A Biographical Sketch

by: Richard Roland Grayson, M.D.

07/08/74

Updated 4/15/2000

"I was born in Scott County, Kentucky on the second day of November, 1805. My father's name was Wren Grayson and my mother's maiden name was Betsy Owens".

Records have not yet been found in Bledsoe County of the Wren Grayson family, so nothing more is known of these early years than the above. It is surmised that the family left Tennessee before John was 21, because he said "There I almost grew to manhood". If by that, he meant he left at the age of 20, then the Wren Grayson family left Bledsoe County in 1825.

It is know that the family then moved to Scott County, Kentucky, from which they had left in 1807. The 1830 census shows:

(Page 156) Males Females Slaves

Andrew Cummins 1, 50-60 1, 50-60 0

John Grayson 1, 20-30 1, 20-30 0

1, under 5

Wrign (Wren) Grayson 2, 5-10 1, 10-15 0

1, 10-15 1, 40-50

1, 15-20

1, 40-50

John Wren Grayson married the only child of Andrew Cummins, Permelia. Her obituary stated that she "was born in Scott County, Kentucky, in 1806. Her maiden name was Cummins, she was being the daughter of Major Andrew C. Cummins, who distinguished himself in the War of 1812. She married to John Grayson in 1829, and removed with him to this state (Indiana) in 1837".

The 1810 census of Scott County, Kentucky, showed Andrew Cummins age 16-25, his wife, age 16-25, one daughter under 10.

Andrew Cummins had arrived in Kentucky by way of the Ohio River in 1802. He was born December 13, 1779, was a private (not a Major) in the 28th Ky. Regiment in the War of 18112, and fought at the Battle of the Thames in Michigan. He died at the home of John Wren Grayson January 1, 1864, age 84. ("Items from Early Newspapers of Jefferson County, Indiana 1817-86, p. 219 pub). 1945; Ind. State Library;" and Military Records, National Archives.)

Sometime between 1830 and 1832, the Graysons and Cummins left for Indiana. John Wren Grayson's first child was Rebecca, born in 1830 in Scott County, Kentucky, probably named after his stepmother, Rebecca (B. ca. 1781 in Virginia; 1850 census, Decatur County, Indiana, P.309). The next child was Sarah A. Grayson, born in 1832 in Indiana. The entire family is shown in the 1850 census in Madison, Indiana:

Census of 1850 Jefferson County, Indiana

P. 238 Dwelling 613; Family 645 5th Ward, Madison County Indiana

John Grason, age 48; (45?) Carpenter, born Tennessee

Permelia, age 43 born Kentucky

Rebecca, age 20 born Kentucky

Sarah A., age 18 born Indiana

Mary C., age 16 born Indiana

Celithia, age 14 (M) born Indiana in school

Andrew, age 13 born Indiana in school

John R., age 10 born Indiana in school

Jacob Merrick, age 19 Moulder born Indiana

Samuel Brisbane, age 19, Moulder born Indiana

John Wren Grayson and family came from Scott County, Kentucky, first to Madison, by 1832, but then "removed to Decatur County, Indian; entered government land there; sold out and removed to Madison." (Obit.; Madison Courier, 1 Feb. 1882)

He purchased land in Decatur County April 8, 1836: (Tract Book, Greensburg, Ind.): "John Grayson, Section 1, Township 8 N., Range 8 East, N.E.3 N.W.3 38.29".

"John Grayson of Sandcreek Township. His stock mark is a swallow-fork in each year. Oct. 31, 1836." (Stock Marks registered in Decatur County; Clerk's office, Greensburg.)

"Another land purchase is recorded in Indiana Land Entries vol. II, by Margaret R. Walters (Indianapolis, 1949), p. 144: "John Grayson, 9 Jan. 1836: SE-NW-S23." Analysis shows this to be a 40 acre piece of Land next to the land of John's brother, Benjamin Grayson; p. 144: "Benjamin Grayson, 31 Aug.1835; 24 June 1836 (E-NE. SW-NES22; SW-NW-S23; E-SE-S22)." -3-

An entry from the tract book, Greensburg, Indiana, also shows John's brother, Joseph Grayson Living near his purchase mentioned first above: "Joseph Grayson, Section 2, Township 8 North, Range 8 East NW3 NE3 39.14 A". Dated 03/16/1837.

In 1840, the census from Decatur County, Sandcreek township show John Grayson and his family living near the families of his father, Wren Grayson and brothers Joseph and Wren, Jr.

