Grit is having courage and determination despite difficulty, having bravery and strength of character. - Cambridge Dictionary

 

At Grit Mercantile we honor ancestors, family and friends who have displayed true grit in their lives.

I was ten years old when I received a hand-drawn family tree from my 93-year-old great-grandmother to aid my research for a school project. It included many new names and locations that ignited my curiosity.

Who were these people who came before me from far-off lands? What challenges did they face? It was this gift, along with my yearly visits to my great-grandmother and extended family, that stirred my interest in families, genealogy, and stories of resilience.

My great-grandmother, who lived to be 100 years old, taught me two important lessons about living a full life, which form the intrinsic values of Grit Mercantile:

Love People – See them, listen to them, and serve them.

 

Never Stop Learning – There is always something new to learn and way to improve. Life is full of opportunities to grow.

- Amanda

A few stories behind the names:

Alexander

The Alexander Wallet is named in honor of Amanda’s grandfather who served as a tail gunner and mechanic in the Air Force during World War II and the Korean War. An anti-aircraft bullet once ripped the motor oil line of his Liberator airplane. Through grit, he carried on,earning the National Defense Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and the American Campaign Medal.

Shop our Alexander Bifold Wallet here, the digital pattern here, and the acrylic template here.

Ethel

The Ethel Market Tote is named in honor of Amanda's great grandaunt, Ethel. Ethel was born in Chicago and lived within Cook County for her entire life.

Shop the Ethel Market Tote here.

Hattie

The Hattie Wristlet Pouch is named in honor of Amanda's second great-grandmother, Harriet. Nicknamed "Hattie", she moved from her birthplace of Henry, Indiana, to Fulton, Illinois, a journey of about 375 miles, by the time she turned three. Her father passed away when Hattie was three. Her mother, Margaretha "Mary", who had traveled from Pennsylvania to Kansas, Iowa, and Indiana before Hattie's birth, was the head dressmaker of Marshall Field's department store with 200 employees under her. Hattie married and had three children, the eldest of which was Ethel. 

Shop the Hattie Wristlet Pouch here.

Iris

The Iris Clutch Wallet is named in honor of Garret's mother, who bravely fought a rare cancer and kept her faith and family strong up until the end. She spent decades working for one of Fort Worth's top defense attorneys and had a great love for genealogy. Before she passed away, Garret's mother gifted him with the culmination of her years of research, which tells of many generations displaying grit through life's challenges.

Shop the digital pattern of our Iris Clutch Wallet here, and the acrylic template here.

From Left to Right: Lewis, Ron (Woodrow), Ranelle (Iris), his wife Zenia, and Freeda

Lewis

The Lewis Long Wallet is named in honor of Garret's great-grandfather. While serving in the Army during WWI, Lewis suffered a mustard gas attack, which left him permanently disabled. Lewis found ways around his physical limitations, such as training his collie, Jack, to round up his cows from the woods. He chose to be content with what he was able to do and the simple things in life - spending time with family, friends, and neighbors. With this wallet, we honor his grit in the face of hardship.

Shop our Lewis Long Wallet here, the digital pattern here, and the acrylic template here.

William

The William Passport Wallet is named in honor of Garret's 11th great grandfather, William Capps Sr., who traveled on the ill-fated Sea Venture in 1609 and 1610. Originally bound for Jamestown, Virginia, which had been founded for two years at the time of his journey, the ship was separated from the rest of her fleet by a hurricane. As she began to accumulate water, William and approximately 150 passengers found land and settled on the island of Bermuda. Among these passengers was John Rolfe, who would marry Pocahontas nearly five years later. After nine months, he sailed to Virginia and settled at Kecoughtan, where he owned land and later qualified as an Ancient Planter under Governor Yeardley. There, Capps Point, eventually called Little England, was patented by him in 1634. 

Yet, he didn't stop. In 1619, William became a member of the First House of Burgesses, representing Kecoughtan with Captain William Tucker. Eight years later, William Capps was appointed a member of the Council of the Crown upon recommendation of Governor Yeardley. In this position, he contributed to the Supreme Court and assisted with executive and legislative tasks. Despite this, he risked it all and defied the Governor, leaving Virginia to return with a letter of instructions to the Council from King Charles I. Within his nearly 60 years of life, William was quite the world traveler for his time, finding home where he went and contributing to history, ultimately demonstrating his resilience and passion for changing the world in his uncommon grit.

Shop the digital pattern of our William Passport Wallet here, and the acrylic template here.