1, Warren Co, TN; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1903); Page 464; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Granville Looper; Colored; married on 24 Jul 1903 in Warren Co, TN; Cindy Gribble (no race listed).
2. 1910 Census; Warren Co, TN; District #2; taken 9 May 1910; Page 93A; Image 5 of 11;
Family #39/39.
Listed as Granville Looper; age 51; born in TN; married twice; last time for 6 yrs; Black; farmer;
head of household.
1. 1870 Census, Warren Co, TN; 3rd District; McMinnville PO; taken 20 Jul 1870; Image 7 of 13;
Family #46/46.
Listed as Lucinda Gribble; age 8; born in TN; mulatto; in household of James F. Roberts.
(Mother, Nancy Gribble is listed next door)
2. 1880 Census, Warren Co, TN; 3rd District; taken 1 Jun 1880; Page 313A; Image 1 of 14;
Family #10/10.
Listed as Lucinda Gribble; age 19; born in TN; single; Black; at home; in household of mother,
Nancy Gribble.
3. 1900 Census, Warren Co, TN; 3rd District; taken 5 Jun 1900; Page 87B; Image 4 of 14;
Family #13/163.
Listed as Lusindy Gribble; age 20 (she had to be older than this); born in Aug 1880 in TN; single;
Black; 2 children, both living; no listed occupation; head of household.
4, Warren Co, TN; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1903); Page 464; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Granville Looper; Colored; married on 24 Jul 1903 in Warren Co, TN; Cindy Gribble (no race listed).
5. 1910 Census; Warren Co, TN; District #2; taken 9 May 1910; Page 93A; Image 5 of 11;
Family #39/39.
Listed as Lucinda Looper; age 47; born in TN; married once for 6 yrs; mulatto; 5 children, 4 living; in
household of husband, Granville Looper.
6. 1920 Census, Warren Co, TN; 2nd District; taken 6 Feb 1920; Page 56B; Image 4 of 10;
Family #42/42.
Listed as Rinda Looper; age__; born in TN; widow; Black; head of household.
7. 1930 Census, Warren Co, TN; District #1; McMinnville; taken 5 Apr 1930; Page 7A; Image 13 of 55;
Family #139/166.
Listed as Cinda Looper; age 68; born in TN; widow; Negro; in household of son-in-law, Rufus
Swafford.
8. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Creek District; Hartwell; E.D. 24-21; taken 20 Apr 1940; Page
414B; Image 26 of 52; Household #225.
Listed as Sindy Looper; age 70; born in TN; widow; Negro; no education; lived in same place on
1 Apr 1935; in household of son-in-law, Rufus Swafford.
9. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #11798; WV Archives Web Site.
Sendy Gribble; age 86; born in 1864 in White Co, TN; widow; Negro; living at Hartwell, WV; daughter
of unknown parents; died 4 Jul 1950 at Hartwell, WV; due to cerebral hemorrhage; buried 6 Jul 1950
at Hartwell, WV; informant Mrs. Visey Swafford.
1. 1870 Census, Warren Co, TN; 3rd District; McMinnville PO; taken 20 Jul 1870; Image 7 of 13;
Family #46/46.
Listed as Nancy Gribble; age 35; born in TN; Black; keeping house; head of household.
2. 1880 Census, Warren Co, TN; 3rd District; taken 1 Jun 1880; Page 313A; Image 1 of 14;
Family #10/10.
Listed as Nancy Gribble; age 40; born in TN; single; Black; keeping house; head of household.
1. 1870 Census, Warren Co, TN; 3rd District; McMinnville PO; taken 20 Jul 1870; Image 7 of 13;
Family #46/46.
Listed as Martha Gribble; age 15; born in TN; Black; in household of mother, Nancy Gribble.
1. 1870 Census, Warren Co, TN; 3rd District; McMinnville PO; taken 20 Jul 1870; Image 7 of 13;
Family #46/46.
Listed as George Gribble; age 6; born in TN; mulatto; in household of mother, Nancy Gribble.
2. 1880 Census, Warren Co, TN; 3rd District; taken 1 Jun 1880; Page 313A; Image 1 of 14;
Family #10/10.
Listed as George W. Gribble; age 15; born in TN; single; mulatto; farm laborer; in household of
mother, Nancy Gribble.
1. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1999"; 1999; By Geneva Steel, Tom
Hatcher and Sandra Long; "Martie Gribble"; Article; Page 155; submitted by Tim Wilson, Hartwell,
WV.
"MARTIE GRIBBLE
"Mattie Gribble (1890-1944) was a descen-
dant of an African slave named Silas who was
captured on the shores of Africa in 1826. Silas
was brought to America in chains against his
will and sold into slavery. The servitude that he
was to endure was at the hands of a slave
owner named Gist.
"The historical events of my ancestor took
place initially on the shores of the river in Virginia
where the ship docked and the slaves were auc-
tioned and sold to the highest bidder. Silas took
the last name of the slave owner, Gist.
"After six generations, a child, Martie Gribble,
was born to Lucinda Gribble. He was born oi
mixed race and was one of several children.
Martie was born with fair skin and straight hair.
Martie posed as a white Caucasian man. Hav—
ing acquired business skills in White County,
TN, Martie heard of the budding coal industry
in West Virginia and moved there to seek
employment, He was able to purchase a board-
ing house in Hartwell, which still stands, and
which is presently owned by his niece Geral-
dine Swafford Wilson.
"Owning several large trucks and having
power with the Роса Fuel Coal Company, he
traveled into the southern states, posing as a
white man, to transport Black men to West Vir-
ginia to work in the coal mines. These were the
days of segregation when things were difficult
for the Black man. With Martie Gribble’s fair
skin and straight hair, he was able to stop at
stores and restaurants to get food for his Black
friends to eat when returning to West Virginia.
"Martie Gribble’s strength and power contin-
ued to increase in monetary and material ways.
The local company stores had to seek him out
for money and script to supply the stores for
the same day monetary demands.
"During these difficult days of the coal indus»
try and of coal miners, the coal miners would
come back to the boarding house after a hard
day’s work and take a shower in the old bath
house and then they would eat a prepared
meal by the cook in the house’s huge dining
room. During the evening the men would gam-
ble and drink moonshine supplied by Mr. Grib-
ble. These types of activities were
common—place during this era.
"This is a historical account of a man who
was legend in his own times, and a man who
was instrumental in helping to build the coal
industry in McDowell County. Submitted by: Tlm
Wilson, Hartwell, WV."
2 1900 Census, Warren Co, TN; 3rd District; taken 5 Jun 1900; Page 87B; Image 4 of 14;
Family #163/163.
Listed as Martie Gribble; age 19; born in Jul 1890 in TN; Black; in household of mother, Lucinda
Gribble.
3. Warren Co, TN; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1906); Page 436; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Mart Gribble, Colored; married on 26 Dec 1906 in Warren Co, TN; Syothy York, Colored.
4. 1910 Census; Warren Co, TN; District #2; taken 9 May 1910; Page 93A; Image 5 of 11;
Family #41/41.
Listed as Marty Gribble; age 20; born in TN; mulatto; married once for 3yrs; railroad laborer; head of
household.
5. Bell Co, KY; WW I Draft Registration Card #876; 5 Jun 1917; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Martie Gribble; age 30; born 6 Jun 1887 in Sparta, TN; living at Bosworth, KY; coal miner for Yellow
Creek Coal Co, Bosworth, KY; married; Colored; dependent wife and 2 children; medium height with
stout build; brown eyes and dark hair.
6. 1920 Census, Harlan Co, KY; Lynch; taken 12 Jan 1920; Page 219B; Image 22 of 62; Family #222.
Listed as Martie Gribble; age 33; born in TN; married; mulatto; track layer in coal mine; head of
household.
7. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Creek District; Hartwell; E.D.24-21; taken 20 Apr 1940; Page
414A; Household #200.
Listed as Martie Gribble; age 52; born in TN; married; Negro; no education; lived in same house on
1 Apr 1935; odd jobs; in boading house; head of household.
8. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #4762; WV Archives Web Site.
Martin Gribble; age 56; born in 1888 in Menville (sic, McMinnville), TN; Negro; married; husband of
Syother; boarding house operator; son of John and Lucinder (Looper) Gribble; died 29 Apr 1944 in
Vallscreek, WV; due to cerebral hemorrhage; buried 5 May 1944 at Hartwell, WV; informant, Mrs.
