Grandison Royston

December 9, 1809 (age 79)

Carter County, Tennessee, United States

Grandison Delaney Royston was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1831. In 1832, Royston moved to Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas, and taught school briefly before moving to Washington, Hempstead County, Arkansas, where he attained a statewide reputation as a lawyer. From 1833 to 1835, he served as prosecuting attorney for the Third Circuit. In 1836, he was elected by Hempstead County to help frame and adopt the statehood constitution. Royston was elected to the legislature the same year, and in 1837, he was a speaker of the state House. President Jackson, who had named Royston United States district attorney for Arkansas in 1836, reneged on his appointment, but in 1841, President Tyler named him to the same post. As state Senator in 1858, Royston became known as the "father" of the state levee system. He also owned a successful plantation. He served in the Confederate House in 1861. He favored placing General Kirby Smith in charge of the Trans-Mississippi District. Declining reelection, he was succeeded in Congress by Rufus Garland. He served on the Medical Department, Post Office and Post Roads, and Quartermaster's Committees. Royston saw no further service in the Confederacy after he left office early in 1864 and he returned to his law practice. He was a delegate to the state constitutional convention in 1874.

Grandison Delaney Royston

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Background

Grandison Delaney Royston was born on December 9, 1809, in Carter County, Tennessee, United States. He was the son of Joshua and Elizabeth S. Watson Royston.

Education

Grandison attended the Presbyterian Academy in Washington County, Tennessee. He also studied law.

Career

Grandison Delaney Royston was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1831. In 1832, Royston moved to Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas, and taught school briefly before moving to Washington, Hempstead County, Arkansas, where he attained a statewide reputation as a lawyer. From 1833 to 1835, he served as prosecuting attorney for the Third Circuit. In 1836, he was elected by Hempstead County to help frame and adopt the statehood constitution.

Royston was elected to the legislature the same year, and in 1837, he was a speaker of the state House. President Jackson, who had named Royston United States district attorney for Arkansas in 1836, reneged on his appointment, but in 1841, President Tyler named him to the same post. As state Senator in 1858, Royston became known as the "father" of the state levee system.

He also owned a successful plantation. He served in the Confederate House in 1861. He favored placing General Kirby Smith in charge of the Trans-Mississippi District.

Declining reelection, he was succeeded in Congress by Rufus Garland. He served on the Medical Department, Post Office and Post Roads, and Quartermaster's Committees.

Royston saw no further service in the Confederacy after he left office early in 1864 and he returned to his law practice. He was a delegate to the state constitutional convention in 1874.

Achievements

Grandison Delaney Royston distinguished himself as a Member of Arkansas state legislature and member of Arkansas state senate. He also represented Arkansas in the Confederate Congress. He is known as a Delegate to Arkansas state constitutional convention.

Religion

Grandison was a member of the Presbyterian church.

Politics

Although Royston did not believe in secession, he followed his state out of the Union. While in Congress, he was an administration supporter.

Connections

Royston married Mary Clarissa Bates in May 1835, and they had four children.

Father:: Joshua Royston
Mother:: Elizabeth S. Watson Royston
Wife:: Mary Clarissa Bates Royston
Son:: Charles E. Royston
Daughter:: Mary Elizabeth Royston
Daughter:: Catharine Frances Royston
Daughter:: Irene Royston Jett

References

Biographical Dictionary of the Confederacy
1977

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Grandison Delaney Royston

Background

Education

Career

Achievements

Religion

Politics

Connections

References

Born

Died

Resting place

Nationality

Religion

Political Party

Career

1833 - 1835

1837

1841

1858

1862 - 1864

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