Deacon Olney Briggs, son of Wanton and Mary (Tift) Briggs, was born in Coventry, R. I., and was a farmer there until his death. He was one of the foremost members of the community, a leader in religious life, a man well-loved and deeply-respected for Christian integrity and goodness of his life. He was a deacon in the Baptist church for several decades, and an indefatigable worker in religious causes. Deacon Olney Briggs married Eleanor Arnold, and they were the parents of the following children: 1. Douglas T. 2. Arnold G., who sailed from Bristol for California in 1849, joining the tide of westward emigration to the gold fields. 3. Abigail, married Joseph Hart. 4. Curtis, died aged about thirty-five years. 5. Mary Estes, married Nathaniel Phillips. 6. Giles A., mentioned below. 7. Caroline Amanda, married Nathan Kenyon. Deacon Olney Briggs was active for seventy years in the Baptist church at Rice City and Hopkins Hollow, R. I., and at his death a beautiful tribute to his long and faithful service was paid him by his friends.
