Alfred William Grayson

Notes:

Alfred died before 1829.

Ref 1 says he was born in 1772, but ref 2 revises that to 16 Apr 1780.

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Descendancy Chart of Susannah
Monroe (third installment) - received 12 Oct 1997 - p. 1

(2) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Descendancy chart of Susannah
Monroe (3rd Installment) - dated 23 Dec 1997 - p. 2

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Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Alfred married Letitia Preston Breckenridge on 28 Oct 1804 in , Fayette Co., Kentucky, USA. Letitia was born about 1775 in Prob., Kentucky, USA; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Smallwood Grayson was born in 1805 in Cabell's Dale, Fayette Co., Kentucky, USA; and died.
2. John Breckenridge Grayson was born on 18 Oct 1806 in , Fayette Co., Kentucky, USA; died on 21 Oct 1862 in Tallahassee, Leon Co., Florida, USA; was buried in New Orleans, Orleans Par., Louisiana, USA.
3. William Lewis Grayson was born in 1808 in Cabell's Dale, Fayette Co., Kentucky, USA; and died.

Notes:

Ref: Clan Munro files - May, Frank Boone III
- Johnson, Monroe
- Williams, Irmalee - Benjamin Grayson family record

Some references say William was born in Spottsylvania County, Virginia and died in Albemarle County, Virginia. Ref 4 suggests that he might have died 7 Dec 1790 in Frederick County, Virginia.

He was buried in the family vault at their Belle Air estate.

Colonel William Monroe Grayson was an attorney and was one of the first two senators from Virginia. His middle name is not certain.

William's children received large tracts of land as a result of his service as a Colonel during the American Revolutionary War, when he served as aide-de-camp of George Washington. The Grayson grant was on the Little Sandy River at the site of Grayson, Kentucky (then in Greenup County, later in Carter County.)

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Descendancy Chart of Susannah
Monroe (second installment) - dated 7 Oct 1997 - p. 6

(2) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Descendancy Chart of Susannah
Monroe (third installment) - received 12 Oct 1997 - p. 2

(3) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - e-mail received 11 Nov 1997 - p.
4

(4) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Descendancy chart of Susannah
Monroe (3rd Installment) - dated 23 Dec 1997 - p. 2

(5) Clan Munro files - Grayson, Nathaniel Lewis, III - Descendants of David
Munro - p. 6

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

William married Eleanor Smallwood about 1779 in Prob., Maryland. Eleanor was born in 1744 in Charles Co., Maryland, USA; died before 1790 in , , Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Eleanor (Hebe) Smallwood was the daughter of Bayne and Priscilla (Heaberd) Smallwood and the sister of General William Smallwood of Maryland, a hero of the American Revolutionary War.

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Descendancy Chart of Susannah
Monroe (third installment) - received 12 Oct 1997 - p. 1

(2) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Descendancy chart of Susannah
Monroe (3rd Installment) - dated 23 Dec 1997 - p. 2

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Notes:

Benjamin was the son of John and Susannah (White) Grayson.

Benjamin may have been born in Lancaster, Virginia. He was buried in the family vault at their Belle Air estate.

Ref 2 says Benjamin was born in 1700.

He was a merchant and a farmer. He married (2) widow Ewell.

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Descendancy Chart of Susannah
Monroe (second installment) - dated 7 Oct 1997 - p. 1, 6

(2) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Descendancy Chart of Susanna
Monroe attached to a letter from Carolyn Brent dated 16 Jul 1997 - p. 2

(3) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Descendancy chart of Susannah
Monroe (3rd Installment) - dated 23 Dec 1997 - p. 1

(4) Clan Munro files - Cataluna, Esther R. - The Ancestry of Esther Cataluna -
dated 7 Jan 1998 - p. 1

The following information was taken from a document written by John Breckinridge Grayson Jr. in 1877.

Benjamin and his sister emigrated from England or Scotland to Westmoreland County, Virginia and setted on the Occoquan River near the spot which later became Colchester.

Benjamin Grayson was a man of exceedingly fine address, and notably was of good blood. He went to America in the early 18th century. He is thought to be the younger son of a refined and wealthy family, if not of nobility; and his acquirements, person and habits bore ample evidence of it.

In his new home he became a merchant trading in tobacco largely with vessels in the then Bay of Occoquan, and carried on a large commission business for the captains and supercargoes.

Seeing the wants of the people in the new country, he planned and executed for their benefit and improvement. Among many branches of his extensive business he started a large wholesale trade in homemade crackers and sea biscuits, and wheat bread, which extended to every settlement from Occoquan to the mountains.

At that time cornbread was the universal provision of the staff of life, and his starting the wheat bread and cracker branch of his business was gladly welcomed by both the colonists and the captains of the foreign vessels trading in the Bay of Occoquan and at Dumfries. His great industry and judicious management of his affairs enabled him to acquire a large estate, and the great esteem and popularity, which his probity and diligence obtained, were the cause of his being made executor to some very wealthy children of the gentry.

