John

Griffith

1683 – 1778

♦Verified

 

 

Griffith John was born in 1683 in Penbrokeshire, Wales. His parents are said to be John and Elinor Phillips.  The explanation for the surname difference is naming conventions of the era.  

 

Immigration

Griffith immigrated to the colonies from Wales in 1709 with his brother Samuel. The two men could speak English and Welsh.  Both could read and write.  Additionally,  each brought to America a Bible that contained a story of a family member that fought in the crusades and had been knighted.  However, little was passed down in Griffith’s family about that story.

 

Marriage

Despite the fact that Griffith was twice as old as his very young prospective  bride the Quaker Church approved their wedding.   The could have been granted  in part because Griffith was a Quaker minister. With the approval of the church, Griffith married Ann Williams, daughter of Robert Williams and Gwen Cadwalader, in 1714.

 

The Children

Griffith and Ann had 12 children:

  • Ann (m. John Benson)
  • Rachel (James Benson)
  • Joshua (m.Rachel Davis)
  • Hannah (m. John Davis)
  • Jane (m. Enoch Meredith)
  • Abel♥
  • Griffith (m. Sarah Lloyd)
  • Esther (m. Mr. McLean)
  • Robert(m. Aseneth Phipps)
  • Sarah (m. William Dillon)
  • Asa
  • Reuben (m. Lydia Townsend).

 

His Ministry

Griffith served as a Quaker minister for most of his nearly 70 years in America.  He died at age 95.