Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,660, Thomas Briggs, R. I.

SERV C
NUMBER
R.J.
Briggs, Thomas
S 21,660
CONTENTS

Susp. see letters to S. Gifford Sept. 14. 1835 - L.P. Reg. same day - Letter to Hon. D. J. Pearce Apr. 8. 1836 Letter to Hon. Asher Robbins 16. Aug. 36. Letter to Hon. D. J. Pearce 30. Sept. 36. 1836 - Hon. D. J. Pearce, + Pen. Aug. Jan'y 20 - 37 - (disposition removed)
27124 Rhode Island
Thomas Briggs of New Port in the State of R.I. who was a private in the Com. 7. command by Captain Pierce of the Regt. command by Col. Walumma in the Regt. 1 time for
20 Months and 5 days Private
Inscribed on the Roll of No. 1, at the rate of 67. Dollars 14 Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 27- day of Jan. 1834 and sent to Nathan Witting Esq. Little Compton. Sent to D. J. Pearce H. C. O. Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1833. $ 164. 42 Semi-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar. 34 - 39. 58 $ 201 50
{ Revolutionary Claim, { Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by George Taylor Clerk Book 4, Vol. 2, Page 126

Declaration
State of Rhode-Island } ss. County of Newport }
On this thirteenth day of January, A. D. 1834 — personall appeared in open court before the Judges of the Court of Probate now sitting Thomas Briggs, a resident of Little Compton, in the County of Newport, and State of Rhode-Island, aged Seventy three years, the twenty third day of December last, who 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 th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated.
That he (with a number of others) volunteered into a company of Militia, commanded by Capt. William Pearce, in Col. John Watermans Regiment, for one month, he believes on the twentieth day of October A. D. 1776. and immediately commenced standing guard, on the shores of East-Greenwich, and on Warwick neck so called, in the adjoining town of Warwick, in the County of Kent in the state of Rhode Island and he continued to stand guard, and on duty, at the aforesaid places, until he had served his term of one month, and was then discharged.
He was drafted into a company of Militia, commanded by Capt. Michael Spencer, in Col. John Watermans Regiment, for one month, on the first day of January A. D. 1777. and immediately commenced standing guard, on the aforesaid shores of East- Greenwich and Warwick neck, and so continued to stand guard and on duty at said places, until his month had expired and was then discharged.
On the first day of February A. D. 1777. my Father Thomas Briggs of East-Greenwich in the County of Kent and State of Rhode-Island, (where I then belonged) was drafted into the aforesaid Capt. Michael Spencers Company of Militia, in Col. John Watermans Regiment, for one month, and I the aforesaid Thomas Briggs took my fathers place, and commenced standing guard on said day, on said shores of East-Greenwich and Warwick neck aforesaid and so continued on guard and on duty until his month had expired and was then discharged.

He was again drafted into Capt. Michael Spencers Company of Militia, in Col. Watermans Regiment, for one month, on the first day of March A. 1777. and immediately commenced standing guard, on the aforesaid shores of East-Greenwich and Warwick neck, in the County of Kent in said State of Rhode-Island, and continued to stand guard, and on duty, untill he had served his aforesaid month and was then discharged.
He was drafted into Capt. William Halls Company of Militia, in Col. John Watermans Regiment, for one month, on the first day of May A. 1777. and immediately commenced standing guard, on the aforesaid shores of East-Greenwich and Warwick neck, and continued to stand guard, and on duty, and when his month had expired he was then discharged.
He was drafted into Capt. William I believe his given name was but not certain Greens Company of Militia in Col. Richard Fryes Regiment, for one month, on first day of July A. 1777. and immediately commenced standing guard, on the aforesaid shores of East-Greenwich and Warwick neck, and continued to stand guard, and on duty, on said shores, until he had served his said month, and was then discharged.
On the fifteenth day of August 1777. a large armed English Ship passed up the River, and came to anchor near the town of Bristol, which raised an alarm in Bristol, supposing that they were going to land and burn the town, as they had landed a few nights before with their boats, and burnt a number of houses, and orders were issued to nearly all the western part of the State, to raise troops and march them immediately to Bristol, I well recollect that Col. Dyer of Washington County with his Regiment, and one Regiment from Providence, and one Independent Company from Providence, and some troops from other parts of the State, - and that he was drafted on the aforesaid fifteenth day of August into Capt. Allen Johnsons Company, in Col. Thomas Tillinghast of the County of Kent Regiment, and our Company and Regiment, embarked at East Greenwich on board of a Sloop and boats, and went to Bristol by night where we joined the army, commanded by Genl. Miller, and he was on guard, and on duty, until the aforesaid Ship -

went down the River, and they had no more fear of their landing, and he remained there on guard, and on duty, thirty five days and was then discharged.
He was again drafted into Capt. Allen Johnsons Company of Militia, in Col. Thomas Tillinghast Regiment, for one month on the first day of November A.D. 1777. and immediately commenced standing guard again, on the shores of East-Greenwich and Warwick neck, and continued to stand guard and on duty, on said shores, until he had served his said month and was then discharged.
He was drafted again into Capt. Allen Johnsons company of Militia, in Col. Thomas Tillinghast Regiment, for one month, on the first day of January A.D. 1778. and immediately commenced standing guard, on said shores of East-Greenwich and Warwick neck, and continued to stand guard, and on duty, until he had served said month and was then discharged.
He was again drafted into Capt. Allen Johnsons Company of Militia, in Col. Thomas Tillinghast Regiment, for one month on the first day of March, A.D. 1778. and immediately commenced standing guard, on the aforesaid shores of East-Greenwich and said Warwick neck, and continued to stand guard, and on duty, on said shores, until he had served his said month, and was then discharged.
He was also again drafted into Capt. Allen Johnsons Company of Militia, in Col. Thomas Tillinghast Regiment, for one month, on the first day May A.D. 1778. and immediately commenced standing guard, on the aforesaid shores of East-Greenwich and Warwick neck, and continued to stand guard and on duty, on said shores, until he had served his said month, and was then discharged.

his aforesaid father Thomas Briggs, of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, in the State of Rhode Island, was drafted into Capt. William Pearces company of Militia, in Col. Thomas Holdens Regiment, on the first day of July A.D. 1778. and he immediately took his fathers place in said company, and Capt. Pearce marched his company, to the town of Warwick, where he with the company, remained a few days, until all the companys had arrived, that belonged to the Regiment, and he with the company and Regiment, that he belonged to, were marched on through the town of Providence, and other towns to Slades Ferry, and crossed said Ferry, and then continued their march to Howlands Ferry, in Tiverton, where our company, and Regiment, were transported across said Ferry on to the Island of Rhode-Island, and were then marched on to a M c Michels, now called Michels Mill, about five miles from the town of Newport, where we joined the army, and was then stationed at different places on guard, near the main army, and he continued on guard, and on duty, for his father Thomas Briggs, until he had served his aforesaid month, but was not discharged, for he himself being drafted into Capt. Allen Johnsons company of Militia, in Col. Thomas Tillinghast Regiment, which company, and Regiment, on the last of July came to relieve Capt. Pearces company, and Col. Holdens Regiment, and on the first day of August, he was dismissed from Capt. Pearces company, and immediately taken into Capt. Johnsons company, and commenced standing guard, and on duty, at and near the aforesaid Michels, he thinks from the best of his recollection, about twelve days, and the enemy being reinforced, our army were compelled to retreat back a few miles, and were there stationed a short time, and the enemy coming to strong upon us, we again retreated back to a place called Bunker Bunker hill, where our army made a stand, and the enemy pursued us, and when they came up, we had some smart fighting, and when the enemys fire was so strong for us, we retreated back to another place , and then engaged them again, and in that way we made several retreats, and then engaged the enemy, until that we had, had a considerable number of men killed, and wounded, and the enemy coming to strong upon us, orders came, for the army to retreat off of the Island at Howlands Ferry, to Tiverton, which we accordingly did, and from the best of my recollection the army came off of Rhode-Island, the twentyeth day of said August, but cannot say positively, that it was on that day, but I well recollect, that it was on that day, or very near to it, and on the day that

