Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S.29671, Abiezer Briggs, R.I.

SERVICE
R.d.
Briggs, Abiezer
NUMBER
S. 29671
CONTENTS

N o 630 Massachusetts
Abiezer Briggs
ofighton in the State of Massachusetts who was a private in the Company commanded by Captain Martin of the Reg t commanded by Col Lippell in the Rhode Island line for One year
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 40 Dollars Cents per Annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 1 st day of Oct r 1832 and sent to James L. Hodges, Farmington, Mass s
Arrears to 4th of Sept 1832 60 Semi-annual allowance ending 4 th Mar ch , 33 20
$80
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
R. Clee Clerk.
Recorded by Book D Vol. 2 Page 39
Set. to S. S. Southworth, July 31, 1838.
Date of death not on as

140 for annu 140 per
James L. Edwards Esquire War Department - Pension Office Washington . . . . . D. C.

I Abner Briggs of Dighton, in the County of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, aged Seventy nine years, do, under oath, make the following Statement; — That I enlisted as a private in the War of the Revolution, in the latter part of January or first of February 1776, and served one year in the Rhode Island State troops, in a company commanded by Capt. Benj m Pierce, and the Regiment of Col. Henry Babcock, and in the course of my service was transferred to another Captain, to wit, Captain Simon Mar- tin (afterwards Lieut d Governor of Rhode Island) the Regiment being commanded by Col. Christopher Lippitt, the said Regi- -ment was adopted into the Continental establishment sometime in May of the year aforesaid, in which Company and Regiment commanded by Capt. Martin and Col. Lippitt, I completed my full year's enlistment: — That I applied for a pension under the Law of March 18 th 1818, and presented my evidence of claim sometime in May of that year — and did, thereupon, receive a Regular Certificate entitling me to a pension under that Law — and that my name was dropped from the list of pensioners on account of my not serving nine months in the Conti- -nental Army: — That said Certificate with my other papers, were left in the War Department, when I made a new application for a pension ; And that I have always lived in Dighton aforesaid from my birth to the present moment.
Attest
X Briggs
Mark —
Attest, James L. Phelps.
Taunton, Mass. Sept. 10 th 1832.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Bristol ss. June 10th 1832.
Then personally appeared Abner Briggs and made Solemn oath that the within affidavit by him subscribed is true, according to his best knowledge and belief.
Before me.
James L. Fletcher, Vrs. Pacis.

Taunton Sept. 10 th 1832.
James L. Richards Esq.
Sir
I submit to your inspection the enclosed statement of Abner Briggs whose papers are, as he avers, his former Certificate and in the War Office. He is unquestionably entitled to 40 dollars per annum, as he was supposed to be to go under the Act of 1818. and did receive a pension three half years, and was discontinued on account of his service not having been nine months in the Continental Line. I enclose a good witnesses' affidavit as corroborative of his own. Please to transmit the Certificate to
Your friend & humble servant, James L. Hurdge
Enclosed is a copy of the Certificate

I Abner Briggs of Dighton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts seventy six years of age on Oath doth testify and say that I served in the revolutionary war one year I enlisted the last of January or the first of February in the year 1776 in the Rhode Island State troops under Capt. Benjamin Peirce and Regiment commanded by Col. Henry Babcock but served the most of the time under Capt. Simeon Martin and Regiment commanded by Col. Christopher Lippot which Regiment was taken into the Continental establishment some time in May following and I further testify and say that my Brother Abiezer Briggs enlisted into the same company with me under the same Captain, and served under the same Captains and in the same Regiment commanded by the same Col. all of the time of said one year and the same Abiezer Briggs which I then served with in said war is now present in the taking of this deposition
Abner Briggs
Commonwealth of Massachusetts }
Bristol ss Dighton August 21st 1832
Then the above named Abner Briggs personally appeared and made oath to the truth of the above written deposition by him subscribed
Before me Richard Masteoat Justice of the Peace

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled
The petition of Abiezer Briggs of Welling- ton in the County of Bristol and Commonwealth of Massachusetts represents
That your Petitioner enlisted in the Revo- lutionary Army, in the year 1776. and served in said Army for the space of one year
Your Petitioner represents that he was at in the battles at White Plains in New York and at Trenton in New Jersey, in the last of which, he was wounded by a Ball, in his right arm; one of the bones of which was fractured: — that upon his return to his home after his discharge from the Hospital in Philadelphia, the wound was troublesome, and at his arm in a great measure useless, and he was at great expense in curing it: and that its weakness increases with age
Your Petitioner further represents that he made due application for relief under the Act providing for certain persons engaged in the service of the United States in the Revo- lutionary War, but that his application was rejected as not being considered, on the Continental Establishment

Your petitioner further represents, that under the disadvantages to which his services in the Army subjected him, he has in a humble manner supported and educated a numerous family of eleven children - and that in the failure of his strength and at the close of life he is reduced to the necessity of soliciting the aid of his country -
And that although he did not come within the letter of that Act by which others were relieved, he feels a confidence that the liberal spirit, which suggested that measure, will estimate his services sufferings and indigence, and award to him an equivalent compensation.
Wm. Bagg

November 22, 1937
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Mrs. J.F. Marvel # 5 Whelden Avenue East Providence, Rhode Island
BA-J/EEL Abieser Briggs-S.29671 George Bradford-W.21703
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of George Bradford, wife, Susannah, of Gloucester and Providence, Rhode Island; Samuel Briggs, wife, Mary, of Dighton, Massachusetts; and the son of Samuel and Mary Briggs, Abieser Briggs, wife, Pamela.
There is no claim for pension or bounty land on file in this office, based upon the military service in the Revolutionary War of a Samuel Briggs who was survived by a wife, Mary. Such claims are the source of the data furnished by this office. The records have been found of George Bradford and Abieser Briggs. The histories of these soldiers are furnished herein.
Abieser Briggs S.29671
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, S.29671, based upon the military service in that war of Abieser Briggs.
Abieser Briggs was born in Dighton, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. The date of his birth and names of his parents are not shown.
Abieser Briggs enlisted, place not shown, about February 1, 1777 served as a private in Captain Benjamin Peirce's Company, Colonel Henry Babcock's Rhode Island Regiment and in Captain Simeon Martin's Company, Colonel Christopher Lippitt's Rhode Island Regiment, was in the battle of White Plains and in the battle at Trenton, when the Hessians were taken, in which latter engagement he was wounded in the right arm by a musket ball and was discharged early in February, 1777, at the hospital in Philadelphia.
Identified all officers

Abiezer Briggs was allowed pension on his application executed May 5, 1818, at which time he was aged sixty-five years and resided in Wellington, Bristol, County, Massachusetts. He was also allowed pension under the Act of June 7, 1832, while residing in Dighton, Massachusetts.
The soldier stated that he had reared a family of eleven children but did not give their names nor is the name of his wife shown.
In 1818, Abner Briggs, a brother of the soldier, lived in Wellington, Massachusetts. His age was not shown.
In order to obtain the date of last payment of pension, the name and address of person paid and possibly the date of death of the Revolutionary War pensioner, Abiezer Briggs (S.29671), you should address The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, and cite the following data:
Abiezer Briggs Certificate No. 630 Issued October 1, 1832 Rate, $40.00 per annum Commenced March 4, 1831 Act of June 7, 1832 Massachusetts Agency.
*****
George Bradford W.21703
The data which follow were obtained from the papers on file in Revolutionary War pension claim, W.21703, based upon the service of George Bradford in that war and upon disability resulting from said service.
The date and place of birth and names of the parents of George Bradford are not shown.
George Bradford enlisted, place not stated, served as a private in Colonel Israel Angell's Rhode Island Regiment, and was in the battle of Memmuth, where he received a wound in the arm; length of service, at least two years.

George Bradford was allowed pension from March 4, 1789, under the Act of June 7, 1785, on account of disability resulting from the above noted wound.
He died May 11 or 12, 1823, place not shown.
The soldier married August 26, 1780, at Gloucester, Rhode Island, Susanna or Susannah Hopkins, of said Gloucester, date and place of her birth and names of her parents not stated.
Soldier's widow, Susannah, was allowed pension on her application executed August 4, 1838, at which time she was residing in Providence, Rhode Island, and gave her age as seventy-nine years. In 1843, she stated that she was aged eighty-two years.
She died December 17, 1843, place not stated.
George and Susannah Bradford had the following children:
William Burnet Bradford. . . . . born November 21, 1781, in 1837, living in Providence, Rhode Island. George Hopkins Bradford. . . . . " April 25, 1784. Stephen Cook Bradford. . . . . " May 2, 1788, died September 11, 1791. Susanna Hopkins Bradford. . . . . " April 6, 1791. Stephen Hopkins Bradford . . . . . " February 28, 1797. Sophia Ann Bradford . . . . . " October 10, 1801.
In 1835, Anna Whitman, a sister of the widow, was living in Providence, Rhode Island, and was aged sixty-seven years; the name of her husband was not given.
*****
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator.

