Willis Biggs (abt. 1772 - 1813)

Born about 1772 in Charlotte, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Williams) Biggs — married 28 Aug 1793 in Charlotte County, Virginia, USA

Descendants

Died 6 Oct 1813 at about age 41 in Ft Seneca, Seneca, Ohio, USA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Carolyn Swanson [send private message]

Biography

Willis Biggs served in the War of 1812
Service started:
Unit(s):
Service ended:

Willis Biggs

Early Life and Marriage: Willis Biggs, the son of Joel Biggs (abt.1747-1807) and an unidentified first wife, is estimated to have been born around 1772. This estimation is supported by his inclusion on the Brunswick County Tax List in 1797 and the certification of his legal age for marriage provided by his uncle in 1793 on his marriage license (see image).

Willis Biggs married Mary (Williams) Biggs (1769-1859) in 1793 in Charlotte County, Virginia. Their marriage was facilitated by pre-marriage documents including consent from Mary's father and a marriage bond, culminating in a ceremony officiated by Reverend Thomas Dobson on August 28th.

Family and Residency: Throughout the late 18th century, Willis appeared on tax lists as a white tithable, indicating his economic status and location during those years. The 1800 Federal Census records him residing in Orange County, North Carolina, with his wife and two children.

Military Service: Willis enlisted for the War of 1812 on August 15, 1812, in Mossy Creek, Jefferson County, Tennessee, serving under Captain Campbell's Company of the 24th US Infantry. His military path took him through various locations, including Fort Ball and Fort Meigs, concluding at Fort Seneca on the Sandusky River in Ohio, where he died on October 6, 1813.

Death and Legacy: Following his death, a monument was erected in Pleasant Union Cemetery near Fort Seneca. In March 1816, a guardian was appointed for Willis' minor children, indicating the posthumous arrangements for his family's welfare. His military service was later recognized through the grant of 160 acres of land in Arkansas to his heirs in 1832.

Research Notes

Marriage: Four documents related to the pre-marriage arrangements of Willis Biggs and Mary Williams have been identified, encompassing:

1. Consent to marry: Mary Williams' father, Jonathan Williams, giving consent for her to marry. This document was witnessed by her brother Henry Williams and John Williams and dated 22 Aug 1793. ^[1]

2. Proof of marriageable age: Willis Biggs marriageable age certification by his potential uncle, dated 25 Aug 1793. "I John Biggs do hereby certify to the Clerk of Charlotte County Willis Biggs son of Joel Biggs of the County of Brunswick is upwards of 21 years of age. Given under my hand this 25th day of August 1793 John (his mark) Biggs. Witness Clement ?" . (see image)

3. Bond: Willis Biggs and Mary Williams Marriage Bond dated 25 Aug 1793 in Charlotte County, VA. This was provided by John Biggs and Willis Biggs. Willis Biggs signed his name while John Biggs made his X. ^[2]

4. Marriage License: Aug 28, 1793 Willis Biggs to Mary Williams. Rev Thomas Dobson officiating. Charlotte, Virginia. ^[3]

NOTE:Henry Williams In a marriage bond compiled post-event, Henry Williams is recorded as Mary Williams's parent. However, the initial document identifies Henry Williams as a witness, not as her father.

Military Service: In 1812, Willis Biggs enlisted for the War of 1812 on August 15, 1812, at Mossy Creek in Jefferson County, Tennessee. ^[4] He subsequently traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, where he committed to a five-year service or for the war's entirety as a private in the 24th US Infantry under Captain Campbell. His service included time at Fort Ball on June 27, 1813, and Fort Meigs on August 21, 1813 in Captain Langham's Company. Willis' journey took him to Fort Seneca along the Sandusky River in Ohio, where he died on October 6, 1813. ^[5]

Tax Lists and Censuses:

1795: In the 1795 Charlotte County, VA Personal Property Tax List, Willis Biggs appears as one White Tithable without listing any additional property. Jonathan Williams, his father-in-law, is included in the same County Commissioner List. Additionally, John Biggs, who is possibly his uncle, is listed in Charlotte County on another Commissioner's List.. ^[6]

1797: Willis is listed in the 1797 St. Andrews Parish, Brunswick County VA Personal Property Tax List as 1 White Tithable and no other property. ^[7]

1798: Willis is listed in the 1798 St. Andrews Parish, Brunswick County VA Personal Property Tax List as 1 White Tithable and no other property.^[8]

1800: The Federal Census of 1800 for North Carolina shows Willis Biggs in Orange County with Mary, his wife, along with James and Nancy.^[9]

Legal Cases:

1797: Chancery Case Charlotte Co. VA: Fowler v. Reynolds/Williams. Mary and Willis are both named parties in this estate case of her deceased father. ^[10]

1799: Chancery Case: Chancery Case Halifax Co., VA: Martin/Williams vs. Heirs of Jonathan Williams. This situation involves a dispute within the family where both Mary and Willis are mentioned. Notably, Mary is called Polly by her siblings, marking the sole occurrence of this nickname in any records. ^[11]

Family events following Willis' passing:

1816: During the March 1816 session of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in Jefferson County, Tennessee, detailed in Item 382, Page 183, a guardian was designated for the minor children of Willis Biggs, namely James, Nancy, Betsy, Joel, Cynthia, and Lucinda. This action was taken in response to Willis Biggs's death in the War of 1812 .^{[12] [13]}

1832: As a recognition of Willis Biggs's military service during the War of 1812, his descendants were awarded 160 acres of land. On May 18, 1832, Patent No. 9040 was granted to James Biggs and the remaining legal heirs of Willis Biggs. This land, constituting the northwest quarter of Section 29 in Township 12 North of Range 6 West, was part of the area set aside for military bounties in the Arkansas Territory. The allocated land is situated a few miles southwest of Batesville, Arkansas, in Independence County. ^[14]

1840: The 160-acre land grant was never completely developed and was auctioned off at a sheriff's sale on March 2, 1840, due to an outstanding tax bill of $8.46.

Reports suggest that an area of this land had been cleared and used for cotton cultivation, but this endeavor did not prove fruitful. By 1995, this land had been repurposed for growing hay and as pasture for a cattle farming operation.

Willis Biggs vs Joseph Willis Biggs: There has been ongoing confusion between Willis Biggs (?-1813) and what is believed to be his relative, Joseph Willis Biggs (abt.1787-1805). Willis Biggs, who wed Mary Williams in Charlotte County, VA, in 1793 and died in 1813 at Fort Seneca, Ohio, is well-documented through marriage records and other life events.

Conversely, Joseph Willis Biggs passed away in Charlotte County, VA, and left a will that appointed his sister Mason Biggs and his niece as beneficiaries. There is no documented evidence or records suggesting that he was married. His will can be found in the Will Books, 1765-1904; General Index to Wills, 1765-1904, held by the Virginia County Court in Charlotte County.

Sources

1. ↑ 1793 Consent to Marry Ancestry.com Willis Biggs. Mary Williams. John Williams. Henry Williams.
2. ↑ 1793 Charlotte County, Virginia Abstract of Marriage Bond. FamilySearch. Willis Biggs. Mary Williams Biggs. Henry Williams. John Biggs.
3. ↑ 1793 Charlotte County, Virginia Marriage registers, 1782-1923. FamilySearch. Willis Biggs. Mary Williams Biggs. Rev. Thomas Dobson.
4. ↑ 1812 United States Registers of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914. FamilySearch. Willis Biggs.
5. ↑ Find-A-Grave Willis Biggs Marker.
6. ↑ 1795 Brunswick County, VA Personal Property Tax List. FamilySearch. Willis Biggs. John Biggs.
7. ↑ 1797 Brunswick County, VA Personal Property Tax List. Family Search. Willis Biggs. Joel Biggs. Richard Biggs.
8. ↑ 1798 Brunswick County, VA Personal Property Tax List. Family Search. Willis Biggs. Joel Biggs. Richard Biggs.
9. ↑ 1800 1800 Federal CensusFamily Search. Willis Biggs. Mary Biggs. James Biggs. Nancy Biggs.
10. ↑ 1797 Charlotte County, VA Chancery Case Library of Virginia. Willis Biggs. Mary Biggs. Joel Biggs. John Biggs.
11. ↑ 1799 Charlotte County, VA Chancery Case Library of Virginia. Willis Biggs. Mary Biggs.
12. ↑ 1816. Jefferson County, Tennessee, Court of Pleas and Quarter; Item 382, Page 183. Wills Biggs' minor children.
13. ↑ 1817. US War Bounty Land Warrants, 1789-1858, Lehi, UT. Ancestry.com Willis Biggs' minor children.
14. ↑ 1832. National Archives and Records Administration FamilySearch. James Biggs. Willis Biggs.

• Researched and compiled by Willis's 4th great granddaughter Carolyn Swanson, Aug 29, 2023