Little has actually been proven about the origins and life of John Griggs, aside from the personal property tax rolls of Henry and Pittsylvania Counties, Virginia and a tantalizing clue found on his son Michael’s death certificate.

John Griggs was born, place and parents unknown, no later than 1750, based on his sons coming of age and appearing beside him on the tax lists. In fact, he was likely born in the latter part of the 1740s.

The name of his wife is also unknown. There are online trees that provide a name but there isn’t one single source cited to document her name so I won’t repeat it here and the online trees that contain John Griggs are way more than a hot mess.

John Griggs likely married c1768 with his children being born from 1770 onwards.

However, the first primary record found for him is the 1782 personal property tax list of Henry County, Virginia. He is also there in 1783, but then disappears until 1788 and 1789, gone in 1789 and 1790, but consistently on all lists from 1791 through 1813.

John wrote his will on 14 November 1818 and died before it was proved in court on 15 February 1819. He might have moved in with one of his children during the last years of his life, but sons Peter, Robert and James were all on the 1811 Pittsylvania County personal property tax lists, which would explain John’s long residence in Henry County, but a will written in Pittsylvania County.

Children:

1. John, born c1770; married (1) Rachel Long, 21 July 1791, Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Rachel died soon, perhaps in childbirth and he married (2) Phebe Acholas [as found online], 30 July 1792, Henry County, Virginia. There is no surname like Acholas found in early Virginia. However, the name Echols/Eckles/Eckols is found. Might she be Phebe Echols and her name transcribed incorrectly?
2. James, born c1772; died after 1833, possibly Pittsylvania County, Virginia; married Ruth Gover, 20 February 1795, Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Ruth was alive in June 1819 when she and James sold her portion of land inherited from her father. However, there was a lawsuit over the land and only James was mentioned in 1822. In 1830, there was no female Ruth’s age at home, but there was in 1820. She likely died between 1820-1822.
3. Sarah, born c1774; died before 14 November 1818; married William Gover, 20 October 1794, Henry County, Virginia
4. Michael, born February 1776, perhaps in Nottoway County (then Amelia County) per details in his death record; died February 1858, Henry County, Virginia; married (1) Betsey Minter, 30 November 1799, Henry County, Virginia (2) Caty Stultz, 7 April 1804, Henry County, Virginia (3) Sarah Pedigo, 18 November 1820, Henry County, Virginia.
5. Rebecca, born c1783; died between 1840-1850; married Pendleton Burgess, 15 October 1804, Henry County, Virginia
6. Robert, born c1790; died after 1818 when he is mentioned in his father’s will. He may be the man in Giles County, Tennessee in 1850, which may be why his father forgave his $50 debt in his will.
7. Peter, born c1789; died 3 November 1866, Henry County, Virginia; married (1) Axey Jesse, 20 February 1809, Pittsylvania County, Virginia (2) Lucy Gilley, 11 April 1836, Henry County, Virginia
8. George, died after 1818 as he is mentioned in the 1819 will
9. Judith?, married Thomas Wilkinson, before 1811 and she was living on 20 January 1817 when they sold land in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. He married (2) Jane Harris Weir, 16 December 1822, Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
10. Gincy, born c1792; married David Arthur, 8 February 1813, Henry County, Virginia

Although John Griggs left a will, it creates many questions as he did not state his relationship to the legatees. It is assumed that James, peter, Michael, George and John Griggs were sons, while Pendleton Burgess, Thomas Wilkinson (not Wilkins) and David Arthur were sons-in-law. Did that mean his daughters had died? The only daughter mentioned by name was Sarah Gover.

Marriage records show that Rebecca Griggs married Pendleton Burgess in 1804, Sarah Griggs married William Gover in 1794 and Gincy married David Arthur in 1813.

No early marriage records have been found for Thomas Wilkinson, although he and wife Judith sold land in 1817 in Pittsylvania County and one Thomas Wilkinson married Jane Harris Weir in 1822. If Judith was a Griggs, she apparently died after John Griggs wrote his will in late 1818.

In the name of God, Amen.  I, John Griggs Senr, of Pittsylvania County being weak in body but in perfect memory as it is appointed for all men to dy [sic: die].  I make this my last will and testament.  First, I [?] my body to the earth to be buried in decent christian burial. Next, I will my good and chattels as follows. To wit: I give to Axey Griggs my cow and calf for her services to me rendered.  I also give to Rebecca Burgess my bed & furniture for her services.

I give to James Griggs, Peter Griggs, Pendleton Burgess, Michael Griggs, George Griggs, Thomas Wilkins, John Griggs Junr, David Arthur the balance of my property to be equally divided amongst them all To Robert Griggs, I give $50 which he owes me at this time also I give to my daughter Sarah Govers bodyly heirs [She predeceased her father, but had surviving children.] one share out of the above property to be equally divided amongst them all this 14th November 1818.  I also appoint Michael Griggs executor of the above estate.

Signed Sealed in presents us
Test
William Haizlip
Parmanas Sansford    
Martha Davis

John (his X mark) Griggs (Seal)

At a court held for Pittsylvania County the 15 day of February 1819 the within last will and testament of John Griggs Decd was presented in court and proved by the oaths of two of the subscribing witnesses and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of Michael Griggs the Exor therein named who made oath thereto according to Law and together with Richard B Bisk and James Woodall his Securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of $1000. Conditioned according to law certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate of said will in due form.

Test
Will Tunstall