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I (Marty Grant) am a 3rd Great Grand nephew of Sarah P. Grant.
Sarah P. Grant was born January 1841 (per 1900 census) in Macon Co, NC, somewhere near the Cowee community. She was probably named for her grandmother Sarah Cox Miller, and for her father's sister Sarah Grant Vance. I don't know what her "P" middle initial stood for, but it could be "Pamela", for I know of at least one woman named "Sarah Pamela" born in this same timeframe (in fact, born the same year). There are other options of course. It is also possible that "P" isn't the correct initial, for some other records give it differently.
Sarah P. Grant was a daughter of Thomas B. Grant and Mary Miller. This is proven by the 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880 census records.
Sarah's father Thomas died the when she was 4 years old, so she was raised without a father. She was 20 years old when her mother remarried in 1861.
Sarah was home with her widowed mother for the 1850 census in Macon Co, NC ("Sarah" age 10, born Macon).
Sarah was home with her widowed mother for the 1860 census in Macon Co, NC ("Sarah P., age 18 born Macon).
Sarah was home with her widowed mother for the 1870 census in Jackson County ("Sarah" age 27, born NC).
In 1871, Swain County was created from the section of Jackson County where they were living.
In April 1873, Sarah had the first of her four children. She was not married nor did she ever marry. I have not identified any fathers for any of her children. Since they were all born in Swain County, perhaps court records will reveal something, but I have not searched yet. Sarah was listed as "widowed" on the 1900 census, but if true, that would mean that she married some unknown Mr. Grant between 1870 and 1873, who died ca 1879-1880. This is certainly possible, but I think it is unlikely. Single mothers quite often listed themselves as widows on census records. Two of her children gave only "Sarah Grant" on their marriage records under "parents". If they knew their father, they would have listed his name as well.
Sarah and her children were listed on the 1880 census in Swain County, living with her widowed mother Mary. All of the Grants in the household were mistakenly listed under the "Cargle" surname (her mother's name at the time, which is a common census error). I've "corrected" the transcript below to show it as it should have been. Sarah's children were listed as children of Mary by mistake, though they were her grandchildren instead.
1880 SWAIN CO, NC Page 167 House/Family # 58/ 58 -- CHARLESTON Twp CARGLE MARY W F 65 HD W KEEPING HOUSE NC NC NC 1814/1815 GRANT SARAH W F 40 D W AT HOME NC NC NC 1839/1840 GRANT ADAM W M 8 S S NC NC NC 1871/1872 GRANT GILTUS W M 7 S S NC NC NC 1872/1873 GRANT WILLIAM W M 5 S S NC NC NC 1874/1875 GRANT RACHEL W F 3 D S NC NC NC 1876/1877 GRANT ROXENA W F 0 D S 8/12 OCT 1879 NC NC NC 1879/1880 DEHART J W F 16 GD S NC NC NC 1863/1864
On 14 Oct 1886, Mary Cargle (Sarah's mother) deeded to Sarah Grant, for natural love and affection, 86 acres on the South side of Tuckasegee River, excepting the portions of that land previously deeded to N. F. Hyde and J. H. Everett. This is the land they were already living on, but Mary was pretty old at this time and apparently wanted to provide for her daughter and grandchildren. (Swain Co, NC Deed Book 8 page 468).
On 2 Apr 1889, Henry T. Jenkins and wife N. A. Jenkins, sold 58 acres on Jenkins Branch to S. A. Grant, which I think is Sarah Grant (but could be wrong). This is in the same area where she lived, so I'm reasonably certain this is our Sarah, even though the middle initial seems wrong. (Swain Co, NC Deed Book 10 page 540).
On the very same day (2 Apr 1889), S. A. Grant deeded 58 acres on Tuckasegee River to Henry T. Jenkins. This, combined with the above deed, seems to represent a swapping of land, both tracts being 58 acres. Sarah's land being sold was apparently the same land her mother gave her in 1886. (Swain Co, NC Deed Book 10 page 558).
Sarah was living with her son William for the 1900 census. It looks like they were in Bryson City at the time, and just 2 houses from Varnal M. Grant (1859) (son of Henry B. Grant, Sarah's 1st cousin).
1900 SWAIN CO, NC Page 231B House/Family # 90/ 90--CHARLESTON (2) Twp GRANT WILLIAM W HD W M APR 1876 24 M 1 NC NC NC DAY LABOR R.R. GRANT CANSUS WF W F NOV 1881 18 M 1 NC NC SC GRANT SARAH MO W F JAN 1841 59 W 4 4 4 NC TN NC
On 11 Mar 1901, Sarah Grant sold 10.5 acres to H. T. Jenkins. I'm not sure if this is part of the 58 acres he sold her, or some other land. (Swain Co, NC Deed Book 20 page 230).
Sarah P. Grant died in Swain County between 11 Mar 1901 and 15 Sep 1903, for on the latter date, her heirs were selling land they had inherited from her. I don't know where she is buried.
Sarah P. Grant had 4 children as proven by her 1900 census entry which showed her as having given birth to 4 children, 4 of which were still living at that time. She was residing with son William, so that proves him. Giltus is a proven son by his marriage record. Rachel is proven by a 1906 deed, and Roxzenna is proven by her own marriage record. So all four are identified and well proven. Unfortunately, none of their fathers are known. (They could all have the same father, but that is unknown). The 1906 deed mentioned above names William, Gilt and Rachel as heirs, when they sell their 1/4 each share of Sarah's estate. That they had 1/4 each, shows that there were only 4 heirs (Roxzenna was not mentioned in this deed, as she had disposed of her share in 1903).
Giltus D. Grant was born April 1873 (per 1900 census) in Swain County, North Carolina. I don't know who his father was, but he is a proven son of Sarah Grant. He was with her in 1880, and his 1895 marriage record gave his mother's name as "Sarah Grant".
I'm not sure if "Giltus" is the proper spelling for his name. It was different on every record I've found ("Gilt", "Gilts", "Gilcher", etc.). I have no clue what his "D" middle initial stood for.
He was home with his mother and grandmother for the 1880 census ("Giltus Cargle" (sic) age 7).
On 24 Nov 1895, Gilt Grant married Vira Evans in Swain County. Their marriage record gave many details. Gilt was listed as age 22, and son of Sarah Grant (living). Vira was given as age 19, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Evans (both living). They were married in Bryson City by Epp. Everett. Witnesses were Mary E. Everett and Annie Russell. Elvira Druscilla Evans was born April 1878 (per 1900 census) in Swain County, daughter of Jefferson M. Samuel Evans and Margaret Fuller (who happen to be my Uncle and Aunt).
Gilt and Vira were in Swain County for the 1900 census. They were just three houses from Vira's parents, and just 10 from Gilt's mother Sarah. This puts them in or very near Bryson City. This record shows that Vira had given birth to two children, both of whom had died.
1900 SWAIN CO, NC Page House/Family # 80/ 80--CHARLESTON (2) Twp GRANT GILTS HD W M APR 1873 27 M 4 NC NC NC FARMER GRANT VIRA WF W F APR 1878 22 M 4 2 NC NC NC
On 20 Oct 1906, W. W. Grant (Gilt's brother) and wife Bell Grant, G. D. Grant and wife Viry Grant and R. L. Grant (sister), sol their 1/4 each share of their mother Sarah Grant's land to L. M. McMahan. (Swain Co, NC Deed Book 28 page 483).
Gilt and Vira were listed on the 1910 census in Swain County. They were next door to brother William Grant. They still seemed to be in the Bryson City area. They were listed as being on Jenkins Branch. This is on the south side of the Tuckasegee River, just south of Bryson City. Vira's parents had moved up near Evans Knob where the rest of the Evans were living at that time (Nantahala Township). This census record showed Vira had 6 children who had all died.
1910 SWAIN CO, NC Page 191B House/Family # 24/ 24--CHARLESTON (2) Twp GRANT GILT HD M W 37 M 1 16 NC NC NC FARMER 1872/1873 GRANT VIRA WF F W 31 M 1 16 6 NC NC NC 1878/1879
They were still in Swain County for the 1920 census. They were listed as living on Bethel Branch Road. Gilt's sister Rachel Lou was just a few houses away on the same road. Whatever heartbreak Gilt and Vira must have had over their lost children must have been partly healed by this time, for they had 3 new children born since the last census, and all still living.
