Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,710, Ephraim Briggs, Continental (Conn.) Vt.
Page 1

Continental (Conn)  Briggs, Ephraim  W
Page 2

5017
Vermont [illegible]
Rhoda Briggs, dec
widow of Ephraim who died on the of  [illegible]
in the State of 
who was a ][illegible] in the    commanded
by Captain      of the               commanded
by     in the 
line for 2 yrs
[illegible] bed on the Roll of Montpelier at the rate of 80 dollars          Cents
per annum, to commence on the 4 day of 
March, 1831
ending 3 Sept 1844.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5 day of 
May 1831 and sent to 
arrears to the 4th of HH Sylvester
Semiannual allowance ending    Present 
                 {Revolutionary Claim}
                 {Act July 4, 1836,}
                 {Section the}
Recorded by H.E. Robinson Clerk, 
Book D    Vol.         Page 340
Page 3

[illegible] Clerks office August 8th 1840
I hereby Certify that according to a [illegible] in this office
Benjamin Briggs son of Ephraim & Rhoda Briggs was [illegible] July 6th 1780
Attest [illegible] Chaney Town Clerk
Page 4

Cert of kinship
Rhoda Briggs
Mrs Cole
HH Sylvester
[illegible]
Page 5

State of Vermont
Hartford District
Probate Office Woolley
Felmay A.D. 1851
Lyndon A. Marsh, Reg
ister of the Probate Court of said
District, do hereby certify that at
isfactory evidence has this day been
presented to said Court, shewing
that Rhoda Briggs, Widow of Ephraim
Briggs late of Barned in said Dis
true, and in the County of Windsor
ceased died at the house of Asa B.
Briggs of Thetford in the County of
and on the third day of September
A.D. 1844, and that Ephraim Briggs
who now resides in
Richester in said
District, and Asa B. Briggs, who now
resides in Pierpont in the County of St
Lawrence and State of New York and
Joanna Richmond, who now resides in
Barnet aforesaid, are her only surviving
children -
In testimony whereof I do hereto affix
the seal
of said Court, the day and year above written
. Marsh, Register
Page 6

4898
Rhoda Briggs
Act 4 July 36
80.29.
Capt. Savage Col Sherborne
R.G. Line
Bundle 9 No 1. not on Savage
Oel Billings
Woodstock
Vt-
Page 7

State of Vermont
Hartford County
On this 9th day of January 1840
benefit of the provision by the act of July
4th 1836, that she is the proof of
Ashford Connecticut but late of the
was a private in the day of the Revolution and
follows to wit. He enlisted May 12th in
Col. Henry Sherburn's Regiment of the Continental
served in said Regiment until the first day of January 1782
he was discharged, having served two years and
nineteen days, and he again enlisted in the
4th day of January 1780 in the same Regiment and
two months he obtained a substitute or obtain 
cannot say and he came up to said Barnard
the 10th day of March 1780. She thinks that he made settlement
with the war department after leaving the service and that the
he obtained on this last settlement was continental
found it only enough to buy a frost lake which he be with
This last service ended on April 30th, 1780, as appear by the
certificate of the Comptroller of Ct. as well as the other part
mentioned above having served in all as above two years
months and nineteen days. He also volunteers in August 1780
at Barnard aforesaid in Capt. Benjamin Cox's company 
for scouting and served one day as will appear by the certificate
of Chauncey L. Knapp Esq Secretary of the State with
for which she claims a pension
she further declares that she was married to the said Ephraim
Briggs at Barnard aforesaid by Asa Whitcomb Esq on the 19th day
of March 1780. that her husband the aforesaid Ephraim Briggs
died at said Barnard on the 10th day of August 1829, and that she
has remained a widow ever since that period as will fully
Page 8

appear by referance to the proof hereunto annexed, and the reason she
has not before applied for a pension is that she could not until now
obtain the evidence of her husbands service although she has been suking
for the same for three years past. she knows of no further testimony
to substantiate her claim but such as is herewith forwarded, but
it is not many year since she saw her husbands discharge but
it is now lost.
And Briggs
Sworn
to and subscribed on the day and year first before written
Before me
James Udall Judge of Probate
State of Vermont
Hartford District
Page 9

