James Higgins (abt. 1754 - 1825)

Born about 1754 in Caroline, Virginia

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 1825 at about age 71 in Montgomery, Kentucky, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Lynden Rodriguez [send private message]

Biography

Lieutenant James Higgins served with 8th Virginia Regiment (1777), Continental Army during the American Revolution.

James Higgins

Birth: 1720 • Caroline, Virginia, United States

Death: 17 Aug 1825 • Montgomery, Kentucky, USA

Parents:

Father: William Higgins b.16 Aug 1719; d. 1786

Mother: Ann Durrett Yarborough b. 1720; d. 1787

Spouse & Children

Spouse: Nancy Townsend Estes (1757–1798)

1. John Henry Higgins, Sr. (1770–1846)
2. Sarah R. Higgins (1775–1830)
3. Levi Higgins (1776–1817)
4. Thomas Higgins (1785–1829)
5. William A Higgins (1789–1862)
6. Nancy Higgins (1790– )
7. Elizabeth Dickenson Higgins (1794–1880)
8. Mary Polly Higgins (1795– )
9. Robert M. Higgins (1796–1870)
10. Martha "Patsy" Higgins (1800–1868)

Note

BIOGRAPHY: James Higgins was a Captain in the old continental army of the Revolution. The word continental has been changed to regular army. He remained in service until the close of the war. He drew a land warrant for 1,350 acres of land which could be located in Kentucky, for his services in the army. Virginia having made previous arrangements to pay all her officers & soldiers in her waste land of Kentucky, which was then, or had been, a portion of Virginia. James must of been about the last to leave the old dominion. He never lived in Fayette County, Kentucky but settled at once on his own survey in Montgomery County, Kentucky. At that time all the other brothers were living in Fayette County. John, Moses, Jesse and William all bought land from James, as he had a great deal more than any Kentuckian could ever find use for, as was thought at that time.

James was about 6 feet 2 or 3 inches tall, well made in proportion to height, perfectly erect when standing, regular features, fair complexion, light or rather inclined to sandy hair, one of the finest looking old men, looked so dignified and makeup was perfect in every part.

Montgomery County, Kentucky

Book 10, page 421

October 9, 1822

"Know all men by those present that 1, James Higgins, Senior of Montgomery County have this day soled for the consideration of one dollar to my Sons and Sons in law Thomas Higgins, William A. Higgins, Robert M. Higgins, John Higgins, Thomas Wills, Joab Watson Bartley Estes, John Allen and Jacob Gillett (Named several Negros) to be equally divided among my said Sons and Sons in law "

Will

Montgomery County, Kentucky

Book C, Page 107^[1]

In the name of almighty God Amen this my last will and Testament. I will and bequeath unto my daughter Polly Watson one walnut cupboard and its furniture and I also will and bequeath her twenty barrels of corn to my daughter Polly Watson and the heirs of her body. I also will and bequeath unto Sally Higgins a daughter of my son John Higgins one cow and calf. I also will & bequeath my servant Negro named named Harry to be free and I also will and bequeath unto my servant Negro man named Harry one large hog and three barrels of corn and one bay mare called grand boy the ballance of my property to be sold I do appoint Reuban McDonald and Nicholas Crenshaw as Executors In_________where of I have hereunto set my name and affixed my seal,

This seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord 1825. His

James X Higins

mark

Philip Clements

Polly E. Higgins

Aaron Masterson

The residue of the money arising from my estate after all my just demands are compiled with I will and bequeath to my daughter Polly Watson and to the heirs of her body and also twenty dollars in Commonwealth bank paper which is now in my sons John Higgins hand In testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this seventeenth day of August in the year of our Lord 1825

his

James X Higins �mark

Polly E. Higgins}

Philip Clements I, State of Kentucky

Aaron Masterson} Montgomery County} Oct. Court 1825

The last will and Testament of James Higgins deceased was this day produced in open court by Nicholas Crenshaw

Sources

• Source: 1810 United States Federal Census: Name: James Higgins; Home in 1810 (City, County, State): Bath, Virginia; Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 1; Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 1; Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 1; Number of Household Members Under 16: 1; Number of Household Members: 3 [1]

• Source: 1820 United States Federal Census: Name: James Higgins; Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Montgomery, Kentucky; Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820; Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1; Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over: 1; Slaves - Males - Under 14: 2; Slaves - Males - 14 thru 25: 1; Slaves - Males - 45 and over: 2; Slaves - Females - Under 14: 1; Slaves - Females - 14 thru 25: 1; Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 4; Free White Persons - Over 25: 2; Total Free White Persons: 2; Total Slaves: 7; Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 9 [2]

• Kentucky, Land Grants, 1782-1924: Grantee: James Higgins; Number of Acres: 1,000; Survey Date: 12 Dec 1783; County: Fayette Water; Course: Buck Lick; Book Number: 3 Ancestry Record 2073 #4005

• U.S. War Bounty Land Warrants, 1789-1858: Name: James Higgins; Warrant Number: 2647

• U.S., Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, 1800-1900: Name: James Higgins; Application State: Virginia; Applicant Designation: Bounty-Land-Warrant Application File; Archive Publication Number: M804; Archive Roll Number: 1271; Total Pages in Packet: 5

• Source: U.S., Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783: Name: James Higgins; Military Place: Virginia, USA; State or Army Served; Continental Troops; Rank: 2nd Lieutenant

• Source: U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970: Name: James Higgins; Birth Place: Scotland; Death Date: 1825; Death Place: Kentucky; SAR Membership: 16118; Role: Ancestor; Application Date: 8 Aug 1904; Children: Wm Axford Higgins; Household Members: Name: James Buren Higgins; Lelia Atkinson; Wm L Higgins; Aveline Bramblett; Wm N Higgins; Elizabeth Wills; Wm Axford Higgins; James Higgins

• Source: U.S., War of 1812 Service Records, 1812-1815: Name: James Higgins; Company: 7 REGIMENT (TAUL'S), MOUNTED, KENTUCKY VOLUNTEERS. Rank - Induction: PRIVATE; Rank - Discharge: PRIVATE; Roll Box: 99; Microfilm Publication: M602^[2]

• Source: Virginia Land, Marriage, and Probate Records, 1639-1850: Name: James Higgins; Date: 11 Jan 1798; Location: Spotsylvania Co., VA; Property: 460 acres in Spots. Co. Notes: This land record was originally published in "Virginia County Records - Spotsylvania County, 1721-1800, Volume I" edited by William Armstrong Crozier. Remarks: Jan 11, 1798. Elijah Estes, Richard Estes, Moses Estes, Fielding Estes, James Higgins and Nancy, his wife, to Jno. Hart. 323 18s. 4d. 460 a. in Spots. Co. whereon Abram Estes, decd., lived and devised by him to his wife, and directed by his will that; Description: Grantor; Book: P

1. ↑ "Kentucky Probate Records, 1727-1990," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GP3V-Y4K?cc=1875188&wc=37R5-829%3A173602301%2C173698201 : 20 May 2014), Montgomery > Will records, Index, 1823-1828, Vol. C > image 87 of 249; county courthouses, Kentucky.
2. ↑ Note: It is not yet clear whether or not James Higgins enlisted in the War of 1812, as he would have been 58 years old

• Also see:

• Service Record of Lieutenant James Higgins

• Transcribed Pension Records VAS1517

Acknowledgments

• WikiTree profile Higgins-709 created through the import of Mike Gedcom as of Jul 2011.ged on Jul 9, 2011 by Michael Higgins.
• Thank you to Lynden Castle Rodriguez for starting this profile.