Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 16,512, Joseph Briggs, Continental Vt.
Page 1

(3-1776)

SERVICE
Continental
Vt.

NUMBER
W. 16,512

Briggs, Joseph
Patience

CONTENTS
Page 2

[right-hand side of page as follows:]

Albany 961

Patience Briggs
widow of Joseph Briggs
who died on 29. March 1832
of Otsego Co in the State of N. York
who was a Pr. & Capt. in the      commanded
by Captain      of      commanded 
by Vt in the Revolution
for 5 months Private             16.66
      4    " & 6 days Captain.  84.00
                                            $100.66

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 100 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 17th day of Nov.
1837 and sent to H. Bennett
New Berlin, N.Y.

Arrears to the 4th of Sep. '37                  654.33
Semi-anl. allowance ending 6 Mar. '38     50.33
                                                                  $704.66

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836,
Section the 3 -}

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk, 
Book A. Vol. 1 Page 127




[left-hand side of page as follows:]

Increased from $76.66
Letter to H. Bennett 17. Nov. '37
do to Pen. Agent       "      "      "

Died Oct 10, 1848
Page 3

Declaration

State of New York
Otsego County s.s.

On the 12th day of April 1837 Before me the undersigned a Judge of Said County was duly Sworn according to Law Mrs. Patience Briggs a resident of Pittsfield in Said County aged Seventy nine years & upwards & being unable to attend Court in Said County held at Cooperstown a distance of 24 miles from her residence - And She being so Sworn before me as aforesaid according to Law makes oath to this her Declaration in order to obtain a pension under the Law of the United States passed July 4, 1838. that is to say:

That the said Patience Briggs was legally married to her late Husband Captain Joseph Briggs on the 19th day of May 1779. at Bennington in the County of Bennington & State of Vermont by Samuel Robinson Esquire a Justice of the Peace of said town, that her Place of residence & that of her said Husband (Except when in the service of the United States) was in the adjoining town of Pownall in the same County, that She has a Record of the time of her Marriage in the family Bible in the handwriting of her late husband, - That hey were duly published & that she had a certificate thereof signed by the Town Clerk of Bennington, which was attached to & sent with her former Papers to the Pension office in December last, & which with the other papers is supposed to have been burnt in the Port office at Washington.

That her late Husband Captain Joseph Briggs died at Pittsfield in Otsego County on the 29th day of March 1832, before the passing of the Act of Congress concerning Pensions of 7 June 1832, and never was an applicant for or drew any Pension under any Law, And that since his death she has remained and still is his widow - And was never married to any other person.

That her said Husband Captain Joseph Briggs, and his Brother Michael Briggs were both in the service of the United States during & through the Revolutionary War, & that they are both dead.

That her said Husband in the beginning or soon after the commencement
Page 4

of his service received a commission as a Lieutenant and served as such under Captain David Goff in the Vermont Militia, and while such lieutenant had the principal charge & command of said Company while in service - That his said Lieutenants Commission was lost by him while in service by getting it so wet as to destroy it - 

That the said Captain Goff deserted; and in 1778 her said Husband received a commission as Captain in his place which commission was signed by Thomas Chittenden the Governor of the State of Vermont, & bore date April 23, 1778, (& which was sent with the other papers of the said Patience Briggs & is supposed to have been burnt in the port office at Washingt[on]) - And that her said Husband afterwards served as such, during all the time he was in the service - 

That the said Patience Briggs cannot state precisely the length of time her said husband was in the service but according to the best of her recollection & belief he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades. As Lieutenant for six months in the Year 1775. for six months in the year 1776, for six months in the year 1777, as Captain for six months in the year 1778, for six months in the year 1779, for six months in the year 1780, for six months in the year 1781. - And that she believes the time her said Husband [illegible] was more during some of the years above stated & was not less during either year, and served more than two years as Captain after he received his Commission & nearly that same as Capt. before his [illegible] his Commission - that she does not know as her said Husband ever had a written discharge - that she reccollects the name of some of the Officers under whom the said Joseph Briggs served, to wit, Gen. Ethan Allen, Col. Seth Warner, Maj Bronson - Col. Hemich of Springfield, Col Samuel Robinson - Vc. Vc.  

That her said Husband was at the taking of Ticondoroga, in the Battle of Bennington, the taking of Burgoyne, and in various other Battles & skirmishes, of which she has heard her husband relate -
Page 5

That the said Patience Briggs,es Maiden name was Patience Gardner that she was born in East Greenwich in Rhode Island,  & that her Parents moved to Marmont when she was quite young - That the said Joseph Briggs was also Born in East Greenwich in Rhode Island - That there is a Record of their ages in the family Bible in her husband's handwriting - that he was Born on the 5 December 1749 - and the said Patience Briggs was born on the 31 December 1757 - 

That the said Company of the said Capt. Briggs was attached to the 2nd Regiment of the Militia of the State of Vermont - 

That she the said Patience Briggs is blind and [stricken] from bodily infirmity is unable to attend Court held at Coopertown 24 miles from her residence, or to leave her house, which is the reason this Declaration is not made in Open Court - And the said Patience Briggs hereby relinquishes all claim to a Pension except under the present law, & that her name nor the name of Joseph Briggs her said Husband is not on the Pension Roll of any agency in any state. The Certificate above mentioned is only the Certificate of Publishment

Patience Briggs

Before me. James C Waterworth
Judge of Otsego County Courts

Questions annexed to Declaration -

To the 1st    As stated in Declaration, she was born at East Greenwich in Rhode Island -  Dec. 31. 1757.

Her Husband Capt. Joseph Briggs was born at East Greenwich in Rhode Island - Dec. 5. 1749

"    2nd    As in Declaration - has a Record of their ages in the family Bible.

