Robert VanZant Higgins (1746 - 1825)

Born 8 Dec 1746 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Wright) Higgins — married about 1766 in Virginia,

Husband of Mary (Jolliffe) Higgins — married after 1797 in Virginia, USA

Descendants

Died 30 May 1825 at age 78 in Higginsport, Brown County, Ohio, USA

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Biography

Col. Robert Higgins II, was born Dec. 12, 1746, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Robert & Hannah (nee VanZant) Higgins. He married (1st) Sarah Wright (1746–1778), in 1766, in Virginia. After Sarah passed away, he married (2nd) Mary Jolliffe (1763–1806) 7 Mar 1797, in Virginia (married by Rev Alexander Balmain, an Episcopal minister). He was one of the first settlers in the Lewis Township area, and donated the land that Higginsport Cemetery is located on, when his wife, Mary, died. He served in the VA Continental Line during the Revolutionary War, serving under Lafayette, and was held prisoner by the British for a time during the war. Some sources say he rose to the rank of Colonel, while others say he was a Brevet Major. Robert passed away May 30, 1825, in Higginsport, Brown County, Ohio, and is buried in the Higginsport Cemetery, Higginsport, Brown County, Ohio.^{[1][2] [3][4][5][6][7][8]}

Virginia, Compiled Census

Name: Robert Higgins

State: VA

County: Frederick County

Township: Rental Rolls

Year: 1764

Record Type: Rent Role

Database: VA Early Census Index^[9]

1820 US Federal Census

Name: Robert Higgins

Event Type: Census

Event Date: 1820

Event Place: Huntington, Brown, Ohio, United States

Page: 310^[10]

"The Higgins House was built by Lt. Robert Higgins who served in the Revolutionary Army. Higgins built the 20 x 18 house as required by his deed and added the stone chimney. The building is log, covered with German siding to protect the logs from deteriorating. George Harness purchased the home in 1793. Harness was the first to be buried in Olivet Cemetery in 1816. The house is located on Winchester Ave., Moorefield, Hardy, West Virginia. It is part of historic places in the town. A map is available to peruse on the Moorefield website."^[11] The town Higginsport was named for Col. Robert Higgins who laid out the town.^[12]

"Historically, Higginsport lies in that part of Ohio which was part of the Virginia Military Lands - an area set aside to be used as payment for the services of Revolutionary War veterans of the colony of Virginia. Although the coffers of the government of our fledgling country were bare, it was rich with land that was rapidly being claimed and settled. Many of the large older homes in the area have a decided "Virginia" style of architecture.

"The village of Higginsport (first platted and recorded as White Haven in 1816) was founded by Colonel Robert Higgins, a Revolutionary War officer who received 1,000 acres of land for his services to the country. Colonel Higgins, who was born in Virginia, left his large plantation on the South Branch of the Potomac River, and emigrated with his family to Kentucky in 1798 - across the river from his survey in Lewis Township, OH. Col Higgins and his family crossed the Ohio River in spring of 1799, and occupied a crude cabin in what is now the village of Higginsport. Mrs. Mary Higgins (nee Joliffe), who died in 1806, was the first person berried in the Higginsport Cemetery. Subsequently,Col. Higgins donated the land for a public cemetery to the village of Higginsport."^[13]

The names of counties and states have changed for Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio, among others. Therefore some birthplaces and deathplaces have a variety of named locations, but the real location may be the same in most cases. The birthplace of Robert Higgins may be one example of this. It was in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Depending upon the year it could be a variety of counties as well. Brown County Ohio did not exist until the 1820 census, as another example.

HIGGINS Robert Col Old Cemetery, Higginsport Ohio, Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots.

HIGGINS, Robert - Will WRITTEN: 15 Sept 1823 PROBATED: 10 Aug 1825 WITNESSES: Jesse R. Grant (father of U.S. Grant) and Allen Woods. NAMES: sons, John Jollif, Robert Vanzant and Gideon; daughter: Sally Robinson, Nancy Norris (Horine?), a colored woman, and Thomas L. Hamer. EXECUTORS: John J. Higgins and Thomas L. Hamer.^[14]

"Col. Robert Higgins was one of the earliest and one of the most prominent public-spirited men of Lewis Township and of Brown County. He was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., about the middle of the last century. His father, Robert Higgins, was a native of Dublin, Ireland, and, at the age of ten years, entered a vessel as cabin boy; afterward married the Captain's daughter, Hannah Vanzant, and obtained command of the ship. In after years, he settled in New York, later in Pennsylvania, where he died. Young Robert grew to manhood in his native State, and moved to Virginia, where he married a Miss Wright. When the Revolutionary war opened, he raised a company, and soon rose to the rank of Colonel. At the battle of Germantown he was taken prisoner and confined in New York Harbor, and subsequently at Long Island. He returned to his home on the Potomac, in Virginia, about the time of Cornwallis' surrender, and there married his second wife, Mary Jollifee, who was born and raised near Winchester, Virginia. In 1798, they moved West, lived a year in Kentucky, opposite his survey in Lewis Township; then, in the spring of 1799, he crossed the river, and occupied a rude cabin on the site of Higginsport. Here, in the year 1800, was born to them a son, John J., father of Robert Higgins, for many years Clerk of the Court of Brown County. Col. Higgins was eminently identified with the interests of Lewis Township for many years. During the first few years, he was engaged in clearing his farm. His wife died in 1806, leaving three children--Robert, who died in the West; John J., who died at Georgetown; and Lydia, who was the wife of Gen. Thomas L. Hamer. Col. Higgins died in 1825.

Robert Higgins - Raised company soon after the beginning of the Revolution and soon rose to the rank of Col. Taken prisoner at the Battle of Germantown and confined in New York Harbor. Returned to his home in VA about the time of Cornwallis' surrender. Born Westmoreland Co., PA. Parents: Robert Higgins and Hannah Vanzant. Married 1st Miss Wright and 2nd Mary Jolliffe in VA. Children: Robert, John J. Lydia and another daughter. 8 children by 1st wife, who never came to Ohio. Died Higginsport, Lewis Twp., Brown Co., OH in 1825. Buried Higginsport. In 1798, he moved and lived a year in KY opposite his survey in Lewis Twp., Brown Co., OH. In 1799, crossed the Ohio and lived in a cabin on the site of Higginsport, which town he founded.

History of Brown County, Ohio, W.H. Beers & Co. (1883) 21: Col. Robert Higgins was a native of Virginia [sic], and the owner of a large plantation on the South Branch of the Potomac River. He was a large dealer in cattle, driving them to different Eastern markets. An incident is related of him: While participating in his periodical drives, he chanced to stop at a hotel, where he found a Guinea negro, strangely tatooed, chained to a pillar of the front porch. The owner wanted to sell the negro, and the price asked was $40. Col. Higgins examined the negro and found him perfect, in regard to physical condition, and asked the negro if he would like to become a laborer on his plantation. After surveying the colonel from head to foot, the negro replied that, believing from his appearance the colonel was a humane and just master, he would be willing to enter his service. The colonel immediately purchased the negro, who was of immense proportions, rather inclined to be vicious, and told him to assist in the drive. The negro did as requested, and after the colonel had removed his chains, accompanied him home. He became a faithful servant. About this time the Revolutionary War commmenced and the colonel became a captain in the Virginia Volunteers of the Continental line. Upon leaving home, he put the plantation and its inhabitants in the care of "Old Jack," his new purchase, and started for the war. During the Battle of Germantown, he was captured by the British and confined on Long Island, New York Harbor, where he was kept imprisioned for three years and nine months. At. the expiration of this time, the colonel returned home and found that "Old Jack" had made an excellent manager and overseer. The plantation and buildings were in good shape, the crops large and well housed, and the servants in good condition. Also during his absence, the colonel's wife had died, and "Old Jack" was caring for the motherless children as only a beloved servant can.

With reference to the Battle of Germantown (October 4, 1777) and the period of imprisionment, Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, V. 42, 173 show in a "Partial List of Officers and Privates of the Continental Army Confined in the Walnut Street Jail, January-May 1778," Capt. Robert Higgins, 8 Virginia Line. No indication was given as to the duration of the confinement in the Walnut Street Jail [Philadelphia]."^[15]

Military

Name: Robert Higgins

Gender: Male

Military Date: 4 Jan 1777

Military Place: Virginia, USA

State or Army Served: Virginia

Regiment: 8th Regiment

Rank: Captain^[16]

Last Will and Testament

Mary Jolliffe Higgins passed away in 1806 and Capt. Higgins expired on 30 May 1825 in Brown Co., Ohio. Capt. Higgins Will was written and signed on 15 Sep 1823. His Will was proven in and is now on file in Brown Co., Ohio Will Book 1, Page 50. One of the witnesses to Captain Higgins’s Will was Jesse R. Grant, President Ulysses S. Grant’s father. The following is a transcription of his Last Will and Testament:

“I, ROBERT HIGGINS, of Brown County and State of Ohio, revoking all other and former wills by me made at any time heretofore do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following, to wit: First, after all my just debts and funeral charges are paid, I give and bequeath to my son JOHN JOLLIFFE HIGGINS all my right, title and interest in a certain tract of land in Frederick County, Virginia, bequeathed to my children by AMOS JOLLIFFE and which descended to me on the death of two of my children to who the same was bequeathed, to him the said JOHN, his heirs and assigns forever. I further give and bequeath unto my aforesaid son JOHN in lots in the town of Higginsport Nos. six and seven together with the fractional lot lying east of White Oak Street in the said town on which my warehouse stands, with the buildings and other improvements on the said three lots to him, his heirs and assigns forever. I further give and devise unto the said JOHN all that part of my tract of land of 1,000 acres lying at the mouth of White Oak Creek bounded and described as follows, to wit: Beginning at the mouth of White Oak Creek, running thence up the river Ohio with its meanders to the line of THOMAS L. HAMER’s land at a place called the low gap, thence with his line to a marked beech on the east side of the creek and north side of a gully called for in the said HAMER’s Deed, thence down the creek to the place of beginning, to include all the land between the river and the creek west of the said THOMAS L. HAMER’s line; to him the said JOHN, his heirs and assigns forever. Second, I give, bequeath and devise unto my son ROBERT VANZANT HIGGINS all the balance of my aforesaid tract of land of one thousand acres, his share to be bounded on the east side by White Oak Creek with its meanders from my north line to the mouth, and on the south, west and north sides by the original lines of the survey; I further give and bequest to my said son ROBERT all the lots in the town of Higginsport not heretofore, or by this will, or otherwise disposed of at the time of my death, the said tract of land and the said lots to him, his heirs and assigns forever. Third, I give and bequeath to my son GIDEON HIGGINS the two obligations on JEREMIAH CLAYPOOL left in his hands for collection. Fourth, I give and bequeath to Nancy Norris (woman of color) one in lot in the town of Higginsport number twenty-one to her, her heirs and assigns forever. Fifth, I give and bequeath all my personal property and credits at the time of my decease, and to my executors to be appropriated to the payments of my just debts. It is my will and desire that the balance of my tract of land in Highland County on White Oakd Creek known by the name of ROBERT HIGGINS SURVEY No. not sold or disposed of at the time of my decease shall be sold by my executors or the survivor of them to the best advantage accordint to their judgement, and they are hereby expressly and fully vested with authority to seal and convey the same. It is my will and desire further that the proceeds of said land together with my personal property shall form a fund out of which all just and legal debts against me or my estate shall be discharged by my executors; and if after the same are discharged there should be a balance remaining, the same to be divided among my children in the following manner, to wit; One third thereof to SALLY ROBINSON and the remaining two thirds to be equally divided amongst JOHN JOLLIFFE HIGGINS, THOMAS L. HAMER and ROBERT VANZANT HIGGINS. I further hereby vest my executors or the survivor of them with full, ample and absolute authority to make and execute deeds of conveyance for all the lots I have sold and which may be sold and remain unconveyed by deed at the time of my decease. I hereby lastly nominate constitute and appoint JOHN J. HIGGINS and THOMAS L. HAMER or the survivor of them executors of this, my last will and testament, enjoining that the same may be executed according to the true intent and meaning thereof in every part.

