John Thomas Grimshaw

Immigrated to Detroit, Michigan from England and Married Arvilla Whitesell in 1883

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John Thomas Grimshaw was born in England in 1863 and immigrated to Detroit, Michigan in time to marry Arvilla Whitesell in 1883. The couple had at least ten children and lived out their lives in Detroit. Little is yet known about this family as no descendant has yet come forward with information or photos. 

It was previously hypothesized on this webpage that John was related to GR (probably for George R) and Ellen Grimshaw and was born near London in about 1863. However, there is insufficient evidence to support this theory. There were other Grimshaw families also living in the Detroit area at about the same time that John and Arvilla were raising their family.

Contents

Webpage Credits

Evidence of John and Arvilla Grimshaw in Edwin A Grimshaw Collection and Grimshaw Indications Webpages

Additional Evidence from Ancestry.com and Whitesell Websites

John and Arvilla Grimshaw Record in 1910 Census

Preliminary Descendant Chart from Several Sources

Records of GR and Ellen Grimshaw, Also Living in Detroit

Two Other Grimshaw Family in the Detroit Area by 1880

Previous Hypothesis of a Connection of John Grimshaw to GR (and William) Grimshaw

References

Thanks go to the Detroit Public Library for providing access to an excellent collection of materials related to the various lines of Grimshaw families in the Detroit area.

Two webpages on this website include information that has contributed to understanding of John and Arvilla Grimshaw. They are described below.

Edwin A Grimshaw Collection (companion webpage)

Grimshaw, Lester Jr. – Royal Oak, MI – (EAG 37)

Dear Mr. Grimshaw,

In regard to your letter about the Grimshaw family. My grand father was born in England and came to this country with his wife Arilla Whitesell some time in the 1880’s. Grand father was born outside of London, England 1863. His name was John Thomas and fathered twelve children of which two died at childbirth.

*Deceased

*Charlotte, married Howard Walton (no boys)

*Blanch, married William Buickman (2 boys)

*John Burnett, married Mary Yaeger (no boys)

Twins William Ernest, married Elennor Lemersol (no boys)

*James Earl, married Iva Althouse (no boys)

Bernice married Fred Gausse (1 boy)

*Stanley, married Madlene Sopea (1 boy)

*Walter, married Helen Chaffee (1 boy)

Estelle, married Arthur Bjockman (1 boy)

*Lester V., married Irene Stahl (3 boys)

My father Lester had 6 children, 3 boys and 3 girls. Lester, (myself) had 1 boy (Robert) and 1 girl. Glen (brother) had 1 boy (Timothy) and 1 girl.

Kenneth (brother) no children.

I am sorry that is all the information I can find. It seems that according to your letter, this branch of the family does not appear to be related, unless it goes way back before the 1860’s. Good luck in your search.

Yours truly,

Lester Grimshaw Jr.

P.S. All of the Grimshaws have lived around the Detroit, Mich area all of their lives.

Grimshaw Indications Webpage (companion webpage)

Jeff Anderson posted the following message on the Grimshaw Family Genealogy Forum in June 1999:

Looking for Grimshaws from the Detroit Michigan area. The patriarch being John T. Grimshaw born about 1855 and who married Arvilla Whitesell in the 1870-80s. They seem to have settled in the Detroit area generally. I know they had several children I just don't have my list with me today. I am related through the grandparents of Arvilla. I believe I have a picture of her mother that I would happily share with any interested but as yet unknown relatives.

David J. Grimshaw responded in July 2001 as follows:

Information on the 1900 census of Michigan shows the following;
John T Grimshaw (Head) Born Jan 1863 in England
Anilla (Wife) Born Apr 1884 in Michigan
Leottie E (Daughter) Born Apr 1884 in Michigan
Blanche E (Daughter) Born Feb 1886 in Michigan
John B (Son) Born Dec 1887 in Michigan
Earl J (Son) Born Oct 1889 in Michigan
Ernest W (Son) Born Oct 1889 in Michigan

John T Grimshaw arrived in USA in 1863

Public family trees on Ancestry.com has provided more information on John and Arvilla Grimshaw as shown below. 

