James Briggs

M, #750, b. 25 December 1835, d. 27 April 1915
Pedigree
James Briggs (1835-1915)
     James Briggs was born on 25 December 1835 at Kenninghall, Norfolk, England.1,2 He was the son of William Briggs and Maria Youngs. He was baptized at Kenninghall Parish Church, Kenninghall, Norfolk, England, on 2 January 1836. Religion: Church of England.3
He was listed as a member of the household in the 1841 census at Cox Street, Kenninghall, Norfolk, England. Those recorded in the household were: William Briggs, 30; Maria Briggs, 30; Mary Briggs, 8; Elizabeth Briggs, 7; James Briggs, 5; William Briggs, 3; Robert Briggs, 1; Jane Youngs, 70.4

He was listed as head of household's son in the 1851 census at The Heath, Kenninghall, Norfolk, England. Those recorded in the household were: William Briggs, head; Maria Briggs, wife; James Briggs, son; William Briggs, son; Robert Briggs, son; George Briggs, son; Sophia Briggs, daughter; Charles Briggs, son.5
James Briggs was a collier and coal miner. He married Maria Fretwell at Christ Church, Cotmanhay, Derbyshire, England, on 25 December 1858.6,7,2
He was listed as head of household in the 1861 census at Barrow Hill, Staveley, Derbyshire, England. Those recorded in the household were: James Briggs, head; Maria Briggs, wife; Charles Briggs, son; William Briggs, son; Maria Fretwell, mother-in-law.8
James Briggs emigrated on 4 March 1862 from Liverpool, Lancashire, England; the family, James Briggs, Maria Briggs (née Fretwell), Charles Briggs and William Briggs, emigrated to the United States of America on the sailing ship ‘Alexander Marshall’.9,2 He was found on a passenger list for 1862 of the passenger ship 'Alexander Marshall'. Those recorded in the passenger list were: James Briggs, Maria Briggs, Chas Briggs, William Briggs.10 He immigrated on 8 May 1862 to Port of New York, New York, USA.11,9,2 He was a coal miner in the Aliquippa coal mines of Pensylvania.12,2
He was listed as head of household in the 1870 US census at Mifflin township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA. Those recorded in the household were: James Briggs, 34; Maria Briggs, 32; Charles Briggs, 18; Henry Briggs, 7; James Briggs, 5; George Briggs, 4; Henry L (sic) Briggs, 1.13
He lived at New England village, Mifflin township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA.12,2
He was listed as head of household in the 1880 US census at 1st Precinct, Mifflin township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA. Those recorded in the household were: James Briggs, -; Maria Briggs, wife; Charles Briggs, son; Henry Briggs, son; James Briggs, son; George Briggs, son; Hengist Briggs, son; Mary B Briggs, daughter; Pauline Briggs, daughter; Elmina Briggs, daughter; Louisa Briggs, daughter; Darwin Briggs, son; Catharine Ramsey, servant.14
He was a saloon keeper.
He was listed as head of household in the 1900 US census at 1st Precinct, Mifflin township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA. Those recorded in the household were: James Briggs, head; Maria Briggs, wife; Elmina Briggs, daughter; Darwin V Briggs, son.15
He was a farmer.
He was listed as head of household in the 1910 US census at Mifflin township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA. Those recorded in the household were: Briggs James Sr, head; Briggs Minnie, grand daughter; Forsythe Blanchard H., son-in-law; Forsythe Elmina, daughter.16
James died on 27 April 1915 at New England, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, USA, at age 79.2,17 He was buried on 30 April 1915 at Lebanon Church Cemetery, West Mifflin, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA.18,2,19
Charts
Chart (box): Descendants of William Briggs (b. c1811)
Chart (indented): Descendants of William Briggs (b. c1811)

