Benjamin Higgins
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Benjamin Higgins (1640 - 1691)

Benjamin Higgins
Born in Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusettsmap
Ancestors ancestors
Son of and
Brother of , [half], [half], [half], [half], [half], [half], [half], [half], [half] and [half]
Husband of — married 24 Dec 1661 in Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusettsmap
Descendants descendants
Father of , , , , , , , , and
Died at age 50 in Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusettsmap
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Profile last modified | Created 14 Sep 2010
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Biography

Benjamin Higgins was born in July 1640 at Plymouth to Richard and Lydia (Chandler) Higgins.[1] On Dec. 24, 1661, he married Lydia Bangs, daughter of Edward and Lydia (Hicks) Bangs of Eastham, with whom he had the following children, all born in Eastham:[1][2][3]

  1. Ichabod, b. Nov. 14, 1662
  2. Richard, b. Oct. 15, 1664
  3. John, b. Nov. 20, 1666
  4. Joshua, b. Oct. 1, 1668
  5. Lydia, b. "latter end of May, 1670"
  6. Isaac, b. Aug. 31, 1672
  7. Rebecca, b. June 14, 1674; d. March 1675
  8. Samuel, b. March 7, 1676/7
  9. Benjamin, b. Sept. 15, 1681

From the Eastham vital records:

Benjamin Higgens was marryed with Lidya Banges the 24 day of December 1661
Ichabod Higgens the Sonne of Benjamin Higgens was borne the 15th day of October 1664
John Higgens the Sonne of Benjamin Higgenswas borne the 20th November 1666
Joshua Higgens the sonn of Benjamine Higgens was borne the first Day of October in the yeare 1668
Lidia Higgens the Daughter of Benjamine Higgens was borne the latter end of May in the yeare 1670
Isace Higens the sonn of Benjamine Higens was Borne the last day of aughust 1672
Rebeckah Higgens the daughter of Benjamin Higgens was borne the 14th day of June 1674
Samuel Higgens the sonn of Benjamine Higgens was borne the seventh day of March: 1676:77
Benjamine Higgens the sonne of Benjamine Higgens was borne the 15th of September in the yeare : 1681…
Rebeckah Higgens the daughter of Benjamine Higgens died in march in the year: 1675
John Higens the sone of Benjamin Higens died the 13th of June in the year: 1689 [4]

Benjamin probably lived on lands which he received from his father in Pochet, now in East Orleans. He had several grants of land recorded in the town book: Richard Higgins sells land to his son Benjamin, 4th day of the 5th month, 1669"[5]

Richard Higgins sale of land to Benjamin, proving that Richard went to New Jersey, dated at new pascataway in New Jarsey, Nov. 24, 1672. Mary Higgins gave her consent to this sale.[6]

Land granted to Benjamin Higgins Feb. 4, 1673 [7]

Aprl 16, 1678. Granted to Benjamin Higgins a parcel of medow at the Harbour's mouth.

March 14, 1690. Land granted to Benjamin Higgins (near) the other land upon poche at a place called bishops butter hole [8]

"Benjamin Higgins hath a mare of a brownish bay color and one white foot, the other three feet partly white, with a white strip on her face, and running broad toward the right nostril, a piece cut out of the top side the near ear, and burn marked with E on the near shoulder." 14 July 1664. [9] He also had at this time three mare colts.

On 2 Mar. 1668/9 Benjamin was sued by Peregrine White for a debt of £16. The disagreement was settled out of court and the suit was withdrawn.

On 1 June 1675 Benjamin was one of the jury in a trial which caused the outbreak of King Philip's War. In 1662 Massasoit, Sachem of the Wampanoags, died and was succeeded by his son Wamsutta or Alexander who also died suddenly in 1662 possibly due to being poisoned by the English. His brother Metacom or Philip succeeded him as Sachem and was appropriately suspicious of the English and did not trust them. An Indian convert of Rev. Eliot's named Sassamon accompanied Philip to Boston as an interpreter and was his aide for some time. Sassamon, however betrayed Philip's secrets to the English concerning the Sachem's preparations for war because of his brother's supposed murder. Philip caught wind of this and went to Plymouth to free himself of suspicion. In the spring of the next year (1675) Sassamon was discovered in Assowomset Pond. An investigation led to the belief that he had been murdered the previous winter and his body thrown under the ice. Three Indians were arrested based on the testimony of another Indian who was an eye witness. The three were convicted by the jury, which included Benjamin, and were executed. This prompted the Wampanoags to declare war. Benjamin was again on the jury in 1685 and on the grand jury in 1689.

Because of his share in starting this conflict it is appropriate that he was a soldier in that war. His grandson received a grant in Narragansett Township No. 7 (Gorham, ME) for his grandfather's services and Benjamin's inventory shows that he owned the equipment of a trooper.

