We Remember Clara Griffin Mann, Flu Victim of 1918

This beautiful lady, Clara Griffin Mann, was the sister of my Grandpa Charley Griffin. She died of the terrible influenza epidemic of 1918, leaving two little children to be raised by family members. Her memory is still vibrant through generations of descendants.

During the same terrible "Spanish Flu" outbreak, other cousins of this family were lost. Woods Samuel Terry and his wife, Caroline died on the same day in 1919, one day after they lost their day old baby girl. Both of these families lived in the Pacific Northwest where the flu entered the United States from ships in the Puget Sound area.

Plat Map Deer Creek Township near Edmond, OK

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.  Week #6 Theme - MAPS.   This map was found on Ancestry.com under "U.S. County Landowners Atlases". Here is the layout and home owners of Deer Creek, west of Edmond in 1907. Click and then enlarge. At the top of the map, you see Waterloo Rd. (border between OK and Logan [Guthrie] Co.) Upper right on Waterloo Rd., you find the William Griffin [2gt grandfather] estate next to Peter Griffin property. These two plots are the ones claimed by Uncle Pete in 1889. Lizzie Terry Griffin [gt grandmother] and family lived on that land when they came from KS, and the boys helped Pete farm it. Later she moved into Edmond for the younger children to go to school. William had died in 1889 and wife, Elizabeth M., died in 1903. Going to the far right and 3 quarter sections down we see Charles "Charley" Griffin's farm [grandfather]. Remember he had gone to Colorado to live with uncles and work to save money about 1900. So it looks like he came back and the little square shows there was a house on his land. He and Hattie got married in Dec. 1906. Our father, Dan, was born in 1907 probably on this property and his brother Jiggs in 1909. Then Charley and Hattie went to Cotton County where third son, Chick, was born in 1912. I am guessing that Pete sold or leased the land, as the 1910 census shows that he lived in town with sister in law, Lizzie, and family. Under occupation he lists "Own Income." You can find more about William, Lizzie, Pete, and Charley in the archives of this blog.

Oklahoma Land Run of 1889

The anniversary of the Oklahoma Run of April 22, 1889 is upon us. As children we celebrated by re-enacting the Run, making covered wagons, dressing in long skirts or cowboy garb, packing a lunch and staking our claims on the playground. Being descendants of '89ers, we also went to the parades, picnics, and rodeos on '89ers Day. Grandma Hattie (Harriett Emily McGill Griffin) was a true 89er, having arrived by covered wagon from  Iowa after her father, Daniel Patrick McGill, had staked his claim on that memorable day. Her husband, Charley Griffin's family came in the earliest years of the new Oklahoma Territory, living on land claimed by Uncle Pete Griffin also near Edmond. (see Peter Griffin's story in archives).

To read more on the 1889 Land Rush, follow this link transcribed from 1889 Harper's Weekly Magazine. Note the mention of the train coming from Arkansas City, Kansas. Both of our ancestors, Daniel McGill and Peter Griffin, came on that train. Found this photo on line taken at Arkansas City before the Run. Can you find your Gt Grandpa?

The Santa Fe Tracks veer off to the west when they go through Guthrie, and the land west of Edmond would have looked great from the tracks around Waterloo Rd. So Pete Griffin made his claim and his parents' on the south side of Waterloo Rd. on a creek later called "Bloody Rush" or "Bloody Run" creek, west of the Deer Creek. It is now just "Rush Creek" on maps.

Samuel Seely Griffin

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks.  Week 10 Theme - Worship.  Faith is shown to be a characteristic of every branch of my family tree.  I am thankful that has been passed along to us today.  To follow this week's theme, I'd like to tell you about a Griffin relative who was involved in one of the earliest evangelism efforts in our nation.... a circuit riding Methodist preacher.  

Samuel Seely Griffin was the brother of our 3Gt Grandfather, Jonathan Griffin. They were sons of Benoni Griffin, jr., of Simsbury, CT.  We don't yet know his mother's name except as "Miss Seely".  He was born about 1776 in CT, but we first find him in 1798, West Virginia with his father and brothers, at the time he would become of age. The Bath Co VA 1798 tax list shows him as "one tithable", no slaves or horses. I believe his father died about that year, as during the next years, 1799 - 1803, Samuel paid taxes on 50 acres and a cabin built by Benoni on Beaver Lick Creek, formerly owned by Uncle Timothy Holcomb. In the next tax list he is found owning a horse. (a very important part of his future.)

We find that his wife was Elizabeth Ann Harris, daughter of Methodist Minister, Nathaniel Harris. Harris was one of the early founders of Bethel Academy in Kentucky. "Maybe" Samuel studied there and met Elizabeth.    Our Samuel was present at the Methodist Conference in Cincinnati , 1809, with Bishop Francis Asbury and Rev. McKendree... well known in early Methodism. In 1811 he is commissioned for a year of Circuit riding Ministry in Kentucky. 

From "The History of Methodism in Kentucky", p. 50, "The Rise of Methodism in the West": "Perhaps the most notorious controversy between the Presbyterians and the Methodists during the life of the Western Conference was one which occurred in Cincinnati following the session of the conference in that city in 1811. While the conference was in session, three of the younger members, Peter Cartwright, Thomas Stilwell, and Samuel Griffin, took advantage of their stay in the city to have some pamphlets printed against Calvinism. One of the pamphlets was in poetical form or rather doggerel and was entitled "The Dagon of Calvinism, or The Molock of Decrees: A Poem in Three Cantos." It wasn't sanctioned by the Conference, but caused an uproar between Presbyterians and Methodists.  There are pages and pages in Methodist histories, describing the controversy between certain Presbyterian leaders and the Methodist Conference, but no action or punishment was taken against the three young preachers. 

The assignment Samuel was given was to the "Limestone Circuit" in Kentucky.  His father-in-law lived in that area which stretched from  Maysville KY on the Ohio River, down to the lower part of Kentucky near London.  This southern area is where we find Samuel and his young family had settled down by 1820.  In today's maps we see the Daniel Boone National Forest, so we know this was not an easy area for him to ride for ministry.  Francis Asbury who sent out these men, and traveled the state himself, said "We must reach every section of America, especially the raw frontiers. We must not be afraid of men, devils, wild animals, or disease. Our motto must always be FORWARD!"  The circuit riding preachers often rode 40 miles between settlements where they could preach or even sleep.  They were called "saddlebag" preachers, carrying their Bible and few belongings along on their treks. There are diaries kept by Asbury and some others who shared the details of the grueling life as well as the victories for their Lord. 

 After the War of 1812, Samuel received bounty lands in Ohio and Illinois, where he settled at the end of his days, having lived at the edge of the nation's frontier for over 40 of his 64 years. His tombstone says Rev.S. S. Griffin.  

More fun on Stony Creek

The following is a continuation of Georgia Shinaberry's description of social life in Pocahontas County, West Virginia in early 1800s. These passages were later edited by Price for his "Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County."

"Shooting matches were also common in the county, especially in the fall months. John Barlow on Buckley mountain was passionately fond of shooting. But the rules of his church, the Methodist Episcopal, forbade shooting for prizes. A shooting match was arranged for the neighborhood, and he attended as a spectator. The main prize was a quarter of beef. Near the close of the match a neighbor asked Mr. Barlow to shoot as a substitute for him. Mr. Barlow consented, took careful aim, and pierced the center, thus gaining the savory piece of fat beef. A scrupulous fellow member felt honor bound to report him to the Presiding Elder. He was asked to appear before the quarterly conference for trial, but it was proven that he shot only to accommodate a friend and the case was dropped.

Bear hunting, fox chasing, and the hunting of panthers was done partly for pleasure, but partly because of a necessity for the protection of life and property. Bears, foxes, panthers, and wild cats were so plentiful in Pocahontas that it would have been impossible to raise livestock and poultry if they had not killed these wild animals first.

Basket dinners and outdoor picnics were also very popular, especially during the latter part of the 1800’s. They are still held quite often in many parts of the county.

Training and general Muster days were also great occasions for the men of the county.

Apple cuttings came into popularity after orchards began to bear fruit and always took place in the autumn at apple butter making time. All the young people of the community would come and help pare the apples for the butter to be made the next day. After the apples were all pared, refreshments were served, and if it was not too late, games were played or they had a dance.

Dances as the pioneer knew them were what we know as the square or barn dance. They also danced the Virginia reel. In the square dance, figures were called and they danced to the music made by the “fiddle” and the banjo. It usually lasted until morning.

Hay rides were also popular in the late 1800’s. When a good deep snow fell, some young man would “hitch up” his father’s team, pile the sled full of hay, heat some rocks to keep the feet warm, and take a sled load of the neighbor boys and girls for a ride. Or if more privacy was desired, each young man took his girlfriend in a one horse sleigh.

Spelling bees were popular too, during the latter 1800s and early 1900’s.

Huskings – Usually there was a managing boss and the men were chosen off in teams. Also every red ear was considered good luck and whoever got the most red ears was considered champion. Quiltings usually took place on the same night of the husking. Around eleven o’clock, both the husking and the quilting were suspended. Supper was served, and then came the “hoe-down” or square dance. In some communities, the man who got the most red ears had the privilege to kiss the prettiest girl at the quilting."

Weddings and Social Life on Stony Creek

Hello Time Travelers,
We are still in the first years of 1800s, on Stony Creek in Bath County,Western Virginia (later to be Pocahontas, West Virginia.) It is 1803, and a young lady, Mary Griffin, of about 19 years is to be married to Hugh Brown. Her father, Benoni Griffin, Jr. died when she was a young teen, and perhaps her mother and step mother as well. The marriage bond states that John and Sally Moore Smith gave consent for the marriage. And our 3Gt Grandfather, Jonathan Griffin, was "surety" which means he guaranteed the bond promised by the groom, as would the nearest male relative. [Older brother, Samuel S., had left the area, and brothers Abraham and Levi were not old enough to sign for her.] This leads us to believe that Mary was taken in by the Smith family of Stony Creek when she was left orphaned. They had 2 or 3 children at the time, so maybe Mary was a nanny, helping Sarah in the home. Later on, Jonathan and wife Rachel purchased land on Stony Creek, living near the Smiths. Mary and Hugh moved to Ohio.

