Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23142, John Griffin, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Griffin, John Susannah
W 23142
CONTENTS

Illinois 4575
Sarah Griffin, widow of John Griffin, who died on the 16th Sept. 1810 of Clark Co. in the State of Illinois who was a Private in the Comp. commanded by Captain West of the Regt. commanded by Col. Lewis in the Virg. line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois at the rate of 80 Dollars per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 and ending 3rd Feb. 1845 when she died.
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of June 1848 and sent to Hon. Sidney Breese Secy of War
Arrears to the 4th of Semi-annual allowance ending Decr 1847 at the rate of $80 per five years under the Act of 7th July, 1838. (Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4 Sect 1)
Recorded by Chas. R. Book Vol. 1
Reported Payable to Robert Griffin, only surviving child. Letter to B. Auditor July 20. 1848.

V. No 5330
Declaration of Susannah Griffin of John Illiniss
Munro 1777
on roll Capt. Hawkins Com Enrolled for 3 years in Feb 1777
Out

State of Illinois } Clark county. } P. 3
On this seventh day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty personally appeared before the county ordinarily court in and for the county of Clark (and state of Illinois) said court being a court of Record. Susannah Griffin, a resident of the county of Clark (and state of Illinois), aged ninety one years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 4 th 1836.
That she is the widow of John Griffin who was a private, (and as well as she now recollects served in the capacity of first sergeant) in the war of the Revolution in the company commanded by Captain Thomas Scott, (at the time of his being mustered into service) of the fourteenth (14 th ) Regiment of the state troops of Virginia, commanded by Colonel Howard Lewis, (at that time, as well as she now recollects.) That she cannot state with certainty whether the said John Griffin, her husband, was drafted, or volunteered, but she recollects distinctly, that he entered the service of the United States, under the officers aforesaid, on or about the month of September in the year 1775, in the county of Bedford (and state of Virginia), where he then resided.
That after the said John Griffin, entered the service as aforesaid, the troops were marched from Albemarle County House, in the state of Virginia, some where Portsmouth, (but to the name of the place she does not now recollect) to a place of General Rendezvous, where the troops were inoculated with the small-pox.
That she cannot now recollect nor give a minute history of the country through which the troops were marched.
court
widow.
company Capt.
Regiment Col.
drafted or volunteered in 1775.
Rendezvous.
marching

Battles.
That she recollects distinctly that the said John Griffin, was in the battle at Brandywine, in the battle at Monmouth, in the battle at Germantown, and at the siege of Charleston, by the British, and that the said John Griffin, was taken a prisoner at the siege of Charleston, by the British, and put on board of a British prison ship, where he laid chained in a dungeon, for about nine months, and was then released from the dungeon, and kept as prisoner, with the British a long time afterwards, and finally deserted the British at some American port, (not now recollected), and returned home to Bedford county Virginia, about the month of September in the year 1782.
Prisoner.
Deserted.
in 1782.
Returned
home.
no discharge.
That from the fact of the said John Griffin having been taken prisoner and deserted as aforesaid, he never received any regular discharge from the service of the United States.
never
drew a
pension.
That the said John Griffin never received any compensation from the United States, or State of Virginia for his services, as aforesaid, nor has he ever drawn a pension, under any of the acts of Congress for that purpose, nor was he ever placed on the pension roll, or list of the United States, or any of the states.
marriage.
in 1771.
Died in
1810.
She further declares, that she was married to the said John Griffin, on the twenty fifth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy one. (1771.) That her husband, the aforesaid John Griffin, died on or about the tenth day of June in the year 1810. And that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Sworn to and subscribed on the 7th day of September 1840.

in open court, before us.
Samuel McClure } county Milton Lake } commissioners. G. B. Redmon }
her Susannah X Griffin mark
The court then propounded the following interrogatories to the said Susannah Griffin, to which she answered as follows, to wit,
Interrogto. by the court.
Interrogatory first by the court.
Where, and in what year were you born? Answer.
I was born in the year 1749, in the state of Virginia, & then in the county of Goochland, now Fluvanna county.
2 nd Interrogatory. Have you any record of your age, if so, where is it?
Answer. I am not in possession of any record of my age; but I think, there was a record kept by my brother Abraham Lea, in the state of Virginia, and it is perhaps now in the possession of Abraham Lea junior, his son, in Amherst county Virginia.
3 rd Where were you living when your husband John Griffin was called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war; and where do you now live?
Answer. We lived in Bedford county, Virginia, at the time he was called into service; and have lived since the Revolutionary war, in Albemarle county Virginia, next in Mercer county Kentucky, next in in Franklin county Kentucky, then removed from Kentucky to the county of Clark and state of Illinois, where I now reside.

Interrogatory 4 th .
How was your husband John Griffin called into service, was he drafted, or did he volunteer, or was he a substitute, and if a substitute, for whom? Answer. I think upon mature reflection, that he enlisted under Capt. Thomas Holt, of the 14 th Virginia Regiment.
Interrogatory 5 th .
State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where your husband served, such continental and militia regiments as you can recollect; and the general circumstances of the service? Answer. I can recollect nothing more about the names of the officers, of the troop, than what I heard him say, which was Capt. Thomas Holt, and Col. Horner Lewis, of the 14 th Virginia Regiment. and that the troop rendezvoused at Albemarle Court-House, in Virginia, and then marched southward, some where, where the troops were inoculated with the small-pox. and that he served and was gone from home near seven years, lacking three days. and that he was in the battle at Brandywine, Monmouth, Germantown & at the siege of Charleston where he was taken prisoner by the British.
Interrogatory 6 th .
Did your husband John Griffin ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given; and what has become of it?
Answer.
He never received any discharge from the first I suppose that he was taken prisoner at Charleston by the British, from whom he deserted & came home in the year 1782.

persons who can certify.
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 the services of your husband as a soldier of the Revolution.
Subs will state the names of Willis Dougherty, Green B. Redmon, Austin Griffin & George Henson.
certificate of neighbors.
We Willis Dougherty, Green B. Redmon, Austin Griffin and George Henson, residing in the neighbourhood of Susannah Griffin, (in the county of Clark and state of Illinois,) the applicant in the foregoing declaration named, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Susannah Griffin, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe her to be ninety one years of age; that she is reputed and believed, in the neighbourhood where she resides, to be the widow of John Griffin, and that the said John Griffin was a Revolutionary soldier, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn to and subscribed in open court, this 7th day of September A. D. 1840
Samuel M. Cline Milton Lake G. B. Redmon
Willis Dougherty G. B. Redmon Austin Griffin George Henson
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 applicant is the widow of John Griffin who was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as she states. And the court further certifies, that it appears to them, that Willis Dougherty, Green B. Redmon, Austin Griffin and George

Henson, who have signed the preceding certificate, are residents in the neighborhood of the said Susannah Griffin, and that they are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
signed
Samuel McClure } county Milton Lake } commissioners. G. B. Ramon }
State of Illinois } Clark county. } I Darius Phillips, Clerk of the county commissioners' court, in and for the county of Clark and state of Illinois, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Susannah Griffin for a pension for the services of her husband John Griffin, as above therein set forth.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this 7th day of September Anno Domini 1840.
Darius Phillips Clerk

State of Illinois } Black county } ss.
Be it remembered that on this third day of March in the year 1871, personally appeared before me James M c Ray - the undersigned a justice of the Peace in and for the county of Black and state of Illinois. Austin Griffin a Resident of the said county of Black, who being by me duly sworn upon his solemn oath, was, That he is personally and well acquainted with Susannah Griffin who is named in and made the hereto attached declaration, as the wife and widow of the the said John Griffin named therein, and that he knows the said Susannah Griffin to be the widow of the said John Griffin who served in the Revolutionary war, in the state troops from Virginia, That the said John Griffin and Susannah Griffin were married in the state of Virginia, Albemarle county, some time about the year 1771, as well as this Deponent, can now recollect, and is informed from the recollection of time. That the said John Griffin died some time in the month of September in the year 1870, as well as I am now informed, and that the said John Griffin and Susannah Griffin, lived together as husband & wife, from the time of their marriage up to the time of his death as aforesaid, that they had born in wedlock John Griffin, Nancy Griffin who intermarried with Winston Ryan, in Anderson county, Kentucky, Lucy Griffin, who is intermarried with Alexander Wright, now in the state of Missouri, Cape Girardeau county; Robert Griffin, now of this county, James Griffin, of the state of Missouri, Polly Griffin, now Polly Briskell, now of Anderson county, Kentucky, all children of their body, who were all born in the state of Virginia. That the said Susannah Griffin now resides in the county of Black Illinois, and formerly in Mercer county, Kentucky, and previous thereto.

in Albemarle county, Virginia.
This deponent further says, that he is a connexion of the said John Griffin and Susannah Griffin, and from the best of his knowledge and belief, there never was kept any family record of their marriage or the births of their children, and have frequently heard the said Susannah Griffin say so, where she resided. And from the best information by enquiry made, there is no record evidence that can be found of the marriage of the said John and Susannah Griffin in the county of Albemarle in the state of Virginia the marriage having taken place previous to the Revolutionary war. This deponent further says, that the said Susannah Griffin has remained the widow of the said John Griffin, ever since his death as aforesaid; and now is living as his widow unmarried, to any other person in the said county of Clark, and that this deponent does not know or believe, that the said John Griffin ever drew a Pension, on account of his services in the Revolutionary war, nor may he placed on any Pension roll or agency, as far as he is informed and believes. This deponent believes that the said Susannah Griffin, is of the age of ninety one years, as she states in her declaration above hereto.
Subscribed & sworn to before me this 3 rd day of March 1848.
Austin Griffin.
J. Allen Notary Public
I James Michie the Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Clark and state of Illinois, before whom the above Deposition was taken, do certify, that Austin Griffin the deponent named in, and whose signature appears to the above Deposition, is a man of truth and veracity, and so reputed in the county and neighbourhood where he is known.

Given under my hand this 3 rd day of March 1841.
James M c Ray J.P.
State of Illinois 3 rd Set Clark county 3 rd
I Darius Phillips Clerk of the county commissioners court, in and for the county of Clark and state of Illinois, do certify, that James M c Ray, whose official signatures appear to the above and foregoing Deposition of Estelle Griffin, and his certificate of truth and veracity thereto, now is, and was on the day of the date thereof, a justice of the Peace in and for the said county of Clark, duly commissioned and qualified as such, and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such, and that his said signatures thereto are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the official seal of said court at my office in Marshall this 3 rd day of March A.D. 1841.
Darius Phillips Clerk

State of Illinois S t .
Clark county. }
The Deposition of Robert Griffin, of the county of Clark aforesaid, taken before me Willis Dougherty, one of the justices of the Peace in and for said county, on this 12 th day of May in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and forty one. The said Robert Griffin being by me duly sworn according to law, doth depose and say as follows, to wit:
That he is fifty one years of age on the 22 nd day of February last past, That he is a son of John Griffin and Susannah Griffin, & was born in Franklin county in the state of Virginia. That he has frequently and repeatedly heard his father, the said John Griffin, relate his service in the Revolutionary war, and that he first enlisted as well as now recollected, in Albemarle county Virginia in the year 1775, or 1776, and that his enlistment was under Capt. Thos. Holt of one of the Virginia Regiments (The number of the Regiment he discerned, as also, the commander of the Regiment.) and that this deponent frequently heard his father the said John Griffin, relate the Battles that he had been in, some of which he distinctly yet recollects, to wit, The Battle at Brandywine, the Battle at Monmouth, Germantown, Long Island, (which he said was the hardest and toughest of any) and was lastly, in the siege of Charleston in South-carolina, where he was taken prisoner by the British, and put on board of British prison Ships, and was there confined in Dungen, about nine months, that he never saw him. That he was confined in Irons while prisoner, and that his legs and ankles, were made extremely sore by the Irons, which never finally healed up while he lived, That this deponent seen the marks and sores caused by the Irons on his father's legs, while a prisoner. That one William Westbrook, was taken a prisoner by the British, at the same time, and was confined in the Dungen, in Irons, upon the same vessel, with the said John Griffin, and that this deponent has frequently heard

the said Westbrooks, and his father John Griffin, relate one together the same story, about their being taken prisoners at the Siege of Charleston, and of their sufferings while such prisoners, and that they the said John Griffin and Westbrooks both made their escape from the British, some where at or near Quebec, in Canada, while the vessel lay near the shore one night, and while they had the Irons taken off their legs, on account of the extreme soreness, and danger of becoming mortal. And that they returned home together in Albemarle county Virginia, about the year 1782. That he has repeatedly heard the said John Griffin & Westbrooks, when speaking of their services and sufferings, in the war, say that they had been Mesfmates together while in the service. That the said Westbrooks has been dead a number of years, and that he died in Virginia. That this deponent heard the said John Griffin say at often times, that he seen two horses shot dead, from under General Washington, during battle.
This deponent further states, that the said John Griffin, died in Virginia, about thirty years ago, and that he never drew a pension, nor, was placed in any Pension list in the United States.
This deponent further states, that the said Susannah Griffin is the real identical widow of the said John Griffin, and that she has never intermarried with any other person, since the death of the said John Griffin, and that she is now living unmarried (to any other person) as such widow, in the county of Clark and state of Illinois, and that she never has received any Pension or compensation on account of the Revolutionary services of her husband the said John Griffin, from the United States.
This deponent further states, that the said John Griffin and Susannah Griffin, lived together as man and wife, from

the time of their marriage, up to the time of the death of the said John Griffin, as above herein stated. That they the said John & Susannah, had born in wedlock eight children, and that John Griffin Jr. was the oldest child, who was born in the year 1783, in Albemarle County, Virginia, as Deponent had heard his father and mother, & the said John Griffin say. and that the said John Griffin Jr. died in the state of Kentucky two years ago last fall, and was of the age of about fifty five years at the time of his death. And that said John Griffin and Susannah Griffin, had been married as he always were informed several years before the birth of the said John Griffin Jr. their oldest child. That there is six other children now living besides this Deponent, and the said John Griffin Jr. deceased, who were born in wedlock, with the said John Griffin and Susannah Griffin, the youngest of which is about thirty or seven years of age, some of which children, are now living, in Kentucky, Missouri, and Illinois.
This Deponent further states, that he has no knowledge of any family record of the marriage of the said John & Susannah Griffin, nor of any family record, of the births of their children as aforesaid. That the following are the names and ages of the said other six children of the said John & Susannah Griffin, to wit: "Nancy, now Nancy Ryan, aged about 56 years, now of Anderson Co. Kentucky. Lucy, now Lucy Wright, aged about 54 years, now of Missouri. Polly, now Polly Driskill aged about 50 years, now of Kentucky James Griffin, aged about 48 years, now of Missouri. Austin Griffin, aged about thirty six or thirty seven years, now of the county of Clark and state of Illinois. This Deponent further states, that the said Susannah Griffin, is the same identical person and widow of the said John Griffin, deceased, whose declaration for a Pension as such widow, is now on file with suspended case, in the War

Department at Washington city, as per letter of the Hon. L. L. Edwards, comr. of Pensions of date "April 24th. 1841.
and which Declaration was made by the said Susannah Griffin before the county commissioners court, in and for the county of Clark and state of Illinois, on or about the 7th day of September 1840.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 12th day of May 1841.
Robt. Griffin
Willis Dougherty J.P.
I Willis Dougherty, the justice of the Peace before whom the above deposition was taken, sworn to and subscribed, by Robert Griffin, as the deponent named therein, do certify, that the said Robert Griffin, swore to and subscribed the same before me, on this day. And that the said Robert Griffin, is a Resident of the said county of Clark, as therein stated, and that the said Robert Griffin is a person of truth and credibility, to all of which I certify from my own personal knowledge.
Given under my hand and seal this 12th day of May A. D. 1841.
Willis Dougherty J.P.
State of Illinois Clark county
I James Phillips Clerk of the county commissioners court, in and for the

county of Clark and state of Illinois, do hereby certify that Willis Gouchety whose official signatures appear to the above Deposition of Robert Griffin (and the certificates of remittence thereto before which the said Deposition appears to have been taken) was on the day of the dates thereof, an acting justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified to office as such justice of the Peace, that his said signatures thereto are genuine, and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such justice of the Peace.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the official Seal of said court at my office in Marshall this 14 th day of May Anno Domini 1841.
Oliver Phillips Clerk

Know all Men by these presents that we John Griffin and Austin Seay are held and firmly bound unto Patrick Henry Esq. Governor or chief Magistrate of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the sum of fifty pounds Current money to be paid to the said Patrick Henry Esq. or to his successors to and for the use of the said Commonwealth to the which payment well and truly to be made we bind ourselves our heirs executors & administrators jointly and severally firmly by these presents Seal'd with our Seals and dated this 23rd day of Apr. Anno Dom. 1777.
The condition of this obligation is such that whereas there hath issued a Licence for marriage between the said John Griffin & Suckey Seay Now if there is no lawful cause to obstruct the said Marriage then this obligation to be void or else to remain in full force & virtue.
Sealed & delivered In presence of } Ino Tumballake.
John Griffin Seal Austin Seay Seal
State of Virginia I have been to wit
I Abraham Shepherd, Clerk of the County Court of Fluvanna in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true Copy of the original bond on file in My office. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto
Set My hand and affixed the Seal of the said County Court this 13th day of March 1848 in the 72nd year of the Commonwealth.
Abra: Shepherd, Clerk.

Susannah Griffin Mrs of John J. Ill. act 7 July 1838. $80 00
To what time was she last paid Is there any evidence of her death in your office
Pension Office June 29. 48 3
G. C. A.
Paid to 4 th March 1841. — Death not noticed on our Books. B. L. B.

Payment to be made at Springfield by C. R. Hunt Agent for paying pension- ers, in the Agency of Ill.
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book C Vol- ume 1 Page 202 by H. D. Hunt Clerk.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
Claim for Military Service.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 4th July, 1836, (3rd section) Susannah Griffin, dec d . late of Illinois, who was the widow of John Griffin, a Private in the War of the Revolution, and who died on the 10th September, 1840, is inscribed on the roll at the rate of Eighty dollars per annum, commencing on the 4th day of March, 1831, and terminating on the 3rd day of February, 1845, the day on which she died. This pension is subject to a deduction of $80 per annum for five years under the act of 7th July, 1838. The difference in the annuity already rec d . and the sum now allowed is due & payable to her only surviving child, Robert Griffin.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this 29th day of June, one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
Examined and Countersigned. }
Secretary of War.
Commissioner of Pensions.

No 8035 Suzannah Hopkins of John Declaration under act of July 7. 1838.
On roll page 149 Prints £36

State of Illinois, ss.
Black county, ss.
On the eighth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty one personally appeared before me Willis Douglass one of the county commissioners of the county commissioners court, (being one of the members designated a county commissioner) in and for the county of Black and state of Illinois, (said court being a court of records specially made so by the laws of the state of Illinois, and having a clerk and seal of office,) Susannah Griffin, a resident of the said county of Black, aged now about ninety two years, as she says, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed July 7th 1838, entitled, "An act granting half-pay and pensions to certain widows." That she is the widow of John Griffin, who was a first sergeant, as well as she now recollects, in the company commanded by Capt. Thomas Holt under the command of Col. Howell Lewis, she thinks, of the 14th Virginia Regiment, in the army of the Revolutionary war. That the said John Griffin enlisted she thinks, or at least went out in the war from the state of Virginia Bedford county, about the year 1775. or 1776. and was mustered into service she thinks at Albemarle Court-House, Virginia, about that time; and from there the Regiment was marched some where Northward to a place of general rendezvous where the soldiers or troops were inoculated or vaccinated with the small pox. she does not recollect the country through which the troops were marched with certainty; she recollects, that the said John Griffin, was in a number of Battles and engagements while in the service of the United States, during the Revolutionary war, some of which she can yet recollect viz. The Battles at Brandywine, Monmouth, C. H. Germantown, and a number of others; she thinks with Washington at taking the Hessian, it was at some engagement where the Horse of General Washington was shot under him, and was finally at the siege of Charleston, where he was taken prisoner by the British, and was then put on board of a British prison ship, which sailed round some where Northward, she thinks, he was kept in the dungeon, on the ship while prisoner, in company with a fellow prisoner by the name of Westbrook, in all, about nine months, when they were

Released from the iron & the dungeon, and then after having been detained some time afterwards on the ship, they both made their escape one night, from the ship, reached the shore, and got clear, & they made their way home in Bedford county Virginia, where they arrived in the fall of the year 1782. She further declares, that the said John Griffin, had no documentary evidence of his services in the war, he having made his escape from the prison ship as aforesaid, he never received any discharge, and She further declares, that the said John Griffin never drew any pension from the United States on account of his services in the Revolutionary war as aforesaid, nor was he placed on any pension roll or agency of any state. She further declares that she was married to the said John Griffin on the 23 rd day of May in the year 1771, in the state of Virginia, Albemarle county. That her husband the aforesaid John Griffin, died on or about the 10 th day of September in the year 1810, that she was married to him prior to his leaving the service, and the marriage took place previous to the first of January, seventeen hundred and ninety-four N o 43, at the time above stated. She further declares, that she is now residing in the county of Clark and state of Illinois, and that previous thereto she resided in the state of Virginia and Kentucky. And that she is now remaining the widow of the said John Griffin, and that she has never intermarried with any other person, since the death of the said John Griffin as aforesaid. And that she is the same identical person who is now an applicant for a pension named in her declaration made before the county commissioners court of Clark county, Illinois, at their September term in the year 1840, on account of the Revolutionary services of the said John Griffin, her deceased husband, under the act of July 4 th 1836, as set forth in her said declaration, now on file in the Pension Office, at Washington city, among suspended claims, as will more clearly appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
Sworn to and subscribed before me at the residence of the affiant in said county this 8 th day of October 1841.
Susannah Griffin
Willis Dougherty County Commissioners
Willis Dougherty, the

