Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4324, Eli Griffith, Conn. New York

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn New York.
Griffith, Eli or Griffeth
R 4324
CONTENTS
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State of New York }
County of Monroe } p: On this fourth day of October in the year 1832 personally appeared in open court before Peter Price, Samuel Castle and James Smith, Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monroe, State of New York, the same being a Court of record, now sitting, Eli Griffith a resident of the town of Gates in the County of Monroe and State of New York, aged eighty three  two years, and upwards who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following 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 following named officers, and served as herein stated - viz
In 1775, the first year of the war when the American troops came from Canada to Ticonderoga and a body of Connecticut militia were sent over to their aid, said Griffith he was living at Granville in the State of New York - a private in said militia was taken sick at Granville (his name not recollectd) and was and when the militia came through Granville he volunteered there and in July entered as a private in the company of said militia commanded by Captain Harding (who lived in Farmington, Connecticut) - the Lieutenant was David Starr, the Ensign was David Beach. The regiment was under the actual command of Lieutenant Colonel Mott - his father Colonel Mott, of Preston, held the command and had marched with the regiment as far as to Albany where he was taken sick and stopped while his son marched on with the regiment - the Major's name was Sumner. He, said Eli Griffith engaged for three and a half months, when the Connecticut militia expected to be discharged. He marched on to Whitehall, (the next town to Granville) and then proceeded by boat to Mount Independence, opposite to and near the Fort at Ticonderoga. He continued there until the three and a half months of his enlistment was completed, and was then discharged there about the last of October, by a written discharge signed by General Gates who held the chief command at Ticonderoga. This discharge is now lost - he held it until within fifteen or twenty years. He claims pension for three & a half months for this service.
In April 1776 he volunteered at said Granville as a minute man, to march when called for, and was enrolled as a private in the company of Captain Isaac Bennett - the Lieutenant was Samuel Utter, there was no Ensign as recollectd. In less than a week after this he marched with said company

1 mo } from Granville to Whitehall, and then by water to Mount Independence - where he staid on duty about  a little more than one month and  the exact time is not remembered and was dismissed to go home, without a written discharge. The company of Captain Bennett was in the regiment of Colonel Seth Warner (of Bennington) - there was no major. Pension is asked for just one month for this service.
He returned to Granville and in about a fortnight was ordered back again to Mount Independence, to which place he then marched as before - staid there on duty about  about two weeks and was dismissed without written discharge. He asks pension for two weeks for this service.
Having been thus called to leave his work twice since he enrolled as a minute man and being so liable to calls that he could not plow work to advantage, he thought he might better give up his time to the army and
About the first of July 1776 he volunteered and enlisted for four months at said Granville in a corps of troops sent on from Connecticut. He entered the company of Captain Moses Robinson (of Preston, Conn.) as a substitute for a private disabled by sickness - the Lieutenants name is forgotten - Ensign the  was  by name Gafford - the company belonged to a regiment commanded by Colonel Mott (so far as recollected) was Major Jackson; - Marched on to Whitehall, and by boats to
4 mo } Mount Independence - he staid there four months and was discharged without written discharge the exact day is not remembered - does not know the name of the disabled soldier for whom he was substituted. He asks pension for four months for this service.
00 About the first of April 1777 he was drafted at said Granville in the New York militia - he marched to Whitehall in Captain David Galusha's company - the Lieutenant was Galusha, a brother of the Captain - Ensigns name not recollected, if there was one - in Colonel Seth Warners regiment - the major, was Ira Allen - the whole was commanded by General Gates. From Whitehall he went by water to Ticonderoga where General St Clair commanded - he staid in the fort until it was taken by General Burgoyne about July 5 th - then marched across the bridge to Mount Independence - and then very soon returned home with Captain Galusha's company, no effectual measures being then taken to stop General Burgoyne - was from home on this expedition three months and a few days. about 3 months He asks pension for just three months for this service.
3 mo }

The country being filled with alarm and the British troops under General Burgoyne being daily expected through Granville, said Eli Griffith took his family and hastily fled to Great White Creek (a place so called) about twenty five miles southeasterly from Granville, leaving most of his property behind for which he intended to return but never did and it was destroyed. For in attempting to return he found that the Americans would not let him pass a line they had formed to stop Burgoyne. He then about the middle of July 1777 volunteered and entered the ranks at White Creek and continued there in service for  over three weeks in Captain Mattisons company of Vermont Militia - Wood the Lieutenant so far as recollected - in Colonel Williams regiment - his Major, Armstrong. He asks pension for three weeks for this service.
3 weeks }
He had friends residing in Shaftsbury, Vermont, and preferring that station he asked and obtained permission of Colonel Williams to leave Captain Mattisons company to join the Vermont Militia at Shaftsbury. About the first of August 1777 he entered the company of Captain George Galeshus at Shaftsbury as a volunteer - Lieutenant John Blakelee - no Ensign - the company was in Colonel Moses Robinsons regiment of Vermont Militia - Josiah Brush was the Lieutenant Colonel - all under General Stark. In about three weeks, General Stark concluded to attack the British under General Redsell he thinks (or nearly that name) at Malooscot (about four miles northwest of Bennington) where they lay encamped on a high ground along the stream, and marched over the militia (among whom was said Eli Griffith) from Shaftsbury to that place about one and a half mile. General Stark planned his attack for Friday but rain prevented. On Saturday about two o'clock in the afternoon the action commenced. Stark in person led on the attack in front intending to cross the stream, march up the hill and drive the British back - he had sent Colonel Allen with one division of the American troops north, and Lieutenant Colonel Brush west, to march around and hem in the British as they retreated. He hastened the attack because the British expected reinforcements. The British retreated, but Colonel Brush missed his track - Starks plan failed, the British were not intercepted but marched about two miles where they met their reinforcements. In this action the British General Galeshus was killed. When the British retreated Stark, expecting no more fighting had returned to his quarters in town of Bennington. The British when reinforced returned driving back the American troops - Stark was sent for and coming up there, the Americans made a stand and a smart engagement succeeded. The firing was

kept up on both sides until dark when the British retreated and went off to their main army. This is called the Bennington Battle. It may have been the British General Barm killed; but it seems as if Redick.
General Stark then appointed Colonel Seth Warner to command a body of men called Ranges to range up and down Lake Champlain in Vermont to protect the frontier. Their headquarters were at Bennington. He said Eli Griffith, did not quit the army but directly volunteered as a ranger in Captain Samuel Robinsons Company. the Lieutenant was Josiah Brush in Colonel Warners regiment. He was marched out up along the Lake as many as six times or more within a few weeks, and out a few days each time - once he was marched up fifty or sixty miles to a place called Ira, (from its proprietor Ira Allen). Once Colonel Warner went out with these rangers; at the other times they were commanded by a captain or subaltern officer, marching out in bands of from fifty to one hundred men at a time and then returning to Bennington. Late in December 1777 he was discharged at Bennington, Vermont, by a written discharge signed by General Stark. having been in service five months the last time This discharge was kept a member of years and was lost or destroyed, no one knows when or how. - he has not seen it for last thirty years or more. He was in active service this year at least nine months from the first of April to the last of December, and five months after August 16th
Besides the above terms of service he was on several other short terms which are omitted because they cannot be specified.
And the said Eli Griffith further states that he cannot now give dates and times more particularly than in the preceding declaration. that he had no entry of these services and relies wholly on his memory -
That he has no documentary evidence and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify particularly to his service all his fellow soldiers being either dead or if living unknown.
And to the following Seven Interrogatories now pronounced by said Court - to wit:
 1. Where in what year were you born?  2 Have you any record of your age; and if so where is it?  3 Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now live?  4 How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you 
x and calls a person for eight months & then quits. The term which he can qualify as done.
65 mos } xx

volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute for whom?
5 State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served; such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service. 6 - While a soldier Did you ever receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it? 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution.
he says
1. In answer to the first interrogatory, that he was born in the town of Middlebury, County of Plymouth, State of Massachusetts on the 9 th March 1750. 2. To the second he says no, he has none. 3 To the third , he says - that he was living in Granville, State of New York when called into service, that he lived there two years after the war and then removed to Clifton Park in Schenectady County, New York, where he lived three years and then removed to a place called Mayfield, near Johnstown, in Montgomery County, New York, where he resided a short time and then removed to Leicester, Genesee County, New York where he resided several years, and then removed to Huron, in Huron County, Ohio where he resided four years, and then removed to Burton, in Geauga County Ohio where he resided several years - and then removed to Gates New York ten years ago and has resided there (ever since) 4 To the fourth he says that the answer is contained in the previous declaration - he was drafted, volunteered and was a substitute as is there stated. 5. The answer to the fifth is fully contained in the preceding declaration so far as he can particularize. 6 To the sixth he says that he received but two written discharges - one signed by General Gates - one by General Stark as stated, and both lost or worn out. 7. In answer to the seventh request he would name Joshua Kinney, Matthew G. Dinnick of Greece, Isaac Moore, Leonard Stimson, Ezra Mason, Ira Stimson, Sips Munn, John Van Sickle and Samuel Gilman all of Gates, & all in the County of Monroe State of New York.

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.
Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 4 th day of October 1832 } Eli his Griffith mark there being several erasures & interlineations at red signs J. Cutter Dep. Clerk
We Elda Joshua Kinnear, a clergyman residing in the town of Greece, County of Monroe and State of New York and Matthew G. Dimick residing in the same town of Greece hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Eli Griffith who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration: that we believe him to be eighty two years of age and upward; that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed in open court this 4 th day of October 1832 } Joshua Kinnear Matthew G. Dimick J. Cutter Dep. Clerk
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 and above written that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Joshua Kinnear, who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Greece as he states, and that Matthew G. Dimick who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town of Greece and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Dated Rochester October 4. 1832
William D. Dru } Judges of Samuel Castle } the Court James Smith } of Common pleas aforesaid
I Leonard Adkins Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monroe, State of New York

do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Eli Griffith for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (being the seal of said Court) this fourth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
L. Adams Clerk

State of New York
Monroe County ss
Sarah Curtis of the town of Conesee in the county of Livingston being duly sworn deposes and says that she is a sister in law by marriage of Eli Griffith now of the town of Gates in said County of Monroe: that she has known the said Eli Griffith for more than fifty years: that at the battle of Brannington the said Griffith and her husband were in the battle: that they were both out together in the service about three months: she further says that during four or five years of the Revolutionary war, both before and after the battle of Brannington the said Eli Griffith was engaged at various times and places in the revolutionary army: that the amount of time he was so engaged, not from her but recollection he was so engaged in active service for more than one half of the time of the said four or five years: That he was sometimes called away and was gone for a few weeks in the army, and then returned home; that after remaining at home a short time, he would be again called away into the army. That this course of service was continued for most of the revolutionary war. She further says that the house of said Griffith was in the same neighborhood with this deponent and she was thus made well acquainted with the times of his absence in the army.
Sworn and subscribed before me
the 25 th day of June 1832
G. A. Mumford
Commissioner of Deeds.
Sarah Curtis

9051 Eli Griffith
5.16 6 Dec '32 28 Nov
P.115
Moses Chapin Rochester NY

BRIEF in the case of of Gates
Eli Griffith  in the State of New York  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? In open Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 82 years and upwards  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     Entered In 1775 3 1/2 private Gen. Cap Harding Col. Mott   Volunteered 1776 abt 1 Cap Isaiah Bennet Col. Seth Warner   Was on duty abt 2 weeks   Enlisted - 1776 1 st July 4 Cap Moses Robinson Col. Mott   drafted 1777 1 st April 3 and a few days Cap David Galowsky Campy   Volunteered 1777 1 st July 2 or 3 weeks Col. Seth Warner's Regt   Enlisted - 1777 1 st Augt 5 Cap Mathewson Col. Williams Regt   Col. Geo. Clark Col. Moses Robinson's Regt  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Bennington  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Granville NY  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditional  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
* Minute man.
A Rintz Examining Clerk.

