Col. Andrew J. Grayson, and "his" many birds (1 Viewer)

[Björn Bergenholtz]

I had a look at some of the graysoni/graysonii birds, as the ones below (in chronological order) ...

• the (Cinnamon) Hummingbird subspecies Amazilia rutila graysoni LAWRENCE 1866 (here), as "Amazilia (Pyrrhophæna) Graysoni":

Collected by Col. A. J. Grayson, Mazatlan, whose name I with pleasure confer upon it, commemorative of his labors in behalf of science.

• the (Northern) Bobwhite ssp. Colinus virginianus graysoni LAWRENCE 1867 (here), as "Ortyx graysoni":

Collected by Col. A. J. Grayson.

• the (Tres Marias Island/'s/Streak-backed) Oriole ssp. Icterus pustulatus graysonii CASSIN 1867 (here), as "Icterus Graysonii":

Hab.—Tres Marias Islands, western coast of Mexico. Discovered. by Col. A. J. Grayson, of Mazatlan, Mexico. Spec. in Mus. Smiths. Inst. Washington.
[...]
This handsome bird is gratefully dedicated to its discoverer, Col. A.J. Grayson, a gentleman whose indefatigable exertions have greatly elucidated the zoology of Western Mexico, and whose isolated position only prevents him from attaining high reputation as a naturalist. As yet, Col. Grayson has only found this bird in the Tres Marias Islands, in the Pacific Ocean, nearly west of San Blas, and about one hundred miles southwest of Mazatlan, Mexico.

• the Socorro Mockingbird Mimus graysoni LAWRENCE 1871 (here), as "Harporhynchus graysoni":

Collected by Col. A. J. Grayson, June 1865. ....

• the (Ladder-backed) Woodpecker ssp. Dryobates scalaris graysoni BAIRD 1874 (here), as "Picus (Dyctiopicus) scalaris var. graysoni" ... no outspoken dedication, though "Colonel A. J. Grayson", and "Colonel Grayson", alt. "Mr. Grayson", and "Mr. A. J. Grayson", was mentioned several times in the same Book.

• the debated species (or subspecies) Grayson's (Rufous-backed) Trush/Robin Turdus (rufopalliatus) graysoni RIDGWAY 1882 (here), as "Merula flavirostris graysoni":

... U. S. Nat. Mus.; Tres Marias, Jan. 1865; Col. A. J. Grayson.

• the (Great-tailed) Grackle ssp. Quiscalus mexicanus graysoni SCLATER 1884 (here), as "Quiscalus graysoni":

Hab. Mazatlan, Mex. (Grayson); ...

• the today extinct (Elf) Owl ssp. Micrathene whitneyi graysoni RIDGWAY 1886 (here), as "Micrathene graysoni":

... U. S. Nat. Mus., Socorro I.; Col. A. J. Grayson, collector.

• the debated Socorro (Island) Warbler/Parula, alt. (Tropical) Parula ssp. Compsothlypis/Parula/Setophaga (pitiayumi) graysoni RIDGWAY 1887 (here), as "C. [Compsothlypis] graysoni" ... no dedication, no explanation , but "Col. A. J. Grayson", as well as "A. J. Grayson", was mentioned twice in the same Book (in footnotes, on pp. 457, resp. 586)


In today's Key we find him as:

graysoni / graysonii
Col. Andrew Jackson Grayson (1819-1869) US Army, ornithologist, bird artist, collector in Mexico 1859-1869 (Amazilia, Colinus, subsp. Dryobates scalaris, subsp. Icterus pustulatus, ‡subsp. Micrathene whitneyi, Mimus,subsp. Quiscalus mexicanus, Setophaga, subsp. Turdus rufopalliatus, Zenaida).

... which I think could be, or ought to be (?!), altered/amended into Andrew Jackson Grayson (1818–1869).


Was the birth date mentioned in his Memorial piece in the Condor of 1949 (here) simply, plainly wrong … which I guess is (or ought to be) the Origin of today's (very) common claim that he was born in 1819 ... ?!? Note that this text, by Lois Chambers Taylor, was published (just about) 80 years after Grayson's Death.

Other sources that claim (alt. confirm) his Birth year, of 1818; here, here, here … and onwards, elsewhere.

For a (very) rich account of Grayson Life see Robert L. Sontos's Paper Andrew Jackson Grayson – “Audubon of the West”. Early Stanislaus Pioneer and Visionary, published (in the Spring of 2010) in Stanislaus Historical Quarterly 3 (1), pp. 174–183 (here), … he's, as well, mentioned in other parts of the same publication.

To me, it looks like he was born 20 August, 1818 in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, USA, ... and he died in Mazatlán, Mexico, 17 August 1869 "… three days before turning 51".

Anyone who thinks otherwise?

Either way: enjoy!

Björn

PS. Any official records seen?

 

[Björn Bergenholtz]

But ... I assume (!?!) this wouldn't concern [*] ...

• the critically endangered, and extinct (in the wild) Socorro Dove Zenaida graysoni LAWRENCE 1871 (here), see p.18:

Notes and observations by Col. Grayson​

[...]
“The first specimen seen and captured was by my son, Edward Grayson, whose name this evidently new species should bear — not for this discovery alone, but for the assistance often rendered, in making my collections, and more particularly on this expedition, in which he was indefatigable, even to enthusiasm, in aiding its progress, as well as the advancement of science, in the cause of which he came to an untimely death! ”

Who the unfortunate Son of Colonel Grayson was? I haven't got a clue ... (I've never heard of him before).

However, (only) from what's told in Lois Chambers Taylor's text, in the Condor (above, in post #1) I assume we're talking about: "Edward B. Grayson" (mentioned on p.49):" ... born in "1845, their only child, ...". Also note the following part (on p.51): "In 1867, ... the contract was repudiated. At this time, also, the Graysons suffered the untimely loss of their son."

To me, this far, it looks like the Socorro Dove Zenaida graysoni commemorates Edward B. Grayson (1845–c.1867), Son of Mr (alt. Colonel) Andrew J. Grayson (i.e. the guy above) [and Mrs Frances J. Grayson (née Timmons), of course.]

Either way, take it for what it's worth, it's just some observations ...

Any official records seen (also for this guy) ... ?

Björn

PS. As well, see the entry for this taxon in Col. Andrew J. Grayson's own Book Natural History of the Tres Marias and Socorro, 1871 (here).

---

*the latter one of the Bird taxa listed in today's Key (see post #1).

 

[rollie_nl]

But ... I assume (!?!) this wouldn't concern [*] ...

• the critically endangered, and extinct (in the wild) Socorro Dove Zenaida graysoni LAWRENCE 1871 (here), see p.18:


Who the unfortunate Son of Colonel Grayson was? I haven't got a clue ... (I've never heard of him before).

However, (only) from what's told in Lois Chambers Taylor's text, in the Condor (above, in post #1) I assume we're talking about: "Edward B. Grayson" (mentioned on p.49):" ... born in "1845, their only child, ...". Also note the following part (on p.51): "In 1867, ... the contract was repudiated. At this time, also, the Graysons suffered the untimely loss of their son."

To me, this far, it looks like the Socorro Dove Zenaida graysoni commemorates Edward B. Grayson (1845–c.1867), Son of Mr (alt. Colonel) Andrew J. Grayson (i.e. the guy above) [and Mrs Frances J. Grayson (née Timmons), of course]

Either way, take it for what it's worth. It's just some observations ...

Any official records seen (also for this guy) ... ?

Björn

PS. As well, see the entry for this taxon in Col. Andrew J. Grayson's own Book Natural History of the Tres Marias and Socorro, 1871 (here).

---

*the latter one of the Bird taxa listed in today's Key (see post #1).

​

In the Stanislaus Historical Quarterly you mention in post #1, the son is also being mentioned on p175: "... and then moved to Perryville, Missouri,
where their son, Edward “Ned” B. Grayson, was born in October 1844."

Andrew Jackson Grayson was called Jack by family members, according to the same source.

 

[Björn Bergenholtz]

In the Stanislaus Historical Quarterly you mention in post #1, the son is also being mentioned on p175: ...

Ouups! Apparently missed that one! Thanks!

Thus, some official records (of both Birth and Death) seems even more crucial to find!

 

[PScofield]

Edward B "Ned" Grayson (Oct 1844 Perryville, Missouri - 6 June 1867 San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico)

Father	Andrew Jackson Grayson (1818-1869)

Mother	Frances [edited] Jane Timmons (1821-1908)

Newspaper Daily Territorial Enterprise 3 Aug 1867 Virginia City, Montana

The St. Helena Star, Fri, Jan 08, 1909 [Note states Neds death was 5th June possibly correct]

Andrew Jackson's death reported 18th Aug 1869 but died 17th Aug in Mazatlán [check]

Birth 20 Aug 1818 Grayson, Caldwell Parish, Louisiana

COL Andrew Jackson Grayson (1818-1869) - Find a...

THE AUDUBON OF THE PACIFIC — ARTIST Daily Independent Journal, 26 Oct 1957, Sat · Page 24 — The Society of California Pioneers considers Grayson of such historical importance that it paid expenses to have his remains exhumed from the small Mexican cemetery and brought to San Jose, to a grave...

www.findagrave.com

 

[Björn Bergenholtz]

Edward B "Ned" Grayson (Oct 1844 Perryville, Missouri - 6 June 1867 San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico)

Father	Andrew Jackson Grayson (1818-1869)

Mother	Francis Jane Timmons (1821-1908)

...

Superb, Paul, thanks!
For both verifications, and confirmations, on both 'Jack' and 'Ned' ...

Thus, Colonel Andrew Jackson Grayson (1818–1869), and (his only Son) Edward B. Grayson (1844–1867) it was. And is.

Thanks again!

Björn

PS. However, this far I'll keep the (first) Given name of Mrs Grayson (later Mrs Crane), as "Frances", just like it was written in post #2, and in the Tribute of respect/Funeral piece you attached. Either way, as she's somewhat irrelevant (in a strict/pure Etymology/Ornithology context that is ) she might be left out (all together) from my MS. Or not. We'll see.

/B