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 Picture of "namesake" Griffis completes AL Post 30 web posted November 26, 2008  EDGEFIELD – Just try
to imagine the
consternation that rippled through the ranks of Edgefield's Hezzie
Griffis American Legion Post No. 30 when it was learned that the one
picture in the unit's possession which was believed to have captured
the image of their namesake - Hezzie Franklin Griffis - actually didn't.Multiply that horror by 10 and you might have some idea of what the Legionnaires felt. The photo shows an army unit at Camp Greene near Charlotte. Members of the Griffis family researching the photo discovered that the picture actually shows Hezzie Griffis' older brother, Fuller, with his military unit. Hezzie Griffis was never stationed at Camp Greene, but rather, he served with his unit at Camp Jackson near Columbia and at Camp Sevier near Greenwood. He died in France on October 30, 1918, from wounds sustained in battle. Edgefield's American Legion Post 30 was named in his honor. "It was a shock to us," said Post 30 Commander Matt McGinnis. But fortunately, for the Legionnaires, two of Hezzie's descendants - half sisters Frankie Allen and Nancy Miller (their mother was Hezzie's older brother's third child) - came to the rescue. In their research (which lasted over a year) they were able to locate an actual photo of Hezzie Griffis. The two women presented a copy of the picture, along with a detailed bio of their relative, to members of Post 30 last week. McGinnis said the picture and information will occupy a place of honor. "This fills in a lot of gaps for us," he added. "Our oldest member (Charlie Mathis) is 94, so he was four years-old when Hezzie was killed. They gave us quite a sketch of him. It kind of completes things for us." The sisters say they were more than glad to do it. "I am really proud to know that it's here," Mrs. Allen said of the picture. "I am just thrilled," added Mrs Miller. A Tribute to Hezzie Franklin Griffis Hezzie Franklin Griffis was born December 1, 1894 to well known and highly regarded Jesse Jackson "Jack" and Ann Irola Mayson Griffis. He grew up working on his family's farm in the Cleora section of Edgefield County. Hard work on the farm was rewarded with his family's yearly barbecues that drew large crowds for good food, good music and good fellowship. Hezzie was known as a young man with honorable character and an exemplary lifestyle. Family stories were told that Hezzie loved to target shoot in his spare time. It was said he could hit 99 out of 100 cans. At the age of 22, Hezzie followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, Dr. Robert Conway Mayson, a Confederate Army Surgeon; his uncles John Nicholas "Nick" Griffis, a scout in the Confederate War and William Burkhalter "Billy" Griffis, a Confederate solder. He enlisted in the army on September 19, 1917 joining Company E 118th Infantry 30th Division. After spending time training at Camp Jackson and Camp Sevier in South Carolina, Private Hezzie Franklin Griffis set sail in May 1918 from Hoboken, New Jersey for World War I fighting in Germany. On this voyage with Hezzie was John Griffin, of White Stone, Spartanburg South Carolina. The two had become tent-mates, good friends and prospective brothers-in-law. John Griffin had introduced Hezzie to his sister, Amanda Elizabeth "Lizzy" Griffin. The young soldiers fought hard for our country. The 30th Division was credited with successfully pushing the Germans back in the Battle of the Hindenburg Line by seizing control of the southern end of the St. Quentin Canal. On October 1, 1918 John Griffin lost his life in battle. His body was never recovered, but there is a tablet in his memory at Somme American Cemetery in Bony, France. Just a week later on October 8, 1918, Hezzie was wounded in the left leg and right thigh. He lay on the battlefield a week with only his fellow soldiers to tend his wounds. During that time, Hezzie's cousin, Pvt. William Walter Griffis went in search of his cousin's camp. He found the camp, but could not find Hezzie. In a letter dated October 11, 1918, Walter wrote home to his mother and tells her about his search and that he hopes "Hez" is all right. Hezzie was finally moved to a French hospital where he had to have his left leg amputated just above the knee. He knew