National Grigsby Family Society Grigsby Gazette

Fall/Winter 2019 / Vol. 34 / No. 2

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

By Matt Beard 2019 President, NGFS/NGPF

Hello Everyone,

As we approach the end of 2019, I hope that all of you have enjoyable holiday experiences and memories that you can share with family and friends for years to come.

The NGFS Board of Directors and volunteer staff met on October 26, 2019, in Las Vegas, Nevada, to determine where the organization is going and to plan for the upcoming year. One of the NGFS Website big events to come is the 2020 Triennial Reunion to be held in www.grigsby.org Santa Claus, Indiana – from Thursday, August 13, through NGPF Website Sunday, August 16, 2020. www.grigsbyfoundation.org Plans for the reunion are well underway (see articles starting on Facebook Page 5), and the Triennial Committee needs to know how many NatGrigsbyFamilySociety people to expect at the event. Be sure to attend; bring as many of NGFS Annual Dues your immediate families as you can. Contact René Chadick to let Single: $35 her know how many people to accommodate. The location Member & Spouse: $50 selected is near State Park in Lincoln City, Indiana,

Send membership dues to: (Continued on Page 2) Marcia W. Johnson NGFS Administrator 1627 Pine Drive What's Inside Grove, OK 74344-5503 1 President's Message 12 Editor's Corner 13 Letters Send articles, photos, letters, 3 Administrator's Note 14 Liberty Hill Update ideas for the Gazette to Judy 5 Triennial Reunion 2020 15 Why Y-DNA? Ermold by March 23, 2020 6 Triennial 2020 Itinerary 18 NGFS/NGPF Officers Email: 9 2019 Board Meeting 19 Board Members judyermold@sbcglobal 12 Member Spotlight .net 20 Committees or write: 37 Old Westbury Lane Webster Groves, MO 63119

Gazette 1 President's Message (continued) and many other attractions that involve and the Grigsby family – including George Honig's historic "Abraham Lincoln's Forest College" mural, on display at Rockport Elementary School.

I would also like to address the receipt of donations to the National Grigsby Preservation Foundation (NGPF) that have been received in late 2018 and early 2019. These donations are very helpful in continuing the projects that the NGPF is pursuing, which includes DNA testing and research. One specific donation was for $10,000. We are sincerely grateful for this generous sum, which will help define specific markers in the DNA of the various Grigsby lines. Although I would like to share with you the name of this member, we are unsure if he would like it known at this time. . . To all donors, thank you for your contributions.

One of the final acts of the board this year was to elect Sally DeSantis as the upcoming president of the NGFS and NGPF for 2021. In her previous presidency, Sally had started some programs that she would like to take forward in the coming years to change how the society interacts with the membership. I feel that she will make changes that will get more people involved and still be able to share genealogical information to current members. As I made the society aware after the 2018 Board meeting, I am stepping down from my various responsibilities and we are splitting up these duties to others so that they can provide new ideas and direction. I will still be around as the immediate past president, which is an unelected position on the board until the current president steps down. I have told Sally that I will support her with the upcoming changes.

Also, if you have ideas of what you would like to see happen, or if you feel you can help out, please let us know. Send a message to any of the NGFS Board members and let them know. The email and physical addresses can be found on the last page of each issue of the Grigsby Gazette.

Speaking of which, I would like to thank Judy Ermold for her work in putting together the Gazette and finding articles and information to include in each issue. Having performed the job of the Gazette editor for a number of years in the past, I know how difficult it can be. If you like the work she does, please let her know.

The same can be stated for each of the volunteers for this society. It has been operating for 40 years with many volunteers giving their time and money to make sure that the society continues. Sometimes it can be a thankless job, but a few encouraging words can really help keep people going and involved. From me to the rest of you, thank you.

Looking forward to seeing each of you at the Grigsby Triennial Reunion next year. . .

Matt Beard President NGFS/NGPF 

Gazette 2 ADMINISTRATOR'S NOTES

By Marcia W. Johnson NFGS Administrator 2019

It will take quite a while, if ever, for me to perform this role as well as Phyllis Bryant has done.

Thank you for any and all correspondence during the first quarter of this year. Many of you have graciously prepared obituaries and memorials honoring our esteemed members. When these materials are submitted, they are published in the "In Memoriam" section of the Gazette, which is dedicated to remembrances.

Reminders:

 Be sure to complete or update the Family Line form so your traditional Grigsby genealogy remains current. This is particularly important for new members: Family Line information enables us to make proper linkage to your Grigsby lineage and to process your full access to the Members Only website. . . Those who send payment via PayPal often overlook completing the member application and Family Line and mailing/emailing it to the Administrator. If I send you a reminder email notifying you of the needed documentation, please reply quickly so you can take full advantage of the Members Only site. Not doing so may affect your membership status.  We appreciate notifications about any deceased members, as well as obituaries and photos.  Thank you for notifying your administrator for any changes in personal information.

 The bracketed date after your name indicates the last time NGFS received your dues. If you see [2019], [L-Life Memberships], or [H-Honor – for those who are 80 years of age or older and have paid dues for at least five years], your membership is current.

At this time, only about half our membership is dues-paying, reflecting the sustained support that the other half – those who have attained Life or Honor Membership – have so loyally displayed for NGFS in previous years.

Because the future of the organization depends upon our ability to have a paying membership volume that supports the needs of all members, I urge everyone to recruit or pay membership for at least one other new member in 2020 for NGFS. NGFS Membership makes a great gift any time of the year, and particularly at the holidays or for a birthday.

Increasing dues-paying memberships is even better than making a donation: As a 501(c)(7) non-profit social organization under the IRS, all but 35 percent of our NGFS income must come from dues. [However, our National Grigsby Preservation Foundation (NGPF) is a separate 501(c)(3) organization, operated for educational and charitable activities, that can accept grants and donations of any amount.]

Continued on Page 4

Gazette 3 Administrator's Notes (continued)

 When making a donation through PayPal or personal check, please make sure you make it out to the appropriate organization: NGFS (National Grigsby Family Society) or NGPF (National Grigsby Preservation Foundation). NGFS is for membership dues and for non-tax-exempt donations intended to defray the operating expense of NGFS. NGPF is for tax-exempt donations to the Grigsby Foundation. If payment for membership is made in error to NGPF, the payment is returned, causing delay in membership processing. If you have any questions, please call or email me (my contact information is listed below).

 If you pay by check, please be aware that the length of processing varies, depending on timing and transmission factors. I routinely mail all checks received to the Treasurer at the end of every month. Therefore, it may take several weeks before a check clears your bank. If you need to know the status of the check processing, you may always contact me for information.

 Visit the NGFS website at www.grigsby.org for genealogical, publication, and membership information.

 To learn about the National Grigsby Preservation Foundation (NGPF), please visit our new, second website: The Grigsby Story: A Snapshot of American History, From The Publications of the National Grigsby Family Society – at www.grigsbyfoundation.org. This new site was developed by Matt Beard, with the assistance of the NGPF Committee.

Comments and/or donations for this project are welcome!

Comments only to: Donations only to: Sally Grigsby DeSantis, President (2020) NGPF Treasurer [payable to NGPF] 207 Garden Pl. c/o Randy Gentz, Robbinsville, NJ 08691-4161 10978 Willow Heights Dr. (609) 208-9334 landline Las Vegas, NV 89135 (856) 912-6028 cell (702) 499-2204 cell [email protected] [email protected]

Dues reminders for 2020 will be sent out soon, but we urge everyone who needs to renew for 2020 to go ahead and do so. Please send membership renewal and payment to the address below or through PayPal – unless you are an Honor or Lifetime Member. Dues remain at the same yearly rate: $35, individual; $50, member and spouse. Currently, automatic dues payment annually is not available on the PayPal website. However, we will be looking into this capability. 

Marcia W. Johnson, Administrator 1627 Pine Dr. Grove, OK 74344-5503 (816) 863-7377 cell [email protected]

Gazette 4 2020 TRIENNIAL REUNION: Save the Date & Save Your Place! Thursday, August 13 - Sunday, August 16, 2020 (Optional arrival: August 12, after 3:00 p.m.)

René Grigsby Chadick, Co-Chair, Triennial Committee

The 40th Anniversary 2020 Triennial Reunion in Spencer County, Indiana, will – for the first time – be held in the summer! Scheduling was changed to allow more families to enjoy the festivities during summer break.

As you may know, Spencer County is the home of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States; his sister Sarah, who married Aaron Grigsby; and many Grigsby friends and neighbors.

Mary and Abraham Lincoln Sarah Lincoln Grigsby Aaron Grigsby

There are so many things to see and do in the area that a two- or even three-day reunion is just not enough time. So, with that in mind, the Triennial has been extended to include an extra day of activities on the front end and a half day on Sunday for those who want to make the most of their stay. As you will see from the attached Itinerary, all of the following goals for this 40th Anniversary Triennial have been incorporated:

1. Educational and interesting (and fun!) 2. Tie-in to Grigsby Family history 3. Inclusive in nature to appeal to veteran NGFS members and younger generations of Grigsby descendants 4. Affordable, without sacrificing quality 5. Balanced between scheduled group activities and respite time to relax and/or explore alternate local attractions.

The Triennial Committee (René Grigsby Chadick, Mike Robinson, and Michelle Grigsby) need a preliminary head count, as soon as possible, from each family interested in attending. Due to the exciting nature of the program, the central location in Indiana, the family-friendly time of year, and the occasion of the 40th Anniversary, the turnout should be record-breaking!

Please respond directly to René Grigsby Chadick by Email – [email protected] or Phone – (210) 883-8089 or U.S. mail – 16418 Durango Creek Dr., San Antonio, TX 78247 

Gazette 5 NGFS Triennial Reunion Itinerary

Thursday, August 13 – Sunday, August 16, 2020 Optional Arrival: Wednesday, August 12, after 3:00 p.m.

Santa's Lodge 91 W. Christmas Blvd., Santa Claus, Indiana Hospitality Area in the Celebration Room: Open 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 13

 Board of Directors Meeting: Celebration Room in Santa's Lodge; Lunch onsite at St. Nick's Restaurant

 General Membership: Day Trip to Harrison Township, Jasper, and Montgomery, Indiana

 Huffman Mill Covered Bridge (Burr arch truss design; built in 1864-1865)

 St. Joseph’s Church in Jasper – Romanesque architecture; built in 1867-180

 Jasper Riverwalk, winding along the Patoka River

Continued on Page 7

Gazette 6 2020 Triennial Itinerary (continued)

 Buffet Lunch at Gasthof Amish Village, 6747 E. Gasthof Village Rd., Montgomery, Indiana

 Dubois County Museum, 2704 Newton St., Jasper, Indiana

 Board Members and General Membership: Dinner at the Schnitzelbank Restaurant, 393 3rd Ave., Jasper, Indiana

Friday, August 14  Day Trip to Grigsby gravesite at Fairview Cemetery  , Rockport, Indiana

Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe. President Abraham Lincoln Continued on Page 8

Gazette 7 2020 Triennial Itinerary (continued)

Friday, August 14 (continued)

 Abraham Lincoln's Forest College mural, displayed at Rockport Elementary School. The mural depicts Lincoln and his friend "Jimmy" Grigsby in their own outdoor "college" they built in the woods.

 Optional lunch in Rockport Or, return to Santa Claus for rest or recreation (paddle boats, zip lining, theme park, and much more)

 Dinner on your own

Saturday, August 15  Day Trip to Lincoln Boyhood Home and Memorial, 3027 E. South St., Lincoln City, Indiana

 Picnic Lunch in the Park – pick up at Subway, 11 N. Washington, Dale, Indiana Or, dine in at Hoosier Land Pizza & Wings, 3804 E. State Rd. 162, Lincoln City, Indiana

 Tour of the Colonel William Jones Home – beautifully restored 1834 Federal-design home of honored Union colonel William Jones (1803-1864), who employed Lincoln in his store in 1829. 620 E. County Rd. 1575 N., Gentryville, Indiana

 Banquet Dinner and General Meeting in the Celebration Room at Santa's Lodge

Sunday, August 16  Optional Day Trip to , 15476 County Rd. 300 E., Lincoln City, Indiana. Features 10 miles of hiking trails, two scenic lakes, an interpretive center, Sarah Lincoln Woods Nature Preserve, and the Little Pigeon Creek Cemetery, where Lincoln’s sister Sarah and her husband Aaron Grigsby are buried.  Gazette 8 NGFS/NGPF Annual Board Meeting 2019

(Viva Las Vegas II)

Compiled by Judy Ermold

For the second consecutive year, Randy and LaDonna Gentz graciously hosted an open house and wine tasting at their home in Summerlin, Nevada, on Friday, the evening before the NGFS/NGFP annual board meeting. The group enjoyed dinner at Grape Street Café in downtown Summerlin.

Then, in the morning – to work! The board met in the conference room at Randy's nearby office on Saturday, October 26, breaking midday for lunch. The full workday was followed by a relaxing dinner at North Italia in Las Vegas.

Attending Officers: President G. “Matt” Beard; Vice-President David C Grigsby; Secretary Marilyn W. Grigsby; NGFS Treasurer Donna Grigsby; NGPF Treasurer Charles “Randy” Gentz; Immediate Past President Sally DeSantis (all in person) Board Members in Addition to Officers: (in person) Marcia W. Johnson; Phyllis J. Bryant Others (via electronic means) Donald Linn Grigsby; Harold “Mike” Robinson; Judith Ermold Board Members Absent: Peter Evans; Michelle Linn Grigsby; Debbie Grigsby Lynch; Board Members-elect via electronic means: René Grigsby Chadick Guests: Vito DeSantis; Stan Grigsby

Agenda: Call to Order and Welcome (Matt Beard) Introductions and Roll Call, Establishment of Quorum (Marilyn Grigsby), and Acceptance of Agenda Secretary's Report (Marilyn Grigsby) NGFS Treasurer's Report (Donna Grigsby) Administrator's Report (Marcia Johnson)

Standing Committee Reports 2020 Triennial Committee (René Grigsby Chadick, Michelle L. Grigsby) Genealogist's Report (Don Grigsby) NGFS Website (Matt Beard) Social Media (Tom Grigsby) Grigsby Gazette (Judy Ermold, Editor) Cemetery Committee Report (Jerry Grigsby)

Unfinished Business Transfer of Tasks from Matt Beard Website Development and Maintenance (Matt Beard, Judy Ermold, Marcia Johnson) Approval of revamped Articles of Corporation and Bylaws (Matt Beard, Marilyn Grigsby) NGFS Future Plans (Marcia Johnson)

New Business Zoom Meetings (Video Conferencing)

Proposed Budget 2020 (Donna Grigsby) (Continued on Page 10)

Gazette 9 Annual Board Meeting 2019 (continued)

Report of Nominating Committee and Voting Results (Phyllis Bryant)

Appointment of Sally DeSantis to Fill Board Vacancy

Recognition of Retiring Board Members: G. Matthew "Matt" Beard, Peter Grigsby Evans, and Michelle Linn Grigsby, whose terms end January 1, 2020.

Election of Officers for 2020: Sally DeSantis, President; Don Grigsby, Vice President; Marilyn Grigsby, Secretary; Donna Grigsby, NGFS Treasurer; Randy Gentz, NGPF Treasurer; Matt Beard, Immediate Past President

Vice President David Grigsby (center) presents a Staff and Committee certificate of appreciation to retiring President Positions: Marcia Johnson, Matt Beard. Secretary Marilyn Grigsby is seated. Administrator; Phyllis Bryant, Genealogist; Matt Beard, NGFS Website Point of Contact; David C. Grigsby, Membership Outreach; Stan Grigsby and Scarlett Alexander, Social Media; Judy Ermold, Newsletter/Gazette Editor; Mike Robinson, Nominating Committee; Don Grigsby, Y-DNA Coordinator; Jerry Grigsby, Cemetery Committee; René Chadick and Michelle Linn Grigsby, 2020 Triennial Committee

Sally Grigsby DeSantis: 2020-2022 NGFS President

National Grigsby Preservation Foundation Board Meeting October 26, 2019

Agenda: Call to Order (President Matt Beard) Roll Call and Establishment of Quorum (Marilyn Grigsby) Treasurer's Report (Randy Gentz)

Committee Reports Y-DNA (Don Grigsby) NGPF Website (Matt Beard) PayPal Checks and Balances (Matt Beard, Randy Gentz)

 Next Annual Board of Directors Meeting and NGFS Triennial Reunion: August 13-16, 2020, in Santa Claus, Indiana (Continued on Page 11)

Gazette 10 Annual Board Meeting 2019 (continued)

Highlights of the 2019 NGFS/NGPF meetings:

Plans for The Big Event in 2020 — the 40th Anniversary Triennial Reunion – were discussed and approved. Dates: August 12 through 16. This is the first Triennial Reunion to take place in summer, when more NGFS members, family, and friends will be able to attend. The location is Santa Claus, Indiana, in Spencer County, where Abraham Lincoln and Grigsbys lived, worked, raised families, and made history. René Chadick, Michelle Grigsby, and Mike Robinson have organized an event that offers family-friendly features that are: educational, interesting, tied in to Grigsby family history, inclusive to appeal to NGFS members and descendants of all ages, affordable, balanced between group and individual activities (including relaxation). [Details and Itinerary are posted in this Fall/Winter 2019 issue of the Grigsby Gazette.]

The board discussed the status of both the NGFS website and the separate NGPF website. Due to changes in board participation, the organization is losing needed expertise in website building and maintenance. A proposal to expend money to redesign and develop a new NGFS website and to update/maintain both will be pursued.

A report by Social Media Chair Tom Grigsby indicated little participation on the NGFS Facebook site, which needs updating. Marcia Johnson volunteered to monitor and serve as administrator of the NGFS Facebook pages.

NGPF Treasurer Randy Gentz expressed the need to increase funding to continue DNA testing. Don Grigsby wants to run a SNIP (DNA test) on 100 individuals. He is willing to write a grant request to pay for the testing, which costs $23 each. He also pointed out the importance of restricting release of Y-DNA information, as mandated by privacy laws. He stated the primary focus to the tests is to sort out as many family lines as possible. Increased Y-DNA testing is essential for genealogical research of the Grigsby family lines.

Don Grigsby reported the seven people who will serve on the 2020 Genealogy Committee are Phyllis Bryant, Chair; David Harris, Sharon Braden, Ron Brenner, Mike Whitehead Grigsby, Marcia Johnson, and Jesse Lee Russell II.

Jerry Grigsby, chair of the Cemetery Committee, reported locating, to date, 10,505 headstones through "Find A Grave" – including maiden names from all countries. He has edited over 350 headstones with new information pertaining to the Grigsby line, and he continues to connect headstones of children to their parents. Jerry encourages all NGFS members to submit their family headstones and their Grigsby lineage to www.findagrave.com.

Sally Grigsby DeSantis accepted appointment to the office of NGFS Board president, 2020-2022. [A complete listing of 2020 officers, administrator, board of directors, and committees appears in this Fall/Winter 2019 issue of the Grigsby Gazette.] 

Gazette 11 Member Spotlight. . . DONNA JEAN GRIGSBY

Donna Grigsby has served as the treasurer of NGFS since 2010.

Donna grew up in Moran, Kansas, and graduated from Moran High School in 1964. She married Stanley Grigsby on June 6, 1965. Due to Stan’s Navy career, the couple has lived in San Diego and Monterey, California; Guam; Middletown, Rhode Island; and Alexandria, Virginia. Home is now Iola, Kansas.

Donna and Stan have two daughters — Kimberly Grigsby, New York; and Michelle Alexander, Alexandria, Virginia. The Grigsbys are the grandparents of four grandchildren.

Apparently, service to NGFS runs in the family: Stan was NGFS president from 2014 through 2016. Both daughters Kimberly and Michelle – as well as granddaughter Scarlett Alexander – have also worked on the NGFS Board of Directors.

Donna earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration (BBA), with a major in Finance, from George Washington University. Although she has retired from office work, Donna donates her time and talents to a number of organizations. For example, she is the accompanist for the Allen Community College Choir, district treasurer for United Methodist Women, and co-chair of the Allen County Recycling Committee. In addition, she sings in choir, plays hand bells, and works with an after-school program at church once a week. Donna also continues as a Mary Kay consultant.

Donna and Stan enjoy traveling, especially on ocean and river cruises. 

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EDITOR'S CORNER Hello, Cousins! By Judy Ermold Please remember that your input to the Grigsby Gazette is very, very important – because, frankly, we want to please YOU, the readers.

You are welcome to send me typed or handwritten materials and, hopefully, share your photos. You may email these items to me, or you may mail them (I will return all photos to you following publication).

And you don't need to be a writer. You can easily help select and shape future features by telling us what you would like to see. Don't hesitate to email, write, or call with your ideas: Judy Ermold Email: [email protected] Address: 37 Old Westbury Lane; Webster Groves, MO 63119-4915 Cell phone: (417) 860-0444 

Gazette 12  LETTERS FROM OUR READERS 

Here is correspondence received after publication of the Spring/Summer 2019 Grigsby Gazette. The editor, as well as other active NGFS/NGPF volunteers, welcome comments and suggestions and comments from all readers!

A Letter from the Village Director

Nancy Kaiser, Director Rockport Lincoln Pioneer Village and Museum 928 Fairground Drive Rockport, IN 47635

September 12, 2019

Hello, Grigsby Family and Friends,

I thought I would reach out again for your help in reconstructing the replica Grigsby Cabin at the Lincoln Pioneer Village and Museum in Rockport, Indiana.

As I stated in the previous issue, we are focusing on our entrance cabin, looking for funding to rebuild or hopefully just repair. We have had a good growing season this summer, with visitation up and more school and group involvements than in the past.

We are hoping to "raise" the cabin before your visit in 2020 – but still need funding to make it happen. I am working with a company to donate the chinking materials and feel confident that volunteers will work on that part of the project. This will take some of the cost down.

Please consider bringing your heritage "back to life" by offering a contribution to this project. Checks should be made payable to Friends Lincoln Pioneer Village (or FLPV). The mailing address is 928 Fairground Dr.; Rockport, IN 47635.

We would greatly appreciate your support.

Sincerely,

Nancy Kaiser 

The "Grigsby Home" prior to significant deterioration

Gazette 13 LIBERTY HILL: Mark This Grigsby Home "SOLD"

Gazette readers interested in the current status of the long-listed Grigsby home at 40 Liberty Lane, in Natural Bridge, Virginia: It sold!

Eliza Grigsby (granddaughter of Soldier John Grigsby) and her husband Thomas Welch built Liberty Hill in the 1830s. The house eventually fell into disrepair, but was beautifully restored in the past several years.

Liberty Hill holds a special spot in the heart of NGFS member Anne Demsky, descendant of Soldier John Grigsby. For years, she has been hoping for a buyer to find – and appreciate – this treasure at 40 Liberty Lane. 

"Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts."

Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

______

NATIONAL GRIGSBY PRESERVATION FOUNDATION: Mission Statement

The National Grigsby Preservation (NGPF) is the charitable giving arm of the National Family Grigsby Society (NGFS). NGPF was incorporated in 2008 to provide family members a resource pool for giving back to the greater community. The Foundation serves to preserve and publicize historical information that represents the Grigsby Family and the eras in which they lived. NGPF focuses on a museum concept that encourages the public to learn about the cultural impact of the Grigsby Family and their descendants. The long-term goal of the Foundation is to create a physical and virtual repository for artifacts and heirlooms of the Grigsby Family throughout the generations.