Children of James Briggs and Maria Fretwell

Citations

  1. [S6760] John W. Jordan, Genealogical and Personal History of Western Pennsylvania, Volume III, "James Briggs, son of William and Maria (Youngs) Briggs, was born in Kenninghall, county of Norfolk, England, December 25, 1835."
  2. [S6762] Betty Coldren, Neil Pirie, Information kindly supplied by Betty Coldren of Pennsylvania, USA.
  3. [S317] James Briggs, Baptism entry, "James, baptised 2 January 1836. Parents: William & Maria Briggs, L. Young, Sp, Kenninghall, Labourer."
  4. [S173] 1841, English Census, "James Briggs, aged 5, born in Norfolk, resident in Cox Street, Kenninghall."
  5. [S172] 1851, English Census, "James Briggs, son, single, aged 15, born in Kenninghall, Norfolk, groom, resident at The Heath."
  6. [S6767] James Briggs to Maria Fretwell, Marriage entry, "1858, Marriage solemnized at Christ Church in the Parish of Cotmanhay in the County of Derby. No. 173. December 25th 1858. James Briggs, of full age, Bachelor, Collier, resident at Staveley, Father: William Briggs, Labourer. Maria Fretwell, 20 years, Spinster, Father: James Fretwell, Collier. Married in the Parish Church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church, after Banns by me, E. T. Straton Fowler Incumbent. This Marriage was solemnized between us, James Briggs X his mark, Maria Fretwell in the Presence of us, Henry Fretwell X his mark, Louisa Fretwell X her mark."
  7. [S6761] LDS Church (new FamilySearch), International Genealogical Index, "James Briggs, male. Spouse: Maria Fretwell. Marriage: 25 DEC 1858, Cotmanhay, Derby, England."
  8. [S6771] 1861, English Census, "James Briggs, head, married, male, aged 25, born in Kenninghall, Norfolk, coal miner, resident at Barrow Hill."
  9. [S6760] John W. Jordan, Genealogical and Personal History of Western Pennsylvania, Volume III, "On March 4, 1862, he took passage for the United States on a sailing vessel, arriving in New York, May 7, following."
  10. [S6772] Ship's passenger list,1862, Alexander Marshall, James Briggs, age at arrival: 26, male, miner, place of birth: England.
  11. [S6773] Passenger manifest at immigration,1862, Alexander Marshall, Liverpool, England to New York, New York, 8 May 1862, Ship: Alexander Marshall
    Number on list: 252, Name: James Briggs, Age: 26y, Sex: Male, Occupation: Miner, Country to which they belong: England, Country they intend to inhabit: United States, Part of vessel occupied during the voyage: Between decks.
  12. [S6760] John W. Jordan, Genealogical and Personal History of Western Pennsylvania, Volume III, "He made his way west, finally settling in New England village, Mifflin township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, where he worked in the Aliquippa coal mines for forty-five years."
  13. [S6774] 1870, United States Census, "Briggs James, age 34, male, white, coal miner, born in England, father of foreign birth, mother of foreign birth, resident in Mifflin Township, Allegheny, Pennsylvania."
  14. [S6775] 1880, United States Census, "Briggs James, white, male, age 44, married, coal miner, unemployed 5 months in the census year, born in England, father born in England, mother born in England, resident in 1st Precinct, Mifflin Township, Allegheny, Pennsylvania."
  15. [S6776] 1900, United States Census, "Briggs James, head, white, male, born December 1835, age 64, married, 44 years married, born in England, father born in England, mother born in England, DNR year of immigration to US, DNR number of years in the US, DNR naturalization, saloon keeper, 0 months not employed, can read, can write, can speak English, home owned, home owned free, house, resident in 1st Precinct, Mifflin Township, Allegheny, Pennsylvania."
  16. [S6777] 1910, United States Census, "Briggs James Sr, head, male, white, age 74, widowed, 56 years married, born in England, father born in England, mother born in England, immigration to US in 1862, naturalized, able to speak English, farmer, working on own account, out of work on April 15 1910, 0 weeks out of work during 1909, able to read, able to write, home owned, home owned free, farm, 14 on farm schedule, resident in Mifflin Township, Allegheny, Pennsylvania."
  17. [S6845] Page 15, article, 'W.H. Coleman Reads Atheist Friend’s Words at Funeral', Pittsbugh Post-Gazette, "W.H. Coleman Reads Atheist Friend’s Words at Funeral
    Miner Requests That His Views Be Heard at Last Rites.
    Congressman William H. Coleman read a lengthy letter defending atheism written by his lifelong friend, James Briggs, as his last word at the funeral of the latter in New England, Mifflin township, on Friday. Mr. Briggs, who was aged 79, died on Wednesday. He had passed most of his life in New England as a miner.
    Mr. Briggs had been known as an atheist. He had given much of his life to study and, shortly before his death, had written a letter which he requested to heave read at his funeral. Congressman Coleman had known him for many years, and when he learned of his death he attended the funeral. No religious ceremony was held, and Mr. Coleman was chosen by the dead man’s relatives to read the last words.
    The letter was a strong defence of atheism and an attack on Christianity. After reading Mr. Briggs’ last words, Mr. Coleman first paid his respects to the writer as he had known him as a friend and earnest man, and then entered on a defense of Christianity, declaring that he believed Mr. Briggs had been mistaken in his views about religion."
  18. [S6833] James Briggs, Monumental inscription, "JAMES BRIGGS SR. 1835-1915
    How could I have loved
    My wife so dear
    Loved I not honor more
    I slept at night
    By her right side
    Full fifty years and four
    Lay me to rest
    On that same side
    Now and for ever-more
    BRIGGS."
  19. [S6834] Sr James Briggs, Find A Grave record, "James Briggs, Sr
    BIRTH: 25 Dec 1835 England
    DEATH 27 Apr 1915 (aged 79) New England, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA
    BURIAL Lebanon Church Cemetery, West Mifflin, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA
    From PA Death Certificate 34599. Mr. Briggs was a retired hotel keeper. He was born in England, a son of William Briggs and Maria Young. The Informant was Chas. Briggs of New England. Cause of Death was broncho-pneumonia. He was buried 30 Apr 1915. Undertaker was Hunter & Edmundson of McKeesport."