Notes for John Robinson Wagoner Grayson: Naval Officer during the War of 1812 - Captain, USN Went to Savannah, Georgia during the War of 1812 and settled there. John was bound as an apprentice to his brother-in-law, Lund Washington, to learn to be a ship's officer or commander. While at sea on the brig "Polly", he was kidnapped by the British on the coast of Holland and impressed into service as part of the crew of a 20-gun ship.
During a battle between this British ship and a Dutch 20-gun ship, John deposed the British officer in command for cowardice and assumed command. He boarded and captured the Dutch ship and carried her out to sea and away from the guns of the Dutch fort which was also firing on the British ship.
John wrote to Lund Washington and told him of his predicament whereupon Lund, with the help of the US Government, obtained his release in 1800. He returned to America and told Lund that the British tried to get him to stay in their navy as a ship commander. He had been in command of the ship "Charleston" and others.
John served in the US Navy retiring after the War of 1812.
John became owner of a line of ships and followed in his brother-in-law's footsteps as a ship line operator. At one point he took command of the "Liverpool Packet: sailing from Savannah and Charleston to Liverpool, England. He made many trips to England and other places and at times took his wife with him. One of his children was born on one of these trips.
He later became the harbormaster in Savannah, Georgia. He was an able seaman and a powerful and resolute man.
Ref. (5) says John served in the U.S. Navy rising to the rank of Captain.
One reference says he was married in Savannah, Georgia. He may have been married in Charleston or Georgetown, South Carolina.
Ref: Clan Munro files - May, Frank Boone III - Williams, Irmalee - Spence M. Grayson family record
Ref 2 says John was born in 1770.
References:
(1) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - descendants of John Robinson Grayson - dated 20 Sep 1997 - p. 1
(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
(5) Clan Munro files - Redden, Virginia R. - John Robinson Grayson of Virginia dated 28 Jan 1997
Compiled and edited by Allen Alger, Genealogist, Clan Munro Association, USA - Email: Alger@alum.mit.edu
More About John Robinson Wagoner Grayson: Alt. Birth 1: 1770 Alt. Birth 2: 17 Sep 1779, Belle Air, Prince William Co., Virginia, USA.205 Burial: Savannah, Chatham Co., Georgia, USA.206, 207 Military service: 208, 209, 210, 211, 212 Record Change: 01 Feb 2006 Residence: Savannah, Chatham Co., Georgia, USA.213
More About John Robinson Wagoner Grayson and Frances Ann Harvey: Marriage: 17 Sep 1816, Charleston, Charleston Co., South Carolina, USA.214, 215, 216 Record Change: 01 Feb 2006
Children of John Robinson Wagoner Grayson and Frances Ann Harvey are:
+John Langdon Grayson, b. 09 Jan 1817, Liverpool, Lancashire, , England217, 218, d. 30 Mar 1869, Savannah, Chatham Co., Georgia, USA219, 220, 221.
Albert G. Grayson, b. Bet. May 1818 - 1819, Savannah, Chatham Co., Georgia, USA, d. 27 Jul 1819, Savannah, Chatham Co., Georgia, USA.
Frances Lucretia Grayson, b. 05 Aug 1821, Savannah, Chatham Co., Georgia, USA222, 223, d. 10 Oct 1858, Savannah, Chatham Co., Georgia, USA224, 225.
John Robinson Wagoner Grayson (b. 17 Sep 1779, d. 10 Aug 1822)
Notes for John Robinson Wagoner Grayson: