 Thomas Cott Griggs LDS Biographical Encyclopedia, Andrew Jenson, Vol. 1, p.711-713
Griggs, Thomas Cott, one of the presidents of the 2nd quorum of Seventy and a member of the Sunday School Union Board, was born June 19, 1845, in Dover, county of Kent, England. His mother having joined the Church, he, while quite young, also became interested in the teachings of the Elders, and was baptized May 17, 1856, in the Straits of Dover by Elder Thos. Liez. Two years before this he was rendered fatherless. Together with his mother he emigrated to America in 1856, crossing the Atlantic in the ship "Wellfleet," and arrived in Boston, Mass., July 11, 1856. There was a branch of the Church in Boston at that time and the boy and his mother remained there for several years, and there Thomas first became interested in music. Some time after his arrival in Boston a brass band was organized there composed of Church members, led by Elder John Eardley, and with it the young man became identified as an active and enthusiastic performer. Upon the breaking out of the great civil war, Brother Griggs and his mother started for Utah, in company with other emigrating Saints. They traveled by rail and steamer to Florence, Nebraska, where they were met by Church teams from the Valley. Crossing the plains in Captain Joseph Horne's company, they reached Salt Lake City on Sept. 13, 1861. The young man continued his interest in music, and for some time after his arrival in Utah he played in John Eardley's band, the leader and most of the members of the band having emigrated to the gathering place of the Saints. Later he became a member of Mark Croxall's band—celebrated in those days for its excellent accomplishments as a musical organization. For a few years during the early sixties Brother Griggs was in the employ of Walker Brothers, and engaged at their branch mercantile house in Fairfield, better known as Camp Floyd. While there he undertook to acquire a knowledge of vocal music. A class in vocal music was organized in the settlement by a brother named B. B. Messenger, who afterwards became the choir leader in the branch of the Church at that place. Some of Brother Grigg's young associates were intending to join the class and they persuaded him to go along with them. As an instrumentalist he had already gained a knowledge of the rudiments of music and he found it an easy matter to apply this knowledge to his vocal studies; and, having this advantage, he became one of the teacher's most apt pupils. In the course of time the leader of the choir removed form the settlement, and Brother Griggs was called to take his place. The members of the choir were very much interested in their musical labors and for a time they formed an efficient and creditable organization. From this time dates Elder Griggs' career as a choir conductor. On his return to Salt Lake City he joined the Tabernacle choir, in 1866-67, and has sung under five of its leaders—Professors Charles J. Thomas, Robert Sands, George Careless, Ebenezer Beesley and Evan Stephens. While [p.712] filling a mission to Great Britain, to which he had been called in April, 1880, he was appointed conductor of the Tabernacle choir. He had frequently led the choir before this time in the absence of the previous conductor. At that same time Professor Ebenezer Beesley was chosen as assistant conductor, and took charge of the choir during Elder Griggs' absence. On his return from England, recognizing the ability with which his assistant conducted the choir and the unity and good feeling existing in the organization, Elder Griggs cheerfully and graciously proffered to exchange positions with him, and requested that Elder Beesley continue to conduct as he had been doing. With the consent and approval of the Church authorities this change was made. For ten years previous to his departure upon the English mission already mentioned, and for ten years after his return, Brother Griggs led the choir of the Fifteenth Ward of Salt Lake City; and during his leadership it had the reputation of being among the best of such organizations in the city. His missionary labors in England were in the London conference, and here his musical talents were brought into requisition for the advancement of the cause in which he was enlisted. In addition to his active interest in musical matters, Elder Griggs has been an untiring worker in the Sunday school. From 1874 to 1891 he was superintendent of the Fifteenth Ward Sabbath school, and from 1891 to 1901, superintendent of the Sunday schools of the Salt Lake Stake. In 1878 he was appointed a member of the publication committee of the Deseret Sunday School Union, although he had been connected with the Union for some two years previous to that date. In this capacity he has had especial charge of the preparation of the musical works issued by that body. In 1882, through his suggestion, prizes were offered by the Union for original musical compositions suitable for Sunday school and choir use. In response to this offer a collection of songs and other pieces was received. These songs, with others already at hand, were compiled by Brother Griggs, with Brother Beesley associated, into what is known as the "Deseret Sunday School Song Book." Brother Griggs was also a member of the committee that compiled the "Latter-day Saints' Psalmody," now in general use in nearly all Ward choirs and Church schools. As a member of the Deseret Sunday School Union Board he has been a constant worker ever since his connection with it, having rendered practical assistance in the establishment of the various projects of the Union for the general benefit of the Sunday school movement. He has traveled extensively among the Stakes of Zion in the Sunday school cause. In May, 1900, he was appointed business manager for the Union, and since then his whole time has been occupied in Sabbath school work. In September, 1901, he was released from his position as superintendent of Sunday schools in the Salt Lake Stake, in order that his whole attention might be given to the general Sunday school cause. As a composer of music Brother Griggs began his training under the tutorship of Professor George Careless. His compositions are mostly hymn and Sunday school song tunes. A number of these are found in the Psalmody and the Sunday School Song Book already referred to; pieces from his pen have also appeared from time to time in the pages of the "Juvenile Instructor." His musical settings to the songs entitled, "Jubilee Hymn," "Land of the Blest," "The Sabbath Day," "God is Love," etc., are among the favorite pieces found in Utah's musical publications. Elder Griggs has been active in various callings in the Priesthood since he was a boy. He was called to the office of a Teacher by Elder George Q. Cannon, at a conference held in Boston, Sunday, April 2, 1860, and ordained the Sunday following, April 9th, by Elder John Eardley. Sept. 5, 1863, he was ordained an Elder by Samuel L. Sprague, and received his endowments the same day. Feb. 9, 1867, he was ordained a Seventy, by Elder Jesse W. Fox, and received into the 36th quorum. He joined the second quorum Oct. 29, 1883, and was chosen as one of the presidents in that quorum Aug. 30, 1886. This latter position he still holds. Both the name and the features of Thomas C. Griggs are familiar throughout the Stakes of Zion. As a worker in the interest of Sunday schools he is as well known as he is for his labors in the musical line; and he has made himself eminently useful in both pursuits. He has been a Sunday school worker for over thirty-five years, and [p.713] for the past twenty-five years has been prominently connected with the Deseret Sunday School Union. His record as a musician dates still farther back, and for the past thirty-five years he has been an active member of the Salt Lake Tabernacle choir. Brother Griggs is a man of a genial, happy disposition, considerate and thoughtful in his intercourse with his fellow-man; he is methodical, systematic and punctual in his habits, possessed of original ideas and plans; he has the patience, persistence and tact to carry out his projects. He takes pride in his labors and is admirably adapted to his calling as a teacher and leader among the youth of Zion, his example as well as his precept being such as may be followed with profit.—Edwin F. Parry. |
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