Benjamin Grayson left Westmoreland County in 1710 or 1720, and settled in the town of Dumfries, Prince William County, Virginia, where he was largely engaged in the mercantile and shipping business. Dumfries was at that time the county seat of Prince William County and a port of entry and export. The largest vessels for half a century were borne on the creek from the Potomac River to Dumfries, and her wharves and warehouses were scenes of great commercial activity.

The decline of Dumfries dates chiefly from the rise of Alexandria and Baltimore, and the gradual shallowing of the water entrance to her wharves. Over the years, the once broad and deep water course dwindled to an insignificant creek, and her wharves have disappeared. Where once stood her warehouses are fields of corn and waste lands. There still stands within her limits about a dozen or more handsome houses, built of English brick, with fine marble porches at the entrance, evidence of the former opulence of Dumfries. Many of the other houses still standing are built of fr He married the rich widow Linton, whose maiden name was Susanna Monroe, sister of Spence Monroe the father of President James Monroe, who was from an old and distinguished Scotch family. He married the rich widow Linton, whose maiden name was Susanna Monroe, sister of Spence Monroe the father of President James Monroe, who was from an old and distinguished Scotch family.ame, and still present a good appearance.

A destructive fire in 1848 swept over Dumfries and much of the town was destroyed.

Benjamin Grayson resided at Dumfries where he married a rich widow, Mrs. Linton, whose maiden name was Susanna Monroe. She was the sister of Spence Monroe the father of President James Monroe. She was from and old and distinguished Scotch family. Susanna Monroe first married a Mr. Tyler, and then Linton, both of whom left her a son and large estates.

The sister of Benjamin Grayson married Mr. Harrison the ancestor of Colonel Burr Harrison, of the Revolutionary Army, and of Matthew Harrison, lawyer of Dumfries. The name of Spence was introduced into the Monroe family by intermarriage with a lady of that ancient, wealthy and respectable family. Many of the descendants have been so named. The names of Susan M. and Susanna Monroe were also long adhered to in the several branches.

After Susanna died, Benjamin married Miss or Mrs. Ewell, by whom he had no issue. He built a residence near the Occoquan and Potomac Rivers on a large tract of land he owned, and called the estate "Belle Air", in honor of the old place further up the county which had been the home of his second wife.

The residence was a fine large mansion, situated on a table land elliptical in shape, fronting the Potomac River, which was about one mile distant, and at that point about four miles wide. The mansion was built in manorial style, with lofty columned front, massive carved oaken doors and wainscoting. The estate was largely cultivated and noted for its fruits and flowers. After the death of Benjamin Grayson, it passed by inheritance to his son, the Reverend Spence Grayson, of the Church of England.

In 1740, Benjamin Grayson was a colonel of the militia and an owner of lands in Virginia, and what later became Kentucky. He was a highly esteemed gentlemen in Prince William County.

After the death of Susanna Monroe, Benjamin Grayson married the widow Ewell, by whom he had no issue. This lady was of the same family as was the late General Ewell of the Confederate Army.

Benjamin Grayson departed this life in 1757 at his residence "Belle Air" in Prince William County, Virginia. The burial services were performed by the Rev. Mr. Scott, of the Church of England. He left a handsome estate; and an unblemished name for the glory of his posterity, for their edification and example.

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Died:
Benjamin died at his estate "Bell Air" in Dumfries, Virginia.

Benjamin married Susannah Monroe in 1734 in Dumfries, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA. Susannah (daughter of Capt. Andrew Monroe, II and Eleanor Spence) was born in 1695 in , Westmoreland Co., Virginia, USA; died in Nov 1752 in Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA; was buried in Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Susannah (or Susanna or Susan) was married three times and had issue by (2) Charles Tyler, and (3) Captain (or Colonel) Benjamin Grayson. The Holt reference says she was the aunt of President James Monroe, but she was probably his first cousin twice removed.

Error alert: The Boggs reference says that Susannah first married William Linton and second Charles Tyler, but the dates of her children indicate that she was first married to Charles Tyler and second to William Linton. Also, the Bolton reference says Susannah was the daughter of Andrew Monroe and Elizabeth Alexander.

From her father, Susannah inherited: one negro boy, 2 cows, 2 steers, household furniture and 10,000 pounds of tobacco.

One reference gives Susannah's birth year as 1704. The Williams reference gives the name of Susannah's first husband as William Luiton.

Ref: Clan Munro files - May, Frank Boone, III
- Eggleston, Sam Daniel, Jr.
- Guilford, Dr. Joan S.
- Williams, Irmalee - Descendants of George Munro
- Benjamin Grayson family record

Susannah was buried in the family vault at their Belle Air estate.

