Ahnentafel #434 - John Grove

John Grove

Born: July 17, 1750 York (Philadelphia), Pennsylvania
Died: Dec. 11, 1843 Monroe County, Missouri

Buried: Unknown

Married:

1. ca. 1782 Susan Fox in either Pennsylvania or North Carolina
2. Aug. 17, 1819 Margaret Ann (--?--) Newkirk in Jefferson County, Kentucky

Occupation: tanner, farmer

John Grove's namesake grandson, Dr. John Grove Speer wrote the following about his grandfather:

Both of my grand-fathers were in the Continental army and fought the British until the war closed and Independence was gained - when peace and joy reigned in the hearts of all, the lovers of freedom and liberty in the thirteen States of the Union.  This was obtained through a great sacrifice of life and treasure. History tells of hundreds whose lives were freely offered a sacrifice for the freedom we now enjoy. 

O! what a legacy is left us, and may we ever remember that vigilance on our part is necessary, that like those heroes, we may leave unimpaired to our children the same precious blessings of liberty, freedom of speech and conscience, peaceful, pursuit after happiness and other blessings of our kind and merciful Father. Therefore, let us continually give thanks to Him for his loving kindness and tender mercies to the children of men and pray for Him to bless us all along our journey through this world, and finally ransom us from the grave and give us a home on high. 

There resided in the town [Morganton, NC] a sturdy Dutchman, engaged in the tanning business, and who had several industrious, healthy daughters. 

Martin Grove came to America from Holland many years before the war of 1776, and settled in York, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, where he bought property and lived until his death.  He was high Dutch, and of the Lutheran persuasion or religion, as was his son John Grove . . . 

Two sons, William and John were born of this union.  William grew to be a very stout man, and was a blacksmith by occupation. It was said that he could take an anvil by the horn with one hand and hold it parallel with his shoulder. In attempting to do this with an anvil in each hand, a blood vessel burst and he died from a hemorrhage that followed. This left John the only son and heir of Martin Grove, who died and left his wife a widow again.  

John Grove, after the war, visited his mother, and desired to get his part of his father's estate. His mother said to him: "John, if you do, you will distress and ruin us." He said, "If that is the case, you shall not be deprived of it as long as you live."  He left them in possession of it and never once put in a claim for what was lawfully his. This property afterward became very valuable, and is, or was a few years ago, in the possession of some of the Hinkle family.

John Grove, under General [Nathaneal] Green, was in several battles; one of them at Guilford Court House, N.C.  He was made captain of a supply train, and had a wagon and four horses in service in the continental army. He was given a pension for his services in the war. He told us of a perilous visit and a close shave he had in getting away from the British Dragoons. At that time, that section was over run with the British and their Tory allies. General [Horatio] Gates had been defeated, as said, "With all his Northern Laurels, turned to Weeping Willows." Truly, it was risky and dangerous for a Rebel to be prowling around down there at this time. He had a half sister living in that section, whom he thought much of, and whom he had not seen for a long time, now determined to visit her, even if the British and their allies were thick about there. 

Off he started, on his good speed saddle mare, and when he arrived at the house on the Miami [main?] road, she met him at the door; as they embraced she said, "Oh, John, the British will kill you! They will kill you! They are very close here." "Never mind, Jane, never mind," he said. "Have you any cold victuals?"  "Yes; in the press, you will find some. I will hold your horse at the door and watch the road. I will put some oats in the frying pan, and the horse can eat while I hold him." Before he could finish his hasty meal, in alarm, she cried out, "Oh, John! John! I see the Red Coats coming, and they will take you and kill you.  Hasten! Be quick!" "Never do you fear Jane, they will never catch me," he said. So when he had bidden her good-bye, he mounted his fleet-footed animal, with head up the road, and let her out at full speed. 

Five Red Coats, equipped for battle, had seen him and given chase.  Putting their horses to their utmost speed, on and on they came hoping to catch a rebel, but did not. 

Some miles up this Miami road [main road], it forked and there was a blacksmith shop. The Red Coats were close after him, but not in sight. Just then he rode through the shop and into a back shed, where he stayed until they dashed past, eager to overtake him. Of course he took the other road and increased the distance between them, at a more leisurely gate, not desiring, just then, to form any further acquaintance with these fine looking soldiers of King George. 

This story was often told and he would give his fine fleet-footed mare due credit for distancing the field, and saving him for his own beloved Susan, away back at the home place, probably caring for an infant or two, for he was then a married man. 

