Grimes, Bryan, 1828-1880

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Bryan Grimes (1828-1880), the son of Bryan Grimes Sr. and Nancy Grist, was a Confederate General and an enslaver who owned a cotton plantation. He graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1848, and the following year, his father gave him the family plantation Grimesland in Pitt County, N.C., along with approximately 100 enslaved persons. Bryan Grimes lived the life of plantation owner until the eve of the Civil War in 1861. He then attended North Carolina's state convention and took a stand as a firm secessionist, signing North Carolina's Ordinance of Secession. He went on to become a major in the 4th Regiment of North Carolina State Troops before reaching the rank of major general, taking active roles in well-known battles, such as the Battle of First Manassas, the Battle of Seven Pines, the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Battle of Gettysburg, and the Shenandoah Valley Campaign. His fighting ended at Appomattox Courthouse when General Lee ordered him to fall back in preparation for the Confederate surrender.

Grimes returned to his plantation in Grimesland until he was killed in August 1880 by an unknown assassin on his way home from a trip. While the motive for the attack has never been confirmed, it has been argued it was due to Grimes' involvement as a leader in the local Ku Klux Klan organization.

Grimes married his first wife, Elizabeth Hilliard Davis, in 1851. They were the parents of Bryan, who died in infancy; Bettie; Nancy; and Bryan (1860-1920). Elizabeth Hilliard Davis died in 1857, and Grimes married Charlotte Emily Bryan (1840-1920) in 1863. They were the parents of Bryan, who died in infancy; Alston; John Bryan (1868-1923); Charlotte Bryan; Mary Bryan; Susan Penelope; William Demsie; George Frederick; Junius Daniel; and Theodora Bryan.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Ambrotype collection, circa 1852-1880 [graphic]. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Grimes family. Grimes family papers, 1713-1947. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Frederick M. Dearborn collection of military and political Americana, Part II: The Civil War and the Confederacy, 1832-1915. Houghton Library
referencedIn John Herritage Bryan Papers, 1766-1869 East Carolina University. J.Y. Joyner Library
contributorOf Grimes-Bryan Papers, 1780-1969, undated (bulk 1808-1924) East Carolina University. J.Y. Joyner Library
referencedIn Satterthwaite, F. B. (Fenner Bryan), 1813-1875. Papers, 1857-1913. North Carolina Division of Archives & Hist
referencedIn Garnett, James Mercer, 1840-1916. James Mercer Garnett return for Grimes' division [manuscript], 1865 April 10. University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn Junius D. Grimes Papers, 1885-2009 East Carolina University. J.Y. Joyner Library
referencedIn J. Bryan Grimes Papers, 1760-1935, 1880-1935 East Carolina University. J.Y. Joyner Library
referencedIn J. Bryan Grimes Papers, 1760-1935, 1880-1935 East Carolina University. J.Y. Joyner Library
referencedIn Confederate officers photograph album, n.d. Alabama Department of Archives and History
creatorOf Grimes, Bryan, 1828-1880. Bryan Grimes papers, 1730-1929. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
creatorOf Grimes, Bryan, 1828-1880. Letter, 1864. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
creatorOf Bryan Grimes Papers, 1730-1929 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Historical Collection
referencedIn Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States Commandery of the State of Massachusetts Civil War collection, 1724-1933 (inclusive); 1861-1912 (bulk). Houghton Library
referencedIn Thomas Sparrow Papers, 1819-1881 East Carolina University. J.Y. Joyner Library
referencedIn Bettie. Sketch of Bryan Grimes / "Bettie." University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Role Title Holding Repository
Place Name Admin Code Country
Pitt County NC US
Subject
Slavery
African Americans
Agriculture
Blacksmiths
Commission merchants
Military deserters
Families
Farm tenancy
Gettysburg, Battle of, Gettysburg, Pa., 1863
Lynching
Plantations
Slave bills of sale
Women
Occupation
Farmers
Soldiers
Activity

Person

Birth 1828-11-02

Death 1880-08-14

Male

English

Information

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