|
Post by stuart on Aug 27, 2014 11:41:43 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by estebans on Aug 27, 2014 20:55:52 GMT -5
Bravo, Stuart: very clear and comprehensive, and really kind of suspenseful even though I had some idea how it ended. It's nice to see a Handbook biographical article that is genuinely up to date.
|
|
|
Post by stuart on Aug 29, 2014 16:01:53 GMT -5
Do I detect a note of frustration...?
There's more to come. Look out for the SWHQ Spring 2015 edition.
|
|
|
Post by edward on Aug 30, 2014 10:06:17 GMT -5
Does this refer to any of the James Grant mentioned?
|
|
|
Post by stuart on Aug 30, 2014 13:46:46 GMT -5
It does indeed. Toler and his associates were essentially working a scam.
|
|
|
Post by rayjr on Sept 1, 2014 10:52:47 GMT -5
Stuart,
Very well done!! And good references as well. I like the multi-threaded interests of Dr James Grant. It is an interesting case where circumstances overwhelm intentions. I can't wait for my Spring edition! Thanks for the terrific contribution! Ray
|
|
|
Post by estebans on Sept 2, 2014 16:36:06 GMT -5
Do I detect a note of frustration...? There's more to come. Look out for the SWHQ Spring 2015 edition. It's so annoying that they have a protocol for contesting/correcting entries that requires the person doing the objecting to do most of the real work of improving the entry while getting none of the publication credit. I am working in an area where the Handbook entries are probably much weaker than usual, but I don't have the time/energy free right now to go on a crusade to fix them, and meanwhile my confidence in the rest of the Handbook as an authoritative reference is severely undermined. Initially it was a good thing to upload it, but there's a point at which it becomes lame for the online Handbook to be pretty much the last print edition sans pictures--it wastes the opportunity to include more information and recent discoveries, as you did. Looking forward to Spring 2015--
|
|
|
Post by stuart on Sept 3, 2014 1:41:02 GMT -5
Due January I'm told.
|
|
|
Post by rayjr on Nov 22, 2014 19:52:08 GMT -5
Do I detect a note of frustration...? There's more to come. Look out for the SWHQ Spring 2015 edition. It's so annoying that they have a protocol for contesting/correcting entries that requires the person doing the objecting to do most of the real work of improving the entry while getting none of the publication credit. I am working in an area where the Handbook entries are probably much weaker than usual, but I don't have the time/energy free right now to go on a crusade to fix them, and meanwhile my confidence in the rest of the Handbook as an authoritative reference is severely undermined. Initially it was a good thing to upload it, but there's a point at which it becomes lame for the online Handbook to be pretty much the last print edition sans pictures--it wastes the opportunity to include more information and recent discoveries, as you did. Looking forward to Spring 2015--
|
|
|
Post by rayjr on Nov 22, 2014 19:57:05 GMT -5
Estebans,
I noticed this awhile back - and the more I think about it - you are quite correct.
One of the biggest concerns I have is that the sources are not thoroughly identified in a scholarly fashion. Most graduate level degrees emphasize standard formats for such citations etc. The online version of the Handbook should make footnoting easy with proper citations in a standard format of sources. I think this would go a long way to improving the quality of the information. And would certainly assist in amendments and updates to correct for deficiencies or improve upon the argument through supportive evidence.
Best regards, Ray
|
|
|
Post by rayjr on Jan 24, 2015 8:10:29 GMT -5
And P.S.:
Its an On-Line handbook - where are the pictures?? Videos?? Come on!!
|
|
|
Post by rayjr on Jan 24, 2015 11:37:49 GMT -5
Stuart, I am writing to you from the white snows of Dutchess County NY, purportedly the birthplace of Deaf Smith, "The Incredible Texas Spy" (I thought this an appropriate note of interest to the descendant of another "spymaster"). I read with interest your new article in the Southwestern Historical Quarterly. I am impressed with your ability to unravel the 3 James Grants. When you mention interpreting the letter from James Grant of Matamoras "rather darkly", I am wondering if you mean through the apparent interest in establishing a trade route from Texas to Mexico. Anyway, I was very impressed with your ability to access and compare the source documents to sort things out. I too have been confounded by multiple identities present in Texas during this time. My ancestor is Edward Brown, and he arrived in Galveston on July 17th with a company of volunteers for the Republic of Texas Army from New Orleans. I cannot seem to find out from where he came prior to New Orleans. As it turns out the Texas Republic Muster rolls contain two Edward Browns, and show him listed in 2 different companies with overlapping timeframes. Very confusing. As it turns out, one of the Browns is documented as being on the Sutherland expedition, and participating in the Mier Expedition. John Nance's muster shows him on the right bank of the Rio Grande in the company guarding the baggage - fortunately for him. - But, here is the wrinkle - my ancestor Edward Brown, was in San Antonio (for some unknown reason - I think he was there after getting his military service land certificate after the land office opened in 1838) and was captured by Adrian Woll, during his invasion of Texas (911, 1842). He is one of the 53 prisoners taken and marched to Perote Prison in Mexico. So he is already in prison, while the other Edward Brown is participating in the Mier Expedition - as a response to the Woll Invasion. Tricky huh? I wrote you a letter a couple years ago regarding the NY vessel, the Mattawamkeag, taking volunteers to Texas, under Edwin Morehouse. You helped me figure out that there may be records of the crew when taken to court in the Bahamas - I have not yet been able to confirm. But I have confirmed its eventual date of arrival into Texas was not the same as July 17th, 1836 - but very close. Anyway, I was trying to confirm if the crew contained the other Edward Brown. You have been a big help to me in this regard - inspirationally, as well. 2 other tidbits - and I will leave you alone First, I think you incorporated a delightful illustration in your article. Appropriately from the Illustrated London News. "Texan Mounted Militia". This was several issues after the inaugural issue in May of 1842, and one of the first newspaper illustrations of Texas available to the world. A wood engraving, by unknown artist, and unknown engraver - it would be interesting if you found in London, this missing information. Anyhow, if you look closely at the illustration, you may notice that it appears the man riding the white "destrier" (a name used for a horse in medieval Scotland , has one leg that does not seem to have a foot. It looks like he is riding "side-saddle". Here is my theory - it is an engraving of the first appointed Major over all of the Texas Rangers. This man was appointed by the provisional government of Texas on November 28th, 1835. This man is named - Robert McAlpin Williamson (from Georgia) - and his nickname is "Three-legged Willie". At a young age he was afflicted with Polio, which caused his right leg to bend at a 90 degree angle. He attached a "peg-leg" to facilitate walking. He was very active, as a member of the war party, during the years of the Republic of Texas. Eventually, a major political figure and Judge. Now - if you look closely - you might say "Ray, the peg-leg is not attached to his right leg - it is attached to his left leg, and is placed across his saddle - but if you hold the image up to a mirror - wallah - it now looks like the correct leg. I won't even go into the coincidence of his middle name - which many in Scotland are familiar with relative to Kevin MacAlpin (Cinaed mac Allpin) - King of the Picts, Founder of the Kingdom of Alba, and referred to as First King of Scots, in 848, died in 858 at Forteviot, Perthshire, Scotland - beautiful place - by the way. Dr James Grant's wife - Mary Urquhart has an interesting last name - which reminds me of the castle nestled on the banks of Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland. This castle was granted by the King (I think either Alexander II, or III) to "The Red Comyn" John, Lord of Badenoch (I think often confused with The Black Comyn - John of Buchan - as it seems that the red and black are sometimes thought to be father and son, rather than alternate comyn lines of Badenoch and Buchan). King Edward took the castle and gave it to John's brother Andrew Comyn (father of the Black Comyn - if you go with the B/B lines) who sided with the English against Robert the Bruce. Well, in 1306, Robert killed the Red Comyn and in 1307 took the castle back. All that being said, I have traced my wife highly likely as a descendant of Alexander Comyn, through his daughter Elizabeth, who married a Gilbert d'Umfraville. Great times in Scotland during the 700 anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn - even if my wife's ancestors become on of the "disinherited ones". I am one chapter into "All The King's Armies", a terrifically detailed account. I wonder if you considered going back further to research the 14th century versus the 17th/18th? Best regards, Ray
|
|
|
Post by stuart on Feb 2, 2015 2:42:42 GMT -5
Hi Ray, with regard to your last point even if it is way off Texas history; it was one of James Grant's ancestors who built the big tower house at the northern end of Urquhart Castle. I'm a little uncertain though as to where James Grant's wife Margaret Urquhart came from. She was almost certainly born in the West Indies and probably on Jamaica although she later claimed to be from Limerick! Her father, Captain John Urquhart, was in the army at the time and the real mystery is where he came from. There are a few clues suggesting that he too came from Glen Urquhart but a lot of rather stronger ones that the family was from Aberdeenshire.
