To George Washington from Stephen Griffing, 1 April 1781
April 1st 1781
May it please your Excellancy
The situation of my affairs is such reduced by the death of my Father, leaving a Family unprovided for having been oblidge to leave the Island and all he was possessed of behind & flee for Shelter into Connecticut, were they must if not Assisted by me suffer, Induces me to ask permission of your excellancy to resign my Commission which nothing but the situation in wich the family were left would prompt me to ask.
Stephen Griffing Ensn
2d New York Reg.
DNA: RG 93—War Department.