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Dempsy Griffin is listed below Chosel and Joseph Weeks in the 1820 Sumter District SC Census. He is 26 to 45 and has another male 26 - 45 living with him. He also has three sons 1 - 10 years old; one daughter 1 - 10 years old; and a wife 26 -45 years old. Dempsy is brother to Tabitha who married Chosel Weeks. He is married to Chosel's Neice, Alicia Weeks.
Following are the known records of Dempsey Griffin, his three wives, twenty one children and their descendants who have the surname Griffin:
Dempsey Griffin married 1st on Feb. 25, 1813 to Lovicy or Louicy Tindal, 2nd on May 27, 1819 to Alicia Weeks, and 3rd on Feb. 2, 1854 to Eliza Lucinda Graham. (Griffin Bible in 1970 possession of Mrs. Pearl Byrd of Pinewood. S.C.)
The Griffin Bible also includes the names of Dempsey's 21 children by his three wives, but only 19 of the children have complete birthdates. Caroline and Lawrence, two of his children by Alicia, have only the year of birth. In the case of Caroline, the year does not agree with her birthdate as given in another old Bible belonging to the Wells family. Sarah Harvin Keels personally examined the Bible:
"The dates for the birth of Dempsey, Louvicy, Alicia and the children through George Washington are on a loose page in a definitely old style of handwriting. The marriages to Louvicy and Alicia are recorded in the same writing. The marriage to Eliza is old but in a different, more Modern style. On another page, and definitely written at a later date (but still looks blue) are the dates - beginning again with Dempsey - and containing all the dates through Wigfall. It is my opinion that the first is just a page from an old Bible stuck into the later one. The only publishing, date I could find was 1885 on a loose page. Most of the pages are loose. One page, the one from HuIdah down, is just a piece of plain paper. Written at the bottom of one page in writing that looks vaguely familiar but I can't place it, was the note that Dempsey was the son of William and Jemima Griffin".
Lizzie Moore Griffin also wrote a sketch of her father-in-law Dempsey Griffin. Lizzie, who was married to Dempsey's son Charles Lawrence Griffin, was a school teacher and very interested in family history. She lived to be 97 years old, her mind and memory clear until the age of 90 years. The sketch reads:
"He was born near the town of Pinewood, S.C. on March 30, 1788. In the days of his early life he spent awhile in Alabama. On his return to his childhood home, he made it his permanent home where all his children were reared. He was married 3 times and had 21 children. He purchased 700 acres of land from Mr. Colclough who had a grant from King George. After his death, his 3rd wife purchased enough to make almost 1,000 acres in the estate. He owned many slaves. He kept a special servant to wait on himself all of the time. His last servant was named William Waters and known as 'Uncle Bill'. Mr. Griffin was a vestryman in the St. Mark's Episcopal Church. He was an Intimate friend of Governor John Manning. He was very kind to the poor. He would load his buggy with groceries and necessities of life and take his servant with him to visit the needy families in the neighborhood. He fought in the war of 1812. His last wife received a pension because of this. He had four sons to fight in the Civil War. His son Lawrence was killed. When another son was born he gave him the name Charles Lawrence".
Comments on the above sketch follow. When Lizzie Moore Griffin wrote that Dempsey owned many slaves, she was dipping her pen in family pride. On Dec. 5, 1836, Dempsey Griffin bought from Equity for Maples 1 negro woman and 3 children (Sumter Conv. II. 313 per VH). On the 1860 Clarendon Slave Census, Dempsey had a total of 6 slaves: 1 female black age 40, 1 male black age 32, 1 male black age 29, 1 male black age 26, 1 male mulatto age 13, 1 male mulatto age 10.
As stated in the sketch, Dempsey must have been on intimate terms with the Manning family, since several of them served as Godparents for his children by Eliza. A loose sheet in the Griffin Bible contains the information that Elsey and Dempsey were Baptized January 4, 1844; sponsors; Richard I. Manning, Priscilla Belser; and Preacher A. Wigfall. Richard I. Manning, as R. I. Manning, was the Godfather at the Baptism of Joseph Reid Griffin, one of Dempsey's son. Richard I. and John Lawrence Manning were sons of Richard I. Manning, one time Governor of S.C. and Dempsey's commanding officer in the War of 1812. Dempsey's children by Eliza were all Baptized as babies by the pastors of St. Marks, and their youngest child Arthur Wigfall was named for a pastor of the church. His last three children by Alicia are known to have been Baptized by an Episcopalian minister. Huldah, Lawrence and Robert Griffin, children of Elsey and Dempsey Griffin were Baptized by Rev. Arthur WigfalI, June 29, 1845. (Parish Records of St. Mark's) . Eliza had been a Methodist before her marriage to Dempsey, and after his death she returned to the Methodist Church as it was more convenient for her.
Dempsey did serve for a brief time in the War of 1812. His service, bounty land and pension records are on file at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Though they contain much data, there are discrepancies in the information. Dempsey Griffin, Private, appeared on the Company Muster Roll for Capt. Richard I. Manning's Company G, Artillery, Major John P. Felder's Battalion of the S.C. Militia - joining October 12, 1814 for a term of 6 months, the roll being dated November 6, 1814 at Haddrell's Point. On the Company Muster Roll of November 23, 1814, it was noted that Dempsey was absent, being on detachment at Castle Pinckney. He was paid $5.16 for service from October 12, 1814 to October 31, 1814. On January 7, 1815 Dempsey hired a substitute, Daniel House, to finish out his term of enlistment. At his discharge, Dempsey received the pay due him from November 1, 1814. He received $17.56, pay being $8. per month. In 1852, Dempsey applied for bounty land on his service record.
"State of South Carolina, District of Sumter: On this 20th day of September, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty two, personally appeared before me, James Blanding, a Notary Public duly authorized to administer oaths within and for the County and State aforesaid, Dempsey Griffin age 64 years, a resident of Sumter District in the State of South Carolina, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Dempsey Griffin who was a private in the company commanded by Capt. Richard I. Manning in the South Carolina Battalion Artillery commanded by Major Joh P. Felder which was attached to the Regiment of Infantry commanded by Col. A. McWillie in the war with Great Britain, that he volunteered in Clarendon County in said district on or about the first day of October 1814 for six months and continued in actual service in said war, for the term of four months and was honorably discharged at Charleston on the 26th day of January 1815 by reason of having employed a substitute as will appear by the muster rolls of said company. he makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which he may be entitled under the "act granting bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the military service of the United States" passed September 28, 1850. Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written; and I hereby certify that I believe the said Dempsey Griffin to be the identical man who served as aforesaid, and that he is the age above stated."
The papers were signed by Dempsey and James D. Blanding. A paper dated Oct. 4 1852: "Personally appeared before me Dempsey Griffin and makes oath that the place of his residence and rendezvous of his company is about eighty miles from Charleston and that he received a written discharge, but that said discharge was burnt in his house which was destroyed by fire in the year 1819. That when he left the service, he employed one Daniel House as his substitute, who served out the balance of his time." It was signed by Dempsey and J. D. Blanding. Dempsey received his Bounty Land (does not say where land was located), and later applied for more. "State of South Carolina, Clarendon District: On the 20th day of June, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven, personally appeared .... Dempsey Griffin, age 69 years, .... that he volunteered at Clarendon about the 11th day of October 1814 for the term of six months and continued to serve in said War until he was honorably discharged at Charleston about the 22nd day of January 1815 but that he received no written discharge. That he has heretofore received a Warrant for 40 acres of land under the Act 28th September 1850 - but having legally disposed of the same the number is not recollect3d. He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the additional bounty land to which he may be entitled under the Act approved March 3rd, 1855". Signed by Dempsey and witnessed by James Griffin and Joseph Richbourg.
It is of interest that Dempsey's son James witnessed this document on 6-20-1867 as he does not appear on the 1850 or 1860 Census for Sumter-Clarendon.
Eliza gave the following information when she made her claim for a widow's pension. "State of South Carolina, County of Clarendon. On this 18th day of October A.D., one thousand eight hundred and seventy nine, personally appeared before me, W. A. Barfield, clerk of court.....Eliza Griffin aged 52 years....declares that she is the widow of Dempsey Griffin, deceased.........She further states that the following is a full description of her said husband at the time of his enlistment, viz: Dark eyes - Black eyes and black hair, sixty five years, Planter, and whose birth place was in Clarendon. She further states that she was married to the said Dempsey Griffin in the county of Clarendon and in the State of South Carolina on the 2nd day of February A.D. 1854 by one James T. Kilgo, who was a Methodist Clergyman and that her name before her said marriage was Eliza Graham, and that she has not remarried since the death of the said soldier; and she further states that her said husband had been previously married and wife's name was Elsy Weeks, and that her said husband Dempsey Griffin died at his residence in the State of South Carolina on the 10th day of August A.D. 1866 and she further declares that the following have been the places of residence of herself and her said husband since the date of his discharge from the Army, viz: at his plantation near Fulton in the State of South Carolina. she makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the pension to which she may be entitled....and hereby appoints ... TUCKER & BISHOP of Washington, D.C. her true and lawful attorney....and she further declares no application for either Bounty Land or Pension has ever been made previously and that her residence is County of Clarendon, State of South Carolina, and that her post office address is Fulton, in Clarendon, South Carolina." It was signed by Eliza and witnessed by J. M. Barwick. On Feb. 28, 1880, Eliza again went to the courthouse to make an affidavit for TUCKER & BISHOP in regards to her pension. She swore "the following is an exact copy from the Family Bible record that it is the original record and has not been changed and that it is correct and was made at the time the event occurred: "Dempsey Griffin and Eliza L. his third wife was married 2nd February 1854". It was signed: Eliza L. Griffin.
Robert M. Welch, Trial Justice for Clarendon, certified that he had compared this copy with the original and it was an exact copy. On March 1, 1880, Ex-Governor J. L. Manning and John J. Boyd swore that Dempsey and Eliza had been married on Feb. 2, 1854, lived together as man and wife until Dempsey's death on August 10, 1866, and that Eliza had not remarried. Eliza did receive her pension until her death. A note in the file from the United States Pension Agency to the Commissioner of Pensions reported that Eliza L. Griffin, who was last paid $12 on November 4, 1906, had been dropped because of death, December 25, 1906.
Kirkland and Kennedy, "Historic Camden", Columbia, 1905, gives some insight into Dempsey's military experience: "The regiment (2nd Regiment under Lt. Col. Adam McWillie), 1,200 strong reached the city October 20. The Carolina Gazette commented upon its fine appearance and Equipment, and stated that it was escorted into town from the Four-Mile House by the Charleston Riflemen amidst the acclamations of the citizens. The entire body was halted on Broad Street and treated by the Honorable John Geddes to a refreshing draught of spirits and water. .... The regiment went into encampment at Haddrills Point. The foe did not have the temerity to land, and even the mosquitoes were too chilled to attack. The only enemy encountered apparently was hunger, as we gather from the following extracts from a spirited letter addressed by Colonel McWillie, October 25, to Major General Pinckney: "This day, sir, have the rations of beef fallen far short, as has been the case at different times during the past week, and this day, sir, every ounce of bread that was furnished the troops has been consigned as food to the scaly tribe.....". The Camden Journal of September 5. 1849, states that many of the veterans of this war had passed away, but that those who remained remembered vividly the sufferings from cold and stinted provisions. "The glories of an active campaign lay not before them", but "they dwelt with delight upon memory of their handsome appearance and the promptness with which they discharged every duty". The War of 1812 ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814, and the next month, Dempsey came home to Lovicy.
Dempsey appeared as the head of a household for the first time on the 1820 Census for Sumter District. Lovicy had died, and he was married to Alicia. In addition to Dempsey, Alicia and his 4 small children, an adult male 26-44 years was living in the same household. At this enumeration, they were living around Frog Branch. Dempsey was the head of a household on the 1830 and 1840 Census for old Sumter District. The 1850 Census was the first that gave the names of all in a household with their ages and other information. On the 1850 Census for Sumter District, Dempsey was the head of household #714. With him was Elsey and their children Richard, Nelson, Harriet, Mary, Hulda, Lawrence and Robert. Dempsey declared assets of $1,200; it was noted, that he could read and write but Alica could not.
In 1855, Sumter District was divided into the separate districts of Sumter and Clarendon, the latter covering the same area that it had before it was made a part of Sumter District. It was in Clarendon that Dempsey and Eliza, his 3rd wife, were enumerated on the 1860 Census. They were at #160, mailing address P.O. Fulton. Robert was the only one of Dempsey's children by his first two wives still living at home. As a farmer, Dempsey declared real estate assets totaling $3,840 and personal assets (which would have included his slaves) totaling $6,300. The great difference between Dempsey's declaration of assets in 10 years can be due to several things. Thinking that they might be taxed for declared assets, most gave a low total in 1850. By the 1860 enumeration, they realized that the figures were only for public record not for taxes and gave a truer picture of their assets. In addition, slaves were at their top price by 1860. The Griffins were enumerated between Thomas Connell and William J. Starke; James D. Weeks was close by.
Sons and brothers responding to the call of the Confederacy brought the War Between The States deep into the Griffin home. Eliza's four brothers served the South; three of them died, one of whom was married to Dempsey's daughter Hulda (Helen Graham Carpenter, op. cit.). Dempsey's sons James, Nelson, Robert and Lawrence were Confederate soldiers. Lawrence died in the War according to Lizzie Moore Griffin. The late Henry Flynn Griffin said that perhaps George Washington and Jefferson died in the War also. This had not been proven or disproven. Confederate service records are far from complete, but no records for a Jefferson Griffin were found at the National or S. C. Archives. There are records for several G. W. Griffins, but none were in the same outfits as other Griffin brothers nor did any volunteer in Sumter or Clarendon. Other than their births recorded in the Griffin Bible, nothing more has been found for George Washington or Jefferson Griffin. If they lived, they may have left the area, but it would have been most unusual for the times had Dempsey's 21 children all lived to adulthood.
Dempsey Griffin died at his plantation near Fulton on the 10th day of August 1866 according to Eliza's sworn testimony. He was buried in the Weeks-Griffin Cemetery, a beautiful and peaceful resting place, next to Alicia. At Eliza's death, she too was buried there. All three have tombstones, side by side. Their kin lie buried all around them. Dempsey Griffin of Clarendon was truly a patriarch. The possibility of the number of his descendants from his 21 children - who were born over a period of 52 years - is astounding. One can only imagine his funeral attended by a young wife with 8 months old Wigfall in her arms, his children and his grandchildren, some of whom were older than his children.
Dempsey Griffin died testate, but the Clarendon County Courthouse has no Will or probate records on file for him. The late Henry F. Griffin stated in 1971 that letters had survived concerning the distribution of Dempsey's land that passed between Richard Griffin and the other brothers and sisters. These have not been found. Other things have been found. A receipt: "Manning, $.C., September 5, 1866. Rec'd from Mrs. E. L. Griffin and Nelson Griffin, Executors of Dempsey Griffin, dec'd. Eleven dollars, Ordinary cost and .... for proving will of deceased and for qualifying Executors". Also, "Rec'd of Nelson Griffin, 220 acres of land being in full for the sum of $400 to be paid by Nelson Griffin in conformity to the second clause of the last will and testament of Dempsey Griffin (signed) R. H. Griffin, James Griffin for R. N. Griffin, Jan. 7, 1869. March 3, 1883, Rec'd $160 from Nelson Griffin since my father's death, interest on the amount left me in my father's will of $200 to be paid to me by the said Nelson Griffin (singed) R. H. Griffin". (papers of Nelson Griffin possessed in 1972 by Mrs. Oneal Jenkinson). In possession of Jean Brunson, McLean, VA 1983: "Manning, S. C. March 7, 1867. Rec'd from Nelson Griffin Exr of Dempsey Griffin Ten dollars for Mrs. Caroline Wells, the wife of Charlie Wells - Said amount being a legacy left by Dempsey Griffin Deceased. W. E. Burgess, O.C.D."
The 1870 Census was taken in Clarendon County (the term "county" used now instead of "district") on July 5th at Eliza Griffin's home. As "Elizabeth" griffin, farmer with declared assets of $1,200, she and her young children were visitation #206 Calvary Twp., P.O. Manning. James was at #197 and Nelson at #202 with black families living between.
On the 1880 Clarendon Census, E. L. Griffin and her four unmarried sons were #222 Calvary Twp. Her nearest white neighbor on one side was L. H. Deschamps. Her son Joseph and his young family were at #223 and nelson was at #224. |
1788 - 1866 (78 years)
