The Sylvanus & Mary ( ) Griffin Family: Basic Family Info.

THE SYLVANUS GRIFFIN & MARY (MURRAY) GRIFFIN FAMILY:

          ca. 1800 - before 1880?                                                  ca. 1806 - 1836 to 1900
               Sylvanus Griffin                                                                   Mary Murray


Connection to blog chart: Sylvanus and Mary Griffin are the parents of Joseph Griffin, who married Susannah Elizabeth Edwards.

(Note: Alternate Griffin spellings include: Grissen; Grissin (since the old style of handwriting with double "f"was to write them like "ss"); Griffing; Griffis; Griffon; Grifforn; Griffun; Griffe).
Alternate spellings: Silvanus; Sylvanos; "Sill".  (Note: Gayle Cloud's mother said that Sylvanus' name was actually Sylvester; probably wrong).

Slyvanus Griffin was born about 1800 in Virginia.  He was married to Mary Murray ("Polly") prior to 1830 in Hawkins county, Tennessee (about 1820).  His wife Mary was born in Hawkins county,Tennessee about 1806 in Tennessee.  She died between 1836 and 1900 at Val Verde, Texas and is buried in the Griffin family cemetery in Milam county in an unmarked grave.  Her parents were Joseph Murray and Ann McClellan.  Sylvanus was a farmer and his family lived in Milam county, Texas.  He owned at least 100 acres close to the present day location of Val Verde Baptist Church (the land on the northwest side of the intersection of FM 2268 and FM 437 going down to the Little river).  His son Joseph and grandson, George Washington Griffin lived on the same land in later years. Sylvanus was Baptist and helped organize the Val Verde Baptist Church in Milam county (Another source said he was Methodist).  He is buried in the Griffin family cemetery in Milam county in an unmarked grave.

In trying to reconstruct a listing of Sill Griffin's places of residence, the following information could be pieced together:
1800: Virginia (Sill's birthplace).
Before 1830: Sill's  marriage to Polly.
1830: Tennessee (Listed in the Hawkins county census.  No children).
Between 1842 - 1845: Griffin family moves to Alabama.
1846: Cherokee county, Texas (Sylvanus is listed on the Republic of Texas poll list).
1850: Arkansas (Some children were born here; however, he is not listed on the census).  (Note: 1848 to 1850 - Did Sylvanus go back to Alabama from Texas to get his family?  He is not in the 1850 Cherokee county, Texas census).
1860: Cherokee county, Texas (Joseph and Sylvanus are both listed on the census).
1880: Milam county, Texas (Some children were born here; however, Sylvanus is not listed on the census.  It is possible that the Griffin family had been in Van Zant county, Texas prior to moving to Milam county).  When the Griffins were in Tennessee, the Pearsons were their neighbors (possibly the family of Annie Edwards Pearson moved from Alabama to Texas with the Griffins; perhaps they were even related).

Sill and Mary ("Polly") helped to organize the Val Verde Baptist church in Milam county, Texas.  The Griffins, along with the other charter members (Maranda and James P. Whittington, Jacob and Sarah Pruett, along with their three children Franklin, Samuel, and Tamira) left the DaVilla Baptist Church in DaVilla, Texas on September 4, 1875 to form Val Verde Baptist Church.  The church's present location is about nine miles east of Holland, Texas on FM 2268 in Milam county near the Bell county line.  The church was organized in 1875.  Sylvanus and Mary ("Polly") are buried in the Griffin family cemetery just east of Val Verde Baptist Church in unmarked graves (according to Pearl Griffin Digby).

Sylvanus Griffin census records:
1820: Hawkins county, Tennessee with wife, Mary.
1846: Cherokee county, Texas tax list.
1850: Jefferson county, Tennessee (age 50).
1860: Cherokee county, Texas (age 60). Farmer.
1870: Cherokee county, Texas (age 70). Farmer.
Before 1880: Died in Milam county, Texas.

Mary (Murray) Griffin census records:
1860: Cherokee county, Texas (age 54).
1870: Cherokee county, Texas (age 60?).

The Children of Sylvanus & Mary (Murray) Griffin:

I.  John Griffin: He was born on September 11, 1829 (census says 1832) in Hawkins county, Tennessee.  He married Elizabeth C. Robbins, who was born on November 2, 1835 in Tennessee.  They were married on July 24, 1851.  Elizabeth professed Christ in early life and later joined the Val Verde Baptist Church in Milam county, Texas.  She died on January 5, 1912 and is buried in the Griffin Family Cemetery.  John and Elizabeth were members of Griffins Chapel Methodist Church in 1886 in Milam county, Texas.  John died on April 29 (30?), 1887 in Val Verde, Texas in Milam county; he was buried in the family cemetery east of Val Verde Baptist Church.  He was a farmer by occupation.

Smith and Wilson Families

Identification of the above picture (left to right):
Henry S. & Mary L. Wilson; John N. & Mary F. (Griffin) Smith; Georgia (Smith) Marshall (standing); Pearl (Wilson) Courtney (standing); Hugh Wilson (seated); Edward Cyrus and Mary (Smith) Wilson; John Henry Wilson (baby); Zora (Barrett) Pruett; Grandma Griffin (Mrs. John (Elizabeth) Griffin; and Cora (Smith) Easterwood.

John and Elizabeth had the following children:
     A.  Mary Frances Griffin:  She was born on September 27, 1852 in Arkansas.  In about 1870, she married John Newton Smith.  He was born in Honey Path, South Carolina on June 22, 1844.  He served in the Civil War from the state of South Carolina.  Afterwards, he came on horseback to Cherokee county, Texas; this is where he and Mary Frances were married.  In 1874, they traveled by covered wagon to DaVilla, Milam county, Texas where they spent the rest of their lives.  They purchased some land known as the Tribble place on Carson crossing.  He built a cotton gin and mill on Spring Branch just north of downtown DaVilla.  He was mechanically inclined.  Jack of all trades, and was able to make any kind of repairs, including the duplication of parts if necessary.

John Newton Smith & Mary Frances (Griffin) Smith

Mr. N.J. Smith died on December 18, 1925 and Mary Frances Griffin Smith died on March 12, 1947.  They are buried in marked graves in the DaVilla cemetery (The marker also bears the names of their children).  Their children include:
          1.  Noel Smith:
          2.  Mary Frances Smith: She was born on October 12, 1873.  She married Edward Cyrus Wilson in 1892.  Edward Cyrus Wilson, a resident of Davilla, Texas for sixty years, was born in Kansas on March 6, 1867.  When he was eight years of age he came from Kansas to Davilla, Texas (Milam county) with his parents in an ox drawn wagon.  As they traveled from Kansas to Texas many creeks and streams were frozen so hard they crossed over them without any problems.  He owned and operated a grocery business in Davilla and served the community as postmaster.  The family attended the Baptist church.  Mary Frances Wilson died on March 19, 1938 and Edward Cyrus Wilson died on February 23, 1954.  Their graves are marked in the Davilla cemetery.  They had the following children:
               (a.  John Henry Wilson: He was born in Davilla, Texas on April 24, 1893.  As a young  man, he went into the grocery business with his father and continued as a merchant in Davilla for 46 years.  He married Sidney Aileen Digby on August 9, 1919.  She was a descendant of the first settlers of this section.  Her parents were William Seaborn Digby & Mattie Minerva Wallace.  John Henry Wilson died on September 2, 1974 in Belton, Texas and his grave in the North Belton Cemetery is marked.  His widow continued to make her home in Belton.  They had the following children:
                    (1.  William Edward Wilson:
                    (2.  Johney Ruth Wilson:
               (b.  Leonard Albert Wilson: He was born on February 13, 1897 and died on April 24, 1960.  He is buried in the family plot in the Davilla cemetery.
          3.  Alfred Major Smith: He was born on October 16, 1877; he died on November 26, 1883 and is buried at the Griffin Family Cemetery.
          4.  Georgia A. Smith: She married Rutherford Hayes Marshall.
          5.  Cora Isabel Smith: She married Hoyle Spurgeon Easterwood.
          6.  William Oscar Smith: He was born on January 15, 1888; he died on March 1, 1888.  He is buried in the Griffin Family cemetery.
          7.  J.L. Smith: He was  born on May 16, 1873 and died on March 4, 1882.  He is buried in the Griffin Family Cemetery.
     B.  Eliza Jane Griffin: She was born on May 16, 1857 in Texas.  She married George Washington Smith in 1874.  He was born on August 29, 1849 in Honey Path, South Carolina.  He traveled on horseback to Cherokee county, Texas in the 1860's  with his brother, John Newton Smith.  Soon after their marriage, they came to DaVilla, Texas by covered wagon.  G.W. Smith owned a cotton gin and mill near DaVilla on Spring Branch and his home was across the branch.  The original home on that location  burned to the ground on the night of the national election when McKinley was elected President in 1896.  The family had gone into town to get the election results.  Immediately, he began to build another home on the same location.  The work was completed in 1897; this home is owned today by the Stegall family.

The George Washington Smith Family
Taken about 1891 - 1892

Identification of the above picture:
(left to right): James H. Smith; George Washington Smith; Ada Belle Smith; Eliza Jane (Griffin) Smith; Bess Smith (on mother's lap); Dora Smith (standing in the back).

The George Washington Smith Family
Taken at their home north of Davilla, Texas (present Stegall home)

Identification of the above picture (left to right):
James; Ada Belle; Bess; Perry King and his wife, Dora Smith; George Washington Smith and his wife, the former Eliza Jane Griffin.

George Washington Smith & Eliza Jane (Griffin) Smith had the following children:
          1.  Dora Alice Smith: She married Lawrence Perry King.
          2.  James Henry Smith: He married Nettie Irene Hines.
          3.  John Y. Smith: He was born on September 18, 1885; he died on November 11, 1886.  He is buried in the Griffin Family Cemetery.
          4.  Ada Belle Smith: She married Henry Burk Payne.
          5.  Bessie Ann Smith: She married Homer Horace Hine.
George Washington Smith died on June 4, 1934 and Eliza Jane Griffin died on December 2, 1940.  Their marked graves are in the DaVilla cemetery.
     C.  Alice A. Griffin: She was born in Texas in March, 1860.
     D.  Bellzora Griffin: She was born in Texas in 1866; she is buried in the Griffin Family Cemetery.  She married J.W. Barrett on December 21, 1888.

Wedding License
Raith McQueen & Saphronia A. Griffin
Where do they fit in the family tree?

Information from the Family Bible of Mr. & Mrs. John Griffin:

"Births:
John Griffin                                                       Bornd Sept. 11, 1829
E. (lizabeth) C. Griffin                                          "      Nov. 2, 1835
M. (ary) F. (rances) Griffin                                   "      Sept. the 27th, 1852
E. (liza) J. (ane) Griffin                                         "      May the 17, 1857
A (lice) A. Griffin                                                  "     January 2, 1860
B. (elle) Z. (ora) Griffin                                         "     August the 3, 1866
J.W. Barrett                                                            "     Jan. 14th, 1868
Zora Clementine Barrett                                        "     Dec. 20, 1889
Liddle Belle Barrett                                               "     Jan. 27th, 1892

Marriages:
John and E. (lizabeth) C. Griffin was married July the 24 day A.D. 1851.
J. (ohn) N. (ewton) S. (mith) and M. (ary) F. (rances) Griffin married July 20th A.D. 1871.
G. (eorge) W. (ashington) S. (mith) and E. (liza) J. (ane) Griffin married Jan. _________.
J.H. Hennington and A. (lice) A. Griffin was married July the 3rd A.D. 1881.
J.W. Barrett and Belle Z. Griffin was married Dec. 23rd. 1888.

Deaths:
John Griffin died April 29th 1887.
Elizabeth C. Griffin died Jan. 5, 1912.
B. (elle) Z. (ora) Barrett died feb. 19th 1892.
Liddie Belle died _____ _____ 1892.

On a separate piece of paper in the bible is the following:
Mrs. E.C. Griffin was borned Nov. 2, 1835 and was married to John Griffin July 24, 1851.
Professed Christ in early life and united with the Baptist Church at Val Verde.
Age 77 Years 2 Mo. 3 Days.
Died Jan. 5, 1912

Also, in the bible were tinted tin-type pictures of Mr. and Mrs. John Griffin."


II. William C. Griffin: He was born in 1831 (1833 acc. to census) in Hawkins county, Tennessee.  He married Phoebe Jane Roberts in Arkansas about 1851; she was born in 1839 (37?) in Arkansas.  Her Confederate pension application was approved in Johnson county, Texas on September 26, 1908.  On her pension application (filled out on 6-26-1908) she said, "I own nothing but one cow, worth about $ 40.00.  I own nothing else but this cow".  She lived in Texas since 1858.  They lived in Alvarado, Johnson county since about 1893.  William C. was a farmer; his family was in Cherokee county, Texas in 1860.  From about 1891 to 1908, he was a preacher for the Free Will Baptists.  His Civil War state pensioner number was 2305.  He died on May 9, 1908 in Alvarado, Johnson county, Texas from paralysis; he was buried the next day in an unmarked grave in Duke's cemetery in Alvarado.  William and Phoebe had the following children:

The Children of William & Phoebe Griffin:

     A.  Thomas J. Griffin: He was born in 1855 in Texas.
     B.  Nancy M. Griffin: She was born in 1859 in Texas; she is buried in the Griffin Family Cemetery in Milam county, Texas.
     C.
     D.
     E.
     F.
(Note: The number of children is based upon William's obituary saying that six children survived him; that means that six were still alive as of May 9, 1908, but doesn't mean that the number of children was limited to six).

The following is a summary of William C. Griffin's Civil War Record:

William C. Giffin's Civil War Record:

He enlisted on February 5, 1862 (another source says March) in Texas and was discharged with the regiment at the surrender in 1865; he was a private in the 11th Texas Infantry in Company C.  His company was commanded by Colonel O.M. Roberts; Company C were men from Cherokee county, Texas.  Company C was often known by an alternate designation derived from the name of it's commanding officer.  Some of the names used for this company include:
Oran M. Roberts infantry.  (He became Governor of Texas at the end of the Reconstruction Era.  He served in this position from 1878 to 1883).
Nathaniel J. Carrawy's Infantry.
A.J. Coupland's Infantry.
James H. Jones' Infantry.
D.S. Terry's Infantry.
Thomas M. Roundtree's Infantry.
R.B. Long's Infantry.
W.H. Christian's Infantry.
W.Y. Engledow's Infantry.
W.D. Hampton's Infantry.
Louis Stillwell's Infantry.

Records indicate that this regiment completed it's organization by the election of field officers on April 9, 1862 with ten companies which had previously been mustered into Confederate service for the term of twelve months.  Colonel Roberts had previously been appointed provisional Colonel by General P.O. Hebert on March 17, 1862, to take effect on March 1, 1862.  The regiment was re-organized on June 23, 1862 ,evidently under the provisions of the Conscript Act.  Records indicate that the First Texas State Infantry was merged into this regiment in January of 1865.  The Eleventh Texas Infantry served in the Trans-Mississippi Department throughout its career.  It first saw service with the Army of New Mexico in the spring of 1862, one of the few unmounted units in that command.  It subsequently saw service in Louisiana and Arkansas.  The specific higher command assignments include:
March 1, 1862: Attached, Army of New Mexico.
September 30, 1862: Second Brigade, First Division, Trans-Mississippi Department.
April 1, 1863: Attached, District of Western Louisiana, Trans-Mississippi Department.
December 31, 1863: Sabine Pass, Texas, District of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, Trans-Mississippi Department.
September 30, 1864: Third (Texas) Brigade, First (Texas) Division, Army of Trans-Mississippi.

Officers inicluded:
Caraway (or Carraway), Nathaniel Jackson, Major.
Coupland, A.J., Lieutenant Colonel.
Jones, James H., Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel.
Roberts, Oran M., Colonel.
Roundtree, Thomas H., Major.

Although the regiment's first assignment was in the Army of New Mexico, there is no record of its having taken part in any of the engagements fought that far west.  Records have been found identifying the unit in a number of other engagements later in the war in both Louisiana and Arkansas.

 William C. Griffin fought in the following battles (#s refer to locations on maps):

1862:
October 24 - November 6: Operations in the LaFourche District, Louisiana (1).

1863:
January 14: Engagement, Bayou Teche, Louisiana (detachment) (2).
February 12 - 28: Operations on Bayou Plaquemine and on the Black and Atchafalya (3) Rivers, Louisiana.
March 31 - April 1: Operations from Milliken's Bend (4) to New Carthage (5), Louisiana.
April 9 - May 14: Operations in Western Louisiana  and in the Teche Country.
April 12 - 13: Engagement, Fort Bisland (6), Bethel Place, Bayou Teche (2), near Centreville (7), Louisiana.
April 14: Engagement, Irish Bend, Louisiana (8).
April 17: Action, Bayou Vermillion, Louisiana (9).
May 21 - 26: Operations on Teche Road between Barre's Landing (10) and Berwick City (11), Louisiana.
May 22: Skirmish, Barre's Landing (10), Bayou Teche, Louisiana.
June 7: Actions, Milliken's Bend (4) and Young's Point (12), Louisiana.
June 20-21: Action, LaFourche Crossing, Louisiana (1).
June 23: Action and Capture, Brasher City, Louisiana (13).
July 12-13: Engagement, Cox's Plantation, Donaldsonville (14), Bayou LaFourche, Louisiana.
September 7: Action, Morgan's Ferry, Atchafalaya River, Louisiana.
September 29: Action, Sterling's Plantation on Bayou Fordoche near Morganza (15), Louisiana.
October 3 - November 30: Campaign in Western Louisiana and Operations in Teche Country.
October 9-10: Skirmishes, Bayou Vermillion, Louisiana (9).
October 21: Actions, Opelousas (16) and Barre Landing (10), Louisiana.
October 24: Action, Washington, Louisiana (17).
November 3: Action, Grand Coteau, Bayou Bourbeau, Carrion Crow Bayou, Buzzard's Prairie, Louisiana (18).
November 11: Action, Bayou Vermillion, Louisiana (9).
November 20: Action, Camp Pratt, Louisiana.

1864:
March 10 - April 10: Operations against Bank's Red River Campaign, Louisiana.
March 14: Capture, Fort DeRussy, Louisiana (detachment) (19).
March 14 - 26: Operations against Advance from Franklin, Louisiana (20).
March 31: Action, Natchitoches, Louisiana (21).
April 7: Engagement, Wilson' s Farm (22) near Pleasant Hill (23), Louisiana.
April 8: Skirmishes, Bayou de Paul (Carroll's Mill) (24) near Pleasant Hill (23), Louisiana.
April 8: Battle, Sabine Cross Roads (25), Mansfield (26) near Pleasant Hill (23), Louisiana.
April 9th: Engagement, Pleasant Hill, Louisiana (23).
April 16 - May 3: Operations against Steele's Expedition from Little Rock (27) to Camden (28), Arkansas.
April 18: Engagement, Poison Springs, Arkansas (29).
April 25: Engagement, Mark's Mills, Arkansas (30).
April 30: Engagement, Jenkin's Ferry, Saline River, Arkansas (31).

During the summer of 1864, the Eleventh Texas Infantry was ordered to Shreveport, Louisiana.  After serving there for a short time, the regiment was moved to Marshall, Texas.  Early in 1865, it was again moved, this time to Hempstead, Texas.

Although the regiment was included among the Confederate Trans-Mississippi forces surrendered at Galveston on June 2, 1865, records show that the unit had been disbanded at Hempstead in late May, 1865. 

William is reported on the roll for January and February, 1864.  The latest comment on file listed him as "absent sick in hospital at Marksville, Louisiana since February 25, 1864".

The following obituary for William C. Griffin appeared in the May 15, 1908 edition of the Alvarado newspaper:
"Elder W.C. Griffin died in South Alvarado Saturday night from paralysis.  He has been a resident of Johnson county for 24 years and for 17 years of this time has been preaching the faith of the Free Will Baptists.  The remains were buried Sunday at Dukes graveyard.  A wife and six children survive him".
(Note: The 5th Sunday meeting program of the Alvarado Baptist Association convened on Thursday, May 28th at 8:30 and went through Sunday).

III.  Joseph Franklin Griffin ("Joe"): He was born on October 28, 1835 (one source says 1837) in Hawkins county, Tennessee.  He married Susannah Elizabeth Edwards on February 23, 1861 in Cherokee county, Texas.    He died on October 12, 1905 in Val Verde, Texas in Milam county and is buried in the family cemetery.  (Note: See separate post on this blog for the Joseph Griffin family).

IV.  James M. Griffin: He was born on March 20, 1839 in Hawkins county, Tennessee; he was a farmer.  James was married to (1) Parolee J. Mallory on November 15, 1860 in Cherokee county, Texas.  He was married a second time to (2) Sarah Ann Darbison on March 17, 1869 in Van Zant county, Texas.  James died on November 20, 1917 in Wood county, Texas and was buried in Liberty cemetery in Hopkins county, Texas.

V.  Nelson R. Griffin: He was born about 1842 in Hawkins county, Tennessee; he was a farmer.He was married to (1) Mary E. White on September 21, 1865 in Cherokee county, Texas.  His second marriage was to (2) Catherine G. Murray on August 3, 1868 in Van Zandt county, Texas.

VI.  Mary Ann Griffin ("Margaret"): She was born about 1845 in Talladega, Talladega county, Alabama.

VII.  George Washington Griffin: He was born about 1847 in Talladega county, Alabama (Another source says he was born in Texas).  He married (1) Nancy E. White on October 22, 1865 in Rusk, Cherokee county, Texas.  His second marriage was to (2) Ellen Fay Darbison Goodnight ("Ellen") on December 20 (or 5th?), 1867 in Rusk, Texas in Cherokee county.  She was born in 1849 and died in 1939.  George Washington Griffin served in Company B of the 14th Texas Cavalry, CSA.  He died on January 6, 1881 in Dye, Cooke county, Texas and is buried in the Dye cemetery (Note: One source said that he is buried in Gainesville, Texas).  They had the following children:

Children of G.W. Griffin & Ellen Darbison

Identification of the above picture:
Front row (left to right):
     1.  Minnie M. (Griffin) Allamon
     2.  Adolphus Griffin
     3.  Cordelia (Griffin) Lisembe
Back row (left to right):
     1.  Georgia (Griffin) Allamon
     2.  Vernettie (Griffin) Holland


     A.  Albert Vaughn Griffin: He was born in 1866 and died in 1939.
     B.  Adolphus Caranus Griffin ("Adolphus"; "A.C."): He was born in 1869 and died in 1947.  He married Katy Vennoy.

Adolphus Caranus Griffin

Possibly Katy Vennoy?
(Picture was next to Adolphus' picture on left)

     C.  Cordelia Griffin ("Delia"): (Note: Delia has no middle name). She was born on September 18, 1870 in Van Zant county, Texas (possibly in Gainesville), She married Calvin Eugene Lisenbe ("Gene").  He was born on November 1, 1867 in Shorter, Alabama (outside Montgomery, Alabama).  He and Delia got married on June 17, 1888 (87?) at the Bell Plains Methodist Church (which is no longer there). He died on September 22, 1947 in Belton, Texas (Bell county).  Delia was reared in Cook county, Texas, then went to Holland, Texas after her father died.  Her mother re-married after her husband died.  Delia died on September 1, 1943 in Belton, Texas and is buried in the North Belton cemetery.

Gene & Delia (Griffin) Lisembe

(Note: Cornelia had a daughter whose married name was Mrs. Wilkerson.  Glenn & Billy Blair spoke with her in 1979 about the Griffin family.  She lived in Nolanville, Texas.  She had the family Bible and an obituary for Cordelia Griffin.  She also said she has an older sister who lives in Austin, Texas)(See Note # 2 at bottom of this post for more early Griffin information from this visit).  Calvin and Cordelia (Griffin) Lisembe had the following children:
          1.  Willie Eugene Lisembe:  He was born on January 1, 1890 in Bell county, Texas.  He died on January 30, 1971 at Scott & White hospital in Temple, Texas.
          2.  George Chapple Lisembe: He was born on December 17, 1894 in Bell county, Texas.  He died on February 11, 1946 in Belton, Texas (Bell county).  He is buried at Little River, Texas.
          3.  Pauline Marie Lisembe: She was born on August 12, 1897 in Bell county, Texas.  She married Walter Hale.  They live in Austin, Texas.
          4.  James Franklin Lisembe: He was born on August 13, 1901 in Bell county, Texas.  He lives in Killeen, Texas.
          5.  "Jo" Lisembe Teague: She was born on January 30, 1905 and lives in Sherman, Texas.
          6.  Marie Ellen Lisembe ("Helen") (Mrs. Brock): She was born on November 10, 1907.  She lives in Trenton, Texas.
          7.  Susan Louise Lisembe:  She was born on November 22, 1910.  She lives in Nolanville, Texas.
     D.  Vernettie Griffin ("Nettie"): She was born in 1875, married a Mr. Holland, and died in 1963.
     E.  Minnie Mae Griffin ("Minnie"): She was born in 1879, married a Mr. H.E. Allamon, and died in 1972.
     F.  Georgia Ann Griffin ("Georgia"): She was born in 1881, married a Mr. T.E. Allamon, and died in 1962.

