Laben Gritten
1832 - 1910 (78 years)
Generation: 1
Generation: 3
Generation: 4
1. Laben Gritten was born on 19 Jan 1832 in Kentucky (son of John R. Gritton and Nancy Atkinson); died on 28 Mar 1910 in Collison, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Knights Branch Cemetery, Potomac, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Census: 1860, Pilot Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1870, Pilot Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1880, Pilot Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
Portrait and biographical album of Vermilion County, Illinois. Chicago, Illinois, Chapman Brothers, 1889.
Page 231-232.
Laban Gritten is classed among the leading farmers and stock raisers of Pilot Township, he having contributed much towards making it a great agricultural center. His farm on section 22 is comparable with the finest and best in this section of Vermilion County, is so cultivated as to produce large harvests, and its buildings and all other appointments are first-class. Mr. Gritten has evolved this desirable farm from the wild prairies of Illinois, as they were many years ago, before they had been changed by cultivation, it having been government land when he purchased it more than thirty years ago, and situated in the midst of a sparsely populated, scarcely civilized country.
Mr. Gritten is a Kentuckian by birth, born in Mercer County, Jan. 19, 1832. His father, John R. Gritten, was born in the same county in 1807. He married Nancy Atkinson, who was born there in 1806, and they came to this county with their family in 1842, and located on a farm of 120 acres, pleasantly situated in Blount Township, where they have built up a comfortable home, and now, in life's decline are enjoying the hard-earned fruits of their united labor. Three of the children that have blessed their union are still living: Ann, residing in Danville Township, is the widow of Frank Watson, of Ohio, and has five children - William John, Nancy J., Margaret and Martha; Lloyd married Sarah Gritten, daughter of one of the first settles of the county, and they have four children - Wesley, Annie, Ella and Elisha; Laban is the subject of this sketch, and we write further on him.
We have seen that his parents brought him there in pioneer times, when he was a mere lad, and here they bred him to a life of usefulness, and fitted him for an honorable career, and to their careful training he doubtless owes much of his prosperity. He became many, self-reliant and a good worker, and in early manhood prudently invested his money in government land, proposing to make farming his life work, and purchased 320 acres of land at twenty-five cents an acre. He now has the land all under excellent cultivation, and has greatly increased its value by the many fine improvements that he has made, including substantial buildings, etc. He does a general farming business, has his farm well stocked with stock of high grades, from the sale of which he makes good profits, and he raises a good deal of grain and other farm produce, from which he derives an income amply sufficing to carry on his agricultural operations in good shape, and for all his personal wants.
Mr. Gritten has been twice married. His first wife was a Miss Sarah Potter, who was a English descent, and her father, an early settle of this part of Illinois, took part in the black Hawk War under General Taylor. Five children were born to our subject in that union, of whom one died; the others are Orsmus, Charles, Edward and Thomas. Orsmus, a carpenter in Danville, married Miss May Gritten; Charles, living with his father on the homestead, married Matilda Gritten, and they have seven children - Clarence, Arthur, Orsmus, Elzora, Oliver, Ross and Rock. Edward, a farmer in this, married Miss Bell Davis, of Ohio, and they have one child, Jesse B.; Thomas, a blacksmith at Bixby, married Martha Schank, and they have three children - Earl, Maude and Olive.
For his second wife Mr. Gritten married Miss Lydia Pile, a native o Breckenridge County, Ky., and of their eleven children the following five are living: Oracena, Alvina, Jacob, Eli and William.
William and Elizabeth Pile were the parents of Mrs. Gritten, the father a native of Virginia, the mother a native of Kentucky, and both are deceased.
Mr. Gritten may well be proud of his farm, whose increased value is due to his hard labor and excellent business capacity and management. He possesses sober judgment, keen discernment and a resolute nature that has overcome all obstacles in the path to success. In his political views he sides with the Democrats, and give his hearty approval to party measures.
Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database
Purchaser Information
Purchaser: GRITTON SABORN
Residence" VERMILION
Social Status:
Legal Description
Aliquot Parts or Lot: W2
Section Number: 22
Township: 21N
Range: 14W
Meridian: 2
County of Purchase: VERMILION
Details of Sale
Acres: 320.00
Price per Acre: .25
Total Price: 80.00
Type of Sale: FD
Date of Purchase: 11/24/1854
Volume: 238
Page: 109
Laban Gritton expects to commence work on his new hotel this week - at least, he said so.
Champaign County Gazette, Champaign, Illinois. Wednesday, 24 August 1861, page 4.
Paid $207 for Ten Pounds of Fish.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
Danville, July 25. - D.C. Crawford, Laban Gritton, Ezra Dickason and Nelson Mortenzer, wealthy farmers living in the northwest part of this county, were arrested to-day for seining. Their fines and costs amount to $207. They only caught ten pounds of fish.
The Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Saturday, 26 July 1890., page 3.
Laban Gritten, a farmer near Rankin, while driving a nail in a board, accidently drove the nail into the fleshy part of his hand. The wound became very swollen and resulted in lockjaw. The arm was amputated below the elbow Friday. It is thought he cannot recover.
The Champaign Daily Gazette, Champaign, Illinois. Monday, 20 December 1886., page 4.
Laben Gritten is hauling ice from the creek and filling his ice-house.
The Champaign Daily Gazette, Champaign, Illinois. Thursday, 5 January 1888, page 1.
Labe Gritten shipped a team of find heavy horse to Chicago this week.
The Champaign County News, Champaign, Illinois. Saturday, 14 March 1891, page 8.
Penfield
The other evening, when Labe Gritten went to his pasture south of town to drive home some cows, he saw two foxes in the pasture. Now Mr. Gritten is 82 years of age and only has one arm, yet he returned home and got a gun, went back to the pasture and killed both foxes.
The Champaign County News, Champaign, Illinois. Wednesday, 1 May 1901, page 5.
Laban J. Gritten is consigned to grave Funeral for well known farmer held at country home Wednesday Laban J. Gritten died at the home of his son, William Gritten, three miles northwest of Collison, Monday, March 28, at 6 o'clock a.m. Mr. Gritten was born in the state of Kentucky, January 19, 1831. He lived 75 years, 2 months, and 9 days. He came to Illinois with his parents, who settled in Blount township, Vermilion county, and he has been a resident of this county ever since. Mr. Gritten, when but a young man, moved to Pilot township and located in the northwest corner of the township, near No. 5 school house, where he entered a tract of land at 25 cents per acre from the government, and resided there until 1907. Since that time he has made his home with his children. Mr. Gritten has been married three times and has lost three wives by death. He is the father of 19 children, all of whom are dead but eight. Those who survive him are: Charles Gritten, Covington, Ind., Mrs. Dora Dingler, Rossville, Ill., Mrs. Dollie Elder, Danville, William Gritten, near Collison, Mrs. Remelia Grimes, Carlisle, Ind., George Gritten, Penfield, Laban Gritten, Penfield, Mrs. Clara Meyers, Chicago. There were born into these various families 40 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren of whom 38 grandchildren and all the great grandchildren survive him. He is survived also by one sister, Mrs. Anna Watson, who is 76 years of age, and lives in Blount township. Up to the last moments of his life he was perfectly conscious and in talking to the children said he was prepared to go at any time. About 22 years ago last January he lost his left arm, which was buried on the home place. It was his request that it be taken up and buried with his body, which was accordingly done. The children were all present at his death except Mrs. Grimes, who was prevented by sickness from coming to his bedside. The funeral services were held at the home of William Gritten on Wednesday morning, and were conducted by the Rev. C.F. Gaumer of Alvin, assisted by the Rev. R.C. Read, of Collison, the remains being laid to rest in the Knight's Branch cemetery.
Laban Gritton Is Dead At Collison
Had Long Been Resident of Vermilion County.
Collison, Ill., March 29. - Laban Gritton, who has been a continuous resident of this county since 1856, died at the home of his son, William Gritton, near Collison, yesterday, after a short illness of pneumonia. The deceased was 80 years of age and removed to his county with his parents in the year 1840, settling on a farm six miles north of Danville. The old Gritton farm near Buck's Grove was purchased by the deceased from the government in 1856, the price being 25 cents per acre. Mr. Gritton is survived by seven children as follows: Charles Gritton, Covington, Ind.; Mrs. David Elder, 729 South street, Danville; William, near Collison; George at Buck's Grove; Romilla Grimes, Sullivan, Ind.; Mrs. Dora Dingler, Rossville, and Labon Gritton, Jr.
The funeral will be held at the William Gritton residence, Wednesday afternoon at 1 o'clock and the burial will be in the Knight's Branch cemetery.
The Champaign Daily Gazette, Champaign, Illinois. Tuesday, 29 March 1910.
Pioneer Resident Taken
Death of Laben Gritten on Farm South of Penfield.
Penfield, March 31. - Laben Gritten, the oldest resident of the north part of the county, died at his home south of Penfield Monday morning at 2 o'clock.
Mr. Gritten came to this county over fifty years ago. The land which he owned was bought by him at twenty-five center per acre. Mr. Gritten was highly respected by all.
The decedent had been married three times. His last wife died several years ago. To the first union were born seven children all of whom survive, namely: Charles Gritten of Covington, Ind.; George of Penfield, William of Collison; Laben, Jr., Mrs. Cora Denglar and Mrs. Clara Meyers of Danville, and Mrs. Roumellla Grimes of Sullivan, Ind. One sister, who lived at Carney, Neb., also survives.
Mr. Gritten was a member of the Christian church and Rev. John Cossett of Danville, his pastor, conducted his funeral from his late home Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock. Interment was at Knight's Branch cemetery, south of Penfield.
The Champaign Daily News, Champaign, Illinois. Thursday, 31 March 1910.
Has Arm Buried With Him
Unusual Request of Laban Gritten Who Recently Died
Collison, Ill., April 2. - Perhaps one of the most novel requests ever made by a citizen of this part of the county was that made by Laben Gritten, an aged resident of Blount township, who passed away at the home of his son, William Gritten. The decedent had the misfortune to lose an arm 22 years ago last January and the dismembered part of the body was buried on the on the home place, where it remained since the accident happened. Realizing that he was going to pass away, Mr. Gritten made the request that the arm be disinterred and that it be buried with his body in the Knight's Branch cemetery. While, of course, the arm had long ago returned to dust, the children of the decedent sough to carry out the dying wish of their father and the ashes of the arm he had lost more than two decades were taken up just preceding the burial of the body and were interred with the later, Wednesday morning.
Mr. Gritten was born in the state of Kentucky, January 19, 1931, and came to Illinois when but twelve years of age. His parents located in Blount township and he had been a resident of this county ever since. When but a young man he moved to Pilot township and located in the northwest corner of the township, near No.5 school house, where he entered a tract of land at 25 cents per are from the government, and resided there until 1907. Since that time he made his home with his children.
Mr. Gritten had been married three times and has lost two wives by death. He is the father of nineteen children, all of whom are dead but eight. Those who survive him are Charles Gritton of Covington, Ind.; Mrs. Dora Dingler of Rossville; Mrs. Dellie Elder of Danville; William Gritten of near Collison; Mrs. Remelia Grimes of Carlisle, Ind.; Groge Gritten of Penfield; Laban Gritten of Penfield; Mrs. Clara Myers of Chicago. There were born into these various families forty grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren of whom thirty-eight grandchildren and al the great-grandchildren survive. He is survived also by one sister, Mrs. Anna Watson, who is 76 years of age and lives in Blount township.
