Eastham Town (part 3 of 9)

At the time of their marriage both Michael Higgins and Anne Bryant are called residents of Somerset Co., N. J. In 1730 they removed to Newton on Cape Fear River, N. C. Names of children have not been found. The four families of Higginses mentioned by the census of 1790 as living in North Carolina may be his descendants.

Joseph Higgins settled at Amwell in Hunterdon County before March 25, 1737, for on that date he secured a loan from the Hunterdon County Loan Office for £24, which he had paid or cancelled by April 3, 1741, when he secured a second loan on 110 acres for £36. The land was on the east side of Neshanic brook, where Michael Higgins's line crosses, thence along Michael's line, etc., to the beginning, the brook being the boundary on the southwestern side. This description shows that Joseph's brother, Michael Higgins, probably had not removed to North Carolina in 1730 as alleged, but was still in New Jersey in 1737. It is clear from this that Joseph Higgins was a farmer or planter.

His will is dated May 17, 1782, and was probated June 13, 1782. It reads in part as follows: "Joseph Higgins of the township of Amwell, Hunterdon County, in the western division of the State of New Jersey, weak in body, etc. Unto my two sons Joshua and Azariah all my homestead plantation, - 190 acres, to be equally divided between them, with my son Joshua having the house, barn and orchard where I now dwell, and Azariah to have the house where Joshua now dwells, and further my will is and I do order that my son Azariah can build a Barn and plant an orchard on his share of land. I order that my executors sell all my personal estate and after paying my debts pay unto my eldest son Jediah 25 lbs. and all the remainder to be divided between my three daughters now living, - namely Ruth Carle, Hannah Rittenhouse and Elizabeth HoUiday, share and share alike. Son Joshua and son-in-law Lott Rittenhouse executors. Witnesses: James Stout, John Young, Jacob Mattison." Inventory June 8, 1782, was £172.05.07, personal only.

Richard Higgins was in his minority when his father died and his uncles, Thomas Higgins of Piscataway and Samuel Oliver of Rah way, were appointed his guardians. In the will of Benjamin Trotter of Elizabeth town, dated Oct. 27, 1716, he is given a legacy and from this it may be inferred that he married a daughter of Benjamin Trotter. Li the will he is called "boatman." His residence was at Elizabethtown, but he had at the time of his death goods and probably a temporary residence or a boat at some place in Monmouth County. In the records of that county, dated June 20, 1737, is an account of things belonging to the estate of Richard Higgins of Essex County, sold at Stanley White's, by Thomas Gleane, vendue master. Names of the purchasers are given, none of them named Higgins. Mrs. Phoebe Higgins declined to administer on the estate and Dr. Peter Leconte of Monmouth County was appointed administrator. Gabriel Stell signed the bond.

Benjamin Higgins appears to have lived at Piscataway until his father's death and later. In 1730 he is called "heir-at-law of Thomas Higgins of Piscataway, deceased." He removed from Piscataway, but the date is unknown, probably to Somerset County, where he died. The exact locality is not named, but it was probably at Kingston or Rocky Hill or along Millstone River, where his father had lands. Joseph Babcock and John Manners were administrators on his estate, July 25, 1732.

28. SAMUEL^ HIGGINS {Jonathan\ Jonathan\ Richard^), born Oct. 5{?), 1694, at Eastham; died there July 25, 1776, in eighty-third year (gravestone); married Oct. 9, 1718, at Barnstable, Mass., Mehitabel Phinney, daughter of Ebenezer and Susannah (Linnell) Phinney of Barnstable, and granddaughter of John and Mary (Rogers) Phinney, born ; died May 28, 1778.

He resided at Eastham. Was called Samuel, Jr., and was a carpenter. He was chosen surveyor of highways March 8, 1735-6, and reelected in 1739, 1742, 1743, 1745, and was also in 1736 assessor, and may have been elected constable March 1, 1762, but it is more probable that the constable was the son of this Samuel. He may have been surveyor of highways in 1764 and "negative man" in 1768, but this again is more probably the younger Samuel. In 1731 and 1745 he was a juror and in 1760 assessor again.

June 25, 1754, Jonathan Higgins, Junior for £8 sold to Samuel Higgins, Junior and to Samuel Higgins, 3rd of Eastham one half of the parcel in the "Great Cedar Swamp" near his house, which is one quarter of the lot laid out to his father Jonathan Higgins, now deceased, as a wood lot in partnership *with Joseph Doane Esq. and the other half part of said quarter part sold to Samuel Higgins, 3rd. Witnesses: Joseph Doane Jonathan Higgins, Junior,

Nov. 31, 1757, Samuel Higgins, Junior sold to Samuel Higgins, 3rd hatter, land on the southerly side of Sampson's Island Creek, which was laid out to his father, Deacon Jonathan Higgins, then dead.

Mary Rogers, wife of John Phinney, was daughter of Joseph Rogers, and granddaughter of Thomas Rogers, both passengers of the Mayflower, 1620.

Ruth, b. Sept. 23, 1745, married Joseph Mayo; moved to Mount Desert, Maine, where they had eight children. James Snow married (2) Feb. 17, 1767, Ruth Higgins.

Authorities: Mayflower Des., vol. xiv, p. 227; vol. xv, pp. 67, 142; W. B. Snow for the family of James Snow; unpublished deeds belonging to Jonathan Higgins, Esq., of Orleans, copied in abstract by Josiah Paine of Harwich, Mass.

29. JONATHAN^ HIGGINS (Jonathan^ Jonathan^ Richard^), born about 1697 at Eastham; died there "Jan. 30, 1792, in the ninety-fifth year of his age"; married April 5, 1722, Rebecca Hopkins, born about 1698; died March 19, 1780, aged 83 years; daughter of Stephen and Sarah Hopkins of Harwich, and greatgranddaughter of Stephen Hopkins who came in the Mayfloiver.

The will of Stephen Hopkins of Harwich, dated Jan. 9, 1731-2, names his daughter Rebecca Higgins. March 10, 1730-1, Jonathan Higgins, Jr., was elected grand juryman; March 19, 1732-3, surveyor of highways; juryman again in 1743; constable in 1745; and in 1748 assessor. "Aug. 17, 1757 Deacon Jonathan Higgins to procure fire wood for Mr. Crocker" (the minister). Hence it is certain that he succeeded his father in the office of deacon in the First Church of Christ at Eastham. March 1, 1762, he was chosen "negative man," and the next year held some town office. He was moderator of the town meeting March 6, 1764, which chose him selectman. In 1765 he was treasurer and in 1766 clerk of the South Precinct (now Orleans). In 1767 he held some town office, probably selectman, and in 1768 was certainly selectman.

"Aug. 17, 1766. Jonathan Higgins pew is on the right hand of the Going in the Southerly Doore in the South Meeting house in the South Precinct of Eastham." This entry in the Precinct records is certainly his own composition, for he was clerk at that time. In 1774 and in 1777 he was again chosen selectman. He made his will May 3, 1791, and mentions no children living, only grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

June 25, 1754, "Jonathan Higgins Junior, Yeoman, sold to Samuel Higgins Junior, Carpenter, for £4, a quarter part of that lot in Cedar Swamp, in the south part of Eastham, near his dwelling house, it being the one quarter part of the lot laid out to his father Jonathan Higgins for his wood lot, and held in partnership with Joseph Doane Esq." (Unrecorded deed.)

Rebecca, b. Feb. 9, 1743; Jonathan, b. "in beginning of Nov., 1744, lived two years and eighteen days and died"; Abigail, b. May 6, 1746; Phoebe, b. May 6, 1746; Edward, b. July 13, 1749; Benjamin, b. Oct. 26, 1752; Lydia, b. June 1, 1754, and d. Oct. 14, 1757. John Taylor married (2) April 22, 1756, Susannah Higgins, b. Feb. 3, 1725-6, daughter of Samuel and Mehitabel (Phinney) Higgins of Eastham. Benjamin Taylor, son of John and Phoebe (Higgins) Taylor, lived at Eastham and was town clerk for four years.

Authorities: Mayflower Des., vol. viii, pp. 36, 159; xv, p. 116; Barnstable Probate Records, vol. xxiv, p. 103; xxvii, p. 324; Unpublished deeds belonging to Jonathan Higgins, Esq., of Orleans, copied in abstract by Mr. Josiah Paine of Harwich, Mass.

30. JOSEPH^ HIGGINS {Joseph\ Jonathan^, Richard}), born Oct. 1, 1690, at Eastham, Mass.; died in Lyme, Conn., Dec. 21, 1783, aged 94 years (gravestone at Duck River Cemetery, Old Lyme); married at Eastham, Feb. 18, 1717-9, Mercy Remick, born July 29, 1698, at Eastham; died Nov. 22, 1768, at Lyme, aged 71 years (gravestone) ; daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Freeman) Remick of Eastham.

Eastham records show that on Oct. 12, 1721, Joseph Higgins, Jr., was chosen to serve on Jury of Trials at Barnstable; Jan. 11, 1724-5, he was chosen surveyor of highways; in January, 1730-1, a juror and again in January, 1734-5. Between 1735 and 1737 he removed to Saybrook, Conn., and from there in 1740 across the river to Lyme, where he appears to have spent the remainder of his Hfe. He settled in that part of Lyme known as Mather's Neck, lying between the Connecticut River and Lieutenant River. Nearly the whole of this strip of land was at one time owned by the members of the Mather family. Now it is called simply "The Neck," all of the family having removed from that locality. On March 29, 1740, Capt. Joseph Higgins of Saybrook bought of Richard Mather land on Mather's Neck, near Connecticut River, with house and barn, also meadow on Calves Island and during the next six or seven years he gradually acquired all the middle portion of the Neck and a considerable portion of the adjacent Calves Island. The east end of the new State Highway Bridge is very near what is still called Higgins's Wharf, and the approach leads over land that was once owned by at least three generations of Higginses. The site and house are now owned by Clark Voorhees, the artist. Here Capt. Joseph Higgins had a wharf and warehouse, and engaged extensively in the coastwise and West India trade, doubtless importing sugar, molasses and rum and other products in exchange for New England products.

Captain Higgins made no will, but distributed his lands to his sons by deeds of gift. On Nov. 28, 1757, "of that love, goodwill and paternal affection I have and do bear to my well beloved and dutiful son Christian Higgins," he conveyed to Christian a house and sixteen acres of land then occupied "by said Christian." On the same date he conveyed to Josiah Burnham, husband of his daughter Thankful, one acre with buildings. On June 6, 1769, he conveyed to his sons, Sylvanus and Joseph, Jr., eleven acres he had bought of Samuel Person, and on Dec. 31, 1772, he conveyed to them land he had bought from Benjamm Mather. Two days before this he conveyed to his son Christian "the southerly portion of the grantor's farm, on Mather Neck, together with the meadows and one-third interest in the wharf and warehouse" (still known as Higgins's Wharf), and on the same day he conveyed to his sons, Sylvanus and Joseph, Jr., land at Mather's Neck and on Calves Island, the remainder of all his land not given to his son Christian. These deeds of gift were in place of a will, for which he evidently had distrust. He was preparing to bring to a close a long life of activity. Yet he lived eleven years longer, and attained the great age of 94 years.

It should be added that Mercy Remick, wife of Capt. Joseph Higgins, was through her mother, Elizabeth Freeman, born June 26, 1671, granddaughter of Deacon Samuel Freeman of Eastham.

Mercy Southworth, wife of Deacon Samuel Freeman, was daughter of Constant and Elizabeth (Collier) Southworth. Constant Southworth, who came to Plymouth in 1628, was son of Edward and Alice (Carpenter) Southworth, and step-son of Gov. William Bradford. Elizabeth Collier was daughter of William Collier, governor and magistrate of Plymouth Colony.

i. Joseph, b. Oct. 11, 1721; "Here lies the Body of Joseph Higgins, son of Mr. Joseph and Mrs. Marcy Higgins, deceased March 23, 1737-8 in ye 17th year of his Age." - Cemetery at Saybrook Point, Conn.

1745, John Mather of Lyme. Children: John, Joseph, Sylvanus, Stephen, Hannah, Jemima, Jerusha, Mehitabel and Rebecca. Rebecca Mather, b. Dec. 2, 1748; married Nov. 19, 1772, John Wait of Lyme, b. Jan. 21, 1749; d. Feb. 17, 1819, son of Capt. Richard and Elizabeth (Marvin) Wait. John Mather married (2) Feb. 17, 1785, Mrs. Ruth Robbins, who died June 14, 1800.

viii. Joseph, b. about 1740; d. March 21, 1814, in the seventyfifth year of his age; unmarried. He probably served in the Revolution as a sea commander. He left a will, dated June 7, 1811, leaving his estate to his sister Thankful, to the daughters of his brother Christian, Jemima Conklin and Dorothy Higgins, Jr., and also to the heirs of Joseph Higgins, late of Wethersfield, to the children of his sister Rebecca Wait, to the surviving children of his sister Mercy Matlier, and to Samuel Sumner or Summer, son of his niece, Dorothy Higgins, Jr.

Authorities: Copies of old deeds belonging 'to Jonathan Higgins, Esq., of Orleans, made by Josiah Paine of Harwich; Vital records of Eastham; Vital records of Lyme; Cemetery Inscriptions, Duck River, Lyme; New London Probate Records;

Beriah Higgins was at Truro, 1717 to 1724, and at Provincetown from 1725 to 1736, to judge from the dates and places of his children's births. He may have been a mariner, but nothing definite has been discovered. A deed belonging to the collection of Jonathan Higgins, Esq., late of Orleans, copied in abstract by Mr. Josiah Paine of Harwich, proves that Beriah Higgins was a son of Joseph Higgins. It is possible that Beriah Higgins removed to Saybrook or some other place in Connecticut shortly before 1740, but no conclusive evidence, beyond the actual presence of two of his children in Connecticut, can be brought forward. It is more probable to suppose that he died early, perhaps lost at sea, and that two of his children. Thankful and Beriah, Jr., accompanied their uncle, Joseph Higgins, to Saybrook, Conn., about 1737.

32. ELISHA^ HIGGINS {Elisha^, Jonathan^ Richard'^,) born Jan. 3, 1701-2, at Eastham; died Jan. 22, 1777, at Bennington, Vt.; married (1) Oct. 19, 1721, Sarah Lewis, born June 2, 1702, at Eastham; died there in or before 1732; married (2) Jan. 24, 1733-4, Hannah (Doane) Atwood, born March 5, 1703-4, at Eastham; died Sept. 22, 1776, at Bennington, Vt.; daughter of Dr. David and Hannah (Horton) Doane of Eastham and widow of Samuel Atwood of Eastham.

at Eastham, About 1742 with his second wife and children he removed from Eastham and settled in Hardwick, Mass., then a new town to which many went from the Cape Cod towns. Here he was a member of the church and remained a resident of Hardwick until shortly before 1764. On January 14 of that year "Elisha Higgins was seated in the 2nd seat in ye meeting house and his wife on ye opposite side." (From records of the First Parish Church in Palmer.) On Feb. 20, 1764, he bought of EUsha Hedge of Hardwick 170 acres of land in Palmer, on which he appears to have lived. Here they remained until about June 6, 1769, for on that date Elisha Higgins of Palmer and his wife Hannah conveyed to Elisha Swan of Palmer" the whole farm I bought of Elisha Hedge, on the road from Hardwick to Springfield, 170 acres of land and buildings." It is beheved that they then removed to Fort Ann, N. Y., or a place in that vicinity, or to Skenesborough, then claimed by Vermont, but now Whitehall, N. Y. At the beginning of the Revolution this region was much disturbed, and Elisha and his family took refuge in Bennington, Vt., where both he and his wife Hannah died.

The wUl of Samuel Atwood of Eastham, dated Dec. 1, 1732, proved Jan. 17, 1732-3, contains these words: "And in as much as my wife Hannah Atwood is in a helpless and Lame condition I do therefore give, devise and Dispose of all the Remainder of my Estate, both real and personal, unto my Dear and Loving wife Hannah Atwood, and to her heirs & assigns forever and I do constitute & appoint my said wife Hannah Atwood to gethere with my honoured Father in law David Doane to be my whole and sole Executors." He had previously given to each of his children, David, Enoch, Keziah and Jerusha, twenty shillings each. As Mrs. Atwood was but twenty-eight years old at this time, she subsequently recovered her health, perhaps under the skillful care of her father, David Doane, the physician of Eastham, who in his will dated March 7, 1748, mentions his daughter, Hannah Higgins.

Authorities: Mayflower Des., vol. vii, p. 18; Paine, History of Hardwick, p. 397; Boston Transcript of Feb. 9, 1916; New York Gen. and Biog. Record, vol. xliv, p. 285; Cook's Bennington Cemetery Lists, copied by Miss Eels; Springfield Deeds, vol. vii, pp. 324, 406; xiv, p. 328.

Beriah Higgins resided at Wellfleet. This Beriah did have second wife Abigail by Eastham records. He held some minor town offices in the years 1760-1774.

Jonathan Higgins is said to have settled in Hard wick, Mass., on the "Ware side of the river." Dr. David Doane in his will, dated Jan. 25, 1738, gives £80 to his daughter Rachel Higgins, out of his personal estate.

daughter of Moses and Margery (Mayo) Paine and granddaughter of Thomas and Hannah Paine; married (3) (int. May 7, 1791) Mrs. Hannah Lewis at Wellfleet.

Barnabas and Mary Higgins were admitted to the church at Truro, Aug. 19, 1744, and had children baptized there. He later lived in WeUfleet, where he died.

Authorities: Eastham Births (1701-1781), p. 231; Truro Vital Records, pp. 26, 57, 59; Paine Ancestry, p. 83; New England Hist, and Genealogical Register, vol. xxv, p. 359 ; Barnstable County Probate Records, vol. xiii, p. 270.

Tradition among descendants declares that this PhiHp Higgins lived at Hard wick, Mass., probably settling there with his father. Descendants gave to Mr. Paige, the historian of Hardwick, information regarding their line, but if they did so, he did not mention them in his History of Hardwick. The marriage intention of Philip Higgins and Joarma Mayo is recorded at Eastham, dated July 5, 1746. If the man mentioned is Philip, son of EUsha Higgins, then for some reason the marriage appears not to have taken place or the wife died very soon. It may apply to Philip Higgins, son of Thomas Higgins, who was a little older. In that case the marriage did not occur, for that Philip later married Mary Wiley.

As Philip's son, David Higgins, was born in Nova Scotia, it is probable that his parents had renaoved thither before the date of his birth, but all details are wanting.

37. JAMES* HIGGINS {James\ Jonathan^, Richard^), born about 1718; died before Aug. 13, 1756; married Oct. 6, 1742, Sarah Sears, born March 10, 1720-1, at Yarmouth; living in 1804; daughter of Ebenezer and Sarah (Howes) Sears of Yarmouth.

James Higgins, Jr., lived at Eastham-Orleans; but little is known of him. He died before his father, as the will of the latter shows. His widow married (2) Oct. 27, 1757, Mr. Thomas Mayo of Harwich, born Oct. 28, 1718, son of Samuel Mayo.

and was living 1869; Isaac, b. Nov. 15, 1783, d. aged about 23, in South Carolina or New Jersey; Hezekiah, b. March 8, 1786, and married March 3, 1808, Hannah Wixon of Harwich, Mass.

The last two children probably twins. They are mentioned in the will of their grandfather, James Higgins, Sr., and in the settlement of the estate of Benjamin Higgins, who married Hannah Higgins, sister of James, Jr. Their later history is unknown.

Authorities: Eastham Births (1701-81), pp. 143, 183; Eastham Purposes of Marriage, pp. 1, 2, 10; Mayflower Des., vol. ix, p. 38; Freeman Genealogy, p. 168; Sears Genealogy, p. 80; Deed copied by Mr. Josiah Paine.

John Higgins resided at Eastham, probably on his father's land at Wesset, and a document dated June 1, 1739, calls him a seafaring man and a whale fisherman. On Oct. 15, 1729, he was chosen to serve on the jury of trials at Barnstable and on March 30, 1730, one of the grand jury. A few years after the death of his father he sold the homestead to Jonathan Smith and to Thomas Higgins without the consent of the rest of the heirs, which led to law suits. The documents in connection with these suits on file with the Superior Court at Boston will be given here because they reveal a few facts of interest. From them it is clear that in 1745 John Higgins enlisted to go on the Louisburg campaign, and that he was there with his sloop Diamond on Nov. 19, 1746, when he was seized and his sloop taken by Peter Robertson and transported to Antigua. He brought action against Robertson in the Superior Court in July 7, 1747. This is the last mention of John Higgins which has been found. No settlement of estate on Barnstable Probate Records.

"Deed from John Higgins of Eastham yeoman to William Paine dealer and Thomas Higgins blacksmith both of Eastham conveying land and Dwelling House that my Deceased father Ichabod Higgins lived in"; also mentions in the description

"land I sold Jonathan Smith"; also conveys "my half third part of 14th lot and third part in 10th lot, first and second in 17 shear purchase in Harwich, sd lot originally recorded in the name of Nathaniel Mayo." Dated Feb. 12, 1732-3. (Superior Court FUe 165662.)

He had a suit at law with Jonathan Smith of Eastham about land near Richard Higgins. (Superior Court File, Nos. 51333, 49379.) Date July 3, 1739.

"I find all endeavors to persuade John Higgins to surrender up the land he sold to Thomas Higgins and myself (which pt. of Higgins I suppose you have the care of). Some say he is about fisting in the intended Expedition, but it is yet uncertain and I suppose he had no right to sell all that land of the homestead, for there being three brothers and two sisters in their family. I learn he never had any quitclaim from the sisters and one of them is deceased, unmarried."

"John Higgins of Eastham in case vs Peter Robertson Esq now residing in Boston who 19 Nov. last at Louisburg was seized and his sloop Diamond taken by sd Robertson and transported to Antigua, etc. 7 July 1747." (Superior Court File, No. 169929.)

Authorities: Eastham Births (1701-1781), p. 3; Mayflower Des., vol. iv, p. 142; xv, p. 3; Files of Superior Court of Judicature, Boston; Massachusetts Historical Soc. Collections, vol. 81, J, p. 62; Otis Papers.

Daniel(?) Atwood; married (2) Aug. 7, 1729, Sarah Walker, daughter of Jabez and Efizabeth Walker, of Eastham and a descendant of Stephen Hopkins of the Mayflower through his daughter Constance, wife of Nicholas Snow.

Nathaniel Higgins resided at Eastham and was probably a farmer. March 4, 1729-30, he was elected fence viewer and on March 4, 1733-4, he was elected hog-reeve. Little more is known of him.

"Nathaniel Higgins and Ebenezer Higgins both of Eastham yeomen agree to divide equally several parcels of land and tenements in Eastham, being all the housing, lands and medows that our honoured Father Ichabod Higgins of sd Eastham bought of John Collens by deed dated Sept. 5, 1715, ... in which division the sd Nathaniel Higgins his half of the houselott or homestead lies on the western side thereof and the sd Ebenezer his part of the abovesd house lys on the easterly side sd dividing line, he having given security to pay the sd Nathaniel Higgins one half part of the value of sd Dwelling house and the sd Ebenezer Higgins forever hereafter shall allow unto the sd Nathaniel Higgins a way across the head of his part of sd land from the way to sd Nathaniel Higgins his part of sd land (two other parcels also divided in the deed). Signed Aug. 10, 1727. Witnesses Joseph Doane, Rebecca X Allen." - Recorded March 19, 1727-8 in Book 14, fol. 112, Barnstable County Deeds. Old deed belonging to Mr. Nye of Wellfleet, copied and communicated by Mr. Stanley W. Smith.

From this it would appear that Ichabod Higgins before his death must have deeded the property he bought of John Collins to his sons Nathaniel and Ebenezer jointly. This may explain why John and Thomas Higgins, the other sons of Ichabod, thought that they could sell their father's homestead without the consent of the surviving sister. No estate of Nathaniel Higgins mentioned in Barnstable Probate Records.

In 1740 the British warship Torhay, an eighty -gun ship with a complement of 600 men, commanded by Gascoigne, came to Boston, recruiting for Admiral Vernon's expedition to the West Indies. Nathaniel Higgins enlisted at this time and remained in the King's service for the rest of his life, as the following will shows :

"Will of Nathaniel Higgins of Cape Cod in New England, now mariner on His Majesty's ship Torbay, Capt. John Gascoigne, Commander. Trusty friend and shipmate Thomas Brown of St. Mary Hackney to have all my estate and to be executor. Dated Nov. 23, 1743. Abraham Sears and Henry Crick witnesses." "Dec. 4, 1746. Administration with the will annexed of Nathaniel Higgins, late of H. M. Ship Hornett, sloop, a batchelor, to Sarah

Ebenezer Higgins was always a resident of Eastham. March 10, 1730-1, he was choSen surveyor of highways; March 4, 1733-4, elected and sworn fence viewer; June 24, 1747, appointed to seek out a suitable person to preach in the South Precinct; March 19 , 1754, chosen to procure wood for Rev. Mr. Cheever; in 1758 elected assessor; also to procure wood for Rev. Joseph Crocker; in 1761 chosen "negative man" and re-elected March 6, 1764.

Ebenezer Higgins was a large land owner in Eastham. This is shown by several old deeds in Mr. Nye's collection, and these probably do not show all the real estate he owned. The division deed of Nathaniel and Ebenezer Higgins whereby they divided estate which their father Ichabod Higgins bought of John Collins and deeded to them has already been given under Nathaniel Higgins.

"Nathaniel Smith of Eastham yeoman to Ebenezer Higgins of Eastham yeoman conveys land on the sedge flats, called Nosset flat, as recorded to my father Daniel Smith. Jan. 13, 1732-3. Recorded March 20, 1733-4, m Book 15, p. 228, Barnstable County Deeds."

"Isaac Pepper Jr. conveys to Ebenezer Higgins my lot of upland in Eastham called a plain lot, and lyeth between two ways one of which leads from David Dones and the other from the house of Nathaniel Higgins towards Billingsgate. Dated Jan. 29, 1732-3. Recorded March 20, 1733-4 in Book 16, fol. 225, Barnstable County Deeds."

"Ralph Smith of Eastham yeoman for £400 old tenor paid by Ebenezer Higgins of the town aforesaid, husbandman, sell all my several parcels of upland, meadow and swamp in the town of Eastham att a place called the halfway ponds, itt being the same parcels of land which I formerly bought of Daniel Atwood Senior and Daniel Atwood Junior and Isaac Atwood by deed of Feb. 28, 1732-3, reserving to myself the undivided right which the same Atwoods have to undivided lands and meadows in Eastham, and also two other lots which I bought of David Doane of Eastham, lying towards hither Billingsgate, so called, by deed dated Feb. 28, 1732-3. Dated April 25, 1743 and recorded m Book 20, p. 277 in Barnstable County Deeds, on June 30, 1743."

The will of Ebenezer Higgins, dated Juiie 7, 1771, is in possession of descendants in Attleboro, Mass. It names wife Content and all the children here given except Asenath. It was never probated and there is nothing on the records at Barnstable to show that Ebenezer's estate was ever before the Probate Court.

Descendants claim that Abigail Cole, wife of Ebenezer Higgins, was a daughter of Joseph and Constance (Hopkins) Cole and so a descendant of Stephen Hopkins of the Mayflower, 1620, but no record supporting the claim has been discovered.

41. TH0:MAS4 higgins {Ichahod\ Benjamin\ Richard^), born about 1703; date and place of death unknown; married Jan. 28, 1724-5, Sarah Vickery, probably youngest daughter of Rev.

