Several Griffins moved to Berkley County, South Carolina (later Ninety-six District and Newberry County) from Virginia and received land grants in the mid 1700s. Through the generations, the Griffins were educated and intelligent people who were planters and active in local and national government and serving their country in multiple wars. While some were Loyalists, most were strong Patriots by the end of the Revolutionary War. Some of the earliest Griffins in South Carolina were Quakers but most of the Griffins in later generations were Baptist.
James Griffin received a land grant for 350 acres on Carsons Branch off Little Saludy River in 1768. The chain of title of this land passed to his son Charles Griffin as “heir at law” when his father died. James served in the South Carolina Militia in the Revolutionary War and supported the Patriots by supplying provisions. He died during the War and family legend says he was killed by Tories in an ambush, but the place and date vary according to the account. After his death, his widow, Francis Beale, continued providing provisions. Both are recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution as a Patriots.
Their son Charles Griffin also served as a Private in the South Carolina Militia. Many sources report he was wounded, taken prisoner and escaped. Most say he was wounded at the Battle of Musgrove's Mills in 1780. The capture and escape in some reports took place at the Battle of Hayes Station in 1781. He was a planter, but also served as a Justice of Peace, Justice of the Quorum, and member of South Carolina State House of Representatives.
William C. Griffin Sr was the son of Charles Griffin and Mary King. William and his wife, Mary Berry Summers, died young leaving three children to be raised by their maternal grandparents. One of these children was Larkin Drayton Griffin. He died while serving with the Palmetto Regiment in the Mexican War. (See Larkin Drayton Griffin - Mexican War for more information and images.) Ironically he and his wife, Sarah Crotwell, died young leaving a daughter to be raised by her maternal grandparents. Mary Elizabeth Griffin married John C Neal and was the mother of Nellie Neal who married Samuel P. Crotwell.
Highlighted names show the direct ancestor line of Selma Crotwell.