Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 34905, Nathan Griffeth, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Griffeth Nathan or Griffith
S. 34905
CONTENTS

Michigan to 12,533. Vermont from
Nathan Griffith
of in the State of who was a Private in the Regt. commanded by Captain of the commanded by Colonel Sprout in the Mass. line, for the term of 2 years from 47 to 47
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 30 day of April 1878
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of July 1879 and sent to Joel Doolittle Middlebury Addison Co. Vt.
the Roll on day of 1882 and notification sent to
Pension commencing on the 1882
Amount due on 4th of }
$
Died Aug. 13, 1852.
{ Revolutionary Claim, Acts March 18, 1818, May 1, 1820. }
Middlebury
Continued

See letter 16 Sept. 1831 to W. White Pines do same Oct 7. 1831, do to Pen Agent L A. B. Haswell, Sept 14. 1835
See Cu Fra. Oct 3. 1835
To Michigan from A Sept 35 - Oct 15. 1835
Order to pay Apr 10, 1837.
Let to P. Oct 23rd ch 53
1830 Officialism sent to Samuel Knight, Esq - 27 July Vergennes, Vt.

See letter 16 Sept. 1831 to 10. White Pineay do same Oct. 7. 1831, do to Pen Agent & A. B. Haswell, Sept 14. 1835
See Cii Fra. Oct 3. 1835.
To Michigan from 4 Sept '35 - Oct 15 1835.
Order to pay Apr 10, 1837.
Let to P. Gt 23 Dec 33
Officialism sent to Samuel Knight, Esq - 27 July 1830 to Pen Agency, V.D.

Nathan Griffith
Declaration of
Admrs
Returned for Evidence
Admrs
26 Nov
Judge's certificate as to indigence required.

State of Vermont ss -
On this 30 th day of April 1818 before me the Subscriber one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the State of Vermont, personally appears Nathan Griffith aged fifty eight years, re- sident in the town of Shoreham in the County of Addison and State of Vermont, who being by me first duly sworn, according to law, cloth- on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "an act to pro- vide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States, in the Revolutionary war," that he the said Na- than Griffith enlisted into the service of the United States, in the town of West Stockbridge in the County of Berkshire, and State of Mass ts in the month of July 1781 in a company com- manded by Capt. James Mance, in a Regiment commanded by Col. E. Sprout in Genl. Patterson Brigade - for the term of three years , and continned to serve in said corps, in the service of the United States - until the 23 d day of December 1783, when he was honorably discharged at West- Point in the State of New York - having served two years and about five months - and until the close of the war, and the army disbanded - That

that he performed several tours of service previous to his aforesaid enlistment: Was in the ranging service in 1776 and 1777 about nine months on the Mohawk River, and was at the taking of Genl. Burgoyne, and in several engagements which took place previous to that event, between his army & the continental army under Genl. Gates -
That he is in very reduced circumstances, and stands in need of the assistance of his country for support - and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services - that he had a regular discharge at the time he left the service in 1783, but believes it lost or destroyed -
Sworn to and declared before me, this day and year aforesaid - Joel Doolittle
State of Vermont ss -
I Joel Doolittle Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of Vermont do certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Nathan Griffin did serve in the Revolutionary War, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy - and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony had and taken before me, to the Secretary of the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforesaid act of Congress - Joel Doolittle

State of Vermont Addison ss.
I Darius Matthews Clerk of the supreme court of the state of Vermont within and for the county of Addison Do certify that the Hon. Joel Doolittle is a judge of the said court and that the foregoing is his signature.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said supreme court this 1 st day of May A.D. 1818
Darius Matthews
State of Vermont ss Decr 4 th 1818 Personally appeared Phinehas Rugg, a person well known to me and a credible witness, and being duly sworn, doth depose & say, that he was well acquainted with the before named Na- than Griffith, now present, and knows that he the said Nathan served in the company Re- giment, & Brigade as he hath stated in the foregoing declaration, in the year 1781 1782 & 1783 and knows that he was discharged in the month of Decr 1783 Phinehas Rugg Sworn and subscribed, the day and year above written Before me Joel Doolittle judge Supreme Court

Joel Doolittle Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of Vermont, on full & satisfactory evi- dence, do certify that the within named Nathan Griffith is in indigent, reduced circumstances & stands in need of the assistance of his country for support
Joel Doolittle

Nathaniel Griffith
12,533.
Sept. 1819.
Continue —

STATE OF VERMONT.
COUNTY OF ADDISON, ss.—On this 16 th day of June 1820, personally appeared in open Court, being a Court of record (having the power of fine and imprisonment) for the said County, Nathan Griffith aged sixty years, resident in Shoeham in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows:— two years & five months from July 1781, till December 28 th 1783 (having enlisted for three years & being discharged before his time expired) in Capt. James Mains company & Col. Eben. Sprague's regiment of the Massachusetts line
that the date of his original declaration is the 30 th day of April 1818, the number of his pension certificate is 12533 .
And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States, 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 provisions 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 other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed.
  1 Cow, bought with pension money  13.    2 Hogs, partly for with pension money  3.00    11 Geese, 7 fowls, 3 turkeys  3.25    1 Ax, 1 battle & 2 iron wedges  1.50    1 Dush scythe, 1 pitch ax  1.00    1 Three pail kettle, 10 one pail & 10 tin cups & 250     1 Tea kettle, broken, 1 pail pot  25    2 Linen bottles, 3 pine chests, 6 kitchen chairs  2.00    2 Tables, 2 benches, 1 tea pail, 2 wooden p.  1.75    1 Tea pot, 6 Tea cups, Saucers, 6 plates  38    6 Knives & forks, 6 iron spoons, 1 Candlestick  75    10 Earthen milk pans, 1 Tin do.  1.25    6 Cedar Bowls  50     31.13  
Nathan Griffith.

And the said declarant, on his oath aforesaid further states, that he is by occupation a farmer; that he is afflicted with one stiff middle finger, half open, & cannot shut any of his fingers on his left hand; that he has a wife 51 years old; that two years ago she had a fit of sickness, which lasted two months Upon which she has never wholly recovered, so as to do much business since; that he has two sons aged 16 & 13 years & one daughter aged 10 years; that he is indebted to Hiram Everest 25.00 for necessaries for his family, mostly of two years standing, to S. Merrill 35.00, also for necessaries for his family, to H. Emerson for doctoring 19.00 to Asa Chipman for necessaries for his family — 20.00  99 00  that he was in such reduced circumstances, before he obtained his pension, that he was imprisoned, & was obliged to take the poor man's oath to liberate him from confinement.  Sworn to & declared on the 16 th day of July 1820, before the Court aforesaid,
Samuel Swift Clerk
I, SAMUEL SWIFT, Clerk of the County Court for the County of Addison in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the record of the said Court; and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said Court, that the total amount in value of the property, exhibited in the aforesaid schedule is Thirty one Dollars and 00 Cents. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 13 th day of July 1820.
Samuel Swift
Clerk of the County Court for the County of Addison.

Nathan Griffith
Burn 7 to Michigan

State of Vermont
Chittenden County. On this 21 st day of September AD 1835
before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Chittenden personally appeared Nathan Griffith who on his oath declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain James Alvine in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Ebenezer Spauld in the Revolutionary service of the United States, That his name was placed on the Pension roll of the State of Vermont from whence he has lately removed, that he now resides in Westminster Canada and wishes his pension to be made payable in Michigan in future. The following are his reasons for removing from Vermont, - That he might remain with his children, who are settled in that province, and the distance from his place of present residence to where the Pension is now payable is over Five Hundred miles
Sworn and subscribed. Before me the day and year aforesaid
Lyman Cummings Justice of the peace
Nathan Griffith
I Nathan Hathwell, do hereby certify on oath that I have for a great number of years been acquainted with Nathan Griffith who has taken the above oath, and know him to be the person described in the affidavit, and the same person to whom a Pension Certificate was granted under date of May 22 nd 1819. and Number 12533
Sworn and subscribed this 21 st day of September AD 1835 and I hereby certify that the above deponent is a credible witness Before me.
Nathan Hathwell
Lyman Cummings Justice of the peace

State of Vermont Chittenden County
I Nathan B. Hamill, Clerk
of Chittenden County, do hereby certify that Symon Cummings Esq. before whom the within affidavits are taken is a Justice of the Peace duly qualified and that his name there subscribed
is his own proper signature.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Burlington this 21 st day of September A.D. 1835 Nathan B. Hamill
1835
1835
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1812 Section
MEE/HMK
September 16, 1929.
E. H. Griffith 16 - 17th Street, N.E. Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
I advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 34905, it appears that Nathan Griffith enlisted in West Stockbridge, Berkshire County, Massachusetts, served for about nine months in the Ranging Service on the Mohawk during the years 1776 and 1777, was at the taking of General Burgoyne and in several engagements. He stated that he had previously performed several other tours of service, dates and officers' names not given.
He enlisted in July 1781, served as private and corporal in Captain James Manas' Company, Colonel Ebenezer Sprout's Massachusetts Regiment and was discharged December 23, 1783.
He was allowed pension on his application executed April 30, 1818, at which time he was aged fifty-eight years and resided in Shoreham, Addison County, Vermont.
In 1820 he referred to his wife, aged fifty-one years, his sons, aged sixteen and thirteen years and daughter aged ten years. He did not state any names.

Rev. an Ware
In 1835 he resided in Westminster, Upper Canada, to which place he had moved in 1824 or 1825, and where his children had settled.
He died August 13, 1852.
There are no further family data.
Very truly yours,
EARL D. CHURCH Commissioner.

34905
3-068.
(Old No. 3-649.)
6-20
Bureau of Pensions.
Nathan Griffith
Apl. 30. 1818 - 55
Shoreham Vt
July 81 - W. Stockbridge Mass.
Capt. James Smith means
Col. C. Sprout
Feb. 1 Dec. 73 - 83.
Several terms of service previous -
was in the Ranging Service about 9 May in 76 & 77 on the Mohawk River was in several engagements & was present at Siege of Burgoyne
In 1820 - had wife 51
2 sons 16 & 13 - daught 10 yrs
Moved to Upper Canada Place & date not stated.

J. 34,905 Nathan Knapp -
apl. 30 1818 - 58 - Shoreham Addison Co., Vt.
1835 rem. Westminister np. Can -
Enl. West Stockbridge, Mass.
July 1781 Capt James Means
Col. Ebenezer Sproat
Mass line
dis Dec 23, 1783 West Pt. NY
2 yrs 5 m
76+
77
taking of Pownall + enq previous thereto
Mr

16-17th St. N.E. Bureau of Pensions Wash D.C.
Will you please give me information concerning Nathan Griffith a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
E. H. Griffith

Department of the Interior, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.,
Feb 2, 1905
Sir,
In reply to your communication of a recent date, you are informed that this Bureau is unable to furnish a history of the service of any soldier of the Revolutionary war or of the war of 1812 unless he or his widow was a pensioner or an applicant for pension or bounty land; and that under the rules such a history is furnished only to the soldier's descendants, and to them only when it is desired for historical or genealogical purposes.
The large number of inquiries made on this subject, and the length of time required to make a proper search of the records in each case, will not permit of information being given to any applicant concerning more than two soldiers.
In order that the soldier concerning whom you desire information may be identified, you are requested to furnish as much as possible of the data called for below.
Very respectfully,
Mr. E. H. Griffith 1739 Diamond St. Philadelphia Pa.
J. L. Davenport Acting Commissioner.
Full name of soldier, Nathan Griffith Mass. Where did he enter service? Col Ebenezer Sprout Under what officers did he serve? Moved to upper Canada about 1818 from Vermont Place of residence after service, About 1840 - 1845. Approximate date of death, Given name of widow, Did either the soldier or his widow receive a pension? Yes, the soldier not the widow. Additional information, Pension was paid at Detroit, Mich until date of death. This information is desired only for the purpose of tracing family connections in New England. Signature, E. H. Griffith
Post-office address, including street and number, town, county, and State, 1739 Diamond St. Philadelphia

Manila, P.I., August 12th, 1903.
To the Honorable
Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
12533
Sir:
I have the honor, respectfully, to request that you furnish me copies of all data on file relating to Nathan Griffith, a pensioner of the Revolutionary War.
His pension was paid for many years at Buffalo, N.Y., and later at Detroit, Mich. He died many years ago at London, Ont., Canada.
It has been impossible for me to trace his antecedents in the United States, and I should like to know what data is in the possession of the Dept.
Very respectfully,
E. H. Griffith

34905 Rev INVALID.
File No. 34905
Nathan Griffith
Dis Rev War
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 498
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Oct. 6-1903 Hist to E. H. Griffith-Manila P.R.
Feb. 23, 1905 Hist to E. H. Griffith, Phila., Pa.
1929-Sept. 16 Hist to E. H. Griffith, M. E. E.

12.533 Michigan Vermont
Nathan Griffith
of _____ in the state of who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Sprout of the Mass ine, for the term of 2 years Anno 1701-
scribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 30 of April 1818.
ertificate of Pension issued the 22 of July 1814 and sent to Job Doolittle Middlebury Addison Co Vermont.
Arrears to 4th of Mar 1819 81 29 semi-ann. all'ce ending Sept 19 18
10 30 35 $127 29
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Midbury Vermont

See letter 16 Sept. 1831 to W. White Pa. Agt. do. to same Oct. 7 1831. do. to same P. Agent & N. B. Haswell, Sept. 14. 1835
See in. Trn. Oct. 3- '35 To Michigan from 4- Sept. '35 - Oct. 15- '35
See letter to Agent Sept 16 1831 to same Oct 7 1831 to same P. Agent & N. B. Haswell Sept 14 1835

See letter 16 Sept. 1891 to W. White Ph. Agt. Dr. to same Oct. 7 1891. On to same P. Agent Dr. M. B. Mansell, Sept. 14. 1895
  See cin.  Trn. Oct. 3. '95    See Michigan from     4- Sept. '95  Oct. 18. '95  
Information sent to Genl. Smith Esq. of Salem Virginia
Y.P.

J. E. Heath Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Sir,
Pension Agency Detroit March 16. 1853
I forward herewith the application of the Heirs of Nathan Griffith for payment of the amount due at the time of his decease with certain affidavits setting forth the loss of the original certificate. I observe that there is but one witness to the Power of Attorney which will be corrected if I am directed to make the payment.
Several applications have been made by Widows (who have been fully paid under the act of July 21 1848 and whose certificates have been returned to the Department) for payment under the act of Feb'y 3. 1853. Please inform me whether they must make new applications under the late law and furnish proof of the death of their late husbands - their marriage &c
I am Sir respectfully Your obedient Servant E. P. Hastings Pension Agent

To what time was Nathan Griffith, of Vermont, (act March 18. 1818) last paid?
J. L. Edwards Sept. 14. 1835
memo for niece C. the 4 Sep. 1833
J. H.

Mar 21.
Nathaniel Grafton
Mich te 2 nd St.
Sept 19
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions City of Washington

J. L. Edwards Esq Comm r of Pensions Sir
Bank of Michigan Detroit 6 March 1837
I enclose Nathaniel Griffiths Pension pa- per for the period of 18 th payment of which has been suspended until advised by you.
The Voucher of Nathaniel Langdon Rev d Pensioner of June 7 th 1832. suspended in part Sept r 30 1836 contains the only evidence I have of his residence. He was referred by me to Mr. Doby the late agent who stated that he was entitled to draw for the whole time expressed in his certificate. His residence is not stated on the Roll furnished me by Mr. Doby.
I will thank you to refer to the Voucher No. 14 and state his residence in your reply.
I am Sir
respectfully yours.
E. P. Hastings Agent

