Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 38581, Burton Briggs, Continental R.I.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Continental R. I.

Briggs Burton,

Number S. 38581

CONTENTS _________________________
Page 2

18.693

Rhode Island

Burton Briggs (aged 72)
of Providence CY in the State of R. Island who was a Private in the Regiment commanded by Colonel J. M. Varnum of the R. Island line, for the term of one year (1776)

Inscribed on the Roll of Rhode Island at the rate of 8 dollars per month, to commence the 28 of May 1822

Certificate of pension issued the 20 of July 1822 and sent to B. Cowell Esq Providence, R I

Arrears to 4th of
Semi-anl. all'ce ending Sept 1822 
$26.9
-----
$26.9

{Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818.}

Part of
8 4/314
3 4/30
------
24
1.3
1.6
-----
$26.9

Vol 4
Page 9
May. 1. 1820
not on list
Page 3

Briggs, Burton

His name appears on a list of claimants to be placed on the pension list returned by the Circuit Court for the District of Rhode Island, submitted to the House of Representatives by the Secretary of War on April 25, 1794, and printed in the American State Papers class q, page 118.

Rank: Private
Regt: Col. C. Greene's
Disability: Disease, contracted from severities endured in the service.
Residence: Coventry
Monthly allowance: $3.33 1/3
Arrearages: $30
Remarks: This man does not appear on my record of the R. Island line.

not found on list of invalid pensioners ss
R. J.
Page 4

I have a perfect recollection of Burton Briggs now residing in Foster in the State of Rhode Island and of the following facts in relation to him -- That in May 1775 he enlisted a private soldier in Captain Edmund Johnsons Company in the Regiment commanded by Colonel James Mitchel Varnum, in the Rhode Island Line to serve until the 31th day of December following inclusive; That he served in said Company and Regiment the full term of his said enlistment: That a short time previous to the expiration thereof he reenlisted a private soldier, in the same regiment commanded by the same Colonel, and after its organization called the 9th Regiment of Foot, on the Continental Establishment for twelve months commencing on the first day of January 1776 -- That he served from that period in Captain Thomas Cole's Company in said 9th Regiment until the beginning of December 1776 when on account of indisposition of body, at the time the Regiment was crossing the Hudson at King's Ferry, he was left at Peekskill where he remained to the end of that year and then returned home -- during all the time aforesaid I was a first Lieutenant in said Regiment until August 1775 the Quarter Master and afterward,
Page 5

afterward until the 31st. Dec. 1776 - Adjutant thereof

M. L. Dexter, Major of the Rhode Island Reg at the close of the war.

Providence May 13th. 1822.
Page 6

Providence ss - The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations - Court of Common Pleas - May Term 1822

On this twenty eighth day of May 1822 Personally appeared in open court being a Court of Record within and for said county of Providence, Burton Briggs age seventy two years residing in the Town of Foster in said county who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows, that in May 1775 he enlisted into Capt. Johnson's company and in Col. J. K. Varnum's regiment as a private to serve until the 31st of December following, that a short time previous to the expiration of his said enlistment he reenlisted into Capt. Coles company & in the same regiment a private for one year which regiment was during the year of the army of the United States, in the Continental establishment & of the Rhode Island line and in which he continued to serve eleven months when he
Page 7

was left sick at Peekskill in New York where he remained until the end of the year & was then honourably discharged & returned home - And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the eighteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred & eighteen; and that I have not since that time, by gift sale or in any manner whatever disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled " An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" paper on the eighteenth day of March one thousand eight hundred & eighteen; that I have not [illegible] any person in trust for me any property or fecurities [securities] contracts or debts owe to me or have I any income other than what is contained [illegible---------------]
Page 8

A Schedule of Property and income / necessary clothing and bedding expected / of Burton Riggs 

Said Burton declares that he has no property of any description whatever that he is in no business & unable through bodily infirmities to labour that he is principally supported by the charity of others.
Burton Briggs 
X his mark

Sworn to and declared in open court second day of the term Bernon Helme Clk

Providence ss - The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations: Clerks Office of the County Common Pleas May term 1822

I Bernon Helme clerk of the aforesaid Court do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copies from the record of the said court: and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said court that the amount in valve of the property exhibited in the schedule is worth nothing - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court on this twenty eighth day of May 1822
Bernon Helme clk of said Court
Page 9

w.c.a.

Rev, & 1812 Wars Section

October 9. 1925

Mrs. J. F. Marvel
5 Wheldon Ave.
E. Providence, R. I.

Madam:

I have to advise you from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, S. 38581, it appears that Burton Briggs enlisted in May 1775, place not stated, served as private in Captains Edmund Johnson's and Thomas Cole's Companies, Colonel James Mitchell Vernum's Rhode Island Regiment, and was discharged December 31, 1776.

He was allowed pension on his application executed May 28, 1822, at which time he was seventy-two years of age and a resident of Foster, Rhode Island. 

There is no date on file relative to his family.

For the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner Burton Briggs, you should apply to the Record Section, Civil Division, General Accounting Office, 1800 E. St., N.W., Washington, D.C., citing all of the following data:

Burton Briggs, Certificate #18693, issued July 2, 1822, rate $8 per month, commenced May 28, 1822, Act of March 18, 1818, Rhode Island Agency.

Respectfully,
Winfield Scott
Commissioner
Page 10

38581

INVALID.

Revy

File No. 38581

Burton Briggs
Priv Rev War

Act: 18 March 18
Index: Vol. S., Page 59

(Arrangement of 1870.)

1925 June 29 - Cong. Richard S. Aldrich fur. date to obtain date of each pay. pen. etc. auy

1925 Oct 9 Hist. to Mrs. J. F. Marvel (See letter) in case of Othaniel Young S. 2159 w.c.a.
Page 11

Providence 21 June 1822

Sir

I herewith enclose the original application of Burton Briggs for a pension and the schedule of Henry Taber pursuant to the acts of Congress of 18 March 1818 & May 1 - 1820

I am sir respectfully yours obt sevt
Benja Cowell
Page 12

Cong. Richard S. Aldrich wants date of last payment of pension etc. of Burton Briggs S.38581
Telephone call
June 29 - 1925
Page 13

Rev. and 1812 War Section.

June 29, 1925

Honorable Richard S. Aldrich
House of Representatives.

My dear Mr. Aldrich:

In response to your telephone call of this day, I have the honor to advise you that in order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner Burton Briggs (S. 38581), you should apply to the Pension Section, Civil Division, General Accounting Office, 1800 E St., N. W., Washington, D. C., citing all of the following data --
Burton Briggs, Certificate No. 18693, issued July 2, 1822, rate $8 per month, commenced May 28, 1822, Act of March 12, 1818, Rhode Island Agency.

Very truly yours,
Wilder S. Metoalf
Commissioner.