William Highlands (1750 - 1819)

Born 1750 in Southampton Township, Cumberland, Province of Pennsylvania

Husband of Elizabeth (Childers) Highlands — married 17 Sep 1789 in Shermans Valley, Cumberland, Pennsylvania, United States

Descendants

Died Oct 1819 at about age 69 in Southhampton Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

William was born in 1750. William Highlands ... He passed away in 1819.^[1]

Biography of Edward Highlands, grandson of William Highlands.

BIOGRAPHY OF EDWARD HIGHLANDS EDWARD HIGHLANDS, one of the progressive and prosperous farmers of Cumberland county, whose foresight ad energy have enabled him to acquire large landed possessions, is a representative of one of the old Cumberland county families. His great-grandfather Highlands, was a native of Ireland, and on emigrating to America, purchased land of the government. William Highlands, son of the emigrant, was one of the pioneers, and at one time owned a large amount of land. He married a Miss Peoples. James Highlands, son of William and father of Edward, was born on the old Highlands homestead in Southhampton township in 1822, and died Nov. 15, 1880. He was a prosperous farmer, and was known as a man of inflexible will and great force of character, as well as of the strictest integrity. He married Mary Stough, who was born in Southhampton township, on what is known as the George Koser farm. She died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Koser, in Shippensburg, in March of 1904. She was sincerely beloved for her womanly qualities. Nine children were born to James and Mary Highlands, all of whom lived to mature years: Margaret, now deceased, was the wife on Conrad Clever; Jane is Mrs. George Mower; Susan, deceased, married George Cope; Belle died at the age of sixteen; Ann married John Cope, and resides in Missouri; Emma F. married George Koser, of Shippensburg; Catherine is the wife of Gilbert Beattie, a successful farmer of Southhampton township; Edward; and Harvey died in 1890. Edward Highlands received his education in the Hippensteel school house, and was brought up to a thorough understanding of the duties of an agriculturist. He remained at home until his twenty-fifth year, when he rented a farm in Southhampton township, until September 1881, remaining from 1876 to 1w880 on his father’s farm. He then bought out the Peter Rebuck farm, which comprised fifty-six acres, and which has a bank barn fifty-six feet long; he also has a farm of 120 acres given him by his father. Mr. Highlands has been particularly successful as a wheat grower, some years harvesting 1,600 to 2,000 bushels. Hay-growing is also one of his specialties, he baling as high as 150 tons annually. He has added to his landed possessions, and owns now a number of farms, among which may be mentioned the old Mansion farm, which was first taken up and improved by his great-grandfather. It has 120 acres of richly cultivated land, and is managed by his son, Lorin. Mr. Highlands also owns the Michael Hale farm of 101 acres, all joining, thus securing over 400 acres in one tract. Success has attended all his efforts, and he has apparently the marvelous ability to turn everything he touches into money. Possessed of unlimited energy and business acumen, his wisdom and foresight have won him more than a competence. While his personal affairs have consumed his entire time, he is a staunch Democrat, content, however, to be but a worker in the ranks. He is an earnest advocate of good schools, and has given his children a liberal education. In disposition he is jovial and affable, and prosperity has not lessened his friendliness to all the world. On Jan. 12, 1875, Mr. Highlands was married to Laura R. Williams, who was born in Southhampton township, a daughter of Joseph and Harriet (Maxwell) Williams, and who was educated in the public schools at Leesburg. Six children have blessed this union: Mary, wife of Hugh Rebuck; Anna Mabel, a graduate of the Cumberland Valley State Normal, class of 1899, and for four years a successful teacher; Lorin Jl, a graduate of the Model Department of the Cumberland Valley Normal School; Berenice E., a graduate of the same institution; and Georgia Williams and Alva Belle at home. The family are all very popular and they hold an enviable social position. Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, pp 390-391.

The Last Will ofWm Highlands Deceased In the name of God, amen. I William Highlands of Southampton Township, County of Cumberland and state of Pennsylvania, being weak in Body but of sound mind memory and understanding, Blessed be God for the same do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say, First I Resign my soul to God who gave it, and my Body to be interred in a decent and becoming manner, Item, I give and devise and bequeath to my son Robert Highlands and my son William Highlands and to their heirs and assigns forever all my estate real and personal of whatever kind or sort and wherever situated, to have and to hold the same to the said Robert Highlands and William Highlands their heirs and assigns as tenants in common and not as joint tenants subject to the payment by my said sons Robert Highlands and William Highlands of all my funeral expenses and all my just debts, and also subject to all the following legacies to be paid out of my Estate by my sons Robert and William as above mentioned as follows , viz, I give and bequeath to my son John Highlands the sum of one dollar, I give and bequeath to my son Nathan Highlands one dollar, I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Highlands one dollar, Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Margaret Highlands the sum of two hundred dollars besides her own articles on my premises to which I have no claim, I give and bequeath to my daughter Rebecca Highlands the sum of fifty dollars, I give and bequeath to my daughter Isabella Cummins the sum of two hundred dollars, besides what she had already received. I give and bequeath to my daughter Jane Maps the sum of two hundred dollars, besides what she has already received, I give and bequeath to William Reed the son of my daughter Betty the sum of one dollar. I predicate this will upon the calculation that my sons Robert and William will support me during my life, And I hereby nominate constitute and appoint my friend William Hunter and my sons Robert Highlands and William Highlands Executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all wills by me heretofore made, In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the twenty-third day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Fourteen.

Signed sealed & published by the testator In the presence of Us William Highlands [SEAL] Alexander Pebles, William Hunter, Jos Burd

Cumberland County S/S

Personally appeared before me H.W. Peterson, Deputy for Wm Line, Register for the probate of wills and granting letters of administration in and for Cumberland County aforesaid, Alexander Peoples and Joseph Burd, two of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of William Highlands, deceased, and being duly sworn according to law, depose and say that they were present and saw and heard William Highlands, the testator, sign seal publish pronounce and declare the foregoing instrument of writing as and for his last will and Testament, and that at the time of his so doing he was of a sound and disposing mind memory and understanding, and that they subscribed their names to said instrument of writing, as witnesses at the request of the testator and in his presence, in presence of each other and in the presence of William Hunter, dec'd.

Sworn and subscribed Oct'r 13th 1819 Alexander Pebles Before me, H.W. Peterson, Dep'y Reg'r Jos. Burd For Wm Line, Register

Sources

1. ↑ A source for this information is needed.