The Champaign Daily News, Champaign, Illinois. Saturday, 2 April 1910, page 11.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52732517/laben-grittenLaben married Sarah Ann Potter on 4 Nov 1852 in Vermilion County, Illinois, and was divorced in Feb 1867 in Vermilion County, Illinois. Sarah (daughter of Elijah Potter and Lanie Van Wormer) was born on 17 Mar 1836 in Illinois; died on 4 Jan 1877 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Notes:
Married:
Children:
Marriage License Abstracts Vermilion County, Illinois 1826-1852. Page 30. No record of anyone signing for bride or groom.- Orsmas J. Gritton was born on 9 Dec 1853 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 30 Nov 1898 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Charles Elisious Gritton was born on 14 Nov 1857 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 13 Apr 1934 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Partlow Cemetery, Armstrong, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Edward Orville Gritton was born in Dec 1860 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 25 Aug 1904 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Partlow Cemetery, Armstrong, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Thomas Elija Gritten was born on 5 Dec 1862 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 8 Sep 1906 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Embury Cemetery, Hope, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Sedora Jane Gritton was born on 24 May 1866 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 29 Jul 1954 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Manns Chapel Cemetery, Rossville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Laben married Lydia Pyle on 11 Mar 1867 in Vermilion County, Illinois. Lydia was born in Jan 1844 in Breckinridge County, Kentucky; died in 1910 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Partlow Cemetery, Armstrong, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Notes:
Married:
Children:
Marriage License Abstracts Vermilion County, Illinois 1853-1874. Page 57. No record of anyone signing for bride or groom.- Elizabeth Ann Dollie Gritten was born on 12 Nov 1866 in Illinois; died on 5 Mar 1929; was buried on 8 Mar 1929 in Spring Hill Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- William Milo Gritten was born on 10 Aug 1868 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 22 Sep 1950 in Cates, Fountain County, Indiana; was buried on 24 Sep 1950 in Collison Cemetery, Collison, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Romille Josephine Gritton was born on 11 Feb 1872 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 11 Mar 1933 in Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana; was buried on 14 Mar 1933 in Carlisle Odd Fellows Cemetery, Carlisle, Sullivan County, Indiana.
- George Eli Gritten was born on 19 Jun 1873 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 25 Feb 1933 in Greenville, Clay County, Iowa; was buried on 27 Feb 1933 in Riverside Cemetery, Spencer, Clay County, Iowa.
- Laban E. Gritten was born on 10 Jul 1876 in Penfield, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 24 Apr 1948 in Williamsport, Warren County, Indiana; was buried on 27 Apr 1948 in Highland Cemetery, Williamsport, Warren County, Indiana.
- Clara E. Gritten was born on 15 Apr 1879 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 15 Feb 1970.
- Calvin Jacob Gritten was born in Mar 1882 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died in 1908 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Partlow Cemetery, Armstrong, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Laben married Ella Biggs on 7 Apr 1896 in Warren County, Indiana. Ella was born in Dec 1867 in Illinois; died in 1908 in Pilot Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Knights Branch Cemetery, Potomac, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
Children:- Noah B. Gritten was born in 1897 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died in 1898 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Knights Branch Cemetery, Potomac, Vermilion County, Illinois.
2. 
John R. Gritton was born on 20 Jul 1808 in Kentucky (son of Jesse Gritton and Sarah Brumfield); died on 30 May 1894 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Census: 1850, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1860, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1870, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1880, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
From History of Vermilion County. By H.W. Beckwith. Chicago, Illinois, H.H. Hill and Company, 1879. page 887.
J.R. Gritton came here from Kentucky in 1840, and bought land of the estate of Abram Rees. Mr. Rees owned a farm on section 23, and while at work building a mill at Denmark, died. Mr. Gritton had a family of five children, only three of whom survive. One was killed a year since by Mr. Clem, in a difficulty growing out of the lease of a piece of land. One of Mr. Gritton's first acts, after coming on to his farm, was the selection and planting of an excellent orchard, which, owing to his good judgement and care, was for a long time a source of increased revenue. Gritton's orchard was known far and near as one of the best in this neck of woods. He never has been a member of any church, but his conversation shows that he has a true appreciation of the results of a sincere religious life in a community like this. The now aged couple are saddened in their last days by the tragedy which took the life of a dear son.
(LKH Note: The son who was killed was Milo B. Gritton whose widow, Ellen Gerrard, later married Samuel Shumate.)
1850 US census, Census District No.21, Vermilion County, Illinois, enumerated 19 December 1850.
John R. Gritton, age 42, farmer, real estate $1200
Nancy, age 42
Laban, age 19, attended school
Jesse, age 14, attended school
Sarah, age 12, attended school
Rachel, age 10, attended school
Milo, age 8, attended school
Elizth, age 3
Neighbors are Spencer Cline, Jane Gritten, John B. Cline, Nathaniel Cline.
Value of neighbors' properties
Spencer Cline, $600
Jane Gritton, $400
John B. Cline, blank
Nathaniel Cline, $300
1860 US census, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois. Enumerated 10 July 1860.
John R. Gritton, age 53, real estate $1600, personal estate $500
Nancy, age 52
Milo, age 18, attended school
Nancy E., age 14, attended school
1870 US census, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, enumerated 16 August 1870.
John R. Gritton,age 62, farmer, real estate $4800, personal estate $650.
Nancy, age 62
John, age 8, grandson, attended school
Charles, age 6, grandson, attended school
Nearby is the household of John F. Gritton, Sarah, and Catherine Cline. No real estate value, person estate of $335. Sarah is the mother of John and Charles.
1880 US census. Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, enumerated 15 June 1880.
J.R. Gritton, age 71, farmer
Nancy, age 71, keeping house
John, age 19, grandson, farm laborer, attended school
Charles, age 16, grandson, farm laborer, attended school
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52622374/john-r-grittonJohn married Nancy Atkinson on 21 Mar 1831 in Mercer County, Kentucky. Nancy was born on 17 Oct 1808 in Kentucky; died on 17 Mar 1894 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
3. Nancy Atkinson was born on 17 Oct 1808 in Kentucky; died on 17 Mar 1894 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Mortuary record.
Gritton.
Nancy, wife of J.R. Gritton, died Saturday at 9:15 p.m., of old age, she being 85. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 from Union chapel, six miles north of Danville. Rev. Oscar Gravat officiating; text, 2nd Corinthian, 15:22. Interment in Johnson cemetery.
Nancy A. Atkinson was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, October 17, 1808, and was united in the bonds of wedlock to John R. Gritton, March 22, 1830. The result of that union was ten children, five boys and five girls, eight of whom have preceded their mother to the other shore.
The family emigrated from Kentucky to Illinois in the fall of1840 and settled on the farm where the subject of this sketch died.
Deceased was well liked by all who knew her and was a christian woman who "went about doing good" all her life.
Among the relatives left to mourn her death are forty grandchildren and fifty-four great grandchildren.
Newspaper clipping from Cora (Gritton) Hedges. No publishing information available.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52622423/nancy-grittonChildren:
- Jesse Gritton was born in 1836 in Kentucky; died on 21 Sep 1865; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 1. Laben Gritten was born on 19 Jan 1832 in Kentucky; died on 28 Mar 1910 in Collison, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Knights Branch Cemetery, Potomac, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Ann D. Gritton was born on 9 Sep 1833 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 6 Apr 1918 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Sarah E. Gritton was born about 1838 in Kentucky.
- Richard Gritton was born about 1840 in Kentucky.
- Milo B. Gritton was born on 2 Apr 1842 in Illinois; died on 18 Sep 1878 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Nancy Elizabeth Gritton was born about 1847 in Illinois.
Generation: 3
4. Jesse Gritton was born on 1 Apr 1781 in Virginia (son of John Gritton and Elizabeth Hoagland); died on 16 Feb 1857; was buried in Banta Graveyard, Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky. Notes:
1850 US census, District 1, Mercer County, Kentucky, enumerated 7 August 1850
Jesse Gritton, Farmer, age 67, real estate $1600
Nancy, age 55
1850 US agricultural census Mercer County, Kentucky, enumerated 10 August 1850.
line 11
Jesse Gritton
improved acres – 60
cash value of farm – $1200
value of farming implements - $50
horses - 4
milch cows – 3
sheep – 50
swine – 20
value of livestock - $300
Wheat, bushels of – 50
Indian corn, bushels of – 300
wool, pounds of – 110
peas & beans, bushels of - 6
Irish potatoes, bushels of - 10
sweet potatoes, bushels of – 4
Value of orchard products - $10
butter, pounds of – 100
hay, tons of – 1
value of animals slaughtered $30
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6625034/jesse-grittonJesse married Sarah Brumfield on 23 May 1803. Sarah was born on 17 Jan 1777; died on 20 May 1818. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
5. Sarah Brumfield was born on 17 Jan 1777; died on 20 May 1818. Children:
- Milo B. Gritton was born on 18 May 1804 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 15 Jul 1846 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Elizabeth Gritton was born on 3 Mar 1806 in Kentucky; died before 1880.
- 2. John R. Gritton was born on 20 Jul 1808 in Kentucky; died on 30 May 1894 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- William Gritton was born about 1809 in Kentucky.
- Susan Elizabeth Gritton was born on 1 Dec 1810 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 26 Aug 1878 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Farmers Chapel Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Valentine Gritton was born on 23 Feb 1813 in Kentucky.
- Nancy Gritton was born on 30 Jun 1815 in Kentucky.
- Merriman Gritton was born on 7 May 1818 in Mercer County, Kentucky.
Generation: 4
8. 
John Gritton was born in Dec 1755 in Winchester, Virginia (son of William Gritton and Elizabeth Unknown); died on 7 Aug 1837; was buried in Banta Graveyard, Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky. Other Events:
- Census: 1800, Mercer County, Kentucky
- Census: 1810, Mercer County, Kentucky
- Census: 1820, Mercer County, Kentucky
- Census: 1830, Mercer County, Kentucky
Notes:
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters Pension application of John Gritton S13203 fn36PA/VA Transcribed by Will Graves 10/2/11
[Methodology: Spelling, punctuation and/or grammar have been corrected in some instances for ease of reading and to facilitate searches of the database. Where the meaning is not compromised by adhering to the spelling, punctuation or grammar, no change has been made. Corrections or additional notes have been inserted within brackets or footnotes. Blanks appearing in the transcripts reflect blanks in the original. A bracketed question mark indicates that the word or words preceding it represent(s) a guess by me. Only materials pertinent to the military service of the veteran and to contemporary events have been transcribed. Affidavits that provide additional information on these events are included and genealogical information is abstracted, while standard, 'boilerplate' affidavits and attestations related solely to the application, and later nineteenth and twentieth century research requests for information have been omitted. I use speech recognition software to make all my transcriptions. Such software misinterprets my southern accent with unfortunate regularity and my poor proofreading fails to catch all misinterpretations. Also, dates or numbers which the software treats as numerals rather than words are not corrected: for example, the software transcribes "the eighth of June one thousand eighty six" as "the 8th of June 1786." Please call errors or omissions to my attention.]
State of Kentucky Mercer County viz.: On this 3rd day of December 1832 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the County Court of Mercer now sitting John Gritton a resident citizen of said County & state aged 76 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th day of June 1832, That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated - viz.: I John Griffin do hereby state on oath in answer to the several interrogatories put by the court according to the direction of the War Department, That I was born in the town of Winchester & State of Virginia in the year 1755 as I my parents informed me, and my parents removed to West Moreland County Pennsylvania when I was about fifteen years of age and I lived on the Youghegany River [Youghiogheny River] in that state when I was called into service of my country as follows, in the month of May 1775 I was drafted in Captain John Rice's Company of Colonel Broadhead's Regiment for four months and was marched to a place six miles above what was called the Turkey foot settlement and built a Fort called Hoagland Fort where I was stationed until my time expired which was four months and I was honorably discharged. My next tour was in the fall of the same year I volunteered in a company of Rangers commanded by Captain Drake for three months and we marched to Conemaugh River in said state and ranged on that River and adjacent frontiers until my time expired and we were discharged.
And again in the year 1776 after harvest I again volunteered in Captain Drake's company of Rangers on another tour of three months and we marched up to a place called the Glades then on the waters of Turtle Creek and Youghegany River on these Frontiers of Westmoreland County until our time expired and I was again discharged - we had no Colonel with us in either of those tours but were ordered into service by Colonel Broadhead who was our principal officer in our County.
My next tour was in the month of January 1777 I again volunteered in Captain Drake's Company of Rangers for one month In order to take some deserters from the main Army we marched to the Glades and several other places in the neighborhood of Bedford and took several, and others came in and delivered themselves up at Bedford in our time expiring I was discharged.
Again in the month of August 1778 I performed a tour of duty of one month as a volunteer in a company of Rangers or Indian spies under Captain Kilgore and we marched to Cheat River where we ranged until I time expired and I was discharged and again in the fall of 1778 I performed another tour of one month as a volunteer Ranger in Captain Brown's Company to a place called the [indecipherable word] Glades where we ranged until my time expired and I was discharged.
In 1779 I was employed in building boats on the Youghegany River and in the month of April 1780 I sailed down the Ohio River to the falls of that River, and in the month of July of that year I volunteered in Captain Mcgary's Company at Mcgary's Station now in Mercer County for three months on an expedition then about to March under Colonel Geo. R Clark [George Rogers Clark] against the Indians and we marched to the mouth of Licking and from thence to a place then called Piqua on Mad River a Branch of the Big Miami which place we burnt and destroyed after we had a severe conflict with the Indians and at the expiration of my time I was honorably discharged.
Again in the fall of 1782 I volunteered in Captain James Ray's Company on another campaign and tour of three months against the northern Indians under Colonel or General George R. Clark and we marched across the Ohio at the mouth of Licking about the first September and thence to Piqua on the Big Miami which place we took and burnt several other towns after a severe conflict with the Indians - previous to this time in the year 1781 I performed a tour of two months as an Indian spy at McMurtry's Station in Kentucky now Mercer County, under Captain Ray, and one month at Mcgary's station in the summer 1781, and one month at the mouth of Salt River. At Mcgary's I served under Captain John Gordon, and at the mouth of Salt River under a Lieutenant whose name I cannot recollect at this time but I solemnly aver that I actually performed the tours of duty and services as above specified, and I know of no person now alive by whom I can prove my services in the State of Pennsylvania, and my services in the State of Kentucky I believe I can prove by General James Ray1 and James Hutton2 - I further declare that I have no documentary evidence of my services as I have long since lost my discharges and I am not now a pensioner of the United States nor of any state and I hereby relinquish all claim that I may have to any pension or annuity except the present. Witness my hand this 3rd day of December 1832
S/ John Gritton, X his mark
Mercer County: On this 3rd day of December 1832 personally appeared in open court General James Ray and being sworn according to law doth on his oath state, that his acquaintance with the above John Gritton who has sworn and subscribed the above declaration commenced in the spring 1780 soon after he came to Kentucky and I have known him ever since. I know that he marched with General Clark on his expedition in the year 1780 and in the year 1781 the said Gritton perform duty as a guard at the places he has stated above, part of his time was at Mcgary's Station where I was stationed and again in the fall 1782 he marched with me and in my company on Clark's campaign against the Indians on the Big Miami the said Gritton was always considered as a brave soldier and discharged his duty. I also well recollect at that time the said Gritton told me of his services in the Western parts of Pennsylvania on the Youghegany River as he has detailed in his declaration which I have read. The said Gritton was always considered a man of truth and I have no doubt of his having performed the services as he has stated. Witness my hand this 3rd day of December 1832
James Ray [signature]
1 FPA S31314 transcribed and posted in this database 10/2/11 2 FPA 31147 transcribed and posted in this database 10/2/11
[Martin C Duncan, a clergyman, Stephen Tyler and Peter Huff gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
[fn p. 12] State of Kentucky Mercer County viz.: On this 26 day of November 1832 personally appeared before me a justice of the peace in and for said County he being infirm and as he lives more than 20 miles from Harrodsburg where our court sets and it being very inconvenient for the said Hutton to attend court on account of his infirmities and being duly sworn according to law states, as follows, viz. I James Hutton do hereby state on oath that I am well acquainted with John Gritton Senior, of the County of Mercer and have known him sinse he first came to Kentucky in the spring 1780 and I was intimately acquainted with him from that time to the present, and I know that he performed the several tours of duty which he has stated viz. He was in Clark's Campaign in 1780, and also in 1781 he was stationed at McMurtrey's Station and at Mcgary's & on Salt River also on Clark's Campaign in the fall 1782 I also well recollect of the said Gritton telling me of his services in Pennsylvania in the year 1775 - 6 & 7 in the Western parts of that state and of his building forts on the Youghegany River all of which services he has often told me of soon after he came to Kentucky and before the war ended, I have always considered the said Griffin as a man of truth and a respectable Citizen, I was sworn as a witness to his first declaration, and no personally of his services since he first came to Kentucky. Witness my hand this day 26th of November 1832.
James Hutton [signature]
[facts in file: veteran died August 7, 1840; his wife, whose name is not stated in the documents in this file, did not survive them. The only child of John Gritton whose name is contained in the file is Aaron Gritton about whom there are no details given. No other child is referenced in the documents in this file.]
[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $73.33 per annum commencing March 4th, 1831, for 22 months service in the Pennsylvania and Virginia militias.]
http://revwarapps.org/s13203.pdf
In 1789 he was awarded a Kentucky Land Grant for 500 acres in Nelson County along the Salt River.
Virginia Grants, page 56.
Gritton, John 500 acres, book 16, page 162, date survey 7-7-1789, Nelson County, Salt River watercourse.
He later resided in Mercer County.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6625043/john-grittonJohn married Elizabeth Hoagland. Elizabeth was born about 1759 in Fayette City, Fayette County, Pennsylvania; was buried in Banta Graveyard, Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
9. Elizabeth Hoagland was born about 1759 in Fayette City, Fayette County, Pennsylvania; was buried in Banta Graveyard, Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/239586721/elizabeth-gritton
Unconfirmed but likely buried in Banta Graveyard by John Gritton. Stones are in poor condition and some have fallen.Children:
- Rhoda Rosanna Gritton was born in 1778; died after 1845.
- Aaron Gritton was born on 23 Jan 1779 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania; died on 14 Jul 1864; was buried in New Providence Presbyterian Cemetery, McAfee, Mercer County, Kentucky.
- 4. Jesse Gritton was born on 1 Apr 1781 in Virginia; died on 16 Feb 1857; was buried in Banta Graveyard, Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky.
- William Gritton was born in 1782 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died in 1823 in Mercer County, Kentucky.
- John Gritton was born about 1783 in Kentucky; died in 1820.
- Nancy Gritton was born about 1787; died in 1820.
- Dorcas Gritton was born in 1789 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died in 1818 in Mercer County, Kentucky.
- Levi Pete Gritton was born in 1790 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died in 1845 in Washington Township, Linn County, Iowa.
- Elizabeth Gritton was born in 1792 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died before 1837.
- Amos Gritton was born on 4 Aug 1794 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 29 May 1857 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Delilah Gritton was born in 1795 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died before 1831.
- Jacob Gritton was born on 16 Jun 1797 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 19 Sep 1842 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Mary Polly Gritton was born in 1805.