FIFTH GENERATION

16. Eli GRIFFITH was born on 6 Nov 1823 in Father's farm, Somerset, PA. He died on 6 Nov 1902 in Walnut Grove, Cambria, PA. He was buried on 17 Nov 1927 in Grandview Cem., Johnstown, Cambria, PA. SOURCE: HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA by Henry Wilson Storey with
Genealogical Memoirs, The Lewis Publishing Co., New York, Chicago, 1907, Vol.
III, page 634:
Reads...son of Abner Griffith, was born in Somerset county, on his father's
farm, in November, 1823....Eli married Elizabeth Reighart...was reared on the
farm, and upon the death of his father helped his mother to manage until he had
reached his majority, when he inherited his share of the estate (one hundred
and sixty acres). In 1857 he sold his share to his brother Levi, and then
removed to Johnstown, where, at Walnut Grove, he purchased a tract of one
hundred and ten acres, which is now owned jointly by his children. Here he
farmed and reared his family of sons and daughters. Politically he was first a
Whig and later a staunch Republican, and it is related of him that he never
voted other than a straight ticket. He died in 1902. (Source also gives his
children, including Jonathan J. married Mary L. Barber, and lists their living
children, Edgar, Wilbert and Alice M.)

OTHER SOURCES:
SAR records; DAR records; Family records
Personal notes, including maps of cemetery locations, compiled by Edgar
Marshall Griffith, now in possession of daughter, Sara Leslie Griffith.

BURIAL: Buried at Grandview Cemetery, Lot 126, Central Section #3,
Westmont, Johnstown, PA. Moved from Sandyvale Cemetery, Johnstown, 17 Nov 1927.

ESTATE: WILL dated 27 Jul 1891, Codicil added 30 Jun 1896, proved 22 Nov 1902.
Reads: In the name of God, Amen! I Eli Griffith, of the Township of Stonycreek,
County of Cambria and State of Pennsylvania, Farmer, being in good health of
body, and of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make and declare this to
be my last will and testament, in the manner following, that is to say, I order
that all my just debts funeral expenses and the charges of proving this my
will, be in the first place fully paid and satisfied; and after the payment
thereof and every part thereof, I give and bequeath to my beloved children the
following described portions or divisions, of land ("as designated on plot or
draft of the subdivision of my farm located in Stonycreek Township, Cambria
County, Pennsylvania by William Slick Esq. dated Feb. A.D. 1890,") in manner
following, that is to say, I give and bequeath to my beloved son Jonathan
Griffith all that certain lot or tract of land designated on said Plot or
Draft, as (No. one) containing six acres and one hundred and forty seven
perches, valued at Eight hundred and ninety-nine Dollars & forty seven & one
half cents. I give and bequeath to my beloved son William Griffith all that
certain piece or Lot of ground designated and Known on said Plat as (No Two)
containing Seven Acres and five Perches valued at Nine hundred and fourteen
Dollars and six & one fourth cents. I give and bequeath to my beloved son,
Isaac E. Griffith, all that certain piece or plot of ground marked and known on
said Plot or Draft as (No Three) valued at Nine hundred and Eighty seven
Dollars and Eighty one and one fourth cents, containing six acres and one
hundred and thirty Perches. I give and bequeath to my beloved Daughter Emma E.
Blackburn (nee) Griffith, all that certain piece or plot of ground Designated,
on said Plot or Draft (as No Four) containing six acres one hundred and Twenty
five perches, valued at twelve hundred and twenty Dollars and sixty two and one
half cents, this having the Farm House erected thereon, I give and bequeath to
my beloved son Lowman E. Griffith all that certain piece plot or parcel of land
designated and Known on said Draft as (No five) containing Nine acres and
ninety Eight perches, and valued at Fifteen hundred and thirty eight Dollars
the same having the farm Barn, erected thereon, I give and bequeath to my
beloved Daughter Sarah M. Griffith, all that certain piece or plot of ground
designated and Known on said plot or Draft, as (No Six) containing nine acres
and Eight perches, and valued at Eleven hundred and Seventy-six Dollars and
fifty cents, I give and bequeath to my beloved Daughter Mary A. Witt (nee)
Griffith all that certain piece parcel or tract of land designated and Known on
said plot as (No Seven), containing Eight acres and one hundred and twenty two
perches and valued at one thousand and ninety-five dollars and thirty one and
one fourth cents, I give and bequeath to my beloved son, Reuben Griffith all
that certain piece plot or parcel of land Designated and Known on said plot or
draft as (No Eight) containing Eight acres, and seventy one perches and valued
at ten hundred and fifty-five Dollars and forty-six and Seventh eights of a
cent. I give and bequeath to my beloved son Lemuel Griffith all that certain
piece or plot of ground designated and Known on Said Plot or Draft as (No.
Nine) containing six acres and Eighty four perches and valued at Eight hundred
and forty eight Dollars and twenty five cents, I give and bequeath to my
beloved son Joshua N. Griffith all that certain piece or plot of ground
designated and Known on said Draft or plot as (No. Ten) containing six acres
and valued at Seven hundred and fifty Dollars; And as I have executed and made
ready for delivery to several of my beloved children ("to wit Jonathan
Griffith, Isaac E. Griffith, Lowman Griffith, Lemuel Griffith and my son-in-law
Edward Witt.) Deeds for Sertain lands heretofore purchased from me, for which
they are to pay to my Executors hereinafter named, for the use of all my
beloved children the sums named in said Deeds; authorizing and directing my
said Executors to proceed Emediately to collect said purchase money so
described, with the privilege of allowing said Executors to give each of my
said children & son-in-Law a credit of their share due them out of my further
Estate monies and Effects so that each beloved child shall have share and share
alike. That is in the division of my Real Estate the appraisers has made some
difference in the money value of said lands, It is my desire to place all my
said beloved children on an equal footing I do with this in view direct my
Executors to pay out of any monies that may belong to me at my death, among my
said beloved children so that Each may have an Equal perportion of my worldly
goods not taking into the account any lands purched [purchased] from me
heretofore but they paying for the same and an equal division made thereafter,
and I do authorize and direct my said Executor to carry out this my bequeaths
to the letter, giving each of my said beloved children share and share alike of
the said Estate real personal and mixed. And I do hereby nominate Constitute
and appoint Isaac E. Griffith of Braddock Allegheny Co. and Irvin Rutledge of
Johnstown Pa Executors of this my will hereby revoking and making void any and
all former wills by me in any name heretofore made, and (section cut off) and
testament, in Witness whereof, I, Eli Griffith the said testator have to this
my last will and testament set my hand and seal this Twenty Seventh day of July
A.D. 1891. (Signed) Eli Griffith (Seal) Witnesses: P.A. Cobaugh, L.J. Ripple.
CODICIL: I, Eli Griffith, the Testator above named do hereby make and publish
the following codicil to my Last Will and Testament, executed the 27th day of
July A.D. 1891. First, I direct that my son Lemuel Griffith, be charged with
the sum of a Mortgage of Five Hundred and twenty-five Dollars held, by the
Johnstown Savings Bank against me. The money covered by said Mortgage having
been borrowed for and paid over to him by me, and the same must be charged to
him with any interest due thereon at the time of my death, so as to equalize
him with the rest of my children. Second, Irvin Rutledge, one of the Executors
appointed by me in my said Will, having died, since the execution thereof, I
hereby appoint J.N. Griffith and I.E. Griffith, two of my sons to be Executors
of my said Will, and of this codicil thereto, and to who shall be joined also,
Edward Witt, my son-in-law. Witness my hand and seal this Thirtieth Day of June
A.D. 1896. (Signed) Eli Griffith (Seal) Witnesses: W. Horace Rose, Jas. C.
Darby.

The following information extracted from Rootsweb.com database of:

Brian Cartwrights Pennsylvania Families (Johnstown's First Families)

Census: 23 Oct 1850 Jenner Twp, Somerset Co, Pa
Note:
reel M432_828 house 186 family 195
GRIFFITH, Eli 29 m Pa, farmer, $2500 of land
Elisabeth 29 f Pa
Joshua N 7 m Pa, in school
Isaac E 5 m Pa, in school
Oliver L 1 m Pa
RICHARD, Mary A 17 f Pa, in school
Census: 19 Jul 1860 Conemaugh Twp, Cambria Co, PA
Note:
reel M653_1088 page 248 house 2123 family 2148
GRIFFEN, Eli 37 m Pa, farmer, $4000 of land, $950 of property
Elizabeth 39 f Pa
Joshua 17 m Pa, farm laborer, in school
Isaac E 15 m Pa, farm laborer, in school
Oliver L 12 m Pa, in school
Reuben L 10 m Pa, in school
Jonathan 8 m Pa
Mary A 6 f Pa
Emma E 3 f Pa
Census: 6 Aug 1870 Conemaugh Twp, Cambria Co, PA
Note:
reel M593_1317 page 140b house 61 family 57
Johnstown P.O.
GRIFFITH, Eli 46 m Pa, farmer, $20000 of land, $2000 of property, voter
Elisa 48 f Pa, keeping house
Edmund 23 m Pa, farm laborer, voter
Lemuel 21 m Pa, farm laborer, voter
Ruben 19 m Pa, farm laborer
Jonathan 17 m Pa, farm laborer
M. M. 15 f Pa, in school
E Elisa 12 f Pa, in school
Lowman 10 m Pa, in school
Sarah 5 f Pa
Willie 3 m Pa
Census: 1 Jun 1880 Stonycreek Twp, Cambria Co, Pa
Note:
reel T9_1110 ED 188 page 181a house 18 family 18
GRIFFITH, Eli 57 m Pa, head, farmer
Elisabeth 58 f Pa, wife, keeping house
Reuben 28 m Pa, son, works on farm
Amanda 24 f Pa, dau, unemployed
Emma 22 f Pa, dau, unemployed
Lowman 18 m Pa, son, works in wire mill, in school
Melissa 15 f Pa, dau, unemployed, in school
William 13 m Pa, son, works on farm, in school
Census: 6 Jun 1900 Stonycreek Twp, Cambria Co, Pa
Note:
reel T623_1388 ED 115 sheet 5a house 77 family 81
BLACKBURN, Emma 42 (Jan 1858) f Pa, head, widowed, 3 children, 3 living, owns home free
Lloyd P 14 (Feb 1886) m Pa, son, attended school 7 months
Lela M 11 (Dec 1888) f Kansas, dau, attended school 7 months
Lulu P 11 (Dec 1888) f Kansas, dau, attended school 7 months
GRIFFITH, Eli 76 (Sep 1823) m Pa, father, widowed
Event: Obituary
Note:
Johnstown Daily Tribune, Mon., Nov. 10, 1902
Eli Griffith died at the home of his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Edward S. Witt, No. 309 Bedford Street, between 12 and 1 o'clock this morning. He was stricken with paralysis a year and a half ago and since that time he had been helpless. The deceased was born in Jenner Township, Somerset County, on September 6, 1823 and was a brother of Levi Griffith, who died last November at the age of eighty-five. In 1843 Eli Griffith and Miss Elizabeth Reighard were married in Somerset County and in 1859 they removed to Stonycreek Township, this county. Mrs. Griffith died in April 1886 and since that time Mr. Griffith had made his home with his children who are as follows: Joshue N., I. E., Jonathan J., all of Braddock; Lemuel, of Somerset Street; Reuben, of Edison; Mrs. Mary A. Witt, of No. 309 Bedford Street; Mrs. E. E. Blackburn, of No. 311 Bedford Street; Mrs. Melissa Arther, Lowman, and William Griffith, all of Stonycreek Township. He is also survived by thirty-three grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. In politics Mr. Griffith was a Republican and he had held a number of offices in Stonycreek Township during his residence in this county. He was a lifelong member of the Franklin Street M. E. Church and for many years was Superintendent of the Union Sunday School in Walnut Grove. The Rev. Dr. Thomas H. Woodring, pastor of the Franklin Street M. E. Church will conduct the obsequies at the Witt home at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon, after which interment will be made in Sandyvale Cemetery.
***LDS lists burial on 11/17/1927; possibly re-interred in Grandview. LADS lists birth at 9/1/1820. LDS lists marriage in 1843.
He was married to Elizabeth REIGHART on 8 Dec 1839 in , Somerset, PA.

