HON. GRIFFIN FAUNTLEROY EDWARDS
The ancestry of the subject of this sketch is thus traced: In early
colonial days Dr. Richard Edwards came from London to Virginia.
His son Thomas married Sarah Ingram. Their son Thomas married
Elizabeth Fauntleroy. Their son Griffin married Priscella Lee. Their
son, LeRoy Griffin Edwards, born in Northumberland county, Virginia,
in 1804, died in Norfolk county, in August, 1866, married Fannie W.,
daughter of John Robins, of Norfolk county, Virginia, whose father was
of Gloucester county. Their son, Griffin Fauntleroy Edwards, was born
at Deep Creek, Norfolk county, Virginia, September 16, 1843.
He went to school in the village of Deep Creek until twelve years of
age, then to the Union Male Academy, at Harrellsville, North Carolina,
for two and a half years, then one year to Mr. C. Morris, at Norfolk. In
January, 1861, he entered Emory and Henry College, in Washington
county, Virginia. In June 1861, the entire body of students withdrew
from the college to enter the army, and he joined Company E, 61st Virginia
regiment; was detailed clerk to Gen. H. B. Davidson, commanding
post at Staunton, Virginia. In November, 1863, he rejoined his regiment,
and was appointed sergeant-major, in the latter part of 1864
was appointed regimental adjutant. Serving with the regiment in
Mahone's division, he received a gunshot wound through right shoulder
near Farmville, Virginia, April 7, 1865. He had two brothers in service,
John Robins Edwards, first lieutenant Company A, 3d Virginia
regiment, Pickett's division, and LeRoy Bushrod Edwards, a private in
the same company. Both served until made prisoners in battle of Five
Forks, April, 1865; they were held prisoners until after the close of the
war.
Returning to his home, Griffin Fauntleroy Edwards qualified as
deputy for his father, who was then the clerk of the county and circuit
courts of Norfolk county. After his father's death in August, 1866, he
was elected to the office (in November, 1866) and served until removed
March 19, 1869, by the military governor of Virginia, for refusal to
take the iron-clad oath. In 1870 Mr. Edwards was appointed commissioner
of accounts for the city of Portsmouth, which office he has ably
filled ever since. In the sessions of 1879-80 and 1880-81 he was a member
of the Virginia legislature. In 1882-3-4-5-6 was superintendent of
the public schools of Portsmouth. While clerk of courts, Mr. Edwards
studied law, and he has been continuously in practice since 1869, except
when public official duties prevented.
He married at Portsmouth, October 6, 1869, Isabel Bilisoly, who
was born in Portsmouth. They have one son, J. Griffin, and have
buried one son, Carl, died May 22, 1879. Mrs. Edwards is the
daughter of Joseph A. Bilisoly, who was a son of Antonio Bilisoly, born
on the Island of Corsica. Her mother is Eliza, daughter of John Benson,
Esq.
