FIFTH GENERATION

40. Jesse GRIFFITH was born on 21 Oct 1779 in Old Homestead, York (now Adams), PA. He died on 3 May 1854 in Jenner Cross Rds, Somerset, PA. He was buried in Baptist Ch. Cem., near Boswell, Somerset, PA. BIRTH/DEATH: Dates computed from elapsed time on tombstone.

OCCUPATION: Farming and Lumbering; Brokerage Business & General Store.

QUAKER_RECORDS: Warrington Monthly Meeting Records, York County, PA indicate
"Jesse Griffith of Warrington Mtg. complained of 3-9-1799 for attending places
of diversion and dancing: disowned 5-11-1799. 6-8-1799 declared intention to
appeal."

MARRIAGE: Marriage date from DAR records.

BIOGRAPHY: HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA by Henry Wilson Storey (1907)
He was engaged in farming and lumbering during his entire active life, and in
addition to this carried on an extensive brokerage business and conducted a
general store. The store was located at Jenner Cross Roads, on the
Chambersburg and Pittsburgh pike, and was the favorite stopping place in those
days of the teamsters and all who had occasion to travel that road. He removed
to Jenner Cross Roads, Jenner township, Somerset county, PA, and lived to the
age of 78 years. He was a member of the Quaker faith, and in politics he was
an Old Line Whig.

DEATH: History of Bedford, Somerset and Fulton Counties, PA (1884) gives death
date as 1859, which is incorrect based on his Will and Burial information.)
Also, there are some errors on the Death Registration recorded in Somerset
County as given by his son, William C. Griffith. He was born in York County
prior to his parents moving to Bedford County, not Bedford County. His wife's
maiden name was Conley not his mother's. The death registration indicates he
died of an "inflamation of the lungs," and indicates his birth as 21 Oct 1779.
The Certificate is dated May 11th 1854 and registered on the 15th by Jno. Hicks
Dept. Regt. It indicates he was survived by issue: William C. Griffith and Jehu
Griffith.

ESTATE: Will dated 2 MAY 1854; proved 30 JUN 1854, Jenner Twp., Somerset, PA.
Will of May 2nd 1854 This is to certify that I
Jesse Griffith of my own free will and in my own proper mind, do will and
bequeath to my Grandson Jesse Griffith, son of my son William C. Griffith, the
sum of Two hundred dollars. The same to be put at interest by his guardian Wm.
C. Griffith to be applied toward his maintenance by the said guardian and here
unto I have set my hand and affix my seal this 2nd day of May 1854.

Attest

/s/ Joseph Fleming

/s/ Jehu Griffith Jesse Griffith {Seal}

There is a statement with the will that indicates that Jesse did not sign his
will himself, but that it was signed by his son Jehu. This statement reads in
part: ...and that he was at the time of so doing of perfect & sound mind,
memory and understanding, but when read to him and fully approved by him, he
was prevented by the extremity of his last illness from signing it himself but
requested me to sign it for him..." Jehu Griffith attested on 30 June 1854

BURIAL: Inscription: Jesse Griffith, Sr. died 5-3-1854, aged 74 yr. 6 mo. 13
das.

He was married to Lydia Allen CONLEY in 1802 in Jenner Twp., Somerset, PA. Lydia Allen CONLEY was born on 4 Oct 1779 in , , PA. She died on 7 Nov 1855 in Jenner Twp., Somerset, PA. She was buried in Baptist Ch. Cem., near Boswell, Somerset, PA. BIRTH/DEATH: Dates computed from elapsed time on tombstone.

