Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6,919, Richard Griffin, N.C. S.C.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
N.C.
S.C.

Griffin, Richard

NUMBER
S. 6919

carded
CONTENTS
Page 2

16259
North Carolina
Richard Griffin
of Mecklenbg in the State of North Carolina who was a pri: in the company commanded by Captain [John] Irby  in the *North Carolina
line for 9 months
*N.C. or S.C. June 13, [illegible]
Records completed.
Inscribed on the Roll of North Car:
at the rate of 30 Dollars per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20th day of July: 1833 and sent Henry W Connor Sherrillsford N.C.
Arrears to the 4th of March 33 - 60
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Sept " -15
= $75
Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by Wm Miller Clerk,
Book E. Vol. 6. Page 41
Page 3

Richard Griffin
declaration

admd
Private 9 mo $30

Henry W Connor
No Ca
Page 4

State of North Carolina, Mecklenburg County: Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions November Term 1832
On this 28th day of November A.D. 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Mecklenburg County and State of North Carolina opened and held on the 4th Monday of November A.D. 1832 and now sitting – Richard Griffin a resident of the County of Mecklenburg and State of North Carolina aged about Seventy six who being first duly Sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832 – to wit: he was born as he has been informed and believes in the year 1756 in Chatham County and State of North Carolina, that he has no record of his age – when small he removed with his father to the State of Georgia on the Ogeechee [River] and removed to the State of South Carolina and was living on Pacolet River in Spartanburg district when the War of the Revolution commenced – that while there he volunteered under Captain [John] Irby for six months during the fall or winter of 1780, that he marched towards Camden and from thence to Bull's Island and returned by Columbia, and joined General [Daniel] Morgan before the Battle of the Cowpens in which Battle he was in under the command of said Captain Irby - where he was wounded, served out his time of six months and was discharged by Colonel [William] Washington  and Morgan - this discharge he has lost - after he was discharged by General Morgan as
aforesaid he removed to the State of North Carolina, Mecklenburg County. He again volunteered under Captain John Welsh and under Major [Robert]Crawford - that most of the time he was stationed in the County
of Mecklenburg and was what was then called minute [men]
Page 5

[minute] men. This was in the same year of the battle of the Cowpens to wit some time in the year 1781, as he well remembers that his wound was haldly or scarcely well when he again volunteered under Major [Robert] Crawford, he served out his time under the said Major Crawford but was not in any battle while under him – the said men under Crawford being stationed in the County of Mecklenburg near the South Carolina line to over awe the Tories, that the time for which he volunteered under Captain Welsh for was for three months, this time he served out and was regularly discharge by Major Crawford on Cane Creek near the South Carolina Line – this discharge he has lost – the whole time that he served was about nine months. He has no documentary evidence of his services as above mentioned but refers to the Certificates annexed as the proof of what is necessary to establish the fact of his services. He hereby relinquishes every claim
whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll
of the agency of any State. Sworn to and subscribed to the day & year aforesaid.
Richard Griffith, R his mark 

I John Irby residing in Lincoln County hereby certify that the said Richard Griffin served under me who was his Captain as he lay alleges and was with me for six months, and was in the Battle of the Cowpens. S/ John Irby Sworn to and subscribed the
day and year aforesaid ⎬

We John Ingram Esquire and Thos P. Dillon residing in the County of Mecklenberg and State aforesaid and in the neighbourhood of declarant hereby
Page 6

certify that we are well acquainted with Richard
Griffin aforesaid who has subscribed and sworn
to the above declaration that we believe him to
of Seventy six years of age - that he is reputed
and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides
to have been a soldier of the revolution and that
due services in that opinion S. P. Dillon
Sworn and subscribed the day
and year aforesaid
John M Ingram
and the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the
investigation of the matter and after putting the 
interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the
above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and
served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it
appears to them that Thomas P Dillon and John
Ingram Esquire a resident of said County
and are credible persons and their statements are entitled
to credit.
State of North Carolina
Mecklenberg County &
I Isaac Alexander Clerk of the Court of
Pleas and quarter sessions of Mecklenberg County aforesaid
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceding
of the said Court in the matter of the application of
Richard Griffin for a pension. In testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my hand and seal of office at office
in Charlotte in the County aforesaid this 28th day of
November A.D. 1832
Dave Alexander
of Mecklenburg County
Page 7

March 15, 1940
BA - J/AWY
Richard Griffin
S. 5919
Mrs. James G. Johnson
1810 Dandridge Pike
Knoxville, Tennessee
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Richard Griffin who was pensioned while living in Mecklenburg County, Virginia [sic- NC]. 
The data furnished herein in regard to
Richard Griffin were obtained from papers on file in claim for pension, S. 6916, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War. This is the record of the only Richard Griffin, under any
spelling of the name, found on file in the Revolutionary War pension records of this office.
Richard Griffin was born in the year 1756 or 1757, in Chatham County, North Carolina, and when "small" moved with his father to Georgia on the Ogeechee, and thence to South Carolina. The names of his parents were not given.
While residing on Pacolet River in Spartanburg District, South Carolina, Richard Griffin volunteered in 1779, served as private in Captains John Welch's and John Irby's companies, under Colonel Joseph [sic- William] Washington; he was in the battle of Cowpens, where he was wounded in the left thigh by a bayonet, and was
discharged in the month of February, 1781. He moved to Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and enlisted
Page 8

in the spring of 1781, served six months under Captain John Welch, and Major Crawford, three months of this tour he served as blacksmith at Cane Creek.
Richard Griffin was allowed pension on his
application executed November 28, 1832, at which time
he was living in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
The papers on file in this claim contain no
discernible family data, other than the reference to
his father as given herein.
In order to obtain the date of last payment
of pension, name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to the Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and furnish the following data:
Richard Griffin
Certificate #16259
Issued July 20, 1833
Rate $30.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
North Carolina Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator
Page 9

[crossed out writing
M H Connor 
Jan 156 1834
[illegible]
July 4 [illegible]]
Page 10

S 6919
Rev. War Section.
December 2, 1922
Mrs. Charles Manly,
219 summer Street,
Greenville, S.C.
Madam
You are advised that Richard Griffin was allowed pension on his application executed November 28, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Mecklenberg County, N. C.
He stated that he was born in Chatham County, N. C. in 1756 or 1757, and resided on the Pacolet river in Spartanburg District, S. C., when he volunteered in 1779, and served eighteen months under Captains John Welch and John Irby in Colonel Joseph [sic- William] Washington's regiment, he received a bayonet wound of left thigh in the battle of
Cowpens, and was discharged in February 1781. He then moved to Mecklenberg County, N. C. and enlisted in the Spring of 1781 under Captain John Welch [Welsh] and Major [Robert] Crawford, for six months, three of which he served as a blacksmith, and was discharged in August 1781 at Cane Creek.
allowed pen on his ap ex
Nov 28 - 1832 res Mecklenburg
Co N.C.
Page 11

There is no data on file as to family.
The above noted is the only soldier of that
name found from South Carolina.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Page 12

July 9, 1911.
Hon. Robert N. Page,
House of Representatives
My dear Mr. Page;

In reply to the enclosed letter from Mr. C. H. Simpson,
of Monroe, N.C., dated the 26th ultimo and received in this Bureau by your
reference on the 3" instant, I have the honor to advise you that one Richard
Griffin was allowed pension on his application executed November 28, 1832,
at which time he was a resident of Mecklenberg County, N.C.
He stated that he was born in Chatham County, N. C. in 1756 or 1757,
and resided on the Pocolet river in Spartanburg District, S. C. when he volunteered
in 1779, and served eighteen months under Captains John Welch and
John Irby, in Colonel Joseph Washington's regiment, he received a bayonet
wound of left thigh in the battle of Cowpens, and was discharged in February
1781. He then removed to Mecklenberg County, N.C. and enlisted in the Spring
of 1781, under Captain John Welch and Major Crawford, for six months, three
of which he served as a blacksmith, and was discharged in August 1781 at
Cane Creek
There is no family data whatever on file and date of his death it not
shown, and for the date of the last payment of his pension, and to whom paid
application should be made to the Auditor for the Interior Department, U.S.
Treasury Department, citing the following data; "Richard Griffin,
Certificate No. 16259, issued July 20, 1833, under the Act of June 7, 1833, at the
North Carolina Agency."
Page 13

You are further advised that owing to the lack of clerical force available for such a purpose, this Bureau is unable to furnish full copies of
papers on file, but that any person designated by you or Mr. Simpson, will b
be allowed to examine and copy the papers in the above cited claim.
Very respectfully,
Acting Commissioner.
Page 14

1810 - Dandridge Pike
Knoxville Tenns
Pension Bureau
Washington D C
Will you please give me
the Rev. War Record of
Richard Griffin who was
living in
Mecklenburg Co. (VA crossed out) N.C.
June 1 - 1840 when he
was granted a pension
at the age of
80 years
Respectfully
Mrs. James G. Johnson
Feb. 17th 1940
Page 15

send S. 6919
& say the only one of
S. C found
Page 16

Greenville S.C.
Nov. 4 - 1922
Bureau of Pensions-
Washington D.C
Gentlemen
If you have any
Revolutionary
records of
services
of Richard Griffin from
South Carolina
(96
district
- or Laurens
Co)
I will
very
much appreciate
Page 17

Your sending me copy of such.
Thanking you- I am 
Yours very truly
Mrs. Charles Manly
219 Sumner St
Greenville
S. C
Page 18

Rev. Sec.

824 "R" St., Fresno, Calif.
July 6, 1918.
Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Revolutionary War Record Section,
Washington, D.C.

Will you kindly send me the military histories
with names of children of John Griffin, age 97, a Revolutionary soldier, who lived in Pike County, Alabama in 1840.

Also the military history and names of
children of Richard Griffin, S. 6919 Private in North Carolina
Continental Line and on the pension roll from
Mecklenburg, N. C. July 28, 1833?
Thanking you in advance for any information
you may be able to give, I beg to remain
Yours very truly,
Miss Florence App
[stamp] PENSION U.S. OFFICE E JUL 13 1918
Page 19

1911 July 3. Hist to Hon. Robt N. Page 
for C. N. Simpson letter returned
1918 July 19. To Miss Florence App ¢
1929 Dec 2 History to
Mrs Charles Manly AW
1940 Mch 15 and Mrs. James G
Johnson aw

Rev War 
6919
INVALID
File No. 6919
Richard Griffin
Pri Rev. War
-
Act: June 7th 1832
Index: -- Vol. A [illegible], Page 150
Records O.K. A.O.T. June 15 1904
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 20

Dept of War
Pension Office
June 13th 1832
Sir I have considered the application of Richard Griffin for an increase of pension, and am compelled by
his own shown to believe that his entire claim is of a very doubtful character. I shall therefor, unless some explanation is made, suspend all future payments.
In his original declaration Mr Griffin Stated that he resided in Georgia, and that in the fall or winter of 1780 he volunteered for six months in a company commanded by Jno Irby
that during this period he was in the Battle of the Cowpens. this Battle was in Jany 1781, served out his six months, and was dischd by Col Washington and Genl Morgan that after his discharge aforesaid, he removed to N.C. That he again volunteered under Capt Welch was called minute men, and served three
months - that service he says was also in 1781
In order to obtain an increase of pension the applicant now states that entered the Service in Oct 1779 as a regular for 18 months - marched from South Carolina under Capt Welch
and after recounting various marches & services says he was at the Battles of Cowpens and was discharged
Page 21

12 Feby 1781 a part of the time be served under Capt Irby and a part under Capt Welch
That in the spring of 1781 he substituted for six months under Capt Welch, and that three of the six months he was compelled to work at
the blacksmithy business as a striker, and was dischd in Aug.
These are statements as so much at
variance with each other, that they serve to raise a doubt in my mind as correctness of either.
[illegible]
Hon H W  Connor
H R
Page 22

Hon. H. W. Conner
1 July 1834
GC
Recorded Vol 24 page  267
G.C.
Page 23

War Dept
Pension Office
July 1. 1834
Sir,
The statement which you have
given in relation to the case of Richard Griffin
deemed sufficient to justify
this Dept in removing the Suspension of his
Case; but no claim to
an increase of pension can be allowed
under the circumstances of his case unless
he can produce
direct proof as to the [illegible]
set forth in his amended declaration.
The Agent at Fayetteville, N.C. has
be directed to pay his pension wherever
it may become due, and be demanded.
I have the honor

Hon. H. W. Conner
House of Rep
Page 24

State of North Carolina Mecklenburg County: Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
On this 28 day of February 1834 personally appeared Before the Court now sitting Richard Griffin a Resident of the State and County of aforesaid aged 77 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the
provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7th, 1832, that he entered the Service of the United
States under the following named officers and served as herein after stated he volunteered in October he thinks in 1779 as a regular for 18 months under Captain John Welch [Welsh] and marched from Edisto South Carolina on near Camden and Joined Colonel Joseph [Wm] Washington's Regiment under him
we marched to the mouth of Cooper River in South Carolina and was stationed there three or four
months under them he marched to Bull's Island South Carolina and was stationed there three or four
months and he marched to Columbia and was stationed there a while and then he went on to the head of
Pacolet and was stationed there a while and there we were reinforced by General [Daniel] Morgan & General Greene [Nathanael Greene] and there on the 17th day of January 1781 we fought at the Battle of the Cowpens and part of the 18 months he served under Captain John Irby and after the
Battle of the Cowpens he marched into North Carolina and was discharged by Captain John Welch
which discharge is lost he was discharged he thinks in February 1781 and then in the Spring of 1781 he substituted for a man by the name of George Laney and served a Tour of six months under said Captain
Welch and Joined Major Crafford [Robert Crawford] and he was stationed at Cane Creek in South Carolina all the six months and three months he was compelled by order of his Commanding officer work at the
Blacksmith's Trade as a Striker which was considered part of his six months Tour as a substitute and
was discharged by Captain Welch in August 1781 in South Carolina
Page 25

he served in all Twenty four monts and he further
declares on oath that he applied for a pension under the
act of June 7 1832 and he was advised that that the
Term of nine monts was sufficient to die full pay
and he only put nine month of his served in the
former declaration and he declares his name is no
on the pension Roll of the agency of any state except that
of North Carolina was plased that by the act of congr
7th June 1832 Sworn to and subscribed in open court
the day and year first above mentioned
Richard Griffin his R Mark

State of North Carolina 
Mecklinburg County} Personally apeared Before me John M. Ingram a Justice of the
peace in and for said County
John Irby a resident
of Lincholn County and State of North Caroline
and made oath in due form of Law that he
was well acquainted with the applicant Richard Griffin
and that he was personally nowing to the servis of the
said Richard Griffin in the Revolutionary war
and his statement relitive to the whole of
his servis is true  for he served with him for some consdrabl time Before the Battle at the Cowpens
and also after the Battle and the said Richard
Griffin was wounded in the Battle at the Cowpens
By a Baronet being stuck in his left thy By
the Enema and he would have kiled him
had he not been shot down by the Ensign
Micuga Hogen the Ensign of the Company that the
be the subscribed John Irby had the command of
Sworn to and subscribed Before me this 22nd
day of April 1834
John IngramJP 
John Irby
Page 26

Interrogatory 1st Where and in what year were you born?
I was born in Chatham County North Carolina in 1757
Have you any record of your age and if so where is it?
I had a Record of my [age] but have lost it
Where were you living when called into service: where have you lived since the Revolutionary War
and where do you now live?
I lived in South Carolina when called into service and have lived in Mecklenburg County North
Carolina where I now have ever since the Revolutionary War.
How were you called into service; were you drafted; did you volunteer or were you a substitute, and if
in substitute, for whom?
I volunteered and Substituted for man by the name of George Laney I was acquainted [with] Colonel Washington, General Morgan and General Gree [Greene]
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it?
I did receive a discharge from the service from Captain John Welch and have lost it.
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court the day and year first above written. Richard Griffin, R his mark

We Zachariah Sterns a Clergyman resident in the County of Mecklenberg and State of No Ca and
Joshua Harris Residing in the same herby certify that we are well acquainted with Richard Griffin who subscribed and sworn the above
declaration that we Believe him to be 77 years of age that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Solder of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion sworn to and subscribed
the day and year aforsaid Zachariah Sterns Joshua Harris
Page 27

State of North Carolina}
Mecklenburg County} and the Court do hereby declare their opinion after the Investigation of the matter and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and Served as he Stats and the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Zaceriah Stern who has Signed the preceding certificate is a Clegiman Resident in the County and State affour said and that Joshua Harris who has also signed the Same is a Resident in Said County and is a credtable person and thare Statements is intitled to credit
---------------
State of North Carolina}
Mecklenburg County} I, John M Ingrum one of the acting Justice of the peac certify that John Inly of Lincholl County No. Ca. who Swornie to and Subscribed the within Certificat is a creditabl person and his Statement is entitled to Credit
Given under my hand and Seal this 22nd day of Aprael 1834 John M Ingrum JP

I Braly Oatis Clerk of the Court of pleas + quarter Sefsions held for the County of Mecklenburg + State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the Said Court in the matter of the application of Richard Griffin for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal of Office at Charolotte, this 1st day of March A.D. 1834
B Oatis C.C.C.
Page 28

16259

J L Edwards Esqr.

Com. Pensions

[Sideways of the right]
Hon. H W Commer
Page 29

Washington City 15th June 1834.

Mr. Edwards

Sir I have recd. yours of 13th Inst. in relation to the application of Richd. Griffin for an increase of pension - His statements seem to be at varience + justly to create doubt- and requires an explanation - I may be unable by the following statement to remove any doubt from you mind as to fraud or dishonesty being intended by Mr. Griffin - I was consulted by Mr. Griffin, himself or by his friend, I do not now remember, which as to his application for an increase. The statement to me was that when his original, papers were prepared - he understood + such was the understanding also of the person who prepared his papers, that nine months, was all that was necefsary to intitle him to a pension - I explained to him the law, and advised that he could obtain an increase - In addition to this, I was applyd. to, by this same Richd. Griffin, in person more than once long before the pafsage of the Law of 1832 - to know if he could not obtain a pension, under the acts 1818 + 1820. - and the only objection, appearing to me, then to his obtaining a pension under those acts was, the amt of property, which he was pofsefsd. of so advised him. + no application by him was made - During this sefsion, when I asked for his original papers to be certain that nine months only had been set forth. - I mentioned to you then the circumstances as explained to me why his whole service had not been embraced. - of this it could not be expected that you would remember - If his declaration for an increase is imperfect or further explanation be necefsary
Page 30

and required, be so good as to advise me of it, that I may return his papers and obtain it.
Respectfully
Henry W Commor