52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks. Week #  27 theme - Extended Family

Great Great Grandfather, William Griffin

Through Bible and Census Records, we found that our 2 Gt Grandparents, William Griffin and Elizabeth M. Rodgers Griffin, had 14 children of record.

Joseph N. Griffin, Samuel Young Griffin, James M. Griffin, Levi Julius Griffin, Adam Bland Griffin, Andrew Watts Griffin, Sarah Ann "Sally" Griffin, Robert O. Griffin, Adonijah Harris "Nije" Griffin, William F Griffin, John Luther Griffin, Rachel J. Griffin, Alpheus R. Griffin, and Peter Charles Griffin.

My 1st and 2nd cousins thru Samuel Y. Griffin and Lizzie Terry were mostly known or "known of".  Many of us were corresponding on a private group and sharing memories. Besides the Griffins, we also followed Lizzie Terry's family, as much as we could learn.  But we started to become curious about those 14 Gt Gt Uncles and Aunts, thus discovering our extended family.  AND WE DID IT ! 

We began to try to track at least one cousin descended from each of  those listed, and correspond to share what we had learned.  Five of the 14 did not live to have descendants.  James and Levi died in Union Service.  Three died while the family lived in West Virginia... Joseph, age 21,  Robert O. age 11, and baby Alpheus, only one year old.   Rachel J. age 12, must have died while the family traveled west; we have found no info.  Peter Charles, the youngest, never married, but took care of the homestead and his widowed mother when they came to Oklahoma as '89ers. He also remembered his nieces and nephews in his will.

Starting with Samuel and Lizzie, we found and contacted cousins from their Griffin and Terry families, even naming our group after Lizzie. Precious photos from these families were shared. The photo above is Gt Gt Grandfather William Griffin, 1812 - 1889.

Going down the list, we are now in correspondence with several descendants of Adam B. Griffin, Andrew W. Griffin, Sally Griffin McNutt, Adonijah H. Griffin, and William F. Griffin. Some have become life long friends.

Finding anyone from John Luther Griffin was more difficult.  John L. became a teacher and moved his family to Colorado and then California and Washington. But he was buried in Colorado. Finally a google search (not Find a Grave or Ancestry) led us to an obituary attached to the cemetery site in Boulder, Colorado.  It was very informative and was signed by a grand daughter, Jan Griffin Leaf, who lived in Washington.  We were able to correspond with Jan for many years until her death. She shared many, many pictures including the one of William above. And at her death, she willed me her huge photo album, as she had no descendants. 

In the family of Lizzie Terry Griffin, we became acquainted with those who descend from all but one of her siblings. Still working on that one remaining.

Now I'm ready to do the same with one generation further back.  Have already gotten a good start.  How's that for extending our family?

A True Pioneer - Adonijah Harris

Although not a direct ancestor, Adonijah Harris was influential in shaping the future of our Griffin, Rodgers, and Terry families. When I describe him as a true pioneer, I have gone back to the definition of the word: "one who takes the lead or initiative...", "A person or family that ventures into unknown territory to settle..." Our family may still have been living in West Virginia, and not spread across the states if it were not for Adonijah Harris.

He was an orphan, probably illegitimate, born about 1811 in Randolph County, Virginia. Although his mother and father were listed on orphan roll, he was raised by guardians. Evidently he was provided with an education and training in the Methodist faith as he was growing up, because we find this description of Adonijah as a young man: " Adonijah Harris lives at the top of a mountain at what is now known as the McGuire Farm. He is a blacksmith and a fine mechanic . He is a class leader in the Methodist church and is respected and loved by all who know him." And, "A class was organized by Addison Hite at the Hamrick barn , the first Methodist organization in Webster County. William Gregory was appointed leader, and Adonijah Harris, assistant leader. Mr. Harris lived at the McGuire Low Gap near Webster Springs, yet he walked the five miles each Sunday to meet his class and his presence was made known by the zeal manifested in his work." from "Moccasin Tracks and Other Imprints" by William Christian Doddrill (Rattlesnake Bill)

The church mentioned above was a meeting place for our Griffin and Rodgers ancestors. In a previous post I show Elizabeth M. Rodgers who married William Griffin. Elizabeth's sister, Sarah Ann Rodgers, married Adonijah Harris. The two families worshipped together and supported the cause of the Union together, opposing the southern sympathies of many of their own relatives and neighbors, and losing children to the ravages of the war.

Adonijah and William were among the petitioners in 1848 to form the new county of Webster, VA ( to become West Virginia). Harris was the one who posted the notice to Nicholas County. The early settlers of the Elk River Valley were far removed from a seat of justice. It was forty or fifty miles to the county seat of Randolph County and almost as far to that of Braxton County. A great many citizens were practically disfranchised, as it was 25 miles to the nearest voting place. The formation of the new county was not officially passed until 1860, and Harris was one to oversee the new county elections.