Ancestry.com: Carrs &tc Database and Carr Family Tree:

John Thomas Grimshaw (3 Jan 1862 - 23 Dec 1931, MI) & Arvilla Whitesell (12 Aug 1861, Detroit, MI - 16 Jun or Sep 1925, Detroit, MI). Married 13 Jun 1883.
|---Charlotte (Lottie) E Grimshaw (Apr 1884, Detroit, MI - ?)
|---Blanche E Grimshaw (Feb 1886, Detroit, MI - ?) & William Bruckman (16 Nov 1873 MI - ?)
|---John Burnett Grimshaw (Dec 1887, Detroit, MI - ?)
|---James Earl Grimshaw (30 Oct 1889, Detroit, MI - ?)
|---William Ernest Grimshaw (30 Oct 1889, Detroit, MI - 13 Apr 1994)
|---Lester VanAlstyne Grimshaw (24 Jul 1891, Detroit, MI - 1972, MI)
|---Bernice E Grimshaw (Aug 1896, Detroit, MI - 2 Feb 1999, Royal Oak, MI)
|---Stanley G Grimshaw (Jul 1899, Detroit, MI - ?)
|---Walter Z Grimshaw (abt 1902, Detroit, MI - ?)
|---Estella W Grimshaw (abt 1905, Detroit, MI - ?)

Whitesell Website:

http://www.amtelecom.net/~bjohnson/PortBruce/Genealogy/Whitesell/queries.htm  

Anderson, Jeff - bander@erols.com - Looking for parents of Van Alstine Whitesell listed in 1880 census for Detroit, born Ontario circa 1830. Married Mary Ann De Grummond before 1862 and had four children; Arvilla, b. ca. 1862; m. John T. Grimshaw; Mary Ann, b. ca. 1867; John Edwin, b. at Ont. ca. 1869; m. Hariet J. Atkinson; and Maud Amelia, b. at Michigan, ca. 1873; m. Robert Lester. Van Alstine is possible son of Andrew and Margret (Oille) Whitesell of Beverly Twp., Wentworth Co., Ontario.

John and Arvilla and their children were recorded as living in Detroit (13th Ward) in the 1910 U.S. Census. Images of the census record are shown below. 

A preliminary descendant chart may be constructed from the information shown above on this webpage and several family trees on Ancestry.com; it is shown below. 

Ancestry.com: Carrs &tc Database, Ostheim Family Tree, Stahl, and Carr Family Tree:

John Thomas Grimshaw (3 Jan 1862 - 23 Dec 1931, MI) & Arvilla Whitesell (12 Aug 1861, Detroit, MI - 16 Jun or Sep 1925, Detroit, MI). Married 13 Jun 1883.
|---Deceased Grimshaw
|---Charlotte E (Lottie) Grimshaw (Apr 1884, Detroit, MI - ?) & Howard A Walton (no boys, unknown girls)
|---Blanche E Grimshaw (Feb 1886, Detroit, MI - ?) & William Buckman or Bruckman (16 Nov 1873, MI - ?)

|---|---William M Bruckman
|---|---Jack E Bruckman
|---John Burnett Grimshaw (10 Dec 1887, Detroit, MI - ?, Belgian Congo) & Mary Yeager 
|---|---Ruth Grimshaw
|---James Earl Grimshaw, twin (3 or 30 Oct 1889, Detroit, MI - ?) & Iva Althouse (no boys, unknown girls)
|---William Ernest Grimshaw, twin (30 Oct 1889, Detroit, MI - 13 Apr 1994) & Eleanor Lemersol (no boys, unknown girls)
|---Lester VanAlstyne Grimshaw* (24 Jul 1891, Detroit, MI - 16 Apr 1972, Avon, MI) & Irene Katherine Stahl
|---|---James? Kenneth Grimshaw
|---|---Lester VanAlstyne Grmshaw
|---|---Glen A Grimshaw

