52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week # 26 Theme - Identity

The word Identity would normally make me think of an individual discovery, but my entry is for a whole family line. When I was growing up, my father, Dan Griffin, in Oklahoma, would say "Our Griffin family is NOT the Virginia Griffins."  It stuck in my mind and when I began genealogy searching, I kept it as a clue.  My knowledge of his Griffin family stopped with my Gt Grandfather, Samuel Young Griffin, who was a Union Veteran and died in Kansas, where he had homesteaded.  As we traced his heritage, and the "Identity" of this family, we found his father and grandfather in an area of Virginia that would become West Virginia.  But Daddy said we were NOT the Virginia Griffins.  Further research showed that our Griffin ancestors came from Connecticut before claiming land in Bath/ Pocahontas County in West Virginia.  Before Connecticut, our immigrant Griffin came from Wales in the 1600s.  I believe that family tradition had passed along the "Not Virginia Griffins" because Virginians would have been Southern sympathizers.  The area of our family was in a Union area. Some families even being split by their loyalties.  My father and grandfather knew of the Union Veteran, Samuel Griffin, and wanted to carry on that conviction.  I am proud of that identity and those who carried it.  The Griffin name is still being passed along in given names of many descendants.

"A Noted Character" Johnson Lyman Frost

The following description of our ancestor, Johnson Lyman Frost, is found in the "Biography and History of Audubon County, Iowa", H. F. Andrews, Editor... Indianapolis: B. F. Bowen & Company, 1915. I almost hate to reprint it here, but one seldom finds such a personal description of an ancestor... for good or bad. I do believe this section of the book, written in early 1900s, was written by an author who may have been of opposing political leanings. But I don't doubt that Frost was quite a character.

“J. Lyman Frost, with his son, Carlos, and Peoria I. Whitted [friend of Frost’s son-in-law D. Shafer], came from Iowa City to Audubon County in 1853. Frost was an old man, a widower, and lived alone in a shanty made of poles near his son, Carlos, in the Northwest part of section 35, Exira township. He was a contentious man and had a special faculty for stirring up the animals. He was an ardent Republican, a strong Union man, and had no use for anyone not strictly up to the highest pitch of party requirements, and he practically demonstrated his opinions on all possible occasions. He became postmaster at Hamlin’s Grove during war times. He was heartily despised by the Democrats and was not in unison with many of his own party. He was a discordant element at best. One of the patrons of his post office was one Martin Shults, whom Frost took occasion publicly to call a “copperhead”. Shults was a mild, inoffensive man, religiously inclined, and although the imputation was not wholly mis-applied from the standpoint of the times, the insult rankled in his bosom. Later, at a public gathering in Oakfield, Shults spied his quarry, removed his coat and handed it to his good old wife, “Aunt Julie”, remarking that he had a duty to perform, and then waded in and proceeded to “tan Frost’s dog skin.” That exercise performed, he proceeded to ride in haste to Exira in search of a justice to whom he might “plead guilty”. But he was pursued by the constable, John Crane, and arrested for assault and battery. It is said that Crane was so desirous of gaining popularity that he overrode and injured a fine horse in making the arrest. And it is also said that his promptness in the matter afterwards cost him an election to office.

Mr. Frost was easily a party leader locally. He held the ear of governor Kirkwood, with whom he was personally acquainted at Iowa City, and stood in with the administration in Washington. He made the weather and crop reports, etc. and received his contingent of government documents, seeds, etc. which he conscientiously distributed among the faithful. He was one of the first to raise an apple orchard and other tame fruit in the county. He was prompt and zealous in attending to party affairs and in managing the Republican party machinery in the county, being sometimes chairman of the county central committee. But after a disagreeable faction contest with the Ballards and others in a county convention at Green’s schoolhouse, in 1868, he soured on party work and never afterwards took an active part in politics.

In preparation for war, militias were organized in the county. "The names of one roll show that all the officers of Capt. Thomas’s company, except one, and fifty of the privates were Democrats, some of them emphatic anti-war men. It appears that the commissions of the officers were sent by the adjutant general to J. Lyman Frost, the then postmaster of Hamlin’s Grove, a rigid Republican, to act as mustering officer, and to deliver them to the company officers-elect upon taking the proper oaths of office; but that he declined to muster them or to deliver the commissions presumably because he knew many members of the company to be anti-war men, and of questionable loyalty or patriotism to the country.

