Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 10,192, Elisha Griffith, Md.
Page 1

(3-1776)

Griffith, Elisha

SERVICE Md.
NUMBER S. 10192

carded

CONTENTS [blank]
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Virginia 30. 326

Elisha Griffith

of_ Harrison Co._ in the State of _Virginia_ who was a _Sergeant_ in the _company_ commanded by Captain _Hillery_ of the _Regt._ commanded by _Col. Betty_ in the _Maryland_ line for _20 months & 20 days_

I worked on the Roll of _Virginia_ at the rate of _103_ Dollars _33_ Cents per annum, [to] commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the _14th_ day of _Jany 1836_ and _sent to Hon. Jos. Johnson, H.R._

Arrears to the 4th of _Sept. '35._ _505.00
[illegible] allowance ending 4 _March '35._ 51.66

$556.66

{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by _D. Brown_ Clerk,
Book _8_ Vol. _6 1/2_ Page _15_
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[crossed out] Order to pay & Lets to Hon  J. Johnson 15 Dec 1837. Letter to Hon J. Johnson on July 1838.

Order to pay 18th Oct 1839. not found.

[crossed out] Letter to A Goff of Pension
[illegible] 25 Nov 1843

Date of death not on AB .
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Elisha Griffith

Va

Aamet 20. Mo 20 dy
Seigl $103.33

Elisha Griffith Declaration

Hon J. Johnson 31 Jan 1833

Hon Jos. Johnson Hi Rep
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Virginia
Harrison County

One the 22 day of August 1832 personally
appeared in open Court before W.m Martin, W.m A Rogers Samuel Kimble Jacob Coplin + Joseph Johnson 

The Court of Harrison County now setting Elisha Griffith of Harrison County and State of Virginia aged 82 years who being first duly sworn doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832. 

That he was enlisted in a company commanded by the following named officers Rolph Hillery Capt., Thomas Kirk Lieut, Charles Busey, Ensign, that he joined the Regiment at Frederick Town, Maryland, the place of his residence that said regiment was under the command of Col. Charles Betty, Lieut. Col. William Betty, Thomas Johnson Brigadier General, who was afterwards Governor of the State of Maryland. From Frederick Town he marched to Little York, in the State of Pennsylvania, from thence to Lancaster, thence to Philadelphia at which place they were
armed with Muskets from thence they marched to Trenton. Thence to Bashan Ridge where they went into winter quarters.
In March following he was detailed with a small party under Col Johnson or Col. Betty marched to Piscataway Bottom near New Brunswick where they were met by the enemy and a Skirmish took Place in which several
of the Americans were killed and others Wounded, among the latter he reccollets to have seen Capt. Thurston. Virginia officers carried from the field the Americans retreated to there quarters at Baskan Ridge from thence they marched to Frederick Town Maryland where he
Page 6

was discharged really by Col. Betty having served two months and twenty days he having entered the service on the 25 day of December 1776 and was discharged on the 15th of March following. 220

Sometime after the time not now recolected he again volunteered his services in a Company under the command of Capt Rolph Hillery, Lieut Elisha Bell, Ensign Joseph Madden. From Frederick Town the company was ordered to Baltimore but before there arrival there the order was countermanded and the company returned to Frederick Town where he continued in the service untill the close of the War. He was frequently engaged in guarding Prisoners and the Magazine. He was one of the guard who received the prisoners at Nolans Ferry after the surrender of Corn Wallis. He marched then to Frederick Town where he continued as a guard untill discharged. He did not receive a written discharge but was discharged orally by his Captain. The company to which he belonged was called The Select Company or minute men, ^He is confident he served in all over-two years. From Frederick County he moved to Monongalia County Virginia, thence to Harrison County Va where he now resides.

That he has no documentary evidence which go to from the above services nor does he know any living witness who can testify to the fact. He is known to Thomas Knots, Jesse Martin, Benjamin Brice Esq, and various other gentlemen residing in his neighborhood to whom reference may be had. He hereby relinquishes every claim 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 the day and year aforesaid.

Elisha Griffith

We Thomas McKinly and Joseph J. Winters
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residing in the County of Harrison and state of Virginia do hereby certify that we have long known and are well acquainted with Elisha Griffith who hath subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration that we believe him to be eighty two 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.

Thos McKinly
J.J. Winters

And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter and after pulling the interrogatories prescribed [illegible] that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states, And they further state that it is their opinion that Thomas McKinly and Jos J Winters who have signed the above certificate are residents of the county of Harrison state of Virginia that they are credible persons and their statement is entitled to credit. They also state that in their opinion there is no clergyman at this time residing in the neighborhood of the applicant.

Jacob Coplin

I D David Davison Clerk of the court of Harrison County do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Elisha Griffith for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 2nd day of November 1832. D Davison - Clerk HC
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State of Virginia
Harrison County

Elisha Griffith personally appeared before me the subscriber one of the commonwealth's Justices of the peace for the county + State aforesaid who being sworn saith that in consequence of age and loss of memory together with the great length of time which has elapsed since he was a solider in the Revolutionary he is unable to [crossed out, say] state the time when he entered the service the Last time but he feels confident + verily believes that he did serve a period of more than two years

Given under our hands this 10 day of Dec.. 1832

Jacob Coplin J.P.
Page 9

Harrison County Virginia

The amended Declaration of Elisha Griffith who being sworn saith that he commenced his second tour of duty under Capt. Ralph Hillary in September 1779. Marched in the direction of Baltimore as stated in his former declaration returnd to Frederick Town and was discharged having served six months. IN April following he volunteered again in same company was commanded by same officer was stationed at Frederick Town and employed in guarding the Magazine and the prisoners at said place for the term of six months. In the Spring of 1781 he volunteered again was commanded by same officers and stationed at Frederick Town and employed as before mentioned and was discharged at the expiration of six months.

In the Spring of 1782 he again volunteered under the command of the aforesaid Capt. Hillory was stationed at Frederick Town and employed as before mentioned until the surrender of Cornwallis. Was one of the guards to receive the prisoners at Noland's Ferry. Marched with them to Frederick Town where he continued to guard them until the close of the war. In the several tours above mentioned he was first sergeant in Capt. Hillory's company and performed the duties of said office which he forgot to mention in his former declaration. He further states that the officers under whom he served were duly commissioned and regularly called into service and that he was not engaged in any civil pursuit during the period above mentioned. He further states that he was born in the county of Frederick and State of Maryland. That he has no record of his age. Sworn and subscribed to before me this 14th Aug 1833

Elisha Griffith

Joseph Johnson JP
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Harrison County Virginia

We the undersigned do hereby certify that our residence is in the same neighborhood with Elisha Griffith the within named applicant that we have been acquainted with him for years that we beleive him to be a man of strict truth and veracity that we have at all times understood as well before as since the passage of the act of 1832 that he was a soldier of the revolutionary war. We further state that he is in indigent circumstances and needs the aid of his country.

Sept 30th 1833

John Christer
Thomas Geroth
Joshua Martin
Jonathan C  McGee
Asa Davis

Harrison County
State of Virginia

On this 4thd day of December 1833 personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid. Elisah Griffith who being first sworn deposeth and saith that Frederick Town was not his place of actual residence as appears in his first declaration by misunderstanding between himself and draftsman. His actual residence was about ten miles distant form said place in Frederick County, Md.

That in the three tours of sic months service and the fourth tour (which he is confident was more than six months) mentioned in his amended declaration his duties consisting chiefly in guarding prisoners and the magazine, he is unable to detail any incidents or circumstances attending them which are of public notoriety. The dates there given are from recollection only and by the lapse of time and the failure of memory he cannot be as precise as he could wish. In speaking of entering on his tourns of duty while he belonged to the select company he has usually called it Turning out or Volunteering. He remembers however that he felt himself bound to be ready on a short notice which notice was uniformly given when his services were required.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

Joseph Johnson JP
Page 11

Elisah Griffith Appl.
Harrison Cty
not enlisted
Rejected see
Singleton up
Page 12

Elisha Griffith--Applicant--

On the 17th July Griffith gave the following naration. Was born in Frederick Cty Maryland in the year 1750--

That on the 25th of December 1776 several battalions
of militia were raised in Frederick Town Md & marched to Philadelphia, thence to Trenton, and thence to Basking Ridge, [illegible] he was a soldier in the [illegible] battalion commanded
by Col. Charles Beatty.  Ralph Hillary was his captain and he himself orderly Sergeant-can't say whether the
battalion was volunteers or drafted-nor can he [illegible] for
what length of time they were called into service.  They all
went and returned together.  They were gone two months 
[note in left margin: 2.20.] and twenty days.

About a year after the foregoing service a
company of volunteers sixty odd in number was raised
in Frederick Cty Md. for six months.  The same Ralph Hillary
was captain and himself orderly sergeant.  They were
called minute men it was their duty & such were there
orders to keep themselves ready to march at a moments
warning gun in order & three days provisions in the
knapsack.  We all remained at our respective homes on
one occasion the company was ordered to Balto. to repel
the British said to be there.  They set out on the march
but were very soon ordered back, was gone only 3 or 4 days.
The company was after this time full days guarded [illegible] prisoners
at Frederick town.  Don't know what prisoners they were nor
how many days they were in this service, but not many.

After the expiration of the last mentioned tour and
volunteered again under the same Captain for six
months.  The company went to Nolen's Ferry and
received Conrwallis' prisoners and guarded them to
Frederick town.  Was in the service about one month 
and this ended his service.  Col. Johnson wrote his
declaration [illegible] him the same almost word for word.  He 
[illegible].  Made no contract with Johnson.  In testimony
that the foregoing statements contains the truth I hereto
subscribe my name. July 17, 1834.  Elisha Griffith
Witness 
N. Goff [illegible] Cty
[illegible]
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August 31, 1933
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

ELISHA GRIFFITH
S. 10192
BA-J/MMHF:MLB

Mrs. William T. Owens
Homeplace
Clarksburg, West Virginia

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you gave further
information by which to identify the record of Elisha Griffith,
whose Revolutionary War record you desire.

The data herein were obtained from pension claim, S. 10192,
based upon service of Elisha Griffith in the Revolutionary War.

Elisha Griffith was born in 1750 (day and month not shown)
in Frederick County, Maryland.  The names of his parents are not
stated.

While residing in Frederick County, Maryland, about ten
miles from Fredericktown, he belonged to Captain Ralph Hilleary's
Maryland company of "Select Militia"; he served on various tours
from December 25, 1776, until the close of the war, as orderly
sergeant and 1" sergeant in said company, a part of the time in
the regiments of Colonels Charles Beatty and Baker Johnston; he
was in the battles of Basking Ridge and Piscataway, and during
the period of his service he was frequently stationed at Freder
icktown, Maryland, in Captain Ralph Hilleary's company, guarding
prisoners and magazines; was one of a guard to receive the
prisoners at Noland's Ferry after the surrender of Cornwallis
and marched them to Fredericktown.  He was in active service more
than two years.

The soldier moved from Frederick County, Maryland to
Monongalia County, Virginia, thence to Harrison County, Virginia.

Elisha Griffith was allowed pension on his application
executed August 22, 1832, at which time he was a resident of
Harrison County, Virginia.

Heirs of this soldier were referred to in October, 1843,
relationship not shown.  It is not stated whether the soldier
Page 14

was ever married.

In order to obtain date of last payment of pension, the
name and address of the person paid and possibly the date of
soldier's death, you should write to the Comptroller General,
General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing
the following data: Elisha Griffith, Certificate 30326,
issued January 14, 1836, rate $103.33 per annum, commenced
March 4, 1831, Act June 7, 1832, Virginia Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Assistant to Administrator
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25 Nov. 1843
N. Goff
Page 16

300

Pension Office
Nov. 25th 1843.

Sir,

In answer to your letter of the 20th inst.
I have to inform you that the Pension Agent at
Wheeling has this day been instructed to pay the amount
due Elisha Griffith decd., whose vouchers are herewith
returned.

I am &c

Nathan Goff Esqr.
Clarksburg
Virginia
Page 17

Envelope with note

[Note written vertically in left margin:]
Nov 25 43
Mr. Evans
[illegible mail stamp]

J L. Edwards Esqr
Comms of Pensions
City of Washington
Page 18

Clarksburg
Nov 20 1843

J  L Edwards
Comms of Pensions,

Sir, Some time a
bout the 1st of October, I
inclosed to you a power of 
atto given by the heirs of Elisha
Griffith [illegible] pensioner, for the
amt due from his [illegible] decreed
untill his death, and also
inclosed his pension Certificate,
I have not received
an [illegible] of them.

Have you received
them or not, please
inform me.

Very Respectfully 
Your Obt. Svt.
Nathan Goff
Page 19

Envelope with note

[Note written vertically in left margin:]
ls
10 Oct 1843
[illegible mail stamp]
[illegible]
Elisha Griffiths Heirs
for answer
Mr Evans

Free

J L. Edwards Esqr
Coms. of Pensions
City of Washington
Page 20

Clarksburg
Oct 4th 1843

J L Edwards, }
Coms. of Pensions }

I inclose you
a power of atto given by the
heirs of Elisha Griffith
[illegible] pensionser,
will you be
so good as to have it
accepted by the proper officer
[illegible] since [remainder of this
sentence is illegible]

I also inclose the
pension Certificate.

Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Svt.

Nathan Goff
Page 21

Pension Agency
[begin bold and italics]North Western Bank of Virginia,[end bold]Wheeling,[end italics] Oct 9, [begin italics]183[end italics]9

[begin italics:  Dear Sir:

I enclose[end italics] herewith for your
inspection vouchers of Jno J Waldo, Jona Humphreys,
Jona Huges and Elisha Griffith, pensioners, act
7 June 1832.

Respectfully

Archd Woods
P.A.
J Steen Browne

J. L. Edwards Esq
Comr. of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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Envelope with notes

[Written vertically in left margin:]
Bridgeport Va
July 26
___________
July 30
Mr Evans

Free 
[illegible]

J. L. Edwards, Esqr.
Pension Office
Washington City
D.C.
Page 23

Bridgeport Va. 25th July 1834

Sir

Please direct the Agent at
Wheeling to pay the within and return
the power of attorney to me at this place.

Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.

J. L. Edwards  John Johnson
Page 24

31 July 1838
Hon J. Johnson
[illegible]

Record [number 47 encircled] Page 160
Page 25

War Department
Pension Office
31. July 1838.

Sir

I herewith return the papers
in the case of Elisha Griffith a
pensioner under the Act of the 7 June
1832. As the amount due is from the
4th September 1837 to the 4th [word Sept struck out] March
1838, no order from this office is re
quired for the payment.

I am &c
  
Hon Joseph Johnson
Bridgeport
Harrison County
Virginia
Page 26

C*O*P*Y

War Department
Pension Office
15th Decem. 1837

Sir:

The Pension Agent at Wheeling has this day been instructed to pay
the amount due Elisha Griffeth, a pensioner under the Act of the 7th June
1832.  The vouchers are herewith enclosed.

I am &c

Hon. J. Johnson
H.R.
Page 27

Land Office, Annapolis, January 4th 1836

I hereby certify that it appears by an Enrolment [word of struck out]
remaining in this office of "Captain Ralph Hilleary's Company, Select Militia, dated 26th July 1781,"  That the name of Elisha Griffith appears upon the roll of said company to have been appointed the first Sergeant, and
to have served in the Select Militia.

George G. Brewer
Regr. Land Office W. S.
[illegible]

[Math calculation]
.5
1
1.5
____
2.20
Page 28

Bridgeport, VA
June 17

Va
[illegible] proof
Elisha Griffith

War Department
Care of J.L. Edwards 
Washington City
D.Ca

Free

Elisah Griffith
Additional
Pa

Papers and to [illegible]
Aug 22
Page 29

Bridgeport Harrison County Va
June the 16th 1834

Sir

Mr. Elisah Griffith, an applicant from the county for a pension whose declaration was suspended for want of proof as appear from your letter to Mr J J Allen now in the possession of Mr Griffith, has recently found out the residence of Osburn Hillery, an important witness in his case whose affidavit I have procured and herewith transmit to you at the request of Mr. Griffith. Osburn Hillery the above named witness is the brother of Capt. Ralph Hillery mentioned in the enclosed affidavit under whom Griffith served.

Your attention to this application is now earnestly solicited as we presume that this affidavit contains the testimony necessary for the progression of his case.

I have the honor to be 
your obedient servant 

J S Horner
Page 30

Fayette County
Pennsylvania

Before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Fayette County Pennsylvania personally came Osburn Hillery and being sworn according to law, deposeth and saith that he is now seventy four years of age that he was a soldier in the revolutionary army and commanded by Col. Baker Johnston of the Maryland line and that he knew Elisha Griffith or Griffin a resident of the county of Frederick that in the time of the revolution he knew the said Griffith or Griffin to be a sergeant in Captain Ralph Hillery's company of the aforesaid regiment commanded by Col. Johnston - that it was the same year of the Battle of Trenton that deponent and said Griffith or Griffin was in the Battle of Cascon Ridge in New Jersey - at the said Battle of Col JOhnsont and Col Charles Bettes or Betts were - with their regiments and that during battle of Bascon Ridge a Captain of the Virginia Line was wounded in the right arm - and further deponent saith that Elisha Griffith or Griffin after his return to Frederick Town Maryland was under the command of Capt. Hillery and was one of the guards at the magazine at Frederick Town - that he was in the service until after the surrender of Cornwallis that said Griffith or Griffin marched under Capt. Hillery to Nowland's Ferry and returned with the prisoners to Frederick Town assisted to guard them at Frederick town and further saith not.

Osburn Hillery
His X Marck

Sworn and subscribed the 12th day of June 1834 before me - Thos Williams - JP

Fayette County

I do hereby certify that the above named Osbourne Hillery is a credible witness in whose testimony full credit may be placed given under my hand the 12th day of June 1834.

Thos Williams
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State of Pennsylvania
Fayette County

I Richard Beeson clerk of the court of Fayette County certify that Thos Williams Esq is a magistrate as within that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said county at Union Town the 13th June AD 1834

Richd Beeson
Clerk
Page 32

[Receipt Stamp - July 18 1933 - Vet Adm]
[Letterhead]
Mrs. William T. Owens
Homeplace
Clarksburg W. Va.

Clarksburg W. Va.

Veterans Administration:

Sir!

To give very little information I am able concerning Elisha Griffith, he was a bachelor and lived with the McIntyre family near here and died here and was buried in their family plot.  The grave was never marked and no information here is available.  The DAR are anxious to mark the grave.  The tablet is ordered and we are awaiting data from your department hoping to obtain the year of his birth and death and promptness would be much appreciated.

Your
(Mrs. Wm. T) Nellie M. Owens
Page 33

In reply refer to 
BA-J/MLB

Mrs. William T. Owens
Homeplace
Clarksburg, West Virginia

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter of June 28, in which you request information relative to Jacob Bigler and Elisha Griffith, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land made to the United States based upon military service of soldiers in that war.

A careful search of the records fails to show a claim for pension or bounty land on file on account of the service of Jacob Bigler.

In order to identify the record of the particular solder named Elisha Griffith in whom you are interested, should it be on file, as much as possible of the following data in regard to him should be furnished; approximate dates of birth and death, places of residence at enlistment and after service and given name of widow.

Please return these letters with your reply.

Very truly yours

A.D. Hiller
Assistance to Administrator

DATE STAMP - Received Jul 18 1933
Mail Sub Div
Page 34

[Letterhead]
Mrs. William T. Owens
Homeplace
Clarksburg W. Va.

Clarksburg W. Va.

June 28 -- 1933
U.S. Pension Bureau

Will you please send me the pension records of Jacob Bigler and Elisha Griffth, Revolutionary soldier.  Griffith is listed in the 1840 records I think.  Will you please send this information as speedily as possible and as we are awaiting this data to mark their graves.

(Mrs. W.T.) Nellie M. Owens
c/o 32 Arcade Bldg.
Clarksburg W.Va

Historian Daniel Davisson
Chapt. DAR
Page 35

10192
Rev. War
INVALID

File No. 10.192
Elisha Griffith
Sergt. Rev. War

Act:  June 7th 32
Index;  Vol. A, Page 151
Page 36

1933 Aug 31 - hist to Mrs. Wm. T. Owens - MMHB:MLB