Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4322, John G Griffis, New Jersey S.C.
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(3–1776)
New Jersey
S. C.
Griffis, John G.
NUMBER
R. 4322
CONTENTS
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30.278
John G Griffis
[illegible]
J.S. Lockhart
Evanville
[illegible]
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30. 278
John G. Griffis
Indiana
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Declaration in Order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress of the 7th June 1832

State of Indiana
Vander Burgh County

On this the 25th day of March in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty four personally appeared before the Judges of the Vander Burgh Circuit Court John G. Griffis a resident of Pigeon Township in the County of Vander Burgh and State of Indiana aged eighty-two years in the Month of August [illegible], who first being duly sworn according to the Law doth on his Oath make the following Declaration in Order to obtain the benefits [illegible] by the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832 that the Enlisteds in the Army of the United States in the year 1779 (he thinks in the month of May) or early in the month of June at Monks[sic] Corner about forty miles from Charlestown in the State of South Carolina in the company commanded by Captain John Lewis, a man by the name of Evans was ordering sergeants there and another sergeant by the name of Samuel Taylor. John Jones was drummer and John Case fifer, he thinks the number of the Company was 68 - for the term of five years [illegible] and during the war marched from Monks[sic] Corner in the State of South Carolina where he resided when he entered the Service of the  United States to Camden in the State of North Carolina. Was in a skirmish there from from there to the [illegible] from there to
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Hallifax laid some time there from thence to Guilford Court House had a battle these then went to 96 in South Caroline from there to Eutaw Springs had a battle there in the Autumn of 1781 he thinks about the middle of September marched from thence to Hanging rock at the Discharged about six weeks after the Battle of Eutaw Springs, by Colonel Hammond at the Hanging Rock [crossed out] Captain [illegible] was marched to a Regiment commanded by Colonel John Hammond & Major William Perdew General Green was the only General whose name
Declarant now recollects under whome he served his lost his written discharge says that he served as a private in the army of the Revolution at least three years & two months for which time he claims a pension
He hereby Relinquishes every claim whatever
to a pension or an annuity except the foresaid [crossed out] the present and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any agency in any State Sworn to & Subscribed the day and
year afore
said
W. T. T. Jones
Clerk
John G.
Griffis
and the said Court, do hereby declare their opinion that the above mentioned applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and and served as he states
Sam Hall
JM Dunhan
[illegible]
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I William T. T. Jones Clerk of the
Vander Burgh Circuit Court do hereby [illegible]
that the foregoing contains the original
prosedings of the said Court in the
matter of the application of George G Griffis for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed seal of Office this the 27th day of March AD 1834
W. T. T. Jones
Clerk
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State of Indiana
Vander Burgh County ⎬ SS
Supplemental
Declaration of John G Griffis to the One made
by him before the Judges of the Vanderburgh
Circuit Court on the 25 day of March
A.D. 1834 in order to obtain the benefit of the
provisions made by the act of Congress
passed June 7th 1832
On this the 8th day of November A.D. 1834 personally appeared before me Nathan Rowley a Justice of the peace in and for the County and State aforesaid duly commissioned and seven
as such John G Griffis a resident of Pigeon
Township in the County & State aforesaid
and upon his oath makes the following
Supplemental Declaration to the one made
by him before the Judges of the Vanderburgh
Circuit Court on the day and year afores
and which has been returned from the
pension office for correction and amendments
Declarant states that by reason of old
age & desolate habits of life, his memory has
very much failed him and in addition to
this he is verry hard of hearing by
reason of which a mistake was made
in his Original declaration as to the time
and place of his Entering the Revolutionary
army in his original declaration he is
made to say that he entered the service of
the United States in 1779 when in Truth &
in fact he entered it in the year 1775 or ┃
76 at Morristown in the State of New Jersey
instead of Monks corner as stated in
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Original declaration this mistake or omission
happened (no doubt) from his deafness in
not properly understanding the questions as
they were propounded to him by reason of
which his first Term of service; or northern
Campaign was Entirely omitted, as has
been before stated he entered the service
of the United States in the year 1775 or 6
(his memory will not permit him dependuly
to say which) at Morristown in the State of
New Jersey in a company commanded by
a Captain Dickinson one Lieutenants name
was William Gorden No of Compay
Declarant thinks was 85 attached to the 28
Righ of Jarry Blues as we then called
ourselves commanded by Colonel Dayton,
& Major Barber Marched from Morristown
to New York from thence to Albany (by
water) from Albany we marched to a place Called
Johnstown on the Mohawk River
from thence we went to a fort called
fort Stanwy & Rebult it staid there
one Summer & fall from thence he
marched to a place called Seconderoga
on Lake Champlain took up our write
quarters then Genl Wayne was command
of the station while we were here fromthence

. We returned to a place in
New Jersey Called Elizabeth Town
we were then placed under the command
of a General Maxwell-- we staid west of
the summer in the vicinity of Elizabeth
Town and done the Time faught a battle
with the British & Hessians at a place called
the forms above 6 miles from 

[crossed out] Elizabeth Town we then took up Winters
quarters at Elizabeth town
the following spring and [illegible]
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Elizabeth Town Returned again
to Elizabeth
Town & took up our winter quarters
in the following spring marched to bound
brook stand at Bound brook some
time from there we marched to a
place called Penances, Staid there some
time the inclement seasons of the year
were then coming on we returned
to Elizabeth Town again & Took up our
winter quarters from thence we marched
to a place called Easton on the Delaware River
even from thence we marched to a point
on the Susquehannah called Wyoming from
Wyoming we went up to the forks of the
Susquehannah from there we marched to
New Town on the Chemung and had as
battle with the Indians & Jones a few
miles back from the River from New Town
we killed one pack horses and marched
towards meagorge from thence we took
the Back Track and returned to New Jersey
and again took up one winter quarters at
Elizabethtown in the four first mentioned
General Sullivan Commanded during
this winter Declarant was taken sick and
was permitted to have the service on furlough
to return when he required his health but
not regaining his health he went to the
South in the winter of 1778 & 79 and in
the spring joined the southern army at
Monks Corners in the State of South Carolina
as stated in his Original Declaration the
length of service in the several campaigns
in this amended Declaration cannot distinctly
say but knows positively that it was the
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full & just period of three years and he
believes a few months over that the
service mentioned in this Declaration taken in
connexion with the time he served in the
South will make in all at least four
years that he served as a private in the
any of the Revolution for which he claims
a pension the reason why he makes
this amended declaration before a just
of the peace is that the Circuit Court
for Vander Brugh county Meek
but twice a year to wit in March
Sept - he is informed by the Department
that his name is not found on the roll
of the Army & that is requires two witnesses to prove his services he has now procured
the Testimony of Ziba Arnold
a pensioner on the Agency of Kentucky
& the affidavit of William Meads who is
also a pensioner of the United States both
of Whome knew him while in the Army
of the Revolution & who have fed to
the same their affidavits are hereunto
ended, he therefore asks the department
to take this his supplemental declaration
in addition to his original one & the
Evidence he has adduced in support of his
Claim and award him a pension
Subscribed & Sworn to
the day & year above written John G Griffis
N Rawley [illegible]
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State of Indiana
VanderBurgh County ⎬ SS
I Charles D Bourne Clerk
of the under VanderBurgh Circuit Court
do certify that Nathan Rowley the
Justice of the peace before whom the
foregoing proceedings were had in relation
to the matter of the application of John
G Griffis for a pension is and was at
the time the procedings aforesaid were had before him an acting Justice of the peace in and
for the County and State aforesaid duly com
missioned & sworn and that full faith and
credit are and of Right ought to be
given to all his official acts as such
and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In Testimony whereof I
have hereunto set my hand and
affixed the seal of said Court
at Evansville this 13th Day of
November A.D. 1834
C. D. Bourne
Clerk
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State, and
State of Indiana
VanderBurgh County ⎬ S.S.
This day personally
appeared before me Nathan Rowley a
Justice of the peace in and for the County
and State aforesaid William Meads
and after being sworn according to Law
upon his Oath says that his was ninety
four years old last August that he
was a soldier in the army of the Revolution
that he knows John G. Griffis (who is here
present) that he (Griffis) enlisted as a
Soldier in the army of the Revolution in
the year 1775 or 1776 the same week that
affiant enlisted at Morristown in the
State of New Jersey and in the some company under the command of Captain
Dickerson (or Dickinson) that he continued
in said Company (no, affiant believes of
company was 85) in the 28th Regr of Jersey
blues (Col Dayton commanded), until
affiant was taken prison and Sent to
the South in a prison ship called Asia
which was at least three years from the
time of Enlistment the next place
affiant saw him was at the battle of
Guilford Court House was then Told by
Griffis that he had been taken sick and
sent home on parole with the understanding that he was to join the Army so soon as he recovered his health that he was longing for some time & went to the South where he regained his health and again found the army at Monks corners
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saw him again at the siege of 96 then
again at Camden the next place I saw
him was the day before the battle at Eutaw springs he was then in the army of the
United States this was the last time he saw
him until some years after the war says
that he positively knows he served with said
Griffis at least three years in the first
Rigt saw him at the South in the con
Continental line & further he says not
Subscribed & Sworn Wm Meads
to before me this 8th Day of Nov 1834
Nathan Rawley [illegible]
State of Indiana
VanderBugh County
Nathan Rowley
the [illegible] aforesaid do certify that the
above affiant William Meeds
is a credible person and that
his statements may be relied upon
Rowley -
C. D. Bourne Clerk
of the Vander Baugh Cent
Court do certify that Nathan
Rowley Esqr before whom the
affidavit of William Mead (above)
was taken in and was at the
time of taking the same an acting
Justice of the peace in and for
the County & State aforesaid duly
commissioned & Sworn and that
full faith and credit are and of right
[crossed out, illegible]
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ought to be given to all his official acts
as such that the signatures above purporting to be his are genuine
In Testimony where of I here
hereunto set my hand and affixed
the Seal of said Court at Evansville
this 18th day of November A.D. 1834
C. D. Bourne
Clerk
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the deposition of Ziba Arnold latter in the Town of
Hartford Kentucky on the 26th day of October 1834
this deponent being of Lawfull age and first duly
Sworn deposeth and sayith that he is 77 years old past that he knows John G Griffis (who is now present) was a Regular Soldier of the Revolutionary Army that he belonged to the same Regiment with this deponent, Counceanded by Colonel Dayton the he lived in at the time in
Jersey County New Jersey, that he knew he well and served with him one year when this deponent was taken sick and left the Regiment the said Griffis [illegible], and further state the said John G Griffis is the identical person he knew by that name at the time stated above and further sayeth not,
Ziba Arnold

State of Kentucky
Ohio County}ss
This day Ziba Arnold personally appeared before me John Crow a Justice of the peace in and for said County and subscribed and swore to the foregoing deposition. I also [illegible] I am acquainted with [illegible] Ziba Arnold and believe him to be of [illegible]  and truth and to be relied on as such. Given under my foregoing Deposition. I also certify on file hand this 26th day of October 1834  J. W. Crow J.P.

State of Kentucky
Ohio County } ss
I Charles Henderson in the Court of this County
certify that John Crow who has signed
the foregoing Signature purporting to be his
engine. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto [illegible] my seal of Office the and subscribed
my name this 26th day of October in the year 1834.
Ch Henderson
Clerk of the Court of Ohio County
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Sir.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed. the notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus:})
You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by compling with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.

Statement, showing the service of John G. Griffis
Period when the
service was
rendered.
1779
Duration of the claimant service.
Years. Months. Days.
Rank of the claimant
Priv
Name and rank of the field officer under whom he served
Cap J. Lewis
Col Hammond
Age at present,
and place of abode
when he entered the service
82
S.C.
Proof by which the declaration is supported.
no proof
 Col. Hammond did not belong to the continental line of the army. It is believed that the [illegible] him for 10 months only

I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.
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REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1. The Regular Troops.
2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4. Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.

DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.

County of
On this
day of
personally appeared (a) before
A.B. a resident (b) of
and State, Territory or District
of aged (c) 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 enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) with and
served in the (e) regiment of the
line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]

He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of
& c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia,
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
and C.D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the days and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
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 A.B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I,
Clerk of the Court of
do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this
day of
& c.

Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
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3
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and
there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
1. Where and in what year were you born?
2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute?
And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.
6.
To a Soldier.{
Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
To an Officer.{
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court,
without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons--one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion.
If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates.
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct
proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the
inquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court. 
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record,
or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper
Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the
declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not
conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the
claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so
as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the
loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason
of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:--For year months, and
For months and --- days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law
directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must he is, and over to be a true from any other seal, or an he the seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses
who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
The notes from (a) to (i) are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in
note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[k]This traditionary evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l]If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m]The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
Page 19

Evansville J
Nov. 13th
to
John G Griffis
Department of War
Pension Office
Washington
Free

[illegible]
Page 20

Evansville Nov 13th 1834
J L Edwards Esqr
Sir I herewith return you the papers of John G Griffis for a pension. In compliance with the direct
of the Department he has procured the
Deposition to two persons who served with
him both of whome Testify as to their knowledge
of his services with the hope sir that the
Evidence he has now adduced will be
satisfactory to the Department, and there
it will be second to award him a pension
I have the honor to be Sir
Respectfully your Obedient Servant,
James Lockhart
N. B.
Mr Griffis has also made a supplanted
Declaration
J. S Edwards Esqr
Court & [illegible]
Washington D.C.
Page 21

John G. Griffis
Indiana
Rejected.
Letter 12 February 1835
James Lockhart
4322
Page 22

Acts of July, 1862, and March 3, 1878

 4322.
P. O John C Griffis
1852, List of Rejected and
Suspended pensions shows
following cause of rejection:
not on the rolls
no proof of service.
Application filed:
10
Alleges:
Re-enlisted:
Attorney:
P. O.
Recognized.
Cert. of Dis.
Searched for
Contract.