his condition was not good. He asked hospital staff to write to his family, back home in Edgefield, for him. He wanted them to know that he might not make it and that he loved them all very much. Hezzie died October 30, 1918. His family received a telegram on November 25, 1918 from the United States Government confirming the passing of their loved one. It was not until July 1921 that Jack Griffis and family were able, after much determination and hard work, to have their son's body removed from a French grave and brought home to Edgefield. American Legion Post 30, named in his honor, met the body and escorted it out of Berea Baptist Church for a burial with rites befitting the young soldier's sacrifice. Hezzie's parents later received three Certificates of Honor in their son's name. One of the certificates was from President Woodrow Wilson of the United States; one was from General John J. Pershing and the third was from the President of France. John Griffin's sister, Lizzy, remained in contact with the Griffis family. On August 21, 1920, she married Hezzie's older brother, James Fuller Griffis. (Fuller's first wife, Saide McGee, and infant daughter had died in 1918) The new Mr. and Mrs. Griffs made their home with Fuller's parents. It was in that home, on March 8, 1935, Lizzy Griffin Griffis presented to the Edgefield American Legion Auxiliary a gavel made of cedar from the Griffis property. Both Lizzy and her mother-in-law, Irola, were charter members of the Auxiliary. At war's end, in the home of Hezzie's brother, John Robert and his wife, Huldah Self Griffis, a young Lois Lular Griffs spoke her first sentence. Lois, born shortly after Hezzie joined the army, repeated words she heard the adults exclaim, "Wars over!" (They knew some loved ones would be coming home.) Years later that grown woman would name her first born for her uncle she would never get to know. Huldah Franklin Allen grew up carrying the proud name of a young man that gave his all; as did so many others before him and after him. May we never forget the sacrifices they made. (NOTE: Other siblings (James Fuller and John Robert mentioned in tribute) of Hezzie were William Henry "Will" And Charles Everett "Charlie". Born after Hezzie died were Mary Tabitha, Susie Viola or Susie and Viola, and Jessie Thomas Griffis. Will lived in Trenton with his wife, Sally Smith and they are buried at Harmony Methodist Church. Charlie marred Leila Magee, sister to Sadie McGee, and moved to Charlotte N.C... Mary and Jessie Thomas moved to Charlotte, also. Mary became Mrs. James Sease and Jessie was marrie to Nellie Belle Helms (possibly had one other wife).Whether Susie Viola was one child or two (Susie and Viola), one or both were said to have died very young. **Picture of Hezzie Franklin Griffis at Camp Sevier, Greenville, S.C. in 1918 was donated by Frankie Allen, great-niece of Hezzie. *"A Tribute to Hezzie Franklin Griffis" was written by Nancy Neel Miller, great-niece of Hezzie. This tribute was compiled with the help of the following: Family pictures, old family letters and family stories by Frankie Allen. Family stories told to this writer by her mother, Lois Lular Griffs Allen Neel. "The Family of John Burkhalter Griffis and his wife, Mary Jennings" - 1998 written by Ansel Corley and Huldah Franklin "Frankie" Allen and "Newspaper Articles Concerning the Descendants of John Burkhalter Griffis and Mary Jennings Griffis" by Ansel Corley (The Edgefield Advertiser Newspaper: "Griffis Barbecue and Picnic" Thurs. July 8, 1915, "'SOLDIERS' LETTERS William Griffis Writes His Mother" Wed. Nov. 13, 1918, "Death in France of Young Patriot from Edgefield County" Wed. Nov. 27, 1918, "Gavel From Hezzie Griffis Home Presented A.L.A." Wed. Mar. 13, 1935, "Mr. Jack Griffis 82 Years Old" Wed. Aug. 24, 1938. "Recollections and Reminiscences 1861-1865 Through World War I" By The Daughters of the Confederacy South Carolina Division Volume 9 page 385. Roclard. K/ (13, Sept. 2007), Battle of Cambrai-St Quentin, 27 Sept. 9- Oct 1918, http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_cambrai_st_quentin.html World War 1- South Carolina Soldiers Buried Overseas http://sciway3net/proctor/state/ww1_eurbur.thml The Citizen News contributed to this report. Photo by The Citizen News ©
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