Ref (3) says Susannah died in 1751. Ref (4) says Susannah (or Susanna) was born in 1705.

References:

(2) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Descendancy Chart of Susannah
Monroe (second installment) - dated 7 Oct 1997 - p. 1, 6

(3) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Ancestry of James Monroe,
President of the United States

(4) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Descendancy Chart of Susanna
Monroe attached to a letter from Carolyn Brent dated 16 Jul 1997

(5) Clan Munro files - Cataluna, Esther R. - The Ancestry of Esther Cataluna -
dated 7 jan 1998 - p. 1

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Buried:
Susannah was buried in the family vault in Belle Air Plantation, the family estate between Quantico Creek and the Occoquan River in Virginia near Dumfries.

Notes:

**********
[Capt. Andrew Monroe] «i»Son of Andrew Monroe (d. 1668) & Elizabeth (?Alexander); Westmoreland County, Virginia, U.S.A.; Captain in Militia, J.P.; m (1) Eleanor Spence, with issue - Andrew (d. 1769/70), Spence (d. 1725/6), Elizabeth (m. John Arrington), & Susanna (m.[1] Charles Tyler, [2] William Newton, [3] Benjamin Grayson)(d. November 1752), & m. (2) 1707 Mrs. Sarah Elliott - no children.

Northrup 351; Notes by Mrs. de Volt (1957).
«/i»
(R. W. Munro's genealogy notes)
**********

Andrew lived in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was a Capt. (one reference says Major) in the Scots Army and a Judge or Justice of the Peace. He owned large estates and numerous slaves. In 1705, he made a deed for 3 acres to John Hore, part of a tract patented by his father in 1652.

Andrew was married three times, but only had children by his second wife, Eleanor Spence (or Spens).

His first wife may have been the daughter of Thomas Bowcock, Sr., of Westmoreland County, and Jane Bowcock. She was the sister of Margaret Bowcock, who married her husband's brother, William Monroe. Her mother, Jane Bowcock, married (2) Thomas White after the death of Thomas Bowcock. She had no children.

His second wife, Eleanor, was the daughter of Lt. Patrick Spence (1633-1684) and Dorcas, his wife. Dorcas married (2) John Jordon, who died 1696. Dorcas died in 1708, leaving a will in which she mentions her daughter, Eleanor Monroe and other members of the Monroe family. Eleanor's first husband was James Bowcock.

Andrew's third wife, Sarah Foxhall, was the daughter of John and Martha Foxhall of Pope's Creek, Westmoreland County, Virginia, and the widow of John Elliott. Sarah's granddaughter, Martha Sturman [3725], by her daughter, Sarah Elliott, married Jordon Weedon [3724], the nephew of Andrew, her second husband. (Follow that if you can.)

When Sarah's first husband, John Elliott, died in 1708, she was left with four minor children. She had no issue by her second husband, Andrew Monroe.

Andrew's will is dated 30 Dec 1713 and proved 26 May 1714. The Johnson reference says he died Nov 1735.

Error alert: The Cochran reference says Andrew married Christine Tyler, but it is believed that Christine married another person named Andrew Monroe. The same reference lists Spencer Monroe (who married Elizabeth Jones) as one of Andrew's children. Elizabeth Jones actually married Spence Monroe who was the son of the Andrew Monroe who actually did marry Christian Tyler.

Ref: Clan Munro files - Cones, Mona
- Stroud, Anna Margaret
- Monroe, Thomas Guy, III
- Eggleston, Sam Daniel, Jr.
- Johnson, Monroe
- James Monroe ancestors
- Guilford, Dr. Joan S.
- Boyer, Wallace R. - descendants of Hector Munro 13th

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA

Andrew married Eleanor Spence in 1678 in , Westmoreland Co., Virginia, USA. Eleanor (daughter of Lt. Patrick Spence and Dorcas Youell) was born in 1664 in , Westmoreland Co., Virginia, USA; died in 1708 in , Westmoreland Co., Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Error alert: According to dates given in several references, Eleanor married Andrew Monroe when she was 14 years old. At least one reference says that she had been married (1) James Bowcock. I guess it's possible for her to have had a previous marriage at even a younger age, but it doesn't seem likely.

References:

(1) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Ancestry of James Monroe,
President of the United States

(2) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Descendancy Chart of "Andy I"
- received 17 Oct 1997 - p. 2

(3) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - "The Linton Family", an article
from "Yellowed Pages", Vol. III, No. 3, p. 146-147 - attached to a letter
from Carolyn Brent dated 16 Jul 1997

(4) Clan Munro files - Cataluna, Esther R. - The Ancestry of Esther Cataluna -
dated 7 jan 1998 - p. 1

(5) Clan Munro files - Ramos, Ronald David - The Ancestry of Sean Russell
Redden

Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA