Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 831, Joseph Biggs, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va
Biggs Joseph Mary
76.831
CONTENTS

From Virginia to Ohio,
Joseph Biggs, Ensign
Inscribed on roll of Vir- ginia, at $9, and increased to $11. 20 / 100 per month, by law 24 Apr. 1816.
Formal certificate issued 31 March 1825, and sent to W. M. McClurey, at Brooks lot. No. 11a
See letter to Hon. W. Kennon H. R. Feb. 23. 1831. - do. to Hon. B. Ruggles Aug. 20. 1832 Dead. See letter to Hon. J. M. Bell H. R. Feb. 24. 1835
Transferred to Ohio 4 Jan 1826.

State of Virginia } ss County of Brooke
Be it known that before the subscribers, one of the Justices of the peace in and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared Joseph Briggs formerly of the county of Ohio and State of Virginia, but now of the county of Belmont, in the State of Ohio, who after being duly sworn according to law deposes and says that he is a prisoner of the United States on the roll of the Virginia Agency, and has been such since the 29 th day of June 1796. That the said pension was granted on account of wounds received from the enemy (Indians) whilst deponent commanded a detachment of Virginia rangers, as Ensign Commandant, at a Block House, or Station, on the west side of the Ohio river, nearly opposite to Wheeling. That deponent has regularly received his pension at the city of Richmond, and that his certificate obtained from the Honorable James M c Henry, then Secretary of War, dated 29 th day of June 1796, has been for some time lost, or mislaid. Deponent therefore respectfully prays the Honorable the Secretary of War, to renew his said certificate, so that he may hereafter be entitled to receive his pension.

Sworn and subscribed this 24 th day of March 1825
Joseph Biggs
Before me Moses Congleton J.P.
{ Please address Wm. M. M c Clung, Brooke C ty , B. } }
The renewed certificate will oblige Mr. Biggs, by being transferred from the roll of the Virginia, to that of the Ohio agency.
Joseph Biggs
State of Virginia Brooke County to wit;
I, John Connell, clerk of the County Court of Brooke aforesaid do hereby certify that Moses Congleton Gentleman before whom the foregoing affidavit was made was at the time of the making thereof and now is a justice of Peace within and for the County aforesaid duly commissioned and qualified according to the laws and constitution of the State aforesaid.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of the said Court at the Court House this 24 th day of March A.D. 1825 and the 49 year of our foundation.
John Connell C lerk

State of Virginia Marshall County
On this 12 th day of October 1840 personally appeared before the Circuit Superior Court of the State and County aforesaid Mary Biggs a resident of the County and State aforesaid aged seventy years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 4 th 1836. That she is the widow of Joseph Biggs who was a lieutenant or ensign of the militia Rangers. She further declares that she was married to the said Joseph Biggs on the 14 th day of January in the year seventeen hundred and ninety four and that her husband the aforesaid Joseph Biggs died on the 1 st day of February 1833 and that she has remained a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed. Sworn to and subscribed on the day & year above written in open court.
Mary her Biggs mark
At the same time and place appeared Henry Baker a citizen of the County of Belmont and State of Ohio who being first duly sworn deposes and saith that he has been acquainted with Mary Biggs widow of Joseph Biggs since 1791 when her name was Mary Daily. That he recollects the day she was married. That it was in the year 1794. His sister of the said Baker having been married on the same day. That he said Baker at the time of said marriage of the said Mary Daily to Joseph was a near neighbor to said Daily not farther off than forty yards.
Henry his Baker mark

The within declaration of Mary Briggs. And the Identity of Henry Barker thereunder written. were sworn to and subscribed in open Court on the day and year therein written.
In testimony whereof I. James D. Morris Clerk of said Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery for said County of Marshall. have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at the Courthouse of said County the 12 th day of October 1840 James D. Morris Clerk
Address G. W. Thompson Whiting Va

September 22, 1936
Joseph Biggs-R.331 Jonathan Purdy-S.5956 BA-J/AWT See
Mrs. H. M. Carpenter 211 Tomlinson Avenue Mountaville, West Virginia
Dear Madam:
The data concerning Joseph Biggs furnished herein were obtained from pension claim, R. 831, based upon his disability incurred while in the service.
The data and place of birth of Joseph Biggs are not shown, nor are the names of his parents stated.
He served as ensign in Captain William McMahan's company, Colonel Benjamin Biggs' regiment of Virginia rangers, and while stationed at a Block House on the west side of the Ohio River opposite Wheeling, then in command of a detachment of Virginia rangers, he was wounded by the Indians, nature of wound not stated.
He was allowed pension from June 29, 1796, on account of disability resulting from the above mentioned wound; he was then of Brooke County, Virginia.
He was a resident in 1825 of Belmont County, Ohio, and then stated that he was "formerly of Ohio County, Virginia". He died February 1, 1833.
Joseph Biggs married January 14, 1794, Mary Daily. She was seventy years of age in 1840 and living in Marshall County, Virginia.
There is no reference to their children, and it is not shown that the Colonel Benjamin Biggs under whom Joseph Biggs served was related to the family.
*****