we came off, of Rhode-Island, Capt Johnson marched his company about half a mile from said Howlands Ferry, and we encamped in a Mr Barkers orchard, that night, his given name I do not now recollect, and in the morning, Capt Johnson with his company, of which the applicant was still a member, commenced their march for the aforesaid East Greenwich, and returned by the same route that we went, and on his return to East Greenwich, he was on guard, and on duty, until he had served his aforesaid month, and was then discharged.
He was again drafted into Capt Allens Johnsons Company of Militia, in Col Thomas Sillingharts Regiment, for one month on the first day of October A. 1778. and immediately commenced standing guard on the aforesaid Shores of East Greenwich and Warwick neck, until he had served said month of October, and was then dismissed until the first day of December of said year, and then he served said month of December, and then missed a month, and then served a month, and so continued to serve one month, and then miss one, serving one half the time, or every other month, commencing on the first day of October A. 1778. until the first day of November A. 1779. every other month as aforesaid, on guard, and on duty, on the aforesaid shores of East Greenwich and Warwick neck, his months of service being October, December, February, April, June, August, and October, making his terms of service on guard, after Sullivans Expedition on Rhode-Island, Seven months and was then discharged, but had no written discharge, neither did he have any written discharge, in any of his aforesaid terms of service, nor did he ever see a written discharge given to any one, during the whole time that he was in the Revolutionary War. And that he has stated his aforesaid different terms of service from perfect recollection, for he is a man of uncommon strong mind, and of correct recollection, for a man of his age. that he served five months for himself, and one month for his father on guard, on the shores of East Greenwich and Warwick neck, before the alarm at Bristol, and one month and five days on the alarm at Bristol, and that he served four months on guard, on the shores of East Greenwich and Warwick neck, after his alarm tour to Bristol, before Sullivans Expedition on Rhode-Island, that he was on Rhode-Island in General Sullivans Expedition two months, one month for his father, and one month for himself, and seven months on guard on the aforesaid shores of East Greenwich and Warwick neck. after Sullivans Expedition on Rhode-Island, making his whole terms of actual service, during the Revolutionary War, twenty months, and five days, and that he

was a private during the whole of his aforesaid terms of service.
The declarant is sorry to say, that the only two surviving witnesses, that has been by him to be found, that served with him, whose depositions are herewith attached, by reason of advanced age, and great loss of memory, have but a faint recollection of his services, and at the time of taking their depositions, even of their own services, and unwilling to testify to any thing, that they did not recollect positively.
He was born in the town of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, and State of Rhode-Island, on the twenty third day of December. 1760
He has a record of his age, in his family Bible, a certified copy, of which will be herewith annexed.
He was living in the aforesaid town of East Greenwich, when called into service, and lived there until the year 1786 then removed to the town of Westport, in the County of Bristol, in the State of Massachusetts, where he lived about twenty years, he then removed to Tiverton, in the County of Newport, in the State of Rhode-Island, where he lived about twenty one years, he then moved to the town of Little Compton, in said County of Newport where he has lived about six years, and now lives there.
He volunteered the first month of his service, the remainder of the time that he was in the service he was drafted, excepting the two months, that he served for his father Thomas Briggs, as he has before stated in his declaration.
He has stated the names of all the officers that he served under, that he now recollects in the former part of his declaration.
He has stated the names of two of them, who have subscribed their names to a certified certificate, herewith annexed.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever, to a pension, or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name, is not on the pension roll, of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Witness J. H. B. W. W. M. C. Probate Clerk Thomas Briggs

We Benjamin Peckham a clergyman, residing in the town of Tiverton, in the county of Newport, and State of Rhode-Island, and Nathaniel Tompkins, residing in the town of Little Compton, and county, and State, aforesaid, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Thomas Briggs, who has subscribed, and sworn, to the foregoing declaration, that we believe him to be, seventy three 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.
Benjamin Peckham
Nath. Tompkins
State of Rhode-Island County of Newport } ss.
At Little Compton, on this eleventh day of January A. D. 1834. personally appeared, the above named Benjamin Peckham, and made oath, to the truth, contained in the above Certificate, by him subscribed, and I do hereby certify, that I am well acquainted, with the above named Benjamin Peckham, and that he is a clergyman, resident in the aforesaid Tiverton, and that he resides near to me, and that he has done for more than twenty five years, and that he is esteemed by me, and I believe by all that know him, to be a man of undoubted truth and veracity, and that Nathaniel Tompkins who has also signed the same is a resident in the aforesaid town of Little Compton, and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit, by me —
Sylvester Gifford Justice Peace
I hereby certify, I am well acquainted with Sylvester Gifford, who has subscribed his name to the above Certificate, and that he is a Magistrate duly qualified, and that the signature, to the above Certificate, is his free and voluntary signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my Seal of office, this thirteenth day of January A. D. 1834.
Witness, J. H. Brownell Probate Clerk.
As the said Court, do hereby declare their opinion, after investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the foregoing applicant, was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states; And that his statement is entitled to credit.
J. H. Brownell Probate Clerk.

I Alexander R. Brownell, Clerk of the Court of Probate, of the Town of Little Compton, in the County of Newport, and State of Rhode-Island, do hereby certify, that the foregoing, contains the original proceedings of said Court, in the matter of the application, of Thomas Briggs, for a pension.
For testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and seal of said Court, this thirteenth day of January A.D. 1834
A. R. Brownell Probate Clerk.
I hereby certify, that I have examined the family record, of the before named Thomas Briggs, and find wrote in his Great Bible, that he was Born, on the twenty third day of December A.D. 1760. in the town of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, and State of Rhode-Island. by me
Sylvester Gifford Justice Peace
I hereby certify, I am well acquainted with Sylvester Gifford, who has subscribed his name, to the above certificate, and that he is a Magistrate, duly qualified, and that the signature, to the above Certificate, is his true and genuine signature.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed my seal of Office, this thirteenth day of January A.D. 1834.
A. R. Brownell Probate Clerk
Little Compton County of Newport, and State of Rhode-Island Mr J. S. Edwards Sir, by request of the applicant, I annex the following instructions, that when you have examined his papers and if you find them satisfactory to forward him a pension Certificate, which I can't have a doubt but that you will, for I had his declaration from his mouth and I can't have a doubt, but that he served as he has stated, and when you forward his Certificate you will direct it to Thomas Briggs of Little Compton - Rhode Island Yours Respectfully. Sylvester Gifford

29248 Thomas Briggs R. I.
Count Seal _____
Witness J. H. B. Miller Probate Clerk
Sam. L. 5 days Private Capt. Pierce Col. Waterman
Nathan Whiting Esq. Little Compton New Port R.I.

William Briggs of East Greenwich in the County of Kent and State of Rhode Island, aged Seventy five Years, being duly sworn, do testify and say, That Thomas Briggs formerly of said East Greenwich, but now a resident at Little Compton in the said State of Rhode Island is my brother, That in the Revolutionary war, in the latter part of the year 1776. The said Thomas Briggs served one month with this Deponent at Warwick neck in a Company of Militia commanded by Capt Michael Spencer. That in the year 1777, or 1778. I knew of the said Thomas serving as a private on Rhode Island, and at Tiverton, and at other places but do not remember how long he served. And I further say, that the said Thomas lived at East Greenwich during the war, and served his regular tours, at all times, when drafted or otherwise called upon. William B Briggs
State of Rhode Island
Kent County ss
At East Greenwich December 2 nd 1833. Personally appeared the above named William Briggs, and subscribed and made oath to the truth of the facts contained in the above Deposition before me, and I certify that the Deponent's character for truth is good. Witness Nathan Whiting Just. Peace
Kent ss. The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Clerks Office Court of Common Pleas
I certify that Nathan Whiting Esq t is a justice of the peace for the Town of East Greenwich in our County of Kent, that the above is his proper signature in his own hand writing, that full faith & credit is to be given to all his judicial acts. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name and the seal of said Court at East Greenwich this 2 nd day of December A D 1833
John Brown Clerk

