GRIER, GREER

The Griers were originally from Scotland, who, because of religious persecution, removed to Northern Ireland, and from there to Pennsylvania, later to Georgia.

ROBERT GRIER m. in Scotland Mrs. Jennie Burns, wid. who had three sons: Andrew Burns , an astronomer and preacher in Greensboro, Ga.; Peter Burns; and Thomas Bums.

Robert Grier d. 1800 Greene Co., Ga. Greene Co. Wills, P. 16-17, nuncupative Will of Robert Grier, Sr. agreed to by legatees. "That our mother and our younger sister, Jane, to have the household stuff, etc., with the exception our sister, Jane, by his first wife, shall have his chirtsmall trunk, etc. which he was possessed of ... and Robert, his son, to be executor." 3/12/1800. Signed, Mary, Robert, Moses, Jane, Sr., Eliza, Thomas, Jane, Jr. Mary (wife of Robert) relinquishing dower 3/12/1800. Children of Robert Grier and Jeannie:

• AARON GRIER m. Jane Gibson. Greene Co., Ga. Deed 12/27/1756, Aaron Greer of Wilkes Co. to Robert Livingston, 100 pds., 200 acres on Ogeechee River, wit. Robert and William Greer. The LWT of Robert Livingstone in Greene Co. names wife, Jean and nephew, Aaron Grier "to have tract I now live on....But if any of my sisters shall come from Ireland to this place of Georgia, then my said nephews shall jointly stand indebted to each of my sisters for 15 pds. 4aron shall pap to his brothers, Isaac and Robert, 15 pds." He appointed Robert Grier the sold guardian of the education of his children, dtd 12/19/1791. Aaron and Jane's issue:
  1. Robert Grier, the astronomer and maker of the almanac, b. Columbia Co., Ga. 3/9/1780-d. 5/4/1848 Butts Co., Ga. 4/2/1805 in Greene Co., Ga., Elizabeth Grier, b. 11/26/1783 in Warren Co., Ga.-d. 1/16/1856 in Butts Co., Ga. his first cousin, dau. of his uncle, Robert Grier and wife, Margaret Livingston. Robert was nearly twenty years old when he began his study of astronomy under his uncle Andrew Burns, who taught school at Greensboro, Ga, At the age of 21, he compiled the first almanac ever published in Georgia. Robert showed a rare aptitude for mathematics and at one time was offered the chair of mathematics at Franklin College, later University of Georgia, which he declined because his wife preferred to live in the country. In his early life, Robert taught school and for several years in Taliaferro Co. He came to Butts County from Wilkes County in 1830, hoping that the sulphur water of Indian Springs would benefit his ailing son, Algernon Sidney. He settled on a farm about a mile and half from the Stark Community. Across the road from the home (house sill standing) lies a huge flat boulder where legend says that Robert Grier lay on his back on clear nights and made his astronomical observations and calculations to use in preparing his almanac. However, this is refuted by his descendants. Issue of Robert Grier and Elizabeth, the astronomer:

     1. Margaret Grier b. 1/31/1806 d. 10/4/1823.
     2. Jane Grier 10/18/1809-8/23/1840 m. 1/10/1832 Alexander H. Daugherty in Butts Co., Ga., Justice of Inf. Court of Butts Co. from 1813 to 1837. After his wife's death, Alexander 5/16/1841 Margaret Key, later removing to Wayne Co., Ky. Issue:

        1. Margaret Emily Dougherty 10/9/1831-9/7/1926 m. 1/27/1853 James Henderson Bryans 8/12/1826-5/18/1892, bur. Sharon Church in Henry Co., Ga. issue: Robert G. b. 1853, Walter H., Edith, Jennie, Alexander S., Florie, Oscar, and Bessie.
        2. Andrew Dougherty.
        3. Elizabeth Jane Dougherty.
        4. Mary Ann Dougherty.

     3. Algernon Sidney Grier 7/10/1812-1/13/1864 7/10/1855 Drucilla Cook 7/10/1856 in Sutts Co. No issue. After the death of Algernon, Drucllla m. (3rd) 10/19/1882 Edward Nolen, a widower. She and her first two husbands buried in the Grier Cemetery:
     4. Demaris Grier 2/13/1815-4/17/1815:
     5. Aaron Grier 3/19/1918-1/23/1837, He was the first to be buried in the family cemetery in Butts Co., Ga.
     6. Elizabeth Grier 12/29/1820-3/30/1821.

  2. Elizabeth Grier m. 9/12/1816 Warren Co., Ga., John B. Findley.
  3. Margaret Grier m. 7/7/1806 in Warren Co., Ga., Andrew Baslin Stephens, and was the mother of statesman, A1exander Hamilton Stephens.
  4. Mary Grier m. Aaron Grier, son of Robert Grier and wife, Margaret Livingston.
  5. Katherine Grier m. Samuel Findley.
  6. Aaron Grier, Jr. 12/2/1794-1/14/1864 m. 1/2/1827 in Warren Co., Ga., Elizabeth Perty 7/9/1796-3/7/1847. Aaron was a Brigadier-General in the War of 1812.
  7. Thomas Grier m. Peggy Clemons 12/17/1826 Warren Co., Ga. He lived and died in Taliaferro Co., Ga.
• ROBERT GRIER, son of Robert and Jeannie, was b. 2/20/1755 in York Co., Pa. m. 11/9/1775 Cumberland Co., Pa., Margaret Livingston, b. 1758 in Ireland. She came to America with her cousin, Jean Gibson. Robert and Margaret moved to Greene Co., Ga. where she d. in 1796 and he on 3/8/1801. Robert Grier, Jr. was issued Letters of adm. on Est. of Aaron Grier, decd, 1814 in Greene Co., Ga. Greene Co. Deed 12/4/1800, Robert Grier of Greene Co. to Moses Grier, 200 acres, pt. of a tract originally granted to Thomas Grier, on Shoulderbone Creek. Bible of Robert Grier, owner: Calvin Grier, Charlotte, C. Robert Grier d. 3/8/1801. (his Bible). He was a Rev. War Soldier. Wilkes Co., Ga. est. 1823 of Robert Grier, decd. of Dallas Co., Ala., with Robert Grier, admr., relates to estate in Georgia. LWT of Robert Grier, filed Wilkes Co., Ga., 9/16/1820, "Of Dallas Co., A1a., pvd 12/5/1822, names wife, Margaret, daus., Mary Johnson, Betsy, Peggy Key, and granddau., Margaret Key, dau. of Robert and Mary Key; grandson, Robert Grier Johnson; grandson, Robert Calvin Grier; granddau., Margaret Johnson and granddau., Margaret Grier. Robert Grier d. 8/6/1822, buried where Eliza was Issue of Robert Grier and wife, Margaret:
  1. Isaac Grier b. 10/7/1776 d. 11/2/1843, bur. Sardis Church, Mecklenburg Co., N. C. and had: Robert L. Grier b. 6/18/1832 m. Martha Ann, Kirkpatrick 4/24/1856, b. 2/13/1836 d. 6/1874 or 1894, bur. Mt. Carmel Church, Marshel Co., Miss. Robert L. Grier d. 2/16/1881, bur. Salem Church, Tenn. Issue of Robert L. Grier:

     1. I. D. Grier, son, b. 7/2/1857 3. 5!29/1881, bur. Ebenezer Church, Mecklenburg, N. C.
     2. C. I. Grier, dau., b. 3/22/1859.
     3. H. K. Grier, son, b. 9/28/1861 d. 12/5/1881 bur. Ebenezer Church, Mecklenburg Co., N. C.

  2. Calvin Grier.
  3. Martha Grier.
  4. Isaac H. Grier b. 7/21/1834.
  5. James R. Grier 7/ 23/1838-9/19/1838 bur. Coddle Creek Church, Iredell Co., N. C.
  6. Aaron Grier 6/4/1839-7/27/1839 bur. Sardis Church, Mecklenburg Co., N. C.
  7. William P. Grier b. 7/24/1840.
• Robert Grier m. 2/9/1809 Mary Heard, dau. of Jesse Heard and his wife, Judith Wilkinson. Robert d. 11/8/1823. Mary d. 8/2/1827. Their Issue:

  1. Isaac Grier b. 8/29/1811 m. Isabella Robinson 3/1/1831. Isaac Grier d. 5/8/1862, bur. Sardis Church, Mecklenburg Co., N. C.
  2. Isabella d. 7/28/1889, bur. Sardis Church, Mecklenburg Co., N. C.
  3. Robert Grier b. 10/28/1822 d. 11/1822.
  4. Margaret Grier b. 3/1/1813 m. Jose Black.
  5. Judith Grier b. 7/1/1810 d. 1814, bur. Gap Creek.
  6. Adeline Grier b. 11/10/1818 m. Hugh McCauley 4/29/1840 Butts Co.
  7. Malvina B. Grier b. 4/12/1814 m. Neal McCauley 1/12/1832 Butts Co.
  8. Jesse H. Grier b. 10/22/1815.
  9. Eliza Grier b. 3/9/1820 d. 7/26/1822.

• Aaron Grier b. 5/1/1778 d. 11/20/1815 m. Mary Grier. LWT dtd 9/16/1824, pvd 10/20/1824 Warren Co., Ga., naming children: (Also names grandchildren, Aaron G. Grier and Alexander Stephens.) Robert Grier, Jr. was issued Letters of Administration 1/1816 in Jasper Co., and sells land in the 26th District of sd county. Robert Grier issued Letters of Admn 1/1816, Jasper Co., Ga., est. of Aaron Grier and sells deed's land in the 26th district. Issue:

  1. Elizabeth Grier b. 12/8/1805 d. 8/15/1806.
  2. Robert Grier of Wilkinson Co., Ga.
  3. Katherine m. Mr. Findley.
  4. Aaron W. Grier.
  5. Thomas Grier.
  6. Mary Grier m. 11/13/1800 John Johnson, removed to Arkansas.
  7. Margaret Grier m. Joseph Key had Demaris Key who d. 4/7/1814.
  8. Elizabeth Grier m. 4/2/1805 Robert Grier, son of Aaron Crier and wife, Jane Gibson.

ELIZABETH GRIER, dau. of Robert and Jeannie, d. unmd. She was killed by two negro boys who thought she had money.

THOMAS GRIER, son of Robert and Jeannie, settled in Randolph Co., (now Jasper) Ga.

MARY GRIER, dau. of Robert and Jeannie, b. 5/19/1780 m. Rev. Mr. Fleming.

JANE GRIER, dau. of Robert and Jeannie, murdered 2/12/1819.

MOSES GRIER, son of Robert and Jeannie. Another family, JESSE GREER d. 1788 Wilkes Co., N. C. m. Judith Hampton d. 2/11/1811. Both buried in John Greer, Jr.'s graveyard in Wilkes Co., N. C. Their son:

Jesse Greer, Sr. b. 12/30/1788 in Wilkes Co., N. C. d. 1/6/1867 Pike Co., Miss. m. 1st Polly Puckett 7/19/1813 in Barren Co., Ky. Polly was born 11/29/1789, d. 10/5/1822, dau. of Ephraim Puckett (d. 2/28/1844, 88 yrs. old and Anney Allen, d. 8/1810 Ky., age 46). Jesse m. 2nd Jennie Bladensinger or Blasenger 12/30/1788 Wilkes Co., N. C. to 1/6/1869 Pike Co., Miss., bur. on Ollie McComb's homeplace in Pike Co. Jesse Greer m. 3rd Elizabeth Davis 8/3/1824-3/7/1860. Bible of Jesse Greer, Sr. Issue of Jesse Greer, Sr. and first wife, Polly, as follows:

1. EPHRAIM ALLEN GREER b. 10/5/1813.
2. SALLY PERKINS GREER b. 9/23/1815 m. Pearlie Dunaway. Issue of Jesse Greer, Sr. and 2nd wife, Jennie, as follows:
3. POLLY GREER 9/9/1833-9/1917 m. Ephraim McComb.
4. ISAIAH GREER b. 9/14/1835.
5. FRANKLIN (twin) GREER b. 11/1/1837 m. M. A. (Pat) Tyler.
6. JANE GREER (twin) b. 11/1/1837 3. infancy.
7. OLIVE (Allie) GREER 2/3/1841-1/12/1923 in. William J. McComb. Issue of Jesse Greer, Sr. and 3rd wife, Elizabeth, as follows:

1. FRANCES ELIZABETH GREER 11/12/1845-11/15/1845.
2. WARREN GREER b. 1/24/1847 m. Lynda.
3. CALVIN RICHMOND GREER 6/28/1853-13/1929 m. Miss McCullough.
4. WILLIAM LEVI GREER b. 1!29/1854 m. Sarah C.
5. ZEBODEL GREER b. 4/21/1553 m. Sallie Walker.

