1850 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia:
Dwelling 41, Family 41
Wright, George T., 28, farmer, $5,000
Griffith, Joseph, 28, manager

1860 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia:
Dwelling 565, Family 550
Griffith, Joseph B., 40, no occupation listed, $50 personal estate
Griffith, Sarah A., 40
They were listed as married within the year.
They lived very close to Samuel and Elizabeth Dunn.

Joseph B. Griffith married Sarah Ann Dunn on 4 July 1860 in Essex County, Virginia. He was 38, single, born in King and Queen County, living in Essex County. She was 26, single, born in Essex County and living in Essex County. His parents were Sanger B. Griffith and Elizabeth Gleason; her parents were Samuel C. Dunn and Elizabeth McTyre. Joseph was a carpenter. Peter Ainslie performed the ceremony. [Essex County, Virginia, Marriage Register 1, page 9, line 18.]

From Richard O’Sullivan, 55th Virginia Infantry. 1989: H. E. Howard, Inc., Lynchburg, Virginia:
Griffith, Joseph B.: Enl. 7/19/61 in Co. G. Discharged due to chronic articular rheumatism, on 12/28/61, aged 39.

A Certificate of Disability for Discharge states that Joseph B. Griffith was 6 feet 1-1/2 inches tall; dark complexion; grey eyes; dark hair. Disability due to “‘Marasmus’ — accompanied with chronic articular Rheumatism — The disease is of long standing and its origin is altogether unknown to the Surgeon.” [Army of the Confederate States, Certificate of Disability for Discharge, 28 December 1861, Fort Lowry.]

1870 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia:
Dwelling 1626, Household 1626
Griffith, Joseph B., 48, male, white, carpenter, born in Virginia
Griffith, Sarah A., 38, female, white, keeping house, born in Virginia
Griffith, Edwin S. B., 9, male, white, attending school, born in Virginia
Griffith, Sarah E. L., 6, female, white, at home, born in Virginia
Griffith, Mary F., 2, female, white, at home, born in Virginia