Another story was this: As he was moving a supply train from one place to another, they passed near Colonel Green's country farm and residence, unbeknown to him; some of the men got inside, to a stack of oats and made free to take all they wished. The Colonel was at home and saw this; so dressed in plain citizen's clothes, he started to overtake them. This done, he asked for the Captain who was in the front wagon eating a cold lunch. Green rode up and said to the teamster:

"Halt!"

The Captain said: "Who says halt? Drive on!"

Green again says: "Halt!"

By this time the Captain, getting made, used some ugly words, sprang from the wagon in a great rage and made for the man. Green, seeing him in such a rage, started for home, but when the Captain got to where his saddle mare was hitched he mounted it and chased Green to his door yard. Green jumped off at the gate, ran in on the pebble walk and, stooping down, picked up a stone and threw it at his pursuer, which struck the horse in the head, stunning it. Then the Captain was made, and turned and went back to the train of wagons. 

They did not have far to go until they came to a small town where they were ordered to stop, water and feed. About that time an officer rode up, dressed in Continental uniform, with epaulettes sparkling in the sunlight. Who could it be? He said to the Captain: 

"My name is Green - Colonel Green. Captain, you gave me a pretty severe chase." A few more words and an apology, I suppose, and Green said: "Call all the men and we will go into the hotel and have something good to eat and drink."

I believe all of this, or the major part, is substantially true. 

To further set forth the confidence Green had in John Grove, I will say that when the British were about to over-run that section, he sent for him to come and move all his valuables to some more safe place, I think into Philadelphia. So he went to that same home of Green and removed them to where directed - no doubt with pride and pleasure. He may have had an escort; but Green believed the Tories and British would not get those valuables without a fight for they were in for it, come when it might. This is a part of the unwritten history of the incidents which took place in that ever-memorable struggle of seven years for the liberty and freedom we now enjoy. With pleasure it is written by the author. Let it be appreciated for what it is worth and nothing more. 

John Grove was stout, strong and well built up, about six feet tall, extra good muscles, a large head covered with dark hair, blue eyes, heavy eyebrows; and, in short, was of manly appearance, weighing about 200 pounds.  He was quiet, peaceable and steady at all times, kind hearted, social and generous, especially to the poor, needy and orphans. Of this he gave proof by taking several and giving them a home till of age. Even then they did not seem to wish to leave the hospitable home, but lingered around the old hearthstone, loth ot leave those so kind to them in days gone by. Five of these were cared for by himself and wife.

John Grove and Susan Fox were married near the close of the great war. She was a sister of Philip Fox. Their children were Elizabeth, Susan, Mary B., Amelia, Martin, Catharine and Sarah Grove - all born in North Carolina. All married except the last-named, who made her home at S. Blevins' whose wife was her sister, Amelia. He carried on the tanning business, for that was his trade. It was a common thing for persons to serve an apprenticeship, if they wished to carry on any trade, either for himself or another.  It would be well if it was more so now than it is, for they could fall back on it when necessary, and there would be fewer day laborers out of employment. 

The wagon and four horses in the service at the close of the war he sold to General Lafayette for $500. When asked whether he would take silver or Continental money, he said the latter was good enough for him. Being paid in this, he was soon ready to bid camp life and comrades an adieu and hie away on his noble steed toward his humble home, now anxious to be with his lovely Susan and the dear little ones again. Stopping in a town the first night, he bought a dress pattern of silk for his wife for which he paid one hundred dollars of his paper money. He had quite a lot of it when he moved to Kentucky, but either lost it in Clinch river or it was burned at the the time his house burned. 

In crossing this river his wagon was swept away down the raging, rapid stream, where a trunk and other valuable things were lost, and he came very near losing his horses, his own life and that of his sweet little daughter Amelia. [Probably not Amelia as she was about 25 when the family moved.  Possibly a grandchild.]  Prompt to act in an emergency, he swam in among his horses, cut them loose and let them swim ashore. The wagon being carried on by the torrent and about to topple over, he thought of the great peril of his child, and by a heroic effort swam to where she was, entered or reached into the wagon and brought her out; then again is his strength and manhood, put to the test; with the child held up safe above harm, he swam to the shore and delivered her to a loving, anxious mother. How rejoiced they all were can better be imagined than described. Certainly, thanks went up from every heart present, to the Lord, for the great salvation. A soul, a child saved from death while being swiftly swept down by a mighty stream. A moral is here taught; think of it dear readers.  

Now he turned his attention to the wagon that had lodged below, and it was at last gotten out and damages repaired as soon as possible. They once more took their course westward, and finally arrived at their home on Floyd's Fork, in Jefferson County, Kentucky. This was in the fall of 1810. I think Philip Fox, his wife's brother, came the same fall with him. 

