Richard GRIFFIN, born November 10, 1734, Wales [England] migrated from Orange, Hanover County, Virginia, into the Cane Creek areas of Laurens District, South Carolina circa 1768; he died October 25, 1805. He was twice married, first, March, 1754, to Nancy Anna 'Ann' CLARKE, variant spelling: CLARK, CLARKE, born November 28, 1740, died October 18, 1792, Laurens District, South Carolina, and second, to Elinor [variant spelling: Elinor, Eleanor] McCLAIN, 1838-1805.

Richard GRIFFIN, 1734-1805, was son of John GRIFFIN, 1708-1742, and of his wife, Margaret Enda GOODE, 1706-1742; (some researchers debate the surname of GOODE / GOOD)';

Richard GRIFFIN, 1734-1805, is buried in the old Griffin graveyard located on his plantation, in or near Laurens, South Carolina. 'Died on Monday, the 25th of Octover, 1805, as his plantation in Laurens District, Mr. Richard Griffin, Sr., age about 75 years, a man much respected and a true pattern of benevolence, who without private fortune or lucrative employment, had reared and educated with success a numerous family.' Vol. 29, P:161, of S.C. Historical and Genealogical Magazine.

...Our ancestor Richard Griffin was a true patriot--giving of his substance for food for army and being willing to be bound and whipped rather than tell where the camp of the American soldiers was located. He was too old for active service as a soldier himself. He came from Wales and settled first in Hanover County, then Orange County, Virginia. Afterwards moved to Laurens Co., SC where he and his good wife reared a large family. They were the parents of 17 children. He was a prosperous God-fearing man. It is said that this good couple were members of the Presbyterian Church of such strict adherence of the 4th Commandment that all preparations for Sabbath day food were made on Saturday. No cooking fires nor sound of axe heard on Sabbath....'

Richard Griffin rendered valuable services as patriot during the Revolutionary War. From records available at the State House, Columbia, South Carolina, A. S. Salley, Ch. Historical Commission SC:

‘To Richard Griffin, dr. sundrys of Coll Anderson return-Carr G. L 208//7//9 St.G. L29// 15// 4 ½// June 4th, 1780 received of Richard Griffin sixty wait of pork for the youse of the public. Received by me Samuel Ewing, Capt.'

‘This may certify that Mr. Richard Griffin has furnished ____(could not read) acres of oats equal to sixteen bushels for which he has received no pay. As witness my hand this twenty-first ____________(page torn). A. Elton M. F. Jr.'

‘Received March 27, 1783 of Mr. Richard Griffin rashons (rations) and furrag (forage) for eight men and horses night and morning. I say received by me. William Murray'

‘April 12, 1782--Received of Richard Griffin rashing (rations) for 22 men out
____(unable to read) are public duty. Given from under my hand. Isaac T---ley, Capt.'

‘Rec'd from Mr. Grifen feredge (forage) for 7 horses and supper for 7 men. I say recv'd by me for the youse of the publick. Frances Lattimore, Lieut.'

‘June 20, 1782 -- Received of Mr. Rich'd Griffin five bushels of ______ (unreadable) for the use of the Public Services which he is entitled pay from the publick. Given under my hand this 25th day of May 1781---Jared Smith, Lieut. Col. Of Malitia'

‘State of So. Carolina -- Received of Mr. Richard Griffin Ninety-Six District seventeen Dietts (?), six dozen sheaffs of oats for the use of a scout under my command, this 29th July 1792---John Wallace, Capt.'

‘October ye 29th 1782 # rec'd of Richard Griffin ten bushels of corn for the use of a detachment of men of my ridgt. then on duty with me. Certified by me, Levi Casey, Colo.'

‘Received of Richard Griffin fifteen bushels of corn for the use of the publick 16 May 1783. Wm. Murray'

‘No. 482 Lib, W --Issued the 22 August 1785 to Richard Griffin for twenty-nine pounds fifteen shillings and four pence for provisions supply's
the Continentals, etc. ____(?) 81-82 and for waggon hire per account passed. By Commissioners Principle L29-15-4 ½. Annual Ins. (?) L2-1-8'

For material aid given to the cause of American
Independence, Richard Griffin was paid by the State of South Carolina a claim for provisions furnished the Continental Army in 178-82. The following is a true copy of the claim as found in Salley's Stub Entries to Indents for South Carolina Revolutionary Claims, Book U_W, P:267: 'Issued the 22nd of Aug., 1785, to Richard Griffin claim for 29 poiunds, 16 shillings and 4 pence for provisions supplied the continentals in 1781-82 and for wagon hire per account passed by the Commissioner; Principal 29 poiunds, 15 shipplings, 4 pence, Amount Interest 2 pounds, 1 shilling, 8 pence.'

Will of Richard GRIFFIN, of Laurens District, South Carolina
"State of So Carolina
Laurens District

Whereas I Richard Griffin Senr. of the State and District aforesaid did sum time since Entermary with Elinor McClain Now my present wife and Whereas I have made my Will and Testament Berring date the Second day of Febury in the year of our Lord one thousand Eaight hundred & five Wich Will She acknowledges is interely to her Sattiffaction Wherein I have given and Bequathed to here my Sd. Wife Eliner the following tract of Land and other property to her & her Heirs and Afsigns forever (Viz) one tract of one hundred and fifty acres more or Lefs Wich I purchased from William Day called Chappels tract on Seluday River at the Mouth of Cane Creek one tract of fifty acres adjoining thereto wich I purchased of Wm. Ball one tract of thirty five acres Joining thareto Being part of a tract Purchased of Peter Ball Whereon I now live this thirty five acres is discribed in the titles I made to Washington Williams this day for the Ballance of Said Balls tract adjoining on other tract on the River I have likeweise Given to My Said Wife Elinar the following personal property (Viz) two negros Jonah & Isaac (as the) two cowes & calves two Good Feather Beds and furniture Six head of Sheep one mare and Colt & Saddle & Bridle two sowes and pighs one equal half of My household and kitchen furniture (Except the Beds) One cubbar [transcriber's note: letter ‘d' added in pencil] (Cbra) one plow and geers togather the one Eaight part of My Crop of Every kind wich Shall or may belonging on my Land at the time of my death to be considred as one years mintainance after My Death Should She My Wife be then Living &C) in Consideration thareof Shee My Said Wife agrees to Relinquich to My Heirs Exclusive of her Self all her Right and title Clame and Demand for Ever to all the Rest and Remaining of My Estate Boath Real and personal of Every kind and Nature Whatever be the Same what it may Accept Such part and persal whareof is Before mintioned as being Given to her My said wife in Consideration of her Said Relinquisment and the tender Love I have and Estem To for her My said Wife Elinar I did and do give the Said Lands & other property above Mintioned to My Said Wife her hairs and afsigns forever in testimony whare-…" [End of Page One][Start of Page Two] Will of Richard GRIFFIN, Page 2 "…of I have hereunto Set my hand and Seale this 8th day of Febury in the year of our Lord one thousand and five and in the twenty Ninth years of the American Independence—
Signed, Sealed and Delivered in presence of
Richard Griffin (SEAL). Jacob R. Brown. James Calwell [transcriber's note: CALDWELL]. Recorded in Will Book C-1 Page 186. Proven date not available. Recorded date not available. David Anderson Ordy." "State of South Carolina. Laurens District. I, Jacob R. Brown ^ [words hand written: ‘Justice of the…'] Quarum do hereby certify Unto all Whome it may Concerne that Eliner Griffin the Wife of the above named Richard Griffin did this day appeare before Me and Upon being privitly & Repeartly Ecominoned by the Me did declare that She (in consideration of the above Mintioned Will being Made and fuley carried into Effect after her husbands Death and the above inclosed Instrument provided the Same Shall be fulley complyed With and Shee allowed to keep and Enjoy the property (therein Set forth) Does freely Voluntary and without any Compulsion Dread or feare Of any person or persons Whomesoever Renounce Release and forever Relinquish Unto the Heirs and Afsigns of her husband Richard Griffin all her Intrest and Estate and slso all her Right and Clame to any and Every part of his Estate Either Real or personal wich he Now has or may heareafter be posed of be the Same of Lands Moneys Goods or Chattles the Same to be and Belong to his Children Grand Children or thare Afsigns Except the Land and property above Mintioned and given to her in testimoney whareof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seale this 8th date of Febury 1805. Given under my hand and Seale this 8th day of Febury 1805. Jacob R. Brown (SEAL), Elender Griffin"

Known children born of the first marriage to Nancy Anna / Anne 'Ann' CLARKE, 1740-1792, include:

daughter, Nancy GRIFFIN, b. 8 Jan 1756; md. John WILLIAMS, 1762-1803;

daughter, Mary Jane GRIFFIN, b. 13 Sep. 1757; md. December 1774, Clement DEAL / DEALE, 1753-1796, son of Alexander I DEALE, and of his wife, Susannah WILSON;

daughter, Elizabeth GRIFFIN, b. 3 Sep 1759-1821, buried Pickens Family Chapel, Anderson County, South Carolina, Find-a-Grave Memorial # 143826418, md. Andrew [William] PICKENS, 1737-1821, son of Robert Pike PICKENS, 1697-1787, buried Pickens Family Chapel, Anderson County, South Carolina, Find-A-grave Memorial # 127122237 and of his wife, Miriam DAVIS, 1705-1750;

daughter, Margaret 'Peggy' GRIFFIN, b. 25 Apr 1761, md. 1779, Reuben GOLDEN, 1751-1835, variant spelling: GOLDING, GOLDEN;

son, William GRIFFIN, b. 20 Nov 1762, d. 23 Aug 1819, Robertson Co., TN; md. Rachel EVANS; md. Sarah LIMLEY; md. Margaret McDOLE, 1764-1835;

daughter, Lucinda 'Lucy' GRIFFIN, b. 08 Jan 1764 - d. 25 Feb 1824; buried Watson-Barratt Family Cemetery, Callison, Greenwood County, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 89817827; md. Henry Hunter CRESWELL; md. 01 Jan 1784, Abbeville District, S.C.; md. William WATSON, 1755-1837, buried Watson-Barrat Cemetery, Callison, Greenwood County, S.C., Find-A-Grave Memorial # 89817797;

son, John Thomas GRIFFIN, b. 16 Mar 1767, d. 20 Mar 1843, md. Sarah 'Sally' WILLIAMS;

son, James Clark GRIFFIN, b. 25 Jul 1769, d. 20 Mar 1843, Pendleton, Anderson County, S.C.; md. 1st Martha Rhoda GOODMAN; md. 2nd Sophia CHASE CHANDLER;

son, Reuben F. GRIFFIN, Esq. 19 Jul 1762, d. 28 Jun 1826, Kinards, Laurens County, S.C.; buried Old Little River Dominick Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Kinards, Laurens County, S.C. Find-A-Grave Memorial # 29455380; md. Sarah Jane Smith GRIFFIN, 1771-1851. Children of this marriage include: Margaret 'Peggy' GRIFFIN, 1788-1867, md. Dr. Thomas TEAGUE, 1789-1854; Catehrine "Kitty' 'Caty GRIFFIN, 1795-; md. ----YOUNG; Elizabeth 'Betsy' GRIFFIN, 1792-1866, md. Elijah TEAGUE, 1792-1851; Martha 'Patsy' GRIFFIN; Elihu GRIFFIN, 1800-1877, md. Elizabeth GARY, 1805-1873; and Benjamin GRIFFIN, 1789-1817;

son, Adineus 'Adino' GRIFFIN, b. 15 Jun 1773, d. 1843, Chicksaw, Calhoun County, Mississippi; md Alice -----; md. Catherine GORE;

son, Dr. Ira GRIFFIN, b. 20 Jun 1775, d. 30 June 1830, Abbeville, Abbeville County, S.C., buried Watson-Barratt Family Cemetery, Callison, Greenwood County, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 89817803; md. 1st Susan WALLER; md. Susan STEINBACH WILSON, 1774-1830, Buried Watson-Barratt Family Cemetery, Callison, Greenwood County, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 89817802;

daughter, Sarah 'Sally' GRIFFIN, b. 20 Mar 1778, d. 12 Oct. 1849, buried Williams-Nance Family Cemetery, Mountville, Laurens County, S.C., Find-A-Grave Memorial # 81900012; md. [James] Washington WILLIAMS, 1777-1829, buried Williams-Nance Family Cemetery, Mountville, near White Plains, Laurens County, South Carolina, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 66502333;

son, Col. Richard GRIFFIN, b. 4 Feb 1780, Milton, Laurens District, S.C. d. 20 Nov 1850, Hickory Grove, Edgefield County, S.C. ; md. 1st. Mary 'Polly' LIPSCOMB, 1789-1814; md 2nd. Rebecca STEINBACH WILSON, 1787-1870;

son, Joseph GRIFFIN, b. 15 Nov 1782; d. 11 Dec 1838, Cambridge, Abbeville County, S.C.; md. Parthenia COLEMAN, 1784-1830, daughter of Thomas COLEMAN and Amey BULLOCK; five children known: Susan B. GRIFFIN; Elizabeth GRIFFIN, Thomas C. GRIFFIN, William GRIFFIN and Dr. Richard C. GRIFFIN;

son, Captain David GRIFFIN, a twin, b. 20 Jan 1786, Laurens, Laurens District South Carolina d. 22 Nov 1848, Houston, Chickasaw County, Mississippi, USA, buried Houston Cemetery, Houston, Chickasaw County, Mississippi, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 11420667; md. Nancy Permelia Matilda GOLDING, [variant spelling: GOLDEN, GOLDING], 1976-1858, buried Houston Cemetery, Houston, Chickaway County, Mississippi, USA, Find-A-Grave Memorial # 2939614;

son, Anthony GRIFFIN, a twin, b. 20 Jan 1786; d. 16 Jul 1850, Spring Grove, Laurens County, S.C.; md. Mary Wells SIMPSON, 1791-1845;

son, Colonel Larkin GRIFFIN, 1788-1886, (youngest of the 17 children born to Richard and Nancy) md. Jemima COLEMAN, daughter of Thomas COLEMAN and Amey BULLOCK; known children of this marriage include: Talitha Goode GRIFFIN; Ann America GRIFFIN; Eliza B. GRIFFIN; Mary P. GRIFFIN; William Moultrie 'Moult' GRIFFIN; CSA Major Larkin Lowndes GRIFFIN; Dr. John Larkin GRIFFIN;