Crenshaw File No. 1. From an assortment of papers in the files of Jack C. Grantham, Jr., 10102 Lanshire Drive, Dallas, Texas 75238. Telephone (214) 341-4384. These files are for research only. They are not to be published. They contain abstracts and copies of the research of others and permission has not been obtained from these people to use their material in published works. <<>> Sir John Cranshaw of Lincolnshire From: The Knights of England Volume II (1970), by William A. Shaw, page 16. "8 November 1619 at Greenwich, there was granted into the Order of Knights Bachelors the following: John (Richard) Carnshaw (also designated as Carveshaw, or Cranshaw) of the County Lincoln." (Note: In pre-Saxon England, the district of Lincoln was favored as a place of retirement for many who served in the Roman Army. That is where Lincoln got its name as "colon", or colony of Linn. The same "colon" word is the origin of the name of the City of Cologne in Germany which was also the site of retirement for Roman soldiers and administrators serving Rhine districts. Therefore the distant background of many of those we find in Lincolnshire may have roots lost in the far history of more peaceful times of Pax Romanus. Many Roman beaucrats and soldiers from various provinces of the empire, sought to remain in Roman Britain with its large villas and expansive, peaceful and pastoral fields and farmlands. Aerial photographs of the Lincolnshire coast, made during WWII, revealed many places of forgotten habitation. They found evidence of terrain which was disturbed in ancient times and not since, by ancient men who dwelt there long ago. There was so much evidence that it suggests that Lincolnshire once supported a much larger population than was supposed. In those days Hadrian Cesar walled off the north of the island and there were watchtowers erected along the border, similar to the one known as Cranshaw Castle." -------------------- Crenshaw in Scotland From a letter, written in 1914, by Robert C. Rogers to Edith Crenshaw Tatum. Cranshaws is a parish lying high in the Lammermuir Hills. It is entirely pastoral. The Church in these pictures is comparatively new. The old church was a pre-reformation building. Many of the names of places in the parish point to the land having been largely in the hands of the priesthood. Viz: Friersdykes, Nunsaw, Peiestlaw, etc. Probably there was a monkish settlement then. Once James III of Scotland rode across from Yeates to attend worship in Cranshaw's Church. The Incumbent omitted to pray for His Majesty who spoke to him after the omission whereupon the clergyman acknowledged his offence and promised amendment. Shortly afterward a slab bearing the Royal Arms was sent with instructions that it should be set into the wall facing the pulpit to remind him of his duty. When the old church was taken down the stone was removed and built into the new church where it may yet be seen opposite the pulpit. Cranshaw's Castle, now a ruin, was a famous border Pell or stronghold. In the Parish is the famous Twinlaw Cairn to commemorate the fight in which two twin brothers killed each other. What was the cause of quarrel is not known, probably a lady! ----oooOooo---- Scotland Perhaps a tragedy here. John Swyntoun, once granted the Manor of Cranshowe by the King, became a turncoat and then supported the Cromwellate which cut off the head of King Charles I. Later the new King, "for certain crimes of treachery and lese Majesty" strips Syntoun of the manors of Cranshowe and other lands and gives them to Maitland. All a part of the aftermath of the English Civil War. ------- Found in Volume XI (1660-1668) The Register of The Great Seal of Scotland. Item 727 dated 24 Feb at Edinburgh A.D. 1665, being an account of the Charter granted to Lady Mary Maitland. Not all copied here. As part of the estates granted, "...also the lands of Rodgerlaw, etc, in the sheriffdom of Berwick; also the barony and regality of Mussleburgh; the lands and lordship of Syntoun and Cranshawes; provided always that the said Mary Maitland, or other heir female succeeding to the title and estates, shall be bound