Spence Monroe Grayson (son of Benjamin Grayson and Susannah Monroe)238, 239, 240, 241 was born 1734 in Dumfries, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA242, and died Dec 1798 in Dumfries, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA243. He married Mary Elizabeth Wagener on 1754 in Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA244.
Notes for Spence Monroe Grayson: 1776, Episcopal clergyman who aided the cause of liberty by his sermons and patriotism Oxford Spence served as Chaplain with the rank of Captain in Colonel William Grayson's Virginia Regiment in the American Revolutionary War.
May 1777 - Chaplain of Grayson's Additional Continental Regiment - Virginia Continental Line
22 Apr 1779 - Retired Spence died at his home, "Belle Air" in Dumfries, Virginia. Spence inherited and resided at "Belle Air," the former residence of his father in Prince William County, about two miles from the Occoquan river. Later in his life he went to England and studied theology. He was ordained by the Bishop of London, 24 May 1771. He then returned to Virginia in 1771 and preached for a long time at Cameron Parish in Loudoun County, Virginia.
He was a chaplain with the rank of captain in Colonel William Grayson's Virginia Regiment in the American Revolution and was a fighting as well as praying parson. He was Chaplain of Grayson's Additional Continental Regiment in May 1777. He retired 22 Apr 1779.
Spence Grayson was known as a refined gentleman and was devoted to his family and to his friends. He was a large handsome man of distinguished being and manner and an eloquent speaker. He and his family were prominent in the affairs of Virginia and were frequent guests of President George Washington. He was a personal friend of the President. When George Washington's nephew, Major George Augustine Washington was married, there were three clergymen present. The General chose Rev. Grayson to perform the ceremony and gave him $100.
"Belle Air," his home, was situated in the southeast corner of Prince William County, Virginia. The broad Potomac flowed in front about a mile distant south. The view of the Potomac was particularly fine pointing as it did up and down many miles and including Indian Head directly opposite on the Maryland shore. Indian Head was where the Americans opened fire on the British squadron under Com. Gordon on its decent down the river in 1814 after plundering Alexandria.
The plantation consisted of 1000 acres of fine rolling and well-watered land. In nearly the center of the plantation there rose a beautiful tableland, elliptical in shape, large enough for the dwelling, the out-houses, shade trees, walks, gardens, and lawns, and it was exclusively used for that purpose.
Spence was ordained by the Lord Bishop of London on 29 May 1771. The births of some of his children in England was estimated by the time he was in college there. Some of them may have been born in Loudoun County where he preached after returning from England. He was a justice in Prince William county in 1769, so his daughter, Susan Monroe may have been born before he went to England.
Ref: Clan Munro files - May, Frank Boone III - Johnson, Monroe - Williams, Irmalee - Benjamin Grayson family record - Spence M. Grayson family record
Ref 2 says Spence was born in 1742. Ref 5 says he was born in 1732.
References:
(1) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Descendancy Chart of Susannah Monroe (second installment) - dated 7 Oct 1997 - p. 1, 6
(2) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - Descendancy Chart of Susanna Monroe attached to a letter from Carolyn Brent dated 16 Jul 1997 - p. 2
(4) Clan Munro files - Cataluna, Esther R. - The Ancestry of Esther Cataluna - dated 7 jan 1998 - p. 1
(5) Clan Munro files - Grayson, Nathaniel Lewis, III - Descendants of David Munro - p. 1
Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA - Email: Alger@alum.mit.edu
More About Spence Monroe Grayson: Alt. Birth 1: 1732, , Prince William Co., Virginia, USA.245 Alt. Birth 2: 1734, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA.246 Alt. Death 1: Nov 1798, Dumfries, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA.247 Alt. Death 2: Dec 1798, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA.248 Burial: Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA. Education: 249 Military service: May 1777250, 251 Occupation: Bet. 24 May 1771 - Nov 1798, , , Virginia, USA.252, 253, 254 Record Change: 24 Jul 2004 Residence: Dumfries, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA.255
More About Spence Monroe Grayson and Mary Elizabeth Wagener: Alt. Marriage: 1760256 Marriage: 1754, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA.257 Record Change: 24 Jul 2004
Children of Spence Monroe Grayson and Mary Elizabeth Wagener are:
Catherine Grayson, b. 05 Apr 1760, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA258, d. 1795, , , Virginia, USA.
Benjamin Grayson, b. 06 Nov 1761, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA258, d., Of, Bardstown, Kentucky, USA.
Mary Grayson, b. 26 Aug 1764, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA258, d. 1795.
William Grayson, b. 26 Jun 1766, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA258, d. 1806, Washington, District of Columbia, District of Colombia, USA.
Susan Monroe Grayson, b. 29 May 1768, , Prince William Co., Virginia, USA258, d. 20 Apr 1822, Prob., King George Co., Virginia, USA.
Peter Wagener Grayson, b. 14 May 1770, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA258, d. 01 Feb 1816, Tuscumbia, Colbert Co., Alabama, USA259.
Anne Grayson, b. Aug 1772, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA260, d. 1772, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA.
Spence Monroe Grayson, b. 17 May 1774, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA260, d. 1829.
Anne Grayson, b. 14 Nov 1776, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA260, d. 1793, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA.
Thomas Robinson Grayson, b. 17 Sep 1779, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA266, d. 1800, Calcutta, India.
Judith Grayson, b. 17 Dec 1780, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA266, d. 18 Sep 1851, New Orleans, Orleans Par., Louisiana, USA.
Beverly Robinson Grayson, b. 03 Sep 1782, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA266, d., , , Mississippi, USA.
Sally Grayson, b. 01 Jul 1784, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA266, d., , , Mississippi, USA.
Caroline Sarah Ann Grayson, b. 17 Oct 1786, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA, d. Sep 1830, Washington, District of Columbia, District of Colombia, USA.
Spence Monroe Grayson (b. 1734, d. Dec 1798)
Notes for Spence Monroe Grayson: