John Cornwell [Charles] Grant, was born the son of farmer Peter Grant and Mary Grant, nee Gavin c1829 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. When, how or why he came to Australia is a mystery to me. I do know he was in Ballarat in 1856, giving his occupation as a Publican at the time of his marriage. He may have been a convict or an immigrant seeking gold and riches. He may have come to Ballarat from another state in Australia.

John married Margaret Pilkington on 18 October 1856. Both at the time were living in Sebastopol, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. According to the certificate he was 27 years and she 22 years.
They had the following children:
Mary 1856-1856
John [William]20 FEB 1858
William 10 AUG 1859
Peter 1861[lived 3 days]
Jemima /Jemina 1863
James 4 APR 1865
Margaret 1868
Rosamond / Rosmond 1870d 25 Apr 1883
Elizabeth 1873
Catherine 1876