"    3rd     As in Declaration - They lived in Pownall, Vermont, and resided there till Feb. 1794, when they removed to Pittsfield in New York, where he died & she now resides - 

"     4th    As in Declaration, her said Husband was a Volunteer

"     5th    As in Declaration, that Both Commissions are now lost, one lost by him during the War, the other lost in sending to Pension office.
Page 6

"    6th    The names of Officers vz. as in Declaration -   

"    7th    All the Persons, acquainted with her said Husband Genl. Augustus C. Wilch, Charles Medbary Esquire, Genl. Henry De Forrest, Ransom Spafford Esquire, Hou. Nathan Taylor, Hou. James C. Walworth, vc. vc.

We Ranson Spaford John C Spaford Ab. Baker do hererby certify that we were well acquainted with Captain Jospeh Briggs late of Pittsfield deceased, and that we are well aquainted with Mrs. Patience Briggs his widow, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe the same to be true, & that said Capt. Briggs & his Widow Mrs. Patience Briggs were & are of the ages therin stated - & that the said Captain Briggs was always reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resided to have been a soldier and Officer in the Revolutionary War, & that we concur in that opinion.

Ransom Spaford
John C Spaford
Abraham Baker

Sworn and Subscribed
this 22d day of May 1837

J. C. Walworth Judge
of Otsego County Courts


And I the said Judge do hereby declare my opinion after the investigation of the matter & putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above declaration is true, & that the said Captain Jospeh Briggs deceased, was an officer in the Revolutionary War, & served therein, and that Mrs. Patience Briggs is his widow -  & that the Persons signing the above certificate are residents of Pittsfield & the adjoining town of New Brolin & are persons of the highest respectability & their statement entitled to full credit - & that I concur in their opinion - 

J C Walworth Judge
of Otsego County Courts
Page 7

& from my own knowledge testify that the said Patience Briggs is unable to attend court - 

J.C. Walworth Judge
of Otsego County

State of New York
Otsego County s.s.

Sarah Briggs of Burlington aged seventy six years and upwards widow of Michael Briggs deceased, being duly sworn deposes & says, That Both her husband Michael Briggs & his Brother Captain Joseph Briggs deceased, were in the service of the United States during & through the revolutionary war - 

That this deponent was one of the persons present at t he Marriage of the said Captain Joseph Briggs and Patience Gardner, that they were married at Bennington in the State of Vermont on the 14th day of May 1779 by Samuel Robinson Esquire a Justice of the Peace. - That the said Patience Briggs who has made the annexed declaration is the same person then married to t he said Capt. Briggs & is now his widow - That the said Capt. Briggs died on the 29th day of March 1832 at Pittsfield in said county.

That the said Captain Joseph Briggs was in the service a part of the time as a Lieutenant & a part of. the time as a Captain - That his deponent knew when he was absent in the service, & frequently saw him, when he came home & was enlisting men vc. & that he did not leave the service & come home to remain, until about the close of the War.

Sarah Briggs
X her mark

Subscribed & sworn Before me
this 12th day of April 1837 }

J.C. Walworth
Judge of Otsego County
Courts

I certify that I am well acquainted with the above Deponent Sarah Brigg and that is a reputable person & entitled to find credit in her statements.

J.C. Walworth Judge
of Otsego County
Page 8

State of New York
Otsego County s.s.

William White aged Seventy Seven years upwards of Pittsfield in said County, being duly sworn say that he is a Pensioner under the Law of 7th June 1832, and was in the service of. the United States in the Massachusetts State troops during a part of the Revolutionary War - 

That in the month of October 1778 this deponent was & became acquainted with the said Captain Joseph Briggs of the Vermont Militia - 

That said Captain Briggs was then in the service as a Captain & had the command of a Company & was stationed at Fort Castleton near Lake Champlain - & was there when this deponent went to said Fort & when he left the same, where this deponent remained about one month - 

That after this deponent removed to Pittsfield aforesaid, he oft hen saw said Capt. Briggs & he always said said he served during the Revolutionary War - & he was reputed & believed to be an officer of the Revolution - & this deponent verily believes. that he was - & was
in the service during the War of the Revolution - 

Wm White

Subscribed & sworn 12 April 1837
before me }

Ransam Spaford Justice of the Peace

Otsego County ss

I Certify that I am well acquainted with the above deponent William White. that he is a very reputable and Credible person and Entitled to full credit in his Statement

Ransam Spaford Justice of the Peace
Page 9

State of New York
Otsego County s.s.

Silas Briggs of Pittsfield Farmer, being duly sworn deposes and says that he is the son of Capt. Joseph Briggs deceased. That said Capt. Joseph Briggs made an affidavit of his service in the Revolutionary War in part in 1818 to apply for a pension under the then existing Law, which affidavit was made before Edward Pratt Esq. then one of the Judges of Otsego County Courts, and is hereunto annexed having been lately formed & this deponent amongst the papers left by the said Capt. Joseph Briggs - 

That said application for a pension under the Law of 1818 was not made for more reason, & the said affidavit does not state all of the services of the said Capt. Joseph Briggs, But only one or two of the longest periods of his service in order to obtain a pension under the then existing law,

That said Capt Briggs was a Justice in Pittsfield in said county for nearly twenty years & that the statement in his own hand writing of his services was written by him on his Docket under a cause entered between Nathan Cary Plaintiff & Buffom Chase defendant, & taken by him to the said Judge Edward Pratt at the time of making said affidavit, which statement this deponent verily believes to be correct, a copy of which is as follows to wit:

"May 1775 I went into the service of the United
"States as a Lieutenant under Capt. Samuel Wright,
"to Ticondaroga & Crown Point & returned the last day
"of November the same year."

"On the first day of February 1776 I went to New York 
"under Capt. William Clark as a Lieutenant for e months
"came home in May."

"June 1776 I went a Lieutenant under Thomas
"Ransom Capt. & was commanded by Col. Seth Warner
"until the first day of December in the same year."
Page 10

"March 1777 I took the command of a Company as Capt.
"under Col. Seth Warner & went t o Ticondaroga, continued in
"the service till the last day of November or the first day of 
"December"        (wide off & annexed)

"April the first 1778 Went till the last day of December
"the [illegible] year as Captain."

"1779 Was out in alarms several times, a month
and a half -  & a month at several times." -

And this deponent says the above is an Exact copy of the statement of his services as then made in his own hand writing by said Capt. Joseph Briggs & which this deponent believes to be correct & true - 

That his deponent never heard the said Capt. Briggs say he had served as a private, but on the contrary he stated all the time he served, he served as a Lieutenant or a Captain - which deponent believes to be true - 

Next annexed is also an affidavit of John Potter who served under said Capt. Briggs for a short time - 

And there is also annexed a certificate from the Treasurer & Secretary of State of Vermont showing that the said Capt Briggs did serve for a short time several times in 1780 & 1781 - 

And this deponent further says that he believes upon the papers & evidence annexed & heretofore sent to the department on file the pension allowed to Mrs. Patience Briggs the Widow of said Capt. Briggs ought to be increase - to a full pension. And further this deponent says not.

Silas Briggs

Sworn before me this 19th day of
September 1837.

Ransam Spaford Justice of the Peace
I do Certify that I am well acquainted with the said Silas Briggs & that his statement is [illegible]
Page 11

November 1, 1937

XXXXXXXXXXXX

[illegible]
BA-J/EEL 
Joseph Briggs - W. 16512
Preserved Hoskins - S.30498

Mrs. Norman T. Gill
2135 West Lawn Avenue
Madison, Wisconsin

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of Joseph Briggs; Preserved Hoskins; David Jordan, of Maine, wife Temperance; and of Josiah Proctor, of Massachusetts, wife, Deborah Tuttle.

This office has no further information in regard to David Jordan, wife, Temperance, than was furnished you August 18, 1937, as found in pension claim, S.35479. No record could be identified as that of the Josiah Proctor in whom you are interested. The records of Joseph Briggs and preserved Hoskins follows:

Joseph Briggs
W. 16512

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W.16512, based upon the military service in that war of Joseph Briggs.

Joseph Briggs was born December 5, 1749, at East Greenwich, Rhode Island. The names of his parents are not shown.

While a resident of Pownal, Vermont, Joseph Briggs entered the service in May, 1775, as lieutenant in Captain Samuel Wright's Vermont Company and served as such officer until November 30, 1775; from 
February 1, 1776 to May, 1776, he served as lieutenant in Captain William Clark's  Vermont Company; from June, 1776 to December [illegible], 1776, he served as lieutenant in Captain Thomas Ransom's Company, Colonel Seth Warner's Regiment; from March, 1777, to September, 1777, he served as lieutenant-commandant of a company

I followed Miss [illegible] in part - [illegible] Mrs F. & J. decided his service [illegible] Set Warner was Cont.
Page 12

of rangers under Colonel Seth Warner; and from September, 1777, to November or December, 1777, in same service under Colonels Williams and Robinson in the Vermont troops; April 23, 1778, Joseph Briggs was commissioned by the Governor of Vermont, captain, and served until December 31, 1788: name of colonel not stated; in 1780, and served three months as captain and in 1780 and 1781, served two months as captain
in the Vermont troops, under Colonels Samuel Herrick and Walbridge. He was at the taking of Fort Ticonderoga, at the battle of Bennington and capture of Burgoyne and in other battles and skirmishes, names of these engagements not given.

After the Revolution, Joseph Briggs continued to reside at Pownal, Vermont, until 1794, when he moved to Pittsfield, Otsego County, New York, where he died March 29, 1832. It was stated that he was a Justice of the Peace for said Pittsfield for nearly twenty years.

The soldier married May 19, 1779, at Bennington, Vermont, Patience Gardner, born December 31, 1757, at East Greenwich, Rhode Island and removed when quite young with her parents whose names are not stated, to Bennington, Vermont.

Patience Briggs was allowed pension on her application executed April 12, 1837, while living in Pittsfield, New York.

AB She died October 10, 1846, place not shown.

The only name of a child of Joseph and Patience Briggs that is given is son, Silas Briggs, who was living in Pittsfield, New York, in 1837.

Soldier has a brother, Michael Briggs, who served also, in the Revolutionary War, no details of his service given. Michael's widow, Sarah Briggs, was living in Burlington, Otsego County, New York, in 1937, and was then aged seventy-
six years. The date of death of Michael Briggs was not stated.

• • • • • •

Preserved Hoskins
S.30498

The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.30498, based upon the military service in that war of Preserved Hoskins or Haskins.

- 2 -
Page 13

The date and place of birth and names of the parents of Preserved Haskins or Hoskins are not shown.

While residing at Taunton, Massachusetts, Preserved Hoskins enlisted in 1776, served five months as a private in Captain Matthew Randall's Company, Colonel Thomas Marshall's Massachusetts Regiment and was stationed at Castleton Island in Boston Harbor and at Nantucket: he enlisted sometime in 1777, and served three months in Captain Caleb Richardson's Company, Colonel Keyes' Massachusetts Regiment: he enlisted, date not given, and served three months in Captain Joseph
Franklin's Massachusetts Company; he enlisted in 1779 and served nine months in Captain Nathan Olney's Company, Colonel Archibald Crary's Rhode Island Regiment; later, he enlisted and served three months in Captain Jacob Haskins' (no relationship shown) Company, Colonel Jacobs' Massachusetts Regiment.

He was allowed pension on his application executed April 7, 1818, at which time he was a resident of Taunton, Massachusetts. He was also allowed pension under the Act of June 7, 1832. His name was borne on the pension roll as Preserved Hoskins

There are no data as to soldiers family.

In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Preserved Hoskins (S.30498) you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:

Preserved Hoskins
Certificate No. 247
Issued August 13, 1832
Rate $80.00 per annum
Commenced March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Massachusetts Agency.

• • • • • •

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.

- 3 -
Page 14

Rev
WIDOW, &c.

File No. 16512
Patience Briggs
Widow of
Joseph Briggs
Pri Rev War

Act July 4th 36
[illegible]: Vol. A, Page 88

[Arrangement of 1870.]


[the following is handwritten on the right side of the page]
1917 April 1: [illegible] Mrs. J. J. T. Graham an 1935-Oct. 19 - Capt Jas. Dangerfield adv. no [illegible] decl his letter acorres. in James Briggs, W,  14345 = Mrst
1937 - Nov 1 - > List to Mrs. Norman J. Gill - EL
Page 15

Cancel old & 
make out a new
Certificate in this
case
Page 16

[hand written text on left side as follows]

The letter to Ha. J. R. Ponsett,
Rev War June 10. 1837
Let J H Prentis 17 Oct 1837

[text on right side]

Albany 961

Patience Briggs
widow of Joseph Briggs
who died on 29 March 1832
of Otsego Co. in the State of N. York
who was a Private & Capt. in the     commanded
by Captain     of the     commanded
by      in the Revolution
for

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany
at the rate of 76 Dollars 66 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of June
1837 and delivered to R. Spafford
[illegible]

Arrears to the 4th of March '37      460.00
                                                              38.33
                                                         $498.33

{Revolutionary Claim,
Act July 4, 1836, 
Section the 3. }

Recorded by D. Brown Clerk
Book A.. Vol. 1 -  Page 127
Page 17

[circular stamp in upper right corner reads as follows:] 

WASHINGTON
MAR 21



JL Edwards
FREE [stamped]
Comms. of Pinsins

Harry Bennett Esq
New Berlin
New York
Page 18

War Department
Pension Office
March 31. 1837.

Sir

In reply to your letter of the 18th instant on the subject of the claim of Patience Briggs, I have to state that after diligent search the papers of Mrs. Briggs have not been found, nor is there any evidence that they were a second time received at this office. They appear from your letter to have been returned in December last; it is therefore probable they were amongst the papers burnt in the City Post Office on the night of the 14th of that Month: if so, the claimant will be under the necessity of renewing her application.

I am, respectfully,
your obt servt
JL Edwards

Mailed 8 Dec. 1836

Henry Bennett, Esq
New Berlin
New York.
Page 19

Payment to be made
at Albany
by J. W. Olcott, Esq.
Agent for paying Pen=
ers, in the Agency of
Albany

Recorded in the Pension
Office, in Book A. Vol. 1
Page 127 by D. Brown
Clerk.
Page 20

WAR DEPARTMENT.

REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.

I certify that, in conformity with the 3d section of the law 
of the United States, of the 4th July, 1836, Patience 
Briggs, of the State of New York 
widow of Joseph Briggs 
who was a Private and Captain in the War 
of the Revolution
is entitled to receive Seventy six dollars and
 Sixty six cents per annum, during the time she may 
remain unmarried, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831
and payable semi-annually, on the 4th of March and 4th of 
September,

Given at the War Office of the United
States, this fifth day of
June one thousand eight
hundred and thirty=seven

[seal affixed]

Examined and
Countersigned.}

[portion of page with signatures is ripped and missing]
Page 21

. I .

"A Pay Roll of Capt. Joseph Brigg's Company in Col.
"Samuel Hemich's Regiment of Militia, in the service of
"the state of Vermont, commencing the eleventh day of Oc
"tober, 1780

"Joseph Briggs, Capt. 

Days in the service. 13
Pay per day, including rations. 6/8
Amount of wages. € 4 : 6s : 8d
Number of miles. 70
Amount 4d per mile. € 1 : 3s : 4d
Total duty wages — € 5 : 10s.

"Bennington, 26 June 1781.
"The above payroll attested
"before me, Timo. Brownson, Asisn."

No. II.

"A Pay Roll of Capt. Joseph Brigg's Company of Militia
"in Co. Wallbridge's Regiment, commencing August the 2d
"day 1781, called out to the Alarm at Saratoga.

"Names & Ranks.

"Joseph Briggs, Capt. 

Number days in the service. 2
Pay per day, and rations. 6s/8d
Number miles out. 12
Amount of Milage. 4s : 0
Total amt. wages and mileage. 17s : 4

"Bennington, ss. Dec. 10, 1781. Personally appears before me
"Capt. Joseph Briggs and makes solemn oath the above Pay
"Roll is just and true. Isaac Tichenor, Jus. Peace."
Page 22

No. III.

"A Pay Roll of Capt. Joseph Brigg's Company of Militia
"in Col Walbridge's Regiment, commencing October 14th day
"1781.

"Names & Ranks.

"Joseph Briggs, Capt. 

Number of days in service. 21
Wages per day, and rations. 6:8
Number of miles out. 70
Amount of mileage. 1 : 3 : 4
Total amt. of wages mileage. 8 : 3 : 4

"Bennington, ss. Personally appears before me Capt. Joseph
"Briggs and makes solemn oath that the above Pay Roll is
"just and true. Dec. 10 1781.

"Isaac Tichenor, Jus. Peace."

