Thomas Griffin
Encyclopedia
Thomas Griffin was an eighteenth and nineteenth century politician, lawyer and judge from Virginia
.
Born in Yorktown, Virginia
, Griffin pursued in classical studies before studying law. After being admitted to the bar, Griffin practiced law as well as engaging in agricultural
pursuits. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from 1793 to 1800 and was appointed a justice of the court of oyer and terminer
on October 17, 1796, serving until 1810. Griffin was elected a Federalist
to the United States House of Representatives
in 1802, serving from 1803 to 1805. He was then appointed chief justice
of the Court of Quarter Sessions
in Yorktown
on September 1, 1805, serving until 1810 when he became a justice of the York County
Court, serving as this until 1812. Griffin served as a major
of Infantry during the War of 1812
. After the war, Griffin again became a justice of the court of oyer and terminer
, this time as chairman of the court, serving from 1814 to 1820. He then became a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
again, serving from 1819 to 1823 and 1827 to 1830. Griffin died at "The Mansion" near Yorktown, Virginia
on October 7, 1837.
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
.
Born in Yorktown, Virginia
Yorktown, Virginia
Yorktown is a census-designated place in York County, Virginia, United States. The population was 220 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of York County, one of the eight original shires formed in colonial Virginia in 1634....
, Griffin pursued in classical studies before studying law. After being admitted to the bar, Griffin practiced law as well as engaging in agricultural
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
pursuits. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
from 1793 to 1800 and was appointed a justice of the court of oyer and terminer
Oyer and terminer
In English law, Oyer and terminer was the Law French name, meaning "to hear and determine", for one of the commissions by which a judge of assize sat...
on October 17, 1796, serving until 1810. Griffin was elected a Federalist
Federalist Party (United States)
The Federalist Party was the first American political party, from the early 1790s to 1816, the era of the First Party System, with remnants lasting into the 1820s. The Federalists controlled the federal government until 1801...
to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
in 1802, serving from 1803 to 1805. He was then appointed chief justice
Chief Justice
The Chief Justice in many countries is the name for the presiding member of a Supreme Court in Commonwealth or other countries with an Anglo-Saxon justice system based on English common law, such as the Supreme Court of Canada, the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the Court of Final Appeal of...
of the Court of Quarter Sessions
Quarter Sessions
The Courts of Quarter Sessions or Quarter Sessions were local courts traditionally held at four set times each year in the United Kingdom and other countries in the former British Empire...
in Yorktown
Yorktown, Virginia
Yorktown is a census-designated place in York County, Virginia, United States. The population was 220 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of York County, one of the eight original shires formed in colonial Virginia in 1634....
on September 1, 1805, serving until 1810 when he became a justice of the York County
York County, Virginia
York County is a county located on the north side of the Virginia Peninsula in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state of the United States. Situated on the York River and many tributaries, the county seat is the unincorporated town of Yorktown...
Court, serving as this until 1812. Griffin served as a major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
of Infantry during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. After the war, Griffin again became a justice of the court of oyer and terminer
Oyer and terminer
In English law, Oyer and terminer was the Law French name, meaning "to hear and determine", for one of the commissions by which a judge of assize sat...
, this time as chairman of the court, serving from 1814 to 1820. He then became a member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Virginia House of Delegates
The Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the Virginia General Assembly. It has 100 members elected for terms of two years; unlike most states, these elections take place during odd-numbered years. The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected from among the...
again, serving from 1819 to 1823 and 1827 to 1830. Griffin died at "The Mansion" near Yorktown, Virginia
Yorktown, Virginia
Yorktown is a census-designated place in York County, Virginia, United States. The population was 220 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of York County, one of the eight original shires formed in colonial Virginia in 1634....
on October 7, 1837.