History of Todd County, Kentucky, ed. J. H. Battle, 1884, F. A. Battey
Publishing Co., 1884, pp. 246-47.       [Kirkmansville Precinct]

JOHN W. GRISSAM, produce merchant, was born April 11, 1832, in Christian
County, Ky.  His parents were J. W. and Sarah W. (Wells) Grissam.  The
father was a native of South Carolina; he managed the farm for many years
and served the county for some years in an official capacity; he was
Deputy Sheriff, Tax Collector and Constable, all under the old
Constitution.  It was generally conceded that he gave good satisfaction in
his official work.  He departed this life December 7, 1861, at the age of
sixty-four years; he with his wife were for many years worthy members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church South.  The mother was a native of North
Carolina.  She came to Muhlenburg [sic] County at an early age, and is
still living, with powers of mind and body unimpaired.  These parents had
twenty children, eight of whom died in infancy.  The remaining twelve were
raised to advanced years.  John W. began for himself at the age of
twenty-two years.  Owing to a large family he had no moneyed assistance.
He has been engaged variously at farming, milling and merchandising; he
now owns a nice home in Kirkmansville, and is numbered among its respected
and responsible citizens; he was married in 1865 to Miss Emma C. McCown,
of Muhlenburg [sic] County.  These parents have had six children, two of
whom, John L. and Mary E., died in childhood.  The living children are:
Malvina F., William C., Micajah W. and Samuel C.  The parents are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

Grissam Wells McCown
=
Christian-KY Muhlenberg-KY SC NC

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/todd/grissam.jw.txt