Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 20,764, Abial Briggs, Conn. R.I.

Page 1

Service
Conn.
R.I.
Briggs, Abial
or Joseph
Jane
Number
W.20764

Contents

Page 2

Rept. by letter to agt
27th Nov. 1844
amt due payable to Jane Briggs his widow

32.242
New York
Abial, alias Joseph Briggs deceased, of Montgomery Co. in the State of New York who was a private & in the company commanded by Captain Packard of the Regt commanded
by Col. Elliott in the R. Island line for 4 mon 7 days private 12 mon corpl. artillery

Inscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 68 Dollars 10 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831. & ending 23rd April, 1839, when he died

Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of November 1844 and sent to G. F. Yates New york

Arrears to the 4th of
Semi-annual allowance ending
$553.66
Revolutionary Claim,}
Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by H.M. Stewart Clerk,
Book E.2 Vol. 4 Page 7

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6824
Albany
New York
Jane Briggs
R.I.
widow of Abial Briggs who was a Pri & Cor of Artillery in the R I Line

Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 28 Dollars 10 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.

Certificate of Pension issued the 25 day of April 1845 and sent to G. F. Yates Esq. Present

[Act of March 3, 1843.]
June 11, 1844
Recorded in Book A
Vol. 2 Page 71

2 Certs
1 act 1838
1   "  1843 & 44
Rep.
Letter to G.F. Yates 15th May 46

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Joseph Briggs
20286

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State of New York
Montgomery County } Ss.

On this Twentieth day of September in the year 1832 personally appeared in open court before the judges of the court of common pleas of said county now sitting Joseph Briggs a resident of Mayfield in the said county of Montgomery and State of New York aged Seventy two years the seventh day of last February 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 under the following named officers and served as herein stated. In the year 1774 lived in the Town of North Kingston in the County of Washington and State of Rhodisland In the forepart of the month of September in said year he volunteered for three months to guard the Coast. Went out to Newport Island and remained there till driven off by the british to Tivertown and there remained till the three months were at an end and was then discharged in the forepart of December following. James Parker was Captain John Manchester was Lieutenant. Stephen Whitman was ensign of said company in which he at this time served. Colonel Dyer commanded regiment. General Spencer the Brigade does not recollect the names of any other field officers except Col Cushin as he thinks. In the year

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Seventeen hundred and seventy seven resided in the state of Connecticut in the Town of Suffield in the county of Hartford. In the forepart of the month of September in the said year went as a substitute for three months for Joshua Briggs who had been drafted for three months to 
Stillwater in the State of New York. Began to march the forepart of September in said year went through Simsbury then New Hartford then through the green woods then to Albany then to Stillwater on Bemis Heights where he joined the army, remained at Bemis Heights except a few days at Fish Creek. Was not in the Battle at the taking of Burgoyne owing to his being sick. Captain Wadsey & Ensign Isaac Owen commanded company & does not recollect the name of any Lieutenant Colonel Woodbridge commanded regiment does not recollect Lieutenant Col or Major Was in General Paris Brigade. General Gates commanded the army to whom Burgoyne surrendered, recollects the name of General Arnold who was there, was discharged at the expiration of three months, which was the forepart of December. In the year 1778 [illegible] in the place just aforesaid mentioned. In the month of March about the middle of the month in the year 1778 Volun-

Page 7

-teered to serve in the Artillery for one year volunteered as a corporal. Went from North Kingston to Warick Neck in Rhodisland and then joined company, remained there till August and then went on to Newport Island in order to take the Island from the British. Went with the Breastwork on the Island and then remained nine days in Battle the British firing from their breast works at the Americans and the Americans firing at them. During the firing an eighteen pound cannon burst and wounded him the effects of which he feels to this day, returned to Warick neck (was driven from the Island) and remained there till the fifteenth day of March in year 1779 when he was discharged. Captain John Garzee, Lieutenant Samuel Warner, Ensign Oliver Corey commanded company to which he belonged. Robert Elliot was Colonel of the regiment. Was no Lieutenant Colonel as he recollects. One Flagg was first Major of said Regiment. General Sullivan commanded forces, recollects the names of Colonel Toppen and Colonel Angel who were on the Island

In the year 1780 lived in the Town of Suffield County of Hartford in the State of Connecticut. Went from Suffield the 15th day of July in 1780 as a substitute for Moses

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Sheldon was was drafted for six months and engaged to serve his time out which he did or until he was discharged. Went to Hartford in Connecticut and then drew [provision?] to last to join the army in New Jersey. Marched from Hartford through Danbury in Connecticut to Nelson Point on the Hudson River and from there went to the state of New Jersey to the Town of Orange in the County of Orange where he joined the main army. General Green took all the new recruits to West point to which place he marched after staying at Orange about two months as he thinks. Remained at West point under the Command of General Grein [Green] till [words crossed out] he was discharged which was about the first day of December the [illegible] not being wanted any longer. Was a few miles from West point when discharged engaged in building huts for the Continental soldiers in the woods.. The company to which he belonged was small & was not commanded by anyone except the orderly sergeant. Col Huntington commanded Regiment, does not recollect the name of any other general officers except Major Willis who gave him a discharge which has been lost. He has no documentary evidence and that he knows of no person whose testimony he can procure who can testify to his service except it is Joshua Briggs aforesaid mentioned who knows that engaged ^ he engaged as his substitute as a substitute and ^that he volunteered

Page 9

as aforesaid stated but he does not know that he actually served as herein stated the said Joshua Briggs now resides to the west at what place he does not exactly know. That he has wrote to the said Joshua or ordered it to be done where he supposed he resides requesting him to forward his affidavit as to the knowledge of the services rendered as herein stated that he has received no answer although the said Joshua was written to about two months ago on the subject. That he was born at the place first aforesaid That his age is on record in the town where he was born as he supposes Has no other record of his age, was born on the 7th day of February 1760. Has lived since the revolutionary war in Shaftsburry in the State of Vermont Afterwards lived in Red Hook in the State of New York after that removed to the town of Broadalbin then to Mayfield where he now resides both towns in the County of Montgomery & State of New York in what last mentioned towns he has resided for thirty years past. Has never received no other discharge than the one mentioned. That he is known to the Revend William Groom & Harvey Kasson who reside in his neighborhood and who can testify to his character for veracity and to their

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belief of his services as a soldier of the revolution. That he hereby relinquishes any 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

Joseph Briggs

Sworn to & Subscribed in open Court
20th September 1832.
Geo. D. Ferguson, clerk.

We William Groom a Clergyman residing in the town of Broadalbin in the county of Montgomery and Harvey Kasson a resident of the same town and County aforesaid hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Joseph Briggs who being subscribed and sworn to the above declaration and that we believe him to be seventy two years of age that he is reported and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion

Wm Groom
Harvey Kasson

Sworn to & subscribed in open court 20th Sept. 1832
Geo. D. Ferguson, clerk.

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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 William
Groom, who has signed the preceding certificate
is a clergyman resident in the town of Broadalbin
in the County of Montgomery aforesaid, and
that Harvey Kasson, who has also signed the same
is a resident of the same town, & is a
Credible person, & that their statement is entitled
to credit
I George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the Court of
Common pleas of Montgomery County aforesaid, do
certify that the foregoing contains the original
proceedings of the said Court in the matter of
the application of Joseph Briggs for a
pension
In testimony whereof we have hereunto
set my hand & seal of office this
20th September 1832
Geo: D. Ferguson

Page 12

Broadalbin
August 12
6

Giles F, Yates
Schenectada
N. Y.
single

Page 13

State of New York
County of Fulton
Surrogate's Office-} Ss.
Be it known, that
at a Surrogate's Court held in and for the said
County, in the Village of Johnstown in said
County on the tenth day of August one thousand Eight
hundred and forty four, the most satisfactory
evidence was adduced to prove that Abial Briggs,
(since the war of the Revolution, called Joseph
Briggs) departed this life on the twenty third
Day of April - in the year of our Lord one
thousand Eight hundred and thirty nine - leaving
him surviving his widow Jane; and
that said Jane Briggs is the true and lawful
widow of said Abiel Briggs deceased and
further that said Abiel Briggs left him surviving
by his said wife Jane, the following named 
children who are all of lawful age, and the only 
children him surviving; to wit-- Polly the wife of Ephraim Wetherby, 
Susan widow of Alexander Carson & Joseph Briggs, all of the town of
Broadalbin in the County of Fulton, aforesaid, Solomon Briggs, Silas Briggs
& Caty Ann (Briggs), wife of Peter Winslow, all of Saratoga County N.Y. Jane
wife of Martin Wetherby of the town of Mayfield in said County of Fulton, 
& Daniel Briggs also of said town of Mayfield & James Briggs of the State of
Michigan. And it has further been made to appear to the
the satisfaction of this court that said Abial (otherwise called Joseph)
Briggs died intestate in said town of Broadalbin
all of which is hereby accordingly certified.
In testimony whereof the said Surrogate have
hereunto set my hand, and affixed my official
Seal, the day & year first aforesaid. Witness
McFarlan } Surrogate of said
County at Johnstown aforesaid -
A. McFarlan
Surrogate.

