Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,248, Lewis Griffin, Va.
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Va.          Griffin, Lewis.      S. 21,248
                                             Carded
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West Tennessee 29,775
Lewis Griffin
Of Madison Co. in the State of Tennessee 
who was a Private in the company command
by Captain Culverson of the Regt. command
by Cd. Brown in the Virginia 
Line for 6 months

Inscribed on the Roll of West Tennessee 
At the rate of 20 Dollars -cents per annual
to commence in the 4th day of March, 1834

Certificate of Pension issued the 23rd day of Feb. 1835 and sent to How. Mr. C. Dunlap H.R.

Arrears to the 4th of Sept.’34.                     70.00
Promised allowance ending March’35.        10.00
                                                                      $80.00
                                               Revolutionary Claim,
                                               Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by D. Brown.                              Clerk
Book E2.      Vol.   7.       Page.   91
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26.599
Lewis Griffin
Application for
Pension
A-1780 R
G~
H20.
E

To Wm C Dunlap
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Declaration of Lewis Griffin
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress the 7th of June 1832
   On this sixth day of August 1833 personally offered before the County Court for the County of Madison in the State of Tennessee presiding James S. Lyon, James H. Rogers, and John B. Cross, Justices, Lew Griffin is a resident of said county, aged seventy 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 provisions made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he was born on the 6th of October 1763 in Winchester County (Tennessee crossed out) Virginia not far from the Potomac river, and when quite small moved with his father Richard Griffin to Halifax county Virginia where he lived at the breaking out of the Revolutionary war. He has no registration of his birth that he can now refer to, it was recorded by his father in a book kept for that purpose, and has always understood from his father and mother that he was born on the day above stated, He is unable to read or write what has become of the record he is not able to state, as he left that part of the Country and moved to North Carolina where he lived at the time his father died and has never been to Virginia Since his death the book may be in the possession of some of the family residing with or near his father at the time of his death, and being a matter this declarant felt no interest about, he has never made any inquiry about it. In the fall of 1780, about the month of September, he had gone with one of his neighbours (sic) with some tobacco to Peterburgh, where he met with his brother Griffin, Griffeth, who was a Soldier in the Continental Service, and stationed at Peterburgh under
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the Command of Col Brown. This declarant was persuaded by his brother to enlist in the Service with him, which he did for eighteen months service. This declarant was told, that all the Service that would ever be required of him, would  be, to remain at Petersburgh to guard the public magazines and horses. At the time of his enlistment there was but twelve Soldiers ^at Petersburgh including this declarant and his brother, and he recollects of no other officer except Col Brown, who had been pressing horses for the public Service. At the time of his enlistment, this declarant received from Col. Brown an obligation on the State of Virginia for one thousand weight of Tobacco as his bounty, (but which he never received).  This declarant does not know certainly whether his name was enrolled Griffin or Griffith. His father called and wrote his name Griffin, but always said the proper name was Griffith, and some of his Connexions (sic) write their names Griffith. This declarants father married his cousin, and their first Son, was called Griffin Griffeth, the brother of his declarant before alluded to. This statement is made to explain the seeming inconsistency of the surnames of this declarant and his brother, being different - In the winter following this declarant was ordered to Chesterfield Court house the quarters of General Steuben a frenchman, where all the guards stationed in the neighbouring towns were order to rendezvous, with the view of forming a regiment to be march to reinforce Genl Green in North Carolina. At Chesterfield court house the regiment was formed and this declaration was placed in the company, commanded by Captain John Culverson, or Culberson (not being able to read or write this declarant cannot state how officers spelled their names,) and the regiment
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was placed under the Command of Col. Campbell and our Lieutenant was the Son of Col. Capbell, (sic) their first names he cannot recollect. He remained at Steubens, or Chesterfield courthouse one day, whenever we drew our clothing and arms. He does not recollect the abo. of the regiment, the uniform was blue turned up with red and was called in camp The Regiment of "Hell-fired-blues" of the Virginia line. The Regiment was marched to Peterburgh and Genl. Steuben accompanied us that far, and returned. We were then marched directly to joined Genl Green and crossed Dorn river at its junction with the Roanoke and joined Genl Green early in March, at a place called the High-Zack ford of Haw river, and Genl Hugen or Higee, commanded that Virginia continentals and our regiment - On the 14th of March the Army moved to Giltford Court House, and the British army was at a quaker meeting house called center meeting house a farm miles distant, on the next day the battle commenced between the advance of American and British armies, and our line of battle was formed, the first line composed of the North Carolina militia.  The Second line of Virginia Militia and the rest of the Continental troops, and Col. Washingtons horse in the rear. The North Carolina militia fled at the onset the Virginia Militia stood their ground and fought manfully, and he was ordered up to their assistance at this junction the battle became bloody, each party making obstinate stand - but we were about to be surrounded and were ordered to retreat. Genl Huger was wounded in the right hand in my view. I saw him with his sword in his hand raised above his head encouraging his men, when a shot penetrated his hand and his sword
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fell in his lap, which he caught up with his left, drew from his pocket a hankerchief (sic), tied up his hand, and moved on, not long after this occurrance he was ordered to retreat - The brother of this declarant before mentioned was also badly wounded in the thigh, We retreated that night about fifteen miles to Troublesome Ironworks, where we remained two days. and on the third day learning of the retreat of Cornwallis he commenced a pursuit, we returned to near Guiltford courthouse, and took the trail of the British army and pursued them in their zig-zag retreat, keeping no road for five or six days, as far as Ramseys mill on Deap river, here he came up with them at Breakfast. The British retreated across the river on a bridge made with fense (sic) rails, laid on the rock, the river being shoaly at this place. They left their breakfast on the fire, which we eat, a very acceptable thing as we had eat nothing for four days and nights.  There we halted, two or three days, or possibly longer, when we crossed the river and continued our march towards the British position at Camden - not far from this place. Col. Campbell gave me a parole to return to Guiltford Court house, where my brother was left wounded in the hospital - the old court house. I arrived there, in the last of June or first of July in very warm weather. There I continued waiting on my wounded brother and other sick until the month of October, when the Surgeon permitted me to take my brother home, and gave both of us an instrument of writing, I understood my brother being so badly wounded was discharged from any further service provided, he should not become a charge upon the United States, and the declarant was to remain with his brother until notified to repair to the army. Shortly after, we arrived home we heard of the
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Surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Little-York. after which this declarant was now called upon to perform any service. The paper writing given him by the Surgeon at Guildford Courthouse, was in his pocket book, which with his coat, was stolen from him, on his way from Guildford home. This declarant had about five years, in Halifax Pittsylvania and Henry Counties Virginia after the war. and then moved to North Carolina and lived about thirty years in Randolph County and then moved to Tennessee, Wilson county where he lived (the balance of crossed out) years since, except the last ten years, which he has lived in this county. He has no documentary evidence in his possession or knowledge by which he could prove the performance of his Services. nor does he know of any person living by whom he can prove the services, by an eye witness, except Col. Robert Weakley, who lived the last time heard from in Davidson County Tennessee a distance of one hundred and fifty miles from this, we were raised in the same neighborhood, and I recollect seeing him at the High-rack ford on Haw river the day after we joined Genl Green, and I also saw him after the battle of Guiltford - he belonged to the Virginia Militia, to the best of this declarants memory. The declarant was in active service including the time he waited at the Hospital thirteen months, and his term of enlistment was for eighteen months - Refers to William Harris and John Shaw who will state the ^character of this declarant and their belief of his services. He hereby relinquishes every claim ([illegible claim crossed out) 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 & subscribed in open court 6th August 1833
R McIver, clerk
        his
Lewis  X  Griffin
        mark
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And at the same time appeared William Harris and John Shaw. the first of whom is clergyman and both reside in the neighborhood of the said Lewis Griffin, who being sworn according to law, depose, that they have known the Said, Griffin for many years, Said Harris having known him for about thirty years and the Said Shaw for forty years last past - That the Said Griffin has always (remained crossed out) maintained the character of a man of truth and entitled to credit upon his oath, that he has always been reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the revolution in the neighborhood where he now resides, as also in North Carolina (& Virginia crossed out) where he resided before he came to this State - Wm Harris
John Shaw
Sworn to & subscribed in open court this 6th of Augt. 1833
Test: R McIver Clerk

And the Said Court do certify that the above named William Harris is a clergyman and that the Said John Shaw, and Said Harris are both citizens of Madison County & credible persons. And Said Court are of opinion after investigating the matter and putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War department (a response to which are embodied in the declaration) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary Soldier and served as he states.