No. IV.

"A Pay Roll for Capt. Galeisha's Company on Col. Moses
"Robinson's Regiment
     "Lieut. Wm Hutchins
     " Lieut. Jospeh Briggs

"The 6th October 1778. Then personally appeared Lieut William
"Hutchins and made solemn oath that the within Pay Roll
"is truly and justly charged in all its parts, without fraud to
"the public or to any individuals.

"Before me, Thos. Chittenden, Govr."
Page 23

State of Vermont
Treasurer's Office,
Montpelier, 11th July, 1837.

I hereby certify that the foregoing are true extra [illegible] from Pay Rolls on file in this office.

Augustine Clarke, Treasurer of the State of Vermont.


State of Vermont.
Secretary of State's Office,
Montpelier, 11th July 1837.

I hereby certify that Augustine Clarke Esquire, whose name is subscribed in his own proper hand writing to the foregoing certificate, is and was at the time of subscription t he same Treasurer of the State of Vermont, duly qualified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of this state, this eleventh  day of July in the year of our LORD Christ one thousand eight hundred and thirty-seven.

Chauncey L. Knapp,
Secretary of State.
Page 24

State of New York
Otsego County } ss

Joseph Briggs - Being duly sworn saith that he is a Resident of the town of Pittsfield in the County aforesaid and has served as a Lieutenant in the war of the Revolution agains the common enemy for the term of nine months and longer at a certain period of the war herein after mentioned on the Continental Establishment and is yet a Resident Citizen of the United States and By reason of his reduced circumstances in life he is in need of assistance from his country for support  and this deponent further saith that he never has received any pension from the United States and doth hearby relinquish his claim to every pension that may have been heretofore allowed him by the Laws of the United States excepting allowed him By the United States excepting and reserving to himself the right of claiming and he doth hearby claim a pension under an act entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land a Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War passed 18th March 1818 and this deponent doth further declare under oath that the time he entered army of the United States in the war of the Revolution aforesaid on the Continental Establishment the officer under whom he served and the line to which he Belonged together with the time and manner of serving the service are all correctly set forth according to the Best of his knowledge and recollection in the following manner  that is to say he the said — Joesph Briggs entered the service of the United States as a Leiutenant under a commission from the government of the state of Vermont in the month of June in the year 1776 and served until the last day of December following and in March 1777 he the said Joseph Briggs entered into the service of the united states as Lieutenant — 

Commandent so a company of Rangers attached to Colonel Set Warner Regiment untill the first of September following at which time he the said Joseph Briggs was with the Company attached to
Page 25

so Colonel Williams Regiment in General - Stark, Birgade and from there transferred to Colonel Robinson Regiment in general fellos Brigade in which Regement and Brigade he served untill about the Last of November on first of December.

Joseph Briggs

Taken and subscribed this
20th Day of april 1818
Before me Edward Pratt
one of the Judges of Common
Pleas of Otsego County

State of New York
Otsego County} ss

Gardner Carpenter of the town of Pittsfield Being duly sworn saith that he is personally well-acquainted with Joseph Briggs - the applicant above Named and has been so acquainted with him the said Joseph Briggs for twenty years and during that time he the said Joesph Briggs has sustained a good character for truth and Veracity and he this Deponant Verily Believes that full credit  ought to be given to the Declarations of the said Jospeh Briggs when under oath —

Gardner Carpenter —

Sworn and subscribed this 20th day of April 1818 Before me Edward Pratt a Judge of Common Plea of Otsego County

State of New York
Otsego County } ss

of Edward Pratt one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the county aforesaid do certify that I am satisfied the said Joseph Briggs served in the Revolutionary War as aforesaid against the Common enemy for a longer term than Nine months as stated in t he affidavit of the said Jospeh Briggs hereunto annexed and  I do further certify that full credit is due to the deponant of the above named Garner Carpenter and also that the evidence on which I have founded my judgement is contained in the affidavit to the said Gardner Carpenter — 

Edward Pratt —
Page 26

500 

Patience Briggs


1776 - 0. 1. 15 +
1777 - 0. 3. 15- +
1778 - 0. 2. - }
1779 - 0. 1. 0 } Capt
_____
0. 8. 0

1. 6 m
0. 9. 6
Captain [illegible]

[illegible]

Admitted 
Private 5 mo - H.GG
Captain 4 mo & 6 days

84.00
_________

$100.00

H. Bennett Esq
New Berlin
N.Y.

[stricken]

[illegible]
Page 27

State of New York
Otsego County s.s.

Thomas Card being duly sworn says that he is a pensioner under the Law of June 7th 1832, & that he was acquainted with Capt. Joseph Briggs & Patience Briggs his widow, Both before and after the Revolutionary War, & both before & after they were married - : That this deponent draws a pension for Service done under the said Capt. Joseph Briggs, as will appear by this deponents Papers on file at the War Department -  that this deponent knows that the said Captain Briggs was in the Service at different times for four or five different years - and that their deponent was actually in the service & served in the company under said Captain Briggs for three different years, & this deponent always understood & believed he served through the war - that this deponent lived the nearest neighbors, & the farm of this deponents father & that of the Said Capt. Briggs, or his father Joined - and that this deponent when he was not in the service, knew when the said Capt. Briggs was & when he was not - 

And that this deponent knows that the Said Captain Joseph Briggs was in the service for more than. three years - that this deponent himself was in the service under him through the summer of three different years - 

That the maiden name of the said Patience Briggs was Patience Gardner - 

Thomas Card

Swn. Sworn & subscribed before me
this 19th day of May A.D. 1837
Ransam Spafard Justice of the Peace

Otsego County ss

I Certify that I am acquainted with the above deponent  Thomas Card that he is a very reputable and credible person and Entitled to full credit in his statement

Ransam Spafard Justice of the Peace
Page 28

State of New York
Otsego County s.s.

Henry Bennett an attorney of the Supreme Court of this State & being duly sworn deposes & says that he made out the papers upon the Application for a pension of Mrs. Patience Briggs Widow of Captain Joseph Briggs late of Pittsfield deceased, las fall - : That said papers were duly sworn to, certified, & sent by mail to the Pension office, Washington —

That attached to said papers was a Commision as Captain given to the said Joseph Briggs, signed by his Excellency Thomas Chittenden Governor of the State of Vermont, which this deponent believes bore date April 23. 1778 — 

And also a Certificate signed by Moses Robinson Town Clerk of Bennington "that Captain Joseph Briggs and Patience Gardner had been duly published" which bore date sometime in the Month of May 1779 - And also two old Continental Bills, the property of Capt. Briggs one for $40. & one for $50. or $55.

That this deponent immediately prepared the paper again, & according to the directions received had the time stated as fully as it could be, - and again had. the papers sworn to before a judge, & duly certified as before (which were said to regular) except as to time).

That the last papers with the letter of directions this deponent mailed, for the Pension office at Washington Directed to J. L. Edwards Esq. Comr. of Pensions, owner about the 8th day of December last, & that attached thereto were the Said Commission, Certificate, and Continental Money - & all was sent with the papers on the application, as also the letter of instructions, to Moses, the papers are in all respects or required —
Page 29

That no return being received to said application - the writing to the Department this deponent recieved a letter, that the papers had not be recieved a second time at the Pension office - and that they must probably have been burnt in the Post Office at Washington,

That the Commission, Certificate etc. were lost in that manner after the application for a pension was made - and this deponent also says that he verily believes the Same one original & genuine - x has no doubt whatever of the fact - also that they were seen by a Great number of persons — :

Sworn Before me May 25. 1837     Henry Bennett.

Ransam Spafard Justice of the Peace


Otsego County ss

I certify that I a m well acquainted with the above deponent Henry Bennett Esq that he is a very reputable and credible person entitled to full credit in his statement

Ransam Spafard Justice of the Peace


State of New York
Otsego County ss}

I George C, Clyde Clerk of the County of Otsego Do Truly Certify that Ransam Spafard Esquire before whom the written and foregoing affidavit purport & have been sworn [illegible] on the day of the date of each aforesaid affidavits a Justice of the peace in and for the County of Otsego duly elected and qualified according Law - And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing oof the said Justice and verily [illegible] his name subscribed to each official affidavits, and the annexed certificates of identity and creditibly the his genuine hand writing and signature - Witness My hand and Seal this thirtieth day of May AD 1837 —

George C. Clyde Clk
Page 30

State of New York
Otsego County s.s.

Samuel Hubbell of Burlington in said county being duly sworn says that he is a pensioner under the Law of 7th June 1832 - and that he was well acquainted with Captain Joseph Briggs both before & after the Revolutionary War, & both before & after he removed to Pittsfield (in N.Y.) and that his deponent, while in the service, received a Sergeants Warrant in the Company under Captain Joseph Briggs, that said Warrant was sent with this deponents papers to the War Department, & this deponent does not recollect the date thereof, But that after reciving said warrant this deponent served fore two months under the said Capt. Jospeh Briggs, who was then in the service as a Captain & had the command of a company & was stationed, at Rutland - that this deponent served under him immediately after recieving said Sergeants Warrant.

That this deponent, knows that Captain Jospeh Briggs was in the service at different times for three or four  years - That the first this deponent knew of Captain Briggs being in the service was at Fort Independence,  that this deponent was in the same Rigiment, which was Commanded by Col. Moses Robinson - in the year 1776 - that this deponent  was then at that time about six [mark in margin reads 1.12] weeks & knows the said Capt. Briggs was there at that time while tis deponent remained - 

That this deponent knows of said Capt. Briggs,es being in the service at Manchester in 1777 - & that he was at Castleton at Bennington & other places  - But this deponent cannot state precisely t he length of time the said Capt. Briggs did serve, But knows he was in the service at different times for three or four years - that Capt. Briggs was a resident of Pownal in Vermont & this deponent of Bennington, - &. that this deponent often saw Capt. Briggs while he was in the service, & at one time served under him as before stated.

Lemuel Hubbell

Sworn this 12 April 1837 Before me
J.C. Walworth Judge of Otsego
County Courts }
Page 31

Otsego County ss

I certify that I am well acquainted with the above deponent Lemuel Hubbell that he is a very respectable & creditable person entitled to full credit in his statements

J. C. Walworth Judge
of Otsego County


State of New York
Otsego County ss}

I George C. Clyde clerk of the County of Otsego Do hereby Certify that James C. Walworth Esquire before whom the within and foregoing affidavits purport to have been sworn was on the day of the date of each of said affidavit a Judge of Otsego County Court in and for the County of Otsego duly commissioned and sworn according to Law - And further that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of the said Judge and verily believe his name subscribed to each of said affidavits and the annotted certificates of identity and credibility be his genuine hand writing and signature - 

Witness my hand and seal of office this thirtieth day of May AD 1837 - 

George C. Clyde Clerk
Page 32

Hon. J H Prentiss
H R
Page 33

State of New York
Chenango County s.s.

Patience Briggs being duly sworn says a.  the widow of Captain Joseph Briggs deceased, and made her declaration and proof which are filed, did that she obtained a certificate, Dated June 5. 1837 which certified that she the said "Patience Briggs
"of the state of New York Widow of Joseph Briggs who
"was a private & Captain in the War of the Revolution
"is entitled to recieve Seventy Six dollars and sixty
"six cents per annum during the time she may
"remain unmarried" &c. &c.

And that her signed Certificate, is still in her hands, & she claims a greater pension than the one allowed to her,

That her declaration to obtain the Same is on file to which she ofer for the facts, - Except that she believes the time which her said husband served during some of the years was for a longer time than is mentioned therein, which after seeing the statement of his services made by himself and after recalling her reccollections, she believes according to her best reccollection his statement of his services time & correct so far as it goes, But that some of his services are not stated by him which she re recollects.

That she cannot state precisely the length of time he did serve but believes he did serve not less t han the periods mentioned below & at the following grades

As a Lieutenant for six months in the year 1775.
As a Lieutenant for nine months in the year 1776.
As a Captain for eight months in the year 1777.
As a Captain for nine months in the year 1778.
As a Captain for three months in the year 1779.
As a Captain for two months in the year 1780. & 1781
Page 34

That she knows the said Briggs never served as a private But during the time he was in the service he was either a Lieutenant or a Captain.

That she believes he served as a Captain one year before he received his commission as such, which commission was sent to the department and was lost, supposed to have been burnt in the Post office at Washington - 

That the reason of her altering the length of time he served from her declaration, is that after seeing her husbands affidavit & written statement of his service, & after reflection & recollection she is satisfied, that his written statement is true as far as it goes & that he served some years for a longer & some for a shorter period of time than was mentioned in her said declaration, & that he did not serve for a less period of time than is stated above - 

And she further says that she is feeble and blind & unable to attend court - 

That she was married to the said Capt. Joseph Briggs eq May 1779. at Bennington in Vermont, by Samuel Robinson, Esq.

That her said Husband died at Pittsfield in new York on the 29th day of March 1832 - 

The she never was married to any other person and is still his widow, - 
And that with the exception of the times of her said husbands service (which is corrected [illegible]) she believes her declaration on file is in all aspects arr.t & true.

Patience Briggs

Subscribed & sworn this 2nd day
of October 1837. Before me.
Ransam Spafard Justice of the Peace

And I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with the said Patience Briggs &  that her statement is entitled to full credit.

Ransam Spafard Justice of the Peace
Page 35

State of New York
Otsego County ss

John Potter of Laurenes in the County aforsaid being duly sworn says he is a pensioner under the Law of 7th of June 1832 & was in the service during a part of the Revolutionary War and That this deponant was drafted and served a bout one Month in the Company of Captain Joseph Briggs in the fall of 1778 or 1779 and was Stationed at Rutland in Vermont and that this deponant has frequently heard of Capt. Jospeh Briggs being in the service at different times and places by person that was in t he service with him both as Captain & Lieutenant and that this deponant verey by believes the said Briggs was in the service for a part of. the time for a number of Years. That his deponant was intimately acquainted with Captain Joseph Briggs when he lived in Pawnal Vermont and that t his deponant lived within half of a mile of the said Briggs during and through the Revolutionary War, Says while in the service that this deponant has been acquainted with the said Briggs in Pittsfield Otsego County 

John Potter

Subscribed & sworn before me this 24th day of July A.D. 1837

Ransam Spafard Justice of the Peace
Page 36

And I do hereby Testify that I am well acquainted with the said John Potter & that his statement is Entitled to full credit

Ransam Spafard Justice of the Peace
Page 37

State of New York
Otsego County Clerk Officer.

I George C. Clyde Clerk of the County of Otsego do certify that [five lines of text were stricken] Ransom Spafford Esq. the Justice of the Peace before whom the foregoing affidavits are sworn was at the time a Justice of the Peace of said county duly authorized to take said affidavits & that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & his name subscribed thereto I verily believe to be his own genuine hand writing in Each place above subscribed.

And I do also hereby certify that Edward Pratt Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit of Capt. Joseph Briggs deceased appears to have been made, was at the date thereof one of the Judges of Otsego County Courts & duly authorized to take said affidavit, & that I am also well acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe that the said affidavit & his signature to the same is in the proper & genuine hand writing of the said Edward Pratt Esq., & one his own handwriting & signature.

And I also certify that the annexed certificate of the said Edward Pratt Esq & his name signed by him to the same & also to the affidavit of Gardner Carpenter annexed is also in my opinion the hand writing & signature of the said Edward Pratt, Esq. &. that the said Edward Pratt Esq is not now living - 

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this third day of October A.D. 1837. - 

George C. Clyde Clk
Page 38

M at Oct 9
N.Y.

Patience Briggs 

m ub

J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Pensions Office

Hn. JH Prentiss
HR
Page 39

H. of R.
Oct. 9. 1837.

J. L. Edwards, Esq.

Sir:

[paragraph is illegible]

Respectfully, fr.
Jn. A. Prentiss
Page 40

M. ab. Nov 3
N.Y.

[circular stamp as follows:]

NEW BERLIN
OCT
30
N.Y

Hon. J.L. Edwards
War Department, Pension Office,
Washington. 
D.C.

[stamped] FREE
Page 41

New Berlin N.Y. Oct. 27 1837

Hon. J. L. Edwards

Sir - 

According to the direction of yours of the 17th inwt. I enclose to you the Certificate of Mrs. Patience Briggs to whose Pension and additional allowance is to be made.

And allow me once more to call your attention to those things which I show how much that increase should be - 

First

In the First certificate (admitting you allowed for all the time you deemed sufficiently proved). the allowance is for services as a private & Captain -  Captain Briggs Never served as a Private - nor is there any proof he did - He served first as a Lieutenant & then as a Capt. - and so all the proof is - That he was de facto an officer & acted and served as such -

And for the time allowed as a private we claim the allowance now should be as a Lieutenant.

Second

There is proof sent with our Last papers of one months service in 1778. 79 - by a Pensioner who served under Capt Briggs - this is proof positive by a Pensioner who draws a pension in part for that very service - and this was no known or proved when the first certificate was granted - 

Consequently this one months service as Capt must at all events be added to the amt. of time, & the allowance be accordingly - the wittness,es name is I think John Potter But you will see by referring to his statement - 

And For this month we claim.

Third.

We claim also for the additional times proved by the official documents from Vermont

(over)
Page 42

As to when the state of Vermont as a state was organized so as to Commission officers - I suppose of no importance - If officers did recieve commissions & serve as such before that state was organized as a state, it would be no reason for with holding a pension - - All that is known or proved is that Capt. Briggs served as a Lieutenant in 1775 & afterwards had a commission which is cert. & by whom granted is not known - he served as Lieutenant till 1777 where he took command of a company - as Capt. But he did not receive his Capt. commission till 1778 - that I saw - & that was lost at Washington - 

In conclusion I have no manner of doubt that Capt. Briggs served during most of the war, & long enough as capt. or Lieutenant either to entitle his widow to a full pension - But it is difficult to prove it more satisfactorily than we have done, if that is not sufficient - 

But we can certainly in such a case with propriety ask to be allowed for the services proved & our first papers as an officer - when they prove the husband of the applicant served as such

And we can also ask an additional allowance of all the time proved in items in our last papers either by living witnesses or official documents

Will you on the matters referred to you by this again look at the proof and papers - & you will find in this I am right, & I turned the certificate will show it was formed so on examination

Yours truly

H. Bennett
Page 43

March 23, 1917

Commissioner of Pension
Washington D.C.

Dear Sir - 

I did not know of t his regulation or I should not have made the mistake.

The records I want - 

1. Is  the name of Philena Bradford (BRADFORD) on your roll - I am informed it is on the roll in Connecticut in 1840 but the name of the soldier for whose services it was given is not named &. that, the name of the soldier, is what I want.

2. Jospeh Briggs (BRIGGS) of Mass or Vt. served in the Rev. lived in N. Y. State & died t here Pittsfield March 29, 1832. & particularly wish to know the place of his enlistment.  His wife Patience Johnson Briggs survived him sixteen years & was blind, did she draw a pension? If this last is looked on as a third record, leave it off.

Very truly yours
Helen Graham
Mrs. J.J. T. Graham
Hyattsville, Md.
Page 44

Madison, Wisconsin
Oct. 22, 1937

Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs:

I am seeking information about service of several Rev. Soldiers and am hoping you can find something about them.

Joseph Briggs -- Patience Gardner (wife) New York
Preserved Haskins -- Deborah Fisher (Probably N.H.
David Jordan ---- Temperance [handwritten (11820 wife)] Russell Maine
[handwritten S. 35479    for her Aug 18, '37]
Josiah Proctor -- Deborah Tuttle -- Mass.
[handwritten - could not iden-most]

Very truly yours,
Mrs Norman T. Gill

Mrs. Norman T. Gill,
2135 West Lawn Ave., 
Madison, Wisconsin

[circular stamp with numbers and hashmarks as border]
RECEIVED
OCT 25 1937
MAIL SUB DIV
VETS [illegible] 8
[illegible]
Page 45

V.L.M.
Rev. War Section
H&G 
2 - 

3 - 1865
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON      March 21, 1917.

Mrs. Helen B. Graham,
Hyattsville, Md.

Madam:
In response to your letter dated the 7" instant, you are advised that owing to the large number of similar inquiries and the lack of a clerical force available for the purpose this Bureau is unable to furnish the histories of
more than two Revolutionary War pensioners to any person or organization.

Please state which two soldiers named by you are those whose records you most desire, and the same will besent you, if on file.

Very respectfully,
GM Saltzgaber
Commissioner.
Page 46

REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION.

3—525

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., ________, 19____

W 16512

In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Joseph Briggs 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.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.     LENGTH OF SERVICE.     RANK.          OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.     STATE.
                                                                                                                                                  CAPTAIN.                            COLONEL.
May 17 to Nov. 30 1775                                                                                    Lieut             Samuel Wright                   /                                                    Vt
Feb. 1. 1776 to May 1776                                                                                  "                    Wm. Clark.                         /                                                    
June 1776 to Dec. 1, 1776                                                                                "                    Thos. Ransom                    Seth Warner                                
Mar. 1777 to Sept. 1777                                                                                    "                    in command of a co of Rangers     Seth Warner                 
Sept. 1777 to Nov. or Dec. 1777                                                                      "                     "    "   "   "   "                       Williams & Robinson                  
Apr. 23, 1778 to Dec. 31, 1778                                                                         Capt.                                                         /                                                    
1779                                                                        3 mos                                  "                                                                /                                                    
1780 & 1781                                                            2 "                                       "                                                                Herrick & Wallbridge                  

Battles engaged in, at taking of Ticonderoga, Bennington & at Capture of Burgoyne,
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Pownall, Vt
Date of application for pension, Apr. 12, 1837. Her claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Pittsfield, Otsego Co. N.Y.
Age at date of application, She was born at East Greenwich, R.I. Dec. 31, 1757,

Remarks: Sol. mar at Benington Vt. May 19, 1779, Patience Gardner
He was born at East Greenwich R.I. Dec. 5, 1749 and he died at Pittsfield N.Y.  Mar. 29, 1832. Their son Silas lived at Pittsfield in 1837, it is not stated whether there were any other children

I could not verify service letters in Vt. or N. H. Archives. His Vt. Rangers under Seth Warner would not make him Cont He cannot be found under S.W. 

Respectfully,

Commissioner.

6—2856