Asa B. Briggs now of Woodstock in the County of Windsor
and State of Vermont aged fifty five years testify and say that I
am the son of Rhoda Briggs who has signed the foregoing declaration
for a pension and one of five children of Ephraim Briggs late of Barnard
terment deceased, and I well recollect in the life time of my father
aforesaid to have herd him talk over his service in the Army of the
Revolution as stated by my mother in her declaration and he always
stated that he served about three years
I further testify and say that my father the aforesaid
Ephraim Briggs died at Barnard on the 10th day of August AD 1829
and that my mother the aforesaid Rhoda Briggs, (but before marriage
was Rhoda Whitum) has remained a widow ever since the death
of my father aforesaid and is now his widow living in Barnard
aforesaid
Asa B. Briggs
I Cel
Sworn to and subscribed at Woodstock in the District of
Hartford aforesaid this 9th day of January AD 1849
Oel Billings Register & Justice of the Peace
further certify that the deponent Asa B. Briggs above is of
undoubted good character for truth and is a credible witness
Oel Billings Register & Justice of the Peace
Bell
Hartford
proceeds
Rhoda
my
lings Register of the Court of Probate of the District of
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original
ings of the said Court in the matter of the application of
Briggs for a pension,
1
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set
hand and seal of office this 9th day of January AD 1840
Oel Billings Register
Page 10

Ephraim Briggs & Rhoda Whitcomb both of Barnand were
lawfully Married March Nineteenth seventeen hundred
eighty
By Asa Whitcomb Justice Peace
I certify that the above Record is not signed by the Town Clerk
neither are any of the subsequent or seceding ones for several years
but regularly entered in a book kept for that purpose in this office.
I certify
that the foregoing is a true copy of Record with the exceptions
of the date which is expressed in the record in fair legible figures
as follows
March 19th 1780
Attest L. Chaney Town Clerk
I L. Chancey of Barn and County of Windsor & told of vermont of Lawful age
being duly sworn do depose testify and say that I hold the office
of Town Clerk of sd Town of Barnard & that the above is a true
extract from the records of sd Town with the exception above named
as certified by me
Barnard Town Clerks office I an 8th 1840
L. Chaney Town Clerk
Sworn to before me Jany. 1840
Daniel Acken Just Peace
STATE OF VERMONT I, Norman Williams, Clerk of the County Court of the Coun
Windsor County of Windsor in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that
an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county,
duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was
dated on the twenty-fifth day of November, in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-nine, and
will expire on the thirtieth day of November next, and that
his signature foregoing
┃ genuine.
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court, this tenth
day of
January
A. D. 1840
N. Williams. Clerk
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REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.
3 -- 525
W. F. 23
for
AS
infor
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C.
19
In reply to your request of
received
a statement of the military history of Ephraim in
soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired
formation as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension
on file in this Bureau.
DATES OF
ENLISTMENT OR
APPOINTMENT.
May 12. 1777
Aug. 1780
LENGTH OF
SERVICE.
Mch 1780
1 day
RANK.
Pob.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
Abijah Savage
Benjamin Cox
COLONEL.
Henry Sherburne
STATE.
Vt.
Battles engaged in,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Ashford to
Date of application for pension, Jany
Residence at date of application, Barnard, Windsor Co. Vt
Age at date of application, She was 8 years old
Remarks: He married Mch. 19 1760 of Howard V Rhoda White
and died at Barnard Aug. 10, 1829. She died at Thetford it Sept
S. 1844 These were 5 children only Benjamin the eldest, Asa B. lining
at Purport N. Y. in 1852, Ephraim D. living at Rochester and
Joanna Richmond of Barnard Vt. The last three survived their
stated that he served in the war of 1812
further,
---
see negative slip in files as to
service in War 1812.
Commissioner.
Page 12

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
23710
Rhoda Briggs
Widow of
Ephraim Briggs
Pri Rev War
July 4th 36
Page 99
(Arrangement of 1870.)
Hist to Mrs. Carolyn B.
J. L. W.
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1898
Act 4 July 36
Let to O. Being 15 Feb 40
July 25, 1840
the same Sept. 21, 1840.
do to Hon S. S. Phelps Jan 30. 1841
W. A. Graham Feby 14.
last
Page 14

Vermont
Montpelier
2 years
private
$80- Act 36
H H Sylvester
Private
Page 15

AD 1818
Ephraim Brigon $96- Service R. Island
Died Jan 7. 1824
placed on will Dec. 1818, commenced Apl 20 1818
Aged 63-Died Jan. 1824
Ad 565017 be
Page 16

Rhoda Briggs, decd
widow of Ephraim
Act 4 July 1836
Married
1781
has died
1829
Adm yes for $80
per annum, com
4 March 1831 & Endy
3 Sept 1844, pay
Rollin Richmond Ad
for the benefit of her 
children
Ephraim D. Briggs.
Asa B. Briggs, &
Joanna Richmond
Mont
11. 6. Sylvester,
Present
Page 17

