JAMES LEMUEL "JIM" GRISHAM, SR.
BORN: 29 December, 1849, Tishomingo
County, MS
DIED: 12 June, 1926, Blue Ridge, Hamilton County, TX,
BURIED: 13 June, 1926, Murphree Cemetery, Evant, Hamilton County TX,
PARENTS: Andrew
Jackson Grisham and Gillie Mason nee Olive
Wife: Margaret Amanda JONES
Wife: James Lemuel Grisham married
Margaret Amanda Jones on 7 November, 1872, in Prentiss County, MS.
Amanda was a daughter of William Toliver Jones, I, (who never returned
from the Civil War) and Harriett A. Garner. Margaret was born 25
June, 1855, in MS and died 18 November, 1936, Blue Ridge, Hamilton County,
TX. Margaret was buried on 19 November, 1936, beside her husband in
the Murphree Cemetery.
FAMILY PORTRAIT
[Made about 1897 or 1898 since the
youngest child, Claude Virgil, appears to be about six or seven years old
and all of the children were in the picture. Two (William Richard
and Ida Rose Anna married in 1898.]
This is a scanned copy of a photocopy of
the picture owned by Jane Perry. My mother also had a copy of this
picture, but unfortunately her copy was bent causing creases across
the faces of Emma and Addie.
Back Row (L to R) :
 |
1. Charles Ephraim Grisham
|
2. Ida Rose Anna Grisham
|
3. William Richard Grisham
|
4. James Lemuel Grisham, Jr.
|
| | |
Front Row:
|
1. Jess Andrew Grisham
|
2. James Lemuel Grisham, Sr.
|
3. Harriet Lou Emma Grisham - standing
|
4. Claude Virgus/Virgil Grisham -
sitting in front of Emma
|
5. Margaret Amanda (Jones) Gisham
|
6. Addie May Grisham - standing
|
| | | | |
GRISHAM QUARTET
The Grisham Family of Hamilton County was musically
talented. Their home was always open to visiting teachers of music
schools.
(L-R) Jesse Andrew Grisham, Addie
May Grisham, Charles Ephraim "Charlie" Grisham, and
Hattie Lou Emma Grisham.
Ida Rose Anna Grisham
accompanied the quartet on a pump organ.
This picture was made beside the front
porch of the Grisham home in the Blue Ridge community of Hamilton County,
TX.
Standing Left side: Addie Mae
Grisham
Seated: Harriett Lou Emma Grisham
18. James Lemuel "Jim"
GRISHAM, Sr. (4.Andrew2,
1.George1)
was a Baptist farmer who married Margaret Amanda JONES 07 November,
1872, in Prentiss County, MS.
Margaret Amanda JONES, (daughter of William
Toliver JONES, I. and Harriett/Harrett A. GARNER) was born 25
June, 1855,in MS, and died 18 November, 1936, in the
Blue Ridge Community of Hamilton County , TX. Margaret was buried 19
November, 1936, in the Murphree
Cemetery, Evant, Hamilton County TX. Margaret's cause of death
was "Hyposlatic Pneumonia, and Chronic Bronchitis." James'
death was caused by uremia.
James Lemuel Grisham, Sr., Margaret
Amanda (Jones) Grisham with their two older sons left Tupelo, Lee
County, MS, in 1878 to move to Texas. Margaret Amanda's
mother, Harretta A. (Garner) Jones, and sister, Martha Ann Jones,
joined the trek to Texas. James Lemuel swam his horse across
the Mississippi River herding their cattle. His sons, who crossed
via a ferry, knew that they would never see their "Pa" alive
again. James and Margaret arrived in Fannin County,
TX, about 1 September, 1878--two weeks before the pre-mature birth of
their third child--Ida Rose Anna--my grandmother. Ida's
head was so tiny that it would fit into a teacup and her entire body could
be held in an adult's hand. It is, indeed, a miracle that she
survived.
At Langford Cove in Coryell County, TX, William
Clift Winters became very lonely following the death of his wife.
William Clift remembered his widowed neighbor--Harriett Jones--so
William Clift rode his donkey back to Prentiss County, MS, to marry
Harriet. But alas, he arrived in MS, only to find that Harriet
had moved to Texas. William Clift followed Harriett to
Fannin County where they were married on 27 June, 1878. William
Clift brought Harriett to his home at Langford Cove,
along with two of her children--James H. and Martha Ann Jones.
