Posted on: Griest-Greist Queries Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/surnames/gri/Griest/110 Surname: Griest, Grisse, Baldwin ------------------------- The Ancestry of Allen Ginnell Cleaver and Martha Irene Jessup --- 172 Allied Families --- Compiled by, William Jessup Cleaver 1989 Pages 451 - 454 1. JOHN GRIEST appears first before 1675 in Salem County, West Jersey, a very early Quaker settlement at the mouth of the Delaware which was sponsored by John Fenwick, a Quaker, who bought Salem and Cumberland Counties in 1673 from Lord Berkeley (who was granted the land by the Duke of York). A 1684 deed describing property in Salem County places it “adjoining John Grisse” on east side of Oldman’s Creek. (Oldman’s Creek is eight miles northeast of Wilmington, Delaware.) The Chester Monthly Meeting records show the first intentions of marriage for John Griest and Ann Butt on eighth month 2, 1682 second intentions and leave to marry on ninth month 6, 1682. Since administration documents name George as “son and heir” and also as son-in-law (stepson) of Ann, it appears this was a second marriage. Administration of the estate of John Grisse was offered Ann, she refused in favor of George on 29 September 1688. The inventory 1st day 6th month (August) 1688 taken by Robert Pile, Edward Bezer, William Hughes and Richard Mew for John Grisse, yeoman, was: personal 90.15 (English pounds) including a rabbit fur bed and bedding for 5 (English pounds); real property a farm of 60 acres for 20. (English pounds) Family tradition taken from various letters says: “William Penn converted John Griest to the Quaker faith and when Friends were persecuted he and his family (10 sons) migrated to Holland. Some of the sons married and brought their Dutch wives to Pennsylvania. 2. GEORGE GRIEST must have been at least 21 when he was granted administration of his father’s estate in 1688. That would place his birth as before 1667. We do not know a marriage date or a death date and it appears he may or may not have belonged to the Society of Friends. His wife, according to a 1724 real estate transaction, was Hannah. In 1694 he was appointed by the Chester County Court as one of twelve to appraise land, he was one of 113 inhabitants in and about Chichester to petition for two fairs in Chichester (now Delaware County) in 1700 and he was taxed in Middletown Township 6s. 4d. in 1715. In 1716 a warrent agreement was made to George Griest of Chester County for 150 acres in Rockland manor. He was to pay 50 (English pounds) and annual quit rent of 10s. 6d. There is a tax record in Chester Township in 1724 and 1729 and another for 4s. in 1730 in Upper Chichester Township. From these sparse records any conclusions about this man would be feeble. 3. JOHN GRIEST’s birth can be estimated as 1694 since he started paying taxes in Bethel Township, Pennsylvania in 1715. He died sometime before 1751, the date of his inventory. In 1713 he married Martha Baldwin, daughter of Thomas and Mary. It does not appear they were Friends. The first two generations may be logically connected as indicated, however a connection with this generation has to be an assumption based on various memoranda in the files of the York County Historical Society including some from genealogists (including Dr. Henry Young) in which confidence can be placed. There was a John Griest jailed in Philadelphia in 1721 for squatting on land west of the Susquehanna River in what is now York County. He and “divers” others had settled on land unpurchased from the Indians - - and without warrents or patents - - and the Indians complained. He was allowed to remove himself and his corn if he behaved for a year - - a move of compassion for his family by Sir William Keith, Bart, Governor. We have no way of knowing whether this was the same John Griest here treated. A Land Patent of Thomas and Richard Penn 1748, recorded in Patent Book A, vol. 19, p. 256, 19 November 1757 grants to John Griest 200 acres originally warrented in 1742 for 31 (English pounds) and an annual quit rent of one half penny sterling per acre payable each March first at the town of York. The land was situated on Bermudian Creek, Manchester Township, York county and is described: “Beginning at a marked Hickory tree thence by Lands of Samuel and William Cox thirty degrees West two hundred and twelve perches [a perch is a rod or 5 1/2 yards] to a marked Dogwood tree, thence by Lines of marked trees South sixty degrees East one hundred sixty perches to a marked black oak, North thirty degrees East two hundred and twelve perches to a marked Maple, and North sixty Degrees West one hundred sixty perches to the place of beginning Containing Two hundred Acres & allowance of six flent(?) For Roads Etc.” (Copied as written - rlc) The family moved to York County about 1744. There was an additional acquisition of 98 acres - - 78 perches adjoining this land. Children of John Griest and Martha Baldwin: i. Mary, b. 2-15-1714. 4.ii. JOHN, b. 6-21-1716 or 11-2-1716. iii. Thomas, b. 9-30-1718, taxed 2s Bethel in 1737, d. a young single man. iv. Elizabeth, b. 1-6-1720, m. in Lancastor, Pa. Jacob Beals, Jr. 9-17-1743. he was born 7-18-1717, East Nottingham Township, Chester Co., son of Jacob and Mary Brooksley (or Brooks). They lived near Huntington Meeting. v. Rebecca, b. 11-1 or 11-21-1722. vi. Susannah, b. 6-30-1730, m. 1-7-1750 at Warrington Meeting, Benjamin Underwood, son of Alexander and Jane Underwood. vii. Sarah, b. 6-30-1733, m. 4-13 or 4-30-1752 at Warrington Meeting, William Squibb, son of Robert and Mary of Chester Township, Delaware Co., Pa. viii. Willing, b. 8-2-1736 at Wilmington, Delaware; d. 12-25-1819; m. 9-5-1764 at Warrington Meeting, Ann Garretson, daughter of John and Content (Hussey) Garretson.