Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil Wars

General Simon Goodell Griffin Genealogy

Please Contacted Hal G. Brown with updates/additions/inquiries

Simon Goodell Griffin, soldier and legislator, was born at Nelson, Cheshire Cоunty, New Hampshire on August 9, 1824, son of Nathan and Sally (Wright) Griffin.  

Both his grandfathers, Samuel Griffin and Nehemiah Wright, were revolutionary soldiers and both were in Reed's regiment and fought from behind the rail fence at Bunker hill.

His first American ancestor was Humphrey Griffin, who died at Rowley, Mass., 1661. Simon Griffin attended only the district schools of Nelson, but began a successful career as a teacher at the age of eighteen.

In 1850 he married Ursula J., Harris, daughter of Jason Harris of Nelson. She died soon after the birth of a son in 1852., who did not long survive her.

In January, 1863, he was married to Margaret Russell Lamson, of Keeue, N. H., Margaret Russell Lamson born February 5, 1831.  Gen Griffin and Margaret has two sons; Charles Lamson Griffin born August 15, 1864 in Keene, NH and William Lamson Griffin  born November 30, 1867,   A genealogy of General Griffin was found on USGenWeb.  Click here to view.

Charles Lamson Griffin can be found in the New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957.

Click to view Image of original list; 

Name: Charles Lamson Griffin
Arrival Date: 14 Aug 1924
Estimated birth year: 1864
Age: 59 Years 10 Months
Gender: Male
Port of Departure: Cherbourg
Ship Name: Mauretania
Search Ship Database: View the Mauretania in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database
Port of Arrival: New York, New York
Nativity: New Hampshire
Line: 16
Microfilm Serial: T715
Microfilm Roll: T715_3523
Birth Location: New Hampshire
Birth Location Other: Keene
Page Number: 18

Charles Lamson Griffin's spouse is listed is this passenger list as as Lillie Adelaide Griffin, age 60, DOB November 8, 1863, born Brooklyn, NY.  The record shows Charles and Lillie residing is Maplewood, Essex County, New Jersey on August 9, 1924.

The 1930 Federal Census (click to view image) dated April 21, 1930 shows Charles Lamson Griffin and Lillie still living in Maplewood, Essex County, New Jersey.  Charles is listed as an Insurance Lawyer with an annual salary of $20,000.  Lillie's bother-in-law, age 56, George V. Johnson is living with them. 

Town of Keene, New Hampshire Vital Statistics 1753 - 1878 contains the following entry;
 

Griffin, Simon Goodell, b. Nelson, Aug. 9, 1824, and Margaret Russell Lamson, b. Keene, Feb. 5, 1831. Children: Charles Lamson, b. Aug. 15, 1864; William Lamson, b. Nov. 30, 1867.

 

In 1895, the General's wife, Margaret Russell Lamson Griffin was featured in a book titled;  "New Hampshire Women: A Collection of Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Daughters and Residents of the Granite State, Who are Worthy Representatives of their Sex in the Various Walks and Conditions of Life", The New Hampshire Publishing Co., Concord, NH, 1895, page 191.  Click here or on photograph for article.

Questions:

1. Are there any living descendants of General Simon Griffin.
2. There is no indication that Gen. Griffin's son Charles Lamson Griffin had any descendant's.  Is this correct?
3. When and where did Gen. Griffin's son William Lamson Griffin die? Any further history on him?
4. Are there any existing picture of Gen. Griffin's descendants?  Charles Lamson Griffin was a lawyer in Maplewood, NJ in 1930 earning a very respectable salary for the era ($20,000)!

Contact:   Camp 10 Webmaster; Hal G. Brown, Wilmington Delaware