George Griffin Headstone Fund
Press Release: Mark Twain House & Museum Launches Campaign to Place Monument on New York City Grave of George Griffin, ‘Shrewd, Wise’ Member of Twain’s Household – Mark Twain House
Honoring a Remarkable Life in the Clemens Household
For nearly two decades, George Griffin was one of the most trusted and influential figures inside the Hartford home of Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. Born enslaved in Maryland around 1849, Griffin escaped to Union Army lines during the Civil War, served as personal valet to a major general, and eventually built a respected life in Hartford as a butler, community leader, church deacon, political organizer, and friend to the Clemens family.
Twain wrote vividly about him:
“Handsome, well built, shrewd, wise, polite, always good-natured, cheerful to gaiety, honest, religious, a cautious truth-speaker.”
Griffin’s story has long been obscured by the historical record. Even his appearance was unknown until a photograph surfaced in 2023. Today, with a forthcoming full-length biography by Twain scholar and collector Kevin Mac Donnell, Griffin’s life is finally being reconstructed with the depth and respect it deserves.
Yet one part of Griffin’s story has remained painfully unresolved:
His grave in Queens, New York has been unmarked since his death in 1897.
The Mark Twain House & Museum is leading a campaign to right this historical omission and give George Griffin the memorial he deserves.
Why This Matters
A Central Figure in the Clemens Household
Griffin was no ordinary employee. The role of butler was a senior, supervisory position. In 1870s Hartford, it was exceptional for an African American man to oversee white household staff. Griffin not only earned this responsibility but became integral to the family’s daily life and emotional world.
He was a friend to the Clemenses, a favorite of the Clemens daughters, a trusted advisor, and a source of stability during turbulent times.
A Leader in Hartford’s African American Community
Outside the home, Griffin was a deeply engaged civic figure. He served as a deacon and respected voice at Hartford’s A.M.E. Zion Church and was an active political participant during the post-Reconstruction era. His story illuminates the wider African American experience in the North during the late 19th century.
A Newly Rediscovered Life
More than 100 years after his passing, scholarship is finally catching up to Griffin’s contributions. Mac Donnell’s research — including the discovery of Griffin’s photograph — is bringing long-lost details of his life back into view. Establishing a memorial at his resting place is a fitting way to honor this important, beloved member of the Clemens household.
The Headstone Project
Griffin rests at Linden Hill United Methodist Cemetery in Queens, New York, nearby two of his and Mary Griffin’s children, Clara and George. None of the three graves have ever been marked.
A committee of museum staff, scholars, and community partners has selected a black granite monument modeled on a historic arched Victorian stone. The inscription will honor Griffin’s life, his children, and Twain’s tribute.
Estimated Project Cost: $10,000-$15,000
This includes monument design and carving of the inscription, cemetery mounting fees, and perpetual care.
Project Timeline:
Fundraising is underway, with the goal of placing the stone in Spring 2026.
How You Can Help
You can honor George Griffin’s legacy by contributing to the headstone fund.
Give Online
Donate securely at:
https://ci.ovationtix.com/35359/store/donations/57153
Give by Check
Make checks payable to:
The Mark Twain House & Museum
351 Farmington Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105
Please write “Griffin Headstone” in the memo line.
Your gift ensures that George Griffin receives the dignity of a lasting memorial — a tribute long overdue.
MEDIA INFORMATION
Members of the press interested in covering this project are welcome to reach out for interviews, images, or background materials.
Media Contact
Albinko Hasic
Director of Marketing, Programs & Community Engagement
The Mark Twain House & Museum
Email: albinko.hasic@marktwainhouse.org