James Lemuel and Margaret Amanda
probably moved their family to the Blue
Ridge Community in Hamilton County to be nearer Margaret's
mother. The 1880 US Census was based on place of residence on 1
June, 1880, thence, James and Margaret were enumerated in
Fannin County, TX.
James Lemuel Grisham, Sr.
with his wife Margaret Amanda (Jones) Grisham arrived at Blue
Ridge from Fannin County, TX before July, 1880, with four
young children--William Richard, James Lemuel "Lem" Jr., Ida
Rose Anna, and Charles Ephraim. James Lemuel and Margaret
Amanda Grisham were two of the six charter members of the Blue
Ridge Baptist Church of Christ on 10 July, 1880.
For many years James and Amanda
made semi-annual trade trips to Lampasas in their ox drawn wagon to
buy staples. The trip took days of travel each way. (Beginning in August,
1975, I traveled five days per week to and from Lampasas to work for 21
years.)
In May, 1882, Margaret's brother, James
H. Jones was shot and killed as he went to tend to his horses.
James' wife Pernina Jane Coker and baby son, William
Charles Jones took refuge with the Winters. James'
murderer would return each evening to beat on the sides of their house to
challenge the men to come out to fight. To fortify the family
defense, James Lemuel and Margaret Amanda moved their
family to Langford Cove to live with the Winters, as did Martha
Ann Jones and her husband, Joseph Evans Snider. Since the
murderer would shoot at the beds in the house on moonlight nights, the Winters,
Jones, Sniders, and Grishams had to sleep on the floor until
the murderer was caught and sent to prison.
Jesse Andrew, fifth child of James
Lemuel and Margaret Amanda was born in February, 1883, while
the Grishams still lived in Coryell County.
James Lemuel and Margaret Amanda
moved their family back to Blue Ridge by June, 1884, when they moved their
church membership back to Blue Ridge Baptist Church.
"The Grishams moved in 1908 to
West Texas in Callahan County--near Moran, Putnam, and Baird. They
lived there 3 or 4 years, but kept their home at Blue Ridge."
James Lemuel and Margaret Amanda owned several farms at Blue
Ridge. I assume that they gave farms to some of their children who
lived adjacent to the Grisham homeplace.
The portion of Tishomingo County, MS, where
James Lemuel was born, became Prentiss County, MS in 1870. James
Lemuel's death record indicates that his parents were "not
obtainable" and that he was buried in Live Oak Grave Yard. He was NOT
buried at Live Oak, but instead was buried at Murphree Cemetery, Evant,
near the grave of his mother-in-law, Harretta (Garner) (Jones) Winters.
Jim was left blind after a farming accident when a cotton bur flew into
one eye. After the accident, he wore his hat everywhere--to the table, in
the church, etc.
His grandson, James Cornelius
"Jim" Grisham recalled that he along with his grandfather--James
Lemuel "Jim" J. L." Grisham, Sr., and his uncle--James
Lemuel "Lem" Grisham, Jr. had very high tempers. Jim
believed that working with mules caused the high temper level. He
also recalled that his grandfather went to church EVERY Sunday and sat on
the front row. Until 1890 church services were held in the school
and each denomination would hold services one Sunday per month.
Visiting preachers and teachers of music
schools were always welcome at the Grisham home. Several of
the Grisham children studied music. The Grisham
Quartet was composed of Charles Ephraim, Jesse Andrew, Harriett Lou
Emma, and Addie May. My grandmother, Ida Rose Anna
provided accompaniment on the pump organ. She also played for church
services. Unfortunately I never had the privilege of hearing her
play an instrument.
Margaret: Death record identified
her mother as Mrs. Josie Snyder. Mrs. Josie Snyder was NOT
the mother of Margaret Amanda. The mother of Margaret Amanda
Jones was Harriett/Harrett A Garner (Jones) Winters. I do
recall hearing the name--Aunt Josie Snider--perhaps she was the
mother of Joseph Evans Snider, Margaret Amanda's brother-in-law.
Children:
45. i William
Richard "Will" GRISHAM born 29 August, 1873.
46. ii James
Lemuel "Lem" GRISHAM, Jr. born 25 March, 1876.
47. iii Ida
Rose Anna GRISHAM born 15 September, 1878.
48. iv Charles
Ephraim "Charlie" GRISHAM born 04 January,
1881.