Jonathan Purdy-S. 5956
The data which follow relative to Jonathan Purdy were obtained from pension claim, S. 5956, based upon his service in the Revolutionary War.
Jonathan Purdy was born in the month of August, 1759 in Connecticut, names of his parents not given.
While a resident of Westchester County, New York, Jonathan Purdy enlisted in the spring of 1776, served one year as private in Captain Jonathan Horton Paulding's company, Colonel Thomas Thomas' New York regiment, and was in the battle of White Plains. He enlisted in 1777, served four months as private in Captain Jonathan Horton Paulding's company. He enlisted in the spring of 1778, served one year as private in Captain Richard Sackett's company, Colonel Morris Graham's New York regiment. He enlisted sometime in February, 1779, served six months as private in Captain Barnes' company, Colonel Aaron Burr's regiment. He enlisted sometime in July, 1779, served two months in Captain Lawrance's company. He enlisted in the spring of 1780, served nine months as sergeant in Captain Richard Sackett's company. He enlisted in the spring of 1781, served as sergeant in Captain Richard Sackett's company, Colonel Thomas Thomas' New York regiment, length of this service not stated.
Jonathan Purdy moved in 1790 from Westchester County, New York to Ohio County, Virginia. He was allowed pension on his application executed, September 4, 1832, then a resident of Ohio County, Virginia.
The papers in this claim contain no reference to wife or children.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator

1936-Sept 22- Mrs. H. M. Carp
Ex-L Living
Ex'r.
INVALID.
Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
Mary Diggs
P. O. _____
wid - Joseph
Service: _____
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____

5198 July 4. Va '30 Mary Biggs Rejected let. to G. H. Thompson 26. Oct. 1840 .. .. Hon. L. Sleeper, June 3, 1843. let to T. Green. Jan 9, 1845. Same decision as in letter of June 3, 1843 to Hon. L. Sleeper.
It does not state in which place in the State that the service was performed, but it is stated that it was applied under the 3 section of act July 1836, which refers to Revolutionary soldiers only. The case has been kept in the Rev. files and also Saffell's Records of the Rev. p. 350. shows a Capt. (not Col) Ben Biggs whose Vaco served in the Western Dept. Though I do not find Ensign Joseph Biggs.
AWT.
1881
Benjamin was son of Joseph Mary Sr. P. 1705

FREE
Col. Geo. W. Thompson P.M. Wheeling Va.

The State of Ohio Belmont County ss
Court of Common pleas of said County, of the Term of March in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty three.
"This day appeared in Open Court John McMahon and J H Lockwood, who being duly sworn, doth depose, and say, that Mary Diggs is the widow of Joseph Diggs, late of Belmont County, State of Ohio, deceased; and it is further sworn to the satisfaction of the said Court, that the said Joseph Diggs died on the first day of February One thousand eight hundred and thirty three, and that he was a pensioner of the United States at the time of his death".
I John C Tallman Clerk of the said Court of Common pleas in and for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing entry, is taken and truly copied from the journal of said Court as entered at the March term thereof A.D. 1833.
In witness whereof I have unto set my hand and the seal of the said Court at Common pleas at St. Clairsville this Sixth day of October A.D. 1840.
John C Tallman Clerk
I William Kennon President Judge of the Judicial District of the Courts of Common pleas in the State of Ohio, of which the County of Belmont is a part, do certify, that John C Tallman is Clerk of said Court in and for Belmont County, and that the above Certificate and Attestation is in due form of law. Given under my hand this 6 th day of October A.D. 1840.
William Kennon

no 5198
Mary Biggs Joseph
act 4 July '36
Rejected Married 14 Jan'y 94!
831

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.
State of Ohio County of Belmont ss.
On this Twenty ninth day of December 1825, before me, the subscriber, a Justice of the Peace for the said county of Belmont personally appeared Joseph Biggs who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the company commanded by Captain William McMechan in the regiment commanded by Colonel Benjamin Biggs in the service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the state of Virginia from whence he has lately removed; that he now resides in the state (district, or territory,) of Ohio  Belmont County where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future.
Sworn and subscribed to, before me, the day and year aforesaid.
Wm M c Asly Justice of the peace
Joseph Biggs
WAR DEPARTMENT, Pension Office, August 13, 1818. The oath to be taken before a duly qualified magistrate, whose official character and signature must be properly authenticated.
State of Ohio Belmont County ss. Be it known that Joseph Biggs of said county, personally appeared before me William M c Neely a Justice of the peace