Captain Thomas said that his commission was not delivered to him, but was found on the prairie, having evidently been thrown away. And he further says that arms were not issued to his men, as it was considered dangerous to do so, fearing that the men would fight among themselves, as the excitement was intense between the Union and anti-war men."

Johnson Lyman Frost and son Elias Carlos Frost were officers of another militia formed in the county... the Audubon Mounted Infantry. That company saw no service and became obsolete at the close of the war, the following year.

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.

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"

Gt. Grandmother Lizzie Terry Griffin

We have found the obituary of our Great Grandmother, Lizzie Griffin, mother of Charley who was posted yesterday.
Edmond Oklahoma Newspaper.
Biography, Mrs. Lizzie Griffin
Elizabeth Ann Terry was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, January 21 1849 [incorrect, 1850] and departed this life Monday morning, March 20, at the age of 90 years and 2 months, after an illness of two weeks.

Her parents, William and Charlotte Terry, came to America from London, England, in 1848, and settled in Milwaukee. In 1850 they moved to Chicago, where they lived for a short time, later moving to a farm near Decatur, Illinois, where she, with her nine brothers and sisters grew to maturity. In 1869, the family moved west, locating near Independence, Kansas. At this place, she met and married Samuel Young Griffin, October 9, 1873. To this union, 7 children were born, two daughters, Mata, who died in infancy, and Clara, who died in 1918, and 5 sons, who survive her. The husband, a Union Soldier in the Civil War, died October 2, 1891. The widow, with a family of six children, ranging in ages from two to seventeen, seeing a better opportunity in a new country, moved to Oklahoma in 1892, locating on a farm ten miles north of Edmond. In 1899, in order that she might educate her children, she moved to Edmond, where she lived until her death.

A wonderful home-maker and mother, Mrs. Griffin yet found much time to devote to her church, which she loved with an abiding love. In 1898, while living in the country, she helped found and was a charter member of Bethel church. During her years spent in Edmond, she was a devout member of the Methodist church, as active in the Home Missionary Society, the W.C.T.U., and the Ladies' Aid. She taught a Sunday School class for forty years continuously. Her well marked, worn Bible was a daily companion, and in later years, when she was unable to read its words, she could repeat them lovely from memory. She had an unusual gift for friendship and love for humanity, and none came to her for help without receiving it.

She is survived by her five sons: Harry L., Charles W., Ira D., Elmer E., all of Edmond, and Floyd F. of Portland, Oregon, also fourteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

CARD OF THANKS
We wish to express our sincere appreciation to our many friends and neighbors for their kind expressions of sympathy and beautiful floral offering during the illness and death of our beloved mother and grandmother. THE GRIFFIN FAMILY
_________________________________________________________

"Speaking Personally" article by D.B.W. in an Edmond Newspaper.
" MRS. LIZZIE GRIFFIN...
In 1892 a widowed mother with six children, ranging in age from two to seventeen years, moved to Oklahoma and settled on a farm ten miles northwest of Edmond.

Old timers recall the hardships that confronted a family with an able bodied father to fend for it. The drouths, the lack of any modern facilities, all of which points to the fearless, sturdy qualities of this mother who so bravely faced what the future had in store for her and her brood in this new land of opportunity.

This week saw that pioneer mother pass to her final reward, and hundreds of friends gathered to pay their final tributes of respect to Mrs. Lizzie Griffin, who, having rounded out her ninetieth year of helpful and inspiring living, gently left this earthly life.

I have known this mother since my early boyhood. I know full well the respect which all held for her, and I hold with deep reverence the high ideals which she ever kept before herself and her family.

Five stalwart sons are truly monuments to her life. They are all men who command the respect of their friends, and I think that no greater tribute can be paid any mother than such a contribution to her country.

Women of her ilk are fast traveling the valley of death, and a few more years will see the true pioneer mothers only a memory to us. But we can always hold their memories close to our hearts .... for they bore their young and reared them righteously and fearlessly."