That Thomas Higgins was a son of Ichabod Higgins is proved by a deed cited under John Higgins, also by another to be cited hereafter. That Thomas Higgins was the eldest of that name in Eastham is probable. His cousin, Thomas Higgins, born June 24, 1704, son of Benjamin and Sarah (Freeman) Higgins, was of very nearly the same age and it is hard to distinguish them in the Eastham town records, but the following probably refer to this Thomas. June 24, 1728, Thomas Higgins served on petit jury; and again on Jan. 1, 1732-3, he was chosen juryman. The younger Thomas early settled at Wellfleet and was a seafaring man; the elder Thomas resided at what is now Orleans and was a blacksmith.

"I Thomas Higgins of Eastham yeoman for £8, 12 shillings paid by Edmond Freeman and Moses Higgins of Eastham sold to them 'all that my parcell of land lying in Eastham near the Dwelling House of Ichabud Higgins now deceased in which he in his life time lived, all which my sd part of land is four acres more or less, bounded west by land of Joshua Hopkins and southerly by fence and northerly by land of Jonathan Smith.' Dated March 19, 1753. Recorded March 21, 1753."

This deed contains the last mention of Thomas Higgins which has been found. His later history is unknown. He may have removed from Eastham to some other place. That he was father of Jethro Higgins is not supported by record evidence, but is probable, and he will be so regarded.

he was fence viewer; Jan. 15, 1734-5, he was chosen assessor of the town and of the South Precmct; March 8, 1735-6, he was agam chosen and sworn as town and precinct assessor; in 1737 he was again juryman and in March, 1746-7, again elected assessor. In March, 1766, a Joshua Higgins was on the petit jury, but this was more probably a younger Joshua Higgins, very likely son of Joshua^ Higgins.

The files of the Superior Court of Massachusetts mention him in testimony as cousin (that is, nephew) to Joshua Higgins, Sr., and the testimony also speaks of the gristmill that stood by his (Joshua, Sr.'s) door.

On May 1, 1760, Joshua Higgins and wife Ruth sold their "tenement lot" to Benjamin Higgins, 3d. His will is dated July 17, 1767, and was proved May 10, 1768. He gives "to wife Ruth one third part of my personal estate and the easterly half of my dwelling house during her natural life. My son Zaccheus to provide her with Indian corn, rye and wheat, fodder for one cow in winter and pasture in summer and two cords of wood, cut and drawn to her door during her natural life. To my three sons, Zaccheus, Joshua and William all my real estate in Eastham and Harwich. To Zaccheus my husbandry tackling. To three sons my wearing apparel and carpenter and joyner tools, also my Gun and swords and other warlike stores, equally among them. Daughters Sarah Rogers, Ruth Rogers, Hannah Higgins, Rachel Higgins and Esther Higgius. Son Joshua to be executor."

Ruth Twining, wife of Joshua Higgins, was a granddaughter of Nicholas and Constance (Hopkins) Snow of Eastham and so a great-granddaughter of Stephen Hopkins of the Mayflower in 1620.

43. ELEAZER4 HIGGLNS (Richard\ Benjamin^, Richard}), born Feb. 9, 1696-7, at Eastham; died at Boston shortly before Aug. 17, 1743; married in 1724, Sarah .

Eleazer Higgins and wife Sarah were admitted to membership in the Church at Truro, Feb. 13, 1725-6, and their children were baptized there. In September, 1742, he established a residence in Boston as the minutes of the selectmen show: "Mr. Joseph Treat (formerly of Truro) Gunsmith, appeared and informed that Eleazer Higgins with his wife and six children came from Truro about Five weeks past and live at Capt, Dowrick's house, and that he has no substance but Household Goods and desires that he might be admitted an Inhabitant, and the said Treat would be his bondsman. Nov. 17, 1742." Later he lived in a house hired of Ephraim Bound. What action the Selectmen took is not apparent, and his residence in Boston was short, for he died in less than a year, and on "Aug. 17, 1743 the widow Higgins and her children were warned to depart from Boston in 14 days as the law directs." She probably returned to Truro, since her children are found there later on and married (2) at Truro, Oct. 26, 1749, Nathaniel Hopkins.

44. THEOPHILUS^ HIGGINS {Richard\ Benjamin\ Richard^), born May 6, 1698, at Eastham; died there Dec. 12, 1780; married April 25, 1724, Joanna Young, born June 1, 1703, at Eastham; died there March 22, 1767; daughter of Robert and Joanna (Hicks) Young of Eastham.

Jan. 11, 1724-5, he was chosen to serve as juryman at the County Court at Barnstable; March 4, 1733-4, he was chosen to look after boys and disorderly persons; Oct. 8, 1734, he was petit juror; in 1736 chosen "to look after the children on the Lord's day"; in 1760 he was a precinct officer and on Aug. 17, 1757, and again on March 2, 1761, he was chosen assessor of the precinct; May 31, 1762, he was chosen selectman of the town and in 1764 negative man, and again in 1768 assessor. In 1774 he was a member of the First Church of Christ, and doubtless had been such many years. He was a farmer. His will, dated June 16, 1780, proved Dec. 21, 1780, mentions son Levi, daughter Eunice Higgins, daughter-in-law Jerusha Higgins, wife of my son Nathan, grandchildren Eleazer, Joanna and Jeanette Higgins, heirs of Nathan, daughter Jeanette Smith, wife of Elisha Smith, daughter Mary Nickerson and grandchild Daniel Nickerson.

Maine. Children: Daniel; Priscilla, born about 1781, died about 1850, married as second wife Bangs Doane (born at Eastham about 1769; died March 8, 1852, at Bucksport, Maine) whose first wife was Rebecca Higgins. V. Josiah, b. Dec. 28, 1733; d. Sept. 3, 1757.

45. JEDIAH4 (or JEDmiAH) HIGGINS {Richard\ Benjamin\ Richard^), born Feb. 8, 1699-1700, at Eastham; died Feb. 6, 1732, at Antigua; married Jan. 9, 1728-9, Phoebe Freeman, born ; died May 23, 1759, in her fifty-third year, at Marshfield; daughter of .*

Jedidiah Higgins was a seafaring man and is said to have settled at Boston. He died at Antigua, during one of his voyages. His widow, Mrs. Phcebe Higgins, was of Eastham at the time of her second marriage. She married (2) July 3, 1740, Capt. Peleg Ford of Marshfield. For a time prior to April 18, 1724, Jedidiah Higgins lived with his uncle, Joshua Higgins, at Eastham, as is shown by testimony in the Superior Court files at Boston. An estate of Jedidiah Higgins was settled at Boston in 1733. It is possible that this was the estate of the above Jedidiah Higgins.

46. DAVID^ HIGGINS (Richard^ Benjamin\ Richard^), born April 5, 1706, at Eastham; died in July, 1771, at Middle Haddam, Conn.; married (1) Oct. 5, 1727, at Eastham, Mercy

* The Freeman Genealogy gives no Phoebe Freeman whose age exactly corresponds. The nearest is Phcebe, daughter of John, Jr., and Mercy (Watson) Freeman, born Nov. 28, 1711 (p. 51).

David Higgins was still a resident of Eastham in March, 1746-7, when he was elected surveyor of highways in the Eastham town meeting, between this date and May 30, 1748, he removed to the parish of Middle Haddam, on the east side of the Connecticut River, then in the town of Middletown, but later (by division of the town) in the town of Chatham. On the date last mentioned he bought of Philip Goff forty acres of land and a house in Middle Haddam. He appears to have been a farmer. His will, dated Feb. 23, 1768, mentions all the children here given except Nehemiah.

114. i. Lemuel, b. Jan. 28, 1728-9; married Elizabeth Cole, ii. Dorothy, b. March 16, 1730-1; died May 19, 1809, unmarried and leaving a will. Her heirs were her brothers and sisters.

47. REUBEN" HIGGINS {Richard\ Benjamin"^, Richard^), born Jan. 6, 1708-9, at Eastham; died there or in Boston before July 26, 1749; married Nov. 29, 1733, Hannah Cole of Truro,

Reuben Higgins settled at Truro about the time of his marriage. Hannah, wife of Reuben Higgins, was admitted to the church at Truro, Feb. 29, 1735-6; Reuben was admitted Feb. 26, 1736-7. Three or four years after this he attempted to gain a residence at Boston, as the Minutes of the Selectmen show: "Jan. 28, 1740. Information being given that Reuben Higgins with his family are lately come into this Town from Truro in order to reside here, ordered that Mr. Savell notify the said Higgins to be here next Wednesday." Whether he was permitted to remain in Boston is unknown, and nothing later has been learned concerning him. Mrs. Higgins returned to Truro and on July 26, 1749, was married by Rev. Mr. Avery, pastor of Truro, to William Dyer. She was dismissed to the church "at Falmouth in Casco Bay on July 30, 1749," and accompanied her husband thither at once. All her children except Reuben seem to have gone to Falmouth with her.

Moses Higgins resided at South Orleans, formerly Harwich, later in Eastham. He received by will his father's house, lands, oxen and plough, and was doubtless a farmer all his life. He and his wife Elizabeth were members of the First Church of Eastham in 1774, and probably had been such for many years. He was chosen tithing man in 1764, warden in 1768, negative man in 1793. His will, dated Feb. 28, 1792, proved May 9, 1798, reads in part: "I Moses Higgins of Eastham, yeoman, arrived at old age make this my will and Testament. To my beloved wife Elizabeth I give the use of one-third my real estate as dower and . the choice of rooms in my dwelling house. To five sons, Gideon, Elnathan, Aaron, Jesse and David Higgins, they to provide her wood for one fire as long as she shall hve. To granddaughter Ruth Gray (Godfrey?), Aaron, Jesse and David to have the dwelling house equally, allowing my wife her improvement. My two sons Gideon and Elnathan to be executors." Administration granted on will of Moses Higgins, May, 9 1798.