Another family, AQUILLA GREER of Greene Co., his LWT dtd 4/8/1790, proved 10/30/1790, names wife, Elizabeth, and children:

1. AQUILA GREER, JR., decd in 1790.
2. SARY GREER m. Haynes.
3. JAMES GREER m. Pansy Merrett 2/3/1802 Greene Co., Ga. His LWT dtd 6/13/1825 Clarke Co., Ga., pvd 9/5/1825, names wife, Nancy, and children:

   1. Paisha Greer m. Hawkins.
   2. Dinah Greer m. George, wid. of Travis George, now wife of William Caviness. Diana Greer m. Travis George 2/22/1796 Wilkes Co., Ga.
   3. Elizabeth Greer m. Beasley.
   4. Sarah Greer m. McCoy.
   5. Nancy Greer m. 1st McCoy, 2nd Cook.
   6. Liz Greer m. Fullilove.
   7. Aquilla Greer m. Patsey Arnold 1/10/1808 Oglethorpe Co.
   8. Priscilla Greer m. Robert Stuart 7/7/1807 Clarke Co., Ga.
   9. Delilah Greer Delilah Greer m. 1st George Bailey 6/10/1807 Clarke Co., Ga. Aquilla Greer and Delilah Bailey, admrs. of Est. of George Bailey 12/2/1816 Clarke Co. She m. 2nd William McNess.

4. WILLIAM GREER. Issue as follows:

   1. Henry Greer b. 1/3/1796 m. Nancy Hoobes 5/12/1818 Greene Co., Ga.
   2. Nancy Greer b. 2/12/1801 m. Allison Ingram, Greene Co.
   3. Lucy Greer b. 9/8/1803 m. Richard Greer 11/5/1824 Greene Co., Ga.
   4. Elisha Greer b. 9/27/1806.
   5. Jesse Greer b. 9/16/1808.
   6. Ebenezer Greer b. 5/7/1811.
   7. Sally Greer b. 9/16/1814.
   8. Betsy Ann Greer b. 3/13/1818.
   9. Aquila Greer b. 8/11/1799 m. Thena Yates 8/11/1914 Greene Co., Ga.

5. ELIZABETH GREER m. Starkey.
6. VINSON GREER, Wilkes Co. deed dtd 1786, George Lumpkin and wife, Ann, to Vinson Greer, 150 acres on Buffalo Creek.
7. DELIA GREER b. 10/31/1758 m. 12/2/1781 to Capt. Parmenas Haynas b. 7/1/1742 who m. 1st Elizabeth Baber 12/15/1767. Issue: (Bible of Parmenas Haynes of Bedford Co., Va. and Oglethorpe Co., Ga.) Issue:

   1. Parmenas Haynes, b. 3/11/1783 m. 4/30/1807 Jenny Phelps.
   2. Salley Haynes b. 1137/1785 m. 9/3/1807 Woody Jackson.
   3. Delia Haynes b. 2/10/1788 m. 3/24/1808 William Greer of Greene Co., Ga.
   4. Polley Havnes b. 12/2/1794 m. 4/7/1812 John Thorington of Oglethorpe Co.
   5. Jasper Haynes b. 11/3/1797m. 5/17/-- Lucy Slaten of Oglethorpe Co.
   6. Henry Haynes b. 7/8/1800 d. 10/16/182--.

8. YEL GREER.
   
   Thomas Greer. From Bible of Thomas Greer, owner: E. K. Greer, Athens, Ga. ;bros. and sisters. Thomas Greer, Jr. See below., b. 1/31/1750 d. 5/6/1840 m. Letisha Grinage.

1. Elizabeth Greer b. 10/26/1745 d. 12/29/1837. James Greer b. 8/21/1747.
2. Sarah Greer b. 1/24/1749 d. 7/23/1826.
3. Molly Greer b. 2/11/1752.
4. Bartley Greer b. 4/11/1754.
5. Jane Greer b. 5/8/1756 d. 12/29/1834 m. Mr. Bilbo.
6. Martha Greer b. 6/27/1758.
7. Nancy Greer 3/19/1763-1/5/1835.
8. Caty Greer 7/10/1765-4/6/1851.
9. Joseph Greer 8/21/1768-8/21/1802.
10. Pegga Greer 11/28/1771-4/21/1816.

Another family, THOMAS GREER, SR. Richmond Co., Ga. Greene Co. DB I, P. 3523, Thomas Greer of Richmond Co. to James Garret of Charlocte Co., Va. for 100 pds. 570 seres in Washington Co., now Greene Co., Ga., 287 1/2 acres, dtd 13/13/1787.

"Thomas Greer and Richard Cox came to Greene County, Georgia from Mecklenburg Co., Virginia before 1799, with their families. By 1802 the Greers and Coxes were living within a mile of each other in Clarke County, Georgia. Thomas Greer had married Richard's sister, Francina Cox in Virginia and their son John Cox Greer married Richard Cox's daughter Francina Elizabeth Cox in 1826 in Clarke County, Georgia. After John Cox Greer died in 1860, Elizabeth (or Aunt Wix as she was called by her family) married 2nd George W. King in 1862. He died in 1864, leaving her to run Chalky Level alone or with the limited help of her younger son, Stump (John)." The family plantation Chalky Level was located on Davis Road near the southeast corner of Lexington Road. The family cemetery remains, with only 4 markers. Thomas Greer, Sr. m. Jane Dunlap and had issue:

1. THOMAS GREER b. 1/31/1760-d. 5/6/1840 m. Lettisha Grinage 12/10/1788 Richmond Co., Ga. Issue: John Cox Greer b. 11/14/1796 m. Francinia Elizabeth Cox, b. 12/31/1810. John Cox Greer d. 2/6/1860. Francinia d. 1/22/1585. Issue:

   1. Evaline Francinia Greer b. 12/14/1825 d. 1/19/1842.
   2. son, b. & d. 7/1/1828.
   3. dau. b. & d. 6/5/1829.
   4. Richard Cox Greer 7/14/1830-6/11/1889, buried in the Greer Family Cemetery in Clarke County. Wife, Mary F., 2/3/1847-1/3/1914, buried beside her husband. Issue: Edwin Cox Greer, 12/6/1874-4/3/1924, buried Greer Cemetery, Clarke County; Emmett Keely Greer 1877-6/19/1933, buried Greer Cemetery, Clarke County, married Mrs. Norma Grant Wilcher on 17 December 1910 in Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Athens.
   5. dau. 9/30/1832-10/1/ 1832.
   6. Son b. & d. 7/1/1833.
   7. Victoria America Greer 6/17/1834-4/17/1854 m. Appling.
   8. dau. and d. 12/23/1836.
   9. Elizabeth Mentoria Greer 11/3/1837-9/12/1841.
   10. child b & d. 6/10/1839.
   11. Thomas Greer 4/15/1840-5/6/1840.
   12. dau. b. & d. 2/8/1841.
   13. John Thomas Greer 7/8/1842-11/6/1850, buried Greer Cemetery, Clarke County.
   14. child b. and d. 6/24/1844.
   15. son b. & d. 20/27/1845.
   16. Frances America Greer b. 12/14/1798 m. Jennings, d. 2/26/1834.

2. AGNES GREER b. 1758 Pa. m. Thomas Johnson.
3. JOHN GREER b. 1761 m. Sarah Hunt, moved from Pennsylvania to Wilkes Co., Ga.

Another family, WILLIAM GREER b. 1785 d. 3/23/1848 m. Delilah Haynes b. 2/10/1788 d. 2/11/1845. 3/24/1805 in Greene Co., deed, Samuel Waller of Washington Co. to William Greer of Greene Co., 250 acres in Wilkes Co., on Ogeechee River, 11/13/1786 (Wilkes Co.) From Bible of Henry English of Greene Co. Delilah Haynes was a dau. of Capt. Parmenas Haynes, Rev. War Soldier of Oglethorpe Co., Ga., b. 7/1/1742 m. Elizabeth Baber 12/15/1767, who was b. 9/21/1749, d. 3/1/1813. Issue of William and Delilah follows: (Bible of Henry Greer. Owner: Mrs. Susie Morton, Pickens, Miss.) Issue:

1. Henry Franklin Greer b. 4/24/1809 d. 6/13/1858 m. Anne A. Ragin 12/9/1830, having issue: William Franklin Greer b. 4/1/1834 d. 5/28/1853; James Ragan Greer b. 12/20/1831.
2. James H. Greer b. 2/24/1811 d. 7/23/1846 m. Jane H. Ragan 5/29/1833.
3. Abraham Dinet Greer b. 10/22/1813 m. Rebecca A. Crow 10/8/1837 .
4. William Amariah Greer b. 5/9/1818.
5. Martial Ragan Greer b. 12/10/1820.
6. John Jasper Greer b. 2/24/1825.
7. William Caloway Greer b. 6/20/1827.
8. Delia Jane Greer b. 12/23/1832 m. Benjamin F. Miller 12/13/1854.
   
   The above William Greer apparently had a sister, Mary Greer, b. 9/21/1790 d. 10/6/1826 Jeremiah Ragan b. 2/8/1758 d. 1/31/1827, from Bible of Henry Greer, in possession of Mrs. Susie Morton, Pickens, Miss. Issue of Mary Greer and Jeremiah Ragin:
   1. Jane Haynes Ragan b. 4/1/1813.
   2. Ann Atkins Ragan b. 2/26/1816 d. 12/24/1846.
   3. Lucy Sophronia Ragan b. 12/6/1820 m. Henry O. Beasley on 10/15/1840.