Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14,345, James Briggs, Continental Mass.

SERVICE
Continental Mass.
Briggs James Sarah
NUMBER
W. 14,345
CONTENTS
His Daughter Clarissa

Massachusetts
Sarah Briggs
widow of James Briggs who was a Private
in the Mass. line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 80 Dollars Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1843.
Certificate of Pension issued the 5th day of July, 1843. and sent to
A. Bapett Newton, Mass.
[Act of March 3, 1843.]
Recorded in Book A Vol. 1 Page 36.
Recd July 5
Date of death not on roll

Town Clerk's
Office Dighton August 7 th 1838.
I hereby certify that I have examined the Records of said town of Dighton, and find the following among the records of intentions of Marriages in said town's Book of records.
May the Twenty Ninth Seventeen hundred and eighty three James Briggs 2 d and Sarah Briggs. both of Dighton. entered their Intention of Marriage.
I further certify that the above is a true copy of the record, with the exception of the date, which is expressed on the record in fair legible figures, as follows. (May 29 th 1783.)
Jonathan Forster Town Clerk of Dighton
I, Jonathan Jones of Dighton in the county of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, depose and say, that I held the office of Town Clerk of said Dighton, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said Town, with the exception above named as certified by me, I further testify that I have not been able to find a record of the Marriage of James Briggs 2 d . and Sarah Briggs in said Town's Books. I find the following recorded among a list of marriages transmitted by Rev. John Smith to David Whitmarsh Town Clerk.
December Seventh Seventeen hundred and eighty three
James Briggs Jun to Sela Briggs.
I am Sixty three years of age and have always lived in Dighton I do not know of any persons of the names of James Briggs Jun and Sela Briggs that were ever married in said town of Dighton I am of the opinion that the above record is a mistake, that it ought to have been James Briggs 2 d . to Sarah Briggs.
State of Massachusetts } Jonathan Forster Town Clerk of Dighton County of Bristol } ss. Sworn before me Lem. Morse, Justice Peace.

I, Freelove Briggs of Dighton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Eighty Six years do testify and say that more than Fifty years ago I was present at the wedding of my brother, James Briggs, late of Dighton in the County of Bristol, deceased. I saw him married by Rev. John Smith, the Pastor of the First Congregational Society in said Dighton, to Sarah Briggs the daughter of Eliakim Briggs of said Dighton. I do not recollect the year, month, or day of the month. I recol- lect it was on the evening of a Thanksgiving day. My brother the said James Briggs was a soldier in the war of the revolution, he was absent from home more than Three years. I expect he was in the army during that time.
Dighton August 7th. 1838. Freelove Briggs
State of Massachusetts } County of Bristol } ss.
August 7. 1838. Personally appeared the above named Freelove Briggs, who is a credible witness, and made oath that the above declaration by her subscribed is true. Lem. Morse Justice of the Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Bristol ss. I Anselm Barrett Register of the Court of Probate in for said County. do hereby certify that Samuel Morse whose signa- ture is affixed to the foregoing certificate is a Justice of the Peace in for said County of Bristol — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this twenty fifth day of August eighteen hun- dred and thirty eight — A. Barrett

I, Clarissa Briggs of Dighton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Forty Seven  Nine years do testify and say that James Briggs late of Dighton in the County of Bristol, deceased, was my Father, I remember perfectly well when my father went on a voyage to Sea in the fall of the year when I was about six years old, he never returned, my mother says she was informed by William Richmond now living in Providence that my father the said James Briggs died in Havanna on the Seventh day of April, Seventeen hundred and Ninety six, the said William Richmond was the master of the Vessel in which my father sailed. That the said James Briggs left a Widow viz. Sarah Briggs, who is still living and who is my Mother, and that the said Sarah Briggs has not been married since the decease of her said husband the said James Briggs.
Dighton August 7 th 1838. Clarissa Briggs
State of Massachusetts } County of Bristol } ss.
August 7. 1838. Personally appeared the above named Clarissa Briggs, who is a credible witness, and made oath that the above declaration by her subscribed is true.
Lem l Morse Justice of the Peace.
* In the second line Seven was erased and Nine interlined before the signing thereof Lem l Morse Justice Peace.

