Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1207, Michael Briggs, Vt.
Page 1

SERVICE

Vt.

Briggs, Michael
Sarah

R, 1207
Page 2

Sarah Briggs  New York
Oct 1836
F F C Inpein
Page 3

State of New York
Oneida County   ss

   Gardner Briggs of the Town of Augusta in Said County being duly Sworn deposes & says that he is the Son of Michael & Sarah Briggs decreased.  Michael being a Revolutionary Soldiers & further Saith that he never saw a Bible in which record was made of the marriage of said Michael & Sarah his parents & believes they never had such Bible with record or record of any kind as he should have been likely to have seen the same had they one  & further saith thatt his mother was often talked of her husband the said Michael being in the Battle of Lexington & Bunker Hill 1775 Whiteplain Bennington & Stillwater in  1776 & 1777 being in service 3 to 6 mo. at a time.
Gardener Briggs
Sworn & Subscribed this 22d day of January 1853
Willard G Cummings } Justice of the Peace
Page 4

State of New York 
County of Otsego  } ss

   On this 24th day of May 1837 Personally appeared before me James C. Walworth Esquire a Judge of the Courts  in and for said County.  Sarah Briggs aged 77 years the widow of Michael Briggs who was an officer the of the Revolutionary Army.  Who being first duly sworn accordingly to Law she makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress July 4th 1836.  That on the 28th day of December 1775 she was lawfully married to the said Michael Briggs in the then town of Jarvis in the State of Massachusetts by the Rev. Clark Rogers a minister of the Gospel that her said husband Michael Briggs died on the 10th day of February 1828 in the town of Burlington in the County of Otsego aforesaid and that she  now resides in the said town of Burlington and that the remains the widow of the said Michael Briggs. That in this time and during the period of the Revolutionary war the said Michael Briggs and this deponent resided in Pownel in the state of Vermont that there she first became acquainted with the Michael that she went home to her Father house in Massachusetts  to be married as before stated that in the spring of the year before they were married the first of April according to the best of her recollection that said Michael Briggs.  Joined the Northern Army as an orderly Sargeant in Capt. Stewards company under General Arnold and Ethan Allen and in his life time she has often heard him tell of being at the taking of Ticonderoga and Crown Point and that he remained in the service the whole of that summer until he was discharged and returned home sick in the fall of the year as wile appears
Page 5

by his discharge hereunto annexed. That in the winter after their marriage she removed to Pownel to live with her husbnad and he joined a company of Minutemen as she thinks commanded by Capt. Wright and that after marriage her served int he Army not less than one third part of the time till the close of the war and that the greatest part of his service was renederd in Captain Joseph Brigg's company whio was his Brother at Castleton Hubbardton and the various forts on the northern frontier. That he was in the Bennington Battle and taking of Bourgoyne.  That after receiving the commission that is hereunto annexed he served as an Ensign in Capt. Brigg's company until he was promoted to the office of a Lieutenant . His Lieutenants commission is lost or destroyed and she is not able to tell the date of it that after he received his commission he served at least one third part of the time each year till the close of the war and that he served more than two and a half years during the war but the specific terms of service she cannot state.  That he served under General Stark & Yates Colonel Warner Herrick and Warren.
That there is no perosn living who was in the service with her husband or is knowing to the same other than those whose affidavits are hereunto annexed within her knowledge by whom she can prove the same - And that from  bodkly infirmity she is unable to attend in open court to make her declaration. 

Sworn and subacribed the day and year aforesaid. Before me J.C. Walworth
Judgeof County Courts

      her
Sarah  X  Briggs
      mark
Page 6

Otsego County SS
I James Walworth a Judge of the Courts of Common Pleas of Said County do hereby Certify that I am acquainted with Sarah Briggs the person who has sworn to and subscribed this foregoing declaration that she is unable to attend in open court that from her statement and the evidence produced and from my own knowledge of some of the facts and from the general reputation of the said Michael in my own knowledge I am fully satisfied that he did render the service stated.  