John Grayson Interpretation:

2 males under 5 1. Salathiel, B. 1837, age 3

2. Andrew Jackson, B 1838, age 2

(3. John W. not born till ca. 1842)

1 male 30-40 4. John Wren Grayson, B. 1805, age 35

1 male 60-70 5. Andrew Cummins, B. 1779, age 69

2 females 5-10 6. Sarah B. 1832, age 8

7. Mary B. 1834, age 6

1 female 10-15 8. Rebecca B. 1830, age 10

1 female 30-40 9. Permelia Cummins Grayson B. 1806,

age 34

1 female 60-70 10. Wife of Andrew Cummins

It is assumed that the father and mother of Permelia Grayson, Andrew Cummins and wife, were the elderly couple living with John Wren and family, because Andrew made an affidavit when applying for a war pension on 23 Oct. 1845 stating that he had resided in Decatur County for "14 years previous to his residence in Madison, Ind.", and that he had (in 1846) lived in Madison for 3 years." The figures are not exact, for the census showed him in Scott county later in 1830; one can infer that the Cummins' left for Decatur County directly from Scott County shortly after the 1830 census. Then, in 1835/6, when John Wren Grayson moved to Decatur County from Madison, they all lived together.

John Wren Grayson and his family moved back to Madison in 1841, according to the obituary of his son Andrew Jackson Grayson. Shortly after settling in Madison, John was appointed Sexton of the Springdale Cemetery (John Grayson's Obit., 1882.)

A letter is at hand from three of John's brothers, Henry, Sanford, and Wren, Jr. to their 1st cousin, Henry Grayson, son of Joseph in Marion County, Tennessee, which describes life in Decatur County, Indiana. The letter is dated May 1st, 1842 at Westport, and the original copy is in the hands of Miss Bobby Dykes of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Miss Dykes is a descendant of Henry Grayson, to whom the letter was addressed:

John Wren Grayson was appointed Sexton of the Springdale cemetery of Madison in 1842 and performed the duties of several years before a successor was chosen. In 1852 he again accepted the position as Sexton and served until his death 30 years later.

In addition, John was volunteer fireman. At his death in 1882 he was called "the oldest member of Western Fire Company #3 and in his days of vigor was truly a nobel fireman. For many years he was in such high esteem by the members that they gave the fire engine the name by which he was know among them: Pap Grayson." This tale is proven by the actual cast brass sign which is now in the possession of John's great-grandson, Roland Howard Grayson, the son of Howard and father of the author of this biography. The sign is curved to fit the stack of the old steam fire engine and is to this day a work of art and beautiful to behold. The sign was salvaged from the engine years later by Fred Friedersdorf, Sr., who gave it to George who gave it directly to Roland Grayson, his nephew, because he was the only male Grayson of the generation from the line of Andrew.

Fred Friedersdorf, Jr. of Madison, stated (telephone conversation, 1974) that his father, (Fred, Sr.,) was engineer on this same fire engine in 1900 and before, that it was pulled by two horses, that the twin steam-driven pistons pumped the water, and that the water came from cisterns which were located all over town.

Andrew Jackson Grayson wrote a letter to the Madison Courier from Kansas City many years later in which he said, "In 1849, when I was but eleven years of age, my father was employed as a cupola tender in the Lewis and Crawford Foundry. When Western Fire Co. was organized and received its charter from the State of Indiana in 1850 the company's first engine house was a frame carriage house in the rear of Samuel Crawford's residence, now the home of the Hon. Manly D. Wilson, and the fire company's membership was employees at the foundry, which is now the Mckim-Cochrane furniture factory.

"Among other prominent members that answered the tap of the foundry bell were George and Henry Armstrong, coppersmith, who had their shop near the northwest corner of Second and Elm streets, Louis and William Eddy, Joseph M. Crawford, George Saberton, and John Grayson, who was then acting as 'Messenger' in charge of the engine house."

Andrew Jackson Grayson wrote one other article concerning his father which tends to show that John was a man of unusual courage and physical prowess: "On Thursday, Sept. 3, 1846, a most sorrowful calamity befell the denizens of Crooked Creek Valley, causing great loss of life and property. It had been showery all day, but in the afternoon the rain poured down in torrents, flooding our streets...cellars...and even residences in the central part of the city.

(The above stories are from the Mary Hill collection of articles written by Andrew Jackson Grayson of Madison, Indiana, on file in the Genealogy Section of the Indian State Library, Indianapolis, Indiana.).Salathiel Grayson, the eldest son of John Wren Grayson, was born 1837 and died in 1916. married Mary Lackland, (B, 1837, D. 1895.) Salathiel was first a reporter, then the city editor of the Madison Courier, and finished over 60 years of faithful service with that newspaper. Their children were: 1) Charles Meriam Grayson, B. 1857 in Madison, Indiana, died 1931, married Josephine Dreiss. Charles was a printer for the Madison Courier. 2) Helen Grayson, Born 1861, Madison, died 1958, married Harry Martin Goold, b. 1856, died 1943; one son, Harry Grayson Goold, B. 1888, D. 1901. 3) Mary Francis Grayson (Mame), B. 1865, D. 1942, never married. 4) Gertrude Grayson B. 1868, died ?, married John Bernier. 5) Maude Grayson, B. 1881 D. 12 March 1968, m. 1st. Cornelius DeWeese, 2nd, Percival Moore, children: 1. Mary Francis DeWeese, B. 1905, m. John Speed; 2. Cornelia DeWeese, B. 1908. D. 1968, m. John Miller; 3. Maude Winslow DeWeese, B. 1911 in St. Louis, m. James L. Price, now living in Louisville, Kentucky; 4. Gertrude Ann DeWeese, B. 1914 Carrolton, Kentucky, D. 1920; 6) Bertie Grayson B. 1874, D. 1877 was a child, Willie, found present in the 1880 census. Sources: Mrs. Winslow Price, December 1973; tombstone inscriptions, Springdale Cem,, Madison; newspaper clipping, Franklin Republican, Madison, 1914.)

