FIFTH GENERATION

38. Thomas GRIFFITH was born on 1 Sep 1767 in , Chester co., PA. He died on 4 Mar 1842 in Jenner Twp., Somerset, PA. He was buried in Baptist Ch. Cem., near Boswell, Somerset, PA. BIRTH/DEATH: Dates computed from elapsed time on tombstone.

OCCUPATION: Farmer

CENSUS: 1790, Bedford County, PA. Thomas Grifeth, 1 male over 16, 1 male under
16, 3 females.

LAND RECORDS: 15-201, Thomas and Jane his wife to Redding B. Conover 9-2-1837,
formerly land of William Griffith of Thomas to Thomas Griffith by deed
9-4-1830. (William of Thomas would be this Thomas' father.)

04 Sep 1830. Joseph Imhoff, High Sheriff, came into Court and acknowledged his
deed to Thomas Griffith for one house and Lot #51. Also 5 other lots (#43, 44,
45, 49, and 50), all situated in Jennerville, Jenner Twp. Sold as the property
of William Griffith (of Thomas). Consideration $100. (Somerset County, Docket
A, Sheriff and Treasurer Deeds, page 25.)

MILITARY: Burials of War of 1812 Veterans, Veterans' Grave Register, Somerset
County, PA. Thomas Griffith, Army, served 9/2/14-3/5/15, Captain John Graham's
Company, 2nd Regiment, 1st Brigade, Pa Militia, Private. (Buried Baptist
Cemetery, Boswell, Pa.)

ESTATE: WILL dated 11 Jan 1831, codicil added 1835, proved 8 Mar 1842, Jenner
Township, Somerset county, PA.

I, Thomas Griffith of the township of Jenner in the county of Somerset,
Pennsylvania being of sound & disposing mind & understanding do make my Last
will and testament in the following manner viz. I direct my executors herein
after mentioned to pay all my just debts & funeral charges and expenses in
carrying into effect this will as soon as convenient after my decease.
Secondly, I will and direct that the sum of eight hundred thirty three dollars
& thirty three cents & a third shall remain in the hands of my executors during
the widowhood of Jane my wife and that the interest whereof viz. fifty dollars
shall be by them annually paid to her the first payment to her to be made
within one year after my death or sooner if my executors shall think proper. I
futher give & bequeath to my wife Jane one good bed, bedstead & bedding
complete, which together with the aforesaid annuity shall be in full of her
dower at law. I further desire that my wife Jane shall _____ remain ____ on the
mansion place with my son Abner during her widowhood and I hereby grant unto
her to have & enjoy the undisturbed & sole possession of such room or chamber
in the mansion house as she may _____. I give and bequeath to my daughter
Elizabeth intermarried with Thomas Blackburn one hundred dollars which together
with whatsoever she has heretofore recieved shall be in full of her share & her
part in my estate real & personal -- I give & bequeath to my son William all
the claims of whatever description that I hold against him in full of his share
& his part in my estate real and personal -- I give and bequeath to my daughter
Sarah intermarried with John Biesal the sum of three hundred dollars which
together with whatsoever she may have heretofore received shall be in full of
her share & her part of my estate real & personal. I give and bequeath to my
son Samuel the sum of two hundred dollars which together with whatsoever he may
have heretofore received shall be in full of his share and his part in my
estate real and personal. I give & bequeath to my daughter, Mary intermarried
with Edward Hair two hundred dollars which together with whatsoever she may
have heretofore received shall be in full her share & her part in my estate real
and personal. But all claims that I now have against said Hair shall be
deducted out of said legacy last mentioned. I have made & executed deeds to my
sons Thomas, John, Jesse & Abner for five _____ tracts or pieces of land
situated in Jenner township in the county aforesaid reference thereunto being
___ will more fully and at at large appear. I therefore order and direct my
executors to deliver the aforesaid deeds respectively to my said sons Thomas,
John, Jesse and Abner immediately after my decease. And I do hereby ratify &
confirm the disposition of the said five tracts or pieces to the said four sons
last mentioned equally to the terms of the said deeds their heirs & assigns
forever and I further order and direct my said executors to procure & pay for a
patent for the land conveyed to my son John.

