Cyrus Griffin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cyrus Griffin
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| Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Virginia | |
| In office November 28, 1789 – December 14, 1810 |
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| Appointed by | George Washington |
| Preceded by | Seat established by 1 Stat. 73 |
| Succeeded by | John Tyler Sr. |
| 8th President of the Congress of the Confederation | |
| In office January 22, 1788 – November 2, 1788 |
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| Preceded by | Arthur St. Clair |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Lancaster County | |
| In office October 16, 1786 – October 14, 1787 Serving with James Gordon
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| Preceded by | James Ball Jr. |
| Succeeded by | James Ball Jr. |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Lancaster County | |
| In office May 5, 1777 – 1778 Serving with James Gordon
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| Preceded by | Jesse Ball |
| Succeeded by | Charles Bell |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Cyrus Griffin
July 16, 1748 Farnham Parish, Colony of Virginia, British America |
| Died | December 14, 1810 (aged 62) Yorktown, Virginia |
| Resting place | Bruton Parish Church Williamsburg, Virginia |
| Relatives | Samuel Griffin |
| Education | University of Edinburgh Middle Temple |
| Signature | .svg){kind=small} |
Cyrus Griffin (born July 16, 1748 – died December 14, 1810) was an important lawyer and politician from Virginia. He was the very last President of the Congress of the Confederation. He also became the first U.S. District Judge for Virginia.
Early Life and Learning
Cyrus Griffin was born on July 16, 1748. His family lived in Farnham Parish, which was then part of Lancaster County, in the Colony of Virginia. His parents were Mary Anne Bertrand and Colonel Leroy Griffin.
Cyrus had an older brother named Samuel Griffin. Samuel also became a lawyer in Virginia. He served in the Continental Army and later in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Like his brother, Cyrus received a good private education. He then traveled to England to continue his studies. He studied law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. He also studied at the Middle Temple in London.
A Career in Law and Politics
After finishing his studies, Cyrus Griffin became a lawyer in Virginia in 1774. He had his own law practice in Lancaster County. He worked there and in nearby areas until 1777.
The people of Lancaster County elected him to represent them. He served in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1777 to 1778. He later served again from 1786 to 1787.
Other lawmakers chose him to be one of Virginia's delegates. He served in the Second Continental Congress from 1778 to 1780. This was a very important group during the American Revolution.
From 1780 to 1787, he was a judge. He worked for the Court of Appeals in Cases of Capture. This court handled legal cases about ships captured during wartime.
Griffin became a delegate to the Congress of the Confederation from 1787 to 1788. In 1788, he became the final President of the Congress of the Confederation. This was under the Articles of Confederation, which was the first constitution of the United States.
He was part of the Federalist party. In 1789, he served as a United States Commissioner. He worked with the Creek Nation.
Becoming a Federal Judge
On November 28, 1789, President George Washington chose Cyrus Griffin for a new job. He became a judge for the United States District Court for the District of Virginia. This was a new position created by law.
President Washington officially nominated him on February 8, 1790. The United States Senate approved his appointment on February 10, 1790. He received his official document (commission) the same day.
Cyrus Griffin served as a federal judge until he passed away. He died on December 14, 1810, in Yorktown, Virginia. He was buried at Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Family Life
Cyrus Griffin was the son of Colonel Leroy Griffin and Mary Ann Bertrand. He married Christina Stewart. She was the oldest daughter of John Stewart, who was the sixth Earl of Traquair.
Cyrus and Christina had at least one daughter named Mary. Mary married Thomas Griffin. Thomas was also a politician who served in the Virginia House of Delegates and the U.S. Congress.