J C Walworth Judge of Otsego County Courts.
Page 7

Additional Proof 
Revolutionary 
Sarah Briggs 
N. Y. suspended
1836

Cal
Filed 7 July 1854
 F.E. Hassler
attorney
Page 8

State of New York} SS
Otsego County  }
Clark Gardner of the town of Burlington in the County aforesaid being duly sworn deposed and said he was well acquainted with Michael Briggs late of the town of Burlington in the County of Otsego aforesaid in his lifetime was acquainted with him form 1794 to the time of his death that the said Michael Briggs died at Burlington aforesaid, on the eleventh day of February 1828 that this deponent attended his funeral that this deponent was well acquainted with the family of the said Michael Briggs deceased that he left the following named children him surviving vis Ruth Briggs Griffin Briggs Henry Briggs Eunice Gardner  wife of Gardner Gardner Briggs and Thomas Briggs
That the said children are now all dead except the said Eunice Gardner Gardner Briggs and Thomas Briggs That the said Gardner Briggs is the identical person who has made application for Pension money on account of the Revolutionary services of the said Michael Briggs his late father
Sworn before me this 28th 
day of June 1854 in open court
Hiram Kinne Surrogate of Said County
Clark Gardner

State of New York
County of Otsego  }  SS
Gardner Herrington of the town of Burlington in the County of Otsego being duly sworn deposed and said he was well acquainted with Michael Briggs late of the town of Burlington in the County aforesaid deceased for the term of thirty eight years that he died the eleventh day of February 1828 that his deponent attended his funeral that Eunice Gardner Briggs and Thomas Briggs are his only children  now surviving that deponent has heard the above affidavit of Clark Gardner saith and that deponent knows of his own knowledge that all the facts therein  stated are true.  
Sworn before me in 
G. Herrington
Page 9

open court this 28th day 
of June 1854
Hiram Kinne Surrogate
of Said County of Otsego
N.B. A figure attered in the foregoing affidavit from "3" to "2" before signing by me.

Hiram Kinne Surrogate
I certify that I am well acquainted with Clark Gardner and Gardner Herrington the foregoing deponent that they are persons of truth and verocity to whose statements full faith and credible is due  That they were duly sworn and examined in open court by me.
  In testimony where of I the said Surrogate have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 28th day of June 1854.  
Hiram Kinne Surrogate

State of New York } ss
Otsego County } ss

   I Hiram Kinne Surrogate of Said County do hereby certify that at the Surrogate's Court held in and foresaid County before me the Said Surrogate at my office in Said County on the twenty eighth day of June in the year one thousand and eight hundred  and fifty four it was proved by the adduction of testimony satisfactory to this court that Michael Briggs late of the town of Burlington in Said County died on the eleventh day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight that he left a widow him surviving whose name was Sarah Briggs and that he was in like manner duly proved at the same time to the satisfaction of the Said Court that the Said Sarah Briggs the said widow died on the twelfth day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty nine that Eunice Gardner, Gardner Briggs, and Thomas Briggs are the only children of the said Michael Briggs and
Page 10

are surviving whose name was Sarah Briggs and that it was in like manner duly proved at the same time to the satisfaction of the Said Court that the Said Sarah Briggs he Said widow died on the twelfth day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty nine that Eunice Gardner, Gardner Briggs, and Thomas Briggs are the the only children of the said Michael Briggs and Sarah Briggs them now surviving each of whom is over the age of twenty one years.  
In testimony where of I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my seal of office this 28th day of June 1854.  
Hiram Kinne Surrogate


In corner is a seal
Page 11

Additional Proof 
Sarah Briggs
Revoluntionary 
Claim
  1838
N.Y. Suspended 
1836
Cole
Filed 3 August 1854
 F.E. Hassler

Written on side
Mer Hassler says this paper came from
J.C. Know of Knox's Corner, N York
Page 13

Mer Hassler says this paper came from
J.C. Knox of Knox's Corners, N. York
Page 14

And further deponents say not
Taken Subscribed and Sworn this s27th day of July A.D. 1854 in open Court at the Village of Clinton in Said State &  County - as witness 
my hand and the seal of Said Court
In'd witnesses being persons of credibility 
Othniel S Willimas
Surrogate of Oneida Co. N.Y.
          her
Lovina  X    Burlison
        mark

