Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 23,703, Amos Briggs, R.I.
Page 1

R.I

Briggs, Amos 
Thankful

Number W23703
Page 2

267

Rhode Island

Thankful Briggs deceased widow of Amos who died on the [blank] of R I, in the state of R I, who is a private in the [blank], commanded by the captain [blank] of the [blank], commanded by [blank] in the revolution for 10 months.

Inscribed on the role of Providence at the rate of 33 dollars .33 cents per annum to commence on the fourth day of March 1831 endg 28th July 1844.

Certificate of pension issued the 23rd day of September 1833 and sent to Benjamin Cowell

Arrears to the 4th of Providence, St. Mary, semi annual Orleans ending Rhode Island
incod from $26.67

{Revolutionary claim, act, July 4, 1836 section the 3d}

H.R. Wightman clerk
recorded 
book D vol. 2  page 350

A-1-97
Page 3

September 28, 1780 
these may certifying all persons whence it may concern that Amos Briggs of East Greenwich, and Thankful Brown of North Kensingtown was moved [illegible] to the of the state and sd North Kensintown by ones Solomon Sprague
Page 4

Recorded in the register of marriages belonging to East Greenwich number 2 Folio 84, January 24, AD 1794 
by H Cooke JL

Amos Briggs certificate of marriage, September 28, 1780
Page 5

Thankful Briggs

Amos Briggs 
Crary's Regt, 
Depreciation, 16.5.10
20
Page 6

State of Rhode Island, county of Newport, 

We Clarke Weaver, and Mercy, Clarke, both of Newport, in the county of Newport and state of Rhode Island do testify in saying that we were acquainted with Thankful Briggs the widow of Amos Briggs a soldier in the war of the revolution, and that where the said Thankful died, she left the following children to with Navy Webb widow Sarah King widow, Joanna E, Bliven, widow of Benjamin Bliven, Hannah Sherman, wife of Philip Sherman, Eliza B, Stanton, wife of Gilbert Stanton, all of said Newport and Margaret Briggs of the city of Providence, who are all now living. The said Thankful was a pensioner at the time of her death.
Clarke Weaver
Mercy Clarke

Newport to Newport July 25 A. D. 1853 
Sworn to and subscribed before me by said Clarke Weaver and Mercy Clarke and I further verify they are credible witnesses and I also certify that I have no interest in the prosecution of the children's claim for a pension.
Daniel C. Durham Justice of the peace clerks office, Court of common pleas County of Newport

I George C. Shaw clerk of the court of common pleas within, and for the county of Newport do hereby certify that Daniel C. Durham is a justice of the peace and in for said county duly commissioned and qualified to act as such, and that by the laws of the state he fully authorized to administer oath, and that his signature at fore written is genuine. In testimony, where of I have here on to set my hand and the seal of the court, the twenty sixth day of July AD one thousand eight hundred & fifty three .
Gro. C. Shaw, clerk C.C pleas
Page 7

Thankful Briggs
No. 490
3d Sec.


aomd
8 mo pri
26.66

Benjn Cowell
Providence
R Id
Page 8

State of Rhode Island
                         County of Providence sc
On this 11th day of October AD 1836 personally
appeared before me Benjamin Cowell Chief 
Justice of the Court of Common Pleas within
& for said County Thankful Briggs now res-
=ident in the City of Providence aged 74 years
who being duly sworn according to law doth
on her oath make the following declaration
in order to obtain the benefit of the act of
Congress passed July 4th 1736, that she is
the widow of Amos Briggs formerly of New
port who was a private in the was of the revo=
=lution, that he served in Capt Parkers Com=
pany & Col. Crarys regiment a year ending
March 1779 & afterwards was drafted at [illegible]
times to serve in the Militia until the
end of the war - But she cannot specify all
of his service & therefore refers to the evidence
of those who served with him Ans she 
further declares that she was married to
the said Amos on the 28th day of September 
1780 & the original certificate of their marriage
is hereto annexed- that her husband the
said Amos Briggs died in said Newport
on the 3rd day of January AD 1828 and
that she has remained unmarried
Page 9

since that period as will appear by the 
evidence hereto annexed wherefore the
requests that the pension which would have 
belonged to her husband under the act
of June 7th 1832 may be granted to her
                                              her
                                 Thankful  X  Briggs
                                              mark

Providence sc  In Providence Oct 11 1836
Sworn to & Subscribed before me. I further
certify that from lameness & infirmity she is
unable to attend Court
                                     Benja Cowell
                                     C J CC Pleas

I Margaret Briggs of the City of Providence
being of lawful age on oath do depose & say
that Thankful Briggs who has subscribed
the preceding declaration is my mother
& the said Amos was my father. My
father died in Newport Jany 3rd 1828
and my mother has remained un=
=married ever since that period & is
now my fathers widow & she now resides
with me-                      Margaret Briggs
Providence Oct 11 1836
Sworn to & subscribed before me and I 
further certify that deponent is a credible w
the  [illegible]                       Benja Cowell
                                             C J CC Pleas
Page 10

                                                           Amos Briggs

Amos Briggs


Died Jany 3d 1828

Joseph Biggs
Jeremiah Plan
Phenix [illegible]
Joshua [illegible]
Page 11

This may certify that Amos Briggs was a 
provate soldier in Cap. James Parkers Company
Col. Crarys Regiment in the Rhode Island Brigade
of which I was Brigade Major that he was with
me in the Battle [illegible] on Rhode Island on the 29th day of August under the Command of the Hon. Major General Sullivan-
                                                 JohnHandy

Newport Ap. 21. 1818

The Hon Nicholas Taylor
Page 12

State of Rhode Island and Providence - Plantations.
NEWPORT, ss.

    On this twenty first day of April 1818, before me the subscriber, on of the 
Judges of the Court of Common for the County of Newport, personally appears
Amos Briggs    aged fifty six    years, resident in Newport
in the said County, who being by me first duly sworn, according to law, doth, make the follow-
ing declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by that late act of Congress, entitled "An act to pro-
vide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary
war:" That he the said Amos Briggs enlisted in East Greenwich
in the State of Rhode Island [illegible] 5th of June 1778 in the company commanded by Captain
James Parker of the Regiment comd. by Col A Crary; that he
continued to serve in the said corps, or in service to the United States, until the sixteenth of 
March 1779, when he was discharged from service in Tiverton in the State
of Rhode Island, that he was in the battles of Rhode Island on the 
twenty ninth day of August 1789
and that he is in reduced circumstances, and stands in need or the assistance of his country for support;
and that he has no other evidence now in his power of said services.
Sworn to and declared before me, the day and year aforesaid.             AMOS BRIGGS
                                                     Nichs. Taylor


I, Nichs. Taylor, Judge, [illegible] aforesaid, do certify, That it appears, to my 
satisfaction, that the said Amos Briggs did serve in the revolu-
tionary was, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common enemy; and I now transmit the
proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant
to the directions of the aforementioned Act of Congress.
Newport April 21st, 1818                               Nich. Taylor

Clerks Office    Court of Common Pleas County of Newport
                                                            23 April [illegible]
                          I hereby certify that Nicholas Taylor Esquire whose
                          signature is affixed to the above statement and
                          certificate is Chief Justice of the Court of Common
                          Please within & for the County of Newport State
Page 13

State of Rhode Island
                        County of Providence

On this 21st day of June AD 1853 personally 
appeared in open Court being the 
Municipal Court of the City of 
Providence Joanna E Bliven who being
duly sworn according to law makes
the following declaration as well for
herself as the other children of Thankful
Briggs late of said Providence widow
of Amos Briggs a soldier of the Revolution
in order to obtain all arrears of pension
due said Thankful at the time of her
death. The said Joanna E Bliven declares
& says that her mother the said Thankful
made an application  in her life time
under the act of July 4, 1836 of Congress
granting pensions to widows on [illegible]
of services of their husbands for a  pension
pursuant to the provisions of said act,
and in the declaration she made, she stated
the services of her said husband & [illegible]
her marriage & his death- and the 
said Joanna further declares that  her
Mother was allowed $26.69 per annum
only; whereas according to the [illegible] a
then & now [illegible] she was entitled
& ought to have been allowed $40 & upwards
according to the provisions of said act
and she further says that her mother the
said Thankful departed this life on
the 28 of July AD 1844 having the following children to [illegible] Mary Webb widow 
Sarah King widow Joana E Bliven, this applicant,
Page 14

Hannah Sherman, Elisa B Stanton and 
Margaret Briggs, who are now entitled to
all arrears of pension due to their said 
mother at the time of her death
wherefore for herself & the other  surviving 
children, she requests  that the same
be allowed & paid at the agency
of the United States for paying pensions in Providence
when their said Mother was laid
                                Joanna E Bliven

In Municipal Court of the 
City of Providence, June 21, 1853,
Subscribed and  [obliterated]
by Joanna E. Bliven
in open court.
                  Albert G Greene
                             Clerk
Page 15

State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

Providence, sc        Municipal Court of the
                               City of Providence in the County
                               of Providence in said State.
                                          June 21st 1853

Be it remembered that satisfactory testimony
has this day been produced before this Court,
that Thankful Briggs, a pensioner of the
United States, at the rate of twenty six dollars
and sixty seven cents per annum, under the
Act of Congress of July 4 AD 1836, died on
twenty eighth day of July AD one thousand
eight hundred and forty four;    that she was
the widow of Amos Briggs, a soldier of the 
Revolution; that at the time of her death she 
left the following named children, to wit: Mary Webb widow; Sarah King, widow; Joanna
E Bliven, wife of Benjamin Bliven; Hannah 
Sherman, wife of Philip Sherman; Elisa B.
Stanton, wife of Gilbert Stanton; all of Newport
in the County of Newport; and Margaret 
Briggs of said Providence; and that all
said children are now living and are over
twenty-one years of age.
                             In attestation whereof I have 
                             here unto set my hand, and have
                             affixed the seal of said Court.
                                                  Albert G Greene
                                                                  Clerk
Page 16

I Joseph Briggs of East Greenwich in the County of Kent &
State of Rhode Island [illegible], aged seventy nine years, on oath
do testify & say that I well knew Amos Briggs, that he
was born in East Greenwich near where I lived, that in the 
time of the Revolutionary War, in the four parts of the seasons
of one of the years of said War, this particular one I do
not now remember, said Briggs told me that he has
enlisted in the State's service, then called the nine months
service, that he was absent during that time & I [illegible] believe
he was engaged & did serve in the State troops the
period above mentioned, after his return he married
Thankful Brown of North Kingstown in this state, I was
at his marriage & saw them married, that his widow is
now living and makes her home with her children who 
live in Newport & Providence.                     Joseph Briggs


[illegible]    Subscribed & sworn to before me at East Greenwich
                   this 29th day of August AD 1837 and I testify 
                   that the deponent is a man of truth worthy 
                   of credence.
                                                John Brown Jut C C Pleas
Page 17

Kent Co. Clerks office Court of Common Pleas

I certify that John Brown Esq of East Greenwich in the borough of Kent is a Justice of said Court. that the within is his proper signature in his own hand writing & that full faith and credence is said ought to be given to all hi official acts

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court at East Greenwich this 29th day of August in the year AD 1837
Jer. Y. Slocum Clk
Page 18

                            267
         Rhode Island
___________________________________________________
Thankful  Briggs                                                               Se let. to Benja Cowell
of Providence in the State of R.I.                                                       January 20, 1838
who was a   [blank]  in the   [blank]   commanded
by Captain    [blank]  of the    [blank]   commanded
by   [blank]    in the    [blank]
widow of Amos Briggs
decd. late of private in the 
Revolution
_____________________________________________________
Inscribed on the Roll of R.I.
at the rate of 26 dollars 67 Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.
_____________________________________________________
Certificate of Pension issued the 29 day of Nov.
1836 and sent Benj.
Cowell Providence R.I.
____________________________________________________
Arrears to the 4th of September 1836       $146.68
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '37           13.33
                                                                    ________
                                                                    $160.01

                                                {Revolutionary Claim}
                                                 Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by D D Addison   Clerk,
Book   A     Vol. 1     Page 97
Page 19

Rev
     WIDOW, &c.
        __________
File No.   23703
      Thankful Briggs
              Wid of
      Amos Briggs
            Priv Revolu
        _____________
Act: July 4th 1836
Index: --    Vol. A  ,  Page 92

     [Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 20

Aug. 3, 1853

Appl. of the 
heirs of Thank-
ful Briggs
widow of Amos
Briggs
     R. Island

Act 4  July, 1836

Benj. Cowell
     Providence,
               R. I.
Page 21

Ser let to Benjm Cowell Jany 20, 1838
6) 333
     56
589
R Island
Thankful Briggs
widow of Amos
sup
See letter to Ben Cowell
16 Nov. 1838
Page 22

Pension Office
Sept 21, 1853
Sir Please state up to what date the within named Thankful Briggs was paid. Very respectfy
L Wales
Comm
Jos Burt Esq
3d and 4e
Thankful Briggs act 4th July 1836 $26.67 p. an. Died 28th July 1844, Paid to his death. 
F. Bush
Auditor
Page 23

Thankful Briggs, deceased
widow of Amos
R.I.
for increase, under
Act July 4, 1836
Admitted
10 mos Private
at $33.33/100 per annum
from Mar 4, 1831, to July
28. 1844, when she died.
deducting former payments
at $26.66 per annum
only surviving children
Mary Webb
Sarah King
Joana E. Bliven
Hannah Sherman
Eliza B. Stanton and
Margaret Briggs
Agent
Benjm Cowell
Providence R.I.
Page 24