1920 SWAIN CO, NC Page 167B House/Family # 332/ 343--CHARLESTON (2) Twp GRANT GILCHER HD O F M W 48 M NC NC NC 1871/1872 GRANT NORA WF F W 41 M NC NC NC 1878/1879 GRANT JASIE D F W 8 S NC NC NC 1911/1912 GRANT JAN D F W 6 S NC NC NC 1913/1914 GRANT DETER? D F W 0 S NC NC NC 4 3/12 1919/1920
Elvira Druscilla Evans Grant died on 4 Nov 1939 in Swain County. Her death certificate gave her name as Vinnie Evans Grant, aged 67 years, parents: Sam Evans and Margaret Green (which should say "Fuller"). (Swain Co, NC Death Records Book 23 page 20).
I don't know when Gilt Grant died.
Gilt and Vira had 6 children before 1910 all of whom died young, or were stillborn. By 1920 they had three children still living. I don't know if they had others, nor what happened to any of them. I have yet to find any living descendants of this family, though I'm sure there are some.
William W. Grant was born April 1876 (per 1900 census) or more likely 1875 (based on his age on other census records). He was born in Swain County, North Carolina. I don't know who his father was, but he is a proven son of Sarah Grant. He was with her in 1880, and his 1899 marriage record gave his mother's name as "Sarah Grant", and she was living with him in 1900 listed as his "mother".
I have no clue what his "W" middle initial stood for.
He was home with his mother and grandmother for the 1880 census ("William Cargle" (sic) age 5).
In 1899 (only the year given), William Grant married Kandes Evans in Swain County. Their marriage record gave more details. He was listed as age 24, son of Sarah Grant. She was age 18, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Evans. Cansus Evans was born Nov 1881 (per 1900 census) in Swain County, daughter of Jefferson M. Samuel Evans and Margaret Fuller (who happen to be my Uncle and Aunt). Cansus was sister to Vira Evans who married William's brother Gilt Grant.
William and Cansus were in Swain County for the 1900 census. They were just a few houses from her parents, and just 10 from brother Gilt Grant. William's mother Sarah was living with them. They appear to be in or very near Bryson City.
1900 SWAIN CO, NC Page House/Family # 90/ 90--CHARLESTON (2) Twp GRANT WILLIAM W HD W M APR 1876 24 M 1 NC NC NC DAY LABOR R.R. GRANT CANSUS WF W F NOV 1881 18 M 1 NC NC SC GRANT SARAH MO W F JAN 1841 59 W 4 4 4 NC TN NC
On 15 Sep 1903, Ride Stiles and wife Zena Stiles (William's sister) sold W. W. Grant her 1/4 interest in her mother Sarah's lands bordering H. T. Jenkins, Dock Jenkins, Dick Jenkins and others. (Swain Co, NC Deed Book 20 page 396).
Cansus Evans Grant died sometime between 1903 and 12 Aug 1905, for on that latter date, William remarried.
On 12 Aug 1905, Will Grant married Belle McKenish in neighboring Graham County. The marriage record gave William's age as 30 and a resident of Georgia (must have moved there briefly). Belle's age was 15, resident of Graham County. They married at Belle's fathers home (name not given), by S. M. Crisp, Minister. Belle McKinnish was born ca 1891/92 in Graham County, North Carolina. I have not yet identified her parents, but she did have an aunt named Elvira McKinnish who was living with the family in 1920.
On 20 Oct 1906, W. W. Grant and wife Bell Grant, G. D. Grant (brother) and wife Viry Grant and R. L. Grant (sister), sol their 1/4 each share of their mother Sarah Grant's land to L. M. McMahan. (Swain Co, NC Deed Book 28 page 483).
On 8 Nov 1909, W. T. Carson and wife Harriett E. Carson sold property to W. M. Grant. This may not be the same person, but I think it could be. I don't have the details of the deed. (Swain Co, NC Deed Book 31 page 526).
William and family were listed on the 1910 census in Swain County. They were next door to brother Gilt Grant. They still seemed to be in the Bryson City area. They were listed as being on Jenkins Branch. This is on the south side of the Tuckasegee River, just south of Bryson City.
1910 SWAIN CO, NC Page 191B House/Family # 25/ 25--CHARLESTON (2) Twp GRANT WILLIAM W HD M W 35 M 2 5 NC NC NC FARMER 1874/1875 GRANT BELLE WF F W 18 M 1 5 3 3 NC NC NC 1891/1892 GRANT ETHEL D F W 4 S NC NC NC 1905/1906 GRANT BESSIE D F W 2 S NC NC NC 1907/1908 GRANT OLIVER S M W 0 S NC NC NC 10/12 1909/1910
On 27 May 1912 James Millsaps and wife Lillie sold 1/2 acre to W. M. Grant and wife Belle Grant, adjoining M. C. Millsaps and M. P. Cunningham. (Swain Co, NC Deed Book 35 page 549).
On 17 Jun 1912, W. M. Grant and wife Belle Grant sold 1/2 acre (same purchased on 27 May 1912) to Lillie Millsaps. (Swain Co, NC Deed Book 35 page 560).
On the same date (17 Jun 1912), James Millsaps and Lillie Millsaps sold W. M. Grant, Lot 38 in the Town of Bryson City, Block B. (Swain Co, NC Deed Book 35 page 561).
They were still in Swain County for the 1920 census, however, they had moved to Forney Creek Township (most of which is today in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park). I don't know why they moved there.
1920 SWAIN CO, NC Page House/Family # 92/ 93--FORNEY CREEK Twp GRANT WILLIAM HD R M W 46 M NC NC NC 1873/1874 GRANT BELLE WF F W 29 M NC NC NC 1890/1891 GRANT ARVEL? S M W 17 S NC NC NC 1902/1903 GRANT ETHEL D F W 13 S NC NC NC 1906/1907 GRANT BESSIE D F W 11 S NC NC NC 1908/1909 GRANT OLIVER S M W 10 S NC NC NC 1909/1910 GRANT STELLA D F W 8 S NC NC NC 1911/1912 GRANT GOLDMAN S M W 6 S NC NC NC 1913/1914 GRANT HARRY S M W 0 S NC NC NC 3 1/12 1919/1920 GRANT FLOSSIE D F W 0 S NC NC NC 6/12 1919/1920 McKINISH ELVIRA? AU F W 75 S NC NC NC 1844/1845 SAUNDERS BERRY G BO M W 59 S NC NC NC 1860/1861
I have no data on them after this.
Rachel Lou Grant was born May 1877 (per 1900 census) in Swain County. I don't know who her father was, but she is a proven daughter of Sarah Grant. She was with her in 1880, and she sold 1/4 of Sarah's property in 1906, thus proving she was an heir.
She was probably named for her aunt Rachel L. Grant.
She was home with her mother and grandmother for the 1880 census ("Rachel Cargle" (sic) age 3).
Rachel L. Grant married James Cantrell around 1898 in Swain County. I didn't find a marriage record for them, but their 1900 census entry showed they had been married 2 years (ca 1897/98). James was born June 1872 in Georgia. I don't know who his parents were. The death certificate of Rachel and James' son Marion Cantrell (dated 1923) proves that Rachel Lou was a Grant, and therefore the same person under study here.
They were listed on the 1900 census in Swain County in Charleston Township next door to Rachel's sister Roxzenna.
1900 SWAIN CO, NC Page House/Family # 169/ 170--CHARLESTON Twp CANTREL JAMES HD W M JUN 1872 27 M 2 GA GA GA FARMER CANTREL RACHEL L WF W F MAY 1877 23 M 2 2 2 NC NC NC CANTREL WILLIAM E S W M JAN 1899 1 S NC GA NC CANTREL DANIEL F S W M APR 1900 0 S NC GA NC 1/12
On 20 Oct 1906, W. W. Grant (brother) and wife Bell Grant, G. D. Grant (brother) and wife Viry Grant and R. L. Grant, sold their 1/4 each share of their mother Sarah Grant's land to L. M. McMahan. I don't know why Rachel was listed as a "Grant" on this record, and not as a "Cantrell". (Swain Co, NC Deed Book 28 page 483).
I was unable to locate them on the 1910 census.
James Cantrell died sometime ca 1917-1920, presumably in Swain County.