I remember another thing he did. When he learned that General Lafayette was in, or to be in Louisville on a certain day, he saddled his horse, mounted it, took one of his grand sons up behind him and rode to Louisville, to see and shake hands with that same Lafayette, to whom he had sold his wagon and team after peace was made. He had a great desire to see, speak to, and grasp the hand of that much honored Patriot, Soldier, friend and visitor to this, "The Land of the Free, and the Home of the Brave." This was in the year 1824. 

Some years after giving his only son Martin Grove his farm, he married a widow Newkirk, of Jefferson County.  He then bought [lived on] a farm of John Asher where he lived a number of years. He prospered, and had an abundance of the good things, for self, family and others. He made application when about ninety years of age for a pension and was give one, but it was not granted until after his death, which occurred when he was in his ninety-fourth year. It was then given his widow. He was induced to go home with his son who now lived in Monroe County, Missouri, and not being acclimated, he soon was attacked with bilious fever and died, and was there buried. 

Records: 

1784 - Rowan County, NC - John Grove paid taxes on 200 acres on Assits Creek. 

1784 - Feb. 6 - Rowan County, NC - John Grove proved deed for 166 acres from Samuel, Mary & Sarah Spurgin to Jacob Fox.

1786 - Feb 1 - Rowan County, NC - John Grove's land adjoined Daniel Wagnor, Wendel Hinkle, and Jacob Klinert.

1789 - Feb. 5 - Rowan Co., NC - lawsuit Henry Hoozer vs. John Grove AB not guilty - no idea what this means. 

1789 - Nov. 4 - Rowan Co., NC - no suit lawsuit Wilkins & Grove vs. Francis Holmes - no idea if this John Grove or what this is about.

1790 - Rowan County, NC census - Salisbury District - a John Grove family

• 1 male 16+ John
• 2 males - 16  Martin and ? 
• 7 women - wife Susan, daughters Elizabeth, Amelia, Catherine, Sarah, Susan & Mary Barbary

1798 - Burke County, NC - John Grove paid taxes on 300 acres and 1 poll in Capt. England's Company

1805 - living in Morganton, North Carolina, working as a tanner

1810 - he moved his family to Jefferson County, Kentucky, a distance of about 385 miles. 

1824 - May 11-13 - John Grove went into Louisville, Kentucky to meet General Lafayette

1840 - Oldham County, Kentucky census - John Speer family

• 1 male 20-29 grandson James Monroe Speer
• 1 male 50-59 son-in-law John Speer 
• 1 male 80-89 John Grove
• 1 female 5-9 granddaughter Julia Ann Speer ?
• 1 female 10-14 granddaughter Martha Speer
• 1 female 40-49 daughter Mary (Grove) Speer

ca. 1841 - Claim suspended because claims for service as a wagon-master under General Hilehammer.  Proof of his appointment and service required.  John Grove living in Shelbyville, Shelby County, KY. 

Children [includes information from Dr. John Grove Speer's family history]:
Elizabeth b. 1782, d. 1859 md. William Wood, and owned and lived on a farm adjoining ours for many years; then sold out and moved to Macon County, Illinois, where he entered some land on the Okaw River and built, and lived and died at a ripe old age, much beloved and respected by the good people of that section. He was an Elder in the church, with Abram Keller, a son of the pioneer Baptist preacher William Keller of Kentucky.  His children all went with him to Illinois.

