Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 5923, Samuel Briggs, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass.
Briggs, Samuel Rachel
W. 5923
B.L.Wt. 16275-160-55-
CONTENTS

Maine 27.11.2
Samuel Dniggs of Somerset in the State of Me who was a Private in the _____ commanded by Captain _____ of the Red _____ commanded by Col Luffer in the Maspaw line for
emo
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 20 Dollars _____ Cents per annum, to commence on the 14th day of March, 1834.
Certificate of Pension issued the 4 day of Feb. 1834 and Serv R. C. Vose. August 7
Arrears to the 14th of Sept 1833 $ 5 0 Semi-ant. allowance ending Mar 4 34 - 1 0 $ 6 0
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Not June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Bullock Clerk. Book E Vol. B Page 5

64035 } Jan March 3/55 April 13/55
Rachel Briggs wid of Samuel Briggs Jr.
Capt. M rs Cont. line, Age
Col. Inf. Regt.
Age
His
Revolutionary War
Rev pensioner
Deed Feb 53- 2514
Ad: 160 Ac. Feb 14/86.
W. H. D.
R
Elderton Western Cambridge Ill.
At: E. C. Northern, Oct 10 th 1855, " " " " Nov 5 th " "
Vol. B2- 61.

25141 P Maine Rachel Briggs, widow of Samuel Briggs Maf who served in the Revolutionary war, as a private
Inscribed on the Roll at the rate of 20. Dollars
Cents per annum, to commence on the 3d February, 1853.
Certificate of Pension issued the 18th day of October 1853 and sent to
E. Weston Skowhegan Maine.
Recorded on Roll of Pensioners under act February 3, 1853, Page 1 Vol. A
(221)
Reg 3 9m 55-64035
File of letter not on file

1864055 Rachel Briggs Claim for Bounty Land March 30 1855
Malcom Revolutionary Bounty Gloucester Cambridge Maine Agent

State of Maine.
County of Somerset ss
on this tenth Day of January, At one thousand eight hundred and fifty, I personally appeared before me a justice of the peace within and for the County, and State aforesaid Rachel Briggs aged Seventy years a Resident of Carrabunk in the State of Maine who being duly sworn according to law Declares that she is the widow of Samuel Briggs who was a Soldier in the Revolutionary war and a Revolutionary pensioner of the united States under the act of June 7 1832 and who received his pension at the rate of twenty four Dollars a year at the united States agency, for paying pensions in this State of Maine up to august 30th 1848 and who Died at Carrabunk the 30th Day of August AD 1848 She further states that she was Married to the said Samuel Briggs in the Town of Gunden and State of Maine on the 6th Day of July AD 1802 by one Harlow Esqr and that her name before her said Marriage was Rachel Rowe and that her said Husband

Died at Carrawtunk on the 30 th Day of Aug AD 1843 and that she is now a widow and she further Declares that she is a pensioner of the united States under the act of February 3 rd 1855 and that her pension is paid her at the united States agency for paying pensions in this state at the rate of twenty Dollars a year and that her pen- sion has been paid up to Sept 1855 and she further Declares that the term of service rendered in the Revolutionary war with Great Britain by her late husband the said Samuel Briggs is wholly unknown to her as he rendered his service previous to his marriage to her and reference may be to papers on file in the pension office for proof She makes this Declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled under the act approved March 3 rd 1855 She also Declares that she nor her said husband has not received a Warrant for bounty land under this or any other or any previous act of Congress nor made but one other application therefor which was made last Spring and filed by Alvah Wetherbee of Cambridge Maine

under the act of March 3 d 1855 and its No is 64035 Rachel Briggs
We John Hunewill and Rachel Hunewill residents of Carrabunk in the State of Maine upon our oaths declare that the foregoing Declaration was signed and acknowledged by Rachel Briggs in our presence and that we believe from the appearance and statements of the applicant that she is the identical person she represents herself to be and that we further state from personal knowledge having been acquainted with Rachel Briggs ever since the death of Samuel Briggs that she is now the widow of Samuel Briggs and has been ever since his death which took place as stated in this Declaration and that we have no interest in this claim
John Hunewill Rachel Hunewill
The foregoing Declaration and affidavit were sworn to and subscribed before me on the day and year above writ- ten and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons and I believe the claimant is the person she represents herself to be and that I have no interest in this claim Edwain Wetmore Justice of the peace

Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the 2 nd Section of the act of the 3 rd February 1853
State of Maine
County of Somerset. On this fifteenth day of June A D 1853 personally appeared before me David White Judge of Probate of Wills &c within Her said County in the State aforesaid it being a Court of Record Rachel Briggs aged sixty eight years a resident of a place called Carrytown in said County who first being duly sworn according to Law does on her oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the second section of the act of Feb y 3 rd 1853 & the provisions thereby granting pensions to widows of persons who served during the Revolutionary Wars in the United States or Colonial service - That she is the widow of Samuel Briggs deceased who was a private in the Massachusetts line & served therein for which he drew a pension of twenty Dollars per annum & which he drew up to the time of his decease under the act of June 7 th 1832 for proof of which service & the pension she begs leave to refer to evidence thereof in the War Department & Pen- sion Office -
She further declares that she was married to said Samuel Briggs on the twelfth day of June A D 1802 and that she was not mar- ried prior to 1800 but 1802 as aforesaid and that her maiden name was Rachel Rowe and that her said Husband died on the 30 th day Aug t A D 1843 - and that she is still a widow -
Rachel Briggs
Subscribed & sworn to on the day & year above written -
(David White) Judge of Probate of Wills & County

I hereby certify that from the infirmities of age & other disabilities the within declarant finds it extreme- ly difficult to appear in open Court —
(Daniel White) } Judge of Probate
(Daniel White)

State of Maine } I Albert Moore Register of the Court Somerset ss } of Probate in & for the County of Somerset do hereby certify that the Hon David White before whom the foregoing proceedings were had. was at the time of executing the same. Judge of the Probate Court in & for said County, duly commissioned and qualified. and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his, are genuine
In testimony whereof. I have hereunto affixed my seal of Office & subscribed my name, this fifth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & fifty three Albert Moore { Reg r

Rachel Briggs Claim for Bounty Land March 3 1855
No 64035
Elvaton Wetmore Pembridge Agent Maine

STATE OF MAINE, County of Somerset } ss.
On this 22nd day of March A. D., one thousand eight- Hundred and fifty five , personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County and State aforesaid, Rachel Briggs aged fourtytwo years, a resident of Plantation Maine County of Somerset and the State of Maine, who being duly sworn according to law, declares, that she is the widow of Samuel Briggs deceased, who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain in the Massachusetts drafted men commanded by Colonel in the war with Great Britain declared by the United
States on the 18th day of June 1812. That her husband, served in the War of at
the Revolution declared by the United States July 4th 1776
on or about A. D. 181 and continued in actual service in said War for the term of nine months and was honorably discharged on or about the day of A. D. 181 by verbal order as will appear by
reference to the rolls of said Company—that he did not receive a certificate of discharge as she believes.
for the services of which reference is made to the pension department to the being inscribed on the pension list at the rate of 20 dollars per year and paid by the pension agent of this state the
She further states that she was married to the said Samuel Briggs in Sweden on the sixth day of July A. D. 1811 by one Karlson and that her name before her said marriage, was Rachel Bow , that her said husband died at Brookline on the 30th day of August A. D. 1843 and that she is still a widow.
She further declares that neither she nor her said husband, ever received Bounty Land under any act of Congress excepting one Acre-Land-Warrant No.
obtained under the Act, passed Sept. 28, 1850, March 22, 1852.
and she further declares that she has no claim to the pension under the act granting pensions to the widows of Revolutionary soldiers and that she receives her pension at the pension agency of this state of Maine She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which she may be entitled, under the act of Congress passed March 3rd A. D. 1855.
Subscribed and sworn to before me, the day and year above written. And I hereby certify that I believe the said Rachel Briggs to be the widow of the soldier above named, and that she appears to be of the age above written. and I certify that I am not interested in this claim Walter L. Hovey Justice of the Peace.
State of Maine.
COUNTY OF Somerset , ss.
I, Geo. A. Noble , Clerk of all the Judicial Courts in said County, certify that Walter L. Hovey Esquire, is and was, at the date of his certificate hereunto annexed an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the said County, that he is and was then duly qualified to act as such, and that the signatures purporting to be his are genuine.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand, and affixed the seal of the SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT for said state this 9 day of April A. D. 185 5
Geo. A. Noble Clerk.

