Four Revolutionary War patriots recognized at SAR grave marking ceremony
 




Contributed by Christine Thacker




Duplin Times-Progress Sentinel   Pg 11 Nov. 2, 2006
 
Four Revolutionary War patriots recognized at SAR grave marking ceremony
 
Grimes cemetery in Summerlins Crossroad area
Leon Sikes
Staff writer .
SUMMERLIN'S CROSS¬ROADS-Approximately 100 members of the Grimes families 
from North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Alabama, Louisiana and 
Washington, DC gathered at the old family burying ground located on the farm of  
Dean and Ruth Cooper in the Summerlin Crossroads community area. The event, 
held on Sunday, October 29, was an official grave marking ceremony and 
Commemoration  for four Revolutionary War patriots from the Grimes families. 
Those honored were Elizabeth Whitehead Grimes and her three sons, James 
Grimes, Sr., Sampson Grimes and Joseph Grimes. The grave marking event was 
organized by Paul Grimes of Jonesboro, Georgia, Hugh Grimes of Houma, Louisiana
and others.

The event was sponsored by the North Carolina and Georgia Societies of the Sons 
of the American Revolution, supported by LeMarquis de Lafayette Chapters of 
Fayetteville, NC and Fayetteville, GA.

The colors were presented at the patriotic ceremony by the combined states color 
guards. A skillfully organized and impressive commemorative program was 
conducted by members of the Sons of the American Revolution from both states. 
The Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution
 both perform grave marking ceremonies for Revolutionary War patriots; however, 
there are slight differences in each organization's ceremony.

The unveiling of the official Sons of the American Revolution bronze grave markers 
was done by descendants of each patriot. They were: Hugh Grimes, Peggy Grimes 
Cline, descendant and member of the Clayton Augustin Chapter GASDAR, Paul 
Grimes, Marquis de Lafayette Chapter GASSAR, and Christine Thacker, a 
descendant.

The Grimes family was among the early settlers in Duplin County. Hugh Grimes
 and his wife and children relocated from Bertie County in 1752. In November 
1761, Grimes received a land grant #281 for 250. acres in the area..The grave 
sites were re-discovered approximately 15 years ago when C.C. Ivey lead Hugh 
Grimes of Louisiana to the old Grimes cemetery.

  Hugh Grimes gave a brief narrative biography of each patriot to be honored.

Elizabeth Whitehead Grimes;
  Elizabeth was the wife of Hugh Grimes. Their children were James, Sampson 
and Joseph Grimes. Elizabeth is listed in "Women Patriots of the American 
Revolution" by Charles E. Claghorn. She is shown on the payroll voucher list 
in 1783/1784 for supplying provisions for the army. She died after 1784.

James Grimes, Sr;
  James Grimes, Sr., was born about 1747 and moved with the family from 
Bertie County to Duplin County. James served as a Private in the Duplin 
County Militia and received a land grant in Duplin County in 1778 for his 
oath of Allegiance. James married Sarah Winders and they had eight sons 
and four ,daughters. He died about 1831.

Sampson Grimes
  Sampson Grimes was born in 1749 and moved with the family from Bertie 
County to Duplin County. Sampson's first wife was Winifred Branch; they 
had one child. His second wife was Bethsheba Winders. They had six 
children, three boys and three girls. Jesse Grimes, one of the sons, was 
a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and a county in Texas 
bears his name. Sampson served as a Private under Captain William 
Taylor and Colonel James Kenan at the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge. 
Sampson died in May 1828.

Joseph Grimes
  Joseph Grimes was born soon after the family arrived in Duplin County 
in 1752. He married Ellinder, last name unknown, and had six children. 
He served as a Lieutenant in the Duplin Militia under Captain Charles 
Ward in a regiment under the command of General Lillington.

  Following wreath laying at the grave sites by descendants a Musket 
Salute was performed by four members of the Georgia Militia, 
commanded by Bloise A. (Bob) Hill. The Lower Cape Fear Chapter 
of the NCSSAR led the recessional.



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