William Griffith (RevWar Patriot)

M, #100094, b. before 1752, d. between 25 July 1804 and 16 April 1805
Reference 4G Grf, B94
Charts Pedigree starting with Jack (representing the grandchildren) - incorporates the branches below - largest chart
Pedigree for Guilford Carlile Babcock Jr
SourceSource(s): Our Ewing Heritage with Related Families, Betty Carson and Doris Wooley, revised edition 1996. 
Source*Source(s): DAR application of Olive Rees Leonard #412591. 
Birth*before 1752 William Griffith (RevWar Patriot) was born before 1752 at Connecticut. 
CAUTION*There is the following CAUTIONARY INFORMATION for William Griffith (RevWar Patriot): There are many "sources" that refer to "Geneseo" and "Genessee River Area" without stating specifically where they are. It is assumed that they mean Genesse County New York, which is now Livingston County. I've found no primary or secondary records in either county to prove/disprove they were there. As seen, the earliest record is the 1799 MI deed record, but we don't know when the family moved there. So some children may have been born in Michigan. They may have been born in New York, or for that matter, in Connecticut as we don't know when he left there either. 
Marriage*He married Freelove Eckle at (possibly Genesse Co. now Livingston Co.), (probably New York). 
Deed*20 July 1799 On 20 July 1799 at River aux Raisin, Sargent Twnshp, Wayne Co. now Monroe Co., Michigan: GRIFFITH, Wm. of Sargent Twp., pur. fr. Chas Proux and w. Therese of Wayne Co., July 20, 1799, 570 acres on River aux Raisin, adjoining land of Robidoux. Witnesses: Israel Ruland and Joseph Baril. Reg.: (?). Rec. Nov. 13, 1801. V.2 p.5 (Early Land Transfers/ Detroit and Wayne County, Michigan/Volume I/County and City/ transcribed by the Michigan Works Progress Administration Vital Records Project. Sponsored by Michigan State Library and Daughters of the American Revolution/Louisa St. Clair Chapter, 1936. p.48.). 
TaxList*1802William Griffith (RevWar Patriot) was found on a tax list 1802 Sargent Twnshp, Wayne Co. now Monroe Co., Michigan: Sargent Township, ?Co, MI, "Griffith, William, father" 1 employes (sic) 1 horse 1 cattle, per Collections of the Pioneer Society of MI vol 8, second edition, 1886 pg 537 (printed 1907, volume located at MI Historical Center).
     Regarding the archives storage area of State Office Building (now the Lewis Cass Building). The Archives accumulated to that time were totally destroyed by an arson fire in early 1950s. This explains the paucity of Territorial records available. Michigan Censuses, 1710-1830, Under the French, British and Americans, edited by Donna Valley Russell. Detroit: Detroit Society for Genealogical Research, Inc., 1982. includes a 1802 Tax List (copy) of Wayne County found in the Godfroy Paper. Sargent Township. Lists William Griffith, father and William Griffith, son, p.80. This appears to be same list as above. "Short-lived Sargent Township was clearly the southwestern settlements of the Detroit River, as far south as the River Raisin (now Monroe)."
     The Michigan Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan is now the Historical Society of Michigan, 1305 Abbott Rd., East Lansing which does not maintain a research center. The Collections of the Pioneer Society of the State of Michigan appeared as the multi-volume Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections and finally are cited as the Michigan Historical Collections. Wayne County Estate Files are available in the Archives of the State of Michigan located in the Michigan Historical Center, 717 W Allegan Street, Lansing. (per Geneva Wiskemann gwiskemann@arq.net). 
Deed First Land owners of Monroe county, Michigan, compiled by E Gray and Ethel W Williams (Kalamazoo, MI: The Authors, 1963, p. 72 has a record of William Griffith owning 504.61 acres under "French Claims" in T6S R10E, present day Berlin Township. William Griffith Jr. is recorded owning 400.82 acres in this location. (Geneva Wiskemann found at Library of Michigan). 
Deed4 June 1804 On 4 June 1804 at River aux Raisin, Sargent Twnshp, Wayne Co. now Monroe Co., Michigan: GRIFFITH, William of Sargent Twp., pur. fr. Louis Robidoux of Sargent Twp., June 4, 1804, a parcel of land on River Raisin in Sargent Twp., Witness: Peter Audrain. Reg.: (?). Rec. June 7, 1804. V.2 p.85 (Early Land Transfers/ Detroit and Wayne County, Michigan/Volume I/County and City/ transcribed by the Michigan Works Progress Administration Vital Records Project. Sponsored by Michigan State Library and Daughters of the American Revolution/Louisa St. Clair Chapter, 1936. p.48.). 
Will*25 July 1804He left a will 25 July 1804 Wayne Co. now Monroe Co., Michigan, Besides the will (proved 16 Apr 1805), in this case file is correspondence between (DAR applicant) Olive Leonard and the probate court in 1958. She was told "there is no record of the guardianship... nor are there other documents on file in the estate of William Griffith. There is only the will on file and apparently it never was admitted to probate".
     Extract of the will (RG 72-44, Case File #1332 - State Archives of MI and the Library of MI in the MI Historical Center 717 E Allegan, Lansing MI. RG equals Record Group.) - "I, William Griffith Senior, of the County of Wayne and Indiana Territory". 1st, "creditors after named" be paid and they should "cause my body to be buried in a decent Christian like manner". 2nd, "give and bequeath unto Jemima Griffith, my daughter [torn] cows for her own use. Further that the residue of my movable and personal property"... "disposed of to the best advantage by my creditors" ... "executors do pay over the proceeds resulting from such sale to Mr Benjamin Squires and Lemuel Jennings both of the Gennesee Country State of New York, whom by this will do appoint guardians to such of my children as may be under age at the time of my decease" [to educate them].
     It's difficult to read some of this, but it looks as though he expects that they (the children and guardians) to be "desirous" of moving back to Gennesse Country, so he directs the creditors to "defray the expenses of their journey". "As respect my land, [several words unreadable because taped together] situated and lying at the time of my decease, my will is that the land be rented by my said executors to the best advantage and that said real property remain undivided and under the control of my executors til my youngest child, that my be living, ... at the age of twenty one years, ... my will is that said real property be shared amongst all my children then living share and share alike" [usual provisio about children of deceased child] "... to wit, Sarah, wife of Benjamin Squires, Charlotte, wife of Alexander Ewings Junr, William Griffith Junr, Anna Griffith, Jemima Griffith, Nathanial Griffith, Clarissa Griffith, Horatio Griffith and James Griffith, to have and to hold the monies share and share alike, to them their heirs forever with a powe[?] of dividing the same at the period above mentioned". [missing line is probably the time period, and something about them coming of age].
     The next paragraph is difficult to make out, but gives further instructions to the guardians. "Lastly, I do hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint William Griffiths Junr [unreadable but may be residing or living in] Raisin in said county of Wayne, executor" ..."In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at River Raisin in said county of Wayne this 25th day of July in the year of our Lord, ... 1804".
     Witnesses are Richard Mooney, James Crawford and John [might be Giles, difficult to decipher]. There is also a deposition dated 15 Apr 1805, that Richard Mooney and James Crawford appeared before the Justice of the Peace and swore they were present and saw the signing of the will - no mention of John. Last sheet has several notations. "The Last Will & Testament of William Griffith Senr deceased filed in probate offices 16th April 1805", "Delivered over by [Warrent?] 18 July 1809 [unreadable first name] Dougall Judge of Probate", "file 17th May 1812 [unreadable signature]", and lastly, "file in my office by the executors March 17th, AD 1820 Isaac Lee, Register".
     Wayne County was originally constituted in 1796 by Acting Governor Sargent of the Northwest Territory," including the lower peninsula, the eastern portion of the upper peninsula, the northern portions of what is now Ohio and Indiana, a part of the northern section of the present State of Illinois and a strip along the west shore of Lake Michigan in what is now the State of Wisconsin. Governor Harrison of Indiana, in 1803, reduced the boundaries." - Index to Local and Special Acts of the State of Michigan, 1803-1927. Lansing, MI: Robert Smith Company, State Printers, 1928. P.854. The Territory of Michigan was established in 1805. Governor Hull constituted the parts of the Territory to which the Indian title had been extinguished, one county and divided the Territory into four districts. (per Geneva Wiskemann gwiskemann@arq.net). 
Death*between 25 July 1804 and 16 April 1805He died between 25 July 1804 and 16 April 1805 at Wayne Co. now Monroe Co., Michigan, will date 25 Jul 1804, proved 16 Apr 1805. 
Event-Misc*6 December 1808He had the following event: 6 Dec 1808, Tuesday
The Board met at nine in the forenoon, pursuant to adjournment.
     No. 434. THE LEGAL HEIRS OF WILLIAM GRIFFITH, deceased.—The Board took into consideration the claim of the legal heirs of William Griffith, deceased, to a tract of land, situate on the north side of river Raisins, which was entered with the former Commissioners of the Land Office at Detroit, in vol. 1, page 71, under the date of the 12th of January, 1805.
     This tract contains, by estimation, five hundered and seventy arpents, it being four and three-quarters arpents in front by one hundred and twenty in depth, bounded in front by river Raisins, in rear by unconceded lands, above by lands of William Griffith, Jun. And below by lands of Guillaume Lapoint.
     Whereupon, Antoine Boulard was brought forward as a witness in behalf of the claimants, who, being duly sworn, deposed and said, that, previous to the 1st July 1796, Romain La Chambre was in possession and occupancy of the premises, and continued so until he sold to Charles Proux, from whom the late William Griffith purchased, and occupied and cultivated the same until he died; since which time, the claimants have tenanted the same. About fifty arpents are cultivated and enclosed; a dwelling-house and out-houses are erected, and there is a fine orchard on the premises.
     And thereupon it doth appear to the commissioners that the claimants are entitled to the above described tract of land, and that they have a certificate thereof, which certificate whall be No. 434; and that they cause the same to be surveyed, and a plot of the survey, with the quantity of land therein contained, to be returned to the Register of the Land Office at Detroit.
     No. 435. WILLIAM GRIFFITH, JUN.—The Board took into consideration the claim of William Griffith, Jun. To a tract of land, situate on the north side of river Raisins; and the notice by him filed on the 17th of November last was read in the words and figures following, to wit:
     To the Register of the United States' Land Office at Detroit.
Sir:
     William Griffith, Jun. hereby gives notice of claim, and makes entry with the Commissioners of the United States Land Office at Detroit, of a certain tract of land of four hundred and eighty acres, more or less, situate upon the river Raisins, in the district of Erie, and territory of Michigan, being four acres in front upon said river and extending in depth back from said river one hundred and twenty acres, bounded in front upon said river Raisins, in rear by unlocated lands, on the east by the farm of William Griffith, Sen. Deceased, and on the west by Francois Baron, dit Cattin. The said William Griffith, Jun. Makes title and claim to hold said farm and tract of land, with the appurtenances, to hm and his heirs, by virtue of purchase thereof on one Louis Robidou, by deed dated June 4, 1804; also makes title and claim to himself and heirs, by long and continued possession, occupancy, and improvements, by himself and those under who he claims and derives title to said tract of land and premises.
               Sol. Sibley,
               Attorney for the Claimant.
     This tract contains, by estimation, four hundred and eighty acres it being four acres in front by one hundred and twenty acres in depth, bounded in fron by said river Raisins, in rear by unlocated lands, east by the farm of William Griffith, deceased, and west by lands of Francois Baron, dit Cattin.
     Whereupon, Antoine Boulard was brought forward as a witness in behalf of the claimant, who being duly sworn, deposed and said, that, previous to the 1st of July, 1796, Louis Robidou was in possession and occupancy of the premises, and continued so until he sold to the claimant, who has possessed and tennanted the same to this day. Sixteen arpents are cultivated.
