Nathaniel Higley (1699 - 1773)

Born 12 Nov 1699 in Simsbury, Hartford County, Connecticut

Ancestors

Husband of Abigail (Filer) Higley — married 29 Mar 1720 in Simsbury, Hartford County, Connecticut

Descendants

Died 17 Sep 1773 at age 73 in North Granby, Hartford, Connecticut

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Biography

Excerpts from THE HIGLEYS AND THEIR ANCESTRY, BY MARY COFFIN JOHNSON, 1896, (NO COPYRIGHT)

A note, this book in its entirety available for reading or download on line

The life of Nathaniel Higley is a quiet one for the chronicler. He was the eleventh child in the large family of Captain John Higley, whose second wife, Sarah Strong, was his mother. He was a well-to-do farmer, possessed of considerable ability and a comfortable property.

Nathaniel's birth took place at Simsbury close on to the departure of the century, November 12, 1699.Nathanael, s. John, b. Nov. 12, 1699 ^[1] He was a boy of fifteen at the time of his father's death. On the eighth of the following February (1715) he went into the Probate Court and made choice of his uncle Samuel Strong to be his guardian. At the age of twenty-one his marriage was placed upon record as follows:

"Nathaniel higley of Simsbury and Abigail Filler of Windsor were maried the twenty-ninth day of March, 1720"

The young pair were second cousins, both of them being the great-grandchildren of Elder John Strong of Northhampton, Massachusetts. Nathaniel's grandfather on the maternal side was Return Strong, and Abigail's maternal grandmother was Experience Strong, his sister.

Nathaniel and Abigail Higley settled upon lands which Nathaniel owned in the northern part of Simsbury, now North Granby, where they lived long and useful lives, and where they brought up a family.

He purchased in 1726 from his younger brother, Josiah a parcel of land adjoining his own "house lot," which lay to the west of that owned by his brothers John and Brewster. His home estate comprised ninety acres with "ten acres on ye plain"; and together with the other inhabitants of the settlement he received, January 2, 1723, a share at the distribution of common lands made by the town. He is named among the heirs who received from the executors and inheritance from Captain Higley's estate, together with small household articles "set out to him," among which was "a pair of stilyards."

Nathaniel Higley was by profession a surveyor. The office of town surveyor was one of considerable importance, the principal duties being "the measuring of land and getting out of town lots to men." In town affairs he was intrusted with with prominent appointments, and appears among solid men of his generation, of well balanced mind, displaying sound judgement.

Marriage

Marriage:

Date: 29 Mar 1720

Place: Simsbury, Connecticut

Groom: Nathaniel Higley

Bride: Abigail Filer

Source: Nathaniell, of Simsbury, m. Abegall Filler, of Windsor, Mar. 29, 1720 ^[2]

The young pair were second cousins, both of them being the great-grandchildren of Elder John Strong of Northhampton, Massachusetts. Nathaniel's grandfather on the maternal side was Return Strong, and Abigail's maternal grandmother was Experience Strong, his sister.

Children:

Eight children are found upon record as having been born to Nathaniel and Abigail Filer Higley; yet it is probable there were others.

1. Abigail, born November 1, 1723, married Josiah Holcombe, November 8, 1742.
2. Mary, born 1724, and died at the age of one hundred and four years. She never married.
3. Theopolis, born March 29, 1726, married Rhoda UNKNOWN. Solomon, born January 8, 1728; married Lydia Holcombe.
4. Soloman bo. 1 Aug 1728
5. Dudley born 1730; married Eunice UNKNOWN.
6. Samuel born about 1734; not known whether he married.
7. Daniel, the exact date of whose birth is not known, married Ruth UNKNOWM.
8. Mindwell, born about 1738, who married March 3, 1768, Seth Higley, the son of her first cousin Brewster Higley.

Their children all settled in the vicinity of their home (the part of Simsbury now known as North Granby) and, except for Solomon, here remained until after their father's decease, and till about the close of the war of the Revolution, when most of those who were then living emigrated to Vermont.

Death

Nathaniel Higley died of cancer in September, 1773.^[3]

Nathaniel Higley. Given Name: Nathaniel. Surname: Higley. _BIRTNM Highley. Given Name: Nathaniel. Surname: Highley. _BIRTNM

Nathanel Higley. Given Name: Nathanel. Surname: Higley. _BIRTNM Found multiple versions of name. Using Nathaniel Higley.

Buried September 1773. Simsbury, Hartford, Connecticut, United States.

Note: !AFN 455N-0Q, Nathanel dup b date 1670. !Birth - Simsbury Vital Records 974.62s4 V2b & 0896756 Marr - 974.62/s4 V2b pg 151 & 1314486 Simsbury Vital Records Death - Temple Index Bureau (not in Simsbury 0002979) bapt - TIB IGI-11 Jul 1905 LOGAN end - TIB IGI-21 Jul 1905 LOGAN sld/p -Anc F-29 Sep 1959, information from Con Higley who did the sealings-20 Jun 1992 OGDEN (sld 24 Jun 1947 to Joseph Bissell and Sarah Strong) sld/s - Archive Record 2 Jul 1953 MANTI !Birth - Simsbury Vital Records 974.62/s4 V2b & 0896756 Marr - 974.62/s4 V2b pg 151 & 1314486 Simsbury Vital Records Death - Temple Index Bureau (not in Simsbury 0002979) bapt - TIB IGI-11 Jul 1905 LOGAN end - TIB IGI-21 Jul 1905 LOGAN sld/p -Anc F-29 Sep 1959, information from Con Higley who did the sealings-20 Jun 1992 OGDEN (sld 24 Jun 1947 to Joseph Bissell and Sarah Strong) slds - Archive Record 2 Jul 1953 MANTI. SEALED TO HIS MOTHER, AND HER 1ST HUSBAND JOSEPH BISSELL.J 24 JUNE 1947, SLAKE TEMPLE. DO NOT SEAL TO JOHN HIGLEY. !This child has been sealed to his mother and the mother's first !husband Joseph Bissell. From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996.From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996. Nathaniel Higley married Abigail Filler (Fyler) on 29 Mar 1720. He died of cancer in Sep of 1773. Birth - Windsor Vital Records 0002922: Nov 12 1699 Simsbury Vital Records 974.62s4 V2b & 0896756, (not in Simsbury 0002979) Marr - Simsbury Vital Records-974.62/s4 V2b pg 151 & 1314486 Simsbury VitalRecords-0002922 & 0002979 pg 75: Nathaniel Higley and Abegall Filler of Windsor m. Mar 29, 1720 Death - Fyler History and Genealogy by Wadsworth Fyler 929.273 F989f pg 38: Nathaniel Higley died September 1773 of cancer. Temple Index Bureau (not in Simsbury 0002979) bapt - TIB Ord Index-11 Jul 1905 LOGAN end - TIB Ord Index-21 Jul 1905 LOGAN sld/p -Anc F-29 Sep 1959, information from Con Higley who did the sealings-20 Jun 1992 OGDEN (sld 24 Jun 1947 to Joseph Bissell and Sarah Strong) slds - Archive Record 2 Jul 1953 MANTI Note: The Higleys and their Ancestry by Mary Coffin Johnson 929.273 H539j pg 139: The life of Nathaniel Higley is a quiet one for the chronicler. He was the eleventh child in the large family of Captain John Higley, whose second wife, Sarah Strong, was his mother. He was a well-to-do farmer, possessed of considerable ability and a comfortable property. Eight children are found upon record as having been born to Nathaniel and Abigail Filer Higley; yet it is probable there were others. They were as follows: Abigail, born November 1, 1723, married Josiah Holcombe, November 8, 1742. Mary, born 1724, and died at the age of one hundred and four years. She never married. Theopolis, born March 29, 1726; married Rhoda ----. Solomon, born January 8, 1728; married Lydia Holcombe. Dudley born 1730; married Eunic-----. Samuel, born about 1734; not known whether he married. Daniel, the exact date of whose birth is not know, married Ruth----; and Mindwell, born about 1738, who married, March 3, 1768, Seth Higley, the son of her first cousin Brewster Higley, 2d. (It is confidently supposed that Noah and Nehemiah Higley were also sons of Nathaniel). (21) dead. !NAME-BORN-PARENTS-SIBLINGS-MARRIED-SPOUSE: 2nd cousin; CHILDREN: Abigail, !NAME-BORN-RELATIVE: Myron Spencer Higley; ORDINANCES: B: 1 Aug 1922 LOGANE: !NAME-BORN: 27 Nov 1699 Simsbury; RELATIVE: Freeman Dewey Higley; ORDINANCES: !NAME: Nathaniel/Nathanel Higley; BORN-PARENTS-ORDINANCES: B: 6 May 1992 !NAME-BORN: Fairfield, Conn.; PARENTS-ORDINANCES: B: 14 June 1991 PROVO/E: 8 !NAME-BORN-PARENTS-ORDINANCES: B: 11 Jul 1905 LOGAN/E: 21 Jul 1905 LOGAN/P: 3 !NAME: Nathaniel HigleyBissell; BORN-FATHER: Joseph Bissell; MOTHER-. Nathaniel Higley & half brother Brewster Higley I, are both direct ancestors. Capt. THE FIRST AMERICAN FAMILY. NATHANIEL HIGLEY. Faith in God, faith in man, faith in work ; this is the short formula in which we may sum up the teaching of the founders of New England ; a creed ample enough for this life and the next. JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL. THE life of Nathaniel Higley is a quiet one for the chronicler. He was the eleventh child in the large family of Captain John Higley, whose second wife, Sarah Strong, was his mother. He was a well-to-do farmer, possessed of considerable ability and a comfortable property. Nathaniel's birth took place at Simsbury close on to the departure of the century, November 12, 1699. He was a boy of fifteen at the time of his father's death. On the eighth of the following February (1715) he went into the Probate Court and made choice of his uncle Samuel Strong to be his guardian. At the age of twenty-one his marriage was placed upon record as follows : "Nathaniel Higley of Simsbury and Abigail filler of Windsor were maried the twenty-ninth day of march, 1720." The young pair were second cousins, both of them being the greatgrandchildren of Elder John Strong of Northampton, Mass. Nathaniel's grandfather on the maternal side was Return Strong, and Abigail's maternal grandmother was Experience Strong, 1 his sister. Nathaniel and Abigail Higley settled upon lands which Nathaniel owned in the northern part of Simsbury, now North Granby, 1 Lieutenant Walter Fyler (sometimes spelled " Filer ") the paternal great-grandfather of Abigail Filer Higley, came to Windsor, Conn., with the Rev. John Wareham, 1636, from Dorchester, Mass. His house was within the Palisadoes. He was Deputy to the General Assembly in 1647. He died 1683. In his will he gave the use of his estate to his widow Jane during her natural life, " Also one hundred pounds in cash to bestow upon another husband, or reserve it to herself to bestow upon whom she may please." His son Zerubbabel married Experience Strong, May 27, 1669, and lived for a time at Stone River (Suffield), but afterward returned to Windsor. While he was a resident of Suffield his son Samuel, the father of Abigail Filer Higley, was born. Samuel was a fanner at Hebron, Conn., where he died September 13, 1710. His wife, Abigail, died 1709. Their daughter, Abigail Filer Higley, the wife of Nathaniel Higley, was born February 6, 1703. There are a number of the Higleys now living whose ancestry is traced in direct line to their maternal ancestress Abigail Filer. where they lived long and useful lives, and where they brought up a family. He purchased in 1726 from his younger brother Josiah a parcel of land adjoining his own "house lot," which lay to the west of that owned by his brothers John and Brewster. His home estate comprised ninety acres with "ten acres on y e plain "; and together withthe other inhabitants of the settlement he received, January 2, 1723, a share at the distribution of common lands made by the town. He is named among the heirs who received from the executors an inheritance from Captain Higley's estate, together with small household articles " set out to him," among which was " a pair of stilyards." Nathaniel Higley was by profession a surveyor. The office of town surveyor was one of considerable importance, the principal duties being " the measuring of land and getting out of town lots to men." In town affairs he was intrusted with prominent appointments, and appears among the solid men of his generation, of well-balanced mind, displaying sound judgment. His name is found upon various committees of the Northwest Ecclesiastical Society; and the indications are that he was more actively associated with religious matters than were the elder children of Captain Higley. For the year 1742 his church rates, "for fraying the charges of the society," amountedto 4 i6s. 4d. His children of whom we have trace were nearly all religious professors. During the years of his greatest church activities the practice of the admission of members to the church on the" Half-way Covenant," so-called, was customary, which was frequently followed after lapse of time " by y e owning of y e covenant." These half-way covenanters "were not permitted to come to the tableof holy communion. " It was in June, 1753, that the following action was taken by the church of which Nathaniel by this time appears to have been one of the chief props : " Voted that Dr. Watts version of the Psalms shall be sung in our public assem- blies once a day upon y e Sabboth." This was an advanced step toward liberality in church affairs. Heretofore the singing, for the period of a century, had been from a quaint "little metrical volume," known as "The New England version of the Psalms," or the "Bay Psalm-Book," the first edition of which was printed about 1640. A later version appeared in 1650. " The necessity of the heavenly Ordinance of singing Scripture Psalms in the churches of God," was fully recognized. The singing was accomplished by " lining" these psalms, which was alternately reading one or two lines by the minister, then the congregation singing them, followed by two more lines, etc. Few possessed hymn-books. Someone stood appointed to "set the tunes," which were invariably long-drawn and heavy. The psalm sung was usually very long, and the people stood while singing, as well as during prayer. 1 Among other town officers appointed each year was an "Inspector of Leather." To this service Nathaniel Higley was repeatedly elected; he served as grand juror, was appointed appraiser, surveyor of highways, fence viewer, rate collector, and often served as tything-man. Of the latter office, which long ago ceased in the churches of New England, a few words here will be of interest. The tything-man was a town officer, who was annually elected and officially sworninto office to enforce the observance of the Sabbath. He required to be filled with zeal and vigilance, and was a man who inspired a degree of fear and awe. He was to see to it that "no person shouldbe recreating or unnecessarily walking or loitering on the Lord's day." His duties required him to look after the absentees from church service, and to collect the fine of ten shillings imposed upon those who, "being able-bodied and not otherwise necessarily prevented, should for the space of one month " fail to appear in the Sunday congrega- tion. But his most conspicuous duty lay in preserving the sanctity of divine service. Provided with a long pole, and a whip-stock and lash in hand, he stationed himself every Sunday in the rear of the audience near the door, and with vigilant eye and dignified 1 "At family prayers it was the costom to rise to theirfeet and stand instead of kneeling." The reason given for taking this posture was, " their exceeding fear of any costom that might be construed as tainting of Popery." *"As the President [George Washington], on his return to New York from his late tour through Connecticut, having missed his way on Saturday, was obliged to ride a few miles on Sunday morning in order to gain the town at which he had previously proposed to have attended divine service. Before he arrived, however, he was met by a Tything-man, who commanding him to stop,demanded the occasion of his riding ; and it was not until the President had informed him of every circumstance, and promised to go no further than the town intended, that the Tything- man would permit him to proceed on his journey." From an old newspaper of the times: " Olden Time Series." gravity he performed his calling with no partisan favor. The giddy youth who happened to whisper to his chum, or who unfortunately was unable to repress his overflowing spirits, committing the grave, sin of a smothered snicker, was approached from behind and sharply rapped upon the head with the pole, which was aimed with great precision and directness. Mrs. Stowe pictures this official as " a man who on week days, though he might be a rather jolly, secular individual, on Sunday was a man whose eyes were supposed to be as a flame of fire to search out boys that played in meeting, and bring them to awful retribution." * In an old law book which once belonged to Nathaniel's nephew, Governor Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., was found in manuscript at the end of the volume, " Reports of Brother Jonathan's adjudications of small cases which he tried as Justice of the peace." Among these was one where His Majesty's ty thing-man entered a complaint against Jona and Susan Smith for a "prof- anation of the Sabbath "; namely, "that on the day of dur- ing Divine Service on the Lord's Day, they did smile." The cul- prits were adjudged to be guilty of the offence, and severally fined "five shillings and cost."" Eight children are found upon record as having been born to Nathaniel and Abigail Filer Higley; yet it is probable there were others. They were as follows: Abigail, born November i, 1723, married Josiah Holcombe, November 8, 1742. Mary, born 1724, and died at the age of one hundred and four years.She never married. Theopolis, born March 29, 1726; married Rhoda Solomon, born Januarys, 1728; married Lydia Holcombe. Dudley, born 1730; married Eunice . Samuel, born about 1734; not known whether he married. Daniel, the exact date of whose birth is not known, married Ruth ; and Mindwell, born about 1738, who married, March 3, 1768, Seth Higley, the son of her first cousin Brewster Higley, 2d.* Their children all settled in the vicinity of their home (the part of Simsbury now known as North Granby), and, except Solomon, here remained until after their father's decease, and till about the close of the war of the Revolution, when most of those who were then living emigrated to Vermont. 1 " Old Town Folks," by Harriet Beecher Stowe, p. 43. a " Olden Time Series," Henry M. Brooks. 3 It is confidently supposed that Noah and Nehemiah Higley were also sons of Nathaniel. See Nathaniel Higley died of cancer in September, 1773. His son Daniel Higley was named as executor of his estate. His will, 1 which was signed on the i3th of February, 1773, devises that after his just debts are paid his wife Abigail shall have one third part of all his lands, plowing, mowing, woods, and pasturing, withall the household goods, during her natural life. To his daughter Mary and son Daniel he gives all* of his 'Mean and freehold estate," to be divided equally between them. To his son Solomon he gives five pounds of lawful money, and to his daughters, Abigail the wife of Josiah Holcombe, and Mindwell the wife of Seth Higley, the sum of three pounds each. To the heirs of Dudley Higley, his son, he gave the sum of ten shil- lings, to be paid eighteen months after death. One of his sons Samuel to whom moneys were paid at the distribution of the estate, is not named in his will. The inventory of his personal estate, taken September 23, 1773, contains articles of clothing; among which were a "Great Coat," valued at 75., a " Strait Bodied coat," i8s., "A Green Jaccoat," 45., "2 pair of Linen Breeches, is. 6d." It comprises also numerous household effects, sheep, cattle, and other belongings of a well-managed farm, amounting in all to ^"198 175. od.* It cannot be clearly understood why he gavethe most of his property to his son Daniel and daughter Mary, almost disinheriting his surviving children and other heirs. His burial place is not known. Although Nathaniel Higley's name is not foundassociated with any conspicuous measure in the colony, when he passed away from life's day of ceaseless industry, which he had devoted to useful purposes, the event marked the close of a well-roundedcareer. He had walked in a straight road, rendering acceptable service to the community in which he lived. He was respected by all who knew how to respect integrity, trustworthiness, and a sound character. Such an existence does not fail to excite a glow of admiration. " He fought the good fight, he kept the faith." The descendants of Nathaniel Higley -will be found in chapter Ixvi. 1 "Simsbury Probate Records," p. 141. 4 Book i. p. no, "Simsbury Records." Mary Coffin Johnson, The Higleys and Their Ancestry, An Old Colonial Family (New York: D. Appleton and Company, MDCCCXCVI). sdecelles1 originally shared this to ParkerDevitt/InglerBurns Family Tree.

Marriage @8936025524566239@ FAM. Husband @5250382431717739@. Wife @6191717177975923@. Child: @817509008055403@. Marriage 29 March 1720. Simsbury, Hartford, Connecticut, British America. ^[4]

@3766342112487272@ FAM. Husband @7505973737473918@. Wife @2237805751042231@. Child: @1647494945918630@. Child: @5250382431717739@. Marriage 1696 Windsor, Hartford, Connecticut, British America. ^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ Connecticut: Vital Records (The Barbour Collection), 1630-1870 Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2011.) From original typescripts, Lucius Barnes Barbour Collection, 1928. Birth Record
2. ↑ Connecticut: Vital Records (The Barbour Collection), 1630-1870 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2011.) From original typescripts, Lucius Barnes Barbour Collection, 1928. [ Marriage Record
3. ↑ Find A Grave Memorial# 106031234
4. ↑ Source: #6911599857647424 29 May 2018
5. ↑ Source: #5404087594882756 29 May 2018

• Source: 1475178222406182 Nathaniell Higley in entry for Solomon Higley, "Connecticut, Births and Christenings, 1649-1906" "Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F749-FV8 : 11 February 2018), Nathaniell Higley in entry for Solomon Higley, 08 Jan 1728; citing ; FHL microfilm unknown. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F749-FV8
• Source: 3940537950966934 John Higly in entry for Nathanael Higly, "Connecticut, Births and Christenings, 1649-1906" "Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F749-X4G : 11 February 2018), John Higly in entry for Nathanael Higly, 12 Nov 1699; citing ; FHL microfilm unknown. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F749-X4G
• Source: 5973377885837497 Nathanael Higly, "Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906" "Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F749-X4L : 11 February 2018), Nathanael Higly, 12 Nov 1699; citing ; FHL microfilm unknown. This extracted record was used to create this person in Family Tree. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F749-X4L
• Source: 6355254820781157 Legacy NFS Source: Nathaniel Higley - Ordinance Index (TM), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1 Mar 1993 Edition, Family History Library, 35 N. West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA
• Source: 6356426258218791 Nathaniell Higley in entry for Theophilus Higley, "Connecticut, Births and Christenings, 1649-1906" "Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F749-FXC : 11 February 2018), Nathaniell Higley in entry for Theophilus Higley, 29 Mar 1726; citing ; FHL microfilm unknown. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F749-FXC
• Source: 7879599779432931 Nathaniell Higley in entry for Abigaill Higley, "Connecticut, Births and Christenings, 1649-1906" "Connecticut Births and Christenings, 1649-1906," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F77K-X5F : 11 February 2018), Nathaniell Higley in entry for Abigaill Higley, 01 Nov 1723; citing ; FHL microfilm unknown. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F77K-X5F