Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 1197, Jesse Briggs, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Briggs, Jesse Betty
R. 1197
CONTENTS

27.05 1/2 Massachusetts
Jesse Briggs of Natham in the State of Mass who was a private in the Compy. commanded by Captain Hammond of the Brig. commanded by _____ in the Mass line for 11 Months.
Inscribed on the Roll of. Massachusetts at the rate of 36. Dollars 66 Cents per annum, commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 8 th day of Jan. 1834 and sent to the Hon d J. Reed. H d of P.
Arrears to the 4th of Sep. 1833. $ 91. 65 Sem-ant. allowance ending 4 th  Mar 1834.  18. 33
109. 98
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk, Book 8. Vol. 2 Page 42

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of Plymouth ss.
On this fourth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two personally appeared in open court, before the Court of Probate now sitting at Rochester within and for the County of Plymouth. Joseph Briggs, a resident of Wareham in said County of Plymouth aforesaid, aged seventy five years having been born at said Wareham on the third day of June one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven, Not 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 in the spring of 1775 he enlisted in a company raised for the term of six months by Massa. Chs. for campaign on the war of the revolution which had then just commenced. Its duty was to guard the shores at the Head of Barnstable bay, and was stationed in detachments in Rochester and Wareham, and was commanded by Nathaniel Hammond of Rochester captain. Joshua Briggs and Barnabas Bates of Wareham lieutenants. The detachments were stationed in what was called the Great Neck in Rochester. Joshua Briggs was stationed with the detachments in which he was, and Isaac Smith Briggs was the sergeant who was with the same detachments, and are both dead, as is also the captain. Barnabas Bates is still living. The declarant was in no engagements. He served out the period of enlistment and was dismissed without any written discharge. Solomon Helebsceer, whose deposition he heretofore obtained, was in the same company and detachment and quartered the whole or a part of the time in the same building with him. There were no field officers on duty with the company.
He belonged to a Company raised in Wareham by the State of Massachusetts, commanded by David Aye of Wareham aforesaid. Ebenezer Chubbuck was a Subaltern in said Company. He was marched in said Company to Tiverton in December 1776 and was on duty there about one month & then he enlisted in a Company commanded by Capt. James Cottle of Rochester in said County. Joseph Bapett personally appeared before me this day and gave up

one reorganized is a company raised in the  the State of Massachusetts, commanded by David Ayer of Wareham aforesaid. Ebenezer Chubbuck was a subaltern in said company. He was marched in said company to Tiverton in December 1776 and was on duty there about one month & then he enlisted in a company commanded by Capt. James Cottle of Rochester in said County, Joseph Basset personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Plymouth in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. I, Jesse Briggs who, being duly sworn, deposeth & saith. That he has attentively re-conceived the Declaration by him made in the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth, on the 11 th day of August A.D. 1832, for the purpose of obtaining a pension for services in the war of the revolution, under the act of Congress of June 7 th 1832, and which Declaration has been returned to him for amendment.
He makes the following statements as supplementary to said original Declaration. He enlisted as a private and served as a private the several periods stated with greater precision than in said Declaration the term when he enlisted for the first period of service. He thinks he was engaged in planting potatoes when he enlisted. A short time before he was discharged, there was a fall of snow, but it was an uncommon early fall of snow to fall. To the best of his recollection he was discharged the last of October or first of November 1775.
He thinks he was engaged with his team as soon as the close of the year 1776, being the second period of service.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, County of Plymouth ss.
On the fourth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two I personally appeared in open Court, before the Court of Probate now sitting at Rochester meeting and for the County of Plymouth. Joseph Briggs, a resident of Wareham in said County of Plymouth aforesaid, aged seventy five years having been born at said Wareham on the third day of June one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven, Not 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 in the spring of 1775 he enlisted in a company raised for the term of six months by Massachussetts for carrying on the war of the revolution which had then just commenced. Its duty was to guard the shores at the Head of Barnstable bay, and was stationed in detachments in Rochester and Wareham, and was commanded by Nathaniel Hammond of Rochester captain, Joshua Briggs and Barnabas Bates of Wareham subalterns. The detachment was stationed on what was called the Great Neck in Rochester. Joshua Briggs was stationed with the detachment in which he was, and Jeremiah Briggs was the sergeant who was with the same detachment, and are both dead, as is also the captain. Barnabas Bates is still living. The declarant was in no engagements. He served all the period of enlistment and was dismissed without any written discharges. Solomon Helebsceer, whose deposition he hereto annexes, was in the same company and detachment and quartered the whole or a part of the time in the same building with him. There were no field officers on duty with the company.
He belonged to a Company raised in Wareham by the State of Massachusetts, commanded by David Aye of Wareham aforesaid. Ebenezer Chubbuck was a Subaltern in said Company. He was marched in said Company to Tiverton in December 1776 and was on duty there about one month & then he enlisted in a Company commanded by Captain Caleb Cottle of Rochester in said County. Joseph Bapett

