Jonathan and Elizabeth (Pratt) Grimshaw
Yorkshire Progenitors of At Least Five Grimshaw Immigrants to Pennsylvania
Jonathan and Elizabeth Grimshaw were not immigrants to North America themselves, but several of their descendants were, including at least two children (Benjamin and John) and three grandchildren. They lived in Yorkshire, probably Leeds, and Jonathan was descended from the Edward and Dorothy (Raner) Grimshaw line (6th generation.) Most, if not all, of their immigrant descendants settled in Erie County, Pennsylvania. Many were involved in the woolen business.
Contents
Descendant Chart for Benjamin and Elizabeth Grimshaw
Ancestor Chart, Showing Connection of Benjamin to Edward and Dorothy Grimshaw
Family Notes and Cass Family Website from Elaine Ruggiero
Immigration Records of Three of the Grimshaw Immigrants
Engagement in the Woolen Business in Harborcreek and North East Townships
Biographies of Craven Grimshaw and Fred Grimshaw
Snowden Grimshaw, a Distant Relative, also Immigrated to Northeast in Erie County, Pennsylvania
Webpage Credits
Thanks go to Elaine Ruggiero and her brother, Charles Grimshaw Wagner, for providing the photos, images, family notes, and descendant chart for Jonathan and Elizabeth, which contains an abundance of information on this family line.
Descendant Chart for Jonathan and Elizabeth Grimshaw
Thanks again to Elaine Ruggiero for providing a descendant chart for Benjamin and Elizabeth, which is shown below. The descendants who emigrated to the U.S. are shown in bold, italic font and include their children Benjamin and John W. and their grandchildren William Aaron, Craven, and Jane Grimshaw. A photo of William Aaron Grimshaw is shown below the descendant chart.
Descendant chart for Jonathan and Elizabeth Grimshaw, showing (in bold italic font) their descendants who immigrated to Pennsylvania.
|– 1 Jonathan Grimshaw b: Aug 15, 1790 d: Apr 24, 1881 f: 1841 Clothier + Elizabeth Pratt b: 1795 m: Sep 11, 1820 d: Jun 18, 1868
|–|– 2 Ann Grimshaw b: Jun 23, 1821
|–|– 2 David Grimshaw b: Feb 25, 1823 d: 1900 + Esther Rhodes b: 1823 m: in Calverley, England d: Oct 12, 1881 in Calverley, England
|–|–|– 3 [2] William Aaron Grimshaw b: 1847 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England d: Apr 15, 1926 in North East, Erie CO, PA + [1] Jane Grimshaw b: Abt. 1857 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England m: Abt. 1878 in Yorkshire, England d: Aug 3, 1926 in North East, Erie CO, PA Father: Benjamin Grimshaw Mother: Sara Ann Pullan
|–|–|– 3 Ada Grimshaw b: 1855 d: Dec 3, 1939 in England + George Blakesley
|–|–|– 3 Emily Grimshaw b: 1861
|–|–|– 3 Frank Grimshaw b: 1865 d: 1932 + Harriet Emily Morgan b: 1873 d: 1946
|–|– 2 Job Grimshaw b: Apr 24, 1824 in Yorkshire, England d: Mar 14, 1897 in Calverley, Yorkshire, England + Mary Ann Craven b: 1824 m: Abt. 1847 d: Oct 15, 1854 in Calverley, Yorkshire, England
|–|–|– 3 Henry Grimshaw b: 1849 in Calverley, Yorkshire, England d: Apr 2, 1913 in Eng
|–|–|– 3 Albert Grimshaw b: Abt. 1851 in Calverley, Yorkshire, England d: in New Brighton, PA o: Bookkeeper and musician
|–|–|– 3 Craven Grimshaw b: May 18, 1853 in Calverley, Yorkshire, England d: in North East, Erie CO, PA o: Weaver(spinner’s trade) while in England. Employed at W A Grimshaw Woolen Mill & Co till 1884, then grew vineyards. f:1873 Arrived in America – Passenger & Immigration lists 86-90 + Sarah Wells b: Abt. 1850 in North East, Erie CO, PA m: Jul 1, 1875 in North East, Erie CO, PA d: in North East, Erie CO, PA
|–|– *2nd Wife of Job Grimshaw: + Hannah b: 1832 in Engl m: Abt. 1887 in England d: Oct 22,1906
|–|–|– 3 Albert Grimshaw b: 1859 + Harriet Harris b: in New Brighton, PA
|–|–|– 3 Thomas Grimshaw b: 1863
|–|–|– 3 Edwin Grimshaw b: 1865
|–|–|– 3 Isabella Grimshaw Grimshaw b: 1867
|–|–|– 3 Amelia Grimshaw b: 1871
|–|– 2 Fanny Grimshaw b: 1828 + Peter Simon?
