Samuel Griffin

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Samuel Griffin (1746–November 3, 1810) was a lawyer and politician from Virginia. He represented Virginia in the U.S. House of Representatives.

He was born in 1746 in Richmond County, Virginia. He studied classical studies and law. He was admitted to the bar and practiced. During the Revolutionary War he served as a colonel in the Continental Army and was wounded at the Battle of Harlem Heights onOctober 12, 1776.

Colonel Griffin was assigned to the Department fo Philadelphia to recuperate from his wounds. Following the retreat of the Colonial Army behind the Delaware River in December, 1776, Griffin was instructed by commanding general of Philadelphia, Israel Putnam, following directions from General Washington, to "create a distraction" for the Royal Forces then present near Trenton, NJ.

Griffin led about 900 militia and Virginia regulars into Mount Holly, from which he harrassed the pickets of Colonel Kurt von Donop at Bordentown. Colonel Von Donop brought all of his 2,000 or so Royal troops to Mount Holly to punish Griffin. [[1]] Von Donop was now out of position to assist colonel Rall in Trenton, and on the morning after Christmas, December 26, 1776, Washington crossed the Delaware and defeated Rall at Trenton. Griffin's role was complete, but local lore says he was aided by a "certain young widow of a doctor" in detaining von Donop in Mount Holly. That widow remains anonymous, bit a great deal is owed her by this new nation.

Griffin also served on the State's board of war. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates 1786-1788.

Griffin served as mayor of Williamsburg, Virginia from 1779 to 1780.

He was elected to the First, Second, and Third Congresses, serving from March 4, 1789 until March 3, 1795.

Preceded by incomplete record

Mayor of Williamsburg, Virginia 1779-1780

Succeeded by William Holt

This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.