• Susan Wood the oldest married Nicholas [Keller?] and settled in Decatur; he was a plasterer by trade. 
• John Wood b. 1805, d. 1884 md. a Miss Sarah Sturgeon. They owned a small farm but sold it after his father's death, and moved to Sullivan, the county seat of Moultrie County, to engage in the cooper trade for a big mill erected in that town. He died shortly afterwards. He had worked at this trade a number of years while in Kentucky; his father and brother also worked at the same trade. They had but two children, a boy and a girl: James & Angeline. 
• Mary Ellen Wood b. 1813, d. 1879 married John Cunningham 1836 after they moved there.  He died a few years after, and she then married James Bennett 1842 by whom she had a son and two daughters.  He died, and she lived on the farm with her children. Permelia, Susan G. & Edward H. 
• Permelia Wood b. 1809, d. 1887 md. Hiram Cunningham a brother to the other. They raised quite a family, all boys, and owned a good farm.  He died and Columbus her youngest son continued to live with her on the farm, and Samuel another son on a part of it near by. He was married, and had a pleasant wife and some children. His mother was just of my age and is now dead. Children: Alfred, Owen, Crawford, Newton, Samuel, Jasper, Columbus
• Margaret aka Peggy Wood b. 1818 married a Mr. William Welch 1839 (brother of Martin's wife above), who died and left her with three children. They lived on a farm above Lovington. Her son Caleb, married a daughter of Judge Freeman, and lived with her. Children: Irrilla, Julia, Abigail, Martin, Caleb, Michael
• William Martin Wood b. 1822, Miss Catherine Welch of Sangamon City [County?].  He was working at his trade there when he let her captivate and capture him; after a season they settled near his father. After some years he became badly afflicted with rheumatism, and not being able to farm, he turned his attention to dressing deer skins and making buckskin gloves, for which there was a ready trade. Afterwards he was made a magistrate and attended to a good deal of that business.  When the new county of Douglas was formed, and the county seat located, he moved there and held forth as chief magistrate a number of years. I saw him and a grown son since the war; he was still a justice of the peace, and had several children. Known children: Margaret, Harriet, John, Samuel, James and Coleman. 
• Catherine md. Shelton Whitney, who had lived at Henry Snyder's in Kentucky, and went with us to Illinois in 1831. He was stout and robust and did carpenter work. He was very fond of hunting, and killed several deer and turkey. He made brick and built a house for himself in Decatur, Illinois. There his wife died leaving two small children. He afterwards married a Miss Dickerson, built a mill down on the Sangamon [River], and there lived and died. 
• Samuel Speer 1822, d. 1906 md. Alice Howell 1849 a daughter of David Howell and a sister to Charles Howell formerly of Shelby County, Kentucky, whose mother was a sister of Charles Bryan, and who married Jane Snyder a daughter of Henry Snyder.  His wife died leaving one daughter, this leaving him on a farm of eighty acres a widower. His second wife was a Miss Lucy Duncsom 1858, and they had several sons and daughters. He had accumulated a good deal of property just after the civil war, about six hundred acres of land, and eight or ten thousand dollars worth of cattle, mules, hogs and other stock. His first wife's daughter married a man named Parent of Lovington, and after receiving three thousand dollars due her, established a drug store. Children: Nancy, William, Francis Edgar, Eudora, Austin, Elinor, Alva, Mary. 

Susan b. ca. 1784, d. 1828, buried at Flat Rock Church, Shelby Co., KY md. Timothy Wood who was a good easy soul, who never did any harm, nor as much good as some; being well contented if he had plenty to eat and wear, pretty near fulfilling the injunction, which says, "having food and raiment let us be content."  He was kind and obliging and very fond of fox-hunting and loved to hear the music of his well trained hounds.  Timothy moved to Monroe County, Missouri with Martin Grove.  Their children were:

• Margaret aka Peggy md. James Collier, a cripple, and who was a shoe-maker by trade. Some years after they moved to Indiana.
• Martin md. 1) a Miss Cora. She died in Indiana.  He came back to the old home, married Harris Wood's daughter by whom he had two children, Susie and James and these married McBrides, brother and sister.
• Martha aka Patsey md. a Rouxby (?) and lived over in Shelby County
• Robert never married; he went South as a soldier, was taken prisoner and died away from home and friends. 
• Henry b. 1806, d. 1843 
• others

Catherine b. ca. 1790 md. Henry Wood 1815

There was a double wedding at Grandfather Groves just after the war of 1812 closed, and Henry Wood and Samuel Blevins returned home from New Orleans, where they had been with General [Andrew] Jackson fighting the British. Catherine Grove married Henry Wood, who after several years distilled for father, and worked on the farm. Being a cripple, he then commenced shoe making which he carried on in Rollington a number of years.  He afterwards moved to Illinois, where his wife died. Their children were: 

• Samuel Lucket md. Frances Carter a daughter of James Carter of Decatur, Illinois. For some years he worked with his father at the carpenter trade, then bought a farm on Okaw River [Moultrie County], and moved there; bought more land and raised two sons and one daughter [Emeline (Wood) Cochran]. James the oldest he sent to Eureka college, where the two sons of John Tyler, B.B. and Joseph were being schooled for usefulness, and had he continued, would no doubt have made his mark too, as they have. His daughter married a Mr. Cochran, and lived nearby. The other son [Orlando H.] was still with his father and single, the last I knew of him. James married and also lived near by, where his mother, first and then his father died. They were all good citizens, kind and clever.  There was another daughter Paulina b. 1850, d. 1856. 
• Timothy md. Ann Hudson and raised a large family of boys. They lived near his brother. He was also a respectable, kind, Christian citizen, and had many friends.  
• Polly went to Arkansas 
• Ruth md. Mr. Lee and lived in Sullivan, Moultrie County, Illinois. 

