Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1208, John Briggs, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Briggs, John Lorania
R. 1208
CONTENTS

34661
John Briggs Mass.
act 7 June 1832
A. Bapst Faucon Mass.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, } BRISTOL, ss. }
At a Court of Probate holden at in and for said County On the sixth day of August one thousand eight hundred and thirty- eight before the Honorable Henry  John Briggs Marcus Morton, Judge of the Supreme Judicial Court in & for the Commonwealth aforesaid James, Judge of the Probate, for said County , personally appeared a resident of Berkeley in the County and Commonwealth aforesaid, aged eighty four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832, make the following declaration.
That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as hereinafter stated; to wit: under
Capt. James Briggs, Capt. Joshua Milburn & Lieut. Ebenezer Paine & others.
and further declares as follows, in reply to the interrogatories propounded by the Secretary of War; to wit:
1. Where, and in what year were you born?
Ans. That he was born in Berkeley in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty three .
2. Have you any record of your age; and if so, where is it? There is a Record of my birth on the Town Records of said Berkeley , a certified copy of which is hereto annexed.
3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War, and where do you now live?
I was living in said Berkeley , when called into service & have resided there ever since.
4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? and if a substitute, for whom?
I was drafted, volunteered & was once a substitute for my father John Briggs, a period of two months.
5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
1.15 I was in service as a Soldier in the War of the Revolution, at Roxbury in the latter part of 1775 or early part of 1776 over half months under Capt. James Briggs whose Lieut. was Philip Hathaway; Benjamin Evans was Clerk of said Company.
2 I served two months in 1776 at Dorchester under Capt. Joshua Milburn whose first Lieut. was Jacob French In - liey Father John Briggs enlisted in this Company for four months & he served two months of the time - and I served two months as a substitute for my said Father John Briggs in said Company - We were employed in taking some Canals at Winter Hill & removing them to Dorchester Heights -

21 I further say that at the time the British landed at Newport in Oct. 1776 I was ordered to march to Providence R.I. That I went as far as Sabin's in Rehoboth. I was then ordered to Warren R.I. where we went and remained three weeks - Simon But was then Captain of the Company - We were then ordered to Hornlands Ferry so called, where we remained until a Regiment was raised viz. to the last of December 1776 - I cannot say that I served under Capt. But all the time & so not recollect under whom I did serve - We were however in Col. John Hathaway's Regiment -
1 I further say that I served under Capt. James Briggs in Spencer's Expedition so called, at Tiverton in 1777 one month - Talbot was Lieutenant of said Company -
1.15 I further served one & half a month or more under Lieut. Edward Paul who had the command of the Company in Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island to Rhode Island in 1778. In this service I was drafted.
2-7 And I refer to the accompanying depositions & to the Rolls of the several Officers herein named for proof of his said services.
The reason why he did not make application sooner for a Pension, is because, the terms of his service were very short & he could not make proof of six months service in the whole & finding he could not produce direct evidence as to his services, to the amount of six months, he now makes this declaration, with some evidence as to his services & with reference to the Rolls of his Officers for the balance -

6. Were you a Soldier or an Officer? if a Soldier, did you ever receive a discharge from the service, whom was it given, and what has become of it? if an Officer, did you ever receive a commission, and if was it signed, and what has become of it?
I was a Soldier. I never received a discharge
if so, by whom
7. State the names of the persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a Soldier of the Revolution.
Rev. Thomas Andrews
And the said John Briggs doth further declare that he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
John Briggs Marcus Morton Judge Supreme Judicial Court, the Commonwealth of the
WE John Clark
and Philip Gaswell
residing in Berkley residing in the same Berkley
certify that we are well acquainted with John Briggs who has subscribed hereby above declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty four years of age; that he is reputed and sworn to the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion believed, in the
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year aforesaid.
John Clark Philip Gaswell Marcus Morton Judge Supreme Judicial Court, the Commonwealth of the
AND the said Judge do hereby declare his opinion, after the investigation of the matter and after rogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the abovenamed applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier in the inter- he states. And the Judge further certifies, that it appears to them that John Clark and served as resident in the Town of Berkley has signed the preceding certificate is Philip Gaswell who has also signed the same is a resident in said Town said County of Bristol, and that their statement is entitled to credit. is a credible
Marcus Morton Supreme Judicial Court of Probate, the Commonwealth of the
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, Berkley, ss.
Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application in said County, for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court the day and year first above written
I hereby certify that John Briggs the applicant for a Pension, cannot, by reason of bodily infirmity attend the foregoing Court.
Marcus Morton Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of the
Aug. 6. 1836.

Bristol
I James Sproat, Clerk of the Superior Judicial Court for said County of Bristol, do hereby certify that Marcus Morton, Esquire, whose signature is affixed to the within certificate is a Judge of said Superior Judicial Court, duly qualified and acting as such Judge within said County of Bristol, and that full faith and credit is due to his official acts & attestation.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal, at Taunton this twenty seventh day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight. James Sproat Clerk

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
County of Bristol ss. On this ninth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty one. Personally appeared before the Hon. Oliver Prescott Judge of Probate in and for said County. Lorania Briggs a resident of Berkley in the County aforesaid, aged eighty five years who upon oath makes the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions of the Act of 7th June 1832 and of the 29th July 1848.
And this declarant states that she is the widow of John Briggs late of said Berkley, deceased, that her said husband made application for a pension in his lifetime under the act of 1832 and she believes that he served in 1775 and 1776 under Capt. James Briggs and also under capt. Webber as a substitute for his father and that he served in Capt Paul's Co in 1778 about 8 months. This applicant is unable to state the particulars of her husband's service and she therefore refers the Comm te of Pensions to his declaration and the proof that he adduced in support of his claim. She has often heard her said husband say that he was entitled to a pension and she believes that he was in the service in the Revolutionary War for more than Thirteen months.
She further states that she was married to

the said John Briggs on the 30th day of November A. D. 1797, and that her husband the said John Briggs died on the 22 day of Nov. A. D. 1842 and that she has remained a widow ever since the death of her husband aforesaid. She therefore claims the pension under the Acts aforesaid.
Witness. H. Williams
her Lorania X Briggs Mark
Signed and sworn to by the said Lorania Briggs on the day and year first abovementioned. Before me Oliver Prescott Judge

This may certify that I the subscriber Town Clerk of Berkleys find on the records of sd Town John Briggs born August 31 st 1753 Wateo Berkleys July 20 th 1838
Ephraim French Jr Town Clerk

I Hathaway Briggs of Berkly in county of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Twenty five years do testify and say that John Briggs of said Berkly is my Brother - That that the said John Briggs was about several times in the war of the Revolution in some of the counties
I will recollect one time in particular that he was to Rhode Island in Swanton hundred and Twenty eight in Sullivan's Creek. I was in a company commanded by Lieut Obermyer Paul Hardy was absent I cannot state with any degree of firmness I also recollect that he was absent same time during the same year two or more weeks in the service of his country I think this service must have been at Howlands Ferry and at Fall River in Massachusetts
Hathaway Briggs
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss July 30th 1838
Hathaway Briggs who is a credible witness made oath to the above affidavit by him signed.
Before me Marshall Part of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss. I Amos D. Barnes Register of the Court of Probate in the said County do hereby certify that William L. Bell whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate is a Justice of the Peace in the said County of Bristol. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this seal of said Court this twenty ninth day of August Eighteen hundred thirty eight. A. Barnes

March 13, 1939
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/MCS John Briggs, R.1208
Mrs. Edward W. Holmes 42 Finch Street Rochester, New York
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your request for information relative to Revolutionary War soldiers, John Briggs who was born August 31, 1753, and John Pitman.
The data which follow were obtained from papers on file in the pension claim, R.1208, based on the military service of John Briggs.
John Briggs was born August 31, 1753, in Berkley, Bristol County, Massachusetts, and was the son of John Briggs.
He applied for pension on August 6, 1838, while a resident of Berkley, Massachusetts, where he stated he had always lived. It was alleged that he served as private with the Massachusetts troops as follows: from late in 1775 or early in 1776, served one and one half months under Captain James Briggs (relationship not shown); in 1776, two months under Captain Joshua Wilbur as a substitute for his father, John Briggs; from October, 1776, until the last of December, 1776, under Captain Simeon or Joseph Burt in Colonel Hathaway's regiment; in 1777, one month under Captain James Briggs and went on Spencer's Rhode Island expedition; in 1778, one and one half months under Lieutenant Ebenezer Paull and went on Sullivan's Rhode Island expedition. The claim was not allowed as proof of the alleged service was not furnished in accordance with the requirement of the pension law.
In 1851 Lorania Briggs of Berkley, Massachusetts, aged eighty-five years, stated that she was the widow of John Briggs whom she married November 30, 1797, (her maiden name not given) and that he died November 22, 1842, in Berkley, Massachusetts.

Hathaway Briggs, brother of John Briggs who was born August 31, 1753, was living in Berkley, Massachusetts, in 1838 and was then seventy-five years of age.
There are no further data on file relative to the family of John Briggs.
As means of identification of the record of the particular John Pitman of the Revolutionary War, in whom you are interested, it is essential that you furnish as much as possible of the following data: approximate date of birth and death, place of residence at enlistment and after service and first name of widow.
Very truly yours
A. D. ELLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

1939 Mar. 13. hist. to Mrs. Edward W. Holmes MRS
1218.
REJECTED
P. O. Lorania } Briggs Lorania }
Service: _____
Can't name on Book
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
185-2 List gives fol. reason for suspension: "He did not serve six months."
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .
Sat. A Bapt. chur. '38 - do do - 24. June '39 Hon. Henry Harrison Dec. 24. 1840.

Ino Briggs early 76. Capt. James Briggs - 1.15 76- " Joshua Wilbore substitute ghis father - 2 - 76- " Simeon Bush. R. I. - act. to Dec. 2.00 Aug 77- " Jas. Briggs u vol 17-p. 110. on $29 Aug 78- " Lt. Col. Paul u " 21:189 Aug 78- on $188 8 "

Enquiry of the Commissioner of Pensions respecting the ap- -plicant of Mr. John Briggs for a Pension.
The applicant says that Simon Burt was a Captain of the militia, & that Joseph Burt Burt belonged to the Regiment.
The applicant was a volunteer under Sullivan.
The applicant served one half, & his father the other half, of the time.
There are said to be one or more who served no longer than Mr. Briggs & served with him now draw a pension.

Served part of the time on alarm duty.

No
Serania Briggs
wid of John Mass ts
Act July 29. 1848
~~~~~ Seen to G. C. Ames Dec 19/52
1208

Washington Sept. 18 1857 James E Heath Esq Sir
Enclosed you will please find application of Serania Briggs widow of Oliver Briggs for a pension under the act of 29 July 1848. Also for arrears of Pension due her husband under the act of 7 June 1832
The evidence herewith presented in relation to the service of Oliver Briggs together with that already on file together will I trust be sufficient, that he was entitled to the pension, for which his widow is now an applicant
With Much Respect Your obed Servt Geo L Ames

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, September 13 th 1881
W hereby C ertify. That at the date of the annexed attestation Ephraim French was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Bristol.
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and qualified; and that to his acts and attestations, as such, full faith and credit are and ought to be given, in and out of Court.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Maurice Walker Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I Corania Briggs of Berkley in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts a claimant for a pension due her late husband John Briggs under the act of 1832 and a claimant for a pension due to herself under the act of 29 July 1848, do hereby constitute and appoint Freeman Bradford of Portland in the County of Cumberland and State of Maine and George C. Ames of Washington D.C. my true and lawful Attorneys for me and in my name and for my use and behoof to prosecute my claim as aforesaid, and for that purpose they or either of my said Attorneys are authorized and empowered to call for and examine any papers that relate to my said claim now in the Pension Office at Washington, and also all papers filed in the declaration of my said husband And generally to do and perform whatsoever acts and things necessary to be done in and about the premises, Hereby ratifying and confirming whatever my Attorneys of either of them may legally do in the premises.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this First

day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty one,
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Ephraim French
her Lurania X Briggs mark
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol ss September 1 st 1857
Then personally appeared the above named Lurania Briggs and acknowledged the foregoing power of Attorney by her signed to be her act and deed.
Before me
Ephraim French } Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Probate Office } Bristol County } ss.
Be it known that on this ninth day of September A. D. 1851 it has been satisfactorily proved before me Judge of Probate in and for said County that John Briggs late of Berkley in said County died at said Berkley on the 22nd day of November A. D. 1842 and that Sorania Briggs is the widow of the said John Briggs, deceased.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name and caused the Seal Official of said Court to be affixed the day and year first above written.
Oliver Prescott Judge of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. County of Bristol ss.
Probate Office Sept. 9th. 1851
I, Henry Williams Register of Probate hereby certify that Hon. Oliver Prescott, before whom the foregoing declaration was made and by whom the foregoing certificate was signed, is Judge of Probate in and for said County, duly commissioned and qualified agreeably to the constitution and Laws of the State, that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his, are genuine, and that full faith and credit should be given to his official attestations
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court the day and year first above written
Henry Williams Register

To the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Mass.
Gerania Briggs respectfully requests the Secretary of State Massachusetts to furnish from the rolls and Documents in his posses- sion the evidence of the service of John Briggs, who was a Soldier in the war of the Revolution.
Your applicant states that the said John Briggs was a resident of Berkley Mass. in the time of the Revolution. She believes that the said John was in the service in 1775 and 1776 in Captain James Briggs & John Nobbs Company, that in one of those Companies he served as a substitute for his father John Briggs two months. She also believes that her said husband served in Capt. Simon Col's Company for a short period and also under Capt. Bane in Col. Heathcote's Regt. She said John Briggs was in one or two campaigns in R.I. under Col Spencer and was also in R.I. under Genl Sullivan and served at one time under him about 8 mos. She requests all the evidence of service that can be identified with the person above named. And for the purpose of this application I hereby appoint Freeman Bradford of Portland Maine my Atty

any in the premises. In witness whereof I have caused my name to be affixed this Ninth day of June A.D. 1851.
Witness Darius Sanford      Lorania her Briggs County of Bristol ss.      Mark
4573
June 9 th 1851. Then personally appeared the above named Lorania Briggs and signed the same in my presence, and acknow- ledged the power of Attorney, subscribed to this application to be her act and deed for the pur- poses above expressed.
Before me      Ephraim French Justice of the Peace
7

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston:
July 1 1857.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the name of John Briggs is borne on a roll of Capt. James Briggs Co. Genl. Spencer, as private from Oct. 2, 1777. 29 days. from Dighton. —
On a payroll of Capt. Ebenl. Paul's lev. Co. Dazgett's Regt. as a private, from Aug. 25, 1778, 8 days. —
There appears to be no roll of Capt. James Briggs or Capt. Joshua Webber for 1775 or 1776. Name does not appear on rolls of Capt. Simeon Leve or Capt. Bent. —

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the application hereto annexed was filed in this Office, in the form in which the same now appears; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said application, and the certificate above set forth, contain all the facts and circumstances within my knowledge, pertaining to the case.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
Levi Woodbury Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Wm. H. Williams - Dec. 24. 1840.
O. P.

Rev: H
Dec. 24, '40
Sir
I have the honor to inform you that agreeably to your request the case of Jno Briggs has been carefully reviewed. The recits communicated to his agent Mr. Bapell on 24 June '39 a copy of which is herewith enclosed are confirmed. The service under Capt. Welber must be regarded as credited to his father of whom he claims to have been a substitute for a part of the term and rejecting this alleged portion of that term the remainder of his alleged services even if credited to him would be insufficient to entitle him to a pension.
For Henry Williams A.R.

War Dep
421.
Pen. off
June 24: 39
Sir
In the case of Jno Briggs the addl evidence is not confirmed by the rolls - The claimant asserted that he served from Oct to Dec 76 under Capt Simeon Burt & this witness calls him Capt. Joseph Burt - It does not appear that any officers bearing those names were in service at that or any other period of the war - Claimant's name is not borne on any roll of Capt James Briggs except that for the  the expedition to R. I. in 77, of 29 days - The alleged service of 1 mo 15 days in Sullivan's expedition to R. I. in 78 under Lt Ebenezer Pape is shown by the rolls to have been 8 days only - These terms are credited to Jno Briggs and are therefor supposed to have been rendered

ed by his father at his name according to his own statement had the distinguishing adjunct of "Jr". So also is the service in Capt Wiborn's company credited to Jno Briggs who  which by his own admission was his father for whom he alleges he served two of the 4 m os for which his father had engaged.
It is very clear that he did not serve six m os . & is therefore not entitled -
J. B.
At. All a per Co.
June 24 th 1899
J. Bapst Esq Taunton Mass.

Taunton Feb. 2. 1839
Sir,
The inclosed affidavit of John Lawrence, is to be annexed to and made a part of the case of John Briggs of Berkley, Massachusetts, an applicant for a pension under the Act of 1832 — Mr. Briggs says he is not aware that he can furnish any further evidence of his services, or that he can give any further particulars respecting the same — He however wishes you to examine his case again, with the aid of the accompanying affidavit of John Lawrence —
Respectfully Yours O. D. Doot Atty at Law
J. L. Edwards Esq Com r of Pensions Washington

I John Lawrence of Freetown in the County of Bristol & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Seventy Seven do testify and say that I served as a soldier in the War of the Revolution in a Company Commanded by Capt. Joseph Bust at Howlands Ferry in the Year Seventeen hundred and Seventy as I verily believe Six - I was drafted to serve three months & served that time - John Briggs who now resides in Berkley in said County of Bristol & with whom I have this day conversed, served in the same Company with me during the time aforesaid -
I further testify and say that I saw the same John Briggs in the service in Sullivan's expedition, so called, on Rhode-Island in Seventeen hundred and Seventy eight - But what Company he served in I cannot state
John Lawrence
Bristol J. January 21. 1859 John Lawrence a credible witness made oath to the truth of the above affidavit by him signed - Before me A. Barrett Just. Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bristol County ss. I Anselm Barron Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County do hereby certify that Anselm Barron is a Justice of the Peace in for said County and that the signature to the within certificate purporting to be his, is genuine —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court This first day of February 1839
A Barron

A Bapt
Nov 5-38
o. b.

War Dep
Pen: Mt
Nov 5-38
Sir
The papers in the case of John Briggs under the act of 7 June 1832 have been examined his papers filed in this Office.
The period & other particulars of the several terms of service should be more particularly stated. - The third is very imperfectly set forth as to length & names of officers.
In relation to the 2 nd in which he asserts that he served 2 months as a substitute for his father of the same name who had been drafted for a term of 4 months to Dorchester, it is indispensable to its admission, that the very satisfactory proof be adduced. - Unless this or any other term be not established, it would reduce the aggregate of the service below the minimum of the act. A. Basset Esq. Taunton Mass.

Farnsworth Aug. 29. 1838
Sir, In obedience to the request of John Briggs, I here forward you his application for a pension under the Act of 1832 - any communication you may please to make relative thereto may be made to me - Very Respectfully Your Obedt Servt J B Cusick
J H Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington -

I Ephraim Caswell of Berkeley in County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged Eighty two years do testify and say that past I served as a private on an expedition at Wadsworth in Massachusetts in the latter part of the year Seventeen hundred and twenty five or early part of the year Seventeen hundred and twenty six under the command of Capt James Briggs whose lieut was Philip Hathaway and whose clerk was Benjamin Evans and that John Briggs of Berkeley served as a private in the same company at the same time
I further testify and say that I again served as private in a company commanded by Capt James Briggs in Spencers Expedition so called in Seventeen hundred and twenty six for the term of one month according to the best of my recollection and that then John Briggs aforesaid served as a private at the same time in the same company
Ephraim Caswell
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss August 1 st 1838
Ephraim Caswell who is a credible witness made attests the above affidavit by him signed Before me Wm Skill Pres t of Ass

MRS. EDWARD W. HOLMES, PRESIDENT 42 FINCH STREET
Rochester Colony National Society of New England Women
January 27, 1939.
Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.
Sirs:
Will you kindly advise me if you have a Revolutionary War record of one JOHN BRIGGS , born August 31, 1753, wife Hannah, born May 5, 1753, daughter Diadama born May 19, 1780? Enlistment probably from some town on Cape Cod.
Also a Revolutionary War record of one more  JOHN PITMAN ; information regarding him or his family is very meagre.
Very truly yours,
Leady A. S. Holmes.
President, Rochester Colony.