Sam J. Briggs Private - Mass'tts Troops Lt. Col. Littlefield's Co; Col. Tupper's regt. 6 months
28.935
See Mass'tts Rolls. Six months as a Private, on rolls of Tupper's Regt.
No Seal
R. C. Vose, Augusta, Me.
1/6
not exp. l.
Turner Water

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
STATE OF MAINE, } ss. KENNEBEC COUNTY, }
ON this fifth day of August A. D. 1833 personally appeared, in open Court before the HON. NATHAN WESTON, Jun'r, a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, of said State, Samuel Briggs a resident of a  plantation called Barrett in the County of Somerset and State of Maine, aged sixty eight years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following dec- laration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress, passed June 7, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year 1780 with Captain not recollected and served in Col. Suppeu's regiment of the Massachusetts line or troops under the following named officers: viz. Lt. Col.
That he was placed on the Maine roll under the Act of Congress of March 18, 1818, and that his pension certificate is numbered _____ and dropped therefrom on account of his property. That at that time he resided in _____ in the County of _____ and State of Maine, and now resides in _____
for veracity & their belief of his services. He further states that during the revolutionary war he was called, as he believes, Hon. Briggs 3 d .
He hereby relinquishes every claim 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, except as aforesaid.
Samuel Briggs.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid, B. J. ...
Wachar Weston
East of S. P. C.
And the said Judge does hereby declare his  court before which these proceedings were had opinion that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states.
Nathaniel Weston

State of Maine.
KENNEBEC, ss.—I, JOHN A. CHANDLER, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts held within and for the County of Kennebec, hereby certify that the Hon. NATHAN WESTON, Jun'r , before whom the within proceedings was had, is a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State; I also certify that the within contains the original proceedings of the said Judge  Court , in the matter of the application of Samuel Briggs for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this 5 th
day of August
A. D. 1833, —
J. A. Chandler
I James Snow of Augusta, Kennebec County, Maine, a pensioner on the Wiggin roll, aged Seventy Seven years, upon oath state, that I am acquainted with the within named Samuel Briggs I have known him for more than thirty years; that I believe him to be of the age he represents & to have been a revolutionary soldier. B. I. further state that I fully believe there is no clergymen in Carritunk
James Snow
State of Maine } Supreme Judicial Court August 5 th 1833. Subscribed Kennebec, ss: } sworn to in open court, the deponent being credible witness. Before Nathan Weston
Rev. B. Hall August 5 th 1833
My Seal

State of Maine.
KENNEBEC, ss.—I, JOHN A. CHANDLER, Clerk of all the Judicial Courts held within and for the County of Kennebec, hereby certify that the Hon. NATHAN WESTON, Junr., before whom the within proceedings was had, is a Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court of said State; I also certify that the within contains the original proceedings of the said Court Judge, in the matter of the application of Samuel Briggs for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the said Court, this 5 th day of August
A. D. 1833.
J. A. Chandler
I James Snow of Augusta Kennebec County, Maine a pensioner on the Maine roll, aged Seventy seven years, upon oath state that I am acquainted with the within named Samuel Briggs (Shaw). Know him for more than thirty years; that I believe him to be of the age he represents & to have been a revolutionary soldier. I further state that I fully believe there is no clergyman in Courtland
James Snow
State of Maine } Supreme Judicial Court August 5 th 1833. subscribed Kennebec ss: } I sworn to in open Court, the deponent being credible witness. Before Nathan Weston N. 1. p. 6
N. B. Rose August 11 1833
NO SEAL

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section AWF
December 12, 1930
W. E. Briggs 1465 Midland Avenue Bronxville, N. Y.
Dear Sir:
You are advised that it appears from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim, W. 5923, that Samuel Briggs was born in 1765 in Stoughton  Stoughton Massachusetts.
While a resident of said Stoughton, he enlisted in May or June 1780 and served six months as a private in Colonel Tupper's Massachusetts Regiment.
He stated that he was called Samuel Briggs , third during the War of the Revolution.
He was allowed pension on his application executed August 5, 1833, at which time he was living in Carratunk, Somerset County, Maine, where he had lived about thirty years.
He died August 30, 1843 in said Carratunk.
The soldier married June 12, 1801 or July 6, 1802 in Embden, District of Maine, Rachel Rowe or Row. Both dates of marriage are given by the widow.
She was allowed pension on her application executed June 15, 1853 at which time she was living in Carratunk, Maine and was aged sixty-eight years.
It is stated that they had three sons and three daughters.
Soldier's daughter, Rhoda Hayden, in 1853 was living

in Madison, Somerset County, Maine. Her age is not stated and there is no further reference to children.
Very truly yours,
E. W. MORGAN Acting Commissioner.

