Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16275, Jonathan Griffin, N.H.

SERVICE
NUMBER
N 16.
Griffin, Jonathan Hannah
N 16275
CONTENTS

4697 New Hampshire
Hannah Griffin — widow of Jonathan Griffin, dec. who was a pensioner under the Act of — — — and who died on the 28 Febry 1803 — Hillsboro' in the State of N. H. who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Fry N. H., the regt commanded by Col. Gilley in the N. H. line for 2 years.
Inscribed on the Roll of Concord at the rate of 80 Dollars — Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 9 th day of Dec 1839, to Senate to Hon. Pierce Senate, U. S.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept r 39 $ 280.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar ch 40 40.00 $ 320.00 { Act July 7, } { 1838. }
Recorded by D. M. Burdy, Clerk, Book 1. Vol. 1. Page 41.

State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough ss. On the tenth day of October 1839 personally appeared before me Jesse Gann a Justice of the court of common pleas for the county of Hillsborough in said state Hannah Griffin a resident of New Boston in the county of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire aged 74 years who being first duly sworn, to her oath on her oath made the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7. 1838. an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows. That she is the Widow of Jonathan Griffin, who was a private in the army of the revolution that he served in Isaac Fry's Company 3 d New Hampshire Regt. part of the year 1780 have heard him talk of being with General Stark &c but can't tell how long, he enlisted on the same day in 1781 for three years according to the best of her knowledge and served till the close of the war but is not able to state the company and Regt it is so long since the death of her husband She further declares that she was married to the said Jonathan Griffin on the sixth day of November 1790. That her husband the aforesaid Jonathan Griffin died the last day of February 1803. That she was not married to him previous to his leaving the service but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four N.Y. at the time above stated.
Hannah G Griffin mark
Hillsborough ss October 10. 1839
sworn to and subscribed on the day and year
above written before me Jesse Gann } Justice of the court of common Pleas

I hereby certify that the foregoing applicants Hannah Griffin owing to bodily infirmity cannot attend court having had an attack of Paralysis
Jerome B. Act Justice of the Court of Common Pleas

I Elizabeth Wilson of New Boston County of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire depose and say that I was well acquainted with Jonathan Griffin and Hannah McCoy before and after their marriage, they were married at my Uncle James Wilson's in New Boston late in the fall of 1790 I think it must be in the latter part of the month of November because it was after Denny Farm; it was the same day that Daniel Wilson was brought home from Dea. Thomas Bachmans having been confined there several days in consequence of a very severe injury he received while at work on the highway near said Bachmans house, I was present and saw them married, the Rev Solomon Moore married them There is another reason that satisfies me that they were married as long ago as 1790 is they were married several years before Daniel Wilson was and he was married forty- six years ago last September I was also at his wedding Elizabeth Wilson
Hillsborough ss October 23. 1829
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Jesse Gann Justice of Peace
I hereby certify that Elizabeth Wilson above named is a person of good character and entitled to full credit
Jesse Gann Justice of Peace

I, Reuben Wilson of Northampton county of Hillsborough and State of North Carolina do hereby depose and say that I was well acquainted with Jonathan Griffin and Hannah McCoy before and after they were married. They were married late in the fall of 1790 I think, I was present and saw them married they were married by the Rev. Solomon Moore of Northampton married them at the house of James Wilson of Northampton father of Daniel Wilson the marriage took place the same day that Daniel Wilson was brought home from Dea Pro- vidence having been confined there several days in consequence of a severe injury he received while at work on the highway near his house I further say that I was at Daniel Wilson's wedding who was married several years after the said Griffin as much as three or four years. Reuben Wilson
Hillsborough 33 Oct 18. 1839 sworn to and subscribed before me
Jesse Carr Justice of Peace I hereby certify that the above named Reuben Wilson is entitled to full credit
Jesse Carr Justice of Peace

Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 16,275-
Hannah Griffin
Widow of
Jonathan Griffin
Ohio Rev War
Act: July 1st 187
Index:—Vol. a , Page 270
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Dear Sir
I herewith transmit to you the Declaration of Hannah Griffin for a pension, you will see by the evidence that her husband Jonas Griffin served in 1780 four months five months and a few days and that he received pay for arrears of services rendered in 1781 but how much those services were, the records in the Secretary's office of this State do not show, I am told by our Secretary, that the evidence must be in your department you will please examine and see how much — You will please make the return to me in Grafton Oct. 31. 1839 Yours affectionately
Jesse Carr
J. L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington

A Return of the Non Commissioned Officers & Privates in Col t Isaac Fry's Company B Vt. H. Hampshire Aug t . from the first Jan y 1780 to the first day of Jan y 1781
Enlistment, July 1. 1780 Moses Varnes - Com d Griffin - Rank, Private - Term 16 Months Discharged Dec r 4. 1780.
Sub of Vt. Hampshire Office of Secretary of State,
Sept. 16. 1839
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true extract from the original now in this Office.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said State.
Jonah Stevens Sec y of State

Orders drawn for Balance due to Officers & Soldiers for the years 1780 & 1781 pursuant to Act of Court 23 March 1782
Joseph Griffin year 1781 - £ 17.14.9
State of New Hampshire Office of Secretary of State
Sept 6 - 1839
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true extract from the original now in this office. In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed the Seal of said State Joseph Hovey Sec y of State

Jon a Griffon d. 1803. Hannah m. 1790.
p 218. fin. set
1780. Isaac Try 1781 3 of. — no off.
Henryfield a New Boston
on final settlement, page 218, 20 th of Certificate Jany 20 1784 Became sum " 1-1785.
Vol 4 p 601 on roll of Bedford 5118 Bills, Pay L 251 Mar 8 1781. Had for that year 23.70
On roll Vol 4 p. Alphabet Q Lilla A. Deerfield

Wks. on Billings mts. Jon a Griffin Deerfield p. 99. } died Oct 1. 1781 }
Jon a Griffin Deerfield p. 237. died 8. 1781 and paid for that year.
Jon a Griffin Deerfield Vol 4. Alphabet C. letter G a
Jon a Griffin (Bedford) 1780 5 mo 18. Vol 4 p. 601.
Jon a Griffin. Final Sett a p. 318 Vol 1.

Hannah Griffin 6307
Wid of Jonathan
N H
Ad. July 7, 1838
M Married 1790
Wed 1803
Allas 2y Jan 1850
SH line
Haz. F. Pierce
U S S,

I, Daniel Willson of Henniker in the County of Merrimack and State of New Hampshire depose and say that I was well acquainted with Jonathan Griffin who married Hannah McCloy - They were married at my father's house in New Boston on the day that I was brought home from Dea. Thomas Cochrans, having been confined there several days in consequence of a severe injury I received while at work on the highways near his house which was the latter part of October 1790 - I am further satisfied that they must have been married as long ago as 1790 because they were married several years before I was and I have been married forty six years last this present month Daniel Wilson
State of New Hampshire Merrimack ss. September 24. 1839
Subscribed and sworn to -
Before me, Bartholomew Smith Justice of the Peace
Thereby certify, the above named Daniel Willson sustains a good character and is entitled to full credit
Attest. Bartholomew Smith, Justice of the Peace

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE.
I JOSIAH STEVENS, JR. Secretary of the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Bartholomew Smith is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Merrimack duly Commissioned and qualified; that his Commission was dated on the twenty fourth day of June 1839 and will expire on the twenty fourth day of June 1844 and that his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said State this 30 th day of October 1839
Josiah Stevens Secretary of State.

6304

I Benjamin S Woodbury of New Boston county of Hillsborough and State of New Hampshire depose and say that I was well acquainted with Jonathan Griffin from 1790 till his death which took place in February or March 1803 and Griffin frequently worked for me. He used frequently tell me of his being in the revolution and I have no doubt but that he entered the service for three years and served till the close of the war I got the information I have of his services from him as he used to talk about it, when he Lived for me as to what Company of Regt he served in I cannot recollect - Hannah Griffin lived with the said Jonathan Griffin when I was first acquainted with them she had seven children by him and has remained a widow ever since his decease I never heard it doubted but that they were legally married which must have been before I was acquainted with them B. S. Woodbury
State of New Hampshire
Hillsborough ss September 20 th 1839
Sworn to and subscribed before me
Jesse Gann Justice of Peace
I hereby certify that Benj. S. Woodbury above named is of good character and entitled to full credit
Jesse Gann Justice of Peace

I Abner Hogg of Warkton county of Northampton and State of Northampton depose and say that I served in the Revolutionary war three years and six months and am now a pensioner under the act of June 7. 1832 soon after the disbandment of the army in 1783 I became acquainted with Jonathan Griffin who had then recently returned to his Father's from the army his Father having a short time previous removed into Warkton from Donnington, near Manchester. said Griffin had the reputation of being been an expert soldier I frequently employed him as a Drill Sargent to instruct the militia in Warkton. I have recently seen a certificate from the Secretary of the State which shows that Jonas Griffin entered the service July 1. 1780 and was discharged December 4. 1780 in Isaac Fry's company 3 d Northamptonshire Regt. I have no doubt but the said Jonas Griffin was the same that is above alluded to. I further say that I think he must have enlisted soon after the term above stated for three years and continued in the service till the close of the war, as he had all the reputation of being such a soldier not only what I know of him myself convinced me of the above facts; but I have heard other old soldiers speak of him as a 3 years man. I am also well acquainted with Hannah McCoy now widow Griffin who married the said Jonas Griffin as early as 1790 they lived together as man and wife until his death which took place say some 35 years ago and Hannah Griffin who makes application for a pension is his widow and has remained a widow ever since his death.
State of Northampton Hillsborough ss September 20 th 1839 Sworn to and subscribed before me
Abner Hogg
Jesse G. Gaster of Peace
I hereby certify that Abner Hogg above named is of good character and entitled to full credit
Jesse G. Gaster of Peace

I Rodney McCollom of Wadsworth county of Hillsborough and state of New Hampshire do hereby say that I am Town Clerk of the town of Wadsworth
1 st I was chosen town clerk the twelfth day of March 1839 and have held the office until now —
2 d The examination to find the marriage of Jonathan Griffin and Hannah McCoy now Hannah Griffin was made between the first of September 1839 and the present time
3 d The records afford no evidence of the marriage of the said Jonathan Griffin and Hannah McCoy
4 th The records of births —
5 th The records are very irregular, there has been but few marriages recorded and those that were recorded most of them were long after they took place generally with their children
Rodney McCollom Town Clerk
Hillsborough ss. October 23 d 1839 sworn to and subscribed before me Jesse Carr Justice of Peace
I hereby certify that Rodney McCollom above named is a person of good character and entitled to full credit Jesse Carr Justice of Peace

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE.
I JOSIAH STEVENS, JR. Secretary of the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Joseph Gann is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Hillsborough duly Commissioned and qualified; that his Commission was dated on the twenty first day of May 1839 and will expire on the twenty first day of May 1844 and that his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said State this thirtieth day of October 1839
Josiah Stevens Jr. Secretary of State.

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE.
OFFICE OF SECRETARY OF STATE.
I JOSIAH STEVENS, JR. Secretary of the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Yse Carr is an acting Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Hillsborough duly Commissioned and qualified; that his Commission was dated on the 27 th day of June 1835 and will expire on the 14 th day of October 1853 and that his signature to the annexed instrument is genuine.
Given under my hand and the Seal of said State this 30 th day of October 1839
Josiah Stevens Secretary of State.

CONTENTS
carded

641/76 New York
Joseph Griffin
to G. S. Lewis March 28: 1850
25
of Oswego — in the State of New York who was a Sergeant in the Com — commanded by Captain Brown of the Regt 1 , commanded by Col Dutcher in the ★ Continental line for 21 Months 17 days Corporal 2 " " 13. " " Sergeant
Letter
★ Continental and Penn.
Records completed Oct. 17/1904
Enscribed on the Roll of New York at the rate of 91 — Dollars 28 — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 10 th day of May 1838 — and sent to John Russel. Coopers Town N. York
Arrears to the 4th of March 1839 $182.56 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 th Sep 1839 . . 45.64
$228.20
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, Book E. Vol. 4 th Page 20.

State of New York Otsego County ss.
On this 17 th day of October 1832 personally appeared in Open Court before James B. Morse, Elisha Foss and Sherman Sage Judges of the Court of Common Pleas being a court of Record now sitting. Joseph Griffin a resident of Otsego in the County of Otsego aforesaid aged Twenty five years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7: 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1776 - (he thinks in the month of May) in Capt. Brown's Company in a regiment of the line commanded by Col. Durkee - his regiment lay at Poughkeepsie on the Hudson river opposite to New York at the time the 3 Ships Phoenix, Roebuck and Asia, sailed up the river - and at the time the Roebuck came down - He was in the Battle of Trenton in the month of Dec r 1776. and was discharged at the expiration of the year by Col. Durkee or Lieut. Col. Knowlton; does not remember which - At the time of his enlistment he was a resident of the Town of Pomfret, County of Windham and State of Connecticut - He again enlisted, while residing in Pomfret (thinks it was in the month of May) in the year 1777 for three years in Capt. Brown's Company Col. Durkee's regiment - Genl. Parsons Brigade which consisted of Durkee's, Bradley's, Chandler's and Swift's regiments - Was in the battle of Monmouth, New Jersey, in the month of June 1778 - remembers that it was a very hot day - and of seeing Genl. Washington riding to take the command from Genl. Lee - - He was in the battle of Stony Point July 16. 1779 under the command of Genl. Wayne - remembers of marching 17 Miles the same night that they stormed the Fort and seeing Genl. Wayne bloody with the wound he received in his head -
He served three years, being two years of which service was a sergeants office the period of his enlistment, and was discharged by Col. Meigs in the State of New Jersey and thinks it was at a place called Woodbury - it was written discharge but has long been lost.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension

or an annuity except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any Agency in any State
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid
Horace Lathrop. Clerk
Joseph Griffin
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states.
J. G. Atkinson } Judges S. Page }
J. C. Mansfield
I Horace Lathrop Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joseph Griffin for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of Office this 19 th day of
October - 1832.
Horace Lathrop. Clerk

Joseph Griffin
15939
1
Returns to be made to John Russell Copenhagen N.Y.

15939
Joseph Griffin Otsego co N.Y.
on Roll of Service Leahy's Battery - entered 13 May 1777 - Corporal 19 May 1778 - Sergt 1 March 1780 - discharged 13 May 1780
Sergeant 2 Mo. 13 day Corporal 20 " 17 "
$91.28
John Russel Cooper's Town N.Y.

MEMORIAL in the case of Joseph Griffin of Otsego county in the State of New York (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Resent  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 75  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. As a Gen.     Enlisted In 1776 U.S. 1 Private 2 years Capt. Brown, Col. Durkee, Gen. Parsons   No. 1777 U.S. 3 as Sergeant 2 years discharged by Col. Miags in New Jersey  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? Trenton, Stony Point, Monmouth  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Windham county, Connecticut.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? the court credit the statement - no evidence furnished  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Resent 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. H. Bradford. Examining Clerk.

REMARKS objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Joseph Griffin of Otsego county, N.Y.
which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? yes VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? No
XIV. If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses?
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct?
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service?
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? Yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 12, 5, 7.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

Detroit, Michigan
March 20 th 1850.
Hon. J. G. Edwards
Sir:
Please to inform me whether the Pensioner to whom the Pension certificate of which the within is a copy was entitled to Land.
I am, Sir
Respectfully yours
G. G. Lewis
Mr. Douglas Payne

Rev War
8615 INVALID.
File No. 8615 Joseph Griffin Sergt Rev. War
Act: June 7 th /32
Index:—Vol. 1st , Page 151
[Arrangement of 1870.]

War Department
Revolutionary Pensions
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States of the 7th June 1832 Joseph Griffin of the State of New York who was a Sergeant in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Ninety One Dollars and 28 Cents per Annum, during his natural life, commencing on or the 4th of March 1831 and payable semi-annually on the 4th of March and 4th of September in every year.
Given at the War Office of the United States this 10th day of May One Thousand
eight Hundred & thirty-3
Signed
Decatur
Examined & countersigned
Secretary of War
Signed J. G. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Recorded in the Pension Office in Book E. Vol 4
Page 20 by
George Taylor Clerk of New York
Payments to be made at the City of New York by the Post Office Dept. B. B. U.S. Agent for paying pensions in the Agency of M. S.