James L. Lyon (seal)
I. L. H. Rogers (JP)
J. B. Cross (JP)
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I, Roderick McIver clerk of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for the County of Madison in the State of Tennessee do certify that the foregoing are the original proceedings of said court in the matter of Lewis Griffin, application for a pension.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Said Court, done at office in Jackson on this 6th day of August 1833.

R. McIver Clerk
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Revolution  
21248
INVALID

File No. 21, 248
Lewis Griffin
pri. Rev. War

Act: June 7, 32
Index: - Vol. 2, Page 160
[Arrangement of 1870]
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Lewis Griffin       Nov 18
Tenn
(postmark) JACKSON TEN NOV 6

J. L. Edwards Esq.
Com. of Pensions
Washington City

Hon. W. C. Dunlap
H. R. 
$2.00
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Jackson, Ten.^ee Nov. 5th 1834

Dear Sir-

Enclosed you have the application of Lewis Griffin for a pension under the act of 1832. This application was returned with the objection (which is also enclosed) that the applicants name not being on the roll, proof of service must be made by at least one witness. This proof now accompanies the application, being the evidence of Col. Robert Weakley of Davidson County, a man of high respectability, formerly a member of Congress, and for many years a member of the Legislature & lately a member of the Tennessee convention - 
You will observe the affidavit of Col.
Weakley is not appended to the declaration as required by the rule, because it has been obtained Since the declaration was made and certified. It clearly when taken in connexion (sic) with the declaration identifies the applicant - I observe in the "Statement" you have made from the declaration "showing the service of Lewis Griffin as Griffeth" you have under the head of "duration of claimants Service" "10 years" - this is a clear mistake he enlisted for eighteen months but was furloughed at the expiration of thirteen months, and never returned his service not being required after the Surrender of Cornwallis - this application was originally forwarded by me through the Hon. David Crocket the representative of this district and returned by him to me with the accompanying objections - Col Weakley is well known by Major Lewis and his deposition is in his own hand writing (pursuent crossed out) to which I have no doubt Major Lewis can testify
Yours - Sir
Jos. H. Talbott
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State of Tennessee}
Davidson County}  October 9th 1834, This day Robert Weakley a Citizen of said County aged seventy years personally appeared before me Wm. Armstrong an acting Justice of the peace in & for said County, and being duly sworn on the Holy Evangalist of Almighty God, deposeth and saith, that himself and Lewis Griffin or Griffith were raised in Halifax County and State of Virginia from he could remember, untill (sic) they were both subject to Military duty within less than two miles of each other, that said Griffin, or Griffith went in the Continental Service, about the year 1780 as this deponant (sic) believes, and in the month of March 1781 he saw said Griffin or Griffith in the Continental Service both before and after the Battle at Guilford court House, as he this said deponant, was in said Battle,
Sworn to & Subscribed before me
9th Oct 1834 in the City of Nashville
R. Weakley

Wm. Armstrong J.P. [illegible]
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State of Tennessee}
Davidson County}  Set

I. Henry Ewing clerk of the county court of said Davidson County hereby certify that William Armstrong is a magistrate as within and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine - 

In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 9th day of October 1834- Henry Ewing by John H. Ewin his Deputy

State of Tennessee Davidson County so I John Wright Presiding magistrate of the court of pleas and quarter Sessions hereby certify to whom it may concern that Henry Ewing whose name appears to the above certificate is now & was at the time of signing the same clerk of said court
Wigness my hand & seal this 9th October 1836
John Wright (seal circled)