GRIFFIN FAMILY

WHO IS CALEB GRIFFIN'S FATHER?

Caleb Griffin was born about 1818, probably in Montgomery County, Georgia.  I believe he was the son of a widow named Civil Griffin.  Civil Griffin is listed as head of the household on the 1820 Montgomery County, Georgia census.  She is between 26 and 45 years of age, and there are five children (two males and three females) under the age of 10, and one male age 16 to 18 in her household.  Civil (Cibel Griffin), a widow, is shown as a resident of McElvin's Militia District, Montgomery County, Georgia on the 1820 Georgia Land Lottery.  She drew  Lot 245, Section 9, Irwin County, Georgia, and later moved from Montgomery County to Irwin County, Georgia. 

Based on the ages of the children in Civil's household in 1820 census, her  husband must have died between 1818 and 1820, probably in Montgomery County, Georgia.  

 Benjamin Griffin is listed as the agent of Civil Griffin on the 1824 Insolvent Tax List of Montgomery County, Georgia.  One researcher has stated he has a deed from Civil Griffin to Benjamin Griffin in which Civil names Benjamin as her son.  Civil Griffin is not found on the 1830 census, but may have been living with one of her children.  Civil was listed on the 1840 census as the head of the household in Irwin County, Georgia.  She was then 60 to 70 years old.  The only other member of her household was one male, age 20 to 30. 

Caleb Griffin, age 31, is found on the 1850 Census in the 89th Subdivision, Ware County, Georgia.  Members of his household include Emily, age 28, George W., age 6, Rebecca, age 5, Susannah, age 3, Nancy age 2 months, and Newell Griffin, 74, (Female), born in North Carolina.  It is assumed that Newell Griffin is Caleb's mother. 

TWO THEORIES ABOUT CALEB'S FATHER

There are two theories about Caleb's father.  The first is that Civil was Civil Newell and was married to Joshua Griffin.  Compiled (and undocumented)  genealogies give Joshua's date of birth as about 1760 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, and give his date of death as 1808.  If this date of death is correct, Joshua cannot be the father of the five young children in Civil's household in 1820 since they would have been born after Joshua's death. 

There is a Joshua Griffin on the 1790 census of Newbern District, Dobbs County, North Carolina.  The record shows  1 male over 16,  3 males under 16, 3 females, and no slaves. Assuming one of the females is Joshua's wife, this indicates at least 5 children by 1790.  The 1820 Montgomery County, Georgia census shows that Civil was between 26 and 45 years of age placing her date of birth between 1775 and 1794.  This is consistent with the 1850 census showing  "Newell Griffin" as age 74. Assuming Civil and Newell are the same person, she would have been 14 or 15 years of age  in 1790.  It is very unlikely that she was the mother of 5 children as such as young age.  

The second theory holds that Joshua Griffin was married to a woman named "Drusilla Newell."  One of their children was named "Frederick Newell Griffin, " and Civil (maiden name unknown) was the wife of (Frederick) Newell Griffin.  Instead of being enumerated in 1850 by her maiden and married name (Newell Griffin), her name was given as "Mrs. Newell Griffin" but recorded only as "Newell Griffin." 

Compiled records give Frederick Newell Griffin's date of birth as about 1796.  No census records have been found for Frederick Newell Griffin. 

JAMES GRIFFIN, REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIER

James Griffin, Revolutionary Soldier is believed to have been the brother of Joshua Griffin.  James Griffin's pension file indicates he was born in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, migrated first to Burke County, Georgia, then to Montgomery County, Georgia, and finally to Irwin County, Georgia where he died on 19 December 1836. 

SOME RECORDS FOR JOSHUA GRIFFIN

Joshua Griffin is listed as a juror in 1804 in Montgomery County. Georgia.  He is also shown on the 1806 Tax List of Montgomery County, Georgia.  Joshua Griffin, a resident of Montgomery County, Georgia drew land in Wilkinson County, Georgia in the 1807 Georgia Land Lottery.  Several Montgomery County deeds were witnessed by  Joshua Griffin.  It is not clear as to the identity of the Joshua Griffin mentioned in these records.  James Griffin, brother of Joshua Griffin, had a son named Joshua Griffin. 

CHILDREN OF (?) GRIFFIN AND CIVIL (?)

1.  Benjamin Griffin.  Born 10 Mar 1803, died 13 Apr 1890.  Married Sarah Henderson on 05 Jan. 1825 in Irwin County, Georgia.  She was born 11 Jan 1808 and died 10 Sep 1878.  Benjamin and Sarah are buried in the Griffin Family Cemetery in Irwin County, Georgia.  
2.  William Griffin.  Born about 1814 in South Carolina or Georgia.  (Most census records give William's place of birth as South Carolina.)  He married Eady Marsh about 1838.  Caleb Griffin's Old Wars & Indian Wars pension application names William Griffin as his brother.  William Griffin died in 1890 in Florida.
3.  Female Griffin, born between 1811 - 1820 **
4.  Female Griffin, born between 1811 - 1820 **
5.  Female Griffin, born between 1811 - 1820 **
6.  Caleb Griffin, born about 1818, died 12 September 1898 in Sumter County, Florida.   Married to Emily "Milly" Carver.  She was born about 1819, and died between 1885 - 1888 in Sumter County, Florida.

**  The 1820 Montgomery County, Georgia Census shows Civil Griffin as head of household with three females up to 10 years of age in the household.  Also one male 16-18 years, and 2 males up to 10 years. 

Sources: 

CALEB GRIFFIN

Caleb Griffin was born about 1818, probably in Montgomery County, Georgia. 

Caleb, along with his brother William Griffin, volunteered for service in the 1836-37 Seminole Indian War in Florida.  While serving in Captain William Reed's company, Caleb became ill and later claimed he had suffered from asthma as a result of this sickness during the line of his duty. 

Following his service in Florida, Caleb returned to Georgia and lived in present day Echols County until around 1844, and then in Ware County until around 1854-55.  Caleb married Emily "Milly" Carver around 1843. 

Caleb and Emily moved to Sumter County, Florida around 1854-55.  They were enumerated on the 1860, 1870, 1880, and 1885 censuses of Sumter County, Florida.  Caleb was apparently unable to do much manual labor because of his asthma.  Several of his neighbors testified as to Caleb's suffering from asthma.  One neighbor, Granville Beville,  testified that he "administered to him and bled him several times when suffering with asthma." Caleb's daughter Rebecca  testified that her "first and earliest impressions was to see him turn black in the face gaspin for breath which was caused from asthma."  She further stated "I would set up with him expecting death to be the only relief posible relief for him."  Rebecca also noted that her father did not have "much medical aid but used such remedies as neighbors and people would suggest that was good for asthma." 

Another of Caleb's neighbors, William W. Slone, testified that Caleb was "always very poor financially."  The 1860 Agricultural Census of Sumter County, Florida shows Caleb did not own any land but had farm implements valued at $5.00 and livestock valued at $13.00.  However Caleb's pension application shows that Caleb received Bounty Land Warrant #23982 for 80 acres under the act of 1855.  No land records were found in the Sumter County, Florida public records so further research is needed to determine if Caleb received 80 acres of land in Sumter County, Florida.   Caleb also stated he had lived in the same part of Sumter County, Florida since 1854 or 1855. 

Granville Beville testified that Caleb was "a man of truth and veracity, a member of the Baptist church for over thirty years."  The 1885 Florida State Census lists Caleb's occupation as "minister." 

Caleb and his neighbor Granville Beville both testified to Caleb's loyalty to the United States during the Civil War. Granville Beville also claimed he was a "Union man until they came after me and compelled me to go and join the Florida Reserves."  The special examiner appointed to Caleb's pension case later noted that all Caleb's witnesses to his loyalty to the Union had served in the Confederate Service. Caleb's son, George W. Griffin, also served in the Confederate Army. 

Caleb and Emily are last enumerated on the 1885 Florida State Census.  Emily apparently died before Caleb first applied for an Invalid's Pension in 1888.   (See Griffin Military Records)

Caleb died on 12 September 1898 in Sumter County, Florida.  Caleb and Emily Griffin may be buried in the Fender Family Cemetery near Mascotte, Lake County, Florida. 

CHILDREN OF CALEB AND EMILY GRIFFIN

1. George W. Griffin, Born 07 January, 1844 in Georgia.  (See below)

2. Rebecca Griffin, born about 1846. She married (1) Newberry (2) James Davis on 25 January 1880 in Sumter County, Florida.  James Davis's Florida Confederate Pension application file confirms that Rebecca was married twice.  His pension application is available online from The Florida Memory Project.

