Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 830, John Biggs, Penn.
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SERVICE   Penn.
Biggs, John
or Baggs
Isabelle
NUMBER   R.820
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To Jonesboro 4052  
Tennessee – 
John Biggs  
of Green Co in the State of Tenn who was a private in the Company commanded Captain Miller of the Regt commanded by Col. McCoy in the Pensylvania line for two years from 1776    
Inscribed on the Roll of Tennessee at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.     
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 day of  Feby 1833 and sent Hon Jno Blair H R   
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 120.00 
Semi-anl allowance ending 4 Mar 1833 40.00  
Debt   160.00 
{Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.}
Recorded by Henry H Sylvester Clerk 
Book D Vol. 9  Page 96 
October 16. 1833 transfer to Jonesboro, see letter to R. King & Wm K. Blair Pen: Agents – 
Let to Hon  A Johnson Apl 26 1844
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State of Tennessee 
Green County 
September Term 1832 
On this fifth day of September 1832 Personally appeared in open Court before the Honorable Samuel Powel Judge of the Circuit Court of law and Equity for said County & State, John Biggs (alias Baggs) aged eighty years of age and resident edge of said County who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832 - that he enlisted in the army of the United States in the month of August 1776 as well as recollected but is certain that it was the year after the Battle of Bunkerhill, with Capn Samuel Miller of the 8th Pennsylvania regiment of the Pennsylvania line under the following named Officers, to wit Col McCoy   1st Col Col Wilson   Lieutenant Col both of whom died in the Jersey after which Daniel Broadhead took the command as Col at Banbrook [Bound Brook] on Raritan River above Brunswick - that said enlistment was for three years, which he served out and was discharged in August 1779 at Fort Pitt by Col Daniel Broadhead that he resided in Westmoreland County Pennsylvania when he enlisted that he was in the following battles to wit at the heights of Saratoga against Burgoyne, on two several days, when the British were driven from the breast works to the low ground, also, in the Battle of Edgehill Penna where the American troops under Col Morgan were defeated that he with many others had volunteered to go with Morgan, (Morgan being allowed to raise five hundred riflemen from the State of Pennsylvania & Virginia) was then returned back to the Regiment
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under Col Broadhead from whence he had been taken to go with [Col] Morgan, that he marched the greater part of the time in New Jersey New England and as before stated returned to Fort Pitt & was discharged which discharge he kept many years & had on two several occasions forwarded on the same by the Hon Joseph Anderson then of the United States Senate (now Comptroller of the United States Treasury) to obtain compensation and being disappointed, at the House of said Anderson in Jefferson County Tennessee he threw his discharge into the fire, being mortified that he had served his country and could obtain nothing for it-- for doing which said Anderson reproved this declarant    
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not in the roll of pensioners of the agency of any State 
John Biggs his mark   
Sworn to in open Court 
Attest  V. Sevier   C.C.C.C.C.
By M. Payne D. C. 
And the said Court do hereby certify that the opinion of said Court is, that the above mentioned applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states 
J. Powel 
Judge of the Circuit Court of the State of Tennessee
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John Biggs
Pa Rolls
John Baggs Corp'l Arty 
Va Rolls
John Biggs - Sold'r art.  
Blain
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I certify that I drew up the papers of the within John Biggs, that he is known in his neighborhood as well by the name of Baggs as Beggs & that he in the course of conversation spoke of being corporal but could not specify particularly the period 
John Blair 
a pension as private will be received there being no evidence of service as corporal 
J Blair
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I Valentine Sevier Clerk of the Circuit Court of law & Equity for the County of Green within the State of Tennessee do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of John Biggs for a pension 
In testimony whereof have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal of office this 6 day of September 1832 
V Sevier CCCCGCC 
By M. Payne D.C.
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Declaration 
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows 
State of Tennessee 
Greene County} SS  County Court May Term 1845 
On this fifth day of May one thousand eight hundred and forty five, personally appeared in open Court, James Biggs a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged forty five years, who after being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838 entitled an act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows; to wit, -  That he is the son and one of the Lawful Heirs of John and Isabella Biggs, both deceased - that his father the aforesaid John Biggs was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and drew a Pension of $80 per annum under the act of Congress of 7th June 1832 on account of his services in said war of the Revolution -  
For the particulars of his father's services affiant refers the Department to his Declaration and papers now on file as he supposes in the office of the Commissioner of Pensions     
Affiant further declares that his father the aforesaid John Biggs alias Baggs departed this life on the first day of December One thousand eight hundred and thirty three as the Certificate of the Court hereunto annexed will show  -  He further states that at his father's death, his mother, the aforesaid Isabela Biggs was left a widow and remained as such until she died, and that she departed this life in the County of McMinn state aforesaid on the Seventeenth day of July eighteen hundred and thirty eight as the certificate of the Court hereunto annexed will also show.   
Affiant further states that his father and mother the aforesaid
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John and Isabella Biggs were married in the State of Virginia, as he has always understood, but he does not know the name of the County in which they were married, or whether they were married by License or upon publication of Bans - that he is satisfied they were married in the year 1782 or 1783 from the recorded age of the oldest child which bears date 1783 and he refers the Department to the original family record of the ages of the children hereunto annexed as evidence of the marriage.  That the aforesaid family record was kept by his father and mother as a true and correct record, which has been in his affiants possession ever since their death and for sometime previous thereto, and he declares that he believes it is genuine but cannot state with certainty in whose handwriting said record was made. 
He further states that said Original family record was taken from a Bible containing the “Psalms of David" bearing date on the Title page M,DCCLXiii (1783) and purports to have been published or printed in "Belfast” (Ireland) and that his father emigrated from that country (Ireland) or Scotland    
For further evidence of the marriage Affiant refers the Department to the the testimony of Thomas Temple and David Moore hereunto annexed.  Affiant further states that the following named persons are the only surviving children and Heirs at Law of the aforesaid John and Isabella Biggs deceased, to wit, Margarett, now Margarett Carson, Jane now Jane Anderson, Alexander, Isabela, John Jun [junior], William and James Biggs and that he affiant last named -  now makes this Declaration as one of the Lawful Heirs of the aforesaid John and Isabella Biggs deceased for the benefit of the before mentioned children and Heirs claiming the just amount of Pension due his mother at her death under the act of July 7th 1838. to wit from the 4th March 1836 to the 17th July 1838 a period of 2 years 4 months 13 days.   
Jas Biggs    
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court on the day and date
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before written and the Court further certify that the aforesaid James Biggs is a resident of the County and State aforesaid, and is personally known to the Court, that he is a credible witness of good character and respectability, whose testimony is entitled to full faith and credit. 
The Court further certify that from the evidence adduced in open Court they are satisfied that the aforesaid John Biggs Sen [senior] late a revolutionary Pensioner departed this life in the County of Blount State aforesaid on the 1st day of December 1833 and that his widow the aforesaid Isabella Biggs his widow remained as such until the died, and that she departed this life in the County of McMinn State aforesaid on the 17th day of July 1838.   And the Court further certify that the persons named in the foregoing Declaration as children and Heirs at Law of John and Isabella Riggs dec’d are the only surviving children and heirs at Law of the aforesaid John and Isabella Biggs deceased. 
The Court hereby approve of all the papers and proceedings in the case and order that the Clerk endorse the approval of the same.   
Done in open Court this day (Monday 5th) at our May Term 1845, in Greenville County and State aforesaid 
A. Rankin Chairman
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THE PSALMS OF DAVID In METRE
Newly Translated, and diligently Compared the Original text, and former Translations. 
More plain, smooth and agreeable to the Text, than any heretofore. 
Allowed by the Authority of the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland, and appointed to be sung in Congregations and Families.  
BELFAST 
Printed by DANIEL BLOW, M,DCC,LXIII
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Margret Biggs was born the 2nd day of Novbr 1783 
Ginny Biggs was Born the 5th day of May 1785 
Allexander Biggs was Born the 15th of June 1787  
Mary Biggs was Born the by 19th day of Nov 1789  
Isabel Biggs was Born the 30th day of the March 1792 
John Biggs junior was Born August the 31st day 1794 
William Born April in the year 1793
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OWN
In reply to your request of received for a statement of the military history of John Biggs or Baggs a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.  File 830
DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.  August 1776 disch. at Ft. Pitt   LENGTH OF SERVICE.  to Aug 1779  RANK.     OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN Samuel Miller COLONEL Mackey COLONEL Daniel Broadhead  STATE  8th Pa. 
Battles engaged in, Saratoga   Edge Hill Pa. 
Residence of soldier at enlistment,   Westmoreland Co. Pa.  
Date of application for pension, Sept 5, 1832.  Allowed   
Residence at date of application,   Green Co. Tenn
Age at date of application,  80 yrs.  emigrated from Ireland or Scotland
Remarks: He married in Va in 1782 or 1783  Isabella -  he died in 1833 in Blount Co Tenn, she d. [died]  July 17 1838 in McMinn Co, Tenn 
Children Margret b. [born] Nov 2 1783   Jenny b. May 5, 1785.   Alexander b. June 15 1787   Mary b. Nov. 19 1789   Isabel b. Mch 30, 1792. John jr b.  Aug 31. 1794.  Surv [surviving]  children in 1845: Margaret Carson,  Jane Anderson,  Alexander,  Isabella,  John, William, James 45 years.  
Very respectfully
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May- 3 - 1900 Mr. Mury B. Landon Binghamton N.Y. – 
1910 June 10. Hist to Mrs. Lily Biggs Sims 
1911 Oct. 23. Mrs. J. W. Taylor. /c
Ex'r. INVALID. 
ND. 830
REJECTED  
Isabella Biggs . 
P. O. Wid. [widow] of John
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W 11802
Isabella Biggs dec.  
from John
Rejected  
Let to J. B. McDaniel  
June [unreadable] 830
Man John Biggs resides in Green County has been paid at the Jonesboro office $160 up to the 4th of March 1833, but owing to an omission his name was placed on Knoxville agency the certificate has never been out of my possession except when perfecting the voucher 
John Blair
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House of Representatives April the 18th 1844 
Dear Sir
On yesterday I wrote you a line upon the subject of Widows pensions enclosed you will find a letter which will more fully explain to you the information desired you will please furnish the information [unreadable] in the letter to me at an early day as possible and in so doing you will much oblige – A Johnson
Please return the enclosed to me with your reply &c
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No. 11802 
Isabella Biggs decd 
Widw of John 
Tenn 
Act 7 July 1838 
husband died 1833 
Claimant died 1838 
Rejected 
J.L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City
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Greenville Tennessee May 13th 1845 
Enclosed you will find the Declaration and papers relative to the Heirs of John and Isabela Biggs, claiming the amount of Pension due the widow at her death under the act of 7th July 1838  
This case being similar to that of the Heirs of Samuel and Sarah McHenry of Greene County Tennessee, wherein the the amount due the widow was granted to the Heirs, I flatter myself that you will find no difficulty in making the allowance; payable at the Jonesboro Tennessee Agency.   
In the case alluded to, the claim was granted upon the production of the Family record alone-- as I am credibly informed.    
I am aware that the best evidence of the marriage, is a certified copy of the marriage bond by the Clerk of the County where the widow was married.      
According to my understanding of the rules of your Department; if a satisfactory reason is given for the non production of such evidence of the marriage; the family record, and paral testimony being the next best evidence will be admitted.   The claimant swears that he does not know the name of the County in which his father and mother were married. This reason. I have no doubt is a good one, and as the original family record and the evidence of Thos Temple and David Moore are
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offered, as evidence of the marriage. I hope such evidence will be satisfactory     
When an examination shall have been made now will please report to the undersigned directing to Greenville Ten. 
I have the honor to be with great respect your obt. svt. 
B. McDaniel 
J.L. Edwards Esq. 
Commissioner Pension 
Washington City D. C.  
No. 11802 
Isabella Biggs decd 
Widow of John 
Ten. 
Act 7 July 1838 
Husband died 1833
Claimant died 1838
Rejected
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State of Tennessee 
Greene County} SS   On this twenty second day of April eighteen hundred and forty five personally appeared before the subscriber an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County, Thomas Temple a resident of the County and state aforesaid, aged seventy eight years, who after being duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath make the following affidavit which he declared to be true according to the best of his knowledge and belief: to wit - That he was well acquainted with John Biggs late a revolutionary pensioner of the United States, and his wife Isabela Biggs in the County of Greene State of Tennessee, many years previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four,  - that he served a tour of three months, with the aforesaid Biggs, against the Cherokee Indians, and in the same company, prior to that date and was at the residence of the aforesaid John and Isabella Biggs deceased, during that campaign, and knows with certainty that they were living together as husband and wife-- that they were known and recognized as such by himself and the community in which they lived, and that he never doubted the legality of their marriage, nor does he know of its having been doubted by any person He further states that they the aforesaid John and Isabela Biggs deceased were living together as husband and wife on the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety three, the 1st of January 1792, the 1st of January 1791 and intermediate periods, and for many years previous to the last date, to his own knowledge, and that they are the reputed father and
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mother of James Biggs who is now about to make application for the amount of pension said to be due his mother at her death under the act of July 7th 1838. 
Thos Temple 
Sworn to and subscribed before me a Justice of the peace for said County, on the day and date before written, and I further certify that I am personally acquainted with the aforesaid Thomas Temple who is a resident of the County and State aforesaid, that he is a reliable and intelligent witness of good character and respectability whose testimony is entitled to full faith and credit. Given under my hand in Greenville, County and State aforesaid this the 22 day of April 1845 John Lightner Justice of the peace -    
State of Tennessee 
Greene County} SS  On this twenty fifth day of April eighteen hundred and forty five, personally appeared before the subscriber an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County David Moore a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged seventy five years who after being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following affidavit relative to John and Isabella Biggs deceased, which he declares is true according to the best of his knowledge and belief: to wit, That he was well acquainted with John Biggs late a revolutionary pensioner of the United States and Isabella Biggs his wife, prior to the first of January seventeen hundred and
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ninety four and that of his own knowledge they were living together as man and wife on the first of January Seventeen hundred and ninety two and three and intermediate period in the County of Greene State of Tennessee.   
He further states that it was generally understood and believed by all who knew them, that they were living together then (1792) and subsequent thereto, as husband and wife, lawfully married, and that he never heard it disputed or contradicted by any person.    
He further states that James Biggs of the County aforesaid who is about to make application for the amount of pension said to be due Isabela Biggs, widow of the aforesaid John Biggs the reputed son of the aforesaid John and Isabel Biggs 
David Moore 
Sworn to and subscribed before me a Justice of the peace for said County on the day and date before written.   And I further certify that I am personally acquainted with the aforesaid David Moore who is a resident of the County and State aforesaid that he is a credible and intelligent witness of good character and respectability whose testimony is entitled to full faith and credit Given under my hand in Greenville, County and State aforesaid this the 25 day of April 1845 John Lightner Justice of the Peace
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State of Tennessee 
Greene County } SS  
I George W. Foute clerk of the County Court of Greene County do hereby certify that the foregoing proceedings relative to the declaration of James Biggs in order to obtained the pension of Isabella Biggs, deceased due her under the act of Congress passed July 7th 1838, are the original proceedings had and approved of by the County Court of said County at its may Session 1848 - I further certify that Anthony Rankins, Esq. whose name appears to the Court certificate, is and was Chairman of said Court at the time of signing his name thereto, duly elected and qualified according to Law, and that the signature purporting to be his is in his own proper hand writing and is genuine. I further certify that John Lightner whose name appears to the certificates annexed to the affidavit of Thomas Temple and David Moore is and was an acting Justice of the peace in and for said County at the time of signing him name thereto, duly commissioned and qualified according to law, and that 1 the signatures purporting to be his appear to be in his own, proper hand writing and I believe them to be genuine- 
Given under my hand and seal of Office at Office in Greenville County this 7th day of May 1843
Geo. W. Foute Clk. 
11,802
Rcd May 21 1845
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John Biggs
alias Baggs
Adm'd 
Hon Jno Blair H. R.
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BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of John Biggs (Alias Baggs) which require further proof or explanation. 
1. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? It does 
11. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? He did 
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? 
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? He has 
V. Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? 
not found on Rolls in Pa. & should therefore prove his service by two credible witnesses 
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? He has 
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? He has 
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? Has
 IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? He has 
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? It is & is so distinguishable
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2 
XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? No 
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? No 
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? He has 
XIV. +If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? 
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? 
XVI. Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? There are XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?   
Nos 1, 2 & 7 are not
EXPLANATORY NOTES. QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For year -- months and days, I served as a For months and days, I served as a ; and for such service I claim a pension."
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It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits
the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which be belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must
pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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2509 Church St. 
Cleveland, Tenn 
Oct. 13. 1911. 
Commissioner of Pensions 
Department of Interior 
Washington D.C 
Dear Sir 
Have you any records regarding the military history of either of these men 
1st John Biggs, a soldier in the Revolution, enlisting in Aug. 1776. He fought in Penn. and his captain
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was Samuel Miller - Colonel, Mackey and Daniel Broadhead. 
In battles of Saratoga and Edgehill, Pa. he fought under Col. Morgan 
2nd  Wm Tipton, son of Colonel John Tipton. He fought in the Revolution in North Carolina that part which is now Tenn 
Any information regarding these two men will be greatly appreciated. 
Very respectfully 
Mrs. J. W. Taylor
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Dodd City, Tex. 
May 28 1910 
Bureau of Records & Pensions 
Washington, D.C. 
Gentlemen: - 
Kindly furnish me with a certificate showing the Revolutionary War record of John Biggs who enlisted in Westmoreland Co., Penn, in 1776 
Accept many thanks 
Yours Mrs. Lily Biggs Sims
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HIGH SCHOOL, 
BINGHAMTON, N. Y. 
S. G. LANDON, PRIN. 
W 
90 Oak St. Binghamton N.Y.  
April 24, 1900 
Bureau of Pensions 
Washington 
O.W. & N. APR 27 1900 RECEIVED
Please inform if a pension was granted John Biggs a Revolutionary soldier. The application for pension was made in the Court of Greene Co. Tennessee in 1829. 
He was in the Continental Army from Aug. 1776, when he enlisted in Westmoreland Co  Pennsylvania, until his discharge in 1779.
Afterward removed to Tennessee where application for pension was made 
An immediate reply will be greatly appreciated 
Very respectfully 
(Mrs). Mary Biggs Landon
U.S. PENSION OFFICE K APR 25 1900