Griffin History in Essex

When any of us begins the journey to discover our family history the names and places are somewhat of an abstract idea. The more we discover concerning our ancestry those names and places begin to take on a new reality. The more personal information we find those people become more and more like our neighbors down the street who we read about in the newspaper. The culmination of this journey of discovery comes when we recognize how much of them are in us. Samuel and Mercy Griffin along with John, Dan and Samuel Jr. made the move to Vermont sometime in the 1790’s. Asahel and Joel are in the 1790 Vermont Census. We find the first reference to them in the Land Deeds. They purchased their property directly from the original Proprietors, buying virgin untouched land. Other than land deeds, we find the first documentation for the Griffins, in a set of Minutes for a town meeting dated April, 1797 in which Samuel Sr is named as “Surveyor of Highways”. Over the next 50 years we find their names and signatures in the town and deed records as they participate in the life of Essex. These documents bring to life real people doing real things in a real town. Much of Essex would still be recognizable to them today.

Will Of Achsah Griffin wife of Joseph 1816-1891

Will of Joseph Griffin 1811-1861

Will of Leicester/Lester Griffin 1805-1875

Asahel Griffin in New Haven Vermont

New Haven, Addison County, Vermont is a beautiful little farming community set in the rolling foothills of South Western Vermont. It started life as a legal entity in 1761. In 1761 there were probably very few, if any, people actually living in New Haven. What the 1761 action meant was that New Haven was now organized via the Probate Courts for the division and selling of property. The opening of Vermont to immigration was given a large boost by the French and Indian War. As a result of the war, trails had been built, and the territory had been more thoroughly explored. Returning soldiers, primarily from Connecticut, had made note of promising areas with an eye to future development. In 1760’s America land speculation was a major industry. The Crown and the Colonies filled their coffers by selling land grants. The action of 1761 opened the way for the New Haven area to be surveyed and organized for the sale of land. Groups of investors purchase large parcels which they then divided into manageable lots which they then sold to individuals. The real history of New Haven begins around the 1790’s when men like Asahel and his brother Joel bought 50 to 100 acre plots and began to carve out farms and communities from the raw wilderness. The 1790 Census finds Asahel and his young family in New Haven. He in all likelihood moved there and began life working as a laborer for someone else. He makes his first land purchase on September 14, 1791 from Reuben Field, one of the land speculators. It is recorded in the Land Deeds Volume 2, page 15. He made a second purchase on December 6, 1793 recorded in Volume 2, page 210. In the town history the history of each farm is traced back to its original owner. Asahel is shown as the original owner of a farm located in District 3. Clearing land for a farm was a harsh task in 1790. Vermont was and is heavily timbered. I think Asahel and his family spent a lot of his time cutting and burning trees but they were eventually successful testified to by the 15 plus years they stayed in New Haven. The story of why he left is yet to be written. We find record of him selling his New Haven property written on page 113 in Volume 5 of the Land Deeds, it is dated March 10, 1806. In Franklin County, New York we find him again accepting the task of carving a new life out of the wilderness. -1- Map of New Haven, the town is organized into school districts. Asahel’s farm is in District No. 3 -2- District No. 3, Asahel’s farm is identified by the letter I. -3- This is the original deed dated September 14, 1791. -4- 1806 Land Deed. -5- 1806 Land Deed.