D. Hill, affidavit

I owned Hill of Shendrum in the County of Argyll and Bute & Tennant here have been acquainted with William Guffie since in my present. Since the year 1816. and further later and say that Mr Guffie was in Shendrum from the year 1816. to the year 1824. or 1825 when he moved from this place to upper Canada.
Perth Oct 24 1831
David Hill
Heirs and Substitutes
Oct 24. S pt 1831.
Yours very obed t Servant David Hill

Oct 15. Mr. Bruns BURLINGTON OCT 9 V.I.
FREE
J. Edwards Esq. Commonwealth of Penna Washington Nathan Buffum
G. J. Englehart Oct 8 1835

E. J. English Oct. 8 th 1835
Nathan Gribbit
Washington
Commonwealth of Penna
J. S. D. ...
FREE
Mr. Brewster
Oct 15 th

In
Offce Park U States
Burlington 8 Oct 1835
Yours of 3 inst is recd and in reply I have to state, that Nathan Griffith a Peac Pension under Act of 18 Mar 1818 was paid to 4 September 1835 on the Roll of this Agency
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Chas F Warner for the Agent
J T Edwards Esq
Commr of Pensions
Washington

Sir,
Burlington Sept 5. 1835
Mr Nathan Griffith a Revolutionary Pensioner, has come to this place to draw his Pension, — he lives over 500 miles and on account of the distance and expense draws only once in two years, — the Bench refuse paying him, unless they receive special instructions so to do! — I have made an affidavit for Mr Griffith of this fact which is enclosed, — and he will wait here on expense until your directions are given, — you will therefore confer a great favor on him, — by giving an answer by return Mail.
It will be much less expense for Mr Griffith to receive his Pension hereafter at the Michigan Agency . and he wishes to be transferred, agreeable to the enclosed petition. Please forward all the papers to him, or me at this place
And all in Yours Respectfully Nathan B. Warrell
Ohio

NB The Cashier informed me he had found no title instructions, - I show him those offered by you under date of Oct 5 th and attached to your circular to one of the Pensions under the act of May 15. 1828
W B B
I read his old Certificate, - if I succeed to give a new one, please forward one, or return the one sent

Burlington Sept 21. 1835
Sir.
I herewith enclose the application of Nathan Griffith to be transferred (agreeable to the printed form enclosed to me) from the Vermont to the Michigan agency. — If any notice to him is necessary you will please to forward it under cover to the Hon. Silas Dyon of Detroit
Yours Respectfully Nathan B Harrell

N. Readham Affidavit

I believe the farm of Sherburn in the County of Sherburn and Parish of Sherburn Hills and Low that I am acquainted with was then Captain's home at Sherburn, I further tell you and say that it appears from my books that I used the term Sherburn of my mother's gifts from the year 1815 to some time in the year 1821, during which time my mother resided with her family in Sherburn of Sherburn and further tell you and say that mother's gifts did not move from Sherburn until some years after that time - and now resides as an orphan home in Upper Canada.
William Sherburn
Given and signed by me on this 24 th Sept 1891.
Upon my death it passes to Native Place

State of Vermont Rutland ss } 3
On the 29 th day of December 1818, personally came before me the undersigned Anthony Benjamin Cheney, a credible witness, and made solemn oath, that he is acquainted with Nathan Gifford of Sherburne in the State of Vermont, and was acquainted with him during the revolutionary war - That said Nathan was a private in Capt. Mearns Co. in Col. Spens Regt. of Massachusetts in 1781 & 1782, & was a corporal in said company in 1783 - That he knows said Nathan served in said company at one period during said years, for more than two years - and further says not.
R. Temple Jr. Recd
State of Vermont
I Robert Temple Clerk of Rutland County Court do certify that R. Temple before whom the above affidavit was taken, is a justice of the peace duly commissioned - And that the above is his signature
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand & affix the seal of said court this 29 th day of Decemr. 1818
R. Temple