Nathaniel Griffin (1827 - 1903)

Born 12 Apr 1827 in Walton, Georgia

Ancestors

Husband of Martha L (Haley) Griffin — married 27 Sep 1849 in Cherokee, Georgia

Descendants

Died 8 Apr 1903 at age 75 in Hopewell, Alabama

Biography

When Nathan Griffin was born on April 12, 1827, in Walton, Georgia, his father, Buckner, was 40 and his mother, Martha, was 42. He married Martha L. Haley on September 27, 1849, in Cherokee, Georgia. They had 13 children in 22 years. He died on April 8, 1903, in Hanceville, Alabama, having lived a long life of 75 years, and was buried in Cullman, Alabama.

Death
Hopewell, AL Tornado, Apr 1903
Hamlet of Hopewell in Alabama Is Entirely Wiped Out by Storm.
--TWELVE PERSONS DEAD AND MANY ARE INJURED
It Is Believed That Several of Those Injured Will Die - Storm Swooped on the Hamlet Without a Moment's Warning.
Birmingham, Ala., April 8. - Without a word of warning the little hamlet of Hopewell, 40 miles north of this city, and 1 mile from Hanceville, was swept away early this morning by a cyclone which cut a path of desolation a mile wide and 2 miles long across a prosperous farming section of Blount county. Twelve persons were instantly killed, three or four fatally injured and a score of others seriously hurt.
The Dead---*MR. and MRS. MASON GRIFFIN * JAMES GRIFFIN * HENRY McCOY * FREDERICK McCOY * MISS BIRDIE McCOY * C. C. ODEN, prominent planter * MISS NORMA ODEN * HESTER ODEN * MISS THELMA ODEN * MRS. C. C. ODEN * MISS GRIFFIN *
Fatally Injured---
Son and niece of Nathan Griffin * Mrs. Henry McCoy and two children* R. G. Quick * Dink Quick * Family of John McCoy, 7 persons * Mrs. Hollestine Horton * Miss Inez Horton * Richard Griffin.
It is believed several of the injured will die.
The storm came from the southwest and traversed its destructive path in a northeasterly direction, tearing everything in its way. The section through which it went is flat, on an elevated tableland in the hilly section of Blount County. There was not the slightest intimation of its approach until the houses were being torn to pieces.

Killed in a Twinkling--- One of the first houses visited was that of Nathan Griffin. The house was demolished and Mr. Griffin and his own son, James were killed in the twinkling of an eye. Mrs. Griffin was so badly injured that she died at an early hour this morning. The son and niece of Mr. Griffin made a miraculous escape, running from the house before the demolition was complete and saving their lives. They were injured but will recover. The remains of the Griffin family [sic] were carried this morning to the residence of H. A. Henderson, the nearest settlement.
The house of John McCoy was next wrecked, but he and his family escaped with severe bruises. The house was absolutely destroyed and the inmates cannot account for their escape. The timbers flew above and around them, but none of them were struck.
The home of Mr. Henry McCoy, son of Mr. John McCoy, received the worst impact of the storm. His wife was severely injured; two of his children are still unconscious and may die, and he and his babe and two other children were dead this morning.

https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/66744607/person/44157582295/facts

Sources

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/28633395/nathaniel-griffin

• https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/36407284/person/261001356911/facts

• 1850 United States Federal Census

• 1860 United States Federal Census

• 1870 United States Federal Census

• 1880 United States Federal Census

• 1900 United States Federal Census

• Georgia, Compiled Marriages, 1754-1850

• U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1870