Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21089, William Briggs, R. I.

SERVICE
R. I.
Briggs, William
NUMBER
S. 21089
CONTENTS

Let to S. G. Shearman, July 28 1836
21:204 Mica D. Clark
Wm Briggs
Washington in the State of R. Island who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Brown of the R.G. commanded by Col. Roger in the R.I. for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of M c Kim at the rate of 80- Dollars Cents per annum to commence on the 14th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 24 day of Aug 1835 and sent John Hall North Kingston R.I.
Arrears to the 14th of March 1835 $160.00 Pension allowance ending 4th Sep t 40.00 $200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim, As June 7, 1832.
Recorded by M c Kim Clerk Book E Vol. 2 Page 193

22800
William Prigg
Part 2 part
506 July 9 1833
1423
John Hall North Kingsville R.I.
SECRET, in the case of
of
(Pat. 10th June, 1833) in the State of

BRIEF in the case of  William Briggs  of  Washington  in the State of  Rhode Island  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 90  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days.     In 17/6 as much as 9 or more private Capt Thomas Col Dyer   77 2 at least " " Brown "  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none mentioned  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? North Kingston R.I.  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? one living witness  8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? to not proper attached 
I certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
J. M. Claghorn
Examining Clerk.

156 - Decón # William Briggs J Hall
22800.

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations County of Washington sc.
On this 4th day of Septm r 1832, personally appeared in open court before John G. Clarke
The Court of Common Pleas for the County of Washington; now sitting William Briggs a resident of North Kingston in the County of Washington affirmed age 95 next October (Old Style) who being first sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of an act of Congress passed June 7th. 1832. — That he entered the service of the United States & served under the following named officers as herein stated — I entered the service in the Spring of 1776 in the company of Capt. Sam l Thomas (militia) as a drafted militia man, attached to Col. Dyer's regiment I served during the time he was capt. as much as nine months or more stationed at North Kingston Early in the summer of 1777 I was drafted in Capt. John Brown's company of militia, attached to said Col. Dyer's regiment and served at least  two years at least six months in said Company — stationed in North Kingston & on Rhode Island — My memory is very imperfect in relation to my services but I am confident  think in all that I served at least three years and 9 months. — I have no written discharge nor any documentary evidence respecting my services in the Revolution — I was born in North Kingston in the year 1738 and a record of my age is now on record in the Town Clerk's office North Kingston — I lived in sd. North Kingston at the time I was called into service, have lived there since the Revolutionary War and now live there — Sam l Thomas

Joshua Brown who lives in the Town with me and I presume acquaintance some portion of my service there is no clergyman residing in his neighborhood Wm. Sam. Helme Clk
William Briggs
He hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. We Benjamin Smith residing in residing in North Kingston Isaac Hall residing in said Town
hereby certify that we are well acquainted with William Briggs who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be 95 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
Isaac Hall Benjamin Smith
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Wm. Sam. Helme Clk
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion that after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogations prescribed by the War Department that the above named applicant was a soldier of the Revolution and served as he states. And the court further certifies that it appears to them that
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman resident the and that Isaac Hall and Benjamin Smith who has also signed the same is residents in the Town of North Kingston
and are credible persons, and that their statement is entitled to credit Also that Samuel Thomas and Joshua Brown who have given Depositions in this case are credible persons & that their statements is entitled to credit
I Samuel Helme Clerk of said Court of Common Pleas do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court in the matter of the application of William Briggs for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office the 10th day of September 1882 Sam. Helme Clk

Washington Sp. - North Kingston -
July 23. 1833.
Formerly appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace, one of the Justices of the Peace for said North Kingston, William Briggs, of said North Kingston, an Applicant for a Pension who being duly sworn, deposes & saith that he reason of old age, and the advancement of time of Memory, he cannot bear perfectly into the precise length of his services, and the length of the different times, but according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below in the following words. In 1776 I served a private in the Company of Artillery, to which I belonged in North Kingston the Rhode Island under Captain Samuel Thurber, I was stationed the whole time, in North Kingston, on the shores of the Bay at Watch Hill, Connecticut & Boston Neck, in 1777 I served eight months in said Company, after knowing then being Captain of the same, in 1778 eight months, in 1779 eight months all as a private, in the same Company and under the same Officers, stationed all the time at different places in North Kingston, except in 1778 when he was in Sullivan's Expedition on Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Line Artillery, Charles Dyer was Colonel of the Regiment, all the time & Thomas Olney Major - And for this service I claim a Pension - My whole term of service was two years & nine months - others
Justice of the Peace
William his X Briggs Mark

Washington D.C. - In State Dept.
July 29 1893.
Carmichael appeared before me the Subsecretary, one of the members of the Board, for said State Dept. to, William Briggs of said State Dept., whose ignorance is such a disgrace, and who first thing to do, duly examine, scrutinize and order, made with the trust of the annexed Applicant, which was found untrue to writing, in his presence, and he being unable from blindness to write his name, affixed his mark thereto, in my presence, and I write his name, in his presence and in the presence of that I am authorized with the send William Briggs, that his character for truth & honesty is good, and said Applicant, entitled to full & impartial credit.
Walter C. Schumann Member of the Board.

