The last of the Briggs family sketches in my cousins’ family tree is that of Nathaniel Briggs and his wife, Judith Guild.

Nathaniel Briggs was born c1698, likely in Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts, although neither his birth nor that of any siblings is recorded in the town records.

Nathaniel Briggs married Judith Guild on 16 June 1720 in Wrentham, Norfolk, Massachusetts and they became the parents of eight children:

1. Nathaniel, born c1721; died after 7 September 1793, probably in Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts; married Unknown (MNU)
2. Judith, born c1723; died after her father’s will was written where she is called Judith Finney; married (1) Joseph Tower, 9 April 1743, Attleboro, Bristol, Massachusetts (2) Nathaniel Finney, c1762
3. Jemima, born c1725; died 14 March 1789, Marlborough, Cheshire, New Hampshire; married John Harvey, intentions filed on 15 June 1744 in Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts
4. Margaret, born c1727; married Nehemiah Willis, 4 July 1744, Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts
5. Marcy, born c1730; died 29 June 1776, Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts, unmarried and in her 46th years
6. William, born c1732; died 11 August 1819, Augusta, Kennebec, Maine; married Mary Fisher, 5 November 1761, Walpole, Norfolk, Massachusetts
7. John, born c1734; died after 30 August 1773, the date his father’s will was proved
8. Mehitable, born c1736; died after 9 June 1773, when she is named in her father’s will; married Mr. Wetherell

There are many gaps in the details of the lives of Nathaniel’s and Judith’s children. That they are Nathaniel’s children is proved by his will, written on 9 June 1773 and proved on 30 August 1773.

Nathaniel died on 14 August 1773 in Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts.

Next in the Briggs family line, begining with Richard Briggs of Thornbury, Gloucester, England down to Judith Briggs who married Joseph Tower in Attleboro, Massachusetts is William Briggs, son of William and Sarah (Macumber) Briggs.

This William Briggs was born on 25 January 1667/68 in Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts. He married twice, in quick succession, as his first wife died soon.

William Briggs married (1) Elizabeth Lincoln, intentions filed on 13 October 1693, Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts. Elizabeth died about 1694 after giving birth to her only child, Sarah, on 5 July 1694. Sarah married John Lane of Norton, Bristol, Massachusetts and died sometime after 10 March 1734/35.

William then married (2) Mehitable Blake, daughter of William and Anne Blake, on 16 June 1696 in Milton, Norfolk, Massachusetts. Mehitable was born 2 April 1673 and died on 7 October 1732 in Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts.

William and Mehitable were apparently the parents of five children, although none of their births are recorded in Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts and their birth years are only estimates:

1. Nathaniel, born c1698; died 14 August 1773, Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts; married Judith Guild, 16 June 1720, Wrentham, Norfolk, Massachusetts
2. Mehitable, born c1703; died 8 September 1782; married John Ware, 29 January 1728/29, Wrentham, Norfolk, Massachusetts
3. Seth, born c1709; died c1757; married Hannah Whitaker, 22 January 1734, Rehoboth, Bristol, Massachusetts
4. Agnes, born c1710; perhaps married (1) Thomas Kimber, 25 September 1738 and reportedly had one son and perhaps married (2) James Boldery and perhaps is the Agnes Boldery who died 27 May 1783, in her 73rd year and called the aunt of Nathaniel Briggs.
5. Eliphalet, born c1713, per age on death record; died 26 June 1780, Keene, Cheshire, New Hampshire; perhaps married Abigail Gary, 28 November 1735, but I find no marriage record for them

William Briggs died on 28 February 1731 in Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts. Mehitable survived her husband by 18 months, passing away on 7 October 1732, also in Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts.

Records concerning William Briggs, son of John Briggs and Agnes Thayer, are a bit more plentiful once William settled in Massachusetts with his family.

William Briggs was born c1645, most likely in Thornbury, Gloucester, England, but his birth year falls in the gap in the local church records. His father first appears in Taunton records in 1657, so William was probably just entering his teenage years when the family made the trip across the ocean.

William Briggs married Sarah Macumber on 6 November 1666 in Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts. Sarah was the daughter of William Macumber and Ursula Cooper of Dorchester and then Marshfield, Massachusetts. Sarah was born c1643 and died in childbirth on 20 March 1680 in Taunton. William probably married (2) Abigail Mason a year later, on 7 April 1680/81 in Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts.

William and Sarah were the parents of seven children, all born in Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts:

1. William, born 25 January 1667/68; died 20 February 1731, Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts; married (1) Elizabeth Lincoln (2) Mehitable Blake
2. Thomas, twin, born 9 September 1669; died before 22 September 1746, Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts; married Abigail Thayer, 24 October 1689, Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts
3. Sarah, twin, born 10 September 1669; no further record
4. Elizabeth, born 14 March 1671; no further record
5. Hannah, born 4 November 1672; probably married Samuel Waldron, 17 April 1693, Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts
6. Mary, born 14 August 1674; perhaps married John Forrest, 24 July 1712
7. Mathew, born 5 February 1676; died 8 March 1764, Dighton, Bristol, Massachusetts; married Abigail Burt, c1706
8. John, born 19 March 1680; died before 26 January 1756, Norton, Bristol, Massachusetts; married Hannah Rockett, c1712

William Briggs died on 3 January 1728 in Taunton, Bristol, Massachusetts.