Pension Application

R.4313
State of New York
Rensselaer County SS.
On this 13th day of November 1856, personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Justice Court in the City of Troy County aforesaid, being a Court of Record, now sitting William Griffin aged 64 years a resident of Rensselaer County aforesaid who being duly sworn according to Law, testifies that he with Lana Tallman are the only Surviving children of Joshua Griffin who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War as this deponent has often referred over his services in his life time. And always spoke of his Colonel Livingston (1) and that he enlisted for five years that at that time his father resided in Dutchess County State of New York, This deponent says that he has no other proof of said services except the proof hereunto annexed, and knew of no record except this and therefore depends on the proof in file in the Department at Washington, of the New York Troops. He further says that his mother died some years before him who died in Shenango [Chenango] county 16th March 1844 Eighteen Hundred and forty one this declaration is made for the purpose of obtaining the amount of pension due our father from the 4th March 1832 under the act of _____1832. To the time of his death. Their father never made any application for a Pension although he often spoke of it and was told to make application buy a person by the name of Ranker to do so who knew of his services, but who is now dead. (Signed with his mark) William Griffin
Sworn to and Subscribed before me the day and year first written before Mr. Geo. R David Jr Justice of the Peace.

Letter of inquire dated February 19, 1921.
            In response to your letter of the seventeenth instant, I have the honor to furnish you the history of the only two soldiers of the Revolutionary War pension claim, Reject File Nol. 4.313, it is alleged that Joshua Griffin while residing in Dutchess County, New York, enlisted in the New York Troops and served under Colonel Livingston.
            He died March 18, 1841, in Chenango County, New York and his wife whose name is not stated died prior to that date. In 1858, William Griffin of Rensselaer County, New York, aged 64 years applied for pension in behalf of himself and Laura Tallman, the only surviving children of Joshua Griffin, but their claim was not allowed, on account of lack of proof of the alleged service.
            In the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, Widow File No. 7583, it appears that Joshua Griffin enlisted, date not stated, in the minute service in Orange County, New York, under Captain Silas Purdy, in which he remained for some time; after which in August 1776, he enlisted in Captain Isaac Belknap’s company of Rangers and served until march 1777, when he re-enlisted as Private in Captain John Hamtramck’s Company, Colonel Livingston and Cortland’s Regiment, New York Line, and served six years.
            He was allowed pension on his application executed April 8, 1818, while living in Providence, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. In 1820 he stated that he was 62 years old, his wife Anna was 62 years old, and his grandchildren, Sally Hiller was 11 years old and Minerve Atherton was 8 years old. The names of his children are not on record. He died June 11, 1840.
            He married in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1829, Margaret widow of William Searle. She was allowed pension as the widow of Joshua Griffin, in 1853, and she died prior to March 1857, (exact date not on record,) leaving three children, whose names are not stated.
            The date and place of soldier’s birth and maiden names of his wives are not on record.

The only continental regiment service found for Joshua is in the Second New York Continental Regiment under Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt. He enlisted as a private on 31 March 1777 in Captain John F. Hamtranck’s Company and was enlisted for “During War”. FROM: Revolutionary War Rolls 1775-1783, Series M-246, Roll 67, folder 25, National Archives, Washington, DC. There were two Livingstons that were colonels; Henry B. Livingston of the Fourth New York Continental Regiment and James Livingston of the First Canadian Continental Regiment. The 2nd and 4th NY Regiments served together at times so he may be referring to Henry B. although he, Joshua, was not part of the 4th N.Y.

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