GRANT, Walter (1814-after 1880) and (first wife) Nancy E. (1821-1877) and (second wife) Jane (c. 1832-after 1880)

Walter (“farmer,” “house painter”) and Nancy Grant lived in Bedford, a few miles north of Battle Creek, Michigan, and later in Battle Creek. Their marriage appears to have broken up in the 1860s. The 1870 census does not list Nancy in the Walter Grant household.1EGWLM 835.4

An 1858 reference in the Review to “Walter Grant, Battle Creek” and a number of receipts published in the Review for “W. Grant” in the period 1853 to 1863 are the main published traces of Walter Grant's connection to Adventists. Because of the problems indicated below, it is almost certain that he separated from the church sometime in the 1860s, leaving the question open whether he rejoined later. Nancy Grant, according to her obituary, continued a “faithful and consistent member” of the Battle Creek church until her death in 1877. Ellen White's main mentions of Walter and Nancy Grant are found in a letter written about 1864 in which she speaks in plain language about Walter's extramarital relationship with a “Mrs. Munsell” and the devastating effect this had on Nancy.1EGWLM 835.5

See: Obituary: “Nancy E. Grant,” Review, Feb. 15, 1877, p. 55; 1850 U.S. Federal Census, “Walter Grant,” Michigan, Calhoun County, Bedford, p. 103; 1870 U.S. Federal Census, “Walter Grant,” Michigan, Calhoun County, Battle Creek, Ward 1, p. 56; 1880 U. S. Federal Census, “Jane Grant,” Michigan, Calhoun County, Battle Creek, Ward 1, p. 15; A. S. Hutchins, Review, Aug. 12, 1858, p. 104; search word “W. Grant” in Words of the Pioneers; Ellen G. White, Lt 12, 1864 (c. 1864).1EGWLM 835.6