I further order and direct my said executors to procure and pay for the
_______ title to the land conveyed to my son Thomas. -- I further give &
bequeath to my son Thomas in addition to what he has heretofore received the sum
of two hundred dollars in cash -- I further give & bequeath to my son Jesse the
sum of three hundred & fifty dollars in cash also a silver watch & the stove
now in the house occupied by William Woods. I further give & bequeath to my son
Abner the sum of two hundred & fifty dollars in cash also the clock in my house
-- After the payment of the foregoing legacies & bequests I hereby give &
bequeath unto Rebecca intermarried with Joseph Hancock, Mary Anne intermarried
with Jacob Clark -- Margaret intermarried with James Hanlon -- Susannah
intermarried with John Duncan & Thomas, John, & Jesse the sum of four hundred
dollars each deductiing out of the legacy of Rebecca all claims that I hold
against Joseph Hancock, also deducting out of the share of Mary Anne all claims
that I hold against Jacob Clark, also deducting out of the legacy of Margaret
the claims that I hold against James Hanlon. And also deducting out of the
legacy of Susannah the claims that I hold against John Duncan. Further I do
hereby give & bequeath after the payment of all the _____ before mentioned
bequests the residue of my estate not _____ before devised bequeathed to my sons
Thomas, John, Jesse, Abner and to my daughters Rebecca, Mary Anne, Margaret &
Susannah, share & share alike. I do further order and direct all the legacies
herein given to be paid in the following manner one third part thereof within
one year after my demise one third within eighteen months & the balance within
two years after my decease except the fund heretofore mentioned for the
maintenance of my wife Jane during her widowhood which fund shall be divided
amongst the said last mentioned eight children share and share alike within one
month after the said Jane shall cease to remain my widow. Lastly I nominate &
appoint my son John Griffith, my brother Abner Griffith and Charles Ogle
Executors of this my last will & testament hereby revoking all other Wills by
me at any time heretofore made --And I do hereby authorise & empower my said
executors to make & execute all deeds & conveyances that may be necessary for
transferring & granting any lands that I may have heretofore sold or bargained
& contracted to sell and also all powers & authorities necessary to carry into
full effect the matters contained in this said last will & testament.

Signed sealed published pronounced & declared by the testator as & for his
last will & testament in presence of us who at his requests & in his presence
have subscribed our names as witnesses this 11th day of January 1831.

/s/ Andrew Campbell

/s/ John B. Reed /s/ Thomas Griffith {Seal}

Whereas I Thomas Griffith of Jenner Township, Somerset county having made and
duly executed my last will & testament in writing bearing date of the eleventh
day of January one thousand eight hundred & thirty one, Now I do hereby declare
this present writing to be as a codicil to my said will and direct the same to
be ammended thereto & taken as part thereof. And I do hereby give and bequeath
unto my daughter Rebecca intermarried with Joseph Hancock three hundred dollars
in addition to her legacy in my said last will & testament -- I do also hereby
give & bequeath unto my daughter Mary Anne intermarried with Jacob Clark one
hundred dollars in addition to her legacy in my said last will & testament -- I
do also hereby give & bequeath unto my daughter Margaret intermarried with
James Hanlon one hundred dollars in addition to her legacy in my last will and
testament -- I do also hereby give & bequeath unto my daughter Susannah
intermarried with John Duncan one hundred dollars in addition to her legacy in
my said last will & testament. And I do also hereby give & bequeath unto my son
Jesse Griffith one hundred & fifty dollars in addition to his legacies in my
said last will & testament -- And I order & direct my executors to deliver to
my son Jesse Griffith a deed executed by me on fifteenth day of June eighteen
hundred & thirty two for the Northwestern part or half of a tract of land
warranted in the name of John Hofsinger & conveyed to me by the commissioners
of Somerset county by deed dated tenth day of December 1824 -- And I do hereby
declare the deed dated on the 11th day of January 1831 conveying the south part
of the tract of land in the name of John Hofzinger to Jesse Griffith to be
cancelled and destroyed, the said deed now having been delivered to said Jesse
Griffith. And I do ratify and confirm my said last will & testament in
everything except where the same is hereby altered as aforesaid.

In witness whereof I the said Thomas Griffith have to the codicil set my
hand and seal the _____ day of July(?) eighteen hundred thirty five. Signed
Sealed Published pronounced & declared by the testator as & for a codicil to
his last will & testament in presence of us who at his request & in his
presence have subscribed our names as witnesses.

