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Written by Craig B. Adams
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Jun 18, 2006 at 08:26 PM |
Sewell Lincoln Griffith (1885 - 1970)
 Sewell Lincoln Griffith was born on October 16, 1883 in Ryot (Oak Shade), St. Clair Township, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, the son of Richard Sylvester and Rachel (Corle) Griffith. Sewell was the fifth of seven children and the only boy. His sister Jesse died in infancy. Sewell grew up in Ryot where his father was the local blacksmith. Richard's father was a blacksmith, but he died when Richard was just a boy of 8. One can only imagine that Richard treasured teaching his family trade to his only son.
Sewell and Jessie were the parents of six children: Virginia M. (Griffith) Hinson, Harry Sewell Griffith, Dorothy A. (Griffith) Miller, Joseph Griffith, Charles Griffith, and James Griffith.
Joseph and Charles died young: Joe in 1922 at age 2, and Charles in 1926 at age 3.
Sewell and Jessie raised their children in Schellsburg, Napier Township, Bedford County where he worked as a blacksmith.
Sewell's father Richard died in 1917 at the age of 63. His mother Rachel remarried to George McFarland, an aged widower in 1921, but he died the following year. She remarried again to another widower, John Wesley Callihan, but their marriage ended in an unhappy divorce. His mother died in Ryot in 1934 at age 76.
His sisters Emma and Savannah both died premature deaths due to breast cancer, but his sisters Carrie, Nettie, and he all lived long lives.
On August 26, 1931 their 16 year old daughter Virginia stole away to Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland to marry 19-year-old Arol Bence Hinson. While their hasty marriage may have cause their parents a lot of grief, Virginia and Arol remained married for 70 years.
On March 26, 1960 Jessie died at their home at age 67. Her death ended a marriage of 45 years.
Sewell died on September 8, 1970 at Memorial Hospital in Snake Spring Township, Bedford County. He was 84.
Sewell and Jessie are buried beside their two young sons in New Paris Cemetery, New Paris, Napier Township, Bedford County.
All four of their adult children married and between them raised 14 children in Bedford County.
Their son Harry was a foreman for the Pennsylvania Department of Highways and Turnpike Commission, and served as a justice of the peace in Juniata Township.
Their son James was a truck driver more than 30 years. After seventeen years driving for Penn Economy, he started his own company, Motor Freight Express, which he operated for thirteen years.
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Last Updated ( Jun 24, 2006 at 08:44 PM )
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