17. Elizabeth REIGHART was born on 1 Sep 1821 in , Somerset, PA. She died on 16 Apr 1886 in , Cambria, PA. She was buried in Sandyvale Cem, Johnstown, Cambria, PA. She has reference number 17. BIRTH SOURCE: A Recreation of Burials, Sandyvale Cem. 1850-1906 (1986)

BURIAL: Inscription 64 years, 7 months, 16 days, wife of Eli

Possibly has a sister Mary Reighart

SOURCE: HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA by Henry Wilson Storey (1907),
Vol. III, page 620 gives Elizabeth's parents' names and her birth and death
date.

Her parents' names are given as William and Mary Ann Reighart. However, in
William Reighart's will he does not list Elizabeth as one of his children. On
the other hand, the will is witnessed by Elizabeth's husband and he mentions
that the land he leaves to daughter Nancy borders the Abner Griffith land.
Until information to contrary is found, I will show Elizabeth as a daughter of
William Reighart. Children were:

i. Oliver Lemuel GRIFFITH was born on 1 May 1841 in Conemaugh Twp., Somerset, PA. He was buried on 4 Dec 1902 in Grandview Cem., Johnstown, PA. MARRIAGE: Cambria Tribune 2 May 1873: married on the 1st by Rev. A.J. Endsley
at the residence of John H. Cunningham, Esq., Lemuel F. Griffith and Miss Maria
McCormick.

SOURCE: HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA by Henry Wilson Storey (1907)
ii. Joshua N. GRIFFITH was born on 1 Oct 1843 in Conemaugh Twp., Somerset, PA. SOURCE: HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA by Henry Wilson Storey (1907)
gives birth date as 13 Oct 1843, marriage date as 25 Jan 1860.
iii. Isaac Edmund GRIFFITH was born on 12 Jan 1846 in Walnut Grove, Cambria, PA. He died in Walnut Grove, Cambria, PA. SOURCE: HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA by Henry Wilson Storey (1907)
Retired a mechanic in Walnut Grove, near Johnstown, PA. Born on his father's
farm in Walnut Grove, Cambria County. He was reared and attended the common
schools of his home township. Early in life he secured employment with the
Cambria Iron Co., remained one year and then moved to Braddock, PA, where he
was employed by the Carnegie Co. at their rolling mills. Here he remained for
20 years, holding various positions, notably that of inspector of rails. In
this capacity, he was also employed by R.W. Hunt and Co. of Chicago for a
period of 6 years. He then returned to Johnstown and retired from all active
business, building himself a comfortable house at Walnut Grove where he was
still residing in 1906. With his 3rd wife, he was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, of Knights and Ladies of Columbia, and Daughters of Liberty,
Post No. 87, of Braddock. He was also a member of the Royal Areanum.

MARRIAGE NOTICE: Cambria Tribune appeared 9 Jun 1877 reads: Married at
Braddock's, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania on the 31st of May by Rev. F.H.
Wilkinson, Mr. Edmund Griffith and Miss Ida B. St. Clair, both formerly of
Johnstown.

He preferred to use his name reversed: Edmund Isaac Griffith.

MARRIAGE: record found at McMasters Methodist Church, Turtle Creek, PA. The
record books had been transferred from the Braddock Methodist Episcopal Church
of Braddock, PA. The marriage is entered for I.E. Griffith and Ida St. Clair,
31 May 1877, resident of Braddock, minister, T.H. Wilkinson, witnesses: Joshua
Griffith and wife, and Jonathan Griffith.
iv. Reuben Lewis GRIFFITH was born on 22 Apr 1851 in Father's farm, Somerset, PA. He died in 1942 in Johnstown, Cambria, PA. He was buried on 23 Jul 1942 in Grandview Cem., Johnstown, PA. SOURCE: HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA by Henry Wilson Storey, 1907
Born on his father's farm in Somerset County, PA. The years of his early
childhood were passed on the homestead. When he was 7 years old his parents
moved to Johnstown, and it was in the common schools of that city that he
obtained his education. When a young man, he labored for a time at the Cambria
Iron Co., making ninety cents a day, by which he saved enough money to purchase
a team, with which he did general hauling. At the time of his marriage, he
purchased 15 acres of land, on which he erected a home and what is now known as
"Springhill Farm." He purchased 15 acres from his father and afterward
inherited 8 acres more. In 1880, he engaged in the dairy business, which he
was still conducting very successfully in 1907, always finding Johnstown a
ready and profitable market for his produce.

DEATH: Date supplied by Mrs. Gordon L. Griffith of Berkeley Springs, VA. Her
husband is grandson of Reuben.
8 v. Jonathan J. GRIFFITH.
vi. Mary Amanda GRIFFITH was born on 17 Jul 1855 in Conemaugh Twp., Somerset, PA. SOURCE: HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA by Henry Wilson Storey, 1907
vii. Emma E. GRIFFITH was born on 16 Jan 1858 in Conemaugh Twp., Somerset, PA. She was buried in Grandview Cem, Johnstown, Cambria, PA. MARRIAGE: Notice appeared in the Cambria Tribune 27 June 1884 which reads:
Married on the 26th by Rev. L. McGuire, Mr. Jonston Blackburn and Miss Emma
Griffith.
viii. Lowman Eli GRIFFITH was born on 10 Aug 1860 in , Cambria, PA. He died in 1947 in Johnstown, Cambria, PA. He was buried on 26 Jul 1947 in Grandview Cem., Johnstown, PA. BIOGRAPHY: HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA by Henry Wilson Storey (1907)
Reared on his father's farm and obtained a common school education in the
school of his home township. He aided his father with the farm work until he
reached his majority, when he took charge of the place and managed it until
the estate was finally settled. He then went into the dairy business, which
he carried on with success and profit for 8 years. He also dealt considerable
in real estate, and in 1907 was possessed of considerable realty in Johnstown
and Walnut Grove. He had numerous houses which he rented and erected a
comfortable residence. The coal rights of the land inherited from his father
were sold for handsome figures. The interest he has ever taken in public
matters and educational affairs is best seen by the long period he held local
office, such as school director and supervisor. In 1907 he was president of
the local school board and had held some township official position for the
previous 18 years.

Johnstown Tribune, January 16, 1893: A Walnut Grove Sleighing Party - A
sleighing party left Walnut Grove on Sunday evening for Scalp Level, and
arrived there at 9 o'clock. At Mr. George Conrads the party was entertained. A
fine supper was served at half past 11 o'clock. The ladies and gentlemen in the
party were Mr. John Lehman, Miss Lizzie Harshberger, Mr. George Mishler, Miss
Annie Repp, Mr. Frank Repp, Miss Grace Griffith [note: dau. of Uriah A.
Griffith], Mr. Paul Strayer, Miss Wagner,
Mr. Ed Ream, Miss Strayer, Mr. Albert Wissinger, Miss Mollie Hite, and Mr.
harry Slagle. The driver was Lowman Griffith. After an evening's enjoyment they
departed for their homes, arriving at Walnut Grove at 3 o'clock in the morning.
ix. Clara Jane GRIFFITH was born on 3 Aug 1863 in Conemaugh Twp., Somerset, PA. She died on 21 Jan 1864 in Conemaugh Twp., Somerset, PA. She was buried on 17 Nov 1927 in Grandview Cem., Johnstown, PA. Moved from Sandyvale Cemetery and reinterred at Grandview Cemetery.
x. Sarah Melissa GRIFFITH was born on 4 Apr 1865 in Conemaugh Twp., Somerset, PA.
xi. William GRIFFITH was born on 17 May 1867 in Conemaugh Twp., Somerset, PA. He was buried on 19 Dec 1938 in Grandview Cem., Johnstown, PA. He was known as "Windy Bill" for his penchant for starting arguments.