Pay  WIDOW, &c.
File No.
5923
Rachel Briggs Widow Samuel Briggs Pvt. Rev. War
Act:
Feby. 30/53
Index:—Vol.
A,
Page
83
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1930 Dec 12 - H. H. Re. W. E. Briggs and 1938 Oct 17 - " " W. E. Briggs

64055 Rachel Kings Bloom 1875 St. Louis Mo 1875
5 16.275 5 Mrs. Cress

Pension Office Oct 14/53
Sir Please report time of last payment to or death of within named pensioner
Respectfully &c
H Burt Esqr
L. Call
3 Audt
for Colonel
Present
Samuel Briggs, at 1832, $20.00 p. an. Died 30 th Augt. 1843, Paid to his death.
J. Burt Auditor, for
Feb. 3 rd / 53. Pen. Adv. Me's
W. D. D.

Cambridge October 24 1855 to S Cole Acting Commission your letter of October 10 is received informing me that the bounty fund Claim of Mrs Rachel Brigg has been suspended for proof that she signed her Declaration I wish you would send me her claim as it is very difficult to prove that she signed it unless I have it present when I obtain the proof her claim is No 64,035 under Act 3 March 1855
Yours Respectfully
S Cole Acting Comr Washington City D C
Ebenezer Wetherbee Maine

Specn began Augt 17 th 53 To the Honble Comms r of Pensions Dear Sir
I enclose herewith the Declaration of Mrs Rachel Briggs widow of Samuel Briggs in form duly executed by Judge White together with the evidence of Mrs Hayden to the marriage & death which proves that there was a record that the pair lived together & raised children & that he died & she saw him buried - This last executed be for me by order of Judge White & should it be objected to on that account please send it back & it can be arranged that no justice lives within less than 4 miles one way & six the other - I send as a specimen of the execution of deposition of Country folks the evidence of John Matthews in Noah Hubbard's case (already allowed) to show the exception in convenience of the arrangement that no one who can be called as Agent shall do business - This was made in the Town joining the Capital of our State - In corroboration of the above I send Capt Parsons statement of what he knows of Mr Briggs family & hopes the rule (not very unprejudiced) will yield to discretion in so plain a case -
Most respectfully & truly
Yours
Edmund Weston

Brief in the case of Rachel Briggs widow of Saml. Somerset County and State of Maine act of Feb 3 - 1853
Claim, ("original," or "for increase.")
Proof exhibited, (if original.)
Is it documentary, traditional, or supported by rolls? If either, state the substance.
Husband a pensioner under act of June 7. 1832 at $20 per annum I private in Massachusetts line Com.
Allowed $20 per annum Per. Feb 3 - 1853
(If for increase.)
Has additional evidence been filed since the admission of the claim? If so, what?
Marriage proved by Samuel Parker & Rhoda Hayden of said County Who are certified to be credible Death " by credible witnesses Identity & Widowhood of Credible witnesses
Name and residence of Agent
Ebenezer Weston Skowegan Maine
Examining Clerk.
H Gray

I Samuel Parker of Bloomfield in the County of Somerset State of Maine do on oath depose & say that I have been for many years well acquainted with the family of Samuel Prigg late of Carrytown Absarock in said County up to the time of his death & have known the other members of the family even since, consist- ing of three sons & three daughters besides the widow and that they have always lived in the said Samuel Prigg & wife always lived in the Matrimonial connection to the time of his decease unsuspected of any wrong & sustained a good character in all the relations of life
State of Maine
Samuel Parker
Somerset County ss I sworn to & subscribed on this ninth day of Septem- ber AD 1853 before me & I certify that Capt Samuel Parker the affiant is one of our principal business men & sustains a good character for truth & veracity
Ebenezer Weston Justice of the Peace
State of Maine
County of Somerset ss I Llewellyn Kidder Clerk of the Judicial Courts of said County in the said State do certify that Ebenezer Weston is a justice of the peace in & for said County
I affirm that his signature above written is genuine Given under our hand
at the seat of justice this 8th day of Sept AD 1853
Llewellyn Kidder Clerk as aforesaid

