Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 29669, Abner Briggs, Continental (Mass)

SERVICE
Continental (Mass)
Briggs, Abner
NUMBER
S. 29669
CONTENTS

31.435 Massachusetts
Abner Briggs of Bristol in the State of Mass a who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Ingris of the Regt. commanded by Col. Jackson in the Mass a line for 2 years & furlough
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of - 50 - Dollars — Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Dec r 1838 and sent to N. B. Borden Hoo. of Mass a
Arrears to the 4th of March 1838 $560.00
Pension allowance ending 4 Sept. 40.00
$600.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act June 7, 1832.
Recorded by N. H. Addison Clerk Book C Vol. 2 o Page 43.

65 State of Massachusetts } County of Bristol }
On this sixth day of April 1838, personally appeared in open court, before the court of Probate now sitting, Abner Briggs, a resident of Bighton in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, 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 act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States, under the following named officers, and served as herein stated: viz.
Here want the substance of Abner Briggs's examination and deposition, to be in language contained in the proper form, and not like present do mark out
That in September Seventeen hundred Seventy seven he enlisted for three years and served upwards of two years in a company commanded by Capt. Nathaniel Jarvis in Colonel Henry Jackson's Regiment -
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present and except his invalid pension, so called
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present,

and declare that his name is not on the Pension Roll of the Agency of any State, or (if any) only on that of the agency of the State of Massachusetts. His Ebenezer Briggs Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Oliver Prescott } Judge of said Court of Probate
We Abraham Gurnee a clergyman residing in the town of Dighton, in the county of Bristol, and State of Massachusetts, and Uriah Reed residing in the same town of Falmouth and county and State, hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Mr. Ebenezer Briggs, who has subscribed and sworn to the foregoing declaration: That we believe him to be a man of truth and veracity, and about eighty two years of age; that he is respected 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. Ebenezer Briggs
Sworn & subscribed the day & year first above named -
Uriah Reed
Before O Prescott Judge of the Court of Probate for said County of Bristol.
And the said Court, do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories presented 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 Abraham Gurnee who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the town of Dighton, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts; and that Uriah Reed who has signed the same, is a resident in the

town of Taunton  Dighton , county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, and is a credible person, and that said statement is entitled to credit.
Testimony to be pronounced by the Court
to Abner Briggs of Dighton, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, an applicant for the benefit of the pension act of June 7, 1832. Suggested by the order of the Secretary of War.
1st. Where and in what year were you born? Answer. In Dighton in Seventeen hundred & fifty five.
2d. Have you any record of your age? Answer. Not that I know of.
3d. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War; and where do you now live? Answer. In Dighton —
4th. How were you called into service; were you drafted; did you volunteer; or were you a substitute; and, if a substitute, for whom? Answer. My voluntary enlistment —
5th. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental and Militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstance of your service. Answer. Genl. Sullivan, Genl. Stark &c.
6th. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and, if so, by whom was it given; and what has become of it? Answer. I have no recollection of ever having rec d . a discharge.
7th. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can

town of Taunton  Dighton , county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, and is a credible person, and that said statement is entitled to credit.
Oliver Prescott Judge of Probate
I Anselm Bassett Register of the Court of Probate in & for said county do hereby certify that the foregoing con- tains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of Abner Briggs, of Dighton, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this tenth day of April in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Eight. A Bassett

Questions to be propounded by the Court
to Abner Briggs of Dighton, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, an applicant for the benefit of the pension act of June 7, 1832. suggested by the order of the Secretary of War.
1st. Where and in what year were you born? Answer . In Dighton in Seventeen hundred fiftyfive.
2d. Have you any record of your age? Answer . Not that I know of.
3d. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary War; and where do you now live? Answer . In Dighton —
4th. How were you called into service; were you drafted; did you volunteer; or were you a substitute; and, if a substitute, for whom? Answer . My voluntary enlistment —
5th. State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops when you served; such Continental and Militia regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstance of your service. Answer : Genl. Sullivan, Genl. Stark &c.
6th. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service; and, if so, by whom was it given; and what has become of it? Answer . I have no recollection of ever having rec d . a discharge.
7th. 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 sol- dier of the revolution. Answer. Hon.
Hodijah Maylies Every person in Dighton
Opinion of the Court of Abner H. Briggs Mark
Witness Abraham Elihu Prescott Judges of the Court of Probate am of opinion that the state- ment of Abner Briggs, a petitioner for a pension under the act of June 7, 1832, is founded in truth, and is en- titled to full confidence.
Oliver Prescott Judge of Probate

29 669 Rev INVALID.
File No. 29 669
Abner Briggs Pl. Rev. War
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 58
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Invalid Pensions Massachusetts.
Abner Briggs, 
of Wellington, in the state of Mass ts who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel H. Jackson, of the Massach ts line, for the term of three years, Continental
inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts, at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 10. of June, 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 7. of April 19, and sent to Nahum Mitchell, judge, Bridgewater, Mass ts .
Arrears to 4th of March, 1819. . . 70.63
Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4. Sept. 7 48. "
  8 mo. \frac{21}{30} } 1819. } $118.63  } Revolutionary claim, } } Act 18th March, 1818. }    8 \frac{4}{31} }  
To Judge 23 1819 Invalid That the receive to 4 th
Letter written Mitchell on Sept e enclosing the pension Certificate applicant might his money up Sept 1819 - if return - Briggs is to be placed on the roll under law 18. March 1818

Massachusetts
Abner Briggs
Private in the
Captain
company of the
★ Army of the Revolution
Ratio of disability, Total,
Date of discharge,
Time of closing the testimony, 10 Jan 1845
Enrolled on the Roll of Massachusetts
at Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the
24 April 1846
Certificate of Pension issued the _____ of _____ and _____
arrears to 4th of _____ emi-anl. all'ce ending _____
Act of the
Continental Line. Records corrected Apr. 25, 1904. B.
See letter 24 Aug 1832 to Hon. L. Hodges - Do. to R. Baldwin Sept. 29. 1835

I have examined rolls B C & D. and cannot discover that Abner Briggs's the name was ever inscribed on the roll under act 1818. His name stands on the Naval roll uninterrupted from A to D. In the first book (A) it appears the pension appears to have been increased to $8 per mo.
To what time and at what rate, was Abner Briggs, Massachusetts Invalid, last paid?
J L Edwards Sept. 29. 1835
He was listed in the 1835 roll at $8 per mo.

Dighton Ms June 17 th
Dear
Herb. Briggs 133 Federal St
above Briggs North for marble.
Washington
P. L.
Hon. A. B. Borden W.R.

Dighton June the 5. 1838
To the Hon Nathanial B. Borden at the City of Washington Sir I wish you to go to the War Office and see if I have a Certificate to draw an increase of Pension and back pay. as an invalid Pensioner for I have grown quite weak of writing. I have furnished the papers with sufficient Proof. and forwarded to the Secretary for the space of two months or more and I cannot hear a word from them,
Sir if you will take the trouble to go to the Secretary Office yourself and ascertain the Difficulty if any. why the Certificate has not been forwarded. and inform me as soon as possible by mail. Please inform me if I have an increase of Pension if any how much and when it commenced and how much back pay up to the fourth of March last.
Sir should you obtain a Certificate from the Secretary in favour of me please direct it to the Dighton Post Office. for I am Old and infirm I remain yours &c.
his To the Hon Nathanial B. Borden. Abner F. Briggs mark

[A large, faint, stylized letter 'J' or '7' mark, possibly a watermark or a light pencil sketch.]
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissaire of Pensions Washington - D. C.

Taunton Mass. April 30. 1838
Sir, Herewith is the application of Oliver Briggs of Dighton in this Commonwealth, for a pension under the Act of June 7. 1832 - Any communication you may please to make relative thereto may be made to me — very Respectfully Your Obedt Servt J B Smith
J. L. Edwards Esq Commissioner of Pensions Washington —

Payable semi-annually---the first pay- ment on this certificate will be made on the 4th of September , next, at the Branch Bank of the United States, Boston, Massachusetts.

WAR DEPARTMENT.
REVOLUTIONARY CLAIM.
I CERTIFY That, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 18th of March, 1818, Abner Briggs, of Wellington, Mass. late a private — in the Army of the Revolution, is inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Massachusetts — Agency, at the rate of Eight — dollars per month, to commence on the tenth — day of June , — one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
GIVEN at the War Office of the United States, this seventh day of April , one thousand eight hundred and nineteen .
J C Calhoun
Secretary of War.

J. H. Edwards Esq.
Earl Bridgewater Aug. 17. 1819.
I have received yours of the 5. inst. respecting Abner Briggs' application, and have only to say respecting it, that he seemed very anxious to procure a Certificate under the late law, and I think therefore you had better place him on the Revolutionary roll and forward his Certificate: He cannot be injured by it, and it is all he can have. —
I also forward to you again Samuel Shaw's and William Conant's papers. The former, although he acted as an Officer, never received a Commission, and will therefore gratefully accept an allowance as a private; the latter has now forwarded his former pension Certificate. ✓ I also forward William Brewster's application and Simeon Loring's — new cases. ( taken out )
✓ I also return you Moses Whiting's Certificate, which I apprehend was intended for Joseph Whiting. The date of the application (13 th Apl. 1818) agrees with that of Joseph Whiting's on my record. If so, he ought perhaps to be called Joseph Whiting 2 d as Joseph Whiting of Bridgewater has already rec d a pension Certificate — this applicant is a different man & belongs to Plymouth. —
✓ I have lately received from the

war Office Certificates for several persons whose applications were not made to me, and who are strangers to me viz. Edward Smothers, Richard Mansfield, Simeon Noyes, Jonathan Taylor Jr. and Elias D. Lrafton. The latter I find made his application before my Brother Judge Ware and I have therefore delivered the Certificate to him. The other 4 I now return to the war office. —
I am respectfully
Your Obed Servt.
Nahum Mitchell

Abner Briggs Wellington

I Abner Duggs of Wellington, in the county of Bristol and commonwealth of Massachusetts, yeoman, do testify and say, that in the month of May or June in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred - and Seventy seven I enlisted as a soldier to serve for the period of three years during the war of the Revolution against the common enemy, I belonged to a company commanded by Captain Nathaniel Favis, in the sixteenth Massachusetts Regiment com- manded by Colonel Henry Jackson - I was in the battle of Monmouth in New Jersey, and in the Battle on Rhode Island, and I served from the time that I enlisted until the fourth day of June in the year of our Lord. One Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty, when in a skirmish at Point Judith, in the State of Rhode Island, I received a musket ball in my right leg, in consequence of which I was obliged to under- go the amputation of that limb, after having served according to the best of my recollection nearly three years on the continental establishment, and I further testify and say that by reason of my reduced circum- stances in life I am in need of assistance from my Country for support.
Abner Duggs

Know all men by these presents that I Abner Briggs of Wellington in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, yeoman, a Pensioner of the United States, in consideration of obtaining ano- ther pension under the late Act of Congress of the eigh- teenth of March last I do hereby relinquish release and forever quit claim unto the United States the Pension of thirty shillings per month which I now re- ceive commencing 17 th March 1786 agreeably to the resolution of Congress of the 7 th of June 1786 granted me the 10 th day of March 1788. In testimony where- of I the said Abner Briggs have hereunto set my hand and seal this eleventh day of June Dom- one thousand eight hundred and eighteen. — Signed sealed & delivered in presence of us.
Abner Briggs
Nahum Mitchell Gard Bayard
Bristol Js. June 11 1818. Personally appeared the above named Abner Briggs and acknowledged the above instrument by him signed and executed to be his free act and Deed before me
Nahum Mitchell } Jur. Peace throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts —

Abner Briggs
Private
Wellington
3 years, Col. H. Jackson
reg t . Massachusetts,
10. June, 1818.
Correct.
The Claimant's former Pension Certificate is enclosed. —

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
ss. On this tenth day of June A. 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Southern Circuit, personally appeared Abner Briggs of Wellington aged — years, resident in the said Circuit, who being by me first duly cautioned according to law, on his oath made the following declaration, by him signed, in order to obtain the provision made by the late act of Congress, entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war," viz —
That he served in said war as a private soldier from the month of May or June 1777 to June 1780 in Col. Henry Jackson's (the 18 th ) Regiment in the Massachusetts Line and in Capt. Nathl. Jarvis' Company — (See his said declaration enclosed). and also his release of his former Pension /

And I do certify that the said Briggs is a poor man and needs the assistance of his country for support.
And I, the said Judge, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Abner Briggs did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the com- mon enemy, for the term of nine months, on the continental establishment; and I now transmit the proceedings and testimony taken and had before me, to the Secretary for the Department of War, pursuant to the directions of the aforementioned act of Congress.
Nahum Mitchell
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
ss.
1818.
I HEREBY CERTIFY, That is one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas for the Southern Circuit, consisting of the Counties of Plymouth, Norfolk, Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket in said Commonwealth—that the same Circuit Court of Common Pleas is a Court of record—that the signature to the above cer- tificate is the true signature of the said Judge, and that the seal thereunto affixed is the seal of the said Court.
} Clerk of the Judicial Court for the County of