Person:Griffith John (2)

Emigrated 1708-1709

Griffith John, Sr. was born in or near the Parish of Haverfordwest, in the principlaity of Pembrokeshire, Wales, in the year 1683. He was the son of John and Ellen Phillips, and they were descendents of Raph Phillips (on there distaff side) who came from Wales to North America in 1685 and settled in Bucks County, Pa.

Griffith with his brother Samuel John, (and probably others of their family and others from that part of Wales), emigrated to North America stating in the fall of 1708, in a sailing vessel and after several months on the Atlantic Ocean, on the 11th of February, 1709, tired and weary from the long and hard voyage. They had gone through bad storms and they have been short of food and fresh water, but they were thankful to God that they were able to reach this promised land so glad to get out from the oppression that they had to suffer in Wales from the tyranny of the British Nobles and came to a place where they could have their religious freedom. They were mostly Quakers.

Griffith John, in his youth, was an earnest seeker after righteousness and he became measurable convinced of the principles of truth as held by the Quakers or Friends, but pursuing William Penn's key to Christian knowledge before he had much outward acquaintance with them. Coming over to this country when a young man, he soon joined the Friends in their religious fellowship and being faithful to the manifestations of Devine Grace in his heart he had the gift of the ministry bestowed upon him, which, together with his exemplary life and conversion manifested him to be a Heaven minded man, much redeemed from the love and spirit of this world.

He was not anxious about the increase of outward riches, but was content with a small share thereof. He thankful received only as much as served for bodily support with great simplicity and plainness. Being a testimony against all superfluity and everything tending to exalt the mind of man to promote worldly greatness in any degree, he sough above all the Kingdom of Heaven and the righteousness thereof.

He was a lover of peach among his brethren and in his neighborhood and by precept and example, labored to promote it, being at times concerned, by travel about on foot, even in advanced age, to his friends houses, paying short visits in true Christian Love, and dropping weighty and edifying hints, at sometimes, tending to stir up the pure mind and scarcely anything being said by him but what had a tendency that way.

He was a remarkable and worthy example, in constant and early attending religious meetings, until upward of ninety years of age. With weakness and infirmity he was confined at home and underwent great bodily afflictions with true Christian fortitude and resignations to Divine Will, patiently waiting his change when was on the 29th of the sixth month, 1778, age about ninety-five. He was a minister for nearly 70 years.

Griffith John, Senior, married Ann Williams, the daughter of Robert and Gwen WIlliams, on the twenty-third day of the seventh month in the year of 1714, in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Griffith John, Senior, made his first declaration for marriage at the monthly meeting in Goshen on the 26th of May, 1714. A committee of Pater Taylor and Hough Davis were appointed to investigate. On June 30th, the committee have reported favorable, the couple renewed their declaration. Permission was granted for their marriage.

At the next meeting on the 23rd of July, 1714, the marriage was performed in an orderly manner and our ancestors started our on their married live together and lived together about sixty years in happiness until death separated them.

They had 12 children:

1. Arm 5. Jane 9. Robert 2. Rachel 6. Abel 10. Sarah 3. Joshua 7. Griffith, Jr. 11. Asa 4. Hannah 8. Esther 12. Ruben

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 My Heritage.com, MyHeritage.LTD online (www.myheritage.com), accessed
   Barbara Mozisek Web Site by Barbara Mozisek.
2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Chester County Archives and Records Service, compiler, (i)Chester County, Pennsylvania Wills, 1713-1825(/i) (West Chester, Pa. : Chester Co.
3. ↑ My Heritage.com, MyHeritage.LTD online (www.myheritage.com), accessed
   LeMieux Web Site by Hohl-LeMieux.
4.   Columbia County Historical Society, Bloomsburg, Pa..
5. ↑ Name: Griffith John
   Description: Decedent
   Residence: Uwchlan
   Date: 19 Aug 1774
   Prove Date: 16 Sep 1778
   Remarks: Griffith John. Uwchlan. 8/19/1774. Sept. 16, 1778. Provides for wife Ann. To son Joshua John £25. To son Abel £15. To son Reuben £15. To 4 daughters, viz., Ann Benson, Hannah Davis, Jane Meredith and Esther McClean £15 each. To grandson Jehu son of Robert John deceased 10 shillings at 21. To the 4 children of daughter Rachel Benson deceased, viz., James, Benjamin, Jonathan and Ann Benson 10 shillings each. To Friends of Uwchlan Meeting 10 shillings. To son Griffith messuage and plantation whereon I now live and all remainder of estate, also Executor.
6. ↑ Name: Ann John
   Description: Wife
   Date: 19 Aug 1774
   Prove Date: 16 Sep 1778
   Remarks: Griffith John. Uwchlan. 8/19/1774. Sept. 16, 1778. Provides for wife Ann. To son Joshua John £25. To son Abel £15. To son Reuben £15. To 4 daughters, viz., Ann Benson, Hannah Davis, Jane Meredith and Esther McClean £15 each. To grandson Jehu son of Robert John deceased 10 shillings at 21. To the 4 children of daughter Rachel Benson deceased, viz., James, Benjamin, Jonathan and Ann Benson 10 shillings each. To Friends of Uwchlan Meeting 10 shillings. To son Griffith messuage and plantation whereon I now live and all remainder of estate, also Executor.