Near Farnham in Richmond County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Cyrus Griffin’s Birthplace

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 5, 2009

1. Cyrus Griffin’s Birthplace Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Four and a half miles southwest was born Cyrus Griffin, July 16, 1748. Educated in England, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates, 1777–8, 1786–7. He was a member of the Continental Congress, 1787–1788., in which last year he was President of the body. Griffin was president of the Court of Admiralty, commissioner to the Creeks, 1789, and a United States District Judge. He died at Yorktown, December 14, 1810.

Erected 1947 by Virginia Conservation Commission. (Marker Number J-78.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 16, 1651.

Location. 37° 51.366′ N, 76° 36.801′ W. Marker is near Farnham, Virginia, in Richmond County. Marker is on History Land Highway (Virginia Route 3) half a mile west of Farnham Creek Road (County Route 608), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Farnham VA 22460, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Northern Neck Industrial Academy (here, next to this marker); North Farnham Church (approx. 2.2 miles away); Lancaster County / Richmond County (approx. 2.7 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.6 miles away); Bewdley (approx. 4½ miles away); Morattico Historic District (approx. 4.8 miles away); Trade Routes (approx. 5.8 miles away); Richmond County / Northumberland County (approx. 6.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Farnham.

Also see . . . Cyrus Griffin. “[Cyrus] Griffin believed that the Stuart Family would accept his noble lineage once they learned how deeply in love the Lady Christina was with a noble blooded Virginian. He couldn’t be, however, more wrong as [her father] the Earl [of Traquair] was furious upon receiving the news. He immediately admonished his son, Lord Linton, for allowing this Virginia plebian to enter Traquair’s sacred gates. ... The Earl forbade Christina from ever seeing Cyrus again and did everything in his power to end the love affair.

“The courtship did not end and became real runaway months later through the forests, over hill and dale in a wild flight from Traquair on a spring day in 1770. In the escape, the Lady Christina fell and broke her ankle. Family legend has it that Cyrus, underdetermined to let the event spoil their passionate plans, scooped

This Marker is on the Right image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 5, 2009

2. This Marker is on the Right

her up and carried his lover through the countryside not to a doctor but to a parson. The minister, despite their disheveled appearance and her swollen ankle, united them in the bonds of British matrimony on April 29th. This act estranged the young lady forever from the Earl.” (Submitted on October 23, 2009.)

Cyrus Griffin (1749–1810)<br>President of the Continental Congress image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lawrence Sully (1769-1804)

3. Cyrus Griffin (1749–1810)
President of the Continental Congress

Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,100 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 23, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.