of Rochester was Lieut & Eben. Chubbuck of Wareham was Ensign. He enlisted for three months. Marched to Bristol Rhode Island & were united to Col Hall's Regiment in Gen. West's Brigade. Served the time out & was dismissed but has no written discharge. He was in no battle.
In August 1778 immediately after the battle in Rhode Island as a member of the Militia Company in Wareham commanded by David Vye he was marched to Newport Rhode Island where he was in service about three weeks & was discharged. He knows of no person living who was with him in this expedition excepting one Samuel Bates whose resi- dence he has been unable thus far to ascertain.
Immediately after his return from the above ex- pedition & upon the burning of New Bedford he was marched in the Company commanded by David Vye to New Bedford & Fairhaven where he was on duty about a week. He was present at a skirmish between the two armies & some were killed. Major Pease commanded in the battle. It was on the Fairhaven side of the river.
He was born in said town of Wareham & has al- ways resided there. His birth is in the Family Records. He has no documentary evidence of his services except the depositions hereunto an- nexed. He lives in that part of Wareham near the line of Rochester in said County & adjoining the Parish of which Rev. Jonathan Bigelow is Minister.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State.
Yrs B. Briggs
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid.
Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
buried

1 We Jonathan Bigelow a Clergyman residing in the town of Rochester & Charles J. Holmes Esq also residing in said town hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Jesse Briggs of Wareham in the County of Plymouth who has subscribed & sworn to the foregoing declaration; that we believe him to be seventy five years of Age; that he is reputed & believed in the neighbourhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion
Jonathan Bigelow Charles J. Holmes
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid
Attest Jacob H. Lord Register
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 feel they certify that it appears to them that Jonathan Bigelow who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman resident in the town of Rochester & that Charles J. Holmes Esq who has also signed the same is a resident in the same town and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit.
By the Court Attest
Jacob H. Lord Register
I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of Jesse Briggs for a Pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this fourth day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. Jacob H. Lord

then she enlisted in a Company commanded by Capt. Ja- bes Cottle of Rochester in said County, Joseph Barrett Personally appeared before me the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Plymouth in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Jesse Briggs who, being duly sworn, deposeth & saith. That he has attentively reconsulted the Declaration by him made in the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth, on the 11 th day of August A.D. 1832, for the purpose of obtaining a pension for services in the war of the revolution, under the act of Congress of June 7 th 1832, and which Declaration has been returned to him for amendment.
He makes the following statements as supplementary to said original Declaration. He enlisted as a private and served as a private the several periods in said declaration named. He is unable to state with greater precision than in said declaration the time when he enlisted for the first period of service. He thinks he was engaged in planting potatoes when he enlisted. A short time before he was discharged, there was a fall of snow, but it was uncommonly early for snow to fall. To the best of his recollection he was dis- charged the last of October or first of November 1775.
He thinks he was engaged not less than a month in the close of the year 1776, being the second period of service.

mentioned in his declaration. The third period of service was in 1777 and followed immediately after the second. He enlisted, while engaged at Rhode Island in the second period of service, and for the term of three months, which term he fully served out. He recollects that on his return home after the completion of this service, the farmers were paying their bonds. This was in the spring of 1777.
He thinks he was engaged not less than three weeks, in what was called Sullivan's expedition; but he has no certain means of stating the precise length of this service; nor can he state with certainty the time he was engaged when the enemy landed at Newport and Fair Haven. He thinks it was a week, as named in his original declaration. He was also called out to Falmouth and on other alarms not named in his declaration.
Zeph Briggs
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss Oct. 10. 1833. I, Zeph Briggs personally appeared and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing declaration by him subscribed, before me the undersigned; and I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the declarant, and that he is of good character for truth and entitled to credit.
Charles J. Molson, Esq. Peace
Plymouth ss.
I, Jacob H. Lord, Register of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Charles J. Molson Esq. is a justice of the Peace in & for said County & that the above is his genuine signature. Given under my hand & seal of office this 3 day of Dec r 1833 - Jacob H. Lord

8472
Lepe Briggs
Private 11 months 506 WMA. March 20 1893
I 30.3
E.D.B.
not another
Wm Read H. Lord Reg. A.R.

BRIEF in the case of  Jepe Briggs,  of Wareham Plymouth Co in the State of Massachusetts.  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? open court.  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? seventy five years.  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     enlisted In 1775 6 Capt Nathl Hammond.   1776. Dec. about 1 David Nye, Capt.   enlisted then 3 Jabez Cobble.   1778. Aug. about (3 weeks, "   about 1 " "  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? skirmishes  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Wareham Mass.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? A clergyman & C. J. Holmes certify to traditional evidence. Selbury Hitchman, privy 6 mfo. service in 1775. Thomas Bapett, privy 3 mfo service in 1777. Lt. Thaxter, privy service under Capt. Cobble as stated in the declaration. Timothy Helle, privy service in Dec. 1776.  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? 
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
O. A. H. Examining Clerk.

11578
By Betty Briggs
Mad.
Act July 7 th 38
Dec n made Nov 6 th 44 and filed Jan 13 th 45. m. Dec 12 th 824 L.a. July 8 th 41.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss. On this sixth day of November 1844 personally appeared before the Court of Probate holden at Rochester in the said County of Plymouth
Betty Briggs a resident of Wrentham in said County of Plymouth & Commonwealth of Massachusetts aged eighty five years who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth upon her oath make the following declaration to obtain the benefits of the provisions of the Acts of Congress passed July 7 th 1838, March 3 d 1843, & June 17 th 1844. That she is the widow of Jesse Briggs late of said Wrentham, deceased, a Pensioner of the United States under the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832, and that she believes he served in the War of the Revolution as he set forth in his declaration by him made to obtain his pension under the act of 1832 now on file in the Pension Office, to which she refers, as she is unable from defect of memory to state any thing further in relation to his services in the war
She further declares that she was married to the said Jesse Briggs on the twelfth day of December in the year seventeen hundred and eighty two, that her husband, the aforesaid Jesse Briggs died on the twenty eighth day of February in the year eighteen hundred and forty one, that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service: but the marriage took place previous to the first of January seventeen hundred and ninety four (vix) at the time above stated
Betty Briggs

Plymouth Yr. I Jacob H. Lord, Register of Probate for D o County Certify The within petition was subscribed & sworn to in open Probate Court before the Hon. Aaron Hobart Judge by the said Betty Briggs. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the Seal of said Court this sixth day of No- vember 1844.
Jacob H. Lord

John Briggs of Wareham & Betty Sumner of Rochester Married Dec r 12 th Seventeen hundred eighty two Recorded per David Wing Jr Clerk
I Moses H. Young Clerk of the town of Rochester in the County of Plymouth & Commonwealth of Massachusetts certify that the above is a true copy of the record of said town with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures as follows Dec r 12 th 1782
Moses H. Young Town Clerk of Rochester
I Moses H. Young above named depose and say: that I hold the office of Town Clerk the town of Rochester in the County & state aforesaid and that the above is a true extract from the Records of said town with the exception above warned, as certified by me.
Moses H. Young
Plymouth 6 th November 1844
Sworn before me Seth Miller Jr Justice Peace

11. 578
Betty Briggs Grose Mass
Adopted
Adopted Bettie the 2nd March 28 45
" " Sick Milton Aug 9 45
1197
Act July 7 th 38

May 18. 1905. This to Miss Beatrice V. Bicknell Newark N.J.
11197
RECEIVED
P. O. Petty Briggs Maurice J. Jaffe
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____ _____ _____
Re-enlisted: _____ _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____ _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18

Dunk W.P.
317 High St. Newark N.J. 7/9/05
Secy. Dept. of Interior Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
My great grand father Isaac Briggs was a soldier and I understand a pensioner of the Revolutionary War. He volunteered in some company from Paris Maine - then I think a part of Massachusetts colony - Have you any record giving me any particulars or facts. Thanking you for a reply.
Respy Yours
(Miss) Beatrice F. Dicknell
REC'D MAY 13 1906 FILES.

Lepe Briggs 8/17/2.

June 1832
I Thomas Bapst of Rochester in the County of Plymouth & State of Massachusetts, legally qualified to give evidence testify and say. That I was a private in a company of Massachusetts militia in the course of the revolution, commanded by John Batten Captain, Joseph Bapst & Shuben Chubback lieutenants, in the year 1777. in Col. Hovey's and Gen. Wells brigade. The term of service was then 3 months. John Briggs of Warrington was a private in said Company and performed duty for the whole period of enlistment and was discharged at Bristol in the spring of said 1777. at the service term. I have been acquainted with said Briggs from that term to the present, and he is the only person for whom benefit this deposition is taken to aid him in obtaining a pension under a late law of the United States. — Thomas Bapst
sworn to Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss. Aug. 1. 1832. Thomas Bapst affirmed and made solemn oath to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed before me the undersigned. and I certify that I am personally acquainted with the deponent, that he is of good character for truth, and that he is entitled to credit.
Charles Holmes. See Record
I Lot Thatcher of Rochester in the County of Plymouth & State of Massachusetts legally qualified to give evidence testify and say. That I was a private in the company of John Batten above named in the deposition of Thomas Bapst above written; that I know John Briggs, knew him as a private in said Company; and that the facts set forth in the above deposition of said Bapst are true. Lot Thatcher
sworn to Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Plymouth ss. Aug. 1. 1832. Lot Thatcher affirmed and made solemn oath to the truth of the above affidavit. deposition by him subscribed before me the undersigned. and I certify that I am personally acquainted with the deponent, that he is of good character for truth, and is entitled to credit.
Charles Holmes. See Record

I Timothy Hellen of the County in the County of Plymouth and state aforesaid legally qualified to give evidence testify and say that I was in a Militia company raised by Massachusetts in Dec. 1776. during duty on Rhode Island. I was in a company commanded by Samuel Briggs. I Capt. Briggs, then and still of Sandwich Wareham, was also then as a soldier, but in another company. David Nye was then at the same time and Captain of a company from Wareham, and I further said Briggs was in this company. My term of service was one month. Timothy Hellen
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss. Aug 4 1832 Timothy Hellen affirmed before me as to the truth of the above deposition by him subscribed, before me, the undersigned. Could I certify that I am personally acquainted with the deponent that he is of good character for truth and integrity to credit Chas. F. Holmes. Esq. Peace.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of the Pleas being a Court of Records in the County of Plymouth do hereby certify that Charles F. Holmes Esq. before whom the three foregoing Depositions were taken is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth & that I believe his name subscribed to the several certificates thereon are his true & genuine signatures.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this fourth day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two. Jacob H. Lord

Rev d Pension Claim Betty Briggs widow of Lepe (Map.)
Act of July 7. 1838.
Power of Attorney to Examine Claims
Al Anderson
Chas. C. Tucker Atty Present.

Know All Men By these Presents. That I Jesse Briggs of North Sandwich in the County of Barnstable & State of Massachusetts do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Charles C. Tucker of Washington City D.C. my true and lawful attorney to prosecute the claim of Betty Briggs deceased, wid. of Rev. Soldier Jesse Briggs or for any amount of Revolutionary Pension, or increase of Pension that may be due under the provisions of the Act of 7th June 1832 or any other act or Resolution of Congress, and I hereby authorise my said Attorney, to examine all papers & documents in relation to said claim on file in the Department at Washington City, or elsewhere, to file additional evidence, or arguments, and to receive the certificate which may be issued for said claim, and to appoint one or more substitutes under him for the purposes herein expressed, and to do all things that I might, or could do, were I personally present. Witness my hand & seal this Seventeenth
day of February A.D. 1854
In presence of Mason White E. Damon Jr.
Jesse Briggs

Barnstable Plymouth State of Massachusetts. County of Plymouth
On this Seventeenth day of February — A.D. 1854, before me, a justice of the Peace in and for said County and State, personally appeared Jesse Briggs, and acknowledged the foregoing Power of Attorney to be his act and deed for the purpose therein mentioned.
Mason White Justice of the Peace
State of Massachusetts } County of Plymouth } ss
On this Seventeenth day of February A.D. 1854 before me, the undersigned, a justice of the Peace in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Jesse Briggs, a resident of said County, and made oath, according to law that he is the identical Jesse Briggs who executed the foregoing Power of Attorney, and that he is directly interested in said claim, and makes this affidavit to be filed with such additional evidence, or arguments, as my said attorney may use in prosecuting said claim.
Jesse Briggs
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year above written.
Mason White Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston, February 20 th 1854.
I Hereby Certify , That at the date of the annexed attestation Mason White was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Barnstable.
in the said Commonwealth, duly commissioned and constituted; 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.
E. M. Wright Secretary of the Commonwealth.

State of Massachusetts } County of Plymouth }
I, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court do hereby certify that before whom the foregoing affidavit and acknowledgment were made, and who has thereto signed his name, was, at the time of so doing, a justice of the Peace in and for the county and state aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that his official acts, as such, are entitled to full faith and credit.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my seal this _____ day of 1854
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]
8 1/2 x 11
Massachusetts State Library

I Betsey Briggs of Wareham in the County of Plymouth of lawful age to give evidence do testify and say that I was well acquainted with Iosef Briggs late of said Wareham deceased; that he was a Pensioner of the United States; and that the said Iosef Briggs died on the twenty eighth day of February eighteen hundred and forty one leaving a widow, whose name is Betsey Briggs; and she is now living.
Betsey Briggs
State of Massachusetts } ss Plymouth County }
On this sixth day of November 1844 Then the above named Betsey Briggs personally appeared and deposed the foregoing Deposition & subscribed the same, and made oath in due form of law that the same is true.
Before me Seth Miller Jr Justice of the Peace
I certify that the above named Betsey Briggs is well known to me, and that she is a credible witness.
Seth Miller Jr Justice of the Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston January 9 th 1845.
I hereby Certify, That at the date of the annexed attestation Seth Miller Jr. was a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth,
in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and commissioned; 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.
John G. Palfrey: Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I Salsbury Hitchman of Wareham in the County of Plymouth & Commonwealth of Massachusetts now in the eightieth year of my age do testify and say that in the year seventeen hundred and seventy five. soon after hostilities commenced between the Americans, and the English troops a company of men was required to be raised in the Regiment commanded by Colo Spratt to guard and protect the sea coast at the head of Buzzard Bay in Wareham and Rochester in said County I enlisted into a company for that purpose, commanded by Nathaniel Hammond. Joshua Briggs was first Lieutenant, and Barnabas Bates was second Lieutenant. and I served in said company and under said officers for the full term of Six months in guarding said sea coast. I was then and ever since have been acquainted with Jose Briggs of Rochester aforesaid and that he the said Jose Briggs at the said time and place served in said company, under the said officers for the full term of Six months, and we were discharged at the expiration of the said six months
Joby Hitchman
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Plymouth ss August 2 d , 1832 Then personally appeared the above named Salsbury Hitchman and made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed Before me Seth Miller Jr. Justice of the peace
I certify that the said Salsbury Hitchman is a man of veracity & a credible witness Seth Miller Jr. Justice of the peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Plymouth ss. I Jacob H. Lord Register of the Court of Probate for the County of Plymouth, being a Court of Record do hereby certify that Seth Miller Jun. Esq. is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Plymouth & that I believe his name written is his true & genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this fourth day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty two Jacob H. Lord

Sir; I take no fees for these searches Yours, resp'y. Y. G. D.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, Boston;
June 21 1845.
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 Jesse Briggs is borne as a private upon a roll of Capt n David Nye's Comp y . in the 4 th reg t of the County of Plymouth, marched on an alarm for the defense of the Elizabeth Islands, Dec r 7, 1776, — 3 days, and 60 miles travel; — Upon a roll of the 2 d Comp y . in Wareham, commanded by Capt n David Nye, on an alarm to Falmouth, Sep r 12, 1778, 7 days, — also upon another, under Capt n David Nye, L t . Col. White, service at R.I. from July 30 to Aug. 8, 1780, — 9 days, and 70 miles travel out & home. The name of said Briggs is not upon any rolls of Capt n s Nath l . Hammond or Jabez Cottle, which are in this office; — among which there are none of Capt n Hammond in 1775.

