James was an only child whose mother Helen Jabobs died in childbirth at age 17. His father, Henry Griggs, was a Confederate Soldier who died at age 25 in 1870, three years after the death of his wife and birth of their only child. James was reared by his Mother's sister with her family. He worked in the Cotton Gin. During this time he lost his arm. Through the years, he farmed. He was also a Magistrate and Deputy Sheriff. He married Mattie McFadden about 1887, who gave birth to 14 children, 10 boys and 4 girls. Family lore states: "was always very neat and possessed so much pride. He had the respect of everyone, 'ruled with an iron hand' and was a very dedicated Christian." He said of his children "Some of my boys got on top of 'Fools Hill' and never got over it."
James was an only child whose mother Helen Jabobs died in childbirth at age 17. His father, Henry Griggs, was a Confederate Soldier who died at age 25 in 1870, three years after the death of his wife and birth of their only child. James was reared by his Mother's sister with her family. He worked in the Cotton Gin. During this time he lost his arm. Through the years, he farmed. He was also a Magistrate and Deputy Sheriff. He married Mattie McFadden about 1887, who gave birth to 14 children, 10 boys and 4 girls. Family lore states: "was always very neat and possessed so much pride. He had the respect of everyone, 'ruled with an iron hand' and was a very dedicated Christian." He said of his children "Some of my boys got on top of 'Fools Hill' and never got over it."
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