|–|– 2 Benjamin Grimshaw b: 1828 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England d: Apr 11, 1873 in North East, Erie CO, PA o: 1859 Arrived in Harbor Creek Twp, and worked at Cass Woolen Mills. f: 1857 Arrived in America – Passenger & Immigration lists 86-90, arriving in 1853. + Sara Ann Pullan b: 1833 in Yorkshire, England m: 1853 in Yorkshire, England d: 1889 in North East, Erie CO, PA
|–|–|– 3 [1] Jane Grimshaw b: Abt. 1857 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England d: Aug 3, 1926 in North East, Erie CO, PA + [2] William Aaron Grimshaw b: 1847 in Leeds, Yorkshire, England m: Abt. 1878 in Yorkshire, England d: Apr 15, 1926 in North East, Erie CO, PA Father: David Grimshaw Mother: Esther Rhodes
|–|–|– 3 Fred Grimshaw b: Jul 6, 1871 d: 1936 in North East, Erie CO, PA f: 1936 Interred at North East Cemetery + Nellie Grace b: May 24, 1873 in North East , Erie CO. PA d: Apr 12, 1927 in North East, Erie CO, PA Father: Michael Grace Mother: Helen Lynch
|–|–|– 3 *2nd Wife of Fred Grimshaw: + Lucy Covell d: 1965
|–|– 2 Elizabeth Grimshaw b: 1831 + ? Swaine
|–|–|– 3 Fred Swaine
|–|–|– 3 Elizabeth Swaine + ? Breadsell
|–|– 2 Emma Grimshaw b: 1833 d: 1891 + James Bannister b: 1833 d: Nov 11, 1915
|–|–|– 3 Libbie Bannister b: 1864 d: 1876
|–|–|– 3 Mary D Bannister b: 1861 d: 1902
|–|–|– 3 Arthur Grimshaw Bannister b: 1871 d: 1939 + Catherine Allen b: 1874 d: 1955
|–|– 2 John W Grimshaw b: 1834 in Yorkshire, England
|–|– 2 May/Mary Grimshaw b: 1836 + Mr Thompson
|–|– 2 Jacob Grimshaw b: 1839
Photo of William Aaron Grimshaw, date unknown. Thanks to Elaine Ruggiero and Charles Wagner for providing the photo.
Ancestor Chart, Showing Connection of Jonathan to Edward and Dorothy Grimshaw
The ancestors of Jonathan Grimshaw are shown back to the Edward and Dorothy Grimshaw on a descendant chart provided to Tim Halstead and shown on a companion webpage. The Edward and Dorothy Grimshaw (the “Yorkshire line of Grimshaws”) has apparently not yet been “connected” to the more senior line in Lancashire (Clayton-le-Moors and Grimshaw location.) A condensed version of Tim Halsteads chart, showing Jonathan as a 6th generation descendant of Edward and Dorothy, is shown below.
Ancestors of Jonathan Grimshaw showing lineage back to Edward and Dorothy (Raner) Grimshaw (derived from chart provided by Tim Halstead.)
1 Edward Grimshaw (About 1559 – 22 Jun 1635) & Dorotye Raner
|–2 Abraham Grimshaw (1603 – 1670) & Sarah ( – 21 Sep 1695)
|–|–3 Abraham Grimshaw* (About 1651 – 6 Dec 1707) & Rachel Bond (1672 – 23 May 1696)
|–|–3 JeremyJeremiah Grimshaw* (21 Jul 1653 – 12 Aug 1721) & Mary Stockton ( – 6 Jan 1692/1693)
|–|–3 Josias Grimshaw (25 Apr 1658 – 15 Dec 1722) & Sarah Ibbitson (25 Dec 1647 – 15 Feb 1741/1742)
|–|–3 John Grimshaw* (23 Nov 1664 – 20 Jun 1749) & Grace Ibbotson (15 Nov 1671 – 29 Nov 1700)
|–|–|–4 Hannah Grimshaw (9 Jan 1697/1698 – ) & John Lister
|–|–|–4 John Grimshaw (26 Nov 1700 – 28 Nov 1700)
|–|–3 John Grimshaw* (23 Nov 1664 – 20 Jun 1749) & Phoebe Cockshaw (About 1678 – 21 Feb 1747/1748)
|–|–|–4 John Grimshaw (26 Apr 1703 – ) & Sarah Cooper
|–|–|–4 Rebeccah Grimshaw (23 Sep 1705 – )
|–|–|–4 Jonathan Grimshaw (28 Jul 1708 – 8 Jul 1763) & Ellen Dale (1723 – 8 Mar 1798)
|–|–|–4 Phebe Grimshaw (2 Apr 1711 – 5 Dec 1783) & Jeremy Hustler
|–|–|–4 Jeremiah Grimshaw (8 Apr 1713 – 25 Mar 1781) & Susanne Duckworth (1718 – 11 Jan 1798)
|–|–|–4 David Grimshaw (28 Mar 1715 – 16 Dec 1790) & Mary Clark (1719 – 17 May 1802)
|–|–|–|–5 David Grimshaw (16 Jan 1747/1748 – 6 Aug 1834)
|–|–|–|–5 Hannah Grimshaw (Between 1748/1751 – ) & Isaac Edmondson
|–|–|–|–5 Benjamin Grimshaw (3 Sep 1751 – Before 1841) & Margaret (1759 – After 1851)
|–|–|–|–|–6 Jeremiah Grimshaw (19 Aug 1781 – Before 1841) & Martha (1777 – )
|–|–|–|–|–6 Thomas Grimshaw (29 Mar 1783 – )
|–|–|–|–|–6 David Grimshaw (10 May 1788 – )
|–|–|–|–|–6 Jonathan Grimshaw (15 Aug 1790 – 24 Apr 1881) & Elizabeth (1795 – 18 Jun 1868)
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 Ann Grimshaw (23 Jun 1821 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 David Grimshaw (25 Feb 1823 – ) & Esther Rhodes (1823 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 William Aaron Grimshaw (1847 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 AnnAda Grimshaw (1855 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 Emily Grimshaw (1860 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 Frank Grimshaw (1864 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–|–9 Esther Grimshaw
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–|–9 Ada Grimshaw
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–|–9 Emily Grimshaw
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–|–9 David Grimshaw
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–|–9 Norah Grimshaw & Fred Parker
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 Job Grimshaw* (24 Apr 1824 – 14 Mar 1897) & Hannah (1832 – 22 Oct 1906)
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 Craven Grimshaw (1855 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 Albert Grimshaw (1859 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 Thomas Grimshaw (1863 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 Edwin Grimshaw (1865 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 Isabella Grimshaw (1867 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 Amelia Grimshaw (1871 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 Job Grimshaw* (24 Apr 1824 – 14 Mar 1897) & Mary Ann Craven (1824 – 15 Oct 1854)
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 Henry Grimshaw (1849 – 2 Apr 1913)
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 Fanny Grimshaw (1828 – 23 Feb 1902)
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 Benjamin Grimshaw (1830 – 18 Apr 1873)
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 Elizabeth Grimshaw (1831 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 Emma Grimshaw (1833 – 24 Mar 1891)
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 John Grimshaw (1836 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 Mary Grimshaw (1836 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 Jacob Grimshaw (1839 – )
Family Notes and Cass Family Website from Elaine Ruggiero
Elaine posted the following information on this family line on the Grimshaw Family Genealogy Forum (website address – http://genforum.genealogy.com/grimshaw) in March, 2001.
Am looking for connection to JONATHAN GRIMSHAW, b abt 1795, occupation: clothier. He mar. Elizabeth Pratt in 1820, and had seven children: DAVID, b 1823, m Esther Rhodes; JOB, b 1825, m Hannah ?; BENJAMIN, b 1828 in Leeds, Eng, m Sara Ann Pullan; FANNY, b 1828; ELIZABETH, b 1831, m Mr Swaine; EMMA, b 1834, m James Bannister, and MAY, b 1836.
Though the family is from Leeds, England area, some of the members migrated to the USA and settled in Erie CO, PA. Benjamin Grimshaw’s daughter, Jane, married her cousin, William Aaron Grimshaw, b 1847 in Leeds. Benjamin and his family settled in North East Twp, Erie CO, PA and built the CASS and GRIMSHAW WOOLEN MILL. Mr. Cass lived in the next township and supposedly raised the sheep for the mill’s woolen goods. The story goes that the mill was commissioned to make Army blankets for the Union Army during the Civil War. Also, the Grimshaws made trips back and forth to Leeds for weaving supplies.
Subsequently, Elaine provided reference to a website on John Cass, which contains the information shown below.
http://members.tripod.com/~JnCass/will2.html:
A Tale of Two Families The Descendants of John Cass and The Desendants of Rev. Johann Michael Enderlein
William Cass came to America at a later date than did his brother John, for whom he worked for a time, after which, with Benjamin Grimshaw as a partner, he started a woolen factory near North East, Pennsylvania, at the mouth of Sixteen – Mile Creek near Orchard Beach, which is now popular for its bathing beach, camping and picnic facilities.
It is probable that he and his brother, John Cass, carried on similar lines of business and the following advertisements of the two brothers which appeared in Beers’ Atlas of Erie County in 1865, serves to show the nature of their work.
“North East Woolen Factory, Cass and Grimshaw, Proprietors, Keep Constantly on Hand All Kinds of Woolen Cloths, Flannels and Yarn. Give Us a Call.”
“Harbor Creek Woolen Mills, Manufacturer of Broad Cloths , Full Cloths, Tweeds, Broad and Narrow Flannels; John Cass, Proprietor, Harbor Creek, Erie County, Pennsylvania. N. B. Particular Attention to Custom Spinning, Carding and Cloth. Dressing.”
A picture of the factory of Cass and Grimshaw appears on page 72 of the Everts, Ensign and Everts Atlas of Erie County, Pennsylvania, which was published in 1876. This picture is of a three and a half story frame building and is accompanied by the following advertisement, “W. A. Grimshaw and Co., Woolen Cloths, Flannels and Knitting Yarn.
William Cass, like his brother John, was an ardent Abolitionist and an active agent for the Underground Railroad. An interesting adventure story of the Underground Railroad, in which William Cass and his neighbors of the Crawford family were connected and in which his name is mentioned, appears in the footnotes on pages 380 to 382, inclusive, of Volume I of “A Constitutional History of the American People” by Francis Newton Thorpe. This history is available in the public libraries.
Mr. and Mrs. William Cass had no children but adopted Mrs. Cass’s niece, Sarah Ann, who became the wife of Benjamin Grimshaw. Incidentally, the first of the Grimshaws came from Calverley, Yorkshire, or its vicinity, which was near the English home of the Cass family. The members of the Grimshaw family who are now living at North East are descendants of this family.
Mr. and Mrs. Cass were buried in the North East Cemetery. Their monument, while plain, is unusual in that it consists of two stones rising from the same base. It is located near the stone of Benjamin Grimshaw, who died April 11, 1873, aged 45 years.
Immigration Records of Three of the Grimshaw Immigrants
Three of the five descendants of Benjamin and Elizabeth Grimshaw who immigrated to the U.S. were “captured” in the naturalization records of Erie County1 – Benjamin, John W., and Craven – as shown on a companion webpage. The relevant sections from that webpage (no. 46, 49, and 52) are duplicated below for ease of reference.
Benjamin and John W. Grimshaw were the two children of Benjamin and Elizabeth who immigrated to Erie County (in 1857 and 1864, respectively.) Craven was their nephew (son of their brother, Job) and one of three grandchildren of Benjamin and Elizabeth who immigrated to the U.S. His immigration was in 1873.
46. Benjamin Grimshaw, 1857, Erie County, Pennsylvania
Erie County Society for Genealogical Research, compiler, 1983
Benjamin is the first of three Grimshaws whose immigration to the U.S. is recorded in the naturalization records of Erie County, Pennsylvania. His record appears as follows (Erie County Society for Genealogical Research, 1983, p. 49):
GRIMSHAW, Benjamin – b 1828; em 1857; Eng, Yorkshire; cert 5 Oct 1868; res North East; sp J. C. GRAY (3248)
This record indicates that Benjamin was born in 1828 and emigrated from Yorkshire, England in 1857. He resided in North East Township of Erie County and received his naturalization certificate on October 5, 1868; his sponsor was J.C. Gray. The other two Grimshaws whose immigration is similarly recorded are John and Craven, whose records are described below.
The following background information is provided in the reference:
Erie County, Pa. was formed by an act of the State Legislature in 1800, five years after the first settlers arrived. Due to the sparse population, the county government was not actually organized until 1803, when the county seat was established at Erie On March 23, 1823, the county courthouse burned, destroying all of the contents. The first naturalization recorded after the fire was that of John Robison in 1825. Approximately 11,000 individuals were naturalized in the Erie County Court of Common Pleas up to 1906, when the Federal Government took over the naturalization process. Another 1,000 filed their intentions but did not complete the naturalization process.
