William Griffiith Submitted by: Terry Griffith griffith_terry1@yahoo.com ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE Washington, D.C. February 23rd, 1866 Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application and Pension No. 120233, and to return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this Office. It appears from the Rolls on file in this Office, that WILLIAM GRIFFITH was enrolled on the 1st day of November, 1861, at Estill Springs in Company D, 19th Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, to serve 3 years, or during the war, and mustered into service as a Private on the 2nd day of January 1862, at Camp Garrard, in Company D, 19th Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, to serve 3 years, or during the war. On the Muster Rolls of Company D of that Regiment dated January 26, 1863, he is reported a Corporal “Killed in battle near Vicksburg, Mississippi May 22, 1863” I am, sir very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Assistant Adjutant General SURGEON GENERAL’S OFFICE Record and Pension Bureau Washington, D.C., March 23rd, 1866 Sir: I have the honor to return herewith application for Pension, No. 120.233 with such information as is furnished by the records of this Office, Private William W. Griffith, Company “D”, 19th Regiment Kentucky Volunteers, is reported to this Office by Surgeon W.K. Sadler as having died May 22, 1863, Place not stated. KILLED IN ACTION Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, BY ORDER OF THE SURGEON GENERAL: J.J. Woodward, U.S. Army UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, State of Kentucky, County of Owsley BE IT KNOWN, that on this day, before me the undersigned, presiding Judge of the County Court in and for said County duly authorized by law to administer oaths for general purposes, personally appeared MRS. POLLY GRIFFITH, aged 43 years, a resident of Harlan County, of State of Kentucky to me well known, and being first dully sworn, does on her oath make the following statement, viz: “I, the undersigned above named and described, state that I am widow of William Griffith now deceased, and who in his lifetime was engaged in military service of the United States in the war against the so-called Confederate States, in the years 1861-62, &c: and was a Private in Captain Hogg’s (D) Company, Colonel Landrum’s 19th Infantry Regiment of Volunteers of the troops of the State of Kentucky in the service aforesaid. My said husband died on the 22nd day of May in the year 1863 at (or near) a place called Vicksburg, Mississippi, by reason of a gunshot wound received or contracted by him in the line of his duty in the service aforesaid. Refer to Rolls of Said Company. Refer also to such other evidence (if any) as my attorney herein below named may file in support hereof. I was married to said William Griffith on the 17th day of September 1846 in Harlan County, in the State of Kentucky by one David Turner, A Justice of the Peace and my name before I was so married was Polly Minyard. I have never married again since the death of my husband, the said William Griffith but remain his widow. I know of no record evidence of our marriage except the licence a copy of which is filed herewith. I make this declaration for the purpose of applying for the benefit any act or acts or laws of the United States granting, Pension Act July 14, 1862, which may apply to the facts of my case, and I hereby, with full power of substitution, irrevocable by me appoint C.H. Barkley of Louisville, Kentucky my attorney in this behalf. My post office address is Booneville, Owsley County Kentucky. I further on my oath states I have never in anyway counciled, aided, or abetted the existing rebellion. This 18th day of August 1864 James Hogg Polly X Griffith G.W. Daniel UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, State of Kentucky, County of Owsley We the undersigned, of aid county resident, and lawful age, do, on our oaths, say that the above named applicant did, on this day, in our presence sign and acknowledge the foregoing declaration, and we have every reason to believe, for her appearance and statements, that she is the identical person whom she therein represents herself to be, and she is now a widow, And we are disinterested This 18th day of August, 1864 James M. Williams G.W. Daniel UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, State of Kentucky, County of Owsley The foregoing statements were on this day signed and sworn to before me by the respective parties thereto, all of whom are well known to me as credible persons, residing as therein stated, and whom I believe to be of respective ages named therein. The claimant is the identical person she therein represents herself to be and she is now a widow. I believe the witnesses to be disinterested. And I am disinterested. This 18th day of August 1864 I further certify that the foregoing declaration and affidavits were carefully read and understood by the claimant and witnesses before signing the same. Thomas Merrill UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, State of Kentucky, County of Owsley The statement of Hiram Cornett aged 39 years, a resident of Owsley County, of the State of Kentucky and of Polly Griffith aged 23 years, a resident of Owsley County, of the State of Kentucky. We, the undersigned, above named and described, do on our oaths say that we were well and intimately acquainted with the above named William Griffith who was engaged in the military service of the United States, in the war against the so-called Confederate States, as is above set forth, viz: We know of him going into the service We were also well acquainted with his wife, Mrs. Polly Griffith and during the lifetime of said William Griffith and up to the time of his death, they lived together as husband and wife, and were reputed so to be among their neighbors and acquaintances, and according to what we have always heard and believed, and never heard disputed, the said parties were lawfully married about eighteen years ago, and the name of said Polly before they were married was Polly Minyard. The said William Griffith died on the 22nd day of May in the year 1863 at (or near) a place called Vicksburg, Mississippi and at his death left said Mrs. Polly Griffith his widow, and since then we have known her well and intimately as such, and she has not remarried again since his death, but remains his widow and she is known to us as having signed the foregoing declaration, and she has acknowledged the same in our presence; and we therefore certify that she is the identical person whom she therein represents herself to be, and that she is now a widow and that she resides as stated in said declaration. The cause of the death of said William Griffith was a gunshot wound received or contracted by him in the line of his duty in the service aforesaid, as we have heard and believe, and doubt not., viz: so reported to us And we certify that we are disinterested. This 18th day of August 1864 Hiram Cornett Polly Griffith UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, State of Kentucky, County of Owsley The foregoing statement was on this day signed and sworn to before me in and for said County, duly authorized by law to administer oaths for general purposes. These witnesses are well known to me as credible persons, residing as therein stated, and whom I believe to be disinterested and of respective ages named therein. The claimant is the identical person she therein represents herself to be and she is now a widow. I believe the witnesses to be disinterested. And I am disinterested. This 18th day of August 1864 I further certify that the foregoing declaration and affidavits were carefully read and understood by the claimant and witnesses before signing the same. Thomas Merrill WIDOW’S CLAIM FOR PENSION State of Kentucky County of Harlan On this 31st day of March, 1869, personally appeared before me, a Clerk of a Court of Record in and for the County and State aforesaid, POLLY ANN GRIFFITHS a resident of _in the County of Harlan and State of Kentucky, aged 42 years, who being duly sworn, makes the following declaration, in order to obtain the Pension provided by the Act of Congress approved July 14, 1862. That she is the widow of William Griffiths who was a Corporal in Company D, commanded by Captain Alex Adams in the 19th Regiment of Kentucky Volunteer Infantry in the War of 1861; that her maiden name was Polly Ann Minniard and that she was married to said William Griffiths on or about the 19 day of September 1846, at Israel Minniard’s in the County of Harlan and the State of Kentucky by David Turner, J.P. and that she knows of record evidence of said marriage, a copy of said record herewith filed. She further declares that said William Griffiths her husband, died in the service of the United States as aforesaid at Vicksburg in the State of Mississippi on or about the 22nd day of May 1863, Killed in Action She also declares that she has remained a widow ever since the death of said William Griffiths and that she has not in any manner been engaged in, or abetted, the rebellion in the United States; and she hereby appoints C.D. Pennebaker as her lawful attorney, with power of substitution, and authorizes him to present and prosecute this claim, and to receive her pension certificates. The following are the named, dates of birth and place of residence of all the children of her deceased husband who were under sixteen years of age at the time of his death, Elizabeth Griffiths, born June 24, 1847, Ruth Jane Griffiths, born February 17, 1849, Sally Griffiths, Born March 18, 1851, William Griffiths, born March 31, 1853, Nancy Griffiths , born October 15, 1856, Juda Griffiths, born October 12, 1858, Polly Ann Griffith , born November 5, 1860 My post office address is Harlan Court House, Kentucky J.R. Bailey Polly Ann X Griffiths John Bailey mark Also personally appeared before me, John L. Turner and G.W. Crider residents of Harlan County, State of Kentucky, to me well known as credible persons, who being duly sworn, declare, that they were present and saw said Polly Ann Griffitts sign her name to the foregoing declaration, and that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of said applicant, and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and know that said deceased recognized said applicant as his lawful wife, and that she was so recognized by the community in which they resided; and that they have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. John L. Turner G.W. Crider Sworn and subscribed to before me, this 31st day of March 1869, and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim, and that the contents of the above were made known and explained to applicant and witnesses before signing. Elijah Hunt, C.H.C.C. No. 132.269 Kentucky POLLY ANN GRIFFITH Widow of WILLIAM GRIFFITH Rank, Corporal, Company D Regiment 19th Kentucky Infantry Volunteers Lexington Agency Rate per month, $8 Commencing 23 May 1863 Additional sum of $2 per month per each of The following children, until arriving at the age of 16 years, commencing 25 July 1866 Sallie 17 March 1867 William 30 March 1869 Nancy 14 October 1872 Judah 11 October 1874 Polly Ann 4 November 1876 Certificate dated 26 July 1869 Sent to C.D. Pennebaker Kentucky State Agent present State of Kentucky Harlan County I John G. Crump, Clerk of the Harlan County Court and virtue of and there by invested in me and bond and security having been entered into in my office according to law, do hereby issue a licence for a marriage intended between William Griffith and Polly Minyard, these are therefore to authorize and permit you to join together in the Holy estate of Matrimony the said William Griffith and the said Polly Minyard according to the rules and regulations of the Church to which you belong. Given under my hand this the 16th day of September 1846 in the 55th years of the Commonwealth John G. Crump, Clerk State of Kentucky Harlan County I J Bailey, Clerk of the County Court for the County foresaid do certify that the above is a true copy of the marriage licence of William Griffith and Polly Minyard given under my hand and seal of office this the 5th day of August 1864 J. Bailey, Clerk State of Kentucky Harlan County I John G. Crump, Clerk of the County Court within and for the County and State aforesaid, do certify that bond and security hath been taken in my office for a licence to issue for a marriage intended between William Griffiths and Polly Ann Miniard, these are therefore to authorize and permit you to join together in the Holy estate of Matrimony the said William and the said Polly Ann- agreeable to the rules and regulations of the church to which you belong Given under my hand this the 16th day of September 1846 in the 55th years of the Commonwealth John G. Crump, Clerk State of Kentucky Harlan County I David Turner, J.P. do certify that I executed the within Licence on the 19th of September 1846; between William Griffiths and Polly Ann Miniard at the house of Israel Miniard in Harlan County, Kentucky this 19th day of September 1846 David Turner, J.P.H.C. State of Kentucky Harlan County I Elijah Hunt, Clerk of the Harlan County Court do certify that the above is a true copy of the record in my office of the marriage between William Griffiths and Polly Ann Miniard, given under my hand this 31st day of March 1869 Elijah Hunt, Clerk WAR OF 1861 CLAIM FOR WIDOW’S PENSION, WITH MINOR CHILDREN 132.269 Brief in the case POLLY ANN GRIFFITH, Widow of WILLIAM GRIFFITH, Corporal Company D, 19th Kentucky Infantry Volunteers Resident of Owsley County, and State of Kentucky Post Office address: Booneville, Kentucky Declaration and identification in due form PROOF EXHIBITED Service, Adjutant General reports “Enrolled 1st November 1861” Death, Killed in battle at Vicksburg, Mississippi on 22nd May 1863 Marriage, Proven by record evidence on 19th September 1846 Names and dates Of birth of Children, Sallie, born 18th March, 1851, who will be 16 years old 14th March, 1863 William, born 31st March, 1853, “ “ “ “ “ 30th March 1869 Nancy, born 15th October, 1856, “ “ “ “ 14th October 1872 Judah, born 12th October, 1858, “ “ “ “ 11th October 1874 Polly Ann, born 5th November, 1860, “ “ “ 4th November 1876 Proof of Ages, Two midwives who were in attendance Loyalty, Proven Agent and His P.O. Address, C.D. Pennebaker, Kentucky State Adjutant Washington Issue certificate for eight dollars per month, commencing 23 May, 1863, and two dollars per month additional for each of the above named children, commencing twenty fifth day of July, 1866 Passed July 19, 1869 R.J. Powell, Examiner State of Kentucky County of Harlan In the matter of claim for Polly Ann Griffiths, widow of William Griffiths, Corporal of Company “D” 19 Regiment Kentucky Volunteers: Personally came before me, a Clerk of the Court in and for aforesaid County and State, STACY TURNER, citizen of the County of Harlan, State of Kentucky, reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to aforesaid claim as follows: Elizabeth Griffiths born June 24, 1847, Ruth Jane Griffiths born February 17, 1849, Sally Griffiths born March 18, 1851, William Griffiths born March 31, 1853, Nancy Griffiths born October 15, 1856, Juda Griffiths born October 12, 1858, Polly Ann Griffiths born November 5, 1860 She further declares that she has no interest in said claim, and is not concerned in its prosecution. Attest: Stacy X Turner John L. Turner mark State of Kentucky County of Harlan In the matter of claim for pension of Mrs. Polly Ann Griffiths, widow of William Griffiths deceased, of Company “D” 19 Regiment Kentucky Volunteers: Personally came before me, a Clerk of the Court in and for aforesaid County and State, LOUISA NAPPER and SUSAN MINIARD, citizen of the County of Harlan, State of Kentucky, reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to aforesaid claim, that the date of the birth of the children of said soldier is as follows: Sally Griffiths born on the 18th day of March 1851 William Griffiths born on the 31st day of March 1853 Nancy Griffiths born on the 15th day of October 1856 Juda Griffiths born on the 12th day of October 1858 Polly Ann Griffiths born on the 5th day of November 1860 That we were present at the birth of the same in the capacity of midwifery and has personal knowledge of the dates aforesaid, and we further declare that we have no interest in said claim, and is not concerned in its prosecution. Attest: Louisa X Napper John Bailey Susan X Minyard Silas M. Bailey mark Witness my hand and official seal this 3rd day of July, 1869 Elijah Hunt, C.H.C.C. Copyright Notice: All files and photos formatted, transcribed, purchased, submitted, selected and published at my discretion will forever remain free at no cost to the public. Files and photos cannot be linked, copied, displayed , published or stored to any other media, book, or web site without specific written (snail mail) permission from Elva Nolan Morgan and submitter/s signed jointly or Elva Morgan ( if submitter cannot be located and notified ). This web site was created for researchers of Harlan County Kentucky and is freely hosted and web space supplied by Rootsweb. All logos and links in no way states, suggests or implies ownership of the web pages contained within this web site and/or the contents. All research material purchased, compiled, transcribed, formatted and presented by me on this web site is my work is copyrighted. Public records are not copyrightable but the format presented here are.This copyright notice to remain on this web site. Protected by U.S., and International copyright laws. © Elva Nolan Morgan 1999-2000-2001-2002-2003