James Briggs, son of John and Frances Briggs, was born February 12, 1671, in Kingstown (Kingston), R. I., where he spent the early part of his life. He resided subsequently in Providence and in Cranston. In 1690 he was admitted a freeman. On June 15, 1728, at which time he was living in Providence, he and his wife Sarah, deeded to their youngest son, James, for love, etc., part of the farm on which they then lived. On April 25, 1738, he and his wife deeded son-in-law, Daniel Colvin, and Zipporah, his wife (their daughter), fifty acres. On April 22, 1757, representations were made to the Town Council of Cranston, by James Briggs, Jr., Joshua Burlingame, of Cranston, Benjamin Fiske, of Scituate, and Daniel Colvin, of Coventry, that James Briggs, Sr., 'is now grown very ancient, decrippled and helpless, and much impaired in his eyesight, understanding and memory.' The council appointed his grandson, Moses Briggs, guardian. James Briggs, Sr., died in 1757, and his will, dated March 20, 1755, was proved August 13, 1757. James Briggs married Sarah Wickes, daughter of John and Rose (Townsend) Wickes, and granddaughter of John and Elizabeth (Cole) Townsend, of Oyster Bay, L. I. She was the granddaughter of John Wickes, who was born in Staines, Middlesex county, England, in 1609, and sailed for the American colonies in 1635. He was prominent in the early controversies over Warwick, and the friend and partner of Samuel Gorton, whose persecution by the Massachusetts authorities he shared. He was later prominent in the Rhode Colony, and served often in high public office. Sarah (Wickes) Briggs died about 1755.