Sir
War Department
he
Pension Office, he
Nov 19: 1835
fish received
Your letter of the 7 instants has
War
Page 18

on Capt Black ans all of
for 1778-79 & on ⌨ Jno Smiths mustered present
that were
/180 for March
Jane & Feby
Nov.
of
Sept
Julyan Julymay
& June at
Page 19

Oel Billings of Woodstock in the County of Windsor and State of
Vermont aged fifty-two years testify and say that on the 29th day of
July 1841, I received a letter from J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of
pensions dated July 25, 1840, in relation to the Claim of Wid- Rhoda
Briggs for a pension requesting me to state and give "an explanation
under Oath the facts which recured in every step to prepare and establish
said claim, and accordingly I proceeded to testify further and say that
more than a year before I proceeded to do any act or thing in perfecting
said Rhoda's claim, the connections of her then living in Barnard
which is about 8 miles from this came to me and requested that I should
undertake to get said Rhoda a pension, and informed me that she said
her husband Ephraim was in the Revolutionary war about three years,
but she could not by reason of old age and the loss of memory, remember
the officers that he served under. I told them that unless we could ascertain
under what officers he served, so that the pension department could be directed
where to look for his service. I feared we never could get along with the claim
and requested them to look about and see if they could not find some old
soldier that was in the service with him. See letter of A. B. Briggs marked Centered
But the connections not willing to risqué the expense of taking to themselves
the trouble did nothing in the case. In September 1839. Asa B Briggs
son of said Rhoda who resides in Pierpoint in the County of St. Lawrence
and State of New York, came to Woodstock, who is a man of respectability with
property and perseverance and with whom said Rhoda has now gone
to reside, and told me that his mother was entitled to a pension, for he
had heard his father tell in his lifetime of being in the revolutionary war,
and while in service splitting his thumb making cartridge boxes &c and he
then gave me a statement in paper giving all the information he could
get from his mother, and that he could recollect himself, touching the
service and the marriage, and not long after handed me another paper
marked A which is in the handwriting of said Asa B. Briggs herewith endured
and requested me to proceeded in the business and he would see me paid
for all expenses. The said Asa B. Briggs in giving me the information
above mentioned, said that his mother Rhoda Briggs said, that Ephraim
Briggs her husband was in the service when he came up to be married
and hired as she thought substitute by the name of Abel Paine to finish
in his name, the remainder of his enlistment. I told said As that
Page 20

this was a very singular move and would hardly be credited by the
pension department. He the said Asa then said it is a delicate
subject, but between you and I, the facts about it I will now inform
you. my father as it is understood by the family and others, obtained
a furlough, and in the summer or fall of 1779 came up and purchased
some land in Barnard and stayed some time and then became
intimately acquainted with Rhoda Whitcomb afterwards his wife
and in the fall returned to the Army. But subsequently it was pound
that said Rhoda was pregnant by said Ephraim, and about the first
of March 1780. some of the Whitcomb family went or sent to the army for
said Ephraim to come and marry said Rhoda, and the commanding officer
gave said Ephraim leave, to go to Barnard for that purpose (if he saw fit
by furnishing a substitute in his name to finish his enlistment which he
accordingly did. I told said Asa his story was satisfactory, and if it was
necessary I should give this explination to the pension department, which
I have now done, and now in order that said Asa Story may appear
true I have sent to the town Clerk of Barnard, for the certificate of the
beth of the oldest child of said Rhoda, which I did not know I should
find, until I received the endured from Luther Chaney Town Clerk aforesaid
dated August 8 1840 which proves that said oldest son was born in about
four months after the marriage. Having received a guarantee of said
Asa for the expense of presenting this claim. I did on the 28th day
of September 1839 write to the Secretary of the State of Mass for evidence ┃
of the service of Ephraim Briggs and received the answer enclosed
marked B. and on the same day wrote to Simon Davis P. of
Thompson Co. who had assisted me to evidence in other cases in obtaining
testimony of old Soldiers, but from him I obtained no evidence. On the ┃
30th of September 1839. I wrote to Henry Kilburn the Complotter of
the State of Ct. for evidence of the service of Ephraim Briggs late of Bernand aforesaid
deceased, in order that his widow might obtain a pension, which letter
was to the following effect viz. "That said Briggs enlisted about the first of the
was then living in Ashford St. with a Mr. Fisher. He split his thumb when
in the Army making Cartridge boxes and had a furlough. He was with Col
Barton when he took Prescott &c" and under date of October 8, 1839
received his and saying he did not find his service in the Militia
but did find his service in the Connecticut line in Col Sherburn
Page 21

Regiment for nearly three years. On the receipt of his letter aforesaid
being then at Montpelier at the session of the Legislature, where I also
obtained the certificate of Secretary of State for one days service, which I
found he had done by examing the pay rolls of Vermont & the 24th
of October 1839 I wrote to the Comptroller of Ct. for a certificate of
the service of said Briggs and immediately made said Rhod's
declaration before I send the certificate of the Comptroller and subsequent ┃
I read said certificate being still at Montpelin, but said Rhoda
did not appear before the Judge of Probate to make oath to sd declaration
until the 9th of January 1840, as it was not convenient to attend until
that time. In February 1840 I received a letter dated the 15th of that ┃
month from J. L. Edwards Esq Comm of Pensions, saying, it will be
necessary the Captains names in Sherburns Regiment under whom her
late husband served should be set forth. Now as before stated the ┃
said Rhoda not remembering or recollecting by reason of old age and
the consequent loss of memory, the Company officers which her husband
served under, I had no other source to apply to for such evidence
but the Comptroller of Ct. and accordingly on the 20th day of Feby
1840 I wrote to him for the names of the company officer in Col
Sherburns Regiment and under date of the 24th day of Feby 1840
red for answer that there was Capt Savage, St. How Park Lyon
Smith Brown S. I then wrote to Asa B. Briggs of Pierpoint ┃
St Lawrence Co N. Y. stating the amount of the last mentioned letter
from the Com of Pensions, and also sent the names of the officers before
mentioned and requested him to have the Widow Rhoda, make a
supplementary declaration and other testimony if possible and forward
the same to me as soon as might be, which was done and on the 16th
of June 1840 I forwarded the same to the pension department. There
are the principal thing done in this matter performed in good faith,
with honest intentions, and without any doubt of the justness of the
Claim
Woodstock Vt. Sept. 8. 1840
Oel Billings
Windsor C
Page 22

Gale of Vermont Before me, Norman Williams
Windsor County ss Clerk of the County Court of the
County of Windsor, on this tenth day of
September AD 1840, Personally appeared
Oel Billings, known to me to be a
credible witness and made oath to
the truth of the foregoing affidavit
Given under my hand and
the seal of said County Court at Woodstock
in said County, the day and year above written
N. Williams, Clerk
I well remember Oel Billings, then of Stockbridge
be who, I have understood, now or quite, he resided
in Woodstock att and to be the person who made the
foregoing affidavit. He was a young man of excellent
reputation, a favorite in the community, and judging
from that his standing, I should place great confidence
in his veracity.
Washington City Feby 25, 1843
Jas Whitcomb
of Indiana
Page 23

 the part of the Records that clash who
which are as follows-- Father came to Barnard
in June 1777, she thinks you have the true time
in your minutes I gave you had taken from the date
of the Deed he then took he then belonged to 
Army was on Furlow - he came to Barnard again
on or about the 10th of March 1780. left the army
shortly before he came to Barnard had not served
his time out cannot positively tell how he was
cleared from the service thinks he employed a
substitute, his wages were going on. they were
then married (see the record) sometime after
a man by the name of Pance she thinks Abel June
came to their house Father and he had a settle
ment about services in the Army - Father
served in the army two towers he drew his pay
for the last tower in April 1781 at Charleston
then called No 4- she knows the Ephraim Briggs
she married to be the same Ephraim Briggs then
Service in the Army
as appears by Record
from the above statements in full of the
opinion that father hired a substitut that
answered to his name the latter part of the last 
term probably about two months that father
paid him and drew the pay from the state
that he was not there at the close of the service
but in Barnard Mother is very surpulus
about stating any thing she cannot clearly
recollect
A
Page 24

Olive Keyes wife of Elias Keyes of Stockbridge in the
County of Windsor and State of Vermont aged Eighty
years testify and say that at the time of the Revolutionary War
I lived in Woodstock Connecticut and was well
acquainted with Ephraim Briggs the Woodstock
aforesaid and said Briggs was gone from there some
time and it was then said that he was in the army
by the people residing at said Woodstock but how
long he served I do not know I was also acquainted with
Rhoda his wife after said Briggs removed to
Barnard Vermont and where they lived many years
and further say not
Olive Keys
State of Vermont
Hartford District Stockbridge May 7. 1840
Personally appeared Olive Keyes
the signer of the foregoing affidavit ┃
made to the truth of the same &
hereby certify that I said Olive is a
credible witness
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
seal the day and year above written
Oel Billings, Register & Justice Peace
Page 25