Syother Gribble, Vallscreek, WV.
1. Warren Co, TN; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1906); Page 436; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Mart Gribble, Colored; married on 26 Dec 1906 in Warren Co, TN; Syothy York, Colored.
2. 1910 Census; Warren Co, TN; District #2; taken 9 May 1910; Page 93A; Image 5 of 11;
Family #41/41.
Listed as Ciotha Gribble; age 20; born in TN; Black; married once for 3 yrs; 1 child; 1 living; in
household of husband, Martin Gribble.
3. 1920 Census, Harlan Co, KY; Lynch; taken 12 Jan 1920; Page 219B; Image 22 of 62; Family #222.
Listed as Siotha Gribble; age 23; born in TN; married; mulatto; in household of husband, Martin
Gribble.
4. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Creek District; Hartwell; E.D.24-21; taken 20 Apr 1940; Page
414A; Household #200.
Listed as Syotha Gribble; age 44; born in TN; married; Negro; 5th grade education; lived in same
house on 1 Apr 1935; manages a boading house; in household of husband, Martin Gribble.
1. 1920 Census, Harlan Co, KY; Lynch; taken 12 Jan 1920; Page 219B; Image 22 of 62; Family #222.
Listed as Wesley Gribble; age 9; born in TN; mulatto; in household of father, Martin Gribble.
2. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Creek District; Hartwell; E.D.24-21; taken 20 Apr 1940; Page
414A; Household #200.
Listed as Wesley Gribble; age 29; born in TN; married; Negro; 4th grade education; lived in same
house on 1 Apr 1935; brakeman in coal mine; in household of father, Martin Gribble.
1. Gregory-Page Funeral Home; Welch, WV; Posted Obit.
"William R. "Bill" Jones age 84 of Gary, WV; formerly of Los Angeles, CA, who departed this life on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at CAMC Memorial Division in Charleston, WV was born on April 26, 1935. He was born and raised by his parents, Paul and Mary H. Jones in Gary. After graduating, he joined the U. S. Army and moved to LA, where he retired as a caterer for Continental Airlines. Also for more than 30 years, he served as a funeral escort in the LA area. He returned home in October of 2019 and became a member of New Hope Fellowship Church in Thorpe, WV. He was an avid fisherman and his sports of choice were both baseball and football. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Milene and his seven siblings: Barbara, Charles, Curtis, David Sr., Mary Lee, Pauline, and Richard. He was the last surviving member of his original family. He leaves to cherish his memory a daughter, Meleana (Tau) Tuipulotu of Los Angeles and three grandchildren; a godson, Charles Jones of Columbus, OH; his nephews and nieces, who cared for him: Bishop David (Vanessa) Jones Jr. of Winston-Salem, NC, Harold (Thomasina) Jones of Bluefield, WV, Mary E. Weaver of Kimball, WV, Lynn (Lorenzo) Thomas of Thorpe, Barbara (Dave) Martin of Columbus, Lydia (Ervin) Joyce of Thorpe, Pastor Karen (Jules) Gautier of Gary, Bonnie (Derek) Thomas of Harrisonburg, VA, Delores "Boogie" Jones of Gary, with whom he made his home; and Jermaine Jones of Princeton, WV, Debra Williams and Jessica Whitfield both of Columbus, Sharon (Barry) White of Fayetteville, NC and Tawanda Johnson of Chicago, IL; three generations of additional nephews and nieces; other relatives and friends. A Homegoing Service will be held at 12:00 noon on Sunday, January 12, 2020 at New Hope Fellowship with (his niece), Pastor Karen Gautier officiating and Ruling Elder Anthony J. Bell presiding. Viewing will begin at 11:00 a.m. Service will also be held at the South LA Mortuary, on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 and Interment will follow in the National Cemetery in Riverside, CA. Services entrusted to Gregory-Page Funeral Home in Welch, WV. "
1. 1870 Census, Warren Co, TN; 3rd District; McMinnville PO; taken 20 Jul 1870; Image 7 of 13;
Family #46/46.
Listed as Lucinda Gribble; age 8; born in TN; mulatto; in household of James F. Roberts.
