Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 10,458, Richard Briggs, Privateer (Mass.) S.C. Sea Service
Page 1

SERVICE: Privateer (Mass.), S.C. Sea Service
Briggs, Richard (Huldah)
NUMBER: W. 10,458
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Left side:
Dead. See letters to Wilson & Pen Agt Oct. 7, 1835 

80
Hampshire [Co?]

Right side:
15,016 X 
Massachusetts
Richard Briggs
of Worthington in the State Mass 
who was a Surgeons Mate in the Company commanded 
by Captain Joyner of the Ship commanded 
by Comr Gillon in the Mass line 
for 2 years 
S.C. [?] Navy

Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts 
at the rate of 480 Dollars - Cents per annum 
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 16th day of May 
1833 and Sent William Ward Worthington Mass. 

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 	$960.00
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept "  240.00 
[=] $1200.00 

{Revolutionary Claim,} 
{Act June 7, 1832.} 
Recorded by D.D. Addison Clerk, 
Book E Vol. 2d Page 6
Page 3

Left side:
Illinois 3448
Huldah Briggs 
widow of Richard Briggs, dec'd 
who was a pensioner under the Act of 1832, 
and who died on the 10 or 11 Augt 1835. 
of Bond Co. in the State of Illinois 
who was a Surgeon in the comp'y commanded 
by Captain Joyner of the regt commanded 
by Col Gillam in the Mass 
line for 2 years. 

Inscribed on the Roll of Illinois 
at the rate of 480 Dollars -- Cents per annum,
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1836. 

Certificate of Pension issued the 3 day of Decr 1839 
& sent to M.G. Dale - Greenville, Bond Co. Illinois 

Arrears to the 4th of Septr 1839 $1680.00 
Semi-annual allowance ending 4 Mar 40  240.00 
[=] $1920.00 
{Act July 7 1838.} 
Recorded by D. McCurdy Clerk,
Book A. Vol. 2. Page 223. 

Right side:
see let to Hon Jno Reynolds May 15. 1840- 
Let to Hon Ptr [?] Smith 
26th Feby 1844 
Let do do June 19. 1844 
let to W Ward Nov 19 1844
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Richard Briggs
Surgeon's Mate
2 years
$480 pr an

Wm. Ward Esq.
Worthington Mass
Page 5

BRIEF in the case of Richard Briggs 
of Worthington in the State of Mass'ts 
(Act 7th June, 1832.) 
1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open Court 
2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity? 
3. How old is he? 79 years 
4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. Period | Duration of Service (Y-M-D) | Rank | Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.
In 1778 | Privateering | blank | blank
28 Augt 1780 | 2-6-0 | Surgeons 1 Mate | Capt. Joyner, Comd Gillen, Ship South Carolina
5. In what battles was he engaged? None 
6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? [At?] L'orient - France 
7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditionary evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? By Documentary proof 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? Correct 

I Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
[Signed] Richard Cutts [?]
Examining Clerk.
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Richard Briggs 10,932.
Declaration
Page 7

Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Hampshire County SS. 
On this 11th day of September 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Hon. Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate for the County Hampshire now sitting, Richard Briggs a resident of Worthington in said County aged Seventy nine years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his Oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832. That he entered the service of the United States and served as herein stated " 
In the month of October 1778, I sailed in a Small privateer from Boston in Massachusetts to [illegible] off Rhode Island and was captured by the British 74 Gun Ship Culloden Capt. Belfast and carried in November or December to Milford Haven in England where I remained a prisoner on board till the following Spring when we moved round to Portsmouth where we were placed in Fortune Prison where I remained about Seven Months. I then made my escape and went to London from which I got a passage to Ostend from which place I went to Paris and got some small relief from Doctor Franklin and proceeded from thence to L'Orient "
At L'Orient in the month of April or May 1780, I engaged as Surgeons first mate on board the Frigate South Carolina, belonging to the State of South Carolina. Capt Joyner under Commodore Gillen then lying at Amsterdam, and travelled overland to that place and joined the ship the 28th day of August. We lay in Amsterdam till the summer
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of the following year when we proceeded to Corrunna [sic] in Spain and from thence to Teneriffe [sic] and from thence homeward bound to Charleston, which finding in the hands of the enemy we stood for Havanna [sic] where we spent the winter. In the Spring we joined the expedition from Havanna against New Providence and took it, from thence we convoyed some two or three vessels to Philadelphia where we arrived early in June 1782 when I was discharged after nearly twenty six months service --
When I left the service I had a Certificate of my service which is lost. I have made diligent Search for living Witnesses of my service but can find none. Nicholas Bartlett of Marblehead was first Lieutenant of the Ship, Jona. Bartlett of Marblehead was Lieutenant of Marines, Richard Pierce of Marblehead was Sail Maker (and Joseph Gridley of Boston was purser and left the ship at Havanna), they are all dead & if any one but myself exist I know not where. I am Compelled therefore to rely for proof to a Copy of a Certificate from the Auditor of the State of South Carolina, and the Certificate of the Comptroller General stating the payment made to me as one of the Crew of the Frigate South Carolina which are forwarded with this declaration 
I was born in Norton in the County of Bristol in Massachusetts in 1753 as I believe but no official Record of my age. I lived and studied [?] my profession in Braintree at the Commencement of the War, and pursued it in Abington till the year 1807 when I removed to Worthington where I have lived since 
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State whatever
[Signed] Richard Briggs
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
Before me [Signed] Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate for sd. County
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We William Ward and William Wilmore of Worthington do hereby Certify that we have been many years acquainted with Doct Richard Briggs who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy Nine years of age, that he is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion We further Certify that years before the passage of the late law we have heard him frequently describe the service as set forth in the declaration and we have not a doubt of its truth 
[Signed] William Ward
[Signed] Wm Witmore
Sworn to subscribed the day & year aforesaid 
[Signed] Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate for sd. County 

And the said Court does hereby declare its opinion after the investigation of the Matter and after putting the Interrogatories prescribed by the War department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states 
And the Court further certifies that William Ward & William Witmore who have signed the preceding Certificate are residents of Worthington and credible men and that their statement is entitled to Credit 
[Signed] Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate for sd. County 

I Samuel F. Lyman Register of the Court of Probate aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the Matter of the Application of Richard Briggs for a pension- In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this eleventh day of September A.D. 1832.
[SEAL]
[Signed] Saml F. Lyman Register
Page 10

State of Illinois} 
Bond County} ss 
On this second day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine, personally appeared in open court before the Judges of the County Commissioners Court of Bond County (a Court of Record of said County) now holding the September Term of said court, Robert W. Denny being Presiding Judge of said Court, Huldah Briggs, a Resident of Bond County aforesaid, aged seventy one years & upwards, who being first duly sworn according to Law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838 entitled "An Act granting half-pay and pensions to certain widows:"
That she is the widow of Richard Briggs late of Worthington Hampshire County State of Massachusetts, deceased, who was a Surgeon on board the frigate "South Carolina" during the Revolutionary war, and who, for services rendered during the said war, was placed on the Pension Roll of the United States, at the rate of forty Dollars per month; that she, this deponent, in
Page 11

the month of September 1835 surrendered the certificate of Pension granted to her husband by the War Department, in order to draw the arrears of pension due up to the day of the death of her husband the said Richard Briggs, which arrears of pension were paid to her; to which said Certificate and to such other documentary evidence as may have been furnished by her husband in his life time and which now remain of record in the War Department, she respectfully refers: 
She further declares that she was married to the said Richard Briggs on the twelfth day of August in the year seventeen hundred and eighty four, that her husband, the aforesaid Richard Briggs died on the tenth ^or eleventh day of April eighteen hundred and thirty five; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four, viz: at the time above stated.
[Signed] Huldah Briggs 
Sworn to & Subscribed in open Court}
this second day of September AD 1839 }
"or eleventh" interlined before signing}
[Signed] James Bradford Clerk
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At the same time and place personally appeared in open Court before the Judges of the County Commissioners Court of Bond County Huldah B. Draper of Bond County Illinois who being duly sworn saith-- I was present in Worthington, Hampshire County, Massachusetts when Richard Briggs of that place died. He died on the morning of the eleventh day of April eighteen hundred and thirty five-- I knew that he drew a Pension of forty dollars per month for services rendered during the Revolutionary War, under the law, I think, of Congress of 7th June 1832. I lived in the same house with him until the day of his death - Huldah Briggs the foregoing Petitioner was his wife, and at his death removed to Bond County Illinois where I accompanied her-- We have lived together in the same house since and I know that she has not married but still continues the widow of the said Richard Briggs 
[Signed] Huldah B Draper 
Sworn to & Subscribed in open Court} 
this second day of September A.D. 1839.}
[Signed] James Bradford Clerk
Page 13

At the same time and place personally appeared in open Court before the Commissioners Court of Bond County Abigail Cushing, aged thirty eight years who being sworn according to Law deposes and says, I lived in Worthington, Hampshire County, State of Massachusetts until within a year past, I was present frequently during the sickness of Richard Briggs and was with him when he died. He died on the morning of eleventh April eighteen hundred and thirty five. I know that he was a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States for some few years previous to his death - Huldah Briggs now in Court was his reputed wife living with him (she who has signed the foregoing application for the pension granted to certain widows by Act of July 7, 1838). After his death she removed to Illinois. From my earliest recollection the said Richard Briggs and Huldah Briggs lived together as man and wife.
[Signed] Abigail Cushing 
Sworn to & Subscribed in open Court} 
this 2d day of September AD 1839.} 
[Signed] James Bradford Clerk 

I, James Bradford Clerk of the County Commissioners Court of Bond County, do certify -That the foregoing proceedings were had in open Court before the County Commissioners Court of said County & that the depositions were severally sworn to & subscribed as therein stated. 
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & affixed the seal of said Court at Greenville in said County this 3d September A.D. 1839.
[SEAL]
[Signed] James Bradford Clerk 

I, Robert W. Denny Presiding Judge of the Commissioners Court of Bond County do certify, That James Bradford is & was at the time of signing, & at that date of the above Certificate the Clerk of said Court duly elected & qualified, and that the above purporting to be his signature is his genuine signature. Given under my Hand at Greenville in said County this 3d September AD 1839.
[Signed] RW Denny P.J.
Page 14

6134
Huldah Briggs
Illinois
Act 7 July 38
admd
2 yrs Surgeon
480$

no deduction

M.G. Dale
Greenville
Bond Co. Ill.
Page 15

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss. 
I John Nash Town Clerk of Abington in the County of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts do hereby certify that by the Records of said Town now in my custody & case it appears that Doctr. Richard Briggs and Huldah Reed both of Abington were married the Twelfth day of August in the year one thousand seven hundred & Eighty four. I also certify that the above is a true copy of the Records of said Town with the exception of the date which is expressed on the Record in fair legible figures as follows "Augt 12th 1784" 
[Signed] John Nash Town Clerk

I John Nash above named depose & say that I hold the office of Clerk in the Town County & State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said Town with the exception above named as certified by me
[Signed] John Nash Town Clerk of Abington
Abington August 23d 1839 
Plymouth ss. August 23, 1839.
Sworn before me 
[Signed] Jared Whitman Just Peace 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Secty's Office 
Aug. 24 1839 
I hereby certify that the above Jared Whitman was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth on the date of his attestation.  [illegible] the seal of the State. 
[Signed] John P. Bigelow Sec'y of the Comwth
Page 16

6134
Illinois
July 7, 1838
Huldah Briggs
papers
wid. of Richard

Thos. Feran,
First Comptrollers Office
Sept. 24 '39.
Page 17

W. File 10458. Richard Briggs was allowed pens. on his applic executed Sept 11, 1832 while a res. of Worthington, Hampshire Co., Mass. 
He stated that he was born in 1753 at Norton, Bristol Co., Mass. and resided at Braintree at the commencement of the Rev. in which he served as follows--
Shipped at Boston in Oct 1778, in a small Privateer (name not stated) to cruise off Rhode Island, and was captured by the British Gunship "Culloden" & in Nov or Dec. carried to Milford Haven, Eng. where he remained a prisoner on board until the following spring when he was confined in "Fortune Prison" at Portsmouth for seven months. He then made his escape and went to London, Ostend, Paris and L'Orient where he engaged in Apl or May 1780 as Surgeons First Mate on board the Frigate "South Carolina," commanded by Capt. Joyner under Commodore Gillen, joined the ship Aug. 28 at Amsterdam, where they lay until the following summer, then proceeded to Spain, then to Havanna where they wintered, and in the spring took New Providence & convoyed two or three vessels to Phila. where he was disch in June 1782 having served nearly twenty-six months.
X     X     X
A copy of the record of the town of Abington Mass shows that Doctor Richard Briggs and Huldah Reed both of Abington were married Aug. 12, 1784; he died Apl. 11, 1835 at Worthington Mass and she was allowed pens. on
Page 18

3.
her applic executed Sept 2, 1839 at wh- time she ^was 71 years of age & resided in Bond Co, Ill., with Huldah B. Draper (no relationship stated). 
Huldah Briggs died Dec. 17, 1844 her son in law James Bradford of Greenville, Bond Co. Ill. was apptd. administrator.
There is no other family data.
X	X	X
Page 19

Left side:
1913 June 4. Hist to E.E. Adams C

Right side:
Mass
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 10,458
Huldah Briggs
Wid of
Richard Briggs
Sur'n. Rev War
Act: July 7" 1838.
Index:- Vol. A, Page 85
[Arrangement of 1870.]
Page 20

Rich'd Briggs. Mass. Act 7 June 1832
to what time paid?
Pen Office
Dec 3d 1839

Died 11th April 1835 pd to that [illegible]
[initialed] JH
Page 21

Huldah Briggs
decd
Letters of Adm'n
To 
James Bradford

Recorded in Book B. page 364 &c
M.G. Dale
P.J.P.
Page 22

STATE OF ILLINOIS,}
Bond County,} sct.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, 
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, Greeting: 
KNOW YE, That whereas Huldah Briggs of the county of Bond and State of Illinois died intestate as it is said, on or about the 17th day of December A. D. 1842, having at the time of her decease personal property in this State, which may be lost, destroyed, or diminished in value, if speedy care be not taken of the same; to the end, therefore, that said property may be collected and preserved for those who shall appear to have a legal right or interest therein, we do hereby appoint James Bradford of the county of Bond and State of Illinois, administrator of all and singular, the goods and chattels, rights and credits, which were of the said Huldah Briggs at the time of her decease; with full power and authority to secure and collect the said property and debts, wheresoever the same may be found in this State, and in general to do and perform all other acts which now are or hereafter may be required of him by law. 
Witness, Michael G. Dale probate justice ^of the Peace in and for the said county of Bond at his office in Greenville this eighteenth day of January A.D. 1844 
[Signed] M. G. Dale Probate Justice.
Page 23

House of Representatives 
Washington May 8th 1844 

Sir 
In compliance with your letter of the 26 Feb last, I have procured and now enclose you a Certificate from the Comptroller Genl of South Carolina, in the case of Richard Briggs - And hope it is all that you now require for the issuing of a Certificate, to an increase, as Claimed. 
I would respectfully ^request your early attention to this case, as much delay has already necessarily accured [sic] 
I have the honor to be very 
respectfully Your Obt Servt 
[Signed] Robert Smith 

Hon J.L. Edwards 
Comr. of Pensions
Page 24

Oct 7.
Dr Rich'd Briggs
Mass [illegible]

Crosswise:
BOSTON OCT 3 [postmark]
FREE [postage]
J.L. Edwards Esquire
Commr. of Pensions
Washington City
Page 25

Boston Oct 22 1835 

J.L. Edwards Esq.

Sir
I presented to day at the Commonwealth Bank a Pension Power from the widow of the late Doct Richard Briggs (who died on the Eleventh day of April last) for the amount of pension due him at his decease. the Power was dated on the fifteenth day of May last and was not presented because it was supposed that no pension Roll would be furnished the agent here till near the time of the semi-annual payment in September, and it was not known to me that any rule existed that a power could not be paid of longer than three months standing. 
Now Sir this case stands thus, Mrs Briggs removed about four Weeks since to the State of Illinois with a daughter, and a friend of hers advanced her the Amount of the pension due. It will be next to impossible to get a new authenticated Power from her. And it was represented to me
Page 26

by the Pension Agent here that, upon a representation of the facts to you, you would probably relax the rule in this case and direct the pension paid. 
The object of this Communication is to ask of you to do so if you can do it consistently with your sense of duty. 
It would much oblige me if I could receive your determination before I leave Boston which will be in 10 or 12 days as I am not frequently here and delay may occasion further difficulty in obtaining the Small Amount
Very respectfully 
Your Obt Servant 
[Signed] William Ward
Page 27

Nov 12 '44

Worthington Mas
Nov 7
Free [postage]
Geo. W. Crump Esquire
Act'g Comr of Pensions
Washington City

Dr Richd Briggs
maybe his widow
or [as?] a [illegible] of
his was pens'd
Page 28

Worthington Ms [Mass] Nov 7. 1844 

G.W. Crump Esqr.

Sir
I was the agent of Mrs Sarah H Brewster of this place for obtaining her pension under the Law of 1836 on Account of the Services of her Husband Elisha Brewster who was a Sergeant of Dragoons during the Revolutionary War 
When the Certificate was granted for $120 pr. annum, I respectfully enquired of the Pension Comr JL Edwards Esq if she was not entitled to the Same Amount as her Husband had been pensioned viz. $180 pr anm, but was replied to that she was not entitled to any pay but for a Sergeant in the line viz $10- pr anm. Recently I find that her heirs have been pensioned for the difference between the sum granted & what I had in the time respectfully claimed. I have stated the history of this transaction as a prelude to another enquiry which I respectfully make of you viz Whether there is not now due to the Heirs of the late Doct Richard Briggs, who was pensioned as a Surgeons Mate under the Law of 1832 or [?] his Wife who has recently died in Illinois  
I was the agent of Dr Briggs and one of the Heirs requests me to make the enquiry 
Most respectfully
[Signed] William Ward
Page 29

June 20 '44 
Huldah Briggs 
Ill 38 
Rept. to A Ray 

Wm R Smith

Crosswise:
James L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of
Pensions
Page 30

House of Representatives 
Washington June 15, 1844 

Sir
In my absence from Washington you will be pleased, to communicate with Mr Alex Ray respecting the claim of the heirs of Huldah Briggs de'd late of Ills. under act 1838 presented by 
Your most
obt servt
[Signed] Robert Smith 

J. L. Edwards Esq 
Com. of Pensions
Page 31

House of Reps Feb 1st 1844 

Sir 
I enclose an Application made by James Bradford Esq the Administrators upon the estate of the late Huldah Briggs dec'd of Illinois, for an increase of the pension she rec'd under Act July 7th 1838 from 480 to $600 per annum, on account of the revolutionary Services of her Husband as a Surgeon in the War of the revolution and ask your early attention to the same 
I have the honor to be your 
Obt Servt 
[Signed] Robert Smith 

Hon JL Edwards 
Comr of Pensions
Page 32

50 [postage?]
CHARLESTON S.C. AUG 23 [postmark]

Mr. William Ward
Worthington
Massachusetts.
Page 33

South Carolina 
Office of the Comptroller General 
Charleston S. Carolina 
August 23d 1832

To/
Mr William Ward 

Sir
A few moments since your letter of the 11th Instant was handed me by the Treasurer, in which you request a certificate to the fact, that Richard Briggs, served as Surgeon's Mate on board the Frigate South Carolina, in the Revolutionary War. 
It seems to me that the former certificate given from this Office is sufficient proof; as however, you desire additional testimony, I send you the enclosed 
I have the honor to be
Your Obt Servt
[Signed] Jas: Tho: Harrison
Clerk for Comp. Gen.

I hereby Certify that this Letter and the annexed Certificate were received by me from the Comptroller General of South Carolina in answer to a Letter addressed by me to the Treasurer of that State requesting information as to the service of Doct Briggs as stated in his declaration 
[Signed] William Ward
Hampshire ss. Sept 11. 1832 
Subscribed & Sworn to the day & year aforesaid 
[Signed] Samuel Hinckley Judge of Probate
Page 34

South Carolina 
Comptroller General's Office 
Charleston, August 23d 1832 

I do hereby certify that the following is a true copy from the "Register of Payments made to the crew of the Frigate South Carolina" by the State of South Carolina, as appears from the abovementioned "Register" of this office. 
"The State of South Carolina to Rich'd Briggs £124"6"8 (one hundred & twenty four pounds, six shillings & eight pence sterling) 
Also for Prize Money £18"1"10 (eighteen pounds one shillings & ten pence)"
It appears that Richard Briggs served in the capacity of Surgeon's Mate to the abovementioned Frigate 
[Signed] Tho: Harrison
Comp General 
by
Jas: Tho: Harrison 
Clerk
Page 35

Charleston April 30th 1844 

Sir
On examination I find nothing in relation to the services of Richard Biggs, excepting a marginal notice on the Book of Indents filed in this office of which the following is a copy -
Indent No 533} 
Book C}  
Issued to Mr Richard Briggs, late of the Frigate South Carolina, Surgeons Mate the 7th October 1784 for one hundred and twenty four Pounds, 6/8 balance of wages, and one years full pay; he having been in France with Commodore Gillon, and served on board and returned in said Ship as pr Certificate from the Auditor General, dated the 6th Octr 1784. 
Principal £124.6.8 
Amt Interest .  . 008.14.0 

