Elizabeth (Hunt) Griffith (abt. 1657 - 1747)

Born about May 1657 in Suffolk, New York Colony

Ancestors

Wife of Samuel Vail — married 1677 in Southampton, Suffolk, New York

Wife of Thomas (Gage) Gach — married about 1697 in Westchester, New York [uncertain]

Wife of John Griffith — married 20 Oct 1709 in Woodbridge, New Jersey

Descendants

Died 3 Nov 1747 at about age 90 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, New Jersey

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Elizabeth (Hunt) Griffith was a New Netherland settler. Join: New Netherland Settlers Project Discuss: new_netherland

disputed parents

There is no proof that her maiden name is Hunt. Elizabeth was not mentioned in Thomas Hunt’s will. She was born in Suffolk County New York in 1657 but this has not been proved. Thomas Hunt was in Connecticut, then in Newtown for several years before moving to Westchester by about 1664. Several reliable sources do not list her as a child. In Pioneers of Old Hopewell there is a question mark after wife Elizabeth Hunt. ^[1]. In addition, there is no last name given for Elizabeth in Annals of our Colonial Ancestors. ^[2]

Elizabeth was a Quaker as were her husbands. Thomas Hunt has not been recognized as Quaker. In Genealogy Report on Thomas Vail, Robert Vail says, The last recorded evidence of Samuel (2) Vail which a partial search reveals, is found in the land record of Westchester Co., N. Y., and reads "Elizabeth Vail, widow of Samuel Vail late of Westchester, quitclaims 26 June, 1695, land to Thomas Hunt."^[3] Her birth and parents are being researched.

Biography

Elizabeth was born in 1657 in Suffolk County! NY, possibly the daughter of Thomas Hunt and Cicely Clarke. She married Samuel Vail, a Quaker, in 1677. They lived in Westchester, probably on land owned by the Hunt family. They had at least 4 children: Samuel, John, Martha, and Thomas. After the death of her husband, Samuel, she married Thomas Gach. Elizabeth had at least 2 Gach children: Mary and Thomas. They moved to Woodbridge by 1702. Thomas died In 1703. She married John Griffith in Woodbridge in 1709. ^[4] She is believed to have had no children from her third marriage.

Below the Sources are more research notes and Quaker information, and a further statement that her maiden name is not known. This is mostly from the Armstrong book.

Elizabeth ‘s will is lengthy and is included in its entirety. Three Shotwell men are witnesses.

Sources

1. ↑ Armstrong, William. Pioneers of Old Hopewell. Lambertville publishing, 1979, Clearfield 1969 pg. 285.
2. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=QLpRAAAAMAAJ&dq=stephen+vail+1739&source=gbs_navlinks_s Shotwell, Ambrose Milton. Annals of Our Colonial Ancestors and Their Descendants, Or, Our Quaker Forefathers and Their Posterity: Embracing a Genealogical and Biographical Register of Nine Generations of the Shotwell Family in America, Together with the Pedigree and Near Kindred of the Author's Parents, Nathan and Phebe B. (Gardner) Shotwell] (Google eBooks). Published by University of Wisconsin-Madison. 1895. See page 243.
3. ↑ http://www.genealogy.com/ftm/v/a/i/Robert-S-Vail-iii/GENE1-0002.html Genealogy Report: Descendants of Thomas Vail] Website written by Robert Simon Vail III. Last updated January 18, 2012.
4. ↑ U.S. Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935

• v. Extracts Vol. 8:23, Vail Papers

• Records of Rahway M. M.).Samuel (2) Vail (1654-1691)

(v. Abr. Comp. Am. Geneal: p. 232).

• https://www.frostandgilchrist.com/getperson.php?personID=I5124&tree=frostinaz01&sitever=standard

• The Vail Papers (Vol. 18:44)
• http://www.genealogy.com/ftm/v/a/i/Robert-S-Vail-iii/GENE1-0002.html Genealogy Report: Descendants of Thomas Vail] Website written by Robert Simon Vail III. Last updated January 18, 2012.

• http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~huntpage/thomashunt0001.htm#t2 the descendants of Thomas Hunt

• Armstrong, William. Pioneers of Old Hopewell. Lambertville publishing, 1979, Clearfield 1969 pg. 285.

• Genealogy Report: Descendants of Thomas Vail Website written by Robert Simon Vail III. Last updated January 18, 2012.

• Annals of Our Colonial Ancestors and Their Descendants, Or, Our Quaker Forefathers and Their Posterity: Embracing a Genealogical and Biographical Register of Nine Generations of the Shotwell Family in America, Together with the Pedigree and Near Kindred of the Author's Parents, Nathan and Phebe B. (Gardner) Shotwell (Google eBook) Written by Ambrose Milton Shotwell in 1895. Published by University of Wisconsin-Madison. 299pgs. See page 243.

research Notes

Elizabeth married (2nd.) Thomas Gach (Gauge) of Westchester, N. Y., a ship builder, who owned a house and land in Westchester.

Thomas Gach, Sr., and Elizabeth moved from West Chester, N. Y., to Woodbridge, N.J.

The Vail Papers (Vol. 18:44) quote from the Westchester Town Records, the "sale of a house and 8 acres of land formerly owned by Thomas Gach, in Westchester" -- sold by Joseph Appleby to Samuel Vail (son of Elizabeth and Samuel (2) Vail) 28 February, 1705-6. Thomas Gach and wife removed from Westchester, N. Y., to Woodbridge, N. J., about the year 1701. We infer this from a deed of sale of "a house and lot at Woodbridge, N. J., 14 April, 1701, sold by Thomas Codrington and wife to Thomas Gauge, late of Westchester, N. Y., Shipwright." (v. N. J. Archives, 1st Ser. Vol. 21: 140).

Thomas Gauge died between the 28th March, 1703 and 23 April, 1703, dates of his will.

Elizabeth, the widow of Samuel (2) Vail and later the widow of Thomas Gach, of Woodbridge, married (3rd.) John Griffith, 20 October, 1709. He was from Bucks Co., Pa. He became an active member of the Woodbridge Friends Meeting (v. Shotwell Family, p. 188.) Elizabeth is believed to have had no children by this marriage, being at the time of marriage 52 years of age.

She appears as Elizabeth Gach in the Woodbridge M. M. Records as early as 19 December, 1706. She took a lively and consecrated part in all activities of the Friends Meeting. She supervised the care of the Meeting House and in other ways looked to the comfort of the Society. Doubtless she was the most popular match-maker among these early Quakers for we have counted not fewer than a half a dozen couples "presented to the Meeting," intending to marry. She made legal provision for her children at the time of her third marriage and conducted her whole life as a loving parent and a "Mother in Israel." She made her home with her son Thomas at one time, at another with her daughter, Mary Bloodgood.

Her will was found among the papers of the estate of John (5) Vail of Littleton, N. J., a grand-son of John the Quaker Preacher. It was found by Alfred Vail, and recorded among the Vail Papers. It is one of the documents which proves Elizabeth Griffith to be the mother of John (3) Vail. Being thus important it is herewith annexed.

Mary Bloodgood, mentioned ante, died 28 June, 1760, aged 59 years, 10 mo.; therefore born 28 August, 1700. Consequently Elizabeth Vail married Thomas Gach before 1700, or about 1699 perhaps.

Elizabeth, wife of Samuel (2) Vail, is the connecting link between the Westchester, N. Y., Vails and numerous progeny, in Essex Co., N. J., primarily, but now widely extended in the United States and abroad. The maiden name of Elizabeth has not been definitely found yet; but as she is so important in establishing the connection she demands consideration. She was thrice married : (1st.) to Samuel (2) Vail about 1677, for her first child, Samuel (3), was born 21 December, 1678. That she was the wife and later the widow of Samuel Vail is assured beyond doubt in a land record of Westchester which reads, "Elizabeth Uail quitclaims land to Thomas Hunt." (v. Vail Papers, Vol. 18: 44, No. 82). The full reading of this extract from the "Westchester Town Records," is, "Elizabeth Uail, widow of Samuel Vail late of Westchester, quitclaims, etc." dated 6th June, 1695.

The last Will and Testament of Elizabeth Griffith of Woodbridge, N. J. :

Forasmuch as it is appointed for all people some day to die and the time when very uncertain, I, Elizabeth Griffith, of Woodbridge, in the County of Middlesex and Province of East New Jersey, being weak in body, but of a sound, disposing mind and memory and inclined to dispose of the estate that the Lord hath to bless me with, do make this, my last will and testament in manner following: That is to say,

First of all, I desire to resign my soul to God Almighty who gave it me, whensoever it shall please Hlin to call for it; and my body to the earth, to receive such decent burial as my executors hereinafter named shall think convenient; and as touching my worldly estate, I give and bequeath the same as followeth, viz: First, I give and direct that my daughter, Mary Bloodgood, the wife of William Bloodgood shall be fully paid for the trouble that I have been and shall be to them.

Item, I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Gach all that remains in his hands (at the time of my decease) of those goods that I have left with him when I came to live with my son in law, William Bloodgood.

Item, I give and bequeath to my son John Vail the sum of £10, which he has already got in his hands; my will further is that all the meadows which my husband left me to divide at my discretion, shall be divided between my son John Vail and my son Thomas Gach, that is to say that my son John Vail shall have all that my son Thomas Gach has given him a quitclaim for, to be enjoyed by him, his heirs and assigns forever.

Item, I give and bequeath to my two daughters, Martha Burling, the wife of Edward Burling of New York and Mary Bloodgood, the wife of William Bloodgood of Woodbridge all the remaining part of my estate to be equally divided between them.

Lastly, I nominate, constitute and appoint my two daughters, Martha Burling and Mary Bloodgood, executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all others and former wills by me at any time heretofore made, declaring this and this only to be my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 21st day of the Fourth Month, commonly called June, in the Year of our Lord, 1739. Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Elizabeth Griffith as her last will and testament in the presence of its subscribers.

Elizabeth Griffith.

John Shotwell.

Thomas Pike.

Joseph Shotwell.

Whereas, my daughter, Martha, is dead, mentioned ln this will to be my executrix with my daughter Mary; now it is my further will be put my son John Vail Executor in her room and place, giving my son, John all power and privilege that my said daughter, Martha, had in the said will, relating thereunto being had may further appear. In testimony hereof I have hereunto set my hand this 17th 10th Mo., 1742. Elizabeth Griffith.

Witness: Abraham Shotwell."

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