BURIAL: Inscription: Lydia Griffith / died / Nov 7 1855 / aged 76 years / 1 mo
& 3 ds. Jesse GRIFFITH and Lydia Allen CONLEY had the following children:

129 i. William Conley GRIFFITH was born on 6 Nov 1804 in , Bedford, PA. He died on 14 Nov 1897 in Jenner Twp., Somerset, PA. He was buried on 16 Nov 1897 in Jenner Twp., Baptist Church, Somerset, PA. SOURCE: HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA by Henry Wilson Storey, 1907
He was born in Bedford county, PA and when a very young lad was taken to
Somerset county and raised on the homestead farm. His education was acquired in
the old subscription schools. He was familiarly known as "Baptist Billy" to
distinguish him from the Williams in the other branches of this family, who all
bore some title to distinguish them from each other, as: "New Years Bill;"
"Tobacco Billy," engaged in raising tobacco; "Brick House Billy," owner of the
only brick house in the place, etc. William Griffith inherited one of the farms
of his father in Jenner township, to which he made many additions, and was one
of the largest land owners in that section. He was engaged in farming and
lumbering all his life, and died on his farm in Jenner Township at the age of
93 years. He was a lifelong member of the Free Will Baptist church, and a local
preacher of renown. He held a place in the respect of the community, and his
counsel was sought far and near. He was at first an Old Line Whig, but later
joined the ranks of the Republican party.

DEATH: Registration of Deaths, Somerset County, Vol. 1, page 57A. Cause of
Death given as "old age."

ESTATE: WILL dated 9 Jul 1897, filed 23 Dec 1897, Somerset County, PA
Mentions his "crippled son Jessie," his daughter Eva.
130 ii. Allen Connelly GRIFFITH was born on 4 May 1806 in , Somerset, PA. He died on 20 Feb 1837 in Jenner Cross Rds, Somerset, PA. He was buried in Jenner Twp., Baptist Church, Somerset, PA. OCCUPATION: Store and Tavernkeeper

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

DEATH: Tombstone reads: In Memory of / Allen Griffith / son of / Jesse
Griffith, Born May / the 4th 1806; and departed / this life Feb, the 20th /
aged 31 years 8 mos. & / 16 days.
131 iii. Samuel GRIFFITH was born on 19 Oct 1807 in , Bedford co., PA. He died on 30 Sep 1849 in , Somerset, PA. He was buried in Jenner Twp., Baptist Church, Somerset, PA. OCCUPATION: Sheriff (died in office)

HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA by Henry Wilson Storey, 1907

DEATH: Tombstone reads: Samuel Griffith / of Jesse / Born 19th of 10th month /
1807 / Died 30th of 9th month / 1849 / In the 42nd year / of his age.

SOURCE: HISTORY OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA, John W. Jordan, Vol. II,
Lewis Pub. Co., 1906, page 357. Note birth and marriage dates do not correspond
to those on tombstone or History of Cambria County. Reads:
Samuel Griffith, son of Jesse Griffith, was born in 1804, in Somerset county,
and in early life engaged in the hotel business in Jenners, in connection with
farming. In 1845 he was elected sheriff of Somerset county, and at the time of
his death was still in office. In politics he was a Whig. He married Elizabeth
Hillegass, in 1830..
132 iv. Jehu GRIFFITH was born on 9 Apr 1809 in , Somerset, PA. He died on 12 Jul 1881 in Ligonier, Westmoreland, PA. He was buried in Jenner Twp., Baptist Church, Somerset, PA. SOURCE: HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA by Henry Wilson Storey (1907)

See notes on his father, Jesse Griffith, regarding Jehu's affidavit on signing
his father's will.

BURIAL: Tombstone reads: Jehu Griffith / died / July 12 1881 / aged / 72 years
3 ms. & / 3 days. (Wife's inscription on same stone.)

SOURCE: OLD AND NEW WESTMORELAND, Vol. III, The American Historical Society,
Inc., New York, 1918, page 840, reads:

"Jehu Griffith, son of Jesse and Lydia (Connelly) Griffith was born in Somerset
county, Pennsylvania, and owned a farm of four hundred acres in Jenner
township. One hundred acres of this he sold, later disposed of the entire
estate and moved to Ligonier township, where he purchased a small tract on
which he made his home during the remainder of his life. He was a Republican,
and a member of the Free Will Baptist Church near Boswell, Somerset county. Mr.
Griffith married Catherine Scott.