Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 18844, Morgan Griffin, S.C.
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SERVICE    NUMBER
S.C.  
Griffin, Morgan 
S. 18844 
carded 

CONTENTS
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32.895
South Carolina
Morgan Griffin, of Richland dist in the State of S.C. who was a private in the company commanded by Captain ----- of the ----- commanded by ----- in the S.C line for two years

Inscribed on the Roll of Charleston 
at the rate of 80 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 + ending 27 March 1837

Certificate of Pension issued 28th day of June, 
1837 and sent to 
James A. Black
Columbia S.C.

Arrears to the 4th of 

Semi-annual allowance ending 

Revolutionary Claim
Act June 7, 1832

Recorded by HR Weightman Clerk
E Vol. 6, Page 68
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"To the Hon. The President and members of the Senate of the State of South Carolina.  The humble petition 
of Morgan Griffin showeth that your petitioner voluntarily enlisted as [??] in the revolution for three years in the third Regiment of Rangers commanded by Col. William Thomson and in Captain Littles Company -- was made prisoner by the British on Sullivain Island at the fall of Charleston -- his time was expired before his captivity -- that your petitioner obtained an honorable discharge, for which services your petitioner rec'd only four months pay -- he humbly petitions your Hon body to take his deplorable situation into consideration and grant him his arrearages of pay, and further prays your hon'le body to place him on the pension list under such circumstances you may deem just and proper (signed) Morgan Griffin"

"Columbia Nov. 25th 1819."

"The Committee on Pensions to whom was referred the petitions of Mesheck Rozar James Hamilton 
and Morgan Griffin praying to be placed 
on the Pension list Report that your 
Committee have had the under 
their consideration the petitions here referred to 
and are of opinion they ought to be granted 
& recommend that Mesheck Rozar James 
Hamilton and Morgan Griffin be placed on 
the list as pensioners (signed) John A Dain

In the Senate Dec. 3rd 1819 Resolved that this House do agree to the Report -- ordered that it be sent to the Ho. Rep. for concurrence 
By order of the Senate
(signed) Wm. D. Martin C.S.

In the House of Representatives"
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Dec 17 1819 Resolved that the House do concur
with this [?????] the foregoing Report ordd
that it be returned to the Senate
By Order of the Senate
(signed) R. Anderson
C.H.R.

Office of Clerk of Senate
Columbia S.C. April 2d 1830
I do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy from the original papers & documents
in this office.
For Clerk of Senate
John T. Goodyear
Reading Clerk of Senate
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M37768
Morgan Griffin
SC
at 7 June 1832
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State of South Carolina
Richland District
SS

On this twenty second day of 
November in the year of Our Lord One Thousand 
Eight hundred and forty nine personally appeared 
in open Court before the Court of Ordinary, now sitting, Martha Coow aged fifty five years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832: That she is the daughter and heir at law of Morgan Griffin deceased who entered the 
service of the United States under the following named officer and served as herein stated: That said Morgan Griffin was a regular, Continental, soldier: That he enlisted 
under Colonel William Thomson in the third Regiment 
of South Carolina on the Continental Establishment
in the company commanded by Captain George Liddell 
and probably a part of the time in Captain Richard Brown's Company in said Regiment - That Said Morgan Griffin deceased was engaged in several of the most important 
battles in South Carolina during the War of the Revolution, That among said battles were those of Savannah, Georgia, Stono, Monk's Corner, Cowpens, and Eutaw Springs in South Carolina. That he was also in Charleston; That he was taken a prisoner at the battle of Sullivan's Island; was discharged, having been in said Continental Regiment three years - The above battles, this Declarant recollects having heard her father, said Morgan Griffin, dec'd, speak of being in - That as to the particular counties, through which he passed this Declarant cannot speak certainly; That she recollects hearing him say that he served seven years in said war. That he served out his time and was discharged but this Declarant cannot now produce said Discharge. That her father the aforesaid Morgan Griffin dec'd was wounded
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in said war seven times & had lead in his body when he died; that he left no widow this Declarant's mother having died upward of forty years ago & said father Morgan Griffin dec'd never afterwards married: That in the year 1819 said Morgan Griffin was pensioned by the Legislature of South Carolina which he continued to receive and died March twenty Eighth day Eighteen Eighteen hundred and thirty seven: That he was almost entirely disabled from getting a subsistence, otherwise than by said pension, for the last Eighteen months of his life: That from the earliest recollection of this Declarant said Morgan Griffin dec'd had lived in Richland District South Carolina where he died: That this Declarant relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that the name of said Morgan Griffin dec'd is not on the Pension Roll of any state except only as above stated. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Before me
James S. Guignard
Judge of Court of Ordinary

Martha Coon X her mark

And the said court doth hereby certify that the most satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to this court upon the affidavits of William Higgins and Jacob Higgins respectable and credible citizens of said District that Mrs. Martha Coon the Declarant above & a person whose statements upon oath are due full faith and credit, and that said Morgan Griffin dec'd bore the reputation among his neighbors of having been a good soldier of the Revolution and that he died on the day and year above set forth.
Given under my hand and seal of Office at Columbia South Carolina
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the day and year aforesaid
James S. Guignard
Judge of Court of 
Ordinary Richland Dist.
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(Copy)
To His Hon the President and members of the Senate of the State of South Carolina
The humble petition of Morgan Griffin in (????)
that your petitioner voluntarily enlisted as a in the revolution for three years in the third Regiment of Rangers Commanded by Col. William Thomson and in Captain Littles Copmany - was made prisoner by the British on Sullivan's Island at the fall of Charleston - his time was expired before his Captivity - that your petitioner obtained an Hon'le discharge - for which services your petitioner rec'd only four months pay - he humbly petitions your Hon'le body to take his deporable situation into consideration and grant him his arrearage of pay and further prays your hon'le body to place him on the pension list under such circumstances you may seem just and proper.
Columbia Nov 25th 1819. (signed, Morgan Griffin
The committee on Pensions to whom was refered this Petition of Mesheck Rozar, James Hamilton and Morgan Griffin, praying to be placed on the Pension list Report. That your Committee have had under their con-sideration the petitions here refered to and are of opinion they ought to be granted and recommended that Mesheck Rozar, James Hamilton and Morgan Griffin be placed on the list as pensioners
(signed) John N. Davis
In the Senate Dec. 3rd 1819
Resolved that this House do agree to the Report ordered that it be read to the Ho. Rep for concurrence By order of the senate
(signed) Wm. D. Martin CS
In the House of Representatives
Dec 17 1819 Resolved that
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the House do concur with the Senate in the foregoing Report and ordd. that it be returned to the Senate. By order of the Senate
(signed) R Anderson C.H.R.

Office of the Clerk of the Senate
Columbia So. Ca.
May 24th 1837.
I do hereby certify the foregoing to be a true copy taken from the Papers Records & Documents on file in this Office in the matter of the application of Morgan Griffin for a pension.
For Clerk of Senate
Tho. Johns
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Columbia S.C.
2d. April 1850.

Sir,
In compliance with the demand made in your Report of the 26th [???] I now enclose the official copy of the Documents in the application of Morgan Griffin to the State of South Carolina, which I hope, you will find satisfactory. The truth is I do not know of one of his Comrades alive. As he lived, however, at the time of his application & during life in Richland District, near the Capitol of the state, maintaining the reputation of a good soldier of the revolution, known to have been a wounded man, and as the Treasury Officer certify that he was paid up till March 1837 the time of paying such pensions, and the Judge of Ordinary certifies as to the particular day of his death (28th March 1837), & that Mrs Coon is his daughter, I have confidence that the truth necessary in every particular, remaining through the whole, will be evident and the claim at once adjusted - With thanks for your promptness 
I have the honor to remain,
Your obt. sevt.
James A Black
for Mrs Coon

Col. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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37728
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Columbia So. Ca
29th Decr. 1849 -

Sir,
Please find Mrs. Martha Coon's Declaration under Act 7th June 1832 as the heir of Morgan Griffin decd. As he was a Contl. soldier reference is requested to your Rolls fully to proove his said service - If this is not a just claim then never was one as this noble old patriot died with the lead in his body received while in actual service during the bloody struggle for liberty. Ought not the fact of disability so many years before his death to increase the pension?

Very respectfully
Your obt. sevt.
James A Black
for Martha Coon

Col. J. L. Edwards
Commr. of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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Columbia S.C. 12 Sep. '50

Sir,
On 2d Apl. last in compliance with your report on the claim of Martha Coon heir of Morgan Griffin decd. under Act 1832, I forwarded you a certified copy of the papers in the application of said Griffin to the Legislature of this State in 1819. Surely this sufficiently identified claimant's father & it was fully proved as you may see by reference to Judge of Ordinary's certificate among the paper already sent that said Martha Coon was his only child. The date of his death is corroborated by certificate of State Treasurer here showing that up to March 1837, he was paid his pension - Suppose you that for 18 years living in the Dist in which the Capital of the state is situated he could have been drawing a pension & yet undeserving it - If ever you passed a just claim this is one - The reason that he did not apply to U.S. under act '32 is evident because he was in recpt. of a pension here & which was more convienient to recieve here & - & ignorance of how to proceed - Besides about 1832 there was a feeling in this state not to be in the least dependent on Genl. Government, & it was aggravated by the state's refusing
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to receive a part of the surplus Revenue - This explains matters & the old protest of "why did he not present his claim sooner" is banished by stating said facts - This claim has been fairly & honestly put & proven & I await your further action, wishing to close this matter soon -

I am
Very respectfully
Yr obt. sevt.
James A. Black
for Martha Coon

To
Commr. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
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Columbia S.C.
5 July 1851

Sir,
The last report of the Commissioner of Pensions in the claim of Martha Coon heir of Morgan Griffin under Act June 1832 required further proof of identity - I now enclose the official copy of Gideon Griffin's application & proofs for a pension from this state in 1826 & by which it will appear that his brother Morgan Griffin swears before a Justice of the Quorum of Richland District (the one in which he lived & died as alleged) that "he served with him during the period of his enlistments viz three years" - All of the affidavits were taken in Richland & all of the deponents lived here - Wm. Taylor you know drew a pension from U.S. - Gideon Griffins claim was paid last year & Morgan Griffin's is equally well supported and should now be paid - You acknowledge that "his name is found upon the Muster Roll of the South Carolina Continental Line" - The papers (an official copy of them) upon which Morgan Griffin was granted a pension by the S.C. Legislature have been forwarded
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you It (the application) was made in 1819 and the truth is Griffin being a poor man & a wounded soldier should have in his lifetime, drawn under Act 18 March 1818, but as this state paid him & he was ignorant he did not get the $96 per annum, clearly due him under that as well as the property Act of 1820, in my opinion - & if it is, or was a vested right proof as strong as proof of any truth can be, could be produced which would show it. If such right was vested under said act please inform me as the surviving child, the present claimant Mrs. Martha Coon, is poor, & the father in his latter years was no inconsiderable charge. You have by the Certificate of Treasury of this State proof of when the last payment was made to Morgan Griffin by this state viz March 1837, & by the certificate of the Judge of the Court of Ordinary You have the date of his death & the fact that Martha Coon is his heir - What more is necessary? Please recur, & let me have you decision.

I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Your obt. sevt.
James A Black
for Martha Coon

To Commr. of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.
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State of South Carolina
District of Richland } Personally appeared before me a Magistrate in and for said District John  McLauchlin a resident of said District and being duly sworn saith That he was as well acquainted with Morgan Griffin deceased in his lifetime & that said Griffin lived in said District and within sight of this Deponent's residence; That said Morgan Griffin decd was on the Pension List and that the last payment of his pension for which, he was, from bodily infirmity taken in a wagon to the Town of Columbia, is a matter of positive certainty in this Deponent's recollection as having been not more than three weeks before his death, which event took place about the 27th day of March 1837 to the best of this Deponent's recollection, & of which year he has but little doubt, & of which month & the length of time before his death that he was taken to Columbia as aforesaid, deponent hath no doubt being fully satisfied & certain of the above statement as to the same. That Mrs. Martha Coon is reputed & believed to be the daughter of said Morgan Griffin decd and that this Deponent is in no way interested in what she may recover from the United States for the Revolutionary service of her said father. Sworn to and subscribed before me this fifth day of March 1851
John M Lauchlin 
A Fitch Magst
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State of South Carolina
Richland District } Personally appeared Wm. D. Morris and S R Bolton who being duly sworn say that the are acquainted with John 
McLauchlin who has testified within & that he is well worthy of credit in such statements - 
W. D. Morris
S. R. Bolton
Sworn to and subscribed this 5th March 1851 before me
A Fitch 
Magistrate

The State of South Carolina
Richland District } I James S. Guignard Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas & General Sessions in and for the District aforesaid do hereby Certify that A Fitch Esqr. who hath attested the above affidavit was at the time of the date thereof and is now one of the acting Magistrates of the District of Richland that all due faith and Credit is and ought to be given to his Acts as such and that his Signature is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of the said Court Columbia this Seventh day of April Anno Domini 1851 -
James S Guignard
Clerk Court Common Please & Sessions
Richland District
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Columbia S.C.
Apl 7th 1851

Sir,

The claim of Mrs. Martha Coon a daughter of Morgan Griffin act 7 June 1832

I now enclose the testimony of Mr. Jno McLaughlin showing that he died in about 3 weeks after the last payment of his pension for which he was taken in a wagon to Columbia -- that he lived in sight of Deponent's residence &c. & that Mrs. Coon is his daughter.  This with the Treasurer's certificate showing when the last payment was made to him (in March 1837) fixes the time of his death; and if it also be considered that his own brother Gideon Griffin's applications to the State Legislature have been officially certified by copies, I cannot see why the claim should be longer delayed.  You have them all.

I am very respectfully yr obt. ser't.
James A Black
for Mrs. Coon

To Commr. Pensions
Washington, D.C.
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Columbia So. C.
May 24th 1851

Sir,

I was surprised to learn by your Report of 19th [???] that a copy of the application of Morgan Griffin to our State Legislature for a pension had not been forwarded by me.  I certainly had a copy prepared and from Certain memoranda I have it would seem that a copy thereof was forwarded your office 20 Apl 1850, more than one year ago.  I now enclose another copy & hope that no more delay than is necessary for justice may take place.

I am very respectfully yr obt ser't
James A Black
for Mrs. Coon
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Treasury Office
Columbia S.C.
Dec. 22d 1869

This is to certify that upon examination of the Books of the Office it appears that the last payment of pension to Morgan Griffin was made up till March 1837.

For Treasurer
by
Thomas Fream
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S Carolina
Morgan Griffin, dcd
who was a private
in the S. Carolina Line

Ad Act June 7. 1832,
2 years private
$80 per Ann

[????] March 4. 1831
&
endMarch 27. 1837
when he died.

Payable to Martha Coon.
only child &c.

To James A. Black
Columbia,
S.C.
Page 24

Sir
I ha examined the affit. [rest of paragraph illegible]
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Columbia S.C.
June 20th 1851.

Sir,
Be pleased to inform me whether you recieved the official copy of Morgan Griffin's application to South Carolina for a pension lately sent you - This claim Act 7th June 1832 has been a long time on hands and the daughter Mrs. Coon very poor & ill able to pay additional expenses for copies &c.
Your early compliance will oblige
Your very obt. sevt
James A Black
for Mrs. Martha Coon

Hon. J. E. Heath
Commr. Pensions
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P 18844
INVALID.

File No. 18,844
Morgan Griffin
Pri Rev War

Act: June 7" 32
Index:-Vol. I , Page 443
[Arrangement of 1870.]
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No 37728
Morgan Griffin dd.
S.C.
Letter James A. Black 26 Mar 1850
Let to Do. 21 Sep 50 Charleston SC
Same 19 May 1851
Let to same Augt 29/57.

Act 7 June 1832