Griffin, John, ca. 1799-

A native of Va., Griffin (ca. 1799-d. between 1842 and 1845) served as Judge of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Mich.(SCM), 1805-1823, and earlier as Judge of Ind. Territory. From Mass., Witherell served as judge of the SCM, 1808-1828. Witherell (June 16, 1759-Jan. 9, 1838) rose to the rank of Adj. in a Mass. regiment during the Revolutionary War. He then served as a member of the Vt. Legislature and Governor's Council. Elected to Congress in 1807, Witherell resigned to serve as Judge of the SCM, 1808-1828. During the War of 1812 he served as military commander of Detroit, raising a command for the Defense of the city against Gen. Hull. Witherell later served as Secretary, 1828-1830, and Acting Governor of Mich. Territory, 1830. From Va., Woodward served as Justice of the SCMT, 1805-1824. He aided the citizens of Detroit following the surrender of the city in 1812. In 1824 Woodward was appointed U.S. Judge for the Territory of Fla., but died about 1826. (Information from Mich. biographies, v. 1, p. 354; v. 2 pp. 463-464, 473-4.).