Brief in the case of Thankful Briggs, widow of Amos
County and State of Rhode Island
for Increase, act July 4, 1836
Claim for increase
Proof exhibited, (if original)
Is it documentary, traditionary, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance. 
Amos Briggs died in 1828-
Thankful was pensioner under act July 4. 1836
from 4 Mar 31 to 28 July 1844, time
of her death
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what? 
no additional proof of service. Reference to the
Rolls and other cases for same service, and
a great mass of evidence, mostly accumulated since the original admission of the claim, shows an error of 2 months in computation of the service
Date of widows death, names of surviving
children, and identity, duly proved & certified.
S.G. Dodge
Examining Clerk
Name and residence of Agent
Benj. Cowell
Providence R.I.
Page 25

Sir
Providence Nov 21 1836
Yours of 16 inst respecting the claim of
Thankful Briggs has been receid you observe
that it appears by the Roll of Col Crarys Regi
ment her husband Amos Briggs served only
seven months for which she can be allowed 
that she can be allowed one month in 1781
and "should Mrs Briggs decide to accept a
pension for eight months service a pension
certificate will be issued accordingly. In
answer to which Mrs Briggs has requested me to say that she wishes a certificate for eight months to be sent trusting that should she be able to procure evidence hereafter, that will be satisfactory to you that her husband served
longer that her pension will be increased
I am respectfully
you [illegible]
Benja Cowell
J L Edwards Esq
Page 26

I Anthony Spence of East Granwick in the County of Kent, State of Rhode Island to being seventy five years of age, on oath do testify & say, that during the Revolutionary War I served from the thirteenth day of June AD 1776 until the 16th day of March 19 in the company of Capt James Parker attached to the Regiment of Col Archibald Crary, and that Amos Briggs then living in said East Greenwick but since deceased in Newport in said State enlisted the same day with me & served as a soldier in said company until the said sixteenth of March AD 1779 when our term of enlistment having expired we were discharged then enlisted again in said company, but Briggs returned home
Anthony Spencer

[illegible]
Subscribed & sworn to before me at East Greenwich this twenty fourth day of July AD 1837 I also certify that the Deponent sustains a good character for truth John Brown Jus C C Pleas
Kent Jc. The State of Rhode Island
&c. Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas. I Certify that that John Brown Esqr. is one of the Justices of said Court, that the above is his signature in his own handwrigh
ting and that full faith and credence is and ought to be given official acts.
I witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and the seal of said Court at East Greenwich this 24th day of July AD 1837
Jos.  G. Slocum Clk
Page 27

Providence August 17 1853
Sir I herewith endure the claim of Thankful Briggs widow of Amos Briggs under the act of July 4, 1836 (or rather of her children) for increase of pension. He served a 18 months
in Col Crarys Regiment as will appear by the Roll of that regiment in the Pension office & two months after the Marriage & get only $26.67 per annum was allowed her, when she applied under the above named as she ought to have been allowed $46.67 per annum accompanying the same I herewith include proof identity the joint affidavit of Clark [illegible] & Mercy Clark agreeably to government rate of June 1 last part and
have to request this in as only  be allowed believing it to be justly due
Hon L P Waldo
I am respectfully
Your obedient sert
Benja Cowell
Page 28

BY HIS EXCELLENCY
John Brown Francis
Governor, Captain-General and Commander in Chief of the State of Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations.
BE IT KNOWN, that the name " HENRY BOWEN to the afore-written attestation subscribed is the proper hand writing of Henry Bowen, Esquire, who at the subscribing the same, was Secretary of the State aforesaid duly elected and qualified according to law; Wherefore unto his said attestation, full faith and credit are to be rendered.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of said State to be affixed at Providence, this eighteenth
day of October in the year of our
Lord one thosand eight hundred and thirty Six
and of Independence the sixty-first
John Brown Francis
BY HIS EXCELLENCY'S COMMAND.
Henry Bowen Secry
Page 29

State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations
Secretary's Office Oct. 18. AD 1836
I certify that at the session of the General
assembly of said State on the first wednesday
of May last, Benjamin Cowell was elected Chief
Justice of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Providence, and Gardner Tillinghast a Justice of the Peace for the Town of Exeter in the County of Washington, each for one year
that at the session on the third Monday of
June last, John Wells was elected a Justice of
the Peace for the term of East Greenwich in the
County of Kent, until the first wednesday of
may next, and that they have been severally
Commissioned accordingly as appears of record in this office the signature "Benja Cowell" are genuine with
the hand writing of Gardner Tillinghast
and John Wills I am not acquainted
Witness Henry Bowen Secry
Page 30

Thankful Briggs decd widow of Amos
R.J. act July 4, 1836
For Increase
Amos alleged 9 mos in Crasy's Regt
and the full 9 mos sworn to by Anthony
Spencer who was pensioned for a different
service under the act of 1818- confirmed
by the oath of [illegible] Briggs and by the rolls of Crasy's Regt on
which the amt of his depreciation is put
down at [pound]16.5.10.- equal to 8 mos 5 days
It is, however, certain that the amt
of depreciation pay is less than the whole
pay -
Spencer's depreciation is [pound]15. 16. 10
but Briggs claims  8 [illegible] more than Spencer
does- being from June 5. to Mar 16, while
Spencer only claims from June 13th.
Wm Bowen, whose depreciation is
[pound]13.3.1. and John Silpon, depn [pound] 13.9.11
appear to have been allowed the full 9 mos
and it is certain that Jas Goff.
whose depn is [pound]13.3.0,- was allowed the full 9 mos, for the same service-
1 mo's service in 1781 is proved by the oaths of Jno Northup & Wm Briggs.
Page 31

On this evidence the court in Nov 1836 offered to admit the widow under act of 1836, for 7 mos in Crary's Regt and 1 mo in 1781 and her Agent consented (reserving the privilege of applying for increase if he should afterwards be able to show more service. And the certificate issued for 8 mos.
The witnesses speak of being 9 mos mew and the rolls of this regt show generally not more than about 9 mos service. tho the resolutions under which they were raised was for 12 mos service. The depreciation roll of Elliotts Regt indicate 12 mos service. I am not certain as to Topham's Regt.
It is very clear to my mind that the clerk who admitted the claim made an error in computing the service. for taking the depreciation as the limit, it must be 8 mos & 5 days, and the oath of Spencer, supported as it is by the rolls. I think fully warrants the allowance of 9 mos as in other cases, for the same service.
Dodge
Page 32

I William Briggs of East Greenwich in the County of Kent being now 80 years of age on an oath do depose & say that I was formerly well acquainted with Amos Briggs who was the husband of Thankful Briggs now his widow. I remember perfectly well that in the year 181 and I think in the Spring of the year we was both of us drafted to serve a month on the Island of Rhode Island for Capt John Browns Company & Col Dyer's Regiment of Militia. Said Company was a company belonging to North Kingstown & we both went & served out our time & were honorably discharged.  William Briggs

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year above written Before me John Wells Just Peace

I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the above named William Briggs and that he is in my opinion a man of truth and veracity and a credible witness that I am acquainted with both of these witness John Wells, Just of peace
Joseph R Arnold
David Briggs
Page 33

I John Northrup of Exeter in the county of Washington and state of Rhode Island being seventy two year of age on solemn oath testify and say that Amos Briggs was in the year 181 drafted out of Captain John Bowns Company in North Kingstown in the County and State aforesaid to serve one month as a Soldier in the war of the Revolution. that he was drafted to go on Rhode Island. that John Brown was the captain and Charles Dyer of said North Kingstown was the Colonel that he served under
John (his X mark) Northrup
(Unknown word) Gardner Tillinghurt
Exeter dep of R I 1836

Sworn to and subscribed on the day and year afore written
Before me
Gardner Tillinghurt Justice Peace

I hereby certify that I am acquainted with the above named John Northup and that he is in my opinion a man of Truth and veracity and a credible witness
Gardner Tillinghurt Justice Peace
David Briggs 
John Wells
Page 34

I William Briggs to certify that I was in the the same company afore named
a witness my hand in the year AD 1781
William Briggs
Page 35

Providence Jany 12 1838

Sir
On 31 Oct 1836 I sent to the Pension office the claim of Thankful Briggs widow of Amos Brigs for a pension. On 16 of Nov following you wrote me her claim had been examined but no more that seven months could be allowed for his service in Col Crary's regiment & that a pension would be granted for that & one moth service in 1781. She concluded to take it expecting when further evidence should be obtained as to her husbands service in Crary's regiment his pension could be increased. Bu the enclosed it will appear he enlisted for and service 9 months in that regiment from June 13, 1778 to March 16, 1779. the 16 of March was the time when the time for which the regiment was raised, affixed. In his behalf
Page 36

that his pension may be increased to the amount of ten months service. It appears Amos Briggs * Anthony Spencer enlisted on same day & their time expired
I am very respectfully
you obt serv
Benja Cowell
Page 37

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

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*

Division of Veterans' Administration Archives

Name Briggs, Anderson (Andrew) 
Grade Private
Line Rhode Island

WARRANT NUMBER 2959
ACREAGE 100
ISSUED Dec 22, 1795 to John Hubbart, assignee

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