Eastham Town (part 2 of 9)

"Granted by the town of Eastham to Jonathan Higgins Junior, Joseph Higgins and Elisha Higgins all of Eastham in ye County of Barnstable a parcel of upland (by way of exchange) lying and being in sd Eastham at or near a place called the barley neck adjoyning to the land of Jonathan Linnel near his now dwelling house and is Bounded (viz) begining at a rock at the northeast corner to the northward of sd Linnel's Barn marked I L, from thenc it runs southerly fourteen pole to a stone set in the ground in the range of sd Linnel's land; from thenc it runs westerly by sd range thirty two pole to the side of a little marsh; from thenc it runs northerly thirteen pole to measure strait over to a stone set in by the edge of sd meadow marked I L but the land is to run home to the marsh between sd bounds and from sd last mentioned bound it runs easterly strait to the first bound specified, being about two acres be it more or less. This land bounded as abovesd is granted to sd Jonathan, Joseph and Elisha Higgins to have and to hold to them, their heirs and assigns forever and approved by the major part of the men appointed to have a negative vote in disposing of land within sd town ; always provided that the said Jonathan Higgins, Joseph Higgins and Elisha Higgins doe leave out and quit their claime and return to the town to be as other Town commons all the land and marsh or meadow ground lying there above to the northward of that point of upland which lyes to the southward of the fore mentioned little marsh, saving only what is included within this abovesd grant and these following bounds (viz) : beginning at the northeast corner of that parcel of land which was the house lot of Jonathan Higgins senior at a stone marked I H which stands in or very near the corner of the fence on the northern side of sd lot, and from sd stone runs westerly to a low rock marked I H and soe on a strait line with this range westerly to the water, and soe round southerly by the water to two pretty big rocks standing just by the edge of the upland by the side of the little marsh and from thenc strait over southerly to the point of upland on the southern side of sd marsh, alowing a way by gates or barrs to go and come to the water side with carts between sd two rocks and sd point of upland; and again from sd two rocks it runs easterly a little further to a little rock just by the edge of the upland marked I H, and from thenc it runs northerly on a strait hue to the first bounds specified. Recorded April the 5th 1706 pr John Paine, Town Clark." - Land Grants, 1659- 1710, p. 200.

"Granted by the Town of Eastham to Jonathan Higgins Junior of Eastham ... in consideration for the land he let John Paine have near the Barley neck on the town's account to exchange for Samson's Hand as may appear by deed and records . . . lying near the now dwelling house of sd Jonathan Higgins, two and two-thirds acres of land. (Bounds given.) Dated 1706." - Land Grants, 1659-1710, p. 201.

On the same page are two similar grants under hke conditions of adjoining land to Joseph Higgins and to Elisha Higgins. It appears from these three grants that the land the three Higginses gave up to John Paine in exchange for equivalent land from the town had been land belonging to Jonathan Higgins, Sr., being close to his former dwelling-house, and had passed in some way, probably by gift, to the three younger men. No record of a will or other settlement of the estate of Jonathan Higgins, Sr., appears on the records at Barnstable and all the deeds recorded there before 1827 were destroyed by fire at that time. In the absence of such records, these grants become the only evideflce available, and they point directly to the conclusions here reached.

i. Beriah, b. Sept. 29, 1661. His grandfather, Lieut. Joseph Rogers, in his will, dated Jan. 2-12, 1677-8, says: "Item. I Give to Berijah higgens my Grand child on condition hee live ^^^th mee untill I die : I say I Give to him and his heires one third prte of all my upland and meddow att Paomett, purchased and unpurchased." "Item it is my will that Berijah higgens shall have one of my Cowes after mine and my wife's decease." "Ten shillings of my estate to be disposed of for use of the Church of Christ, Eastham." Thomas Rogers testified before Jonathan Sparrow that his father (Lieut. Joseph Rogers) declared to him a few days before his death "hee desired mee to beare witness that hee did give unto Beriah higgens his best suite of apparrell because he had lived with him a Great while and hee had promised him for to buy him a suit of Clothes : and did alsoe declare that it was his will that Beriah higgens should have the bed that his daughter hannah did lye upon, and a blanket or two: he further told mee that hee did Intend for to have put it in his will, but had forgott it." Samuel Berry, aged 22 years or thereabouts, testified to the same. It is possible that Beriah Higgins went afterward to Eattery, Maine, as one Beriah Higgins witnessed a deed for Gabriel Tetherly, April 18, 1695. _ {York Co. Deeds, Book 6, p. 38). No indication that Beriah Higgins had a wife, family or descendants has been found.

iv. Jemima, b. 1667(?); d. May 8, 1723, m fifty-seventh year. If this age is right, she must have been a twin with Joseph. Jemima Higgins married Nov. 1, 1699, John Mulford, b. Eastham, July, 1670, d. there April 20, 1730, in fifty -ninth year, son of Thomas and Hannah Mulford. Her gravestone is in the ancient cemetery between Orleans and the present Eastham town hall.

d. 1733; son of Thomas and Mary (Snow) Paine. Children Thankful, b. March 14, 1700; PrisciUa, b. Oct. 16, 1701 Philip, b. Nov. 18, 1704; d. April 10, 1725, unmarried Lois, b. Sept. 29, 1705; Abigail, b. Aug. 3, 1707; Hannah, b. Sept. 24, 1709. The marriage of Hannah Higgins to Nicholas Paine is proved by an original deed, dated at Eastham, Jan. 29, 1714-5, an abstract of which is now in possession of Mr. Josiah Paine of Harwich, Mass., which declares that "Nicholas Paine and wife Hannah sell to their brother, Jonathan Higgins, Jr., a parcel of land given by our grandfather, Lieut. Joseph Rogers, in his last will and testament unto our honoured mother, Elizabeth Higgins deceased, both upland and swamp, our own absolute estate. Signed Nicholas Paine, Hannah Paine, her mark. Witnesses. Joseph Doane, Jr., Rebecca

7, James Young, b. April, 1685; d. June 18, 1750, at Truro, Mass.; son of Joseph and Sarah (Davis) Young of Eastham and Truro. Children: Phoebe, b. June 3, 1707; married (1} Judah Dyer, (2) Nathaniel Atwood; Sarah, b. Feb. 2, 1709-10; married Joshua Covell of Truro; Samuel b Dec. 11, 1712; removed to Middle Haddam, Conn., ind there married Rebecca Brainerd; Mary, b. March 25, 1715; married Robert Newcombe; Lvdia, b. Auo- 17 1717- d. m infancy; Lydia, b. Sept. 8, 1718; d. at Marlborough,' Conn., Aug. 11, 1809; married Oct. 13, 1737, John Rich ot Provmcetown, Mass., later of Middletown-Chatham Conn where he d. Aug. 6, 1777. John and Lydia (Young) Rich had among other children Mary Rich, b. April 29 1743, who married Oct. 24, 1765, John Goff, Sr., of Middle

- Haddam, Conn. Hannah, b. Feb. 12, 1719-20; married Reuben O Kelley of Provincetown; Elizabeth, b. Sept II' H??' ^^r':ied Francis Smalley, 3d; James, b. May 30, 1725; married Sarah . ^ ix Rebecca, b. Nov. 30, 1686; d. at Westchester, town of Colchester, Conn., Dec. 25, 1776, "aged 92"; married Aug. 11, 1715, at Eastham, Jacob Hurd, b. Jan. 12, 1695, in Eastham; d. between 1764 and 1776 at Westchester, Conn - son of John Hurd, tailor, of Boston and Eastham, by Deborah, his wife. John Hurd was b. July 17, 1643 at Boston, son of John Hurd, Sr., also a tailor, who came to Boston as early as 1639 and d. there Sept. 23, 1690. John Hurd of Eastham (perhaps in the Harwich part) had a ^ . son John who was the ancestor of the Hurd families who

""^"^Tt-^ J? *^^ ^^^^ ^""^ ^^^^°^- J^cob Hurd of Eastham - and Middle Haddam was the ancestor of the Middle Haddam Hurds, but not of those of East Haddam and Xillmgworth, Conn., who descend from Robert Heard or Hurd of Stratford, Conn. Jacob Hurd had by his wife Rebecca Higgms at least three children: Rebecca, b. about 1718 and married (1) July 10, 1744, James^ Brainerd, b. July 9, 1725, at Haddam, Conn., d. April 16, 1749; married

(2) Sept. 4, 1752, John Rowley of Westchester, Conn., son of John and Dieborah (Fuller) Rowley of Falmouth, Mass., and East Haddam and Colchester, Conn.; Ehzabeth, b. ; married Robinson Wilhams of Colchester;

Jacob, Jr., b. Dec. 17, 1720, at Harwich, Mass. ; d. at Middle Haddam, Conn., in 1811. Jacob Hurd, Jr., married Feb. 28, 1745-6, Thankful Hurlburt. They had five daughters and four sons, Joseph, Jacob, Benjamin and Jesse, who were all active Revolutionary soldiers and sea captains. The son Jacob, b. March 28, 1762, d. at Middle Haddam in 1861 in the hundredth year of his age. In the Hurlburt Genealogy, p. 410, may be found a full account of the families of these nine children of Jacob Hurd, Jr.

xi. Sarah, b. Oct. 18, 1690; married probably April 10, 1717, William Mitchell, only son of William and Mercy (Nickerson) Mitchell, as his second wife.

Authorities: Eastham Vital Records and other documents quoted in Mayflower Des., vol. iii, p. 67; vi, p. 205; vi, p. 15; vii, p. 16; viii, p. 245; xv, pp. 54, 55; ix, pp. 9, 10; Freeman's Hist. Cape Cod, p. 725; Plymouth Colony Probate Records; New York Gen. and Biog. Record, October, 1904; Paine Ancestry, p. 10; N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, vol. xlvii, p. 187; Mr. Josiah Paine of Harwich, Mass., for deed quoted; Vital Records of Middletown, Conn.; Records of Congregational Churches at Middle Haddam and Westchester, Conn.; Records of the Colony of Plymouth, vol. v, p. 246; vol. viii, p. 208; vol. viii, p. 28. For an account of how Jonathan Higgins was forced to resign his rank of Ensign, and for proof of the identity of his second wife, see Plymouth Colony Records, vol. vi, pp. 19-20.

Benjamin Higgins resided at Eastham, probably on lands which had belonged to his father at Pochet, now in East Orleans. On March 2, 1668-9, he was sued at law by Peregrine White for damages of £16 for not paying a debt due him, the said White. The parties came to an agreement, and the suit was withdrawn. On June 1, 1675, he was one of the jury in a trial which had momentous consequences, and an account of it may be interesting. In 1662 Massasoit, Sachem of the Wampanoags, the faithful friend of the Pilgrims, with whom he had kept peace and friendship for forty-one years, was gathered to his fathers. Two ' sons survived him, Wamsutta and Metacom, to whom the names Alexander and Philip had been given at their own request. Alexander succeeded his father as sachem, and his sudden death in 1662 gave the Indians suspicion that he had been poisoned by the English. His brother Philip, then about twenty-three years of age and by nature less inclined than his brother to accept a position of dependence, succeeded him. A policy of conciliation might have won his good will, but the constant nagging to which he was subjected increased his resentment and nurtured in him a sullen distrust. The attitude and measures of Plymouth Colony were arbitrary and high-handed and were admirably adapted to bring about the very state of affairs they were intended to forestall. For a dozen years Philip was intriguing and preparing for war. The least suspicion of intrigue could not long escape the notice of those Indian converts who kept the authorities well informed of all that went on. There had been living among the Wampanoags at Nemasket (near Middleborough) the daughter of whose chief he had married, an Indian convert of the Rev. John Eliot's, named Sassamon, a Natick, "a cunning and plausible man" Hubbard calls him. This man had accompanied PhiUp to Boston as interpreter after the death of Alexander and served him for some time after, but having, it is said, been found guilty of some offense, had again professed Christianity. Associated with Philip on familiar terms, he claimed to have received the sachem's confidences, and betrayed them to the English under pledge of secrecy. His information was not at first much regarded, but Philip, learning in advance of a summons, made haste to Plymouth to free himself from suspicion, and was allowed to return. In the spring of the following year (1675) the dead body of Sassamon was discovered in Assowomset Pond. An investigation led to the belief that Sassamon had been killed while fishing during the winter and his body thrown under the ice. Three Indians were arrested on the evidence of an Indian who claimed to have been an eyewitness of the affair. The three Wampanoags were convicted by a white jury to which had been added several friendly Indians, and executed, utterly denying their guilt, yet the last of them did confess that the other Indians did really murder John Sassamon, and that he himself, though no actor in it, was yet a looker-on. The trial and execution of the three Indians aroused the Wampanoag warriors to madness, and they at once began hostihties.

Thus indirectly Benjamin Higgins was one of the immediate causes of the outbreak known in history as King PhiHp's War. That he was a soldier in the contest is probable in general, and is proved by his inventory, which shows that he possessed the equipment of a trooper, and by the grant to his grandson, Jedidiah Higgins, of a share in Narragansett Township No. 7, now the tovrn of Gorham, Me. These grants were made only to the direct heirs or descendants of men who had served in King Phihp's War.

June 1, 1675, the General Court of Plymouth Colony took the following action: "In answare to a petition prefered to the Court by Benjamine Higgens in the right of his father deceased, to be accommodated with land at Saconett (now Little Compton, R. I.) with the p'tenors and servants there, the Court, generally conceiving that the said Richard Higgens had wronge in that he was not accommodated in the said land with the rest, severall of the p'tenors being p'sent did engage before the Court that in case the petitioner shall and doe make his adresse to the rest of the companie interested in those lands, that they will p'swade them that altho hee can not be supplyed out of the devided land of it, that he may bee competently supplyed in the undevided land thereof."

It is recorded in the ancient town book of Eastham that on July 14, 1664, "Benjamin Higgins hath a mare of a brownish bay color and one white foot, the other three feet partly white, with a white strip on her face, and running broad toward the right nostril, a piece cut out of the top side the near ear, and burn marked with E on the near shoulder." He also had at this time three mare colts.

"The mark of the cattle of Benjamin Higgins is a piece cut off slanting on the fore side of the near ear, and a slit in where the piece is cut out. Entered this 17th April 1680."

Benjamin Higgins was freeman of the Colony probably as early as 1675 and very probably a soldier in King Philip's War. Jan. 7, 1676, he was one of the Grand Inquest. May 5, 1685, he was chosen constable by the towm, and June 2, 1685, was confirmed by the General Court at Plymouth. Sept. 6, 1686, he was chosen juryman for actions at the County Court at Barnstable. June 4, 1688, he was chosen one of the selectmen at Eastham, and again June 3, 1690. "Aug. 26, 1689, The town have chosen Thomas Paine senior, Daniel Doane and Benjamin Higgins for grandjurie men for the remainder of this present year." He was one of the witnesses of the will of John Young of Eastham in 1688 and one of the appraisers of the estate, Feb. 3, 1690-1. The book of land grants of Eastham contains several records of grants of land to him by the town, as follows :

"Richard Higgins sale of land to Benjamin, proving that Richard went to New Jersey, dated at new pascataway in New Jarsey, Nov. 24, 1672." Mrs. Mary Higgins gave her consent to this and other sales (p. 98).

An inventory of the estate of Benjamin Higgins, amounting to £85 in real estate and £206.06.00 in personal estate, was rendered June 19, 1691, and sworn to by Mrs. Lydia Higgins, administratrix, five days later. "Memorandum: that Ichabod Higgins hath already had £10 and a piece of land on which his house stood, appraised at £9." An agreement was made that Ichabod should have in cattle, bedding, boards, shingles and cash £20.05.00; Richard the loom and gears, 7 acres of land, a cutlass, cartridge box, cattle and cash £20.18.00; Joshua a gun, rapier, cartridge box, bedding, wearing clothes, powder and bullets, saddle and cloth, cattle, sheep and cash £20.05.00; Lydia should have cattle, sheep, an iron pot, books, cloth and cash £20; Isaac a gun, ammunition, a cutlass, cartridgebox, bedding, clothing, cattle, sheep and cash £20.05.00; Samuel was to have a gun, sword, cartridgebox, a book, bedding, clothes, ammunition, cattle, sheep and cash £20.05.00; Benjamin was to have two-thirds of the housing and one-third of the lands and meadows; the widow to have her legal third part. She was living Feb. 13, 1706-7, when her brother, Joshua Bangs, willed to her one-eighth part of such personal estate of his as might remain after the death of his wife. Aug. 20, 1711, town of Eastham "Laid out to widdow Lidia Higgins for her natural life and then returns to the town, a parcel of land near the head of Namskaket on the Eastern side of the first lot which is the lot of Daniel Cole Sr." The date of her death is unknown. She married (2) Nicholas Snow.

Samuel Oliver was also a resident of Elizabethtown. His sister, Elizabeth Oliver, on Dec. 25, 1680, married Zerah Higgins, brother of abovesaid Mary Higgins. The probate records of Essex County, N. J., state that Thomas Higgins and Samuel OKver, his uncles, were appointed guardians of Richard Higgins, son of Zerah Higgins. This record is probably the only source of the view, held by the late Professor Wynans, an excellent genealogist, that Mary Higgins married Samuel Oliver. Rev. E. B. Stockton also holds this view, which is adopted in this volume. Another view is that held by Mr. Orra E. Monnette, who states that Mary Higgins married William Looker of Elizabethtown, had a son William and died after Aug. 20, 1682. He bases his view upon the following, a bond on record at Trenton, N. J., dated Aug. 20, 1682, which recites that "We Mary Higgins Spinster and Eliakim Higgins carpenter, both of the Towne of Piscataway in Ye Province of East Jersey do stand & are firmly bounden & obhged unto Richard Smith, Constable, . . . The condition of this obligation is such That Whereas the witliin bounden Mary Higgins and Eliakim hath brought unto the sd Towne of Piscataway a Laime and distracted (insane) woman, the wife of one William Looker, late of Elizabeth Towne, Brewer ..." Later on in the bond she is called Mary Looker. The bond was witnessed by John Gilman and Edward Slater, neighbors of the

Higgins family, and was given to relieve the town of Piscataway from responsibility for her support. In spite of the usual meaning of the word "spinster," Mr. Monnette has published the opinion that the meaning of this bond is that Mrs. Mary (Yates) Higgins, widow of Richard, and her son Eliakim Higgins were here obliging themselves to support her daughter Mary who had married William Looker and had fallen into physical and mental misfortune. The use of the word "spinster" and the fact that Mrs. Mary (Yates) Higgins seems to have been temporarily at Eastham during this very summer and probably at the very month when the bond was signed seem to us to be fatal to Mr. Monnette's interpretation. So, too, is the absence of any relationship stated in the bond as existing between Mary and Ehakim Higgins and the imfortunate Mary Looker. The correct interpretation seems to be that Mary Higgins, who had not yet become the wife of Samuel Ohver, united with her brother Eliakim Higgins in the charitable care of an unfortunate woman not related to them by blood.

Timothy Crane, son of Jeremiah and Susannah (Miller) Crane; Dorcas Conger, b. about 1743, married Nov. 15, 1762, Matthias Burnett, Jr., of Headleytown, N. J., b. Nov. 15, 1739, d. Nov. 29, 1805, and had eight children. X. Abigail, b. .

Authorities: Records at Eastham, Mass., and at Trenton, N. J.; Rev. E. B. Stockton in Newark Evening News of May 5, and May 19, 1917; Mr. OrraE. Monnette in New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, October, 1916, and January, 1917.

5. ELIAKIM2 HIGGINS (Richard^), born Oct. 20, 1654, at Eastham, Mass.; died shortly before June 23, 1698, probably at Woodbridge, N. J.; married May 15, 1684, at Burhngton, N. J., AUce Newbold, baptized Dec. 8, 1654, at Handsworth Woodhouse, County York, England. "Ahce ye wife of Ehakim Higgins departed this life the 13th of November 1692 about two of ye clock in ye morning." (Recorded at Burlington, N, J.) She was the daughter of Michael and Anne Newbold of Handsworth and Eckington. County York, later of .Mansfield townsliip, Burlington County, N. J., on the Delaware River, a few miles below Bordentown.

Eliakim Higgins removed from Eastham to Piscataway with his father in 1669, being then about fifteen years old. In 1677 he received a grant of land and was executor of his father's will with his mother, Mary Higgins, in the same year. In 1678 with his brother Jediah Higgins, he witnessed a sale of land made by Richard Powell.

Aug. 25, 1683, Eliakim Higgins, carpenter of New Piscataway, conveyed to Richard Smith, Jr., 55 acres of land at Dismall, near Woodbridge line. - New Jersey Archives, xxi, p. 165; East Jersey Deeds, D., p. 29.

Feb. 24, 1684-5. Eliakim Higgins of Piscataway conveyed to Robert Fullerton of Middlesex Coimty, 104 acres of land in Piscataway township (near the Raritan River). He sold these lands previous to his marriage to Alice Newbold at Burlington, and probably settled near his father-in-law about the time of that event, for in 1685 he had his Ear Mark for cattle recorded at Burlington. In records of deeds and land surveys from 1685 to 1689 he is called "of Piscataway" and also of "Burhngton County," but was doubtless residing at Mansfield township. In 1684 and 1685 he served on three or four different juries, and Woodbridge is named in connection with this duty, but it is not likely that he was then actually residing in Woodbridge.

Nov. 23, 1692. Eliakiin Higgins buys 40 acres "where he now Uves" from William Emley of Nottingham township, Burlington County. He is described as yeoman and owns land adjoining. - West Jersey Deeds, at Trenton, B, p. 426.

Oct. 20, 1694, he assisted in making the inventory of the estate of John Greene of Mansfield township, and Feb. 8, 1694, was a witness to the marriage of Edward Andrews and Sarah Ong. - New Jersey Archives, vol. xxiii, p. 193.

Jan. 7, 1694-5. Eliakim Higgins of Mansfield township, Burlington County, mortgaged to Peter Resniere of Burlington, shipbuilder, 130 acres of land in Mansfield township, "the boundaries whereof will appear in a deed for the same in the Register office for the county of Burlington." Nov. 7, 1695, this mortgage was paid off or satisfied. - West Jersey Deeds, Liber B, part 2, p. 424.

March 5, 1694-5. Eliakim Higgins of Mansfield township, Burlington County, yeoman, sold to Joseph English of Maidenhead in the same county, yeoman, a plantation of 130 acres in said township, of which 100 acres were bought of Daniel Bacon, May 20, 1685, and 30 acres of William Emsley, Dec. 23, 1692. - New Jersey Archives, vol. xxi, p. 464; West Jersey Deeds, Liber B, part 2, p. 424; Liber B, part 1, p. 112.

As far as records show, Eliakim Higgins purchased no more land. The cause of the sale is unknown; whether it was in preparation for removal, ill-health or other cause, the records yield no information. He was living April 11, 1697, when he witnessed the will of his brother-in-law, James Newbold, and he is mentioned incidentally as an abutter in a deed of June 3, 1697. Within a year of the last date, he had passed to the great beyond. It is said that he died at Woodbridge. If this be true, he may have been there as a visitor or temporary resident. A residence at Woodbridge has been inferred from a record in vol. ix, p. 345, of the probate records at Trenton: "Inventory of the estate of Eliakim Higgins of Woodbridge appraised Feb. 23, 1698-9, by John Langstake and Rene Piatt, alias La Fleure." Estate £8. This record probably proves that he was residing at Woodbridge at the time of his death.

It is stated by Mr. Orra E. Monnette (in New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, January, 1916) that Eliakim Higgins married (2) Mary Hale, born Nov. 28, 1678, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Ilsley) Hale of Woodbridge, and that, being left a widow, Mary married (2) June 4, 1702-3, Moses Rolph, had eleven children by him, and survived her second husband, who died at Somerset, N. J., about April 24, 1746. This marriage seems most improbable, and is not here accepted as a fact. For another explanation, see under Zerah Higgins.

Authorities: Those already cited, and the following: Stillwell's Historical and Genealogical Miscellany, pp. 12, 40-42; New Jersey Historical Society, Proceedings, vol. ii, 3d series, p. 172; Piscataway, Burlington and Woodbridge records; New England Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. xxxi, pp. 83-89.

6. JEDIAH2 HIGGINS {Richard"), born March 5, 1656-7, at Eastham, Mass.; died in Somerset County, N. J., between April 23, 1715, and May 17, 1715; married May 12, 1684, at Burlington, N. J., Mary Newbold, born May 23, 1661, at Eckington, County York, England; died after April 23, 1715; daughter of Michael and Anne Newbold of Eckington, later of Mansfield township, Burlington County, N. J.

His name appears on the records in variant forms, as Jediah, Jadiah, Jodiah, Judiah and Jedidiah. The form of the name as written by later and living descendants is Judiah, but in early records Jediah is the commonest form, and will be adopted as the standard form.

Jediah Higgins removed with his parents from Eastham, Mass., to Piscataway, N. J., in 1669, and was about twelve years of age at the time of their removal. Nothing is known regarding his advantages for an education. He probably had nothing more than what the elementary schools of the day afforded. He resided at Piscataway most of his life, and records give his occupation as cordwainer, which may mean leather-worker, but more probably shoemaker. He occupied a more prominent position in the community than did any of his brothers, and signs are not wanting that he was an intelligent and active man. His name begins to appear on the records within a few years after he reached his majority.

Jan. 1, 1682. The first land record in Piscataway Township Book shows 2 acres of land granted to Jodiah Higgins. Registered June 25, 1682-3. In 1683, or more probably in 1685, he was Ensign of the Piscataway trainband. - JVew Jersey Archives, vol. xiii, p. 16; Journal of the Governor and Clerk of East Jersey, p. 9.

"The Marriage between Jodia Higgins and Mary Newbold, being first published according to Lawe, was Solempnized ye Twelveth day of ye Third Moneth called May, 1684, before Elias ffarre, Robert Stacey Justices and Thomas Re veil Registr. (Witnesses) Joseph Wood, Eliakim Higgins, Tho: Higgins, Margrett Newbold, Mary Pierson, Elizabeth Hull, Sarah Higgins, Elizabeth Revell, Elizabeth Stacey, Hellen Stacey."

Dec. 23, 1683. Jediah Higgins was appointed administrator on the estate of Francis Drake. - New Jersey Archives, vol. xxi, p. 56; East Jersey Deeds, Liber D, p. 340.

Feb. 23, 1688-9. John Gillman of Chohanzy River, West Jersey, sells 33 and 1-2 acres of land in Piscataway to Jediah Higgins. Land joins that of Thomas Higgins on the north. - New Jersey Archives, vol. xxi, p. 269; East Jersey Deeds, Liber F, p. 391.

In 1692 Jediah Higgins served as surveyor of highways in the township of Piscataway. In 1695 to 1698 he was elected at least twice as member of the General Assembly of New Jersey. Writs of election, dated Dec. 2, 1695, and Dec. 1, 1698, of members of the Assembly contain his name and he doubtless served as such in 1696 and 1699, and perhaps at other times, representing the town of Piscataway. About this time he is mentioned as the owner of a tract of 500 acres on the West Branch of the Passaic River. - New Jersey Archives, vol. xxi, pp. 161, 162, 282; East Jersey Deeds, Liber F, p. 565; Elizabethtown Bill in Chancery, p. 89.

June 23, 1698, he was appointed adminstrator on the estate of his brother, Eliakim Higgins of Woodbridge. He was then a resident of Piscataway, but soon removed to Somerset County.

In 1700 he signed with others a petition to the Governor of the Pro\'ince, served on the Grand Inquest for the Superior Court, and again in 1709 was grand juror. About this time he was entrusted with a message to the Governor. - New Jersey Colonial Documents, vol. ii, p. 226; vol. iii, pp. 458, 459, 484.

Some years previous to 1714, probably about 1700 or perhaps in 1703, after the death of Thomas Higgins, his brother, Jediah Higgins removed and fixed his residence near the ^dllage of Kingston, which is about four miles northeast of Princeton. The location of his house in 1714 can be very closely fixed. An act of the New Jersey Assembly in that year fixed the line between Somerset and Middlesex counties as follows: "To begin where the road crosseth the river Raritan at Inian's Ferry and run from thence along the said old road by Jeddediah Higgin's house, leading toward the Falls of the Delaware." The "old road" mentioned in this act is undoubtedly the more northwesterly of the present roads between New Brunswick and Trenton, passing through Franklin Park, Ten-Mile Run, Kingston and Princeton. Previous to 1714 the hne had run more to the eastward from Lawrence Brook (above Trenton) along the Cranbury road. On the old division line map in the Clerk's office at New Brunswick a house is marked just outside Elingston and its owner's name plainly written alongside as Jedediah Higgins. The Evans map in the Congressional Library at Washington indicates by a dotted hne division between the counties of Middlesex and Somerset as following the road from Brunswick through Kingston and Princeton to the Hunterdon line. Thus maps of 1749 and 1766 confirm the line of 1714, which was unchanged until the Revolution, (From an article ''The Southerly Line of Somerset before the Revolution," by Rev. Clifford P. Case, in the Somerset County Historical Quarterly, vol. i, p. 205.) From this location near Kingston the descendants of Jediah Higgins spread into Hunterdon County and adjacent regions. There is no reason to assume any other center of distribution. The will of Thomas^ Higgins, dated December, 1702, mentions lands at Rocky Hill and Millstone River and although he himself never lived there, his son Benjamin appears to have been of Somerset County. Kingston was but two or three miles from the field where the Battle of Princeton was fought, January 3, 1777, and some descendant of Jediah Higgins must have heard the sounds of battle, and may perhaps have participated in the action or seen those who did so.

"April 3, 1715. Jedidiah (sic) Higgins of the Co. of Somerset, province of East Jersey, Yeoman, being sick and weak of body, ... I give to Mary my dearly beloved wife my now dwelling house and one third part of my moveable estate. To my well beloved son Jedediah (sic) 200 acres of land lying at Barnegat Bay, also other land. To my well beloved son James land that runs down to Daniel Cornelius's land. To well beloved sons Miceall and Thomas all the rest of the land belonging to this plantation equally. To well beloved son Joseph 80 lbs when he comes to twenty one years of age. To daughter Mary when she is eighteen or the day of her marriage 50 lbs. My granddaughter Sarah Bloomfield to have 10 lbs. at the age of eighteen. Wife Mary, sons Jedediah (sic) and James executors," ii. Rose, b. Nov. 6, 1686; died before April 23, 1715; married April 2, 1707, Timothy Bloomfield of Woodbridge, son of Ezekiel and Hope (FitzRandolph) Bloomfield. Children: Richard, b. Jan. 4, 1707-8; died May, 1758, at iv. Thomas, born in 1690; living, April 23, 1715. The will of Michael Newbold, dated May 19, 1690, shows that his daughter Mary then had four children. No later mention of Thomas Higgins.

vi. James, b. Aug. 7, 1692; died unmarried between May 10 and May 22, 1718, intestate. His brother Jediah was administrator and his heirs were his brothers and sisters, the five surviving children of Jediah Higgins, Sr. James Higgins served under Thomas Farmer in 1715 as a private. He was probably a resident of Somerset County at the time of his death.

(Ashton) Stout of Middletown, N. J. Freegift and Mary Stout lived at Clover Hill, Hunterdon Co., N. J., and their children were: Jediah, married (license Jan. 13, 1744-5) Philena Chamberlain; Freegift, Jr., married Elizabeth^ Stout, daughter of David^ {Jonathan}, Richard}) Stout and had many children; James, married (1) a daughter of Jacob Mattison, (2) Rachel Higgins; Joshua, married Miss Haines; Obadiah, married Mary McBride; Isaac, bapt. 1740, married (license Sept. 30, 1765) Mary Quimby; Sarah, married Ephraim Oliphant; Mary, married Richard Chamberlain; Rebecca, married Edward Taylor; Rachel, married Richard Rounswell.

Authorities: New Jersey Archives, vol. xxiii, p. 227; Trenton Will Book, vol. ii, p. 16; Piscataway Records in Proceedings, N. J. Historical Soc, Third Series, vol. ii, pp. 172-3; Piscataway Township Book; Union and Middlesex, pp. 586, 592; Authorities cited in the sketch, and Mr. H. E. Deats and Mr. Orra E. Monnette in New York Gen. and Biog. Record, January, 1916.

7. ZERAH2 HIGGINS (Richard'), born June, 1658, at Eastham, Mass.; died at Elizabethtown, N. J., shortly before Dec. 12, 1695, "in his 38th year"; married Dec. 25, 1680, Ehzabeth Oliver, born about 1660; died ; daughter of WilUam

Zerah Higgins came to Piscataway from Eastham with his parents in 1669. After his father's death his mother, Mary Higgins, on April 2, 1677, obtained for Zerah a "Right," that is, a proprietor's share, in the township of Piscataway. Whether he availed himself of its privileges or not, no record we have found appears to tell. Hatfield's History of Elizabethtown asserts that Zerah Higgins was an early settler there. Certainly he married there, and records show that he had land, probably not in large amounts, in Rahway and in Elizabethtown. He died intestate, and letters of administration were granted Dec. 12, 1695, to Thomas Higgins of Piscataway and Samuel Oliver of Rahway. Dec. 21, 1695, the same two men were appointed guardians to Richard Higgins, only son of Zerah Higgins. Inventory of personal estate was £134.15.10§.