Page 14

Schenectada [Schenectady] N. Y. Augt. 14 1844
Sir
I was employed two years since to renew the 
prosecution of the claim of Abial Briggs for a pension under the act of 7 June 1832, or as the name will appear in the papers filed under said act in your office, of Joseph Briggs. Marcellus Weston Esq. of Mayfield Fulton County N. Y. who prepared the papers under that act
& had had the claim in charge promised the widow & heirs to prepare a statement of the case, comprising the objections of the Commissioner of Pensions to its allowance. 
Mr. Weston having hitherto declined or neglected to furnish such statement, at the instance of the widow, I sought an interview with her. From her representations of the matter it seems, that the main objection has arisen
from the "alias" in the name of her husband. She says she thought all this had been satisfactorily explained by affidavits. But as I do not know how the case stands, I am of course unprepared to meet this or any other objection. I have therefore to request a report upon this case.
I am very respectfully
Your Obt Servt.
G. F. Yates
J. L. Edwards Esq
Commr of Pensions
Washington D. C.

Page 15

20286
Joseph Briggs
Montgomery Co
New York
‘80 Rolls
28 July dischd [Ded?].
78 Elliott Sergt. Arty  4 mo 7 ds
admd.
4 mo 7 ds pri
12. Corp Arty

68.10 to 23 Apl.
1839 the day of his death
To Jane Briggs wid-
G. F. Yates Esqr
New York
George D Ferguson
[Johnstown - crossed out]
[Hon C McRay New York House Reps - crossed out?] N. Y.

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WAR DEPARTMENT.
Pension Office,
183
Sir:
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 Joseph Briggs Montgomery Co N York
Period when the service was rendered. | Duration of the claimant's service. Years | Months | Days | Rank of the claimant. | Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. | Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. | Battles in which the applicant was engaged. | Country through which he marched. | Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. | Evidence by which the declaration is supported.
Vol. Sept 1774 | | 3 | | pr | Capt. Parker | Col. Dyer | | R. I. | 72 North Kingston R. I. | Traditionary
Sept 1777 | | 3 | “ | Capt. Wadsey | Col. Woodbridge | | Ct. | | 
March 1778 | 1+ | | Copl | Capt. Corey | Col Ellott | | R. I. | |
July 1780 | | 6 | | | Gen Green | | Ct N Perez | |
[underline]
 | 2 | | | | | | | | |
┃1 | 0 | 0 |  Abial Briggs n Corpl ┃
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant
J. L. EDWARDS.
Commissioner of Pensions.

Page 17

Document is page 2 of 
REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1852.

Page 18

Document is page 3 of the REGULATIONS.  
At the bottom is written:
It cannot be readily admitted that the above  obligations of service are unsusceptible of proof, and claimants are required by the regulations to produce the best [illegible] in their forms.
R. Newman

Page 19

+William Briggs was born Apl. 16th 1788
Polly Briggs was born March 26th 1790
Susy Briggs was born July 23d 1792
Solomon Briggs was born Sept 10th 1794
Joseph Briggs was born Sept 11th 1796
James Briggs was born Oct. 4th 1798
+George Briggs was born Sept 8th 1800
Jane Briggs was born Apl. 19 1803
Daniel Briggs was born May 21 1805
Silas Briggs was born Sept. 22 1807
Catyann Briggs was born Apl 1st 1810

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State of New York}
County of Fulton} ss.
On this 8th day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four, personally appeared before me the undersigned, one of the Judges of the County Courts in & for said County, Jane Briggs a resident of the Town of Broadalbin in said County, aged seventy-seven years and upwards:  and the said Jane Briggs being duly sworn according to law, doth declare and say as follows, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed 7th July 1838.
That her maiden name was Hayes-  That previous to her marriage she resided with her parents in the town of Redhook, Livingston's manor in said State-  That she became acquainted with Abial Briggs afterwards her husband about two years before her marriage-  That he the said Abial Briggs at the time she married him resided as she understood & believes in the town of Redhook in the State of New York, that previous to his coming to reside in said town of Redhook, he had resided in the town of South Kingston in the State of Rhode Island.  That after her marriage to him he moved to Ballstown Saratoga County - N. Y. where after residing in said town of Ballstown [he moved crossed out] for about one years he moved to Broadalbin in said County of Fulton where he resided till the day of his death.  That she this Declarant had by her said husband the following named children, who were born at the time herein after set forth, and as detailed in ther [their] family record hereto prefixed - viz - William born 16th April 1788, Polly born March 26th 1790 - Susan born July 3d 1792, Solomon born September 10th 1794, Joseph Born September 11th 1796, James born October 8th 1798 - George born September 8th 1800, Jane born April 17 1803

Page 21

Daniel born May 4th 1805, Silas born September 22d 1807, Caty Ann born April 1st 1810.--  That she has no record of her marriage, or of the ages of her children except the one hereto annexed-  That said record hereto annexed is her family record, and has been detached from her family bible for the purpose of being used as testimony in the matter of this her application for a pension-  That said record hereto annexed, was made at the instance and at the request of this Declarant at least twenty four years ago, and that she had another and older record contained in another & older family Bible, which Bible is not now in her possession, and she cannot tell what has become of it.
She further declareth and saith, that she was married to said Abiel Briggs on the thirteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven in the said town of Redhook, by a clergyman then and there settled by the name of Cox-  and she thinks of the Presbyterian Church.
And this Declarant further saith, that at the time she was married her said husband went by the name of Joseph Briggs, and within two years after her marriage to him, or at least fifty-four years ago, he explained to her this Deponent the reason why he had been induced to assume a second name as that of "Joseph".  when he moved to the town of Suffield aforesaid, where his brother Joshua then resided, to wit within two years from the close of the war, there were two ladies residing in said town of Suffield by the name of Abiel ^[(or Abigail) - crossed out] a circumstance related to him by his said brother Joshua, who represented to him that if he intended to visit (as he had expressed a disposition to do) the said ladies, he "had better change his name, otherwise he would be laughed at".  He did so accordingly, and

Page 22

when she this Declarant, shortly after, became acquainted with him he was called Joseph Briggs.  But he always represented his true name (or baptismal) name to be "Abial".
And this Declarant further saith that she cannot of course from her own personal knowledge, give any detailed or even much of general account of her husband's services in the war of the revolution.  She has often since her marriage to him, heard him recount his services in the revolution, and he was several times visited by those or some of those who served with him, and she thinks made affidavits for some of them-  and she thinks these details made in her presence she gathered a pretty general account of her husband's services, much of which she has now forgotten.  Her recollection however serves her sufficiently well to remember the following particulars.
He the said Abiel Briggs served at the capture of Burgoyne (in 1777) & was on duty when General Arnold went over to the enemy (1780)  He served for several months as a substitute for his brother Joshua who had been drafted from the militia.  He served other tours of several months-  and she remembers [that crossed out] or thinks that his captain in the artillery service was called Garzee-
She also remembers the names of the following officers as having served with or at the same time this Declarant's husband did, viz Henshaw, Nightingale and Packard-

Page 23

And she further saith, that her said husband during his life time made application for a pension under the act of 18th March 1818, but in consequence of his possessing property his application was refused-  He afterwards applied under the act of 7 June 1832, through his attorney Marcellus Weston Esqr, which application also failed for the reason as she understood that in consequence of the name of Joseph having been adopted by her said husband some doubt of his identity was entertained-
And she this Declarant further saith that her said husband Abial Briggs died on the twenty-third day of April one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine-  and that since his decease she has remained single and unmarried & is still his widow.
her signature [hand drawn X] Jane Briggs
Subscribed and sworn the day & year first aforesaid before me the said Judge
Joseph Blair a Judge of
Fulton CountyCourts
I certify that the above named Jane Briggs is unable to attend Court by reason of bodily infirmity & that she cannot write her name but makes her mark owing to the same cause & blindness & that every part of the foregoing declaration was explained & read to her previous to her signing the same
Joseph Blair  a Judge 
of Fulton County Courts

Page 24

Rev. & [obscured]
Wars Section
ILL
[illegible]

October 15, 1930.

Mrs. Frank C. Worcester
Anamosa, Iowa.

Dear Madam:

You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 20764, that Abial Briggs was born February 7, 1760 in North Kingston, Washington County, Rhode Island. His father and mother, names not stated, resided in North Kingston during the Revolutionary War and his father was also a Revolutionary War soldier.

Abial Briggs stated that he was named and called by his parents "Abial" and entered the service during the war by that name, but during the Revolution he moved to Connecticut with his brother, Joshua, and there he took the name Joseph because there were two young women in that neighborhood named Abial.

While a resident of North Kingston, Rhode Island, he enlisted September 10, 1774 and served three months as a private in Captain James Parker's Company, Colonel Dyer's Rhode Island Regiment. While a resident of Suffield, Connecticut, he enlisted and served three months as substitute for his brother, Joshua, in Captain Wadsey(s(?) Company, Colonel Woodbridge's Connecticut Regiment. He enlisted in March, 1778, at North Kingston, served one year as corporal in Captain John Garzia's Company, Colonel Robert Elliott's Rhode Island Regiment of Artillery, and was in the battle of Newport on Rhode Island where he was wounded by the bursting of a cannon. He enlisted July 15, 1780 at Suffield, Connecticut, and served five months as a private in the Connecticut troops under Colonel Huntington.