I found Rachel listed on the 1920 census just one page from her brother Gilt Grant.
1920 SWAIN CO, NC Page 168A House/Family # 343/ 354--CHARLESTON (2) Twp CANTRELL LOU HD R F W 39 W NC NC NC 1880/1881 CANTRELL ED S M W 20 S NC NC NC 1899/1900 CANTRELL FRED S M W 19 S NC NC NC 1900/1901 CANTRELL MARION S M W 10 S NC NC NC 1909/1910 CANTRELL ANDY S M W 7 S NC NC NC 1912/1913 CANTRELL RAI? S M W 3 S NC NC NC 1916/1917 SHERRILL WILL BO M W 38 M NC NC NC 1881/1882
I have no data on them after this.
Roxzenna Grant was born Oct 1879 (per 1900 census) in Swain County. I don't know who her father was, but she is a proven daughter of Sarah Grant. She was with her in 1880, and she sold 1/4 of Sarah's property in 1903, thus proving she was an heir.
She was home with her mother and grandmother for the 1880 census ("Roxena Cargle" (sic) age 8 months, born October 1879).
On 30 Dec 1899, Zenia Grant married F. Riley Stiles in Swain County. Their marriage record gave Zenia's age as 22, and daughter of Sarah Grant, and Riley as age 26, son of Delphia Stiles. William Frank Riley Styles was born January 1873 in Swain County, son of Delpha Styles (don't know who his father was).
They were listed on the 1900 census in Swain County in Charleston Township next door to sister Rachel Grant Cantrell.
1900 SWAIN CO, NC Page House/Family # 170/ 171--CHARLESTON Twp STILES FRANK R HD W M JAN 1873 27 M NC NC NC FARM LABOR STILES ZENIA WF W F OCT 1879 20 M NC NC NC
On 15 Sep 1903, Ride Stiles and wife Zena Stiles sold W. W. Grant (her brother) her 1/4 interest in her mother Sarah's lands bordering H. T. Jenkins, Dock Jenkins, Dick Jenkins and others. (Swain Co, NC Deed Book 20 page 396).
They were listed on the 1910 census in Swain County, but not near any other Grants.
1910 SWAIN CO, NC Page House/Family # 403/ 406--CHARLESTON Twp STILES WILLIAM R HD M W 37 M 1 10 NC NC NC FARMER 1872/1873 STILES ZENNA WF F W 0 M 1 10 5 5 NC NC NC AGE NOT LISTED 1909/1910 STILES WALTER S M W 8 S NC NC NC 1901/1902 STILES HARLEY S M W 7 S NC NC NC 1902/1903 STILES WILLARD S M W 6 S NC NC NC 1903/1904 STILES ETHEL D F W 4 S NC NC NC 1905/1906 STILES STELLA D F W 0 S NC NC NC 6/12 1909/1910
They were still in Charleston Township for the 1920 census, listed near several other Styles, probably close relatives.
1920 SWAIN CO, NC Page 145 House/Family # 221/ 226--CHARLESTON (2) Twp STILES RILEY W HD O F M W 46 M NC NC NC 1873/1874 STILES ZENNIE WF F W 38 M NC NC NC 1881/1882 STILES WALTER S M W 18 S NC NC NC 1901/1902 STILES HARLEY S M W 16 S NC NC NC 1903/1904 STILES HILLIE S M W 14 S NC NC NC 1905/1906 STILES ETHEL D F W 13 S NC NC NC 1906/1907 STILES STELLA D F W 11 S NC NC NC 1908/1909 STILES ANDREW S M W 9 S NC NC NC 1910/1911 STILES GRADY S M W 7 S NC NC NC 1912/1913 STILES ROY S M W 5 S NC NC NC 1914/1915 STILES ELLA D F W 1 S NC NC NC 1 1/12 1918/1919
I have no data on them past this point.
Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list:
1. Sarah P1 Grant, born Jan 1841 in Macon Co, NC; died 1901/03 in Swain Co, NC, daughter of Thomas B Grant and Mary "Polly" Miller. She married Not married (---) ?.
Children of Sarah P Grant and (---) ? were as follows:
+ 2 i Giltus D2 Grant, born Apr 1873 in Swain Co, NC; died aft 1920 in Swain Co, NC. He married Elvira Druscilla Evans.
+ 3 ii William W2 Grant, born Apr 1875/76 in Swain Co, NC; died aft 1920 in Swain Co, NC. He married (1) Cansus Evans; (2) Belle McKinnish.
+ 4 iii Rachel Lou2 Grant, born May 1877 in Swain Co, NC; died aft 1920 in Swain Co, NC. She married James Cantrell.
+ 5 iv Roxzenna2 Grant, born Oct 1879 in Swain Co, NC; died aft 1910 in Swain Co, NC. She married William Frank Riley Styles.
Generation 2
2. Giltus D2 Grant (Sarah P1 Grant), born Apr 1873 in Swain Co, NC; died aft 1920 in Swain Co, NC. He married on 24 Nov 1895 in Bryson City, Swain Co, NC Elvira Druscilla Evans, born Apr 1878 in Swain Co, NC; died 4 Nov 1939 in Swain Co, NC, daughter of Jefferson M Samuel Evans and Margaret C Fuller.
Children of Giltus D Grant and Elvira Druscilla Evans were as follows:
6 i Jamie3 Grant, born 30 Jun 1913 in Swain Co, NC; died 30 May 1933 in Swain Co, NC.
7 ii Jan3 Grant, born in Swain Co, NC.
8 iii Deter3 Grant, born in Swain Co, NC.
3. William W2 Grant (Sarah P1 Grant), born Apr 1875/76 in Swain Co, NC; died aft 1920 in Swain Co, NC. He married (1) in 1899 in Swain Co, NC Cansus Evans, born Nov 1881 in Swain Co, NC; died 1900/05 in Swain Co, NC, daughter of Jefferson M Samuel Evans and Margaret C Fuller; (2) on 12 Aug 1905 in Graham Co, NC Belle McKinnish, born 1891/92 in Graham Co, NC; died aft 1920 in Swain Co, NC.
Children of William W Grant and Cansus Evans were as follows:
9 i Arvil3 Grant, born 1902/03 in Swain Co, NC.
Children of William W Grant and Belle McKinnish were as follows:
10 i Ethel3 Grant, born 1905/06 in Swain Co, NC.
11 ii Bessie3 Grant, born 1907/08 in Swain Co, NC.
12 iii Oliver3 Grant, born 1909 in Swain Co, NC.
13 iv Stella3 Grant, born in Swain Co, NC.
14 v Goldman3 Grant, born in Swain Co, NC.
15 vi Harry3 Grant, born in Swain Co, NC.
16 vii Flossie3 Grant, born in Swain Co, NC.
4. Rachel Lou2 Grant (Sarah P1 Grant), born May 1877 in Swain Co, NC; died aft 1920 in Swain Co, NC. She married in 1898 in Swain Co, NC James Cantrell, born Jun 1872 in GA; died 1917/20 in Swain Co, NC.
Children of Rachel Lou Grant and James Cantrell were as follows:
17 i William Edward3 Cantrell, born Jan 1899 in Swain Co, NC.
18 ii Daniel Fred3 Cantrell, born Apr 1900 in Swain Co, NC.
19 iii Marion3 Cantrell, born 26 May 1908 in Swain Co, NC; died 8 Oct 1923 in Swain Co, NC.
20 iv Andy3 Cantrell, born in Swain Co, NC.
21 v Ray3 Cantrell, born in Swain Co, NC.
5. Roxzenna2 Grant (Sarah P1 Grant), born Oct 1879 in Swain Co, NC; died aft 1910 in Swain Co, NC. She married on 30 Dec 1899 in Swain Co, NC William Frank Riley Styles, born Jan 1873 in Swain Co, NC; died aft 1910 in Swain Co, NC, son of (---) Styles and Delpha (---).
Children of Roxzenna Grant and William Frank Riley Styles were as follows:
22 i Richard Walter3 Styles, born 13 Oct 1899 in Swain Co, NC.
23 ii Harley3 Styles, born 1902/03 in Swain Co, NC.
24 iii Willard3 Styles, born 1903/04 in Swain Co, NC.
25 iv Ethel3 Styles, born 1905/06 in Swain Co, NC.
26 v Stella3 Styles, born 1909/10 in Swain Co, NC.