Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S.12328, Phinehas Briggs, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Briggs, Phinehas
S. 12328
carded
CONTENTS

20. 486 New York Died July 10 1842
Phinehas Briggs of Hattiner in the State of New York who was a Private in the Col. P. commanded by Captain Cobb of the Regt commanded by Col. Walker. in the M a Pts. line for 4 Mo. 22 Ds    $30.00  $64.84    2.42  16.21    $32.42  $81.05  
Inscribed on the Roll of W m at the rate of 32 Dollars 42 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 15 day of Sep.  1833 and due to H. Walton Hattiner
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 33 $ 81.05 Semi-ant. allowance ending Apr 34  16.21  $97.26
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by G. C. Stiles Clerk, Book E. Vol. 11 Page 48
Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 April 1838 from 4 March 1838 to 4 Sept 1838. Age notified 29. July 1839.
1890 July 5 L H Briggs - history Pres 15

State of New York County of Herkimer ss.
(1)
On this 8. day of October 1832 personally appeared before the court of common pleas now sitting in and for said county Phineas Briggs, a resident of the town of Russia in the said county and state, aged eighty two years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions 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 here in stated. That he was a resident in the town of Hartford  Hartford , county of Bristol in the state of Massachusetts at the commencement of the Revolutionary War, and in the month of April 1775. he was called to Roxbury on an alarm, and while at Roxbury and in same month of April 1775. he entered in the service of the United States under Capt. Silas Cobb, in Col. Walker's Regiment and General Putnam's Brigade for eight months, was stationed in Roxbury, but was occasionally called from Roxbury to other Military Post, and after serving out his term of eight months under Capt. Cobb, he returned home to the town of Hartford  Hartford . And the said deponent doth further declare, that in or about the month of December 1775. he entered & was enrolled in Capt. Seth Smith's Company of Artillery as a minute man in the Alarm List, and remained in that service during the continuance of the war; was frequently called out on alarms, was called to Warren in Massachusetts, arrived there soon after the place was burnt by the British. and was also called to Rhode Island in Gen. Sullivan's Expedition, and was never called for afterwards, though he remained enrolled during

the war, in the 2 Albany list as before said. And the said deponent further declares, that he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no person living whose testimony he can produce, who can testify to his service, except Jabez Briggs of the town of Colerain, in the county of Franklin in the state of Massachusetts. And his deposition is here with a transcript with this declaration. and the said deponent doth further declare that his name is not on any pension roll of the agency of any state, and he hereby relinquishes any claim whatsoever to a pension or annuity, except the present.
I was born in Norton Massachusetts, 1750 and my age was recorded there but I have no record of my age as my pension When called into service I served in Norton aforesaid. Since the Revolutionary war I lived in Norton aforesaid as near as I can recollect about 100 years, then in Rehoboth Massachusetts, about six years, then in Leavoy in said state about six years, and then I removed into Rensselaer in the County of Rensselaer in the state of New York and I have resided there ever since being thirty two years. I enlisted into the service above stated and was a volunteer — My captain was Silas Cobb, my col. was Walker, I can not tell his Christian name — Genl. Putnam had command of the Brigade to which I belonged. The Company to which I belonged was employed to guard the coast: they were called on to

Star
(3)
March to Boston at the Battle of Bunker Hill and went as far as Roxbury where we were ordered back to camp at or near Dorchester I never received a discharge from the service. I am known in my present neighborhood to Elisha Hall  William William Cory of Russia who can speak as to my character and my reputation of having been such a revolutionary soldier.
Phineas Briggs.
Sworn and subscribed in open court, Octob r 9, 1832 Julius C. Nelson Clerk
We William Cory and Elisha Hall - residing in the town of Russia do hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Phineas Briggs a resident of the town of Russia in the county of Herkimer and State of New York who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be Eighty two years of age, that he is respected and trusted, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn in open court October 9th 1832 before me Julius C. Nelson Clerk
William Cory Elisha Hall
And the said Court do hereby declare their Opinion that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I Julius C. Nelson Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Herkimer, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains

The Original Proceedings of the Said Court in the said matter of the application of Phineas Briggs for a pension
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set My hand and Seal of Office this 9 th day of October in the Year 1832 Julius C. Nelson Clerk

No 16132 Phineas Briggs - Herkimer Co N.Y.
e.g. Admitted Private 9 mos & 22 days
Simon Norton Fairfield Shenendowah Herkimer Co N.Y.