to marry a man of the name Maitland, or of another name, who, with the heirs begotten by them, shall assume the said name and bear the arms of the Earl of Lawdereaill..." Also note this which is to be found in Volume III (1513-1546), The Register of the Great Seal of Scotland. In 1515, at Edinburgh on 16 October, the following, in Latin dealing with the Manor of Cranschaw (Maneriem de Cranschawis). "--Insuper voluit rex quod unica sasina capienda apud maneriem de Cranschawis, pro omnibut dictis terris sufficeret, ex eo quod omnes erant de dominio de Cranschawis et contigue adjacebant:--" Also take note of this which is dated 25 May 1661 and is represented to have been at Whitehall and is contained in a lengthy Charter granted by the Crown to John, Earl of Lawderdaill, Viscount Maitland etc., setting forth lands given for meritorious services. Not all copied here. "...and also the lands of Cranshawes with the tower fortalice, ...all lying in the sheriffdom of Berwick, with the teinds vicarage and parsonage of the said lands and parish of Cranshawes, with the right of patronage of the said church of Cranshawes--all which lands and others aforesaid formerly belonging to John Swyntoun, and are now the King's gift through the forfeiture of the said John Swyntoun, in accordance with a sentence of forfeiture pronounced against him at Perth, 2nc April 1651, for certain crimes of treachery and lese Majesty...the manor-places, mill-lands and the lands of Cranshawes, Thornburne...and the right of patronage of the church and parish of Cranshawes, with the teinds thereof into one free barony to be called the Barony of Cranshawes, with the place of Cranshawes to be the principal place thereof..." CRANSHAW IN ENGLAND From the research of Annie Crenshaw. The Parish Registers of Titsey, Surrey County, edited by W. Bruce Bannerman, London (1909). The following is a translation of Parish Registers from Titsey, Co. Surrey, England. Take notice of the three men who may have been emigres, as there is no record of continuous parish association at Titsey. John is the right age to have been the father of Thomas in Virginia, and also the correct age to have been the man shown in Virginia records as John Granger. Surrey is the county south of the Thames River, in London. John Cranshaw born about 1585-90 married c1610 (before 1611) (This note in the handwritng of Annie Crenshaw: His wife, or mother thought to be named Elizabeth). 1. RAFFE/RALPH CRANSHAW-chr. 14 Oct 1611 at Titsey, m. Anne----(before 1648). (1.) ELIZABETH CRANSHAW-chr. 15 Jan 1648, Titsey bur. 19 Jan 1648 (2.) Twin females to above, dying unbaptised 16 Jan 1648 (3.) ELIZABETH CRANSHAW-chr. 21 Mar 1649, Titsey (4.) Anne Cranshaw-chr. 19 April 1651, Titsey bur. 10 Feb 1652 (5.) John Cranshaw-chr. 31 Aug 1652, Titsey m.----before 1673 -THOMAS CRENSHAW-chr. 1 March 1673, Sutton by Croydon (6.) RALPH CRANSHAW-chr. 2 Jan 1654, Titsey bur. 25 Aug 1657 (7.) JAMES CRENSHAW-chr. 18 Mar 1659, Titsey m. ---before 1682 -JAMES CRENSHAW-chr. 5 Dec 1682, Limpsfield 2. ELIZABETH CRANSHAW-chr. 20 Jan 1613, Titsey 3. WILLIAM CRANSHAW-chr. 11 Dec 1615, Titsey 4. THOMAS CRANSHAW-chr. 4 March 1618, Titsey 5. JOHN CRANSHAW-chr. 1 Sep 1620, Titsey UNCERTAIN PLACEMENT: ELIZABETH CRENSHAW married John Wright, 20 Nov 1647 at Monk Fryston, Yorkshire ANN CRANSHAW married Thomas Britt, 2 Nov 1676 at Limpsfield ALBERT THOMAS CRANSHAW chr. 10 May 1863, son of JOHN CRANSHAW, Sutton by Croydon. A note by Annie Crenshaw concerning items 3, 4 and 5, William, Thomas and John. "Possibly emigrated to America. No deaths recorded and no marriages, but may have just moved to other parishes." Abstracted by Annie Crenshaw is the following: FROM TITSEY, COUNTY SURREY, ENGLAND Elizabeth Cranshaw, Chris. 15 Jan 1648, daughter of Ralph & Ann Cranshaw Anne Cranshaw, Chris. 19 Apr 1651, daughter of Ralph & Ann Cranshaw John Cranshaw, Chris. 31 Aug 1652, son of Ralph & Ann Cranshaw Ralph Cranshaw, Chris. 2 Jan 1654, son of Ralph & Ann Cranshaw A twin female buried 16 Jan 1648, daughter of Ralph & Ann Cranshaw. Died unbaptized. James Crenshaw, Chris. 