David Griffin was the first child in his family to be born in Georgia about 1842. His parents and older siblings were all born in North Carolina.

The 1850 Census identified the members of his family in Murray County as: Allen Griffin, age 45; Elizabeth Griffin, age 39; Benjamin Griffin, age 16; John Griffin, age 14; Louisa Griffin, age 12; Stephen Griffin, age 10; David Griffin, age 8; William Griffin, age 6; Margaret Griffin, age 4; George W. Griffin, age 2.

When the 1860 Census was taken, his mother was living in Spring Place with Stephen, William, Margaret, and George. David, then age 18, and his father, Allen, were not included in the family listing.

In Whitfield County the 1860 Census listed what appears to be two of the Griffin boys, Benjamin and David, living in the household of E. M. and Elizabeth Galt. Both were identified as farm laborers.

In the early days of the Civil War Allen and his sons, David and Stephen, both enlisted in the same unit on the same day. Probably because of his advanced age, Allen enlisted as a Fifer (musician). David and Stephen enlisted as an ordinary soldier. Both held the rank of Private. They were in Company C, 11th Georgia Infantry Regiment.

Their unit participated in fighting in Virginia–Fairfax, Yorktown, Seven Pines, Malvern Hill, and 2nd Manassas (also called Bull Run). Allen, died from wounds on September 3, 1862. His military records do not indicate in which of these battles he was wounded. Since his unit was in Virginia when he died, he probably died in that state.

It is thought that Stephen remained with the military unit until it officially surrendered at Appomattox, Virginia, April 9, 1865.

David had enlisted as a Private but was promoted to Corporal. He would have participated in all of the battles listed above, along with his father. Additionally, David would have been at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 1-3, 1863, then at Deep Bottom, Virginia, and Rappahannock, Virginia. He died in fighting at Wilderness, Virginia, August 25, 1864.

Murray County Families