He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1839/1841, to Samuel S Griffith and Rebecca [unknown family name]. [sources: date: 5 (24 in 1863), 12 (21), 20 (57 at death in 1898), 24 (20 in 1860), 25 (9 in 1850), 26 (25 in 1870), 27 (55 [sic] in 1880). place: 5, 12, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27. parents: 24, 25]
In 1860, he was living in ward 1, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his parents, Samuel and Rebecca Griffith, with Samuel, Anne, Sarah, Rebecca, and William (presumably his siblings), along with three others, including Lewis Brophy. He was a butcher. [source: 24]
When he enlisted, he was a butcher, and was living in Philadelphia. [sources: 5, 12]
His father, Samuel Griffith, also served in the 91st Pennsylvania.
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 9 inches tall, had a dark complexion, brown eyes, and dark hair. [sources: 5, 12 (dark complexion, dark eyes, brown hair)]
He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private in company E on 20 August 1861, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 1, 12, 15, 31]
He was one of eleven men taken prisoner at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, probably on 16 December 1862, when company E was left behind. On 19 May 1863, he (along with eight others) returned to the regiment, as a paroled prisoner. [sources: 5, 11]
He fought in the battle of Gettysburg. [source: 8]
He re-enlisted for three years, as a veteran volunteer, in Bealton, Virginia, on 24 December 1863. He was enlisted by Lieutenant Carpenter, and was mustered into service by Lieutenant Swann (this may relate to his original enlistment) (5). [sources: 1, 5, 12 (26 Dec 63)]
On 1 March 1864, Colonel Gregory detached him to collect conscripts, at Philadelphia. He returned from detached service on 16 April 1864. [sources: 9, 13]
He was detailed as a mounted messenger at corps headquarters on 18 April 1864, and ordered to report there at 6 pm. [sources: 6, 14]
He was promoted on 16 September 1864 from private to first sergeant, for soldierly conduct, replacing John L Graham, who had been promoted. [sources: 1, 4, 5, 7, 12, 18]
He was wounded in the leg on 27 October 1864 , while charging the enemy works at Hatcher's Run, Virginia. [sources: 1, 5]
On 24 May 1865, he wrote a letter to the mother of Francis Carrigan (E), informing her that he had died, and asking whether he had a family he supported. Graham was in Washington DC when Carrigan died. (He also gave a deposition supporting her application for pension, on 21 December 1867.) [source: 30]
He was promoted on 26 May 1865 from first sergeant to second lieutenant. [sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 12]
He mustered out on 10 July 1865 with his company. He was second lieutenant of company E. [sources: 1, 12, 15, 31]
He married Elizabeth Hannan [?]. She was born in June 1854, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They apparently had nine children, including:
[sources: 21 (9 children, 7 living in 1900), 22 (9 children, 7 living in 1910), 23, 27, 29]
Probably in 1869, he was living at 1617 Latona Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He and his father ran Griffith & Son, provisions. [source: 28]
Probably in 1870, he was living at 1317 [?] Latona Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He and his father ran Griffith & Son, provisions. [source: 28]
In 1870, he was living at 1636 Afton Street, in ward 26, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with Lizzie (presumably his wife), who owned $150 in personal property. He was a provision dealer, with his father, in S Griffith & Son. [sources: 26, 28]
On 14 September 1870, he applied successfully for a pension. [sources: 17, 19]
Probably in 1872, he was living at 1636 Afton Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a butcher, at 71 Federal Market. [source: 28]
Probably in 1877 he and his brother Samuel ran Griffith Brothers. He lived at 1158 South 15th Street, PHiladelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 28]
Probably in 1878, he and his brother Samuel ran Griffith Brothers, livery and butchers. He lived at 1214 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 28]
Probably in 1879, he and his brother Samuel ran Griffith Brothers, livery and butchers. He lived at 1435 Ellsworth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [source: 28]
In 1880, he was apparently living at 1435 Ellsworth Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Elizabeth, and children William, Anna, Rebecca, Griffith. He was a butcher. [source: 27, 28]
In 1890, he was living at 1438 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a butcher. He was living with Henry and Samuel Josephs. [source: 15]
On 21 October 1898, he died, of intestinal carcinoma [and] exhaustion, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a butcher. He was married. He died at, or was buried from, 1438 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On 25 October 1898, he was buried at Woodlands Cemetery. [sources: 19, 20]
On 14 January 1898 [? perhaps 1899?], his widow, Elizabeth Griffith, applied successfully from Pennsylvania for a pension (17, 19).
In 1900, his widow, Elizabeth Griffit-h, was living at 1438 15th Street, ward 26, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was living with her children William, Anna, Griffith, Mary, James, David, and Samuel. [source: 21]
In 1910, his widow, Elizabeth H Griffith, was living at 5609 Hazel Avenue, ward 46, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was living with her children David and Samuel. [source: 22]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
3 list of commissioned officers, company E
4 list of non-commissioned officers, company E
5 descriptive roll, company E, entry 35 (John J Griffith)
6 special order 36, headquarters, 91st Pennsylvania Infantry, 18 April 1864
7 special order 79, headquarters, 91st Pennsylvania Infantry, 16 September 1864
8 Pennsylvania Memorial, 91st Pennsylvania plaque, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (John J Griffith)
9 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 7 March 1864
10 special order 13, HQ 91st PA, 1 March 1864
11 consolidated morning report, 91st PA, 19 May 1863 (Private Griffith)
12 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 6 May 2004 (John J Griffith; rolls also have 'J John Griffith')
13 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 16 April 1864 (Griffith)
14 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 19 April 1864 (Griffith)
15 1890 US Census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 585, page 4 (image 1908 on Ancestry) (John J Griffith)
16 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory (John J Griffith)
17 pension index, by name (John J Griffith)
18 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 17 September 1864 (John Griffith)
19 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company E (John J Griffiths)
20 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 21 october 1898, #8740 (John J Griffith)
21 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 26, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 629, microfilm series T623, film 1468, page 189 = 5 A handwritten (Elizabeth Griffith)
22 1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 46, microfilm series T624, film 1413, page 66 = 7 B handwritten (Elizabeth Griffith)
23 Philadelphia Pennsylvania death certificates 1803-1915, 18 March 1913 (David Lentz Griffith)
24 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 1, microfilm series M653, film 1151, page 445 = 185 handwritten (John Griffith)
25 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Moyamensing, ward 5, microfilm series M432, film 809, page 459 verso = 914 handwritten to 460 recto = 915 handwritten] (John Griffiths)
26 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 26, district 84, microfilm series M593, film 1413, page 244 = 182 handwritten (John Griffith)
27 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 553, microfilm series T9, film 1185, page 561 = 25 A handwritten (John J Griffith)
28 selected Philadelphia city directories
30 dependent's pension certificate file, Jane Carrigan mother of Francis Carrigan, widow's certificate 114,292, National Archives and Records Administration, record group 15 (including a letter by Griffith) (John J Griffith)
31 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (John J Griffith)
| line | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Dwellings visited | 98 | |||||||||
| Families visited | 159 | |||||||||
| Name | Saml Griffiths | Rebecca " | John " | Saml " | Anne " | Sarah Griffiths | Anna Ranken | Otis Stimmell | Mary McCarty | Edw. Flanagan |
| Age | 26 | 25 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 2 [?] | 17 | 25 | 20 | 20 |
| Sex | M | F | M | M | F | F | F | M | F | M |
| Color | ||||||||||
| Occupation of males over 15 years | Gardener | Gardener | Carter | |||||||
| Real estate owned | ||||||||||
| Birthplace | " [sc. Penna] | " | " | " | " | Penna | Ireland | Penna | Scotland | Penna |
| Married within year | ||||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Over 20 & can't read/write | ||||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| Dwelling number | 1319 | ||||||||||
| Family number | 1510 | ||||||||||
| Name | Samuel Griffith | Rebecca " | John " | Samuel " | Anne " | Sarah " | Rebecca " | William " | William McIlvain | Lewis Brophey | Charles Davis |
| Age | 42 | 35 | 20 | 17 [could be 14 or 19] | 13 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 50 | 28 | 15 |
| Sex | m | f | m | m | f | f | f | m | m | m | m |
| Color | |||||||||||
| Occupation | hotel keeper | Butcher | " " | Iron moulder | " | Butcher | |||||
| Value of real estate owned | |||||||||||
| Value of personal estate | 300 | ||||||||||
| Place of birth | Penn | " | " | " | " | " | " | " | Ireland | Penn | N Jersey |
| Married within year | |||||||||||
| Attended school within year | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
| Cannot read & write | |||||||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 32 | 33 |
| Dwelling-house number | 90 | |
| Family number | 104 | |
| Name | Griffith John | - Lizzie |
| Age | 25 | 19 |
| Sex | M | F |
| Color | W | W |
| Occupation | Provision Dealer | Keep house |
| Real estate value | ||
| Personal estate value | $150 | |
| Birthplace | Penn | Penn |
| Father foreign born | ||
| Mother foreign born | ||
| Birth month if born within year | ||
| Marriage month if married within year | ||
| Attended school past year | ||
| Can't read | ||
| Can't write | ||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | ||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | 1 | |
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| street name | Ellsworth st | |||||
| house number | 1435 | |||||
| dwelling visit # | 227 | |||||
| family visit # | 229 | |||||
| name | Griffith John J | - Elizabeth | - William P | - Anna S | - Rebecca P | - Griffith J |
| color | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | M | F | F | M |
| age | 55 | 50 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 13 |
| month born if born in year | ||||||
| relationship | Wife | Son | Daughter | Daughter | Son | |
| single | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| married | 1 | 1 | ||||
| widowed/divorced | ||||||
| married during year | ||||||
| occupation | At school | |||||
| months unemployed | ||||||
| currently ill? | ||||||
| blind | ||||||
| deaf/dumb | ||||||
| idiotic | ||||||
| insane | ||||||
| disabled | ||||||
| school this year | 1 | |||||
| can't read | ||||||
| can't write | ||||||
| birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| father's birthplace | Penna | Ireland | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| mother's birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| line | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 |
| street | 15th street | |||||||
| house number | 1438 | |||||||
| dwelling number | 87 | |||||||
| family number | 88 | |||||||
| name | Griffith Elizabeth | - William P. | - Anna | - Grifith C [?] | - Mary I [?] | - James E. | - David L. | - Samuel S |
| relationship | Head | Son | Daughter | Son | Daughter | Son | Son | Son |
| color | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| sex | F | M | F | M | F | M | M | M |
| birth date | June 1854 | Oct 1871 | Apl 1874 | July 1879 | Oct 1881 | Feb 1885 | July 1887 | May 1892 |
| age | 45 | 28 | 26 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 8 |
| married? | Wd | S | S | S | S | S | S | S |
| # years married | ||||||||
| mother of how many children? | 9 | |||||||
| # of children living | 7 | |||||||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Ireland | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| immigration year | ||||||||
| # years in USA | ||||||||
| naturalized citizen? | ||||||||
| occupation | Provision Dealer | Saleslady Department Store | Clerk Iron Works | Manager Lawyers [?] Office | At School | At School | ||
| # months not employed | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| # months in school | 9 | 9 | ||||||
| can read | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| can write | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| speaks English | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| owned/rented | O | |||||||
| free or mortgaged | M | |||||||
| farm/house | H | |||||||
| # of farm schedule | ||||||||
| line | 92 | 93 | 94 |
| street | Hazel Avenue | ||
| house nr | 5609 | ||
| dwelling nr | 306 | ||
| family nr | 197 | ||
| name | Griffith Elizabeth H | - David L | - Samuel F |
| relationship | Head | Son | Son |
| sex | F | M | M |
| color | W | W | W |
| age | 56 | 17 | 21 |
| marital status | Wd | S | S |
| #years present marriage | |||
| mother of # children | 9 | ||
| mother of # living children | 7 | ||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| immigrated | |||
| naturalized/alien | |||
| speaks English | English | English | English |
| occupation | None | Salesman | Book keeper |
| nature of industry etc. | Hats - Ret | Contractor's Off | |
| employer etc. | W | W | |
| out of work 15 Apr 1910? | No | No | |
| # weeks out of work 1909 | 0 | 0 | |
| can read | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| can write | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| school since 1 Sep 09 | No | No | |
| owned/rented | R | ||
| owned free or mortagaged | |||
| farm/house | H | ||
| nr on farm schedule | |||
| civil war vet | |||
| blind | |||
| deaf & dumb | |||
Anna S Griffith, born 2 Apr 1874, Philadelphia, to John Griffith and Elizabeth (Philadelphia birth records 1873-1874, batch C595497, source 1289315)
Rebecca Griffith, born 18 Feb 1876, Philadelphia, to John J Griffith and Elizabeth (1874-1875 Philadelphia birth registers; only Rebecca Griffith born to John in 1870 +/- 10:]
[identification is uncertain. The argument follows]
[(a) The John in this census record seems to be the John J Griffith at 1636 Afton in the 1872 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory, first because of his occupation (cf. S Griffith & Son, provisions), and second because of his neighbors (house #88 = Henry Laverty shoe maker--see 1871 Gopsill's directory p.856 'Laverty Henry, shoemaker, h 1634 Afton'; house #89 = John Keenen Sta. Engineer--see 1871 Gopsill's directory p.798 'Keenan John, engineer, h 1640 Afton'; house #91 = Jos Hendricks leather dealer--see 1871 Gopsill's p.697 'Hendricks Joseph, tanner, h 1642 Afton'.
[(b) That John J Griffith is associated (in business) with Samuel S, living at 1420 Ellsworth, whose son he apparently is.]
[(c) My John's father Samuel is clearly in the 1870 census with Rebecca and their presumed children Rebecca and Emma in the 1870 census at microfilm series M593, film 1413, page 284 = 43 handwritten, house # 286 family #316, ward 26 district 85]
[(d) The Samuel at house #286 seems to be the Samuel in business with his son John in the city directory, based on this data:]