Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 15,866, Chisholm Griffith, Md.
Page 1

(5-1776)

SERVICE
Md.

Griffith, Chisholm

Number
S. 15.866

Carded

Contents
Page 2

Virginia 23.459

Chisholm Griffith of Franklin in the State of V (line) who was a 4r: in the (dash) command by Captain (line) of the Rev command by Col Bettis in the MCL: line for 15 mo: 10 days

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia at the rate of 51-Dollars. 10 Cents for annual to commerce on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of Feh: 3 and Leuh N. H. Claidrr

Arrears to the 4th of  J 1853           127.75
Semi-ant. allowance ending H nrar 25.55(double underline)
153.30 (double underline)

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act June 7, 1832.}

Recorded by N. Rice ___ Clerk.
Book 6       Vol. 64 __    Page 15
Page 3

Virginia Franklin County VA

On the, 5th day of November on the year 1832 personally 
appeared in open Court of Franklin County Court now 
sitting Chisholm Griffreth resident of said County of Franklin 
& State aforesaid, aged 73 years, but has no register of his age, who being first duly sworn 
according to law, doth on has oath make the following declarati
on, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed on the 7th June 1832. 

That he entered the service of the United States 
during the War of the Revolution and served as stated herein that some in [words struck out] October 1776 he volunteered in the County of Fredrick 
Maryland where he then resided and where he was born) in 
a company commanded by Lieut Hillery and marched 
to Winchester in Maryland there Hillery's men where united 
with a company commanded by Captn Winchester the compa
ny then marched to Lancaster in Pennsylvania and 
then to Philadelphia where we joined General Washingtons army. Was with the main Army when nine hundred Hessians were brought in by a detachment of the Army under the 
orders of General Washington in person after the taking 
of the Hessians-the militia were marched to various places 
and lastly to Basking's Ridge East Jersey--- where in March 1777 he was discharged. He continued in service after 
the time he was bound to serve had expired at the the request of General Washington 
and when the new levies came on he was discharged, in 1777 he 
was drafted in Frederick County, Maryland and under Hillery who now had become Captn and was marched to Lancaster Pennsylvania to Downingstown, where he joined a regiment commanded by Colo Baker Johnson, that Colo Baker,
Page 4

Regiment was detached to reinforce Genl Wayne but that [illlegible]
that time Wayne having been attacked by the enemy was
defeated-that Wayne ralied at the Red Lyon where we
joined him.  This applicant was under Genl Smallwood
at the Battle of Germantown, Baker regiment of which he 
this applicant was one of the privates in that action was 
posted on the Delaware road after the battle at German
town.  Baker's regiment returned to a place not [illegible] and was 
discharged the service after this applicant had been
in the same for near six months again remaining long
er than he expected to do by the request of Genl Washington.
During the tours above, he was in several little skirmishes
with the enemy.  On returning home he enroled himself
in a company commanded by Capt Hillery to continue
for three years.  The members to equip themselves and 
to march when called on.  That being called on he marched
with the Company to Newlin's Ferry where about one 
thousand prisoners captured at York Town Va were
delivered to the troops and marched to Fredericktown.
This applicant [words blurred] remained in service through
the winter guarding the prisoners and then
marched as a guard over them to the Pennsylvania
line where they were delivered to the Pennsylvania
tropps. On returning home he was detailed to
guard the public stores in Fredericktown for
one month.  The two last services here spoken
of occupied at least six months.  This applicant 
has lost his discharges.  This applicant can't
Page 5

read.  This applicant [illegible] his character to
his neighbors.  He has no documentary evidence
that exhibits proof of his services.  He [illegible] the affidavit
of his brother Zadock Griffith who was with him in
the [word the struck out] service.  He relinquishes every claim 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 the day & year aforesaid
Chisholm X his mark Griffith.