     The claimant, in support of his claim, exhibited a deed in the words and figures following, to wit:
     [See book A, folio 264, registered by the former commissioners.]
     And thereupon it doth appear to the commissioners that the claimant is entitled to the above described tract of land, and that he have a certificate thereof, which certificate shall be No. 435; and that he cause the same to be surveyed, and a plot of the survey, with the quantity of land therein contained, to be returned to the Register of the Land Office at Detroit.
     Source: American State Papers - Documents., legislative and executive, of the Congress of the United States, in relation to the public lands: .. Washington, DC: 1832, reprint 1994. Vol.1 pgs. 444-445. (Comment: Claims presented to the Commissioners of the Land Office in Detroit following the 1 July 1805 fire which destroyed the city.) Further Sources regarding this transaction:
RG 87-153 . Records of the department of Conservation. Surveys of Private Claims. No. 351-750, incl. Typed, bound. No. 434, 435, Detroit, January 12, 1810. Aaron Greely, Surveyor of Private Claims gives the actual land descriptions consisting of links, chains, and degrees.
RG 60-8 . Records of the Department of Conservation in the State Archive of MI. List of Private Claims #1-736. January 12, 1810. Typed. Portion copied for William Griffith, confirmed Detroit January 12, 1810 River Raisin 504.61 acres. And for William Griffith, Jr., confirmed Detroit January 12, 1810 River Raisin 409.82 acres.
RG 60-8 . Records of the Department of Conservation in the State Archive of MI. Plan of Private Claims in Michigan Territory. Aaron Geeley. Monroe County. #00148 digitized original.
Portions copied (map of plots as well):
No. 434 Heirs of William Griffith 409.82 acres
No. 435 William Griffith Junr. 409.82 acres
RG 60-8 . Records of the Department of Conservation in the State Archive of MI. Survey and Field Notes of Private Claims. 1818-1855. Plat of T6R8E (Comment: same size and enlargement copy showing surveyed claims No. 434, 435 on River Raisin. Copied from microfilm #4924.
RG 87-153 . Records of the Department of Conservation. Survey Notes of the Exterior Lines of Private Land. Bound. (Comment: identifies nature of land and cover in area of #434 and #435)
RG 87-153 . Records of the Department of Conservation. Survey Notes (Resurvey). Private Claims. Monroe District. By Orange Risdon, Deputy Surveyor, February, 1847. (Comment: Notes claims 434 and 435, nature of land and cover, and Saline and Monroe Road location.)
Bureau of Land Management. Patents. Cert. 434. Patent 1114359, August 5, 1942. Cert. 435. Patent 108058, January 27, 1934. No. 203 dated May 8th, 1811. "I do certify that the Legal Heirs of William Griffith, decd. Have lodged in the Treasury a certificate, numbered 434, ... therefore entitled to a Patent ..." Similarly, Wm Griffith Junr. got a patent 3 July 1812.
Note: State Archives of MI and the Library of MI in the MI Historical Center 717 E Allegan, Lansing MI. RG equals Record Group on 6 December 1808 at River aux Raisin, Wayne Co. now Monroe Co., Michigan. 

Family

 Freelove Eckle b. c 1756
Marriage*He married Freelove Eckle at (possibly Genesse Co. now Livingston Co.), (probably New York). 
Children 1.Sarah Griffith b. 24 Jan 1778, d. 1862
 2.Charlotte Griffith+ b. 14 Feb 1780, d. 18 Mar 1843
 3.Captain William Griffith Jr+ d. c 1824
 4.Anna Griffith b. 1788, d. 1849
 5.Jemima Griffith d. b 1811
 6.Nathaniel Griffith b. 1792, d. 1811
 7.Clarissa Griffith b. 1793
 8.Horatio Griffith b. 4 Apr 1796, d. 24 Oct 1846
 9.James Griffith b. 17 May 1798, d. 6 Dec 1876
Last Edited 14 Nov 2011
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