The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1865-12-02
General Grant and his Family

The Norwich (Ct.) Bulletin gives the fol-
lowing interesting account Of Gen. Grants
family:
II has been mentioned at various times in
the newspapers that the family of General
Grant was of Connecticut origin, but very
little definite information has been given on
the subject We have obtained a few facts
in relation to this matter, as well as some
information concerning the early life of the
General, which we think will be of interest.
The facts are derived from the "best author
ity," and may be relied upon.
1t is understood that the family descended
from Noah Grant, who came over from Scot
land at some early period and settled in Con-
nccticut, but the authentic record begins
with Captain Noah Grant who must have
lived in the neighborhool Of Coventry. He
entered the United States service as Cap
tain in 1913, and was killed in battle on the
Doth Of September, 1855. He was the great
grandfather of General Grant. His son,
Noah Grant. was born at Windsor, July /.
I'M. He served through most Of the rcvo-
lutionary war, rising to the rank Of Captain.
He lived for a time in New London county.
it is believed, but he ~ known to have re-
sided in Coventry. After the death of his
first wife he emigrated from that place to
Western Pennsylvania, where he married
again. The father of General Grant was
born Of this marriage, in January, 1874, in
Wcstmoreland county. He was named Jesse
Root Grant, after Judge Jesse Root, of Con.
nectcut, with whom his father claimed some
sort Of relationship. The family moved to
Ohio in 1919. At that time schoula were
: almost entirely unknown in that country,
and the only education Jesse Root Grant oh.
tanned was derived from Il few months
schooling when he was about fifteen years Of
age. His father, although tolerably well
educated himself, took no interest in instruct.
iug his children, and as the family was poor,
they could not afford to seek abroad for .the
advantages which they lacked mt home
Young Grant had a mattcr-of fact turn Of
miud. and seeing that he was destined 20
obtain his living by the sweat of his brow,
he cast about for some remuncratiyc employ
mcnt. He finally selected the tanning bus.
mess. In 1920 he removed to Point Pleas
ant, a small village twenty-five miles from
Cincinnati. Here he became acquainted with
his future wife.
Miss Hannah Simpson was born in No.
vrmber, lbs, in Montgomery county, Pa,
whore she was brought up and educated
L., ,I, Il, e. IL
grated to Ohio and settled in Caremount
county. In June, 1871 Mr.. Grant and Miss
Simpson married, and they settled af>Sont
Pleasant On the 9th of April, 1922, their
first child was born, As is not unircqucntly
the case in such circumstances, there was
no little discussion on the subject of naming
the iIustrious stranger. Finally, the follow,
ing method was adopted Of solving the diff
ruIty. The various names which had been
suggested were placed in hat and shaken
together, and it was agreed that the first one
drawn ont should be adopted. That name
was - Ulysses, Wand the future Licutcnant-
General was called Ulysses Simpson Grant,
receiving for his middle name the maiden
name of his mother This simple but truth
l'ii statement of the facts will serve to rciutc
the various absurd stories which have been
floating about concerning the General snar>c.
About year after the birth OF the Gcner-
AL Mr.. Grant removed to Georgetown, the
county seat Of Brown county, where he set
tied himself permanently in the tanning bus
mess. Here five other children were born
fitted by his own early experience, and gave
MI his children n good education. Indeed,
he did rather more than that for VIC find him
writing to "a friend lhat last spring he divided
one hundred and twenty thousand dollars
among his four children, leaving enough for
the support of himself and wife. He did
not include the General in this division, as
he was in receipt Of large salary from the
Government.
In very early life Ulysses showed great
aptness for business, which he always exc
cutcd with promptncss and energy. He was
fond of study, and when he attended school
learned very rapidly, especially those branch
cs that involved mathematics. In his man.
nGtS ne WAS uultc 'hou'S" anu uH"9ouHl''IS
and it is related Of him that his playfellows
always by universal consent, made him theil
lender. Great stories are told OF his fond
ness for horses and skill in managing them
II is related that when quite a small boy h'
took hold of a balky team, the owner o
which, although an experienced driver, hat
been unable to make them pull, and in
very few minutes the horses started oil as |
they had been the freest going team IN tn
world At seventeen years Of age Uiysse
began to reflect upon. his future car er, AM
expressed to his father desire to be edu
Gated, rather than follow the tanning busi