And I further Certify, That, before search made for evidence of said facts, the Commissioner's letter of March 28 th 1844 was filed in this Office; that the search was made by myself and my clerks alone; and that said letter, 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.
John G. Palfrey, Secretary of the Commonwealth. x

Probate Office
Plymouth Jan 9. 1846
Dear Sir
I enclose petition of Betty Bang for a Pension with affidavits &c With Respect Yours J. H. Lord
J. L. Edwards Esq Com of Pensions Washington D.C.

June 28, 1898.
Adalber can
Betty Briggs.
L. Edwards Esq.
Commissioner of Pension
Washington City
D.C.

Wareham June 25 th 1845
Dear Sir,
Enclosed is the Certificate of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in relation to the records of the service of Asa Briggs the late husband of Betsey Briggs
Yours very respectfully,
Hettie Miller Jr

8672 Jesse Briggs
Private 11 months Adm no
J H Lona En Plymouth Mass

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of
Jeph Bragg
which require
further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? _____
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes. except in 1 instance - which is afterwards mentioned by a witness to have been in 1777.
V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? NO  not definitely
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? ys XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? ys XIV. † If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? ys Has the official character and signature of the magistrate been certified by the proper officer under his seal of office? ys XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? ys XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? ys XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? answered
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
“Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c., A. B., who, being duly sworn, depose and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades: For _____ year _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____. For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension.”

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which the applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable.
† QUERE XIV.  Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
† QUERE XVI.  Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticated the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the end of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.

J. S. Edwards, Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Rochester, Mass. Dec. 10. 1833.
J. L. Edwards, Esq.
Sir, This accompanies the papers of Noah Hammond, Timothy Hill, and Jesse Briggs, returned to me for the purpose of receiving from the proper authori- -ties certificates that I am a magistrate duly qualified to administer oaths. Those certificates are upon the several supplementary declarations of the applicants. I have also, as directed, made application to the Sec y of the Commonwealth for evidence from his office of some record by the applicants. His certificates accompany the papers. In them he states that the rolls and papers relating to the services of the militia in the war of the revolution, on board are incomplete.
In the case of Jesse Briggs last 3 days service is found on the rolls in the office of the Sec y ; and this was performed Dec r 1776. in Capt d D r W h company.
He declares for 6 m s in the late colts service 1775, under in Capt d Noble Hammond's company. The company did duty in detachments; he was in the detachment at the Great Neck, (Rochester). Joshua Briggs was the commissioned officer in this detachment, and Jesse Briggs the sergeant; both of whom are dead. This service is proved by Timothy Hill's record.

In our month from Dec. 1776. in Capt. D. Wyles company, R.G. and for 3 mo s immediately after, in Capt. John Collier company. Thomas Bapett and Sgt. Thaler testify fully as to the last term; and Timothy Wiles has some knowledge as to the first.
This other service not upon his own account.
The difficulties as to the services of Heman Wood and Wiles and especially Heman Wood embrace longer periods.
I need not burden myself your time by comment or remark, as the papers speak for themselves — I need not say that the affidavits are of good character of fair standing, as my certificate under each to that effect is on the original declaration.
Very respectfully I am yours &c Charles Holmes
J. L. Codding Esq. Dear Sir,

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, December 6. 1833.
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 "Jesse Briggs" is borne on a "pay roll of Capt. David Nye's Company, for service "in defence of Elizabeth Islands", where he is allowed as a private 3 days service commencing Dec. 7. 1776 —
This is the only roll on which his name is found. He claims for further service under Capt. Nye, and under Capt. Nathaniel Hammond and John Cottle. —
There is a roll of Capt. Nath l Hammond "in the sea coast service" for service from July to Dec r 1775 — but the name of Jesse Briggs is not thereon. That roll bears the names of "Joshua Briggs" as Lieutenant, "Jedidiah Briggs" as Sergeant, and "Linard Briggs" as private. There is also a roll of Capt. Nath l Hammond for 15 days service at Rhode Island in Dec r 1776 — but no person by the name of Briggs is borne thereon. There is a Roll of Capt. John Cottle for service at Rhode Island in December 1776, but the name of no person by the name of Briggs is borne thereon.
There is one other Roll of Capt. David Nye for 11 days service at Rhode Island, commencing December 10. 1776; on which are the names of "Joshua Briggs", "Hallett Briggs" & "Benjamin Briggs", but no Jesse Briggs. The rolls in this Office are very loose, imperfect & incomplete. Edward D. Bangs