Family and Education

b. 1 Apr. 1763, o.s. of John Griffith of Garn by Jane, 1st da. and coh. of John Hughes of Weeg, Caern. and Cae’rberllan, nr. Llanrwst, Denb. educ. Trinity Hall, Camb. 1781. m. 16 Feb. 1785, Jane, da. of Robert Wynne of Garthmeilio, Corwen, Merion. and Plas Newydd, Henllan, Denb., sis. of Robert Watkin Wynne*, 9s. 4da. suc. fa. 1791.

Offices Held

Burgess, Denbigh 1784, councilman 1794, alderman 1803, 1806, 1819; recorder Feb. 1817-d.

Capt. Denb. vols. 1798, maj. 1803; lt.-col. centre regt. Denb. militia 1808.

Biography

Griffith, the seventh of the family seated at Garn, was a country gentleman active in the corporation of Denbigh. In 1806 he encouraged the candidature of Robert Biddulph* against his brother-in-law Frederick West*, and in 1812 led the Whig faction supporting Biddulph in the contested election.1 Although his efforts were unsuccessful then, he was himself returned unopposed, on the same interest, in 1818. In Parliament he was a staunch supporter of the Whig opposition, but not prominent in debate: though on 25 Feb. 1819 he cited instances of commercial and agricultural distress which he claimed the government was blind to, and which made him unwilling to support the Windsor establishment bill. He voted in favour of burgh reform, 1 Apr. 1819, and of extending the franchise at Penryn, 22 June. He voted steadily against coercive legislation, Nov.-Dec. 1819.

Griffith retired in 1826 and died 20 June 1834. He was a keen botanist, agricultural improver and sportsman, as most of his surviving correspondence with his family attests.2

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: R. G. Thorne

Notes

• 1. Salopian Jnl. 5 Nov. 1806; see DENBIGH BOROUGHS.
• 2. T. A. Glenn, Fam. Griffith of Garn and Plasnewydd, 130. That he was a barrister has not been confirmed: confusion with another John Griffith, of the Middle Temple, is likely.