Alfred McGrew Thurmond

Notes:

He lived with his uncle, Dr. William Patrick Henry McGrew, after his mother died.

Notes:

1870 census show his place of birth as Georgia vs. Tennessee.

In REFUGIO, Hobart Huson called "Alfred S. Thurmond the hero of Mier (Mexico)." Several companies were captured and taken prisoner. The President of Mexico decreed that one out of ten of the prisoners were to be shot. Alfred Thurmond was required to interpret the decree to his fellow prisoners (Brown: History of Texas). All 173 prisoners drew beans, black and white. The 17 men who drew black beans were all shot. Capt. Cameron and Alfred S. Thurmond were manacled together, and marched into Mexico City, where Capt. Cameron was shot. Cameron had drawn a white bean, but the Mexicans hated him, so he was shot anyway. This is in spite of the fact he was a British subject. (From "300 Years in Victoria County" by Roy Grimes). Note: It was Capt. Ewin Cameron's company in which J. McGrue, pvt, was enlisted. This is most likely John McGrew, son of Alexander and Elizabeth Blackburn McGrew.

Huson (Vol. II, page 135) goes onto say that "there were at least three prominent citizens who felt they could no longer live in a land ruled by the dam-Yankees. These unreconstructed and unreconstructale rebels were (Smith, Coleman) and the old Texian veteran, Captain Alfred Sturgis Thurmond. Capt. Thurmond was drowned when the ship on which he was bound for Mexico (where he was going to settle) was wrecked of the Texas Coast."

(Research):

Census Listings:

1870 Census
Texas, Refugio County, SubDiv Number 4, PO Refugio
Enumerated 27 July 1870
283-288
Thurman, A S 54 M W Retail Grocer 1000 1000 Ga
Thurman, Julia 43 F W Keeping House Miss
Thurman, Alfred 1 m W Tx
Thurman, Dalton 13 M W Miss
Hayland, Sam 17 m W Clerk in Grocery Tx
Wardwell, W 24 M W Book Keeper NY
McGrew, Mary 15 F Mu House Servant Tx

Alfred married Julia McGrew on 5 Oct 1848 in Victoria, Victoria County, Texas. Julia (daughter of William McGrew and Olivia Elvira Holliday) was born about 1829 in Mississippi; died about 1877 in Rockport, Aransas County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Location of death shown by some as in Lauderdale County, TN and by others as in Dyersburg, Dyer County, TN.

John married Anna Louisa Sturges on 19 Dec 1811 in Columbia County, Georgia. Anna was born on 30 May 1797 in Columbia County, Georgia; died about 1855 in Refugio County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
The "TotalFam" Tree at WorldConnect has the following notes relating to the marriage of John Green Thurmond and Ann Sturgis. "I have a copy of John G Thurmond and Ann Sturgis marriage bond from Columbia County GA records. 1787 to 1935 Microfilm Drawer #190 Box #63. The bond dated ninth day of December 1811. Newspaper "Mirror of the Times" of Augusta GA issue dated Dec. 23, 1811 states they were married on December 19, 1811."

Notes:

Wynema McGrew writes that the baptisms of twin brothers Guillermo and Juan, children of Santiago and Constancia Tibbett (Tillet) Magrew, Protestants were recorded in Bapt. Rcds. Bk #2, p. 31, and she transcribed this below, exactly as she says they were recorded, in "Records of Old Mobile, Catherdral of the Immaculate Conception, Mobile, Alabama, Section 8, Baptisms, 1781-1850."