49. v Jesse
Andrew "Jessie" GRISHAM born 20 February,
1883.
vi Infant Son
GRISHAM born Blue Ridge, Hamilton County , TX, died Live Oak
Cemetery, Hamilton County, TX.
50. vii Harriet
Lou Emma GRISHAM born 01 July, 1886.
51. viii Addie
Mae GRISHAM born 11 March, 1889.
52. ix Claude
Virgil "Verge" GRISHAM born 12 April, 1891.
1850 Census Records
Andrew Jackson and Gillie
(Olive) (Mason) Grisham, Sr. were enumerated on 17 April,
1850, in the Southern District of Tishomingo County, MS, Pg. 96,
Visit and Family Nos. 150/150
|
Surname, Given Name
|
Age
|
M
or
F
|
Occupation
|
Value
or
Worth
|
Place
of
Birth
|
|
Grisham, Andrew
|
35
|
M
|
Farmer
|
.
|
VA
|
|
Grisham, Gillie
|
26
|
F
|
.
|
.
|
NC
|
|
Grisham, Elizabeth (may have been Elizabeth
Mason)
|
12
|
F
|
.
|
.
|
AL
|
|
Grisham, Ephraim
|
8
|
M
|
.
|
.
|
TN
|
|
Grisham, Tilda J.
|
6
|
F
|
.
|
.
|
TN
|
|
Grisham, Martha
|
5
|
F
|
.
|
.
|
AL
|
|
Grisham, James
|
5/12
|
M
|
.
|
.
|
MS
|
1860 CENSUS RECORDS
Andrew Jackson Grisham, Sr.
and Gillie (Olive) (Mason) were enumerated on 20 June,
1860, at Blackland Post Office, Tishomingo County, MS, Pg. 34,
Visit and Family Nos. 223/223.
|
SURNAME, Given Name
|
Age
|
M
of
F
|
Occupation
|
Value
or
Worth
|
Place
of
Birth
|
|
Grisham, A. J.
|
44
|
M
|
Farmer
|
$800/
$1200
|
VA
|
|
Grisham, Gillie
|
38
|
F
|
.
|
.
|
NC
|
|
Grisham, Ephraim
|
17
|
M
|
Laborer
|
.
|
TN
|
|
Grisham, Matilda J.
|
16
|
F
|
.
|
.
|
TN
|
|
Grisham, Martha A.
|
14
|
F
|
.
|
.
|
TN
|
|
Grisham, James L.
|
11
|
M
|
.
|
.
|
MS
|
|
Grisham, Rachel
|
9
|
F
|
.
|
.
|
MS
|
|
Grisham, Andrew J.
|
7
|
M
|
.
|
.
|
MS
|
|
Grisham, G. W.
|
4
|
M
|
.
|
.
|
MS
|
1870 PRENTISS COUNTY, MS
POST OFFICE: BOONEVILLE
Twp. 5, Range: 6 East
July 28, 1870
Pg. 365A, Sheet 15
Family of Harriett A. Garner Jones (Widow of William
Tolliver Jones)
|
NAME
|
AGE
|
SEX
|
COLOR
|
OCCUPATION
|
VALUE
REAL
ESTATE
|
VALUE
PERSONAL
ESTATE
|
BIRTH
PLACE
|
|
Jones, Harriett
|
30
|
F
|
W
|
Farmer
|
$800
|
$400
|
NC
|
|
Lemuel O.
|
17
|
M
|
W
|
.
|
.
|
.
|
AL
|
|
Margaret A. E.*
|
16
|
F
|
W
|
.
|
.
|
.
|
AL
|
|
William
|
14
|
M
|
W
|
.
|
.
|
.
|
AL
|
|
James N.
|
10
|
M
|
W
|
.
|
.
|
.
|
AL
|
|
Martha R.
|
8
|
F
|
W
|
.
|
.
|
.
|
AL
|
|
Grisham,
James*
|
21
|
M
|
W
|
Farm Laborer
|
.
|
.
|
AL
|
On 7 November, 1872, James Lemuel Grisham married
Harriett Jones' older daughter--Margaret Amanda E.
Jones
1880 Census
Texas, Fannin County,
Super. Dist: 2; ED: #25; JP #3; Census taken 23
June, 1880, by J. N. Fairchild
(The 1880 Census was based on place of residence on 1 June,
1880)
Page 66; Dwelling No. 546; Family No. 575
Birthplace: 1--Individual; 2 -- Father; 3 --Mother
|
NAME
|
SEX
|
AGE
|
Relationship to Head of Household
|
Marital Status
|
Occupation
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
|
Grisham, J. L.
|
M
|
30
|
Head
|
M
|
Farmer
|
MS
|
VA
|
NC
|
|
M. A.
|
F
|
24
|
Wife
|
M
|
.
|
AL
|
AL
|
AL
|
|
W. R.
|
M
|
7
|
Son
|
Single
|
.
|
MS
|
MS
|
AL
|
|
J. L.
|
M
|
4
|
Son
|
Single
|
.
|
MS
|
MS
|
AL
|
|
Ida R.
|
F
|
1
|
Dau.
|
Single
|
.
|
TX
|
MS
|
AL
|
1900 Census
Texas, Hamilton County
Super. Dist. #4; Enum. Dist.#82; #: Pct. 1; Twp:Hamilton; Sheet
12B; Pg. 82-12-81
Census was taken June 15, 1900; Dwelling # 230; Family #: 230
|
NAME
|
Relationship to Head of Household
|
SEX
|
Month of
Birth
|
Year of
Birth
|
Age
|
Marital Status
|
# Yrs. Married
|
|
Grisham, Jas. L., Farmer
|
Head
|
M
|
12
|
1849
|
50
|
M
|
27
|
|
Margaret A.
Mother of 9; 8 Living Children
|
Wife
|
F
|
6
|
1855
|
44
|
M
|
27
|
|
James L.
|
Son
|
M
|
3
|
1876
|
24
|
S
|
.
|
|
Ida R.
|
Dau.
|
F
|
9
|
1878
|
21
|
S*
|
.
|
|
Charlie
|
Son
|
M
|
1
|
1881
|
19
|
S
|
.
|
|
Jesse A.
|
Son
|
M
|
2
|
1883
|
17
|
S
|
.
|
|
Emma H.
|
Dau.
|
F
|
7
|
1886
|
13
|
S
|
.
|
|
Addie M.
|
Dau.
|
F
|
3
|
1889
|
11
|
S
|
.
|
|
Claudie V.
|
Son
|
M
|
4
|
1891
|
9
|
S
|
.
|
*Ida Rose married Robert Jeff Fergusson on 9
November, 1898. Their first child was born 5 January, 1900. Each
was listed as a single person in the home of the respective
parent.
1920 US CENSUS
Hamilton County, TX
Township: JP #4; Supervisor’s District No. 11;
Enumeration Dist. No. 96
Sheet 14A 7151 5060 Enumeration Date: 25 and 26 Feb., 1920
Dwelling #: 274; Family #: 286
|
NAME
|
Relation to Head of House
|
Own Home
|
SEX
|
Age at Last Birthday
|
Marital Status
|
Can Read
|
Can Write
|
Occupation
|
|
Grisham, James L.
|
Head
|
Own
|
M
|
70
|
M
|
Y
|
Y
|
None
|
|
Margaret A.
|
Wife
|
.
|
F
|
65
|
M
|
Y
|
Y
|
None
|
Sources:
1850 and 1860 US Census,
Tishomingo County, MS
1870 US Census, Prentiss County,
MS
1880 US Census, Fannin County, TX
1900, 1910, and 1920 US Census,
Hamilton County, Texas
Cole, Pamela
Cole, Sterley Bob, Ph.D.
Crain, Clara Elsie Fergusson
Grisham, Cecil Hobdy
Grisham, James Cornelius
"Jim"
Grisham, James Lemuel and
Margaret Amanda Jones - Marriage Record, Prentiss County, MS
Grisham, Sr., James
"Jim" Lemuel - Death Record, Hamilton County, TX, Vol.
5, Pg. 23, #592.
Grisham, Mrs. J. L. - Newspaper
obituary, Nov. 20, 1936, from Hamilton Herald-Record.
Grisham, Margaret Amanda Jones -
Death Record, Hamilton County, TX, Vol. 5, page 49, #1341
Hamilton County Historical
Commission, "A History of Hamilton County, TX"
"James L. Grisham, Sr. Family" by Elreeta Crain
Weathers, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, TX, 1979, p. 173.
Newsom, Cora Mildred (Williams)
Perry, Jane
Perry, Willie Jewel (Grisham)
Rees, Dortha
Walker, Margaret Corene (Grisham)
|
|
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