After the war, soldier moved from Shaftsbury, Vermont, to Red Hook, New York, thence to Mayfield, Montgomery County, New York, and later to Broadalbin, Montgomery County, New York.

He was allowed pension on his application executed September 20, 1832 while a resident of Mayfield, New York.

Page 25

He died April 23, 1839 in Broadalbin, New York.

Soldier married October 13, 1787, Jane Hayes in Red Hook, Livingston Manor, New York. They were married at the home of her parents there, their names not stated. They lived a short time in Battstown [Ballstown], New York, after which they moved to Broadalbin, New York.

She was allowed pension on her application executed August 8, 1844, while a resident of Broadalbin, then Fulton County, New York, aged seventy-seven years.

They had eleven children whose names are as follows:

William born April 16, 1788, died when about 45 years.
Polly " March 26, 1790, married Ephraim, son of David Wetherbee.
Susy, or Susan " July 23, 1792, married Alexander Carson.
Solomon " September 10, 1794
Joseph " " 11, 1796
James " October 8, 1798
George " September 8, 1800
Jane " April 17, 1803, married Martin Wetherby
Daniel " May 4, 1805
Silas " September 22, 1807
Catyann, or Caty Ann, " April 1, 1810, married Peter Winslow.

In 1844 the children's residences are shown as follows: Polly Wetherbee, Susan Carson,(a widow) and Joseph Briggs of Broadalbin, New York; Solomon Briggs, Silas Briggs and Caty Ann Winslow of Saratoga County, New York; Jane Wetherby and Daniel Briggs of Mayfield, New York; and James Briggs of then State of Michigan.

This is the history of the only soldier named Abial Briggs found on the Revolutionary War records of this bureau.

Very truly yours,

E.W.MORGAN,
Acting Commissioner.

Page 26

1915 June 1. Hist. to W. J. Lincoln Adams.
1930-Oct. 15-Hist. to Mrs. Frank C. Worcester-ILL
1935-Oct. 19-Capt. Jas. Dangerfield adv. [?] widow. Clarissa named [illegible] James Briggs, W. 14345.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
File No. 20,764
Jane Briggs
Widow of Abial Brigg
Corp. Rev. W
Act: Mar. 3d 1843
Index:--Vol. A, Page 90
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Page 27

Joseph Briggs
20,286
Suspd
Let. to M. Weston 16 apl '36
" " J. Shaw, Jany. 29, 1838.
(enclosing copy of the [let.-crossed out] above letter) to M. J. Bovee 15 Jan. 1840

Act '32

Page 28

New York Rev.
Joseph Briggs
Suspended
See Let to M. Weston
[struck through] June 10, 1836
to [illegible] June 20, 1836 [/struck through]
" from July 8th
[struck through] Let. to G.F. Yates 31 Oct. 1844 [/struck through]

Page 29

9242
New York

Jane Briggs widow of Abial Briggs who was a pensioner under the Act of [blank] and who died on the 23 Apl 1839 of Montgomery in the State of NY who was a Pri & Cor art [artillery] in the Company commanded by Elliott in the R.I. line for 4.7. Pri 12. Cor. art.[artillery]

Subscribed on the Roll of Albany at the rate of 68 Dollars 10 Cents per annum, to commence on the 23d April 1839.

Certificate of Pension issued the 25th day of Apl. '45 and sent to G.F. Yates.
Present.
Total amount, $[blank]
[ Act July 7, 1838.]
Recorded by F. L. Swann Clerk,
Book D Vol. 1 Page 529

Page 30

War Dept
Pension Off
Apl 36

Sir

The additional evidence in the case of Joseph Briggs has been recd. under cover of yours of 15 Feby--several searches for the original papers in the case have been unsuccessful and there is no entry which would shew that the papers have ever been released by Mr. McVean to whom they were delivered on 31 Jany. 34. It is indispensable that those papers should be found--and if not in Mr. McVeans possession, must be searched for again in this office.

Marcellus Weston Esqr
Broadalbin
N.Y.

Page 31

Marcellus Weston
June 10, 1836
G.C[?]

Recd Vol. 38 pg 290

Page 32

War Department
Pension Office
June 10th 1836

Sir

The papers of Joseph Briggs enclosed in your letter of the 21st ulto have again been examined Mr Briggs states in his declaration that in 1778 he served twelve months as a Corporal in Captain Gazees company Col Elliots regiment Rhode Island State troops and in 1780 six months from the town of Suffield in the State of Connecticut Mr Briggs name does not appear on the original pay rolls & muster rolls of Captain Gazias[Garzees] company. He is therefore required in order to support that part of his claim, to produce the affidavits of two credible witnesses; seting [setting] forth the time of enlisting[?] & the time of leaving the company and the names of the officers. Of the town from the State of Connecticut in 1780. Same evidence may be had by verifying the names of the officers under whom the service was rendered and applying to the Comptroller of this State

The papers of Mr Briggs are again placed on file

Marcellus Weston Esq
Broad Alban [Broadalbin]
N.Y

Page 33

War Department
Pension Office
June 21, 1836

Sir

The widower referred to in your letter of the 15th instant as establishing the identity of Joseph & Abiel Briggs and the supplemental affidavit of Joseph Briggs are not [words crossed out] among the papers filed in this office. [words crossed out] Mr Briggs will prove [words crossed out] his identity by the proof heretofore required - [words crossed out]  by the rolls of Col Elliots regiment it appears that Abial Briggs served therein 12 months as a Corporal. [words crossed out]

M. Weston Esq
Broad Alban [Broadalbin]
New York

Page 34

652
Pen Off
Oct 21. 44

Sir.

In the case of Joseph Briggs decd which was asserted by him in his lifetime for 12 mo service as a Capt. in Capt. Garzia's company of Col. Elliotts regt. of the R.I. Brigade in 78 & for 6 mo service in 80 in the Connecticut Line, the roles shew that he served in the latter from 28 July to 4 Dec. 1780, & that his name is not borne on the roles of Garzia but that of Abial Briggs is borne on that roll for 12 mo as Corporal Some depositions were filed in 36 to shew that he had changed his name from Abial to Joseph when he removed to Connt. but were not deemed sufficient.

Giles F Yates Esqr
Schenectady
N.Y.

Page 35

Jane Briggs
Widow of Abial Briggs
Pending application forwarded 16 Feby 1846.

G.F. Yates
Atty

Page 36

Albany N.Y., April 22 1846

Col. J. L. Edwards
Commr of Pensions

Sir.

More than two months having elapsed since I forwarded papers in support of the application of Jane Briggs widow of Abial Briggs for pay from 4th March 1836 to 23d April 1839 when he died, which she has never received under the act of 7th July 1838 & to which she is entitled, I thought I would be justified in calling attention to the subject.

I am very respectfully
Your Obt. Servt.
G.F. Yates
Atty for appt.

Page 37

Jan. 10 '40
N. York
Briggs

Amsterdam
Jan 6
Hon. Geo. W. Crump
Acting Commr. of Pensions
Washington
D.C

Page 38

Amsterdam January 6, 1846

Sir

I have been requested to ask for a report in the case of Joseph Briggs under the Act of June 7, 1832 from this State [illegible] on file--his name probably was called in the time of the Revolution Abijah Briggs and it may so appear on the rolls of the state  where the service was performed, or where he enlisted. I have been informed that he[?] was an enlisted Soldier for three years or more

I am yours respectfully
Matthias J. Borell

Hon W. Crump

Page 39

Jane Briggs widow of Abial Briggs under act of 7 July 1838

Letter of G.F. Yates atty covering Declaration &c.

Page 40

Nov 25 1844
Sir,
I send herewith papers in support of the claim of Jane Briggs widow of Abial Briggs decd. under the act of 7th July 1838, &c.
These papers consist of 1st the Declaration of the widow taken in the required form. 2d Affidavits of Samuel Putney & Edmund G. Rawson as to identity - that they the said Jane & Abial lived together as wife & husband & raised a family of children, with whom they (the deponents) was well acquainted, the oldest of whom is at least 53 years of age and that Jane has remained a widow since her husband's death.
The commissioner of Pensions is respectfully referred to the proof & affidavits on file in his office in the matter of the application of Mr. Briggs for a pension under the act of 7th June 1832, to fortify and sustain the claim of the widow.
The evidence of the marriage rests upon the proofs as to the ages of the children & the record proof of their ages, the oldest having been born in 1788. The [illegible] testimony confirms the record proof.
Respectfully your obt. sevt. G.F. Yates

JL Edwards Esq.
Comm of Pensions

Page 41

Revolutionary Claim
Jan 15
NY
Act 1832
J. Briggs
Not than [illegible] 
[illegible] [illegible] 10
Hon. J.L. Edwards
Comm of Pensions
Washington City
D.C.

Page 42

Northampton Montgomery County
N. York State January 8th 1838
Dr. Sir
Soon after the Pension Law of June 7th 1832 had passed, Joseph Briggs of this county made application for a Pension, knowing that he had served in the Revolutionary War a sufficient length of time to entitle him to the benefits of the provision of said act. I have been informed that his papers were placed on file in the Pension office and objections sent back that the name of Bial Briggs was found in the Regt. where he states that he served, but not the name of Joseph Briggs. On this information being announced to him, he unhesitatingly, and immediately said that while he was in the service he was "nick named" "Bial Briggs" and always answered to that name while in the service"; but being an illiterate man did not know how his name was written on the roll. Now Sir, it is but right and reasonable to suppose that he is the identical person who did the service and that his pension ought to be allowed. The person who prepared his papers supposed it to be a "dead set" and useless at that time to dispute your records, and thus it has remained until now. I therefore solicit a re-examination of his claim under my explanation above and the answer communicated to me.
Most respectfully &c. John J. Shew

Ho. J. L. Edwards Comm. of Pensions

Page 43

War Department. Revolutionary Claim.
I certify that, in conformity with the law of the United States, of the 7th June, 1832,
Abial, alias Joseph Briggs, who was a private & corporal in the Revolutionary War was entitled to a pension at the rate of $68.10 per annum, commencing on the 4th of March, 1831 and ending on the 23d of April, 1839 the day of his death; which will be paid upon the production of the paper vouchers to Jane Briggs his widow.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this ____ day of ____ one thousand eight hundred and forty=
Secretary of War.
Examined and Countersigned}
Commissioner of Pensions.

Page 44

New York 20,286
Joseph Brigg
addl. evi.
Suspended
Feb 24
See let M. Weston Apl 16, 1836
Addl. evidence
Papers enclosed to the Hon. M. [Weston?] 31 Jany 1834. [illegible]
Honorable James L Edwards
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D. Columbia
11 March 1834
N.Y. O.C.
[stamp] JOHNSTOWN N.Y. FEB 18

Page 45

N. York Broadalb[in]
Dear Sir
Enclosed are pension papers in the case of Joseph Briggs. Mr. McVean when in congress wrote once that the commissioner of pensions informed him, that if Mr. Briggs would prove to the Department that he went by the name of Abial Briggs when in the Army particularly in Rhodeisland, that his pension would be allowed. There has been great delay due to the difficulty of procuring all the testimony desirable, but it is hoped that enough has been produced and which is enclosed to satisfy the department that his claim is just. The name of Abial Briggs is found upon the rolls as I am informed by Mr. McVean.
Most respectfully yours Marcellus Weston

To Commissioner of Pensions

Page 46

J. L. Edwards Esq
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington City

Page 47

Broadalbin May 21, 1836
Mont. County New York
Sir
I enclose the original papers of Joseph Briggs. I supposed that they were on file until I recd. yours. Please let me know the result & soon as practicable. 
Yours obedient sevt.
 Marcellus Weston

to J. L. Edwards Esq.

Page 48

Abial Briggs
Oct 17 1844
Addl pff
Abial alias Joseph Briggs N. York
J.L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Page 49

Schenectada, N.Y. Oct. 14th 1844
Sir,
I have received no reply to my letter of inquiry sent in August last in the matter of the application of Abial (alias Joseph) Briggs for a pension under the act of 7th June 1832. I then sent a certificate from the Surrogates Court of the county in which Briggs died, showing that he died on the 23d Apl 1839, leaving his widow Jane him surviving. She asserts her claim for arrears of pay under said act from the 4th March 1831, to 23d April 1839 when her husband died, for service rendered by him in the revolution as particularly set forth in his papers (drawn by Marcellus Weston Esq) in the matter of his application under said act for service an artillerist  & under Col. Elliot of the R. I. Troops &c &c.
I now send enclosed, to rebut the objection that the true name of "Briggs" was not "Abial", the following testimony.
1st A declaration made by Mr. Briggs on the 22d May 1828, in which & to which  his name is written Abial. This declaration is probably a duplicate of one now on file in your office under said act. It has Judge Hildreth's certificate annexed.
2d An affidavit of Benjamin Chamberlin Esq an old & highly respectable attorney & counsellor at law in the town of Johnstown N.Y. who knew said Briggs nearly 38 years ago & knew him up to the day of his death. Mr. Chamberlin testifies as to the authenticity of said declaration, and that there was & is no other Briggs to whom the declaration can possibly apply, except the Briggs in question, called Abial during the revolution & in 1818 as aforesaid & Joseph afterwards.
3d The affidavit of Michael Thompson late Deputy

Page 50

Sheriff of the county in which said Briggs lived as to the identify of Joseph & Abial Briggs also.
4th The affidavit of the present clerk of said county to the same affect, viz Stephen Wait Esq.
It is to be noted that the one year's services set forth in the Declaration herewith sent (under the act of 1818), was not all the service for which a pension is claimed. It was all that was required to be set forth in the declaration under that act & which that act embraced. The other services for which a pension is claimed in addition to said year's service, are described in the declaration & papers accompanying the same on file in your office, in the matter of the application of Joseph Briggs under the act of 7th June 1832.
Mr. Weston informed me, that proof has on previous occasions been forwarded to your office to establish the identify of Joseph & Abial Briggs.
I am very respectfully your obt. Servt.
G.F. Yates

J.L. Edwards Esq.
Comm of Pensions

Page 51

Jane Briggs widow of Abial Briggs
For balance of pay from 4 March 1836 to 23 April 1839

G.F. Yates
Solicitor

Page 52

To Jas L. Edwards Esqr Commissioner of Pensions
The subscriber a resident of the town of in the county of Fulton in the state of New York respectfully declares & represents.
That she is the widow of Abial Briggs who was a soldier in the war of the revolution. That he departed this life on the 23rd day of April 1839. That she as his widow received a pension of $68.10 per annum, under the act of congress passed 7th July 1838, from the 23rd day of April 1839 aforesaid when her said husband died until the 4th day of March 1841. And she now makes application for the arrears or balance of pay due her under said act from the 4th day of March 1836, unto the 23d day of April 1839 aforesaid.
Witness my hand, this 29th day of January 1836.
Jane Briggs - X her mark

State of New York County of Fulton ss.
On this 29th day of January 1846 before the subscriber a Judge of the Fulton County Courts in and for said county, personally appeared Jane Briggs above named, and made oath that the facts set forth in the above declaration are true and correct.
Joseph Blair Judge &c.

I Stephen Wait Clerk of the County of Fulton in the state of New York, do hereby certify that Joseph Blair, was on the date of the above certificate a Judge of the County Courts in and for said county duly appointed & qualified, & that the signature above written purporting to be his, is genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my seal of office, & subscribed my name, this third day of February 1846.
Stephen Wait Clerk

Page 53

Jos. Briggs
Broadalbin
June 15
June 20
NY
FREE
James L. Edwards Esqr.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, District Columbia

Page 54

Broadalbin Mont. Co. N. York June 15, 1836
Dear Sir
Yours of the 10h instant has been received and from the reading it I infer, that the fact of Joseph Briggs having served in Rhodeisland by the name of Abial Briggs has escaped your attention. You will perceive by Joseph Briggs amended declaration and the evidence accompanying it that his name was Abial Briggs that he was so named by his parents and so called. That when a young man and after he went to the state of Connecticut he took the name of Joseph by which he has since been called. The amended declaration in support of these facts was forwarded last winter, and would have been forwarded before if Joshua Briggs affidavit which was deemed necessary, could have been sooner procured. That after the amended declaration was forwarded I recd yours informing me that the original declaration was not on file a fact which I was not aware of. I made search for it and sent it to you on the 21st ult. I mention these facts for fear they may have escaped your recollection and I infer that some of them have from your saying that Joseph Briggs' name cannot be found upon the pay & muster rolls of his [supt?]. company when in the Rhodeisland service. This fact I was aware of, but Mr ^ McKau  when in congress informed me upon my writing to him, that Joseph Briggs served in R. Island by the name of Abial Briggs and wishing him to have the rolls examined for the name of Abial, that the name of Abiel Briggs was found upon the rolls. Corresponding with the services of Joseph Briggs as

Page 55

by the department, all that was necessary to enable Joseph Briggs to obtain his pension was to prove to the satisfaction of the department that his name was Abial Briggs-  In order to do this in the strongest possible manner some delay was necessary and I supposed the only point in the case would be as to the identity of the two names-  I wish to hear from you as soon as convenient as the old man is about discouraged and if there is any very formidable difficulties in the way he will be compelled to abandon his claim altogether or bring it to a close soon as in all probability, he has but a short time allowed him for urging it
Your most respectful and obedient servant
Marcellus Weston

To J L Edwards Esq

Page 56

Broadalbin
July 1
free
James L. Edwards Esqr
Commissioner of pensions
Washington, District Columbia
July 5
NY
Joseph Briggs

Page 57

Montgomery County
Broadalbin June 30th 1836
Dear Sir
I have red. [received] yours of the 23d inst. in which you say "The evidence refered [referred] to in your (my) letter of the 15 inst. as establishing the identity of Joseph and Abiel Briggs and the supplemental affidavit of Joseph Briggs are not amongst the papers filed in this office".  The papers refered [referred] to in my letter of the 15 inst. were mailed to your department on the 15th Feby. last at the Johnstown post office in this County and were certainly red. [received] and examined as the enclosed letter of the 16 April will prove and which I forward for the purpose of satisfying you that there is no mistake so far as I am concerned-  The supplemental papers would have been attached to the originals and all forwarded together had I have known but what they were on file.  If the supplemental affidavits all which go to establish the identity of Joseph & Abiel Briggs cannot be found it will ^be a great misfortune to the applicant as it is difficult to obtain the same testimony besides two of his most

Page 58

important witnesses are dead whose affidavits have been forwarded with the supplemental papers.  I hope upon further examination the papers refered [referred] to will be found and I believe they will leave no doubt but what Joseph & Abiel Briggs is the same person
I am most respectfully your obedient servant 
Marcellus Weston
To J L Edwards Esq

Page 59

In the matter of Abial (alias Joseph) Briggs
Act of 7th June 1832
Affidavits of
Benjamin Chamberlin Esq
Michael Thompson
Stephen Wait Esq
G. F. Yates
Atty

Page 60

State of New York
County of Fulton ss:
No. 2

Benjamin Chamberlin of the town of Johnstown in said County, being duly sworn saith, that the annexed paper purporting to be a Declaration for a pension under the act of March 18, 1818, was found among the papers of his deceased son in law, James McNiece. That said James McNiece, as Deponent well recollects has the agency of the claim for a pension under said act, if not under a subsequent also, of & for Abial Briggs the applicant named in said Declaration & who signed the same. This Deponent well knew said Abial Briggs, and knew that he was an applicant for a pension, but Deponent never took any pains to inform himself as to the merits of the said claim. He was informed however that said Briggs did not succeed[?] in his application for a pension, but is unable to state the reason why. That said Briggs was a resident of the town of Mayfield within two or three miles of the village of Fonda's Bush[?] in said town of Mayfield. And this Deponent further saith, that he is familiarly acquainted with the handwriting of James Hildreth & Jno McCarthy of said town of Johnstown deceased. That said Hildreth was at the time of the execution of said Declaration to wit 20 May 1818, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County of Fulton then county of Montgomery (the present county of Fulton being at the last named date a part of the County of Montgomery) and the said John McCarthy was Clerk of said county.

B. Chamberlin

Subscribed & sworn this 5th day of October 1844, before me: I certify that the Deponent the said Benjamin

Page 61

Chamberlin is a credible witness.
 Aaron Haring a Judge of Fulton County Court N.Y. State

In the same matter } ss: And the said Benjamin Chamberlin being further duly sworn, saith, that he has been a resident of the said town of Johnstown for the last thirty nine years, and during his residence in said town of Johnstown, he became generally acquainted with the residents of said town of Mayfield. He well knew said Briggs as aforesaid, & that his name was official as aforesaid & that he was known by that name. This Deponent became acquainted with said Abial Briggs between thirty & thirty-eight years ago. This Deponent when he came to reside in said town of Johnstown or shortly after, he was a practitioner in the County of law, & thus became acquainted with said Briggs & did a great deal of law business for David Wetherby's son who had married a daughter of said Briggs. This Deponent never heard or knew of any other family by the name of "Briggs" residing in said town of Mayfield save and except the family of said Abial Briggs.

And this Deponent further saith, that according to the best of his recollection said Abial Briggs made application to John L. Lobdell of Johnstown aforesaid, to prepare the papers for said Briggs in the matter of his, the said Briggs's application for a pension. This Deponent is unable to recollect the precise time said Briggs made such application, but knows that it was when he said Lobdell was pursuing the study of the law with him this Deponent. said John L. Lobdell was the principal clerk in the office of this Deponent from the year 1817, until about the year 1819 & shortly after moved to the State of

Page 62

Louisiana, and further Deponent saith not.

B. Chamberlin

Subscribed & sworn as aforesaid before me the Judge, and I certify that the said Benjamin Chamberlin is to me well known, and that his statements are entitled to full credit. Note that the words "or shortly after he" & "according to the best of his" were interlined before execution, also the word "son" written in the margin. Aaron Haring a Judge of Fulton County Courts N.Y. State

No 3. In the same matter ss. Michael Thompson of the town of Johnstown in said County of Fulton, aged thirty-eight years, being duly sworn saith, that for several years, to wit from 1832 to 1838, he was Deputy Sheriff of the County of Montgomery N.Y. which county then included the present county of Fulton. That while he this Deponent held said office he became acquainted generally with the inhabitants of said county, and particularly with the inhabitants of Mayfield now of said County of Fulton. This Deponent resided in the adjoining town of Broadalbin. This Deponent was during said years & before well acquainted with the family of "Briggs." That there was only one family of that name, the oldest member of which was Joseph Briggs, an applicant for a pension, as Deponent understood & believes to be true, and the former husband of Jane Briggs also now, an applicant for a pension. And this deponent further saith, that he

Page 63

was informed during the period aforesaid, that the true name of said Briggs was Abial, & that by that name he was known during the war of the revolution, and that he dropped his original name of Abial shortly after the revolutionary war & assumed the name of Joseph for the reason that the name of Abial strongly resembled, or sounded like, the name of a young lady with whom he Briggs was acquainted.

Michael Thompson

Subscribed & sworn this 7th day of October 1844 before me: and I certify that I am well acquainted with the Deponent the said Michael Thompson; and that he is a credible witness.

Aaron Haring a Judge of Fulton County Courts N.Y. State

No 4. In the same matter Ss. Stephen Wait of the town of Johnstown in said County of Fulton, aged forty four & over years, being duly sworn saith, that in the year 1808 or thereabouts he came to reside in the town of Mayfield in the then County of Montgomery, now County of Fulton, and for a great portion of the time since he continued to reside in said town of Mayfield, & until the year 1842 when having been elected clerk of said county of Fulton he took up his residence in the capital town of said County, to wit Johnstown aforesaid. That he this Deponent was and is well acquainted with the inhabitants of said town of Mayfield, and among the rest knew the "Briggs" family. That there was no

Page 64

other family of the name of Briggs save & except the family of Joseph Briggs and an old widow woman, & two daughters that deponent ever heard of or knew residing in said town of Mayfield, and the said Briggs as Deponent often understood & believed was an applicant for a pension.

Stephen Wait

Subscribed & sworn this 7th day of October 1844 before me; and I certify that the above named Deponent Stephen Wait is to me well known, and a witness of credibility. Note that the words "and that" were erased, "other" written on razure, and the words "and an old widow woman & two daughters that Deponent ever heard of or knew" were interlined before execution of said affidavit.

Aaron Haring a Judge of Fulton County Courts N.Y. State

State of New York
County of Fulton
Clerk's office } ss.

I, Stephen Wait Clerk of said County, do hereby certify that Aaron Haring Esq before whom the preceding affidavits of Benjamin Chamberlin, Michael Thompson & Stephen Wait purport to have been sworn, was at the time thereof a Judge of the County Courts in & for said County duly commissioned & qualified as such; and that the signatures purporting to be those of said Judge to the jurats & certificates subjoined to said affidavits, are genuine.

Witness my hand and official seal, this seventh day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and forty-four.

Stephen Wait clerk.

Page 65

Fulton County of Montgy [Montgomery]
Abial Briggs

Page 66

No 1.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
State of New=York.}
COUNTY OF Montgomery} TO WIT:
IN conformity with the provisions of the Act of Congress of the United States of America, passed March 18th, 1818, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States, in the REVOLUTIONARY WAR," the following DECLARATION, in writing, is made under Oath, by Abial Briggs of the town of Mayfield in the County of Montgomery in the State of New York before the Honorable James Hildreth Esquire, one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in the County of Montgomery in the said State, which Court is a Court of Record of the County and State, in which the said Abial Briggs doth reside, that is to say:
DECLARATION.
I Abial Briggs of the town of Mayfield in the County of Montgomery in the State of New York on this 22d day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen—Do solemnly, sincerely and truly swear and declare, that I served against the common Enemy in the Army, in the War of the Revolution, for the term of one year on the continental establishment and that I am a resident citizen of the United States, to wit, in the town County and State aforesaid; and that by reason of my reduced circumstances in life, I am in need of assistance from my country for support.—I do further swear and declare, that I served in the said Revolutionary War, in the capacity of, and being a Corporal that I belonged to the Army, to wit, I belonged to Captain John Gagae's Company, Colonel Elliotts Artillery Regiment and Rhode island Line—That I entered the said service sometime in the month of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight and left it sometime in the month of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-nine in the manner following, to wit:  I left it by reason of being Honorably discharged at Warwick in the State of Rhode island that I received a document concerning the same service and discharge, which is now lost or destroyed
That I was in the engagements on Newport Island when Genl. Sullivan retreated and that there is no other evidence in my power to my knowledge, concerning the matters deposed by me than what I now disclose in this declaration—And I further declare, that in pursuance of the requisitions of the aforesaid Act of Congress, I do hereby freely and absolutely, and to all intents and purposes, relinquish all claims to any Pension, under any of the Laws of the United States, except the Pension contemplated to be allowed me under the Act of Congress aforesaid mentioned, and under which this Declaration is made.
IN WITNESS of the truth of this Declaration, I have subscribed the same in presence of the said Judge, and have solemnly deposed to the truth thereof, on the day herein before, for that purpose, specified.
Abial Briggs
Sworn before me, this 22d}
day of May 1818.}
James Hildreth

Page 67

United States of America.
By the Honorable James Hildreth Esquire, one of the Judges of a Court of Record in the State of New-York, to wit, of the Court of Common pleas of Montgomery County in the said State.
To the Honorable the Secretary of the Department of War of the United States of America.
SIR,
I DO respectfully certify to you, in pursuance of the Act of the Congress of the United States of America, passed March 18th, 1818, entitled "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary War," that Abial Briggs of the town of Mayfield in the County of Montgomery and State of New-York, personally appeared before me, at the town of Johnstown in the said State, on the 22d day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and then and there was carefully and minutely interrogated and examined by me, under oath, touching the facts stated in his foregoing Declaration, and thereupon he then and there subscribed the said Declaration in my presence, (after the same was deliberately read and explained to him by me) and at the same time made solemn oath before me, on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, that the said Declaration was, in all respects, true—Whereupon, I required of him to produce such other evidence as was in his power, to support the truth of his said Declaration—upon which regiment he answered that he had no further Testimony—And I having duly considered the said Declaration, and the said testimony produced in support thereof, DO CERTIFY to you, Sir, that I am fully satisfied that the said Abial Briggs did serve in the Revolutionary War, against the common Enemy, for the time and in the manner by him stated in his said DECLARATION; and I am likewise satisfied, that the other facts in that Declaration stated, are, in like manner true—I do therefore, respectfully transmit to you the testimony in the case, and the proceedings had thereon, according to the Act of Congress aforesaid.
GIVEN under my Hand, and the Seal of the said Court, at Johnstown the 22d day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
James Hildreth

Page 68

State of New York}
Montgomery County} ss
I John McCarthy Clerk of the County of Montgomery do hereby Certify that the foregoing named James Hildreth ^was [is crossed out] one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Montgomery aforesaid ^on the 22d day of May 1818 as appears by a Commission on file in my office-  In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed the Seal of the said Court this Nineteenth day of June [May crossed out] in the year 1818—
Jno. McCarthy

Page 69

State of New York Madison County ss
Joshua Briggs of the town of Sullivan in the said county being duly sworn saith that he served two campaigns in the Continental Army of the American Revolution, commencing in the month of May 1775 and ending the 17 January 1777. That in the month of August in the year 1777 this deponent was drafted for three months in the Militia of the State of Connecticut. That this deponent resided in the town of Suffield, County of Hartford in the said state of Connecticut, and that this deponent, hired Joseph Briggs who then resided at Suffield aforesaid, and the same person mentioned in the aforesaid declaration as Joseph Briggs, and who was then laboring for one Capt John Norton, to serve the said three months in the militia. And further this deponent saith that in the month of August in the year 1778, this deponent volunteered to go to New Port Island to help drive the enemy therefrom, and that on his way from Suffield to said Island he went to North Kingston where his this deponents parents resided. That this deponents mother told this deponent that his father and the said Joseph Briggs had been in the army since early in the spring, and that they were there at New Port Island & this deponent proceeded on with intent to join the said army, and met the said army marching from the said Island that he saw his said father and the said Joseph Briggs at Reading, and that the said Joseph was lame in consequence of the [burning?] of a [Cannon] while firing at the British on the Island, as said to this deponent by the said Joseph. And further this deponent saith that in the year 1780, the said Joseph Briggs was at Suffield, aforementioned, and that one Sheldon hired the said Joseph to serve a six months draft in the Militia of said state for the said Sheldon. And that the said Joseph left the

Page 70

said Town of Suffield about mid-summer-  and was about for some time, serving the said draft as this deponent then and now verily believes-  and further this deponent saith not--
Joshua Briggs
Subscribed and Sworn this
6th day of August 1833-
Before me
Joel G. Downer J. P.
Town of Sullivan ss.
I hereby certify that Joshua Briggs the person named in the foregoing affidavit is personally known to me-  and that he is a person of credibility, and entitled to full credit and belief, and that his character for truth and veracity is good according to the best of my knowledge belief--
Joel G. Downer J. P.
State of New York}
County of Madison} ss:
I, Andrew S. Sloan Clerk of the said County do certify that Joel G. Downer before whom the foregoing affidavit purports to have ^been sworn and also whose name is subscribed to the above certificate was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for the said County.  And that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the said affidavit and certificate to be his proper handwriting and Signature--
Witness my hand & Seal of office this 
7th day of August 1833--
A. S. Sloan - Clerk
E. Barnard, Dep. Clk

Page 71

State of New York}
Montgomery County ss.}
Personally appeared before the undersigned a justice of the peace of the Town of Broadalbin in the said County of Montgomery Joseph Briggs of Mayfield in said County who on being duly sworn deposeth and saith in addition to his declaration made and forwarded to the War department under the act of Congress passed June 7 1832
That about the Tenth of September 1774 went into service remained at Newport Island about two months and then went to Tivertown and remained about one month and was discharged at that place about the Tenth of December after having served the three months out-  Served this time not less than three months.  In the year 1777 about the first of September went into service and continued till about the first day of December following when he was discharged at or near Red Hook that after Burgoyne was taken went to Albany and there remained till some time in November and was there marched down the river and remained at different places until discharged as aforesaid.  Served this time not less than three months.  In the year 1778 about the middle of March went into service with State Troops.  volunteered for one year to serve in the artillery as a Corporal in Capt John Garzees Company and continued in said service untill [until] about the middle of

Page 72

March 1779 and until the year was up for which he enlisted-  done duty as a corporal this time not less than one year.  In the year 1780 about the middle of July went into service as a substitute for Moses Sheldon who was drafted as a malitia [militia] man for six months-  remained in said service until he was discharged which was about the middle of December the militia not being wanted any longer-  was in actual service this time not less than five months to the best of his recollection and belief.  That he was discharged a short time before the six months were at an end-  not more as he thinks than one month before the six months ended.-  That ^in his first service aforesaid he was in Col. Dyer regiment.  in the second service was in Col. Woodbridge's regiment.-  In his third service he was in Col. Elliot's regiment and in his fourth and last service was in the regiment commanded by *Col. Huntington as will more fully appear by reference to his said declaration.-  And this deponent further saith that all his aforesaid services were with an embodied corps.  that he done duty every day as a soldier except when sick or excused by his officers.  and that he was in the field or garrison during all his aforesaid services and that he
*Levies

Page 73

was not during the periods aforesaid when he was in the service of the United States as aforesaid engaged or employed in any civil pursuit  And that all his services were with an emboded [embodied] corps called into service by competent authority as he believes and has no doubt.  And this deponent further saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory he cannot swear positively to the precise time of going out and leaving said service in all particulars in the exact length of time he served last aforesaid mentioned owing to his being discharged before his time fully expired, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades  For one year I served as a Corporal  For eleven months I served as a private and for such service I claim a pension and further saith not.  The word "in" interlined before sworn.
Joseph Briggs
Broadalbin ss
Personally came before me Joseph Blair a justice of the peace of Broadalbin in the County of Montgomery aforesaid Joseph Briggs reputed a soldier of the revolution who subscribed his name to the above amended declaration and who on being sworn declared the same to be true and I further certify that the said Joseph

Page 74

Briggs is a credible person and whose statement is entitled to full credit and belief
Joseph Blair
Justice of the Peace of Broadalbin in the
County of Montgomery
State of New York
Montgomery County
Clerks office ss
I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the County of Montgomery, do hereby certify that Joseph Blair, Esq. before whom the annexed Supplemental declaration of Joseph Briggs purports to have been sworn, was on the date thereof a Justice of the Peace of the said County; and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing & verily believe that his name subscribed to the Certificate of taking the Oath of said Joseph Briggs to the said Supplemental declaration is the proper hand writing of the said Justice.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of office this 16th August. 1833
Geo. D. Ferguson

Page 75

11477
Jane Briggs widow of Abial Briggs
Declaration under act of 7 July 1838 taken 
8 Augt 1844.
admd
4 mo} pri
12 Capt Artily.
68.10
from 23 Apl 20 the day of husbands death
Agent G. F. Yates.
No. 7038
also act 2 March 43 & 7 June 44
No. 515
G. F. Yates Esq.
Present

Page 76

2d
In the same matter ss.
Samuel Putney and Edmund G. Rawson of the town of Broadbin [Broadalbin] aforesaid, the said Samuel Putney aged Eighty five years & the said Edmund G. Rawson aged Seventy two years, being respectively duly sworn do depose and say, that they are well & intimately acquainted with Jane Briggs who has signed & testified to the preceding declaration-  That they have known her & also her late husband Abiel, otherwise called Joseph Briggs the said Samuel since the year one thousand Eight hundred and the said Edmund since the year one thousand Eight hundred & Nine-  That ever since they first became acquainted with him & her they were reputed & esteemed to be husband & wife-  That they lived together as such & raised a family of children, That they are also acquainted with [the crossed out] most of the children of said Abial & Jane and that the oldest one now living, named Polly & the wife of Ephraim Wetherby must be at least fifty three years of age-  That Susan the wife of Alexander Carson, is at least so far as they can judge, over fifty years of age-  That their son William died at least ten years ago & when he died ^he must have been at least forty five years of age-
And further that since the decease of her said husband, the said Jane Briggs has remained single & unmarried.
his signature [hand drawn X] Samuel Putney
Edmd G Rawson
Subscribed & sworn this Eighth day of August 1844, and I certify that said Samuel Putney & Edmund G. Rawson are to me well known & that they are credible witnesses
Joseph Blair
Judge of Fulton County Courts

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State of New York}
Fulton County Clerk's office} ss
I Stephen Wait Clerk of the County of Fulton do certify that Joseph Blair the person before whom the within and foregoing affidavit of Jane Briggs purports to have been taken and also the affidavit of Samuel Putney purports to have been taken was at the date and time of taking the said affidavits a Judge of the County Courts of the said County of Fulton Commissioned and sworn, dwelling in the said County, and duly and legally authorised to take the same, And that his name subscribed to each of the Jurats and the certificate is his genuine signature-  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed the seal of said County this 10th day of August AD 1844
S. Wait  Clerk

Page 78

State of New York Montgomery County ss
Joseph Briggs of the town of Mayfield in said state said county an applicant for a pension under the act of 1832 being duly sworn saith in addition to his former declaration on file at the department saith that he was named and called Abial Briggs by his parents. That he went by that name while he resided and lived in the state of Rhodisland, that he went into the service of the United States as stated in his said declaration by the name of Abial Briggs. That he went into the state of Connecticut to live with his brother Joshua during the war of the revolution and while on his way to Connecticut with his said brother Joshua Briggs, the said Joshua observed to him that there were young women living in the neighborhood by the name of Abial and that he would be laughed at if he was called by the name of Abial and that he had better be called by some other name and it was then agreed that he should be called Joseph by which name he went while in Connecticut. That about forty years ago he removed to the vicinity where he now resides during which time he has gone by the name of Joseph and has not been called nor generally known by any other name since he left the said state of Rhodeisland. That his name was not alterd [altered] or changed from Abial to that of Joseph for any other reason than that aforesaid. That when he went into service in the state of Rhodisland it was by the name of Abial and when in Connecticut by the name of Joseph.
The word "not" and" interlined state of" erased before oath read.
Joseph Briggs - X his mark

Subscribed and sworn to this 20th day of October 1835 before me the affidavit first being read and the deponent having made his mark from an inability to write his name occasioned by sickness
Marcellus Weston Justice of the Peace in and for the county of Montgomery & state of New York

Page 79

State of New York
Montgomery County Ss   Jane Briggs the wife of Joseph Briggs of Mayfield in said State and County and an applicant for a pension makes under oath and says, that forty nine years ago she was married to Joseph Briggs her present husband, that she was not acquainted with him while he resided in Rhode Island and Connecticut but became acquainted with and married him in the State of New York - That about three years after she had been married a man by the name of Abial Whitman whose given name she observed to her husband was singular [similar?] came to reside in the neighborhood where they then lived - That her husband Joseph Briggs then observed to her this deponent that Abial was his name when a young man and while he resided in Rhode Island.  That he the said Joseph then explained the reason and stated the circumstances why it was changed from Abial to Joseph which were that when he went into the State of Connecticut to live with his brother Joshua Briggs it was proposed by said Joshua to call him Joseph for the reason that there were two young women in the neighborhood where the said Joshua resided by the name of Abial and he would be laughed at by the young people for his name, that since that time her husband first  mentioned the change of his name which was about

Page 80

forty six years ago. She has heard him frequently and repeatedly speak of his name being Abial and long before he thought of obtaining a pension. She has also understood by deacon John Godfrey that he the said Joseph name was Abial while in Rhodisland and also by a number of others who are now dead. The word "him" "man" interlined before oath made.
Jane Briggs - X her mark

Subscribed and sworn to after being first read to the deponent this 22d day of October 1835 before me Marcellus Weston Justice of the Peace

I certify that I am acquainted with Jane Briggs & that she is a person of truth and veracity.
Marcellus West Justice of the Peace

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State of New York
County of Montgomery ss
Polly Wetherbee having duly sworn saith that Joseph Briggs of Mayfield in said State & County an applicant for a pension is her father
That more than twenty five years ago she heard it talked in ^her fathers family frequently.  that her fathers correct name is Abial.  that he was so named by his parents and went by that name while he lived in Rhodisland [Rhode Island].  that his name was changed for the reason stated in the affidavit of Jane Briggs her mother herewith annexed
Polly Wetherbee
(The word "her" interlined before oath)
Subscribed and sworn to this 22d day of October 1835 before me
Marcellus Weston  justice of the peace
I certify that Polly Wetherbee is a person of truth and veracity & that her statement is entitled to belief
Marcellus Weston
justice of the peace

Page 82

State of New York Montgomery County ss
Personally appeared before Marcellus Weston a justice of the peace of the town of Broadalbin in the county & state aforesaid. John Godfrey of said place aged seventy two years and made oath that he first became acquainted and knew Joseph Briggs as he is now called when he the said Joseph resided in North Kingston in the state of Rhodisland. That the said Joseph was then about eighteen or twenty years of age and was called and known by the name of Abial Briggs. That so long as the said Joseph lived and resided in the state of Rhodisland he was called and known by the name of Abial. That he has known the said Joseph Briggs ever since. That he now resides in the town of Mayfield in the county of Montgomery and state of New York and is reputed and believed to have been a soldier of the revolution. That this deponent understood during some part of the revolutionary war that the said Joseph Briggs was in the army of the United States. That he then believed and still believes that what he then understood to be true. That he does not know from his own knowledge that the said Joseph was in the army, but only from report which he then believed and still believes. That after the said Joseph removed to his present place of residence he learnt for the first time that he was called Joseph. That he removed to his present place of residence about forty years ago and has continued to reside in the county of Montgomery aforesaid.

Page 83

ever since. That this deponent does not know the time [nor the circumstance - crossed out] from his own actual knowledge when the said Joseph changed his name but is informed and believes that it took place while the said Joseph resided in the state of Connecticut and before he removed to his present place of residence and after he the said Joseph left the state of Rhodisland. That this deponent resided in the the town of West Grenwich in Rhodisland when he first become acquainted with the said Joseph and he continued acquainted with the said Joseph for several years in that state during all of which time he was called Abial Briggs. The words "nor the circumstances" erased  the word "Joseph" interlined before oath made.
John Godfrey

I certify that the said John Godfrey appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the peace for the town of Broadalbin in the county of Montgomery on this eleventh day of January 1834 and made oath in due form of law that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true and that the said John Godfrey is known to him personally and that he is a man of truth and veracity and whose statement is entitled to full credit and belief.
Marcellus Weston justice of the peace for the said town of Broadalbin in the county of Montgomery

Page 84

State of New York Montgomery County ss
Joseph Briggs Junior being duly sworn before the undernamed justice of the peace deposeth and saith, that Joseph Briggs of the town of Mayfield in said county and said to be a soldier of the revolution is the father of this deponent. That he has heard his mother and father more than twenty years ago speak of the circumstances of his this deponents father having taken the name of Joseph Briggs. That he then understood and he believes it was understood by all his fathers family that his fathers name when a young man was Abial. That in consequence of some girls or young women in the neighborhood where his this deponent father was about going to reside being called by the same name of his this deponent father. That the said Joseph Briggs took the name of Joseph and was not called Abial and that he the said Joseph has been called by this name of Joseph ever since as he has been informed and believes except while the said Joseph resided in the state of Rhodisland his native place

Page 85

and while in the state of Rhodisland he was called Abial all which as aforesaid stated. This deponent has understood from the conversation in his fathers family and he has heard it frequently and repeatedly spoken in said family by both his father and mother.
Joseph Briggs Jr. - X his mark

Montgomery County ss
I Marcellus Weston a justice of the peace of Broadalbin in said county do certify that Joseph Briggs Junior appeared before me this 20th day of February 1834 and that I recd the above affidavit to him and by him subscribed that the said Joseph there upon swore to the same as being true and correct and that the said Joseph is a credible person whose statement is entitled to full credit and belief.
Marcellus Weston justice of the peace of Broadalbin in Montgomery County