|---|---Beatrice L Grimshaw
|---|---Doris Jane Grimshaw
|---|---Joanne Grimshaw
|---Lester VanAlstyne Grimshaw* (24 Jul 1891, Detroit, MI - 1972, MI) & Agnes Horton
|---Bernice E Grimshaw (Aug 1896, Detroit, MI - 2 Feb 1999, Royal Oak, MI) & Fred Gauss (one boy, unknown girls)
|---Stanley G Grimshaw (Jul 1899, Detroit, MI - ?) & Madlene Sopea
|---|---Richard Grimshaw
|---Walter Z Grimshaw (abt 1902, Detroit, MI - ?) & Helen Chafee (1 boy, unknown girls)
|---Estella or Estelle W Grimshaw (abt 1905, Detroit, MI - ?) & Arthur Bjorkman (1 boy, unknown girls)

A birth record of William Ernest Grimshaw from Family Search is shown below.

GR (probably George R) remains somewhat of a mystery, as described below under "previous hypothesis". Shown below is the 1880 census record for GR and Ellen Grimshaw and their family as well as the birth record of one of their children. It seems probable that a separate webpage will be needed for GR Grimshaw when more information becomes available, as the census indicates that he and his wife were born in England

Census Place:	Detroit, Wayne, Michigan					MI-2
Source:	FHL Film 1254614 National Archives Film T9-0614 Page 505C
	Relation	Sex	Marr	Race	Age	Birthplace
G. R. GRIMSHAW	Self	M	M	W	44	ENG
Occ:	Watchman	Fa: ENG	Mo: ENG
Ellen GRIMSHAW	Wife	F	M	W	42	ENG
Occ:	Keeping House	Fa: ENG	Mo: ENG
John T. GRIMSHAW	Son	M	S	W	17	ENG
Occ:	Moulder	Fa: ENG	Mo: ENG
Martha GRIMSHAW	Dau	F	S	W	6	MI
Fa: ENG	Mo: ENG
Wm. H. GRIMSHAW	Son	M	S	W	1	MI

The mystery around GR Grimshaw deepens with the following birth record of William H Grimshaw, who was born in 1879 to John M and Ellen Grimshaw.

From the 1880 Census, Timothy and Agnes (Craik?) Grimshaw. Timothy was the fourth child of Zephaniah and Asentha (Noakes) Grimshaw (see companion webpage). A portion of the descendant chart is shown below. It is not known when this family immigrated to Detroit from Canada. 

Zephaniah Grimshaw* (About 1790 - 1872) & Asentha Noakes (About 1792 - 1863)

|-----John Nelson Grimshaw (19 Jan 1821 - ) & Emeline Wilson

|-----Harriet Grimshaw (About 1824 - ) & Robert Gay (About 1825 - )

|-----Charles Wesley Grimshaw (18 Apr 1825 - 25 Jan 1898) & Lucinda M. Covey (1 Jun 1822 - 30 May 1905)

|-----Timothy Edson Oldin Grimshaw (28 Feb 1827 - ) & Agnes (Craik?) (About 1828 - )

|-----|-----Andrew Craik Grimshaw (26 Sep 1847 - )

|-----|-----Emma Grimshaw (About 1851 - )

|-----|-----James Grimshaw (About 1853 - )

|-----|-----Kate Grimshaw (About 1856 - )

|-----|-----Alice Grimshaw (About 1858 - )

|-----|-----Timothy J. Grimshaw (About 1860 - )

|-----|-----Agnes Grimshaw (About 1868 - )

|-----Barzillai Grimshaw (2 Apr 1829 - ) & Louisa Nokes (About Oct 1835 - 25 Jul 1877)

|-----Elizabeth Grimshaw (5 Dec 1832 - ) & Nicholas Middlemiss (8 Jul 1825 - )

|-----Esther Mary Grimshaw* (About 1834 - 24 Jul 1908) & Emanuel W. Wilson

|-----Esther Mary Grimshaw* (About 1834 - 24 Jul 1908) & Samuel Rivers

|-----Zephaniah Grimshaw* (5 Aug 1836 - 22 Jan 1901) & Amelia (Emilie) Gay (About 1831 - )

|-----Zephaniah Grimshaw* (5 Aug 1836 - 22 Jan 1901) & Mary (Grimshaw) (26 Jul 1843 - )

|-----Anna Grimshaw (About 1838 - )

|-----Lucinda Grimshaw (About 1839 - )

|-----Elizabeth Grimshaw (About 1844 - )

Timothy and Agnes Grimshaw were recorded in the 1880 U.S. Census as shown below.

A son of Timothy and Agnes (Craik) Grimshaw (not shown in the above 1880 U.S. Census) also lived in the Detroit area, as indicated on companion webpage on James and Katherine (Barnett) Grimshaw. Their descendant chart is shown below. (Thanks go to Thomas William Grimshaw and his father, William Frederick Grimshaw, for providing the information on the companion webpage.)

James Grimshaw (?, England – ?, MI?) & unk Barnett (?, Scotland - ? MI?))

|---Alexander Grimshaw & Jane ?

|---|---Ford Grimshaw

|---|---Ruth Grimshaw

|---Justus Grimshaw* (? - ?, MI?) & unk

|---|---Henry Alexander Grimshaw (?) & Justine Walker

|---|---|---Thomas Eugene Grimshaw (?) &

|---|---|---Richard Grimshaw (?) &

|---|---|---Violet Grimshaw (?) & Philip Napolitano

|---Justus Grimshaw* (? - ?, MI?) & Alma unk

|---|---William Frederick Grimshaw (?) & Janice Mildred Stables

|---|---|---Thomas William Grimshaw (1952 - ) & Colette Xochilt Christian Chevillion

|---|---|---|---Emilio Thomas Grimshaw (1989 - 1989)

|---|---|---|---William Henry Thomas Grimshaw (1991 - )

|---|---|---|---John David Alexander Grimshaw (1996 - )

|---|---|---Karen Ann Grimshaw (?) & Karl Bloomquist

|---|---|---|---Bonnie Lee Bloomquist

|---Unknown Grimshaw (twin of Justus)

|---Violet Grimshaw & Walter Rogers 

Both families had a Justice or Justus Grimshaw.

It was hypothesized previously on this webpage that GR Grimshaw, born about 1836, was the older brother of William Grimshaw, who was born about 1845 or 1850 in East Gwillimbury, north of Toronto. William married Dora Tinley in Tecumseh Canada (just across the border from Detroit); they are the subject of a companion webpage. William's parents are indicated in a marriage record to be Abraham and Sarah Grimshaw; they are described on a companion webpage. William and Dora were recorded in the 1881 Canadian Census as living Tecumseh, Ontario, consisting of William (age 35), "Darah" (27), Albert E (4) and Sarah A (3 mo).

It was surmised that GR named his son, William H, after William, and William in turn named his son George R after GR Grimshaw. Both families gave the unusual name "Lester" to their sons (one as a first name and the other as a middle name, but the latter apparently went by "Lester" during his life).

It was further hypothesized that Abraham and Sarah Grimshaw left England (perhaps Yorkshire, given the apparent connections to the Edward and Dorothy [Raner] Grimshaw line indicated in William's children's names) soon after GR Grimshaw was born in 1836. The family apparently landed at Toronto, where William was born at East Gwillimbury in 1845 or 1850. GR and William subsequently moved further west, where William married and settled in Tecumseh, while GR continued to Detroit just across the border. He probably met and married Arvilla in Detroit. Later William and his family came across the border to Detroit, where the two families then lived in proximity to each other and gave their children somewhat similar names.

¹Author

²Author

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Skeletal webpage posted November 2004. Updated October 2005. Banner replaced April 2011. Updated June 2014 with addition of note at top of page indicating needed webpage changes. Updated and completed July 2014 with rearrangement, Ancestry.com additions, and addition of descriptive narrative.