Born in 1766, in Bound Brook, Province of New Jersey, British America, Griffith read law in 1788.
[1] In 1796, he published A treatise on the jurisdiction and proceedings of justices of the peace in civil suits (Burlington, Elderkin & Miller, 1796) and in 1797 The Scriveners Guide (Newark, Printed by John Woods, 1797)[2] Griffith was nominated by President John Adams on February 18, 1801, to the United States Circuit Court for the Third Circuit, to a new seat authorized by 2 Stat. 89.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 20, 1801, and received his commission the same day.
[1] Following his departure from the federal bench, Griffith resumed private practice in Burlington from 1802 to 1826.
Griffith was appointed Clerk of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1826, but died before assuming his duties.