Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,677, Seth Griffin, Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776)

Service: Mass

Griffin, Seth
Brown, Judith 
            Former Widow

Number: W. 23.677

Contents:
Page 2

Maine 1597
Judith Brown formerly widow of Seth Griffin
NY
who died on the 19th May 1800
of Cumberland in the State of Me. who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Worthley of the Regt commanded by _____ in the NY line for 6 months.

Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 20 Dollars ____Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
 
Certificate of Pension issued the 30th day of No[v] 1837 and Sent [illegible] Jno Anderson Portland M

Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1837            $130.00
Semi-annual allowance ending 4th Sept 10.00
                                                                 ______
                                                              $140.00
                                     Revolutionary Claim                                          
                                     Act July 4, 1836
                                     Section the 3 [illegible]
Recorded by D. D. Addison Clerk
Book A   Vol. 2    Page 2
Page 3

Letter to J. Anderson 24th [illegible] 1846

Same Person, Sep 11, 1846
New Certificate issued 30th Nov. 1866 & sent to Hon. John Anderson, Portland, Maine.
Page 4

State of Maine
County of Cumberland

On the second day of October in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty seven personally appeared before the Honorable Stephen Webb Junior one of the justices of the Court of County Commissioners in the said County Judith Brown a resident of Windham in the said County aged Eighty two years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, in her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress [illegible] July 4, 1836. That she was lawfully married to Seth Griffin who was a soldier in the Army of the Revolution, that he served six months at  Peakskill in New York in Capt. John Worthley's company raised in North North Yarmouth in said County of which company John Soule was Lieutenant  & Hosias Blanchard Ensign in the latter part of 1779& first of 1780, she believes from November 1779 to June 1780. 

She further declares that she was married to the said Seth Griffin on the fifteenth day of July in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred and seventy six that her husband, the aforesaid Seth Griffin died on the ninth day of May Eighteen hundred and eighteen [crossed out eighteen], that she afterwards married Jacob Brown who died at said North Yarmouth the last of February in the year eighteen hundred and twelve & that she has remained a widow ever since that period and was a widow on the 4 July 1836 as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto [illegible] - here sworn to and subscribed in the day and year above written before 
Stephen Webb Jr. {One of the justices of the Court of County Commissioners in the County of Cumberland}
 [Judith Brown signed with her mark]

I further certify that it is satisfactorily proved to me the said justice that the aforesaid Judith Brown was lawfully married to said Seth Griffin as in her declaration & further that said Griffin served and died as she has above stated, that she was subsequently married to Jacob Brown & that said Brown died in February 1812 & that she has ever since remained a widow and was a widow on the 4 July 1836. I further certify that by reason of age and sickness said Judith is unable to leave her house to attend court at the County Court House. [Illegible] testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand with the [illegible] of said Court the day & year above written an manner of words and eighteenth  made before court the day & year above written an manner of words.

signing Stephen Webb Jr. (One of the justices of this Court of County Commissioners for the County of Cumberland.
Page 5

I Peleg West of Free Port in the County of Cumberland and state of Maine on oath do testify and declare that I am eighty six years of age, that I was a soldier in the Revolutionary army. That I was acquainted with Seth Griffin late of near the by all accounts deceased and in the year of 1779 or 1780 I was drafted to serve six months as well as said Griffin and when the Company Marched I was not at home but went on to Pekeskill in New York State where I joined the company in which said Griffin had marched from North Yarmouth & said Pekeskill in, and said Griffin served his time of six months out in the Company under the Command of John Worthley of said north Yarmouth Captain John Soule Luitenant & Hosias B Cauchand Cusegin. The company that said Griffin & myself belonged to March from North Yarmouth & said Pekeskill the first of November and I marched to join them in December following, but the year I cannot be claim about as I thing it was 1779 or 1780 but I was as well as the rest of the company discharged at the end of six months service at said Peekskill New York State and had to get home as we could
Peleg West

Cumberland Fs July 15 1837
Personally appeared Peleg West and subscribed and made oath to the Truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me Richard Belcher Justice of the peace

Freeport July 15 1837 I hereby certify that the above named Peleg West the deponent is a person of truth & veracity

Richard Belcher Jus of the Peace
Page 6

Griffin & Mitchell}
Mr Seth Griffins & Miss Judith Mitchells both of this town intentions of Marriage entered June 29th 1776
R David Mitchell Town Clerk.
North Yarmouth October 7 1837} A true Copy of Record Attest Samuel Sweeton Town Clerk

1776 July 15 Were married Seth Griffin & Judith Mitchell both of this Town R David Mitchell Just. Pacis - recorded R David Mitchell Town Clerk - 
North Yarmouth October 7 1837} A true Copy of  Record Attest Samuel Sweeton Town Clerk.

I Samuel Sweeton on oath declare that I am Town Clerk of the Town of North Yarmouth & that the above contracts are truly scribed by me  from the Records of said Town in my possession.
Samuel Sweeton

Cumberland Oct 7th 1834.
Subscribed & sworn to by me - 
John Anderson
Just Peace
Page 7

I Jacob Mitchell of North Yarmouth in the County of Cumberland state of Maine aged seventy three years on oath testify & say that I was acquainted with Seth Griffin late of tain North Yarmouth [illegible] that he married one Judith Mitchell & was to the best of my recollection married by my father the late David Mitchell Esq at his house in said North Yarmouth. said Seth Griffin died about thirty years ago & his widow afterwards married Mr Jacob Brown & said Brown has been dead about twenty years & she has ever remained a widow
Jacob Mitchell

Cumberland fs Oct 7th 1839
Subscribed & sworn to before me 
John Anderson
Just Peace

I certify that the above named Jacob Mitchell Esq is a man of truth & veracity
John Anderson
Just Peace
Page 8

2799
Judith Brown
forty wid of Seth Griffin du
Me
Aond pri 6 ms $20 per anm com P 4th March 1837
Mass Mchtin
Capt. Worthley

Hon Pri Andrews
Portland
Me
Page 9

State of Maine
Cumberland SS:

I Charles Cobb, Clerk of all the Judicial courts in said county certify that Stephen Webb Jr. is a Justice of the Court of County Commissioners for said County being a Court of record, and that Richard Belcher, John Anderson and Joseph Stockbridge are Magistrates as appears within and that the several foregoing signatures purport in to be theirs are genuine.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of the court of common pleas this ninth day of October AD. 1839
Charles Cobb Clerk
Page 10

Jn - at Ru Syl.
Nov 29

FREE

Hon James L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington DC
Page 11

Portland Me 24 [illegible]

Sir,
If members of Congress trouble you as much as they did when I was in your Ctr, you will soon be obliged to denote all your time & their requests, & as I presented to you the case of one poor widow who is now very sick. I respectfully request the enumeration before the meeting of Congress, if, consistently with the rules of your Department, it can be done.
[illegible] is the declaration of Judith Brown, who was a widow on the 4th July 1836 & has been to war service, but who claims for the Revolutionary services of her said husband Seth Griffin. I believe the evidence is conclusive, & presume Griffin's name will be found in the Roll as described by the testimony and hope as there is but our term of service, it may not give you much trouble 
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully your Obb Ser
John Anderson

Aue Jas L Edwards
Court of Pensions 
Washington
Page 12

Mr Jacob Brown and William Judith Griffin both of Tunmer intent marriage}
entered and published as the Law Directs then 15th day of May 1807
Joseph Bonney Town Clerk

A True Copy of Record

Mrt Hira Bradford Town Clerk  June 21st 1807 Jacob Brown and Judith Griffin both of Tunmer were joined in marriage by Daniel Cary Justice of the Peace
Attest Joseph Banney Town Clerk
A True Copy of Record
Attest Hira Bradford Town Clerk
Page 13

Judith Brown, formerly widow of Seth Griffin
Act July 4, 1836,

Here a duplicate pension Certificate & send it to
Hn John Anderson
Portland
Maine
Page 14

STATE OF MAINE.
CUMBERLAND, SS...

I Charles Cobb Clerk of all the Judicial Courts in said County, certify that
John Webb and John Anderson, Esquires, are Magistrates
as appears by the paper hereto annexed; that they are duly qualified to act as such; that said Webb's Commission bears date January 26, 1841, and will expire Jany 26, 1848. Said Anderson's Commission bears date Dec. 11. 1841, and will expire Dec. 11. A.D. 1848.

and that the following signatures purporting to be theirs are genuine.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my Hand, and affixed the Seal of the Supreme Judicial Court for said State, this twenty first day of November Anno Domini 1846
Charles Cobb Clerk
Page 15

APPLICATION FOR A NEW CERTIFICATE.
County of Cumberland SS.
On this thirteenth day of August 1846, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Cumberland personally appeared Judith Brown who, on her oath, declares that she is the same person whose former husband Seth Griffin formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain whose name she has forgotten in the regiment commanded by Colonel whose name she has forgotten in the service of the United States; that her name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Maine that she received a certificate of the fact under the signature and seal of the Secretary of War; which certificate, on or about the fifteenth day of September 1845 at or near the pension office in Portland State of Maine was lastly her attorney William Hooker whom the [] draw his pension due Sept 1845. That she is now ninety one years old & is [] wholly unable to move.
Judith Brown
Her Mark  X

Sworn and subscribed to before me, the day and year aforesaid.}
John Webb
William Hooper
Judith Brown above named 
Cumberland to Personally appeared before me John Webb and on oath that the above [is statement] by him signed 
John Webb Justice of the Peace

NOTES.-- The last four blanks are left for the applicant to set forth the time, place, and manner of the loss or destruction of the original certificate.
The oath to be taken before a duly qualified magistrate, whose official character and signature must be properly authenticated.
If the pensioner has never received a formal certificate, but has drawn his pension on a mere notification as was the case in a few instances many years ago, he should leave out the above words in italics, and insert, in lieu thereof, "bus has never received a formal certificate, and now wishes to obtain one."
{The pensioner's oath must be supported by the evidence of another person as to identity. The person must swear that he well knows him to be the same person described in the above affidavit. The magistrate must certify that the deponent is a person of veracity. This oath must also be authenticated by the certificate of the proper officer, under his seal of office, setting forth that the officer before whom the affidavit may be made is a Justice of the Peace, Judge, or Notary Public, as the case may be.
When a person acting as an Agent or Attorney for a Pensioner, loses the certificate, the affidavit of that person is also required, which must be authenticated as above.
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 be sent with 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 which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or small 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.
No attention will be given to applications from persons who act as agents, unless they are known at the War Department or are vouched for as respectable persons by some one who is known to the Department.
Page 16

I William Hooper of Westham in the County of Cumberland State of Maine on oath declare that I was present on the 13th May of the year 1846 & there Judith Brown sign the accompanying papers by her March 2 signed my name as a witness Hereto, I swear I well know said Judith Brown to be the same person described in the affidavit by her then & there signed as appeared.
William Hooper

Cumberland SS Nov 8 1846
Subscribed & sworn to before me
John Anderson
Just of Peace
I certify that the above named William Hooper is a person of veracity
John Anderson
Justice of the peace
Page 17

Nov 26 Me
Nov 30  46
20

Hon James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Judith Brown
for D[illegible]
Page 18

[] Nov 26 1846

Dear Sir
I again send the application of Mrs Brown for a new Pension Certificate to the [] the place of the one Court. I hope it is in sufficient form, for no better can be obtained. Mrs Brown is very aged & entirely helpless from a [illegible] attack & can not live many days. 
With all respect
I am [] 
your service & []
John Anderson

Hon Jas L. Edwards
Comm of Pension
Washingtion
Page 19

2799
Me Oct 14
4 July '36
30 fee
Portland Oct 10 Me

Hon James 
Com
Page 20

Portland Oct 9th 1834
Sir. I herewith to amend the declaration & evidence in support of the same of Mrs Judith Brown for a Pension for the services of her former husband Seth Griffin. " About the 11 of September I forwarded to your further evidence in the case of Mrs. Lucy Fickett which I hope will be evidence as sufficient to put her name on the pension Roll.
I have the honor to be, Sir, very respectfully, your obedient Sevt
John Anderson

Hon Jas L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Washington
D.C.
Page 21

June 23 46
Nubury
PORTLAND JUN 10 Me

Hon Jas L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 22

Portland June 19 1846

Sir
At the request of the friends of the widow Judith Brown, a pensioner, I forward the evidenc]] Certificate & hope a new pension Certificate may issue to her. This same is [] Mr Hooper is nearly blind & would be very happily] to replace] the former Certificate. They are all honest wi] people & no one knowing them, will doubt the truth of his statement.
Very respectfully
your obedient Sert
John Anderson

Hon Jas L Edwards
Commiss Pensions
Washington
Page 23

Sept 11 46
Nuruary

20

Hon James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
Page 24

Portland Sept 7 1846

Sir
At the request of the friends of Mrs Brown, I transmit her application for a new certificate. She is perfectly helpless from [illegible] & can not from  her advanced age, receive money payment. I therefore hope the certificate will be granted her. I filled up the application as well as it could be done in her present impossible state, her memory of names is entirely gone, & if she can not obtain a certificate the present application it none can be assumed.
Very respectfully
Your Obb Sert
John Anderson

Hon Jas L. Edwards,
Comm of Pensions
Washington
Page 25

Rev
WIDOW, & c.
File No. 23677
Judith Brown
Widow of Seth Griffin
Pri Rev War
Act July 4th 36
Index: Vol a, Page 91

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 26

I Samuel Henney of North Yarmouth in the County of Cumberland & State of Maine of the age of sixty nine years do testify & say that I was acquainted with Jacob Brown of this place husband of Judith Brown and was present with him during his last sickness & watched with him the night he died, which was the last of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twelve.
Sammuel Henney

Cumberland Ss. June 14. 1834
Personally appeared the above named Samuel Henney, this deponent, & made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him signed before me.
Joseph Stockbridge Just of the Peace

N. Yarmouth June 17. 1834
I hereby certify that this above named Samuel Henney is a person of truth & veracity
Joseph Stockbridge, Just of the Peace
Page 27

I Asa Bisbee of North Yarmouth in the County of Cumberland & State of Maine of lawful age to give evidence, testify & say that I was well acquainted with Jacob Brown husband of Judith Brown of said North Yarmouth  during the latter part of his life and that I watched with him the night he died, which was on the morning of this twenty seventh of February in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and twelve.
Asa Bisbee

Cumberland SS. June 14. 1834.
Personally appeared Asa Bisbee and made oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me, Joseph Stockbridge, Just of the Peace.

N. Yarmouth June 14. 1834.
I hereby certify that the above Amed Asa Bisbee, the deponent, is a man of truth & veracity
Joseph Stockbridge, Just of the Peace