123. William Magrew
On 17 November 1788, I, the undersigned pastor of Mobile, baptized solemnly in James Magrew's house, William, born on 24, June 1788. /s/ Rev. Miguel Lamport

124. John Magrew
On 17 November 1788, I the undersigned pastor of Mobile, baptized solemnly in James Magrew's house John, born 24 June 1788. /s/ Rev. Miguel Lamport

[The above children are legitimate offspring] of James Magrew and Constantine Tillett, Protestants, natives of the Tombigbee River, in this District. Cassian Castanares, Sacristan, was the godfather for all. . /s/ Rev. Miguel Lamport

Copiah Co, MS, William McGrue was a bondsman for John J. Holliday and Mary A. Ainsworth, 8 Dec 1825. Also, a daughter of Levin Hainsworth married Col. William McGrew about 1802, any connection?

Veteran of the War of 1812 (DeClouets Regiment), drafted in E. Feliciana, LA in Sept 1814, fought in the battle of New Orleans Discharged in New Orleans in Feb 1815. At the time he enlisted, Olivia's statement describes her husband as "5 feet, 10 inches, light complexion, blue eyes, dark hair, occupation farmer"

Purchased land in Marion Co, MS 29 Jan 1816, 31 Oct 1818, and on 25 Sep 1819, he registered a brand.

Per the book REFUGIO by Herbart Huson, as extracted by Esther McGrew Hardin: "Colonel William McGrew and family moved to Refugio County in the later part of 1851, or prior to 25 January 1852. He acquired the holdings of Capt. Alfred S. Thurmond (his future son-in-law) at Mesquite Landing and operated a large planation house there. He was, perhaps, the largest slave-owner in the county and brought his negroes with him. His children were Dr. William P. McGrew, John McGrew, James McGrew, Henry McGrew, Robert McGrew, who married Alia (Alice per census), daughter of Thomas Marshall Duke, Julia McGrew, who was the wife of Capt. Alfred Sturgis Thurmond, and Sarah McGrew, wife of William Andrews, an early citizen of Refugio County. Andrews later moved to Clinton." Thomas Marshall Duke was one of the "old 300," the the settlers originally granted land by Stephen F. Austin.

He is listed as a slave holder on the 1860 Refugio, Texas census.

Son James McGrew died intestate in Austin, TX in 1912 at the Texas Confederate home. The settlement of his estate shows the names of the children of all his brothers and sisters.

His war pension application was signed by W.C. Terry, M.J. Terry, and A.S. Thurmond, J.P Refugio County (Husband of Julia)

Later Olivia is living with R.A. Upton (Sheriff of Aransas Co.?)

(Research):

Census Listings:

1870 Census
Texas, Refugio County, SD Number 4, PO Refugio
Enumerated 8 July 1870 Stamped 139
71-71
McGrew, John 24 M W Stock Raiser 4--- $500 Miss
McGrew, Julia 23 F W Keeping House Tx
McGrew, Marcina 2 F W Tx
72-72
McGrew, R W 27 M W Stock Raiser $5000 $10,000 Miss
McGrew, Alice 24 F W Keeping House Tx
McGrew, Dixie 5 M W Tx
McGrew, Sophie 3 F W Tx
73-73
McGrew, WIlliam 78 M W Farerm 1000 $--- Ala
McGrew, Elvira 60 F W Keeping house Ga
McGrew, James 36 M W Stock Driver Miss
McGrew, Besty 30 F B House Servant Tx
McGrew, Harriet 36 F Mu Houseservant Tx
McGrew, Tom 4 M Mu Tx
McGrew, Billy 3 m Mu Tx
McGrew, Norah 5 F Mu Tx

William married Olivia Elvira Holliday on 23 Feb 1817 in Washington Parish, Louisiana. Olivia (daughter of Ayres Holliday and Olivia Johnson) was born before 1802 in Georgia; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Wynema McGrew shows her born ca 1806-1810, but based on the fact she married in 1817, it was likely no earlier that 1800-1803.

Notes:

Married:
Married in either Holmes County, Mississippi or Washington Parish, LA.

Notes:

According to Feldman's ANGLO-AMERICANS IN SPANISH ARCHIVES (p 27) he and John McGrew were American residents of Mobile on January 1, 1786.