In Piscataway records the name of the son is given Jonathan, but when guardians were appointed he is called Richard. Either there is an error in one of these two records, or there were two sons, or one son who went under two different names. The Court record will be followed hereafter, and the son will be called Richard.

Authorities: Piscataway records, as before printed; A^. J. Archives, vol. xxi, p. 226; xxiii, p. 227 (Essex Wills and Middlesex Wills); East Jersey Deeds, Liber F, p. 420; Liber G, p. 297; Hatfield's History of Elizabethtown; Rev. E. B. Stockton.

8. THOI^IAS^ HIGGINS (Richard^), bom January, 1661, in Eastham, Mass.; died Dec. 2, 1702, in Piscataway, N. J.; married July 9, 1690, Elizabeth Hull, born May 5, 1669; died in 1730 or 1731 at Rocky Hill, Somerset Co., N. J.; daughter of Captain Benjamin and Rachel (Yorke) Hull of Piscataway.

With his mother, Mary Higgins, and his brother, Jediah Higgins, he took up land in the first surveys before 1690, and probably about 1683 obtained his first grant of 53 acres, being then 21 years of age. He lived and died at Piscataway and was, beyond question, the most distinguished representative of the Higgins family there. He participated in the civic affairs of the community, holding several offices, was an officer in the local mihtia, and served as administrator of the estates of his friends and neighbors, including that of his relative, Isaac FitzRandolph. He served on the grand jury at Woodbridge in 1684. In 1688-90 he was overseer of highways. In 1692 he was appointed lieutenant of a company of foot in Piscataway and in 1695 he was sheriff. In 1693-4-5 he was elected a deputy to the General Assembly of New Jersey from Piscataway.

Thomas Higgins left a will, dated the day of his death, Dec. 2, 1702, which was proved April 18, 1704. He provided for his mother, Mary Whitehead. He willed that land at Rocky Hill or at Millstone River, should be sold for the benefit of his daughters during their minority; gave his wife Elizabeth his share of the grist-mill for her life, and after her decease to his son Benjamin; gave his goods and chattels to his wafe for her support and "the bringing up of my poore children in reading, writing and other good education. To my son, Benjamin Higgins, all my land lying within Raritan River, etc., my wife to have house and lands during Benjamin's minority." Wife Executrix. John Royce and Edward Slater overseers. (Middlesex Wills, 1, 37.) His wife's father, Benjamin Hull, was a witness to the will.

After the death of Thomas Higgins his widow, Elizabeth, married as his second wife about 1705 Capt. John Harrison, Jr., merchant and soldier, who had come into New Jersey from Flushing, Long Island. He settled first at Elizabethtown in 1701, removed to Piscataway in 1706 and finally in 1718 to Perth Amboy. There he died in 1724, leaving a will dated March 2, 1723^, naming wife, Elizabeth Harrison, son Benjamin Harrison, under age, the latter to become sole executor when of age. Legacies to various Harrison relatives. Desired to be buried near "daughter's grave." He had served many times in the colonial Assembly, but acquired his

Mrs. Elizabeth (Hull) (Higgins) Harrison died in January, 1730-1, at the home-place granted by Thomas Higgins to his mother, Mary Whitehead, in 1702. She left a will dated April 22, 1730, proved Jan. 21, 1730-1, naming sons Benjamin Higgins and Benjamin Harrison, and daughters Sarah Loakison (who had an eldest daughter not yet 18), Grace Harrison, Mary Higgins (probably wife of her son Benjamin Higgins), and Rachel Harrison. She gives legacies to Nancee Harrison and to "my grandson, Edward Higgins," and states that her son Benjamin Harrison has wife Rachel. Her two sons to be executors. Thomas Yates was a witness to this wiU.

ii. Rachel, b. July 16, 1692(?); d. after 1760; married before 1730 her stepbrother, Benjamin Harrison, son of Capt. John Harrison by a first wife, b. after 1702, as he was not of age in 1723-4. This may seem improbable, but his stepmother mentions in her will a daughter Rachel Harrison, , who could not have been of the Harrison blood, as Capt. John Harrison mentions only a son, Benjamin Harrison, and a deceased daughter in 1723-4. Possibly there is an error in the record of the birth of RacheP Higgins. Benjamin Harrison d. between 1731-6, as appears by deeds, and his widow Rachel was living in Perth Amboy as late as 1760, naming her husband Benjamin and the latter's father, John Harrison, in a certain conveyance of land. They had a son John Harrison, who was associated with Surrogate Michael Kearney and owned land in Sussex County, N. J.

vi. Thomas (posthumous), b. 1703; d. before 1730. He was a witness to the will of Andrew Pearce of Middlesex Co., N. J., 1726-7, of which Jediah Higgins was one of the executors.

9. REBECCA2 HIGGINS (Richard^), born July, 1664, in Eastham, Mass.; died at Woodbridge, N. J., before November, 1715; married April 28, 1683 (Piscataway Vital Records), Thomas Martin, born about 1659; died at Woodbridge, N. J., between

John Martin, father of Thomas, had come from Dover, N. H., where he married Esther (or Hester) , daughter of Thomas Roberts, called "Governor" of New Hampshire in 1640, although the colonial government was not then very definite or certain. He was one of the original grantees or associates of Piscataway in 1666.

Thomas Martin remained for a while after his marriage at Piscataway, but removed to Woodbridge about 1696-7. In his will, dated Nov. 20, 1715, he does not mention his wife, hence it may be safely assumed that she was dead. He mentions one daughter, Rebecca Martin, and sons John, Samuel, Isaac, Zechariah, Jeremiah and Gershom. His kinsman, Moses Rolph, to be executor.

10. RUTH2 HIGGINS (Richard^), born about 1672 at Piscataway, N. J.; died after 1709-10; married (1), May 26, 1692 (intention published April 23, 1692), by Justice Samuel Hale, Isaac FitzRandolph of Woodbridge, N. J., born at Barnstable, Mass., Dec. 7, 1664; died at Woodbridge, N. J., shortly before July 2, 1694, son of Nathaniel and Mary (Holloway) FitzRandolph of Barnstable, Mass., and Woodbridge, N. J.; married (2), Sept. 12, 1695, Stephen Tuttle of Woodbridge, born May 20, 1673; died shortly before Feb. 2, 1709-10; son of Joseph^ Tuttle.

Isaac FitzRandolph was the grandson of Edward and Elizabeth (Blossom) FitzRandolph of Scituate and Barnstable, Mass., who about 1669 removed from Barnstable to Piscataway, N. J., where he died. His wife, Elizabeth Blossom, was a daughter of Deacon Thomas Blossom of the Pilgrim churches at Ley den, Holland, and Plymouth, Mass. Deacon Blossom intended to sail for New England in the Speedwell or the Mayflower, 1620, but was prevented by sickness of his son. He returned to Leyden from Plymouth, England, but about ten years later came to New England, settUng in Plymouth, where he died in 1632.

Isaac FitzRandolph died in June, 1694, as on July 2, 1694, administration on his estate was granted to his widow Ruth, her brother Thomas Higgins being surety. She was Isaac's second wife, his first being Martha, daughter of Wilham Bingla, whom he married Sept. 18, 1690. Martha died Aug. 1, 1691.

Stephen Tuttle was constable of Woodbridge in 1697 and owned a house-lot there. He is called "of Woodbridge, cordwainer." He left a will, proved Feb. 2, 1709-10, wherein are named wife Ruth, sons Timothy, Joseph, Stephen and Samuel, all under age, cousins Samuel and John Cooper of Newark, and kinsman, Theophilus Munson of New Haven. One of the witnesses was Moses Rolph.

11. SARAH2 HIGGINS (Richard^), born about 1673 at Piscataway, N. J.; died after 1703; married Oct. 26, 1693 (Woodbridge Vital Records), by Justice John Bishop, Samuel Moore, born March 31, 1670; died March, 1703; son of Samuel and Mary (Ilsley) Moore of Woodbridge.

The Moore family originated in Newbury, Mass., and SamueP Moore came to Woodbridge as early as 1667-8. He was a distinguished citizen there, occupying positions of honor in the community.

Samuel Moore, husband of Sarah Higgins, left a will, dated March 26, 1703, proved April 2, 1703, in which he is called "of Woodbridge." He mentions wife Sarah, whom he makes sole executrix, four children, and recites bequests to brothers-in-law, Stephen Tuttle and Samuel Hale.

iv. Rachel, b. Sept. 17, 1702 (or May 26, 1701). There is a remote possibility that it was she who became the wife of Benjamin Harrison, son of Capt. John Harrison, rather than RacheP Higgins, daughter of Thomas^ and Elizabeth (Hull) Higgins.

12. JONATHAN^ HIGGINS {Jonathan', Richard}), born "latter end of August," 1664, at Eastham; died there between Nov. 2, 1753, and June, 1754; married at date unknown, but probably after May 3, 1687, Mrs. Lydia (Sparrow) Freeifan, daughter of Capt. Jonathan and Rebecca (Bangs) Sparrow and widow of William Freeman.

Jonathan Higgins, Jr., took the oath of fidelity at Eastham, probably as early as 1685 (Eastham Town Records), and he took the oath of freeman, June 24, 1690 (Colony Records). This gave him the right to vote for Colony officials and to hold office under the Colony. March 26, 1694, he was chosen grand juryman. March 1, 1702-3, he was elected surveyor (inspector) of highways, a town office. In May, 1702, the Town chose twelve men to act in their behalf with respect to dividing the town's common meadow, sedge and hay ground, and Jonathan Higgins, Jr., was one of the twelve. About this time the Town chose a committee to have a deciding vote in regard to grants and divisions of the town's lands. They were called "negative men," and successors were elected at the town meeting from year to year for nearly a century. Jonathan Higgins, Jr., served on this committee nearly continuously from 1715 to 1736. Without its assent, no grant of the town land was valid. He was elected townsman in February, 1707-8. On July 7, 1718, Mr. Samuel Mayo and Jonathan Higgins, Jr., were appointed a committee by the Town to build a house for Rev, Samuel Osburn. He was also one of the distributors of the estate of Simon Crosby, Aug. 5, 1719, and one of the appraisers of the estate of George Shaw, May 19, 1720. In the town records of March 9, 1723-4, he is called "Deacon Jonathan Higgins," apparently for the first time. Without doubt he was deacon of the ancient First Church of Christ in Eastham-Orleans, but the loss of the church records for this period makes it impossible to say when he was elected to the office. He doubtless served in the office until his death, as was the custom in those days. He took the inventory of Richard Sparrow's estate in May, 1728, and of

Jonathan Sparrow's in 1740. In 1733 and again in 1735 he was moderator of the town meeting. In April, 1739, Deacon Jonathan Higgins was one of the committee appointed to invite Rev. Joseph Crocker to settle in the ministry over the First Church of Christ in Eastham. This the reverend gentleman accepted.

"Nov, 2, 1753. Jonathan Higgins conveyed to his son Samuel Higgins, carpenter, several parcels of land in Eastham, on the southerly side of Cedar Swamp, southeast from Joseph Rogers's house, called Pochy sedge flats, all for £40 lawful money. Recorded March 18, 1755."