Mary Barbary

Amelia b. ca. 1785 md. Samuel Blevens 1814 and is the last of mother's sisters to speak of. They first settled in Floysdburg [KY], where he conducted a grocery store and a shoe-making establishment was conducted.  He afterwards removed to Middletown [KY], where he continued the same business; it was continued a number of years. He then went West and settled in Edgar County, Illinois, at a place called Grandview, where he carried on the same business. We often stopped to visit them when on our journey to Kentucky, and they seemed delighted to see us and treated us so kindly.  I thought I loved my Aunt. I suppose I did; for she was always so kind to me. When but a boy, I lived with them and went to school at Middletown.  She would pat me on the head and say I was her curly headed boy. She was the best looking of the family, with black hair, dark hazel eyes and pleasant features; she seemed handsome. He was a fine looking man, had a large fine head and blue eyes, and thought much of his wife Amelia, and was a good provider; stuck close to business; was fond of shooting his rifle off-hand, and was a good shot.

• Thomas b. 1823, d. after 1900, md. Lucinda Adams, known children: Sarah, John, Uretha, Samuel, Alice, Horton and James. 
• Martha aka Patsy b. 1837 and her husband lived on a farm.  I think his name was Redmon. I once visited them. Married 1) Enoch Redmon 1837, 2) Marshall Sheets 1856, known children: Mary Redmon, James R. Redmon, Ellen Redmon, Edward Sheets
• Warden  d. 1848 died in early manhood in the Mexican War, said to be buried in Mexico City.  
• Ruth md. a Mr. Potter and lived near by, and with the old folks, was of much help and comfort to them in their old declining years. 
• daughter

Martin b. ca. 1792 the only son of John and Susan Grove, continued to work on the farm after his mother died, and sisters all married. Then the home burned and the father gave the farm to him, and he built another house, and taught school when not engaged on the farm. He was a good teacher, a fine scribe, and  good surveyor; and had very few equals in that day.  He too had been a soldier and was at New Orleans at the time the soldiers under General Jackson gained such a great victory over the British. He was a Baptist, and took a part, especially in the song service, of which he was very fond. He sometimes, talked or exhorted. Now he wished something else to make life more comfortable and happy. So out he goes, and in his search finds a nice  good little creature, not far away. To her he makes his wishes known, and a bargain is made. Polly Bryan becomes the wife of Martin Grove.  Mary was her Christian name. She was a daughter of Uncle Joseph Bryan, who owned a good farm and plenty of help. Now to the new house on the farm they go, and settle down to housekeeping. She was quiet and pleasant, and as she went about her household duties had a smile and kind word for all. After farming for a time he engaged in merchandising, and was for a number of years engaged in that business. He afterwards sold out and moved to Monroe County, Missouri [ca. 1837], where he bought a farm and lived the remainder of his life.  Timothy Wood [brother-in-law] who had moved there with him, also died there. He [Martin] was quite a help to the widow. Their children were:

• James b. 1820 was a fine scribe, and a good clerk, which business he was engaged in for a number of years, both in Missouri and Illinois. Appears that he never married. 
• Susan Frances b. 1825 md. Thomas Hull 1845 children: John, Arabelle/Isabel, Williette, Millard, Tandy
• Sarah b. 1828, d. 1873 md. Cary John Hardwick, children: Mary Ann, Thomas Marion, Robert, John, Susan, James, Joseph
• Minerva b. 1832 may have married Jacob Clem 1869 and possibly Ed Ragsdale 
• Martha b. 1833, d. 1917 md. ? Houchins, children: James, Robert, Joseph, Mary, Benjamin
• Juriah b. 1836 md. Richard Ragland 1855, known children: Mary, Willis, Braxton, Ida, Paul, Maud, Laura, Susan, Rufus, Frank
• Joseph b. 1839 stayed at home and took care of his mother, and was said to be a good and useful man by his many friends.  He married Bettie Featherston 1882, known children (at least 9): Jennie, Edith, Julia, Joseph
• John b. ? d. 1862 married, but died while the Civil War was going on. His wife was Caroline Cook and children Johnnie, Sallie, Mary Ellen, Emma and James
• Margaret b. 1841, d. 1842

Sarah b. ca. 1796 never married, lived with her sister Amelia (Grove) Blevins in Illinois.

Revised 8/16/2019