RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Cornwall => Topic started by: stevemiller on Tuesday 21 March 17 11:43 GMT (UK)
-
I have posted in the Common Room, but a couple of leads ended in deadends. More detail here
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=763660.0
I thought I would try a more local audience.
John Grigg joined the army at Barnstaple in July 1859 and said he was an 18 year old labourer born in Cornwall (no parish !).
The only census appearance I have for him is 1871 at Anglesea Barracks, Portsea HAM aged 33 and born in Cornwall.
He married Sarah Ann Forman Q4 1871 at Portsea, and gave his age as 33 and his father as Henry Grigg, deceased carpenter.
Someone once told me that Cornish Griggs were as plentiful as tin, but a Henry Grigg was like gold dust! Henry Grigg at Wendron (1851 census HO107/1912/251/4) seems the likeliest fit, but no sign of a John.
This is not straightforward, but I hope fresh Cornish eyes may help – even if I've missed the “bleeding obvious”.
-
Plenty of John Griggs on Cornwall-OPC-Database (.org) ;D
12 between 1835 and 1845; but none with a father Henry.
1851 census; [possible?
HO107/1895/115/23
High Street, Bideford, Devon
Grigg, John Apprentice M 14 Drapers Apprentice b Kilkhampton, Cornwall
With 2 more apprentices, 2 assistants and 2 servants
-
I have spotted this John Grigg before, obviously because of the proximity to Barnstaple.
I've just had a closer look at him, and I think this John's parents were John (ironmonger of Kilkhampton) and Susanna - in which case he died of fever in London on 12 March 1855, and was buried at Kilkhampton on 17 March. [see North Devon Journal 22 March 1855]
-
Bearing in mind that John said his father was Henry Grigg, nevertheless I thought I would have a look at the 12 John baptisms that KGarrard mentioned, plus one nonconformist birth for the timeframe.
I can rule out seven because they were either buried before 1859, or they were in Cornwall in 1861, when my John was in India.
Year Parish Parents Outcome
1835 Boyton John & Martha buried 1836 Boyton, infant
1835 Gwithian William & Mary Ann buried 1848 Perranzabuloe, aged 13
1835 St Dennis Richard & Mary 41,51,61 with parents in St Dennis, 1867 married Mary Ann Allen buried 1912
1836 Roche Joseph & Mary Ann buried 1855 St Minver, aged 19
1836 Kilkhampton John & Susanna buried 1855 Kilkhampton, aged 18
1843 Crowan John & Sally 51, 61 with parents in Camborne
1845 Warbstow Richard & Mary Ann 51, 61, 71 with parents in Warbstow
Can anyone help with the other six?
1835 St Dennis Nicholas & Elizabeth CANT FIND AFTER BAPT parents in St Dennis 41-71 another son John born c1852
1835 St Ervan Joseph & Philippa 41, 51 with widowed mother at St Dennis NO SIGN
Bible Christian [of St Dennis, born St Columb] AFTER
1837 Kilkhampton Charles & Eliza 41, 51 with parents at Lewdon NOT SIGN AFTER
1838 Lanlivery John & Mary Ann 41 with parents at Redmoor NO SIGN AFTER
1841 Jacobstow Humphry & Mary 51 with parents at Jacobstow NO SIGN AFTER
1842 St Michael Caerhays John & Margaret CANT FIND AFTER BAPT parents at Altarnun 51 Calstock 61
Sorry about the formatting - I'm still coming to grips with posting!
Looking at the census there are other possible John Griggs not listed above. I will try to get my head around those.
-
Could John have died?
1881 census 4 Mayors Lane Newbury
David Herbert 44 bricklayers lab born Newbury
Sarah Herbert 29 wife Portsmouth
David 3 Newbury
John grigg 8 stepson Aldershot
James Grigg 4 stepson Portsmouth
Marriage in Newbury 1879 Sarah a Grigg and David Herbert.
Jennifer
-
May be the John Grigg in Stoke Climsland in the 1851 census.
I have a Catherine Grigg born 1826 in Stoke Climsland in my tree. She gave her father as Henry when she married in 1853.
Perhaps they are siblings.
-
Hello Jennifer
Let's say that he "disappeared" - I've not found a death for him yet
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=766421.0
But, yes, that's his wife and two sons in their new life.
John Grigg junior's middle name was Henry.
Son James is in my picture.
Steve
-
Hello mgeneas,
Thanks for the information.
Is this the John Grigg who was a footman at Whitford House in 1851?
If so, I would say he was the brother of your Catherine Grigg, but it appears he was baptised in 1822.
And, according to probate, died in 1884 in Devonport as a widowed butler.
Right father's name, but too old to be mine, I'm afraid.
Steve
-
Too bad..... and Henry the father died in 1837
-
I thought I would update this thread, just in case someone else follows along the same path.
To try and solve some of my longstanding mysteries - such as this one - I did a DNA test in March 2018.
This has come up trumps and I have found John after nearly 35 years of searching. It appears his brother, James, emigrated to Pennsylvania, and this provided the match.
He was born in Jacobstow on 24 July 1841, son of Humphry Grigg, labourer and Mary Aunger.
I did have this baptism on my list of suspects, but I don't think I would have accepted it without the DNA confirmation.
As I keep saying - the answer is out there somewhere.