Person Page - 93

     George W. Griffith married Susan Olds, daughter of Zenas Olds and Susannah Ford, on 14 May 1846 at Lake County, Ohio.^2,3

     Henrietta Griffith was the daughter of Charles Griffith and Anne Davidge. Henrietta Griffith died b 1 Oct 1840.

     John Griffith was born on 16 Dec 1728 at Anne Arundel County, Maryland.¹ He was the son of Charles Griffith and Catherine Baldwin.¹ John Griffith died on 24 May 1774 at age 45; He died by a fall from his horse at age 45 years 5 months and 8 days.²
     He married the widow of Benjamin Williams who had died 23 March 1772. She married Thomas Rutland on 10 Sept. 1774.²

     John Griffith was the son of Charles Griffith and Anne Davidge. John Griffith died b 1 Oct 1840.
     He was perhaps never married and had no surviving children but his estate settlement provides a good list of his heirs.¹

     Margaret Griffith was the daughter of Charles Griffith and Anne Davidge. Margaret Griffith died b 1 Oct 1840.

     Mary Griffith died at Anne Arundel County, Maryland.¹ She was born on 16 Jan 1721.¹ She was the daughter of Charles Griffith and Mary Wolden.¹ Mary Griffith married Joseph White on 4 Mar 1738.²

     Mary Griffith was the daughter of Charles Griffith and Anne Davidge. Mary Griffith died b 1 Oct 1840.

     Nora Griffith was born in 1867.¹ She married Oscar H. Olds, son of Henry Olds and Elizabeth Hull, in 1897.¹

     Orlando Griffith was born on 17 Oct 1688 at St. Anne's Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland.¹ He was the son of William Griffith and Sarah MacCubbin.¹ Orlando Griffith died on 17 Mar 1757 at age 68. He left a will quoted by Stevenson.²
     Orlando Griffith married, at thirty, Katharine, only daughter of Capt. John Howard by Katherine, widow of Henry Ridgely, and daughter of Colonel Nicholas Greenberry.³

     Rachel Griffith was born b 1755 at Anne Arundel County, Maryland.¹ She was the daughter of Charles Griffith and Anne Davidge. Rachel Griffith married Henry Ridgely, son of William Ridgely [III] and Mary Orrick, b 1778. Rachel Griffith died b 1 Oct 1840 at Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
     Newman's list² shows her as having married "C. Ridgely". When I inquired of him about this, he wrote
"I am like the politician -- do not quote me what I said yesterday, but what I say today.
"I quite agree with you that Rachel Griffith did not marry "G" Ridgely, but "H" Ridgely. Since 1933 I have done a great deal of research on that branch of the Ridgely family, as it is the only branch of Ridgely which I get. In fact, I have conducted extensive research on three branches of the Ridgely families with the hopes of including them in my proposed third volume of Gentry."³
Although he chose to omit his Griffith material from the newer, three volume, edition of "Anne Arundel Gentry", Newman did publish his Ridgely work, including material I sent him on William Henry Ridgely.⁴
     Rachel's identification is clear from a petition first filed 1 Oct 1840 in Baltimore Co., Md., by the heirs of John Griffith. This petition was transferred to Anne Arundel County in May 1841 and recorded in Liber 157, folio 326-327 of Chancery records (Hall of Records, Annapolis, Md.) It is quoted here for the considerable family information it contains.
"To the Honorable The Judges of Baltimore County Court sitting in Equity
"Your Orators Eleanor Warfield, Acshah Claridge, and Brittingham her husband, Amie Free and Moses Hicks & Ann his wife of the City of Baltimore and Basil Griffith of Montgomery County in this State respectfully set forth that a certain John Griffith late of Anne Arundel County departed this life in the current year intestate and without children seized and possessed at the time of his death in fee of a farm or part of a tract of land lying on the South side of the Severn Run in Anne Arundel County and containing two hundred and fifty acres more or less which has been devised to him by his father Charles Griffith in his last will and testament dated on the 23d day of August in the year 1803 & recorded in the office of the Register of Wills of Anne Arundel County -- At the death of the death [sic] of said Intestate the following named persons were his heirs at Law and entitled in coparcenary to said Farm, to wit. Your Oratrix Eleanor Warfield a sister to said John[,] Basil Griffith a brother & one of your Orators and Robert Griffith a brother, of Anne Arundel County and the Children of Rachel Ridgely a deceased Sister -- to wit your Oratrix _____ Clarage, Charles Ridgely, of the State of Ohio, William Ridgely of Illinois, Henrietta Ludley wife of ____ Ludley of Harford County David Ridgely and Nicholas Ridgely residing out of this State and Sarah White wife of Allen White of Baltimore -- also the children of Margaret Holland a deceased Sister to wit John Holland and Jesse Holland residing beyond the State of Maryland, Amie Free and Ann Hicks two of your Orators --As also the child of Henrietta Gohegan a deceased Sister to wit Catharine Barrow of Baltimore -- also the children of Ann Ridgely a deceased Sister to wit Bazil Ridgely of Ohio, Charles Ridgely of Prince Georges County, Ann Marriott wife of Thomas Marriott of Virginia William Ridgely of Ohio -- Lloyd Ridgely of Washington in the District of Columbia and Caroline Todd wife of William Todd of Ohio -- also the children of a deceased Sister Mary Linthicum to wit -- Lott Linthicum, Hezekiah Linthicum [here the clerk omitted at least the word Elizabeth] McKnew, wife of Benjamin McNew of Anne Arundel County and Matilda Wright wife of ____ Wright of Kentucky -- also the child of a deceased sister Achsah Boone to wit Charles Boone of Anne Arundel County -- also the children of Sarah Boone a deceased Sister to wit: Burley G. Boone, John H. D. Boone & Sarah Wheeler wife of Barrick Wheeler all of Baltimore, Ann Welch wife of John M. Welsh of the same place and Margaret Swanstead wife of Samuel Swanstead of Carroll County also the children of Charles Griffith a deceased brother to wit: Charles Griffith of Baltimore and Richard Griffith of Anne Arundel County.
"Your Orators further represent that said farm is now lying neglected and that it will not admit of a division among the many heirs herein before named, many of whom are nonresidents of this State, that the buildings fences and other improvements thereon will be falling into decay greatly to the injury of the value of said farm, and of the interest of your Orators and all others therein interested, and that it would be more advantageous to have the same sold & the proceeds of sale divided among the many heirs. -- That a sale thereof cannot be effected through the common law process & the relief sought can only be administered by a Court of Equity -- To this end therefore we pray that all the persons & parties claiming as heirs of the said John Griffith deceased, other than your Orators, and who are more particularly hereinafter named and cited to appear in this Court may come in and answer this Bill of Complaint -- as fully as if thereunto specially interrogated and may particularly state whether it will be for the interest & advantage of all the persons interested that the same be sold by a Trustee as hereinafter prayed and also whether said farm will admit will admit [sic] of partition among said heirs -- Your Orators pray this Honorable Court to pass a Decree ordering said farm to be sold & that the proceeds of said sale when made be distributed among the heirs of the said John Griffith agreeable to their respective interests therein & that a suitable person be appointed trustee to make said sale & effectuate the orders of the Court in the premises.
"Your Orators pray that process of Subpoena be directed to the following named residents of this State, to wit, Henrietta Ludley &____ Ludley her husband in Harford County -- Allen White and Sarah his wife, Burley G. Boone, John H. Boone, Charles Griffith, Barrick Wheeler and Sarah his wife, John M. Welch and Ann his wife all of Baltimore -- Robert Griffith, Richard Griffith, Lott Linthicum, Wesley Linthicum, Hezekiah Linthicum, Elizabeth McNew and Jeremiah McNew her husband and Charles Boone all of Anne Arundel County, Charles Ridgely of Prince Georges County, Samuel L. Swampsted and Margaret his wife of Carroll County and that an order of publication be passed to the following named nonresidents of this State to wit Charles Ridgely, William Ridgely, David Ridgely, Nicholas Ridgely, John Holland, Jesse Holland Bazil Ridgely Thomas Marriott and Ann his wife, William Ridgely Lloyd Ridgely, Caroline Todd wife of William Todd and Matilda Wright wife of ______ Wright -- directing them the aforesaid resident and nonresident parties to appear before your honors on a day in said respective process to be named and answer this Bill of Complaint and to stand to and abide by such order & Decree in the premises as my seem to your Honors agreeable to equity and good conscience."⁵

     Robert Griffith was the son of Charles Griffith and Anne Davidge. Robert Griffith died in 1842; "The will of Robert Griffith was dated February 18, 1842, and proved in Anne Arundel County on May 10, 1842.¹

     Sarah Griffith was born on 30 Aug 1730 at Anne Arundel County, Maryland.¹ She was the daughter of Charles Griffith and Catherine Baldwin. Sarah Griffith married Azel Warfield on 26 Feb 1751.²

     Sarah Griffith was the daughter of Charles Griffith and Anne Davidge.

     Sophia Griffith was born on 27 Apr 1691 at St. Anne's Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland.¹ She was the daughter of William Griffith and Sarah MacCubbin.¹ Sophia Griffith married Benjamin Duvall in 1713.²

     William Griffith married Sarah MacCubbin, daughter of John MacCubbin and Elinor (?), c 1687. William Griffith died c Oct 1699 at Anne Arundel County, Maryland. His will was written on 31 Aug. 1699 and probated 23 Oct. 1699.¹
     Writers on the Griffith family of Anne Arundel County, Maryland have claimed the family descends from Llewelyn ap Griffith (killed 1282), last native prince of Wales. The surname certainly must be of Welsh origin, but the connection has not been made. Stevenson² says "The Coat of Arms borne by William Griffith and his descendants in Maryland is that of Sir Henry Griffith, of Burton-Agnes, York County, England, whose daughter and eventual heiress was Frances, wife of Sir Matthew Boynton of Boynton and Barnston. The same arms are also borne by the Somersetshire Griffiths, viz.:
     Arms: Gules on fesse dancette argent between six lions rampant or, three marlets sa. Crest: A lion rampant, ore Motto: Gryf-f-fydd (Great Faith)"

William Griffith came from London, England, in June 1675 in a vessel owned by Michael Stuppel and Stephen Bernard, mariners, who on 18 June applied for a grant of 1,750 acres of land for transporting thirty five people, including William Griffith, to the Province of Maryland to inhabit. Newman³ suggests that William Griffith must have been a minor since he did not marry until about 1687 and obtained his first grant of land in 1694. This grant, 4 Nov 1694, was for "Griffith's Lot", 197 acres between the South and Severn Rivers. He also bought "Clark's Luck" at Hogg Neck on the north side of South River from Neale Clark.
In (or about) 1687, he married Sarah Maccubbin, daughter of John and Elinor Maccubbin. Skordas lists the immigration of a William Griffith in 1675.⁴
"William Griffith came to Maryland in 1675.
[Here Warfield has a paragraph alluding to Griffith, prince of Wales]
"William Griffith took for his wife a daughter of another distinguished house in Scotland. She was Sarah Mackubin, daughter of John Mackubin, who came from the Lowlands, and claimed descent from the MacAlpines, of the Highlands, who go back to Kenneth II., the first king of Scotland.
The issue of that marriage were Orlando, Captain Charles, William and Sophia -- Benjamin Duvall, youngest son of Mareen, the Huguenot."⁵ On 30 Jan. 1687, Willliam Griffith, planter of Anne Arundel County, bought 60 acres on the north side of South River called Clark's Luck from Neale Clarke. Later, Thomas Reynolds, in right of his wife, relict and legatee of William Griffith, late of Anne Arundel County, had this deed re-registered.⁶
     This William Griffith is mentioned, but not studied, in an article in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly which includes a discussion of the family Y-DNA.⁷
Stevenson quotes the following will:

"In the name of God, Amen.
     The last will and testament of William Griffith of the County of Anne Arundel in the Province of Maryland, Planter, made the 31st day of August in the year of our Lord God 1699, in manner and form following, being weak of body but of perfect memory
          First, I bequeath my soul to God, that gives it to me, in hopes of a joyful resurrection, in and through the merits of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, in Whom I trust to have remission of all my sins, and as for my body, I commit it to the ground to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named, and as for my worldly goods, I dispose of them in manner and form following:
          I give and bequeath to my wife, Sarah Griffith, my home plantation and personal estate to her and her disposal. I give and bequeath to my son Charles and Sofiey, my daughter, the land lying at ____ called "Griffith's Lot" to be equally divided between them. I give to my son Orlando, one horse.

"William Maccubbin, William Ridgley, Jr. and Thomas Macaley were witnesses to the will, which was proved at Annapolis, Maryland, October 23rd, 1699, and recorded in Book H, folio 302."

After William's death, his widow married Thomas Reynolds, High Sheriff of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and died 22 April 1716, having had issue.⁸ I have compared Stevenson's transcript with a photocopy obtained from the Maryland State Archives. I believe the missing place name is "Huntonton".² Of Orlando Griffith, Stevenson says "His homestead at Huntingtown, bordering on Snowden's 'Summer Hill,' and surrounded by the homes of his friends, Colonel Ridgely, Nicholas Dorsey and John Worthington, was a Griffith home of historic importance. It is now know as the 'White Place' situated just north of the present Annapolis Junction on the west of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad."⁹

     William Griffith was born on 15 Apr 1697 at St. Anne's Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland.¹ He was the son of William Griffith and Sarah MacCubbin.¹
     William Griffith, youngest son of William and Sarah Mackubin, removed to the Catoctin Mountains and became Commissioner and Justice of Frederick County. He married Comfort Duvall, daughter of Captain John and Elizabeth (Jones) Duvall, of Anne Arundel, and granddaughter of Mareen Duvall.²

     William Griffith married Priscilla Ridgely, daughter of William Ridgely [III] and Mary Orrick.² William Griffith was born on 15 Aug 1718 at St. Anne's Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland.¹ He was the son of Charles Griffith and Mary Wolden.¹ William Griffith died in Sep 1793 at age 75.³

     Deborah Griswold married William Olds, son of Daniel Olds and Abigail Granger.¹ Deborah Griswold was born in 1794.¹ She was baptized on 6 Jul 1794.² She died on 22 Mar 1882 at Rocky Hill, Hartford County, Connecticut.^3,4 She was buried at East Cemetery, Meriden, New Haven County, Connecticut.⁵
     Deborah Griswold appeared on the census of 1880, as follows:
Census Place:     Rocky Hill, Hartford, Connecticut
     Source:     FHL Film 1254100 National Archives Film T9-0100 Page 563B
               RelationSex     Marr     Race     Age     Birthplace
Harriet R. LARNED     Self     F     W     W     58     IN Occ:Keeps House     Fa: CT     Mo: CT
Deborah OLDS          Mother     F     W     W     85     CT           Fa: CT Mo: CT
Agnes GOODRICH     Other     F     S     W     18     CT Occ:Servant      Fa: CT     Mo: CT.⁶

     Eunice Griswold was born on 19 May 1793.¹ She married James Newell Olds, son of George Olds and Lucy Ormsby, on 4 Sep 1816.² Eunice Griswold died on 8 Mar 1844 at age 50.¹

     Letha Grizzle was born on 14 Apr 1933.¹ She died on 17 Apr 2005 at St. Mary's Hospital, Evansville, Indiana, at age 72.² She was buried on 21 Apr 2005 at Crest Haven Memorial Park, Claremont Township, Richland County, Illinois.²
     Her obituary states:
     "Letha D. Long, 72, of Noble, died at 9:54 a.m. Sunday, April 17, 2005, at St. Mary's Hospital in Evansville, Ind.
"Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Summers-Kistler Funeral Home in Olney. Graveside services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in the Hope Chapel at Crest Haven Memorial Park near Claremont with Reverend Bill Rennells officiating.
"Mrs. Long was born on April 14, 1933, in Richland County, the daughter of Osborn F. and Mabel (Lemke) Grizzle. She married Fred Long on April 10, 1954. He survives.
"She was a retired cook from West Richland Elementary School in Noble.
"Mrs. Long is survived by her husband, Fred Long, of Noble; three children, Michael Long and his wife, Barb, of Danville, Teresa Young and her husband, Matt, of O'Fallon, and Jeffrey Long and his wife, Jill, of Newton; and six grandchildren, Chris Long, Zack Long, Tom Young, Maggie Young, and Jenalee Long.
"She was preceded in death by her parents.
"Memorials may be made to American Heart Association."²

     Abraham Groff was born on 13 Dec 1773.² He was the son of John Groff.^1,2 Abraham Groff died on 22 Jul 1846 at age 72.²

     Anna Groff married Jacob Groff.¹ Anna Groff was born in 1755.¹ She was the daughter of John Groff and Anna Herr.^2,1 Anna Groff died in 1835.¹

     Benjamin Groff was born on 4 Jun 1762.¹ He was the son of John Groff.^2,1

     Elizabeth Groff was born c 1749.² She was the daughter of John Groff and Anna Herr. Elizabeth Groff married Martin Eshleman on 17 May 1765 at First Reformed Church, Lancaster, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.³ Elizabeth Groff died in 1805 at Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.²

     Jacob Groff married Susanna Barr.¹ Jacob Groff was born on 25 Sep 1768.¹ He was the son of John Groff.^2,3

     Jacob Groff married Anna Groff, daughter of John Groff and Anna Herr.¹ Jacob Groff was born in 1752.¹ He died in 1825.¹

     John Groff was born in Mar 1731. He married (1) Anna Herr, daughter of Isaac Herr, c 1746.¹ John Groff died c Apr 1777 at Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
     Although this man has been given as a son of Jacob Groff and Barbara Brackbill², there seems to be no proof of such a connection. The Groff Book specifically says extensive research has failed to provide proof of any connection to Jacob Groff or any other parent. A different John Groff (1730 - 1758) is given as the son of Jacob and Barbara.³ An article titled "Hans Groffs Aplenty" clearly demonstrates the difficulty of assigning identity to any John Groff, listing twenty three John Groffs who immigrated between 1730 and 1773. Both Jacob Groff (m. Barbara Brackbill) and "Swamp" John have genealogies in this article but no connection is made.⁴ He left a will on 5 Apr 1777 at Martic Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This will is recorded in Lancaster County Will Book C, Vol. 1, p. 434. It is reproduced in the Groff Book, both in manuscript copy and in printed form.⁵ It begins "In the name of God Amen. I John Groff of Martick Township in the County of Lancaster and Province or State of Pennsylvania Yeoman Being weak in Body but of sound and perfect mind memory and understanding Blessed be amighty God for the same, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following. viz First I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Catharina, two full third parts of my personal estate and stock ... ". He mentions separately his three eldest children as Elizabeth wife of Martin Eshleman, John Groff and Anna wife of Jacob Groff and his six younger children Benjamin Groff, Joseph Groff, Mary Groff, Jacob Groff, Martin Groff and Abraham Groff (youngest son, under age 14). This distributes the children between his two marriages. He also mentioned fifty pounds due him from the will and testament of his late father-in-law, Isaac "Hare", deceased and specified that it was to be divided equally between his three eldest children. The will was signed Johannes Graft on 5 April 1777. This will was probated on 7 May 1777.

     John Groff married Catherine Eshleman, daughter of Martin Eshleman and Elizabeth Groff.¹ John Groff was born on 17 Dec 1789.¹ He died on 5 Nov 1855 at age 65.¹ He was buried at Groff Cemetery, Quarryville, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.¹

     John Groff II married Susanna Kendig.¹ John Groff II was born in 1753.¹ He was the son of John Groff and Anna Herr.^2,1 John Groff II died in 1819.¹

     Joseph Groff was born on 16 Dec 1763.¹ He was the son of John Groff.²