To all People to whom these presents shall come I Philip
order of Hardwick in the County of Worcester & State of the
Massachusetts Bay in New England Yeoman Send Greeting
Know ye that I the sd Philip Jorden for & in Consideration
of the sum of two hundred & twenty five pounds Lawful
money to me in hand paid before the Delivery hereof by
Ephraim Briggs of Ashford in the State of Connecticut Yeoman
the Receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge have given
Granted Bargained & sold & do by these presents Give Grant
Bargain Sell and Convey unto him the sd Ephraim Briggs
his Heirs & assigns forever a Certain tract or parcel of Land
being & Lying in Barnard in the County of Cumberland
& State of Vermont Containing One hundred & fifty acres
& is the Lot No. 189 & the Northerly side of the Lot No. 190
& lies on the South side of Elias Kyes's Land with
an allowance for highways through sd Land which is full
Reserved
To have & to hold the sd Granted & Bargained
Premises together with all their appurtenances to him the
Ephraim Briggs his Heirs & assigns forever & I the
Sd Philip Jorden for myself my heirs Executors & Admin
istrators do hereby covenant to & with the Ephraim Briggs
that at the Sealing hereof I am the lawful owner of
Granted premises with their appurtenances & stand seized
thereof in my own proper right as a Good Estate in fee
Simple, that I have lawful right to sell the same as
afore that they are free of all Incumbrances whatsoever,
further that I my Heirs, Executors & Administrators
shall & will warrant & Defend sd Granted premises
unto the sd Ephraim Briggs his Heirs & assigns forever
against the Claims of all People Claiming by any
Authority by or under me or any original Grantee
In witness whereof I the Sd Philip Jorden have hereunto
set my hand & seal this fourth day of June 1779 & in
the third year of the Independance of America
Signed Sealed & Delivered
in presence of us
Timothy Eastman
Philip Jorden
Rhoda Whitcombe
Page 26

whereof I am the Land owner of
Granted premises with their appurtenances & stand seized
thereof in my own proper right as a Good Estate in fee
Simple, that I have lawful right to sell the same as
aforess that they are free of all Incumbrances whatsoever,
& further that I my Heirs, Executors & Administrators
shall & will warrant & Defend sd granted premises
unto the sd Ephraim Briggs his Heirs & assigns forever
against the Claims of all People Claiming by any
Authority by or under me as an original Grantee-
In witness whereof I the Sd Philip Jorden have hereunto
set my hand & seal this fourth day of June 1779 & in
the third year of the Independance of America
I
Signed Sealed & Delivered
in presence of us
Philip Jorden
Timothy Eastman
Rhoda Whitcombe
C
Cumberland ss. June the 4th 1779
Then the above named Philip Jorden
personally appeared & owned this
Instrument to be his free act & Deed
Before me
Asa Whitcombe Just Pairs
The above Deed was Recorded June 9th, 1784
attest Thos W. White Town Clerk
I certify that the above
is a true copy from the
Vol. 1st page 147.
Records in Barnard Town Clerk's Office as appears in
Salmon C. Thayer, Town Clerk.
I Salmon C. Thayer above named depose and say that
I hold the office of Town Clerk of Barnard in the County of Windsor
and State of Vermont and that the above is a true extract from the Records
of Deeds of said Town of Barnard Salmon C. Thayer, Town Clerk.
State of Vermont
At Barnard June 29th, 1851
Windsor County
ally appeared before me the
Page 27

Supplementary Declaration of Rhoda Briggs
under the act of 4th of July 1836,
State of New York 
St Lawrence County 
On the 12th day of May A. D 1840
personally appeared before the Honorable burt Jenison
Judge of the County of St Lawrence State of New York
, Road Briggs now resident of the town of Perrant
in said county aged eighty years, who being first sworn
according to law, doth on his oath make the following
Supplementary declaration in order to obtain the
benefit of the pension made by the act of Congress July
4th 1832. that since she made he former declaration
she has record in the County of Windson
Estate of Vermont Sockport in the County of St
Lawrence State of New York where she now resides with
herson, Asa B. Briggs & still remains the widow of
Ephraim Briggs late of said Barnard deceased, that she
recollects & believes that her said husband served in Col
Sheldons Regiment in several campaigns in
several companies, one was commanded by Capt Abijah
Savage Lieut Gov How, that Asa Lyon Sergant Taylor
also one other by Lieut. John Smith Sen. Ames Amos
Any treate Zebediah Briggs & she does not know that
any of the foregoing persons are now living. And the
further saith that the reasons why her husband did not
apply for a pension under the act of March 18th 1818,
his death are the following, that before the passing of the
said act, her husband became partially insane, incapable
managing his own affairs, that he was independant as
to property having amply enough as was the thought ┃
to support himself & me without any and from his
county, & when the act was passed it was not thought
by the family that he was entitled to a pension as
was not in indigent circumstances didint by
reason of his reduced circumstances, stand in need
assistance from his country after it was found that ┃
those independant as to property did draw a pension be
being unable to do any thing about an application himself,
nuclidly occurred, before the necessary from was obtained
Page 28

of his services in order on application Mackenson, the
act of May 1820 was passed, which the declarant her
family supposed, presented him on account of his property
from drawing a pension at all, & the act of 1828, did not
apply to his case, & be died before the act of 1832 was passed.
Hodson with whom she now resides. Asa B Briggs came to
live with he her said husband during same out of the
timing her husbands partial derangement consisted in
the management of the property Road Briggs
Sworn & subscribed
on the day & year above
written before me
Merrett Denison Judge
of St Loan Co County
State of New York
same County ss. I mined Jenison the Judge before
whom the foregoing deposition of Rhoda Briggs was
lecture do hereby certify that the said Rhoda Brigs
is in full an infirm mettle and that in my opinion
the cannot safely or credibly have the residue
to attend the County Courts at the place of their
sitting, and further that in my opinion he
statement is entitled to full credit. Dated this
12th day of May 1840.
---
Minot Jenson Judge
of St Louis Co Courts
Page 29

State of New York
St. Lawrence County 
Asa B. Briggs of Vermont
in said County, being sworn saith, that he is son of Eph
in & Rhoda Briggs, that he went to live with the
aforesaid father & mother in 1809, & lived with them till
1821 when he moved away from Bownard; that he
is 55 years of age. He further saith that he has often heard
his father Ephraim Briggs, all of his being in the
service of the United States, but that he was young
does not remember the names of the officers under
whom he served, he has heard him say that he served in
the Connecticut Line, & was in the army when
Gen. Prescott was taken by Col. Burton, a son
after, that he once went with Col Barton in the night
on to Rhode island, & was left by him as a sentinal
soon after they landed, that he did not know hold Burtons
business. He has heard his father say that he wounded
his that while in the army making Cortridge
Boxes, which disabled him from duty, that he got a
furlough, & left the army for a season in consequence
of that wound, & his father sometimes said he thought
that wound might have saved his life, as a battle was
Cought & he believes it was Rhodisland battle, though
he is not certain) while he was unfit for duty as
forlough. He spoke of being in the service, both
the winter & summer. The deponent further saith
that the reason no application was made for pension
under the act of 18 March 1818, was, that it was thought
for some time in the family that he would not be
entitled to a pension, as he was not in indigent circum
tances, until others did draw a pension who poseal property
that before after 1818, be became & was as it were nowcompos

mentis, living at times quite was, at this stoped ┃
thoughtless, be was incapable of taking care of him ┃
his business, & being unqualified for doing any thing
consistently about the application himself, there being
sevent children in the family before the necessary proof
was obtained for an application, the act of May 1820 was
passed which the family supposed entirely prevented him
S
Page 30

from drawing a pension on account of his property. The
deponent assisted in taking care of him & his property till be
moved away from said town, & then his brother Benjamin
took care of him till his death. Furthermore, the deponent
with that he remembers of hearing his said father say that
he had the smallpox while in the army he has attain
in the seal where he was inoculated with
the infection
Subscribed & Sworn
Asa H. Briggs
before me May 12th 140
Martinson Judge
of St Cowen Co Courts
I certify that deponent is a credible witness
Merrit Jenson Judge
of St Lawrence County
State of New York
St. Dana
County ss I Alvin C Low Clerk
of the said County do hereby certify
that Merritt Jenison Esquire before
whom the foregoing deposition purport
to have been taken was at the time
of taking the said depositions a Judge of
in & for the County aforesaid dwelling in
the said County, commissioned and sworn & duly authorized
take the same. And further that I am well
with the handwriting of the said age &
by believe that the signatures to the said depositions
porting to be his are genuine. In Witness whereof
and hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of
said County this 26th day May 1840
Acock
Page 31

Nov 12th 1914
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir. You have recently
aided me very much in giving
me the record of one Dr John
Caryl, my Great Grand father
for which I wish to thank you
now if not too much trouble I would
like to learn something of another
Great Grand Father one Ephraim
Briggs, who am fold served in
the War of the Revolution also in 1812
I would like to know the date of en
listing where if possible. He was
born think, in Berkley, Mass. He died
was burried in Barnard Vermont
town in its infancy at the time
I wish to find out his record, then
will know if I am eligible 18 for
the D.A.R. If you will kindly look
up his record, you will greatly
oblige, once more,
3028 Vine Grove and
51 Louis
Page 32

