Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29,031, Asa Briggs, Mass. R.I. R.I. Sea Service Vermont

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SERVICE
Mass. 
R.I.
R.I. Sea Service
Vermont
Briggs, Asa
NUMBER
S. 29,031

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Michigan 22317
==========
Asa Briggs
of Kalamazool in the [illegible] of Michigan
who was a Price & Sergt in the Co. command
by Captain Talbot of the Rat command
by Col Hitchcock in the [Vermont - crossed out]  R.I. line for 15 mos. 10 mos Sergeant
10 mos Sergeant  50.-
5 do. Private     16.66
No. 6183
================
Inscribed on the Roll of Michigan at the rate of 66 Dollars 66 Cents per annum
to commence on the 4th day of March, 1834
=================
Certificate of Pension issued the 9th day of Oct. 1833 and sent to James Smith. Schoolcraft. Co [illegible]  [line through Smith to [illegible]]
==============
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833 __  166.65
Semi-Anl. allowance ending 4 Mar '84 33.33
=======
$199.98
Sent to Ada Briggs Esq
Schoolcraft,
Prairie  Ronde
M. T. 
{Revolutionary Claim,
{Act June 7, 1832.

Recorded by Wm. R. Palmer   Clerk
Book E  Vol. 8  Page 92.

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State of Vermont}
District of Windsor ss}

One this ninth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared before the Probate court of the District of Windsor said Probate court being a court of Record Asa Briggs a resident of Plymouth in the county of Windsor and state of Vermont, aged seventy seven years, [crossed out] who being first [/crossed out] who being first duly sworn, according to Law, doth on this oath, make the following declaration , in order to obtain the benefit of the provision , made by the act of Congress passed June 7. 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following officers, and served as herein stated, to wit.  he enlisted at the city of Providence, Rhode Island, in the Rhode Island state troops in May 1775, in the company, commanded by Captain Cyrus Talbut, Lieut Allen, Ensign Thomas, and Regiment command by Colonel Daniel Hitchcock, and was Orderly sergeant in said company, that he marched with said company to Massachusetts, to Charlestown, and that he did duty as a sergeant in said company for the term of eight months, when my term of service expired, which was in the month of January 1776. and was discharged at [Charleston - crossed out] Cambridge Mass;- 
that he then volunteered by the request of General Washington for three months longer, and did service at said Charlestown (not having returned home after being discharged, but being immediately enlisting again) and that he did the duty of an orderly sergeant in the said company and Regiment, as in the eight months before stated, as part of the three months, and the residue of the time he did the duty of an orderly Sergeant as the company, commanded by Captain Bowen in the same Regiment, and was discharged at Cambridge near Boston in the month of April 1776, and that soon after he was discharged, he volunteered for one month, as a

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private soldier in the company, commanded by Captain James Briggs in the militia, and marched to Tiverton Rhode Island to a place, called Howland's Ferry, and thinks he was under the command of Col. Barton, and that there was to Regiment formed, and that he
served said one month at said Howland's Ferry, and was discharged with his company at said Howland's Ferry;  the time of said enlistment and discharge not exactly recollected, but recollects that , General Prescott was taken from his quarters in the night by Col Barton soon after his discharge as aforesaid, and that afterwards in the year 1777 he volunteered at the town of  Putney in the state of Vermont under Captain Moore, and joined the Norther Army at or near Stillwater N. Y. and was under the immediate command of a Col. by the name of Minot, Minard or some name like those but cannot distinctly recollect what, and that he  he joined said Northern Army after the battle of Stillwater, and before the taking of Gen. Burgoyne, and that he was gone from home about six weeks - and that in September or October of 1778, he volunteered as a sergeant at Putney aforesaid for two months, and that he marched through the wilderness across the Green Mountains to Rutland, Vermont, and joined the company, commanded by Captain Sawyer, and that he was employed in guarding a small fort at said Rutland, and did the duty of a sergeant for two months, when he was discharged and returned to said Putney= and that in the year 1776. in the summer went a cruise from Providence R. I. in a vessel commanded by Capt Chase call the Dimoud as
a carpenter's mate and was employed more than two months, and was on board said ship at the taking of three ships, one Barque and one brig__all of which were [illegible] one of which the "Jane" was [illegible] and that immediately after his return from the first cruise in the Dimoud , he went on a cruise in the armed Sloop called the Retaliation, commanded by Captain Isaac Jones, and cruised on board about four months, and was on board at the taking of one brig loaded with clothing and provisions for the British Army - and was discharged at Providence, and that he did the duty of Steward on board the Retaliation.

