The Great “Grand/Great” Debate

Would you rather someone say you were “great” or that you were “grand”? This isn’t a trick question and I’m not trying to make a fat joke.

When stating someone’s relationship to you, you have to be very careful to be clear. But, like much of the English language, there are several ways of stating a relationship.

For instance, my grandfather’s brother would be my great-uncle. But I could also call him my granduncle. Conversely, he could refer to me as his grandnephew. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anybody use the prefix “grand” before uncle, aunt, nephew or niece but apparently you can - and is, in fact, the technically correct way of stating such relationships.

I have to admit that I like this – not only because it cuts down on having to add an extra “great” onto that great-great-great-granduncle but also because it keeps him on the same level (and number of “greats”) as the great-great-great-grandfather and thus making it easier to keep track of what generation he belongs to.

I guess you don’t have to choose between being “great” or “grand.” You get them both with time. You start off being just a plain, run-of-the-mill parent. Then you become a grandparent. Then, if you live long enough, you’re a great and grandparent.

Maybe we can export this to other conversational phrases. I hope you have a grand day tomorrow. And I hope the next day is a great-grandday!

Profile: Leander K. Baker

Born: April 9, 1839, Rowan County, North Carolina
Died: December 2, 1922, Crockett County, Tennessee
Relationship to me: 2nd great granduncle. Brother to 2nd great grandfather, James Henry Baker

Leander was born to Moses and Sophia Baker in North Carolina in 1839. Both of his grandfathers were German immigrants*. Around 1845, when he was only about 6 years old, he and his family headed west, settling briefly in Mississippi where his younger brother, James Henry, was born. A few years later, the family moved into Hardeman County, Tennessee.

When the Civil War broke out, Leander enlisted in the Confederate Army and was sent to Columbus, Kentucky. He first saw battle at Fort Donelson, TN. Serving in the 7th Tennessee E Company (a.k.a. Duckworth’s Cavalry) he also saw action at the battle of Shiloh. He recalled wearing few cloths and sometimes going for 9 days with only one biscuit to eat. His company started with 147 men and had only 9 living at the conclusion of the war. Leander was crippled by a runaway team of horses in Corinth, Mississippi and was discharged. He heard of Lee’s surrender while at home in Hardeman County, TN*.

After the war, he married Elizabeth Ann “Bettie” Fulghum and they had 6 children together. Leander was a farmer the rest of his life. After his wife died in 1886, Leander moved to Crockett County, Tennessee where he lived the remainder of his years.

Leander died in 1922 and is buried in the Cairo Cemetery in Cairo, Tennessee.

*Source: Civil War Veteran Questionnaire, Tennessee State Archives