Deacon Higgins left no will and there is nothing on the Probate Records at Barnstable at present to show who his children and heirs were, neither are they recorded on the town records. Hence the list of his children has to be conjectural, there being record evidence for Samuel and Jonathan only. Some have given him sons Joseph and James, but we find no evidence for such. The daughters here assigned to him may not have been his.

"July 26, 1703. Granted by the Town of Eastham at a Town meeting to Jonathan Higgins, Jr. Land in sd Eastham, at pochy flatt or Sedge ground near Samsons Hand, being the third lot as they were laid out" (p. 164).

"April 5, 1706, Recorded. Granted by the Town of Eastham to Jonathan Higgins Jr., Joseph Higgins and Elisha Higgins all of Eastham in the County of Barnstable a parcel of land (by way of exchange) a parcel of upland lying and being at a place called the barley neck adjoining the land of Jonathan Linnell near his dwelling house . . . bounded northerly by Luuiell's barn . . . this land is granted to the sd Jonathan, Joseph and Elisha Higgins to have and to hold forever . . . beginning at the northeasterly corner of that parcel of land which was the houselot of Jonathan Higgins Senior" (p. 198).

"April 13, 1706. Recorded to Jonathan Higgins Jr. a piece laid out to the southeasterly of his dwelling house . . . runs southeasterly to a rock on ye hill by the way side, from there southerly to a rock by the cedar swamp. All these four mentioned parcels of land set forth and granted by the town of Eastham to the particular persons forementioned, in was of exchange for their beforementioned specified land at Samsons Hand." One of the persons was Jonathan Higgins, Jr. (p. 200).

"Granted to Jonathan Higgins Jr. of Eastham land in consideration for the land he let John Paine have near the barley neck on the Towns account to exchange for Samson's Hand as may appear by the deed and record, lying and being in Sd Eastham near the now dwelling house of sd Jonathan Higgins on the southern

From the references in the records to Jonathan Higgins, Jr., some inferences as to his character and standing may safely be made. He was a man active in town and church, of sound sense, good judgment and eminent fairness. These qualities led to his being entrusted with matters which required tact, honesty and sagacity. We cannot doubt that he possessed all of these as well as abounding piety and charity.

i. Thankful, b. about 1692. "Thankful Higgins died July 13, 1712, in 20th year." Gravestone in ancient cemetery between the present villages of Orleans and Eastham.

Crowell of Bass Ponds, Yarmouth, b. Oct. 21, 1695. Children: John, Ruth, Jasher, Abner, Shubael, Thomas, Jedidiah, and Jean, born 1721 to 1736.

Authorities: Mayflower Des., vol. viii, p. 3; ix, p. 4; xi, p. 234; xiv, pp. 3 and 76; xvi, pp. 142-3; Records of the Colony of Plymouth, vol. vi; Records of Eastham; Some ancient deeds belonging to the late Jonathan Higgins, Esq., of Orleans, copied in abstract by Mr. Josiah Paine of Harwich, Mass.

Joseph Higgins was made freeman of Plymouth Colony about 1690. Muster Rolls in the State Archives at Boston show that Joseph Higgins served in Capt. John Gorham's Company in 1690, on the expedition to Canada. In that expedition Captain Gorham had command of the "whaleboat fleet," without which the expedition would have proved still more disastrous than it was. Many whalemen and sailors from Cape Cod manned these boats, and doubtless Joseph Higgins served in this capacity. He witnessed the will of Thomas Williams on May 10, 1692, and also that of

Major John Freeman on June 1, 1716, and was an appraiser of certain estates in 1720. There is a bond of arbitration, dated Jan. 10, 1726-7, wherein Joseph Harding, agent for the town of Eastham, and Thomas Doane agree upon Mr. Joseph Higgins and Samuel Stuart, both of Chatham, as arbitrators.

Joseph Higgins continued to be a resident of Eastham until May 26, 1720, at least. When he became a resident of Chatham is unknown, but it was in the latter years of his life. Administration on the estate of Joseph Higgins of Chatham was granted to the widow, Ruth Higgins, on May 21, 1729. He probably had not been long deceased. Unfortunately there is no mention of his children or heirs in connection with the settlement of the estate, and existing vital records of Eastham or Chatham contain no mention of them.

Among the old deeds belonging to the late Jonathan Higgins, Esq., of Orleans, as reported by Mr. Josiah Paine of Harwich, was one which read in part as follows: "Joseph Higgins Junr sells to Jonathan Higgins Junr for two pounds and ten shillings all the parcell of land lying in sd Eastham at the westerly side of barley neck both upland & cedar swamp to me belonging & also all the right of my brother Beriah Higgins thereto belonging, which I bought of him, being all and singular that parcell of upland and Cedar Swamp there lying, which our Honoured greatgrandfather, Lieutt. Joseph Rogers, gave to our Honoured grandmother Higgins in his last will and Testament, the whole whereof is six acres. Deed witnessed by William Dyer and Joseph Doane, Junr. Dated June 9, 1714, and acknowledged before Joseph Doane, Justice of the Peace." This deed conveys the identical six acres of land on Barley Neck which Lieut. Joseph Rogers willed to his daughter Elizabeth Higgins. It proves that Joseph Higgins, Sr., had at least two sons, Joseph and Beriah, both of age in 1714.

"Granted to Joseph Higgins by the Town of Eastham two acres adjoining his other land, on the southerly side of the highway that goes from his house to Major Freeman's. March 21, 1701-2" (p. 162).

"Joseph Higgins had a grant of land in exchange for the land he let John Paine have at barly neck, in order to exchange with sd John Paine for land at Samson's Hand. Granted land is near the now dwelling house of Joseph Higgins. April 6, 1706."

land where he now Hves . . . near Benjamm Wixam, also another parcel of land laid out to the said Joseph Higgins on the South side of Elisha Higgins lot and other land near Samuel Mayo's. Land laid out to Joseph Higgins Sr for his tenement lot in little Skaket neck, it being the fifth lot and lying on the eastern side of the fourth lot which is the lot of Ichabod Higgins" (p. 67).

March 11, 1705-6. Joseph Higgins elected tithingman. May 12, 1713. Joseph Higgins, Senior, to have the wood left on the tenement lot of Mercy Mayo. March 10, 1714-5. Joseph Higgins Senior, chosen surveyor of highways. April 8, 1717. Joseph Higgins, Senior, to serve on the grand jury. March 23, 1718-9, chosen fence viewer. Jan. 13, 1719-20, chosen surveyor of highways.

iii. Ruth, b. Sept. 11, 1700; married Oct. 11, 1716, Ebenezer Steward (or Stewart) of Chatham, Mass., son of Hugh and Wait Stewart of Yarmouth. He died in 1728 and she married (2) James Eldredge. (See Addenda.)

Authorities: Muster Rolls in Massachusetts Archives; Barnstable County Probate Records, vol. iv, p. 491; Mayflower Des., vol. iii, p. 179; Mr. Josiah Paine of Harwich, Mass.; Mr. William C. Smith of Chatham, Mass., author of History of Chatham.

14. ELISHA^ HIGGINS {Jonathan^, Richard}), born about 1677-1679 at Eastham; died there shortly before Aug. 7, 1750; married (1) Sept. 30, 1701, Jane Collins, born March 3, 1684-5, at Eastham; died at date unknown, possibly in 1738; daughter of Joseph and Ruth (Knowles) Collins of Eastham, and granddaughter of Richard and Ruth (Bower) KJnowles; married (2) died December, 1744, in sixty -third year (gravestone. Ancient Cemetery, Eastham), possibly widow of John Brown who died at Eastham in 1730; married (3), April 4, 1746, Mrs. Rachel Hopkins of Harwich, who probably married (3) (int. July 20, 1751) Mr. Theophilus Mayo.

Elisha Higgins resided at Pochet (now East Orleans), probably on lands that had belonged to his father. February, 1707-8, he was proposed as townsman, but for some reason not admitted until May 12, 1713. Dec. 30, 1717, he was chosen to serve on a "jury of Tryalls at Inferior Court of Common Pleas & General Sessions of the Peace," and again Oct. 15, 1729. Oct. 5, 1726, he was chosen grand juryman, and again Dec. 27, 1731. March 19, 1732-3, he was elected constable. He served as surveyor (inspector) of highways in 1724 and several times afterward.

He never learned to write his name, signing his mark, a "Z," as a witness of the will of George Shaw of Eastham dated Feb. 8, 1718-9. Elisha also signed his own will in the same way. Yet he must have been a man of intelligence, for he was elected to town office and often witnessed wills and made inventories of estates. In 1750 his taxes were abated, probably on account of his disabihty.

"Granted by the town of Eastham to Elisha Higgins a parcel of upland being about half an acre more or less and it is approved by the major part of the men appointed to have a negative vote in disposing of land within sd town: sd parcel of upland lyeth at the southern end of the Swamp with a pond in it which is by the house of Joseph Higgins in sd Eastham and is by sd negative men laid out and bounded (viz) beginning at great white oak marked (?) near Sd Swamp . . . etc." Recorded by John Pain Town Clerk May 2, 1704.

"April 6, 1706. Granted by the town of Eastham to Elisha Higgins (by order of John Paine of sd Eastham in consideration for land conveyed to John Paine by sd Elisha Higgins lying near the barly neck in order to exchange for Sd Town with Sd Paine for land of Sd Paine at Samson's Hand) beginning at a white oak near the land of Barnabas Wixam running then to an oak which is the bound of Joseph Higgins from thence to land of Joseph Higgins . . . this granted land lyes about the house of Sd Elisha Higgins within these boundaries of his former grant."

"May 21, 1711. Granted by the town of Eastham and laid out to Elisha Higgins a parcel of land for his tenement lot - beginning at a saphng marked on the South side of the way that goes along by the Sd Higginses dwelling house."

On Sept. 19, 1749, Elisha Higgins of Eastham, husbandman, made his will. "To wife Rachel all she brought to me when I married her, and my warming pan and frying pans, two washing tubs, my Least Iron Pott and kettle, ray bed and furniture belonging thereto that we now Lodge on, my still and Bellows and one Cow and four sheep, and the Improvement of ye easterly End of my dwelling house from the top to the bottom, my daughter Ruth to have free liberty to live in said house so long as she live a single woman, and the Improvement of one third part of all my Lands, meadows and my two hangers and hand Irons so long as she continues my widow.

"I give to my well beloved Daughter Ruth Higgins my bed and Furniture in the northerly corner of my chamber. To son Elisha, daughter Martha Doane, daughter Else Doane, daughter Apphia Doane, and daughter Elizabeth Mayo, to each of them twenty shillings. To son Philip Higgins all my real estate, my two oxen, sheep, he paying all my debts. To my sons Beriah, Jonathan, Barnabas, and daughter Ruth all my personal estate, equally to be divided among them. Wife Rachel Higgins and son Philip executors. Signed Elisha X Higgins." Will proved Aug. 7, 1750.

Authorities: Eastham Town Records, vol. i, pp. 68, 104, 167; Eastham Land Grants, 1659-1710; Barnabas County Probate Records, vol. viii, p. 387; Eastham Vital Records; Doane Family Genealogy; Mayflower Des., vol. v, p. 18; viii, p. 3; New York Gen. and Biog. Record, vol. xliv, p. 33.

