Honoring Native Ancestors: James Gruett

Thursday, December 5, 2024

James Gruett

James Gruett was said to be born around 1808. Place of birth varies from Drummond Island, Michigan or Mackinac Island, Michigan or on the Islands of Lake Superior. He was the son of James Gruett and Catherine. James Sr. was said to be part of the Gruet and Laramboise trading post on Mackinac Island.

He joined siblings Catherine, William, Charlotte, Theresa and Antoine. Brother Peter was born later.

James married Mary, the daughter of Louis Masseau/Mashue and Nancy Ikwa-wa-ni-gen-its, on 13 Jan 1835.

Oakland county marriage records book A page 211.

Daughter Sophia was born c1836

Son William was born c1838

Son James was born c1842

Daughter Julia Frances was born 4 Jul 1844

Daughter Adelaide was born c1846 in Bethany, Gratiot, Michigan

Daughter Emerette Mary was born c1848 in Bethany, Gratiot, Michigan

Son David was born c1848

Son Samuel was born c1850

Daughter Mary was born c1854

Civil War

Son James enlisted 26 Sep 1861 at Gratiot, mustered in 6 Feb 1862, as a private in Company B 10th Infantry. Wounded 1 Sep 1864 at Jonesboro, Georgia. Promoted to Corporal 25 Jun 1865. Mustered out on 19 Jul 1865 at Louisville Kentucky.

Jim Gruet on the right.

1860 Federal Census - Bethany, Gratiot, Michigan

James Gruett, 52, farmer, $500 real estate, $250 personal, born Michigan

Mary Gruett, 45, Indian, born unknown

Sophia Gruett, 26, mixed, born Michigan

Wm Gruett, 22, mixed, born Michigan

Julia Gruett, 20, mixed, born Michigan

James Gruett, 18, mixed, born Michigan

Etheldreda Gruett, 13, mixed, born Michigan

David Gruett, 11, mixed, born Michigan

Samuel Gruett, 9, mixed, born Michigan

Maryann Gruett, 5, mixed, born Michigan

Daughter Emeretta married Carlisle W. Miller c1867

1868 Gruett Roll

#53 James Gruett

Mary, wife

Sophia, 32, has 2 yr old boy

William, 30

Julia, 28

James, 26

Adelaide, 22

Samuel, 18

Mary, 14

David, 20

#55A Sophia Gruett, single, 1 child

Son James married Emmazetta Thompson c1868

Daughter Julia married John N. Southgate

1870 Federal Census - Bethany, Gratiot, Michigan

house/family 89

Grewett, Peter, 53, farmer, $4000 real estate, $1000 personal, born Michigan

Abbie, 35, keeping house, born Michigan

Edward, 22, white, work on farm, born Michigan

Daniel, 14, white, work on farm, born Michigan

Malter?, 8, white, born Michigan

Emma, 7, white, born Michigan

Martin, 6, white, born Michigan

Alfred, 2, white, born Michigan

house/family 90

Grewett, James, 62, white, farmer, $2000 real estate, $500 personal, born Michigan

Mary, 50, Indian, keeping house, born Wisconsin

Wm. 29, Indian, work on farm, born Michigan

Samuel, 17, Indian, work on farm, born Michigan

Mary, 15, Indian, at home, born Michigan

house/family 91

Riley, Wm., 45, white, farmer, $400 real estate, born Ireland

Sophia, 33, Indian, keeping house, born Michigan

Mary A., 14, white, at home, born Michigan

Patrick, 10, white, at home, born Michigan

James, 6, white, born Michigan

Daniel, 1, Indian, born Michigan

1870 Federal Census - farm schedule

James had 30 acres improved, 10 acres wooded, farm valued at $2000, equipment valued at $75. He had 2 horses, 1 cow, 1 sheep, and 2 swine, valued at $275. He grew 75 bushels of wheat and 10 bushels of rye in 1869.