858 Sarah Briggs Sarah Briggs moor of James
Mass.
ad 7 July 38
Tyran.
did in 1796 married in 1783
admd 2 yrs pri
80 $
no deduction
A. Bapst Tacanton Mass.

Bristol 106 58 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
On this tenth day of August eighteen hundred and thirty eight personally appeared before
the Court of Probate at a term thereof held at Taunton in for said County on the day & year above written, -
Sarah Briggs
a resident of Dighton in the county of Bristol aged Eighty one years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress, passed July 7, 1838, entitled "An Act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows:" That she is the widow of James Briggs late of said Dighton
deceased who was
a Private Soldier in the War
of the Revolution & served, as she verily believes more than two years in Col. Henry Jacksons Regiment. And she refers to the accompanying Deposition of Uriah Read & to the Rolls now in the Pension Department for evidence of his said services -

She further declares that she was married to the said James Briggs on the seventh day of December in the year seventeen hundred and eighty three that her said husband, the aforesaid James Briggs died on the day of  in April seventeen hundred and thirty six -
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, viz : at the time above stated.
Witness Crocker Babbitt  Sarah F Briggs mark
Sworn to and subscribed, the day and year above written. Before Oliver Prescott.
I
do certify that the above named applicant for a pension, cannot by reason of bodily infirmity, attend the court.
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Bristol ss. I, Anselm Bassett, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that the Hon. Oliver Prescott is the Judge of said Court, which Court is a Court of record, and that the signature annexed to the above certificate _____ is his genuine signature.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court, this twenty fifth day of August eighteen hundred and thirty eight . ABassett

October 19, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXX
BB-J/KEL James Briggs-W.14345
Mr. James Dangerfield #2 rue des Ponts Pau (B-Pyr) France
Dear Sir:
The data which follow are obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W.14345, based upon the military service in that war of James Briggs.
The date and place of birth and the names of the parents of James Briggs are not shown.
James Briggs enlisted, place not shown, on September 10, 1777, under Lieutenant Hodijah Baylies, marched to Roxbury, joined Colonel Henry Jackson's Regiment, served as private in the Colonel's company or the Grenadier company, and was discharged December 31, 1780.
James Briggs married December 7, 1783, at Dighton, Massachusetts, Sarah, daughter of Eliakim Briggs. They were married by the Reverend John Smith, pastor of the first Congregational Society of said Dighton, and both were then of that place. The date and place of birth of Sarah Briggs are not shown nor is it stated that there was any relationship between Sarah Briggs and the family of her husband, James Briggs.
About 1795, in the fall of the year, James Briggs went to sea on a vessel of which William Richmond was master and died at Havana April 7, 1796.
Soldier's widow, Sarah, was allowed pension on her application executed August 10, 1835, at which time she was aged eighty-one years and resided in Dighton, Bristol County, Massachusetts.
The only name of a child that is given is Clarissa Briggs, who, in 1835, was aged forty-nine years and resided in Dighton, Massachusetts.

In 1838, Freelove Briggs, a brother of the soldier, James Briggs, was aged eighty-six years and resided in Dighton, Massachusetts. There are no further family data.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Sarah Briggs, widow of James Briggs(W.14345), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Sarah Briggs, widow of James Briggs, Certificate No.749, issued July 5, 1843, rate $80 per annum, commenced March 4, 1843, Act of March 3, 1843, Massachusetts Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILGER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Coupon returned

In 1838, Freelove Briggs, a brother of the soldier, James Briggs, was aged eighty-six years and resided in Dighton, Massachusetts. There are no further family data.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Sarah Briggs, widow of James Briggs (W.14345), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Sarah Briggs, widow of James Briggs, Certificate No.749, issued July 5, 1843, rate $80 per annum, commenced March 4, 1843, Act of March 3, 1843, Massachusetts Agency.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILIER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator.
Coupon returned

Rev
WIDOW, &c.
1935-Oct 19-Visit of James Wangerfield SL
File No. 14346
Sarah Briggs Widow of James Briggs Briv. Mass Seine
Act: Mar. 3 rd 1843
Index: Vol. a , Page 84
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Massachusetts - 5.42
Sarah Briggs, widow of James Briggs, dec. d who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the  April 1796 at  in the State of  who was a  in the  commanded by Captain  of the  commanded by  in the  time for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of  at the rate of 80 Dollars  Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1836
Certificate of Pension issued the 2 d day of Oct r 1838, and sent to   , 
Arrears to the 14th of  $ 200.00 Semi-annual allowance ending  40.00  $ 240.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838. }
Recorded by  Clerk Book  Vol.  Page 

Admit, private $80.
Map. Agency
Send to A. Bapett
Taunton
Map.

State of Massachusetts Bristol County. } ss.
On the Nineteenth day of April One thousand eight hundred and forty three, personally appeared before the subscriber, a justice of the Peace within and for the said County of Bristol, Sarah Briggs resident in Dighton in the said County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, aged Eighty Seven years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision of the act of Congress passed on the third day of March One thousand eight hundred and forty three, granting Pensions to widows of Persons who served during the revolutionary war, That she is the widow of James Briggs 2nd who was a private and served several campaigns or terms of service in said war, but by reason of age and the impaired state of her memory, she is unable to declare the exact amount of all his services, or the Officers under whom he served; but she refers to the proof which was annexed to her declaration for a Pension, which she made at the time when she was pensioned under the Act of Congress of the Seventh of July eighteen hundred and thirty eight, by which she was allowed Eighty Dollars annually for five years, and which she believes is now on file in the Pension Office at Washington. She further declares that she is still a widow, and has never intermarried since the death of her late husband the said James Briggs 2nd deceased. Reference to the affidavit of Jared Williams which is herunto annexed.
Witness { Deborah Briggs      Sarah her Briggs Oliver Briggs                      X mark
State of Massachusetts Bristol County. } ss.
Sworn and subscribed on the day and year first above written, by Sarah Briggs the declarant, who is personally and well known to me.
Before me, L. M. Morse Justice Peace.

I, Jared Williams of Dighton in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts being Seventy years of age, do testify and say that I have been well acquainted with Mrs. Sarah Briggs of said town of Dighton for more than Forty Six years now last past. And I do further testify and say that she is still living, and in said town of Dighton and that she is the identical person who was the wife, and is now the widow of James Briggs 2 d late of said Dighton deceased, and I do further testify and say, that the said Sarah Briggs has never intermarried since the death of her late Husband the said James Briggs 2 d deceased, but continues his widow to the present day, and that she is the same Sarah Briggs who was pensioned, as I believe under the act of Congress of the seventh of July, eighteen hundred and thirty eight for five years. Dated at Dighton April 19 o 1843. Jared Williams
State of Massachusetts } ss. Bristol County. }
On the Nineteenth day of April eighteen hundred and forty three personally appeared Jared Williams a credible and disinterested witness, and who is well known to me, and made oath that the above affidavit by him subscribed is just and true in all its parts. Before me, Lem l Morse Justice Peace.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Mist d County ss. I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in for said County, do hereby certify that Lemuel Morse, whose signature is affixed to the foregoing certificate, was, at the date thereof, & still is, a Justice of the Peace in for said County -
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court this twenty second day of April Eighteen hundred Forty Three - A Bassett

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, August 21 st 1858.
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 James Briggs served as a Private in the Colonel's Company, Col. H. Jackson's Regiment from September 10 th to December 31 st 1779. Seventy seven months and Twenty one days at 40/ per mo — and James Briggs of Dighton also served as a Private in the Colonel's Company Col. H. Jackson's Regiment from January 1 st to December 31 st 1780 — Twelve months at 40/ per month.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John P. Bigelow
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

