by Karen Yvonne Hamilton, 2024

Hannah Elizabeth KNOWLES was born on October 10, 1869, to Justin Everett KNOWLES (1847-1900 Bahamas) and Jane Ann HOPKINS  (1847-1933 Georgia).

In 1880, Hannah lived with her parents and siblings at 444 Frances St in Key West. Living on the same street were the families of Robert Abram, Roberto Russell, Thomas Russell, Thomas McNully, Elijah Carey, Julius Knowles, Geroge Ranger, and George Johnson. 

In 1885, Hannah was working as a cigar stripper and living with her parents on Watson in St in Key West.

She married Thomas William Brady in 1888 and they had one daughter, Vivian. 

She then married Arthur O Griffin in 1890 and they had six children together: Earl, Arthur, Ivadell, Victor, Cyril, and James.

In 1900, Hannah and Arthur lived at 1112 Watson St in Key West. 

In 1910, Hannah worked as a cigar stripper and lived at 1213 United St in Key West with her children. 

In 1930, Hannah and Arthur lived at 1213 Knowles Lane in Key West.

Jane GARCIA Rowland notes: “Hannah Griffin belonged to the Church of God. Complete opposite of her sister, Clara Dena. Hannah was very subdued, quiet, kind hearted. Boys around her all the time. Towards the end of her life, she lived on Knowles Lane and she was a very hard worker. She went blind when she was older. She still cooked and sewed.” Her sister, Clara Dena also went blind, possibly from cataracts and they could not afford the surgery. 

This photo (scan0128) was argued over by my mother (Josephine GARCIA) and Aunt Jane (Jane GARCIA Rowland). They could not decide if it was Clara Dena or Hannah. We don’t have any clear photos of Clara Dena and this photo looks like the photos we have of Hannah, but they were sisters, so it could be Clara Dena.

Hannah died on April 22, 1943, in Key West, Florida, at the age of 73.

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