Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1200, John Briggs, Penn.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE

Penn.

Briggs, John
Dorothea

NUMBER
R. 1200
================================
CONTENTS
Page 2

Philadelphia November 2'd 1837

The Hon'ble
J. L. Edwards.

Sir,

I have the honor to transmit herewith the discharge of John Briggs a Soldier of the Revolution together with the affidavit of G. Stockdale, W. C. Cerma & R. Hutchinson Esquire, with the Certificate of Alderman Budger Thompson & Norton respectfully subscribed therewith- on behalf of the Heirs of the said John Briggs, to wit, Margaret and Mary Ann-- The residence of said Margaret is in Stamper's Alley in this City;--- that of Mary Ann in Harmony St. between Catherine & German in the District of Southwark Philadelphia County.   These Heir's Claim the Pension (if any) granted by act of Congress to the children of revolutionary Soldiers.

Very Respectfully
Sir
Y'r Ob't Serv't
Michael W. Ask
Page 3

Hon. M. W. Ash
Pa
25 Nov 1837
Page 4

War Dept Pen Office
Nov 25 1837

Sir

The testimony exhibited in the case of (Mrs the-crossed out) children of Mrs. Dortohea Briggs, the widow of John Briggs, shews that she died about seventeen years ago. (The 3-crossed out) There is no act of congress providing for the children of the widows of revolutionary soldiers where the widow (was not living--crossed out) was not living on the 4 July 1836. The 3'd sec. of the Act of that date, provides for the widows of revolutionary soldiers if they be living (unreadable words crossed out) at the time of the passage of the act or to their children should they have subsequently died provided they were married before the termination of their husband's service. The 1st section that the act of 4 July applies to the widows or children of those only who died while in the militia service since the 20th April 1818. Enclosed herewith is a copy of said act.
Hon. Michael W. Ash
Philadelphia
Page 5

V2865 4
Dorothea Briggs, dec'd
Pennsylvania
Nov 2 1837
sent J. L. Edwards.
Page 6

State of Pennsylvania
City of Philadelphia-SS

Personally appeared before me Samuel Badger an alderman of the said City Wilhelmina O'Connor, who being by me duly sworn to testify doth depose & say that she is sixth seven years of age and upwards-that she was well acquainted with Dorothea Hanna and her family, that she lived in the family of this deponent's mother--that said Dorothea married John Briggs a Weaver by trade-that this marriage took place about the year seventeen hundred and Seventy eight nine or eighty-that said John Briggs was an militia soldier in the Revolutionary war-- that she well remembers when this John left Allentown to go with the soldiers-- that after the war was ended said John Briggs lived with his wife in Philadelphia--that then as was living two children of the said  John & Dorothea Briggs to wit Margaret, married to John Taylor new deceased, and Mary Ann married to Anthony Berry now deceased- that then two living children on both widows-- that deponent also knew Henry Briggs the son of said John and Dorothea Briggs but he has been dead some years past- that at the time of the marriage of said John and Dorothea Briggs, which deponent well recollects, every thing was in confusion, and she does not believe any certificate of marriage was given in Allentown, and she believes there was no regular settled minister there at the time of the marriage. 
Wilhelmina O'Connor
Taken sworn to and subscribed before me the 20th day of October A. D. 1837
S. Badger Ald.
in office Justice of the Peace

I have no doubt but that Wilhelmina O'Connor is a respectable and ??? person, and well worthy of belief--Witness my hand this 20th Oct 1837
S. Badger
Ald.
Page 7

State of Pennsylvania
County of Philadelphia. SS

Be it known that on the 26th day of October A. D. 1837, before me William S. Norton, one of the alderman and Justices of the Peace in and for the said City came Randall Hutchinson, Esquire, who being duly affirmed on his solemn affirmation deposes and says that he (word crossed out) is well acquainted with the within deponent Wilhelmina O'Connor having resided several years in her immediate neighborhood; that she is the widow of the late Captain Christopher O'Connor, and is freeholder living respectfully in Mead Street in the said County; that she is a lady of unimpeachable veracity so far as deponent has ever learnt, and that her testimony is entitled to full faith and credit.
R. Hutchinson
affirmed and subscribed this
26yj day of October, 1837
before Wm. S. Norton

I certify that I am well acquainted with Randall Hutchinson, Esquire the above deponent ^ during more than thirty years. He is a highly respectable member of the Philadelphia Bar 
I am also well acquainted with Mrs. Wilhelmina O'Connor, the widow of Captain Christopher O'Connor in the latter years of his life as acting Justice of the Peace of the County of Philadelphia. From this knowledge, I have all reliance on their veracity and believe their testimony entitled to full faith and credit.
Wm S. Norton
Page 8

State of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia County} SS

On the 23rd day of November A. D. 1837, before me, William S. Norton, an alderman and Justice of the Peace in and for the said county personally came Catharine Robbins, who being duly sworn, on her solemn oath deposes and says that she was well acquainted with John Briggs in his lifetime (who was generally reputed to have been a Soldier in the Revolutionary war) and with Dorothea his wife: and knows them to have inhabited together as such for many years; that the said John Briggs died in the year 1814, on the 22nd day of April; that deponent laid on his body after his decease and that ^he was the same John Briggs, on account of whose Revolutionary Services his daughters, Mary Berry and Margaret Taylor are now applying for a gratuity from the United States
Catharine Robbins
her  X  mark
Sworn and Subscribed this 23rd day of November 1837 before me
Wm. S. Norton

At the same time before me came Elizabeth Hyer, who being duly sworn as aforesaid Says that she was well acquainted with Dorothea, wife of the above named John Briggs; that she died about seventeen years ago and that deponent laid out her body after her decease.
Elizabeth Hyer
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid before
Wm. S. Norton
Page 9

January 31, 1936

XXXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/EEL
John Briggs-R.1200

Norma Briggs Hooper
McConnelsville
Ohio

Dear Madam:

The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of John Briggs are not shown.

John Briggs enlisted in Allentown, Pennsylvania, served in the 4" Pennsylvania Regiment and was discharged January 18, 1781, having served the term for which he enlisted, date of enlistment not shown.

The soldier married in March, 1779 or 1780, at Allentown, Pennsylvania, Dorothea Hanna. The date of her birth was not stated.

After their marriage, they lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and at one time they resided at No. 8 Plumb Street, Southwark District, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

He died April 22, 1814, and his widow died about 1820.

In 1837, three children of John and Dorothea Briggs are referred to, as follows: Henry Briggs, deceased; Margaret, widow of John Taylor, living in Stamper's Alley, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Mary Ann, widow of Anthony Berry, living on Harmony Street, Southwark District, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

An application was made under the Act of July 4, 1836, for the pension which might have been due on account of the service of the above named, John Briggs. The claim was made in behalf of his surviving children, Margaret Taylor and Mary Ann Berry.

The claim was not allowed as there was no provision of the law under which they were entitled to pension, their mother having died prior to the passage of said act.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Page 10

Acts of July 14, 1802, and March 3, 1873.
(Crossed through)

REJECTED
1200

P.O. Dorothea Briggs

Service:--------------------

Enlisted:-----------------, 18
Discharged: --------------, 18
Printed list of 1852
shows cause of rejection
Application filed: ---------, 18
"Died before the passage of that act"

??eges:---------
Re-enlisted:-------------


Attorney:----------------------
P. O. ------------------------
-----------Recognized. --------Contact.
Cert. of Dis.  Searched for-------,18

(Written down the left side top to bottom)
1935-June 31-Hist to Norma Briggs Hooper-EEL
Page 11

V.  Heirs of
Dorothea Briggs
Pennsylvania
Rejected
(See Letter 6th Nov.
1837 N.  M. W. ast.-all crossed through)

Rejected
(See letter 25 Nov
37 to Nov. M. W. Ash-all crossed through)

Do. to Hon. G. W. Toland 
Dec. 12. 1837 let 5 Jan 38
Could not find
Could not find

(N-MW Ash do 9 June 38 Crossed through)

widow died (177 crossed through)
before passed Act 6 July 1836

1200
Page 12

This is a printed form with spaces for written additions

THIS is to certify that the Bearer John Briggs having served in the 4th Regiment of Pennsylvania during the Term of his Enlistment, is now discharged the Service of the United States of America. Given at Trenton this 18th Day of Jany., 1781.
Anty. Wayne

??? Settled
John Nicholson
Page 13

Cash  $2 wt
1 pr Overalls
1 pr. Shoes
1 Shirt
Jos Dean

THE 
NATIONAL ARCHIVES
OF THE
UNITED STATES

John Briggs (Penn)
R.1200
Page 14

Cash $2 wt
1 pr Overalls
1 pr. Shoes
1 Shirt
Jos Dean

THE
NATIONAL ARCHIVES
OF THE
UNITED STATES

John Briggs (Penn)
R.1200
Page 15

16--M. W. Ash
Jan 9. 1838
Pa.
Page 16

War Dept. Penn Office
Jan 9 1838

Sir
I herewith enclose to you an authenticate copy of the papers in the case of Mrs. Dorothea Briggs





Hon M. W. Ash
Philadelphia
Page 17

Hon. M. W. Ash
Nov. 6. 1837
Pa.
Page 18

War Deptment office
Nov 6. 1837

Sir,
The papers in support the claim of the children of the widow of John Briggs have been ex & filed with our pending cases.
In order to a proper investigation of the claim it should be stated when said John Briggs died also the ??? of the declan.  of his widow.



Hon. M. W. Ash
Philadelphia
Page 19

Phila December 19 ;37

To The Ho
J. L. Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir

Please return me the papers belonging to the heirs of John Briggs Dec'd as they are desirous of having the Same intending to petition Congress.

Very Respectfully
Your Obt. St.
Michael W. Ash
N.oA
Page 20

Philad'a Nov 23, 1837

The Hon'ble J. L. Edwards
Comm'r Pensions U. S.

Sir,

I have the honor to transmit herewith some
additional affidavits in the Case of the Heirs of
John Briggs dec'd for your inspection & decision

I am Sir
Very Respectfully
Yr. Obt Servt.
Michael Ash
Page 21

Philad'a County, SS

And now came before me Gerald Stockdale who being duly sworn Saith he was well acquainted with John Briggs in the year of 1795. he lived a tenant under him next door and that the said John Briggs kept house and lived with his wife Dorothea and has several children--and that they passed for Man an wife in the Neighborhood. and that they ware living in Law full wedlock together and continued to reside in Deponents House for a considerable time the house the occupied was in Plumb Street no. 8 in the District of Southwark and further deponent Saith not
Gerald Stockdale

Sworn and Subscribed to before me this 26th day of Oct. 1837
John Thompson
Alderman

This certifies that I an well acquainted with the above named Gerald Stockdale for many years a respectable Teacher in the District of Southwark he is a man of good moral Character and veracity and fully deserving of belief on his oath.
John Thompson
Alderman District of Southwark
Oct 26. 1837
Page 22

Stamped RECEIVED 
JAN 10 1935
Mail ??? Div.
line unreadable
75

McConnelsville, Ohio.
January 8, 1935.

Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sirs:

I would like information regarding two soldiers who fought in the "Revolutionary War", namely "John Brown" and  "John Briggs" who were from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania"?

I would also like information on the other "Briggs men" (first names not known) that are registered for "Lancaster County, Pa? 
All of the Briggs families that settled in eastern part of Pennsylvania are my ancestors, but I do not have all their first names, and if is at all possible I would appreciate it very much if you can give me this information.

It may be possible that "John Brown" was inlisted from a county that bordered "Lancaster county, Penn., and then later moved to Lancaster County.

The above data is wanted for family history and D. A. R. purposes. Trusting that you may give me this information for which I will thank you in advance, I remain.

Respectfully yours,

Norma B. Hooper (signature)
Norman Briggs Hooper
McConnelsville, Ohio
Page 23

January 31, 1935

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

BA-J/EEL

Norma Briggs Hooper
McConnelsville
Ohio

Dear Madam;

Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to John Brown and John Briggs, of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, soldiers of the Revolutionary War.

A careful search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and no record found of a claim for pension or bounty land having been made to the United States based upon military services in that war of a John Brown, who enlisted inn Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, or who applied for pension while residing in that county.

You are furnished herewith the History of John Briggs, the only soldier of that name, who served with the Pennsylvania Troops, that is found upon the Revolutionary War records of this office, the data for which were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R.1200, based upon his military service in that war.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Page 24

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
Form Vam-51
12-5-41

DIVISION OF VETERANS' ADMINISTRATION ARCHIVES

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

NAME Briggs, John (A)
Jonathan hand written over John

GRADE Private

Line Rhode Island


WARRANT NUMBER 2961
ACERAGE 100

ISSUED Feb. 11, 1800
to ----not shown-----

------------------
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.