Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4326, William Griffith, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
Griffith, William Susannah
R. 4326
CONTENTS

State of Tennessee } Anderson County } ss
on this the 20 th day of Decem- ber 1838, personally appeared before me James Jones a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid Susanna Griffith a Resident citizen of the County of Anderson aforesaid aged Seventy three years the 6 th day of April last past agreeable to her Record, now in the posses- sion of herself and her son William C. Grif- fith who lives with her. She being born the 6 th day of April 1765, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and Pensions to certain widows, that She is the widow of William Griffith who was according to her best knowledge and belief a Private Soldier of the Militia in the State of Virginia and served the term of at least nine months, being at three different engagements of three months each, perfor- med in the War of the Revolution,
She States that She understands and believes that her said Deceased husband, William Grif- fith entered the Service of the United States in the State of Virginia in Franklin County on Blackwater She well recollects the time of his going from neighborhood, and of hearing her

father Thomas Low. Speak of seeing her husband in service, that her best recollection is that her husband first went to the Carolina country a three months tour after the Tories and British She thinks, under Captain Rentfro, and served three months and brought a parcel of Tories un- der Guard owing to the great lapse of time she cannot state with certainty, the precise time of her said husband engaging in said Ser- vice but from her best view of the case she believes it was in the fall preceding the Battle at Guilford. She states she believes that her said husband again went a three months tour agreeable to the Virginia Militia Regulation, sometime in the forepart of the year 1781, and went under Col Lynch to various points, and places after the enemy in North Carolina, but that she always understood that he was not in the Battle at Guilford being on other routes by some order of some officer the particulars of which she has forgotten. She further believes that her said husband served an other tour, of three months sometime in the Spring and Summer of 1781, under some captain, the name of whom she has forgotten and served in the edge of Carolina and Virginia under Col Lynch, as she believes as to the particulars of his manner of engagement. She believes he first volunteered

and the two last times, he went according to his time, that he always said that he served a little upwards of nine months in the war of the Revolution. She Declarant States positively that she being raised in the country her said husband, went from that she well recollects his being understood to be absent in said war that is from the then neighborhood report of all who knew him, that she knows he did serve from every circumstance, that she has no knowledge, as to the manner of his Discharge. She states she has no record nor Documentary evidence of her said husbands Service. She States that she has no other evidence of said husbands Service than the traditional evidence which she believes is generally understood by his whole acquaintance in the neighborhood where he lived for thirty years before he died.
She further States that she was married to her said Deceased husband to wit the said William Griffith August the 3 d 1782 in Franklin County Virginia, the Record of the time of her said marriage and her husbands birth, and her birth is now in the hands of her son William C Griffith, who lives with herself which contains also the birth of the children born of the bodies of her said husband, and herself,
She further Declares, that her said husband Departed this life in Anderson County

Tennessee on the 31st day of July 1834 that her son William C Griffith, has made a record of the same she positively states that the same is the true time of her said husbands Death
She states that she was not married to the said William Griffith prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninetyfour, to wit at the time above stated, She further states that she has not intermarried since the death of her said husband, but continues to be the widow of the said William Griffith so said
Sworn and Subscribed this 20th day of De- cember 1838 before me J. S. G. G. Clerk of the Prob.
her Susannah Griffith mark
We John Davis & William C Griffith Residing in the County of Anderson in the State of Tennessee certify that we were well acquainted with William Griffith who lived and Died in said County and that we certify that he was reputed and believed by his intimate acquaintance generally to have been a Revolutionary Soldier that the same is the general character of the man and that he was reputed as a man of truth

and veracity and we further certify that we are well acquainted with his said wid ow Susanna Griffith. that she is reputed as a respectable widow of veracity, and that we know she has not intermarried since the Death of her said husband, and we concur in the undoubted belief that her said husband was a Revolutionary Soldier and that him and his said widow were both Respectable persons of veracity.
Sworn and Subscribed this day of December 3 d of John Davis 1838 before me James Jones Justice of the peace
I James Jones a Justice of the peace in and for the county of Anderson State of Tennessee certify that I have attended at the house of Susanna Griffith in Anderson County, to pre pare her Pension Declaration, that she is wholly unable to attend court from bodily infirmity, and I further certify that John Davis
who has Subscribed and sworn to the foregoing Declaration certificate, are resident Citizens in the county and neighbor hood of the said applicant for a Pension and are credible persons

and that their Statements are entitled to full credit, and, I further certify that I have some acquaintance with the general character of William Griffith Deceased, the husband, of this applicant for a Pension, and that I really understand that he is and was respected by his intimate acquaintance as a Revolutionary Soldier and a man of truth, and that his widow is respectable and to my own knowledge she has remained a widow since the death of her said Deceased husband William Griffith
Given under my hand as a Justice of the peace for Anderson County Tennessee this 20th day of December 1838 J. G. my same Justice of the peace

William Griffith was Born November the 1. In the year of our Lord 1758
Susanna Griffith was Born Aprill the 6 in the year of our Lord 1765
We was Marrie d 1 August the 3 rd in the year of our Lord 1782
Amos Griffith was born In August the 24 th Day in the year of our Lord 1783

Thomas Griffith Was Born february the 12 in the year of our Lord: 1785
Benjamin Griffith Was born april the 10 in the year of our Lord: 1787
Levina Griffith Was Born february the 28 in the year of our Lord 1789
Mary Griffith Was born february the 19 in the year of our Lord: 1791
1815 1789 26

Jacob Griffith Was Born May the 26 in the year of our Lord: 1792
Joseph Griffith Was born August the 18 in 1794
Annah Griffith Was born July the 11 in : 1796
Isaac Griffith Was born June the 4 in : 1798
John Griffith Was born September 13 in : 1800
William Griffith Was born September 11 : in 1802

H. 8- Jesse Griffith was born February 4 th in 1805
David Griffith was Born May the 5: 1807
Maria Griffith was Born August the 27: 1811
Saryann Walter Griffith was Born May the 30 th in the year of our Lord, 1825.

Lusindy Was Born The 10 th Day of august
In the year of our Lord 1809
Bob Was Born februar the 2: 1812
Lewis Was born july the 24: 1815
Randolf was born gener ry the 12: 1817
Jacob Was born Nov r November: the 24: 1817
1820 1809
13
1824 1817
7

William Griffith senr Deceased the 31 st day of July 1834 50 minutes after Eleven O'clock at Knught HL "

Susanna Griffith Surrender
Suspended
for 10 July 1839
R. A. Dabney
Let to W. B. Griffith 12 Nov 1832
Same Octo 21 1853
Hon. M. H. Churchill Dec 27/53
4326
Act 7 July 1838

William Griffith the 1st born in June 1768 In the year of our Lord 1768 James Griffith the 2nd born April 1770 In the year of our Lord 1770 He was married August in the year 1792 A. M. Griffith born August 1792 In the year of our Lord 1792

Thomas Griffiths was born February 12 in the year of our Lord 1885 Benjamin Griffiths was born August 10 in the year of our Lord 1887 Leonard Griffiths was born February 28 in the year of our Lord 1889 Alice Griffiths was born January 12 in the year of our Lord 1891 Isaac Griffiths was born May 21 in the year of our Lord 1892

Morgan Courthouse Tennessee Feb 18 th 1839
Enclosed are the Pension papers of Mrs Susanna Griffith, claiming the benefit of the act of 7 th July 1838 I prepared the papers myself owing to the pressure of my own concerns I have not had it in my power to apply at the Clerks office for the purpose of having the papers authenticated untill of late the enclosed contains the family Record of the deceased soldier in his own hand writing as sworn to by Major Griffith with whom the widow now lives, please to investigate the papers and inform me of the result.
your humble servant
R A Dalbey
James L Edwards Esq
Washington city D.C. War Dept Pension office }

4833
V Susanna Griffin of William Warner

State of Tennessee Anderson County
I, William Croft clerk of the court of Anderson County aforesaid certify that James Jones Esquire whose name appears to the foregoing declaration affidavits, and certificate as Justice of the peace is a Justice of the peace as therein set forth I further certify that said foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name at office in Clinton this 15th day of February 1830.
William Croft clerk By his dep d A. Y. Oliver

4326
P. O.
Susannah Griffith
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Oct. 12, 1853.
Letter in case
of Sarah
Griffith, Widow
of William
of the City of B.C.
Widow of William Griffith, deceased.
Jan.
Plaintiff vs. Defendant
Plaintiff vs. Defendant

Oliver. J. Officer Inyw. Oct 7th/53
Mr. D. D. D. come to
Dear Sir I enclose
- a note to you or to Mr. F. A. Dickins Esq to get the papers in the case of the application of Susanna Griffith widow of William Griffith Esq for a pension since which time I have not heard whether the papers has been lifted by Mr. Dickins or not;
You will please inform me whether my note has come to hand and what has been done in said case whether the papers has been lifted or not to
Yours Respectfully G. Griffith

James L. Edwards

State of Tennessee } Anderson County } 3
Personally appeared before me James Jones a Justice of the peace for said County Major William C Griffith an man of veracity, and on his oath states that, he understood, from his earliest recollection from his Deceased father William Griffith that he was a Revolutionary soldier and that he was in the act of preparing papers for his father to draw a Pension just a little before he died, that he died before he completed them, that he is as well convinced that his father was a Revolutionary soldier as if he had been a witness of his service, that it was a subject much spoken of by him in his lifetime, that witness recollects his said father say he was discharged for three tours, but he does not recollect whether verbally discharged

or by written discharge he further States that the foregoing annexed record of his father's and mother's age and marriage, is the original, hand writing of his said Deceased father and that, the annexed leaf showing the death, is his mother's own hand writing and the true time of his father's death, which are fastened together With a red gillet,
Sworn and subscribed this 20th day of Decem ber 1838
City of the peace
William C. Griffith

Robertson Nov. 11
Mr. James E. Heath Commissioner Washington City, D. C.

Robertsville Tenn. Nov. 1 st 1852 Mr. James C. Heath Commissioner etc Dear Sir.
I desire some information of you and I make the enquiry with much diffidence for fear I shall trespass upon you by making unreasonable enquiries or ask of you as an Officer of the Government more than would be honorable on my part. The only apology I offer for the present is that you have heretofore seemingly delighted to accommodate with giving me all and even more information than asked (for which favors I tender you my sincere thanks). And should I ask of you unreasonable favors by advising me (please to drop a note to me of that fact and I will receive it kindly and not trespass upon you again) etc.
I now proceed to state facts for your examination (viz)
My father William Griffith was born December the 4 th 1758. in the State of Virginia Franklin County. My mother Susanna Griffith formerly Susanna Jones was born the 6 th day of April 1765 State of Virginia. William Griffith and Susanna Griffith was married the 3 rd day of August 1782.
My Father William Griffith deceased the 31 st of July 1834. My Mother Susanna Griffith deceased the 10 th day of February 1843.
My Father was entitled to a pension but I heard him say repeatedly that he could live well without it and he would rather his government should have

his services that she might be able in a subsequent was the to feed and cloath her army better than she was able to feed and cloath her army when he was fighting for the liberty he then enjoyed for said he it was not for the want of charity on the part of the United States but for the means that her brave soldiers had to suffer cold and hunger. Therefore
he never applied for a Pension in land nor money. After his death my mother applied for a Pension or at least she made out a declaration and a certain Mr. Dabney. Or. Dabner or something of that name said he would forward her declaration on. And that is the last account she ever got of it Mr. Dabney never advised her what was done in relation of her claim etc.
I am advised by a friend who has access to the muster rolls that William Griffith Susanna Griffith or Susanna Griffith Lewis are entitled to a Pension of land and money. My Father was out six tours as he told me his Captain's name I do not distinctly recollect but it seems to me that it was Pentecost his Col. Name I do not recollect but it seems to me that he said it was Sanders. (This is all guess as to names of Officers or dim recollection) My Father was a Captain some of the tours or a captain in pursuit of the numerous Tories I have heard him speak of who he was all the time after when not in service. If it will not be trespassing upon your honor and too much trouble for you to examine the above name case I would like for you to give me such information as you may believe profitable for me to have in securing what may be due the heirs of Wm and Susanna Griffith deceased. I have two brothers

and two sisters living. My Father and Mother had 9 sons and 3 daughters but all is lost but five of us &c You will please state the amount that you may find coming or due us with such instructions as you may see fit to give me as in so doing you will confer a favor on a stranger but an honest friend. Truly
I am Respectfully Your Obedient servant
Saml Griffith
A.B. Secret yours to Robertsville P.O. Tenn
A.B. You know what I state for facts that I would make oath to but Now I have made statements only by recollection which I believe to be correct. Yet I may be mistaken in some dates &c
C.C.H.

Postage David Set  of  Alins Jan 5- May 17
Mr. L. Blanchard True Esq Washington City D.C.

Oliver's P.O. Office June May 15 th /54 Mr Blanchard Druce Esq
Sir I received your note of the 8 th March 1834 to Miss Susanna Griffith in which you say that you feel very confident that you can furnish sufficient proof to have her a pension allowed
My mother Susanna Griffith deceased the 10 th day of February 1843 My Father Mr Griffith dec. the 31 st of July 1834
I am certain that Father was entitled to a pension (you will see that Susanna Griffith failed her claim for a pension by Mr Babury and it was rejected for proof of service and I do not believe that proof of his service can be got as all his fellow soldiers are dead) neither do I believe that the marriage license can be got. My Father was a Captain in town and when not in actual service he was hunting out the Tories as he told me and if his great dues could be got at  for it would be some money. Now if you have record proof or can get proof to recover said claim you will please write to me upon the very  very thing this, and state what you will recover said claim for with such other instructions as you may desire to give me upon the subject
I am the Executor of my Father's Estate and know something of the nature of obtaining pensions having recovered a few claims and could get the
of marriage for further proof 406

control of divers claims in this section of country if I could make proof of service and identity but this is hard to do
Now if you can get my mother's claim as failed or for the heirs by failing an other declaration I think I can get divers several claims that may be recovered
You see I have given you the dates of their deaths so that you will know what amount is due if got You will please let me know what an amount it will be if got
If you have any Rolls showing a claim for Mr. Chapman his given name I do not now recollect you will so advise me as I have been applied to by an heir
write to me and direct yours to { Oliver P. Office Linn, Iowa Respectfully etc. etc.
Hub Griffith

S.B. Mary Brummett widow of Thomas Brummett perhaps the heirs may get a portion of divers others. I have the cont'd. Mary Brummett's claim V.C. Amst.
Thomas Brummett name found — also Chapman. the Roll on the first page of our Rolls — Now to be certain that these are your men you must tell us what state they lived in during the Rev. War & from which state they then served — Our Rolls are separated into states very particularly Send us Power of Attorney in your own case in which case as we have before told you, we have a proof service — & the same in each of the others. We do a good business together