State of Rhode Island & Providence Plantations Washington County ss.
I, Tho. P. Wells, Clerk of the Supreme Judicial Court within and for the County of Washington and State aforesaid do hereby certify that Sylvester G. Ghearnum Esq., before whom the preceding Affidavit was taken and sworn to, is a Justice of the Peace of the town of North Kingstown County afo- said, duly elected and qualified; and that his signature thereto is in his own proper handwriting. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 31 st day of July 1833
Tho. P. Wells, Clerk.

September 25, 1933.
H. Minot Pitman 88 Summit Avenue Bronxville, New York.
BA-J/ILL William Briggs S. 21089
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War record of William Briggs of North Kingston, Rhode Island, a pensioner.
The record of William Briggs is furnished herein as found in the papers on file in his claim for pension, S. 21089, based upon his service in that war.
William Briggs, the son of Francis Briggs and Mercy, his wife, was born October 26, 1738, in North Kingston, Washington County, Rhode Island. He lived in said North Kingston during his entire life.
He enlisted and served between March 16, 1776 and May 19, 1777, on tours as private, amounting in all to about nine months, in Captain Samuel Thomas' company, Colonel Dyer's Rhode Island regiment. He re-enlisted, served as private in 1777, 1778 and 1779 in Captain John Brown's company, Colonel Dyer's Rhode Island regiment and was on Sullivan's Expedition, entire length of these services about two years.
He was allowed pension on his application executed September 4, 1832.
No reference is made to wife or children in this claim for pension.
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 above named pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, this city, citing all of the following data:

William Briggs-S.21089.
William Briggs. Certificate #21024. Issued August 24, 1833. Rate of $80 per annum. Commenced March 4, 1831. Act of June 7, 1832. Rhode Island Agency.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILIER, Assistant to Administrator.

Revolution
21089 INVALID.
21089
File No. 21,089
William Briggs P.S. Rev War
Act: June 7 1839
Index:—Vol. 2 , Page 30
[Arrangement of 1870.]
1896 Mil. Histy to Jan. Alfred M. Briggs 29. New London Conn.
1906 Dec 10. History to Joseph D Bruce. M.B.H.
1933 - Sept. 25 - Hist. to H. Minot Pitman ILL.

Mr Briggs R. I. 80 th all 7. June 32. When last paid? G. W. O.
A. Oct 35
1 st to 4 th Sep 1833
JH

Certificate Wm Briggs

State of Rhode Island, &c. I hereby certify that William Briggs is the Son of Francis Briggs by Mary his Wife and that he was born in North Kingston in the County of Washington the 26 th day of October A.D. 1738. Town Clerk's Office Attest a true copy of Record. North Kingston R.I. August 12, 1832
Gen. Reynolds H.A.

S. G. Shearman
July 28 1836.
G. B.
B. 1. 1. 125.

War Dept 6
Perfin Office July 28 1836.
Sir,
In compliance with your request I certify  have to state that from an examination of the original and amended  additional declaration of W m Briggs, of North-Kingston, R. Island, who which he made to obtain the benefits of the act of June 7. 1832, I discover that he did not sign his name to either of them, but made his mark, which was attested in each case. His original declaration bears date Sept 4. 1832, and the supplemental one on the 23 rd July 1833.
G. W. B.
S ir G. Shearman, Esq. Wickford R.I.

Windsor July 25 th 1836-
Mr J. L. Edwards Esq
Sir
In the year 1833, a Pension was allowed Mr Briggs of North Kingstown, for his services in the Militia - He is now dead & has been for some time. The Application was made out in September 1832 & an additional Affidavit made before me at the time of the same, some time in the summer of 1833 - Since his death, a dispute has arisen, respecting the genuineness of the, purporting to be signed by him - It is disputed by his Adminis trator to be made out at the time of its being so signed, that I purport to be made out at the time, that I made the Affidavit alive before me - And it is said by his Adminis trator that at the time of the death of the testator, he was not able to write his name, from old age. Can't you now have the goodness to inform me, at leas t as you can, if the Affidavit made before me was signed by him or his mark made with the original papers, was also signed. I am aware that I have no right, to trouble you in this way, but as an of Council in the case, it is important for me to know how the testator, made the mark; the testator is considerable the information which you under may be to the furtherance of justice. Please favour your statement in the form of a Certificate -
Yours S. G. Hearn

008 22
Miss Briggs
[Faint, mirrored text from the reverse side of the page]
John H. Lee Esq. North Reading R.I.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of William Brugg which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes
II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes
III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so?
IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes
V. * Has he mentioned 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? NO. He mentions the length of his service, the place or places at which each term of duty was performed, & the names of all the officers under whom he served.
VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes
VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes
VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes
IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes
X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? Two citizens
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? yes
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? The Court has
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. †Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. 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 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 shewn 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.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
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 claimants 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.
‡QUERE XVI. 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 paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow 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.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, 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.

Joshua Brown of North Kingston in the County of Washington and State of Rhode Island, do hereby certify and say that I am well acquainted with William Briggs of said North Kingston in said County and have served with him in the Revolutionary war in the Company commanded by Capt. Saml. Thomas, and in the Company commanded by Capt. John Brown, I think that he served at least two years, and I believe he is 95 years old and that his character for truth and veracity is unquestionable Sworn to in Open Court- Joshua Brown
Sept. 4. 1832
Witn Saml. Helm Clerk

A Samuel Thomas of Northampton in the county of Washington and State of Rhode Island and solemn oath Testify and say that I am well acquainted with William Briggs of Said Northampton and was acquainted with him. Before the Revolutionary war and have known him ever since that the said Briggs belonged to the Company commanded By me from the 18 March 1776 to the 19 May 1777 But how long he served in that Period of time I do not recollect the exact time he served But thinks he served as much as one half the time I recollect of being him afterward in the same company commanded By John Brown Jr & after I Resigned I have always understood Said Briggs Character for truth and veracity to be good
Samuel Thomas
Sworn to on Oath
6. Sept. 3. 1852
Wm. Sam l Helme Clk

T. W. POTTER, GROCER, 72 State Street.
B
New London, Conn., Dec 20 1895.
Com. of Pensions Washington D.C.
J
Dear Sir:-
Could you give me any information in regard to a Revolutionary Soldier, who drew a pension, Mr William Briggs , of the town of Greenwich, Kent Co., Rhode Island. It is given down by his family that he was in the battle of Red Bank, New Jersey; with Gen. Washington, in 1777. If you could not give me any information, could you inform me where I could find it. Yours inter. Alfred M. Briggs

T. W. POTTER, GROCER, 72 State Street.
P
21089-8
New London, Conn., Jan 22 1896.
Comme. of Pensions:-
Dear Sir:- Will
you send me what record you have of one William Briggs of East Greenwich or Frenchtown , Rhode Island .
He was captain of the Kentish Guards and fought with Washington at Red Bank, in 1777. I want the information to fill out a page in the records of our local Sons of American Revolution . If you would kindly oblige me you would help the Sons.
Yours truly Alfred M. Briggs. Box 8 Post

Methuen. Mass.
Nov. 25/06
U.S. Pension Bureau
Gentlemen
Will you please send me Revolutionary Records of William Briggs of North Kingston. R.I. he is my great Grandfather. and oblige
Mrs. Joseph D. Price.
Methuen
Mass.
58. Lowell Street.

H. MINOT PITMAN ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW 122 EAST 42ND STREET NEW YORK
88 Summit Ave, Bronxville, N.Y. Sept. 15. 1933
Veteran's Bureau Washington D.C.
Gentlemen:-
I understand from the State Record Commission of Rhode Island that a William Briggs , born N. Kingston R.I. 26 Oct. 1788 became a pensioner, last payment of pension 3 Sept. 1833. Can you give me any information as to his service, and if any pension was paid to any of his relatives. I am trying to identify this particular Wm Briggs as the husband of Sarah — and father of Martha Briggs who was b. 1 Dec. 1810. It seems more likely that he was her grandfather.
Yours very truly
H. Minot Pitman

In reply to your request for a statement of the military history of William Briggs S.F. 21,089 , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau.  * Son of Francis and Mercy Briggs.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Spring 1776 9 mos Private Samuel Thomas Charles Dyer R.I.   1777, 1778, 1779 2 years John Brown. Charles Dyer        
Battles engaged in, In Sullivan's Expedition to Rhode Island Residence of soldier at enlistment, North Kingston, Washington Co. R.I. Date of application for pension, Sept. 4 1832. Her claim was allowed. Residence at date of application, North Kingston, Washington Co. R.I. Age at date of application, born Oct. 26 1738 at North Kingston R.I.; died