William Griffin (abt. 1754 - abt. 1800)

Born about 1754 in St. Mark's Parish, Old Sumter District, South Carolina

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about 1800 at about age 46 in Sumter District, South Carolina

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Biography

William Griffin was born in 1754, in St Mark's Parish, in the High Hills area of the Santee River, in what would become the Camden District of South Carolina, in 1769 and later Craven county. William was the son of Joseph Griffin 1710-1764, and his second wife, Anne Elders. William was named for his maternal grandfather, William Elders 1699-1748, a noted Cherokee Indian Trader.

"William Griffin entered Continental Service in 1776 under Col. Owens Roberts of the Artillery. He was injured at Stono in June 1779 (where Col. Roberts fell) by the explosion of the ammunition chest where William was stationed, occasioned by the bursting of a shell from the British. This has since terminated in total blindness. He completed five years in regular service and entered State service early in 1781 under the command of Col. Richard Richardson and remained until the British evacuated Charleston." He passed away about 1800. ^[1] William is honored by the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution as DAR Ancestor #A134909. DAR records indicate that William died after February 9, 1814, in the Sumter District of South Carolina, and that his wife was Jamima Reagan. ^[2]

About 1782, in Camden District, South Carolina, William married Jamima Ragan, a daughter of William Ragan, who is honored by the Daughters of the American Revolution as DAR Ancestor #A134910. ^[3] Jamima is remembered in her father's Will as "Jemimey Griffen." Applications for membership in the Society of the DAR have been made by the descendants of his daughters, Jamima, who married William Griffin, including their son, Dempsey Griffin, their grandson, Joseph Reid Griffin, their great-grandson, Joseph Dempsey Griffin, born September 25, 1882. ^[4]

Although his place of burial is not identified, William is found on Find A Grave here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/164662047/william-griffin

Research Notes

Concerning the spelling of his wife's maiden name as "Reagan," The DAR assigns a single standard surname that covers variant spellings of similar surnames. While the surname may appear incorrect, this does not mean it is in error. This spelling system ensures that patriots are not established under more than one spelling. Jamima's father's DAR Records are under the name "Reagan," but he signed his Will as "Ragan."

Sources

1. ↑ William Griffin, Singleton and related families website, http://singletonfamily.org/getperson.php?personID=I10697&tree=1, accessed 1 May 2017.
2. ↑ https://services.dar.org/public/dar_research/search_adb/?action=full&p_id=A134909
3. ↑ https://services.dar.org/public/dar_research/search_adb/?action=full&p_id=A134910
4. ↑ National Number 774562