49. John W. Grimshaw, 1864, Erie County, Pennsylvania
Erie County Society for Genealogical Research, compiler, 1983
Johns immigration was recorded in the Erie County records described above (see Section 4.45); his record appears as follows (Erie County Society for Genealogical Research, 1983, p. 49):
GRIMSHAW, John W. – b 1834; em 1864; Eng, Yorkshire; cert 28 Aug 1876; res North East Tp; sp James BANNISTER (4243)
John was born in 1834 and emigrated from Yorkshire, England in 1864. Like Benjamin, he resided in North East Township. He received his naturalization certificate on August 28, 1876; his sponsor was James Bannister.
52. Craven Grimshaw, 1873, Erie County, Pennsylvania
Erie County Society for Genealogical Research, compiler, 1983
Craven was the third Grimshaw whose immigration was recorded in the Erie County, New York records; his information appears as follows (Erie County Society for Genealogical Research, 1983, p. 49):
GRIMSHAW, Craven – b 1853; em 1873; Eng, Yorkshire; cert 2 Oct 1886; res North East Tp 18 yrs; sp W. V. DEWEY (5695)
He was born in 1853 and emigrated in 1873 from Yorkshire, England. He, like the other two Grimshaws in the records, resided in North East Township. His naturalization certificate was issued on October 2, 1886; W.F. Dewey was his sponsor.
Engagement in the Woolen Business in Harborcreek and North East Townships
As noted, many of the descendants of Jonathan and Elizabeth who settled in Erie County became involved in the woolen business, evidently extending the family’s involvement in the trade back in Yorkshire. The earliest immigrant, Benjamin, first settled in Harbor Creek, Pennsylvania, where he was employed at Cass Woolen Mills. In 1861, the family moved to North East, where Benjamin co-founded the Cass and Grimshaw woolen mills. The factory was later passed to Benjamin’s daughter, Jane, and her husband, William Aaron Grimshaw. The figures below show a drawing of the mill (built in 1845 by Archibald Duncan2) and a map showing its location in North East. An advertisement for the W.A. Grimshaw woolen mill is also shown below. Thanks go to Elaine Ruggiero and Charles Wagner for providing the images in these figures.
Drawing of the Cass and Grimshaw woolen mill from the 1876 Atlas of Erie County, Pennsylvania3.
Map of a portion of North East, Pennsylvania, showing “Cass & Grimshaw Woolen Factory” a short distance south of the shore of Lake Erie (just below Lakeshore Vineyard.) Source of map unknown.
Advertisement for products of W.A. Grimshaw woolen mills. From Directory of Borough of North East, 18774.
The woolen mill met an unfortunate fate by fire in 1883, which was described in a local newspaper5 as shown below. Thanks go to Elaine Ruggiero and Chas Wagner for providing this article.
DISASTROUS FIRE
Grimshaw’s Woolen Mills Gone Up in Smoke
The manufacturing interests of North East have sustained another blow in the destruction by fire of one of her most important factories, the Grimshaw Woolen Mills. The fire occurred near midnight Tuesday night, being first discovered by a party of young men returning from the lake. The alarm was sounded and Mr. John Grimshaw, one of the proprietors, and James McHugh, one of the foremen, who sleep on the premises were aroused, and none too soon, for the flames were rapidly encircling their sleeping room. Situated as the mill was, there was no help for subduing the flames to be had, and all that could be done was to try and save what little stock that could be carried out before the fiery flames obtained the mastery. The two men and those who discovered the fire set to work carrying out the manufactured stock, about $20,000 worth of which was stored, the work of the winter months. Notwithstanding the heat and the near approach of the fierce tongues of fire they succeeded in saving nearly $5,000 worth before the heat made it impossible to enter the building again. In less than one hour this fine four story structure, built partly of brick, was reduced to a smouldering heap of ashes. The machinery, nearly all of which was put in new about a year ago, was completely ruined. By this fire thirty persons are thrown out of employment, and estimated at $40,000 which is partially covered by an insurance of $28,000. The mill cost $25,000 and there was something thin the neighborhood of $25,000 worth of stock and machinery. The mill was insured for $18,000 and the stock for $10,000. The conflagration was not without injury to persons as well as property. While removing some cloth from the burning building, Mr. Craven Grimshaw’s return to the outside was intercepted by a body of flame and the stairway by which he was about to descend fell with a loud crash. He jumped to the landing below, but sustained several severe burns before he got out of danger. Mr. W.A. Grimshaw, another of the proprietors, had made arrangements for leaving for New York on Wednesday morning.