Gilbert Richmond of Barnard in the County of Windsor
and State of Vermont aged 77 years on oath do testify
and say that sometime after the close of the Revolutionary
was I had a conversation which took place between
my Father Ebenezer Richmond and Ephraim Briggs
Bath of Bernard in the County of Windsor and State of Kent
the conversation was as near as I can recollect Like
this he was relating circumstances which took place while
in the army he said he was sent for to come on Little
time before his time was out, he said the higher
a man to take his place while he came home and
he said his time out and he paid him for his
seven for all the time which was for the Term he
enlisted for and he did not go back, and he told the
name of the man who he higher to take his place
and sold the circumstances about his sending the
money down to settle with the man that took
his place and who he sent the money by to pay
him but the man that cannot collect but the
money was sent down by my Father Ebenezer Richmond
to pay the man who took Ephram Brigg place
State of Vermont
Windsor County at Barnard Verry 22 1851
Richmond
personally appeared before me the above-named Gilbert Richard
and made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him
signed and I further certify that the said Gilbert Richmond is a
credible witness in the premises
Daniel Acken Justice of the peace
Page 33

Windsor County,
STATE OF VER
MONT, I, Norman Williams, Clerk of the County Court of the County
S. of Windsor in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify that
Daniel Aikens
of Windsor, this
Given under my hand and the
is an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said county,
duly commissioned and qualified; that his commission was
dated on the 30th day of November
in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty
and will expire the thirtieth day of November next, and
that his signature foregoing
the
genuine.
seal of said County Court, at Woodstock, in said County
day of January A. D. 1851.
Norman Williams
Clerk
Page 34

State of Vermont,
Hartford District
Probate Office Woodstone
April 24. A.D. 1851-
I, Lyndon A. Marsh, Register
of the white Court of said Distrit
do hereby certify that Rollin Rich
mond of Barnard in said District is
this day appointed by said Court, a
ministrator of the estate of Rhoda
Briggs late of Barnard aforesaid deceased,
and that he has signified his acceptance
of said trust and given a bond for the
faithful execution of the same, all
which appears on the files and records
of said Court remaining in this Office
In testimony whereof,
I do hereto affix the seal
of said Court, and subscribe my hand, the day
and year above written
L. Marsh, Register
Page 35

Oel Billings Esq
Woodstock VT
Page 36

1839
Burnard Sept
Asa Billings Sir
I have been to Royalton &
find no evidence of father services in the revolution
Ashford
If you write to
for information
I would direct you
to Edward
Keyes an
old intimate of Father
He if
living will
probably know something
of his senses
Yours
Asa B. Briggs
Oel Billings
Esq
Page 37

State of Vermont
Secretary of States Office,
Oct. 24, 1839
I, Chauncey L. Knapp, Secretary of
said State, do hereby certify that there is on file in this
office a paper, purporting to be a "Pay Roll of Capt.
Benjamin Cox's company of Militia for scouting
done in Barnard the last year 1780
further certify that the name of Ephraim Briggs,
a private, appears upon said pay roll, with his
allowance of one days service, in the month
of August, annexed.
I further certify that
said pay roll appears to have been examined,
approved and ordered to be paid, by a committee
appointed for that purpose, and that the
same was duly
paid by the Treasurer
of this State
Given under my hand and
official Seal at Montpelier,
this 24th day of October, A. D.
1839.
Chauncey L. Knapp
Secretary of State.
Page 38

War Department,
Pension Office,
February 15, 1840
In the case of Mrs Rhoda Briggs,
widow of Ephraim Briggs, deceased, it appears that the
declaration was made subsequently to the certificate
of the Comptroller, and as no other proof
of service is offered, it may be remarked that there
is no evidence that her late husband served
day in the Connecticut Line. Before she can
have the benefit of the Comptrollers certificate upon
which she has asserted her claim, it will be
necessary to set forth the name of the Captain in
Sherburnes regiment under whom her late husband
served, and produce credible proof of the identity
of her late husband with the individual of the same
name who is credited with service on the rolls
It is most extraordinary if he was the
soldier of the said regiment that he did not ap
ply for a pension under the act of 18 March, 1818.
I am, very respectfully,
your obt sert.
Billings, Esq.
J.L. Edwards
Woodstock
Vermont.
Page 39


Copy
Woodstock Vt June 16. 1840
Hon J. L. Edwards
Enclosed with this I forward you
additional evidence pursuant to your letter of Feby 15 last to
substantiate the claim of Rhoda Briggs widow of Ephan Briggs
deceased to a pension. I hope they will be duly considered and prove
satisfactory in which case you will pleas forward to me her
certificate
I am Respt
E B
Page 40

I recollect Mrs Rhoda Briggs, deceased, formerly of
Barnard Vt. in my early life. She and her family
were of the first respectability in that action of country
and I do not hesitate to say that I have the most
implicit confidence in her veracity. I should regard
it, I was about to say, as a moral impossibility that the
would intentionally make a false statements in
any declaration for a pension
with Elias Keyes & wife. I was also acquainte as
residents of Stockbridge Vt. their standing & character
was my respectable indeed. He filled thee a Judicial
station, and was subsequently a member of Congress
I should upon full confidence in their statements.
Washington City
Jas Whitcomb
Feby 25th 1857
of Indiana
Page 41

Vermont Woodstock Sept 10. 1840
Hon. J. L. Edwards
with this I forward my affidavit
agreeably to your request relating to the Claim of Widow
Rhode Briggs for a pension which I hope will be
satisfactory, and result in my receiving a certificate in due
Season
I am Respectfully your obt Servant
Oel Billings
Page 42

Woodstock let. January 10. 1840
Hon. J. L. Edwards
Sir
Herewith I forward you the
declaration and evidence in support of Rhoda Briggs
claim to a pension under the act 4th July 1836
Hoping for an early return in which I desire
it may be made to me. I remain Respectfully
Your Obt Servant
Oel Billings
Page 43

Woodstock Vt. June 16. 1840
Hon. J. L. Edwards
certificate
for
Enclosed with this I forward you
additional evidence pursuant to your letter of Feby 15
last, to substantiate the claim of Rhoda Briggs
widow of Ephraim Briggs deceased to a pension.
hope they will be duly considered and prove satisfactory
in which case you will pleas forward to me her
I am Respectfully your Obt Servant
Oel Billings
Page 44

B
Oel Billings Esq
Oct 1
Woodstock Vt
Page 45

Seege
Boston Oct. 1. 1889
diligent through search has been made
among the Rev Doeth remaining in this office
that we can find nothing
Ephraim
Briggs. You are aware I suppose that most
of our men the rolls are in the Pension Office
of War
O. Billings Esq
Respectfull
you or'd up
John P. Bigelow
Page 46

State of Connecticut
Comptroller Office
Hartford 25 June 1847
I certify that on application for evidence of the service of Ephraim
Briggs in the War of the Revolution, I have examined the documents and Records
of that war remaining in this Office, and in a paper headed
Marched from Ashford, for the Relief of Boston &c. in the Lexington
Alarm-April 1775. I find the name Ephraim Briggs, and opposite thereto,
of days in service 24", and the amt of Wages & Billeting then due, 3.80
I also find in the Record of Settlements made with the Connecticut line
of the Continental Army, under the head of
Settlement with 3 Companies in Colonel Henry Sherburn's Regiment
before January 1780, the name of Ephraim Briggs, private, who is there stated
have commenced service May 12, 1777, and to the "Time of this Settlement, James
1st 1781, to have served 2 years 2 months 19 days. -
Also, in a Settlement with a company in Colonel Henry Sherburn
Regiment for the year 1780, I find the same service continued Ephraim Briggs
being credited for service from January 1st 1780, to April 30, 1780 - 4 months
No other person of this name has been found on the Records or documents
Abijah Catlin
Comptroller
Page 47

Comptrollers Office
Hartford Oct 26, 1839
I Certify that on application for evidence of the services of
Ephraim Briggs, I have examined the settlement made with
the Connecticut Line of the Continental army, and find his name
in a settlement with 3 Companies in Col Henry Sherburn
Regiment before January 1770 where he is entered as spinate
Commenced service May 12 1977 Time of Settlement Jan 1780 again
same Regiment commenced in Jan 1780 Time of discharge
Apr 30 1780 having served 4 months
to
services from May 12 1777 to Jany 1780- 2.7.19
Ditto from Jany 100 to Apr 30 70
Henry Kilbourn 
2.11.19
Page 48

Hartford Oct 1839
Dr Sir
enclosed you have certificate as evidence of the peries
of Ephraim Briggs in the Revolutionary War for many years
in Col. Henry Sherburns Regiment - which I hope will be
satisfactory, I wrote you the charge would be Three Dollars
for each & Certificate
Oel Billings Esqr
Very Respectfully
your or Surant
Henry Kilbourn
Sent Nov 1 1839
$3 mad
paid postage of letters 75