John Briggs, Jr.

Notes:

One family tree at Rootsweb gives his birthdate as 25 Nov 1668. Is it possible that there could be two different men named John Briggs, born the same year, both married to Sarahs? (subject to further research)

John — Sarah Reynolds. [Group Sheet]

1. Ebenezer Briggs died 31 Jan 1795, East Greenwich, RI.

Notes:

There were several John Briggses among the early settlers of MA and RI. This one is known as John Briggs of Kingstowne or Quaker John. Some genealogists have confused these men of the same name.

"John Briggs bought a lot in Westerly in 1661 and later participated in several land transactions in North Kingstown and East Greenwich. The first monthly meeting of The Society of Friends in Greenwich was held at his house and he was named as recording clerk." (source: article by John G. D'Alessandro, found on ancestry.com).

On 12 July 1708, the Town Council of Kingstown granted letters of administration on the estate of John Briggs to his widow and his son John. The records of North Kingstown have been badly burned, but following is a copy of what remains of the probate record of John Briggs. The year is burned off but it is clearly 1708, for the record immediately following is dated (day burned off) Aug 1708:
"The Towne Councell of Kingstowne has this Day gra[ ]ces Brigs widow & Relect to John Brigs of Kingstow[ ]John Brigs of Kingstowne Eldest Son of John Brigs[ ]ministration Joyntly vpon all ye Estate of John Br[ ]sband & your Honoured Father. Lying & Being in Ki[ ]her Majesties Justices by & with the advise of ye sd Town[ ]wne Being impowered by the Lawes of this Colony for
[ ]bate of wills & Letters of Administration within[ ]Frances Brigs Administratrix & John Brigs adm[ ]the Estate of your husband & father John[ ]eased. Wee trusting in your care & fidelity doe by these[ ]both Joyntly full power to administer vpon all and S[ ]attles Right & Credibts of yor: Husband & father John B[ ]& well & faithfully to Levy Recover & Receive all and[ ]& dispose of the ye Same acording to Law & to pay[ ]John Brigs yor:Husband & father stood bound for[ ]Chattles Rights & Credibts Can Extend according to the
[ ]Make & to Make a true & perfect inventory of all & Sing[ ]Rights & Credibts of ye sd Decd & to Exhibit the Same[ ]aforsd of Probits for ye Towne aforsd: at or before one[ ]after the Date hereof & to Render a plaine & true ac[ ]of you of your administration vpon oath & we Doe[ ]ordaine Constitute and appoynt you both Joyntly & se[ ]istratrix & Administrator of all & Singuler ye goods Cha[ ]dibts aforesd Dated In Kingstowne this 12th day of July 1[ Signed by order of ye: Towne Councell Andrew Willett Towne Clerk"
(source: ancestry library)

"John Briggs, immigrant ancestor and founder, was a native of England, whence he emigrated at a date unknown to the American colonies. He is first of record in Kings Town (N. Kingstown) R I, in the year 1671, but in all probability was a resident there long before that date. On 20 May 1671 he became clerk of the military company, at the same time taking the oath of allegiance. On 1 January 1672, he and five others bought of Awashuwett, chief sachem of Quohesett, in Narragansett, a tract of land there. On 11 January 11 following, he purchased fifty-seven acres of Richard Smith for

John married Frances Unknown Abt 1665. Frances was born Abt 1640; died Aft Aug 1708. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

John Briggs Sr. appears in the Taunton Proprietors' Records as the recipient of a land grant in 1657 and took the Oath of Fidelity that year.

John married Agnes Thayer 11 Nov 1633, Thornbury, Gloucestershire, England. Agnes was born 15 Mar 1606/07, Thornbury, Gloucestershire, England; died 27 Jun 1683, Taunton, MA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The identity of John Briggs and his wife Agnes as parents of our ancestor John Briggs of Kingstowne, RI, were found at ancestry.com with sources noted. I have not studied these sources myself as yet.