Wynema McGrew writes (p. 7) that he may also have been a royalist and left the Carolinas in the late 1770s of early 1780s, moving to area that became the Mississippi Territory, as had his older brother John. He received a Spanish land grant in 1788.

The following information is courtesy of Ester McGrew Hardin, and was originally prepared by Robert Lee McGrew of Pearland, Texas in December 1986. Some additional information has been added to his work from loose papers owned by Mrs. Hardin and from the book THE SOUTHERN McGREWS GREW by Everette L. McGrew, 2106 Freeland Way, Dallas TX 75228.

James witnessed the sale of property on March 30, 1770 in Tyrone County, North/South Carolina by Alexander Kilpatrick on both sides of the Pacelot River. This is near where his brother, John, had bought land October 9, 1770. The brothers left Tyrone County in 1778, with their wives and children, and settled in Mississippi.

James settled, however, in the area of St. Stephens, Alabama, on the banks of the Tombigbee River. This was a remote area with few settlers. The boundaries of Washington County at that time were the Chattahooche River on the east, Pearl River on the west, the 31st parallel on the south, and 32 degrees, 28 minutes on the north. From this 25,000 square miles, 26 counties in Mississippi and Alabama were later formed.

Many of these early settlers from the Carolinas and Georgia were in the territory as early as 1775, and as such were subject to the laws of the ruling Spanish Government. In keeping with Spanish regulations, the commandant of the Alabama Fort of San Esteban de Tombecbe compiled in 1797 a census of the settlers of the district. This list contained fifty-one (51) families; two of which were those of John and James McGrew. They became leaders of their settlement and were successful planters living on large plantations and active in early territory politics. James's brother, John McGrew, Sr., became on of the wealthiest planters in the south, owning approximately 4000 acres. On the 1808 tax rolls, he paid a tax of $25.05 on 29 slaves and a 640 acre section.

Mrs. Hardin had in her papers a copy of a letter from The Catholic Center, Archdiocese of Mobile, Mobile, Alabama dated January 27, 1982. It showed the following baptism's:

Ana (Nancy), Maria Casia (Keziah), Guillermo (William), Juan (John), children of Santiago (James) and Constancia Tibbett (Constance Tillet) Magrew, (Protestants). Dated 17 Nov 1788. Recorded Page 31, Bapt. Rcds. Bk #2.

Under Spanish regulations all residents were required to have their children baptized by a Catholic priest, even if they were not Catholic.

JAMES McGREW, had died in 1797 at the age of 57. According to THE SOUTHERN McGREWS GREW a James McGrew of St. Stephen's obtained a passport to go to Georgia on 8 January 1797. Possibly James died while on this trip?

James's widow, Constance, and children petitioned the Congress of the United States of American for title to his land, since the original title had been a Spanish grant, and as of 1799 the territory had been taken over by the United States. John also petitioned for his land. Many letters were written to President Thomas Jefferson, and to the Congress of the United States. These were signed by John Flood McGrew, William McGrew, John McGrew, Sr, and John McGrew, Jr. [Col. John Flood McGrew was a member of the Territorial Council, and friend of Chief Pushmataha, chief of the Choctaw tribe]. These petitions were granted and full titles to the lands in question were given to the two McGrew families. John and his children prospered during the next few years, as did Constance McGrew and her grown children. Constance tried to also obtain a grant for an additional 604 acres of land, but was denied. She and her children later sold the 400 acres of their land to Wm. and John Pierce.

