Maggie Demoss
1874 - 1948 (73 years)
Generation: 1
Generation: 3
Generation: 4
1. Maggie Demoss was born on 18 Nov 1874 in Vermilion County, Illinois (daughter of Moses L. DeMoss and Nancy Jane Watson); died on 6 Apr 1948; was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/80230821/margaret-ann-sniderMaggie married John Wilson Snider in 1896. John was born on 10 May 1869 in Illinois; died in 1957; was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
2. 
Moses L. DeMoss was born on 14 Jan 1845 in Illinois; died on 13 Mar 1918 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 14 Mar 1918 in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Occupation: farmer
- Census: 1880, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1900, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1910, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67698205/moses-l-demossMoses married Nancy Jane Watson on 6 Nov 1873 in Vermilion County, Illinois. Nancy (daughter of Francis Watson and Ann D. Gritton) was born on 28 Mar 1853 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 27 Dec 1927 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
3. Nancy Jane Watson was born on 28 Mar 1853 in Vermilion County, Illinois (daughter of Francis Watson and Ann D. Gritton); died on 27 Dec 1927 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Occupation: housework
- Census: 1920, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/67698227/nancy-jane-demossNotes:
Married:
Marriage License Abstracts Vermilion County, Illinois 1853-1874. Page 38. No record of anyone signing for bride or groom.Children:
- 1. Maggie Demoss was born on 18 Nov 1874 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 6 Apr 1948; was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Benjamin Franklin Demoss was born on 29 Aug 1877 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 2 Dec 1929 in Oakwood, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 4 Dec 1929 in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Oakwood, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Clara Druzilla Demoss was born on 24 Mar 1878 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 7 Oct 1940 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 9 Oct 1940 in Gundy Cemetery, Bismarck, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Winfield DeMoss was born on 5 Sep 1881 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 19 Jun 1942 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 22 Jun 1942 in Pentecost Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Lillian Mae Demoss was born on 19 May 1884 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 10 Sep 1965; was buried in Floral Hill Cemetery, Hoopeston, Iroquois County, Illinois.
- Mary Isabelle Demoss was born on 2 Mar 1886 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 25 Dec 1923; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- William Elmer DeMoss was born on 5 Dec 1888 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 14 May 1942 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 17 May 1942 in Pentecost Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Generation: 3
6. 
Francis Watson was born on 28 Feb 1825 in Kentucky; died on 15 Feb 1887; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Occupation: farmer
- Census: 1850, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1860, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1870, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1880, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63319126/francis-watsonFrancis married Ann D. Gritton on 7 Nov 1850 in Vermilion County, Illinois. Ann (daughter of John R. Gritton and Nancy Atkinson) was born on 9 Sep 1833 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 6 Apr 1918 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
7. Ann D. Gritton was born on 9 Sep 1833 in Mercer County, Kentucky (daughter of John R. Gritton and Nancy Atkinson); died on 6 Apr 1918 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Occupation: at home
- Census: 1900, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1910, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
Marriage License Abstracts Vermilion County, Illinois 1826-1852. Page 78. James Watson and Jasper Atwood signed for Francis Watson. John Gritton, father, signed for Ann D. Gritton.
Watson funeral is held Monday.
Services for aged Newell Township woman took place from chapel.
Funeral services for Mrs. Ann Watson, aged resident of Newell township, who died at noon Saturday at the home of her daughter, nine miles north of Danville, was held at noon Monday from the Union chapel near her old home. Rev. Clay F. Gaumer, pastor of the Christian church at Alvin, was in charge and the interment was at the Johnson cemetery.
Mrs. Watson had been ill for several months, due to old age and its infirmities and passed away in the same house that she had called her home for more than fifty years. Mrs. Watson was apparently in her usual state of health when she arose Saturday, until a few minutes before noon, when a sudden attack of heart trouble caused her to fall over, death resulting in a few minutes.
