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
The James Lemuel Grisham Family
The Grisham Quartet
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.
Mother kept lists of birth dates, death
dates, baptism dates, wedding dates, etc. Across the side of one
of the pages of lists, Mother wrote "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." (I knew that several of their
children moved to Callahan County, but did not realize that James
Lemuel and Margaret Amanda has also moved.) 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)
ANDREW JACKSON GRISHAM & GILLIE OLIVE (MAS0N)