Abel Briggs

Brief Life History of Abel

When Abel Briggs was born on 23 December 1823, in Allegany, New York, United States, his father, William Briggs, was 40 and his mother, Eunice Vaughan, was 33. He married Leah Calhoun about 1844, in Independence, Independence, Allegany, New York, United States. They were the parents of at least 4 sons and 1 daughter. He lived in Torrey, Yates, New York, United States in 1865 and Independence, Independence, Allegany, New York, United States in 1880. He died on 13 September 1889, in Wellsville, Wellsville, Allegany, New York, United States, at the age of 65, and was buried in Wellsville, Wellsville, Allegany, New York, United States.

Photos and Memories (1)

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Family Time Line

Abel Briggs
1823–1889
Leah Calhoun
1819–1903
Marriage: about 1844
Miles Wellington Briggs
1847–1920
George Delevan Briggs
1847–1898
Marilla Briggs
1851–1926
Albert Briggs
1857–1929
William S Briggs
1860–1930

Sources (10)

  • Abel Briggs, "United States Census, 1880"
  • Able Briggs, "New York, State Death Index, 1880-1956"
  • A Briggs in entry for William S Briggs and Jessie Perkins, "New York, County Marriages, 1847-1848; 1908-1936"

World Events (8)

1825 · The Crimes Act

The Crimes Act was made to provide a clearer punishment of certain crimes against the United States. Part of it includes: Changing the maximum sentence of imprisonment to be increased from seven to ten years and changing the maximum fine from $5,000 to $10,000.

1827 · Slavery Becomes Illegal in New York State

During the years 1799 to 1827, New York went through a period of gradual emancipation. A Gradual Emancipation Law was passed in 1799 which freed slave children born after July 4, 1799. However, they were indentured until 25 years old for women and 28 years old for men. A law passed 1817 which freed slaves born before 1799, yet delayed their emancipation for ten years. All remaining slaves were freed in New York State on July 4, 1827.

1846

U.S. acquires vast tracts of Mexican territory in wake of Mexican War including California and New Mexico.

Name Meaning

English: variant of Brigg, with post-medieval excrescent -s, from Middle English brig(g) (Old Norse bryggja), the northern and Scottish word for bridge, for someone who lived by a bridge or who came from any of the places called from the word.

History: The surname Briggs is found chiefly in West Yorkshire. A family of gentry have held lands at Keighley in West Yorkshire continuously for 500 years. The mathematician Henry Briggs (1561–1631), who invented logarithms, was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, England.

Dictionary of American Family Names © Patrick Hanks 2003, 2006.

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