Person:Jasper Griffing (15)

[Mary Elizabeth Giddings from 2787254.ged]

Alias:<ALIA> Jasper Griffing "The /Commodore"/ Custom Field:<_FA#> Father died when he was seven Custom Field:<_FA#> Tried to learn trade; failed Custom Fie ld:<_FA#> Became sailer Custom Field:<_FA#> Went to Bahamas, catching green tu rtles Custom Field:<_FA#> Pressed into British Navy at New York Custom Field: <_FA#> King George's War (1745), Louisburg, Cape Breton Custom Field:<_FA#> Es caped. Came to Guilford, CN Custom Field:<_FA#> Tried to learn Joiner's trade ; failed. Custom Field:<_FA#> Became a coaster, amassed considerable wealth. Custom Field:<_FA#> Landowner in Guilford, CN. REFN182 The early life of Jasp er Griffing was an eventful one. His father died when he was a little child; at fifteen or sixteen he became a sailor, going to the West Indies, etc. Wh en about 23 years of age, he was impressed into Commodore Warren's fleet, the n lying at New York. Tradition has it that intercession was made by relative s to the Commodore for his release through Samuel Landon, Esq., the brother o f Mrs. Samuel griffing of Southold, and that a promise was made that he would be returned in the pilot boat from Sandy Hook...a promise that was not kept. Afterwards, while on the Wes India Station, he with two others, deserted, s wam ashore in the night and soon got on board an American vessel. Not long a fter the English fleet hove in sight, and the boat went alongside of the Amer ican vessel with an officer who at once recognized the deserters. They weret aken on board the Commodore's ship and condemned to be hung. On the morning of the fatal day, Griffing summonedup courage to write a note to the Commodor e to this effect; that if the Commodore had been as good as his word, he (Gri ffing) should not be hung that day. Immediately after they were ordered tobe brought forth tp execution. Griffing fell on his knees and pleaded for his life. The Commodore asked him what he meant by sending him such a note. He replied that he had written nothing but the truth. That it was promised he s hould be set ashore or sent back by the pilot boat to New York. On being ask ed if he could show proof of this, he referred to an American lieutenant on b oard, who confirmed his story. The Commodore then asked him if he would swea r on his knees to be true to his sovereign and serve him faithfully in the f uture in case his life was spared to which he gladly assented. He was discha rged while the other two swung from the yard arm. It is well known that during the was in America called King George's War which took place between 1744 an d 1748, Commodore Warren (in 1745) received orders from England to cooperate with the land forces from the New England colonies in an attempt to take Loui sburg, on the island of Cape Breton. A company of men commanded by Col. Andr ew Ward went from Guilford, CN. Jasper Griffing's brother Robert, from South old, was already settled in Guilford and requested Col. Ward to look for his brother. Col. Ward made inquiries among the sailors as he met them, found the very man, and devised at once a way of escape for him. After his escape, the Colonel had him dressed as a "countryman soldier", without uniform and w ith a flopped hat. In this disguisehe soon met an officer who, with his spy glass, was making observations upon the works of the enemy. The officer call ed upon Jasper Griffing to steady his glass for him, which he did withoutdisc overy. It was so managed that he was sent to the hospital as a sick soldier, and finally to Boston on the sick list, whence he came to Guilford where he settled down. On account f his hairbreadth escapes from Commodore Warren's f leet, he was in his lifetime and ever after called, "The Commodore." Jasper Griffing settled down in Guilford, Connecticut, became a prosperous citizen, owning houses and lands and purchased the Whitfield House ("Old Stone House") . His brother Samuel, a refugee from Long

1. ↑ GEDCOM File : 457632[1].ged.

   16 Mar 2002

2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Mary Elizabeth Giddings from 2787254.ged.

   Date of Import: Nov 24, 2008