Revolution
21 660 INVALID.
File No. 21,660
Thomas Briggs His Rev War
Act: June 7 th 32.
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 50
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1935-Oct. 19- Capt. James Baughman all his Rev War military fee comes in parcel Chicago, Ill. 1832-1833

Ad E
Thomas Briggs
Samson A. L. free Nov 13
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Little Compton Nov 9 th 1835
Sir,
Your letter of Sept r 14 th has been received, and I have omitted answering it as you requested, to this time, for want of the information you requested. I have seen a man that lived in the town of Warwick the adjoining to town to East-Greenwich during the Revolutionary War, in which town Thomas Briggs states in his Declaration to have done most of his services. The information that I got is as follows— he says that he enlisted in the State service in the forepart of the War the time he cannot recollect, for six months, and after that he was in a Company of Militia during the War, soon after he was discharged from his six months service, he says that a guard was ordered to be kept on Warwick Neck for one month, and the towns of Warwick and East-Greenwich furnished the guard, and that he stood his regular tours and thinks all that belonged to it did, and states that it was very cold weather and much snow on the ground, which agrees with what Mr Briggs told me of his standing guard there in January 1777. and after that he states that there was no regular guard kept at Warwick or East-Greenwich, but whilst the English fleet was in Rhode-Island they would occasionally move some of their Ships up the River and then there was an alarm, and then the Militia was called out for a few days which was the case several times, which is the services that he recollects that the Militia did in those towns, except on some Expeditions, he recollects that many of the Militia went on to Rhode-Island in Sullivans Expedition, and himself amongst them. and he further states that the Militia south of East-Greenwich on the Narigansett shore so called, to point Judith did much more duty than they did up the River, he says there was a guard kept at Point Judith nearly all the time.

- That the English was at Newport - The foregoing is the amount that I could collect from him - and from what I could collect from other sources and from Mr Briggs in his statements, that he served at Warwick, Rhode one month in January 1777. and occasionally as guard one month before that went to Bristol in an alarm about one month, that he was on Rhode-Island in Sullivan's Expedition two months in 1778, and served as he says a waiter to the Capt. of his Company, and that he was occasionally called out in the latter part of the year 1778 & 1779 - From the best information that I have been able to collect I think it is probable that Mr Briggs might have served six months in the capacities I have stated, which I have from him, and it is not not probable to me that he ever served much if any more from the information I have now obtained.
Sir I forward to you this information confidentially as Mr Briggs and myself live in a village near together, and I wish him no harm, but my duty to myself and my Government compels me to do what I have done -
Yours with Great Respect -
Sylvester Gifford
J. L. Edwards Esq. Washington City

Sept 12
Washington D.C.
J. H. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington City

