William Henry Griffin

b. 2 September 1840, d. 21 February 1886
  • Father: Jay Griffin b. circa 6 August 1810, d. 29 October 1851
  • Mother: Sarah Bennett b. circa 6 September 1815, d. 8 January 1880
  • William Henry Griffin was born on 2 September 1840 in Philipstown, Putnam County, New York.
  • William Henry Griffin died on 21 February 1886 at age 45 in Peekskill, Westchester County, New York, at his residence on Highland Avenue.
  • He was interred at Hillside Cemetery, Cortlandt Manor, Westchester County, New York.
  • The following appeared on 27 February 1886 in The Democrat: William H. Griffin, of the firm of Griffin Bros., Division street, the well-known carriage makers, died at five o'clock on Sunday morning last, of paralysis of the brain. The deceased had been in his usual health, and though slightly complaining during the early part of the week, on Saturday last week felt in excellent health and spirits. While at work in the shop, between three and four o'clock in the afternoon of that day, he complained to his nephew Geo. J. Chase, who was passing through on his way to the varnish rume adjoining, of feeling numb and dizzy, and remarked "This feels like paralysis," Chase called to Mr. Geo. Griffin, in the front shop, who came in and endeavored by chafing the limbs of the sufferer to restore circulation, but without success. They shortly after carried him to his home on Highland avenue, in the meantime sending for Dr. A. O. Snowden who soon arrived, but found his patient unconscious, in which condition he remained until he died. Deceased was a man of exemplary habits, and greatly respected in the community. He was for many years a membert of the First M. E. Church of this village, and, at the time of his death, a trustee of that organization; his loss will be severely felt and sincerely mourned by that society. Mr. Griffin leaves a widow, son and two daughters to mourn his loss. It is a strange coincidence that the fathr of the deceased died thirty-four years ago in almost precisely the same manner, at the age of forty-one.
         William H. Griffin was born in Phillipstown, Putnam county, September 2d 1841. On the breaking out of the civil war he was working as an apprentice for a Mr. Bell, of Sing Sing, from which place he enlisted in Capt. Frank J. Davis' company that became "F," 17th Regt. N. Y. Vols., which was mustered into the United States service for the term of two years, May 23d, 1861. After a period of five months of garrison and provost duty at Fort Ellsworth, near Alexandria, Va., the regiment was attached to the Third Brigade, First Division, Fifth Army Corps, and took part in the siege of Yorktown, battles of Hanover Court House, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburth and Chancellorville. At Second Bull Run, August 30th, 1862, Griffin was severely wounded in the neck and shoulder by fragments of a bursting shell. After an absence of three months in the hospital, and before his would was fairly healed, he returned to active duty and remained until his term of service expired, when he was mustered out and honorably discharged, at New York City, June 2d, 1863. As a soldier he was faithful to every trust and conscientiously performed every duty. Deceased was a charter member of Abraham Vosburgh Post, G. A. R., and its respected and worthy surgeon, to which position he was unanimously re-elected last December. He was its first chaplain, and for two years filled the honorable and trusted position of quarter master.
         The funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon last a the First M. E. church, Rev. D. H. Hausburgh, pastor, officiating. The exercises were solemly interesting and impressive, the address timely, a touching tribute to the deceased as a man and a soldier, and a charge to his veteran comrades to be ready as he was when final marching orders come. [::CR:]      The following gentlemen acted as pall bearers: H. L. Armstrong, J. H. Bedell, Chas. Smith, W. F. Wessells, John Mabie and Sylvester Spock, his associate trustees. Abraham Vosburgh Post, Geo. E. Craft, Commander, acted as guard of honor. The remains were deposited in the Van Cortlandtville cemetery, and interred with military honors.
  • Last Edited: 5 Feb 2015