Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 39,625, John Griffith, Penn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Penn.
Griffith, John "Griffy"
S. 39,625
CONTENTS

4691 Pennsylvania Roll
John Griffith 4 Private Capt Taylor Penn the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War
scribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 21 st of April 1810 — 10 1/2
ertificate of Pension issued the 1 st of Dec r 1810 and sent to Mark Willcocks Esq r Judge Chester, Delaware Co Penn
rears to 4th of Sept r 1810. 49m 24d 30-35:73. emi-anl, all'cc ending 4 th March 1819 — 48: —
$ 83:73
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
72/20 Shoemaker of Aston Del Co 1750 Ship Delaware Co Wood

1888
June 27 Mrs H H Ege - that none of the 6 infills were identified as of her ancestry (Sent brief items only)
Price
Recd
Aug 19. 1821.
Woburn, Sept - November 13, 1821 Benjamin Davenport, State Treasurer
1 1 1 C = A 3

1888
June 27 Mrs W H Ege - that none of the 6 Guffith are identified as of her ancestry (Sent brief items only)
Picor
died Aug 19. 1821.
Vol. 1. No. 1. Nov. 13. 1821 Benjamin Darrow, Editor

Mark Wilcox, Esq., Judge, Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylv. a —
John Griffith, Pennsylvania line, Revolutionary claim.
The Penns. a rolls have not been received at the Pension-Office of the War Department. — The testimony, on oath, of two or more disinterested and credible persons, proving the service, as stated in the declaration of the applicant, is required — The judge is also desired to certify, under the seal of the court, that the applicant is in indigent circumstances, & needs the support of his court.

Delaware County ss.
Before me Mark Wilcox Esquire one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county of Delaware in the State of Penn a .
Personally appeared John Griffith Aged Sixty Nine years - A resident citizen of the United States - Now residing in Aston Township in the County of Delaware Who being by me duly sworn according to Law doth de- pose and say - That by reason of his reduced circum- stances in life, he needs the assistance of his country for support - And that he was a private Soldier in the War of the Revolution for the term of five years and nine months on the continental establishment That he enlisted with Capt. Anderson for one year and nine months in the Regt. commanded by Col. Atlee of the Penn a line and served his time fully out - That he afterwards enlisted with Capt. Taylor of Col. Johnston's Regt. of the Penn a Line for three years and served about one year more than the time when he was discharged by Genl. Anthony Wayne at Trenton New Jersey - That his first Enlistment was in 1776 and he believes his last discharge was 1782 in January - And that he has lost both the said discharges - Nor does he know that any such discharge is now in existence - That he was in the engage- ment with the enemy on Long Island - was engaged against the enemy at the Battle of Brandywine - Was at the Mas- sacre at the Docks - in the battles of Germantown - Mon- mouth and others of less importance.
And the said John Griffith doth hereby relin- quish his claim to every Pension /Pay/ heretofore allowed him by the Laws of the United States.
Sworn and subscribed by the said John Griffith before me this Twenty first - day of April 1818. Witness my hand and Seal.
his John Griffith Mark.
Mark Wilcox Seal

Whereupon it appearing to my satisfaction that the said John Griffith has served against the common Enemy as stated in the within deposition / And I the said Judge being personally acquainted with the Deponent do believe the same to be true / I do therefore certify and transmit the testimony taken by me in this case and the proceedings had thereon to the Secretary of the Department of War of the United States.
Chester. Penn a April 21. 1818.
Mark Wilcox
Delaware County } ss. Pennsylvania
I Benjamin Pearson Esquire Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Delaware in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Do certify
That Mark Wilcox Esquire before whom the foregoing Deposition was taken Is and was at the time of taking the same a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County - Duly Commissioned and Authorized - And that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his acts as such - And that the name of Mark Wilcox thereto subscribed is the proper signature of the said Mark Wilcox Esquire - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Affixed the Seal of the said Court at Chester in the said County the Twenty first day of April A.D. 1818.
Benj n Pearson Proth. y
Delaware County ss.
Before me John Crossby Esquire a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County personally appeared John Griffy or Griffith who being sworn according to law doth depose and say That the facts set forth in the Deposition of the said John Griffy or Griffith as on the other side doth appear is just and true But that he hath now recovered his discharge which is hereto Annexed.
Sworn & subscribed before me the 24 th day of Nov. 1818. John Crossby
John Griffy or Griffith his marks