Comptrollers Office Charleston} 
April 30th 1844}  
I Certify the foregoing notice of Indent to Rich'd Briggs, to be a true Copy from the Original Records in this Office. Given under my hand the day & date first above mentioned. 
[Signed] W Laval 
Comptroller General So. Ca.
Page 36

South Carolina- 
Pursuant to a Resolve of the Honourable the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 17th of March 1783 --- 
These are to Certify that this State is indebted to Mr Rich'd Briggs late of the Frigate South Carolina as Surgeon Mate being for Ballance of Wages due him and for one Years full pay he having been in France with Commr Gillen and served on Board and Return'd in the Sd. Ship The sum of One hundred and Twenty four Pounds Six Shillings and 8¾ Sterling with Interest of Seven per Cent per Annum from the 1st of April 1783.
£124.6.8 ¼ Stg 
Given under my hand at the Auditors Office 
Charleston this Sixth day of October 1784.
[Signed]  J. McCall Aud'r. Genl.
Page 37

Rec'd October 7th 1784 from the Commiss of the Treasury of South Carolina the full amount of the within Certificate In an Indent No 533 Book C. 
[Signed] Robert Coram Atty 
for Richard Briggs

Upside down:
Coppy [sic] of Coram Certificate
Page 38

State of Illinois}
Bond County} ss. 
On this 18th day of January A.D. 1844 
Personally appeared before me Michael G. Dale, Probate Justice of the Peace in & for said County, James Bradford a resident of Greenville in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath State, that he is the duly constituted and appointed administrator upon the estate of Huldah Briggs deceased, (and the son in law of said deceased), late a resident of said County and who died on the 17th day of December A.D. 1842 And further states, that the said Huldah, received a Pension from the United States under the act of the 7th July A.D. 1838, from the 4th March A.D. 1836 to the 4th March A.D. 1841, at the rate of $480. per annum as the widow of Richard Briggs 
Now the object of this declaration being made as the administrator is in order to assert a claim in right of the late Huldah Briggs to an increase rate of the Pension granted under the act of A.D. 1838. from $480 to $600- per annum on account of the Revolutionary Services of her deceased husband as Surgeon, and the payment of the arrearage thereon from the 4th March 1836 to the 4th March 1841.
[Signed] James Bradford
Subscribed & Sworn to}
on the day & year above} 
written before me} 
[Signed] M.G. Dale Probate J. P. 

State of Illinois}
Bond County} ss. I, James Bradford Clerk of the County Commissioners Court in & for said County and ex officio Recorder, of Civil Commissions do hereby certify that Michael G. Dale Esqr. whose name appears to the above certificate was on the day
Page 39

of the date thereof the acting Probate Justice of the Peace in & for said County regularly commissioned and qualified and as such full faith and credit is and of right ^ought to be given to all his official acts as such, and that the signature purporting to be his is genuine 
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Greenville this 18th day of January A.D. 1844 
[SEAL]
[Signed] J. Bradford Clk
Page 40

CHRISTIAN COUNTY
Republican Central Committee
Taylorville, Illinois, May 22, 1913.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.
Sir:-
Kindly furnish me with such information as may be afforded by the United States pension records of one ^Richard Briggs, whose widow Huldah is listed in a publication of the government in the year 1840 as a pensioner of the Revolutionary war, residing n Bond county, Illinois.
Very respectfully,
[Signed] E.E. Adams.

77-  1832
5
[=]82

U.S. Pension Office May 24 1913
Page 41

Rev. War Section. 
OW

June 4, 1913.
Mr. Edward E. Adams, 
Taylorville, Ills.

Sir: 
In response to your letter dated the 22" and received the 24" ultimo, you are furnished the military history of Richard Briggs, Hezekian Row, and Peter Hubbard who served in the Revolution, and are advised that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to Isham, Jesse, Joseph, Samuel or William Reavis or Revis. 

Doctor Richard Briggs, W. File No. 10,458, was born in 1753, at Norton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. 
Shipped at Boston, October 1778, name of vessel not stated and carried to England. 
Engaged in April or May 1780, as Surgeon's Mate on the Frigate "South Carolina" commanded by Captain Joyner and Commander Gillen; discharged in June 1782, at Philadelphia. 
He married at Abington, Massachusetts, August 12, 1784. Huldah Reed; he died at Worthington, Massachusetts, April 11, 1825, and she died September 2, 1839, in Bond County, Illinois.