Many of my Grimes family were postmasters.
This Grimes family of Oxon Hill, Prince George's County, Maryland
maintained a farm as well as a store and tavern or 'ordinary' throughout
the nineteenth century. For much of that time one family member or
another served as postmaster for the area. In accordance with the
contemporary convention of naming towns after the local postmaster, the
town was then known as Grimesville. The Grimes family papers include
financial ledgers from the store, daybooks recording work on the farm,
weather, and local and family news, legal agreements about land and
labor, and correspondence.
Thomas Grimes (1794-1864) managed the store, ordinary, farm, and post
office from about 1820 until his death. His son Richard Franklin Grimes
assumed responsibilities in the family businesses as his fathers health
declined in the 1860s and maintained the businesses after his father
died.
6/24/1842 Thomas Grimes signed the Federal Register as Post Master at
Palmers Tavern in Prince Georges Co., Md. This is most likely John
Palmer's tavern near Piscataway road.
1878 *Prince Georges County Directory list: County Treasurer, William H.
Grimes and William H. Grimes, Jr., Nottingtham, Farmers, H. W. Grimes and
John B. Grimes, Oxen Hill, population 75, Postmistress, Kate Grimes,
General Merchandise, James T. Grimes and Richard F. Grimes, farmers, Alex
H. Grimes, Alfred J. Grimes and William H. Grimes, Silver Hill,
Blacksmiths, Richard Grimes, Fruit Growers, Richard Grimes, General
Merchandise, Peter G. Grimes.
1878 * Montgomery County Maryland Directory list: Hyattsville; George
Grimes shoemaker. Four Corners; William M Grimes farmer, Robert Grimes
Postmaster, Robert Grimes Shoemaker. Poolsville; Charles Grimes
shoemaker,
3/12/1878 Peter G. Grimes signed the Federal Register as a Post Master in
Prince Georges County Md.
1/3/1887 Isaac W. Grimes signed the Federal Register as the Post Master
in Brandywine Md.
My greatgrand father Henry W. Grimes, was a store owner and postmaster in
Brandywine, Md. 1860, 70 and 80's as was his namesake, my uncle, who was
postmaster in Aquasco, Md. duing the 1930, 40 and 50's.
If you have any information on this family let me know.
Phillip Grimes