Mary Jean (Bissette) High (1906 - 1978)

Born 16 Mar 1906 in Bailey, Nash, North Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Wife of James Bernice High — married 20 Aug 1924 in Nash County, North Carolina, USA

Descendants

Died 6 Jul 1978 at age 72 in Nashville, Nash, North Carolina, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Troy High [send private message]

Bissette (Bissette) High was born in North Carolina.

Biography

Birth of Mary Jean Bissette

Mary Jean Bissette was born to William Dorsey Bissette and Ophelia M Bailey, on 16 Mar 1906 in Bailey, Nash County, North Carolina, USA. ^[1]

SS-3 Document for Mary Jean Bissette

Her birth parents are evidenced by the SS-3 form she filled out to obtain a social security number on 17 May 1950, while living in Brooklyn, NY where she was then known as "Mary Bigby". It is unclear exactly when she moved to New York or if this name was a married name or just an assumed identity. The 1940 Census record suggests she was living with a Robert Bigby in Brooklyn, NY^[2]

Death of Mary Jean's Mother

Her mother, Ophelia M Bailey, tragically died only 11 days after she was born.^[3]

Mary Jean raised by Mack Cagie O'Neal & Mattie Winborne

Mary Jean was placed into the care of Mack Cagie O'Neal and Mattie Winborne who lived nearby the Bissettes. Mary Jean took on their name of O'Neal and used the O'Neal name interchangeably with her birth name of Mary Jean Bissette for several years.

NOTE: She started off as a Boarder with Mack Cagie O'Neal and his wife in 1910, when she is age 4 ^[4], and by 1920 she is in the same household listed as "Daughter", at age 13.^[5].

NOTE: She is also listed in 1920 as residing with her biological father, William Dorsey Bissette and his 2nd wife, Harriette. ^[6] It's unclear if she was in fact residing with them due to her also being listed with the O'Neal family in the same census year.

Marriage of James "Bernice" High & Mary Jean Bissette

Mary Jean married James "Bernice" High on 20 Aug 1924 when she was 18 years old. ^{[7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]}

Mary's husband, Bernice High, had also lost his mother when he was very young, and they had this in common with each other.

There are no known common ancestors between the two of them: Relationship Finder

Children of Bernice High & Mary Jean

Bernice High & Mary Jean had two sons together:

• James Bernice "JB" High born 8 Jun 1925^[13]
• Joseph Hommer High born 22 Nov 1926.^[14]

Mary's husband, Bernice High, injured & diagnosed with Tuberculosis

Her husband Bernice High was hit by a truck, and while recovering from his injuries he contracted or was diagnosed with pre-existing TB (Tuberculosis). He was placed into the Nash County Home / Sanitarium for treatment of TB and never recovered or was able to leave the Sanitarium, passing away on 25 Feb 1932.^[15]

Mary Jean leaves her two sons with her adopted parents

Mary Jean had previously left her two young sons with Mack Cagie O'Neal and his wife Mattie O'Neal, but Mattie passed away 19 Dec 1932 and Mack being unable to care for them on his own, placed the two boys into the Middlesex Children's Home / Orphanage run by the Freewill Baptist Church. Mack visited them from time to time and contributed to their financial upkeep, but they remained there until they were young adults.

Mary Jean went by many names

Mary Jean moved and changed her name several times which makes it difficult to piece together a complete biography for her. Here are the known names she used throughout her lifetime:

Mary Jean Bissette

Mary Jean O'Neal

Mary O'Neal

Mary O'Neal Bissette

Mary High

Mary Jean High

Mary Bissette High

Mary Langley

Mary Bigby

Mary O'Neal Corrigan

Mary Corrigan^[16]

Mary Jean in the household of David Langley

In the 1930 census^[17], she is shown as "Mary Langley" ostensibly married to David Langley, in Wilders, Johnson, NC.

NOTE: If anyone knows of divorce or marriage records related to her transition from being the wife of Bernice High to being the assumed wife of David Langley - please provide me with that information!

