THE GRAYSON FAMILY of Washington, Penn. Nathaniel Grayson, the first of the family of whom we have record, lived and died in or near Glaslaugh, County Monaghan, Ireland, where he carried on a woolen manufactory. He was the father of five children: four son - George, William, Robert and Thomas - and one daughter - Mary. The family residence was called "New Mills," where the youngest son died, and William and the late Judge John Grayson were born. George, the eldest son, followed the pursuit of his father, and removing to Manchester, England, established a manufactory. The family, at latest accounts, still reside there. William, the second son of Nathaniel, preceded his brother to this country, both arriving several years prior to the adoption of the Federal Constitution. Robert, whose wife was Mary Murdock, prominent citizen of that place, arrived at New Castle, Delaware, in June, 1784, with his wife and son, John, then nine months old, widowed mother and son William. He soon purchased property, locating in Mifflin, Penn., where at an early period his wife and mother died. The family then removed to Carlisle, Cumberland county, Penn., where the sons were reared and educated. After the lapse of several years, the father married Mrs. Jane Kennedy, widow of Thomas Kennedy, who tenderly, indulgently and faithfully contributed to raise her stepsons, William and John. The latter in his diary, speaking of his stepmother, remarks: "And even now, in my old age, I recall to mind with tender recollection her devotion and anxious care and industry, as a wife and mother". The children of this marriage were as follows: George, Mary, Margaret and Anne. Mr. Robert Grayson, as a citizen, occupied a prominent place and took an active part in the political events of his day. At one time he was sheriff of Cumberland county, and died in Carlisle after a well-spent life. William was connected with the regular army, and stationed at Carlisle barracks. In 1808 he was ordered to Fort Wayne, Ind., where, soon after his arrival, he died from fever contracted on the march.
Having a taste for the printing business, John Grayson at a suitable age commenced to acquire a knowledge of the same in Carlisle. After a close application for four years, he went to Philadelphia and entered the book office of William Duane, editor of The Aurora. From this time until near the breaking out of the war of 1812, Mr. Grayson was engaged in the printing business at different times, in Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore. On June 18, 1812, news was received by express from Washington, D. C., of the declaration of war by Congress against Great Britain, Mr. Grayson, being in the city of Baltimore at the time. He at once enlisted in a volunteer regiment, serving as a volunteer in the army until September, 1813, when he was honorably discharged; but immediately re-enlisted in the regular army, serving as lieutenant and adjutant in the regiment to which he belonged until the close of the war, participating in many of the prominent battles. After the close of the war he was appointed by President Madison to the corps of artillery to form part of the "New Seventh Regiment;" but, wishing to return to private life, he resigned his commission September 7, 1815. Returning to Baltimore, he entered the book office of James Kennedy as partner, and remained there until after his marriage. On May 9, 1816, he was married in Baltimore, Md., by Rev. James Inglis, D. D., to Miss Martha Wray, daughter of John and Mary Wray, of that city. Mr. Wray came from Ireland to this country soon after the Revolutionary war, settling in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Penn., where he became an active citizen being identified with the business and political interest of the community. He was married to Mary, daughter of John Robinson, of Chester county, Penn. Their family consisted of three children, viz., Thomas R., John and Martha, the wife of Mr. Grayson. Mr. Wray, the father, died in Baltimore, June, 1819, aged sixty-nine years, and Mrs. Wray, having spent a long and useful Christian life, died peacefully in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Grayson, Washington, Penn., at the advanced age of ninety-five. In the year 1817, Mr. Grayson purchased in Philadelphia a plant for the establishment of a newspaper. Traveling by stage, he proceeded to Washington, Penn., and issued the first number of The Examiner on May 28, 1817, of which he was the sole proprietor and editor until 1833, when he took into partnership William Jack. This partnership continued several years, when Mr. Jack retiring, his son Thomas W. became his partner, Mr. Grayson, senior, retiring in 1840.
Thomas W. Grayson, the eldest son, was born in Baltimore, Md., and brought by his parents, an infant, when they permanently removed to Washington. After his father retired from the editorship, he continued connected with The Examiner until May, 1861, when he removed to Meadville, Penn., there becoming proprietor and editor of The Crawford County Democrat, and continued to edit it for more than twenty years, when he retired on account of ill health. Thomas W, Grayson was married to Miss Mary Elizabeth Green, daughter of Mr. A. Greene, of Washington, D. C. Their family consisted of four daughters and one son: Miss Annie, now a resident of Washington, Penn.; Mrs. Mary W. Richmond, wife of A. G. Richmond, Esq., of Meadville, Penn.; Mrs. Martha Ayres, wife of Samuel Ayres, M. D., of Pittsburgh, Penn.; Lucy M. (deceased), and Thomas Wray, a resident of Washington, Penn. Mr. T. W. Grayson died in Meadville Penn., May 20, 1876, and Mrs. Grayson in Washington, Penn., in February, 1892.
The remaining portion of Mr. and Mrs. John Grayson's consisted of four sons and two daughters. Of these a son, Stephen, and daughter, Mary J., died in infancy. John Grayson Esq., at present a resident of Pittsburgh, Penn., until within a few years a prominent and useful citizen of Washington, was married to Miss Sarah Ellen Scott, daughter of Mr. George Scott, of Pittsburgh. Their children: Mary, Lizzie, Eleanor, John, John T., William, and Eugene deceased. Anna Moore, residing with her parents; Sarah E., wife of Mr. Douglas Buchanan, of Pittsburgh, Penn., and Harry S., of the same city.
William Grayson, son of Judge Grayson, graduated at Washington College, studied law with John L. Gow, Esq., was admitted to the bar. He was a young man of fine, scholarly attainments, a close student with bright hopes before him, but died just entering upon a professional life, lamented by all who knew him.
Miss Martha, the only remaining daughter, is a graduate of Washington Female Seminary, and during the principalship of Mrs. Hanna was an instructress in that institution. Bring a member of the Presbyterian Church, she is much interested in the missionary efforts of that body. Miss Grayson resides at and dispenses the hospitalities of the homestead. Dr. Wray Grayson resides in his native place. At an early age he entered Washington College, and graduated in the class of 1846. Soon after he commenced reading medicine, finishing his studies, and receiving his degree at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1853. With the exception of ten years, when engaged in hospital practice, Dr. Grayson's entire professional life has been spent in his native place. In 1877 the Doctor was married to Miss Margaret Hazlett, daughter of Mr. Samuel Hazlett (banker), of Washington, Penn. He is a member of the "American Medical Association," "The Pennsylvania State Medical Society," and the "Washington County Medical Society."
Judge John Grayson's ancestry were adherents to the Evangelical Church; and for many years he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Washington, Penn. Reference has already been to his faithful service during the war of 1812. In after life he was appointed and elected to the following official positions; Register of wills by Governor Wolf in 1830; re-appointed by same in 1833. Appointed, by Governor Porter, prothonotary of Washington county, and in 1839 was elected to same office. In March, 1843, he was appointed associate judge to the courts of Washington county by Governor Porter; in 1853 was appointed by President Pierce, pension agent; in 1857 was appointed same by President Buchanan, and continued performing the duties of that office in Pittsburgh, Penn., until August, 1861. Although a large portion of Mr. Grayson's life was occupied with the public duties mentioned, he nevertheless took a deep interest in matters pertaining to the moral and educational improvement of the community in which he lived. He was the fast friend of educational institutions, and in connection with other venerated and spirited citizens, assisted in establishing the Ladies' Seminary of Washington, Penn., performing the duties of treasurer of the board of trustees for more than thirty years, when advancing age compelled him to resign - yet, as a trustee and stockholder, he continued to take a deep interest in the institution. Mr. Grayson retained in a remarkable degree his mental vigor, and was interested in everything pertaining to the public welfare almost to the hour of his death, which event occurred March 11, 1871, with the full assurance of a blessed immortality, his last words being: "Passing, passing, entering through. Peaceful, peaceful, peaceful, with God in Christ through all eternity."
Mrs. Grayson died April 20, 1865, at the age of seventy-five, leaving the cherished record of a useful life; loving and affectionate in her home, at the same time reaching forth with sympathetic heart and generous hand to others. Her memory is revered by all who knew her.
Text taken from page 101 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Wilbur Frye of Pacifica, CA as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]