15. JAMES^ HIGGINS {Jonathan^ Richard^), born July 22, 1688, at Eastham; died there July 11, 1777, "the oldest man in town in the 89th year of his age"; married (1) (date unknown) Sarah Mayo, daughter of Samuel and Ruth (Hopkins) Mayo of Eastham; married (2) at Eastham, Dec. 12, 1726, Sarah Bixbie, born Aug. 3, 1685, at Boxford, Mass.; died at Eastham, Dec. 10, 1774, in ninetieth year; daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Gould) Bixbie of Boxford.

"March 26, 1711. Granted by the town of Eastham to James Higgins land for his plain lot, lying in Eastham near the Cedar Swamp, near the house of his father Jonathan Higgins and is bounded beginning at the Southeastern corner at a stone in the ground which is the southwestern corner of Jonathan Higgins Jr his plain lot . . . from thence North by the highway to the land of Jonathan Higgins Sr., taking in all the land home to the Swamp within sd boundaries, always allowing liberty for any of the inhabitants of this town to cart stuff or timber from the Cedar Swamp lying within sd land at such times and places as may not damnify corn growing on sd land." - Lands and Ways, p. 75.

Cedar Swamp lies in the northwestern corner of the present town of Orleans between the southwestern end of the Town Cove and Rock Harbor on the Bay side of the Cape. This record seems to show that the houses of Jonathan Higgins, Sr., Jonathan Higgins, Jr., and James Higgins were in this locality. If this is correct, it is probable that Jonathan Higgins, Sr., located here after the sale of his first home in 1670-73 and not at East Orleans.

"May 21, 1711. Granted a wood lot to James Higgins between the Grapevine Swamp and the first brooke near Nathaniel Freeman's wood lot" (p. 75).

for ten or twelve acres of land to set a barn and hay yard on, near his dwelling house. March 23, 1718-9. James Higgins chosen to enforce the law against swine. Jan. 13, 1719-20. James Higgins chosen tithingman. January, 1730-1. James Higgins chosen juror. March 8, 1735-6. James Higgins chosen constable. Dec. 31, 1751, James Higgins chosen moderator of the town meeting, and again in 1759. In 1752 he was chosen selectman, and probably served as such until 1759. March 1, 1762, he was chosen "negative man," the last town office he is known to have held. His will, dated Dec. 6, 1775, mentions grandson Hezekiah Higgins and daughter Dorcas Taylor, also deceased daughters, Rebecca, wife of Thomas Rogers, and Hannah, wife of Benjamin Higgins. The inventory of his estate, amounting to about £600, mentions a Bible, Dr. Watts on Orthodoxy and Charity and other books on divinity. The gravestones of James Higgins and his wife Sarah may be seen in the cemetery at Orleans, near the Congregational Church.

Ichabod Higgins resided at Eastham all his life and was a farmer. He was also a considerable land owner and some of the deeds of land he bought are still in existence. The site of his first homestead, bought prior to his marriage, is probably indicated by the following:

"I Daniel Cole of Eastham for £7, 14, 0 to me paid by Ichabod Higgins have granted to said Ichabod a parcel of upland in Eastham at a place called pochet on the westerly side next the Town Cove, adjoining to my land where I the sd Daniel do now dwell, seven acres more or less to the westward of my now dwelling house. Dated March 17, 1689-90. Recorded May 22, 1706 in Bk. 5, fol. 17, Barnstable Comity Deeds."

"Zachariah Sias Indian of Eastham conveys to Ichabod Higgins parcel of marsh ground and upland lying at Machquesset in the constable writ of Eastham, bounded west by Thomas Mayo, on the other sides by land of Indians. Dated Oct. 15, 1695. Acknowledged Feb. 11, 1695-6. Recorded May 22, 1706 in Bk. 5, fol. 77, Barnstable County Deeds."

"July 26, 1703. Granted by the town of Eastham to Ichabod Higgins, Richard Higgins and John Atkins land in the town flats, the 19th lot m the middle flat."

"Thomas Mayo son of Mr. John Mayo of Eastham sold to Ichabod Higgins for £6 current pay land on the great or stage flats, the 13th lot on sd flat. Dated April 12, 1704. Recorded May 22, 1706 in Bk. 5, fol. 72, Barnstable County Deeds."

"March 26, 1711. Granted by the to\\Ti of Eastham to Ichabod Higgins land near the sd Higgins's dwelling house, near the land of Thomas Smith."

"May 21, 1711. Laid out to Ichabod Higgins of Eastham a parcell of land for his tenement lot, four acres at little Skaket Neck, it being the fifth lot as they were laid out."

"John Knowles Senr of Eastham yeoman for £60 lawful money paid by Ichabod Higgins conveys to him all his parcels of land in Eastham situated at a place called Weset, two four-acre lots there laid out, bounded as may appear in the Town Book of Records of Lands. Dated Feb. 21, 1712-3. Recorded Jan. 4, 1714-5 in Bk. 7, fol. 268, Barnstable County Deeds."

"Samuel Mayo of Eastham yeoman conveys to Ichabod Higgins of the same town, wheelwright, three tracts or parcells of meadow or sedge ground lying in Eastham on Nauset flats (descriptions and bounds follow). Dated Sept. 30, 1713. Recorded Jan. 4, 1714-5 in Bk. 7, fol. 274, Barnstable County Deeds.

The last deed shows that Ichabod Higgins was a wheelwright as well as a farmer. This occupation carried with it blacksmith's work also, and we find that Ichabod's son Thomas was a blacksmith. Ichabod was a freeman of the Colony and in February, 1707-8, was a townsman of Eastham. On March 17, 1700-1, it is recorded that he was chosen grand juryman. In May, 1725, Mr. Ichabod Higgins's house was one of the places appointed by the towTi for sheep shearing. This house was not located on the land he bought of Daniel Cole in 1690, but at a place called Wesset or Weset, and is located by an old deed, as follows:

"John Sturgis and James Otis both of Barnstable and Samuel Sturgis of Boston for £115 sold to Edmund Freeman of Eastham 'all our Interest, Right and Title to a certain Peice of Land that was Ichabud Higgins Deceased and is Lying in Eastham aforesd adjoyning to the southerly side of the Dwelling House yt sd Deceased used to Leve in and adjoyns on the Northerly side of Joshua Hopkins his Land and adjoyning on the southerly side of it the Road that leads down to Wesset and is bounded on the North East End in the Range of a Parcell of Land that Jonathan Smith bought of John Higgins Takeing part of the House and orchard as may appear By John Higgins deed to Thomas Higgins. Dated March 24, 1749.' " Pratt in his History of Eastham, Wellfleet and Orleans, p. 152, says: "The land between Barley and Tonset Necks and which terminates in Woods Neck is called Pochet. Northeast of Pochet near the ocean is a small neck of land about fifty acres called Weeset. It is separated from Tonset by a cove. Tonset is the east side of the town cove. These several necks constitute a peninsula which is denominated Pochet."

John Higgins was appointed administrator on the estate of Ichabod Higgins on July 5, 1728. In the estate there was a bond (probably promissory note) payable to Isaac Hinckley of Barnstable. On March 27, 1736, said Hinckley brought a suit for this bond and recovers Judgement against John Higgins mariner and Thomas Higgins blacksmith, both of Eastham. (File No. 44330, Superior Court of Judicature.) This would indicate that Ichabod Higgins had a son Thomas whose birth is not on record, probably born about 1703. This is made a certainty by an old deed which will be given in its place under Thomas Higgins.

Mr. W. B. Snow of Maiden, Mass., after a study of the records of Barnstable and Plymouth County towns, by which he endeavored to identify all women bearing the rare Christian name, Melatiah, from the beginnings to well past the first quarter of the eighteenth century concluded that the only Melatiah who could have been the wife of Ichabod Higgins was Melatiah Hamblen, born July 1, 1668, at Barnstable, daughter of John and Sarah (Bearse) Hamblen of Barnstable. This seems probable, and his study would amount to a demonstration if it could be shown that no Melatiah had escaped his notice. He also concludes that Richard Higgins, brother of Ichabod, married Sarah Hamblen, sister of Melatiah. No record supporting either conjecture is known.

iii. Thankful, b. Aug. 24, 1696; married April 15, 1714, James Robens or Robbins, son of John Robens of Harwich and brother of Samuel Robens of the same town. (This relationship is proved by a deed in the Nye collection, dated Oct. 13, 1713, wherein Samuel Robens conveys to James Robens land in Harwich which he had of his father, John Robens, in return for the release from the obligation to maintain their father and mother, which had been Samuel's but was then assumed by James. Recorded Oct. 15, 1714, in Book 7, folio 61.) James Robens died in 1717. Child: Joseph, b. May 5, 1714.

daughter of Jolm and Sarah (Bearse) Hamblen of West Barnstable. She survived him and married (2) Nov. 15, 1732, Lieut. John Cole of Eastham.

Mr. W. B. Snow of Maiden, Mass., is of the opinion that the wives of Ichabod and Richard Higgins were Hamblen sisters, as here stated. This may be true, but the conjecture (there is no direct evidence for it) does not wholly agree with the will of John Hamblen, their father, dated Jan. 3, 1714-5, nor with that of John Hamblen, Jr., their brother, dated April 10, 1734, both on record at Barnstable.

"A parcel of land laid out to Richard Higgins upon pochett containing 4 acres more or less lying on the easterly side of a lot of land which was his father's formerly Jonathan Sparrow's and at the southerly end of a parcel of land which was granted to his father; etc. April 3, 1693" (p. 95).

"Granted by the town of Eastham May 21, 1711 and laid out to Richard Higgins of Sd. Eastham ... a parcel of land for a wood lot - 6 acres - on the northerly side of the first brooke and on northerly side of Nathan Sparrow's wood lot" (p. 19).

"Mar. 26, 1711 - Granted to Richard Higgins land lying south of his other land where he now lives - also land for a tenement lot being in Eastham in Rock-harbour neck near Elisha Young's."

"Town meeting at Eastham March 11, 1705-6 (Book II, p. 3). Richard Higgins one of a committee to decide some plan in regard to Samson's Island. John Paine was principal proprietor of that Island. The town shall grant to John Paine about six or seven acres of upland about Tonset between the land of Daniel Cole Sr, and ye pond called the millpond (near the present Nauset Heights) and the town shall grant to . . . (Joseph and Elisha Higgins?) seven acres somewhere near the houses of Joseph and Elisha Higgins where the negative men shall judge convenient and that the town grant to Jonathan Higgins Jr. about two acres and twothirds of upland adjoining to his land near his dwelling house and that the tovm exchange the land which now belongs to Jonathan, Joseph and Elisha Higgins lying in pochy where the house of Jonathan Higgins Sr. formerly stood, giving to them as much land across the upper end of the land of Jonathan Linnel, where sd Linnels house now is." Meeting adjourned to March 25, 1705-6, when the negative men should lay out land to John Paine & the rest of the proprietors of Samson's Hand.

"March 21, 1709-10. Richard Higgins chosen selectman. Feb. 7, 1710-11. Richard Higgins chosen one of a committee. June 22, 1726. Richard Higgins chosen to serve on jury at Barnstable. March 10, 1728-9. Richard Higgins chosen hog-reeve. Oct. 15, 1729. Richard Higgins chosen to serve on the Jury of Tryalls at Barnstable County Court."

