HUGH ROBERT GRIFFITHS. GRANVILLE, WASHINGTON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Hugh R. Griffiths was born December 3rd, 1867 in Llanrug, Caernarvonshire, North Wales.He was one of nine children born to Robert and Mary (Williams) Griffiths. His father was a slatemaker with whom Hugh R. Griffiths worked in the slate quarries of Asheton Smith.
At thirteen years of age he was already doing his bit in the slate quarries which were among the largest in North Wales. The slate quarries were partitioned off into galleries some sixty feet deep. To describe the vastness of the slate deposits of his home vicinity, Mr. Griffiths said that it took him 25 minutes to get down to the particular gallery in which he was producing slate and an hour to come out of there.
The slate workers were transported to their places by railroad and then they were required to walk to their respective galleries in the quarries in which they worked. At the time Mr. Griffiths worked there, there were 4,000 men employed. It was considered the largest quarry in Norwick and was named "Dinorwig."
Mr. and Mrs Griffiths have been married fifty-two years and they have known each other since childhood, having been raised in the same town in Wales. They attended school together and both attended the same Episcopal church since they were youngsters.
They were married October 19th, 1888, Harriett Griffiths was also her maiden name. She has been in the United States since 1881 and lived in Granville with her uncle Owen Ifor Griffiths. She later got a job in East Poultney, Vermont and from there she went to Boston Massachusetts, where after spending two years she returned to Wales, married Hugh R. Griffiths. Shortly after the two came to New Rockland, Canada in 1891. Mrs Griffiths was born June 16th, 1868.
Humphrey Griffiths and Kate Griffiths Thomas, both of whom live in Granville, are brother and sister of Mrs. Griffith. Mrs. Thomas lives with Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Griffiths. There are two grandchildren : Richard 13, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Griffiths and Janice Flower 13, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Flower.
Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths have been a hard working couple all of their life time and have made many, many friends in their different associations. Having known each other practically all of their life time which is about 70 years, they are much devoted to each other and are living in a happy peaceful atmosphere in their home on Mettowee Street.
Granville Sentinel ~ August 21st, 1941.
HUGH ROBERT GRIFFITHS. GRANVILLE, WASHINGTON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Hugh Griffiths, 80, died suddenly Friday at the home of his son, Ernest Griffiths, 29, Mettowee Street.In 1906, Mr. Griffiths received a badly fractured leg in a slate quarry accident. He was taken to a hospital for treatment and was immediately decided by the eminent staff of surgeons that the injured leg must be amputated in order to save his life. Mr. Griffiths objected to the operation, declaring that he would rather die with both legs attached to his body than live with only one.
He returned to Granville and was treated by Dr. Tenney. After several months he returned to his work in the quarry and excepting for a little lameness, his leg appeared as good as ever. It was stated that he saved his leg by reason of an indominable nerve.
Besides his son, Mr. Griffiths is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Mamie Flower, a grandson and grandaughter, all of Granville.