Some of the Griffin girls

Identification of the above picture (left to right):
1.  Minnie Mae Griffin ("Minnie")
2.  Cordelia Griffin ("Delia")
3.  Ellen (Griffin) Goodnight
4.  Vernettie Griffin ("Nettie")

VIII.  Margaret Jane Griffin: She was born on January 20, 1850 in Talledega county, Alabama.  Margaret married Robert Dallas Smith on November 26, 1868 in Henderson county, Texas.  She died on January 27, 1936 in Salado, Bell county, Texas and is buried in Salado cemetery.

(Note: There is another Sylvanus Griffin on the Tennessee census; not our Sylvanus because he is too young.  Could he be a son of Sylvanus and Mary?  He was living with another family and maybe stayed behind when the family moved to Texas.  Possibly Sylvanus and Mary were married in Jefferson county, Tennessee because this is where the younger Sylvanus was in 1850).


Sources:
1.  Griffin Family Cemetery records/ tombstones.  Milam county, Texas.
2.  LaNita Murray: Temple, Texas in Bell county.  (Major source of information).
3.  "Find A Grave" website: Information about George Washington Griffin, who married Ellen Fay Darbison.  Memorial originally created by Sharon Rhoades on January 29, 2009.  Image of his tombstone was taken by "Pat" on March 30, 2010.
4.  Information from the family Bible of Mr. & Mrs. John Griffin.
(Note: Other sources for this post are listed under the George Washington Griffin family post).
5.  "Find A Grave" website.  Memorial # 69059893.  Created by: BeNotForgot.  Added to website on April 28, 2011.  Maintained by Janice (O'Bryan) Byington.
6.  E.A. Limmer, Bell County, Texas.
7.  Glenn & Billy Blair conversation with Mrs. Wilkerson in November, 1979 at her home in Nolanville, Texas (about the early Griffin family).


Notes:
1.  Family summary of Henry S. Wilson & Mary L. Wilson (parents of Edward Cyrus Wilson, who married Mary Frances (Griffin)):
"Henry S. Wilson was born on November 23, 1841.  His wife, Mrs. Mary L. Wilson, was born on March 11, 1846.  The Wilsons moved to Davilla from Kansas in 1875 and he established a general store.  During the years he purchased land and raised cattle as a sideline.  He served as postmaster at Davilla twice from 1887-1893 and 1897-1900.  The post office was located in his store.  They were the parents of the following children:
a.  Helen Wilson: She married a man named B.H. Keith.
b.  Pearl Wilson: She married (1) Boyd F. Foster and (2) James W. Courtney.
c.  Herbert S. Wilson: He married Mary ___________.

Mr. & Mrs. Herbert S. Wilson
(and daughters, Mabel and Artie)

d.  Edward Cyrus Wilson: He married Mary Frances Smith.
e.  Hugh Wilson: He married Beulah Sanders.

Hugh Wilson
(brother of Edward Cyrus Wilson)

Mrs. Mary L. Wilson died on March 9, 1903 and Mr. Wilson died on April 6, 1911.  Their marked graves are in the Davilla cemetery."
2.  Notes from Glenn & Billy Blair visit with Mrs. Wilkerson in November, 1979:
"The Griffins were Methodist.  I remember when Pearl (Griffin) Digby taught school at Bell Plains.  My grandmother (Goodnight) lived out there.  My oldest brother lived out there.  They used to board a lot of teachers from the Armstrong and Bell Plains schools.  I'm not sure if Pearl boarded with them or not.  
My grandfather's Civil War record is in Austin.  He's buried at Gainesville, Texas in a community called 'Dye'.  There is a Civil War marker at his grave.  My grandmother's twin sister married Jim Griffin.  Mabel lives in Belton.  I have the old Bible about my parents.
Cordelia's mother had a brother who was a doctor whose office was either in Jail, New Mexico or Dennison, Texas.
In 1921, Cordelia's family washed away at Summers Mill and Cordelia lost her family Bible.  Then they moved to Salado, Texas.  Cordelia's Sunday School class gave her the current family Bible that's almost falling to pieces now.  It's not up to date.
See page # 200 for Cordelia Griffin's obituary.
Mabel Griffin's father was Jim Griffin.  Mabel lives in Belton and could help me.  Mabel's grandmother is buried next to George W. Griffin.  They died of pneumonia about the same time and were buried close together.  Mabel's grandmother was my grandmother Griffin's twin sister". (Note: Double check this fact; Mrs. Wilkerson may have gotten her generations confused).

The Joseph Griffin & Susannah Elizabeth (Edwards) Griffin Family: Basic Family Info.

THE JOSEPH FRANKLIN GRIFFIN SR. & SUSANNAH ELIZABETH (EDWARDS) GRIFFIN FAMILY

     1835 - 1905                                                                                1845 - 1927
   Joseph Griffin                                                                  Susannah Elizabeth Edwards

THE JOSEPH GRIFFIN FAMILY
Taken at the old homeplace at Val Verde, Texas

Identification of the above picture (left to right):
1.  Alvin Griffin
2.  Joe Griffin
3.  Susannah Griffin
4.  Alfreda Griffin
5.  Frank Griffin
6.  Ed Griffin
7.  George Washington Griffin


Joe Griffin's parents were Sylvanus Griffin and his wife Mary (Murray) Griffin.  Mary was born in 1806.  Joe Griffin was born on October 28, 1835 in Hawkins county, Tennessee.  He married Susannah Elizabeth Edwards on February 23, 1861 in Rusk, Cherokee county, Texas.

Susannah Elizabeth (Edwards) Griffin

Her mother's name was Annie Pearson.  Susannah Elizabeth Edwards was born on December 16, 1845 in Tennessee.  She died on April 24, 1927.

Griffin Families
June 19, 1860 Cherokee County, Texas Census
(Source: Ancestry.com)

In the above 1860 Cherokee county, Texas census, Joseph Griffin is shown as a 23 year old farmer living in the household of his parents, Silvanus & Mary Griffin.  John & Elizabeth C. Griffin's family as well as William C. & Phebe J. Griffin's family are also listed on this page.

Griffin Families
August 30, 1870 Van Zandt County, Texas Census
(Source: Ancestry.com)

The Griffin families in the above 1870 Van Zandt County, Texas Census include:
     a.  Joseph & Susana Griffin family
     b.  Wilson & Malinda Griffin family
     c.  Sivanus & Mary Griffin family
     d.  William & Febie J. Griffin family
All of these families are listed close to one another in the census record, which makes me think they are all related to one another.  Sivanus (Sylvanus) Griffin is Joseph Griffin's father.  I still need to examine how the other Griffins tie in to the family.

Joseph Griffin Family
June 9, 1880 Milam County, Texas
(Middle of page; Source: Ancestry.com)

Joseph Griffin Family
June 27, 1900 Milam County,Texas Census
(Bottom of page; Source: Ancestry.com)

Joe Griffin was a farmer and he and his family lived in the Val Verde community in Milam county, Texas.

Pencil-drawn map of the Val Verde area showing Joseph Griffin homeplace.
Drawn by Georgia (Griffin) Roen in mid July, 2009  for Billy Blair.
(Top of the map faces north)

A family story about Joseph Griffin is that he came home from the Civil War with corn shucks tied to his feet for shoes.  Joe died on October 12, 1905 in Milam county, Texas.  He is buried in the Griffin family cemetery, which is located just east of the Val Verde Baptist Church.  The cemetery is on private land.  Family members raised money to put a fence around the cemetery sometime around the 1970s.

The Children of  Joe & Susannah Elizabeth (Edwards) Griffin:

I.  James Nelson Griffin ("Jim"): He was born in 1863 (62?) in Texas.  His second wife's name is Della.  Jim died in 1930.

II.  Ardenna Clementine Griffin ("Ardemia" or "Ardema"): She was born in 1866 in Texas.  She married Jack Liles and died in 1950.

III.  Sylvanus Griffin ("Sill"): He was born in 1875 in Milam county, Texas.  He was married.  He had a non-cemetery burial.  (Note: He is found in the 1880 census.  He may also be the same Sylvanus Griffin (born April 1, 1875) who registered for World War I in Montgomery county, Texas with a wife, Nora).

IV.  Sarah Elizabeth Griffin ("Sacky" or "Sally"): She was born about 1872 in Texas.  She married Mack Duffy Liles ("Mack").  She died in 1938.

V.  Edward M. Griffin: He was born in 1880 and died in 1906.  He died in his early 20s.

VI. Safronia Ann Griffin: She was born in 1869 in Texas.  She married Raith McQueen on December 1, 1889 in Cameron, Texas (Milam county).  She died in 1973.

Marriage License of
Raith & Safronia Ann (Griffin) McQueen

VII.  George Washington Griffin ("G.W."): He was born on May 14, 1883 on the Sylvanus Griffin farm in Milam county, Texas.  He married Mary Elizabeth House ("Bettie") on November 29, 1903 at the Methodist parsonage in Milam county, Texas.  G.W. died on October 24, 1947 in Belton, Texas (Bell county) and is buried in the North Belton cemetery.

VIII.  Joseph Franklin Griffin ("Frank"): He was born on November 30, 1885 in Milam county, Texas.  He married Lilian Anderson.  Frank died on February 5, 1955 (56?) and is buried at the Holland cemetery in Bell county, Texas.  They had the following children:
     A.  Mabel Griffin:  She was born on July 22, 1908 in Holland, Texas (Bell county).  She resided in Belton, was a housewife, and a Nazarene by faith.  She married Gilbert August Gerstenberg on September 15, 1929 in Belton, Texas.  He was born on December 23, 1905 in Weimer, Texas (Colorado county).  He worked for the Texas Highway Department.  He has no record of military service and had no other wives.  His parents are William A. Gerstenberg and Helene Marie A. Hasse.
Mabel and Gilbert had the following children:
          1.  Gilbert August Gerstenberg Jr.:  He was born on April 3, 1930 in Luling, Texas (Caldwell county).  He married Tempie Nell Lackey on June 6, 1951 in Belton, Texas.  He resided in Centerpoint, Texas.  He was a carpenter/ painter, was Baptist by faith, had no record of military service, and no other wives.  Tempie Nell Lackey was born on July 30, 1934 at Camp Verde, Texas (Kerr county).  Her parents are James Robert Lackey and Ezell Doris (?) Bierschwale.  They had the following children:
               a.  Gilbert August Gerstenberger III:  He was born on April 11, 1952 in Kerrville, Texas (Kerr county).  He married Janie Marie Marinek on September 14, 1971 in Temple, Texas (Bell county).  They later divorced.  Gilbert resided in Center Point, Texas, where he was a store manager.  He is Baptist by faith and has no record of military service.  Gilbert and Janie had the following children:
                    (1.  Stephanie Nell Gerstenberger:  She was born on March 27, 1973 in Kerrville, Texas.
Gilbert's second wife was (2) Sherry Jan Palmer.  She was born on August 12, 1949 in Del Rio, Texas (Val Verde county).  Her first husband was (1) Mr. Pfeiffer.  Sherry's parents are Theodore Joseph Palmer and Norma Lee Shirley.  Gilbert and Sherry had the following children:
                    (1.  Jana Lee Pfeiffer (step-daughter):  She was born on August 16, 1970 in San Antonio, Texas (Bexar county).
                    (2.  Aaron Joseph Pfeiffer (step-son):  He was born on May 30, 1973 in Comfort, Texas (Kendell county).
                    (3.  Kayla August Gerstenberg:
               b.  William Lewis Gerstenberger:  He was born on March 12, 1954 in Morenci, Arizona (Greenlee county).  He resided in Reno, Nevada.  His occupation was in sales.  He is Baptist by faith and has no record of military service.  He married Vicki Magliana on May 18, 1979 in Reno, Nevada (Washoe county).  They later divorced. She was born on June 26, 1956.  They had the following children:
                    (1.  Anthony Aaron Gerstenberger: He was born on June 25, 1982.
               c.  Samuell Ezell Gerstenberger:  He was born on January 26, 1959 in Kerrville, Texas (Kerr county).  He works for the City of Kerrville and has no record of military service.  He married Melainie Kay Edwards on August 8, 1983 at Center Point, Texas (Kerr county).  They later divorced.  She was born on March 26, 1965.  They had the following children:
                    (1.  Samuel Matthew Gerstenberger:  He was born on February 22, 1984.
          2.  Melba Lodene Gerstenberg ("Lodene"):  She was born on October 18, 1931 in Belton, Texas.  She married James Maurice Moore on October 17, 1948 in Belton, Texas.  He was born on October 16, 1928 in Belton, Texas.  He died on January 3, 1957 in Austin, Texas (Travis county).  He was buried on January 5th at Resthaven cemetery in Belton.  His occupation was that of a truck driver.  His parent's names are Allen Moore and Sylvia Wilson.  Melba worked at Texas Instruments.  She is Nazarene by faith.  She and James Maurice Moore had the following children:
               a.  James Maurice Moore Jr.: He was born on March 24, 1950 in Belton, Texas.  He married Sammie Kaye Killingsworth on June 12, 1970 in Belton, Texas.  She was born on September 1, 1949 in Belton, Texas (Bell county).  She was a secretary  and was a member of the Church of Christ.  She had no other husbands.  Her parents were Jack Hugh Killingsworth and Billie Earl Howland.  James was an Ag. Engineer.  He was a member of the Church of Christ denomination.  He had no record of military service and had no other wives.  They had the following children:
                    (1.  Amy Elizabeth Moore: She was born on January 25, 1976 in Arlington, Texas (Tarrent county).
                    (2.  James Hugh Moore:  He was born on April 17, 1980 in Temple, Texas (Bell County).
               b.  Michael Lee Moore: He was born on May 1, 1951 in Belton, Texas.  His occupation was that of a carpenter.  He had no church affiliation, military service, or other wives.  His parents were James Maurice Moore and Melba Gerstenberg.  He married Connie Chapman on April 27, 1974 in Belton, Texas.  She was born on July 12, 1950 in Temple, Texas (Bell county).  Her occupation was that of a secretary.  She has no church affiliation.  Her parents were James Halbert Chapman and Mae Smithson. Michael and Connie had the following children:
                    (1.  James Robert Moore: He was born on March 30, 1977 in Temple, Texas (Bell county).
                    (2.  Matthew Allen Moore: He was born on March 19, 1979 in Temple, Texas.
Connie's first husband was (1) Daniel Ronald Bruscia.  They had the following children:
                    (1.  Michelle Diane Bruscia: She was born on April 20, 1970 in Temple, Texas (Bell county).
               c.  David Lynn Moore:  He was born on July 19, 1952 in Belton, Texas.  He married Cynthia Ann Sudaz ("Cindy") on March 11, 1983 in Temple, Texas.  They later divorced in 1991.   Cindy was born on February 13, 1954 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Cindy's occupation was that of a nurse.  Her parents were John Stephen Sudaz and Virginia Fay Cheney.  Cindy's first husband was (1) George Harold Wideman.   David lived in Temple, Texas, was a carpenter, and had no church affiliation or history of military service.  His first wife was (1) Vickie Volkmer. Cindy and George Harold Wideman had the following children:
                    (1.  Michele Lea Wideman: She was born on February 1, 1971 at Temple, Texas.
David Lynn Moore and Cindy had the following children:
                    (1.  David Allen Moore: He was born on March 15, 1984 in Temple, Texas.
               d.  Carol Ann Moore:  She was born on December 11, 1953 in Belton, Texas.  Her first husband was (1) Wayne Thomas Johnson.  He was born on August 25, 1952 in Temple, Texas.  Carol was a housewife and a nurse.  They were married on December 23, 1971 in Temple, Texas.  They later divorced.  Wayne Thomas Johnson's parents were Parker Leroy Johnson and Joanna Frances Durden.  Wayne Thomas Johnson was a carpenter.  He had no church affiliation or history of military service.  He and Carol Ann had the following children:
                    (1.  Jeremy Wayne Johnson: He was born on May 22, 1973 in Temple, Texas.
Carol Ann Moore's second husband was (2) George Conrad; they were married on March 3, 1979 in Temple, Texas.  He was born on May 18, 1954 in Bryan, Texas (Brazos county).  He was a carpenter and had no history of military service.  His parents were Lawrence Vaughan Conrad and Irene Murphy.  Carol Ann and George Conrad had the following children:
                    (1.  Jeremy Alan Conrad: He was born on May 22, 1973 in Temple, Texas (Adopted by Conrad; Born Johnson).
                    (2.  Lindsay Rae Conrad: She was born on February 18, 1981 in Temple, Texas.
                    (3.  Ashley Lanae Conrad: She was born on February 18, 1981 in Temple, Texas.
                    (4.  Ely Vaughn Conrad: He was born on September 18, 1982 in Temple, Texas.
               e.  Theresa Marie Moore:  She was born on December 4, 1955 in Belton, Texas.  She married Jimmy Jimenez on March 4, 1971  in Temple, Texas.  He was born on March 4, 1953 in Temple, Texas.  He was a machine operator in Temple, Texas, was Catholic, and served in the U.S. Army.  His parents were Jose R. Jiminez and Elvira Gomez.  He died on April 21, 1982 in Temple, Texas.  He was buried on April 24th in Resthaven cemetery in Belton Texas.  Theresa Marie Moore died on April 21, 1982 in Temple, Texas.  She was buried on April 24th at Resthaven cemetery in Belton, Texas.  She and Jimmy had the following children:
                    (1.  Jarrod Lee Jimenez: He was born on September 21, 1973 in Gatesville, Texas (Coryell county).
                    (2.  Elisa Kay Jimenez: She was born on March 10, 1976 in Temple, Texas (Bell county).  She was married to Michael Brown.
               f.  Linda Jean Moore:  She was born on September 5, 1957 in Temple, Texas.  She was a school teacher and is Baptist by faith.  She married Steven Wayne Creek on December 23, 1978 in Belton, Texas.  He was born on November 19, 1951 in Norfolk, Virginia.  His parents are William Leroy Creek and Lois Marie Byrd.  He was a fireman and he resided in Belton, Texas.  They had the following children:
                    (1.  Courtney Shianne Creek: born on December 24, 1980 in Temple, Texas.
                    (2.  Brittney Leigh Creek:  born on June 5, 1982 in Temple, Texas.
                    (3.  Khali Theresa Creek: She was born on December 12, 1986 in Temple, Texas.
          3.  Robert Wayne Gerstenberg:  He was born on February 17, 1939 in Belton, Texas.  He married Peggy Powell on January 21, 1977 in North Richland Hills, Texas.

VIV.  Alfreda M. Griffin: She was born on February 24, 1878 in Texas.  She was not married and she died on August 8, 1933.  She is buried in the Griffin family cemetery in Milam county, Texas.

X.  Alvin Leath Griffin: He was born in 1889.  He married Ruth Laughlin. and died in 1964.

SOURCES:
1.  "Find A Grave" website. Subject: "Sylvanus Griffin".  Created by Janice(O'Bryan) Byington on November 27, 2011.  Memorial # 81119953.
2.  Wedding license of Raith McQueen and Safronia Ann (Griffin) McQueen.
3.  Lodene Moore: Belton, Texas.  Correspondence with Billy Blair on July 7, 1995 regarding the line of Mabel Griffin (daughter of Frank Griffin & Lillian Anderson).
4.  Oscar/ Lillian Schneider in San Antonio, Texas  (copies of Family Group Sheets received).

George Washington Griffin: Basic Family Info.

THE GEORGE WASHINGTON & MARY ELIZABETH (HOUSE) GRIFFIN FAMILY

        1883 to 1947                                                                            1885 to 1981
George Washington Griffin                                                          Mary Elizabeth House

G.W. & Bettie (House) Griffin

George Washington Griffin ("G.W.") was born on May 14, 1883 on his grandfather's farm in Milam county, Texas; he was the son of Joseph Griffin ("Joe") and Susannah Elizabeth Edwards ("Susan"), who were pioneer settlers of the Val Verde community in Milam county.  They had moved from Van Zant county in east Texas to Milam county.  George had five brothers and four sisters.  G.W. went to Thomas Arnold school (High School or Academy) in Salado.  The school superintendent offered G.W. a chance to stay with him and go to school, but he felt like he needed to stay with his parents.

On December 30, 1885, G.W.'s future wife, Mary Elizabeth House ("Bettie") was born in Pontotoc, Mississippi; they were married on November 29, 1903 by a Rev. Lewis at the Methodist parsonage in Milam county.  Her wedding dress was green with an ivory neck; it also had a bussell.  Her hair was black.

George Washington Griffin & Mary Elizabeth (House) Griffin

G.W. was a short, stocky man with red, curly hair. He was a very kind and sensitive man; when all the children in the area would play "hide and seek" in the freshly plowed fields, G.W. would be out there playing with them.

G.W. Griffin

Bettie Griffin feeding her chickens

He also enjoyed hunting squirrels and rabbits.  He used to let some of the kids go with him hunting down in the river bottom.  In the springtime, he would take his shotgun and push away the leaves to show them the first violets coming up.  Little things such as these were very important to his children.  G.W. was also a stubborn man and ran the house strictly by the rules. According to relatives, G. W. was a quiet man and he never owned a car.  Dwayne Digby said that at one point, G.W. Griffin worked at Ketchem's Laundry; Mart Digby took him to work every day (not sure when this happened).  From 1912 - 1914, the Griffin family lived in the old Aiken homeplace located east of Salado, Texas at the present intersection of Royal road and Amity East road.  In December, 1914, they moved to Val Verde, Texas.  The Griffin homeplace at Val Verde was located just south of the old Parker home (just northeast of the Val Verde Baptist Church).  Doris (Griffin) Herrington remembers G.W. Griffin having an appendix operation on a back room table in the drug store in Holland, Texas; Dr. Crosswaite performed the operation.

Georgia (Griffin) Roen map of the Griffin homeplace area.
Milam county, Texas.  Drawn in mid July, 2009

Georgia & Doris Griffin at the Griffin homeplace at Val Verde, Texas

Bettie's parents were John Jefferson House and Samantha Jane (Arnold) House ("Jane").  Her religious preference was at first Baptist; later, she became Methodist.  She came from Pontotoc, Mississippi with her parents when she was only five years old.  On April 24, 1927, G.W.'s mother died.  Although all of her children helped to take care of her during her final years, Bettie Griffin stayed with the Arnold Roen family in the years prior to her death (304 Greenbriar.  Belton, Texas, Bell county).  Pearl (Griffin) Digby relayed the following stories about, her mother, Bettie Griffin to Billy Blair:
" Ivy Moore's parents were having a child.  My mother went during a flood on horseback to deliver that child".
"My mother also took care of neighbors when they got the flu.  She would stay until they were well, then come home.  It seems as though the flu arrived about the same time as World War II.  One time, my mother got the flu when she returned home from taking care of neighbors.  My father took care of her and successfully kept the kids from getting the flu in a three room house".
I believe it was Mattie (Digby) Wesson who recalled that Bettie Griffin always wanted the bills paid immediately.  Bettie died on Saturday morning, November 21, 1981 at the Crestview Manor Nursing Home in Belton, Texas (1103 Mary Jane).

Mary Elizabeth (House) Griffin ("Bettie")

The cause of her death was lung cancer (Note: In her book, Rambling Reflections, Pearl Digby said it was liver cancer).  The funeral was on Monday at 2 pm at Heartfield Funeral Home in Belton; Dr. Leroy Kemp and Rev. Greg Nichols officiated.

Bettie Griffin obituary

She was buried in the North Belton cemetery.  She was 95 years old at her death; she had 18 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, and five great, great grandchildren.  G.W. Griffin was a Methodist by faith and a farmeer by occupation.

George Washington Griffin (driving wagon) and neighbor, David Ray.

Pearl (Griffin) Digby said that when she was a child, G.W. would let the kids burn the thorns off of the cactus and use them as fodder for the cows.  They would stick the huge cactus with a pitchfork and then hold it over the fire.

(Left to right):
1.  Ardemia Liles
2.  Fronnie McQueen
3.  Mary Elizabeth (House) Griffin ("Bettie")
4.  George Washington Griffin ("G.W.")

He had lived almost all of his life in Milam county, but, in 1944 he moved to Belton, Texas.  George Washington Griffin died on Friday, October 24, 1947 at 1:45 pm of lung caner in Belton, Texas; he was sixty four years old.  The funeral was at Eads Chapel the next day at 4 pm; the Rev. James Basden from First Baptist Church, Belton and the Rev. Powell Smith from the Christian Church officiated.

G.W. & Bettie (House) Griffin tombstones, North Belton Cemetery
1'  2 1/4" tall; 3' 11" across
Footstones: Bettie = 5" across, 3" tall; G.W. = 6" across; 3" tall
Tombstone faces east.  Belton, Texas, Bell county

He was buried in the North Belton cemetery.  Pallbearers for the funeral were: W.D. Howard, Clifford Ketchum, Raymond Taylor, Odell Hyer, O.O. Mayfield, and U.L. Pierce.

Janet Roen in 1947 at G.W. Griffin's funeral, North Belton cemetery, Belton, Texas

In later years, G.W. Griffin had resided at 601 Surghnor in Belton, Texas.  Mattie (Digby) Wesson remembers him not letting her pull the corn when she was a child because she would pull up the whole stalk.  George Washington Griffin had sandy, dark red hair which he kept parted down the middle.  Violet (White) Dolehite said that he was a very kind and quiet man; she mentioned that she had never seen him angry.  G.W. and Bettie had the following children:

The Children of George Washington & Mary Elizabeth (House) Griffin:

1972
Back row, left to right: Rena, Georgia, & Doris Griffin
Front row, left to right: Pearl and Bettie (House) Griffin

I.  Ivy Griffin:

Ivy Griffin

Ivy was born on November 28, 1904.  She married Len Moore on December 24, 1928 at the Little River Baptist Church in Little River, Texas (Bell county).  They had the following children:
     A.  Bernice Lee Moore: She married Dave Maners.  They had the following children:
          1.  Barry Maners:
          2.  Jeffrey Maners:
     B.  Edith Lynn Moore: She married Bob Beberstein.  They had three children:
          1.  Bradley Beberstein:
          2.  Liskin Beberstein.  She married a man named ________ Wood.
          3.
     C.  Doyle Ray Moore: He married a girl named Jo Anne _________.  They had the following children:
          1.  Debra Moore:
          2.  Donna Moore:
          3.  Mark Moore:
Len Moore's second wife was named Violet.

II. Pearl Griffin: 

Pearl Griffin

Pearl Griffin

Pearl in San Marcos, Texas during college.

Pearl and one of her students
at the Bell Plains school.

Pearl & Mart Digby.

Pearl at her 90th birthday celebration
in Fellowship Hall of the First
Christian Church in Belton.

Lauren Blair and Pearl hugging on Glenn
& Jeannine Blair's back porch in Belton, Tx.

Pearl was born on February 15, 1907 east of Salado, Texas in Bell county.  She married Martin Van Digby ("Mart") on December 7, 1929 at the Methodist parsonage in Belton, Texas (Bell county).


III.  Jewell Geneva Griffin ("Jewell"):

Jewell Griffin

Jewell at home at Val Verde, Texas.

Jewell (Griffin) Elsik

Jewell was born on September 30, 1910 in Holland, Bell county, Texas.  She married H. Johnnie Elsik.  Jewell died about 10:30 pm on May 29, 2006 in Harris county, Texas.  The funeral was on that Thursday and she was buried at the outskirts of Houston.  It was raining too hard to bury her after the funeral service and her burial had to be delayed.  Her obituary from the Houston Chronicle newspaper reads as follows:

"Jewell Geneva Elsik was born the third of six daughters to George and Bettie Griffin of Bell County, Texas.  She attended public schools in Val Verde, Texas and graduated from Scott and White Hospital School of Professional Nursing at Temple, Texas in 1931.  At the time of her death she was the oldest living graduate of the school.  In 1934 she married H. Johnnie Elsik who was superintendent of Snook Independent School District.  She and her family moved to Houston in 1948. She became the first school nurse for Aldine Independent School District in 1949.  She later worked at Hermann Hospital and became a school nurse consultant for the Harris County Department of Education in 1962.  One of the schools she visited in this capacity was Alief which at that time had an enrollment of 240 students housed in a single building.  In 1967 she accepted a position as the first full time nurse for the Alief Independent School District.  As the district grew in population and number of schools she became the first Director of Health Services.  She retired in 1976 at which time she was honored for her services by the District when Alief Elsik High School was named for her.  Despite her advanced years, Jewell maintained an amazing mental acuity until her passing.

She was preceded in death by her husband, H. Johnnie Elsik and son, Hubert J. Elsik Jr.  She is survived by son Donald and his wife, Mattie; daughter in law, Sherry L.; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren, three sisters and numerous nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by dear friends Robet and Mill Erwin and Pat and Marie Benham.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 1, 2006 in the Chapel at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home with Rev. Eugene Vickrey officiating.  Memorials may be sent to a Scholarship fun at Jewell G. Elsik High School, Alief, Texas, or Houston Hospice."

Jewell and Johnnie Elsik had the following children:
     A.  Hubert Johnnie Elsik:  He was born on March 9, 1937.  His first wife was (1) Jo Lynn Grasse.  They had the following children:
          1.  Diana Lynn Elsik:
          2.  Terri Jo Elsik:
          3.  Brett J. Elsik:
Hubert Johnnie Elsik's second wife was (2) Sherry Smith.  They had the following children:
          4.  Cindy E. Elsik: She was born on March 19, 1985.
     B.  Donald George Elsik ("Don"):  He was born on February 8, 1943.  He married Millicent Melton.  They had the following children:
          1.  Alexander Newton Elsik: He was born on December 8, 1977.
Don developed throat cancer in 2015.

IV.  LoRena Griffin ("Rena"):

Rena Griffin

Rena at home in Val Verde, Texas.

Rena (on right) and her friend, Dorothy Spears.

Rena disliked the name "LoRena".  She was born on August 15, 1914 near Salado, Texas in Bell county.  She married Carl Alfred Shine ("Alfred").  She died on March 22, 1985 at 5:30 pm.  The funeral was in Waco, Texas (McLennan county).  They had the following children:
     A.  Kathleen Shine ("Kathy"): She was born on August 3, 1945 in Waco, Texas.  Her occupation is in Library Media.  He and his wife attend the Church of Christ.  She married Claudie A. Hamilton ("Dean") on August 21, 1965 in Waco, Texas.  He was born on July 11, 1944 in Hamilton, Texas.  His occupation is that of Legal Administrator.  His parents are Claudie Vernon Hamilton and Louise (Ledbetter) Hamilton.  Dean was in active duty USAF from January 26, 1967 to September 1, 1988.  Dean and Kathy have the following children:
          1.  Joel Dean Hamilton: He was born on September 8, 1967 in Waco, Texas.  He married Anne Kilzer on August 3, 1991 in Omaha, Nebraska.  Joel is a captain in the Army.  They live in Fort Drum, New York.  They had the following children:
               a.  Jenna Marie Hamilton: She was born on April 11, 1994.
          2.  Jennifer Dawn Hamilton: She was born on January 23, 1970 in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts.  She married Jeffrey Delgado on August 21, 1993 in Waco, Texas.  They live in Omaha, Nebraska.  They have the following children:
               a.  Corbin Blake Delgado: He was born on July 21, 1994.
          3.  Jonathan David Hamilton: He was born on August 1, 1973 in Montgomery, Alabama.  He married Amy Haselwood on June 11, 1994 in Omaha, Nebraska.
          4.  James Daniel Hamilton: He was born on October 28, 1974 in Fort Worth, Texas.  He is single.
     B.  Linda Shine:  She married Calvin____________.  They had four children.

V.  Georgia Ruth Griffin ("Georgia"):

Georgia at home in Val Verde, Texas.

Georgia Griffin

Georgia & Arnold Roen.

Arnold & Georgia with their three girls:
 (left to right) Carol Beth, Karen, and Janet.

Georgia was born on February 24, 1924 in Val Verde, Texas (Milam county).  She married Arnold Roen.  At Pearl Digby's 99th birthday party on February 12, 2006, Arnold said, "I just got through celebrating my 60th wedding anniversary.  I've heard the first 60 years are the hardest."  Arnold Roen died on April 2, 2009.  He was in the hospital with pneumonia for two days.  While he was there, the doctors realized that he had a heart attack (Note: I'm not sure whether the heart attack actually happened in the hospital).    His funeral was at 10 amon Monday, April 6, 2009.  Arnold was 90 years old at the time of his death.

"ARNOLD ROEN OBITUARY

 Arnold Thomas Roen, 90, passed away on April 2, 2009. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday, April 5, 2009, at Dossman Funeral Home in Belton. A Celebration of Life will be at 10 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2009, at First Baptist Church in Belton.