/s/ Wm. Clarke

/s/ Joseph Shaffer /s/ Thomas Griffith {Seal}

BURIAL: Inscription: In Memory of / Thomas Griffith, Sen. / Born Sept 1st 1767,
& / died March 4th 1842, / Aged 74 Years 6 mo. & / 3 d.

RESEARCHER: Marcia (Griffith) Buescher, P.O. Box 542, Kimball, NE 69145. (308)
235-2008.

RESEARCHER: Janet (Raymond) Faust, R.R.5, Box 497, Johnstown, PA 15905. (814)
288-2211.

RESEARCHER: Patricia L. Anderegg, 3227 Valley Drive, LeClaire, IA 52753. (319)
332-5649.

He was married to Rebecca BLACKBURN (daughter of Anthony BLACKBURN and Mary GRIFFITH) in 1797 in Menallen Twp., York, PA. Rebecca BLACKBURN was born in 1776 in Menallen Twp., York (now Adams), PA. She died on 1 Oct 1828 in Jenner Twp., Somerset, PA. She was buried in Baptist Ch. Cem., near Boswell, Somerset, PA. QUAKER_RECORDS: Rebecca Griffith, late Blackburn, disowned by Dunnings Creek
Monthly Meeting 9-20-1797 for marriage to 1st cousin.

BURIAL: Inscription: Rebecca Griffith / Wife of Thomas Griffith / died Oct.
1st 1828, in / the 52nd year / of her age.

RESEARCHER: Janet (Raymond) Faust, R.R.5, Box 497, Johnstown, PA 15905. (814)
288-2211.

RESEARCHER: Patricia L. Anderegg, 3227 Valley Drive, LeClaire, IA 52753. (319)
332-5649.

RESEARCHER: Marcia Griffith Buescher, P.O. Box 542, Kimball, NE 69145. (308)
235-2008. Thomas GRIFFITH and Rebecca BLACKBURN had the following children:

child107 i. Rebecca GRIFFITH was born on 22 Apr 1798 in St. Clair Twp., Bedford, PA. RELATIONSHIP: Named in father's will.

BIRTH: Janet (Raymond) Faust, R.R.5, Box 497, Johnstown, PA 15905.
(814) 288-2211.
child108 ii. Mary Anne GRIFFITH was born on 18 Mar 1800 in , Bedford co., PA. She died on 16 Jun 1885 in Brush Valley, Indiana, PA. She was buried in Fry Cemetery, Brush Valley, Indiana, PA. RELATIONSHIP: Named in father's will

SOURCE: Blackburn Database.

RESEARCHER: Janet (Raymond) Faust, R.R.5, Box 497, Johnstown, PA 15905. (814)
288-2211.

RESIDENCE: lived in Brush Valley, PA.
child109 iii. Thomas GRIFFITH was born on 25 Apr 1802 in , Bedford co., PA. RESEARCHER: Janet (Raymond) Faust, R.R.5, Box 497, Johnstown, PA 15905. (814)
288-2211.
child110 iv. Margaret GRIFFITH was born on 15 Feb 1804 in , Bedford co., PA. She died in , Somerset co., PA. CENSUS: 1850, Jenner Twp., Somerset County, PA shows her as Margaret
Hanline.
There is also a child shown as age 3/12 named Mary A. that must be a grandchild
since James Hanlon died in 1844.

RESEARCHER: Janet (Raymond) Faust, R.R.5, Box 497, Johnstown, PA 15905. (814)
288-2211.
child111 v. Susannah GRIFFITH was born on 10 Jan 1806 in , Bedford co., PA. RELATIONSHIP: Mentioned in father's will as Susannah Duncan.

CENSUS: 1850, Jenner Twp., Somerset county, PA, age listed as 44 years.

RESEARCHER: Janet (Raymond) Faust, R.R.5, Box 497, Johnstown, PA 15905. (814)
288-2211.
child112 vi. John GRIFFITH was born on 7 Mar 1809 in , Bedford co., PA. He died on 12 Jul 1881 in , Somerset, PA. He was buried in Baptist Ch. Cem., near Boswell, Somerset, PA. OCCUPATION: Farmer

RELATIONSHIP: Named in father's will.

BIRTH/DEATH: Dates computed from time elapsed on tombstone.