Below, from the AMERICAN STATE PAPERS Volume 1, p. 686, is the summary of the hearing related to the land grant of James and Constantia McGrew in the Mississippi territory:

The heirs of James McGREW, case no. 53 on the docket of the Board, and no. 73 on the books of the Register. Claim--Of 400 acres, by virtue of a Spanish warrant of survey, under the first section of the act. The claimants presented their claim, together with a surveyor's plot of the land claimed, in the following words and figures, to wit: To the Commissioners appointed in pursuance of the act of Congress passed the 3rd day of March, 1803, to receive and adjust claims of lands east of Pearl River. Please take notice, that the following tract of land, situated on the west side of the river Tombigbee, butting and bounded as follows: beginning on a corner cotton tree, above Reams's line and lands claimed by Young Gains, &c, about two miles below Fort St. Stephen's, (supposed;) thence, running south, eighteen degrees west, one hundred and twenty-six chains fifty links, to a corner red oak; ...... thence, down the meanders of the river to the first mentioned station; .....is claimed by James McGrew, or by his heirs, to wit: Peggy McGrew, Eliza McGrew or Eliza De Castro, Alexander McGrew, Giles McGrew, James McGrew, Jane McGrew, Nancy McGrew, Keziah McGrew, John McGrew, and Wm. McGrew, children of said James McGrew, under and by virtue of a Spanish warrant or order of survey, granted unto him, the said James McGrew, on the day of; and the said claimant did, on the 27th day of October, 1795, inhabit and cultivate the tract herein specified, agreeably to the requistions of the first section of an act of Congress, entitled an act, and the same does not appear to be claimed by any preceding provision of the act, and now exhibited to the Register of the Land Office, established east of Pearl river, to be recorded as is directed by said act. To all which they beg leave to refer, as also to the plot hereto fixed, &c, &c. Presented February 29th, 1804, by Elizabeth De Castro, her X mark. Witness, Edwin Lewis. Surveyed in February, 1804, by Robert Ligon. Chain carriers, Young Gains, Dawson Grimes.

In support of this claim, a Spanish warrant of survey was exhibited in the following words and figures, to wit: Don Estevan Miro, Colonel of the royal army, Governor civil and military of the city and province of Louisiana,&c.,&c. Mobile, 12th January, 1788. James McGrew, inhabitant of this jurisdiction of Mobile, with the greatest respect to your excellency, represents and says, that there is on the Tombigee river ten acres of vacant land, which until now, has never been claimed by any proprietor; he begs your excellency to grant him, with the profounder customery, with papers of titles necessary from the Secretary of Government, that may correspond witht he concession; for which favor he will be forever thankful. (signed) James McGrew. Certified by Vicent Folch.
.
Both Wynema McGrew, the author of a book about the Descendants of James McGrew, and G.E. McGrew, 132 Lausanne Drive, Camden, SC 29020 suggest that the McGrews of South Carolina are from Omagh, County Tyrone, Ireland, and landed in Charleston SC in May, 1773. See LDS Alm(?) 874714, at the Orangeburg Historical Society in South Carolina.

Esther McGrew Hardin instead speculates that the McGrew's might be descended from Quaker families originally from Pennsylvania. Many McGrew's can be found in Orange County, North Carolina records. Additionally, in the corner of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, many members of the Blackburn, Means and McGrew families were all kin, a pattern of intermarriage between these families that continued for many generations. It is possible they came to Pennyslvania from Omagh.

James married Constance Tillett before 1774 in South Carolina. Constance was born about 1752; died between 1805 and 1808 in St. Stephens, Mississippi Territory. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Constance Tillett was likely a daughter of Giles Tillett of Virginia, who was an early settler of Georgia. In 1773, he can be living with his wife and 4 sons and 3 daughters on 500 ares of land at the fork of Broad river (Georgia), where he built a cabin. During the American Revolution, he was purportedly an unrepentant loyalist. On 12 October 1774, in response to the Boston Tea Party, the settlers of Kyoka (Kiokee) and Broad River signed a protest "against any resolutions expressive of disloyalty to our most gracious King and the Lords and Commons of Great Britian." Everette McGrew notes that he was a member of the South Carolina Dragoons, Capt. John Harrison's Company, South Carolina Light Dragoons, St. Augustine, FL, 25 Apr 1783, along with George and James Tillett.

Ayres married Olivia Johnson. Olivia was born before 1790; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]