• General Notes

  [grigg.FTW]
  
  Abner Grigg was a private in the Revolutionary War, served 3 years and received a land grant for services rendered. 
  
  Information from                                                                    #1 Page #345 Land Office Richmond, VA.
  
  Abner Grigg was the eldest son of William Grigg III and Elizabeth.  He was born circa 1712.  He is mentioned in the first "Item" of his father's will:  "I give to my well beloved son Abner Grigg my plantation that I now live on, his bounds of land beginning at the mouth of the Great Branch, thence running up to Edward Mitchell's line, thense crossing to the upper end of Round Swamp, being for 100 acres more or less, this is to my said son Abner and his heirs forever;"
  
  Abner Grigg I was about 14 years of age when his parents died.  He was a great help to his grandparents and his Uncle James in caring for the famly.  He developed a strong character, loyalty, honesty, res[pmsobo;otu amd a gppd bisomess sense which stayed with him throughout his life.  He had not the privilege of schooling, though, and signed his name with his mark.
  
  He married Mary Ford circa 1731.  She was the daughter of Mathew Ford, who had a land grant November 4, 1718 surveyed by Robert Bolling, Surveyor, of 287 acres on the south side of Appomattox River at Mawhipponack Creek.  His neighbor was William Anderson.  Mathew Ford was exempted from paying further tax levies on May 20, 1738.
  
  The will of William Haskins of Henrico County, Virginia, dated December 27, 1742 names three children of Mathew Ford, one of them Mary, wife of Abner Grigg, to have a slave, Amy, and her daughter.
  
  At a court held  October 26, 1738 Abner Grigg was appointed Overseer of Highways of Prince George County.  This was a very responsibile position.  He needed to see that all the landowners helped with the building and upkeep of the roads.
  
  Abner Grigg I(or Sr.) accumulated several plantations.  The 100 acres on White Oak was ten miles west of Dinwiddie courthouse.  He was granted 300 acres on the lower side of Oldfield Branch and Butterfield Swamp on August 28, 1746(Dinwiddie County, book 24, page 546).  Oldfield plantation was twelve miles west of Dinwiddie Courthouse.  On June 20, 1738 Abner Grigg was granted 400 acres of land in Amelia County, VA.  There is no record, however, that he ever lived on it.  Abner I may had bought his brother Burwell's 100 acres which adjoined him on White Oak Swamp when Burwell went to Anson County, NC in 1752.  On January 12, 1747 Abner had a grant of 200 acres on both sides of White Oak Swamp.
  
  Abner Grigg I(or Sr.) went to Anson County North Carolina in 1755-56 whith his "black fellows" to help his sick brother, Burwell I, with his land.  Abner I was again there in 1768.
  
  Abner Grigg I is listed on the Dinwiddie County poll tax records for 1782-1787 as "one white-one black."  This would indicate that Abner was living alone with his servant on his Dinwiddie plantation.  Apparently his wife was dead and his family gone. 
  
  Since so many of Dinwiddie County's records were destroyed pre-1835, we are able to find but four sons for Abner Grigg I and Mary Ford, and no duahgers.  They were all born at Bristol Parish, Prince George County, Virginia, the  fifth generation from William Grigg I, the IMmigrant.

Details of Abner's family with Mary Ford