And the said Asa Briggs further saith, that he was born in the town of Barclay, county of Bristol, and State of Massachusetts , on the 22nd day of June AD. 1775 Seventeen hundred and fifty-five that he lived in said Barclay, untill  [sic] he was thirteen years old, or thereabouts, and that he then removed with his father family

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to Dighton, County and State aforesaid, and lived in said Dighton until he was seventeen years old, when he was apprenticed to David Martin, of Providence R.I. with whom he lived, until he was about twenty years old, then went into the service, and continued therein most of the time, as before stated, until he was about twenty two years old; that he then removed to Putney in the county of Windon and State of Vermont where he lived, until he was about thirty seven years old, from whence he removed to Plymouth aforesaid, where he has resided ever since.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever 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. Has a record of his age in his family bible. He states the names of Deacon Daniel Clark and Asahel Smith as persons to whom he is known in his present neighborhood, and who can testify as to his character for veracity, and this belief of his services, as a soldier of the Revolution. 
Asa Briggs
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
Jaber Proctor Judge

We Daniel Clark of Plymouth and Asahel Smith of Snalow, both in the county of Windon and State of Vermont, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Asa Briggs, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be seventy-seven years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood, where he resides, to have been a soldier in the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Daniel Clark
Asahel Smith
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid. 
Jaber Proctor Judge

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And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the
investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories,
prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant
was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them
that Daniel Clark, who has signed the preceding certificate
is a resident in the town of Plymouth aforesaid, and that
Asahel Smith, who has also signed the same, is a resident
in Ludlow in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont
and that they are credible persons, and their statement is
entitled to credit.
Jabez Proctor Judge
I, Reuben Washburn, Register of the Probate Court
within and for the District of Windsor, in the State of Vermont
, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the
application of Asa Briggs for a Pension.
In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand, and affixed the
seal of said Court, this ninth day
of August in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and thirty two
Reuben Washburn
Asa Briggs AO 5183 PO

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supplementary Decleration of Asa Briggs 
Revolutionary Soldier 
Personally appeared before me the under signed Judge of Probate for the County of Kalamazoo in the Teritory of Michigan. Asa Briggs who being duly sworn deposeth & saith that by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below & in the following grades. For eight months I served as a [crossed out: n orderly] Sergeant in Captain Cyrus Talbut Company Lieut Allen & Ensign Thomas of Providence Rhodes Island in the State ^Troops of Rhode Island That Daniel Hitchcock was the Colonel of the Regiment, that by the request of General Washington I continued in the service three months longer a part of the time in the same company & the residue in the company commanded by Captain Bowen in the same Regiment & was discharged in Cambridge near Boston Massachusetts in the month of April seventeen hundred & seventy six - that soon after he was discharged as aforesaid he volunteered for one month as a private soldier in the company commanded by Captain James Briggs in the militia of Massachusetts & Marched to Tiverton Rhode Island to a place called Howlands Ferry, that there was no Regiment formed as he recollects but thinks Colonel Barton commanded & that he was discharged at said Howlands Ferry-that he was discharged a few days previous to General Prescotts being taken by Colonel Barton - & that afterwards in the year seventeen hundred & seventy seven he volunteered at the Town of Putney & State of Vermont under Captain Moore & joined the northern army at or near Stillwater NY- That he was under the command of a Colonel (he thinks by the name Minot, there of Putney Vermont- That he joined said

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northern army immediately after the battle of Stillwater and before the taking of Genl Burgoyne & that he served at said time not less than five weeks - that in September or October seventeen hundred & seventy eight he volunteered as a sergent at Putney aforesaid for two months that he marched through the wilderness across the Green Mountain to Rutland Vermont & joined the Company commanded by Captain Sawyer that at the end of said two months he was dis charged & returned to Putney. That in the year seventeen hundred & seventy six in the summer he went a cruise from Providence Rhode Island in a vessel called the Demona commanded by Captain Chase as a carpenters mate & served at said time not less than two months. -  That immediately after he went an other cruise in the Armed Sloop called the Retaliation commanded by Captain Isaac Jones & served at this time not less than four months & that he did the duty of Steward on board the Retaliation-- making in all not less than fifteen & one fourth months on land & six months at sea for such service I claim a pension 
The said Asa Briggs would further state in addition to what he has before stated that according to his best recollection if he ever did receive written discharges from his commanding officers that they have long since been lost. That he does not now know what became of them That he never armed them of any consequence after the expiration of the war that some

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at which place. I the said Asa Briggs now reside- 
Asa Briggs 
Sworn to & subscribed in open Court before the Probate Court within & for the County of Kalamazoo in the Teritory of Michigan- 
Isaac Barnes Judge 
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier & served as he States 
Isaac Barnes Judge
Kalamazoo County Registers Office ss} I, Stephen Vickery, Register of the Court of Probate within & for said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Asa Briggs for a pension 
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this thirteenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred & thirty three.
Stephen Vickery Regt Probate 
We James Smith Jr of Schoolcraft & Asa Briggs of Brally both in the County of Kalamazoo & Teritory of Michigan hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Asa Briggs who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that we were both knowing to his removing from Plymouth Vermont to Michigan ^in October last. That the same Asa Briggs now reside is in Brally, County of Kalamazoo Teritory of Michigan 
Jayms Smith
Asa Briggs Jr.
Sworn to & subscribed the James Smith day & year aforesaid 
Isaac Barnes Judge

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6183-20.319?
Asa Briggs

Adm 1. yr & 3 months
10 months Sers

50
16.66 [underlined]
66 66

James Smith Jr
Schoolcraft
Reuben Washburn [marked out]
Ludlow [marked out]
Michigan  Terri Long

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Sir
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 30
1833
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has
been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of
your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and
the subjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed,
before a pension can be allowed.
The notes and the regulations will shew what is
necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed,
you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: })
You will, when
you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and
you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your
claim.
a statement, shewing the Service of
Duration of the
claimant's service. Years. Months. Days.
Rank of
the
claimant.
Names and rank of the Field officers
under whom he served.
Age at present
and place of abode
when he entered
the service.
Proof by when the declaration is supported.
I am respectfully
Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS,

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2
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army,
and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers, all
persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who
were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to
Store Keepers, &c., Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of private armed vessels are
also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged
in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
1.
The Regular Troops.
2.
The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.
3. ┃
Persons employed in the Naval Service.
4.
Indian Spies.
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons claiming
the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, mucicians or privates, will, in the first
instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of
Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is
considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or is district of
County of
On this
day of
A. B. a resident (b) of
personally appeared (a) before
in the county of
and State, Territory or District
of
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 provision made by the act of Congress, passed
June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d)
and
served in the
(e) regiment of the
Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served
under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the
town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged,
and the country through which he marched. This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons
who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of
the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary
soldier, and served as he states.
of the Court of
do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this
day of
&c.
If, on examination of the proper record, the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be
found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia.
except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and
subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the
hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with
and C. D. residing in (the same)
who has
subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be
years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier
of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
And then will follow the certificate of the Court.}
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after
putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary
Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the
and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
Clerk of the Court of
do hereby certify that the foregoing
contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of
for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
of office, this
day of
&c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission
; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if
possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services
of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration, (l) and he will
also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful
in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his
alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

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will be indispensable to favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principle means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be tempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.

The Court will proposed the following (m) interrogation to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia State troops or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.

1. Where and in what year were you born?

2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you live now?
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?
5. State the names of some of the Register Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such as Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services. 
Did you ever receive a discharge from service, if so, by whom was it given, and what has become of it?
Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?
7. State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your service as a soldier of the Revolution. 
The court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense, and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons, one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicants who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify to the character and standing of other persons giving such certificates. 
The traditionary evidence of service is deemed very important in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief in general and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court, by reasons of bodily infirmity may make the declaration before required and submit to the examination before a judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to be perform and will also certify that the applicant cannot from bodily infirmity attend the court.
Wherever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record or by a Justice of the Peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is Judge or Justice of a Court of Record or by a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed by his genuine signature.  
No payments can be make on account of the services of any person who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832, and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is male, the parties interested will transmit such as evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of claimant,  and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.