18 March 1659, son of Ralph & Anne Crenshaw Elizabeth Cranshaw, Chris. 20 Jan 1613, daughter of John Cranshaw William Cranshaw, Chris. 11 Dec 1615, son of John Cranshaw Thomas Cranshaw, Chris. 4 Mar 1618, son of John Cranshaw John Cranshaw, Chris. 1 Sep 1620, son of John Cranshaw Raffe Cranshaw, Chris. 14 Oct 1611, son of John Cranshaw -----------------------------------------------------------------Albert Thomas Cranshaw, Chris 10 May 1863, son of John Cranshaw at Sutton by Croydon, County Surrey Ann Cranshaw married Thomas Britt 2 Nov 1676 at Limpsfield County Surrey, Eng. James Crenshaw, Chris 5 Dec 1682, son of James Crenshaw at Lipsfield County Surrey, Eng. Thomas Crenshaw, Chris 1 March 1673, son of John Crenshaw at Sutton by Crolyeen, County Surrey, Eng Elizabeth Crenshaw married John Wright 20 Nov 1647 at Monk Fryston, Yorkshire, Eng. ----------------------------------------------------------------- From the parish register of Titsey, Surrey 14 Oct 1611 bap. Raffe, son of John Cranshawe 20 Jan 1613 bap. Elizabeth, dau. of John Cranshawe An interesting item in the parish register. "18 Oct 1618 the baptism of Thomas the son of Cicely Champion, wife of Richard Champion (as she said), a wanderer." ------------------------ From: A History of Surrey, by Peter Brandon (1977). Not all copied here. Found on p. 26 was this which speaks of the long time of peace in Roman Britain, where there were large plantation-like villas, no crime nor invasions, and many years before the Saxon came or the Viking came. "The villas of Surrey are not as large or as opulent as those of Kent and Sussex, but at Ashtead was a corridor type house of at least thirteen rooms, connected to Stane Street by a flint road. Here it is archaeologically possible to find skilled craftsmen in the late first century, A.D. making box flue tiles for the villas heating system, exquisitely impressed with the tiler's elaborate trade mark by means of patterns cut in soft stone or a wooden cylindrical die-stamping roller sheathed in bronze. At Rapsley villa in Ewhurst was a tile factory and the TITSEY villa possessed a fulling mill. The potters of the river Wey district, near Farnham, were noted for coarse wares. Thus Surrey early began its long history as a workshop. The recession in these industries discernible in the third century A.D. is probably related to the decline of London as a trading center." Brandon gives other information on Stane Street's importance and continued usage. Maps of Roman Roads are provided. 0000000---0000000 A LETTER TO ANNIE CRENSHAW Annie Crenshaw 306 Government St. 1 June 1989 Wetumka, Alabama 36092 Dear Annie, My father was the only son of Florence Crenshaw and Samuel T. Grantham. He was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi on 21 Aug 1893. His mother was one of the children of William Randolph Crenshaw, son of Thompson Crenshaw and grandson of Randolph Crenshaw. It was Randolph (Randall) who was mentioned in the will of his father (Robert) and who was heir of the plantation of Robert, "... in Union and Newberry Counties." The legend has been strong in this family that there was Indian blood which was introduced into the pedigree at a point which is unknown. Because not all of the female line has been accounted for in my line, it has been suspected that the mother of Thompson Crenshaw was an Indian. She was the second wife of Randolph Crenshaw, and she bore her only son while in South Carolina. Two factors are important here. First is that we do not know who the mother of Thompson was. She may have been an Indian, but she may not. Second is the presence of Indian features amid descendents of Thompson Crenshaw. My father had such features and they were also present in cousins of his, even though they were wide degrees of cousinship. The legend of an Indian connection is reinforced and supported by the tendency to interpret dark skin shade, high cheek bones and a high bridge bone in the nose as proof that the legend of Indian blood is not to be questioned. All of this belief prevails in the family despite our inability to point to a place on the pedigree chart and say, "Here is the entry place of our