Biography of William Griffith (Abt 1657-1699) and Sarah MacCubbin (1671-1716)

By Ken Lindsay

524. William Griffith, son of ______ Griffith and ______ _______, was born about 1657 in Cardigan, Wales and died __ ___ 1699 in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland. His will was proven 23 Oct 1699. William Griffith married Sarah MacCubbin, daughter of John MacCubbin and Elinoir Carroll, __ ___ 1687 in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland. William Griffith claimed to have been kidnapped off the streets of London, put aboard a ship at Bristol, and taken to the Maryland Colony.

This incident was recorded in the family Bible by his grandson, Colonel Henry Griffith, son of Orlando. William was 18 years old at the time of his arrival in 1675. He settled in Anne Arundel County and always claimed to be descended from the ancient Kings of Wales. For interesting information, please read "Origin & History of Howard Co., Maryland," by Charles Francis Stein, Jr. Mr. Stein also descends from William Griffith. There are claims that William Griffith was descended from the Kings of Wales.

525.Sarah MacCubbin, said to have been descended from Kenneth McAlphin, King of Scotland in 858, was born in 1671 in _______, England and died 22 Apr 1716 in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland. Sarah MacCubbin is said to be a descendant, through the male line, of Kenneth McAlphin, King of Scotland in 858. McCubbin is considered a corruption of the name, McAlphin.

 William Griffith and Sarah MacCubbin had four children:

1. J. Reaney Kelly, Quakers in the Founding of Anne Arundel County, Maryland, (Baltimore: The Maryland Historical Society, 1963), 15. Ann Dorsey and "hir husband" [not named] mentioned in a 1658 letter. Edward Dorsey was the only Dorsey in Anne Arundel County at that time who was married.

2. James Greneff will, Maryland wills 2:215-216, FHL microfilm 0,012,841 and Maryland wills 7:79-80, FHL microfilm 0,012,843. Mentions wife Ann, "brother John Howard" and "brother Samuel Howard."

3. Maryland Patent Liber 18 (Vol. 21):160 FHL microfilm 0,013,071. Land was claimed in 1674 for Nicholas Greenberry, wife, and two children (not named) who were on the ship Constant Friendship.

4. "The Dorsey Heritage," Broadneck Hundred III, No. 3 (1979): 13-44.

6. Joshua Dorsey will, MD wills 6:8-9, FHL microfilm 0,012,843. He made bequests to "cousins" (i.e. nephews) John, Samuel and Matthew Howard, [children of Matthew Howard.]

7. Edward Dorsey will, MD wills 3:725-727, FHL microfilm 0,012,842.

8. John Dorsey will, MD wills 14:26-29, FHL microfilm 0,012,846.

9. Matthew Howard will, MD wills 2:222-224, FHL microfilm 0,012,841.

10. John Acton will, MD wills 6:1-2, FHL microfilm 0.012,843 Sarah Dorsey called widow and relict of Joshua Dorsey.

11. Anne Arundel Co., MD land records IH3:62-63, FHL microfilm 0,013,208. 6 Dec. 1681 Edward Dorsy, "Son and heir of Edward Dorsy late of the County of Ann Arundell" sold the parcel Hockley in the Hole granted to "the said Edward Dorsy, Joshua Dorsy and John Dorsey my brothers" on 20 Aug. 1664.

12. Anne Arundel Co., MD land records WT2:574-577, FHL microfilm 0,013,209. Nicholas Wyatt was granted Wyatts Ridge of 450 acres by survey returned 16 Dec. 1664. One half, 225 acres "became the right of Sarah Wyatt who intermarried Edw^d Dorsey of the County, Gent."

15. Edward Dorsey Left Will dated 26 Oct 1704 which was probated 31 Dec 1705 at Baltimore Co., Maryland. (See Original Wills, Liber 3, folio 725.)