NOTE: We know from examining Bernice High's death certificate that the physician attended him for Tuberculosis from 1 Mar 1930 to his death on 23 Feb 1932.^[18]

Birth of Joyce Langley

Her daughter, Elsie Joyce Langley, the half sister of JB, and Joseph, was born 25 NOV 1930, suggesting that she was conceived sometime between Feb 26, 1930 - Mar 8, 1930. ^{[19] [20]}

Mary Jean leaves the Langley's & Moves to New York City

It's unclear why Mary left the Langley's and went to New York, but we do know she was using the name "Mary Bigby" in Brooklyn, NY as shown in her SS-3 document on 17 May 1950.

NOTE: This MAY be the correct 1940 census record for her, but it is not certain yet:
Mary Bigby in Brooklyn, NY 1940 Census.^[2]

NOTE: The field "Last Place of Residence: Same Place", suggests Mary was living there and likely with Robert Bigby in 1935.

Name: Mary E Bigby

Event Type: Census

Event Date: 1940

Event Place: Assembly District 21, Brooklyn, New York City, Kings, New York, United States

Gender: Female

Age: 35

Marital Status: Married

Race: White

Relationship to Head of Household: Wife

Birthplace: New York

Birth Year (Estimated): 1905

Last Place of Residence: Same Place

Household Role Sex Age Birthplace

Robert Bigby Head Male 34 New York

Mary E Bigby Wife Female 35 New York

NOTE: This same 1940 Census record on Ancestry includes the following additonal details:

Sheet number: 62B

Attended School or College: No

Highest Grade Completed: High School, 3rd year

Mary Jean returns to North Carolina and Dies

Many years later, she was reunited with her eldest son James Bernice "JB" high, and she passed away 6 July 1978 in Nashville, NC, and is buried in Rocky Mount, NC.^{[21] [22] [23]}

The U.S. Social Security Death Index contains the following details^[24]

Age: 72

Given Name: Mary

Surname: Corrigan

Birth Date: 16 Mar 1906

State: New York

Last Place of Residence: Nashville, Nash, North Carolina

Previous Residence Postal Code: 27856

Event Date: Jul 1978

NOTE: The same index on Ancestry contains the following additional fields^[25]:

Name: Mary Corrigan

SSN: 076-26-6485

Last Residence: 27856 Nashville, Nash, North Carolina, USA

Born: 16 Mar 1906

Last Benefit: 27801, Rocky Mount, Edgecombe, North Carolina, United States of America

Died: Jul 1978

State (Year) SSN issued: New York (Before 1951)

NOTE: The social security number for Mary Corrigan is the same number shown in her social security card application, SS-3 form showing that Mary Jean Bissette is later Mary Corrigan.

Sources

• "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV2N-N1S3 : 11 July 2016), Ophelia M. Bailey Bissette, 1906; Burial, Bailey, Nash, North Carolina, United States of America, Rock Springs Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery; citing record ID 66973119, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

• "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ML9P-6TD : accessed 20 January 2019), Mary Bissette in household of Mack C O'Neal, Bailey, Nash, North Carolina, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 61, sheet 3A, family 38, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1123; FHL microfilm 1,375,136.

• "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZVP-HGL : accessed 20 January 2019), Mary O P Oneal in household of Mack C Oneal, Bailey, Nash, North Carolina, United States; citing ED 69, sheet 2A, line 4, family 20, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 1311; FHL microfilm 1,821,311.

• "North Carolina Marriages, 1759-1979," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FZYX-74F : 10 February 2018), James B. High and Mary O'Neal, 20 Aug 1924; citing Bailey Township, Nash, North Carolina, reference ; FHL microfilm 419,231.

• "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9J-R1P9 : 28 November 2018), James B High and Mary O'Neal, 20 Aug 1924; citing Nash, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm .

• "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJ3-HZ36 : 5 November 2017), James B High and Mary O'Neal, 20 Aug 1924; citing Nash, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm 1,220,981.

• "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9J-BJLC : 28 November 2018), James B High and Mary O'Neal, 20 Aug 1924; citing Nash, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm .

• "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJ3-HZC1 : 5 November 2017), James B High and Mary O'Neal, 20 Aug 1924; citing Nash, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm 1,220,981.

• "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9J-B1ZY : 28 November 2018), James B High and Mary O'Neal, 20 Aug 1924; citing Nash, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm .

• "James Bernice High", born 8 Jun 1925, Henry County, Virginia, USA;Ancestry.com. Virginia, Birth Records, 1912-2014, Delayed Birth Records, 1854-1911 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: Virginia, Births, 1864–2014. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia.

• "North Carolina Birth Index, 1800-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VHR2-NV7 : 8 December 2014), Mary Jean Bissette in entry for High, 22 Nov 1926; from "North Carolina, Birth and Death Indexes, 1800-2000," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing vol. 12, p. 16, Nash, North Carolina, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh.

• "North Carolina, Department of Archives and History, Index to Vital Records, 1800-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:76RC-H5PZ : 21 February 2019), Mary Jean Bissette in entry for High, 22 Nov 1926; citing Birth, Bailey, Mitchell, North Carolina, United States, North Carolina State Archives, Division of Archives and History, Raleigh; FHL microfilm 102399010.

• "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X335-X79 : accessed 20 January 2019), Mary Langley in household of David Langley, Wilders, Johnston, North Carolina, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 40, sheet 14B, line 57, family 231, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 1702; FHL microfilm 2,341,436.

• "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KQS9-N6P : 14 March 2018), Mary E Bigby in household of Robert Bigby, Assembly District 21, Brooklyn, New York City, Kings, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 24-2484, sheet 62B, line 53, family , Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 2611.

• "United States Public Records, 1970-2009," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QJZV-F5FY : 23 May 2014), Elsie J Langley, Residence, Clayton, North Carolina, United States; a third party aggregator of publicly available information.

• "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9V-8CLL : 28 November 2018), Mary High in entry for James Bernice High and Edith Mae Batchelor, 17 Feb 1946; citing Nash, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm .

• "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJ3-8ND1 : 4 November 2017), Mary High in entry for James Bernice High and Edith Mae Batchelor, 17 Feb 1946; citing Nash, North Carolina, United States, p. 765, North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm 1,221,611.

• "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9V-47L8 : 28 November 2018), Mary High in entry for James Bernice High and Edith Mae Batchelor, 17 Feb 1946; citing Nash, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm .

• "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JTYG-MZC : 20 May 2014), Mary Corrigan, Jul 1978; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).

• Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 03 March 2019), memorial page for Mary Jean Bissette High (16 Mar 1906–6 Jul 1978), Find A Grave Memorial no. 171267244, citing Pineview Cemetery, Rocky Mount, Edgecombe County, North Carolina, USA ; Maintained by jthigh71 (contributor 48974683) .

• "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:W3DQ-QK6Z : 6 June 2019), Mary Jean Bissette High, ; Burial, Rocky Mount, Edgecombe, North Carolina, United States of America, Pineview Cemetery; citing record ID 171267244, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.