Page 86

State of New York Montgomery County ss
Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace of the town of Broadalbin in said county Henry Dye of the town of Bleecker in the said county who on being duly sworn deposeth and saith that Joseph Briggs of the town of Mayfield in said county of Montgomery reputed a soldier of the revolution about thirty years ago informed this deponent that when he the said Joseph was a young man that he was called Abial. That in consequence of there being some girls or young women called by the name of Abial in the neighborhood where he was about going to reside that a brother of the said Joseph agreed that he the said Joseph should take the name and be called Joseph Briggs instead of Abial. That this was done when the said Joseph left the state of Rhodisland and went to live in the state of Connecticut as he understood. That he has frequently heard the said Joseph speak of his change of name before he contemplated obtaining a pension and this deponent has no doubt but what the name of Abial was the then name of the said Joseph while a young man. That the said Joseph has been known to him this deponent by the name of Joseph Briggs for more than thirty years past.
Henry Dye

The word called by the name of Abial interline before oath made.
Montgomery County ss. I Marcellus Weston a justice

Page 87

of the peace of the town of Broadalbin in said county, do certify that Henry Dye appeared before me on this 18th day of February 1834 and made oath that the affidavit by him subscribed is true and that the said Henry is a man of truth and veracity whose statement is entitled to full credit and belief.
Marcellus Weston justice of the peace of Broadalbin in said county

State of New York Montgomery County Clerks Office ss
I, George D. Ferguson, Clerk of the Court of Common pleas of the said county do hereby certify that Marcellus Weston before whom the foregoing affidavits of Joseph Briggs, Jane Briggs, Polly Wetherbee, John Godfrey, Joseph Briggs, Junior & Henry Dye, purport to have been sworn was on the dates of said affidavits a Justice of the Peace in & for the said county. And that I am well acquainted with the hand writing of said Justice and verily believe that his name subscribed to said affidavits & to the foregoing certificate of character of said John Godfrey, Joseph Briggs Junior & Henry Dye are the proper signatures of said Justice.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court this 30th day of October 1835.
Geo. D. Ferguson

Page 88

State of New York County of Onondaga ss
Joshua Briggs of the town of Sullavan in the county of Madison being duly sworn makes oath and says that Joseph Briggs of the town of Medfield in the county of Montgomery & state of new York is a brother to this deponent and younger than this deponent. That while the said Joseph resided in his fathers family in the state of Rhodisland and while he lived in that state he was called in said family Abial Briggs, that he was so named when an infant and went by that name in his fathers family and in said state of Rhodisland and was [illegible] there in said state known by any other name. That this deponent during the war of the revolution or some part of said war resided in the state of Connecticut and that the said Joseph came there to live with him, that while on his way there or soon after he came to the said state of Connecticut this deponent or some one else observed to the said Joseph who was then called Abial that there was a young woman or young women in the neighborhood that were called by the name of Abial and that he would be laughed at, if he was called by the name of Abial and the idea of calling him Joseph was then suggested and that he was then called Joseph and went by that name when he resided and lived in said state of Connecticut. That his name was not changed from Abial to Joseph for

Page 89

State of New York County of Onondaga ss
Joshua Briggs of the town of Sullavan in the county of Madison being duly sworn makes oath and says that Joseph Briggs of the town of Medfield [Mayfield] in the county of Montgomery & state of new York is a brother to this deponent and younger than this deponent. That while the said Joseph resided in his fathers family in the state of Rhodisland and while he lived in that state he was called in said family Abial Briggs, that he was so named when an infant and went by that name in his fathers family and in said state of Rhodisland and was not there in said state known by any other name. That this deponent during the war of the revolution or some part of said war resided in the state of Connecticut and that the said Joseph came there to live with him, that while on his way there or soon after he came to the said state of Connecticut this deponent or some one else observed to the said Joseph who was then called Abial that there was a young woman or young women in the neighborhood that were called by the name of Abial and that he would be laughed at, if he was called by the name of Abial and the idea of calling him Joseph was then suggested and that he was then called Joseph and went by that name when he resided and lived in said state of Connecticut. That his name was not changed from Abial to Joseph for

Page 90

the purpose of eluding justice for any crime the said Joseph had committed while in the state of Rhodisland or elsewhere, but for the reason and none other than stated as aforesaid. That the said Joseph after living in the state of Connecticut a spell removed some forty years ago or more to the neighborhood where he now resides during all of which time he has gone by the name and has been known  by no other as this deponent believes than that of Joseph Briggs.
Joshua Briggs

Subscribed & sworn before me Oct. 14 1835
Adam S. Huntley Justice of the Peace

I am well acquainted with the above named Joshua Briggs & have been for many years and he is called a man of truth and veracity. Oct. 14 1835
Adam S. Huntley JP

State of New York Onondaga County ss
I Alanson Edwards Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county of Onondaga & clerk of said county do hereby certify that Adam S. Huntley Esquire before whom the preceding affidavit purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same one of the Justices of the Peace in and for said county duly elected and qualified and that I am acquainted with his hand writing and verily believe his name subscribed to the Jurat of said affidavit to be his genuine signature.
Witness my hand and seal of office this 15th day of October 1835.
A. Edwards Clerk

Page 91

Anamosa Iowa - Oct. 1 1930
Bureau of pensions
Washington-District of Columbia.
Gentlemen- I am seeking to trace for Daughter of the American Revolution purposes, the services of my great grand-father Abiel Briggs who served in the Revolutionary War.
The information was first given to me by mother now living (being eighty years old) concerning her grand-father, the said Abial Briggs. I went to New Brunswick this summer and confirmed her statements.
My information about him is as follows - Abiel Briggs, corporal, Col. Elliot's regiment, 1776; pay due 23.19.3. (from Cowell's Spirit of '76), page 115. We believe him to have been born in Rhode Island about 1760 or '61. His tombstone at Jacksonville New Brunswick reads as follows - Abiel Briggs died Oct. 23, 1844, aged 83 years, his wife Elizabeth died June 24, 1885 (1855) aged 84 years. After the War he went to Canada because his family had gone there at the time of the Revolution but he chose to stay and side with the States. I found in Gagetown N.B. the record of the baptism of his wife and his thirteen children in the Episcopal church records.
The reason that his back pay was not collected is very evident in that he went to Canada and probably there was no further connection with the States.
From the State Record Commissioner of Rhode Island dated Sept. 23, 1930, I have this record - Abiel Briggs born Feb. 7, 1760, served in Capt. John Garzia's Co., Col. Robert Elliot's Regiment from March 1778 - March 1799, also Connecticut service. According to a pension statement he died April 23 - 1839. Can you give me the place of his residence from 1779-1839, or where you sent pension money? Do you have a record of another Abiel Briggs from R.I?.

Page 92

Briggs page 2.
I shall be glad to reimburse the office for any research work that may be needful.
There is not any question but that my great grand-father Abiel Briggs served in the Revolutionary War, going from Rhode Island and that after the War he went to Canada to rejoin his family.
Very Truly Yours,
Queenie Cowperthwaite Worcester 
(Mrs. Frank C. Worcester)

Oct 4 1930
U.S. Pension Office

Page 93

The New Jersey Society of the Sons of The American Revolution
Office of the President
Montclair, N.J. May 28, 1915
Dear Sir:-
I understand that an ancestor of mine, named Briggs, who lived in Mayfield, near Broadalbin, Fulton County, N.Y., participated in the Revolutionary War, and that his widow received a pension.
Will you be good enough to send me any record you may have in reference to this Revolutionary soldier, and greatly oblige me.
Yours very truly,
W.J. Lincoln Adams, President.

Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

U.S. Pension Office 
May 29 1915

Page 94

In reply to your request of ____, received ____ for a statement of the military history of Abial Briggs or Joseph, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. W. 20,764.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. Sept. 10, 1774
Length of Service.  3 mos.
Rank. Private
Officers under whom service was rendered. Captain James Parker, Colonel Dyer
State. R.I.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. Sep. 1777
Length of Service.  3 mos.
Rank. Private
Officers under whom service was rendered. Captain Wadsey [illegible], Colonel Woodbridge
State. Conn.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. Mch. 1778
Length of Service.  1 year
Rank. Corporal
Officers under whom service was rendered. Captain John Garzia, Colonel Robert Elliott's artillery
State. R.I.

Dates of Enlistment or Appointment. July 15, 1780
Length of Service. 5 mos.
Rank. Private
Officers under whom service was rendered. Colonel Huntington
State. Conn.

Battles engaged in, Newport, where he was wounded by a bursting cannon
Residence of soldier at enlistments, North Kingston, R.I. 2&4 enl. Suffield, Conn.
Date of application for pension, 1818 appli. never acted upon & sent in as proof of name. His claim was allowed
Residence at date of application, Mayfield, Montgomery Co., N.Y.
Age at date of application, born Feb. 7, 1760, North Kingston, Washington Co., R.I.
Remark: Sol. married Redhook, NY Oct. 13, 1787, Jane Hayes. He died Apl. 23, 1839, & she was alld. pens, on her app____, executed Aug. 8 1844 while 77 yrs. of age & a resident of Broadalbin, NY. Children: eleven viz. In 1844 Jane was wife of Martin Wetherby, Caty Ann wife of Peter Winslow, Susan widow of Alexander Carson & Polly wife of Ephraim son of David Wetherby.
Respectfully, Commissioner.