3. Susan Griffin, born about 1848.  Married (1) Moses James Lacey on 15 January 1878 in Polk County, Florida.  (2)  James Norman on 08 October 1880, Sumter County, Florida,  (3) James Lanier on 09 Feb 1909 in Hernando County, Florida.  She is buried in the Fender Family Cemetery near Mascotte, Lake County, Florida.  [Link to Fender Family Cemetery inscriptions]  James Lanier was a Confederate Veteran.  His pension application is available online from The Florida Memory Project.

4. Nancy Griffin, born about 1850. 

5. Mary Ann Griffin, born about 1852.  She married William Hardy Crawford on 19 August 1875, Sumter County, Florida.

6. William Joshua Griffin, born about 1855.  He married Caroline Roberts on 02 November 1876, Polk County, Florida.

7. Henry Caleb Griffin, born 05 Mar1858.  He married Sabra Abigail Griffin (daughter of Francis M. Griffin & Sara J. Boyette) on 08 April 1886. 

The 1870 Census shows two other children not listed on other census records:

8. Daniel Griffin, Born about 1854

9. Laura Griffin, Born about 1866

George W. & Narcissa (Black) Griffin

George W. Griffin  was born 07 January 1844 in Georgia.  He married Narcissa Black, daughter of Edmond D. & Edith Black,  on 10 February 1865 in Sumter County, Florida.  Narcissa was born 05 February 1842 in Coffee County, Alabama, and died 29 January 1925 near Auburndale, Polk County, Florida. 

George enlisted July 1861 in Company K, 4th Florida Infantry Regiment, CSA.  (See Griffin Military Records)    George's cousin, Francis M. Griffin, son of William Griffin, also served in the same company.  George's military records show he was wounded in the left arm at Atlanta, Georgia.  George filed and received a Confederate Pension from the State of Florida.  His pension application is available online from The Florida Memory Project.

George and Narcissa have not been found on the 1870 census, but were enumerated in Polk County, Florida in 1880, 1885, 1895, and 1900.  George purchased land in Polk County, Florida in 1886. 

George died on 21 April 1906 near Auburndale, Polk County, Florida.  George and Narcissa are buried in Collins Cemetery near Auburndale, Polk County, Florida.  [Link to Collins Cemetery inscriptions]

Children of George W. & Narcissa (Black) Griffin:

1. Unknown (Narcissa states she is mother of 8 children, 6 living on both the 1900 and 1910 censuses.  The names of 7 children are know from census records.) 

2. Jesse Mercer Griffin, Born 02 Jan 1868 in Florida, died 27 Sep 1834, Auburndale, Polk County, Florida.  Married (1) Ella L. Whidden (daughter of John Whidden and Arminda Roberts) on 01 April 1891, Polk County, Florida.  Ella was born 24 January 1873 at Auburndale, Polk County, Florida.  She died 25 April 1909, Auburndale, Polk County, Florida.  Married (2)  Effie Dewitt, 05 September 1916, Hillsborough County, Florida.  Effie was born 29 October 1890.  She died 28 September 1983 in Polk County, Florida.  Jesse, Ella & Effie are buried in Collins Cemetery near Auburndale, Polk County, Florida.

3. Narcissus Melisia Griffin, born 08 July 1870 in Florida; Died 16 April 1951 in Polk County, Florida.  Married James H. Combee  (son of Hampton & Sarah Ann Combee) on 23 Dec. 1885 in Polk County, Florida.  He was born 1863 and died 15 April 1928, Polk County, Florida.  Narcissa and James are buried in Gapway Cemetery, Lakeland, Polk County, Florida.

4. Edith Emily Griffin, born 04 Feb 1873 in Florida, died Jan 1960.  She married William Elbert Combee (son of Hampton & Sarah Ann Combee) on 25 Sep 1890, Polk County, Florida.  He was born Jun 1865 and died 20 Sep 1930 in Polk County, Florida.  Edith Emily and William Elbert Combee are buried in Gapway Cemetery, Lakeland, Polk County, Florida.

5. George Thomas Griffin, born 29 Aug 1875 in Florida.  He died 01 Mar 1950 in Polk County, Florida.  He married (1) Mary Ann Brown about 1901 (2) Dovie Yeomans, 26 Aug 1922 in Polk County, Florida.  George Thomas Griffin is buried in Collins Cemetery, near Auburndale, Polk County, FL.

6. Sarah Azlean Griffin, born 09 Dec 1877 in Florida.  She died in 1952 in Polk County, Florida.  She married William Morgan Reynolds 04 October 1894 in Polk County, Florida. 

7. Riley (Edmon C.) Griffin, Born Mar 1880, Died before 1885.

8. Rosie Beulah Griffin, Born 22 Jun. in Polk County, Florida.  She died Jul 1958 in Polk County, Florida.  She married James (Jim) Norman (son of James Norman and Susan Griffin) on 31 October 1905 in Polk County, Florida.  Rosie Beulah Griffin Norman is buried in Auburndale Memorial Park, Auburndale, Polk County, Florida

Jesse Mercer & Ella L. (Whidden) Griffin

Children:

1. George Leslie Griffin, born 04 May 1892, Auburndale, Polk County, Florida; died. Aug 1964, Polk County, Florida; m. Flossie Inez Miley,  b. 10 Aug 1898, Florida; d. 21 Jan 1981, Pinellas County, FL.  George Leslie is buried in Auburndale Memorial Park, Auburndale, Polk County, Florida.  George Leslie Griffin was a Veteran of World War I.  His WWI Service Card is available online from the Florida Memory Project.
2. Ella Pearl Griffin, born 13 Aug 1893, Auburndale, Polk County, Florida; died 26 Nov 1989, Auburndale, Polk County, Florida; married. Albin Denton "Buck" Ellerbe, (son of John Alexander Ellerbe and Minnie Lee Murray), 11 Oct 1913, Polk County, Florida; b. 09 Feb 1892, Lakeland, Polk County, Florida; d. 16 Dec 1967, Lakeland, Polk County, Florida.  Ella is buried in Roselawn Cemetery, Lakeland, Polk County, Florida. 
3. John Howard Griffin, born 21 Dec 1895, Auburndale, Polk County, Florida; died 26 Dec 1925, Sale City, Mitchell County, Georgia.  John Howard is buried in Collins Cemetery, near Auburndale, Polk County, Florida. John Howard Griffin was a Veteran of World War I.  His WWI Service Card is available online from the Florida Memory Project.
4. Esther Lois Griffin, born 03 Dec 1897, Auburndale, Polk County, Florida; died. 08 Apr 1974, Polk County, Florida, Married  Jesse Daniel Combee, 10 Feb 1913, Polk County, Florida; born. 11 Dec 1890, Lakeland, Polk, Florida; d. 29 Dec 1969, Polk County, Florida.  Esther Lois and Jesse Daniel Combee are buried in Lakeland Memorial Gardens, Lakeland, Polk County, Florida. 
5. Annie Mae Griffin,  born 24 Jan 1900, Auburndale, Polk County, Florida; d. 13 Jul 1991, Polk County Florida; married Charlie G. Grimes, 15 Apr 1916, Hillsborough County, Florida; born 04 Jan 1894, Florida; died. Sep 1968, Lakeland, Polk County, FL.  Annie Mae and Charlie G. are buried in Oak Hill Burial Park, Lakeland, Polk County, Florida. 
6. Maude Leola Griffin, born 04 Mar 1904, Auburndale, Polk County, Florida; d. 12 Apr 2001, Lakeland, Polk County, FL; married (1) Richard Union Ellerbe, 28 Jul 1920, Polk County, Florida; born 16 Apr 1895, Lakeland, Polk, Florida; d. 16 May 1926, Lakeland, Polk, Florida, Married (2) Talmadge Palmer.  Maude is buried in Auburndale Memorial Park, Auburndale, Polk County, Florida.
7. Robert Forrester Griffin born 13 Mar 1906, Auburndale, Polk County, Florida; died 26 Jun 1940, Polk County, Florida.  Robert is buried in Collins Cemetery
8. Infant Griffin, born Apr 1909, Auburndale, Polk County, Florida; died Apr 1909, Polk County, Florida.   The infant is buried near his mother, Ella L. Whidden Griffin. 

   

Last revised: January 27, 2008.
Copyright 2007 by Teresa McGowin
All Rights Reserved.