I, Uriah Reed of Taunton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Eighty One years, do testify and say, that I enlisted into the Army of the Revolution under Hodijah Baylies, who was then a Lieutenant, I think it was on the Eighth day of September Seventeen hundred and seventy seven, I soon after joined the company of Capt. Nathaniel Jarvis near Boston in Col. Henry Jackson's Regiment, and I served Three years in that Regiment, and was discharged on the Eighth day of September Seventeen hundred and eighty. I was acquainted with James Briggs late Dighton in said County, deceased, before I enlisted. He the said James Briggs enlisted as a Private under the said Hodijah Baylies about the same time that I did I think it was on the Tenth day of September Seventeen hundred and seventy seven, We marched together to Roxbury, he joined the Grenadier Company in the said Col. Henry Jackson's Regiment. he served as a Private in said Company and Regiment until I was discharged, except * about Six months that he was absent without leave, he was restored, and continued in the service *, about Six months after my discharge in order to make out the Three years for which he enlisted.
Taunton August 8. 1838
Uriah Reed
State of Massachusetts } ss. County of Bristol }
August 8. 1838. Personally appeared the above named Uriah Reed, who is a credible witness, and made oath that the above declaration by him subscribed is true.
Levi Morse Justice of the Peace.
* I certify that in the sixteenth and seventeenth lines, about was interlined before the signing hereof.
Levi Morse Justice of the Peace.

NAME AND ADDRESS CORRECTED AS GIVEN
2, rue des Ponts, Pau, (B-Pyr) France 8 Sept. 1935.
(ADDRESS: 2, rue des Ponts, Translation Section Pau (Basses-Pyrénées), France. U.S.N.M.
Dear Sir,
I have for years been searching for the parentage of my Great Grandmother - Clarissa Briggs - wife of Capt. John Smith, of Fairfield, Vt.
I have found that there were living in Fairfield about 1800, only one or two Joseph (or Josiah) Briggs. Mrs. was the oldest of perhaps the father. Clarissa, who was born about 1780-85, appear to have been the daughter or sister of these men. Jos. or Josiah is said to have served in Rev. War.
I have also ascertained that there were living in Berkeley Mass., a Thomas & a Joseph Briggs who both served in Rev. War, and I suspect they are the same who went to Vermont.
If it is possible to find any records of these men in your archives, such as pension or twenty land business, in which any personal information is given - residence, age, children, wife's name etc., I might be able to identify one of them from the information I possess.
I realize that this may be a troublesome search to make & I should not permit myself to ask you to give your attention to it, but that I have had a search made in the Genealogies etc. in the Boston Library without success. I would greatly appreciate it if it might be done, & will gladly pay any fees incurred.
Very truly yours.
James D. Dingerfield Former Captain, U.S. Army.
No enclosure when opened in Mail Sub-Div., M. & R. Division.

October 19, 1935
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
BA-J/NHHP/ecl
James Briggs 74, 14345
Capt Mr. James Dangerfield 2 rue des Ponts Pau(B-Pyr.) France
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you state that you are seeking the names of parents of one Clarissa Briggs who married Captain John Smith of Fairfield, Vermont, that Clarissa Briggs was born about 1780-1785, also, that you have ascertained that there were living in Berkley, Massachusetts, a Thomas and a Joseph Briggs both of whom served in the Revolutionary War and are possibly identical with the ones who went to Vermont, and further, that about 1800 there were living in Fairfield, Vermont, Thomas and Joseph(or Josiah)Briggs who may have been brothers of Clarissa or that Thomas may have been the father.
In order to aid you in your research, a very extensive search of the Revolutionary War and War of 1812 pension records has been made. These claims for pension which have been made to the United States are the source of Revolutionary and War of 1812 data furnished by the Veterans Administration.
There is no claim for pension on file based upon service in the Revolutionary War or War of 1812 of a John Smith which was made by a Clarissa Smith as his widow. A further search of the Revolutionary War records has been made under the surname Briggs, all claims, and there are many, examined. No claim was found based upon service of a Thomas Briggs except one of Rhode Island. No child Clarissa is named in that claim and there is no claim based upon service of a Josiah Briggs. The records show that pension was claimed on account of service of one Joseph Briggs who served from Middleborough, Massachusetts, in the Massachusetts troops and in 1832, was living in Dover, Windham County, Vermont, also, one Joseph Briggs who served from Poumial, Vermont, married in Bennington, Vermont, Patience Gardner, and died in 1832 in Pittsfield, Otsego County, New York, but no child is named as Clarissa in that claim. The two records will be furnished you

if these data prove of interest. Only one claim for pension has been found based upon service of a soldier with surname Briggs in which a child is shown as Clarissa; it is that of James. His record is given herewith as found in pension claim, W.14345, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.