Nannie Blanche Reed1

b. 21 June 1871, d. 17 June 1952
Blanche (Reed) Grant Duff (cropped)
photo courtesy Jim Faris
FatherBenjamin Reed2 b. 13 Feb 1813, d. 25 Jun 1887
MotherHettie Jane Sharp2 b. 25 Jun 1829, d. Sep 1890
Birth21 Jun 1871 Nannie Blanche Reed was born on 21 Jun 1871 in Washington County, Virginia.3 
  She appears to have used her middle name thoughout most of her life. 
Marriage26 Sep 1889 She married first Robert Grant, son of Gardner Grant and Mary Holland, on 26 Sep 1889.1 
  Blanche was abt 18; Robert was about 40. Robert's first wife, Isabella Lowry, died of consumption in 1888. 
Cens-19006 Jun 1900  Ten years after their marriage Robert and Blanche were recorded on the 1900 census. They farmed land in the Abingdon District of Washington County, adjacent to Robert's sister Fannie and her husband Isaac Rambo. Robert and Blanche (who was recorded as "Nannie Blanch") were the parents of 4 children, 3 sons and a daughter.4 
Widowed15 Apr 1907  Robert died in April 1907. 
Cens-191020 Apr 1910  Three years later Blanche was recorded on the 1910 census as a 38 year old widow. She and Robert had added an additional child to their family before Robert's death and all 5 children were listed with Blanche in 1910.5 
Marriage27 Aug 1914 She married second David A. Duff, son of Samuel H. Duff and Deborah (?), on 27 Aug 1914 in Washington County.6 
  Blanche was David's 4th wife. David's first wife (Adelle Grant) had been the sister of Blanche's first husband Robert. 
Cens-192015 Jan 1920  In 1920 Blanche was enumerated as Mrs. David A. Duff. She was recorded as the head of the household; David was not listed as present in the home [he died 6 months later]. Blanche, who was listed as owning her farm, was recorded adjacent to Otho Rambo and his family. Otho was the son of Isaac and Fannie (Grant) Rambo who lived adjacent to Blanche and her first husband Robert Grant in 1900. This may indicate Blanche had remained on the Grant family land despite her second marriage.7 
Death17 Jun 1952 Blanche died on 17 Jun 1952 at age 80.3 
Burial She was buried next to her first husband at Bethel Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia. Bethel Church and cemetery sits on land originally deeded to the congregation by Blanche's father Benjamin Reed. In 1945 Blanche sold the church an additional 2 1/2 acres of land to expand the cemetery.3,8 
Will-Recd23 Jun 1952 Blanche's will was recorded on 23 Jun 1952 in Washington County, Virginia. Her heirs included: Robert Grant, Lucille Grant Howell, Hazel Grant, and Charmane Grant and Nancy Grant McGuire, both granddaughters.9 

Related Links and Images:

Blanche and her son Harry photographed at Florence's birthday celebration
Blanche's headstone
Other interments in Bethel Cemetery

Family

Robert Grant b. 25 Oct 1849, d. 15 Apr 1907
Children
  • Benjamin Earnest Grant4 (Jul 1890 - )
  • Harry D. Grant4 (Nov 1892 - 19 Jan 1946)
  • Robert Malcolm Grant4 (Jan 1896 - )
  • Nina Lucille Grant4 (Oct 1899 - )
  • Hazel D. Grant10
Last Edited16 Mar 2012

Citations

  1. [S2824] Adam Rosenbalm Bible (New York: The American Bible Society, 1844). The fourth entry on the Marriage Record page reads: Robert G. Grant and Nannie Blanche Reid was [smudged] September 26th 1889 by U. McClure.
  2. [S156] Benjamin Reed household, 1880 U.S. Cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Abingdon Twp, ED 93, p. 17-A (p. 33 stamped), dwelling 151, family 151. March 2010. Benjamin Reed, 67, no occup; Hettie, 49, wife; Louisa, 11, dau; N. Blanch, 9, dau; Mary Sharp, 60, sister; James Jones, 24, black, servant; all b. VA.
  3. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 247. Monument for Robert G. Grant and Blanche G. Duff, 21 June 1871-17 Jun 1952.
  4. [S634] Robert Grant household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Abingdon District, ED 106, sheet 3A (p. 37 stamped), dwelling 48, family 49, viewed online at Ancestry.com, May 2010. Household included: Robert Grant, 50, b. Oct. 1849, marr 10 years, farmer; Nannie Blanche, wife, 28, b. June 1871, marr 10 years, mother of 4 children, all are living; Benjamin E., son, 9, b. Jul 1890; Harry D., son, 7, b. Nov. 1892; Robert M., son, 4, b. Jan. 1896; Nina Lucille, dau, 7/12, b. Oct. 1899; all b. VA/VA/VA.
  5. [S237] Blanch Grant household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Abingdon District, ED 125, sheet 3A (p. 172 stamped), dwelling 42, family 42, viewed online at Ancestry.com, May 2010. Household included: Blanch Grant, 38, wid, mother of 5 children, all are living, farmer; Earnest B., son, 19; Harry D., son, 17; Malcom R., son, 13; Anna L., dau, 10; Hazle D., dau, 7; all b. VA.
  6. [S2361] Jack Niemann, compiler, "Washington County, Virginia Marriage Licenses 1903-1913" (unpublished manuscript), Mr. Niemann's abstract: David A. Duff, white, Age 66, wid., b. Washington Co.,VA, s/o Samuel H. & Deborah Duff, farmer and Blanche Reed Grant, white, age 45, wid., b. Washington Co.,VA, d/o Benjamin & Hettie Reed; Married Aug.27, 1914; J.M. McChesney; Prebyterian.
  7. [S238] Mrs. David Duff household, 1920 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Abingdon district, ED 6B, sheet 125, dwelling 128, family May 2010. Household includes: Mrs. David A. Duff, 49, marr, owns farm; [following children were recorded with surname Duff; should have been Grant]: Malcolm, son, 23; Lucille N., dau, 20, high school teacher; Hazel D., dau, 17; Harry D., son, 27; all b. VA, viewed online at Ancestry.com.
  8. [S2878] Bethel Presbyterian Church 1881-1981, p. 45.
  9. [S870] Carolyn Ryburn, "Blanche Reed (Reid)," e-mail to D. Powell, 17 March 2010. Carolyn cites Washington Co., Virginia Will Bk 48: 416.
  10. [S238] Otho Rambo household, 1920 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Abingdon district, ED 6B, sheet 125, dwelling 128, family May 2010. Household includes: Mrs. David A. Duff, 49, marr, owns farm; [following children were recorded with surname Duff; should have been Grant]: Malcolm, son, 23; Lucille N., dau, 20, high school teacher; Hazel D., dau, 17; Harry D., son, 27; all b. VA, viewed online at Ancestry.com.