Notes for Rebecca Briggs: Notes on murder and strange circumstances around her death in previous notes, taken from Rhode Island Genealogies, p. 55; see my previous printout. (Genealogical Dictionary of Rhode Island, by John Osborne Austin, 1969). Also notes her estate.
From website of jdmount@cox.net, see: http://members.cox.net/mountgen/baldwin.html "Many Cornells believe that Rebecca, wife of their ancestor Thomas Cornell (1594-1655/6), was a Briggs. Arguments in favor come from the trial of their son, Thomas (Jr.), who was hanged in 1673 for murdering his mother, then living in his home. The primary evidence which convicted Thomas (Jr.) was from John Briggs who testified of a vision he had in which Rebecca came to him and said, "I am your sister Cornell..." and told him how she died. "The safest position, presented by noted researcher Dr. George McCracken in his article, "Who was Rebecca Cornell?" which appeared in "The American Genealogist," (TAG) Vol. 36, p. 16-18, is that not enough information or proof exists to conclude Rebecca was a Briggs. His main argument is that "sister" has several possible meanings as well as a religious one. Even in some churches today, adult members who are not blood related call one another "sister" and "brother." "Those who feel Rebecca was a Briggs believe her to have been the daughter of Henry (Henrie) Briggs of London and was baptized 25 Oct. 1600 at St. James Church, Clerkenwell. This date seems very satisfactory for Rebecca Cornell. A John Briggs, son of Henry, was also baptized there. A major missing ingredient to this story, however, involves the considerable distance between London and northwest Co. Essex where Thomas Cornell is said to have lived. The roughly 50 miles between the two places would be quite an impediment to a young man courting a future bride. "The solution to this would seem to be provided by "The Ancient Family of Palmer of Plymouth Colony" by Carlton A. Palmer (Jr.), which provides an account of the Briggs family, unfortunately without sources. According to Mr. Palmer, Henry Briggs had a country home in Co. Essex. It's also implied that the Briggs family came originally from Essex. "Given this possibility, it's logical Henry and his family would spend some of the year in this home and thereby become acquainted with locals. Having two separated homes implies the Briggs family may have had some wealth. Considering the likely class consciousness of the English at this time, it is reasonable to conclude there are implications for the status of the Cornell family if these Cornell-Briggs marriages did occur. "The large Briggs genealogy ("History and Genealogy of the Briggs Family, 1254-1937," by L. Vernon Briggs, Goodspeed & Co., Boston, 1938, 3 vols.) does not mention John or Henry. "John Briggs, but not Henry, is the ancestor described in "The Briggs Genealogy" by Bertha Bortle Beal Aldridge, Victor, NY, 1953. It indicates John came to Boston in 1635 or 1636 "following his sister Rebecca, who married Thomas Cornell ..." but does not provide any supporting sources or evidence. As noted by Dr. McCracken, it also does not help its credibility by its title which indicates John Briggs was born in York and then stating later he was born in Kent. Both places are somewhat removed from London where he was supposedly baptized." "A correspondent has mentioned books by Jane Fletcher Fiske, one of which contains the transcript of the Thomas Cornell (Jr.) trial. These are titled "Rhode Island General Court of Trials, 1671-1704 and Gleanings from Newport Court of Files, 1659-1783." Be forewarned that the language and archaic spellings are retained which make reading quite difficult."
http://www.rootsweb.com/~rinewpor/Cornell.html contains transcript of Cornell trial by Jane Fletcher Fiske (1998). Also, see recent book titled "Killed Strangely, The Death of Rebecca Cornell" by Elaine Forman Crane, Cornell University Press, Ithaca & London, 2002, ISBN 0-8014-4002-5.
More About Rebecca Briggs: Baptism: 25 Oct 1600, St. James Parish, Clerkenwell, London.
More About Rebecca Briggs and Thomas Cornell: Marriage: Abt. 1625
Children of Rebecca Briggs and Thomas Cornell are:
+Rebecca Cornell, b. 31 Jan 1628/29, Saffron Waldon, Essex, England, d. 05 Feb 1712/13, Jamaica (Queens) NY.
Rebecca Briggs (b. 1600, d. 08 Feb 1672/73)
Notes for Rebecca Briggs: