Jasper Griffing AKA – The Commodore
March 7, 1772 — November 1, 1800
The early life of Jasper Griffing was an eventful one. “As a teenager he sailed to the West Indies and in his 20s he was impressed into Commodore Warren’s New York fleet. Tradition hath it that intercession was made by the relatives, to the Commodore for his release and that a promise was made that he be returned in the pilot-boat from Sandy Hook, a promise that was not kept. From the Journal of Rev. Henry Robinson of Guilford who writes as follows:
‘On the 10th of August, 1837, when I was at the house of Mr. Russell Griffing, in Richmond, Mass., the following story was told me by Mr. G. respecting his father, Capt. Jasper Griffing: In the year 1745, when young Griffing was about 23, he was pressed on board Com. Warren’s fleet at New York, together with a number of other. Through the entreaty of friends, Griffing was promised by the Commodore that he should be set ashore at Sandy Hook, but the promise was disregarded. Afterwards, while on the West India Station, he, with two others, deserted, swam ashore in the night, and soon got on board an American vessel. Not long after the English fleet hove in sight, and a boat was sent along side of the American vessel with an officer, who at once recognized the deserters. They were taken on board the Commodore’s ship and condemned to be hung that day. Immediately after they were ordered to be brought forth to execution. Griffing fell to his knees and pleaded for his life. The Commodore asked him what he meant by sending such a note. He replied that he had written nothing but the truth, that is was promised he should set ashore or sent back by the pilot-boat to New York. On being asked if he could show proof of this, he referred to an American lieutenant on board, who confirmed the truth of his story. The Commodore then asked him if he would swear – on his knees – to be true and sovereign, and serve him faithfully in the future in case his life was spared, to which he gladly assented and was discharged, while the other two were swung from the yard-arm.’
It is well known that during the war called in America “King George’s War” – which took place between 1744 and 1748 – Com. Warren, in 1745, received orders from England to co-operate with the land forces from the New England colonies in the attempt to take Louisburg, on the island of Cape Breton. A company of men commanded by Col. Andrew Ward went from Guilford, Ct. Jasper Griffing’s brother Robert from Southold was already settled in this place, and he (Robert) 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 with a flapped hat.” This disguise he soon met an officer who, with is glass, was making observations upon the works of the enemy. The officer called upon our friend to steady his glass for him, which he did but without discovery. 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, and soon marrying Mindwell Stone settled down and ultimately became one of its wealthiest citizens. On account of his hairbreadth escapes from Commodore Warren’s fleet, he was in his lifetime and ever after called “The Commodore.”
In an historic letter written by Mr. Jared Griffing in 1839, he says: “My uncle Jasper told me that he sat on the main top gallant truck of Warren’s ship when it entered the harbor of Louisburg under the fire of the French.”
An item of historical interest may be added here , viz.: That Jasper Griffing became by purchase in 1776, the fifth owner of the “Old Stone House,” still standing and in fine condition in Guilford. It was built by the first settlers about 1640; was owned and occupied by Rev. Henry Whitfield of historic memory. Rev. Mr. Whitfield returned to England about 1651 and sold it to Major Robert Thompson of London, in 1659 All the Whitfield land was acknowledged by letters from his brother, Nathaniel Whitfield of London, 20 Sept. , 1659. Wyllis Elliott of Guilford bought the house in 1772; and Jasper Griffin bought it of him in 1776. From him it descended to his son Judge Nathaniel Griffing in 1865, it came to their only remaining child, Mrs. H.W. Chittenden, and at her death in 1878 her only child, Mrs. Sarah B. Cone of Stockbridge Mass., became of possessor of it.
