Photograph taken circa 1874 by Thomas Cranfield
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Griffith family of Stillorgan
Richard Griffith married Elizabeth Griffith
circa 1751 born circa 1727
died circa 1788 died 5 Jan 1793
Millicent
Richard Griffith only legitimate son of Richard Griffith of Maiden Hall, Kilkenny. Richard tried
to establish a linen industry at Maidenhall but it was not a success. He married Elizabeth
Griffith circa 1752. Elizabeth was the daughter of Thomas Griffith manager of the Smock
Alley theatre. She was an actress and became a playwright and author by necessity. ‘Letters
between Frances and Henry’ was published in 1757. She continued to write, and published
over 30 works. When her son returned from India having made his fortune she ceased writing.
Richard died circa 1788 and Elizabeth died on 5 Jan 1793 at Millicent, Co Kildare.
1 Richard Griffith only son born 10 Jun 1752 in Abbey Street, Dublin. He got a job with
Honourable East India Company as a very junior clerk (a writer) in 1770. As was the
custom at the time, Richard traded on his own account as well as working for the
Company. In August 1775 he was granted the exclusive contract to purchase opium for
the Company, a contract he wound up in 1777 when he was moved to treasury. Having
made his fortune he moved to London and married Charity Bramston on 17 Sep 1780 at
Oundle, Northamptonshire. Charity was the daughter of John Bramston of Oundle. In
1782 he purchased Millicent, a house and lands in the parish of Clane, Co Kildare. In 1783
Richard, junior entered parliament as MP for Askeaton, Co Limerick. He was appointed
High Sheriff in 1788. Charity died on 10 Jun 1790 at Millicent.
1 Richard John Griffith, son and heir born 20 Sep 1784 at Hume Street baptised
11 Oct 1784 at St Peter’s. He married Maria Jane Waldie on 21 Sep 1812 at
Hendersyde Park. Maria was the eldest daughter of George Waldie of Hendersyde.
He was an engineer and inspector of HM Royal Mines of Ireland and mining engineer
to the RDS in 1814. He was general boundary surveyor by 1828 working at Dublin
Castle. He was appointed to the Shannon Commission in 1836 alongside Thomas
Rhodes and Harry Jones. He was extremely proud of his geological map of Ireland.
This was an innovative cartographic work, first published in a reduced scale in 1838
and then significantly expanded and detailed in 1839. However he failed to give credit
to any of the team involved. He executed the Primary Valuation, also known as
Griffith's Valuation, this was the first full-scale valuation and particulars of property in
Ireland. He was chairman of the Board of Works from 1846 to 1854 and created a
baronet in 1858. Maria died 3 Jan 1865 at Fitzwilliam Place aged 79. Richard died at
2 Fitzwilliam Place in Dublin, on 22 Sep 1878. Both are buried at Mount Jerome.
1 Anna Maria Griffith eldest daughter born 2 Oct 1814 at Hendersyde Park died
9 Jul 1831 at Leamington.
2 Elizabeth Charlotte Griffith. As only daughter she married Robert Bramston-
Smith at St Peter’s Church in April 1839.
3 George Richard Griffith born circa 1820. As only son he married Elizabeth
Leader at St George’s Hanover Square, London on 24 Apr 1849. Elizabeth was
the daughter of the late Nicholas Philpot Leader of Dromagh Castle, Co Cork.
He later took the additional surname of Waldi and lived at Hendersyde Park in
Kelso. He became the 2nd Baronet on the death of his father.
4 Charlotte Jane Griffith born 23 Jan 1821 died an infant the same year.
2 Catherine Griffith born at Hume Street baptised 27 Jul 1787 at St Peters. She married
William Stott, MD in Dublin in 1810 and died a widow on 21 Apr 1833 at Drumcondra
Hill, Dublin.
3 Elizabeth Griffith third daughter born 29 Nov 1781 baptised in London died at
Rockingham, Boyle the seat of Viscount Lorton on 19 Nov 1852.
