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Timeline for Terrell Grigsby:
1818 Feb 3, Terrell born in Giles County, Tennessee
1833 moved with parents to Pulaski County (Wright/Laclede) Missouri
1838 Mar 11 married Cynthia Faires in Osage, Laclede, Missouri
1839 Feb 22, son, Robert Faires, born in Missouri
1841 Oct 2, son, Erasmus, born in Missouri
1844 Apr 6, son, Alphonzo DeLafayette, born in Missouri
1847 Jun 14, daughter, Mary Susan, born in Missouri
1850 Nov 30, daughter, Lura Jane, born in Missouri
1854 Mar 2, daughter, Orlena, born in Napa, California
1857 Aug 27, son, Thomas Anderson, born in Napa, California
1859 Jun 9, son, James Pulaski, born in Napa, California
1861 Jul 1, daughter, Mary Susan, died in Napa, California
1892 Jan 16, Terrell died in Napa, Ca at age 73 of La Grippe
1898 Sep 6, Cynthia, died in Napa, CA age 81 of old age
Terrell and Cynthia Grigsby, paternal grandparents of Laura Susan Grigsby, the mother of Russell Collis
Terrell Grigsby and Cynthia Faires were married 11 March 1838 in Osage, Laclede County, Missouri. Both of their parents had moved their families to Missouri in the early 1830's from Tennessee. Their first 5 children were born in Missouri; Robert, Erasmus Dorwin, Alphonzo, Mary, and Lura. Terrell went to California in 1850 and settled in Napa County then came back to Missouri for his family. They moved to California in a wagon drawn by oxen about 1852. Terrell's parents came west, but Cynthia's parents stayed in Missouri. Three more children were born in Napa, California: Orlena, Thomas, and James. Terrell began farming and diversified in grapes for wine, wheat, and cattle in Mendocino, Lake, and Napa Counties.
Terrell Lindsey Grigsby was born 3 February 1818 in Giles County, Tennessee the 2nd of 7 children born to Samuel Harrison and Mary Lindsay Grigsby. At the age of fifteen Terrell accompanied his parents to Pulaski County (later to become Wright then Laclede County), Missouri, then considered "the frontier of the west." where he assisted his father in farming. Terrell's father, Samuel Harrison Grigsby, of Tennessee, was said to have served under his uncle, Gen. W. H. Harrison, during the War of 1812. Accompanied by his wife, Mary (who was called Polly), Samuel came to California in 1853, but Mrs. Grigsby survived the trip only a few days. Two of their children died as infants, two of their grown children died on the plains on the trip west.
Terrell, according to the History of Solano and Napa counties, "Was one of the most aggressive and energetic of our early settlers, a pioneer wine merchant, as well: a man whose originality of thought and action won for him an honored place in the community of which he was an important citizen." He later became interested in a local railroad and invested time and money in it, but due to the panic he pulled out. Shortly after this venture he withdrew from active life, and made his home in Napa until his death from la grippe, 18 January 1892 at the age of nearly 74.
Cynthia Faires was born 25 July 1817 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, the first of 6 children. Her father, Robert Faires, who was born August 15, 1798, and died November 22, 1855, and her mother, Susannah (Orr) Faires, born October 21, 1793, died May 11, 1857, were also natives of North Carolina. The Faires family moved to Tennessee, then to Missouri where Robert Faires had a mill on the Osage Fork of the Gasconade River. The story is told about Cynthia that as she aged, she sat down in her rocking chair on the front porch of her house and said, "I quit! Anything else you want done around here, you need to hire someone to do it." True or not, she was a true pioneer with all of the hardships. Cynthia died of old age exhaustion in Napa County 4 September 1898 at the age of 81.
Mr. Grigsby carried on his wine industry on his Napa county farm. The building, which was 58x112 feet, and three stories high, was built of stone secured from the adjacent foothills, and its capacity was 275,000 gallons. The first and second floors were used for storing wine, while the third was devoted to its fermentation. The many windows were iron-barred, the walls were two feet thick and the uprights were of heavy redwood. From a large tank on the hillside water was distributed throughout the plant. In connection with the cellar Mr. Grigsby built of stone a still house 26x28 feet, which was used for making brandy. Operations in this still house were aided by a portable engine, which was also used to supply hot water for the cleaning of barrels. The entire plant cost approximately $30,000.
Mr. Grigsby was also interested in the prospective construction of what was to be know as the S. F. & Clear Railway, and in addition to devoting much time to the development of this proposition, he also advanced neccessary funds with which to carry on the initial work. Grading operations were instituted, but owing to the subsequent panic Mr. Grigsby deemed it impracticable to continue his plans, and after meeting obligations to date, which involved the sale of his ranches, he abandoned the project. Shortly after this venture he withdrew from active life, and made his home in Napa until his death, January 18, 1892. His wife died in Napa six years later, September 4, 1898.
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Grigsby: Robert F., a miner near Calistoga; Darwin, a farmer in Contra Costa county; Alphonzo D., a farmer in San Diego county; Mary S., who died at the age of twenty-two; Lura Jane, now Mrs. Trubody; Orlena E, widow of J. B. Edington, who makes her home in Napa; Thomas A., of Napa township; and James P., a carpenter in the Southern Pacific shops in Sacramento.]
from "Hill Guides, 'Napa Valley, Land of Golden Vines", by Kathleen & Gerald Hill, p259:
Chinese laborers had first arrive in Napa Valley after they had been drawn to the gold diggings in the mountains as early as 1849 and helped build the transcontinental railroad which was completed in 1869. At least 400 settled in the Napa Valley and settled in the Chinatowns of Napa, Saint Helena, and Calistoga. They helped build the stone walls, plant and harvest the vinyards. They had laundries, worked at cooks, gardners, and household servants. In 1882 the Chinese exclusion act was enacted, barring further immigration. Terrell Grigsby, owner of Occidental Winery in Brown's Valley, personally fought off a mob intent on chasing out his Chinese workers. The wine industry needed their loyal inexpensive labor..
History of Solano and Napa Counties, California with Biographical Sketches of The leading men and women of the Counties, who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present time., History by Tom Gregory and other well known writers., Illustrated ~ Complete in one volume, Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1912, pg 446
TERRIL LINDSEY GRIGSBY.
One of the most aggressive and energetic of our early settlers, a pioneer wine merchant, as well; a man whose originality of thought and action won for him an honored place in the community of which he was an important citizen, was Terril Lindsey Grigsby, who immigrated to California in 1850. He was born in Giles county, Tenn., February 3, 1818, and at the age of fifteen accompanied his parents to Laclede county, Mo., then considered “the frontier of the west,” where he assisted his father in farming. Mr. Grigsby’s father. Samuel Harrison Grigsby, of Tennessee, was a nephew of Gen. W. H. Harrison, and served under his uncle during the War of 1812 ; accompanied by his wife he came to California in 1853, but Mrs. Grigsby survived the trip only a few days. her husband residing in Napa county until his death. At the early age of twenty. in 1838, T. L. Grigsby was married to Cynthia Faires, who was born in Mecklenburg county. N. C., July 25, 1817. Her father. Robert Faires, who was horn August 15, 1798, and died November 22. 1855, and her mother, Susannah (Orr) Faires. born October 21. 1793. died May 11, 1857. were also natives of North Carolina.
T. L. Grigsby made his first trip to the west with ox-team, and located on what is nosy known as the Occidental Vineyard ranch, in the foothills of Napa valley. This consisted of two hundred and fifty-seven acres, one hundred and twenty of which were planted to grain, eighty to grapes (the output of the vineyard being about three hundred tons annually) and the remainder used for pasturing. Abundantly watered by many springs, this ranch was, and is, one of the most fertile in Napa county. Returning- to Missouri by way of the Panama canal, Mr. Grigsby made necessary preparations for a second trip west in 1852, this time with his family. The wagons were drawn by oxen and the train also included a hand of cattle, which formed the nucleus of the stock business which Mr. Grigsby carried on upon his arrival in California. In addition to his Napa county farm he owned a ranch in Mendocino county, also land in Lake county, both of which were devoted to stock-raising.
Mr. Grigsby carried on his wine industry on his Napa county farm. The building, which was 58x112 feet, and three stories high, was built of stone secured from the adjacent foothills, and its capacity was 275,000 gallons. The first and second floors were used for storing wine, while the third was devoted to its fermentation. The many windows were iron-barred, the walls were two feet thick and the uprights were of heavy redwood. From a large tank on the hillside water was distributed throughout the plant. In connection with the cellar Mr. Grigsby built of stone a still house 26x28 feet. which was used for making brandy. Operations in this still house were aided by a portable engine, which was also used to supply hot water for the cleaning of barrels. The entire plant cost approximately $30,000.
Mr. Grigsby was also interested in the prospective construction of what was to be known as the S. F. & Clear Railway, and in addition to devoting much time to the development of this proposition, he also advanced necessary funds with which to carry on the initial work. Grading operations were instituted, but owing to the subsequent panic Mr. Grigsby deemed it impracticable to continue his plans, and after meeting obligations to date, which involved the sale of his ranches, he abandoned the project. Shortly after this venture he withdrew from active life, and made his home in Napa until his death, January 18, 1892. His wife died in Napa six years later, September 4, 1898.
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Grigsby: Robert F., a miner near Calistoga ; Darwin, a farmer in Contra Costa county ; Alphonzo D., a farmer in San Diego county; Mary S., who died at the age of twenty-two; Lura Jane, now Mrs. Trubody; Orlena E., widow of J. B. Edington, who, makes her home in Napa; Thomas A., of Napa township; and James P., a carpenter in the Southern Pacific shops at Sacramento.
TL Grigsby patent
. THE OCCIDENTAL Vineyard Chief! - ■ The Most Perfect Vineyard Implement Ever Invented. It will do more work and butter work than any other plow over Invented. It is a Sulky QeJlg Plow on wheels, 4 feet 4 inches high, which makes it of LIGHTER DRAFT than any other plow ever invented. The plow is handled or controlled with the feet instead of tho hands. Tho slimes are run revcisidle, no they will do DOUBLE THE AMOUNT of WORK Without sharpening. They are adjustable, to the} can he set to suit any width of row. They turn the dirt right and left; at the same time they are so arranged as to throw the dirt to or from the vines, as desired. The plow does All the Plowing: All the Plowing in the Vineyard, And all the cultivator work and weed cutting, by simply removing the plows and attaching the cultivator or shovel plows; removing the cultivator and attaching the weed cutter. A Boy of Fourteen Years can Work It. Eight of these implements are in use on the Natoma Vineyard Farm. A team of 1,000 pounds each will run the Plow the whole season. Invented and Patented by T. L. GRIGSBY, Occidental Vineyard, Napa County. Or call and see them at K. BOULK'S Agricultural Works, Fourth Street, San Francisco. Pacific Rural Press, Volume 27, Number 16, 19 April 1884
!SOURCE: Births and deaths of family from family bible in posession of Elva Triplett (descendant of James P Grigsby) of Sacramento.
See copy of article in "Illustrations of Napa County, California with Historical Sketches", Oakland, Smith and Elliott, 1878.And, "History of Napa County" 1878 pg 7.
Have copy of sketch of properties and buildings.
Also have pictures of Grigsby winery buildings in Napa County.
Have a copy of death certificate.
Have a picture of him and his wife Cynthia
Terrell was said to have come to California in 1850 with the William Wilson Hale wagon train. For more info google book: Volunteer Forty-Niners: Tennesseans and the California Gold Rush by Walter T. Durham - (Nov 15, 1997)
1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Terrell L Grigsby Age: 31 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1819
Birth place: Tennessee
Gender: Male
Home in 1850 (City,County,State): District 45, Laclede, Missouri; farmer
Household
Cynthia 31 NC
Robert 11 MO
Arasmus D. 8 MO
Elfonzo 6 MO
Mary Susan 2 MO
1860 United States Federal Census
Name: Terril l Grigsby
Age in 1860: 42 farmer value: $20,000
Birth Year: abt 1818
BirthPlace: Tennessee
Home in 1860: Yount, Napa, California
Gender: Male
Post Office: Sebastopol
Value of real estate:
Household Members: Name Age
Terril l Grigsby 42
Sinthea Grigsby 42
Erasmus D Grigsby 18
Elfonga d Grigsby 16
Mary S Grigsby 13
Laura J Grigsby 9
Orina E Grigsby 6
Thos A Grigsby 2
James H Grigsby 1
James Edington 21 day labor
Wm Alred 30 farmer
Alfred Boyd 25 day labor
1870 United States Federal Census
Name: Terrell R Grigsby
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1818
Age in 1870: 52 farmer
BirthPlace: Tennessee
Home in 1870: Yount, Napa, California
Gender: Male
Post Office: Napa City
Household members age
Cynthia 52;
Orlena E 14;
Thomas A 12;
James P 10
1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Terrell Grigsby
Home in 1880: Yount, Napa, California
Age: 62
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1818
BirthPlace: Tennessee
Relation to head-of-household: Self
Spouses's Name: Cynthia
Father's birthplace: VA
Mother's birthplace: TN
Occupation: Farmer vineculturest
Marital status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Household Members: Name Age
Terrell Grigsby 62
Cynthia Grigsby 62 wife
Elisabeth Grigsby 22 daughter
Chua Ah 30 labor
Sin Ah 30 labor
A Point in Vineyard Practice.
We had a pleasant conversation about vines on Monday with T. L. Grigsby, of Yountville, one of the leading viticnltnrists of Napa county; a man who spends nearly all his waking hours in working among vines or in thinking about the best way to'do the work. As Mr. G. has about 200 acres in vines and perhaps the best wine cellar in the county, he has certainly enough to keep one man busy both with hand and brain. Mr. G. is now adopting a practice with young vines which he believes produces a better vine than the old* method. When a young rooted vine is set in the vineyard there is a joint at the top from which start several shoots, one of which is generally led up and headed off above, at the bight the stump is desired to stand. The other shoots are lopped off and the strong sucker which usually starts from anteye below the ground, is also cut off beneath the surface. The result is that there is near the ground a gnurly knob formed by the out end of the original cutting and the shoots which are cut away. These exposed cut surfaces are liable to rot and always make a rough bunch in the vine, even if harmful decay does not set in. While Mr. G. has been scraping around the vine to cut off the lusty sucker, in order to build up a vine from the unsightly knob above the ground, he has thought that perhaps he was destroying the better shoot to save the poorer, and the thought pressed upon him so forcibly that he has changed his method with all the young vineyard he now has on hand. His practice is, therefore, to scrape away the dirt until he reaches the joint below, which threw up the strong sucker, and near that joint he cuts off the old wood instead of the sucker. This sudker then becomes the vine and there is no exposed surface of cut cane. It grows up strong and smooth. The old stock is out away in the spring, as soon as the sucker is started out well. The sucker is then permitted to run out as long as it likes until the proper time for pruning in the fall, being permitted to run along the ground the first summer. In the fall it is raised up, lopped off at the hight desired in the permanent stump and tied to a stake. The result is a smooth cane from the root to the top, instead of the knobby joint which is usually seen near the
ground. This rough joint with its exposed cut surfaces Mr. 6. regards as a vulnerable point in a vine, as it is liable to decay, which weakens the stock and opens the way for the attacks of insects. The same practice which he has adopted with young rooted vines, when set in vineyard, is also applicable to cuttings Bet in permanent positions, except, of course, that the change from old stock to sucker is made later in the case of cuttings. What have our vine-growing readers to say of this practice? We know that we have made handsome rose bushes by taking a strong sucker, which seemed born to supplant the old wood, and lopping off the older timber. The point is open for discussion.
Pacific Rural Press, Volume 19, Number 23, 5 June 1880
News article T.L. Grigsby
Grape Culture.
A writer engaged in grape culture near Sandusky, Ohio, has heard that in California, vines are tied to stakes only two feet in hight, and asks how we manage to keep our vines sufficiently up from the ground to escape mildew, rust and rot in the grape.
We happen just now to be in possession of a few notes on grape culture in Napa Valley, obtained from Mr. T. L. Grigsby, denning to some extent his mode of culture, which we will make use of, as answering fully the inquiries of our correspondent.
His grape lands are what would be termed gravelly or stony foothill lands, and yet immediately adjoining the more level valley lands, the latter being better adapted to corn and other annual crops. Preparation of Ground.
It is the practice of Mr. G. to plant rooted vines of one year's growth, instead of cuttings, us preferred t>y many. To do this and secure the best possible thrift to his vines, he thoroughly plows and pulverizes the soil to the depth of from 18 to 20 inches. This is done in fall find winter previous to planting, and the transplanting from tho nursery row to the vineyard ground is done from the middle of March to the fith of April. By this method he never fails of securing a vigorous growth, saves one year of field cultivation and the difference between setting the rooted vines and cuttings he thinks is fnlly made up by the ease with which his cuttings are cultivated in close nursery row.
Distance in Planting. Hardly any two persons agree as to the best distance for vine culture, and doubtless much depend! upon the varieties of grapes cultivated. Some being of more vigorous habit of growth than others, require more room; but Mr. G. has fully determined, that all things considered, eight feet by eight is the best distance to be observed on his land.
Where the land is low, strong and rich, doubtloss more room should be given than when it is high, dry and of less strength. At a distance of Bxß feet, vines five years old in Mr. G.s vineyard produce at the rate of four tons 700 lbs. to the acre. From vines nine yearß old he has grown as many as nine tons per acre. He gets $20 per ton for the Mission variety, and $30 per ton for foreign, and considers it better than any other crop he raises.
Low Training. After trying high and low training to his full satisfaction, he is convinced that in his locality it is bettor to train them low, taking cost of stakes and labor into consideration and gives them a tiunk of only one foot in bight, which to our Eastern inquirer will seem quite strange; but when it is understood that the grapes will not rot even when lying on the ground the strangeness vanishes. As to the age at which our vines bear—it being one of the questions of our correspondent— we are informed by Mr. G. that his Mission grape vines, in the fall of the second year after tr msplanting, yielded him 1,106 pounds to the acre.
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15 Apr 2014 story
Pacific Rural Press, Volume 4, Number 10, 7 September 1872
TL Grigsby article
TL Grigsby article
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Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 7, Number 224, 12 November 1878
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1818 - 1892 (73 years)
