John Briggs, baptized on 1 May 1595, Thornbury, Gloucester, England, is the immigrant ancestor of the Briggs family that settled in Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts by 1657.
John Briggs, the son of Richard Briggs and Agnes Wingod, married Agnes Thayer on 11 March 1633 in Thornbury, Gloucester, England. He would have been almost 38 years old, which is a bit late for men of that era to marry. However, no evidence has been found of a previous marriage or children for this man.
It is also unknown whether John’s wife, Agnes, also emigrated to New England with her family. There is a gap of years in the Thornbury church registers, which is likely hiding further bits of information about this family. However, Agnes’s name has not been found in any Massachusetts records.
It is believed that John and Agnes (Thayer) Briggs were the parents of at least six children:
- John, baptized 21 September 1634, Thornbury, Gloucester, England; he is probably the younger John Briggs in Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts mentioned in 1664; no further record
- Katherine, baptized 6 January 1636/37, Thornbury, Gloucester, England; no further record
- Richard, baptized 17 March 1638/39, Thornbury, Gloucester, England; died before 13 December 1692, Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts; married Rebecca Hoskins of Carver, Plymouth, Massachusetts, 15 August 1662
- Joanna (possibly), born c1641; married Peter Tallman, about 24 July 1665. She was called “of Taunton” in their prenuptial agreement.
- William, born c1645, probably England; died 3 January 1728, Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts; married (1) Sarah Macumber, 6 November 1666. She was born 1643; died 20 March 1680, Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts and was the daughter of William Macumber & Ursula Cooper of Dorchester and Marshfield, Massachusetts. (2) Abigail Mason, 2 July 1680, Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts
- Hugh, born c1652, probably in England; died between 1692-1698; married Martha Everson, 1 March 1682/83, Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts
John Briggs’ death date is unknown. He was alive in 1664, probably dead by 1675 and definitely deceased when his sons sold land in 1686. However, he likely died in Taunton, where his family lived for many years.