1904 Aug. 19. Office mailed to A. H. Brach. aw
4324:
P. O. Eli Griffith
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
The printed list of 1852 shows reasons for suspension
Application filed: _____, 18
"no proof of service, the rolls being silent."
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

New York Rev. o
Eli Griffith
Suspended
let. Moses Chapin 24 April 1833. let. to same 24 July '33
let. to same
22. April 1834
let to Hon. F. Whittelsey April 18. 1835
4324
Act. 7 June '32

Alfred H. Beach 419. W. 13 ST Casper Wyo.
Eli Griffith P.H. 324 - Rev wants copies of 16 pages = 16
Samuel Beach. S38512 - Rev wants 2 copies of 2 pages = 4 P
paid Aug. 14, 24 A. B. Wilson
15 20 300

Request for Photostating (To be prepared in duplicate)
M 6
Ex. Cut
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CLERK
Job No. 1226
Date Aug. 16, 24
Subject G. L. Griffith Rev. R H 324
1 copies of 16 pieces consisting of 16 pages to be (No.) (No.) REV. WAR SECTION (No.) forwarded when completed to the _____ Division
Remarks: _____
Approved: _____
A. E. Wilson
Chief Div.
REV. WAR SECTION
Chief clerk.

M 233
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Finance Division
Aug. 14 1924
Chief Rev. Sect. Division.
Sir:
I have this day received from Alfred H. Beach cash No. .... for $ 3 00 , requesting copies post office address as per memorandum letter, herewith
Copies mailed DW and Finance Div Aug. 19 1924 not.
Respectfully,
Chief Finance Div.
H.C.L.

A
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Nov. 28 th 1832
SIR :
I return herewith the papers in support of the claims of the persons whose names are hereto annexed.
These papers are in several respects defective. Each case is accompanied by a brief. The objections are contained in the negative answers, in red ink, given to the questions.
Particular attention should be paid to (the accompanying regulations and to) the explanatory notes subjoined to the brief.
The extraordinary press of business in this office, arising from the great number of claims under the act of June 7, 1832, has hitherto prevented us from attending to the applications sent by you. The investigation of the cases presented under this law has been difficult and laborious, and notwithstanding the greatest exertions have been made by this Department, an earlier attention to your business has been found impracticable.
{ The brief has been prepared to meet all cases, and thus to save the excessive labor which would otherwise be imposed upon the office, and which would consume so much time as to render the delay two fold greater than it now is in the investigation of claims and writing letters. Each case is considered correct in all respects except in relation to those questions to which a negative answer is affixed. No other alteration or addition will be required.
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J L Edwards
Moses Chapin Esq. Rochester N.Y.
{ Melv Whitaker Eli Griffith Charles Norton

Providence April 11-1885
Sir
The enclosed papers were sent to me while at Washington, but they did not reach that City until after I had left. They contain some supplemental proof in the case of the Griffith & I transmit the whole to you, requesting that the claim of Griffith may be again examined Yours respectfully,
F. Whipple
Hon. S. Edwards Jr., Commissioner of Pensions

C
War Department
Pension Office
July 26. 1833
Sir,
The claim of Eli Griffith has been again examined and suspended. The act of 7 June, provides for actual service, in the field or garrison. It is therefore indispensable that the claimant should state upon oath, the term of each tour of actual duty, in the field, as an embodied corps, he served in Wainer's Rangers. His papers are placed on file.
I am Respectfully
Yr. Obt. Servt.
J. L. Edward
Moses Chapin Esq
Rochester
N.Y.

D
War Department Pension Office April 22. 1854
Sir,
The papers relating to the claim of Eli Griffith have again been examined. The claimant has not in his supplemental affidavit given such an explanation as to remove the doubts resting upon his statements. There is no evidence in the Department that Col. Mott had command of a regiment at Tienderoga or Mount Independence, as set forth, in 1775. If so, proof of it may be obtained by applying to Elisha Phelps Esq. Comptroller of the State of Connecticut. It is alleged also that the applicant received at that time a written discharge signed by General Gates: this is evidently wholly incorrect. In 1777 a tour of service of five months is claimed to have been performed in a Corps of Rangers under Col. Seth Warner. That officer belonged to the continental line, and no evidence is to be found that he ever had the command of a corps similar to that described.
It will be necessary, in order to sustain this claim, to produce more satisfactory evidence in support of it than has yet been offered.
The case is suspended and the papers placed on file.
I am respectfully
Your Obet. Servt.
J L Edwards
Mrs. Chapin Esq. Rochester New York

B
War Department Pension Office April 24 1833
Sir
The applications of Charles Morton and Eli Griffith for pensions, cannot be acted on without the original declarations , which were returned to you for amendment. You will please forward them to this Office.
I am Respectfully Yr. Obt. Servt J L Edwards
Answered April 30. 1833
Moses Chapin Esq Rochester N.Y.

State of Connecticut Comptroller's office
Hartford August 21 st 1834
On examination of the books of this office, it appears; that in June 1776 it was ordered that two Battalions should be raised by enlistment, to join the continental Army in the Northern Department and to be holden in the continental service untill the first day of December next.
That Samuel Mott Esq. (of Preston) was appointed Colonel of one of said Battalions, That Colonel Mott with his battalion marched to, and served at Ticonderoga, it does not appear that this State paid the wages, (except for the first month) of said regiment, that the bounties, first month's wages, hospital expences & amounting to £7954.15.2 1 / 2 was paid by this State, and charged to, and allowed by the United States - no pay rolls of said service in this office.
Certified by Roger Huntington
Comptroller of Public Accounts

Rochester Feb 23. 1833
Dr Sir
In Oct 1832 Eli Griffith a Revolutionary Soldier presented his application for a pension. He had served nearly two years. His papers were rejected for several minor defects and informalities and were returned in Dec 1832. The accompanying brief of the War Department specified the defects and the letter (marked A) stated that the case was correct except as to the questions marked with a negative.
In March 1833 Griffith fully corrected and supplied the defects pointed out and renewed his application.
By letter B the War Department called for the first papers - they were sent, so that Griffith has no papers here to refer to.
This 2 nd application was rejected in July 1833 (as by letter C) and an entirely new reason assigned.
Griffith then made supplemental statements before the court and forwarded them in Oct 1833.
Entirely new objections were again then made (as by letter D) in April 1834.
This almost discouraged the old man. Had the worst been known at first he would perhaps have abandoned the application as useless - but he was led along step by step always nearer the object but never reaching it. I cannot account for the tantalizing course adopted but in the supposition that different statements as presented were examined and passed upon by different clerks who knew not what their predecessors had done.
Griffith as you know is one of the most honest worthy old men among us. There is no doubt that he was a soldier and served as he states nearly two years and yet from his decayed faculties and defective memory he doubtless made some misstatements.
Thus he stated that Gen. Gates signed his discharge - it probably may have been some other officer but strongly associated in his mind with Gen. Gates command. He states that Col. Mott commanded in 1775. it was probably in 1776. He insisted that Redsell was killed at the Benning

-gton battle - he was killed, but it was a short time before the battle. He calls Warner's troops Rangers. There was a Col. Warner and he doubtless marched his troops up and down the Lake but they may not have been designated on the muster rolls as Rangers.
Since the application was rejected Griffith has done little but walk around and make inquiries for men who can, no where be found all are dead. He is old and poor and has no relation on whom he can depend. If he lives, he must soon go to the poor house. I send an affidavit of his sister Sarah Curtis not deemed of much importance when taken nor necessary. She is now dead. This affidavit shows that Griffith was a soldier.
An affidavit of Ephraim Patch shows that there was a Col. Mott in 1776. So does the letter of Ro. Huntington Comptroller etc. I wish you would step at the pension office and look at Griffith's papers and call their attention to them. Perhaps a part will be allowed. If not the old man can do no more and the sooner his mind can be set at rest the better.
Yours truly
M. Chapin

State of Penn Yato
Allegheny County ss.
1776 +
Ephraim Peck of Pitt in the said County of Allegheny being duly sworn before me the undersigned one of the Judges of the court of common pleas of said County makes oath and says that he is acquainted with Eli Griffith late of the town of Litch in the County of Connecticut the State of said Griffith. And that he was acquainted with said Griffith in the year nineteen hundred and sixty seven when said Griffith resided in the town of War in the County of Hampshire and State of Massachusetts. And that this deponent was at various times during the Revolutionary War a soldier in the American Army. That in the year nineteen hundred and sixty seven he found the records of the death of said Griffith in the year 1844. That this deponent was stationed as a soldier at Mount Independence opposite Brimfield where he remained until November then next following. That during the time this deponent was at Mount Independence and afterwards he became well acquainted with the fact that there were two Regiments of American Soldiers then lying at the north end of Mount Independence and near a fortification called "The Half Moon" or "Half Moon Battery". That one of the last mentioned Regiments was commanded by Colonel Westbury and the other by Colonel Clapp. That this deponent does not know the Christian names of either of said Colonels. That while this deponent remained at Mount Independence he belonged to Colonel Porter's Regiment and that he was employed by Col. Porter to write or cause them in the possession of Col. Porter and that in the discharge of this service this deponent passed twice in each day the Regiments of said

Watkins and Mott saw that when this document was launched from Mount Indyan then said Watkins and Mott arguments both remained at Help them up and said
Ephraim Pate
Subscribed and sworn before me this 14 day of June 1834
D. S. Gilman a Judge of Allegany Com. Pleas

State of New York } Allegany County ss } I Francis W Sherman Clerk of said County do hereby certify that Daniel S. Gilman, before whom the within affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same due of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe his name subscribed thereto to be his genuine Signature Witness my hand and the Seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County this 20 th day of June 1831
W Sherman Clerk

State of New York }
County of Monroe } ss: On this seventh day of October 1833 personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monroe, State of New York (the same being a court of record) now sitting, Eli Griffith a resident of the town of Gates in said County of Monroe, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following supplementary declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.
That he appeared before the Court of Common Pleas in said Monroe County in the month of March 1833 and was sworn to his declaration on an application for a pension under said act of Congress. That as a supplement to his declaration then sworn to and afterwards transmitted to the war department he now states and declares that he was bound to military service all the several periods set forth in his said declaration and was during the whole of said periods in actual service either in the garrison camp, the garrison or the field
And particularly as regards the last term of service named in said declaration in Colonel Seth Warner's Rangers, he states, that he was the whole of said term in camp at the head quarters in Bennington except when marched out on several excursions as is set forth in his said declaration - that he was during all said term enrolled and embodied, and his time wholly employed, as a soldier - that he cannot state the numbers nor the length of time of these several marches or excursions and that they were alluded to in his said declaration, not as constituting his service but only to show one class of incidents of his service - that from his voluntary enlistment in Captain Mattison's company of Vermont militia in August 1777 until his discharge in December following as is forth in said declaration, he was all the time away from his home and attached to the army and in actual service as a soldier.
Sworn to and subscribed in } open court this 7 th day of October 1833
word "garrison" first erased
J. Cutter Dep. Clerk
Eli Griffith

9,051
E. Griffith
Page 110

State of New York } County of Monroe }
Ys: On this twenty sixth day of March in the year 1833 personally appeared in open court before Sam l L. Gilden, James Smith and Samuel Castle, Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County of Monroe (the same being a court of record) now sitting, Eli Griffith a resident of the town of Gates in the said County of Monroe, aged eighty three years, and upwards, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed January 1832. —
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated — viz.
In 1775, the first year of the war, when the American troops came from Canada to Ticonderoga and a body of Connecticut militia were sent over to their aid, he, said Griffith, was living at Granville in the state of New York — and when the militia came through Granville he volunteered there and in July entered as a private in the company of said militia, commanded by Captain Harding (who lived in Farmington, Connecticut) — the Lieutenant was David Starr, the Ensign was David Beach. The regiment was under the actual command of Lieutenant Colonel Mott — his father Colonel Mott, of Preston, held the command and had marched with the regiment as far as to Albany, where he was taken sick and stopped while his son marched on with the regiment — the Major's name was Sumner. He, said Eli Griffith, engaged for three sixths months and a half months, when the Connecticut militia expected to be discharged. He marched on to Whitehall, (the next town to Granville,) and then proceeded by boat to Mount Independence, opposite to, and near the Fort at Ticonderoga. He continued there until the three and a half months of his enlistment was completed, and was then discharged there about the last of October, by a written discharge signed by General Gates who held the chief command at Ticonderoga. This discharge is now lost — he held it until within fifteen or twenty years. He claims pension for three and a half months for this service.

