Albert Bailey Griffin in Munson, Ohio

Albert and Abigail Griffin joined the migration west sometime in 1837/1838. In the 1830s America was still very much an agrarian society. As one of three surviving sons of Samuel and Abigail Griffin Albert’s  prospects were limited in Vermont. His brother Orlo seemed poised to take over their fathers farm. So Albert and Abigail joined the next great American migration moving west to the Ohio River Valley in the Western Reserve. The decision to leave was probably not taken lightly. From evidence gathered from family letters, that have survived, it is apparent that the Griffin clan was very close. They often reminisced about their home life and the home where they grew up. There are numerous references in the letters to the day of departure as Albert and Abigail started on their journey. Several describe how red and sore Charles’s little face was. There is a great sense of longing in the family to once again see their brother. Albert never made it back to Vermont although Charles in his biography relates that his grandfather Samuel made the trip to Ohio to see them.  Vermont  was an ideal location for those moving west. It provided access to an all water route. A short trip to Lake Champlain, up the Lake  which drained into the St Lawrence at Montreal, down the St Lawrence to Lake Erie, from the shores of the lake a one or two day trip to Geauga County, to end up in Munson Township. The Griffins followed, traveled with, or were joined by much of Abigail’s family. The Varneys were wagon makers a trade in great demand in frontier Ohio. They lived within a short walking distance of each other. Charles states that they visited often.

 Munson was part of the Western Reserve, land held by the state of Connecticut. In 1795 a large part of the holding was sold to developers. The lands were called survey lands. The federal government surveyed the land into 36 square mile blocks, which were subdivided into 640-acre sections with sections set aside for schools etc. In the case of Munson the squares were only 25 miles. Munson was the 8th township in the 8^th range. Munson was divided into 3 tracts and each tract was divided into lots. The point of the survey lands was to provide structure to western expansion. It was a way to provide title to land and encourage growth. This area was settled early in the development of Ohio because of its easy access to Lake Erie. Munson was one of the last townships to be settled because it was the most mountainous. Its geography had a great influence on how the people made a living. With its higher elevation it was blessed with abundant supplies of running water. The township supported a variety of water powered mills, sawmills, carding mills, gristmills. It was also described as great grass country. Because of this it became famous for its dairy herds and dairy industry. Beef cattle were also raised and exported mainly to Pennsylvania. Another range-based industry was sheep including a brand of Moreno sheep raised for their great wool.

The Griffins started, as did most immigrants to the area, in neighboring Newbury Township. Munson saw its first settlers around 1816. It’s my guess that they purchased raw undeveloped land. They were in Newbury in 1837/38 and made the move to Munson probably in 1840.

History of land purchases:

Samuel Hale to Albert Griffin 50 acres in Newbury 7^th Township Lot 29 for $700.00 dated August 29, 1838.  FHL film 20,241, p318

Samuel sold the property to John Fifield Sept 18, 1838. The deal was for Lot 29, $300.00 cash and a mortgage for $400.00 with interest to be paid out over 3 years. A note added at a later date to the back of the mortgage indicates that the mortgage was paid.  P383/386

Titas Stuart to Albert north part of lot 10 tract 3, 8^th townships in 8^th range Munson October 30, 1839.  35 acres for $165.00. At some other time Albert bought another 65 acres. FHL film 20,242, p454

Ransford Knox to Albert  middle part of lot 10 tract 3. 65 13/100 acres for  $1000.00 dated Aug. 11, 1841 FHL film 20,243, p64 “ Know we Albert B Griffin and Abigail Griffin his wife of the township of Munson In the County of Geauga “

Albert to Knox north part of Lot 10 Mortgage for $1,000.00 for 100 acres. Seven payments over 8 years with interest. Page 69 “If Albert B Griffin shall well and truthful pay the above deed shall be void”

Albert to Knox for $800.00 middle part of Lot 10 June 9, 1942

Result of these transactions left Albert with 100 acres in the north part of lot 10 tract 3

George Varney bought 1 acre for a home lot for $20 in 1839 FHL film 20,242

Albert to Asher Fowler  $400.00 for 50 acres north part lot 10

Albert to Asher Fowler north part of lot 10 tract 3 for $600.00  Sept 15, 1843 FHL 20,244 p 452

Sold ½ and mortgaged ½  of what I think was his home lot I think he farmed the north part of lot 10

Mortgage between Albert and Fowler 4 promissory notes 1^st on demand $160.00 2^nd May 1^st next $100.00 3^rd $170.00 Sept 1845 4^th $170.00 in 3 years plus interest.

Feb 1846 sells mortgage to B.L. Randell

George Varney to his father Paul Varney mortgage Lot 34 east corner of Tract 3 Dec 3, 1844 later Paul sells it back to George. The deed lists Paul and his wife Anna (Austin) and George and his wife Louisa. FHL film 20,245, p111 and 237/686/687

Varney Genealogy

FHL films 1307592-2, 15550-4, 15541-19 and 929.273V431

Its interesting to note that Albert’s farm is now the location for the Munson City Park. There are covered pavilions and picnic areas, play ground equipment  and a number of baseball, softball  and soccer fields. There is also an elementary school  on the location. Every year the city holds its town days in the middle of the Griffin farm in Munson Ohio.