CENSUS: 1850, Jenners Township, Somerset County, PA, page 192, family
210, lists age as 40, occupation: farmer.

CENSUS: 1860, Jenner, Somerset County, PA lists him as age 50, wife
Catherine age 41 and six children (names illegible.) Page 240, Dwelling No.
615, Family No. 620.

BURIAL: Inscription: 72 yr. 3 mo. 3 das.
child+113 vii. Jesse GRIFFITH.
child114 viii. Abner GRIFFITH was born on 28 Jan 1812 in , Somerset, PA. He died on 19 Nov 1885 in Marion Center, E. Mahoning Twp., Indiana, PA. RELATIONSHIP: Named in father's will

CENSUS: 1850, Jenner Twp., Somerset County, PA indicates his wife
was named Elizabeth.

RESEARCHER: Janet (Raymond) Faust, R.R.5, Box 497, Johnstown, PA 15905. (814)
288-2211. (Note: Gives birth/death dates for Abner and Elizabeth, death date
for Eve Wisegarver.) Indicates that Abner and Elizabeth moved to Indiana
County, PA about 1852.

He was married to Jane BOWEN on 16 Sep 1829 in Dunnings Creek M, Bedford, PA. Jane BOWEN was born on 24 Jul 1781 in Menallen Twp., York (now Adams), PA. She died in 1840 in Jenner Township, Bedford, PA. QUAKER_RECORDS: Menallen Women's Meeting, York County, PA.
2-21-1799, Jane Gordon, formerly Bowen of Dunnings Creek Meeting has
accomplished her marriage to a man not of our society.

QUAKER_RECORDS: Minutes of Women's Meeting, Dunnings Creek M.M., Bedford County,
PA 9-16-1829 Jane Griffith, nee Gordon, married out of membership.

RELATIONSHIP: WILL of James Gordon filed 29 Jul 1818 Bedford County, PA calls
her "daughter-in-law" $10 per year for 20 years as long as widow. (On 29 Jul
1818 there was an inquiry into the authenticity of the will of James Gordon,
St. Clair Twp., as to whether the signature was a forgery. On Tuesday, 8 Sept
1818, the following were appointed to examine the will: Samuel Blackburn,
Thomas Hay, Alexander McGregor, Morgan James, Henry Buch & James Clark, Jr.
James Kinton was a witness for the executors. Daniel Clark's wife, Hannah, was
present also.)

He was married about Mar 1786 in , York (now Adams), PA. Thomas GRIFFITH had the following children:

child115 i. Elizabeth "Betsey" GRIFFITH was born about 22 Jan 1786 in St. Clair Twp., Bedford, PA. She died on 29 Aug 1847 in St. Clair Twp., Bedford, PA. RELATIONSHIP: named as daughter in her father's will.

RESEARCHER: Janet (Raymond) Faust, R.R.5, Box 497, Johnstown, PA 15905. (814)
288-2211.

RESEARCHER: Marcia (Griffith) Buescher, P.O. Box 542, Kimball, NE 69145. (308)
235-2008.
child116 ii. William GRIFFITH was born in Aug 1788 in , Bedford, PA. BURIAL: Inscription: d. 6-27-1880 ag 80-3-12.
There is quite a lot of discrepancy on just where William Griffith died and is
buried. The William Griffith in the Jenner Township Baptist Church Cemetery is
buried with Thomas Griffith, Sr., however, descendants in Iowa believe he lived
in later years with his son in Iowa and that he died and is buried there,
although a gravesite has not been located.

SOURCE: BLACKBURN AND ALLIED DESCENDANTS, Gibson, 1978, page 201.
child117 iii. Sarah GRIFFITH was born about 1789 in , Bedford co., PA. UPDATE: 1994-05-16

BIRTH: 26 Jun 1792 date from Mary Wilson's records.
MARRIAGE: 1815 from Mary Wilson's records.

RELATIONSHIP: Named in father's will.
child118 iv. Samuel GRIFFITH was born between 1791 and 1793 in , Bedford co., PA. RELATIONSHIP: Named in father's will.
child119 v. Mary GRIFFITH was born between 1791 and 1795 in , Bedford co., PA. She died in , Somerset co., PA. RELATIONSHIP: Mentioned in her father's will.

SOURCE: HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA by Henry Wilson Storey (1907).