Whereupon it appears to my satisfaction that the said John Griffy or Griffith has served against the common Enemy as stated in the said Deposition - And being fully satisfied that he is in Indigent circumstances and needs the Assistance of his Country for Support I do therefore certify and transmit the proceedings had herein to the Secretary of the Department of War of the United States
John Crossby
Delaware County Pennsylvania ss.
I Benjamin Pearson Esq. Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County aforesaid DO certify
That John Crossby Esquire before whom the foregoing Deposition of John Griffy or Griffith was taken is and was at the time of taking the same a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the said County Duly commissioned and authorized And that full faith and credit is and ought to be given to all his acts as such - And that the name of John Crossby thereto subscribed is the proper signature and hand writing of the said John Crossby Esquire. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Affixed the Seal of the said Court at Chester in the said County the Twenty fourth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
Benj m Pearson Proth. y

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
In the court of common pleas of Delaware county, being a court of Record.
I John Griffith aged about Seventy two years do solemnly swear That I served as a private Soldier in the Revolutionary War, in the Company commanded by Captain Taylor, In the Regiment commanded by Colonel Johnson of the Pennsylvania line as set forth in my Original declaration dated as I believe on the twenty first day of April 1818 - Also that I am the same person to whom a Pension certificate M o 4691 hath been granted - And I do further swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States of America on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provision of an Act of Congress entitled - "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and Naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" - passed on the 18th day of March 1818 And that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me - Nor have I any income or property other than the following (The necessary clothing and bedding for myself and family excepted) To wit.
One Garden lot Value $ 60
And I do further swear that I am by Occupation a Shoemaker, but am unable to do much labor owing to age and debility - though I work some at tending a garden - Making hay &c &c Also that I have no family under my care being a Widower and my children (five Daughters, living) all being of age and providing for themselves. —

Sworn to and Subscribed in open Court this Twenty Sixth day of July 1820.
his John n Griffith Mark.
Benj n Pearson Proth ry
July 26. 1820 It is the Opinion of the Court that the total Value of the property in the aforegoing Statement is Sixty Cents.
Benj n Pearson Proth ry
Delaware County } Pennsylvania } S.S.
I Benjamin Pearson Esquire Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County do certify that the said Court is a Court of Record, pro- ceeding according to the course of the Common Law, with a jurisdiction unlimited in amount, and keeping a record of their pro- ceedings - Also that the foregoing is a true copy of the Original, which remains filed of record in the said Court. Witness my hand and the Seal of the said Court at Chester the Twenty Ninth day of July A.D. 1820.
Benj n Pearson Proth ry

Delaware County ss.
Benjamin Pearson Esq. s being duly affirmed saith that John Griffith the aforesaid deponent did on the 26 th day of July last and as he believes now doth reside in or near the Townships of Middletown in said County.
Affirmed & Subscribed before me Sept. 27. 1820
Benj. Pearson
John Caldwell Justice of Peace

August 11, 1936.
Mrs. W. T. Bishop 616 West 6th Sedalia, Missouri.
BA-J/ILL John Griffith S. 39625
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of John Griffith who served from Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1780-82.
The record has been found of only one John Griffith (under any spelling) who served from Pennsylvania in the Revolutionary War. The data which are given herein were found in that claim for pension, S. 39625, based upon his service in that war. His name is shown Griffy and Griffith in this pension claim, but was borne on the pension rolls as John Griffith.
John Griffy, or Griffith enlisted in 1776, the place not shown, and served one year and nine months as private in Captain Anderson's company, Colonel Atlee's Pennsylvania regiment, then enlisted, in 1777, served as corporal in Captain Taylor's company, Colonel Johnston's 5 th Pennsylvania regiment until January 29, 1781, when he was discharged at Trenton, New Jersey. During these years of service, he was in the battles of Long Island, Brandywine, Paoli, Germantown, and Monmouth and in engagements of less importance.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 21, 1818, at which time he resided in Aston Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. He was aged then about sixty-nine years; the date and place of his birth were not given. In 1820, he resided in, or near, Middletown Township, in said Delaware County.
In 1820, the soldier stated that he was a widower, but he did not give the name of his wife, date of their marriage, nor the date of her death; he referred then to five daughters, all living and all of age, but did not give their names. He died August 19, 1821.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLEN, Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Can verify see new item Arch. Vol 2 p. 469-470

S.J. 29 625
Penn.
John Griffith
The discharge certificate of John Gruffy, Corporal in the 5 th Penn. regt., signed Int y Wayne, B.G. dated Trenton, Jan. 29, 1781, endorsed ... enlisted ... 1777.
This paper has been removed from the case and locked up in the Rev. War Section for safe-keeping.
M. B. H. Dec. 15. 1914.
Am

Cash L 2. 15. W. Overalls W. shoes One Shirt J. Harrison
Jan. 26. 1881 Owes me two days Ralston C.T.B.
declared he had 7 could be clubbed for them
John Griffith S.F. 34.625 Penn.

THIS is to certify that the Bearer John Griffith  Col. having served in the 5 th Regiment of Pennsylvania during the Term of his Enlist- ment, is now discharged the Service of the United States of America . Given at
Trenton , this 20 th Day of January 1781.
Lowrey Robert Morgan

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Griffith or Griffey a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. S.I. 39,625.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     1776 1 yr. 9 mos. Pvt. Anderson Atlee Penn.   " 4 years Coplt Taylor Johnston "   discharged Jan 29. 1882  
Battles engaged in, Long Island; Brandywine; Paoli; Germantown; Monmouth.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, (None stated).
Date of application for pension, Apr 21. 1818. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Aston Township, Delaware Co. Penn.
Age at date of application, 69 years, died Aug 19. 1821. (from A.B.)
Remarks: in 1820 soldier was a widower and had five daughters.
Names not stated. There is no further family data on file.
The only John Griffith found on the Rev War records of this Bureau.
Respectfully,
Commissioner.

Old. war Div. INP. Ex'r. No.
Department of the Interior BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Co. _____ Reg't. Return this letter with your reply.
Washington, D.C. May 29 th , 1888
Madam,
In answer to your communication of the 23 d instant, relative to your great grandfather, and his ten brothers, bearing the family name of Griffith, who served in the war of the Revolution from Pennsylvania, I have to state that it would be impossible, without more data, to identify them with any one of the six who have applied for pension from that State, on account of their service in said war.
It is necessary, so far as may be known, if unable to specify the christian names of the parties, to furnish their County residence, during and after the war, and the names of the Company, and regimental officers, under whom each is reputed to have served.
Except a few scattering ones, there are no military rolls of Pennsylvania troops on file in this Bureau, and it is suggested that Volumes 1 navy, X and XI army, and XII. war of 1812. Second Series, Pennsylvania Archives,

be examined, or that you apply to the Auditor General of that State, at Harrisburg, for information. The Archives were published in 1879 and 1880.
While these Volumes give more or less history of the various military organizations, other than the Militia with the names of their officers and privates, the indexes, to be found in Volumes I., XI. and XII., embrace the names of the former & contain no names of the latter.
Very respectfully
John C. Black Commissioner
Mrs. Wm. H Ege Lock box 5 Dauphin Dauphin Co Penn

Recd 11. April 1842 in her 84 th year
Payment to be made at Richmond by S. Brokenbrough Agent for paying Pen- sioners, in the Agency of Richmond Virginia
Recorded in the Pension Office, in Book A. Vol. 2. Page 156, by
J. M. Gundy
Clerk.

(widow Anna M)
Abraham Griffith - who was born about 1752 & as early as 1776 was J 7587 residing in Berks Pa (later in Va)
John Griffith or Griffiths or as in his discharge Griffee - born about 1750 J 39625 and as early as 1776 in Chester Co - by occupation a Shoemaker - In 1818 living in Delaware Co which may have been formerly part of Chester Co
Levi Griffith an officer born in 1738 - In 1776 in Chester Co & later J 39614 in Fayette Co & may have resided in Va near Fayette Co
J 8618 Co A - Either born in Bucks Co or lived there 1776 & later in Md Penn widow Mary Thomas 54273 do Va 71m 2273 do Pa
It is very probable the family name of Griffith may from its pronunciation be reported on military rolls & other records as Griffiths & Griffee & Griffee & so reported appear in the Penn Archives

June 27 1888
Madam
In answer to yours of the 13 th inst. relative to Rev. Officers & Soldiers of the family name of Griffith, I have to state that after a careful examination, no one has been found on record as an applicant for a pension who can be identified with the data which you have furnished.
It is proper to state for your information that while the acts of Congress authorized pensions to be paid to Rev. Soldiers and their widows, during their life time, they contain no provision for the benefit of their children. There is no law existing which entitles children of such Soldiers to claim a pension in their own right, or on behalf for any arrears of pension. — No person at the present time is entitled to bounty land on account of Service in said war, except a surviving widow, or in case of her death, a child who was a minor on the 3 rd day of March 1855.
Information is not furnished from the records of this Bureau, upon which to base a claim against the United States, but this objection would not apply to a request from a proper descendant for

So much history as was contained in his application for a pension, to be exclusively used for a family record —
As no pensions were granted for service in the war of 1812 until 1871 and without the soldier or his widow surviving to file an application the Bureau would be unable to furnish their military history —
From the pronunciation of the family name of Griffith, it is very probable the name on the military rolls may have been written Griffith or Gruffy and copied so in the Gen. Archives.

616 W. 6th
Sedalia, Mo
July 26, 1936
Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.
If you have only one of Pa any information concerning John Griffith who was listed in Willistown Company, Chester Co. Pa (under John Harris) 1780-82 - perhaps longer. I should be glad to have whatever data there might be in connection with a pension record, if there was one.
Very truly
Wm. W. T. Bishop.

Rev Ser m Chicago, Illinois.
February 22nd. 1918.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir;--
Will you please give me the facts possible in the pension claim of John Griffith of Chester Co. Pa. who enlisted in 1776 and served in the Revolutionar war. I am vvery anxious to secure the name of his wife, date of his birth and death if possible.
With very many thanks for the information if given me,
Yours truly,
(Mrs.) Kate S. Glenn
855 Eastwood Ave.
Chicago.

11 John Hancock
Dec 8 - 14
Dear Sir one stamp ret'd
Pray you
give me Service
during the war of the Revolution of
Griffith John from
Chester County Penna
I ask this with a friend
of young daughters
of American Revolution
Any thing you can
1-2 ct. stamp ret'd 6 3/4 in

give me will be greatly appreciated
Very Truly
Mrs Byron Kelley 10 Washington St. Sault Ste. Marie
Pa

Dauphin Pa June 13, 1888
Mr John C. Black
Dr Sir
Your letter of May 29 th received. According to your kind information and directions examined the Archives in the city of Harrisburg and found the desired reference & information we sought after. My Pa. James Griffith had intended to ferret out the old Ancestral relatives but still kept waiting thinking to go West again and then would learn more of His brothers which reference he desired. But his health failed him, leaving the reference down in his own hand writing as well as his own fathers' saying that whenever I felt like seeing