(Judge or Justice of) county commissioner in and for the county of Clark and state of Illinois, and before whom the above and foregoing declaration of Susannah Griffin, was made, subscribed and sworn to, on this day, do hereby certify, that it is my firm conviction, that the said Susannah Griffin, is now unable from infirmity, in her advanced age and decline of life, in connection with some present indisposition, to attend there in person at the county court of said county. In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 8 th day of October A. D. 1841.
Willis Dougherty County Com te
State of Illinois } Set.
Clark county } I Darius Phillips, Clerk of the county commissioners court in and for the county of Clark and state of Illinois, do hereby certify that Willis Dougherty, whose official signatures appear to the above and foregoing declaration of Susannah Griffin and the certificate of inability, etc., was on the day of the date thereof, one of the (Judge or Justices of) county commissioners and a member of the county commissioners court, in and for the county of Clark and state of Illinois, duly commis- sioned and qualified as such, that his said signatures thereto are genuine, and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts as such.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the official seal of said court at my office in Marshall this ninth day of October Anno Domini 1841.
Darius Phillips Clerk

Washington Jan. 22, 1848.
Sir
allow me to call your early attention to the enclosed.
Very resp.
S. Breese
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Com. of Pleasures

No 5330
Mar 24 1841.
Illinois
July 4. 1836.
Susannah Griffin
General Mr. ... # ...
no ...
Rev. Edward
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Person ...
Washington City
Pa. D.C.
Free

State of Illinois
Clark county 3 Marshall 3 rd March 1841.
Hon. J. W. Edwards Comt. of Pensions.
Sir,
I herein enclose to you the declaration of Susannah Griffin of this county, together with the annexed proof, for a Pension allowance to her under the Act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836. her claim I suppose will probably fall under the 3 rd sec. of that act. The case was long delayed, she says, from the fact, that she could not obtain aistance to procure it for her. she is very poor now indeed, although she has some very respectable children scattered among the states.
And this claim has also been long delayed since the declaration was made, but I done it to see if I could procure record proof of the marriage from Virginia where they were married. The Clerk of the court of Albemarle Co. Va. Virginia informs me, that there is no record of marriage there which took place prior to the year 1780. & this took place in 1771. & the Church Records cannot be found, which were kept at that time, in which most likely the record of the marriage was made, if any was made at all, at the time. the old lady says, that the marriage was celebrated by the Rev. Charles Clay, then High Priest of the Church of England. I have written to the Priest who is the successor in that Diocese, & he cannot find any thing of it, as yet. I supposed the record proof of the marriage would be the better if it existed, I am now satisfied that it does not exist, but if in existence, not within our power to procure it.
The old lady may be mistaken as to the Regiment or troop in which the service was performed, but I hope diligent search will be made of the various files of the Department. If the files furnish no proof as to the service, I wish to be informed thereof without delay. Yet I presume it

is very likely to be on file.
Please direct all correspondence in relation to this claim, to me at this place, as I am Attorney for the widow.
Very Respectfully
Your most
Obl. servant.
J. P. Cooper

Marshall H. H. 14th May 1841.
free
Hon. L. S. Edwards Comr: Pensions, Pension office Washington City D.C.

State of Illinois Clark county, ss.
Marshall 14 th May 1841.
Hon. J. L. Edwards, Comr. of Pensions.
Sir Sir,
Yours of the 12 th April in relation to Mrs. Jane Russell and of the 24 th April last, in relation to Mrs. Susannah Griffin Declarations for pensions respectively, having filed with suspended cases for want of further proof, as to identity of these widows, and of the period of their respective marriages, &c. more duly &c.
I have now the honor of herewith transmitting to you the proof, which is probably sufficient in both these cases, as per your suggestions.
The marriage of Mrs. Russell, having taken place, as she states in her Declaration, & also proven by the witness, in accompanying Deposition, where there is no Record proof, in which, nor family records either, & all eye witnesses having removed to places unknown, except Mr. Oxendine, or have died, leaving it difficult to prove more strong, than the papers will now show; Yet there is other witnesses viz, children named in the enclosed Depositions, that we could procure the same proof from, but I have supposed the present sufficient.
In the case of Mrs. Griffin, her marriage having taken place in Virginia, while under the Glebe land laws or diocese of the Bishops, of the Church of England renders it wholly out of her power to prove her marriage by the church Record, due search & inquiry having been made for it. And the testimony of the deceased John Griffin said and of the marriage of him and the widow, Susannah the claimant, being as strongly proven by the enclosed deposition, as we can now possibly make it, we shall have upon this to submit it for decision: we can only now prove by several others of their children, the same matters of fact as the enclosed Deportion in her case, will show.

and have supposed the present sufficient; we rest until further intelligence from the Dept. shall have been recd.
Please enclose and address to me at this place, all inquiries and communications and documents upon each of the two named cases herein. viz. Russell & Griffin.
I hope to hear from them at an early period, as the widows are both old & in needy circumstances.
I have the honor to be
Your Most Obedt humble servant. J. P. Cooke
Commissioner of Pensions Washington City. D.C.

Marshall Ills. 11th June 41.
free
Hon. J. L. Edwards Comr. of Pension. Pension Office. Washington D.C.
Mr Griffiths
333

Filed with Mrs. Russell papers ad. 1861
State of Illinois, Clark county, ss. December 18 th June 1861.
Dear S r . L ieut . Edwards, Pioneer of Parisien,
I have the honor to forward enclosed to you the further (in addition) testimony in relation to the Pension claim of Mr. Isaac Russell, whose declaration for a pension is now on file in the Pension office. The deposition is from Mrs. Elizabeth Long, of Montgomery county, Indiana, which I have this moment received. I enclose to you by the mail, on the 12 th inst. the deposition of Mr. Thomas Thompson, of this county, in behalf of the claimant, also, either of which, I presume will be satisfactory & sufficient. But as I rec d the evidence deposition so recent, after the departure of the other, I concluded to forward this also, supposing beyond a doubt, that the two will be wholly sufficient.
Will you please inform me, on the receipt of this, if the name of John Griffin, is on the revolutionary rolls from Virginia, in the War Department, at what date he entered the service, & for how long, & whether enlisted or not, or drafted or volunteered, & if enlisted, for how long, together with the name of the Col l & officer of the Battalion & Regiment, to which he belonged. I wish to get the information, on the case of Mrs. Sarah Griffith case, his widow, whose application for a Pension is now on file in the Department.
Will you please send me copies, of all the late Pension laws & instructions, & bounty laws, also, lists or names of the Pensioners, of the U.S. residing in Indiana & Illinois.
Respectfully yours &c.
L. G. Moore

Lawrence Pts. July 10. 24. 3
Hon. J. L. Edwards, commr. of Pensions
Pension Office
Washington City
D. C.

State of Illinois Clark county ss. Marshall J. Co. Oct. 1841.
Hon. J. S. Edwards, Comr. of Pensions.
Sir,
I have the honor to be enclosed to you the Declaration of Susannah Griffin widow of John Griffin Esq. who was a Revolutionary soldier, &c. The declaration is in accordance with the provisions of the act of July 7. 1838. as near as can be as you will see. And is made at your suggestion contained in your reply to me of the 9th inst. upon that subject.
The claimant here is the same person whose declaration is now on file in the pension office among suspended claims, made under the provisions of the act of Congress of July 4th 1836. which you say cannot be allowed, upon the proof exhibited of the marriage, under that act. I therefore refer you to the proof now on file in your office exhibited in that case, in support of the claim now presented in this declaration: And suppose it will be amply sufficient.
I have no doubt in my mind, that the claim under the act of July 4. 1836. is a just & meritorious one, and am yet endeavoring to obtain the requisite proof under that act; but on account of the urgent necessity of the old lady, for some immediate relief in her present indigent circumstances, I have accepted your proposition to shape the declaration as near as may be, to conform with the provisions of the act of July 7. 1838. supposing that if the claim under that act should be allowed, it will not in future be any bar to the allowance of her claim under the provisions of the act of July 4. 1836. in case the proof shall be obtained in accordance therewith. And if this will you please be so good as to inform me in reply hereto. All communications or transmittals upon this case, please enclose & direct to me at this place.
Very Respectfully
Your most Obt. Servant
J. S. Cooper

8035
Susannah Griffin of John Illinois
Admitted
Private 2 yrs $80. bap Holt. Cal. Jan. 1842
died 10 Sep 1810
At 7 July 1838
J. P. Cooper Marshall Ill

Marshall, Illinois Feby. 12. (1848).
Hon. J. L. Edwards comm. of Pensions.
Sir.
I have the honor to enclose herewith, to you the declaration of Robert Griffin, only child of Susannah Griffin, who was the widow of John Griffin, and drew a pension under the act of July 7. 1838. & died in Clark county, Illinois, without having applied under the act of March 3. 1843.
We have made the proof of her death &c. before the Probate court, as you will see, which is perhaps unnecessary, I presume the declaration of the child under the act of March 3. 1843. as required by the form for the widow, is sufficient, but we added the other also.
Please enclose to me at this place,
With great Respect, I am Sir Sir,
Your Most
Obt. Servt.
J. P. Cooper.

3 Sep 1841. Mrs. Lydwidge
FREE
J. L. Edwards esq. Comm. of Pensions Washington City

Charlottesville 31 st Aug. 1811
Dear Sir
Your letter of the 26 th Inst. was handed me this morning - Upon examination I can find no Marriage license bond or any return of a Marriage solemnized between John Griffin and Susanna Lea or Lea, between the years 1780 and 1792 upon file in my Office.
Respectfully
Your ob st .
Isaac Barnett

Marshall, Illinois, June 12 th . 1848.
Hon. S. Breese
Senate United States.
Sir,
Your favor is received, enclosing the letter from the commission of Pensions, of date the 3 rd Inst. in reply, in the case of the heirs of Susannah Griffin deceased, widow of John Griffin, of Illinois.
The commissioner, says, that the record of the marriage is satisfactory: "But it will be necessary, before a certificate can issue to her children under the act of 4 th July 1836, that a declaration, and also the certificate of some court of Record showing the date of her death, and giving the names of all her children, now living, should be filed in this office."
I beg leave to refer the commissioner of Pensions, in this case, to the declaration of Susannah Griffin made in her first application, for a pension, in this claim, & filed in the pension office in April 1841, (I believe) under the act of July 4. 1836 , which I presume will be satisfactory.
The commissioner, is also referred, to the declaration of Robert Griffin, her now only living child, made under the acts of March 3. 1843, & June 17. 1844, in February 1848, and filed in the pension office, with this claim; upon the same sheet also, will be found the certificate of a " court of Record showing the date of her death and giving the names of her only child now living;" all of which, I presume, when referred to, certainly will be satisfactory; as these papers show the same facts,

an only facts required, which I hope may be considered sufficiently explicit, upon which the proper certificates of allowance can certainly be made.
Please enclose the certificates to me at this place:
If it can be done, it would be more convenient, if this claim could be made payable at Madison, or New-Albany Indiana. And the Agent at either place notified and ordered to pay it upon the warrants being presented there.
Please present this letter early & enclose to me at this place.
I have the honor to be
Very Respectfully
Your Obed. Servt.
L. Hooper

Washington May 31. 1848
Sir,
I enclose you some additional proof in the case of Sarah Griffin widow of John Griffin & also Mr. Cooper's letter to me relative thereto. You will please communicate to me your decision, as soon as possible.
Very happy.
S. Breese
J. L. Edwards Esq. Com. of Pensions War Dept.