"In answare to a petition prefered to the Court by Benjamin Higgens in right of his father deceased, to be accommodated with land at Saconett (now Little Compton, RI) with the ptenors and servants there, the Court, generally conceiving that the said Richard Higgens had wronge in that he was not accommodated in the said land with the rest, severall of the ptenors being psent did engage before the Court that in case the petitioner shall and doe make his adresse to the rest of the companie interested in those lands, that they will pswade them that altho hee can not be supplyed out of the devided land of it, that he may bee competently supplyed in the undevided land thereof." 1 June 1675. [10]

"The mark of the cattle of Benjamin Higgins is a piece cut off slanting on the fore side of the near ear, and a slit in where the piece is cut out. Entered this 17th April 1680." [11]

On 5 May 1685 Benjamin was elected constable of the town and was confirmed by the General Court on 2 June 1685. He was elected selectman for Eastham on 4 June 1688. He had also been a member of the Grand Inquest on 7 Jan. 1676. He was one of the witnesses of the will of John Young of Eastham in 1688 and was one of the appraisers of his estate.

An Invintory of ye estate of Benjamin Higgins of Eastham who deceased on ye 14th of March 1690:91

To wearing Clothes.......................................18=00=00
To Armes and Amonition.............................06=19=00
To neate Cattle..............................................35=05=00
To Sheepe......................................................12=08=00
To horse flesh................................................05=00=00
To Swine.........................................................03=08=00
To goods in ye Lower Roome......................11=04=00
To tubs earthen ware and many other things
in ye Leaneto.................................................08=00=00
To yarne and wool & other things..............09=00=00
To goods in ye Chamber..............................09=11=00
To goods in garret.........................................10=10=00
To Chash and Lase........................................50=13=00
To housing and Land below ye high way...85=00=00
The total sum is.......................................... 291=06=00
Ichabod Higgins has already had................10=10=00
To a peece of Land that Ichabods house
stands on........................................................09=00=00
Apprised by us this 19 : June 1691
Jonathan Sparrow
Joshua Bangs

Debts due from ye estate eleven shillings…

The settlement of ye Estate of ye above Benjamin Higgins of Eastham deceased by agreement of Lydia Higgins Relict of sd deceased and her Children with ye Aprobation of ye Court as followeth

Ichabod Higgins he has had in Cattle and beding and :bords and shingles & other things.............10=10=00 :More one Cow and Calf coms to.................01=10=00
More one heifer 2 year old Cows................01=03=00
More in Sheep 5 coms to.............................01=00=00
More 2 Sheep and 1 Lamb coms to............00=11=00
More in wool two pounds............................00=02=00
More in Cash..................................................05=09=00
..........................................................................20-05-00
Richard Higgins he has ye Loome and geers.04=15=00
More seven Acres of Land coms to..............07=00=00
More one cutles and catous box [cartridge box]
coms too..........................................................00=14=00
More 2 steers one year old coms to.............01=08=00
More 1 Colt......................................................00=04=00
More 1 heiffer 3 year old coms to................01=08=00
More in cash....................................................05=09=00
..........................................................................20=18=00
Joshua Higgins one gun coms to..................01=00=00
More one Rapier and Catoose box comes to.00=09=00
More in beding coms to................................02=06=00
More one Chist coms to................................00=06=00
More to wearing Clothes coms to................06=00=00
More one Colt.................................................00=05=00
More one Cow & Calf coms to......................01=10=00
More powder and boulets coms to.............00=03=00
More one Saddle and cloath and four sheep.02=00=00
More one Sheepe & 2 pounds of wool.......00=06=00
More 2 Sheepe and 1 Lamb coms to..........00=11=00
More in Cash..................................................05=09=00
.........................................................................20=00=00
Isaac Higgins has one gun coms to...........01=00=00
More one Cutles and Cutuse box coms to.00=14=00
More in Beding coms to..............................02=06=00
More one Chist coms to..............................00=06=00
More to wearing clothes coms to..............06=00=00
More one hors coms to...............................02=05=00
More powder and boullets coms to...........00=03=00
More one heifer one year old coms to......00=15=00
More in Sheepe and one Lamb coms to...00=11=00
More in Cash.................................................05=09=00
........................................................................20=05=00
Samuel Higgins one gun coms to................01=00=00
More one Booke sword & Catouse box......00=12=00
More in beding coms to................................02=06=00
More in wearing clothes coms to................06=00=00
More one black hatt coms to.......................00=05=00
More one Cow coms to.................................01=08=00
More for pouder and Bullets coms to.........00=03=00
More one heifer 2 years old coms to...........01=03=00
More in Sheep 4 and a Lamb & book..........01=00=00
More 2 Sheep and one Lamb coms to........00=11=00
More in Cash..................................................05=09=00
.........................................................................20=05=00

Benjamin Higgins he is to have two thirds of ye housing and one third of ye Lands and meadow:

And Lydia Higgins Relict of sd deceased to have ye Rest of ye estate of said deceased:

Lydia Higgins Relict of Benjamin Higgins Late of Eastham deceased with two of her Sons Ichabod Higgins and Joshua Higgins appearing in Court June ye 24th 1691 and declared in open Court that they did all agree to this devition of ye estate… [12]

In his will dated 13 Feb. 1706/7, Joshua Bangs left one-eighth of his personal estate that may remain after his wife’s death “to my sister Lydia Higgins”. [13]

On 20 Aug. 1711 the town of Eastham "Laid out to widdow Lidia Higgins for her natural life and then returns to the town, a parcel of land near the head of Namskaket on the Eastern side of the first lot which is the lot of Daniel Cole Sr." [14]

He died on March 14, 1690/1.[1]

constable, juryman, selectman, freeman of the colony by 1675. Probably a soldier in King Phillip's War [citation needed] "Richard Higgins and His Descendants" By Catherine Chapin Higgins 1918 Richard Higgins was one of the 7 founders of the town and church of Eastham, then called Nauset. A memorial was erected in his honor on 26 Aug 1916.

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Higgins, Katherine Chapin. Richard Higgins : a resident and pioneer settler at Plymouth and Eastham, Massachusetts, and at Piscataway, New Jersey, and his descendants, 1918, p. 41, 50ff. This research is mentioned positively in the entry on Richard Higgins in The Great Migration Begins (pp. 928-932).
  2. ↑ Births, marriages, deaths, 1649-ca.1840; intentions of marriage, 1700-ca.1905, database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L979-9X64  : 1 October 2022), FHL microfilm 007009735, image 137, Eastham, Massachusetts, Volume 2, Births, & Deaths, 1654-1797, Page 72.
  3. ↑ Town records, 1654-1863 [Eastham, Massachusetts], database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-8979-QJ81 : 27 September 2022), , FHL microfilm 007009743, image 329, Eastham, Massachusetts, Volume 2, Transcribed by order of the Town in 1856 by, H. Doane 2d, Town Clerk, Marriages, Births, & Deaths, 1654-1797, Page 1.
  4. ↑ Eastham and Orleans Vital Records- The Mayflower Descendant- Vol. VIII, p. 12
  5. ↑ Eastham Book of Land Grants- p.96
  6. ↑ Eastham Book of Land Grants- p.98
  7. ↑ Eastham Book of Land Grants- p.97
  8. ↑ Eastham Book of Land Grants- p.96
  9. ↑ Richard Higgins And His Descendants- Katherine Chapin Higgins, Worcester, 1918, p.52
  10. ↑ Richard Higgins And His Descendants- Katherine Chapin Higgins, Worcester, 1918, p.52
  11. ↑ Richard Higgins And His Descendants- Katherine Chapin Higgins, Worcester, 1918, p.52
  12. ↑ Richard Higgins And His Descendants- Katherine Chapin Higgins, Worcester, 1918, p. 53- quoting Barnstable County Probate Records- Vol. I, fol. 45-6
  13. ↑ Barnstable County Probate Records- Vol. III, fol. 380
  14. ↑ Richard Higgins And His Descendants- Katherine Chapin Higgins, Worcester, 1918, p. 53- quoting Barnstable County Probate Records- Vol. I, fol. 45-6
  • Family History by Catherine Higgins 1918 Martha Horgan
  • U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700 Author: Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations Inc APID: 1,3824::0
  • Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots Author: Hatcher, Patricia Law Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.Original data - Hatcher, Patricia Law. Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots. Dallas, TX, USA: Pioneer Heritage Press, 1987.Original data: Hatcher, Patricia Law. Abstract of Grav Note: APID: 1,4110::0
  • Millennium File Author: Heritage Consulting Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2003.Original data - Heritage Consulting. The Millennium File. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: Heritage Consulting.Original data: Heritage Consulting. The Millennium File. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: Note: APID: 1,7249::0
  • U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 Author: Yates Publishing Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.Original data - This unique collection of records was extracted from a variety of sources including family group sheets and electronic databases. Originally, the information was derived Note: APID: 1,7836::0
  • U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 Author: Ancestry.com Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.Original data - Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970. Louisville, Kentucky: National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Microfilm, 508 rolls Note: APID: 1,2204::0
  • Plymouth Colony Records- Vol. V, pp. 167, 169, 196; VI, pp. 165, 242; VII, p. 153
  • Richard Higgins of Plymouth and Eastham, MA and Piscataway, NJ- Orra Monnette- NYG&BR- Vol. 47, pp.23-4




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Massachusetts Marriages, 1695-1910
Massachusetts Marriages, 1695-1910


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Martha (Pawlowski) Horgan
History cited is "Richard Higgins and His Descendants" By Catherine Chapin Higgins 1918

Richard Higgins was one of the 7 founders of the town and church of Eastham, then called Nauset. A memorial was erected in his honor on 26 Aug 1916.

posted by Martha (Pawlowski) Horgan

Rejected matches › › Benjamin Milner Higgins › Benjamin H. Higgins (1861-1920) › Benjamin Higgins (1681-bef.1761) › Benjamin Higgins (1732-1809)

Benjamin is 11 degrees from Maria Mitchell, 19 degrees from Carl Sagan, 17 degrees from Tycho Brahe, 26 degrees from Nicholaus Copernicus, 22 degrees from Eise Eisinga, 18 degrees from Caroline Lucretia Herschel, 22 degrees from Thomas Maclear, 10 degrees from Simon Newcomb, 16 degrees from Isaac Newton, 21 degrees from Pierre Henri Puiseux, 21 degrees from Beatrice Tinsley and 12 degrees from Edith Woodward on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.

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Categories: King Philip's War