Col. Benjamin Grayson

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]

1. Rev. Spence Monroe Grayson was born in 1734 in Dumfries, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA; died in Dec 1798 in Dumfries, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA; was buried in Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA.
2. Benjamin Monroe Grayson, Jr. was born est 1734 in Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA; died in 1768 in , Loudoun Co., Virginia, USA.
3. Col. William Monroe Grayson was born in 1736 in Dumfries, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA; died on 12 Mar 1790 in Dumfries, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA; was buried in Family Vault, Belle Air, Prince William C, Virginia.
4. Susan Monroe Grayson was born in 1743 in Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA; died in 1822 in , , Virginia, USA.