Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 44,677, Henry Briggs, Continental Mass.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Continental 
Mass.   

Briggs, Henry   

NUMBER
S. 44,677

CONTENTS
Page 2

to G. A. Simmons Dec 28/53
Same   11 Feb 1854

(2375) was this man's
Service Cont.
9. mo

New-York.

Henry Briggs, lieutt.
Massachusetts line  4
Capt Pitts 1775 = 10 months
the army of the United States during the Revolutionary War

(In)scribed on the Roll of New-York,
at the rate of 20. Dollars per month, to commence on the 27. of April, 1818.

Certificate of Pension issued the 17 of Sept. 1818. and sent to the care of Albon Man, Esq: Constable, Franklin Co: N.Y.

Arrears to 4th of Sept: 1818.                 $:85.33
Semi-anl. all'ce ending 4. March. 1819  120.
                                                              ________
4 mo: 8/30                                            $:205.33
not Continental

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

(illegible) in march
Walker

(Cons)table Frank(lin)
Page 3

Henry F Briggs Esq. affidavit
& 3 commissions - Ensign
No 4 27 April - 
Commission Signed  J Hancock - 

Correct
correct except the
Judge's certificate
Page 4

State of New York
Franklin County Ss
On the twenty seventh day of April 1818 before me Albon Man first Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the said County & State, personally appeared Henry Briggs aged sixty eight years resident in the Town of Constable in said County & State who being by me first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the late Act of Congress, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Navel Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" that the said Henry Briggs on or near the first day of May AD 1775. enlisted in the Town of Dighton County of Bristol & State or Colony of Massachusetts - Bay - in the Company commanded by Capt Peter Pitts, in the 22.nd Regiment commanded by Col.n Timothy Walker, that the said Hen.y Briggs was directly elected an Ensign in said Company & sworn to perform the trust on the 24.th day of the same month of May 1775 this Commission was Confirmed By the United Colonies on the 1.st July 1775.  That he was promoted to the rank of Lieu.t on the 5th of February 1776 which appears in fact by three several Commissions herewith transmitted, & further that the said Henry Briggs continued to serve in the said corps or in the service of the United States ten months in the line of the Army & one month in the recruiting service until the first day of April 1776. when he was honorably discharged at Dorchester heights, near Boston in the State of Massachusetts that he was not engaged in any considerable Battle having Been Stationed on Roxbury side of Boston harbour (harbor) at the time of Bunker hill Battle - And that he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his County for support and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said service 
Henry Briggs

Sworn & subscribed the day & year
aforesaid 
Albon Man first Judge afores.d

I Albon Man first Judge of the County of Common Pleas of the County of Franklin & state aforesaid Do Certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the said Henry Briggs did serve in the revolutionary War as stated in the preceeding declaration against the common Enemy and I now transmit the
[bottom line cut off]
Page 5

State of New York
Franklin county Ss
I Asa Wheeler Clerk of the said county do hereby certify that Albon Man Esquire before whom and at the time when the within affidavit and certificate were made, was first Judge of the court of Common Pleas for said county duly commissioned & sworn, & acts in that capacity and that his signature written, are his own proper handwriting
[seal affixed on left]
In testimony whereof I hereto set my
hand and the public seal of the said county
this 2.nd day of May 1818 at Malone in said county
[signed on left] Asa Wheeler Clerk
Page 6

Ebenezer Man    7
for
Henry Briggs 739.
218..1966.
Recd. 28 July 1829
____
221

To the Secretary of the United
States Treasury
Washington City

Free

(Written sideways on page:)
West Constable
July 20th
Franklin Co.
N.Y.
Page 7

West Ville July 20th 1829 -

Dear Sir

I transmit you the additional Statement of Darias Briggs to confirm the Statement of Heny Briggs as to his claim at as Pensioner on account of Revolutionary Services as an Ensign & Lieutenant, from a letter recd, from the Treasury Department it assured that the record of his Regiment cannot be found in the war office & therefore what was verbal Testimony that can be obtained is the affidavit of Darias Briggs which has been obtained & now forwarded Henry Briggs the claimant is now dead, died in December last, but he has applied Some Months previous to his death for this pension & if he was entitled to a pension, his widow is still entitled to what ever was due to the time of his death & she is old & infirm & stands in need of the assistance of her countys charity  Should the affidavit of Darias Briggs be considered sufficient to entitle the widow of Henry Briggs to wat Back pay would have been his due please to write me and I will provide her power of attorney to draw her money
Ebner Man


To the Secretary of the United States
Treasury Washington City
Page 8

44677
INVALID.
Revy 

File No. 44677
Henry Briggs
Lieut. Rev. War.

Act: 18" March 1818
Indes: - Vol. 3, Page 61

[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 9

Henry Briggs - Lieut
Mass - line

New York

Inv - File No 44,677

(Act 1828 "Evidence insufficient"
Page 10

1828 papers to
be filed with
Ad. on Inv
File #44.677
Page 11

Papers of Heny Briggs act 1818 N.Y.
admittd
L.P.W.
J D Woodard
Page 12

Walter M. Booth for Bounty Land, filed July 21. 1853. - by R.L. Birchett, The same day as application was filed by Walter M. Booth as heir to his brother.  Have the papers been found?
L.P.W.

Send Out.
Page 13

In CONGRESS.

The Delegates of the Untied colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersy, Pennsylvania, the Counties of Newcastle, Kent, and Suffex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina, to Henry Briggs Gent.

WE reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, valour, conduct and fidelity, DO by the presents constitute and appoint you to be Ensign in Capt. Pitt's Company in the 22d. Regiment, commanded by Col. Walker in the army of the United Colonies, raised for the defence of American Liberty, and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof.  You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the duty of Ensign by doing and performing all manner of things thereunto belonging.  And we do strictly charge and require all officers and soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders, as Ensign And you are to observe and follow such orders and directions from time to time as you shall receive from this or a future Congress of the United Colonies, or Committee of Congress, for that purpose appointed, or Commander in Chief for the time being of the army of the United Colonies, or any other superior officer, according to the rules and discipline of war, in pursuance of the trust reposed in you.  This commission to continue in force until revoked by this or a future Congress.
By Order of the Congress.
John Hancock President
July 7th 1775.
Attest Chal Thomson Secy.
Page 14

THE CONGRESS OF THE COLONY OF THE 
MASSACHUSETTS-BAY.

To Mr. Henry Briggs
GREETING.

WE, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Courage and good Conduct, Do, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you the said Henry Briggs to be Ensign of the Foot Company in the sd. Regiment of Foot whereof Timothy Walker Esq. is Col. raised by the Congress aforesaid, for the Defence (Defense) of said Colony.

You are, therefore, carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a ____ in leading, ordering, and exercising the said Company in Arms, both inferior Officers and Soldiers, and to keep them in good Order and Discipline; and they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Ensign, and you are yourself to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall, from Time to Time, receive from the General and Commander in Chief of the Forces raised in the Colony aforesaid, for the Defence (Defense) of the same, or any other your superior Officers, according to military Rules and Discipline in War, in Pursuance of the Trust reposed in you.

By Order of the Congress,
Jas Warren Presidient P.T.

, the 19 of May A.D. 1775.
Saml. Freeman Secretary P.T.
Page 15

Colony of the}
Massachusetts-Bay.}
The Major Part of the COUNCIL of the Massachusetts-Bay, in
New-England,

To Henry Briggs - Gentleman Greeting,

You being appointed first Lieutenant of a Company (whereof Saml. Tubbs is Captain) (illegible) by this Colony as a Temporary reinforcemt. to the American Army until the 1st April next in the region whereof Jacob French Esq. is Colonel.  By Virtue of the Power vested in us, WE do by these Presents, (reposing special Trust and Confidence in your Loyalty, Courage and good Conduct,) Commission you accordingly. - You are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the Duty of a 1st Lieutent. in leading, ordering, and exercising said Company in Arms, both Inferior Officers and Soldiers; and to keep them in good Order and Discipline: - And they are hereby commanded to obey you as their 1st Lieutent. and you are yourself, to observe and follow such Orders and Instructions as you shall from Time to Time receive from you Superior Officers

GIVEN under our Hand and the Seal of the said Colony, at Watertown the fifth Day of February in the Sixteenth year of the Reign of his Majesty King George the Third, Anno Domini, 1776.

By the Command of the}
Major part of the Council.}
Perez Morton Secy

(Names listed along the left margin of page:)
B Greenleaf
Winthrop
Husting
James Prescott
Jedh. Trotter
Eldad Taylor
Palmer
Lincoln
Michael Farley
S Holten
Moses Gill
John Whitcomb
Jabez Fisher
John Taylor
P White
Page 16

Wanted A Certificate, or letter from Pension office That Henry Briggs an Ensign of the Massachusetts line, was placed on the New York Roll of Revolutionary Pensioners under the act of March 18.1818 for ten months service at $20. per month commencing April 27.1818. and was paid to 18' when he was stricken from the Roll. and never restored.  There are three Commissions of Said Henry Briggs, one as Ensign dated May 19. 1775. signed Jas Warren Pres, one as Ensign dated July 1. 1775. signed by John Hancock, and one as first Lieutenant dated Feby 5. 1776. signed by Perez Morton.
Secy. &c. - 

& a copy of the two declarations of Lt. Briggs


211.


2,013,8,52
16, 4
Page 17

H Briggs. 759.
Letters 318.1966.

Mr. Barber
Secretary of War
Washington City

Malone NY.
4 June 1828

(Written upside down on bottom or page:)
Treasury
Page 18

State of New York Franklin
County Constable June 16th 1828.

The Hon. Barber
Secretary of War.  Sir, In the year 1818 Lieutenant Henry Briggs was placed on the pension List on account of his services in the revolutionary war in the Regiment of Col. Walker of the Massachusetts troops, it afterwards appeared that Walkers Regiment was not on The Continental establishment 9 months, and Briggs was Struck off the pension List.  he supposes he will now be entitled to a Lieutenants pay under the last Law relative to Revolutionary officers if on examination you should find his Commission such as to entitled him to his pay, you will relieve the distress of a poor old man in great necessity, by intrusting (entrusting) me what may be necessary to obtain his money.

with much respect your obt.
Servant - Elenr Man
Page 19

War Department.
Revolutionary Claim.

I Certify, That in conformity with the Law of the United Stated of the 18th. March, 1818, Henry Briggs, late a Lieutenant in the Massachusetts line of the Revolutionay Army, is inscribed on the pension List Roll of the New York Agency, at the rate of Twenty dollars, cents per Month, To commence on the twenty Seventh day of April one Thousand eight hundred and Eighteen.

Given at the War Office of the
United States this Seventeenth day of
September one Thousand eight hundred and Eighteen

J.C. Calhoun
Secretary of War.

(A hand drawn curly circle with the following letters inside:)  L. L.

Copy
Page 20

House of Reps.
Decr. 21. 1853.

Sir.

Will you furnish me copies of the papers upon which Henry Briggs, decd. was pensioned under the act of March. 18. 1818. (He applied from Franklin County New York.)  Also state the amount of his yearly allowance, when his pension commenced, and up to what time he appears to have been paid as a pensioner.  The papers and your answer are intended for Congress - 

Respectfully Yours,
G.A. Simmons
M.C.

Hon Loren P Waldo
Court of Pensions.
Page 21

State of New York}
Franklin County} ss On the thirty first day of Jany. in the Year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty personally came Henry Briggs before me Albon Man first Judge of Franklin County, who being by me first duly sworn doth depose & say that he is the same Henry Briggs, late a Lieutenant in the Massachusetts Line of the Revolutionary Army, named in an original Certificate of pension now in his possession of which the annexed is a true copy (& that his disability continues) notwithstanding which this deponent say, that he has lately received information from the, War Department by letter dated Pension Office November29th 1819 that his name had been directed to be stricken from the Roll of pension, of the New York Agency, for reason that it have been discovered, that Col. Walkers Regiment (in which this Deponent served as an Ensign) was not 9 Months on the Continental Establishment his term having expired in December 1775.)  How this Deponent say, that during his time of service in Col. Walkers Regiment he engaged further to Continue his Services in the Continental Establishment & at the breaking up of Said Regiment this Deponent was not discharged from service But, promoted to a Lieutenancy in Colonel Frenchs Regt in the same Massachusetts line & continued to serve therein until the Evacuation of Boston in March, 1776 making in the whole nearly one year & was then honorably dismissed, for which the pension is claimed.
Henry Briggs

Subscribed & Sworn before
me Albon Nam first Judge
Page 22

State of New York}
Franklin lin County} ss:  I Asa Wheeler Clerk of the County aforesaid do hereby Certify that Albon Man Esqr. whose signature appears to the foregoing instrument was at the time the same was made to wit the thirty first day of January 1820. first Judge of the County of Franklin duly commissioned qualified & sworn & that the signature of Albon Man affixed to the foregoing affidavit is the proper hand writing of the said Albon Man

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the Public Seal of the said County this 5th day of Feby. 1820 at Malone in said County

Asa Wheeler Clerk by
Thos. A Tomlinson Dep Clerk
Page 23

West Constable}           Free. Ebenr. Man}
July 24th.1828                                   P.M.}            

Hon Richard Rush
Treasury Department
Washington City

Revolutionary Cliams,


(Written upside down on page:)
732.

H Briggs
recd. 4 Aug. 1828
Ansd. 23d
Page 24

West Constable July 24th 1828

Sir, I recd. yours of the 1st by mail & have herewith transmitted Henry Briggs Declaration with the other Certificated to enable him to receive money agreeable to the Act of 15th May last I should forward the petitioners Commission if it has been in his possession but it was forwarded to the war Department in 1818 in order to provide a pension and was not returned as your petitioner States.  the Commission is most likely an Record in that office, Should you on examination find the applicant to come within the provision of the last of 15th May 1828 You will be good enough to forward his Money to him in West Constable by mail.

I am Sir, very respectfully your
Obt. Servant
Elen.. Man

Hon Richard Rush
Washington City.
Page 25

(Written in a handmade dotted circle:)  732

Revolutionary Claims.

Under the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved 15th May, 1828.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
3 Sept 1828.

The annexed paper, relating to the claim of Henry Briggs, under the abovementioned act, is respectfully referred to the Secretary of War, with a request that he will be pleased to cause me to be informed whether it appears, by any records in the War Department, that the claimant has received, or is entitled to receive, the bounty in land granted by Congress for service in the Continental line of the Army of the Revolution; and, if so, whether he became entitled to the same by service to the termination of the war, or in what other manner.

Richard Ruch

The Hon. the SECRETARY OF WAR.

1t Mass line - not returned

War Department
Bounty Land Office
9th. Sept. 1828.

Lieutenant Henry Briggs of the Massachusetts Line, is not return'd, as being entitled to Land from the United States, nor has a warrant issued for him.

E. Stephens
Page 26

732.

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIMS.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Augt. 23.1828

Henry Briggs, of Constable, in the County of Franklin, in the State of New York, has applied to the Secretary of the Treasury for the benefits of the act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving officers and soldiers of the army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828.   He states that he was as an officer on the Continental line, and served as such until reduced under the arrangement of 1780,

at which period he was a Lieutenant in Col. Walker's regiment of the Massachusetts line; and that he received commutation certificates for the five years full pay granted by the resolve of 22 March, 1783; and, further, that he has received as a pensioner since the 3d of March, 1826, nothing, (dollars, paid to him by the agent in the State of is crossed out)

The Third auditor is requested to report how far these several statements are corroborated by the records in his office.

By order of the Secretary,
A Dickins.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
28. August 18128

(The following paragraph is crossed out:  It appears by the records in this office, that final settlement certificates have been issued for the commutation of five years full pay to _____ in the _____ line, amounting to _____dollars.)

It further appears that Henry Briggs is not now on the pension list of any agency, and has not been since the 3d March 1826

The Revolutionary records in this office furnish no evidence whatever in relation to the services of Lieutenant Henry Briggs of the Massachusetts line - 
Peter Hagner Aud

Correct
Page 27

Catskill 12 June 18 3/4

Mr. Mathew Briggs 
Constable 
Franklin County 
NY
Page 28

State of New York}
Green county ss} Be it remembered that on the 4th day of June 1829 Darias Briggs of Lexington County and State aforesaid being duly Sworn deposith & saith that Henry Briggs enlisted in the Month of May 1775 into the United States of Americans Service under Capt. Peter Pitts & served eight months as Ensign and was discharged in January 1776. by verbal consent of Capt Pitts & he inlisted (enlisted) again in January 1776 under Capt Samuel Tubbs in the like Service and Served as lieutenant until Sometime in April 1776 when he was discharged by consent of Capt Tubbs - and further that in the Summer of 1827. I was at the Said Henry Briggs house when he there lived in the town of Constable County of Franklin & State of New York & that I know him to be the Same Henry Briggs above described, and further this deponent Saith not
Darias Briggs
Sworn & Subscribed before me}
this 4th day of June 1829}
Jacob A Vn Valkenburgh Just P.

STATE OF NEW YORK,}
GREENE COUNTY} ss.
I, CHARLES C. ABEEL, Clerk of Green County, do hereby certify, That Jacob A Van Valkenburgh whose name is affixed to the within Certificate of (illegible) on the annexed instrument or affidavit was at the date of the said Certificate, a Justice of the Peace in and for said county  duly commissioned and authorised (authorized) to make such certificate:  and further, that I am acquainted with the handwriting of the said Jacob a Van Valkenburgh and do verily believe the signature of Jacob A Van Valkenburgh to be in his proper handwriting.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and affixed the seal of said County, this 12th day of June in 1829
Chas C. Abeel Clerk
Page 29

See papers in pension office   739

Revolutionary Claims.

[A.]

Form of a Declaration to be made by the Officers.

For the purpose of obtaining the benefits of an act, entitled "An act for the relief of certain surviving Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Revolution," approved on the 15th of May, 1828, I, Henty Briggs of Constable, in the county of Franklin, in the State of New York do hereby declare that I was an officer in the Continental Line of the Army of the Revolution, and served as such* as a Lieutenant to the time when the arrangement of the army provided by the resolves of Congress of the 3rd and 21st of October AD 1780 was carried into effect and that I was reduced  under that arrangement  at which period I was a Lieutenant in Col. Walkers regiment of the Massachusetts Continental line. 

And I also declare, that I afterwards received certificates (commonly called commutation certificates) for a sum equal to the amount of five years' full pay; which sum was offered by the resolve of Congress, of the 22d of March, 1783, instead of the half pay for life, to which I was entitled under the resolve of the 21st of October, 1780.

And I do further declare that I have received of the United States as a pensioner since the 3d day of March, 1826.+

Witness my hand, this Sixteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty Eight 
Henry Briggs

Before me, ++ Alrie Man Justice of the peace in the county of Franklin, in the State of New York, personally appeared, this day, Ebenr. Man and Winchester Briggs, of the said county, who did severally make oath that Henry Briggs by whom the foregoing declaration was subscribed, is generally reputed and believed to have been an officer in the Army of the Revolution, in manner as therein stated.

Witness my hand, this Sixteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty Eight
Alrie Man Justice of the peace

I, George B. R. Grove, Clerk of the Court of the county of Franklin, in the State of New York, do hereby certify, that Alrie Man, before whom the foregoing affidavits were sworn, was, at the time a++ Justice of the peace, and duly empowered to administer oaths.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the said Court, this Twenty third day of July 1828.
Geo B. R. Grove Clerk

* Here insert, To the end of the war, or, (as the case may be,) to the time when the arrangement of the Army provided by the resolves of Congress of the 3d and 21st of October, 1780, was carried into effect; and that I was reduced under that arrangement.
+ Here insert, The sum of ____ dollars, paid to me by the agent for paying pensions in the State of _____.  If the claimant has not been a pensioner, this part of the declaration may be omitted.

++ A Justice of the Peace, or other magistrate duly empowered to administer oaths, as the case may be.
Page 30

It appears by the commissions in the Pension office that Col Walker was not Continental, and from Mr. B's declaration that he was discharged 1st April 1776.