William Grancer Harrison

William Harrison, Jr was better known as Grand-sir or Grancer Harrison. He moved to Coffee County, Alabama from Virginia probably in the 1830's. It is believed that Grancer's name came from the many slaves he owned referring to him as Grand-Sir and was shortened to Grancer. He was apparently prosperous for he owned a great deal of land and was a respected member of the sparsley settled area where he lived in the southeast part of Alabama.

According to a story told by Grancer's descendants, each year when the harvesting was done, Grancer would send his slaves out into the woods to find the largest tree or log they were able to bring home. When they returned with it, it was set on fire and they held a party or celebration for as long as it burned. Grancer, his family ,neighbors and slaves all enjoyed this time together, dancing singing and laughing. Grancer especially enjoyed dancing so he build a special dance floor just for this purpose. It is said that when Grancer became ill and knew he was to die he had his slaves build a special above ground tomb near his beloved dance hall in which to bury him. Without Grancer the dances soon stopped. Many people believed his slaves had buried valuables or money with him so his grave has been vandalized several times and the concrete casing broken. It is told that on certain nights when you drive by you can hear a fiddle playing and the sound of wooden shoes tap dancing.