5330
Susannah Griffin of John Illinois
Suspended.
See let: 25 th April 1841 J. P. Cooper in chs. W. 22/472-2 let: 25 May 41 to do let: 25 June 41 to do let: to do. 26 Aug 41 and to Clk Court Albemarle Co. Va. let: to J. P. Cooper 9 th Sep: 1841
Act 4 th July 1836

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 23142
Susannah Griffin Widow of John Griffin Prison Recluse
Act: July 4 1896
Index:—Vol. A , Page 291
[Arrangement of 1870.]

25 Aug 1841 Add evl Care of Sarah Griffin In Atty Mr Allis
up Percivalburg Ky 18th Aug 1841
fee
J. P. Edwards Pension Office Washington City D.C. ms

State of Illinois 3 rd
Clark county 3 rd
Marshall 18 th Aug t 1841.
Hon. S. L. Edwards Court of Pensions.
Hon. Sir,
I have the honor to enclose herewith to you the further Deposition in the Pension case of Mrs. Susannah Griffin of this county, who is claimant on behalf of the Revolutionary services of John Griffin, De d , who was enlisted from Virginia.
I presume the enclosed deposition of Leonard Lea, of Anderson county Kentucky, when taken in conjunction with the other Depositions now on file in Mrs. Griffin's case, will be amply sufficient, to obtain her certificate.
I beg leave to refer you to a thorough & concerned examination of the whole case, as now exhibited, in full.
Please forward to me any reply, communication or certificate that may be granted or deemed requisites in her case, directed to me at Marshall, Clark county, Illinois.
I write this communication at Lawrenceburg, Anderson co. Ky. where I now am, but date as if at home.
I have the honor be very respectfully your Most Ob t Serv t
J. P. Hooper

Commonwealth of Kentucky Anderson county. 3 d Feb.
Be it remembered, that on this 18 th day of August A. D. 1841. personally appeared before me James D. Packer one of the justices of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid Leonard Lea, of said county, aged now about sixty five years, who being by me first duly sworn upon his oath, says, that he was living with Susannah Griffin, the then reputed wife of John Griffin, in the county of Fluvanna and state of Virginia, in the year 1782. (and) at the time when the said John Griffin returned home from the Revolutionary war, (and) that he recollects of the return of the said John Griffin from the Revolutionary war, in company with one William Westbrook, who was a fellow soldier & messmate in the war, with the said John Griffin, as they both then said. This affiant further says, that the said John Griffin and Susannah Griffin, were reputed and known in the neighborhood in the said county of Fluvanna, to be husband and wife, for some time previous to his return home in 1782, and that they had one one child born in Wedlock, to wit, John Griffin Jr. previous to his return home; which child was then about two or three years old. This affiant further says, that when the said John Griffin returned home from the war, he came to the then house & place of residence of the said Susannah Griffin, and that the said John Griffin and Susannah Griffin from thence onward lived together as husband & wife in the said county of Fluvanna for some six or seven years immediately afterwards, and had born in wedlock there, at least four other children, viz, Nancy J. (now Nancy J. Ryan) and Lucy, (now Lucy Wright.) that the said John Griffin and Susannah Griffin, afterwards removed to Bedford county Virginia, and had born in wedlock afterwards the following named children, viz, Robert, Polly, (now Polly Driskell)

Lamar and Austin Griffin: This affiant further says, that he has been continually from the time of his first knowledge of an acquaintance with the said Susannah Griffin, personally and well acquainted with her, up to the present time, and that she now resides in the county of Clark and state of Illinois, and that she is an applicant for a Pension as the widow of the said John Griffin, as he is informed and believes, and that the said Susannah Griffin is the same identical person who was the wife of the said John Griffin, who was a Revolutionary soldier from the state of Virginia and returned home from the war in the year 1782 as aforesaid. & further saith, that one Col. George Thompson who was a Pensioner on the Kentucky agency told this affiant some years back, in a conversation with him, that he knew the said Susannah and that he was at the wedding of the said John Griffin & Susannah Griffin, in the state of Virginia in the county of Shenandoah, and that he resided in that county at the time of their marriage, but the precise time is not recollected. And that the said Col. George Thompson died in Mercer county Kentucky several years ago. This affiant further says, that he has frequently heard the said John Griffin state, that him and the said Westbrooks were taken prisoners at the siege of Charleston and put on board of a British prison ship, and were confined on the ship until they deserted & returned home in the year 1782, and that they had been prisoners some nine or eighteen months, as well as he now recollects: that they spoke of their immense sufferings while prisoners, and of their hardships during the war, of their being in the Battles at Brandywine, with Washington at taking the Hospital at the Battles at Guilford court-house & at Monmouth and finally at the siege of Charleston. This affiant further says that the said John Griffin returned home to see his wife the said Susannah Griffin once or twice at least, on a furlough, during his service in the Revolutionary war, from what he seen and heard at the time,

