Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1204, Nathan Briggs, N.C.

SERVICE
N.6
Briggs, Nathan Mary
NUMBER
A.1204
CONTENTS

State of Tennessee
Smith County } On this day to wit, the 4 th day of October 1889 personally appeared Mary Briggs before me, Exum Whitley one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for said County who being first duly sworn according to law, both on her oath Make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress passed July the 4 th 1886 That She is about Seventy Six years of age at this time. That She is the Widow of Nathan Briggs who was a Private in the army of the Revolution and served at different times as well as she can recollect about two years in the Militia and Volunteers of North Carolina he then enlisting for three years in the light horse troops his captains name was S r D. Raper. It was during this time of service that they were at a fort on the Altamaha River and the Soldiers were constructing some part of the fortification and he and another Soldier were unloading a wagon of timber for the fort and a piece fell on his leg and so shattered it that a great part of the bone came out So soon as he could travel he came home on a furlough and when he thought he was well enough to join his Regiment he got still permission to stay some another month during which time this applicant and the said Nathan Briggs were married They were married by Ezra Goy, a Justice of the Peace She further declares that she was married to the said Nathan Briggs on on the last day of September 1778

Say that her husband the aforesaid Nathan Priggs died on the 19 th Day of February 1882 and that she has remained a widow ever since that Period as well more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed She further declares that through old age and bodily infirmity she cannot travel to the Court House in order to make this declara- tion in open court She further states that her husband's discharges were burnt in their house which was destroyed by fire shortly after his return from the army She further states that she has no documentary testa- mony in support of her claim and that through old age and loss of memory she cannot state the particulars of his services but must rely upon other proof She further states that her husband joined the army afterwards and served until discharged which took place after their marriage and that she is now a resident of the County of Smith aforesaid
Sworn to and subscribed before Me this 4 th October 1887
Comm Whitley (Seal) Justice of the peace
Her Mary + Priggs mark

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
✓ 204
RECEIVED
P. O. Mary Briggs wid. of Nathan
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

6503
Tennessee Mary Briggs Letter to A. Fergusson 21. June '45.
1204
Act July 4. 1836

Chas Boigg Biden Nathan Lew — sup 8
M Cole
Ac 36 & 38
M Evans Ex 6

South on Flat Creek 2 1/2 miles east of Readville if above will prove the Service Benjamin T. Dold lives
State of Tennessee
Smith County 3 on this day personally ap- peared Susanah Scrivner about ninety five years old and made oath in due form of law that she was married on the same day that Polly Briggs and Nathan Briggs were married they were married in Salisbury they were married on the day of 1778 but this affiant does not know the precise day or month the only circumstance she can refresh her memory with is that her first born child was born about a year after her marriage  at that time before  the birth of Elizabeth and from that circumstance  time she would suppose that the period mentioned above must be the true period Nathan Briggs and Polly Briggs were legally married by a Minister of the Gospel the Law then married
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4th September 1839
I certify that the above subscriptions in 11-12-13 lines were made before signed
Testimony, J. Askey (JP) Susanah X Scrivner for Smith Co. mark
State of Tennessee
Smith County 3 I James I Askey one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for the county of Smith and State aforesaid hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Susanah Scrivner who has this day made the foregoing affidavit before me that she is a woman of truth and veracity and that full faith and credit are due her statements.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 5th day of September 1839
James I. Askey (JP)

6503,
July 4, 1836
Received June 20, 1895.
of Smith's Creek, Miss.

State of Tennessee
Smith County
On this day personally appeared Mary Lawrence before me Exum Whitley one of the acting Justices of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid and made oath in due form of law that she was well acquainted with Mary Briggs widow of Nathan Briggs who was a soldier of the Revolution. She distinctly recollects the day and the time of their marriage. They were married on the last day of September 1778. The marriage took place in Salisbury North Carolina at the house of Mr. John Blake a little after twelve o'clock. They rode 16 miles that day to the county town - Salisbury to get the marriage celebrated. This applicant went in company. The British was then in parts of the country and they had just then the greatest number of Tories in every part of the country. This applicant's husband was then stationed at Salisbury and the Americans that is our men had taken twenty five Tories. She saw them in Jail. They were begging the Ladies to use their endeavours to get them out. Most of them enlisted out of the Jail and joined the Americans afterwards. This was in the most troublesome times which makes her recollect it more particularly. Nathan Briggs had been two years in the Service previous to that time and he in a short time went out again and received a wound in the leg which always afterward made him a cripple. She is very clear in her recollections of the above facts as they were then as they ever have been.

close neighbours and Nathan Bayys died in this county of the same love by the wound of which he received while in actual service of his country and further this deponent is advised it is not material for her to say she knows all about the marriage that the same was legally celebrated Sworn to and subscribed before me This 7 th day of September 1888
Edwin Whitley (Seal) Justice of the peace
his Mary J Scrivner Mark

State of Tennessee Smith County
I John H Burnett clerk of Smith County Court hereby certify that Everard Whitley before me known to be the person described in and who executed the foregoing declaration and affidavits was made was at the time named persons to be and also any other Justice of the peace in and for said Smith County, duly commissioned and qualified as the law directs and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his are genuine
John H Burnett I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal of office at office in Cuckoo the 13 th day of June 1815
John H Burnett clerk of Smith County Court
July 4 1836
Recorded June 20 1842
6503

Declaration and proof of Mrs Mary Briggs for a Pension under act of July 1845
filed by A. H. Henson June 19 th 1845
6503 Mary Briggs July 4, 1836,
June 26, 1845,

Washington June 19 th 1845
Sir
I herewith file the original Declaration and proof sustaining the same of Mrs Mary Briggs widow of Nathan Briggs for a Pension under act of 4 th July 1836. You will see by the date of her papers that the claim has been held up by me declining to see what further proof could be obtained and as yet not being able to get more on account that the witnesses live at so great a distance and the expense in obtaining the same would be more than could be paid by her or her friends. I have filed the claim under the belief that the proof although not exactly agreeable to the rules of your office yet you will be convinced of the justice of the same and will I hope allow it. The Comptroller says he cannot find the name of Nathan Briggs on his Books which is to me unaccountable unless he moved away and never applied for his pay that he was a true Soldier and patriot never was doubted by his acquaintance. If you can allow the claim under the circumstances and proof you will confer a great benefit to a disked veteran of the Revolution. Please examine it and make the best decision you can in the case.
Respectfully
N. Bergussdorf
J. S. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington