Reuben Grigsby was the son of Soldier John Grigsby and Elizabeth Porter Grigsby. He was born at Fruit Hill, his father's home. He attended Washington College and was commissioned a captain in the 3rd Regiment of Calvary, Virginia Militia in 1815. He married his 1st cousin Verlinda A. Porter on 26 Feb 1817 in then Orange Co., Virginia. He was a Justice and a High Sheriff for Rockbridge Co., a trustee of Ann Smith Academy, 1830 - 1845, and a treasurer of Falling Spring Church.

He was a member of the House of Delegates of Virginia from Rockbridge County, 1811 - 1816 and a trustee of Washington College, now Washington and Lee University, 1830 - 1843.

On the 1850 SW District, Rockbridge Co., VA census, I found farmer Reuben Grigsby, 70; (male) teacher Jacquelin Grigsby, 32; farmer Lucian Grigsby, 30; Elizabeth Grigsby, 22; Lucy M Grigsby, 20; Reubenia W W Grigsby, 18 and Emma M T Grigsby, 15, all VA born.

On the 1860 Dist. 3, Rockbridge Co., VA census, I found farmer Reuben Grigsby, 80, with $27,675. in real estate and $22,655 in personal property; teacher Jackson W Grigsby, 42; Lucian Grigsby, 40; Hannah F Grigsby, 35; Elisa J Grigsby, 33; Lucy M Grigsby, 30; Reuben W Grigsby, 29 and Emma M T Grigsby, 27, all VA born.

The W.P.A. Historical Inventory Project surveyed Reuben's home, received from his father John and given to Reuben's son Lucian. It was surveyed in 1936 by Rada Moore and called Hickory Hill. It consists of 18 rooms, 2 stories, a brick exterior, porch and many outbuildings. The report is available online at the Library of Virginia.

War of 1812 Veteran Buried in Virginia by the Society of the War of 1812 in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Dec 2011 draft compiled by Myron E. Lyman, Sr. lists Reuben Grigsby with the same dates, he served as a Lietenant in Col. McDowell's 5th Virginia Militia Regiment.

His old home Hickory Hill (197 Hickory Hill Lane, Glasgow, VA) is on the National Register of Historic Places dates 2006. It was built in 1823 - 24 by Reuben. Lots of detailed, researched data on Reuben is on the registration form.

He was also on the board as Vice President of the first Rockbridge Agricultural Society in August 1827. Fancy Hill #VDHR #81-15.

The attached appears newspaper clipping is found in my complete copy of the Valley Star, Lexington, VA, dated 23 Nov 1848, kept by my James McChesney family. Maybe Reuben Grigsby "S.R.C." means Sheriff Rockbridge Co., and Jno F Shields, "D.S." means Deputy Sheriff, just a guess.

See his table gravestone transcription below.

(I note this is NOT Reuben Grigsby in MO, Reuben "Old Reuben" Grigsby, #143530705, who married Nancy Barker, 23890481 in KY.)

A copy of Henrietta Hamilton McCormick's book Genealogies and Reminiscences, Chicago, 1897 (see page 9 and 51, plus) is at the Library of Congress. Daughter Reubenia W. Grigsby Chandler, of parents Reuben and Verlinda possibly owned this personal copy, as it has many notes about them, written in black ink. It has his photo.

Bio researched and written by LSP