Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1203, Joshua Briggs, Conn. New York
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SERVICE
Conn.
New York,

Briggs, Joshua

NUMBER
R 1203
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State of New York
County of Cortland SS

John Briggs of the town of Rebble [Preble] in said county being duly sworn according to law declares that he is one of the children of Joshua and Sarah Briggs both deceased that as such child this deponent has a direct interest in the application and claim for a pension due this deponents Father the above said Joshua Briggs at his decease
John Briggs
Sworn and subscribed to before me this sixth day of September A. D. 1851
John R Earl Justice of the Peace

Whereas I John Briggs one of the children of Joshua and Sarah Briggs do hereby constitute and appoint George C Ames of Washington City D. C. my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to investigate my claim as such child for a pension due my Father Joshua Briggs deceased hereby certifying and confirming what he may lawfully do in the premises
John Briggs
Dated Prebble Sept 6th 1851

State of New York
County of Cortland S.S.
On this the 6th day of Sept A.D. 1851 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the county and state aforesaid John Briggs the above named to me known and acknowledges the above Power of Attorney to be his act and deed.
John R Earl Justice of the Peace
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STATE OF NEW YORK,
CORTLAND COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE, SS.

I, RUFUS A. REED, Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that John R. Earle, Esq before whom the annexed affidavit ^ & acknowledgment was taken, was at the time of taking the same, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, and duly authorized to take the same : And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said Justice and verily believe the signature to the Jurat thereof, is genuine. 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County, this 9th day of September 1851.
Rufus A. Reed CLERK.
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State of New York
Delaware County Ss
On this 9th day of December in the year one thousand eight hundred & thirty four personally appeared in open court before the Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of said county now sitting, Joshua Briggs resident in the town of Kortright in said county aged seventy seven years & being first sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.

He first went into the service of the United States as a sergeant in the New York forces under the following named officers & served as herein stated. 
In the month of September 1775 he resided at ^ North Castle near Bedford in the county of Westchester, N.Y. and then & there enlisted as a sergeant into a company of militia, or military forces, commanded by David Dan, __ Weed was lieutenant thereof - The said company was attached to a regiment commanded by Col. Thomas Thomas. His said enlistment was for six months. Immediately upon his enlistment he entered upon service & very soon was marched to White Plains - staid there encamped about a fortnight & marched thence to near Kingsbridge where they were again encamped - Remained there & on N. York Island something like two months. marched thence to Morrisania - staid there a few days & marched to White plains where they staid encamped till cold weather when they were marched to Peekskill - crossed Kingsbury & went into winter months & lay in tents, all winter  About the middle of March following was marched to White plains, where his six months service having expired he was discharged. During the campaign while we lay at Morrisania, there was a skirmish or rather [illegible, common actings?] with the enemy across
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The creek – He (the enemy) fired upon us with a cannon in a house across the creek about a mile off, Col. Thomas then commanding our force ordered a cannon, a thirty two pounder, to be brought up & pointed at the house - It was so done & the shot struck the house - I saw the timbers fly in the air - The Col. ordered a second shot which also took effect - I saw the enemy pouring out of the house. There was no more firing till the evening following when the enemy threw several [illegible] shells at us - we fell flat as we saw them coming & nobody was hurt I believe – 
In 1777 he resided in the town of Stamford in Connecticut, the place where he was born & brought up, & was then & there enrolled in a company of militia whereof Charles Smith was Captain & Jesse Hoyt was Lieutenant the name of the ensign not now recollected. In that year he was drafted to go on a tour of duty & actually went on said draft as a sergeant & under the command of said Capt. Charles Smith & Lieut. Jesse Hoyt to a place near Long Island Sound, called the saw pits, & served there as such Sergant, mounting guard & out on scouting parties for full one month when he was dismissed & returned home. On this tour of duty & while at the saw pits he was under the command of Col. David Hobbie & was at this time in actual service as sergeant certainly as much as one month & he believe more  It was warm weather during this tour of duty but the month he cannot recollect 
In the same year some time in Autumn he was was again drafted & ordered into service and actually went into service under the command of Capt. Brush who was then the captain of another militia company in said Stamford other than that commanded by said Capt. Smith & under the same Lieut. Jesse Hoyt & rendezvoused and at Greenwich at a place called Titus's mills.  Was in service there & at Horseneck mounting guard on scouting parties &c doing duty as a sergeant for at least three weeks when he was dismissed & returned home – Gen. Mead was in command
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at most time & over the detachment to which he belonged - He does not think there was any colonel there at that time but he recollects distinctly that Gen. Mead was there in person & took the command when Capt. Brush’s company marched to Horseneck & back again. He recollects to that while at Titus’s mills he assisted, by order of Gen. Mead, to arrest old Fade Donaldson & his son for harassing a British deserter. 
And this declarant further states that he has no documentary evidence to establish the above facts or any part thereof - Two years ago when he set himself about applying for a pension he supposed he could prove his services by witnesses residing in Westchester & Fairfield counties - He went down there to get this evidence but found that all his old companions in arms were dead or gone beyond his knowledge He now knows of no person by whom he can prove any part of his said services.
He was born in the town of Stamford County of Fairfield State of Connecticut on the 6th day of May 1757 - He has not record of his age - It may be entered on the town records of Stamford but of this he is not certain.
When he first enlisted in the service of the United States he resided at North Castle near Bedford, Westchester County N.Y. as a hired man tho he then called it his home at Stamford where he was born & where his father then resided - when his time was out of his first enlistment he returned to his fathers house in Stamford - He resided there till he removed to North Castle near Bedford soon after the war of the revolution - He resided at said North Castle till 1802 when he removed to Kortright Delaware County N.Y. where he has continued to reside ever since –
He was called into service in the first place by voluntary enlistment - afterwards by draft
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or detachment, being ordered into service as set forth in this his declaration. 
The names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where he served, the regiments & general circumstances of his services as far as he can recollect are herein set forth in his declaration.
He never received any written discharge - He was dismissed by his officer in command in each case when his tour of duty was performed 
His warrant to serve as a sergeant he has looked for but cannot find. He cannot recollect any thing about it. He supposes he had such warrant each time he went into service but what has become of it he cannot say.
He states the names of Lewis Merwin and of John Downer to whom he is known in his present neighborhood & who can testify to his character for veracity & their belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution 
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or an annuity except the present - and he declares that his name is not on the pension roll of any agency in any state. 
[signed] Joshua Briggs
Sworn and subscribed before me in open Court the day and year aforesaid 
[signed] C B Sheldon Clerk
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1203 
[stamped] REJECTED
P.O. Joshua Briggs 
Service: 
Enlisted: , 18
Discharged: , 18
Application filed:  , 18
Alleges: 
Re-enlisted: 
Attorney: 
P. O. 
Recognized.  Contract.
Cert. of Dis. Searched for  , 18
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32,821

Joshua Briggs
N.Y.

1203

act 7 June 1832
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32,821
New York
Joshua Briggs
Suspended
Let to Hon E. Root 4 April 1835
" to B. Tuppan 28 Feb. 1844
Let to P.G. Bridgeman May 27, 1851
" to G. C. Ames Jan 26 1852
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Sept 75 Sergt.  Dan- Thomas ____ 6 mo -
77   Sergt. Smith - Hobbie   1 -
Autm. 77  Sergt. Brush        3 weeks
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Feb 27, 1851
Enquiry rel: to papers of Joshua Briggs & als
Michael Fuller
not in file
P.G. Bridgeman
Cortlandville 
Cortland Co. N.Y.

See the Index in one case not in file

[on side] 
Blodgett Mills NY

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.
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32 821
Joshua Briggs



Hon. E. Root
Delhi 
N.Y.
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Delaware County ss. We Lewis Merwin a clergyman residing in the town of Kortright in said county & John Downer of the same place do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joshua Briggs of said Kortright who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration - that we believe him to be seventy seven years of age - That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion. 
[signed] Lewis Merwin  John Downer
Sworn & subscribed the day & year aforesaid in open court
[signed] G B Sheldon  Clerk

And the said court as such declares their opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that Lewis Merwin who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Kortright in this county and John Downer who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town of Kortright and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
State of New York County of Delaware ss
I Crawford B Sheldon Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Delaware Do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Joshua Briggs for a Pension.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the said Court this 9th day of December 1834. 
[signed] C B Sheldon  Clerk
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Mar 30

N.Y.

Wm Walker
Joshua Briggs


James Edwards Esq
Comm
Pension Office
Washington
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Sir 
Enclosed I send you two pension cases-- William Walker of Kortright & the other Joshua Briggs of the same place. They are both old cases having been some time prepared – Mr. Walker's case had been mislaid - I had thought it had been sent on but afterwards found it waiting for the finishing hand of the clerk –
I omitted to send them this winter till this time, on account of the interruption of business at your office, as I [illegible], occasioned by the frauds practised upon the Department - Now that the office of commissioner is continued & no further action of Congress has been had upon the subject of pensions I send them on in the expectation that you will speedily take them up & decide upon them in the old fashioned way in the manner I was accustomed to witness when I attended at your office in person. You will advise me of the result of their applications. 
I have the honor to be 
Sir 
Your obedn. Sert.
[signed] Erastus Root Delhi N.Y. 24 March 1835

James Edwards Esqr.
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Washington Sept. 03 1857
James E Heath Esq
Sir,
Enclosed please find Power of Atterny from the Heirs of Sarah Briggs and Joseph Briggs, applicants for pensions from the state of New York
I wish to ask the priviledge of examining the papers in this case
Very Respectfully
Your Obs Servt
Geo C. Ames
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Cortland Ville Cortland Co., N.Y.
Feb 20th 1851
Commissioner of Pensions Washington:
Dear Sir
  I am authorized to inquire of you if the papers of Joshua Briggs a Revolution Soldier are on file in your office and if so what further proof is necessary to establish his claim for a pension
  I would further inquire whether the papers of Michel Fuller are on file in your office and if so what further proof is necessary to establish his claim for a pension he was a Revolution soldier
 Please direct your reply to the inquiries to me at Cortland Ville Cortland Co N York and you will Oblige   Yours
 Respectfully
  P.G. Bridgeman
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State of New York
Cortland County} S.S.
John Briggs of the town of Prebble in said county being duly sworn according to law deposeth that he is one of the children of Joshua Briggs now decease that as such child this deponent has a direct interest in the application and claim for a pension due this deponants father the aforesaid Joshua Briggs at his decease
[signed] John Briggs
Sworn and Subscribed before me
this the 29th day of December 1853
[signed] Matthias Van Hoesen  Justice of the Peace

Whereas I John Briggs one of the children of Joshua Briggs now deceased do hereby constitute and appoint John S Edwards my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name to prosecute my claim to a pension due my father Joshua Briggs at his decease as said child hereby rectifying and confirming what he may lawfully do in the premises hereby revoking and annulling all other Power of Attorneys heretofore given by me
  John Briggs
P.G. Bridgeman  Witness

State of New York County of Cortland S.S.
On this the 29th day of December 1853 before the Subscriber personally appeared John Briggs above named to me known and acknowledge the above Power of attorney to be his act and deed
  Matthias Van Hoesen  
Justice of the Peace
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State of New York
Cortland County Clerk's Office}ss.
 I, RUFUS A. REED, Clerk of said County, Do Certify That Matthias Van Hoesen Esq. before whom the annexed Affidavit was taken, was at the time of taking the same, a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, in and for said county, and duly authorized to take the same: and further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said JUSTICE, and verily believe the signature to the Jurat thereof, is genuine.
 IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County, this 3d day of January 1854
  Rufus A. Reed  CLERK
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State of New York
Cortland County Clerk's Office}ss.
 I, RUFUS A. REED, Clerk of said County, Do Certify That Matthias Van Hoesen Esq. before whom the annexed Affidavit was taken, was at the time of taking the same, a JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, in and for said county, and duly authorized to take the same: and further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of said JUSTICE, and verily believe the signature to the Jurat thereof, is genuine.
 IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said County, this 3d day of January 1854
  Rufus A. Reed  CLERK
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Joshua Briggs

Applicant for Pension
Act June 7 1833

Hon B Tappan
Senate US
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In the matter of the application of Joshua Briggs for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7 1832 } Albany Jany 31. 1844

Sir
 I would respectfully inform you that Joshua Briggs the above applicant, of the town of Cortright in the County of Delaware, has made a number of applications under the above act, but failed for want of evidence. He first employed one Doct Clark to act as his Agent, afterwards Jacob Avery & lastly General Erastus Root of Delhi.
 The accompanying evidence from the Comptrollers of Connecticut & of New York correspond with the statement of service which he made to me a number of months ago when he engaged my services. If it is in accordance with his original statement, now on file in your office, I would respectfully request that a certificate be issued to him.
  I am Respectfully
 Your Ms Obt Srvant
  Wm R Pierce

Hon J L Edwards
 Commissioner of Pensions
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In pursuance of a law passed the 27th of April, 1784, entitled "An act for the settlement of the pay of Levies and Militia, for their services in the late War, and for other purposes therein mentioned," the following certificates have been issued, bearing interest at five per cent per annum, viz: 
28th July 1778 Joshua Briggs priv  £ 5 |  6  |  8 
28th July 1779 Joshua Briggs priv  6  |  0  |  0

STATE OF NEW YORK, 
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Albany, Jany. 31st 1844. 
I hereby certify the above to be true extracts from Book No. 2. & 9 now remaining in this office, and that the service for which the certificates above named were issued, were performed under the following officers, viz: 
First-under Capt. David Hubby in Col. Thomas Thomas Regt.
Second - under Capt. David Hubby in Col. Thomas Thomas Regt.
Third 
Fourth 
Fifth
Sixth 
Seventh 
Eighth 
Ninth 
Tenth 
[signed] Philip Phelps Dep Comptroller
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State of Connecticut
Comptroller's Office
Hartford 10th Jany 1844
 On application for evidence of the service of Joshua Briggs, alleged to have been a soldier in 1775 I certify as follows: viz -
 On "A Pay roll of the 10th Compy 2d Regt [?] by Order of Genl Assembly Conn 1775" Commanded by Oliver Hanchet, Capt. than  this entry - "Joshua Briggs, enlisted May 8th - dischgd Decr 10 - in service 7 Months 2 Days."
  Gideon Willis Comptr