The insurance is divided as follows: Queen, $2,500; Hartford, $1,500; Manufacturer’s, $1,250; North British, $1,000; Liverpool, London and Globe, $3,000; Royal, $2,000; City of London, $1,250; London and Lancashire, (Ni)agara, $2,000; Star of New York, $2,000; Phoenix, of Hartford, $2,000; Manhattan, of New York, $2,000;
The insurance in the Lancashire expired a few hours after the fire.
The Messrs. Grimshaw have not decided whether or not they will rebuild the mill, but talk favorably of it, and it is greatly to be hoped they will.
Microfilmed by Ruth Ann Walter.
Retyped by Kent and Chas Wagner on March 29, 1992
The Grimshaw mill was considered a very large installation at the time it was built and operated, as indicated by the following note from the History of Erie County6 (p. 200-201):
There was a time when the woolen industries of this country were of great importance, and included some mills of almost mammoth proportions — they were, at least, so for the period of their existence. This was true of the Grimshaw mill at North East, and the Flynt and Brewster mills in Erie; the Cass mill on six-Mile creek in South Harborcreek, and the Thornton mills were all sizeable plants, much larger than that out in the Happy Valley.
At the time Mr. Allbrecht’s mill was in the hey-day of its existence there were thirteen mills manufacturing cloth in Erie county. There were two in North East township, one besides the Grimshaw mill; one at Waterford, one at Wattsburg, one at McKean, two in Fairview, one at Girard, one at Albion, two in Harborcreek, one or probably two, in Springfield, and the Allbrecht mill at Millcreek — all these without taking account of the mill at Yankeetown. Of all these mills there is not today a single one in operation. The Grimshaw mill was destroyed by fire many years ago, and never rebuilt. When Mr. Grimshaw collected his insurance of $20,000 he decided not to invest in what his judgment taught him to be a waning industry as it is conducted here. He invested in a farm and his production of wool was confined to the fleeces tripped from his flocks of sheep.
Biographies of Craven Grimshaw and Fred Grimshaw
A biography of one of the immigrants of this Grimshaw family — Craven (grandson of Benjamin and Elizabeth Grimshaw) — appears in Nelson’s Biographical Dictionary7 (p. 848) and has been transcribed as shown below. Many thanks to Elaine Ruggiero and Charles Wagner for providing the transcription.
A brief biography of Fred Grimshaw, another grandson of Benjamin and Elizabeth Grimshaw (son of Benjamin and Sarah [Pullen] Grimshaw), is given in one of the county histories of Erie County8 ; it reads as follows:
Fred Grimshaw
is one of the leading citizens of North East where he is identified with the Electric Materials Company. He was born here July 6, 1871, and is the son of Benjamin and Sarah Ann (Pullen) Grimshaw.
Benjamin was born in Leeds, England, in 1832, and his wife was born there in 1833. They were married in England in 1853 and came to this country six years later. They established their home at Harbor Creek, Pa., where he was employed by the Cass Woolen Mills, which are now extinct. In 1861 they removed to North East where he founded the Cass & Grimshaw Woolen Mills. Mr. Grimshaw became a prominent citizen of this section and died in 1855. His wife died in 1898 and they are buried in the North East Cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Grimshaw two children were born: Jane, born at Leeds, Eng., married William Grimshaw, and they live retired at North East; and Fred, the subject of this sketch.
After attending the district schools, Fred Grimshaw engaged in farming for four years and in 1890 became associated with the Eureka Tempered Copper Company of North East, with whom he remained until 1915. In that year he was one of the organizers of the electric Materials Company of which he is superintendent of foundries.
Mr. Grimshaw was married to Miss Nellie Grace, who was born at North East, May 24, 1873, a daughter of Michael and Helen (Lynch) Grace, natives of North East, and both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Grimshaw have no children.
Mr. Grimshaw is a Republican and has served as a member of the city council continuously since January, 1913. He is a member of the Episcopal church and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Snowden Grimshaw, a Distant Relative, also Immigrated to Northeast in Erie County, Pennsylvania
Snowden Grimshaw was born in 1842 or 1843 in England and is recorded in the 1870 U.S. Census as living in North East, Erie County, Pennsylvania with three young children; the record is shown below (see companion webpage).