1. ↑ https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Image:Bissette-41.jpg
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KQS9-N6P : 14 March 2018), Mary E Bigby in household of Robert Bigby, Assembly District 21, Brooklyn, New York City, Kings, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 24-2484, sheet 62B, line 53, family , Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 2611.
3. ↑ "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV2N-N1S3 : 11 July 2016), Ophelia M. Bailey Bissette, 1906; Burial, Bailey, Nash, North Carolina, United States of America, Rock Springs Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery; citing record ID 66973119, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ML9P-6TD : accessed 20 January 2019), Mary Bissette in household of Mack C O'Neal, Bailey, Nash, North Carolina, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 61, sheet 3A, family 38, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1123; FHL microfilm 1,375,136.
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZVP-HGL : accessed 20 January 2019), Mary O P Oneal in household of Mack C Oneal, Bailey, Nash, North Carolina, United States; citing ED 69, sheet 2A, line 4, family 20, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 1311; FHL microfilm 1,821,311.
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MZVP-WSG : accessed 28 December 2019), Mary Bissette in household of William D Bissette, Bailey, Nash, North Carolina, United States; citing ED 69, sheet 9A, line 32, family , NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 1311; FHL microfilm 1,821,311.
7. ↑ "North Carolina Marriages, 1759-1979," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FZYX-74F : 10 February 2018), James B. High and Mary O'Neal, 20 Aug 1924; citing Bailey Township, Nash, North Carolina, reference ; FHL microfilm 419,231.
8. ↑ "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9J-R1P9 : 28 November 2018), James B High and Mary O'Neal, 20 Aug 1924; citing Nash, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm .
9. ↑ "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJ3-HZ36 : 5 November 2017), James B High and Mary O'Neal, 20 Aug 1924; citing Nash, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm 1,220,981.
10. ↑ "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9J-BJLC : 28 November 2018), James B High and Mary O'Neal, 20 Aug 1924; citing Nash, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm .
11. ↑ "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QKJ3-HZC1 : 5 November 2017), James B High and Mary O'Neal, 20 Aug 1924; citing Nash, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm 1,220,981.
12. ↑ "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP9J-B1ZY : 28 November 2018), James B High and Mary O'Neal, 20 Aug 1924; citing Nash, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm .
13. ↑ "James Bernice High", born 8 Jun 1925, Henry County, Virginia, USA Ancestry.com. Virginia, Birth Records, 1912-2014, Delayed Birth Records, 1854-1911 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. Original data: Virginia, Births, 1864–2014. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia.
14. ↑ "North Carolina Birth Index, 1800-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VHR2-NV7 : 8 December 2014), Mary Jean Bissette in entry for High, 22 Nov 1926; from "North Carolina, Birth and Death Indexes, 1800-2000," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing vol. 12, p. 16, Nash, North Carolina, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh.
15. ↑ "North Carolina Deaths, 1931-1994," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FP86-F9H : 17 July 2017), J. Bernice High, 25 Feb 1932; citing Nashville, Nashville, Nash, North Carolina, fn 1544 #79, RN 6, State Department of Archives and History, Raleigh; FHL microfilm 1,943,050.
16. ↑ "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JTYG-MZC : 20 May 2014), Mary Corrigan, Jul 1978; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
17. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X335-X79 : accessed 20 January 2019), Mary Langley in household of David Langley, Wilders, Johnston, North Carolina, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 40, sheet 14B, line 57, family 231, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 1702; FHL microfilm 2,341,436.
18. ↑ "North Carolina Deaths, 1931-1994," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FP86-F9H : 17 July 2017), J. Bernice High, 25 Feb 1932; citing Nashville, Nashville, Nash, North Carolina, fn 1544 #79, RN 6, State Department of Archives and History, Raleigh; FHL microfilm 1,943,050.
19. ↑ "North Carolina Birth Index, 1800-2000," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VHRL-CZ4 : 8 December 2014), Elsie Joyce High Oneal, 24 Nov 1930; from "North Carolina, Birth and Death Indexes, 1800-2000," database and images, Ancestry ( : 2005); citing vol. 16, p. 1307, Nash, North Carolina, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh.
20. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSC2-QJG?cc=2848682
21. ↑ "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JTYG-MZC : 20 May 2014), Mary Corrigan, Jul 1978; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
22. ↑ Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 04 February 2019), memorial page for Mary Jean Bissette High (16 Mar 1906–6 Jul 1978), Find A Grave: Memorial #171267244, citing Pineview Cemetery, Rocky Mount, Edgecombe County, North Carolina, USA ; Maintained by Fred Winner (contributor 47359387).
23. ↑ "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:W3DQ-QK6Z : 6 June 2019), Mary Jean Bissette High, ; Burial, Rocky Mount, Edgecombe, North Carolina, United States of America, Pineview Cemetery; citing record ID 171267244, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
24. ↑ "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JTYG-MZC : 20 May 2014), Mary Corrigan, Jul 1978; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
25. ↑ https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=3693&h=12558856&ssrc=pt&tid=70810798&pid=46572535269&usePUB=true&requr=2550866976735232&ur=0&lang=en-US