29 671 INVALID. Rev
1937-Nov. 22/ dist to Mrs J. F. Merral - Est
File No. 29,671
Abiezer Briggs His Rev Mrs
Act: June 7 th 32 nd
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 58
[Arrangement of 1870.]

16.284 R Massachusetts.
Abiezer Briggs, of Wellington , in the state of Massach. who was a private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Lippet of the Rhode-Island line, for the term of One year.
Inscribed on the Roll of Massachusetts at the rate of 8 Dollars per month, to commence on the 5. of May , 1818.
Certificate of Pension issued the 23. of Dec r 1819 and sent to hon: Marcus Morton member of Congress for Mass ts
Arrears to 4th of Sept r 1819. $: 128.03.
Semi-ann. all ce ending 48 " 15 mos $ 27 } $: 176.03. 8 4/30 31
{ Revolutionary claim, Act 18th March, 1818. }

I Abner Briggs of Wellington in the County of Bristol of lawful age testify and say that Abner Briggs of Wellington aforesaid served with me one year in the revolutionary war with Great Britain in Capt. Simon Martin's Company and Col. Christopher Lippitt's Regiment in the Rhode Island Line and Continental establishment and was wounded in his right arm at Trenton in taking the Hessians - this was the year 1776, commonly called the first years service in said war.
Abner Briggs
At Bristol J. June 11. 1818. sworn to before me, and the said Abner Briggs is a credible witness.
Nahum Mitchell } Judge of C.C.C. pleas, & Justice of the peace through the Commonwealth -

Abiezer Briggs Wellington
To be deliv d F Baylin Esqr.
not continental estab. lishment.
Rejected.

COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Plymouth
ss.
On this fifth day of May — 1818, before me the subscriber, one of the Judges of the Circuit Court of Common Pleas, for the Southern Circuit, personally appeared Abiezer Briggs of Wellington, County of Bristol aged sixty five 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 enlisted as a private soldier in the war of the revolution in the beginning of February 1776 for one year in Capt. Simeon Martin's company and Col. Babcock's, and afterwards Col. Lippett's regiment in the Rhode Island line and continued to serve in said corps one year and until the beginning of February 1777: when he was discharged at the hospital in Philadelphia, having been wounded at the battle in Trenton, New Jersey, — that he was also in the battle at White Plains in the State of New York — that he had a discharge from the Surgeon of the hospital, but he left it with other papers in the state of Rhode Island and cannot now obtain it. — That he has procured the certificate of Capt. Martin

which he now offers and has no further evidence of his services in his power. — That from his reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his country for support. —
Sworn to and declared on oath the day and year aforesaid
And I, the said Judge, do certify, that it appears to my satisfaction, that the said Abiezer Briggs did serve in the revolutionary war, as stated in the preceding declaration, against the common 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, & that he is poor and needs the assistance of his country for support —
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 certificate 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

I do not see Capt Martin's certificate in the papers - it may be mislaid, & should I find it I will forward it - if not he can procure another should it be necessary. It was forwarded with the papers to Washington, & may not have been returned.
Mitchell

A. I Aaron Lewis of Wellington in the County of Bristol of lawful age to give testimony testify and say that I was a soldier in the war of the revolution and knew Abiezer Briggs of said Wellington to serve in said war, and that he served one year in 1776, that is, from Dec r 1775 to the last day of Dec r 1776, being the first year's service under the Continental establishment - that he served in Capt. Martin's Company and Col. Badcock's, afterwards Col. Christopher Lippett's, Regiment in the Rhode Island Line, and that I served in Capt. Lemuel Bailey's Company in the same regiment during the same term - that we were in the battle at White Plains in N.Y. and Trenton in New Jersey, where he was wounded in his right arm - and that he served faithfully during the whole year, and that by reason of his wound, he went into the hospital and did not return till after his enlistment had expired - I left him there when my enlistment was out. —
AARON LEWIS
Massachusetts ss. Personally appeared the above named Aaron Lewis, a credible witness, and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him given was just and true in all its parts and subscribed the same in my presence June 12, 1818 —
Nathan Mitchell: Judge
June 12. 1818.

States that he enlisted in the revolutionary army in 1776 - & could one year that he was, at the Battle of White Plains & Fort Clinton in N Jersey - in the Fort Battle he was wounded in the right arm - sent to hospital & returned home is now old & infirm & pecuni- ally destitute -
was in Capt. Sumner's Morton Co Col. Brabcock's afternoon detachment Ques. -
his petition has been at war office - rejected because not on Cont. Estab t
Wounded - at the Battle of refer to summary at War 16 Dec r - 1819
2 Abiezer Briggs. Petition -
Dec r - 13 - 1819 Ref d to the Committee on Pensions & Revolutionary Claims
Dec r - 16 - 1819 Ref d to the Secretary of War
It having been as- certained since the first examination & rejection of the claim of Abiezer Briggs, that Col d Lip- pet's reg t was on the Continental establish- ment in 1776, this claim can now be
Admitted
16. Dec r & sec. war
Morton 10.13. p d

Wellington Nov. 16. 1819
It is hereby certified, That Abiezer Briggs of Wellington in the State of Massachusetts, return'd from the United States Army in the latter part of February 1777 with a wound in his right Arm between three and four inches below the Elbow, which wound was made by a musquet ball passing through the Arm, and injuring one of the Bones. The wound had been nearly closed, but when I saw it a tumor had taken place in the inside of the Arm, which upon breaking discharged in the course of the cure, three pieces of Bones of about half an inch in length. He after some time recover'd his ability to a certain degree, of going through his manual labour, by which he had always subsisted. His wounded Arm grows more & more debilitated, and it is probable in a short time he will be unable to use it for his support
William Baylies. M. D

(Copy)
War Department.
Revolutionary Claims
I certify that in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 27 th of June 1832 Alpheus Briggs, of the State of Massachusetts, who was a private in the Army of the Revolution is entitled to receive Forty dollars and _____ cents per annum, during his natural life, commencing on the 4 th of March 1831, and payable semi-annually, on the 4 th of March and 4 th of September, in any year.
Given at the War Office of the United States this first day of October, one thousand eight hundred and thirty two.
(seal)
John Root
Actg. Secy War.
Examined and Approved } J. L. Richards

51427 - July 27. 1888
Division Office
Mass.

Eighteen Miss July 23 rd . 1888
Sir!
I have the honor to inform you that Mr. Alizer  Abington Briggs of this town, was in the year 1820, placed on the Pension Roll of 1818, and on the 6 th of January of that year received the enclosed certificates.
Mr. Briggs, enjoyed the benefits of the Pension Act of 1818, about a year and a half, when his pension was suspended and stopped in consequence of his professed by his own estimate, more properly than was allowed by the amended act of 1818, or 1819.
It is now believed, that in consequence of the various amendments that have been made to the pension law, that Mr. Briggs, is entitled to re-appear on the roll of 1818, or to that of some subsequent act, and this call is very respectfully made on the War Department for information touching this subject.
As early a reply, as can be made to this note of inquiry is respectfully solicited by the undersigned, the attorney of the applicant, and by the applicant himself.
Very Obediently, I have the honor to be,
Your very humble servant.
J. S. Southworth
The Hon. Sec y War Washington City

To the
Veterans Administration Washington, D.C.
MRS. JOHN F. MARVEL 5 WHELDEN AVENUE EAST PROVIDENCE, R. I.
Nov. 8, 1937.
Have you pension records for George Bradford and his wife Seesumiah (Hopkins), Bradford? - They were residents of Gloucester in Providence R.I.
Also ✓ ✓ ✓ Samuel Briggs and his wife Mary .
They were of Hingham, Mass. - Mary lived to be 100 years old - died abt 1823.
also, The son of Samuel and Mary, Abiezer Briggs - His wife was. Pamela .
Shall be most grateful for any data concerning the above -
Sincerely, A. W. Marvel (Mrs. J. F.)