The will of Richard Higgins is dated March 24, 1732, and was proved May 25, 1732. "Very sick and weak, but of perfect mind and memory." Mentions wife Sarah; gives to son Joshua land at Rock Harbour Neck; mentions sons Theophilus, David and Reuben. To son Moses "all my messuage and tenement whereon I now dwell, with all appurtenances, with one pair of oxen and a plow, excepting use and improvement of one-third part thereof to his mother during her life. To sons Eleazer, Jedidiah and Reuben £30 each. To sons Reuben and Moses and to daughter Abigail Higgins, to each of them one feather bed and suitable furniture. Wife Sarah and son Joshua executors." Inventory taken May 25, 1732, showed an estate of £1292. 4. 1.

Authorities: Eastham-Orleans Vital Records; N. E. Hist, and Gen. Register, vol. vi, p. 45; Freeman's Cape Cod, vol. ii, p. 388; Mayflower Des., vol. ix, p. 8; Barnstable Co. Probate Records, vol. V, p. 36.

18. JOSHUA^ HIGGINS {Benjamin^, Richard^), born Oct. 1, 1668, at Eastham; died there after May 3, 1757; married (1) probably (date not found) Elizabeth Smith, born Feb. 24, 1668;

In 1690 Joshua Higgins served in Capt. John Gorham's company in an expedition to Canada. March 16, 1702, he was chosen grand juryman by the town of Eastham. March 9, 1708-9, he was chosen constable; March 14, 1710-1, and Jan. 13, 1719-20, was chosen to serve as juryman. On the latter date he was "chosen to represent them at the General Court at Boston; declared his non-acceptance." He again served in 1724, 1726, 1729 and 1730 as juror, sometimes at the County Court. May 13, 1730, he was again chosen as Representative to the Great and General Court, and probably this time accepted. He received grants of land from the town of Eastham in 1703 and 1711. It is evident from ancient deeds that he lived in the southern part of Eastham, now South Orleans, near Portanimicutt and had frequent dealings with the Indians Uving there. He also had land in Harwich, between South Orleans and Cliff Pond. On Jan. 22, 1721, Samuel Knowles, Jr., and Elisha Hopkins, both of Eastham, sold to Joshua Higgins of Eastham "one parcell of upland lying in Harwich on the southern side of the river, near the now dwelling house of sd Joshua Higgins." On Feb. 17, 1737-8, Elisha Hopkins of Chatham sold to Joshua Higgins, Sr., of Eastham thirty-six acres of land "lying in Harwich, southward from Potanumacut River." Another deed is of more importance and is given in full. It made final disposal of Joshua Higgins's estate, and is equivalent to a will.

"To all people, etc. Know ye that I Joshua Higgins of Eastham For Three Hundred pounds Currant money paid by Jonathan Ken wrick of Harwich, Physition, Have sould - all and singular my housing Lands and meadows Swamp miU and stream &c Now in my possession or is or aught To be mine within the sd County of Barnstable - sd housing Lands meadows swamps & stream Lying Chiefly in Eastham & Harwich and are as follows. Viz. my Dwelling House wherein I now Live with the Lot of Lands whereon it Stands with all other Buildings that are thereon & all the apurtenances that appertain thereto - also my Rights & Title In the Grist mill that stands near my sd Dwelling house as also in the Stream on which it Stands - also all my lands on the Southward of sd Stream viz. Begining By sd Stream to the westward of sd INIill at the Range that Heretofore parted Between sd Kenwrick and myself so Running in sd Range untill it comes to the way that Leads to Namecoick neck & then easterly by sd way until it comes to a Cedar Swamp thence Running as the Swamp Runs on the northerly part untill it comes to John Yates Lands thence Easterly By sd Yates Lands until it comes to Namacoick thence northerly in sd Namacoick range untill it comes Into the River & thence as sd River runs untill it Come to the first Specified Range also two Lots of meadow at or near moniment plains In Eastham Bounded as thear Respective Deeds to me will Demonstrate also Two pieces of wood land in Harwich one near to Nathaniel Gould Junr Dwelling House & the other on the Eastern side the Clift ponds partly ajoyning ye sd Ken wrick's Land on ye East & ye pond on ye north & south west as also my whole Eaighth part of Cedar Swamp in Harwich near Eleazer Rogers : in partnership with sd Eleazer Rogers & sd Jonathan Kenwrick & others With all other my property of Real Estate In sd County of Barnstable with all the rights & privelege appertaining to the whole. 13 March 1750-50 (sic)

Joshua Higgins

Higgins Sign Seal ye within Instrument and at same time signed themselves. Nathanl Stone Ju. Justice Peace. Acknowledged July 23, 1751. Recorded July 31, 1751, in Book 23, folio 112. Solomon Otis Regr."

"To all people - Know that I Mary Higgins of Eastham wife to Joshua Higgins Sener of sd Eastham for Divers Considerations & for that my sd Husbands Real Estate Hath Divers Charges against it for Debt But more Especially for fifty pounds money To me Truly paid by Jonathan Kenwrick of Harwich physitian - Do Quit my Claime Right of Dower in the whole of the Real Estate which my sd Husband Joshua Higgins hath given sd Ken-

"Testimony of James Higgins and Moses Bixby. Joshua Higgins of Eastham demanded one-tenth of Estate of Mr. Joseph Bixbee of Boxford, deceased Estate through his wife who was daughter of Deceased 19 July 1727-8" (files 21407 and 164458).

Joshua Higgins is supposed to have married first Elizabeth Smith, daughter of John Smith, because he (Joshua Higgins) signed Oct. 26, 1696, receipts as one of the heirs of John Smith. - Barnstable Probate, vol. ii, p. 29.

It is probable that Joshua Higgins survived until after May 3, 1757. The following document, preserved among the papers of Capt. E. F. Small of Danvers, Mass., proves that he did so survive, if the signatures are to be interpreted exactly. The signers were Joshua Higgins, Jr., nephew of Joshua, Sr., and Joshua Higgins, 3d, his grandnephew.

"Know all men - that we Joshua Higgins Jr and Joshua Higgins the third of Eastham yeomen for £43.6.8 paid by Eleazer Rogers Jr of Harwich yeoman, sell one half part of the schooner Mayflower, burden about twenty tons and about 12 years old with all appurtanances. May. 3, 1757. (Signed) Joshua Higgins Ju""

Joshua Higgins, Sr., was in his eighty-ninth year at the time when this paper was signed, and it is possible that he was ninety or over at the time of his death. He seems to have been in prosperous circumstances and the records show that he had a negro servant (slave).* On May 21, 1737, he filed with the town clerk his intention of marriage with Jane Maker, but both afterwards thought better of it, for in September he was published to Mary "Beaker" and married her as already related. Jane Maker had meanwhMe found another mate, for on Dec. 10, 1737, she was published to Pashela Collins of Eastham.

On Nov. 10, 1701, John Sipson, Indian, of Potanimicutt in Harwich gave twenty acres of land at Cliff Pond to Joshua Higgins. The Indians were his near neighbors, and he appears to have had many dealings with them.

Authorities: Records of Eastham and Harwich; Vital Records of Boxford; Files of the Superior Court at Boston; Deeds and documents in private hands, copied and communicated by Mr. Stanley W. Smith.

19. ISAAC^ HIGGINS {Benjamin\ Richard^), born Aug. 31, 1672, at Eastham; died there between Feb. 12 and March 20, 1760; married (date not found) Lydia Collins, born July, 1676; died after Feb. 12, 1760; daughter of Joseph and Ruth (Knowles) Collins of Eastham.

Isaac Higgins lived all his life at Eastham and was a farmer. He was admitted freeman of the Colony about 1694-5. Voted "townsman" at Eastham, May 26, 1702. March 24, 1717-8, he was chosen tithingman and on March 27, 1723, constable. In May, 1725, his dwelling house was one of the appointed places for sheep shearing. In March, 1729-30, he was elected surveyor (inspector) of highways, and in the years 1729, 1732 and 1733 he served on jury duty.

* " Thomas, negroman of Eastham, servant to Joshua Higgins and Elizabeth Job of Chatham, Indian woman, marriage intention 14 March 1737-8." - Eastham Births (1701-81), p. 225.

man, far advanced in years, make my last will and testament. To Lydia my beloved wife my whole estate for her life. To heirs of my deceased son Benjamin all my wearing apparell in equal proportions. I give them no more because I gave to my son Benjamin a deed of part of my real estate before. To children of my deceased son Isaac the field where the dwelling house of my deceased son Elkanah formerly stood and half a lot of land lying on the northerly side of the place called Yates Creek. Likewise a lot of woodland near Silver Spring harbor and also one note for £10 due from Isaiah Higgins and another from Jesse Cole. To my daughters, Mercy, Sarah, Rebecca, Hannah and Lydia all my moveables equally divided." Inventory £42.11.11.

(int. Aug. 10 or Oct. 10, 1756) Crispe Rogers, Jr., of Harwich. The above is the opinion of Mr. Stanley W. Smith of Boston, against the Treat Genealogy, p. 179, and his authorities are: Mayflower Des., vol. vii, p. 138; viii, p. 243; xiii, pp. 29-30; A'^. E. Historical and Genealogical Register, vol. Ixiv, p. 188; Eastham Births (1701-1781), pp. 206, 233; Chatham Records, vol. ii, p. 112; Muster Roll of Col. Joseph Thatcher's Regt., Massachusetts State Archives, pp. 94-316.

Authorities: Eastham Births (1701-1781), pp. 205-6; Barnstable Probate records for wills of Isaac Higgins and Joseph Collins; Mayfioicer Des., vol. iii, p. 229; vi, p. 204; ix, p. 12; Freeman Genealogy, p. 374; Brewster Mortuary Records, p. 13.

20. SAMUEL^ HIGGINS {Benjamin^, Richard}), born March 7, 1676-7, at Eastham; died there Dec. 10, 1761; married (1) (by Rev. Samuel Treat) Nov. 4, 1703, Hannah Cole, born June 28, 1681; died Feb. 25, 1716-7; daughter of Israel and Mary (Paine) (Rogers) Cole and great-great-granddaughter of Stephen Hopkins of the Mayflower, 1620; married (2) March 20, 1717-8, Thankful Mayo, daughter of William Mayo; married (3) (int. March 12, 1739-40) Elizabeth Harding of Eastham.

Samuel Higgins resided at Eastham and was probably a farmer. He was one of the witnesses of the will of Nathaniel Mayo, Aug. 10, 1715, and gave testimony for the same July 9, 1717. He was elected tithingman Jan. 10, 1727-8, and constable on March 10, 1728-9. March 10, 1730-1, he was chosen surveyor of highways and again March 4, 1733-4. These are all the town offices he is known to have filled. In 1703 land was granted to him on the town flats, but he doubtless possessed other land in Eastham. His four sons, Israel, Theodore, Ichabod and Samuel, all were given lands by the will of their grandfather, Israel Cole, of Barnstable. The three older sons all removed to Connecticut. Samuel died before his father. Only the sons of the second wife remained in Eastham, and one of these may have removed.

is known of this William. It is possible that he was the same as the William Higgins of Medfield, Mass., in 1737, or as the William of Chesterfield, Mass., in 1765, but no evidence to prove the conjecture has been discovered. (See Appendix A, IV.)

died Jan. 21, 1743-4; daughter of Lieut. Edmund and Sarah (Mayo) Freeman of Eastham; married (2) at Truro, June 28, 1749, Mercy (Freeman) Hopkins, born Aug. 31, 1702; died in December, 1786; daughter of Constant and Jane (Treat) Freeman and ^vidow of Caleb^ Hopkins {Caleb^, Gyles'^, Stephen'). She married (3) Dec. 5, 1771, Ebenezer Dyer of Truro.