Little Compton. State of Rhode - Island. Sept 7 th 1835
Mr s Edmonds
Sir, Confidential as a friend to the present Administration (as I have wrote you before) and believing it wrong to defraud the Treasury of the United States, feel it my duty to give you the following information, in the later part of the year 1833 (if I recollect right) Thomas Briggs of said Little Compton came to me and wanted me to draw a Declaration for him to obtain a pension, and showed me two depositions he had got at East Greenwich where he was born and lived until after the Revolutionary War, one of which was from his Brother, I told him that I thought it useless to make out his declaration and send on his papers to the Pension Office, as neither of the deponents testified to only one months service, he urged me to make it out, which I did saying that if it came back he could amend it, he seemed much at a loss in making his statement of his services, though his recollection in other things are good, his papers were finished in common form, and forwarded to your department, and in a shorter time than any other case that I have known, he received his Certificate, I think for about twenty months service, that after receiving his Certificate he observed to me, what a pity it was he had not put in for a full Pension, he wished he had, for he thought it was likely he should have got a whole one if he had claimed it, some part of the time that he stated to be in the Service, he told me that he was a waiter to some of the Officers, but how much I do not recollect. I could give you a more detailed account if necessary the facts above stated I had from him, and believe that it is proper that his case should further examined into — please to write me the result of your examination, and you will much oblige your friend and humble Serv t
Sylvester Pifford

From
Hon. A. Robbins
Ans d 16. August 1830

Rev. Briggs
Free Shipping
1837
Hon. Mr. Edwards
Commission of Pensions
City of Washington
D.C.
In me Attention Recd Aug 18. 56 J. Crump P.S.
Hean. Paul-Pr.

Newport. Rh. Isl d
Aug. 13. 1836
Hon. Mr Edwards Com r of Pensions
Dear Sir. - Then as Briggs of Little Compton in this State a Pensioner , has had, as he informs me, his pension discontinued; but he has not been informed of the reason for the discontinuance. In his behalf, I have to request of you the favor to communicate to me, the ground on which his name has been stricken from the pension roll.
With high respect
Yr. ob serv t
Asahel Robbins

Portsmouth Oct 22. 1886
D. Sir
I herewith enclose the letter from Mr. Edwards to yourself, in relation to Thos. Briggs case - in order that you may be the better enabled to make the required explanations. Mr. Briggs informs me that he lived during all the revolutionary war with his father in East Greenwich (in the westerly part, at a place called Frenchtown) and within the beat, or limits, of the west, or 2 d Company of Militia in 1 st town - he was old enough to be, and was enrolled in 1 st company, in December 1776 - the Month the Enemy took possession of Rhode Island. That he performed Military duty, as a member of said company, during the whole war. This duty was regular while the British occupied this Island, and was for about half of the time, in monthly tours - the two divisions of the company relieving each other alternately - His father belonged to the Alarm list - and he went several times for him - 1 st Company belonged to the 1 st Regt. in Kent County - and at the commencement of the war was commanded by Col. John Waterman. Next by Thos. Holden who had been Adjutant under Col. Waterman, and Next by Thos. Villinghurst, and Col. Holden was made Brigade General - His public service was performed on the shores of the Bay in Kent County, viz. at Warwick Neck. Warwick town, Portsmouth Neck. Greenwich Harbor etc., and on R. Island in Sullivan's Expedition. The aforesaid Cols. commanded the 1 st Regt. during 1 st war - But he does not know that Col. Holden's name is mentioned in his declaration - He is sure that 1 st Holden was on Rhode Island, and he thinks as Col. or Commandant of the Regt. in Augt. 1778 -
The above, will, perhaps, explain the fact, that different Cols. commanded 1 st Regt. at different periods of 1 st war - But he is not certain, he cannot now remember, which particular year, one succeeded another -
Now "as to the cause of being drafted in different companies" - he never was drafted from different companies - But from the same Company - viz 1 st 2 d Company to which he belonged - 1 st Company was commanded during the time the British were on Rhode Island by Allen Johnson, who was Brother-in-law to Mr. Briggs, and the next officer was Michael Spencer of the same company - and Lt. Spencer had command oftenest over that division of the company to which 1 st Briggs, at that time, belonged - And it sometimes happened, when they were on guard duty on the shores, that the men of one company were placed under officers of another company, when the public convenience required it - all the Militia of the County performed their duty on the shores of the Bay - and were much mingled together -
One more statement requires correction - The alleged service of one Month performed as a volunteer in 1777 - This is put down wrong - It was performed under Capt. Pease, before the British came to R. Island, at Warwick town, before he was old enough to be enrolled -
One other view of this case will require your consideration - viz. That Mr. Briggs has been a long time removed from Kent County where his services were performed - and out of the society, and commun-

-cation with Choate, who performed similar services with him - he, when he made his declaration, laboured under the disadvantage of depending entirely upon his own memory - without being refreshed by the recollection of his compeers in arms - and I say, that the Gentleman who drew his Declaration (Esq Gifford) was not experienced in drafting such papers -
This has led, to the suspension of his pension - It may easily be imagined that the perspicuity necessary in such papers, may have been wanting -
When the Government become satisfied that no fraud was intended, they will no doubt, as an act of justice, restore Mr. Briggs to the Pension roll -
I have hastily sketched an outline of his case, as he thinks it should be explained, leaving it to your Superior judgment to amplify and adjust - Upon the facts before stated -
I think Sir, that your explanation will be satisfactory as you will please to state the character of the man - I hope that such may be the event - But if the Dept t requires more Mr. Briggs is ready to farther explain as far as he is able - or to make a new declaration.
With great respect, I am Truly & Sincerely Yours.
Bro. Cross.
Hon. S. P. Hovey No. 6. Newport -
Please to ask for an Early reply, as Mr. Briggs wishes, if he has any thing further to do - to have it done as soon as possible J. Cross.
Hon. S. P. Hovey
Thomas Briggs

I John Spencer of East Greenwich in the County of Kent & State of Rhode Island aged Seventy Three years, being duly sworn according to law, do testify and say That I have been well acquainted with Thomas Briggs formerly of said East Greenwich, but now of Little Compton in said State of Rhode Island ever since he was a boy; that he resided at said East Greenwich during the revolutionary War, and was enrolled in the same company of militia with myself and I well remember of his serving with me in the same company one month at Warwick neck under Capt. Michael Spencer. and I think he served with me on Rhode Island under Capt. Johnson or Capt. Hall; and I think I have served with him at other times and places, but do not recollect where. He was drafted and served in the war, as much, I believe, as any of the militia soldiers.
John Spencer
State of Rhode Island Kent County ss
I certify that John Spencer subscribed & made oath to the above Deposition before me, and I certify also that I am well acquainted with the Deponent, and that he is a man of unquestionable veracity.
Witness Nathan Whiting Just. Peace
Kent ss. The State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Court of Common Pleas, Clerk's office
I certify that Nathan Whiting Esq t is a justice of the peace for the Town of East Greenwich in our County of Kent, that the above is his proper signature as in his own hand writing, that full faith & credit is and ought to be given to all his official acts.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & the seal of said Court at East Greenwich this fourth day of December A D 1893
John Brown, Clk

Robert's Lagoon chagoon -
M c Briggs R d Care
Report to H n D. J. Pearce, New Port R d Island

The case of Thomas Briggs of Little Compton, whose pension has been stopped for some cause, which is unknown to said Briggs - his revolutionary services were performed in Kent County in the Militia there, as detailed in his declaration. and he states that he was in actual service for at least the whole time therein mentioned - his character for Patriotism during the Revolution - and for his veracity is equal to any other Gentleman in the County - -
Sept. 16. 1836 -
For Mr. Pearce

  1776 - Nov  0  1  0  Vol drafted  Capt Pierce  Col Wolu  mm    1777 Jan  0  1  0  drafted  " Spence  do     " Feb  0  1  0  feb  " "  "     " March  0  1  0  Drafted  " "  "     " May  0  1  0  "  "  "     " July  0  1  0  "  "  Greene  "    " Aug  0  1  5  "  "  Johnson  "    " Nov  0  1  0  "  "  Albion John Col  Flinghurst    1778 Jan 1  0  1  0  "  "  do  "    March  0  1  0  "  "  do  do    May  0  1  0  "  "  do     July  0  1  0  feb   Pierce     Oct  0  1  0  DR   Johnson     Dec  0  1  0  "     
Then served very often now till 1 st Nov 1779