Samuel Griffin 1705-1746

Samuel Griffin  1705-1746

The earliest history of Killingworth is found in the two-volume set of Land Deed Records. Volume One contains the original town charter and documentation on the original planters. Starting in 1663 with the original survey the books were also used to record births, deaths and marriages. The books contained registration for earmarks, tax lists, lists of the freemen, office holders, etc. But the core of the record is the meticulous tracking of all land transactions. One of the great traditions in Killingworth involved setting aside a few blank pages here and there. On these pages the families in Killingworth would record in one little concise record the births of their children. Early Killingworth is now the town of Clinton. As the town grew and expanded the upper part of town, referred to as the “farmers”, wanted to build a church closer to their homes. In 1735 the town divided into two separate Congregational Congregations. The Griffins were numbered among the farmers and became part of the new congregation. A book of city records was lost to a fire but Abraham Pierson had duplicated most of that record into the Second Congregation files and Volume Two of the Land Deeds. Within all of these records you can find multiple entries for almost everyone who lived in Killingworth, everyone, except Samuel Griffin.  His name appears only once in the little document that is the face of this blog. Other than the connection we make back to Samuel and Mary through their children who we have come to know well, we know almost nothing of Samuel Griffin. There are a few other references to him. In court records there is a case in 1730 that involved a dispute over leased property. Within the dispute was the issue of who owned the corn crop growing there. One of the parties decided to take matters into his own hand. He recruited a group of men to go with him under the cover of darkness to harvest the crop. With their discovery a confrontation arose. In the ensuing court case as part of one witnesses’ testimony he names 3 men who’s voices he recognized. He clearly identified Samuel Griffin. In the two neighboring communities Saybrook and Killingworth there were several hundred men.  Samuel was well known enough to recognized by his voice. In Thankfull’s wedding notice she is identified simply as the daughter of Mr. Griffin. Is that because everyone knew of him? The remaining records for Samuel concern his will. He died intestate. His will was probated Dec. 8^th, 1746. The record indicates that Benjamin Gale assumed responsibility for his affairs. Mr. Gale was a prominent member of the community and had filled this role a number of times. Remember women could not at this time control title to property and needed a man to assume that responsibility in her stead. There are no other probate records which is a bit unusual. No record of a final resolution, no list of his assets. As a follow up to the will are guardian records for his two surviving sons. James and Samuel Jr. When the boys turned sixteen James in 1749 and Samuel in 1755 they were assigned a guardian by the court to look out for their interests. The guardian was required to put up a bond that indicates that there must have been some property involved. The court refers to them as minor sons of Samuel Griffin late of Killingworth. James was assisted by Josiah Meigs and Samuel by his brother in law, Nathan Buell, husband of his sister, Thankfull. The final chapter in Samuel’s history takes place in 1791 when his son Samuel bought the Burying Yard from the city. The Burying Yard is surrounded by the Griffin Homestead on Roast Meat Hill. I think the only explanation for the purchase was that as the family prepared to move to Vermont they wanted to protect the burial site for Samuel and Mary. The records for the oldest section have long since been lost but I am convinced that Samuel Griffin is resting there as are Thankfull and Nathan Buell