My Southern Roots(Russell County Virginia)

Corporal Jehu Griffith was born 3 June 1833 in Patrick County Virginia. He was the son of Isaac and Ruth Hale Griffith and grandson of Thomas Hale the Revolutionary War Soldier of Franklin County, Virginia. Jehu moved to Russell County, along with his parents, sometime in the late 1840's. It is there that he met and married Ruthie Jane Hess, daughter of John and Sally Whitt Hess, on 1 June 1859.

Pvt. Tazewell Griffith was the son of Isaac and Ruth Hale Griffith and brother of Corporal Jehu Griffith. He was born June of 1826, in Patrick County, Virginia. In February 1852, he married Lavinia Boyd. They were married by Rev. Walters in Russell County.

Tazewell entered the Confederate Army on 1 May 1863, enlisting in the 22nd Virginia Cavalry Co. D. Prior to his enlistment in the 22nd , he served in the 2nd Virginia State Line Co. A. Tazewell died on 3 July 1899 in Russell County from complications of the bladder. He was 73 yrs old.

On 6 May 1922, Lavinia Boyd Griffith filed a Confederate Soldier Widows Pension with the State of Virginia. At the time of her application she was 88 yrs old. Her Pension was granted in the amount of $19.00 in December 1922.

Pvt. Henry L. Hess was born in Russell County, Virginia in 1841. He was the son of John and Sally Whitt Hess. On 10 November 1864 he married Martha Jane Wyatt, daughter of Hannah Wyatt. They were married by the Rev. William Hess in Russell County.

On 13 July 1861, Henry enlisted in the Confederate Army, at New Garden, for a period of 1yr. He served in the 37th Virginia Infantry in Companies I & G. A muster roll for the 37th listed him as AWOL on 10 September 1862. However, from December 1-31, 1862, he served as a Nurse at General Hospital in Staunton Virginia. He is found on a receipt roll for extra duty pay in the amount of $7.75. Henry was court-martialed by the Confederate Army, and found guilty of being Awol on 16 April 1864. More research into the court-martial needs to be done.

He filed a Confederate Soldiers pension with the State of Virginia in February 1904, claiming that "exposure during the war" had made him partially disable. His pension was granted. Henry died of consumption on 2 April 1917 in Russell County.

On 8 April 1918 Martha Jane Hess filed a second pension claim as a Confederate Widow. At the time of her application she was 76 yrs old.

Pvt. Henry Miller was born 14 August 1841 in Russell County, Virginia. He was the son of John and Polly Hess Miller. Henry married Polly Mary Hess, daughter of Henry and Amelia Ray Hess, on 17 May 1874 in Russell County. They were married by Rev. John Wallis.

Henry entered the Confederate Army on 13 July 1861. He enlisted at New Garden for a term of one yr with the 37th Virginia Infantry Co. G. The muster rolls of the 37th, show that he was "absent sick" in January and February of 1862. On 7 March 1862, he was admitted to Chimborazo Hospital #5 with pneumonia, returning to duty on 2 April.

From September 6-22, 1862, the 37th was engaged in the Maryland Campaign. It must have been during this time or shortly before that Henry was captured by the Union Army. He appears on a prisoner of war list and was received at Aiken's Landing on 7 September 1862 and exchanged 21 September. September and October of the same year, the muster rolls of the 37th, list him as AWOL. Henry returned to duty, and was listed as "present" for November and December 1862.He was on furlough from January 19 through February 9, 1863 and issued clothing on 29 February 1864.

In total, Henry spent nearly three years serving the Confederacy in the War between the States. He died on 7 September 1916 a well-respected and accomplished man.

Pvt. Martin Miller was born in Russell County in 1840. He was the oldest son of John and Polly Hess Miller and brother of Pvt. Henry Miller. He enlisted in the Confederate Army in the 37th Virginia Infantry Co. I, on 2 May 1861, at New Garden for one yr.

The 37th's muster rolls' lists' him as present for July-August 1861 and January-February 1862. On 23 March 1862, at the Battle of Kernstown Virginia, Martin Miller of the Stonewall Brigade, age 22, was fatally wounded, defending the Southern States in the Civil War. His death was reported 1 April 1862 at a Confederate Camp near Mt. Jackson, Virginia.

A claim for Martin's pay was filed by his mother Polly Miller McNulty, signed by her X mark, on the 29th day of November 1862. Claim was paid 2 February 1864

My Confederate Ancestors