In testimony whereof, I, ROBERT HIGGINS, have hereunto set my hand and seal this 15th day of September in the year of our lord 1823.

(Signed) ROBT. HIGGINS (Seal)

In the presence of us who subscribed our names in presence ot the testator:

JESSE R. GRANT (Signature unclear)

( ? ) WOODS (Signature unclear)”

[Transcribed by Clarence A. Higgins in January 1973]

[Note: JESSE R. GRANT was the father of President ULYSSES S. GRANT - Clarence A. Higgins - Sept. 1974.]^[17][18]

Death

Name: Col Robert Higgins

Birth Year: abt 1747

Event: Death

Death Date: Abt 1825

Death Place: Higginsport

Age at Death: 78

Newspaper: New York Evening Post

Publication Date: 8 Jul 1825

Publication Place: New York, USA

Call Number: 83432^[19]

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29033100/robert-higgins
2. ↑ https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LHGR-GM7
3. ↑ "Ohio Deaths and Burials, 1854-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F6DD-44Z : 12 December 2014), Robert Higgins, 1825; citing , reference ; FHL microfilm 182,738.
4. ↑ http://person.ancestry.com/tree/31187638/person/12382693103/facts
5. ↑ http://person.ancestry.com/tree/407209/person/-385469883/facts
6. ↑ http://person.ancestry.com/tree/41375193/person/20334791697/facts
7. ↑ http://person.ancestry.com/tree/28421986/person/12043870712/facts
8. ↑ http://person.ancestry.com/tree/42442838/person/28032115627/facts
9. ↑ Jackson, Ron V., Accelerated Indexing Systems, comp.. Virginia Census, 1607-1890. Compiled and digitized by Mr. Jackson and AIS from microfilmed schedules of the U.S. Federal Decennial Census, territorial/state censuses, and/or census substitutes.
10. ↑ "United States Census, 1820", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHL3-Q8V : 16 July 2015), Robert Higgins, 1820.
11. ↑ http://mv.ancestry.com/viewer/cee20b46-0f86-4813-bc25-76957c0ab251/6160089/24441292429
12. ↑ http://mv.ancestry.com/viewer/5268ffc4-2240-4081-a6ff-a7eb584448dc/13180361/12086899473?_phsrc=sau1125&usePUBJs=true
13. ↑ From the Higginsport, Ohio History website.
14. ↑ http://mv.ancestry.com/viewer/99932733-5329-4694-9be7-ec8f7ec3b5b9/42442838/28032115627
15. ↑ http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=johndmcmullen&id=I03696
16. ↑ Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M246, 138 rolls); War Department Collection of Revolutionary War Records, Record Group 93; National Archives, Washington. D.C.
17. ↑ Preston T. Higgins, II on 29 Sep 2005: In Patricia N. Donaldson's Abstracting of Robert Higgins's Will in her book Brown County, Ohio Court Records 1818-1830 she has introduced some errors. When she named the sons she incorrectly made it look like John and Jollif were two different sons when in fact John's middle name is Jolliffe. Photocopy of Robert Higgins's Will clearly indicates that it was copied from Will Book 1, Page 50 and not Page 65 as indicated in her book on page 7
18. ↑ Preston T. Higgins, II on 29 Sep 2005: page 10 of Index to Wills (1818-1910) incorrectly shows Robert Higgins's Will to be listed in Book No. 1, Page 52 when it is currently in Book 1, Page 50.
19. ↑ Newspapers and Periodicals. American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Massachusetts.