Tobias Griscom (abt. 1713 - 1751)

Born about 1713 in Newton Township (Camden), Gloucester (Camden) County, Province of New Jersey

Ancestors

Died 1751 at about age 38 in Duck Creek, Kent County, Delaware

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Laurie Wentz [send private message] and Debra Kelley [send private message]

Biography

One year before William Penn founded Philadelphia in 1681, Betsy Ross's great-grandfather,Andrew Griscom, a Quaker carpenter, had already emigrated from England to New Jersey.

Andrew was successful at his trade. He was also of firm Quaker belief, and he was inspired to move to Philadelphia to become an early participant in Penn's "holy experiment." He purchased 495 acres of land in the Spring Garden section north of the city of Philadelphia (the section would later be incorporated as part of the city), and received a plot of land within the city proper.

Tobias Griscom is the grandson of Andrew Griscom.

He married Grace Rakestraw.^[1]

TOBIAS GRISCOM Jr., son of Tobias and Deborah (Gabitas) Griscom, was born around 1713 undoubtedly on the family farm in Newton Township (Camden), Gloucester (Camden) County, New Jersey Colony. He married in 1735 GRACE RAKESTRAW.^[2]

A Quaker and carpenter, he settled in Philadelphia c.1734.^[3] He was disowned by Friends in 1749^[4] and was reported in Quaker records to have kept loose company, neglected business, conducted himself dis­respectfully, left wife and family in clandestine manner, was involved in debt.

He moved to Duck Creek, Kent Co. DE.^[5] where he died at about age 38.^[6] He had 5 children [Ann, Ann (again), Rebecca, Samuel, William]^[7]: 4 died young. His will written Mar 18 1751, proved Mar 29 1751, refers to "his daughter" sole heir.^[8]

Child: Rebecca Griscom. Single.

Sources

1. ↑ Tobias Griscom in the U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 Name: Tobias Griscom Residence Date: 29 Apr 1737 Residence Date on Image: 29 Second 1737 Residence Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Spouse: Grace Rakestraw Event Type: Index Monthly Meeting: Philadelphia Monthly Meeting Historical Meeting Data: Search for this monthly meeting in the 'Quaker Monthly Meetings Index' Type (Orthodox or Hicksite): Pre-Separation Yearly Meeting: Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Meeting State: Pennsylvania Meeting County: Philadelphia Source Citation Haverford College; Haverford, Pennsylvania; Minutes, 1672-1769; Collection: Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Minutes
2. ↑ Hinshaw, William W., Encyclopedia of Ameri­can Quaker Genealogy (1936), Volume 2, p.537: Phila. MM rmt 3 27 1737
3. ↑ Carpenters Hall, Philadelphia: list of those prior to 1736.
4. ↑ Hinshaw, Vol.2, p.537: Phila MM. dis 3m 26d 1749.
5. ↑ Timmins, William D. and Robert W. Yarrington Jr., Betsy Ross, the Griscom Legacy. (1983), pp.78,79.
6. ↑ Timmins, pp.79,283:Will Bk.A2, p.12: writ­ten Mar 18 1751, proved Mar 29 1751.
7. ↑ Hinshaw, p.368.
8. ↑ Timmins, pp.79,283:Will Bk.A2, p.12

Notes

The date of death has been taken out of the Quaker Meetings in Philadelphia, however due to the fact that his father was also Tobias, this date may be incorrect.