He had friends residing in Shaftsbury, Vermont, and preferring that station he asked, and obtained permission of Colonel Williams, to leave Captain Mattison's Company to join the Vermont militia at Shaftsbury. About the first of August 1777 he entered the company of Captain George Galusha at Shaftsbury as a volunteer - the Lieutenant was John Blakesly - there was no ensign - the company was in Colonel Moses Robinson's regiment of Vermont militia - Josiah Brush was the Lieutenant Colonel - all were under General Stark. In about three weeks, General Stark concluded to attack the British under General Bredsell he thinks, (or nearly that name), at. Maloons cot (about four miles northwest of Bennington) where they lay encamped on a high ground along the stream, and marched over the militia (among whom was said Eli Griffith) from Shaftsbury to that place about one and a half mile. General Stark planned his attack for Friday but rain prevented. On Saturday about two o'clock in the afternoon the action commenced. Stark in person led on the attack in front intending to cross the stream, march up the hill, and drive the British back - he had sent Colonel Allen with one division of the American troops north, and Lieutenant Colonel Brush west, to march around and hem in the British as they retreated. He hastened the attack because the British expected reinforcements. The British retreated, but Colonel Brush missed his track - Stark's plan failed, the British were not intercepted but marched about two miles where they met their reinforcements. In this action the British General was killed. When the British retreated Stark, expecting no more fighting had returned to his quarters in town of Bennington one mile off. The British when reinforced returned driving back the American troops - Stark was sent for and coming up then, the Americans made a stand and a smart engagement succeeded. The firing was kept up on both sides until dark when the British retreated and went off to their main army. This is called the Bennington Battle. It may have been the British General Baum killed; but it seems as if General Bredsell.
General Stark then appointed Colonel Seth Warner to command a body of men called Rangers to range up and down Lake Champlain in Vermont to protect the frontier - their head

quarters were at Bennington. He, said Eli Griffith, did not quit the army but directly volunteered as a ranger in Captain Samuel Robinson's company - the Lieutenant was Josiah Brush in Colonel Warner's regiment. He was marched out up along the Lake as many as six times or more within a few weeks, and out a few days each time - once he was marched up fifty or sixty miles to a place called Ira (from its propriety Ira Allen). Once Colonel Warner went out with these rangers; at the other times they were commanded by a captain or subaltern officer, marching out in bands of from fifty to one hundred men at a time and then returning to Bennington. Late in December 1777 he was discharged at Bennington, Vermont by a written discharge signed by General Stark, having been in service five months this last time. This discharge was kept a number of years and was lost or destroyed, no one knows when or how - he has not seen it for last thirty years or more. He was in active service this year at least nine months from the first of April to the last of December as he well remembers, and asks a pension for eight months and three weeks for this service - the time which he can specify as above.
In April 1788 General Stark sent to Colonel Warner to furnish a company to range up Lake Champlain - Captain Jeremiah Ingly of Granville was sent on this service. Said Griffith then living in Bennington, entered as a volunteer private in Captain Ingly's company - Samuel Utter was Lieutenant - there was no Ensign. They marched up as far as Onion river in Vermont, and returned back. Said Griffith was on service on this tour just one month and was dismissed without written discharge. For this one month he asks a pension.
In the fall of 1788 it was rumoured that the Indians and Tories were about to attack Fort Ann and Colonel Dial Sherwood of Fort Edward a colonel of militia was ordered to march to protect the Fort. Early in October said Eli Griffith then living at Granville volunteered and entered as a private the company of New York militia commanded by Captain Seth Sherwood (a brother of the colonel) - Josiah Fitcher was Lieutenant - he thinks the Ensign was Adams - these three officers resided in Kingsbury, N.Y. - Said Griffith was marched to Fort Ann and staid there on duty one month and twelve days

