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Jesse Grimes: A Patriarch of Two Counties

by Robin Montgomery
                 
The man for whom Grimes County received its name is also a celebrated figure in the history of Montgomery County.  From his birth in Duplin County, North Carolina on February 6, 1788 through his service in the war of 1812, on to living a time in Alabama and on to Texas, Jesse Grimes lived a life of adventure, and of high service to humankind.
                 
Upon the death of his first wife, Martha Smith, he married Rosanna Ward. Together, these hearty pioneer women presented him with fifteen children. One of these children, Charles, became a martyr to the cause of Texas’s independence at the Alamo in March, 1836. In 1827, with Rosanna, Jesse Grimes settled in what
soon became known as Grimes Prairie in the western portion of the original Montgomery County, now in Grimes County. 

Dangerous were conditions in Grimes Prairie while Jesse and Rosanna Grimes raised their family.  So much so that on the occasion, and there were many, when Jesse ventured away from home, an Indian friend of his would stand guard around the Grimes home place. Among the various tribes who inhabited the region or traveled through frequently, Jesse was their friend, visiting and counseling with them on numerous occasions.
                 
The people of the general area held much faith in Jesse Grimes. This is evidenced in the numerous offices which he assumed. From 1821-36, Mexico ruled Texas. In 1830 Mexican authorities marked off a vast area stretching from the Brazos to near the Trinity River and named the region The District of Viesca. Within this grand expanse of territory, over two year’s time, Jesse became, in turn, a lieutenant of militia, a sindico
procurador
, similar to a municipal attorney, a regidor or councilman, and treasurer of the District.
                 
In 1835, a larger area, covering all or parts of present Grimes, Montgomery, Walker, San Jacinto, Madison, Brazos, Washington, Burleson and Lee Counties became known as Washington Municipality. One of the councilmen or regidors in the ruling assembly of this grand region was Jesse Grimes. Later in 1835, he became a member of the general council of the provisional government of Texas.
                 
In the face of hostile forces out of Mexico, on March 2, 1836, brave patriots gathered at Washington-on-the-Brazos.  On that date, Jesse Grimes was there, representing Washington Municipality, and was among those who signed Texas’s Declaration of Independence.  Texas stood as a republic from 1836-1845. During this time, Jesse became the first chief justice of Montgomery County and served four terms representing Montgomery County in the legislature. 
                 
A year after Texas succeeded to statehood, in 1846, out of the western portion of Montgomery County Grimes County was born. For four terms, Jesse Grimes was state senator from Grimes County, even serving for a while as Senate Pro Tempore. 
                 
Jesse Grimes died on March 15th, 1866, a pioneer and patriarch of the highest order in the annals of two
counties.

Thank you.


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