State of Ohio Belmont County ss. Be it known that Joseph Biggs of said County, personally appeared before me William McNeely a Justice of the peace in the County aforesaid, and made oath that he is the identical Joseph Biggs named in a certificate in his possession of which the following is a copy.
War Department, Invalid Pension.
States Joseph Biggs late an Ensign in the army of the United States, was, on the _____ day of _____ inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of the Virginian Agency, at the rate of nine dollars per month; and that his name is now on the roll of the same Agency, at the rate of $11 70 / 100 per month commencing on the twenty-fourth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixteen. This certificate is issued in conformity to an order requiring formal certificates to be issued to all Invalid Pensioners.
Given at the War Office of the United States, this thirty first day of March one thousand eight hundred and twenty five, James Barbour Secretary of War.
Sworn to and subscribed before me The 29 th day of December 1825
Joseph Biggs
W m McNeely Justice of the peace

The state of Ohio Belmont County ss
I Ezee Ellis Clerk of the Circuit of Common Pleas in and for said County do hereby certify that Wm McNeely Esquire before whom the within affidavits appear to have been taken and whose proper hand writing is to each subscribed was at the time of taking and subscribing the same an acting Justice of the peace in and for the County aforesaid duly Commissioned and sworn to whose official acts as such full faith and credit are due and ought to be given as well in Courts of Record as thereout. —
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court at Steubenville the 29 th day of December A.D 1825. —
Ezee Ellis, Clerk

June 3 rd 1903
Mary Briggs 20th St NW
William Lloyd Gardner Washington D.C.
Miss [unclear]
2.6

Whitney May 30 th
D. Sir
May I invite your attention to the application of Mary Brigg. Whose papers were laid before you in 1840 for a Pension. My impression is she is entitled to a Pension. Please Mr. Garrison this claim. I favor me with your opinion on it. She is now dead but her heirs desire this
I am Yours G. S. D. S. Stearns

Hm L. Stearns June 3 rd 1843.

Pension Office, June 3. 1843
Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 30 th Ult o I have the honor to state that the laws granting pensions to widows, provide for none who were married after the 31 st of December 1793. The marriage of Mrs Mary Biggs, widow of Joseph Biggs, dec d appear from the papers on file to have taken place on the 14 th of January 1794, which excludes her from the benefits of those laws.
Hon. L. Steenrod, Wheeling, Virginia.
No 5198 - Va. 2 nd 30.

G. M. Thompson 26. Oct. 1840
OL

Gen. H Oct 26, '40
Sir
The claim of Mrs Mary Biggs has been examined and disallowed. It appears that she was married to her late husband on 14 Jany 94 and is therefore not provided for by the act of 7 July 38 which embraces those widows whose marriage took place subsequent to the service of their respective husbands & prior to 1 Jany 94. Nor is her case within the provisions of the act of 4 July 36 which provides for those only whose marriage took place before the termination of the service of their husbands respectively.
G. Thompson Wheeling Pa

211 Tomlinson Ave., Moundsville, W. Va., Aug. 27, 1936
Veteran's Administration, Mr. A. D. Miller, Dear Sir:
Can you give me any information on the Revolutionary service of Capt. Jos. Biggs? Our state archives say he was an ensign, served with the Va. rangers, placed on pension roll June 29, 1796, increased Apr. 24, 1816 and transferred to Ohio. Our Pan Handle history says he was Capt. and was at Kirkwood's Fort in Ohio.
Also will you send me the Jos. Tomlinson record? of either Va. or Pa. He is given in both archives.
I would also like Jonathan Purdy record. His service was with the New York militia, he was placed on pension roll Sept. 26, 1833 but payment started Mar. 4, 1831. He was 75 years old at the time! He lived in W. Va. at this time. These three men are all for one lady and to work it all out we need the service of all of them.
Will you also give me the record of John Cummings of Marshall Co. W. Va.? June 1, 1840 he

was 85 years of age.
Thanking you
I am respectfully
(Mrs. H.M.) May Hays Carpenter.

September 22, 1936
BA-J/ATF
Mrs. H. M. Carpenter 211 Tomlinson Avenue Moundsville, West Virginia
Dear Madam:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to Joseph Biggs, who was pensioned November 22, 1796, then a resident of Virginia, and later transferred to Ohio, the Revolutionary War record of Joseph Tomlinson of either Virginia or Pennsylvania, the record of Jonathan Purdy, served with the New York militia, pension commenced March 4, 1831, then living in Virginia, and the record of John Cummins of Marshall County, West Virginia in 1840.
Because of the great demand for Revolutionary War data and the limited trained clerical force available for furnishing such information, it is not possible to comply in full with each request for Revolutionary War data.
The records of Joseph Biggs and Jonathan Purdy are furnished herewith.
Very truly yours
A. D. MILLER Executive Assistant to the Administrator
Her letter re Joseph Biggs R. 831