and was dismissed in November by verbal discharge at the Fort, and returned home. He asks pension for said one month and twelve days.
Besides the above terms of service he was on several other short terms which are omitted because they cannot be specified.
And the said Eli Griffith further states that he cannot now give dates and times more particularly than in the preceding declaration - that he had no entry of these services and relies wholly on his memory -
That he has no documentary evidence and knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify particularly to his service, all his fellow soldiers being either dead or, if living, unknown.
And to the following seven Interrogatories, now propounded by said court - to wit:
1. When & in what year were you born? 2. Have you any record of your age; and if so where is it? 3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the revolutionary war and where do you now live? 4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom? 5. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served; such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service? 6. While a soldier did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given, and what has become of it? 7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighbourhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution.
he says
1. In answer to the first interrogatory, that he was born in the town of Middlebury, County of Plymouth, State of Massachusetts, on the 9 th of March 1750. 2. To the second , he says no, he has none. 3. To the third , he says - that he was living in Granville, State of

3 New York when called into service, that he lived there two years after the war and then removed to Clifton Park in Schenectady County, New York, where he lived three years and then removed to a place called May-field, near Johnstown, in Montgomery County, New York where he resided a short time and then removed to Lakenham, Seneca County, New York where he resided several years, and then removed to Huron, in Huron County, Ohio, where he resided four years, and then removed to Burton, in Geauga County Ohio where he resided several years, and then removed to Gates, New York, ten years ago and resided there until October 1832 when he went to Freedom & Cattaraugus County New York where he staid with friends until late in February, 1833 when he returned to Gates aforesaid, where he now stays with friends on whom he is dependent, having now no home or fixed residence. 4. To the fourth, he says that the answer is contained in the previous declaration - he was drafted, volunteered, and was a substitute as is there stated. 5. The answer to the fifth is fully contained in the preceding declaration so far as he can particularize. 6. To the sixth, he says that he received but two written discharges - one signed by General Gates - one by General Stark, as stated, and both lost or worn out. 7. In answer to the seventh request he would name Joshua Kinney, Matthew C. Dimick of Greece, Isaac Moon, Leonard Stimson, Ezra Mason, Ira Stimson, Jesse Munn, John Van Sickle and Samuel Gilman all of Gates, and all in the County of Monroe, State of New York.
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.
Eli his X Griffith mark
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court this 26 th day of March 1833
4 erasures - one interlining
J. Cutter Dep. Clerk

We Elders Joshua Kinne, a Clergyman residing in the town of Greece, County of Monroe and State of New York, and Matthew G. Dimick, residing in the same town of Greece, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Eli Griffith who has subscribed and sworn to the preceding declaration; that we believe him to be eighty three years of age and upward; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion
Sworn and subscribed in open Court this 26 th day of March 1833 }
Joshua Kinne Matthew G Dimick
J. Cutter Dep. clerk
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, and herein written, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the Court further certify, that it appears to them that Joshua Kinne who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Greece as he states, and that Matthew G. Dimick who has also signed the same is a resident of the same town of Greece, County of Monroe, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit. Dated Rochester March 26. 1833.
J. M c Leod } Judges of the James Smith } Court of Common Samuel Easton } Pleas, aforesaid
I Leonard Adams, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Monroe, State of New York, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Eli Griffith for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (being the seal of said Court) this twenty sixth day of March 1833.
L. Adams Clerk

Rochester Oct 7. 1833
Dr Sir
I inclose a supplement to the papers of Eli Griffith on application for a pension, welded on to the original papers as well as could be in their absence.
So far as I could understand your remarks you read the statement of Grif- fith in relation to his service in Warner rangers different from what he intended I trust this supplement will set it right
Yours truly
Moses Chapin