Carson in Florida

The Carson Family

From Washington County, Virginia
To Rockcastle County, Kentucky
To Jellico, Tennessee
To Davie, Broward County, Florida

William David Griffin
Born: August 23, 1857 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky.
Died: January 4, 1940 in Davie, Broward County, Florida

Ancestors of William David Griffin:

Great Grand Parents: Solomon Griffin, born September 17, 1777 in New York, and Mary Bull, born May 21, 1780 in Virginia

Grand Parents: John Griffin, born June 11, 1805 in Virginia, and Elizabeth Ann Miller, born 1803 in Kentucky

Parents: John Nelson Griffin, born November 14, 1832 in Rockcastle Co., Kentucky and Mary Owens, born May 14, 1838 in Rockcastle Co., Kentucky

William David Griffin (known as David) was born on August 23, 1857 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. He was the oldest of the nine children born to John Nelson Griffin (known as Nelson) and his first wife Mary Owens, born May 14, 1838 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky (the grand daughter of David Owen and Winefred Mullins).

On November 8, 1877 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky, William David Griffin married Sarah Frances Owens, born July 1, 1858, in Rockcastle County, Kentucky (the great grand daughter of David Owen and Winefred Mullins). William David Griffin and Sarah Frances Owens had four children:

1. Timoleon Melville Griffin (known as Tee or T), born November 20, 1878 in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. He never married.

The Mount Vernon Signal had these articles:
· November 30, 1906 “MARETBURG NEWS: Mr. Edgar Griffin, wife and son, of Knoxville, spent last week at Mr. N. Griffin's-- Messrs. T., John and Alf Griffin, of Jellico, spent last week with relatives here.” [Edgar Griffin was the son of John Nelson Griffin and his second wife Helen A. Hunt.]
· December 13, 1907 “LIVINGSTON NEWS: The many friends of T. M. Griffin a conductor on the Knoxville Division, will be sorry to learn that through some mistake on the part of the engineer at Jacksboro, Tenn., was very painfully injured, his collarbone was broken, besides several very painful bruises but although he it is very serious it is to be hoped that he is not fatally hurt.”
· July 10, 1908 “MARETBURG NEWS: Mrs. Florence Sage, of St Louis, with her little sons, Robbie and Urbin are visiting her father for several weeks visit. - Mr. T. Griffin. of Jellico, Tenn., is the guest of his grandfather Nelson Griffin. He will return to St Louis with Mrs. Sage.” [Mrs. Sage was Florence Griffin, daughter of John Nelson Griffin and his second wife Helen A. Hunt.]

2. John Ashley Griffin, born in June of 1886 in Missouri. He was a yard foreman for the L&N Railroad.

The Mount Vernon Signal had these articles:
· May 10, 1907 “LIVINGSTON NEWS: - Mr. John Griffin, of Jellico, has been spending a few days with Messrs. Geo. G. Griffin and Egbert Hayes, of this place (Incidently fishing and courting) - - Messrs. Geo. W. Griffin, Egbert Hayes and John Griffin, of Jellico went fishing Monday and in about 4 hours came home with 18 big "suckers" weighing at least 50 pounds, and you can see by the weight that they were not dry land suckers either.” [Egbert Hayes was the grandson of Jesse Preston and Charity Ann Owens, the sister of Mahala Jane Owens.]
· January 10, 1908 “LIVINGSTON NEWS: Mr. John Griffin of Jellico and Miss Linnie Carson also of Jellico were quietly married at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Geo W. Griffin on the evening of the 26th. Mr. Griffin is an honorable man of sterling qualities and faultless character. He is the son of Mrs. W. D. Griffin formerly of this place but now of Jellico. The sweet bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Carson formerly of this place but now residing in Jellico. She has an exceedingly loving and loveable disposition and is well deserving of the love and respect of this excellent young man. The best wishes of all their friends go with them to their new home, and may their pathway be strewn with roses minus the thorns of adversity is the wish of the writer.”
· May 8, 1908 “LIVINGSTON NEWS: Mrs. Mahala Carson, whom we reported as being very sick at home in Jellico, was brought the home to her daughter, Mrs. Sue Mullins this week and she at present is in a very serious condition. - Aunt Ann Owens has returned from a lengthy visit to her daughter, Mrs. W. D. Griffin in Jellico. - John Griffin and wife, of Jellico are visiting relatives at this place.” [Aunt Ann Owens is Angeline Mullins, the wife of Ashley Owens.]

John Ashley Griffin died February 21, 1921 in Jellico, Tennessee of the flu. Linnie (Carson) Griffin then moved to Davie, Florida to be with her in-laws. She then married George Price.

3. William Alfred Griffin (known Alf) was born July 26, 1889 in Missouri.

The Mount Vernon Signal had these articles:
· October 12, 1906 “MARETBURG NEWS: Mrs. Florence Sage and little sons, Robbie and Urban, after a two months visit to her father and mother returned home in St Louis last week. Mr. Sage came to accompany his family home. -- Miss Monte Martin, of Mt Vernon, and Messrs. Alf Griffin, of Livingston, and Geo. Thompson and son Claude, of Lincoln, attended a number sermons of the protracted meeting conducted by Brother Kerr of Keavy, Ky. At our church last week.”
· February 1, 1907 “MARETBURG NEWS: Roscoe Griffin, who has employment in Jellico, Tenn., visited homefolks here from Tuesday until Monday. He was accompanied by his nephew, Alf Griffin.” [Roscoe Griffin was the son of John Nelson Griffin and his second wife Helen A. Hunt.]
· April 26, 1907 “LIVINGSTON NEWS: Alf and Rosco Griffin, of Jellico, were on Monday's morning train enroute to Louisville.”

"Imprints" by Genealogical Society of Broward County, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida included this article: "William Alfred Griffin, born in Livingston, Ky, 26 July 1889, was about 20 years old when his father, Wm. D. Griffin, brought the family to Florida. In Davie, he met and married 15 May 1913, Anna Dolores Zannetti, born 27 November 1898, in Panama, the daughter of Joseph Zannetti. They were the first couple to be married in Davie. Wm. A "Alf" Griffin and brother, T. M. Griffin, who married but left no children, owned the Griffin Boat Line that operated between Davie and Ft. Lauderdale, which, at that time, was the only means of access between the two towns. The boat picked up produce at points along the canal and transported it into Ft. Lauderdale. Return trips brought supplies, feed, seeds, fertilizer, groceries, ice, as well as the U.S. mail.”

Alf and Anna Griffin died as a result of an automobile accident in Davie, Florida in 1937.

4. Pollyanna Griffin (known as Anna) was born in January of 1891 in Missouri.

The Mount Vernon Signal had these articles:
· April 19, 1907 “LIVINGSTON NEWS Miss Anna Griffin spent Saturday night with her cousin Miss Bessie Mullins at Mt Vernon. - Mrs. Martha Brown, of Level Green, is spending a few days with her mother, Mrs. Mahala Carson, and sister, Mrs. Sue Mullins. - Miss Myrtle Chewning entertained a party of her friends Friday evening in honor of Miss Anna Griffin of Jelico, Tenn. Quite a large crowd was present and a very enjoyable evening was reported. - Mr. and Mrs. Egbert Hayes entertained Tuesday evening in honor of their poplar guest, Miss Anna Griffin. The very 'elite' of Livingston were present and all seemed to be enjoying themselves and having the time of their lives.” [Mrs. Martha Brown was the sister of Stephen Green Carson. Bessie Mullins was the daughter of Reuben B. Mullins and Serena S. Owens, the sister of Sarah Frances Owens.]
· April 26, 1907 “LIVINGSTON NEWS: Mrs. Mahala Caason is quite sick again at this time. - Miss Anna Griffin, the charming Miss, from Jellico, returned to her home Tuesday leaving some of our young men broken hearted. - Messrs. Alf and Rosco Griffin, of Jellico, were on Monday's morning train enroute to Louisville.”
· August 9, 1907 “LIVINGSTON NEWS: Mesdames George Griffin and Ann Owens were called to Jellico, Tenn. on account of the serious illness of Miss Anna Griffin, who has typhoid fever. Her recovery is doubtful. - The many friends of Miss Anna Griffin, of Jellico, will be pleased to know that she is slightly improved at this (Thursday's) writing. Miss Anna has typhoid fever, and her recovery has been very doubtful from the beginning. Four of the very best physicians in the state of Tennessee are waiting on her and the glad news came that there was hope for her recovery.” [Ann Owens is Angeline Mullins, the wife of Ashley Owens. Rebecca Jane Owens, the daughter of Angeline (Mullins) Owens, married George W. Griffin.]
· August 16, 1907 “LIVINGSTON NEWS: Mrs. George Griffin has returned from Jellico, Tenn., and reports that Miss Anna Griffin is getting along nicely. Miss Anna has had a very bad case of typhoid fever, but the last report was she would recover.
· November 29, 1907 “LIVINGSTON NEWS: The charming Miss Anna Griffin, of Jellico, passed through Livingston last Friday enroute to Maretburg and Brodhead where she will spend a few days with friends and relatives.”
· August 21, 1908 “BRODHEAD NEWS: Rev. and Mrs. A. J. Pike entertained a very large crowd during the fair. Among them were T. Griffin and sister, of Jellico, Tenn., John Pike, of Lebanon Junction, and Edith Cress, of Corbin.” [Mrs. Alfred. J. Pike was Celia Ann Griffin, the sister of William David Griffin.]
· October 2, 1908 “LIVINGSTON NEWS: Miss Bessie Mullins came down from Mt Vernon Tuesday to attend the funeral of her uncle Steve Owens. - Steve Owens who was shot and killed at Ely Mines was brought here for burial Tuesday. Mr. and Mrs. Dave Griffin and daughter, Miss Annie came out from Jellico to attend the funeral.” [Stephen A. Owens was the brother of Sarah Frances Owens. According to the August 24, 1900 issue of Mount Vernon Signal, Steve and his brother Alfred may have been a bit wild. “In County Court, Pryor Sexton was fined $1 and cost for breach of the peace, Jacob Clark $5 and cost on same charge; Alfred Owens and Clay Miller $4 each for being drunk; Alfred and Steve Owens 42.50 each for shooting i the town of Livingston; B. Ash and Clay Miller $20 each for disturbing religious worship at New Hope. Ed McClure and Jim Doan 42.50 each for shooting on public road, Robert Riddle $5 for striking Mrs Hurt.”]
· November 27, 1908 “LIVINGSTON NEWS: Miss Annie Griffin, of Jellico, is visiting relatives here. - Misses Myrtle Chewning and Annie Griffin are visiting in Maretburg and Brodhead this week.”
· December 04, 1908 “PERSONAL NEWS: Miss Annie Griffin, from Jellico spent this week with her cousin, Miss Bessie Mullins.”

The 1880 Census for E.D. 97, Rockcastle County, Kentucky lists William David Griffin and Sarah Frances Owens and their one-year-old son, Timoleon. Also living in the household was William David Griffin’s sister Sarah Wilmouth Griffin. Living on one side was his father, John Nelson Griffin, his father’s second wife, Helen A. Hunt, and eight children. Living on the other side was Sarah Frances’ father Ashley Owens, her mother Angeline Mullins, four children, and one grandchild.

At some point between 1880 and 1900) the family moved in Missouri. (Later census records show that all of the children except Timoleon were born in Missouri.)

These editions of the Mt Vernon Signal show the family back in Rockcastle County, Kentucky:
· February 25, 1898 “LIVINGSTON: W.R> and Wix Dillion, Jos Coffey, Dave Griffin, Will Eubanks, Will Chappel and Walter Saunders were in Mt. Vernon Tuesday last.”
· January 19, 1900 “LIVINGSTON: Ed in your letter on Livingston you omitted the name of one of our best business men, Mr Dave Griffin.”
· April 20, 1900 “LIVINGSTON: Mesdames W.P. Rains, Brack Graves, David Griffin and J.T. Balnkenship are all numbered with the sick at this time.”
· November 16, 1900 “PERSONAL:H.S. Brannaman, Allen Hiatt and David Griffin were some of the familiar faces which we saw in town Monday.”

The 1900 Census for Magistrate District # 3, Livingston, Rockcastle County, Kentucky lists William David Griffin and Sarah Frances Owens and their four children.

These editions of the Mt Vernon Signal show the family’s relocation to Jellico, Tennessee:
· September 21, 1906 “PIN HILL NEWS: Mr. David Griffin and wife visited in Corbin last week.”
· September 28, 1906 “DYNAMITE EXPLOSION: On last Friday morning at 7:43 o'clock, there occurred an explosion of a car of dynamite at Jellico, Tenn., which destroyed property to the amount of nearly half a million dollars and more than a score of people lost their lives. On the switch was a car of containing about twenty thousand pounds of dynamite, and near this was standing J. M. Cook, Master Mechanic for the L & N R. R., Joe Sellers, an engineer, and Walter Rogers, Agent for the East Tennessee Brewering Co., when the great catastrophe came and a foot and part of the skull, which was identified as being that of Mr. Cook, was all that was found of the three men. Of the others killed, which number between ten and twenty (the reports are conflicting) lost their lives by falling timbers and caving in of the houses.”
· October 26, 1906 “PINE HILL NEWS: David Griffen moved to Corbin last Saturday. -- R. L. Collier, of Brodhead was here Tuesday looking after his telephone poles.” [Robert L. Collier married Mary F. Tatum, the granddaughter of James Holman and Martha Ramsey.]
· November 9, 1906 “LIVINGSTON NEWS: David Griffin moved his family from this place to Jellico. We are sorry to give them up.”
· June 7, 1907 “LIVINGSTON NEWS: Mrs. W. D. Griffin, Jellico, Tenn., is the pleasant guest of her sister, Mrs. George Griffin, and niece, Mrs. Clara Hays and mother, Mrs. Ann Owens. - Mrs. Ann Owens has returned from a visit to relatives and friends at Mullins Station. - Mesdames G. W. and W. D. Griffin spent Monday and Tuesday at Maretburg.” [Rebecca Jane Owens, the sister of Sarah Frances Owens, married George W. Griffin, the son of Daniel Griffin and Elizabeth Miller.]
· June 21, 1907 “LIVINGSTON NEWS: Mrs. David Griffin returned to her home at Jellico after an extended visit with relatives here.”
· May 8, 1908 “LIVINGSTON NEWS: Mrs. Mahala Carson, whom we reported as being very sick at home in Jellico, was brought the home to her daughter, Mrs. Sue Mullins this week and she at present is in a very serious condition. - Aunt Ann Owens has returned from a lengthy visit to her daughter, Mrs. W. D. Griffin in Jellico. - John Griffin and wife, of Jellico are visiting relatives at this place.
· April 16, 1909 “LIVINGSTON NEWS: Mrs. G. D. Griffin and sister, Mrs. W. D. Griffin, of Jellico, Tenn., have returned home after a plesasnt visit with relatives here.”

The 1910 census shows that the Griffin, Carson, and Holman families were in Jellico, Campbell County, Tennessee. (See Jellico Photos)

· Household 65 in District 6 lists William David Griffin (Yard Foreman), his wife Sarah F.Griffin, T. M. Griffin (single and works for railroad), and Alfred (single and a fireman for the railroad). Also in the household is their daughter Annie Rammel who is listed as an 18-year-old widow with a five-month-old child, William. Sarah’s mother, Angeline Owens (an 82-year old widow) also lived in the household.
· Household 67 in District 6 lists J.A. Griffin (works in rail road yards), his wife Linnie, and their 13-month old son T.A.

· In District 5 were Stephen Green Carson (laborer), his wife Susie E. Carson, and their children: Arthur (electrician), Joe, Bessie, Charley, Willie, and Hazel. Living in the same household were Lula and Newman Holman (works for L&N Rail Road).

Shortly after the 1910 Census was taken (April 16, 1910) William David Griffin relocated his family to Davie, Florida. (The John Ashley Griffin, the Stephen Green Carson, and the Thomas Newman Holman households remained in Jellico.)

Notes from "Davie Florida - The Way It Was Seventy Years Ago" by Audry Sullivan, abstracted from 1914 articles in the "Miami Metropolis"
· In 1905 Florida Governor N. B. Broward announced his plans to drain part of the Everglades.
· The Davie farm (2,000 acres) and 25,500 additional acres known as the Royal Glade tract was subdivided into ten acre lots and advertised throughout the US and in the Panama Canal Zone as "cheap land." This became Davie, Florida.
· The first settlers arrived in 1909/1910. Because many of the settlers were from the Panama Canal Zone, it was called Zona, the first town in the Everglades. Later, in 1914, the name was changed to Davie, Florida.

Notes from "The Davie Delimma" by Victoria Wagner:
· The Griffin family is well known in the community and has given its name to one of the town's main roads, Griffin Rd. paralleling the South New River Canal through the center of town.
· In 1909, due to appealing ads and enthusiastic salesmen, William David Griffin, a railroad man, moved from Kentucky with his wife Sally Frances and two sons, T. M. and William Alfred (Al).
· The elder Griffin farmed and the sons started a boat hauling business, picking up the farmers' produce, passenger and mail, and transporting them to Ft. Lauderdale. The produce was then shipped out by train to northern markets. On their return home, they brought groceries, mail, ice, animals, furniture, fertilizer, seed, farm implements, hampers and passengers, according to what had been ordered for the needs of the small settlement.

The 1920 Davie, Broward Co., Florida census lists William [David] Griffin (truck farmer), his wife Sarah F., their son Timeleon, and their ten-year-old grandson ______ Rammel. Also in the household were: William [Alfred] Griffin (carpenter), his wife Annie L. (born Panama) and their two daughters: Annie C. and Christina F. (See Davie Photos)

The 1930 Davie, Broward Co., Florida census lists William (school bus driver) and Frances.

Grandma Carson [Susan Ellen (Sowder) Carson and Grandma Griffin [Sarah Frances (Owens) Griffin] in Davie Florida.

***

“Rockcastle Roots” (August 1992) is the second part of John Lair’s “Rockcastle Recollections.” The first volume was a history of Rockcastle County, Kentucky. This volume covers the history of individual Rockcastle County families. Some of our families are included:

GRIFFIN
Page 66
Page 67
Page 68
Page 69

***

Descendents of William David Griffin

***

Click here to return to Stephen Green Carson

Click here to return to Preacher David Carson

Click here to return to Joseph Carson, born 1777

Click here to return to David Carson, born 1741

Click here to return to WAM Founders home page

Click here to return to Nose4BS.com home page

Copying or Publishing this information strictly prohibited without written permission from the author.