Edward Griffis (abt. 1710 - 1761)

Born about 1710 in Surry, Colony of Virginia

Husband of Katharine (Unknown) Griffis — married 1748 in Albemarle Parish, Surry, Virginia

Descendants

Died 1761 at about age 51 in Surry, Colony of Virginia

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Biography

Edward Griffis was born in Surry County, Virginia, a son of Thomas Griffis and Mary (Morris) Griffis.

Thomas Griffis wrote his will on April 8th 1726 in Surry County, Virginia, devising 100 acres located in Isle of Wight County to his sons Travis and Edward, to be equally divided between them. Thomas also gave cattle to Edward.^[1]

In 1758, Gilbert Hay of Sussex County, bequeathed 125 acres to eight-year-old Thomas Griffis, son of Edward, the land where Edward was currently living.^[2]. He also devised to Edward Griffis four head of cattle and “one Negro Boy James” and “all my wearing apparel”. Gilbert Hay was the stepfather of Edward Griffis, having married the widow Mary (Morris) Griffis in 1726, between the proving of the Will of Thomas on September 21st and the filing of his estate inventory October 15th.

Edward Griffis wrote his Will 4 Jan 1760 in Sussex County, Virginia and it was proved in court 17 Apr 1761. He named his wife Katharine, and son Thomas, but not their other children who were recorded in the Albemarle Parish Register:

1. Thomas Griffis 1749-abt 1825
2. Edward Griffis 1753
3. John Griffis 1755
4. William Griffis 1755
5. Ede Griffis 1761

In his will, he bequeathed his plantation to wife Katharine until her death, then to son Thomas (who had already been willed that land by Gilbert Hay).

Slaves

Edward’s estate inventory and appraisal was presented at court in April 1861 by Richard Hay, his executor. Included in the list was “1 Negro Man James”, appraised for £80.00. ^[3]

• James Hay

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-29DP-6?i=684&cat=366316
2. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-KS2J?cat=366316
3. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99GY-QD31?i=426&cat=366507

• Virgiinia Probate, Sussex County, Will Bk A, pgs 197-198, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99GY-QDDD?i=424&cat=366507

• Virginia Historical Genealogies by John Bennett Boddie, pub 1954. Griffis of Sussex, pgs 228-229, https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/158185/?offset=&return=1#page=240&viewer=picture&o=&n=0&q=

• Meet the Family by Eugene E Skinner, pgs 83-86, https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/191859/?offset=&return=1#page=86&viewer=picture&o=&n=0&q=

• Albemarle Parish Registry, Part 1, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKW-KTQZ?mode=g&cat=376761. (Births of his children are all recorded here.)