Bennett Smith Griffin

b. circa 1802
  • Bennett Smith Griffin was born circa 1802 in North Carolina.
  • He married Mary W. Breazeal, daughter of Henry Willis Breazeal and Nancy Wood, on 23 November 1824 in Laurens County, Georgia, and after Mary's death, Bennett Griffin married her cousin Martha Maria Mitchell (their mothers were sisters).
  • The following appeared on 19 September 1829 in The Macon Telegraph: Bennett S. Griffin was yesterday elected Colonel of the Regiment belonging to Bibb County.
  • Bennett Smith Griffin and Mary W. Breazeal appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1830 in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia, apparently with a son aged 0-4 and a daughter aged 5-9, and three additional adult males.
  • Bennett Smith Griffin became a widower at the between 1830 and 1834 death of his wife Mary W. Breazeal.
  • He married Martha Maria Mitchell, daughter of Thomas James Mitchell and Mary Wood, circa 1834 in Montgomery County, Alabama, with James McLemore, MG, officiating. Bennett Griffin was first married to Martha's cousin Mary Breazeal (their mothers were sisters).
  • Bennett Smith Griffin and Martha Maria Mitchell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1840 in Wetumpka, Coosa County, Alabama, and apparently one son age 0-4 who probably died before the 1850 census. It appears that there are no children from previous marriages in the household.. Other (counted but unnamed) members of the household apparently included Emera Frances Griffin and Martha Griffin.
  • Bennett Smith Griffin and Martha Maria Mitchell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Coosa County, Alabama, Also enumerated in the household are 15 other individuals, apparently boarders. One is John Griffin, age 22, born in Alabama, who might possibly be from Bennett's earlier marriage, but he appears not to have left Georgia until sometime after 1829.. Other members of the household included Bennett Smith Griffin, Martha Griffin, Mary J. Griffin, Emera Frances Griffin and Louisa F. Griffin.
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1850 census.
  • Bennett Smith Griffin and Martha Maria Mitchell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Wetumpka, Coosa County, Alabama. Other members of the household included Mary J. Griffin, Emera Frances Griffin and Louisa F. Griffin.
  • He was a trader, according to the 1860 census.
  • Last Edited: 9 Mar 2012

Family 1: Mary W. Breazeal b. say 1804, d. between 1830 and 1834

Family 2: Martha Maria Mitchell b. circa 1806