1870 U.S. Census Record
|
366 |
PA |
Grimshaw |
Snowden |
27 |
1842 |
England |
White |
North East |
Erie |
Male |
|
368 |
PA |
Grimshaw |
Viletta |
4 |
1865 |
England |
White |
North East |
Erie |
Female |
|
369 |
PA |
Grimshaw |
Mirian |
3 |
1866 |
England |
White |
North East |
Erie |
Female |
|
367 |
PA |
Grimshaw |
Sidney |
0 |
1870 |
Pennsylvania |
White |
North East |
Erie |
Male |
Snowden was in the Edward and Dorothy (Raner) Grimshaw Line as shown below, The “fit” of Snowden’s descendancy is shown with that of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Pratt) Grimshaw is also shown.
1 Edward Grimshaw (About 1559 – 22 Jun 1635) & Dorotye Raner
|–2 Abraham Grimshaw (1603 – 1670) & Sarah ( – 21 Sep 1695)
|–|–3 Abraham Grimshaw* (About 1651 – 6 Dec 1707) & Rachel Bond (1672 – 23 May 1696)
|–|–3 JeremyJeremiah Grimshaw* (21 Jul 1653 – 12 Aug 1721) & Mary Stockton ( - 6 Jan 1692/1693)
|–|–3 Josias Grimshaw (25 Apr 1658 – 15 Dec 1722) & Sarah Ibbitson (25 Dec 1647
– 15 Feb 1741/1742)|–|–3 John Grimshaw* (23 Nov 1664 – 20 Jun 1749) & Grace Ibbotson (15 Nov 1671 - 29 Nov 1700)
|–|–|–4 Hannah Grimshaw (9 Jan 1697/1698 – ) & John Lister
|–|–|–4 John Grimshaw (26 Nov 1700 – 28 Nov 1700)
|–|–3 John Grimshaw* (23 Nov 1664 – 20 Jun 1749) & Phoebe Cockshaw (About 1678 - 21 Feb 1747/1748)
|–|–|–4 John Grimshaw (26 Apr 1703 – ) & Sarah Cooper
|–|–|–4 Rebeccah Grimshaw (23 Sep 1705 – )
|–|–|–4 Jonathan Grimshaw (28 Jul 1708 – 8 Jul 1763) & Ellen Dale (1723 – 8 Mar 1798)
The fit is here…
|–|–|–4Jonathan Grimshaw (28 Jul 1708 – 8 Jul 1763) & Ellen Dale (1723 – 8 Mar 1798)
|–|–|–|–5Jonathan Grimshaw (17 May 1748 – 18 Mar 1818) & Dorothy (1755 – 27 Nov 1829)
|–|–|–|–|–6Elizabeth Grimshaw (21 May 1776 – 26 May 1778)
|–|–|–|–|–6John Grimshaw (16 Feb 1778 – 17 Jul 1843) & Susanna Waterhouse (6 Feb 1781 – 2 Feb 1863)
|–|–|–|–|–|–7Elizabeth Grimshaw (25 Jan 1800 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–7Phebe Grimshaw (13 Jan 1802 – ) & Joseph Exley
|–|–|–|–|–|–7William Grimshaw* (8 Dec 1803 – 22 May 1888) & Mary (1803 – 2 Aug 1854)
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8John William Grimshaw (1844 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–7William Grimshaw* (8 Dec 1803 – 22 May 1888) & Sybil Exley (1802 – 1 Jan 1841)
|–|–|–|–|–|–7John Grimshaw (9 Oct 1805 – ) & Sarah Walton (1806 - 30 May 1877)
|–|–|–|–|–|–7Mary Grimshaw (3 Mar 1811 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–7David Grimshaw (24 Jul 1813 – 25 Jul 1870) & Mary Hall (25 Sep 1810 – 5 Dec 1841)
|–|–|–|–|–|–7Titus Grimshaw (1 Oct 1815 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–7Edmund Grimshaw* (9 Feb 1822 – ) & Elizabeth (1818 - )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8Martha Grimshaw (1855 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8Phoebe Grimshaw (1857 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8Aaron Grimshaw (1859 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8Sophie Grimshaw (1860 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–7Edmund Grimshaw* (9 Feb 1822 – ) & Martha Susan Riley (1822 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8Snowden Grimshaw (1843 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8Sarah Grimshaw (1848 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8John Grimshaw (1848 – )
|–|–|–|–|–6Ellen Grimshaw (21 Apr 1781 – ) & William Pearson
|–|–|–|–|–6William Grimshaw (15 Mar 1783 – 26 Jan 1850) & Hannah Hartley (1786 – 14 Feb 1850)
|–|–|–4Phebe Grimshaw (2 Apr 1711 – 5 Dec 1783) & Jeremy Hustler
|–|–|–4 Phebe Grimshaw (2 Apr 1711 – 5 Dec 1783) & Jeremy Hustler
|–|–|–4 Jeremiah Grimshaw (8 Apr 1713 – 25 Mar 1781) & Susanne Duckworth (1718 - 11 Jan 1798)
|–|–|–4 David Grimshaw (28 Mar 1715 – 16 Dec 1790) & Mary Clark (1719 – 17 May 1802)
|–|–|–|–5 David Grimshaw (16 Jan 1747/1748 – 6 Aug 1834)
|–|–|–|–5 Hannah Grimshaw (Between 1748/1751 – ) & Isaac Edmondson
|–|–|–|–5 Benjamin Grimshaw (3 Sep 1751 – Before 1841) & Margaret (1759 – After 1851)
|–|–|–|–|–6 Jeremiah Grimshaw (19 Aug 1781 – Before 1841) & Martha (1777 – )
|–|–|–|–|–6 Thomas Grimshaw (29 Mar 1783 – )
