Sarah (Unknown) Griffis (abt. 1765 - aft. 1830)

Born about 1765 in Brunswick, Virginia

Wife of Thomas Griffis — married about 1782 in Brunswick, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died after 1830 after about age 65 in Giles, Tennessee, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jana Trent [send private message]

Biography

Sarah was born about 1765, based on the birth year of her oldest known child.

Her last name is unknown but her given name and a possible clue to her origins are found in two Brunswick County land deeds executed on 15 Aug 1795, in which Thomas Griffis and wife Sarah sell 100 acres to Allen Love and 35 acres to John Griffis, both tracts located in Meherin Parish of Brunswick County. The fact that Sarah is mentioned at all, signed both deeds, and was privately examined, indicates that the land was hers, an inheritance or gift to her. Sarah and her family were likely from Brunswick County. The earliest record of Thomas being in Brunswick County is the 1782 tax record and that appears to be about the time that he married Sarah.

Thomas died after 1820, but before 1830, and left a will devising his estate to nine heirs. The will has been lost but its existence was indicated by an 1836 Giles County, Tennessee deed in which three of the heirs sold their portions to Miller Doggett, husband of Delilah Griffis, a fourth heir. Yet another heir was named and that was James Griffis, who was provided for the maintenance of the “Widow Griffis” until her death. ^[1]

A female age 70-79 was on the 1830 census for James Griffis in Giles County. If that was Sarah, her age would be a high estimate.^[2] OR she may have been the S Griffis, a lone 60-69 year old female living adjacent to Sol Doggett, her grandson. ^[3]

There is no record of the Widow Griffis after 1830.

Disambiguation

Family trees often claim Sarah to be the daughter of Robert Alexander who wrote his 1781 Will in Augusta County, Virginia, naming an unmarried daughter, Sarah. It is unlikely, and there is no proof, that Thomas Griffis travelled from the southern border of Virginia, to Augusta County on the north side of Virginia to marry Sarah Alexander. There is no record of any Griffis family member ever being in Augusta County.

Sources

1. ↑ Deed Bk O, pgs 18-19, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C39N-VS6M-M?cat=203068
2. ↑ (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHPM-Y91 : Thu Jul 20 18:59:48 UTC 2023), Entry for Jas Griffis, 1830.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1830", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHPM-YMP : Thu Jul 20 18:57:52 UTC 2023), Entry for S Griffis, 1830.

• *Virginia, Brunswick County, Deed Bk 16-, pgs 223-224. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKJ-GQYT-1?i=127&cat=281505

• Virginia, Brunswick County, Deed Bk 16-pgs 225-226. https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKJ-GQYV-9?i=128&cat=281505