We Moses Greer Jr. a clergyman residing in Franklin
County Virginia and Nathl H Claiborne residing in same
County & State, hereby certify that we are well acquant
ed with Chisholm Griffith who has subscribed & sworn to the
above declaration.  That we believe him to be 73 years of
age.  That he is reputed and believed to have been a sol
dier of the revolution in the neighbourhood where he
resides.  And that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Moses Greer Jr
Nathl H Claiborne

And the said Court doth hereby declare their opinion after the
investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories
prescribed by the War Department that the said applicant
was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.  And
the said Court doth further certify that Moses Greer Jr who
has signed the preceeding certificate is a clergyman in
the said County and that Nathaniel H Claiborne
Page 6

who has also signed the same is a citizen residing in the
said County and is a credible person and that their state
ment is entitled to credit.

Virginia to wit,

I Caleb Tate clerk of the Franklin County
Court do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the
original proceedings of the said Court in the matter
of the application of Chisholm Griffith for a pension.
[Blurred seal of Court] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
my name and affixed the seal of the
said Court this 21st day of November
1832 in the 57th year of our foundation.
Caleb Tate, ck
_________

Franklin County Sct

This day Chisholm
Griffith the applicant named in this record
personally appeared before me the undersigned
a justice of the peace for the county aforesaid
& made oath that the first tour in this declaration
mentioned [word was lined through] he served five months in the second tour
he was in service five months-the third five months
and his guarding a magazine one month.  He po
sitively remembers & avers that he served in all
sixteen months.  Given under my hand & seal
this 1st April 1833.  Henry Carper J.P. [word Seal encircled]
Page 7

State of Virginia }
Franklin County } Sct.

I Caleb Tate clerk of Franklin County
Court in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Henry
Carper whose name appears to the foregoing and annexed
Certificate, is and was at the date thereof an acting Justice
of the Peace in and for said County, duly commissioned
and qualified according to the laws of this state and
that full faith and credit is due and ought to be
given to all his official acts as such, and that the
said signature purporting to be his is genuine.
[Blurred seal of office] In testimony whereof I have hereunto
subscribed my name and affixed my
seal of Office this 27th day of August
1833 in the 58th year of the Commonwealth.
Caleb Tate, clk
____________
Page 8

Franklin County Sct

This day Zadock Griffith appeared before me
a justice of the peace for the county aforesaid & made
oath that that during the revolutionary war he
resided in Frederick County Maryland.  That he knows
that his brother Chisholm Griffith now of Franklin
County Virginia served in 1776 and 1777 in two tours
of duty in the army commanded by Genl Washington.
That he was present at the battle of Germantown
and that his brother Chisholm Griffith was also there.
That Genl Smallwood commanded the brigade to which
this deponent & his brother was attached in the said
action at Germantown.  That in the two tours he
verily believes said Chisholm Griffith served at least
ten months as Genl Washington requested the 
troops to stay or remain in  service untill the new
levies 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 of Cornwallis
and marched them to Fredericktown where
the militia of whom this deponent was one as
well as his brother guarded them thru the winter.
That this service took up near five months.
He also knows the afterwards his brother was
detailed as guard over a magazine for at least
one month.  This affiant says he is upwards of 
seventy seven years of age and resides now in
Page 9

Rohan County North Carolina to which place his
has moved since the revolutionary war.
Zadock X his mark Griffith

Franklin
This 28th of October 1832 the above Zadock Griffith
subscribed and made oath to the above affidavit
before me a justice of the peace for said County
Moses Greer Jr

I hereby certify that the above named Moses Greer Jr is
a justice of the peace, duly commissioned and qualified
to act as such, and that the signature annexed is his genuine
signature.   Nathl H Claiborne

Franklin County SctI Nathl H Claiborne member of Congress
do certify on honor that I have inquired
into the character of Zadock Griffith &
that I have satisfied myself that he is a
man of the most unexceptionable character
for truth & honesty.  I know Zadock Griffith
but until lately was not intimately acquainted
with his character [word but lined through] but I now certify that
from information derived from many gentle
men he [word blurred out] is esteemed upright & honorable
[illegible] I further certify that I know Chisholm Griffith
[illegible] & have had dealings with him many years
& that I have found him a man of strict truth
& honor.  27th Augt 1833. Nathl H Claiborne
Page 10

September 17, 1938.

