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Person ID: I1122067316

Isaac Griffin

27 FEB 1750/51 – 12 OCT 1827

Male

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Events

Born
27 FEB 1750/51 — Smyrna, Kent, Delaware, United States
Died
12 OCT 1827 — Nicholson, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, United States

Family

Family group sheet →

Married: Bet. 1770 and 1800

Notes

  • Isaac Griffin, a son of tavern keeper Samuel Griffin and his wife Martha, was born February 27, 1751, in Duck Creek Hundred, Kent County, Delaware. This was near the present town of Smyrna. He grew into an imposing figure of a man--six feet two inches tall, physically powerful, black hair, very dark complexion, deep blue eyes, and features of the Roman type. generally he was modest and retiring, but had something of a reckless disposition, an d he was quick to resent an insult. When Isaac was eighteen he inherited 177 pounds from his father, a considerable sum in those days. He appears to have used it wisely, acquiring land in the area. In 1774 he had won the heart of a young Quakeress, names Mary Morris, whose famil y Were strict Friends. She was locked in a room upstairs to prevent her union with the young worldling. He found out the situation, obtained a ladder, put it to the window, and she climbed down and eloped with him. A meeting of the Friends wa s called, when she was notified that, "If thee will say thee is sorry that thee married Isaac, thee can stay in." But as she would not say it, she was expelled from their membership. Mary was a daughter of James and Ann (Tilton) Morris of Duc k Creek Cross Roads, and was born on July 28, 1756. In January 1776 Isaac enlisted in the Continental army, for one year, in Colonel Haslet's regiment, 1st Company, Captain John Patten. He went into active Service in August, and was under fire several times. He re-enlisted for the duration of t he war. During his service he was mainly instrumental in capturing the leader of a group of Tories, Cheney Clow. The adherents of Clow hated Griffin intensely, and after the close of the war his personal safety was endangered. Isaac, like the rest of his family at that time, was a slave owner. He must have still felt some Quaker influence, for it is recorded in the manumission book of the Friends' Meeting of Duck Creek December 23, 1782 that he freed his slaves. In October 1783 he had his first recorded brush with politics. At a general election held at Duck Creek Cross Roads some former Tories who had not taken the oath of allegiance were allowed to vote. Members on the Griffin family objected strongl y, and in the resulting disorderly and Violent proceedings a box containing the votes was carried away. His enemies constantly harassing him, Isaac Began investing in land in Fayette County, Pennsylvania with the intention of Moving. The Indians still lingering near, his wife feared to move, so he sold the land. Later, however, she relented, alt hough she had lost her health, and he eventually bought several farms in Fayette County. By 1794 they were established in their new home, and he was appointed Justice of the Peace. He served in this capacity for several years. In 1807 he wa s elected to the State Legislature, and was re-elected until he had served four successive terms. In 1812 he was elected to Congress. It is related of him that upon being notified of this election he brought cloth of home manufacture to Thoma s Williams, Esq., of New Geneve, for the purpose of having his make him a suit of clothes. He informed the persons present that "he raised the sheep, carded, spun, dyed and wove the cloth on his premises." Also in this year a gloom was cast ov er the family when his favorite son, James, was killed in the war with England. Soon after arriving at their new home in Pennsylvania, Mary joined the Seventh-Day Baptist Church, and remained a consistent member until her death, which occurred in her eightieth year, although she had been an invalid for fifty years. Isaac g ave his support to the regular baptist church, but he was not a member. This is said to have caused them to have a Sabbath (Saturday) and a Sunday in their house, but this occasioned no jar, for everything moved on smoothly, and they travele d like's pathway in harmony, although differing widely in most things. The daughters were sent to finishing school in Delaware, the journey there and back being made on horseback. In 1824 Isaac lost his election due to his opposition to General Jackson. This personal dislike was because\cause of Jackson ordering the hanging of two men in Florida after they had been cleared by court-martial. After Isaac retired from publ ic life he remained on his farm until his death October 12,1827, caused by a fall from a loaded wagon. He was buried on the farm where he lived and died. Also buried in the same place are his wife Mary (Morris) Griffin, who passed away May 23 , 1835; and two unmarried daughters, Martha and Margaret. References: "The Griffin Family - Samuel Griffin of New Castle County on Delaware, Planter, and his Descendants", by Thomas Hale Streets, MD USN< 1905. This book is in the library of the Maryland Historical Society of Baltimore. "The Morris Family of Philadelphia", by Robert C. Moon, in the library of Congress