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
May 16 1837
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 subjjoined 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 Phineas Briggs of Herkum Co NY
   Period when the service was rendered Duration of the claimant's service 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.   Years. Months. Days.      on April 1795 -  and Oct 1795  states he  encountered  the enemy  at the  Battle of  Wabash  where  he was  wounded  8 Private  Capt Ladd  Capt Ladd  1st   Col Walker  Genl Butler  Genl Harrison   Roxbury  Waverly  Mapesburg  at the  R. Island   82 years  Herkum  undated  Bristol  Young  Clinton   Phineas Briggs  affidavit says  he knows that  the applicant  served 1795 -  8 months -  other testimony  traditional   
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
1. 12 8. - 10 9. 22

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

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it?  7. State the names of 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. 
The Court will see that he answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons -one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, 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. 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, deposeth 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 each 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. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends 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.
Proof of Service.
[j] 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 claimant's 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.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.
John [unintelligible]

Nov. 16/53 No. 1. to E. C. McElrath, Willoughby, Rome, N.Y.
Reuben
12328 INVALID
File No. 12,328
Phinehas Brigg Brn. Rev. Wm.
Act: June 7 th 1832
Index:—Vol. a , Page 48
[Arrangement of 1870.]

44 State of New York County of Herkimer ss: Phineas Briggs of the Town of Ripley in the said County aged Eighty three years upwards being duly sworn according to Law do hereby on his oath depose and say that on the Eighth day of October 1832 he made his decla- -ration in open Court before the Court of Common Pleas in & for said County for a pension under the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832, which said declaration is hereto annexed and this deponent saith that he has procured another affidavit of Phineas Briggs properly authenticated as in like manner agreeable to the regulations of the War Department & which affidavit is hereto annexed and this depo- -nent knows of no other living witness who has any personal knowledge of the Revolutionary services of this deponent and this deponent hereby specifies the length of time he served in the said war of the Revolutionary according to the best of his recollection and belief during the time he was enrolled as a minute man as follows viz: Personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the Peace in & for said County of Herkimer Phineas Briggs aforesaid who being duly sworn by me according to law depones and saith that by reason of old age and the consequent loss of memory in the said Phineas Briggs cannot now positively as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recollection that he served not less than the periods mentioned below and in the following grades viz: That in or about the month of January December 1775 in this deponent's estimate or was enrolled in Capt. Seth Smith's Company of Artillery as a minute man on the alarm list as it was called & continued a member of said Company

(5) under the Command of Capt. Smith during the said war, and this deponent saith that sometime in April in the Year 1777 as he believes Capt. Smith's Company were called into the service & this deponent was marched with the Company under the Command of Capt. Smith from Norton where he lived to Warren being about twenty miles and this deponent saith that Warren is situated near the sea shore on or near Providence river and the Enemy came and burnt the village of Warren but a day or two before this deponent arrived there & the Enemy had deserted the place gone on board of their vessels when this deponent arrived at Warren and this deponent was then marched to Howland's Ferry and was stationed at said Howland's Ferry under the Command of Capt. Smith. Capt. Smith took with him one field piece - This deponent cannot tell whether he was joined to any Regiment or not in this tour - This deponent saw Continental troops at Howland's Ferry but he does not remember of seeing any officers of the line belonging to the regular army - He thinks Gen: Sullivan had the Command of the troops but he did not see him - As this deponent recollects there were Conti- -nental officers at Howland's Ferry but cannot tell their names - And this deponent saith he served on guard at Howland's Ferry and for six weeks this deponent served as a private under the Command of Capt. Smith aforesaid in this tour to Howland's Ferry and this deponent then returned home and this deponent is not certain but thinks the above service was in 1776 or 1777 and this deponent further saith that afterwards he was drafted out of Capt. Smith's Company & was sent on to Bristol & then he passed over to Rhode Island & there joined a Company commanded by a Captain who was a stranger to this deponent & he cannot tell his

name and he was marched near New Port & the American troops were attacked by the Enemy and they then made their retreat & this deponent was marched to Gen. Sullivan's head quarters at Butts Hill and arrived there when the Battle was pretty much over & this deponent soon after retreated with Gen. Sullivan's Army to Howland's Ferry in the night and this deponent was stationed at Howland's Ferry and continued to serve at said station until he was discharged and he stood on guard - And this deponent served as a private not less than ten days and he believes it was ten or twelve days - This deponent cannot tell the name of the Col. of the Regiment that he was attached to He saw regular officers but cannot tell their names - and for such service this deponent claims a pension - and this deponent saith that the time during which the aforesaid service was performed he was not employed in any civil pursuit - And this deponent saith that he well recollects that he served the eight months under Capt. Cobb in Col. Walker's Regiment at Roxbury as stated in his declaration hereunto annexed - And this deponent further saith that he was discharged at Roxbury from the service after serving eight months as stated in his said declaration about the first of January 1776 but received no discharge in writing And this deponent saith that it is stated in his said declaration as he is informed by the Colonel before whom this deponent subscribed this affidavit that that "in or about the month of December 1775 he enlisted & was enrolled in Capt. Seth Smith's Company of Artillery as a minute man in the alarm list" saieth this deponent that the time should have been stated then in 1776 as this deponent enlisted as minute man immediately after he was discharged from said eight months service sometime in January 1776 - And this
10 days
8 mo

with that he has no documentary evidence of his service of which he has not —
Subscribed & Plinlimon Briggs sworn to this
29th day of May 1833 before me
Aliran Tolton
Justice of the Peace of Herkimer County State of New York
Clerk of Herkimer Co. N.Y. do hereby certify that the above  affidavit of Aliran Tolton do hereby certify that Aliran Tolton before whom the foregoing affidavit of Phineas Briggs purports to have been sworn was at the date of the same a justice of the Peace in & for said County duly qualified according to law and that I am well acquainted with his handwriting & that I believe his signature "Aliran Tolton" to said affidavit to be genuine and his proper handwriting —
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of office of Clerk of said County this fourth day of June in the year 1833 —
Julius C. Nelson Clerk
In the matter of the application of Phineas Briggs for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7, 1833
Declaration & amendments
In the matter of the application of Phineas Briggs for a pension under the act of Congress passed June 7, 1833
Declaration & amendments
Aliran Tolton Justice of the Peace Herkimer Co. N.Y.

Phineas Briggs Application for a Pension
Deposition of Jahuel Briggs
10/32

I Jabez Briggs of Colrain Franklin County State of Massachusetts, of lawful Age, do testify and say, that Mr. Phinehas Briggs was a Soldier in the Army of the Revolution in 1775, he was in Capt. Silas Cobb's Company and Col. Leonards Regt. at Roxbury Mass. that he served Eight Months a faithful Soldier, and that I was a Sifer in the same Company with him; I further testify, that he was a Soldier in Capt. Seth Smith's Company of Artillery, who stood as minute Men, and were called a number of times into actual service, and I was in the same Company of Artillery with him
Jabez Briggs
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Franklin ss to October 17 th 1832 Then Jabez Briggs personally appeared and said that the foregoing Deposition by him subscribed is true Before me Charles Thompson Justice of the Peace
I do hereby certify that I have been acquainted with the De Jabez Briggs for several years, & know of the above Deposition and have ever believed him to be a man of truth & veracity
Charles Thompson Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Franklin ss I Elijah Alvord, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the county of Franklin do certify that Charles Thompson Esq. before whom the above affidavit purports to have been verified is a Justice of the Peace for the said county, and legally qualified to administer oaths and take depositions within the same. And I believe his name thereto subscribed to be his true and proper signature.
In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix the seal of the said Court at Greenfield on the seventeenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
E. Alvord Clerk

Colerain April 28 th 1832
Respected Cousin
I Rec'd your Letter, directed to Deacon Walker of Savoy, on the 24 th Instant, he immediately sent the same to me, I propose to answer your Request, I think I shall go to a Magistrate on Monday next, and testify what I knew, of your being, in the Revolutionary Army at Roxbury in 1775.
I Jabez Briggs of Colerain, in the County of Franklin, Massachusetts, of long full age do hereby testify that Mr Phineas Briggs was a Soldier in the Revolutionary Army at Roxbury in the year 1775, he was in the same company with me, and is a cousin of mine, we served in Capt Silas Cobb's company and I think in Col o Walker's Regiment - We served eight months and endeavoured to do our duty as good Soldiers for our Country, and under God we gained our Independence
Colerain April 28, 1832 Jabez Briggs
Franklin to Colerain April 30 th 1832 personally appeared Jabez Briggs and acknowledged the above Deposition by him subscribed to be true before me Charles Thompson Justice of the Peace

TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
Second Comptroller's Office,
July 19 th 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838 entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Phineas Briggs, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Albany, N.Y. Agency, at the rate of Thirty two Dollars and forty two Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of March 1838, to the 4 th Sept. 1838, 6 months.
Respectfully, yours,
Nicholas B. Parsons Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

STATE OF MICHIGAN,
State Land Office,
IN YOUR REPLY, GIVE THIS NUMBER.
136
Lansing, June 21 st 1890.
Hon. Green B. Raum, Comr of Pensions. Washington D.C.
Sir: In reply to yours of the 14 th inst. (herewith inclosed) relative to Phineas Briggs a Revolutionary soldier, and Samuel his son, will say, At the time I wrote you in April last I had but little information concerning these men. In prosecuting my inquiries since, I have learned that my great grand father Phinehas (or Phineas) Briggs was born in Norton, Bristol Co. Mass. April 15, 1750, also that he was afterwards a resident of Rehoboth, same county, and about the year 1800 was residing in the Town of Russia, Herkimer Co. N.Y. near the village of Poland, where, I think he died. I have no doubt whatever but that the Phineas you mention is identical with the one above mentioned, and I shall be very much pleased to receive as full a history of him as possible from the records of your department.

STATE OF MICHIGAN,
State Land Office,
2-
IN YOUR REPLY, GIVE THIS NUMBER.
Lansing,
18
Samuel Briggs (son of above mentioned Phinehas) was born in Norton, Bristol Co. Mass., May 23, 1773, and also removed with his father to Herkimer Co. N. Y. Samuel married Content Cotton. I am unable to get much definite information concerning him. Members of the family are quite sure he was in the war of 1812 & was at the battle of Sackett's Harbor. It is possible he may have been a member of the N. Y. Militia. I hardly think he was in Mass. at that time, consequently do not think the one you mention is the one of our family.
With many thanks for your kindness, I am.
Very respectfully yours, L. H. Briggs

J. H. Briggs Mach Aug. Oct 15 1890 Parsons Briggs (of Mass prob) 1892 Samuel Briggs NY in probate June 14
1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900

STATE OF MICHIGAN,
State Land Office,
IN YOUR REPLY, GIVE THIS NUMBER. B. 105
Lansing, April 18 th 1890.
Hon. Green B. Raum Comr of Pensions Washington D. C.
Dear Sir:
In preparing a history of one branch of the Briggs family I find that Phineas Briggs (Think of Means) was a Revolutionary Pensioner up to date of his death, which occurred about the year 1838. Also that
Lemuel Briggs (son of Phineas) of Herkimer Co. N. Y. was a soldier in the war of 1812. being present at the battle of Sackett Harbor.
Now I am desirous of obtaining as much information as possible, as to their enlistment, service etc. What will be the expense of furnishing copy of record of these two men. Please advise and I will remit. An early reply will greatly oblige. Yours very respectfully L. H. Briggs. 518 Townsend St. Lansing Mich.

WILLoughby
MANUFACTURER OF
FINE CARRIAGES
AND SLEIGHS.
ORDERED WORK A SPECIALTY.
Rome, N.Y.
189
Commence of Pension At 9 in
I am desirous of obtaining information in regard to Phoebe Briggs who recd a Pension for some time before he died. at the time of his death he resided in Coldbrook or Poland Herkimer Co State of New York. I write from the home of Revolution. and said Briggs was a Great Grand father of my mother will you let me know if he is on the records
Yours Truly E. A. Willoughby

Record and Pension Office,
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, Nov'r 2d, 189 5.
Respectfully returned to
Mr. E. A. Willoughby, Rome, N. Y.
The name Phineas Briggs has not been found on the rolls, on file in this office, of any New York military organization, nor on the rolls of any organization of Continental troops, in service during the war of the Revolution.
It is proper to add, however, that the collection of Revolutionary war records in this office is far from complete, and that the absence therefrom of any name is by no means conclusive evidence that the person bearing the name did not serve in the Revolutionary army.
In view of the fact that the soldier was a revolutionary pensioner it is suggested, as a possibility, that the desired information may be obtained from the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C., who has charge of the pension records of all wars.
BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
T. L. Brisworth
Colonel, U. S. Army, Chief of Office.
Per [initials]
(800a)