Brief Life History of John
When John Grimsley was born on 23 February 1809, in Washington, Tennessee, United States, his father, Lofton Grimsley, was 44 and his mother, Keziah Davis, was 41. He married Eleanor Cooper Proffitt on 27 May 1829, in Roane, Tennessee, United States. They were the parents of at least 6 sons and 2 daughters. He lived in Rhea, Tennessee, United States in 1850 and Jackson, Tennessee, United States in 1860. He died on 21 March 1896, in Washington, Tennessee, United States, at the age of 87.
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Family Time Line
Sources (5)
- John Grimsley, "United States Census, 1830"
- Private William F. Grimsley biographical sketch
- John Grimsley, "United States Census, 1860"
Spouse and Children
Children (8)
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Parents and Siblings
World Events (8)
1812
War of 1812. U.S. declares war on Britain over British interference with American maritime shipping and westward expansion.
1812 · War of 1812
Because of the outbreak of war from Napoleonic France, Britain decided to blockade the trade between the United States and the French. The US then fought this action and said it was illegal under international law. Britain supplied Native Americans who raided settlers living on the frontier and halting expansion westward. In 1814, one of the British raids stormed into Washington D.C. burning down the capital. Neither the Americans or the British wanted to continue fighting, so negotiations of peace began. After Treaty of Ghent was signed, Unaware of the treaty, British forces invaded Louisiana but were defeated in January 1815.
1832 · The Black Hawk War
Convinced that a group of Native American tribes were hostile, The United States formed a frontier militia to stop them in their tracks. Even though Black Hawk was hoping to avoid bloodshed while trying to resettle on tribal land, U.S. officials opened fire on the Native Americans. Black Hawk then responded to this confrontation by successfully attacking the militia at the Battle of Stillman's Run and then left northward. After a few months the militia caught up with Black Hawk and his men and defeated them at the Battle of Wisconsin Heights. While being weakened by hunger, injuries and desertion, Black Hawk and the rest of the many native survivors retreated towards the Mississippi. Unfortunately, Black Hawk and other leaders were later captured when they surrendered to the US forces and were then imprisoned for a year.
Name Meaning
English (Oxfordshire and Warwickshire): habitational name from Grimley in Worcestershire, probably so named from Old English grīma ‘specter, goblin’ + Old English lēah ‘woodland clearing’.
Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.
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