Rufus died in 1816 , followed by his wife not long afterward .
Briggs was also called upon to raise the four orphaned children of his brother Rufus , one of the brothers who supported him in his law studies .
Rufus died in 1816 , followed by Briggs ' wife not long afterward .
Briggs was also called upon to raise the four orphaned children of his brother Rufus , one of the brothers who supported him in his law studies .