Mr. Clarence Griffin 
P.O. Box 533
Forest City, North Carolina. 

BA--J/ILL
Chisholm Griffith
S. 15866

Dear Sir:
    Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of Chisholm Griffith, who applied for pension while a resident of Franklin County, Virgina.

    The data which follow are found in the papers on file in pension claim, S. 15877, based upon service of Chisholm Grifith in the Revolutionary War.

     Chisholm Griffith was born in Frederick County, Maryland, and lived there at the time of the Revolutionary War. The date of his birth, and names of his parents are not shown. 

       He enlisted about October 1776, and served five months and ten days as a private in Captain Winchester's company, Colonel Beatty's Maryland regiment, during which he marched to Philadelphia, was at Trenton, New Jersey, just after the battle there and guarded the Hessian prisoners during the winter months, and was in many skirmishes. He enlisted in Frederick County, Maryland, June 1777, served as a private in Captain R. Hillary's company, Colonel Baker Johnson's Maryland regiment, joined the main army under General Washington was in many skirmishes and in the battle of Germantown, length of this service at least five months. After his return to Frederick County, Maryland, he enlisted in the spring of 1778 in the "selected militia", served at different time under Captain Hillary (until sometime in the spring of 1782), also served under his (Chisholm's) brother, an ensign, guarding a magazine in Fredericktown (the name of this brother not designated), and assisted in guarding prisoners after the battle of Yorktown, in all amounting to at least five months, ending in 1782. 

   The soldier resided in Frederick County, Maryland, just after the Revolutionary War.

Chisholm Griffith (as his name was borne on the pension roll)
Page 11

was allowed pension on his application executed November 5, 1832, at which time he was a resident of Franklin County, Virginia; he had resided there since 1811. The soldier gave his age then as seventy-three years. He made no reference to wife or children.

In 1832, Zadock Griffith, was a resident of Rowan County, North Carolina, aged seventy-seven years and upwards. He stated that he lived in Frederick County, Maryland, during the Revolutionary War and served a part of the time with his brother, Chisholm Griffith. 

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name of person paid, and possibly, the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following:

Chisholm Griffith
Certificate #23489
Issued February 5, 1934
Rate $51.10 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Virginia Agency.

Very truly yours,

A.D. HILLER,
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Page 12

The North Carolina Historical Commission

M. C. S. Noble, Chapel Hill 
Heriot Clarkson, Raleigh
J. Allan Dunn, Salisbury
Mrs. George McNeill, Fayetteville
Clarence W. Griffin, Forest City

Office of the Secretary
XXXXX

M. C. S. Noble, Chairman
C. C. Crittenden, Secretary

P.O. Box 533,
Forest City, N. C.
August 15, 1938

Veterans Administration,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Gentlemen:

I shall appreciate the favor (-ok) very much if you will inform me if one Chisoln Griffith, or Chisolm Griffith, made an application for a pension for services of a military nature rendered during the Revolutionary War, 1775-83. 

I have been informed that he probably made application for a pension while a resident of Franklin County, Virginia, sometime after 1820.

Thanking you, I am -

Clarence Griffin (cursive)
Clarence Griffin (print)
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[Two columns]
[Left column]

P. 15.866
Invalid.

(line)

File. No. 158.66
Chisholm Griffith
Pre Rev War

(line)

Act: June 7" 32

Index:-- Vol. 1, Page 153
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[Right column]
1938 Sept. 17-Hist to Mr. Clarence
Griffin. ILL
Page 14

Salisbury Ct
May 21st

Nathaniel H. Claiborne Esqr.
Member of Congress
Franklin District
mail } Virginia
Page 15

Dear Sir

Yours of the 4th of April was
not [illegible] until today.  it is
with great [illegible] I say to you
there is not a more respectable,
man in the county of Rowan
(state of North Carolina) than
Mr. Zadock Griffin.  The brother
of Mr. Chisholm Griffin his affida
vit is entitled to full credit 
and if it should be necessary
he can have five hundred
respectable persons in the county
of Rowan to certify that he
is a man of strict truth, honesty
sobriety and industry.

Yor. [illegible] & respd. Friend
Jno Callaway
May 20th 1833
Page 16

Mr. Nathaniel H. Claiborne,

Sir

What Mr. Callaway
has said with regard to Mr.
Zadock Griffin is strictly true.
I have lived by the old man
twenty five years and never heard
anything said against his
character.

Yrs. respectfully
Samuel Van Etten
May 21st 1833
Page 17

I certify M Callaway formerly lived in my neighborhood in Virginia but now in North Carolina. He represents this county in which I live two or three years and was a justice of peace. He is esteemed a man of honor. He has since I got this letter from him been at my house and repeated to me what is contained in the foregoing to wit that Zadock Griffith was a respectable man as any in Rowan County Va.

Nathl H Claiborne
illegible Comp
Page 18

Zadock Griffith
15866

Mount Vernon NC
June 10th

Mr N H Claiborne
Rocky Mount
Franklin County Va

No word of the above man on the OWR
MD

SEAL
Page 19

N. Caroline Rowan County
June 8th 1833

Mr. N.H. Claiborne

Sir

In answer to yours of the 9th of May, requesting me to state to you the general character of Mr. Zadock Griffith of this county who is a near neighbor of mine; it is with pleasure I state to you that I have been acquainted with Zadock Griffith of this county for a number of years and so far is my acquaintance extends his general character stands approachable, is a man of truth and of industrious habits a respectable citizen worthy of confidence.

I am respectfully yours [illegible]

W B Wood
Page 20

Mount Vernon N C
June 8th 1833

Mr. N. H. Claiborne

Sir

In answer to yours
of the 9th of May, I can say that the
gentleman Mr. Zadock Griffith that
your referred to, is a man that I
much esteem.  I have known him
for a number of years, his character
stands fair, his word is not doubted.
When he says anything, it is to be believ
ed.  I know of no blemish attached
to his character.  Mr. Z. Griffith lives
within three miles from me, and
should have known it if anything,
disrespectful wAs attached to his char
acter.  I am respectfully yours &c
N. Wider
Page 21

Dr Sir

The inclosed was sent
back because the length of the
first tour was omited & because
I could not certify to the cha
racter of the witness.  These objec
tions can not be removed.
I have inclosed letters from
men of the first character
stating the fair [illegible] of Zadock
Griffith & besides, I have seen
many who were acquainted 
with him and they also [illegible]
in giving their opinions
that no man stands fairer
in North Carolina for truth
& honesty.  Old Chisholm Griffith
keeps a mile in my neighbourhood
& I have dealt with him many
years.  He is honest.  Respectfully [illlegible]
27 Jany 1833. Nathl H Claiborne
Page 22

Franklin County State of Virginia

This is to certify that I have been acquainted with
Chisholm Griffith of the County and State aforesd
ever since the year 1811 and have allways found him
to be a man of strict truth and that I have often
heard him talk of being in the Revolutionary war.
Ever since I have been acquainted with him and of
his entering the service when he was about seventeen
years of age a volunteer and that he was in the battle at German
town and many other things about his march through 
the Jerseys and being in may scrummages in the war.
Given under my hand this 3rd day of January 1834
George Nafe

Franklin County State of Virginia

Solemnly affirmed to & subscribed before me the day and year above
written and I do further certify that George Nafe
whose name is above is a man of truth.  Given under
my hand this 3rd day of January 1834
Moses Greer Jr. J.P.
Page 23

State of Virginia }
Franklin County } Ss.

I Caleb Tate clerk of Franklin County
Court, do hereby certify that Moses Greer Jr. whose name
appears to the within Certificate is an acting Justice of
the peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned
and qualified according to the laws of the State of
Virginia, and that full faith and credit is due to
all his official acts, and that his said signature is
genuine.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto
[Blurred seal of office] set my name and affixed my seal
of office the 8th day of January
1834
Caleb Tate, ck
Page 24

Franklin County State of Virginia

I Stephen Kesler do here[remainder of word cut off]
that I have been acquainted with Chisholm Griffith ever
since the year 1811 and lived with him two years of my
first acquaintance with him and believe him to be man of
truth, and I have heard him often talk of being in the
Revolutionary War at the time lived with him and [illegible]
and that he volunteered before he was of age to be [word cut off]
on the muster roll and that he marched through the
Jurses and was in many scrummages in that state and
he was in the battle in Germantown afterward
Stephen Kesler

Sworn to and subscribed before me Moses Greer Jr. a Justice
of the peace in the County of Franklin and State of Virginia
and do hereby certify that the said Stephen Kesler is a
man of strict truth.  Given under my hand this 3d day
January 1834. Moses Greer Jr. J.P.

State of Virginia }
Franklin County } Ss.

I Caleb Tate clerk of Franklin County Court do
hereby certify that Moses Greer Jr whose name appears to the above
certificate is an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County
aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified according to the laws
of the State of Virginia, and that full faith & credit is due all
his official acts, and that his said signature is genuine.
[Blurred seal of office] In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my
name and affixed my seal of office this
8th day of January 1834
Caleb Tate ck
Page 25

 Christopher Griffith


Adm
15 Mo       10 days
$57. 10 (underline)

Han. N. H. Claiborne
HR
Page 26

I agree in behalf of Chisholm Griffith of Franklin County ligamen - Whose claim for pension I have this day there united, to accept of a pension for fifteen months + ten days service given under my hand this 25th day of January 1834

Nathl H Claiborne
Member of Congress from D.
Page 27

Virginia State }
County of Franklin } Ss.

On the 6th day of January 1833 personally
appeared in open Court before the Court of Franklin now sitting
Chisholm Griffith a resident of Franklin County in the State
of Virginia aged 74 years who being first duly sworn accord
ing to law, doth on his oath make the following amended
declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of
Congress passed June 7, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the follow
ing named officers and served as herein stated: Viz, That in
the fall of 1776 he volunteered under Lieutenant Ralph
Hillary of the County of Frederic in the State of Maryland
and marched from Frederic town in the said County to a
town called Winchester in Maryland, where they were
attached to a company commanded by a Capt. Winchester,
Colo. Bettis having the command of the regiment.  They 
were then marched to Little York in Pennsylvania from
there to Lancaster and from there to Philadelphia, where
they remained 3 or 4 weeks on account of the Delaware
River being blocked up with ice.  They then embarked
on board a vessel and landed at the falls near
Trenton in New Jersey a few days after the battle of
Trenton.  They were then dispatched in pursuit of the enemy
and continued after them until the American Army
under the command of Genl. Washington went into
winter quarters at Baskin Ridge near Lord Starling
or Morristown, where we joined them.  The British
army took up winter quarters at Brunswick.  We
remained in winter quarters 3 months, during which
time we were employed in guarding and preventing the
enemy from plundering and devastating the Country.
During which time this declarant was engaged in several
skirmishes with the British, sometime in the spring we
were marched back to Frederic town by Capt. Winchester where
we were discharged after a tour of 5 months and ten days.
Page 28

About the 1st of June 1777 he was drafted and attached to
a company of militia commanded by Capt. Ralph Hillary
who had been promoted and rendezvoused at Frederic town
in Maryland when the company was attached to Colo. Baker
Johnsons regiment and were marched from the last named
place by Tawney town, McAllisters town and to Little York 
and Lancaster in Pennsylvania from thence to Johnsons
ferry on the Susquehanna river, where we remained some
time guarding and slaughtering beef for the use of the
American Army under Genl. Washington.  From thence we
were marched up the river some distance to a place called
the Peach Bottom where we crossed and joined Washingtons
army, from there we proceeded to Downington between
Lancaster and Philadelphia, where the regiment comman
ded by Colo. Johnson, to which the declarant belonged, was
detached for the purpose of reinforcing the army under
Genl. Wayne, who were then stationed at or near [illegible]
but before reaching Wayne's army, it was surprised and routed
by the British army, owing as this declarant was informed to
the treachery of one of Wayne's men, who had deserted and fled
to the enemy and communicated to them the watchword of the American
army.  We then returned to a place called the Red Lion tavern
where we found Wayne's army who had retreated before the
British army.  Our regiment continued its march leaving
Wayne's army where we found it and again joined Genl.
Washington at or near Valley forge where we remained until
the Battle of Germantown where the Americans were defeated,
this declarant was attached to the division of the army commanded
by Genl. Smallwood and defended what was the Delaware
road, and participated in the hottest part of the engagement.
Sometime after this Battle, Colo. Johnson marched his regiment
back to Frederic town in Maryland where we were discharged
on the 3d day of November 77 making a tour of 5 months.
This declarant would here states, that the cause of their being marched
back to their county, was owing to some regulation of the State to
Page 29

prevent his soldiers from enlisting which they frequently done
when discharged a considerable distance from their homes.

In the spring of 1778, this declarant enlisted, or enrolled himself as it was
then called for 3 years [word lined through] in a company commanded by Captain Hillary called the select militia, and were mustered twice a
week and ordered to hold themselves in readiness to march
in any case of emergency at an hours notice and was
soon detached without about 20 others under the command
of a brother of the declarant, who was then Ensign, to Frederic
town for the purpose of guarding a magazine at that place,
in which service he was engaged one month.  About the 1st of
November 1781 this declarant still under the command of
Capt. Hillary was called on and marched to the Potomac
river at Newlands Ferry, where we remained sometime
awaiting the arrival of some Virginia troops who were conveying
some British prisoners taken at the siege of York to the
Maryland line, where we took charge of them and conducted
them to Frederic town in Maryland where we remained
guarding them during the winter, and in the spring of 82
we marched them to the Pennsylvania line and delivered them
to the Pennsylvania troops and returned home about the
last of March marking a tour of near 5 months.

The declarant is of opinion that he never received any written
discharge but if he ever did they have been lost.  He knows
of no person by whom he can prove his services except a brother
of his living in the State of North Carolina whose testimony
he once procured and sent on with a former declaration &
which he is informed never reached the War Department
and [word which lined through] age and infirmity now prevents him from again
undertaking to get it.  He is acquainted with the Honl. Nathl
H Claiborne to whom he respectfully refers for character &c.

He hereby relinquishes every claim 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 whatever.

Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Chisholm X his mark Griffith
Page 30

We Moses Greer Jr a Clergyman residing in Franklin County
and James Callaway, residing in the same, hereby certify that we
are well acquainted with Chisholm Griffith, who has subscribed
and sworn to the following declaration, that we believe him to be
seventy four years of age; that he is reputed and believed in
the neighborhood where he resides to have been a solider of the
Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.
Moses Greer Jr
James Callaway
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the
investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories
prescribed by the War Department that the above named ap
plicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that
Moses Greer Jr who has signed the preceding certificate
is a Clergyman, resident in the County of Franklin, that
James Callway who has also signed the same is a resident
in the same, and is a credible person, and that their statement
is entitled to credit.

State of Virginia }
Franklin County } Ss.

I Caleb Tate clerk of Franklin County
Court do hereby that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the
application of Chisholm Griffith for a Pension.
[Blurred seal of Court] In testimony whereof I have hereunto
set my name and affixed the seal
of the said Court the 8 day of
January 1834 in the 58 year of
the Commonwealth.
Caleb Tate, Clerk

[numbers written vertically in left margin]
29,388