A History of the Gragg Family Background in the words and writings of Tempie Allen 
Gragg
This material was obtained by word of mouth from great remembers and was passed down 
to me… their seems no one was interested and as I attended last celebrations I keep a 
copy of obituaries…If anyone has other information will you give it we are trying to 
get to know our families.
What happen in the past let it be a blessing on all of us. 
I am proud to be a member of this family.  (Gragg, Anderson Boykin by birth and 
Tempie Rowels by birth).
Great Parents…………………………	       Great Parents……………………..
 
Anderson Boykin was over three years old when his mother an Indiana girl met and 
joined in marrage to a Mr. Dick Gregg to this family were many children today some 
are still living at Lower Peachtree,  Alabama.  (I met one sis as late as 1953)
Grand father’s-mother is of the Cherokee tribe who lived at HogMount in Wilcox 
County, AL.
Her name was Virginia.  His father was named Winston Boykin the son of an Englishman 
from England whom came to America during it early settlement days.  Our true family 
name is Boykin Gregg the name of his mother's husbands.  What changed this was after 
his sons grew up they found out that their father could not get his mail, to be able 
to get the mail, Rev. Gregg and Deacon Gragg went to the Post Office and changed the 
spelling of the name to Gragg.  That our name Gragg on Anderson’s grand children all 
others spell their name Gregg.  Just thank God that we are here. (this is all I was 
told)Grandfather had many sisters and brothers with both names, I suggest that you 
claim all of them we can’t correct anything let it be this is another blessing great 
family ties and bonds of love.
Ella Pettway, Nancy Gragg, Henry Gregg, Rev. David Daniels’ some Boykin brothers – 
Sanderson D.C. 
Grand mother family was a small one…Her mother name was Lizzie Mack , had 1 sister 
Henrietter, I brother Alex Mack. (all I was told)
Lizzie Mack married Henry Rowels to this there were 4 girls Tempie, Roberta, Lizzie 
and Lucy.  Brothers: Henry, Alex, John (dentist), George (las known to have family in 
Midland, Arkansas.  There are others (all I remember)  Aunt Lizzie gave me this years 
ago.
Many some one else can give it, Minesy Boykin, Charlie Boykin, Silous & Mary R Boykin 
Davidsons, Are related to Rowels, Texinia, Virgina Beck were Aunt Henrietta’s 
children Two cousins live in Detroit, Leonia, Roosevelt (uncle Harry Gregg & Ella) 
Bertha Kimbell’s sister & brothers we have many cousins added by marrages Leroy has 
two in Chicago Garfield Gregg, Melvin, and children of Lucius, the list is very long.
All offsprings are in the original family they have not been told these things.
Evelyn Newberry has five children, she married a Rowels  Maybe someday we will be 
able to put this in some acceptable form.
As an individual during my pass life I lived and were among these individuals when I 
was a small child.  I was born when grandma Tempie died but don’t remember her.  
Never met grandma Virgina, neither grandfather.  All others knew little old Tempie 
Jane.
The first grand-daughter born in the Gragg (Anderson and Tempie's) Great Family.  
Named for my father and mother’s mother Tempie Jane Gragg.  (Tempie Mary Jane Gragg 
in school.) 
This tree also contains the Brown Family and several other relatives.  These are my research thus 
far for my maternal and paternal ancestors and descendants.  I have not done extensive work yet and 
most of the history here is from talking to relatives.