As to Dr. James Grant, thank you for the kind words about the article. I'll post some more this evening [GMT] but all I'll say at this point is that its rather comforting to find that the apocryphal chest of old family papers in the attic [or in this case as I'm told a tin box in a shed in the back yard] sometimes really does exist.
|
|
|
Post by stuart on Feb 2, 2015 15:49:23 GMT -5
OK, as what follows has now been published in the Spring edition of the Southwestern Historical Quarterly and copies have even made it across the Atlantic, I feel free to share this with you. As I remarked to Ray in the post above the aprocryphal box of old family papers up in the attic sometimes, just occasionally really does exist. In this case it took the form of a tin box stored in a shed of a back yard in Ontario, Canada, stuffed full of Grant family papers. To be more specific it is a collection of family letters preserved by James Grant's sister, Sally, who had Emigrated to Cornwall, Ontario with her husband the Rev. Hugh Grant. Included among this collection are a number of letters written by James to his sister and to other members of the family. Most are of no direct interest, but this one, written to his aunt, provides the first concrete proof of what he was really doing in Mexico: Falmouth, 28th March 1825
Dear Aunt Ann, You will be surprised to have a letter from me from this quarter and still more when I say that I am so far on my way to Mexico. To myself this came nearly as suddenly as the information is given to you- for I had but a few hours to make up my mind on one of the most important steps of my life. I am going out as Senior Physician and Medical Superintendent of the large concerns of the Real del Monte Mining Company – and in medical charge of the Embassy – with the certainty of being appointed Physician to the Embassy so soon as the necessary diplomatic arrangements for the South American States are made by Ministry.
My pay and allowances are very handsome independent of the opportunity of Private Practice - and what makes my appointment particularly gratifying is that I was, in consequence of my supposed knowledge of diseases of warm climates, solicited to accept of what three London Physicians were applying for. - I have been obliged to take out a degree in medicine (M.D.) for which I have been preparing
Page 2 since my return from the west – and am offered as a complement to be admitted a Licentiate of the College of Edinburgh on paying the customary fees - which shall be done in due time. – When I say that Saturday 19th March was the first day on which I had intuition of the matter and that I left London on the following Thursday equipped for a long voyage – you will readily perceive that I had no means of giving earlier instruction of my intentions to my friends. – Mrs. Grant remains behind for the present with the children - and is provided for by the Company in a liberal manner. She cannot leave Infirmary for Children until June – and after that she proposes paying a short visit to our North Country friends – by which time will be able to say what can be done for my worthy parents who must always be made participators in whatever good fortune may attend me or I would lose it’s chief zest. I am unable to say more at present than that. I am now in a fairer way of making interest
Page 3 for my family & friends than I ever expected to be. My father wd [would] have at once shared my good luck with me had I not much necessary outlay in fitting myself for the station I now hold.
I expect to sail tomorrow in the Melpomene for the neighborhood of Vera Cruz and from hence I proceed direct to the City of Mexico – I expect as the friends of the Envoy are anxious for my arrival in time [to]attend his Lady’s accouchement . If I have a moment to spare I will write a few lines to my father – if not I trust [you] will communicate with them at once - as Mrs G will shortly be writing to them.
With sincerest regards to all - ever believe me Your Affectionate Nephew J Grant
I have nothing to add what I have written –
My letter had better be inclosed (sic) for the present to Mrs Grant – address to Don Diego Grant MD, Real del Monte, MexicoIt is at first reading quite innocuous but yet at one and the same time extremely revealing in that while he was ostensibly going out in the employ of the Real del Monte mining company, and did in fact work for the company for nigh of three years, the letter shows that this was a cover for his being a member of the British diplomatic mission to Mexico under the direct employ of the British spymaster in Mexico, Henry Ward. The reference to his being required to be on hand for the birth of the Wards' first child although innocuous in itself identifies him as the "Doctor Wilson" who frequently appears in the work of fiction which Ward afterwards published as part of Mexico in 1827 purporting to be a narrative of his stay - a remarkable account in which Ward denied all knowledge of John Dunn Hunter and the Fredonian rebellion which he himself had in large part instigated.
|
|
|
Post by estebans on Feb 4, 2015 22:06:05 GMT -5
Splendid stuff, Stuart--thanks for posting the extract. I am in awe of the way in which the information is likely to be out there, if someone has the tenacity and resourcefulness and the opportunity to track it to its lair. And bless those individuals who were compelled to trace their experiences in roman a clef form, leaving us more potential details to work with.
It's difficult to be a fan of Dr. Grant given his impact on the Alamo's resources; but one has to respect a valiant and lonely death far from home in the service of a larger cause. And it's remarkable how much of a role spying plays in the RoT saga.
|
|