|–|–|–|–|–6 David Grimshaw (10 May 1788 – )
|–|–|–|–|–6 Jonathan Grimshaw (15 Aug 1790 – 24 Apr 1881) & Elizabeth (1795 – 18 Jun 1868)
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 Ann Grimshaw (23 Jun 1821 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 David Grimshaw (25 Feb 1823 – ) & Esther Rhodes (1823 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 William Aaron Grimshaw (1847 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 AnnAda Grimshaw (1855 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 Emily Grimshaw (1860 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 Frank Grimshaw (1864 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–|–9 Esther Grimshaw
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–|–9 Ada Grimshaw
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–|–9 Emily Grimshaw
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–|–9 David Grimshaw
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–|–9 Norah Grimshaw & Fred Parker
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 Job Grimshaw* (24 Apr 1824 – 14 Mar 1897) & Hannah (1832 – 22 Oct 1906)
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 Craven Grimshaw (1855 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 Albert Grimshaw (1859 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 Thomas Grimshaw (1863 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 Edwin Grimshaw (1865 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 Isabella Grimshaw (1867 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 Amelia Grimshaw (1871 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 Job Grimshaw* (24 Apr 1824 – 14 Mar 1897) & Mary Ann Craven (1824 – 15 Oct 1854)
|–|–|–|–|–|–|–8 Henry Grimshaw (1849 – 2 Apr 1913)
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 Fanny Grimshaw (1828 – 23 Feb 1902)
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 Benjamin Grimshaw (1830 – 18 Apr 1873)
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 Elizabeth Grimshaw (1831 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 Emma Grimshaw (1833 – 24 Mar 1891)
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 John Grimshaw (1836 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 Mary Grimshaw (1836 – )
|–|–|–|–|–|–7 Jacob Grimshaw (1839 – )
Snowden was in the same generation (no. 8) as William Aaron Grimshaw. Their great grandfathers — generation 4 — were brothers (Jonathan , born 1708, for Snowden Grimshaw, and David Grimshaw, born 1715, for William Aaron Grimshaw).
References
1Erie County Society for Genealogical Research, compiler, 1983, Erie County, Pennsylvania, Naturalizations, 1825-1906: Erie, PA, the society, 179 p. [Filby No. 1869], p. 49.
2Author Unknown, 1884, History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages, schools, churches, industries, etc.; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of Pennsylvania, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc.: Chicago, Warner, Beers & Co., 1005 p. + 239 p. (reference on p. 726.)
3Everts, Ensign and Everts, 1876, Atlas of Erie County, Pennsylvania
4Author Unknown, 1877, Directory of the Borough of North East, Pennsylvania and Township (first directory of North East
5North East Advertiser, Friday, May 4, 1883.
6Miller, John, A Twentieth Century History of Erie County, Pennsylvania : a Narrative Account of Its Historical Progress, Its People and Its Principal Interests: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. 1909, 1709 pgs.
7S.B. Nelson Publisher, 1896, Nelson’s Biographical Dictionary and Historical Reference Book of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Containing… : Erie, PA, v1, p 1-436; v2 p 437-896.
8Reed, John E., 1925, History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, in two volumes: Topeka, KS and Indianapolis, IN, Historical Publishing Company, v. 2, p. 943-944.
Webpage History
Webpage posted October 2001. Updated November 2004 with addition of the importance of the woolen mills from Miller, 1909. Updated March 2010 with addition of information on Snowden Grimshaw.