Richard secondly married Mary Hussey Burgh on 24 Feb 1793, the Rt Rev Lord bishop
of Kilmore officiated. Mary was the daughter of the late Rt Hon Walter Hussey Burgh,
Chief Baron of the Exchequer and his wife Anne Burgh. It was reported that Millicent
was utterly destroyed by rebels in 1798 after Richard gave evidence against his
neighbour Dr Esmonde of Oberstown. Richard invested most of his fortune in the
Grand Canal Company and had a controlling interest. He lost most his fortune and his
position of chairman after the company got into financial difficulty. Millicent was leased
out, and Richard took a post as agent for HM Post office Packets on the Holyhead and
Dublin Station. He died at Holyhead on 27 Jun 1820 and was buried there. Mary died
8 Sep 1820 aged 46 at Newtown Park Avenue and was buried at Stillorgan. She was
survived by ten children.
4 Walter Hussey Griffith second son born 28 May 1794 at Merrion Square baptised
at St Peters on 11 Jun 1794. He graduated Trinity and was admitted Kings Inns.
He was a barrister and married Jane Henn on 10 May 1816. Jane was the fourth
daughter of the late William Henn. Jane died 3 Jul 1859 at Clare Street and is buried
at Mount Jerome. Walter died at Baggot Street on 25 Feb 1880.
1 Susan Griffith born circa 1827 married John James Ogle Moore, son of the
Dean of Clogher at St Ann’s Church in 1862 and emigrated to Australia.
2 Richard Griffith born circa 1828 in Dublin educated at Trinity College. He was
a surveyor and married Charlotte Colthurst in 1861.
3 William Downes Griffith second son born circa 1829 educated at Trinity College
was admitted Kings Inns. He married Harriet Stokes in 1861 and served as
the Attorney General of the Cape Colony from 1866 to 1872.
5 Anne Griffith married William Pomeroy Green at Stillorgan Church on 30 Mar 1826
and they emigrated with their seven children and thirteen household staff to
Australia in 1842. William, a former Royal Navy officer died in 1846 at Woodlands
estate, the house they had built in Bulla.
6 Mary Elizabeth Griffith living at Merrion Square married the Rev Francis Chamley/
Chomley at St Peter’s Church on 22 Sep 1829. Francis was the rector of Malahide
and later Vicar of Wicklow. He died on 18 Sep 1847 and Mary with her seven sons
emigrated to Australia in 1849. One of their sons; Hussey was Chief Commissioner
of Police for Victoria.
7 Henry Allen Griffith born circa 1798 was a lieutenant in then Royal Navy. He married
twice and died in Sandymount on 22 Dec 1860.
8 George Griffith born circa 1802 graduated Trinity and took Holy orders. He married
Frances the widow of Robert Crawford on 6 Jul 1830 at Ballyshannon Church.
Frances was the daughter of James Forbes of Danby, Co Donegal. They had at least
seven children. He was rector of Killkeevin and died 19 Sep 1876 at the Rectory,
Castlerea.
9 Charlotte Griffith died unmarried at Waterloo Road, Dublin on 2 May 1863. Her
brother Walter was her executor.
10 William Downes Griffith fifth son born 22 Sep 1806 graduated Trinity College and
admitted Kings Inns. He was living at South Frederick Street in the 1820s and 30s.
He married twice and had at least five children. He died 3 Apr 1892 at Tuam.
11 Charles James Griffith sixth son born 21 Aug 1808 graduated Trinity College and
admitted Kings Inns in 1832. He was living at Glenmore, Port Phillip, Victoria and
married Jane Catherine Magee on 16 Dec 1846 at St Ann’s Church, Dublin. Jane was
the only daughter of Thomas Swan Magee of Belfast. They lived at Port Phillip and
Charles died there on 31 Jul 1863.
12 Arthur Hill Griffith seventh son born circa 1811 admitted Kings Inns. He was an
attorney of 8 South Frederick Street. He married twice, lived at Gortmore, Co
Westmeath and had at least eleven children. He died in New South Wales in 1881.
13 Harriet Sarah Griffith born circa 1814 died from cholera at South Frederick Street,
Dublin on 13 Oct 1832. Her brother Arthur her executor.
© June Bow & Karen Poff - September 2025
Return to Stillorgan graveyard page
Richard Griffith married Elizabeth Griffith
circa 1751 born circa 1727
died circa 1788 died 5 Jan 1793
Millicent
Richard Griffith only legitimate son of Richard Griffith of Maiden Hall, Kilkenny. Richard tried
to establish a linen industry at Maidenhall but it was not a success. He married Elizabeth
Griffith circa 1752. Elizabeth was the daughter of Thomas Griffith manager of the Smock
Alley theatre. She was an actress and became a playwright and author by necessity. ‘Letters
between Frances and Henry’ was published in 1757. She continued to write, and published
over 30 works. When her son returned from India having made his fortune she ceased writing.
Richard died circa 1788 and Elizabeth died on 5 Jan 1793 at Millicent, Co Kildare.
1 Richard Griffith only son born 10 Jun 1752 in Abbey Street, Dublin. He got a job with
Honourable East India Company as a very junior clerk (a writer) in 1770. As was the
custom at the time, Richard traded on his own account as well as working for the
Company. In August 1775 he was granted the exclusive contract to purchase opium for
the Company, a contract he wound up in 1777 when he was moved to treasury. Having
made his fortune he moved to London and married Charity Bramston on 17 Sep 1780 at
Oundle, Northamptonshire. Charity was the daughter of John Bramston of Oundle. In
1782 he purchased Millicent, a house and lands in the parish of Clane, Co Kildare. In 1783
Richard, junior entered parliament as MP for Askeaton, Co Limerick. He was appointed
High Sheriff in 1788. Charity died on 10 Jun 1790 at Millicent.
1 Richard John Griffith, son and heir born 20 Sep 1784 at Hume Street baptised
11 Oct 1784 at St Peter’s. He married Maria Jane Waldie on 21 Sep 1812 at
Hendersyde Park. Maria was the eldest daughter of George Waldie of Hendersyde.
He was an engineer and inspector of HM Royal Mines of Ireland and mining engineer
to the RDS in 1814. He was general boundary surveyor by 1828 working at Dublin
Castle. He was appointed to the Shannon Commission in 1836 alongside Thomas
Rhodes and Harry Jones. He was extremely proud of his geological map of Ireland.
This was an innovative cartographic work, first published in a reduced scale in 1838
and then significantly expanded and detailed in 1839. However he failed to give credit
to any of the team involved. He executed the Primary Valuation, also known as
Griffith's Valuation, this was the first full-scale valuation and particulars of property in
Ireland. He was chairman of the Board of Works from 1846 to 1854 and created a
baronet in 1858. Maria died 3 Jan 1865 at Fitzwilliam Place aged 79. Richard died at
2 Fitzwilliam Place in Dublin, on 22 Sep 1878. Both are buried at Mount Jerome.
1 Anna Maria Griffith eldest daughter born 2 Oct 1814 at Hendersyde Park died
9 Jul 1831 at Leamington.
2 Elizabeth Charlotte Griffith. As only daughter she married Robert Bramston-
Smith at St Peter’s Church in April 1839.
3 George Richard Griffith born circa 1820. As only son he married Elizabeth
Leader at St George’s Hanover Square, London on 24 Apr 1849. Elizabeth was
the daughter of the late Nicholas Philpot Leader of Dromagh Castle, Co Cork.
He later took the additional surname of Waldi and lived at Hendersyde Park in
Kelso. He became the 2nd Baronet on the death of his father.
4 Charlotte Jane Griffith born 23 Jan 1821 died an infant the same year.
2 Catherine Griffith born at Hume Street baptised 27 Jul 1787 at St Peters. She married
William Stott, MD in Dublin in 1810 and died a widow on 21 Apr 1833 at Drumcondra
Hill, Dublin.
3 Elizabeth Griffith third daughter born 29 Nov 1781 baptised in London died at
Rockingham, Boyle the seat of Viscount Lorton on 19 Nov 1852.