Livona Reech
Page 15

I Eunice Seal of Pownal in the County of Bennington
Sate of Vermont aged 79 years the 17th day of October
last past depose & say that Sarah Briggs the widow
of Michael Briggs who resides in the town of Burlington
in the County of Otsego & State of New York is a sister
of mine that on the 28th day of December AD 1775 in the
then Town of Jeries now the town of Hancock in the
County of Berkshire & State of Massachusetts she the said
Sarah was duly Joined in Marriage to Michael Briggs
by a minister of the Gospel Called Clark Reging that
her name before the said Marriage was Sarah
Green & when she was married was not sixteen years
old I further say that the said Michael & Sarah
continued to live together as husband & wife in the
Town of Pownal in the County of Bennington & State of
Vermont during the war of the Revolution & for
many years afterwords & then removed in to the State of
New York + further say that I was well acquainted with
the said Michael Briggs & resided near him from
the time he was married as I have before stated with
moved into the State of New York & that during the
war of the Revolution the said Briggs was often
from home & in the war as I supposed & understood
at that time & he was called an officer & I think a Lunt
he was as I understood in the Battle of Bronington & at
the taking of Burguoyne the said Briggs was
always reputed to be an officer & every active good
officer & according to my best recollection he was
in the service of his county the greatest part of the
period of the Revolution
I further say that the marriage above mentioned
was at my Fathers house & I was present at the
time of the marriage & witnessed the same & further
day not
S. Danforth
Eunice Deal
mark
State of Vermont Bennington County ss Posonal 27th
February AD 1837. Then personally appeared Eunice Deal
Page 16

made Solemn Oath that the within deposition by
her subscribed contains the whole truth & nothing
but the truth before me Blackmon E Brownell Justice Peace
I certify that Eunice Deal a person to me well
known who subscribed his name to the within depo
sion is a credible person & that her statement is
entitled to full & entire credit
Block E Brownell Justice of the Peace
State of Vermont
I Henry Robinson Clerk of the County
Court in & for the County of Bennington
hereby certify that Blackmon E. Brownell
Esq. whose signature appears to the fore
going is a Justice of the peace in & for
the County duly qualified by law to
act as such & that his above signatures
I believe to be genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my
name & affixed the seal of our said Court at Bennington
this 6th day of March AD. 1837. and of the independence
 of the United States the sixty first
Henry Robinson
Page 17

Revolutionary
Additional Evidence
claim of
Sarah, widow of
Michael Briggs
New York suspended
Act 1836.

Cole
Filed 14 March 1854
F E Hassler
Washington
Page 18

State of New York
Otilda Co
On this 18th day of February 1854
before the Subscriber a Justice of the peace in and for
said County personally appeared Clark Gardner 
Burlington Otsego Co who being duly sworn according to law
deposes & says that he was well acquainted with
Michael Briggs who was a revolutionary
Soldier That
He lived near to the said Michall Bring from the 
year 1794 to the time of his death in February 1828 
That he heard him say that he enlisted under
Capt. Stewart & went to Manchester & was with Col Warner
Putman & Arnold at Skenes Borough & that he saw Putnam & Arnold Allen
Clash their swords together respecting a barrel 
at which time Col Warner Interfered & let the 
deputy also that he went to Ticonderoga & was there on
officer of the guard & the day after the skirmish of
Battle he was relieved from the guard went on to the
battle ground & pick up a large Powder having with
the name of Stephen Scanting No of Regiment & date of
the year out upon it & also a horse or acrastic cut
in it said Horn which remain his possess till his
death & he often has seen & read the inscription upon it
& also that he was with Schuyler when he retreated from
Ticonderoga & that he was in the Battle of Bennington
& had his gun the dented or smash by a ball from the
even which he threw down & took in exchange age
for a fellow soldier then dead & have heard him say
also that he was an ensign & saw him show how
they exercise the caloms in service & that he was often
out when an alarm that the enemy was approaching for
few hours & days at times
worn & subscribed before me
this the day & year above written
Clark Gardner
William M Farnhill
Justice of the Peace
Page 19

State of New York

ONEIDA COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE
 I DO HEREBY CERTIFY That William M. Fairchild Esquire, whose name is subscribed to the Jural of the  annexed affidavit and thereon written, was, on the Eighteenth day of Feb 1854 a Justice of the Peace, in, and for said County, and sworn and duly authorized. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of such Justice, and verily believe that the signature to said Jural ------  is genuine.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF,  I have hereunto affied the seal of the said County, and subscribed my name this 22d day of Feb 1854
R Hulbert  CLERK
Page 20

12117
Rejected
P.O. Sarah Briggs
wid. of Michael
Service:
Enlisted:          , 18
Discharged:     , 18
Application filed:      , 18

LLeges:
Re-enlisted:

Attorney:
P.O.
Recognized.              Contract
Cert of dis.    Searched for    , 18  .
Page 21


Sarah Briggs deed
Letters &c
unimportant
Sarah
widow of Michael
Briggs, N. York.
Act 4 July 1836
letters to Sell July
H. R.
Prent
to June 24 Jan 1838
Grove H.R. March
Norton
July
Page 22

Thomas Chittenden Esq. Captain General Governor & Commander in chief in and over the State of Vermont
To Michael Briggs Gentleman
 You being Elected Ensign of the     Company of Militia in Pownall Reposing special trust & Confidence in your Patriotism Valour Conduct & Fidelity & I do by these  present in the Name of the Freemen of this State Authorize  & Impower you to take the charge of the   Company as their Ensign you are therefore Carefully  & Dilligently to Discharge the Duty of Ensign of S Company by doing & performing all manner of things thereunto belonging & I do admitly charge & require all officers & Soldiers under your Command to be obedient to your orders as Ensign & you are carefully & Dilligently to observe & obey such orders & Directions form time to time as you shall receive from one me or the Governor of this State for the time being or other your Superior Officers according to the rules  & Discipline of war & the Laws of this State for which this Commission shall by your Sufficient Warrant Given under my hand in Council Arlington April 23d 1778
By his Excellency's 
Command 
M Lyon  D Sey
Thos Chittenden
Page 23

Michael Briggs of C [illegible] Regiment
Capt. Howard Company  returned unfit 
for service is Discharged 
By Order of the General  Richd   Varnick 

Sept 29, 1775
Page 24

Revolutionary Pension
Michael Briggs
Sarah Briggs
N. Y. suspended
1838 (crossed through)
1836
Cole


filed 25 April 1855
F. E Hassler
Attorney
Page 25

These may certify the Honorable General Assembly of Vermont that in the subscribers have been well acquainted with Eld. Benjamin Gardners conduct concerning the present war, as we live in the neighborhood with him, and he and his family is in our company.  He was agreed to defend his country by always going at the first notice of any Larm or whenever men is sent for, by  encouraging men to List, by contributing men to be arms, money, clorties, provision and any necessary that was wanting, so that he nor his family has been behind in their duty by money or ----------

Pownal, October 13th    
(Signed)  Joseph Briggs, Capt.
               St. Mikel Briggs
               John Douller, Ensign-
              Hugh Kempean,  Clerk
Page 26

Benjn Gardner of Pownal in the County of Benington
& State of Vermont aged 75 years depose & say that during the
war of the Revolution I was well acquainted with Michael
Briggs & his Sarah the name of his wife previous to her
Marriage was Sarah Green they lived in the town of
Pownal many years & I further say that the said Michael
Brigs was in the service of his county a portion of
the time during the Revolution but I cannot say
how long I know that he was in the service once
time when I was in the service at Castleton Hubber
on & Pittsford Vermont I cannot recollect how long
I was at that time very young for that service
the said Briggs was called & reputed as a commission
officer I think a Leuntenant & he was reputed
called at that time & active regiment prompt
officer
& stood he was in the service of his
County considerable portion of the time of the
Revolution & further say not
Benjn Gardner
State of Vermont Bonington County Townball 27th Feby 1837
Then personally appeared Benjamin Gardner & made solemn
oath that the above deposition by him subscribed centering
the whole truth & nothing but the truth before 
Blackmon E Brownell Justic of the Peace
I certify that Benjamin Gardner the subscriber to the
above deposition to me well known is credible
person & that his statement is entitled to full &
enter endite
Blackmon E Brownell Just of the Peace
Page 27

State of Vermont
I Henry Robinson Clerk of the
County Court in & for the County
of Bennington hereby certify that
Blackmon E. Brownell Esq whose signature
 appears to the within deposition
is a Justice of the peace in & for the ┃
County duly qualified by law to act
as such & that his within signed
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name
affixed the seal of our said Court at Remington this
6th day of March AD 1837. And of the Independence of the
United States the sixty first
to
Henry Robinson
Page 28

The State of Ohio
Middleburgh
Cuyahoga County Township (SS)"-
on the third day of October in the year 1853
personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice of
the peace within and for the Township aforesaid, Silas
Gardner, a resident of said Township well known
to me, who makes Solmn Oath, that he was well
acquainted with Michael Briggs of Burlington
assign County New York. that he lived near to
him in Burlington about twenty-five years, that
this deponent left Burlington in the year 1819, 
Same three or four years after a returning to
Burlington See him again, this deponent says
that Michael Briggs has been dead he thinks more than
twenty years. That he was reputed to have been ┃
a revolutionary Soldier, has often heard the said
Briggs Sell of the many battles he was in, that he
was in the Skeens borough, Ticonderoga, and many
other places, it was said, and he has frequently
heard said Briggs Say that he held a
Lieutenants Commission, in the service
This deponent further says he is seventy-two
years of age, and in further says, that he has
often heard said Michael Briggs. Tell how long
he was in the service; he is sure it was more
Thou six months, but he thinks it was less than
a fear,
Silas Gardner
Subscribed and sworn to before me this the
day and year first above written,
Morris Hepburn, Justice of the peace
Page 29

The State of Ohio Middleburgh
Cuyahoga County & Township (LS)
his may certify that I have known Silas
Gardner and Paul Gardner of said Town
Ship for more than twenty five Grans
and can cheerfully say that they are men
of Character and standing and whoseword
can be relied upon, that they are
men of good moral character
Middleburgh
Oct 3d 1853
Morris Hepburn
Township Clerk
Page 30

The State of Ohio
Middleburgh
Cuyahoga County of Township (LS)
On the third day of October in the year 1853
personally appeared before the Subscriber a Justice
of the peace within and for the Township aforesaid
Paul Gardner, a resident of said Township who
is well known to me, who makes Solmn Oath, that he
was well acquainted with Michael Briggs of Burlington
Otsego County, New York. That he lived near to him
in Burlington some thirty years. That he has after
hood, said Michael Briggs, tell of the many
battles he was in, at Scarborough, Ticonderoga
at Bennington. that he was with Putnam Allen
and Warner, and at the Surrender of Bargain
and many other Engagements in the Revolutionary
four, has frequently heard Briggs told of a circuit
Hance that happened at Bennington Batten, a
Span of horses broke loose & sin with a wagon
and a man called Col Brush that one of the horses
down before they had done any damage
says he has often heard Briggs tell how long
he was in the service, thinks it was two
different seasons, has often seen the big
powder home, taken by said Brazin Same
of the Engagements but dont remember which
This deponent says he was Seventy-Six years 
February, has often heard Briggs till of
 Putnam & Allen having a dispute about lading
┃ same property at a fort on the lake, and
Clashed Swords, & Worner interfere and put 
a stop to it. That Briggs had a Gun, that
was smashed up by a ball while in the hands
of Briggs, as he said, and further this deponent saith
Paul Gardner
┃ Sworn to and subscribed before me the day & year aforesaid, Morris Hepburn J.P.
Page 31

The State of Phio,
CUYAHOGA COUNTY, SS.
I, JAMES D. CLEVELAND, Clerk of the Court
of Common Pleas, in and for said County, do hereby Certify that
Morris Hepburn
before whom the foregoing
affidavit
was taken, and who has
thereunto subscribed his name officially,
in his own proper hand
writing, was at the date of the said affidavit
and now is an acting justice of the Peace
within and for said Cuyahaga County, authorized by the laws of the
State of Ohio, to take acknowledgments as aforesaid, and duly commissioned and sworn, and to all whose
official acts, full faith and credit are due, and ought to be given throughout the United States and
elsewhere,
executed the
of the State of Ohio
Court, at Cleveland, this 10th
day of October
in the year of our Land
one thousand eight hundred and fifty three.
James D. Cleveland, Clerk
By Roland J. Noble, Deputy Clerk
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the Seal of said
Page 32

Revolutionay 
Papers
Sarah Briggs 
New York
suspended
M Hafolesn

M Cole
Dec 10/52
Page 33

POWER OF ATTORNEY.
Witness:
STATE OF New York
COUNTY OF Oneida
88.
Be it known that before me, a Justice
William G Cumming
of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly authorized by law to administer oaths, personally appeared
Gardner Briggs
in the county of Amida
to law, states that he is the son
resident of Augusta
in the State aforesaid, who being first duly sworn according
& Sarah Brigs deceased late of the county of
who was a revolutionary Officer
Otsegerof
Michael Briggs
and State of New York
and that he is directly interested as a
claimant in the pension for which application was heretofore made by said Sarah Briggs
and constitutes and appoints Haley of Washington, D. C., his
true and lawful attorney, with irrevocable power to examine into, investigate and establish the claim for said
pension, and do all acts necessary thereto.
In witness whereof, to the said Gardner Briggs
has on this 1st day of December 1852 hereunto signed his name, and affixed his seal
Gardner Briggs
David Stilson
W.G. Cummings
this
Signed, sealed, acknowledged, and sworn to before me, on this first day of December
1852.
Isaac W Cain ceased & F E Hasler inserted before signed
STATE of New York
W.G. Cumming
J. P.
COUNTY of Oneida
to wit:
I Alexander Rae clerk of the County
aforesaid, do hereby certify, That W G Cummings
court, of the county and State
before whom the foregoing
power of attorney was acknowledged and affidavit made, was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace
in and for the county aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his signature above written is
genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunt set my hand, and affix the seal of said Court
4th
day of December 1852
Alexander Rae
Occurs.
Clerk.
Here, if the soldier or officer is living, insert his name; if he is dead, and the widow is living, insert her name; if both dead,
insert one of the living children's names; if the children are all dead, and either of them survived the former unsuccessful applicant,
insert the name of the administrator of that former applicant.
Here, if the soldier or officer is living, insert his name again; if the widow is living, insert the words, “widow of," and the name of
her husband; if both dead, insert the words, “son or daughter of and the name of the former LAST unsuccessful applicant.
┃ Here insert the word "soldier," or "officer," whichever he was
NOTE. -- When a female is the person who executes this paper, please put the letter s before the word he in every place where it
Page 34

Sarah Briggs
V 203 N. York
Page 35

State of New York
Vigo County I George C. Clyde Clerk of the County of Otsego Do hereby
Certify that James C Walworth Esquire before whom the within affidavits purport
to have been sworn was on the day of the date of each of said affidavits 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 hirely believe his name subscribed
to each of the said within affidavit and the annexed Certificates of
identity and Creditately to be his genuine hand writing & signatures -
Witness my hand and seal of office this twenty Smith
day of May AD 1837
Gore Clyde Clk
1836
Sarah Briggs
Page 36

Dear Sir
Vernon Oneida Co N.Y. Augst 24 1838
I have been retained by Sarah Briggs
widow of Michael Briggs a Revolutionary soldier
to prosecute her claim to a pension
she and her frenal represent her can
as follows. At the time & a few years after
the passage of the widow's act of 1838. The
resided at Pittsfield Otsego Co. N.Y. At that
place the applied for a pension through
one Garner Harrington and some papers
in the matter we hold out but what my
where she has no distant recollection now
city that they related to her marriage & seven
of the husband
She has never received a pension certificate
and for several years has had no information
in reference to his claim. The is confined
is a fort one her husband having served 
several years of the word & much after
he marriage to him
The thinks that evidence of the Marriage
& service is now on file in the Department 
but whether sufficient in whole or in part to
Establish the claim she is ignorant
If there are any papers on file, I desire to know
have for thy go in support of the claim & the precise
State the case is in
Mrs. Briggs now resides & her for some time past
in this neighborhood from the information 
I have no doubt of the Justice of her & that said
even to that effect can be procure
J L Edwards 
Norton G. Merrell
Page 37

Hon. J. L. Edwards Esq
Burlington Ariza Co N.Y. 29th May 1837
Sir
I herewith send you the applicant
of Polly Bennet and Sarah Briggs for a
Pensions under the act of Congress of the 4th July 1836
as the proof of Michael Briggs may be deemed
sufficient to entitle his widow to a pension under that Grade
she would reserve the right to add
proof of his service as a Lieutenant if she
should hereafter be able to produce further proof
on that Branch of the case would request
that a Pension be allowed her of such a grade
as she may be entitled to from proof already
adduced as she is in the depth of poverty
and suffering from want and the infirmities of
old age the smallest pittance at this time
would afford her essential relief.
Yours respectfully &c
Henry Sill
Page 38

State of New York
Patience Briggs of the town of
Pittsfield in said County aged 79 years who being
duly sworn according to law says that she is the widow
of Captain Joseph Briggs deceased who resided in Pound
in the State of Vermont & served in the Army in
the time of the Revolutionary War. that she was well ac
quainted with Michael Briggs and his wife Sarah Briggs
in the time of the said war that they then resided in
Pound in Vermont that after the war they moved to
Burlington in this County that Michael is dead and
that Sarah his widow still resides in Burlington
That this deponent has made a declaration of
the services of her husband Capt Briggs in order to
obtain the benefit of the act of July 4 1836 and
that Michael Briggs was in the service in the army
with her husband in the year 1775 till he came home
sick, in the fall of that year that the said Michael
Ensign and a Lieutenant and served
A.
as such under her husband in his company may
all the time her husband was in the service
that her husband served in the war more than 32
years as she has stated in her said declaration that
she has often in the life time of her husband and Michael Ward
tell over their battles and Service in the army at Ticon
der Michael had a Ball shot through the stock and cut
off the rawood of his gun within about a hand both
of his hand she has sum the Gun. and that in the time
of the Revolution they generally went away into the service
together and came home together and they were ┃
together while at home their conversation and time
was almost wholly taken up and sagroned with the war
at that time that Michael served in the war more than
three years, in the years 1775 1776 1777 1778 1779
1780 1781 & 1782 - the Saturday before her husband died
he told her that he sword in the Revolutionary army 4 years
and upwards this was on the occasion of his having from
a member of Congress a pamphlet that congress was passing
the Pension law. He then said, I shall now draw a Pension
Page 39

That I can now make out and prove 3 years service and that is enough and I shall not try to do any more. He did the next Wednesday morning. He died the next Wednesday morning at Loelick (?) That her husband and Michael were in the taking of Ticonderoga & Crown Point in the Battle of Benington & Saratoga. That they served under General Arnold Allen Gates Y Stark & Colonels Warner Herrick and Warren and Major Bronson and that her served more than four months in each year aforementioned

Patricia Briggs

Sworn and subscribed this    day of 1837 before me James C Walworth Judge of Otsego County Court

I certify that Patricia Briggs the above named deponent in credible and reputable person and her statement is entitled to full credit
James C Walworth
Judge of Otsego County
Page 40

State of New York
County of Otsego

Gardner Harington and Samuel Sweet of Burlington in said County being duly sworn according to law depose and say that during the life time of Michael Briggs and for more than twenty five years before his death they lived in the neighborhood with and were well acquainted with Michael Briggs and Sara Briggs his wife and that the said Michal Biggs was always reputed and believed to have been an Officer in the Revolutionary Army and was always reputed to have been a Lieutenant and that during the life time of the said Michael & others who served with said Michael and are since dead we have heard them tell over their revolutionary Battles and services and their treatment of the Tories and that we have read and examined the declaration of Sarah Briggs hereunto annexed and we have compared her statements with the accounts of the services of said Brigs, that we heard from him others who were with him in the service told by them to us more than 20 years ago and that the said declaration does agree with the statements so made to us and we have no doubt oof the truth of the same and that we do believe that the said Michael Briggs did serve in the Revolutionary army more than two years and an half
Gardner Harington
Samuel Sweet

Sworn and Subscribed
this 25th day 1837 before
me J. C. Walworth
Judge of Otsego County
Page 41

I certify that I am well acquainted with Gardner Harrington Samuel Sweet
the persons who have subscribed and sworn to the within affidavit and that they are responsible and reputable farmers and citizens of the town of Burlington and that their statements are entitled to full credit