(Mother, Nancy Gribble is listed next door)
2. 1880 Census, Warren Co, TN; 3rd District; taken 1 Jun 1880; Page 313A; Image 1 of 14;
Family #10/10.
Listed as Lucinda Gribble; age 19; born in TN; single; Black; at home; in household of mother,
Nancy Gribble.
3. 1900 Census, Warren Co, TN; 3rd District; taken 5 Jun 1900; Page 87B; Image 4 of 14;
Family #13/163.
Listed as Lusindy Gribble; age 20 (she had to be older than this); born in Aug 1880 in TN; single;
Black; 2 children, both living; no listed occupation; head of household.
4, Warren Co, TN; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1903); Page 464; Ancestry.com Web Site.
Granville Looper; Colored; married on 24 Jul 1903 in Warren Co, TN; Cindy Gribble (no race listed).
5. 1910 Census; Warren Co, TN; District #2; taken 9 May 1910; Page 93A; Image 5 of 11;
Family #39/39.
Listed as Lucinda Looper; age 47; born in TN; married once for 6 yrs; mulatto; 5 children, 4 living; in
household of husband, Granville Looper.
6. 1920 Census, Warren Co, TN; 2nd District; taken 6 Feb 1920; Page 56B; Image 4 of 10;
Family #42/42.
Listed as Rinda Looper; age__; born in TN; widow; Black; head of household.
7. 1930 Census, Warren Co, TN; District #1; McMinnville; taken 5 Apr 1930; Page 7A; Image 13 of 55;
Family #139/166.
Listed as Cinda Looper; age 68; born in TN; widow; Negro; in household of son-in-law, Rufus
Swafford.
8. 1940 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Creek District; Hartwell; E.D. 24-21; taken 20 Apr 1940; Page
414B; Image 26 of 52; Household #225.
Listed as Sindy Looper; age 70; born in TN; widow; Negro; no education; lived in same place on
1 Apr 1935; in household of son-in-law, Rufus Swafford.
9. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #11798; WV Archives Web Site.
Sendy Gribble; age 86; born in 1864 in White Co, TN; widow; Negro; living at Hartwell, WV; daughter
of unknown parents; died 4 Jul 1950 at Hartwell, WV; due to cerebral hemorrhage; buried 6 Jul 1950
at Hartwell, WV; informant Mrs. Visey Swafford.
1. 1900 Census, Warren Co, TN; 3rd District; taken 5 Jun 1900; Page 87B; Image 4 of 14;
Family #163/163.
Listed as Georgia Gribble; age 15; born in May 1885 in TN; Black; in household of mother, Lucinda
Gribble.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1957); Page 369; WV Archives Website.
Roy Von Grubb; age 22; born in Havaco, WV; single; living at Rt 2, Box 16, Welch, WV; married on
11 Apr 1957 at Welch, WV; Elizabeth Ann Branson; age 21; born in Havaco, WV; single; living at
Roderfield, WV.
2. U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Roy Von Grubb
Gender: Male
Death Age: 73
Birth Date: 28 Apr 1934
Birth Place: Welch
Residence Place: Welch
Death Date: 10 Mar 2008
Burial Date: 14 Mar 2008
Burial Place: Bluewell
Obituary Date: 13 Mar 2008
Obituary Place: Welch, Craig, Oklahoma, USA
Parents: Adam Grubb; Josie V. Grubb
Spouse: Elizabeth Branson Grubb
Child: Terry Roberts
Robert Grubb
Candice- Roberts Bechtle
Siblings: Homer Grubb
Luther R. Grubb
Charles L. Grubb
Ellis W. Grubb
James W. Grubb
Bertie E. Grubb
Ernest Grubb
Sidney Grubb "
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1957); Page 369; WV Archives Website.
Roy Von Grubb; age 22; born in Havaco, WV; single; living at Rt 2, Box 16, Welch, WV; married on
11 Apr 1957 at Welch, WV; Elizabeth Ann Branson; age 21; born in Havaco, WV; single; living at
Roderfield, WV.
2. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Elizabeth Ann Branson
[Elizabeth Ann Grubb]
[Elizabeth Grubb]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birth Date: 15 Jan 1936
Birth Place: Havaco McDow, West Virginia
Death Date: 25 Apr 1999
Father: Howard D Branson
Mother: Bertha R Bright
SSN: 236546919
Notes: Oct 1952: Name listed as ELIZABETH ANN BRANSON;
May 1957: Name listed as ELIZABETH ANN GRUBB;
30 Apr 1999: Name listed as ELIZABETH A GRUBB"
3. FindAGrave.com Web Site; submitted by Dave Crouse; 17 Nov 2017.
" Elizabeth Ann “Liz” Branson Grubb
Birth 15 Jan 1936
Welch, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Death 25 Apr 1999 (aged 63)
Welch, McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Burial
Woodlawn Memorial Park
Bluewell, Mercer County, West Virginia, USA
Memorial ID 185272781"Additional Information Posted:
"daughter of the late Howard Daniel and Ruth Bright Branson she was a lifelong resident of Welch and was of the Protestant faith and graduate of Welch high school and attended Bluefield business college she was serving as postmaster at the Thorpe."
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1939); Page 143; WV Archives Web Site.
Charles Davis; born 20 Aug 1914 in Cale, VA; single; living in Box 98, Elkhorn, WV; son of R,C. and
Mary E. Davis; married on 8 Apr 1939 in Bramwell, WV; Louise Sells; born 11 Mar 1921 (sic, 1922;
in Switchback, WV; single; living in Switchback, WV; daughter of Albert J. (sic, G,) and Reedie Sells.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1939); Page 143; WV Archives Web Site.
Charles Davis; born 20 Aug 1914 in Cale, VA; single; living in Box 98, Elkhorn, WV; son of R,C. and
Mary E. Davis; married on 8 Apr 1939 in Bramwell, WV; Louise Sells; born 11 Mar 1921 (sic, 1922;
in Switchback, WV; single; living in Switchback, WV; daughter of Albert J. (sic, G,) and Reedie Sells.
2. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Lillian Louise Davis
[Lillian L Davis]
[Lillian Louise Sells]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birth Date: 11 Mar 1922
Birth Place: Switchbcek M, West Virginia
Death Date: 15 Jun 2003
Father: Albert J Sells
Mother: Reedie Agnew
SSN: 234688371
Signature on SSN Card: Louise Davis
Relationship of Signature: Signature name differs from NH’s name.
Notes: Oct 1960: Name listed as LILLIAN LOUISE DAVIS;
21 Jun 2003: Name listed as LILLIAN L DAVIS"
3. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Lillian L. Davis
SSN: 234-68-8371
Last Residence:
24740 Princeton, Mercer, West Virginia, USA
Born: 11 Mar 1922
Last Benefit: 24715, Bramwell, Mercer, West Virginia, United States of America
Died: 15 Jun 2003
State (Year) SSN issued: West Virginia (1960)"
1. Kanawha Co, WV; Marriage Registry; Vol #__(1960); Page 308; Line #1709; WV Archives Web Site.
Robert Eugene Buckner; age 30; born in Braxton Co, WV; divorced; living at Box 359; Rt #6,
Charleston, WV; married on 5 oct 1960 at Charleston, WV; Patricia Ann Alexander; age 26; born in
McDowell Co, WV; divorced; living at 833 Bigley Ave, Charleston, WV.
2. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Name: Patricia Ann Alexander
[Patricia Ann Ferguson]
[Patricia Buckner]
[Patricia Hudson]
[Patricia Alexander]
[Patricia Hall]
Gender: Female
Race: White
Birth Date: 14 Oct 1932
Birth Place: Welch MacDow, West Virginia
[Welch McDowe??, West Virginia]
Death Date: 30 Sep 2000
Father: James W Alexander
Mother: Ethel Lewis
SSN: 234465372
Notes: Oct 1947: Name listed as PATRICIA ANN ALEXANDER;
Sep 1953: Name listed as PATRICIA ANN FERGUSON;
Feb 1961: Name listed as PATRICIA ANN BUCKNER;
Jun 1969: Name listed as PATRICIA A HUDSON;
Jul 1971: Name listed as PATRICIA A ALEXANDER;
Jan 1973: Name listed as PATRICIA A HALL"