after the claims and ancestry so as to hand down to our posterity The account & biography of them. The only families that claim to have living as the true & lawful heirs of those whom I will name Are (William Griffith) John Griffith Samuel Griffith James Wiggins Griffith The last named three have died John Griffiths family are living his heirs myself the only heir left out of a family of nine uncle Samuel Griffith who died last fall one year ago leaving no family at all. And our family of the name of Griffith our none lawfully and from what I have heard or known have ever applied for the long standing claim to their rights before. This is the first. The names we have

found which we wrote you about have been found in the Archives. The 1st - 1779 Industry "Ship".
J. Griffith Commander 8 Men 4 Guns at Phil.
The next -
1781 Governor Livingston ( Schuyler ) M. Griffith Commander 14 Men 4 Guns
The next - to be on the roll is my Great grand - pa Thomas Griffith He being a member of the Governor's Council in 1733. Keeper of the Seal in 1735. Mayor for the three Original Counties Chester Phil. & Bucks in 1737. Puisne Judge 1739 - 1743, Supreme Judge 1749 for the three lower Counties New Castle Kent & Sussex.
My grand - pa Thomas Griffith Enlisted in Captain John Coahans

Company in the 2 nd Regiment 1 st Brigade Penn a Militia under the Command of Lieut Col Adam Nitscher at York Pa. in service from Sept 2 nd 1814 to March 5 th 1815. Muster roll includes Dauphin Berks & Schuylkill Counties. Please reply at your earliest. And Oblige
Respect
Mrs W m H Ege Dauphin Dauphin Co Pa.
Lock Box 5.)
1512 66 175-2

Dauphin Pa.
May 23, 1888
To. the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D. C.
Dr Sir
Please give me the necessary & important information as requested in former letter ad- dressed to the War Department. Which I herewith enclose.
And Oblige
Respectfully
Mrs. W m H. Ege
Dauphin
Dauphin County
Pa.
Lock Box 5-

Adjt. Genl's Office Enlisted Br. Rec'd MAY 17 1888
Lock Box 5,
Dauphin Pa. May 15/88
Mrs. William H Egel
For Surnames and information of her relatives by the names of Griffith one of whom was killed in the battle of Brandywine Rev. War.

War Department,
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, May 22 d , 1888.
Respectfully returned to Mrs.
Wm H. Ege.
Lock Box No. 5.
Dauphin, Penna.
Such of the records of the Revolutionary War as are in the possession of the government, are on file in the office of the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington. To whom your inquiry should be addressed.
D. C. Earl.
Asst. Adjt. Genl.

Department,
GENERAL'S OFFICE
May
1
Dauphin Pa
May 15 th 1888
To. The Secretary of War Washington D. C. Sir
Please give me the desired information so long needed in regard to my relatives by the name of Griffith also their Surname. The great Grand-pa was killed in the Battle of Brandywine during the Revolutionary War after serving 12 years and 8 mo.. His two brothers were Commanders of a Ship and Schooner of War at the City of Philadelphia Pa.
My grand-pa Griffiths name was Thomas and as near as I can find out in the Bible which

he possessed A-bearing date March 16th 1790 which was from Edinburgh Scotland and presume came from his Ancestors. The old ancestry were descendants of Scotch-Irish from what my pa told us their faith Presbyterian. My pa James L. Griffith was born near Harrisburg in Hanner his parents attending the church known as the Old Deny Church. On my mom's side they were or rather their ancestry from England their names Glenn and Wells both English names. Please reply at your earliest convenience.
And Oblige
Very Respect Mrs W m H. Ege Dauphin
Dauphin Co. Pa
Lock Box 5-

39 625
Very
INVALID.
1914 Dec 15: History to Mrs. Byron Kelley. 89.13.H 1918 Mar. 1 Hist. to Mrs. Kate Glenn. 1936 - Aug. 11 - Hist. to Mrs. N. J. Bishop J.L.L.
File No.
89, 625
John Griffith His wife
Act:
18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol.
8
, Page
304
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Act 51 of 1870 1870 in Delaware Co in Griffiths or Griffith as in his discharge