Benjamin Higgins resided at Eastham. There is a deed, dated Jime 11, 1752, whereby "Benjamin Higgins yeoman of Eastham for ten shillings eight pence sold to Benjamin Higgins the third of Eastham one acre and a quarter of land near my dwelling house, where my orchard now is, bounded beginning at my dwelling house (bounds given) and then runs one pole to the south part of my house." Acknowledged at Eastham, Feb. 20, 1753. This was evidently sold to his son Benjamin for a house-lot, and the deed serves to distinguish the three Benjamin Higginses who were living in Eastham at the same time, the third one being Benjamin, son of Isaac Higgins, who is called Benjamin, Jr.

Sarah Freeman, first wife of Benjamin Higgins, was the mother of all of his fourteen children. Her grandmother, Mercy Prence, was the daughter of Gov. Thomas and Patience (Brewster) Prence, and the granddaughter of Elder William Brewster, who came in the Mayflower in 1620.

July 26, 1703, the town of Eastham granted him land on the Town flat and he had a generous amount of land from his father's estate. He was called Mr. Benjamin Higgins, an indication of better social position than usual. His alliance with the Freeman and Prence families secured this for him.

The will of Benjamin Higgins was dated July 1, 1760, and was proved May 11, 1761. "Benjamin Higgins of Eastham, infirm of body, makes will. To wife Mercy Higgins 160 ounces of silver as her dower, feather bed and furniture, one cow and privilege of pasturing one cow on my land and to cut hay to winter one cow, a room in the easterly part of the house and fire wood brought to her door as long as she remains my widow, with all the personal estate she brought with her at marriage. Legacies to sons Thomas, Paul, Benjamin, Zaccheus, Isaac and Freeman Higgins, to the last three all my lands in Eastham and Harwich, they to pay my wife and son Isaac all the money and rights I have given her and him. To sons Isaac and Zaccheus easterly half of my dwelling house, they allowing my wife the improvement of a room as long as she lives my widow. To Zaccheus, Isaac and Freeman my Barn in equal proportions. To Freeman my cart, and wheels and scow and all my farm tackling. To daughters Priscilla Smith, Sarah Smith, Experience Toby (Foby?) and Lois 'Curkem' (Kircom or Kirkham?) and grandchildren Solomon, Enos (Eunice?), Sarah, Elizabeth and Henry Young. Son Zaccheus executor."

Elijah Smith, son of Jesse, Jr., and Lydia (Gregory) Smith, b. in 1757, d. Oct. 2, 1824, aged 67 years; married Hannah Runkles {?),h. 1745, d. Jan. 18, 1845, aged 96. It is said that her parents were of Scipio, N. Y. The dates are from a Bible record written by Elijah Smith, Jr., in 1859, still in existence. Elijah Smith, Sr., was a Baptist minister. In 1797 he was at Freehold, Albany County (now Greene), N. Y. Later he was of Utica, N. Y. Children: Ruhama, Nelson, Electa, Elijah, Allen, Wealthy, Ephraim, Alpheus, Almon, Miriam.

Fairbury, HI.; married Jan. 1, 1823, Lewis Lee Lane of Cambria, N. Y., afterwards of Hillsdale, Mich., and had four children. Anson, b. June 23, 1803, d. March 14, 1872; married Aug. 26, 1828, Caroline Kent, no children, lived at St. Catherine's, Canada, for some years, then later in or near Olean, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y. Harvey, b. Feb. 23, 1805, in Herkimer Co., N. Y.; d. March 22,

1887, at Springville, Erie Co., N. Y.; married March 4, 1831, Lucy Whitcher (Whit tier) and had five children, all of whom died young; lived at St. Catherine's, Canada, and in Michigan, returned to Lockport, N. Y., and later went to Springville, N. Y., where he died. Philo Hackley, b. March 3, 1807, at Utica, N. Y.; d. Jan. 15, 1875, at Mottville, St. Joseph Co., Mich.; married Sept. 9, 1831, Cornelia Hart of Bergen, Genesee Co., N. Y.; resided in Le Roy and Cambria, N. Y., St Catherine's, Canada, and Cass Co., Mich.; was a member and deacon of the Baptist church for many years; had issue. Stephen, b. Feb. 21, 1809, d. Aug. 17, 1830, unmarried. Betsey, b. May 12, 1811, married Nov. 10, 1831, Otis Brooks. Lydia, b. April 22, 1813, d. July 24, prepared herself at Lima, N. Y., to be a missionary teacher and left New York in the ship Crescent City March 20, 1851, for Oregon with four other young lady teachers, under the protection of Mr. Thurston, a delegate to Congress from that territory. She was supposed to have been slaia by Indians. No account of her death or experience ever reached her family.

Authorities: Barnstable Co. Probate Records, vol. xii, p. 153; Eastham Births (1701-81), pp. 209-10; Mayflower Des., vol. y, p. 144; vii, p. 15; viii, pp. 65-69; xvi, p. 1; Jesse Smith and his Descendants; Neiv York Biog. and Gen. Record, vol. xxxiv (1904), pp. 260-62. The will of Benjamin Higgins has been printed in full and verbatim in Mayflower Descendant, vol. xviii, p. 189, from the original, now owned by Mr. George C. Higgins. It was also recorded in vol. xii, p. 153, of the Barnstable County Probate Records. This recording proves that the will was probated.

22. GERSH0M3 HIGGINS (Eliakim\ Richard^), horn Jan. 5, 1689-90, probably at Mansfield township, Burlington co., N. J.; died about January or February, 1758, at Elizabethtown, N. J.; married Mary , who survived him.

Gershom Higgins is mentioned in the will of his grandfather, Michael Newbold, dated May 19, 1690. In 1711 and in 1716 he was of Woodbridge, and a member of the church there. Later he removed to Elizabethtown, where he appears to have spent the rest of his days. On Jan. 10, 1746-7, he was appointed administrator on the estate of his son, William Higgins, deceased. He was a blacksmith. His will, dated Sept. 14, 1751, was proved Feb. 18, 1758 (Trenton, N. J., F. 517). It shows that he owned seven acres of land near Oyster Creek and also homestead land adjoining the late Rev. Mr. Dickinson, Cornelius Hatfield and the highway.

23. JEDIAH3 HIGGINS (Jediah^ Richard'), born April 11, 1691; died Jan. 19, 1772, in his ninety-first year; married about 1715 Hannah Stout, born March 29, 1694 (?), at Middletown, N. J.; died Ju|j' 14, 1779, in eighty-seventh year; daughter of Jonathan and Hannah (Bollen) Stout of Middletown, N. J.

Jediah Higgins was a farmer and Uved at Kingston, N. J. He was prosperous, and his will shows that he owned seven negro servants or slaves. In 1715, the probable year of his marriage, he served as a sergeant under Thomas Farmer. He was executor of his father's estate. The gravestones of himself and his wife Hannah, and those of his son Joshua and the latter's wife, are extant in a private burial place, situated within the limits of his farm, known as the Higgins burying ground, near Kingston, N. J.

"I Jediah Higgins of Kingston in the Corporation of New Brunswick in Middlesex County, yeoman, weak in body, do make, etc. this my Last will and Testament. To wife Hannah I give that part of my plantation where on I now live (particular bounds are described), also one negro wench Dinah and two negro boys, Cesar and Peter. To son Joseph but £5, a farm of 383 acres having been sold to him at less than cost. To son Joshua a part of the homestead tract. To daughter Ann Davison, wife of Robert Davison of Monmouth Co., and to her daughters Ann and Rachel one negro wench, Dorothy. To daughter Mary Stout one negro wench Katherine. To daughter Rachel Stout one negro wench, Susannah. To daughter Hannah Gulick negroes Margaret and Silas. To son Jonathan. Wife and sons Jonathan and Joshua to be executors. Son Joseph trustee."

A codicil is dated June 23, 1768. "To Jonathan Higgins onefourth of my plantation and lands lying at Barnegat near the Great Bay as' by the Patent will more at large appear, and also I give to my son Joseph Higgins another fourth part of said tract, and if Hannah Gulick my daughter die before my negro boy Silas arrive to the year 1790 my Executors are to put him to any of my own family as is then living, at the discretion of my sd Executors. I hereby order that the land I bought of Jacob Binge lying and being near Kingston near Millstone River be sold immediately after my decease. My will is that my negro girl Catherine and negro boy Santo live with my wife as long as she lives, then disposed of like the others, to live with any of my children they choose. My daughter Ann wife of Robert Davison being deceased, the negro and the monej^ are to go to her daughters Rachel and Ann Davison, share and share alike. Sworn at Trenton April 17, 1772. Jonathan Higgins and Joshua Higgins executors."

deceased, conveys to John Brown of Amboy in Middlesex Go. one fifth of one forty-eighth part of a tract of land in Perth Amboy." - East Jersey Deeds, Liber A, part 2, p. 127.

ii. Anne, b. about 1722; d. before June 2.3, 1768; married (license) Jan. 25, 1742, Robert Davison of Monmouth County, N. J. Children: Ann, Rachel and Jediah, for whom Joshua Higgins was appointed guardian May 16, 1774.

{David\ Richard^), b. about 1707; died at Hopewell, N. J. From a Bible record written by his son Benjamin Stout, Jr., and now in possession of Mr. E. E. Stout of Indianapolis, Ind., we learn that Benjamin and Mary (Higgins) Stout had the following children: Elihu, b. Nov. 6, 1752; d. Oct. 3, 1762, at Hopewell, N. J.; Hannah, b. Feb. 27, 1754; d. 1762; Rebecca, b. Nov. 5, 1755; d. 1762; Jediah, b. April 10, 1757; d. 1820; married (license March 21, 1781) Mary Stout; settled at Maysville, Ky., descendants in Illinois; John, b. Aug. 2, 1758; d. young; Mary, b. June 27, 1760; married Garrison Prall and went to Kentucky; Rachel, b. June 27, 1760; married Paul Hill; Benjamin, b. June 23, 1762; married (1) Rachel Stout, sister of Mary, wife of Jediah Stout; (2) Ann Stout, daughter of Samuel Stout; (3) Mary, daughter of Oliver Hart; Sarah, b. July 8, 1764; married Elijah, son of James Stout; tenth child, b. May 15, 1767; d. soon; David, b. April 24, 1769; married Elizabeth, daughter of James and Catherine Stout; Anne,

It is said that Mary (Higgins) Stout, uadow of Benjamin Stout, married John Manners, Jr., a probable error of statement, as she would have been an aged woman after the death of Benjamin Stout in 1789. The marriage is therefore rejected.

Authorities: New Jersey Archives at Trenton and other records; Stillwell's Historical and Genealogical Miscellany, vol. iv, p.334ff; Stout Genealogy; Mr. H. E. Deats; Mr. O. E. Monnette.