with (1) (---) Parrish; (2) William Forrester, born 1840/41 in Macon Co, NC, son of Jonathan Forrester and Lucinda F Millsaps; (3) Daniel E Evans Pvt, born May 1840 in Buncombe Co, NC; died 1927 in Swain Co, NC, son of William Evans and Phebe Edith Graham.
Children of Rachel L Grant and (---) ? were as follows:
2 i John H2 Grant, born 1859/60 in Jackson Co, NC; died abt 1880/1900 in Swain Co, NC.
+ 3 ii George W2 Grant, born 14 Feb 1866 in Macon Co, NC; died 6 Jul 1920 in Swain Co, NC. He married Sarah M Thomason.
4 iii Adam Bud2 Grant, born 1871/72 in Swain Co, NC; died 1894 in White Co, GA.
Generation 2
3. George W2 Grant (Rachel L1 Grant), born 14 Feb 1866 in Macon Co, NC; died 6 Jul 1920 in Swain Co, NC. He married on 11 May 1893 in Swain Co, NC Sarah M Thomason, born Jul 1871 in Swain Co, NC; died aft 1920 in Swain Co, NC, daughter of William H Thomason and Myra Mary Panther.
Children of George W Grant and Sarah M Thomason were as follows:
8 i Grover A3 Grant, born Dec 1893 in Swain Co, NC; died aft 1910 in Swain Co, NC.
9 ii Roy L3 Grant, born Mar 1896 in Swain Co, NC. He married on 15 Mar 1919 in Swain Co, NC Emma Brendle, born 1898/99 in Swain Co, NC.
+ 10 iii James H3 Grant, born 7 Sep 1899 in Swain Co, NC; died 30 Apr 1931 in Swain Co, NC. He married Flora Johnson.
11 iv Rachel M3 Grant, born 1902/03 in Swain Co, NC; died aft 1910 in Swain Co, NC.
12 v Emma Estella3 Grant, born 1904/05 in Swain Co, NC.
13 vi Charles T3 Grant, born 1908/09 in Swain Co, NC.
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