J C Walworth
Judge of Otsego County
Page 42

State of New York
St Lawrence County

Heny Green of the Town of Parishville in the County and State aforesaid being duly sworn deposes and says that he was well acquainted with Michael Briggs deceased that he was a soldier in the revolutionary war and was in the Battle of Bennington in the year 1777 and that his sister Sarah now the wide of said Michael Briggs was then his wife that he waw them married sone one or two years previous to the said Battle of Bennington with regard to the amount of time said Michael Briggs served he cannot certify but always understood it was six months
Heny Greene

Sword and subscriber
this 11th day of August 1844 before me 
Eliphelet Leonard J. P.
Page 43

I certify that the written affidavit made by Henry Green was in the manner in which he made the sane to me and that he was minster of the gospel & most assuredly a credible witness in my opinion
Parishville Dec 25, 1852
Eliphelet Leonard

St. Lawrence County
Clerks Office
I George S Winslow clerk of said County and also clerk of the Court of records direct by Law to be held therein do hereby certify that Eliphelet Leonard Esq before whom the foregoing affidavit was made 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 I further certify that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said Justice and verily believe his signature to the (unknown word) of the foregoing affidavit is genuine

In testimony whereof I have here into set my hand and affixed the Seal of Said County the 4th day of January 1853
George S Winslow Clerk
Page 44

Washington Feb 1846

My Dear Sir
I have sent several communications asking me to provide information as to the state of the application of Leonard Lilley for a pension. I also transmit herewith a communication for H Hill Esq asking a review of the case of Mrs Sarah Briggs. The communication will speak for itself. I wish to be informed in regard to this also as soon as convenient
Yours truly
Martin Grover

Hon J L Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Page 45

Jany 11 1837
Nov 13-51 (very hard to read)
got out
Mr. Cole
Com- Aprl
Sarah Briggs
Sam Williams

M. Jones (very hard to read)
Page 46

We desire to examine the pension papers of Sarah Briggs, widow of Michael Briggs, who served in the Revolution, on file in the Pension Office.
Also the papers in the claim of Samuel Williams, for a pension for services in the Revolution, which are also on file in Pen. Office
Probably both of New York

Edwards & Smith
Jany 11, 1851
Page 47

In-at-Jan 22
Levi Waterman  NY

James L Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Pension Office

Hon. R. P. Maron
HR
Page 48

House of Representatives 
Jany 20 - 38

Sir
In answer to my communication to Allen Warden Treasurer of Vt. I have received the enclosed certificate as to the services of Levi Waterman which I found for your information

Respectfully your objt svt (Obedient servant abbreviated)
R. P. Marvin

James s. Edwards Esq
Court of Pensions
Page 49

STATE OF VERMONT
Secretary of State's Office,
Montpelier, July 26th 1854

I hereby certify that having carefully examined the Revolutionary Pay Rolls in the files and records of this office I cannot find the name of Michael Briggs on any such Pay roll either as Officer or private

In testimony hereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of this Office this 26th of July 1854

Daniel P Thompson 
Secretary of State
Page 50

Henry Sill P. No.
8 Jany 1851
-----------------
Rec. 11 Jany 1851 
Ans.
-----------------
widow Sarah Briggs & Sam. Williamson
claims for Rev Pensions


go to Pension Off
Thursday 16th
Page 51

Burlington Jan 8th 1851
Msrs Edwards & Smith Otsego N. Y.

Gents
I recd your circular of 64 alt. on the subject of your agency for claims upon the Government of U.S. I had in my charge the claim of widow Sarah Briggs for a Pension on account of the services of her husband Michael Briggs in the revolutionary war. Also the claim of Samuel Williamson for like Services. The Declaration and proof adduced are now on the files of the Pension Office. The claims of Mrs Briggs was an undoubted one but for the want of some technical deficiency in the proof of the service which could not be supplied the claim was deferred and still lies unsatisfied.  If you can successfully prosecute those claims I think they would be willing to allow a reasonable fee you do not state what your terms are in your circular. please write me what you would charge if you could succeed in either of both of the above named cases

I am respectfully 
Henry Sill