Indian ancestry." There are several places, such as the second spouse of Randall Crenshaw, where nothing is known, and they are places which invite such speculation. If there were no more evidence than the legend, the physical features of extant Crenshaws, and the unknown places on the chart, then it would be easy to assume kinship with the earliest Americans in this land. Reason and logic would contribute to the story, and make its genuineness an overwhelming fact. Research has cleared some of the ground and has centered current speculation on the second marriage of Randolph Crenshaw, "...of Union and Newberry." Enclosed with this letter are papers and photographs of my father as you requested. He was tall (6'2"), had high cheek bones, was of a dark skin color, and had a high bridge to his nose. That "Roman nose" is evident only in the picture that the Marine Corps made of him during WWI. It is important to know that the Indian legend of my Crenshaw line is the same myth that is in your Crenshaw line. Furthermore, your description of your great (4) grandfather, Anderson Crenshaw, fits the description of my father, insofar as Indian Characteristics are concerned. I am not certain that the first Americans were tall men, and I think that height over 5'10" may be a characteristic which is contra to Indian ancestry. My feeling is that they were a people of slight build. The matter of the hooked nose is one which has been studied by geneticists. This facial feature is called an Anatolian nose, because it was a mark of the people who once dwelt in central Anatolia. Some call it a Hittite nose, because those ancient Anatolians were blessed with it, without exception, and their extant statues state the widespread Hittite identification with the hooked nose. Because it is a dominant gene, this Anatolian sign has appeared in the blood lines of all those who were in contact with the Anatolian people. That list includes the old Hebrews, and the Romans. Both have given their names to the gene of the Near East as I have heard it called a Jewish nose and as a Roman nose. The Romans wisely spread their army around in the Empire. Gauls served in Greece, and Greeks served in Spain. I would not be surprised to find that some members of the XVII Legion were from Anatolia, and spent their service with the Roman forces along the Tweed River, high in the Lammermuir Hills, and it was they who manned the old stone watchtower at Cranshaw. If that tower still remains (it does) then a thing organic, and living, may certainly do so. How dominant is a dominant gene? The legend of our Indian Lady has now escaped from the pedigree where we thought we would find her, and she has appeared in some other place. Until l had talked with you, I did not know that the Indian myth was in your line too, and I did not know that Anderson Crenshaw's description was much like the description of my father, who is to be numbered among the dark Crenshaws. When I use the word myth in this letter, I do not mean to say that something is not true. Myth is a vehicle by which truth is conveyed. The myth of the Indian Maid, lost somewhere in the past, may have preserved the story of a Roman sentry, near the place where cranes sought shelter in a grove of trees, along the Scottish Marches, when Augustus was Emperor. Yours truly Jack C. Grantham, Jr. <<>> The Locality Of CRANSHAWS in Scotland From page 238 of Volume I, second edition, Topographical Dictionary of Scotland, Comprising the Several Counties, Islands, Cities, Burgh and Market Towns, Parishes and Principal Villages, by Samuel Lewis, Published in London by S.Lewis and Co, M.DCCC.LI: CRANSHAWS, a parish in the county of Berwick, 9 miles (N.W.) from Dunse; containing 120 inhabitants. The derivation of the name of this place is doubtful, some supposing it to have been applied in consequence of the number of cranes or herons by which the district was originally visited, while others trace it to the cranberry bush, which is a native of the hills and mosses. In the 14th century the barony was possessed by the family of Douglas; and in 1401, Archibald, the fourth Earl of Douglas, assigned the estates to Sir John Swinton, of Swinton, whom he calls in the deed dilectus consanguineus noster. The family of Swinton held the property for a considerable period; and in June 1640 an act was passed by the Parliament, confirming to them the baronies of Swinton and Cranshaws, with the teinds, and the patronage of the Church. In the times of the border warfare, the district was involved in the general commotions, and Cranshaws Castle appears to have been a place of refuge from the sudden incursions of the English, as well as the old castle of Scarlaw, which was used by the inhabitants of another division of the parish. The PARISH, which is pastoral, is divided into two distinct portions by the intervention of the parish of Longformacus. The part in which the church stands is a pentagon in form, containing about six square miles, and bounded by the Whitadder river on the north and east; the other part of the parish is about five miles long, two in mean breadth, and is bounded on the north and north-east by the Dye Water, a tributary of the Whitadder. The surface consists chiefly of lofty hills, covered to a great extent with heath, and best suited to pasture, although most of the farms have each a portion of arable land. The highest ground is Manslaughter-Law, so called, as tradition reports, from a bloody engagement which took place near it, in 1402, between the Earl of Dunbar and Hepburn of Hailes. There are numerous springs in the parish, one of which is chalybeate. About 350 acres only are under tillage, the produce consisting of oats, barley, peas, turnips, potatoes, and sown grasses; the grain is sent to Haddington and Dunbar. There are about 4400 sheep kept; they are all Cheviots, and are sent to Gifford, Dunse, and Edinburgh; the black-cattle are a mixture of several kinds. The annual value of real property in the parish is L1132. The principal substrata are greywacke and greywacke-slate. Boulders of granite, sienite, and porphyry are washed down from rocks of conglomerate in the parishes of Stenton and Whittingham; and in Cranshaws Hill is a fine conglomerated rock, with an intermixture of iron ore. Near this occurs sandstone of the secondary formation, coloured by grains of iron, and of good quality for building; and from the same hill wherein this is found large quantities of yellow-ochre issue, which are used by the people in colouring the walls of houses. Ecclesiastically the parish is within the bounds of the presbytery of Dunse, synod of Merse and Teviotdale. The minister's stipend is L158.6.8, of which more than three-fourths are received from the exchequer, and there is a manse, with a glebe valued at L17 per annum; patroness, Lady Aberdour. Cranshaws church, a very plain edifice, was built in 1739, and will contain 120 persons. A parochial school is supported, in which all the usual branches of education are taught; the master's salary is L34, with about L10 fees, and the allowance of house and garden. There is also a parochial library, consisting of 200 volumes. The chief relic of antiquity is the Castle of Cranshaws, an oblong structure of forty feet by twenty four, with walls forty five feet high, and a modern battlement. Upon a hill on the south west side of the parish are two immense heaps of stones, said to have been collected to commemorate the death of twin-brothers of the name of Edgar, who fell while commanding different portions of an army which had mutinied: these stones are called the Twin-law Cairns. (See the article on Westruther.) In the back wall of the church, and opposite the pulpit, are figures cut in stone, of two unicorns supporting a crown, with a lion between them. The traditional tale with respect to these figures is, that a King of Scotland, returning from a hunt on Saturday, arrived at Cranshaws Castle, and went next day to the then existing church; that when the congregation was dismissed, he complimented the clergyman on his performance, but reminded of one omission, the not praying for the king; and that, to prevent similar neglects in future, his majesty ordered the above arms to be placed before the pulpit.