John Randolph Grymes (abt. 1745 - aft. 1805)

Born about 28 Mar 1745 in Middlesex, Virginia [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Susanna Beverly (Randolph) Grymes — married 20 May 1779 in London, England

Descendants

Died after 23 May 1805 after about age 60 in Brandon, Middlesex, Virginia [uncertain]

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Biography

John Grymes served with Loyalists during the American Revolution.

John Grymes lived in Virginia.

John Grymes was a Virginia colonist.

John was born the son of Philip and Mary (Randolph) Grymes^[1][2][3] on 28 Mar 1745 Brandon, Middlesex, Virginia; baptized 5 Apr 1745 at Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia.^[4]

He was educated in England.

John Randolph Grymes was a Loyalist during the American Revolution, in 1776 he joined the Royalist army under Lord Dunmore, at the head of a troop of horse which he had raised himself, the Queen's Rangers.^[1]

See The History Doctor [1] for a lively description of the address to King George III in 1788 published by American Loyalists led by John Randolph Grymes.

In 1777 he went to England to press the claims of the Loyalists in Virginia.^[1]

In London, he married, circa 20 May 1779, his first cousin Susanna Randolph, daughter of John Randolph (the last royal attorney-general of Virginia).^[1][2][5]

John and Susanna Grymes had four children;^[5] however, some sites say that they had no issue.^[3]

1. Mary Beverly (Grymes) Francisco (abt.1782-abt.1858)
2. Charles Windham Grymes (1784-) (before 26 Mar 1784) - see Research Notes
3. John Randolph Grymes Jr (1786-4 Dec 1854)^[6]
4. Unknown

After living for a time in England, they returned to Virginia and John Randolph Grymes became a wealthy slaveholder and plantation owner in Orange County, Virginia.

For more on his military history, see Queen's American Rangers: Biographical Sketches, Infantry Officers.

Some sources say that he died in 1796.^[5] A death record from 23 May 1805 Brandon, Middlesex Virginia also apparently exists; although, this is an unconfirmed match.^{[citation needed]} Some say Orange, Virginia was where he died and that he died in 1820.^[1][2][6][3]

Research Notes

• Further investigation is needed: A 26 Mar 1784 Chelsea, London, England (Saint Luke) christening record for a son of John Randolph Grymes and Susannah Burnsly [could be transcription error for Beverley?] shows Charles Windham Grymes.^[7] FamilySearch only shows three children.
• The following site is marked as a Dangerous Webpage, and the full url is therefore removed: dcodriscoll.pbworks.com/w/page/9955910/Grymes

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4} Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. Enclyclopedia of Virginia Biography. Grymes, John Randolph. 1915, p. 139-40. New York: Lewis Historical Publishing Company.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Find a Grave, database and images www.findagrave.com/memorial/135294751/john-randolph-grymes accessed 17 Nov 2022, memorial page for John Randolph Grymes (1747–1820), Find A Grave: Memorial #135294751; Maintained by Gloria Lowrey (contributor 47504707) Burial Details Unknown, who reports a According to the Cyclopaedia of American Biography, he died in Orange Co., VA.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} The Grymes Family (Continued). The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. Vol. 28, No. 1. Jan 1920, p. 96. Virginia: Virginia Historical Society.
4. ↑ "Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584-1917", database, FamilySearch: 28 Jan 2020, John Grymes, birth 28 Mar 1745, Father Philip Grymes, Mother Mary.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} Painting, The Grymes Children: Description. The Story of Virginia collection, Rosegill Library Portraits and Paintings/Wormeley Portraits. Accessed 17 Nov 2022.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Museum of History: Hall of North and South Americans: John Randolph Grymes. Memorial page. Citing Appletons Encyclopedia. NOTE: Appleton's may not be reliable. 2001. Virtualology. Accessed 17 Nov 2022.
7. ↑ Unconfirmed match for a son: "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch: 19 Mar 2020, John Randolph Grymes in entry for Charles Windham Grymes, 1784.