Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 6,921, Zaddock Griffith, Md.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Md.

Griffith, Zaddock

NUMBER
S. 6,921
carded

CONTENTS
Page 2

[Two columns]
[Left column]

16,519
North Carolina
================
Zaddock Griffith
of Rowan in the State of N. Car
who was a Priv in the [blank] commanded
by Captain [blank] of the Regiment commanded
by Col. Beattie in the Md.
line for 21 months.
=================
Inscribed on the Roll of N. Carolina
at the rate of 70 Dollars [blank] Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
=================
Certificate of Pension issued the 28 day of Augt. 33
and sent to Samuel
Stilliman, Salisbury - No Car
=================
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 140
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept 35
$175.
====

{ Revolutionary Claim, }
{ Act June 7, 1832. }

Recorded by Nath. Rice Clerk,
Book E Vol. 6 Page 41

[Right column]
Dead
Letter to Pen Agt. 13 March 1845.
Page 3

Zaddock Griffiths
Declaration
19397
Page 4

State of North Carolina }
Rowan County }

On this 20th day of November 1832 personally appeared in open Court
before the Magistrates who are Judges of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
now setting for the County of Rowan; the same being a Court of Record
Zaddock Griffith a resident of said county aged 77 years who being first
duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declara
tion, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832
That he enlisted for six months in the army of the United States as well as
he recollects in the year 1776 in Frederick County Maryland where he then resided
in the company of Captain Marney and Lieutenant Bell, under Brigadier General Bell, that he marched to Winchester in Pensilvania; from thence to Philadelphia;
from thence to Trenton in New Jersey, then to New York & was there when the City
was vacated by the American Troops, from thence to York Island where there was
several skirmishes with the British troops and from thence marched to Harlem
Heights and was there in several other skirmishes with the British troops; that
he marched from thence to the White Planes and was in the Battle there [illegible]
returned back through the State of New Jersey & was descripted at the expiration of
six months at Philadelphia; that General Washington was commander in
chief of the American forces during the whole of this time.

That he was afterwards drafted as a common soldier in Frederick County Maryland in 
the company of Captain Winchester in the regiment of Colonel Charles Beattie in 
Washingtons army, that he joined the army under General Wayne at a place called the Red Lion in Pensilvania
and served the term of five months.

That he was again drafted as a common soldier and entered the company of
Captain Hillary in Frederick County & belonged to the Brigade of Genl Smallwood
and marched to Germantown Pensilvania and was in the Battle there as he believes
in the year 1777.  This tour continued as he believes, the term of five months [illegible]
as they were requested by General Washington on both of those terms to remain 
on duty in the army after their time expired, untill relieved by the other militia
who did not arrive at the time they were expected.

That he was afterwards drafted as a common soldier in Captain Hillarys &
Lieut. Griffiths company and marched to Newlands Ferry on the Potomac where
the malitia were assembled to guard the part of the prisoners captured at York
Town where Cornwallis surrendered; they marched from thence to Fredericktown
where he remained on duty as a guard about five months. [Note: 1781.82]

He refers to the certificate of his brother Chisholm Griffith of Franklin County
Page 5

State of Virginia hereto appended, as containing the only proof of his service
that he is able to procure; that he has no documentary evidence of his service
that he has no record of his age, but was born as he is informed in Frederick
County Maryland the 24th day of July 1750-that he removed to North Carolina
in the year 1792, staid about six years in [illegible] County & then removed to
Rowan County where he has resided ever since.

He hereby relinquishes every & all claims 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 to his knowledge having never applied for a pension before.

Sworn to and subscribed in open Court  Zadeck X his mark Griffith
the day and year aforesaid.

In the absence of any regular clergyman

We William Chunn and Able Graham residing in Rowan County do
hereby certify that we are all acquainted with Zadeck Griffith who has
signed and sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be 
seventy seven years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood
where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution & having confidence
in his veracity, we concur in that opinion.

Sworn to and subscribed in open court }  Wm Chunn
the day and year aforesaid } Able Graham


And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigation of the
matter, and after putting the interogatories presented by the War Department
that the above named applicant was a revolutionary solider and served as he
states.  And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that William
Chunn and Able Grahaham who have signed the preceeding certificate
are credible persons residing in Rowan County and the their statement
is entitled to full credit.

J. W. Walton Chairman
Page 6

I John Giles Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter sessions for Rowan County certify that the foregoing is the original proceeding of said Court in the matter of the application of Zadock Griffith for a pension and that Joseph W Walton Esq acted as chairman of said Court on the day the declaration bears data.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 4th day of December A.D. 1802.

Jno Giles - Clerk

The foregoing declaration and certificates having been returned by the War Department with objections: The said Zadock Griffith appeared before Thomas L Cowan an acting Justice of the peace of and for Rowan County State of North Carolina and on [illegible] offered the following explanation [illegible] of his Declaration. That he always served as a private soldier. That he served six months in the company of Captain Mann in the year 1776 in Washington's Army. That he served five months in the militia in Captain Winchester company in the winter of 1776-1777. That he served five months in Captain Hillary's company of militia in the summer and fall of the year 1777. That he again served five months in Captain Hillary's company of militia in the fall of the year 1781. That the only regular clergyman acquainted with him died and[illegible] before the sworn declaration.

Zadock Griffith
His X Mark

Sworn to and subscribed before me May 1 1833.
Tho L Cowan JP

I John Giles clerk of the court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Rowan County State of north Carolina do hereby certify that Thomas L Cowan Esq before whom the above amendment to the declaration of Zaddock Griffith appears to have been sworn to is an acting Justice of the Peace in County and that the foregoing signature purporting to [covered by seal]

SEAL

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 25th day of July A.D. 1833.

Tho Giles- Clerk
Page 7

Franklin County State of Virginia
This day Chisholom Griffith appeared before me a Justice of the Peace for the county aforesaid and made oath that during the revolutionary war he knows that his brother Zadock Griffith enlisted in the army in the later part of the year 1775 or in the early part of the year 1776 for a tour of six months under Captain Phillip Marona and Lieutenant Bell and marched from the county of Frederick state of Maryland he also knows that his brother Zadock Griffith now in the county of Rowan North Carolina served in 1776 and 1777 two tours of duty in the army commanded by General Washington that he was present at the battle of Germantown and that his brother Zadock Griffith was also there that General Smallwood commanded the brigade to which this deponent and his brother was attached in the said actions at Germantown that in the two tours he verily believes said Zadock Griffith served at least two months as General Washington requested the troops to stay or remain in service until the new [illegible] arrived. This deponent knows that his brother was again called out and marched to Nowlands Ferry where the militia received a part of the captured army
Page 8

of Cornwallis and marched them to Fredericktown where the militia of whom this deponent ws on as well as his brother guarded them thru the winter that this service took up near five months - This applicant saith that he is upwards of seventy three years of age and resides now in Franklin County Virginia to which place he has moved since the revolutionary war.

Chisholom Griffith
His X Mark

Franklin
This 2nd day of November 1833 the above Chisholom Griffith subscribed and made oath to the above affidavit before me a Justice of the Peace for the said County.

Moses Greer - Justice

Virginia Franklin County
I Caleb Tate clerk of the county Court of Franklin in the state aforesaid do hereby certify that Moses Greer whose name appears to the foregoing certificate is now and at the date thereof an acting Justice of the Peace in said county duly commissioned and qualified and that full faith and credit is due and ought to be given to all his official acts as such and that his said signature is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of the said court of office this 3rd day of November 1832 in the 57th of our foundation.
Caleb Tate Clerk

SEAL
Page 9

I moses Greer [illegible] an acting Justice of the Peace in and for Franklin County Virginia before whom Chisholom Griffith was sworn to the foregoing certificate do hereby certify that the said Chisholom Griffith is a credible person I believe of the age of 73 years living in the county aforesaid and state of Virginia and that his statement is entitled to credit.

Moses Greer - JP
Page 10

19397
Zaddock Griffith
NC

Admit as a private
21 months $70.00
5.11.14
Int 6.7
Sp Let.
April 9th 1833

p 327

Saml Ssilliman
Salisbury NC
Page 11

Brief in the case of Zaddock Griffith
County of Rowan in the state of North Carolina
(Act 7th June, 1832)

1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? [blank]
3. How old is he? 77
4. Sate his service as directed in the form annexed.

Period
enlisted in 1776
drafted
drafted 1777
drafted 1777

Duration of Service
6 months
5 months
5 months
about 5 months

Rank
Private during each duration of service

Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
Gen Wayne and Washington
Capt Marony, Gen Bell
Capt Winchester Col Chs Beattie
Capt Hillary and Gen Smallwood
Capt Hillary

5. In what battles was he engaged? Germantown
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Frederick Co MD
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary and living witnesses
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? correct

I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.

Chs W Forrest - Examining Clerk
Page 12

Rev and 1812 Wars Section

June 23, 1925

Mrs. Q.J. Scott
Cleveland, N.C.

Madam:

I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S.6921 it appears that Zadock or Zaddock Griffith was born July 24, 1755 in Frederick County, Maryland and lived there until 1792 when he moved to Iredell County, North Carolina.

He enlisted in 1776 and served six months as a private in Captain Phillip Maroney's Maryland Company; was in several skirmishes on York Island and at Harlem Heights and was at the battle of White Plains.

He enlisted again in 1776 and served five months as a private in Captain Winchester's Company, Colonel Charles Beattie's Maryland regiment.

He enlisted in the summer of 1777 and served five months as a private in Captain Hillary's Maryland company and was at the battle of Germantown.

He enlisted in the fall of 1781 and served five
Page 13

months as a private in Captain Hillary's Maryland company.

He was allowed a pension on his application executed November 20, 1833 while living in Rowan County, North Carolina.

It is not state whether he was ever married.

Respectfully,

Wilder S Metcalf
Commissioner
Page 14

March 6, 1924

Honorable Lee S. Overman
United States Senate

My dear Senator:

In response to your letter of the 4th instant and the enclosed letter of Mr. T. W. Griffith of Durham, North Carolina, I have the honor to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 6921 it appears that Zadock or Zaddock Griffith was born July 24, 1755 in Frederick County, Maryland and lived there until 1792 when he moved to Iradell County, North Carolina.

He enlisted in 1776 and served six months as a private in Captain Phillip Maroney's Maryland Company; was in several skirmishes on York Island and at Harlem Heights and was at the battle of White Plains.

He enlisted again in 1776 and served five months as a private in Captain Winchester's Company, Colonel Charles Beattie's Maryland Regiment.

He enlisted in the summer of 1777 and served five months as a private in Captain Hillary's Maryland Company
Page 15

pany and was at the battle of Germantown.

He enlisted in the fall of 1781 and served five months as a private in Captain Hillary's Maryland Company.

He was allowed pension on his application executed November 20, 1832 while living in Rowan County, North Carolina.

It is not stated that he ever married.

Sincerely

Commissioner

Bros - Chisholm in Rev
Date of Death not on
Page 16

16518
Zadock Griffith N.C.
Page 17

Pension Office
[illegible] Mar 8th 1845

J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir

Please search the payment of Zadock Griffith Act 1832. for 6 months 2 days [illegible] $3538

I am respectfully
your obedient servant

Jhn Huske
Page 18

Brief objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Zaddock Griffith which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides: YES
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? YES
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? BLANK
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? YES
V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? [# in left margin] NO
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? YES
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? YES
VIII. Has the court given their opinion? YES
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? YES
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? YES
Page 19

2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? NO

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? YES

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? WITNESS

XIV. +If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? BLANK
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? NO
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? YES

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation or of such an age as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? YES

XVI. ++Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? YES

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And if not, which of them is not so answered? 6.7.

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

[# in left margin]QUERE V. 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 appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, etc. 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 blank years blank months, and blank days, I served as a blank .For blank months and blank days I served as a blank and for such service I claim a pension.
Page 20

3

{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 service.  The use of the phrase [begin italics]about three or four months[end italics] is too in
{definite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.  Some persons who apply for pensions
{merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the
{officers, and other particulars respecting their service.  This form of a declaration is highly objection
{able.  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 em
{ployed in any civil pursuit.

+QUERE XIV. [begin italics] Proof of Service.[end italics]
{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 claimants 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 [begin underline]to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character[end underline] and signature of the magis
{trate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.

++QUERE XVI. [begin italics]Mode of authenticating papers.[end italics]
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 paper authenticated, the cer
tificate 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.

[right index finger pointing]In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of
office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the
certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Page 21

[Circular stamp
PENSION   Cleveland N.C.
S  April 21st 1925.
APR
U. 22 S.
1925
OFFICE]

Commissioner of Pensions.
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:

Have you on record
the name of the widow
of Ninon Steele a Revolutionary
Soldier from Rowan Cy N.C.
I find in old court records
Roman Cy N.C. that the
widow of Ninon Steele
Page 22

was recomended to the Gen.
Assembly for pension.

Then have you record of pension
of John Locke (or Lock) [note: S.41782 the only one of N.C.]
Rowan Cy. also a soldier
in Revolution.  If so would
be glad to get a copy of
same.

Then have you record of
one Zaddock Griffith of
same Cy?

Respectfully
Mrs Q. J. Scott, Cleveland N. C.
Page 23

6921
Rev War
INVALID.

File No. 6921
Zaddock Griffith
Priv Rev. War

Act: June 7th 1832
Index:-Vol. 1st,  Page 150

[ Arrangement of 1870. ]
Page 24

1924-Mch.6-Hist to Hon. Lee S. Over
man for T. W. Griffith-[illegible]
1925-June 13-Hist to Mrs Q. J. Scott-[illegible]
Page 25

[Letterhead of United States Senate, Committee on Appropriations]

FRANCIS E. WARREN, WYO., CHAIRMAN.
[Left column]
REED SMOOT, UTAH.
WESLEY L. JONES, WASH.
CHARLES CURTIS, KANS.
FREDERICK HALE, ME.
SELDEN P. SPENCER, MO.
LAWRENCE C. PHIPPS, COLO.
WILLIAM B. MCKINLEY, ILL.
IRVINE L. LENROOT, WIS.
HENRY W. KEYES, N.H.
[Right column]
LEE W. OVERMAN, N.C.
ROBERT L. OWEN, OKLA
WILLIAM J. HARRIS, GA.
CARTER CLASS, VA.
ANDRIEUS A. JONES, N. MEX.
________. ________
KENNNEDY P. REA, CLERK.

[begin bold and italics]United States Senate,[end bold and italics]
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS.

[Oval stamp
OFFICE OF 
THE COMMISSIONER
MAR 5 1924
U.S. BUREAU OF PENSIONS]

4 March 1924.

Hon. Washington Gardner,
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

My dear Sir:

I have an old friend and constituent, Mr. T. W.
Griffith of Durham, North Carolina who desires certain infor [note: Zadock Griffith of Rowan Co. N.C.]
mation in regard to his ancestry for his daughters who desire
to get their papers for joining the Daughters of the American
Revolution, and am enclosing herewith, for your information,
self-explanatory letter I have received from him.

I took this matter up with the StateDepartment
and the Adjutant General's office but they do not have a record
of what he wants, and I thought possibly it might be obtained
from your office.

I will appreciate it if you will have the matter
looked into and advise me, with the return of the enclosed
letter, what, if anything, your records show.

Thanking you for you attention to this matter,
I am

Very truly yours,

Lee S. Overman
U. S. S.

Encl.