I Rhoda Hayden of Madison in the County of Somerset & State of Maine do on oath depose & say that I am a daugh- ter of Samuel Briggs late of Carytown in said County and was well acquainted with him in his last sickness & at the time of his death and know that it took place on the thirtieth day of August AD 1843 - and I further say that I have seen a record of the Marriage of said Samuel Briggs & Rhoda his widow in a family Bible as kept in the family & am sure that said marriage took place the twelfth day of June AD 1801 & I further know by my own age as compared there with - Rhoda Hayden
State of Maine Somerset County ss. Be it known that on this tenth day of August AD 1853 personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in & for said County Rhoda Hayden above named & made oath to the truth of the foregoing statement and that she is a reliable witness. I further say that Eustis Weston wrote the above affidavit & certificate being then familiar with the forms of such business. Given under my hand this 10 th day of Aug t 1853 -
Eustis Weston
Justice of the Peace

State of Maine.
Somerset County, ss.
I George A. Hobbs, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court within and for the State and County aforesaid do certify that Oluson Wetmore Esq. before whom the annexed proceedings were had, was at the time of signing the same, a Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Somerset, duly qualified and commissioned; that full faith and credit are due to his official acts as such, and that the foregoing signature, purporting to be his, is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of said Supreme Judicial Court, this 23 day of January A. D. 1856 Geo. A. Hobbs Clerk.

No. 3218 Sept. 12, 1853.
Appl. of Rachel Briggs, widow of Saml.
Somerset co. Maine.
27/12
lev. 1/13
Alfred B. D. Mann Conn Feb 3-1853
Ebenezer Weston, Skowhegan,
Maine.
On the Mrs. B. D. Mann Miss Briggs

Samuel Briggs
Returned for want of seal. Seal now affixed.
One pirated
$ 20
REV Odelia Presented Augusta Maine

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
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 subjoined 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 Samuel Priggs
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and rank of the Field officers under whom he served. Age at present, and place of abode when he entered the service. Proof by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.              
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JAMES L. EDWARDS,
Commissioner of Pensions.

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 _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ 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 _____ A. B.
Sworn to 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 (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) _____, who has 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 days 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 the 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 inquiry 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 a 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.
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.
[k] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[l] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[m] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

3 Claremont Road, Scarsdale, N. Y. Sept. 7th. 1938.
Veterans Administration, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs:-
I desire to secure all information available concerning the following named parties who served in the War of the Revolution.
"Samuel Briggs, Jr. (Stoughton, Mass.) A Private Capt. James Endicott's Co. Col. Lemuel Robinson's Regiment, which marched on the alarm of April 19th. 1775. Service 3 days. Also Capt. Theo. Lyon's Co. Col. Benj. Gill's Regiment; marched from Stoughton, Mass. to Braintree, March 22nd. 1776, service 2 days."
"Samuel Briggs, 3rd. Stoughton, Mass. Descriptive list of men raised to reinforce Continental Army for the term of 6 months, agreeable to resolve of June 5th. 1780. Age 16 yrs. Stature, 5 ft. 1 in. Complexion light. Residence, Stoughton, Mass. Arrived at Springfield July 10th. 1780. Marched to camp July 11th. 1780 under command of Ensign Bancroft. Also pay roll for six months men raised by the town of Stoughton for service in the Continental Army during 1780. Marched July 6th. 1780. Discharged Dec. 8th. 1780, service 5 months, 14 days."
Would if possible like answers to the following:
 1st. Name of father and mother if given?  2nd. Did they receive a pension and if so how much and when?  3rd. The names of brothers and sisters if given?  4th. If they married, give name of wife and their children if any? 
We are trying to learn whether these parties above mentioned were in any way related to the Adin or Aden Briggs of Stoughton, Mass. whom you mentioned and described in your letter to us, dated Nov. 7th. 1930 and addressed to us at Bronxville, N. Y. in which letter you gave the name of Adin Briggs' father as "Samuel Briggs of Stoughton, Mass." ( Mother's name not stated ). You gave the name of his wife, the names of children and where they later resided also full data in re pension received by Adin Briggs and later by his widow. The letter of 1930 bore the following marks in the upper left hand corner of the letter head. "Rev. & 1812 Wars Sec." It was signed by "E. W. Morgan, Acting Commissioner".
It may be that the name of Samuel Briggs wife may be given in the records covering the two above. Any information will be appreciated and if they received no pension please refer me to the proper department to whom I may write for other details concerning them. I assume there is some kind of a record of their families.
Yours very truly,
W. E. BRIGGS,
W. E. Briggs
Recd 10.5923 + Ray the is the only one gained etc. I think he is the bro- of Adin
amt

