Part of an old map of the San Jacinto area from the Texas Revolution

Veteran Bio

Texian Location:  Harrisburg

The Kemp Sketch

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GRIMES, FREDERICK MILLER - Born in Sumner County, Tennessee, May 25, 1805, a son of Deorge and Dicey (Garner) Grimes. On March 2, 1831 Frederick Grimes received title to one-fourth of a league of land one half in Austin County and the other half in Washington County.

Mr. Grimes fought the Carancahuas on the coast and served in Captain Bartlett Company in the battle with the Huecos at the Hueco Village in 1833. In this battle Thomas Grey was killed. Later Mr. Grimes lived near Nashville, in Robertson’s Colony in what is now Milam County. Mr. Grimes also stated that he participated in the battle of Velasco, June 26, 1832. On page 42 of the army rolls in the General Land Office he is shown as a member of Captain Gibson Kuykendall’s company that was detailed to guard the baggage at the camp opposite Harrisburg, April 21, 1836. Apparently he did not apply for the 640 acres of donation land due him for that service. Later in the year 1836 he joined Captain H. N. Cleveland’s Company of Mill Creek Volunteers. Frederick Grimes was issued Bounty Certificate No. 531 for 320 acres of land, July 11, 1849 for having served in the army from March to May 31, 1836 and Bounty Certificate No. 532 for 320 acres of land for his services from July 1 to October 1, 1836. (Came to Texas in 1834 unnumbered headright certificate 1838 for 1/3 league Austin County Board.)

On February 1, 1838 Mr. Grimes was married to Elmira Susan Farley, who was born July 15, 1820 and died August 19, 1889. She was a daughter of Henry and Nancy (White) Farley. Mr. Farley was one of the colonists of Sterling C. Robertson. Mr. Grimes died December 18, 1889 while a member of the Texas Veterans Association. Mr. and Mrs. Grimes are buried in the old cemetery in Blooming Grove, Navarro County, in marked graves.

Children of Mr. and Mrs. Grimes were (1) Mary Ann, (2) Martha Jane, (3) Thomas Farley, (4) Samuel Wawford, (5) Henry Archer, (6) Frederick Miller, Jr., (7) Nancy Ellen, (8) Sarah Catharine, (9) Elizabeth Virginia, (10) Elmira Susan, (11) Anna Eleza, (12)Earle Grimes.

(1) Mary Ann Grimes was born August 21, 1839. On July 14, 1859 she was married to Daniel Jones.

(2) Martha Jane Grimes was born March 31, 1842 and died June 23, 1864. On June 1, 1859 she was married to William I. John.

(3) Thomas Farley Grimes was born ________14, 1843. He and his brother Henry Archer Grimes died in Waco, October 18, 1869.

(4) Samuel Wawford Grimes was born September 12, 1845. He was married twice. His second marriage was to Susie Sears. Children of this union were Fannie, Ernest and Lula Grimes, all of Pasadena, California.

(5) Henry Archer Grimes was born March 23, 1848. He and his brother Thomas Farley Grimes died in Waco, October 18, 1869.

(6) Frederick Miller Grimes, Jr., was born March 4, 1850. On June 8, 1882 he was married to Elizabeth Hightower. Mrs. Grimes resides in Frost, Texas.

(7) Nancy Ellen Grimes was born February 28, 1852. On August 16, 1866 she was married to Briece Marshall. Mrs. Marshall resides in Big Spring, Texas.

(8) Sarah Catharine Grimes was born December 21, 1854. On February 3, 1875 she was married to E. A. Bean.

(9) Elizabeth Virginia Grimes was born May 26, 1857. On December 16, 1874 she was married to George Wren Acree. Mrs. Acree died February 25, 1935 at McGregor, Texas.

Children of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Acree are Dr. S. F. Acree, 1841 Summit Place, Washington D. C.; Fred Acree, 2112 Barnard Street, Waco and John H. Acree, Liverpool, England.

(10) Elmira Susan Grimes was born January 21, 1860. On September 17, 1878 she was married to John W. Day. Mrs. Day resides near Moody, Texas

(11) Anna Eleza Grimes was born September 14, 1862. She was married to E. A. Culpepper.

(12) Earle Grimes was born October 10, 1865.

Written by Louis W. Kemp, between 1930 and 1952. Please note that typographical and factual errors have not been corrected from the original sketches. The biographies have been scanned from the original typescripts, a process that sometimes allows for mistakes in the new text. Researchers should verify the accuracy of the texts' contents through other sources before quoting in publications. Additional information on the veteran may be available in the Herzstein Library.


Battle Statistics

  • Died in Battle: No
  • Rank: Private
  • Company: Capt. Gibson Kuykendall

Personal Statistics

  • Date of Birth: 1805 May 25
  • Birthplace: Tennessee, Sumner County
  • Came to Texas: 1831
  • Date of Death: 1889 Dec 18
  • Burial Place: Blooming Grove, Navarro Co., Texas
  • Bounty Certificate: 531
  • Wife: Elmira Susan Farley
  • Children: Mary Ann Grimes Jones; Martha Jane Grimes John; Thomas Farley; Samuel Wawford; Henry Archer; Frederick Miller; Nancy Ellen Grimes Marshall; Sarah Catharine Grimes Bean; Elizabeth Virginia Gr. Acree; Elmira Susan Grimes Day; Anna Eleza Gr. Culpepper; Earle