"Grandma" Watson, as she was known all over that community, was a native of Kentucky. She was born in Hardin county, Sept. 9, 1833, the daughter of John R. and Nancy Atkinson Gritton, and came with them to this county in 1841. They settled in the locality north of the city where she had always lived. Sixty years ago she became the wife of Francis Watson, a pioneer's son. The husband died thirty-one years ago and since that time, with the assistance of two of her sons, Mrs. Watson personally managed the farm. She was the mother of seven children, two of them dying in infancy. The surviving children are: Mrs. Nancy DeMoss, Mrs. Sarah Ann Smith, Mrs. Mattie I. Moss and William and John F. Watson.
Newspaper clipping from Cora (Gritton) Hedges. No publishing information available.
Pioneer resident died yesterday.
Mrs. Ann Watson, resident of Vermilion county since 1841, passed away at her home.
Mrs. Ann Watson, known to many of her friends and acquaintances as "Grandma" Watson, passed away yesterday morning, April 6, 1918, at 11:10 o'clock. The death of Mrs. Watson who was one of the oldest pioneer residents of Vermilion county, occurred at her home, nine miles north and one-half mile west, of Danville. She passed away in the house in which she had lived for more than a half century.
While Mrs. Watson had been in ill health for some time, due to the infirmities of old age, her death was unexpected and came with startling suddenness to her relatives and wide circle of friends. She was apparently in her usual health when she arose yesterday morning but was stricken with an attack of heart trouble shortly before 11 o'clock and died within a few minutes.
Born in Kentucky
Ann Gritton was a native of Kentucky, and was born in that state on Sept. 9, 1833, the daughter of the later John R. and Nancy Atkinson Gritton, pioneer residents of that state. When only eight years old the deceased came to Vermilion county with her parents, and settled on a farm in the vicinity in which her death occurred. That was in 1841, when Indians roamed the prairies of this state, and Danville was a village of less than 100 inhabitants.
Ann Gritton was united in Marriage to Francis Watson, a member of a pioneer family, more than sixty years ago, and they went to housekeeping on the farm where the aged woman died yesterday. Seven children were born to Mrs. Watson. Two died in infancy. The surviving children are: Mrs. Nancy DeMoss, Mrs. Sarah Ann Smith, Mrs. Mattie I. Moss, William and John F. Watson.
The husband died thirty -one years ago, and since his death the widow with the assistance of the sons, had conducted the farm. Mrs. Watson was an estimable woman and was greatly beloved by her neighbors and friends. She had always been active in church work and in sickness or death was among the firs to visit the afflicted home and offer her services.
Funeral Monday.
The funeral of the aged woman will be conducted Monday morning at 11 o'clock, old time, the residents of the neighborhood in which she lived having failed to adopt the new time. Rev. Clay F. Gaumer, pastor of the Alvin M.E. church, will have charge of the services, which will be held from the Union Chapel, and the body will be laid to rest in the Johnson cemetery.
Newspaper clipping from Cora (Gritton) Hedges. No publishing information available.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63319099/ann-d_-watsonChildren:
- Infant Watson was born on 1 Mar 1852; died on 1 Mar 1852; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 3. Nancy Jane Watson was born on 28 Mar 1853 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 27 Dec 1927 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Sarah Margaret Watson was born on 18 Jan 1855 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 14 Jul 1936 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 16 Jul 1936 in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- William Henry Watson was born on 7 May 1857 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 18 Dec 1927 in Bismarck, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 20 Dec 1927 in Gundy Cemetery, Bismarck, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- John Francis Watson was born on 28 Aug 1861 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 9 Jan 1946 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried on 12 Jan 1946 in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Martha Isabelle Watson was born on 2 Apr 1865 in Vermilion County, Illinois; died on 7 Jan 1956; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
Generation: 4
14. 
John R. Gritton was born on 20 Jul 1808 in Kentucky (son of Jesse Gritton and Sarah Brumfield); died on 30 May 1894 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Other Events:
- Census: 1850, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1860, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1870, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
- Census: 1880, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois
Notes:
From History of Vermilion County. By H.W. Beckwith. Chicago, Illinois, H.H. Hill and Company, 1879. page 887.
J.R. Gritton came here from Kentucky in 1840, and bought land of the estate of Abram Rees. Mr. Rees owned a farm on section 23, and while at work building a mill at Denmark, died. Mr. Gritton had a family of five children, only three of whom survive. One was killed a year since by Mr. Clem, in a difficulty growing out of the lease of a piece of land. One of Mr. Gritton's first acts, after coming on to his farm, was the selection and planting of an excellent orchard, which, owing to his good judgement and care, was for a long time a source of increased revenue. Gritton's orchard was known far and near as one of the best in this neck of woods. He never has been a member of any church, but his conversation shows that he has a true appreciation of the results of a sincere religious life in a community like this. The now aged couple are saddened in their last days by the tragedy which took the life of a dear son.
(LKH Note: The son who was killed was Milo B. Gritton whose widow, Ellen Gerrard, later married Samuel Shumate.)
1850 US census, Census District No.21, Vermilion County, Illinois, enumerated 19 December 1850.
John R. Gritton, age 42, farmer, real estate $1200
Nancy, age 42
Laban, age 19, attended school
Jesse, age 14, attended school
Sarah, age 12, attended school
Rachel, age 10, attended school
Milo, age 8, attended school
Elizth, age 3
Neighbors are Spencer Cline, Jane Gritten, John B. Cline, Nathaniel Cline.
Value of neighbors' properties
Spencer Cline, $600
Jane Gritton, $400
John B. Cline, blank
Nathaniel Cline, $300
1860 US census, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois. Enumerated 10 July 1860.
John R. Gritton, age 53, real estate $1600, personal estate $500
Nancy, age 52
Milo, age 18, attended school
Nancy E., age 14, attended school
1870 US census, Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, enumerated 16 August 1870.
John R. Gritton,age 62, farmer, real estate $4800, personal estate $650.
Nancy, age 62
John, age 8, grandson, attended school
Charles, age 6, grandson, attended school
Nearby is the household of John F. Gritton, Sarah, and Catherine Cline. No real estate value, person estate of $335. Sarah is the mother of John and Charles.
1880 US census. Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, enumerated 15 June 1880.
J.R. Gritton, age 71, farmer
Nancy, age 71, keeping house
John, age 19, grandson, farm laborer, attended school
Charles, age 16, grandson, farm laborer, attended school
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52622374/john-r-grittonJohn married Nancy Atkinson on 21 Mar 1831 in Mercer County, Kentucky. Nancy was born on 17 Oct 1808 in Kentucky; died on 17 Mar 1894 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
15. Nancy Atkinson was born on 17 Oct 1808 in Kentucky; died on 17 Mar 1894 in Blount Township, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Notes:
Mortuary record.
Gritton.
Nancy, wife of J.R. Gritton, died Saturday at 9:15 p.m., of old age, she being 85. Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 from Union chapel, six miles north of Danville. Rev. Oscar Gravat officiating; text, 2nd Corinthian, 15:22. Interment in Johnson cemetery.
Nancy A. Atkinson was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, October 17, 1808, and was united in the bonds of wedlock to John R. Gritton, March 22, 1830. The result of that union was ten children, five boys and five girls, eight of whom have preceded their mother to the other shore.
The family emigrated from Kentucky to Illinois in the fall of1840 and settled on the farm where the subject of this sketch died.
Deceased was well liked by all who knew her and was a christian woman who "went about doing good" all her life.
Among the relatives left to mourn her death are forty grandchildren and fifty-four great grandchildren.
Newspaper clipping from Cora (Gritton) Hedges. No publishing information available.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52622423/nancy-grittonChildren:
- Jesse Gritton was born in 1836 in Kentucky; died on 21 Sep 1865; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Laben Gritten was born on 19 Jan 1832 in Kentucky; died on 28 Mar 1910 in Collison, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Knights Branch Cemetery, Potomac, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- 7. Ann D. Gritton was born on 9 Sep 1833 in Mercer County, Kentucky; died on 6 Apr 1918 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Sarah E. Gritton was born about 1838 in Kentucky.
- Richard Gritton was born about 1840 in Kentucky.
- Milo B. Gritton was born on 2 Apr 1842 in Illinois; died on 18 Sep 1878 in Vermilion County, Illinois; was buried in Johnson Cemetery, Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois.
- Nancy Elizabeth Gritton was born about 1847 in Illinois.