Thinking that the idea of a wedding at the Smith's might be part of our family's history, I found the following narrative taken from Price's "History of Pocahontas County." The original article was written by Georgia C. Shinaberry, submitted by her daughter, Juanita Dilley, Clover Lick West Virginia, May 24, 1940.

"The home of John and Sally Moore Smith on Stony Creek was a place where good times could be had, by the young people, as good times were known in pioneer days. At log rollings, wool pickings, flax scutchings and quiltings, the young people met, fell in love, and did much of their courting. Sunday would be preaching or all day prayer meetings, when it was not deemed right and proper to think or talk of any thing but Heaven and heavenly things.

The grandest social events would be the weddings. These occurred just as fast as the young folks thought themselves old enough to go to themselves. For a long time after the first settlement of this county the inhabitants, as a rule, married young. There was no distinction of rank and very little of fortune. On these accounts, the first impression of love resulted in marriage. A family establishment cost but much labor and nothing else. A glance at a pioneer wedding of the early 1800’s serves to mark the manners of our forefathers, and shows the grade of civilization which has succeeded their rude social condition.

At that time a wedding created a great sensation and attracted the attention of all the people from 12 to 15 miles around. This is not surprising when it is remembered that this was almost the only gathering, aside from church, which was not attended with the labor of reaping, log-rolling, building a cabin or some other labor.

The people came dressed, to the wedding, in their linsey and coarse linen clothes, all homemade. Because there were no stores from which to buy tailored things. Most of them came horseback, with only a girth with an attached stirrup for a saddle. Later leather saddles were made. "

More to come on the social events of the early 1800s.

Griffins Heading West in Early 1800s

Sons and daughters of Benoni Griffin, Jr., seem to have these common characteristics: a thirst for education, Christian principles, an interest in politics, as well as a desire to seek the new opportunities on the nation's frontier. Abraham "Abram" Griffin was no different. He was born about 1783 - 84 in Virginia, grew up in the Green Bank area of Bath County, Western Virginia, served in the War of 1812, and married in Gallia, Ohio, about 1815. The settlement of Gallia area is an interesting story. Hundreds of Frenchmen were duped by a land company who had no rights to sell land and hyped the new country's glories. The government provided some property to the immigrants who fell for the scheme, but most could not handle frontier life and the lands were then sold to American settlers at a bargain. You will find many Virginians who followed the river routes to Gallipolis, Ohio in the earliest 1800s. Abraham and wife Polly Spurlock are found in the mountainous area of Lawrence County, OH, in 1820. This area is now part of the Wayne National Forest. Within the next ten years, Abraham / Abram and the Spurlock family moved further west to Vermillion County, Indiana, not far from Terre Haute. Vermillion was a new county in 1824, so this was untamed frontier as well. In that county, the Griffin family grew to 7 children. By the next census, 1840, the family is found in Canton, Illinois, near Peoria. [Does the Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters sound familiar?] There they resided until Abraham's death after 1860. Abraham's youngest daughter, Anna Griffin Ball, wrote a narrative, published in 1908, about the family's migration and life in early day Illinois. She states that her father Abraham received the land in Illinois as a bounty grant for his service in the War of 1812. And she writes, "My father was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was one of the pioneer exhorters of Canton. He was an old line Whig and later a strong Republican and I myself believe in the principles of the Republican Party and want to see Taft and every candidate on the Republican ticket elected. My parents were both of Welch (sp) descent. Our 3Gt Grandfather, Jonathan Griffin, of Pocahontas County, West Virginia, bought Abraham's portion of the land in the West VA estate of Benoni Griffin, Jr. in 1837. This record helps me to "deduce" that Jonathan was one of Benoni's children. He was the only one remaining in Bath/Pocahontas, West Virginia, by that date. There are other such purchases made by Jonathan during the same period of time, from Samuel Seely Griffin in Montgomery County OH, later Fulton Co., IL, Mary Griffin Brown of Marietta, OH, and Levi Griffin (mentioned in previous post), of Gallatin County, KY. When I look over the maps of the various places above where Benoni's children ended up, they are always on the edge of "civilized" territory of the new frontier, constantly moving West. Only Mary and her husband, Hugh Brown, were "city" dwellers, residing in Marietta, Ohio, where Hugh was a shoemaker, and one son was a "Boatman" on the Ohio River. All the sons are religious, and teaching or "exhorting", in the Methodist faith. They are hard-working, and involved in civic life in their communities. Descendants continue the service to their country, to teaching, and further reaching into the newly opened lands. I will tell the story of Samuel Seely Griffin in a future post.