Richard secondly married Mary Hussey Burgh on 24 Feb 1793, the Rt Rev Lord bishop
of Kilmore officiated. Mary was the daughter of the late Rt Hon Walter Hussey Burgh,
Chief Baron of the Exchequer and his wife Anne Burgh. It was reported that Millicent
was utterly destroyed by rebels in 1798 after Richard gave evidence against his
neighbour Dr Esmonde of Oberstown. Richard invested most of his fortune in the
Grand Canal Company and had a controlling interest. He lost most his fortune and his
position of chairman after the company got into financial difficulty. Millicent was leased
out, and Richard took a post as agent for HM Post office Packets on the Holyhead and
Dublin Station. He died at Holyhead on 27 Jun 1820 and was buried there. Mary died
8 Sep 1820 aged 46 at Newtown Park Avenue and was buried at Stillorgan. She was
survived by ten children.
4 Walter Hussey Griffith second son born 28 May 1794 at Merrion Square baptised
at St Peters on 11 Jun 1794. He graduated Trinity and was admitted Kings Inns.
He was a barrister and married Jane Henn on 10 May 1816. Jane was the fourth
daughter of the late William Henn. Jane died 3 Jul 1859 at Clare Street and is buried
at Mount Jerome. Walter died at Baggot Street on 25 Feb 1880.
1 Susan Griffith born circa 1827 married John James Ogle Moore, son of the
Dean of Clogher at St Ann’s Church in 1862 and emigrated to Australia.
2 Richard Griffith born circa 1828 in Dublin educated at Trinity College. He was
a surveyor and married Charlotte Colthurst in 1861.
3 William Downes Griffith second son born circa 1829 educated at Trinity College
was admitted Kings Inns. He married Harriet Stokes in 1861 and served as
the Attorney General of the Cape Colony from 1866 to 1872.
5 Anne Griffith married William Pomeroy Green at Stillorgan Church on 30 Mar 1826
and they emigrated with their seven children and thirteen household staff to
Australia in 1842. William, a former Royal Navy officer died in 1846 at Woodlands
estate, the house they had built in Bulla.
6 Mary Elizabeth Griffith living at Merrion Square married the Rev Francis Chamley/
Chomley at St Peter’s Church on 22 Sep 1829. Francis was the rector of Malahide
and later Vicar of Wicklow. He died on 18 Sep 1847 and Mary with her seven sons
emigrated to Australia in 1849. One of their sons; Hussey was Chief Commissioner
of Police for Victoria.
7 Henry Allen Griffith born circa 1798 was a lieutenant in then Royal Navy. He married
twice and died in Sandymount on 22 Dec 1860.
8 George Griffith born circa 1802 graduated Trinity and took Holy orders. He married
Frances the widow of Robert Crawford on 6 Jul 1830 at Ballyshannon Church.
Frances was the daughter of James Forbes of Danby, Co Donegal. They had at least
seven children. He was rector of Killkeevin and died 19 Sep 1876 at the Rectory,
Castlerea.
9 Charlotte Griffith died unmarried at Waterloo Road, Dublin on 2 May 1863. Her
brother Walter was her executor.
10 William Downes Griffith fifth son born 22 Sep 1806 graduated Trinity College and
admitted Kings Inns. He was living at South Frederick Street in the 1820s and 30s.
He married twice and had at least five children. He died 3 Apr 1892 at Tuam.
11 Charles James Griffith sixth son born 21 Aug 1808 graduated Trinity College and
admitted Kings Inns in 1832. He was living at Glenmore, Port Phillip, Victoria and
married Jane Catherine Magee on 16 Dec 1846 at St Ann’s Church, Dublin. Jane was
the only daughter of Thomas Swan Magee of Belfast. They lived at Port Phillip and
Charles died there on 31 Jul 1863.
12 Arthur Hill Griffith seventh son born circa 1811 admitted Kings Inns. He was an
attorney of 8 South Frederick Street. He married twice, lived at Gortmore, Co
Westmeath and had at least eleven children. He died in New South Wales in 1881.
13 Harriet Sarah Griffith born circa 1814 died from cholera at South Frederick Street,
Dublin on 13 Oct 1832. Her brother Arthur her executor.
© June Bow & Karen Poff - September 2025
Return to Stillorgan graveyard page