If you have read my post of the story of John J. Miller, you know the times of persecution that these Union supporters suffered in their own home counties. Miller was a son in law of Adonijah and Sarah Rodgers Harris. Two of the Harris daughters died of measles in the Union Military Camp, Harrison County, VA, where the families were taken as refugees in 1862. By 1865, Adonijah Harris, the Millers and William Griffin families had migrated to Exira Twp. Cass Co. Iowa. They boarded a steamboat on the Ohio River (probably at Marietta, OH, where a Griffin aunt lived) and sailed down the Ohio to the Mississippi, then to the Missouri River and up to Council Bluffs, Iowa. From Council Bluffs, they would have traveled to Cass County by wagon. Adonijah and son, James, are listed among founding families of Lewisville (or Louisville), Iowa. His daughter, Nancy Rebecca married David Soar, harness maker, and stayed in the county.

The Harris, Miller, and Griffin families traveled on to Missouri and then to Montgomery County Kansas. Adonijah's daughter, Diana, wife of John J. Miller, and her daughters and sons in law (Terry men, related to Lizzie Terry my gt grandmother), migrated to Oregon. Patriarch, Adonijah Harris, died 22 August, 1873 in Sycamore, Kansas. His name appears among descendants of the families and his memory is held dear.

William Griffin and Elizabeth M. Rodgers

William and Elizabeth were our 3Gt Grandparents. Their story is that of a pioneer family, full of pathos and adventure. What courageous people! Educated, loyal to their faith and country, ready to strike out for the unknown for the sake of their beliefs and family. See their story at this site. Story of William Griffin and Elizabeth M. Rodgers.

Civil War Letter from Samuel Y. Griffin to his Father

This is one of the letters from our Gt Grandfather, Samuel Y. Griffin, age 22, Union Soldier in Ohio Vols. His younger brother, James, had just died of disease during service. Another brother, Levi, was in the 10th VA Union Reg. which Samuel asks about. Levi was also to die of disease before the war was over. Samuel did come home, but carried illness through his life. I marvel at the excellent command of words and the dedication of this young man who was born and raised on a mountain in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Camp Meadow Bluffs [my note: Greenbrier Co. west of Lewisburg]
July the 24, 1862

"Dear Father and Family

I now take the present opportunity of writing you a few lines to inform you of my wellfare. I am in tolerable good health at this time and hope these few lines may reach and find you enjoying the same blessing. I received 2 letters from you the 8th, inst., one enclosed in a letter to the Captain. I was sorry to hear of Jameses death. But he is gone where the Salute of musketry is not heard over the grave of friends and fellow Soldiers, and where the sound of war is forever hushed. The health of the troops here is generally tolerable good. There has been but two deaths since we have been camped here.

We took another scout across Greenbrier River, it consisted of our entire Regiment and about 300 cavalry. After we crossed the River the cavalry had an engagement with some of the enemies cavalry. Our men killed one and took a few prisoners while the rebels were trying to make their escape. There is nothing of importance going on here at the present.

There are 3 Regs here and 6 companies of the 9th Virginiers. I want you to write soon & let me know where the 10th Virginies is stationed at. I heard that they was at Buckhanon but I don't know whether they are there or not. I received a letter from Uncle Benoni some time ago. They were well at the time the letter was written. I would like to see you all but I cannot at present. I must obey my countries call.

Our Regiment is tolerably well drilled; we have company drill in the morning from nine till half past ten and Battalion drill from 4 till half past 5 in the evening and dress parade at 6 o'clock. We don't drill Saturdays & Sundays. I have nothing of importance more to write and must close my present letter. Give my best respects to all inquiring friends. No more at present but remain your affectionate son as ever.

[To] Wm Griffin [From]Samuel Y. Griffin

P.S. I found six postage stamps enclosed in your letter. I am very thankful to you for sending them.

Yours S. Y. Griffin"

Grandpa Charley Griffin

Cotton County, Oklahoma, about 1915 or so. My Grandpa worked hard. His Dad died in Kansas and Gt. Grandmother Lizzie came to the brand new Oklahoma Territory to start over. Five sons and a daughter were put to work on the new farm, northwest of Edmond. Charley raised his three sons with a strong work ethic, and a love for learning. Now that we are learning of his heritage we find that the character traits have been passed along for many generations.

Ravages of Time

Ravages of Time - Dan Griffin (private collection, do not copy)

Our Daddy was a photographer with an eye for the special shot. Found this print among his things years later. I believe he was sadly remembering the land of his youth. He must have climbed just such a ladder to view his domain as a boy. When he was past his climbing days, he wrote his name on the topmost point of the KWTV tower as it lay on the ground between Oklahoma City and Edmond, waiting to be raised as the tallest structure in the world at that time. Within a few miles of his boyhood home, at least his name would then be overseer to the edges of the horizon.