1465 Midland Ave. Bronxville, N. Y. Nov. 17th. 1930.
Veterans Administration, Bureau of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sirs:-
Can you give me the following information relative to one Samuel Briggs, Jr. listed as from Stoughton, Mass. in the War of the Revolution as a Private in Capt. James Endicott's Company, "which marched on the alarm of April 19th. 1775, service 3 days" also listed as "marched from Stoughton, Mass. to Braintree, March 22nd. 1776, service 2 days".
1. Did Samuel Briggs, Jr. draw a pension from the government? 2. What was the date of his birth and place of birth? 3. What was the name of his wife and date of marriage? 4. What were the names of his children and dates of birth?
In the event that Samuel Briggs, Jr. never applied for a pension can you tell me where I can ascertain the above information?
Thanking you in advance, I am
Yours very truly,
W. E. BRIGGS.

October 17, 1938
Mr. W. E. Briggs 3 Claremont Road Scarsdale, New York
BA-J/AWF Samuel Briggs W. 5923
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Samuel Briggs, Jr. of Stoughton, Massachusetts, private in Captain James Endicott's company, Colonel Lemuel Robinson's Massachusetts regiment, also Samuel Briggs, 3rd, of Stoughton, Massachusetts, served in the Continental Army, six months in 1780.
The data furnished herein were obtained from papers on file in claims for pension and bounty land, W. 5923, based upon the military service of Samuel Briggs, of Stoughton, Massachusetts. This is the record of the only Samuel Briggs, of said Stoughton, found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
Samuel Briggs was born in the year 1765 in Stoughton, Massachusetts. The names of his parents were not given.
While residing in said Stoughton, Samuel Briggs enlisted sometime in May or June, 1780, served six months as private in Colonel Tupper's Massachusetts regiment.
During the Revolution he was called "Samuel Briggs 3d". He moved to Maine about the year 1794.
He was allowed pension on his application

executed August 5, 1833, at which time he was living in Caratunk, Somerset County, Maine, where he had lived about thirty years.
The soldier, Samuel Briggs, died August 30, 1843 in Caratunk, Maine.
Samuel Briggs married June 12, 1801, or July 6, 1802 in Embden, Maine, Rachel Rowe or Row; both dates of marriage are  was given by the widow. The date and place of her birth and names of parents were not shown.
The widow, Rachel Briggs, was allowed pension on her application executed June 15, 1853, at which time she was living in Caratunk, Maine, and gave her age sixty-eight years. She gave her age in 1855 as seventy-two years. She was allowed one hundred sixty acres of bounty land on her application executed January 10, 1856, then living in Caratunk, and stated that she was seventy years old. There is no explanation given as to the discrepancies in her age.
Samuel Briggs and his wife, Rachel, had three sons and three daughters.
A daughter, Rhoda Hayden, was living in 1853 in Madison, Somerset County, Maine; her age was not shown.
The papers on file in these claims contain no further discernible data relative to family.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, name and address of person paid, and possibly the date of death of the widow, Rachel Briggs, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D. C., and furnish the following data-

Rachel Briggs, widow of Samuel Briggs Certificate #2514 Issued October 18, 1853 Rate $30.00 per annum Commenced February 3, 1853 Act of February 3, 1853 Maine Agency.
If you desire information in regard to location of the land referred to herein, you should apply to The Commissioner of the General Land Office, Washington, D. C., and furnish the following data-
Warrant #16275- 160 acres- Act of 1855.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator