Samuel Griffin and Ann Avery

Samuel Griffin and Ann Avery are listed in many Griffin Genealogies as the original Griffins. Samuel was born in 1705 and they married in 1727 dates that fit with the timeline for the following generations. This connection was made before the age of the computer when location and timeline in the absence of other candidates led to a “most likely” conclusion. Given the information now available it’s easy to come to a very different conclusion. Samuel and Ann were born in New London County. Their births are documented in the Barbour Collection. In New London we find Samuel’s records.

Samuel, son. Ebenezer & Mary b. June 9, 1705

Samuel, m. Ann Avery, Nov 16, 1727

Samuel, son. Samuel & Ann b. Sept 27, 1728

Thomas, son. Samuel & Ann b. Nov 27, 1730

These two boys were their only children and there is ample documentation that Samuel died at sea in 1737. Ann later remarried.

In Killingworth we find the records for Samuel Griffin and his wife “Mary”. There is no marriage record but in the Barbour records and on page 336 of the Land Deed Book we find a list of their children.

Mary, dau. Samuel & Mary, b Dec 7, 1728

Thankfull, dau Samuel & Mary, b Oct 14, 1731

James, son Samuel & Mary, b Apr7, 1733

Jerusha, dau Samuel & Mary, b May 23, 1736

Samuel, son Samuel & Mary, b Feb 10, 1739

Jeremiah, son Samuel & Mary, b Sept 25, 1743

We clearly have two very different families in two different locations. The document that is the background for this blog was written in Killingworth in Samuel’s hand. We are the descendants of Samuel and Mary Griffin of Killingworth Connecticut.