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.