Website: www.grigsbyfoundation.org Treasurer: Charles R. "Randy" Gentz [email protected]  Gazette 14 2019 Grigsby Y-DNA Study Report Don Grigsby, Genealogist

To date, the NGFS/NGPF Y-DNA Study has tested 76 individuals. This total does not include those surname individuals who knew they were not patrilineal descendants{1} of the immigrant John Grigsby (1623-1730) but tested as a group member to avail themselves of the discount price offered to group members.

Of those 76 individuals who were tested, 23 of them proved to not be patrilineal descendants of the "Immigrant John" Grigsby, while 53 proved to indeed be patrilineal descendants of the "Immigrant John" Grigsby.

Of the 53 individuals who have tested positive as patrilineal descendants of "Immigrant John," 42 were tested at the FTDNA genetics lab in Houston, Texas, and 11 were tested at the YSEQ genetics lab in Berlin, Germany.

Of the 76 individuals tested, 68 were from the United States, and eight were from the United Kingdom. None of the individuals from the United Kingdom descended from the same patrilineal family as did John Grigsby (1623-1730). In fact, the eight Grigsby surname individuals from the U.K. were from five different Y-DNA haplogroups{2}, which tells us that the five groups have not shared a common paternal ancestor for several thousands of years. Although this result was unexpected, it does not preclude relatedness on an "autosomal DNA"{3} basis.

For the American family who are patrilineal descendants of the immigrant John Grigsby (1623-1730), we have discovered that in addition to the Grigsby surname, some of his patrilineal descendants are currently named Chambless [from the SNP{4} JFS0012{5} line of John Grigsby (II) and the "Tennessee John" Grigsby branch]. There are also three separate White surname families [one from the line of the immigrant John Grigsby son James Grigsby (I) line of JFS0016{5}; a second White surname group from the JFS0015 Grigsby branch; and a third White surname group who are genetically patrilineal descendants of "Immigrant John" from a branch yet to be determined]. Furthermore, there is a Lay surname family group, descended from the JFS0015{5} Grigsby branch].

We have recently tested four descendants of William Barksdale Grigsby, born ca.1798 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, to SAR{6} Moses Grigsby Jr. and wife Abigail Fritter. All four have proven not to be patrilineal descendants of the "Immigrant John" Grigsby. This line has existed in controversy for some 25 or so years. The NGFS prior to that time believed and published that Moses Grigsby [son of John Grigsby (II) and wife Jane Redman Grigsby], who married Catherine Branson (with whom he had children Henry Grigsby and Elizabeth Grigsby), also married a second time to Mary Matheny (with whom he had a son Moses Grigsby Jr., among others). My research proved this to be in error – that Catherine Branson and Mary Matheny were married to two different men named Moses Grigsby.

The Moses Grigsby who married Catherine Branson died, and his will was probated ca. 1780. He was married only to Catherine Branson. The Moses Grigsby Sr. (who married Mary Matheny) and his son Moses Grigsby Jr. (who married Abigail Fritter) were both still alive and on the Pittsylvania County, Virginia, tax list ca. 1800 and later – 20 years after the death of the Moses Grigsby who married Catherine Branson. (Continued on Page 16)

Gazette 15 Y-DNA Study (continued)

So, if John Grigsby (II) was the father of the Moses who married Catherine Branson (and genetic testing of his descendants prove that he was), who was the father of the Moses Grigsby who married Mary Matheny and produced the line of Moses Grigsby Jr. and son William Barksdale Grigsby?

Our testing proves that four Barksdale descendants from two different sons are not patrilineal descendants of John Grigsby (1623-1730) – which does not prove, but casts serious doubt, on whether William Barksdale Grigsby is a patrilineal descendant of the immigrant John Grigsby. We are now researching the possibilities/probabilities that the Barksdale descendants are related to another genetic family going back to the 1650-1790 time period. This could be a long and involved investigation.

The NGFS knew so little about the immigrant John Grigsby's son John Grigsby (II) in the 1980s- 1990s. Immigrant John Grigsby left a will naming his five sons and one daughter. While son Thomas had no children, Charles and James left wills naming their children. John Grigsby (II) and William Grigsby (I) left no wills of record, but William's son John never married and left a will naming his siblings as heirs, establishing a list of the children of William Grigsby (I).

The Overwharton Parish Tobacco Tenders List of 1723/24 names a third William Grigsby and a Benjamin Grigsby who are not claimed in any of the wills mentioned. Therefore, the logical assumption is that these are the children of John Grigsby (II).

In addition to these two males who would be the oldest of the Grigsby third generation, we also find a Mary Grigsby (who married John Fewell in 1726, according to St. Paul's Parish records) and Abigail Grigsby (who married William Wood, according to a record discovered by Lutha Grigsby). We know that Nehemiah Wood (son of William Wood) also married an Abigail Grigsby, so Lutha Grigsby wondered whether the same woman married a father and then a step-son, or whether these were two different women. I have not thoroughly researched the matter; however, I know that the Abigail Grigsby who married Nehemiah Wood was the daughter of Benjamin Grigsby (I), who was the son of John Grigsby (II), and that Nehemiah Wood was the son of William Wood by a wife who was not a Grigsby. I suspect, however, that John Grigsby (II) may have had a daughter and a granddaughter named Abigail Grigsby (which would make the two Abigail Wood ladies aunt and niece to each other) and that Nehemiah Wood was the son of William Wood by a wife previous to Abigail.

As mentioned previously, John Grigsby (II) died ca. 1750 without a will. When his wife Jane Redman Grigsby died in 1755, she left a will naming her four sons John, Thomas, Aaron, and Moses. The way in which she stated that fact always seemed strange to me until I discovered the earlier children of John Grigsby (II) and a wife unknown to the present-day NGFS. John Grigsby (II) had at least three, probably four, children by a marriage prior to Jane Redman Grigsby – which may account for her naming her four sons in her will.

The plot thickens, however, if you consider the possibility that John Grigsby (II) was a widower with four very small children (including William, Benjamin, Mary, and Abigail – born prior to 1707) when he married Jane Redman. Perhaps she was a widow with some very small children of her own (including John, Thomas, and Aaron), to create a blended family that later produced at least Moses Grigsby (as we

(Continued on Page 17)

Gazette 16 Y-DNA Study (continued) can prove genetically that Moses, Benjamin, and William are the sons of John Grigsby (II). In this scenario, the middle children may have been John Grigsby (II)’s stepchildren who were given his surname.

Unfortunately, Thomas Grigsby and wife Ann Dishman had no children, and Aaron Grigsby had only a daughter from his two marriages. Therefore, both of those men named as her sons have no patrilineal descendants to test. That leaves the John Grigsby that we have always called John Grigsby (III); however, he may have only been the eldest of (her) Jane Redman Grigsby's sons. If his father was not John Grigsby (II), then the line from John Grigsby (III) would not be patrilineal descendants of John Grigsby (I) and (II).

If John Grigsby (III) was the father of the Moses Grigsby Sr. who married Mary Matheny (as I tend to suspect), it would mean that the genetic break could have existed long before William Barksdale Grigsby and his patrilineal descendants.

As I indicated, this could be a long and complicated issue to solve, but we will do the best we can. We have three FTDNA administrators working on the matter, in addition to two other competent researchers. We are, as always, a work in progress.

Don Grigsby ______

NOTES

{1} From the father's lineage

{2} A haplogroup is a group of single chromosomes, or single DNA strands, which share a common ancestor. They have the same mutation in all versions. (https://simple.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haplogroup)

{3} DNA which is inherited from autosomes, which are any of the numbered chromosomes – as opposed to the sex chromosomes. (https://isogg.org.wiki/Autosomal_DNA)

{4} SNP (pronounced "snip") = single nucleotide polymorphism. SNPs occur normally throughout a person's DNA and are the most common type of genetic variation among people. They can act as biological markers, helping scientists locate genes that are associated with disease. (https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/genomicresearch/snp)

{5} Genetic markers (Y chromosome)

{6} Sons of the American Revolution 

Gazette 17 NATIONAL GRIGSBY FAMILY SOCIETY [NGFS] NATIONAL GRIGSBY PRESERVATION FOUNDATION [NGPF]

2020 OFFICERS, ADMINISTRATOR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, & COMMITTEES

NGFS is a non-tax-deductible 501(c)7 organization NGPF is a tax-deductible 501(c)3 foundation group

OFFICERS (6)

1) President 5) Treasurer Sally Grigsby DeSantis National Grigsby Preservation Foundation [NGPF] 207 Garden Pl. Charles Randolph "Randy" Gentz Robbinsville, NJ 08691-4161 10978 Willow Heights Dr. [email protected] Las Vegas, NV 891836 (609) 208-9334 landline [email protected] (856) 912-6028 cell (702) 499-2204 cell

2) Vice-President The NGFS and NGPF are governed by the same Donald Linn Grigsby, PhD officers and directors, with the exception of the 14306 Brangus St. Treasurer. NGFS and NGPF Treasurers are two San Antonio, TX 78247-1938 different individuals elected by the governing Board. [email protected] (210) 683-3925 The NGPF is a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible foundation group, in accordance with the IRS Code, and is 3) Secretary operated for educational and charitable activities, Marilyn W. Grigsby separately from the NGFS. 26 Danube River Dr. Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 6) Immediate Past President [email protected] G. Matthew "Matt" Beard (321) 783-8303 home 10318 Sagegate Dr. (321) 543-0891 cell Houston, TX 77089-4424 [email protected] 4) Treasurer (832) 205-4388 cell National Grigsby Family Society [NGFS] Donna J. Grigsby P.O. Box 661 Administrator (2019) Iola, KS 66749-0661 Marcia W. Johnson [email protected] 1627 Pine Dr. (703) 403-8257 cell Grove, OK 74344-5503 [email protected] (816) 863-7377

“All of our ancestors live within each one of us whether we are aware of it or not.” ― Laurence Overmire

Gazette 18 BOARD OF DIRECTORS (3-year term)

2020: 1/1/2018-12/31/2020 2022: 1/1/2020-12/31/2022 Donald Linn Grigsby, PhD 14306 Brangus St. Gena "René" Grigsby Chadick San Antonio, TX 78247-1938 16418 Durango Creek Dr. San Antonio, TX 78247-4425 [email protected] [email protected] (210) 683-3925 (210) 883-8089 Marcia W. Johnson, MBA, MPA, RHIA Sally Grigsby DeSantis 1627 Pine Dr. 207 Garden Pl. Grove, OK 74344-5503 Robbinsville, NJ 08691-4161 [email protected] [email protected] (816) 863-7377 (609) 208-9334 landline Debbie Grigsby Lynch (856) 912-6028 cell P.O. Box 25 [459 W. 2nd St.] Donna J. Grigsby Prescott, KS 66767-0025 P.O. Box 661 [email protected] Iola, KS 66749-0661 (620) 224-4606 [email protected] Harold Michael "Mike" Robinson (703) 403-8257 cell 5521 Mulberry Pl. Owensboro, KY 42301-8479 Stephen W. Grigsby, DVM [email protected] 4252 Turtle Mound Dr. (812) 660-0563 Melbourne, FL 32934 [email protected] 2021: 1/1/2019-12/31/2021 Phyllis J. Bryant 69 Plymouth St. Medina, OH 44256-2418 [email protected] (330) 321-2258 cell (330) 725-7358 landline

Judith A. "Judy" Ermold 37 Old Westbury Ln. Webster Groves, MO 63119-4915 [email protected] (417) 860-0444 cell

Charles Randolph "Randy" Gentz 10978 Willow Heights Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89135 [email protected] (702) 499-2204 cell

Marilyn W. Grigsby 26 Danube River Dr. Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 [email protected] (321) 783-8303 home (321) 543-0891 cell

Gazette 19 NGFS COMMITTEE MEMBERS (2020)

2020 Board of Directors’ Meeting & Membership Outreach Committee Triennial Reunion: David C. Grigsby, Chair Thursday, August 13, 2020 415 W. Valoro Dr. Santa Claus, Indiana (Spencer County) Tucson, AZ 85737-9713 [email protected] Triennial Reunion Committee: Gena "René" Grigsby Chadick [L], Co-Chair (520) 906-6584 16418 Durango Creek Dr. NGFS Newsletter/Gazette Editor San Antonio, TX 78247-4425 Judith A. "Judy" Ermold [email protected] 37 Old Westbury Ln. (210) 883-8089 Webster Groves, MO 63119-4915 Michelle Linn Grigsby [L], Co-Chair [email protected] (417) 860-0444 Harold Michael "Mike" Robinson Nominating Committee Bylaws Committee Harold Michael "Mike" Robinson, Chair Officers of NGFS 5521 Mulberry Pl. Owensboro, KY 42301-8479 Cemetery Committee [email protected] Jerry Bruce Grigsby, Chair (812) 660-0563 536 E. 4th Pl. Mesa, AZ 85203-7103 Social Media Committee [email protected] Stanley Holmes "Stan" Grigsby (480) 668-7889 P.O. Box 661 Iola, KS 667749-0661 Chaplain Committee [email protected] Contact: Vice-President Don Grigsby (703) 244-1516 cell 14306 Brangus St. San Antonio, TX 78247-1938 Scarlett Alexander [email protected] Facebook Administrator (210) 683-3925 Marcia Johnson NGFS Website Point of Contact 1627 Pine Dr. G. Matthew "Matt" Beard Grove, OK 74344-5503 10318 Sagegate Dr. [email protected] Houston, TX 77089-4424 (816) 863-7377 [email protected] (281) 484-5672 Y-DNA Study From America: Genealogy Committee Donald Linn Grigsby, Coordinator Phyllis Bryant, Chair G. Matthew "Matt" Beard 69 Plymouth St. Christine Anna "Chrissy" Grigsby Medina, OH 44256-2418 David Cecil Grigsby [email protected] Michelle Linn Grigsby (330) 321-2258 cell Lora Grigsby Jackson Don Grigsby From England: Sharon Grigsby Braden John Michael Grigsby Ron Brenner Reuben Edward Grigsby Mike Whitehead Grigsby Rose Edna Grigsby David Harris Marcia Johnson From Northern Ireland: Jesse Lee Russell II John Sloan [contacts only Don Grigsby for DNA] 

Gazette 20