James Grier Ward

The mother of General George Armstrong Custer (1839-1876), was Maria Ward Kirkpatrick Custer. She was born in Smith Township, Washington County (Pa) in 1807. Her parents were James Grier and Catherine (Rogers) Ward. In 1809 she moved to Steubenville, Ohio, with her parents and in 1815 to New Rumley, Ohio. In 1823 she married Israel R. Kirkpatrick. After his death in 1835 she married in 1836 Emmanuel Custer. Their son George was born December 5, 1839, and killed in the June 25, 1876 massacre at Little Big Horn, Montana. Killed there were three sons, a son-in-law and a grandson of Maria. She died at Monroe, Michigan in 1882.

James Grier Ward (died 1824) was the son of George and Mary (Grier) Ward of Dauphin County (Pa). Catherine Rogers was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Armstrong) Rogers. Thomas came to Smith Township from Kent County, Maryland in 1773. He died in 1799.