and as now recollected from his earliest acquaintance, to this day. This affiant further says, that he recollects, that the said John Griffin had been in the war of the Revolution at least two times, the first he thinks was a short tour, and the last tour was under an enlistment of seven years or during the "sweep." This affiant further says, that he resided in the said county of Henrico, in Virginia, in the immediate neighbourhood of the said John & Susannah Griffin from the time of his birth until he about eight or ten years after Griffin's return from the war, and was intimately acquainted with them both during that time, and their children also, then born, as above stated, and that he has been personally acquainted with the said Susannah Griffin ever since he first knew her in Virginia, that she has since resided in the state of Kentucky & that she now resides in Clark County Illinois.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 18 th day of August 1841. at the county of Anderson aforesaid. James D Parker J P
Leonard Sea
I James D. Parker justice of the Peace in and for the county of Anderson and commonwealth of Kentucky, and before whom the above and foregoing deposition of Leonard Sea purports to have been taken do hereby certify that the said deposition of the said Leonard Sea was taken, subscribed and sworn to by and before me on the day of the date thereof at the said county of Anderson; and I do further certify that the said Leonard Sea, the deponent is a man of truth, veracity and undoubted credibility; all of which I certify from my own personal knowledge. and that the words "he was," in the 9 th line, last page, were added before executing the deposition. Given under my hand and seal this 18 th day of August A. D. 1841. James D Parker J P

Commonwealth of Kentucky, 3 d p l .
Anderson county, ss. I Jordan H. Walker, Clerk of the county court, in and for the county of Anderson aforesaid do hereby certify that James S. Parker, whose official signature appears to the above and foregoing Deposition of Leonard Lea, and his certificate of credibility thereto, now is and was on the day of the date thereof, an acting justice of the Peace and a member of the county court, in and for the said county of Anderson, duly commissioned and qualified as such and that his said signatures thereto are genuine, and that full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the official Seal of said court, at my office in Lawrence- burg this 18 th day of August Anno Domini 1841.
Jordan H. Walker Clerk of the County Court of Anderson County.

No 5330
Susannah Griffin wid of John Ill
act 4 July 1836
Adno 2 years in $80 per Ann
from 4 March 1831 to 3 Feb 1845 the sum of her annuity Payable to Robert Griffin, only surviving Child, deducting what has been paid at the rate under the act of 4 July 1836 at the rate of $80 per Ann Hen J Brouse Lemuel N. Dinsley

State of Illinois S p .
Clark county: On this 10 th day of February — (1848).
personally appeared before me Jesse Mark a justice of the Peace in and for the county of Clark and state of Illinois, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, Robert Griffin, a resident of said county, aged fifty seven years past, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the acts of Congress, passed on the 3 rd March, 1843, & 17 th June 1844, granting pensions to widows of persons, who served during the Revolutionary war: That Susannah Griffin, (his mother) who was the widow of John Griffin, who was a private, in the army of the Revolution, in the Virginia Continental Line, But he is ignorant of the name of his Captain, & Colonel, and the Regiment to which he belonged: That his said Mother Susannah Griffin, received a pension under the act of July 7, 1838, at the rate of eighty dollars per annum; That the said Susannah Griffin, resided in the county of Clark and state of Illinois, and died in the county of Clark and state of Illinois, on 3 rd day of February 1843; That she continued, & remained the widow of the said John Griffin, without intermarriage up to her death as aforesaid; And that the said Robert Griffin, this affiant is her son and only child now living.
Sworn to and subscribed on this 10 th day of February 1848, before me.
Jesse Mark J.P.
Rob t Griffin

I Jesse Mark the Justice of the Peace before whom the foregoing declaration of Robert Griffin was made, this day, do certify that the said declarant, is personally known to me, & that he is a credible person, of truth and morality, which I certify, from my own personal knowledge. Given under my hand at the said county of Clark and state of Illinois, this 10 th day of February 1848.
Jesse Mark J.P.
State of Illinois } Clark county } } 3
I Danus Phillips, clerk of the county commission- court, in and for the county of Clark and state of Illinois, do certify, that Jesse Mark whose official signature appears to the foregoing declaration and certificate, now is and was on the day of the date thereof, an acting justice of the Peace in and for said county, duly commissioned and qualified. That his commission was dated on the twentyseventh day of August 1847, and will expire on the 27 th day of August 1849. and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name and seal of said county, at my office at Marshall this 10 th day of February 1848.
Danus Phillips Clerk.

State of Illinois } Clark county. }
I Stephen Archer Clerk of the court of Probate held at Marshall, in and for the county of Clark in the State of Illinois, do hereby certify, that satisfactory evidence has been exhibited to said court that Susannah Griffin, widow of John Griffin was a pensioner of the United States, at the rate of eighty dollars per annum; that she was a resident of the county of Clark in the state of Illinois, and died in the county of Clark in the state of Illinois, in the year 1845, on the third day of February. That she left a son and only child now living in the county of Clark and state of Illinois, whose name is Robert Griffin. That the said Susannah Griffin, was pensioned under the act of July 7, 1838. That said court is a court of record, so declared by the acts creating it.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office at Marshall this 11 th day of February in the year of our Lord 1848.
Stephen Archer Probate Justice of the Peace.

Agent notified
Lt H M I Breece
Feb 11 '48
Lt to same June 3rd 1848.
Illinois 6422
Susannah Griffin
widow of John Griffin
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 10. September 1810 of Clark Co. in the State of Illinois who was a Private in the company commanded by Captain Mott of the regt. command by Col. Lewis in the V.A. line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per ann. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. ✓
Certificate of Pension issued the 23 d day of Oct. 1841 and sent to J.P. Coffey Marshall, Illinois
Arrears to the 4th of March 1841. $400.00 Semi-annual allowance ending
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk. Book A, Vol. 2, Page 223