Wow, its been a long time since I've been on this site - thanks to everyone who answered my question. It looks like there are more Edmands who spell their name the way i do than i originally thought... very cool! i would like to say hi to all my relatives =)
My grandfather John Edmands was the one who told me that story when i was just in grade school, i never thought to question it; but reading what different people have written it would make since that those copying the names down could change the spelling. Unfortunately my grandfather has since passed so i can't ask him any questions. But from what i've gathered from my father my grandfather's family did come from Mass. His father's name was George and he had six children with his first wife. When she passed away he fell in love with another lady who also had 6 children and being unable to care for all of them he put my grandfather and his siblings in an orphanage (i think it was located in baltimore, md).
That's all i can think to add but thank you everyone for responding to my query.