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In reply to your request of ___, received___
for a statement of the military history of Asa Briggs a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his [crossed out: (or his widow's)] application for pension on file in this Bureau. S.29031 

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. | LENGTH OF SERVICE. | OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. CAPTAIN. | COLONEL. | STATE.
May 1775 | 11 mos. | Orderly Sergeant | Silas Talbot Bowen | Daniel Hitchcock | R.I.
[checkmark] 1776 | 1 mo. | Private | James Briggs | [checkmark] | Mass.
Summer 1776 | 2 mos. | Carp. Mate | Chase | Ship “Diamond” |
1776 | 4 mos. | Steward | Isaac James | Ship “Retaliation” |
1777 | 5 weeks | [checkmark] | Moore | [null] | Vt.
Oct. 1778 | 2 mos. | sergeant | Sawyer | [checkmark] | “
[right margin notes] {stated [illegible] date not the service [/right margin notes]
Battles engaged in 1st cruise – captured 5 merchantmen, 2nd “ – “ vessel
Residence of soldier at enlistments, Providence R.I.  Putney, Vt.
Date of application for pension, Aug. 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Plymouth, Winden Co, Vermont
Age at date of application, born June 22, 1755 at Barclay, Bristol Co. [cricled] R.I. ? Mass. 1939 [illegible]
Remarks: On Oct. 25, 1832 he moved with his son Asa Briggs from Plymouth, Vt. To Brady, Kalamazoo Co., Michigan Territory.
No further family data.
Respectfully,
Commissioner

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[left side of page]
29031
INVALID.
Revy

File No. 29031

Asa Briggs
Sergt Rev War

Act: June 7th 32

Index;__Vol. 2, Page 58
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[right side of page]
1919 Much. 7. Hist to C. B. Cummings ¢.
1920 Aug. 4 Hist to Sue I Silliman
1920 November 7 Hist to Gertrude Den Blyker
& info how to apply to Aud. Int. for death. cm
1921. Dec. 3. Tomstone data to I. M. Geu au
________________________________
1939 - Feb 6- date & place of birth to
Mrs. Fred Rogers ce

Page 16

The affidavit of Daniel Martin of Putney in the County of Windham and State of Vermont, who testifies and says that he entered the Revolutionary army in the month of May 1775 in the company of Capt. John Field in the Regiment commanded by Col. Daniel Hitchcock of the Rhodeisland Line, and served the first eight months, near Boston in the State of Massachusetts, and that he was well acquainted with Asa Briggs - Now of Plymouth in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, who served, as a Sargeant in the same Regiment for the term of eight months and at the close of said term, at the request of Gen. Washington the said Briggs served in the same Regiment three months longer, after the expiration of said term of right-- and at the close of the said three months said Briggs was dismissed from the service at Cambridge near Boston - And that afterwards he was knowing to the said Briggs serving in the militia at Tiverton, or place called Howland, Ferry in the State of Rhodisland, for the time of one month. and that afterwards in the year 1777 he was knowing to the said Briggs going out with the militia troops to join the Northern Army, at the taking of Burgoyne and that he was gone about six weeks - And also, that afterwards in the fall of the year 1775, he was knowing that the said Briggs again went out in the militia to the west side of the Green Mountain, and was gone from home, a week or ten days [illegible] too months.  And further says that the said Briggs sustained the reputation of a good and faithful Soldier. - And further said Martin testifies that in the summer of 1776 he was knowing to the said Briggs going a cruise, from Providence, in a vessel called the Dimon - and was gone about two months - and afterwards in the same year the said Briggs went another cruise in an armed Sloop called the Retaliation, commanded by Capt. Isaac Jones and was gone out four months or more. And further saith not.
Daniel Martin
State of Vermont Windham County ss} The foregoing affidavit was subscribed and sworn this fifth day of 1832- Before me Phineas White Justice of the Peace
I do hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Daniel Martin above named, and that he is a man of undoubted truth and veracity, to whose testimony herewith and credence ought to be given 
Phineas White Justice of the Peace 
State of Vermont Windham County Court Clerk's Office, New Fane July 6. AD. 1832. I certify that Phinehas White, Esquire, is one of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Windham aforesaid, and that the above are his signatures. In testimony whereof [illegible] have unto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Court on the day and year above written
James Elliot Clerk

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Schoolcraft Aug 3d 1833-
Hon J L Edwards
Sir

Enclosed is the certificate Asa Briggs Esquire with his proofs for Pension. You will please direct his returns To Asa Briggs Esquire - Schoolcraft, Prairie Ronde Michigan Terit(ory)
With the highest respect & esteem 
I am Dear Sir Yours- James Smith J

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We Sewall Fullam, a Clergyman, residing in Reading in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, and Thomas Brown, residing in Plymouth in the County and State aforesaid, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Asa Briggs, who has subscribed and Sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Seventy Seven years of age, and upwards; that he is reputed and believed in the neighbourhood in Plymouth aforesaid, where he resided at the time he subscribed and swore to the foregoing declaration and where he had also previously resided for great number of years, to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and, that we concur in that opinion. 
Sewall Fullam 
Thomas Brown 
Sworn to, and subscribed in open Court, before the Probate ^Court within and for the District of Windsor in the State of Vermont, this twenty third day of May A. D 1833- 
Jabez Proctor Judge

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And the said Court do hereby certify that it appears to them, that Sewall Fullam, who has signed the preceding Certificate, is a Clergyman, resident the Town of Reading in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, and that Thomas Brown, who has also signed the same, is a resident in the Town of Plymouth in the County and State aforesaid, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to full credit. 
Jabez Proctor Judge 
I Reuben Washburn, Register of the Probate Court within and for the District of Windsor in the State of Vermont, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original and supplementary proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Asa Briggs for a Pension 
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and of fixed the Seal of said Court this twenty third day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight Hundred and thirty three 
Reuben Washburn.-

Page 20

Aaron Martin Affidavit
Asa Briggs Case

Page 21

The affidavit of Aaron Martin in the Town Brookline County of Windham & State of Vermont testifies & says that he was knowing Asa Briggs Serving eight month in the in the State troops in the State of Massachusetts in Capt Silas Talbott Company Regiment commanded by Daniel Hitchcock as Sergent in the year 1775 in the Revolutionary service [crossed out: illegible]
say, further that he was knowing to said Brig Serving three months longer in same Company same Regiment and same Place. further sayeth not 
Aaron Martin
Attest Benja Ormsbee
State of Vermont Winham County ss} the above affidavit of Aaron Martin was subscribed and sworn to this 6th day of July 1832 
Before me
Benja Ormsbee Justice of the Peace 
I do hereby certify that I am ^now well acquainted have been for a long time with Aaron Martin above named and that he is a man of undoubted truth and veracity to testamony full faith & credence ought to be given - 
Benja Ormsbee Justice of the Peace 
State of Vermont Windham County Court Clerks Office, New Fane July 6. A.D. 1832. I certify that Benjamin Ormsbee, Esquire, is a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid, and that the above and his signatures. In testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court on the day and year above written
James Elliot Clerk.

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IN REPLY, PLEASE REFER TO NO.
[handwritten notation]
Rev Sec
?ED
[/handwritten notation]

NAVY DEPARTMENT
BUREAU OF SUPPLIES AND ACCOUNTS
Division of Inland Transportation
WASHINGTON

Apt. 4, 1813 F St., Washington,
February 26, 1919.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C. 

Dear Sir;

Will you please advise me the pension record of
Asa Briggs of Plymouth, Windsor County, Vermont, later of
Schoolcraft, Kalamazoo County, Mich.- removing there
about 1832.  He died about 1834.

I would also be glad to be advised if Eleazer Cumings
who died in Londonderry,, N. H. , in 1779, received a pension.

Thanking you very much for any information you may
be able to give me, I am,
Very truly yours,
C.B. Cumings [signature]

[round stamp]
PENSION
K
FEB
U. 27  S.
1919
OFFICE
[/stamp]

Page 23

[top left corner]
Revo F.H.S
STATE REGENT MISS ALICE LOUISE MCDUFFEE 1012 West Main St., Kalamazoo
STATE VICE REGENT MRS. L. VICTOR SEYDEL 143 Lafayette Ave. N. E., Grand Rapids
STATE SECRETARY MRS. A. D. KENT 622 State St., St. Joseph
STATE TREASURER MRS. WILLIAM B. WILLIAMS Lapeer
STATE CORRESPONDING SECRETARY MRS. THOMAS L. HANDY Euclid Ave., Station A. Bay City

[top right corner]
STATE CONSULTING REGISTRAR MISS EDITH C. RUNNELS Port Huron
STATE HISTORIAN MISS SUE I. SILLIMAN Three Rivers
STATE CHAPLAIN MRS. A. W. SENTER Hubbell
STATE LIBRARIAN MISS FLORENCE M. HOLMES Coldwater
STATE DIRECTORS MRS. HENRY B. JOY Grosse Point Farms, Detroit MRS. WALTER H. SAWYER Hillsdale

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
OF MICHIGAN
July 8, 1920
Commissioner of Pensions
Dear Sir:- Will you kindly send record of service of Asa Briggs, Revolutionary pensioner of Kalamazoo Co., Mich. He served in the Vt. Continental line.
Also the service of Joseph Clark [noted above Joseph Clark] Inv. File 27.652 War 1812[/note] pensioner of Kalazazoo Co. Mich. Who served in the N.Y. Continental line. [handwritten note] placed on roll of Mich Apr 24 1832 pens com Apr 71832 [/note]
Rate $78
Very truly,
Sue I. Silliman
State Hist. D.A.R.
Michigan
[right side note with arrow] see reply in Misc. files under her name Aug 5, 1920

[round stamp] U.S. PENSION OFFICE D JUL 10 1920

Page 24

Washington Pension Bureau 
Revolution War Department 
Will you kindly look up the record of Asa Briggs as the Lucinda Hinsdale Stone Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution have been asked to mark the grave and are lacking the information of the date of his death. 
Through a grand daughter of Asa Briggs we gained the information it was about 1833 or 1834 at Gourd Neck Prairie in a family burying ground on their farm.
We found his grave ^he was lying beside his wife Elizabeth. Their Remains have been moved recorded by Dr. [illegible] in the old Gourd neck Prairie Cemetery, but the date of death was lacking all other facts recorded. Ground neck lies between Schoolcraft and Vicksburgh. It was stated by a grand daughter that he stopped on his way out west for a year with members of his family coming to Michigan the following year after his son had located at Gourdneck 1831. That he lived through one completing and that he had saddled his horse to go for the pension at Schoolcraft against the wishes of his family, the horse threw him and he was ^not found for three or four days after. He was hanging to ^a fence dead, the horse going to a house nearby & was not reported to his family.

Page 25

his grand daughter was inclined to think that he had not received his pension in the west, the time had just arrived and was on his way to receive it when death occurred. We will be most glad to receive a copy of any record that you may find.
I will call the following as it may be assistance to you in locating the date of his death.
Respectfully 
Gertrude durBleyker (Historian)
Cor. East Ave and Sunny Side Drive 
Kalamazoo
Mich.
R.F.D. No 2

Page 26

202 N Webster St 
Jackson, Mich 
Jan. 9, 1939. 
[round stamp] RECEIVED JAN 11 1939 MAIL SUB-DIV [illegible]
Veteran's Administration; 
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs -

I am looking for information concerning the parentage of Asa Briggs. He was a Private and Sergeant in Rev. War. placed on pension roll - Oct. 9 - 1833 at age of 79 yrs. 
Service: - Vermont Continental Line. 
Pension began Mar. 4 -1831, 
Annual Allowance $66.66. Sums received, $66.65.
He was mentioned on the pay roll of Capt. Thos. Sawyer's Co. of Militia, raised for the defense of the Northern Frontiers of America, Aug. 1779. Asa Briggs entered Aug. 15. and discharged Oct. 15. Paid 11 19d. Was also mentioned on other Vermont Rev. War pay rolls, one, being Capt. Jesse Burke, July 30 1779 came to ^Kalamazoo Michigan in May, 1831. 
Born 1755. died 1834. Burried in 
Kalamazoo

Page 27

I do not know where he was born, but the Briggs families were located in all of the New England states - Rhode Island, Mass. Vermont, Conn, Etc.
He was an early inhabitant of Sherbourn, Rutland Co., Vt. At the first town meeting of Sherburne, 1794, he was elected pound keeper and tything man. His son, Luther Briggs, born 1790, is the first birth recorded in the township. 
I would much appreciate any information you can give me concerning his parentage. Thank you for your trouble 
Very Truly Yours, 
Mrs. Fred Rogers.

 
Mrs. Fred Rogers, 
202 N Webster St. 
Jackson, Mich.

[round stamp] RECEIVED JAN 11 1939 MAIL SUB-DIV [illegible]

Page 28

February 6, 1939.

BA-J/CC
Asa Briggs
S.29031

Mrs. Fred Rogers
202 N. Webster Street,
Jackson, Michigan.

Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request
to know the place of birth and names of parents of Asa Briggs Revolutionary War soldier whose name was placed on the pension roll in 1833, and pension began March 4, 1831, and who was buried in the state of Michigan.

The papers in pension claim S.29031, based upon service in the Revolutionary War of Asa Briggs have been examined.
It is shown that he was born June 22, 1755, in Barclay (perhaps meant for Berkley), Bristol County, Massachusetts, but the names of his parents were stated.

Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant
to the Administrator.