GRINDSTAFF FAMILY REUNION TODAY

Today from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., members and friends of the Grindstaff Family will meet at Shelter 1, Jackson City Park for the 10th annual family reunion.

A group photograph will be taken at 11:30 a.m. A potluck dinner will be served at noon. Please bring food to share, your own table service, your own drink, and, if convenient, lawn chairs. You are encouraged to bring family photographs and documents to show to others. A book of memories of the ancestors, composed by members of the Family and commemorating the 10th reunion, will be available for sale.

Coming from North Carolina with four of their nine children, Jacob (1790-1867) and Christina (1794-1875) Grindstaff moved to Missouri and purchased their first land in Cape County (actually present day Bollinger County) in 1826. Jacob farmed and increased his land holdings until his death in July, 1867. At the time of his death, Jacob had willed his wife $320 in gold or silver, his bay mare, Jane, all the crop now growing, and all the meat and groceries on hand. By the time Christina died in 1875, her inventory listed $327.25 in gold, silver and paper money, one walnut table, three sets of plates and tea cups, a set of six teaspoons, forks and knives, one bridle and side saddle, plus many other interesting possessions. Adjusting for inflation and assuming an inflation rate of 1.00 in 1875, Christina's $327.25 would be valued at $40,579 in 1989.

Copies of Jacob's first land purchase in 1826, his will and Christina's inventory will be available free to all interested persons.

Jacob and Christina's nine children were David, (1818-1858); Peter, (1820-1869); Susannah (Mrs. Adam) Grindstaff Stotlar, (1820-?); Elizabeth (Mrs. Mark J.) Grindstaff Long, (1824-1902) William (1826-1876); Jacob, Jr., (1829-1902); Christina F. (Mrs. Sidney Granville) Grindstaff Tinnen, (1832-?); Anna or Hannah (Mrs. John) Grindstaff Faddle, (1824-?); and Polly (Mrs. Adam) Grindstaff Faddle, (1836-?).

If there are any questions regarding the reunion, please feel free to contact Mr. Perry Grindstaff, 725 Pecan Lane, Jackson, MO, 63755; Mrs. Mildred Grindstaff Miller, H.C. 64, Box 500, Grassy, MO. 63753 or Mrs. Edith G. Anderson, P.O. Box 2908, Ann Arbor, Mich., 48106-2908. Mrs. Anderson, who has been researching the family since 1983, will also appreciate correspondence regarding the family history.

If you are a member of the Grindstaff Family or just know one, cone to the reunion and enjoy a day of eating good food, looking at family pictures, trading stories and memories with other cousins, tossing horseshoes and most important, meeting new cousins you never knew you had.