John W. (Wren?) Grayson, son of John Wren Grayson born 1840 or 1842 in Madison, Indiana died 1901 age 60, married Lucinda Virginia Wilson B. ca. 1846 in Virginia, a second cousin of Pres. Woodrow Wilson. John W. was a printer (Census of 1880, Jeff, Co., Ind. p. 171) and in 1879 was assistant superintendent of the Springdale Cemetery when his father was the superintendent. (from the Madison, Ind. Directory p. 46.) Children: 1) Alice Virginia Grayson B. 1862, D. 1927 age 64 married Dr. George Eugene Bragdon of Canton, N.Y.; her daughter is Mrs. E.D. (Grace) Thomas of Columbus, Ohio. 2) Stella Grayson B. 1864, married, no children; 3) Harry Grayson, B. 1867, had one daughter; 4) Bertha Grayson B. 1869, no children; 5) Joseph Grayson, B. 1872, had one son; 6) Luella Grayson, B. 1875, married, 2 children; 7) J. Herbert Grayson, B. after 1880. D. ca. 1964, had 2 sons. (Sources: 1880 census above; letter from Mrs. E.E. Thomas, 3/22/74.)

Andrew Jackson Grayson, son of John Wren Grayson, B. 26 December 1838, Decatur County, Indiana, D. age 74 on 22 July 1913, married Matilda Lawrence 18 August 1860 at age 22 between enlistments in the 6th Indiana Regiment in the civil war, fought at the Battle of Shiloh, served as Sgt. and as 1st Lt., honorably discharged 22 May 1862. Occupation, printer and writer for Madison Courier. Children: 1) William Morton Grayson, B. 22 July 1865, D. 4 Sept. 1946, m. Bettie Turpin ___* B. 21 July 1889, D. 14 March___ 2) Frank E. Grayson, B. 8 June 1868, D. 1947 in Riverside, Calif. m. Loretta:3) George Edward Grayson, B. 5 August 1871, D. 21 January 1954 m. Mary Elizabeth_______.; 4) Lotta B. Grayson, B. 25 March 1874, D. 1913-1920 m. John Jones; 5) Howard Grayson, B. 15 Oct. 1877 m. Una May Tasker. 6) Laura H. Grayson B. 6/13/1862 D. _________m. Albert J.__________. The descendants of these families will be recounted in a later chapter. (Sources: Military records, National Archives; family tradition.*

Sarah A. Grayson, daughter of John Wren Grayson, B. 12 May 1832, D. 7 April 1896, married John W. McCoy, B. 25 Oct. 1827, D. 2 Nov. 1878. Their daughter, Jora E. McCoy, B. 18 June 1852, D. 2 Feb 1886, married James H. Smith. Jora McCoy is buried in the Springdale Cemetery, Madison, with "4 infant children." (Source: tombstone inscriptions.)

Rebecca J. Grayson, Born 1830 in Scott County, Kentucky, eldest child of John Wren Grayson, married William P. DeMent. A son, William DeMent, was born 1857, died 30 January 1860. (Item from Early Newspapers of Jefferson County, Ind., publ. by D.A.R., Ind. State Library, p. 162.)

Mary C. Grayson, *"Aunt Kate", youngest daughter of John Wren Grayson, born 1834, married Sewell Lloyd on 30 July , 1860. (Source: ibid. p. 162.) Died 1913-1920. *Issue: Son John, unmarried, 2nd son (name?) had 2 daughters, Goldie and Pearl in Indianapolis.

An article concerning John Wren Grayson's death was published in the Madison Courier Feb. 14, 1882: "Western Fire Company: At a meeting in the Western Fire Company last night, the following changes among the officials were made: Mr. Samuel Moses was elected Messenger, and resigned his post as vice-president. Mr. Salathiel Grayson was chosen vice-president. Lon Holding resigned his position on the standing committee and Mr. Henry Mabrey was appointed to fill the vacancy.

"The company, also, by a unanimous vote, the members standing in silence, adopted appropriate resolutions of respect to the memory of the late John Grayson, who at the time of his death was the oldest No. 3 fireman. The President's desk and the engine "Pap Grayson" will continue draped in mourning for thirty days."

Only two weeks later his wife Permelia also passed away. At 6:00 am the morning of Feb. 14th, 1882, she died "at the home of her son-in-law, Mr. Sewell Lloyd, on Broadway,---she had been a sufferer for about one year with debility and a pulmonary affliction, and her illness was rendered the more distressing by the illness and death of her life companion...yet she was patient in her sufferings, and calmly resigned the world to join her beloved husband."

Copied from the Madison Courier

From the Madison Courier

Madison; Feb. 14, 1882

Contributed by John and Lucille McGuire; Madison, Ind.