Arnold was born in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, to the late Einar Lars Roen and Lydia Peninnah Schesvold Roen. Arnold's education began at Lone Elm School, a one room school house which instructed first through seventh grade. On completion of seventh grade, his formal education ceased so he could help support his family; however, he was an avid reader, lifelong learner and strong advocate of education. As a young boy, Arnold was confirmed in the Lutheran church. As a young man, he was a charter member of Maranatha Evangelical Free Church in Rice Lake.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II and was stationed at Waco Army Base in Waco, Texas. This is where he met Georgia Ruth Griffin and they were married on August 18, 1945, in Waco. After a brief time in McCook, Nebraska, they made their home in Belton, where they raised three daughters and he worked as a Civil Service mechanic at Fort Hood until his retirement.

Since 1946, Arnold has been an active member of First Baptist Church in Belton, where he served as deacon, teacher, usher and in many other capacities. He and Georgia have been active in the Golden Age Club and the Intercessory Prayer Ministry since the beginning of these ministries. Arnold was a member of American Legion Walton H. Walker Post #55 and served as Chaplain of Post #55 for many years. Besides his family and his church, Arnold enjoyed gardening, woodworking, reading, helping his son-in-law restore classic cars, traveling and visiting with people.

He was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Carol Roen Pittman; a brother; and two sisters.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Georgia; daughters, Janet Hood and husband, Terry, and Karen Walsleben and husband, Bill; son-in-law, Mark Pittman and wife, Valeria; grandchildren: Beth Ann Brown and husband, Clint, April Robinson and husband, Terry, Jason Hoskins and wife, Chelse, Hope Booker and husband, Jeff, Portia Moore and husband, Micah, Jack Pittman, and Kimberly Haney and husband, Bobby; great-grandchildren: Codie, Casie and Caleigh Robinson, Raylan Highfield, Roen Hoskins, and Julie Booker; sister, Mildred Bjugstad; and numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Waco Tribune-Herald: 4/05/2009

Bio by: Ruth M. Brown"

Georgia celebrated her 90th birthday on Feb. 24, 2014.  Georgia got Parkinson's Disease and was at Garden Estates Assisted Living in Temple, Texas.  She fell into a brief coma and passed away on Monday, December 12, 2016.  Georgia and Arnold had the following children:
     A.  Janet Roen: She married Terry Hood.  They had the following children:
          1.  April Hood:
          2.
     B.  Karen Roen: She married (1). Wayne Hoskins and (2) Bill Walsleben (who died suddenly of a heart condition on Thursday, June 7, 2018.  His funeral was the following Wednesday at 10 am in Waco, Texas).  Karen had the following children:
          1.  Beth Ann _________:
          2.  Jason ___________.
     C.  Carol Beth Roen: She married Mark Pittman.  They had the following children:
          1.  Portia Lynette Pittman:
          2.  Jack Pittman:
Carol Beth died of a brain tumor that she struggled with for many years.  Her husband Mark tenderly took care of her for many years.  Mark Pittman's second marriage was to (2) Valerie Anderson.  I believe that Mark and Valerie later got divorced.

VI. Virginia Doris Griffin ("Doris"):

Doris Griffin

Kenneth & Doris Herrington

Bernice (House) Cooper (left) and
Doris (Griffin), Herrington (right).

Doris was born on October 9, 1928 in Val Verde, Texas.  She married Kenneth Herrington.  Kenneth's mother was still living on South Wall street in Belton when she was 93 - 94 years old.  Barbara Gillam once told her, "I hope to come to your 100th birthday party".  Mrs. Herrington replied, "Keep in shape".  Kenneth's father was accidentally shot while hunting and bled to death on the way to the hospital.  Kenneth worked at Tex-O Cal Hardwoods in Temple, Texas.  Doris was a teacher's aid at Leon Heights school in Belton.  Kenneth had the following siblings:
     A.  Minnie Herrington:  She married a Mr. Henderson.  She taught Spanish at Belton High School, then at Mary Hardin Baylor College in Belton.
     B.  Irene Herrington: She married a Mr. Moore.  She was a red head and was the youngest of the children.
     C.  Ruby (?) Herrington: She married C.C. Newby ("Clifton").  They lived in a house outside of Belton.  Mr. Newby died before she did.
     D.  __________ Herrington: She married a Mr. Brinegar.
     E.  ___________ Herrington:  She married a Mr. Sheldon (or Shelton?).  They lived in Garland, Texas.
     F.  Harvey Herrington: He had a big lumber company in Belton, Texas.  He and his wife got divorced; she lived in Belton.
     G.  Burris Herrington: He had red hair.
     H.  (brother): He lives in a pretty home on the Lampasses river.
     I.  _____________.

Kenneth and Doris live on Hilltop street in Belton, Texas.  They had the following children:
     A.  Cloyce Herrington: He married Ruth ____________.  They have the following children:
          1.  Sandy Herrington:
     B.  Lane Herrington:
     C.  Arla Herrington:

Kenneth Herrington died on February 16, 2020 in Bell county, Texas; he had been having trouble with heart and lung issues.

SOURCES:
1.  Death Certificates: Alfreda Griffin; George Washington Griffin.
2.  Death Announcements in newspapers: George Washington Griffin; Mrs. Bettie Griffin (Mary Elizabeth Griffin); Frank Griffin.
3.  Conversations between Billy Blair and Arnold & Georgia Roen, Belton, Texas.
4.  Griffin cemetery, on private land east of Val Verde Baptist Church, Val; Verde, Texas.
5.  Conversation between Billy Blair and Pearl (Griffin) Digby, 1979.
6.  John J. House family Bible.
7.  Census Records:
     a.  1860 Cherokee county, Texas (for Sylvanus Griffin).
     b.  1880 Milam county, Texas.  Enumeration District # 5.  Precinct # 5.
8.  Bernard House, Midland, Texas.
9.  Mr. & Mrs. Odell Hyer.  Belton, Texas.
10. Marriage Records of Cherokee county, Texas 1846-1880 by Huttash.
11. Conversation between Billy & Susan Blair and Violet (White) Dolehite, December 27, 1979.
12. Conversation between Billy Blair & Mattie (Digby) Wesson, November, 1981.
13. Correspondence with Bill & Gayle Cloud, Sumerville, Tennessee.
14. Joseph Griffin's Civil War Record from the Confederate Research Center at Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas and from the Texas State Archives in Austin, Texas.
15. Heartfield Funeral Home's records for Mary Elizabeth Griffin, Belton, Texas, 1981.
16. Mrs. C.F. Wilkerson, Killeen, Texas (Lives in Nolanville, Texas).
17, George Washington Griffin Memorial Record Book (was in Bettie Griffin's possession).
18. George & Bettie Griffin tombstones, North Belton cemetery.
19. The Val Verde Baptist Church by E.A. Limmer Jr. (article was published in 1985).
20. Bobbie Thornton in Plano, Texas referred me to Gatha Hines in Hico, Texas.
21. Carol Griffin in Katie, Texas researches Griffin family.  Pearl Digby referred me to her.
22. Conversation between Billy & Susan Blair and Bernice Cooper in Troy, Texas.
23. Conversation between Billy & Susan Blair and Glenn & Jeannine (Digby) Blair on September 23, 1979.
24. Debbie Liles     dlimages@airmail.net  on May 25, 202.  (Andrew Jackson Liles and Ardemia Griffin family).
25.  Georgia (Griffin) Roen map of the Griffin homeplace area in Milam county, Texas.  Map drawn in mid July, 2009 for Billy Blair.
26.  Jewell Geneva (Griffin) Elsik obituary, Houston Chronicle newspaper dated, May 31, 2006.
27.  Conversation with Glenn & Jeannine (Digby) Blair at their home in Belton on September 1, 1996.
28. Kathy (Shine) Hamilton: She lives in Papillion, Nebraska and provided helpful information for her family.  (Only a portion of this information has been posted on this blog at this point).  Source was a letter from Kathy to Billy Blair in 1995 (by way of Pearl Digby).
29.  Information from Bernice Moore's photo album.
30.  Pearl (Griffin) Digby stories about her mother, Bettie (House) Griffin, as told to Billy Blair on December 28, 1996.
31.  Correspondence with Lodene Moore.  Belton, Texas (Mabel Griffin's line.  She was the daughter of Frank Griffin & Lillian Anderson).
32.  Doris (Griffin) Herrington: July 31, 2006.
33. Barry Maners (E-mail to Billy Blair  on May 11, 2017 regarding correct spelling of "Len" Moore.  His mother, Bernice Maners confirmed that Len Moore's second wife, Violet, didn't like the spelling of his real name and always spelled it "Lynn" when she had the chance).