49. BENJAMIN^ HIGGINS {Isaac\ Benjamin'', Richard}), born April 19, 1701, at Eastham; died there shortly before March 12, 1760; married at Eastham, Sept, 8, 1726, Sarah Mayo, born Jan. 4, 1703; living Feb. 14, 1765; daughter of James and Sarah Mayo and granddaughter of Samuel Mayo.

In a deed dated Feb. 14, 1746, this Benjamin Higgins is called Benjamin Higgins, Jr., labourer. He is also called Innholder. * Administration on his estate was granted to Edward Knowles on March 12, 1760. Later it was represented to the Court that division would spoil or injure the estate and that the eldest son Elkanah had died since his father, intestate and without wife or children. Benjamin Higgins, the second son, offered to take two-thirds of the estate and pay his brothers and sisters their shares. On April 23, 1765, this arrangement was approved by the Court and the daughters of the deceased were Phoebe, wife of Nathaniel Cole; Sarah Doane, widow; Hannah, wife of Joseph

Mayo, Jr.; Rebecca, wife of Josiah Knowles; Lydia Dill, widow, and Mercy Higgins, a minor. June 12, 1768, and later all these receipted for their shares, Lydia being now the wife of Nehemiah Doane and Mercy the wife of Joshua Paine.

50. ELKANAH^ HIGGINS {Isaac\ Benjamin^, Richard}), born Nov. 10, 1703, at Eastham; died shortly before Nov. 5, 1729; married Feb. 22, 1727-8, Rebecca (Doane) Allen, born Sept. 4, 1698, at Eastham; died Feb. 16, 1769; daughter of Joseph and Mary (Godfrey) Doane of Eastham.

Little is known of this Elkanah Higgins. Administration on his estate (intestate) was granted to Rebecca Higgins of Eastham, widow. Inventory £17. 17. 09. No children.

daughter, Eunice Allen, born Aug. 8, 1725, at Marblehead, Mass. Mrs. Higgins married (3) June 9, 1730, Edward Bangs of Harwich and had by him John, who died yoimg, and Elkanah Bangs, born March 31, 1732, w^ho married, Sept. 16, 1750, Susannah Dilhngham and was a Revolutionary soldier. Edward Bangs died June 3, 1755. Mrs. Rebecca (Doane) (Allen) (Higgins) Bangs married (4) April 7, 1757, Capt. Daniel Hall of Eastham.

daughter of Samuel and Bathsheba (Lothrop) (Smith) Freeman. Bathsheba Lothrop was daughter of Barnabas Lothrop and widow of Samuel Smith when she married Samuel Freeman.

i. Mary, b. Feb. 24, 1735; married Oct. 16, 1754, Jesse Cole. Children: Ruth, b. March 29, 1756; Mary, b. Nov. 7, 1758; Jesse, b. May 4, 1761; Mercy, b. May, 1764; Dorcas, b. April 27, 1767; Bethiah, b. Oct. 27, 1769. Mrs. Mary Cole died Nov. 17, 1769, in 35th year, ii. Eunice, b. Oct. 21, 1736; married Dec. 6, 1755, William Cole of Wellfleet, b. Sept. 19, 1729, son of David Cole. Mrs. Eunice Cole d. at Wellfleet, March 23, 1806, aged 69 years. He died Sept. 11, 1807, aged 78 years, iii. Abraham, b. Oct. 10, 1738, at Wellfleet; d. Dec. 15, 1763. Administration on estate of Abraham Higgins, goldsmith, late of Eastham, intestate, granted to Dinah Russell of Barnstable, Aug. 3, 1764. Dinah Russell was probably his betrothed. Abraham Higgins served in the French and Indian War. His powder horn, beautifully engraved with a knife, doubtless by his own hand, has been preserved, and in 1905, was in possession of Alfred Higgins, then living at Syracuse, N. Y. On one side of the horn is a representation of Quebec, and on another a picture of a forest, tents and deer. In a scroll is the inscription: "Abraham Higgins His Horn Maid September 27th, 1759." It is probable that Abraham Higgins was engaged in the fighting about Quebec in 1759. The English army under Wolfe defeated the French under Montcalm and Quebec fell September 13, 1759. This was just two weeks before the date on the horn, and the horn may have been inscribed and decorated by Abraham in the lull which came after the fall of the fortress. After the first capture in 1745, the great fortress of Louisburg was returned to the French in 1748, but was again captured by the English after a short seige in 1758. It is possible that Abraham Higgins was present at this second seige, but not at the first, which occurred when Abraham was only eight years old. The horn was afterward carried during the Revolution by Abraham's brother, Jacob Higgins.

52. ISRAEL^ HIGGINS {SarnueP, Benjamin\ Richard^), born April 26, 1706, at Eastham; died Feb. 7, 1788, at Middle Haddam, Conn.; married (1) Nov. 2, 1727, Ruth Brown, born Oct. 6, 1710, at Eastham; died June 13, 1768, at Middle Haddam, Conn.; daughter of James and Ruth (Snow) Brown, and a descendant of Nicholas and Constance (Hopkins) Snow; married (2) March 9, 1769, Mrs. Ruth (Mayo) Smith, born April 25, 1825; died at Middle Haddam, Nov. 8, 1788, in her sixty-fourth year (gravestone); daughter of Israel and Mercy (Ryder) Mayo and widow of Thomas Smith.

Israel Higgins went to Connecticut about 1740 or possibly earlier, settling at first in Haddam and he and his wife became members of the church at East Middletown, now Portland, Conn. In the years 1742 to 1747 he bought land in the parish of Middle Haddam, and settled ^here, he and his wife becoming members of the church at Middle Haddam, whose meeting house was then located at "Hog Hill," several miles south of the present village of Middle Haddam. In the ancient cemetery near this church

Authorities: Mayflower Des., xv, p. 67; Eastham Births (1701-1781), p. 11; IVllddletown vital and probate records; Stiles, Ancient Wethersfield, ii, p. 361; Church Records at Portland, Conn.; Church Records of Middle Haddam (originals now lost, partially preserved in copies).

53. THEODORE^ HIGGINS {Samuel\ Benjamin^ Richard^), born Oct. 26, 1707, at Eastham; died before Dec. 4, 1752, at Middle Haddam or at sea; married at Eastham, Sept. 23, 1731,

He was probably a mariner and made several voyages into the Connecticut River, before settling at Middle Haddam, where he bought land near the meeting house ("Hog Hill") in Middle Haddam, June 26, 1745, Israel Higgins and Jacob Hurd being adjoining OT\Tiers. He and his wife Jane were admitted to the

Middle Haddam Church, Aug. 11, 1751. He left an estate of £946.18.16. Mrs. Jane Higgins married (2) her husband's relative, David Higgins. -

54. ICHAB0D4 HIGGINS (SamueP, Benjamin\ Richard^), born June, 1709, at Eastham; died about 1752 in Middletown or Durham, Conn.; married Dec. 3, 1731, Jane Snow, born March 4» 1714-5, daughter of Benjamin and Thankful (Bowerman) Snow of Eastham (?).

There is a record of a marriage intention dated Feb. 26, 1746, of Ichabod Higgins and Elizabeth Hambleton and it is supposed that it refers to this Ichabod Higgins. It is further recorded that said Ichabod appeared and forbade the publishing. This Ichabod Higgins was a mariner or sea captain, and few traces of him appear on the records at Eastham or elsewhere. The minutes of the Boston Selectmen record (1736-42, pp. 124-5) : "Mr. Ichabod Higgins appearing informs that he has paid Mr. William Waters £12 for himself and three others who have for some time past been kept & detained at the Hospital on Rainsford Island." He asked that £3 be refunded for certain reasons given. This was done. The next trace of him we have is in 1742 in the records of the minister of Durham, Conn., who records that he baptized on Dec. 19, 1742, Samuel Higgins, the child of Captain Higgins who came from Eastham. Ichabod Higgins appears at about this time to have given up the sea, and settled down at Durham, but the records of that town fail to show that he owned land there.

55. SAMUEL^ HIGGINS (SamueP, Benjamin\ Richard^), born July 19, 1713, at Eastham; died there or at sea before April 23, 1744; married March 3, 1742-3, Mary Smith, probably the Mary Smith born Jan. 14, 1714-5, at Truro, Mass.; daughter of Ebenezer and Desire Smith of Truro.

Samuel Higgins was a mariner and was probably lost at sea. Administration on the estate of Samuel Higgins, 3d, late of Eastham, mariner, was granted to Simeon Doane on April 23, 1744. The estate was found to be insolvent. Inventory shows that he possessed house, land, upland and a cow and calf. One third of the real estate was set off to the widow Mary Higgins as her dower on Nov. 25, 1745. Her later history is unknown. She is perhaps the Mary Higgins who on Jan. 27, 1753, was published for marriage with Mr. Jonathan Starr. Both were then residents of Eastham.

John Higgins resided at Eastham and was probably a mariner. Little or no mention of him is found in existing records. Possibly it was John^ Higgins, born Nov. 25, 1722, who married Mercy Mulford. No decisive record has been found and the two Johns were nearly of the same age. Only one child is recorded to John and Mercy (Mulford) Higgins. There may have been others.

Administration on estate of Simeon Higgins late of Eastham was granted to widow Sarah Higgins on Oct. 11, 1786. Inventory £103.3.0, taken Nov. 24, 1786. He was a farmer, having some land, not a large farm, and rather small estate.

58. THOAIAS^ HIGGINS {Benjamin^ Benjamin\ Richard^), born June 24, 1704, at Eastham; died about 1789 at Wellfleet; married m Eastham, Oct. 12, 1727, Abigail Paine, born m Eastham,

Thomas Higgins settled in the North Precinct of Eastham, now Wellfleet. March 14, 1747-8, he was chosen on Precinct committee and March 19, 1749-50, was assessor. He may have served as juryman in 1728 and 1733 and certainly was surveyor of highways m 1742. April 10, 1741, with Jabez Snow, Jr., he was skipper or master of a porpoise voyage. In 1760 he was selectman and tithingman. This Thomas is generally called Thomas, Jr., on Eastham records.

Abigail Paine, wife of Thomas Higgins, through her mother Hannah (Higgins) Paine, was a descendant of Thomas and Joseph Rogers and of Stephen Hopkins, passengers on the Mayflower in 1620. She was also a descendant of Nicholas Snow, one of the seven founders of Eastham.

59. PAUL" HIGGINS {Benjamin^, Benjamin'^, Richard^), born June 25, 1708, at Eastham; died in 1801 at Orleans, "aged 95"; married Oct. 3, 1737, Rebecca Mayo, born April 19, 1714, at Eastham; died there in 1776; daughter of Samuel and Abigail (Sparrow) Mayo of Eastham.

His children were recorded at Harwich and he and his wife were members of the First Church of Harwich, now Brewster. Hence it is probable that they lived within that town for some time. However, in 1774 they were both members of the First Church of Christ in Eastham, now at Orleans. They were then, and probably for the rest of their lives continued to be, residents of South Orleans. In the collection of deeds owned by Capt. E. F. Small, copied by Mr. Stanley W. Smith, are the following:

"Know all men, etc. that we William Crosby and Phoebe his wife, Samuel Paine and Sarah his wife, Stephen Griffith and Eunice his wife, and James Phinney and Abigail his wife, all of Harwich and Rebecca Higgins of Eastham for £80 paid by Samuel Higgins Jr. of Eastham sell to him all our right in the land that was set off to our mother and grandmother Mayo in the field that comes to us by our mother that was given to her by our grandfather Samuel Mayo, Nov. 23, 1779."

"Know all men that I Timothy Doane of Orleans for $225 paid by Samuel Higgins Jr. of said Orleans sell to him all the property that the sd Timothy Doane purchased by deed of James Phinney and Stephen Griffith of Harwich and Rebecca Higgins of Orleans, the sd estate lying partly in Orleans and partly in Brewster and was formerly owned by Paul Higgins, late of sd Orleans, deceased. May 28, 1806."

"Know all men that I Paul Higgins of Eastham, yeoman, for £15, 12, 0 paid by Samuel Higgins Jr of sd Eastham yeoman sell ... all that my parcel of land lying in Eastham near the dwelling house of Uriah Mayo which land I bought of John Cole, as may be seen in two deeds from John Cole to myself, bearing date 12 Feb. 1759 and 14 June 1762. Dated 30 March 1795." Probably a deed of gift to his only surviving son Samuel Higgins, instead of a will. No estate of Paul Higgins was ever brought before the Barnstable Probate Court.

Authorities: Mayflower Des., vol. vii, p. 231; vol. viii, pp. 106, 149; Freeman's History of Cape Cod, vol. ii, p. 725; Eastham Purposes of Marriage, 1773, pp. 6, 9; Harwich Vital Records;

60. BENJAMIN^ HIGGINS (Benjamin\ Benjamin\ Richard^), born March 1, 1715-6; died at Eastham Sept. 17, 1777, aged 60 (Orleans church records), or in his sixty -first year (gravestone); married (1) Feb. 7, 1739-40, Hannah Higgins, born ; died 1773; daughter of James and Sarah (Mayo) Higgins of Eastham; married (2) May 19, 1774, Margery (Homer) Sears, born June 13, 1727; died Aug. 6, 1787, or Aug. 1, 1795; daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Crowell) Homer and widow of Willard Sears of Yarmouth, to whom she was married Jan. 3, 1765.

Benjamin Higgins appears to have lived at Eastham-Orleans. On April 3, 1759, Sarah (Mayo) Higgins sold him land in Harwich. March 1, 1760, Joshua and Ruth (Twining) Higgins sold him their "tenement-lot" in Eastham-Orleans. He was chosen juror in 1745-6 and again in 1761.

Sept. 17, 1777, Benjamin Higgins of Eastham, labourer, "being weak, etc.," made his will. To wife Margery Higgins, son Lot Higgms, daughter-in-law Susannah Sears (i. e. second wife's daughter), to Edmond Higgins, Elisha Higgins, and Sarah Higgins. Two grandchildren. Love Higgins and Experience Higgins (they were children of his daughter Hannah and James Higgins, Jr.). Son Lot Higgins to be executor. Will proved Oct. 15, 1777. Estate £577.13.05.

61. ZACCHEUS^ HIGGINS (Benjamin\ Benjamin\ Richard^), born Aug. 15, 1719, at Eastham; died at date unloiown, possibly in Maine; married Feb. 2, 1737-8, Rebecca Young, born March 24, 1717-8, at Eastham; died at date unknown; daughter of Nathan and Rebecca (Shaw) Young of Eastham.

Zaccheus HIggins served in the Old French War, but this may refer to Zaccheus Higgins, son of Joshua"* Higgins, born Oct. 8, 1727. Some of the following items may also refer to Zaccheus Higgins, son of Joshua. The records are few and obscure, and certainty is not to be expected.

The records of the town of Eastham show that Zaccheus Higgins was tithingman in 1768, howard in 1768, and constable in that year or the next. April 19, 1766, Zaccheus Higgins was on a committee to build and assign pews in Eastham meetinghouse. July 7, 1763, Zaccheus Higgins of Eastham, yeoman, sells two thirds of some land, upland and other. (Eastham Town Records.) Feb. 24, 1764. Zaccheus Higgins, Jonathan Freeman, Joseph Cole, Jr., and James Cole, all of Eastham, yeomen. Proprietors in common of a parcel of land situate in Eastham, being the estate of Seth Young, late deceased, lying at the Northward side of the way that leads from Lieut. Richard Sparrow's to the Meeting House, adjoining on the Eastern side to the Land of the abovesaid Zaccheus Higgins, on the Western side to the land of Moses Higgins and Freeman Higgins. Recorded July 27, 1764 (Eastham Town Records). As Seth Young was brother of Rebecca Young, wife of Zaccheus Higgins, it is probable that we are correct in assigning this record to the present Zaccheus, and not to the son of Joshua^ Higgins.

April 2, 1790, Zaccheus Higgins and Rebecca his wife sold to Thankful Freeman, widow, land in Eastham "lying in the northwesterly part of my field, near Philip Young's dwelling house." This is the latest mention of them found and shows that both were living at that date. This deed is among the deeds "rerecorded" in 1827 and afterwards at Barnstable, in the volume assigned to the town of Orleans. The census of 1790 shows a Zaccheus Higgins living at Eastham, with a family of one, probably nis wife. Whether this is Zaccheus, son of Benjamin^ Higgins, or Zaccheus, son of Joshua"* Higgins, must remain uncertain. The family of Zaccheus and Rebecca Higgins is also uncertain. The records of Eastham give them but one child, but it seems probable that there were others, older than Nathan. Israel is assigned to them, not on positive evidence, but from impossibility to place him elsewhere.

ii. Nathan, b. June 6, 1755. He may be the man of the following war record: "Nathan Higgins (also given Nathaniel), Barnstable (also given Eastham). Sergeant, Col. Lamb's regt. ; Continental pay accounts for service from May 25, 1777, to Dec. 3, 1779; residence Barnstable; also return of officers and men belonging to Massachusetts in Col. John Lamb's (2nd artillery) regt., dated Park of Artillery, Jan. 10, 1781, signed by Lieut. Col. Ebenezer Stevens, rank, Sergeant; residence Eastham; engaged for town of Eastham; engaged May 25, 1777, by Capt. Thomas; term, during war."

Solomon Higgins, probably this man, served as sergeant in Capt. Jabez Snow's company in 1759 for thirty weeks. In 1773-5, Solomon Higgins held a minor town office at Eastham. Mrs. Bethiah Higgius was a member of the First Church of Christ in Eastham in 1774 and doubtless earlier, but Solomon Higgins does not appear on the roll.

About 1780 or a little later Solomon Higgins and wife Esther removed to Mt. Desert, Maine, settling on Eddy's Brook at Bar Harbor, near the place where his relative, Israel Higgins, had settled a few years before. Tradition related that when he became aged and partially demented he wandered away during a snowstorm and fell over a cliff below Cromwell's Harbor into the sea. His body was never found and the precipice has ever since been called Sol's Cliff.

Isaac Higgins Hved at Eastham-Orleans, but little has been discovered concerning him. Richard Mayo, his wife's father, was son of Thomas^ Mayo {Nathaniel^, Rev. John^).

64. FREEMAN* HIGGINS {Benjamin^ Benjamin\ Richard^), born July 28, 1727, at Eastham; died at Orleans, Mass., in 1804; married (1) Nov. 13, 1747, Martha Cole, born March 18, 1730; died at Eastham; daughter of Timothy and Martha (Almony) Cole of Eastham; married (2) July 4, 1757, Mrs. Thankful (Hopkins) Paine, born May 20, 1724, at Truro, Mass.; died in 1806; daughter of Caleb and Mercy (Freeman) Hopkins and

Freeman Higgins resided at Eastham-Orleans. He served as a juryman at Eastham in 1758 and again in 1771. In 1790 his family consisted of four persons, probably himself, wife and one son and one daughter. In 1774 Mrs. Thankful Higgins was a member of the First Church of Christ at Eastham-Orleans, but Freeman Higgins was not a member.

The will of Timothy Cole, dated April 1, 1760, names wife Martha, daughter Elizabeth Higgins (wife of Lemuel Higgins of Chatham, Conn.), and grandchildren Timothy and Apphia Higgins (only children of his daughter, Martha (Cole) Higgins).

iv. Thankful, b. April 9, 1758; married Nov. 12, 1781, Thomas Stoddard Boardman of Boston. V. Zedekiah, b. April 11, 1760; probably the Zedekiah Higgins who was in Capt. Benjamin Godfrey's co.. Col. Josiah Whitney's regt., serving from May 10 to July 10, 1777, marching from Harwich to Boston Neck, South Kingston, R. I. He died in 1777.

viii. Elisha, b. Nov. 9, 1766; d. unmarried at Baltimore, Md. His vessel and cargo, valued at $25,000, were seized by the French during the War of the Bonapartists. This loss so preyed upon his mind that it caused his sickness and death.

William Higgins resided at Elizabeth, N. J., and was a boatman. He died in 1746 and his widow declining to adminster, his father, Gershom Higgins, was appointed administrator on Jan. 10, 1746-7. The children are mentioned in the will of their grandfather, Gershom Higgins.

Church, Elizabethtown, N. J., Elizabeth Haviland, born about 1741; died Jan. 31, 1784, at Elizabethtown; daughter of Luke and Sarah Haviland of Elizabeth, N. J.

Joseph Higgins built the mills at the foot of Mountairy Hill, at Mountairy, N. J., and resided there, operating the mills. He was buried in the churchyard at Mountairy. His will, dated Feb. 6, 1789, probated July 3, 1790, is in part as follows: "Joseph Higgins of Amwell, being in good health, bequeaths to wife Elizabeth wench, horse, saddle, etc. To son Michael a lot of land and the sawmill thereon. To his grandsons Andrew and Joseph his plantation to be divided between them. His wife and son and grandson Andrew to be executors; brother Joshua Higgins to assist executors." Inventory taken July 8, 1790, amounted to £374.04.03, including a "pale red cow."

The plantation of Joseph Higgins was of considerable extent. How it came to him is shown by the following deed (West Jersey Deeds, Trenton, N. J., vol. Y, p. 524) :

"July 30, 1756. Thomas Ruckman and Elizabeth his wife, late of Amwell township, conveys to Jediah Higgins of the township of New Brunswick, two parcels, 5 acres and 383 acres, being part of the 5,000 acre purchase made by Benjamin Field May 19> 1701, above the falls of the Delaware, along the Elosocking Creek. Consideration one thousand pounds. Acknowledged Aug. 10, 1764. Witnesses John Ringo, James Beard, Jonathan Higgins,"

"Oct. 27, 1759. Judiah Higgins of Kingston in the Corporation of New Brunswick to his son Joseph Higgins of Amwell for four hundred pounds, 383 acres on the EUishawking Creek. Acknowledged June 6, 1768. Witnesses Ichabod Leigh, Joshua Higgins." (West Jersey Deeds, vol. Y, p. 527.)

These deeds refer to the land which Jediah Higgins sold to his son Joseph at less than cost. See the will of Jediah^ Higgins. It appears that this land was near Ringoes, about three miles from Mountairy, and that Joseph and probably Jonathan Higgins settled in the region between 1756 and 1759.

Jonathan Higgins removed from Kingston and settled about one mile north of Ringoes in Hunterdon County, N. J., perhaps in the period 1756 to 1759, when his brother Joseph was making a similar settlement on land bought by their father. Jonathan Higgins of Flemington, N. J., a descendant of Jonathan* Higgins, says that Jonathan settled near Higgins school, Delaware township. This may refer to the first mentioned locality. Jonathan and his wife Ann were buried in the Baptist Cemetery, Flemington, N. J., where their gravestones may be seen. Some authorities state Ann Britton was daughter of Col. Nicholas Britton of Revolutionary War fame. She was more probably his sister.

Authorities: Mr. H. E. Deats from records furnished by Annie J. Higgins of Flemington, N. J. ; Bible records from Grace A. Gerard of New Britain, Conn, ; Inscriptions from Baptist Churchyard, Flemmgton, N. J.; Conover Family (1912), p. 29.

69. JOSHUA* HIGGINS {Jediah\ Jediah\ Richard^), born about 1732; died March 4, 1804, at Somerset, N. J.; married about 1752 Mary Quick, born about 1726; died Aug. 6, 1803; daughter of Tunis and Catherine Quick of Amwell, N. J.

Joshua Higgins may have lived at Amwell for a number of years after his marriage, but on April 22, 1765, when his father made his will, and for the rest of his life, he was a resident of Kingston, N. J. He was a planter or farmer. He inherited his father's land and property at Kingston. His will, dated Feb. 4,

"All my moveable estate to be sold at public vendue and put out at interest for the use of my grandchildren, to be equally divided among them and to be paid to them when they come of age. My son Samuel is to have the use and care of my homestead (and another lot of land) and is to bring up my grandson Joshua Higgins and my granddaughter Charlotte Higgins till they come of age and give them schooling. I give the said homestead plantation and all the above mentioned lots of land to my grandson Joshua Higgins when he arrives at twenty one. To my son Samuel two lots of land. To son Tunis the use and profits of three lots of land, and after his death I give all the three parcels to my granddaughter Hannah Higgins. To my son Jediah the use of all the land he now possesses in the County of Somerset, also twenty acres of land in the county of Middlesex, opposite his dwelling house; after his death I give them all to my granddaughter, Ann Higgins. I give the use of the house and lot in Kingston where Elizabeth Van de Waters lives to her (?) during her life and then after her death to my granddaughter Mary Higgins. To Elizabeth Higgins the use of the swamp lot on the south side of Hethent's Brook during her life and after her death to Elizabeth Smith, remainder of woodland if any to my granddaughter Ann. To my negro man Peter Higgins the use of the house and lot he now lives in. Son Samuel and brother-in-law, Tunis Quick of Hunterdon Co. to be executors." Inventory £619.03.02.

The will of Tunis Quick of Amwell, dated Sept. 2, 1770 (Wills at Trenton, Liber xvii, p. 2), mentions his daughter, Mary Higgins. She was living Sept. 3, 1803, when she united with her husband in a deed (Liber D, p. 49, Somerville, N. J.), but since she is not mentioned in her husband's will, she had probably deceased before Feb. 4, 1804.

It is declared that he had children in addition to those mentioned in the will, namely: Mary, who married a Gulick and lived near Kingston, Peter, James and Joseph. If that was so, they died before their father. The will is the best evidence, but of course mentions only those surviving when the will was made. There seems to be evidence that he had a son John, not named in the will, because deceased, but living and of age Sept. 21, 1789.

70. JAMES* HIGGINS (Jediah\ Jediah\ Richard'), born about 1733-4, probably at Kingston, N, J.; died there Sept. 10, 1779; married (date not found) Sarah Stout (?), who survived him.

Little is known of this James Higgins. Administration on the estate of James Higgins of Middlesex County was granted unto Sarah Higgins and Jediah (Judiah) Higgins, Jan. 27, 1780 or 1781 (year uncertain).

Authorities: Will Book xxiv, p. 73, at Trenton; Letter of Anna D. Higgins of Asbury Park, N. J., dated April 23, 1912; Bible record of Jediah^ Higgins, son of above James, in possession of Dr. A. S. Higgins of Manasquan, N. J.

Azariah Higgins lived at or near Bingoes, N. J. Balph Ege in his Pioneers of Old Hopewell says that he was ancestor of all the Higginses of Ringoes and Wertsville. In the will of Benjamin Runyan .of Amwell, dated Jan. 29, 1776 (File 994 J), he calls Azariah Higgins his brother-in-law. Joseph Hill, Jr., of Amwell in will dated April 7, 1773, calls Azariah Higgins his brother-inlaw. Both of these wills are dated before the marriage of Azariah Higgins to Sarah Stout. Hence Azariah must have had a wife before Sarah Stout, or there were two Azariahs.

Azariah Higgins served as sergeant in Captain Maxwell's Company, Second Regiment, Hunterdon Co. Militia, during the Revolution {New Jersey in the Revolutionary War, Official Roster of Continental Troops, p. 466).

Azariah Higgins and his wiie Sarah were both living at Amwell April 28, 1794, when both united in a deed of land to Peter Prall. (Recorded at Flemington, N. J.)

Jonathan Higgins resided at Elizabeth, N. J., where he was a carpenter and builder. On Feb. 24, 1767, property in the borough of Elizabeth was sold by the sheriff to satisfy the claims of Jonathan Higgins, who had won a suit at law concerning it. It may be the same property referred to in the following: "House for sale in Elizabeth. If different house is wanted, he will build it, as building is his trade." {New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, Feb. 29, 1768.) The will of Jonathan Higgins of the borough of Elizabeth is dated April 20, 1775, and was proved Oct. 5, 1782. The will gives "The shop, Joyner & Turning tools to son Jonathan. The negro servants are to have their freedom if they behave." The children given below are also named. The administrator's account on file at Newark shows that Jonathan Higgins died before Sept. 7, 1778, and that £30 was spent for a headstone at his grave. (See Addenda.)

74. EBENEZER^ HIGGINS {Samuel\ Jonathan^, Jonathan^ Richard}), born July 21, 1721, at Eastham; died there ; married (1) Oct. 8, 1742, Martha Burgess; married (2) Oct. 27, 1763, Mrs. Hannah Yates of Harwich.

Ebenezer and Hannah Higgins were members of the First Church of Eastham-Orleans in 1774. He was for many years First Lieutenant in Capt. Elisha Doane's 6th (2d Eastham) company of the Second Barnstable County regiment of militia. On April 26, 1776, he was commissioned for active service by order in Council. He served about three years longer. In a petition dated Eastham, April 1, 1779, he asked permission to resign his commission on account of advanced age and impairment of health. On the certificate of Barnabas Freeman that the discharge of said Higgins would be for the good of the service, the resignation was accepted April 21, 1779.

On May 6, 1761, Ebenezer Higgins, Jr., sold for £6 lawful money to Samuel Higgins, Jr., and Eliakim Higgins, carpenters of Eastham, his lot of meadow "the 2nd lot in the fifth propriety or great share which lot is the same that fell to Elisha Linnell in the last division of meadow in said Eastham."

Authorities: Eastham Vital Records; Deeds in the collection of the late Judge Jonathan Higgins of Orleans, copied in abstract by Mr. Josiah Paine of Harwich.

75. SAMUEL^ HIGGINS (Samuel\ Jonathan^ Jonathan\ Richard}), born Aug. 6, 1730, at Eastham; died at Orleans, 1813, aged 83; married (1) March 1, 1759, EHzabeth Bassett, born Feb. 29, 1736; died Nov. 9, 1793; daughter of Nathan and Ehzabeth Bassett of Chatham, Mass. ; married (2) Sept. 12, 1795, Eunice Young of Eastham.

At the time of his first marriage Samuel Higgins was called Samuel Higgins, 3d, of Eastham, two older men named Samuel Higgins being then living in the town. He was a hatter in 1757; elected fence viewer in 1779; may have held other town offices. (See SamueP, son of Paul^.) He may have been the Samuel Higgins who was town clerk of Eastham. (See vol. xv, Mayflower Descendant, p. 131.)

died Oct. 25, 1799, in her sixty -second year; daughter of Samuel and Mary (or Margaret) Freeman of Eastham (?). Their gravestones at Orleans. He was a carpenter.

Bathsheba Freeman was of Harwich and the marriage is recorded there. Eliakim Higgins was surveyor of highways in 1763, 1768, 1774, 1777, 1779, and surveyor of boards and shingles in 1784. In 1794 he held some town office, perhaps selectman.

Sylvanus and Abigail Higgins were members of the First Church at Orleans in 1774, and lived in that part of ancient Eastham all their lives. His will, dated July 7, 1802, was proved Oct. 27, 1802. He named wife Hannah, probably a second wife, and son Sylvanus, to whom he gave his dwelling house, reserving a home there for his widow and his unmarried daughters. He held town office in 1781, 1783 and 1797."

Authorities: Eastham-Orleans Records; Will of Paul Knowles, 1778; Will of Sylvanus Higgins, 1802, Barnstable Probate Records, vol. xxxi, p. 371; Mr. W. B. Snow of Maiden, Mass.

"Private, Capt. Solomon Higgins's (Eastham) co.; enlisted July 10, 1775; discharged Dec. 31, 1775, service 6 mos. 6 days in defence of seacoast; also Sergeant, Capt. Simeon Fowler's co.. Col. Jonathan Reed's (1st) regt. of guards; muster roll dated Cambridge, May 9, 1778; engagement, 3 mos. from April 2, 1778, also same co. and regt.; entered service April 2, 1778; service to July 1778, 3 mos. 5 days, at Cambridge; also Capt. Joshua Higgins's co., Maj. Zenas Winslow's regt.; service from Sept. 6, to Sept. 13, 1778, 6 days on alarms at Bedford and Falmouth."

Sparrow, ii. Peggy, b. July 25, 1770; married Oct. 2, 1788, Silas Rider of Wellfleet. She d. Sept. 2, 1817, aged 54 (gravestone at Wellfleet in disagreement). iii. Keziah, b. Sept. 17, 1772; married John Woodman of

Capt. Joseph Higgins, on Nov. 28, 1757, sold to his son Christian the land and buildings "now occupied by him" on Mather's Neck. The papers of the Boston selectmen show that in the years 1764, 1765 and 1767 a Christopher Higgins was captain of the sloop Ruhy from Connecticut which made voyages to Boston. Possibly Christopher is the same man here called Christian. However that may be, it seems fairly certain that Christian Higgins of Lyme was a mariner or sea captain during some part of his career.

Children born at Lyme. William, b. June 28, 1751; married Fanny Bailey. Benjamin, b. May 9, 1753; married Jane Peck. Christopher, b. March 4, 1755; d. Jan. 1, 1756. Christopher, b. June 23, 1758; married Hepzibah Read.

Authorities: Lyme Vital Records, vol. i, p. 104; Ancient family Bible records printed in Mather^s Long Island Refugees; Miscellaneous Papers, Boston Selectmen, 1760 ff; Stiles Ancient Wethersfield, vol. ii, p. 830; New London (Conn.) Probate Records.

80. SYLVANUS^ HIGGINS iJoseph\ Joseph\ Jonathan^ Richard^), born about 1737; died at Lyme, Jan. 30, 1802", in his sixty-fifth year; married July 15, 1773, Elizabeth Clark; died Dec. 23, 1816, aged 59 years. Gravestones in Duck River Cemetery, Lyme, Conn.

Sylvanus Higgins lived at Lyme, Conn. His will was dated Oct. 26, 1799. Mrs. Elizabeth Higgins declining to be executrix, Benjamin Higgins was appointed administrator. Inventory taken i. Mercy Remick, b. May 6, 1774; married Oct. 26, 1806, Capt. Michael Huntley of Lyme. Children: Sylvanus Higgins Huntley, Giles Leonard Huntley , Joseph Williams Huntley. Descendants of Sylvanus H. Huntley still own and live upon land in Lyme, purchased by Capt. Joseph Higgins in 1742.

Beriah Higgins, perhaps this one, was a private in Capt. Nathaniel Edward's company of General Waterbury's Brigade; hired by the town of Middletown; served from April 1, 1781, to Sept. 6, 1781.

82. ELISHA^ HIGGINS {Elisha\ Elisha\ Jonathan\ Richard^), born Nov. 1, 1727, at Eastham, Mass.; died probably at Willsborough, Essex County, N. Y.,. after March 23, 1801; married at date and place not found , who died May 7, 1778.

Elisha Higgins doubtless went from Eastham to Hardwick with his father in 1742. In 1748 to 1760 he was soldier or frontier guard at Fort Massachusetts and settled in Williamstown, Mass. In 1784 he removed to Willsborough, N. Y. The main evidence for these statements will be given.

"An examination of the record index to the Muster Rolls, series 1710-1774, shows that an EHsha Higgins, no place of residence given, served as a Centinel in the Colonel's company. Col. D wight's regiment, from August 11th to August 21st, 1748, on the Western Frontiers; also that an Elisha Higgins, no place of residence given, served as a Centinel in Capt. Elisha Chapin's company continuously at Fort Massachusetts from June 2nd 1753 to June 16th, 1755 ; also that an Elisha Higgins, no place of residence given, served as a Centinel in Capt. John Burke's company on the expedition against Crown Point, from April 10th to December 11th, 1755; also that an Elisha Higgins, birthplace Eastham, residence Hoosack, age 27 years, enlisted into the Colonel's company, Col. Dwight's regiment, from the town of Pelham, according to a descriptive list, dated Camp at Fort Edward, July 26, 1756; also that an Elisha Higgins, residence Hatfield, served as a Centinel in Capt. Lieut. Burke's company, from April 22, to November 30th, 1756, on the expedition against Crown Point; also that an Elisha Higgins, no place of residence given, served as a private in Capt. Isaac Wyman's company from

Nov. 13, 1758, to November 5th, 1759, at Fort Massachusetts and West Hoosack; also that an EUsha Higgins, no place of residence given, served as a Private in Capt. Seth Hudson's company from October 28th, 1759, to April 16th, 1760, at West Hoosack." - From a letter from the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to Paul H. Ludington.

These records of military service all relate, it is believed, to one man, who is the Elisha Higgins herein described. The deeds on record at Pittsfield, Mass., confirm the opinion. There are several of them. Only the earliest and latest will be quoted:

March 16th, 1754. Elisha Higgins of Fort Massachusetts, soldier, to Nathan Mead. Right and title to one whole right of 63rd part of West Hoosack. (Book 5, p 117.)

Elisha Higgins also served in the War of the Revolution. He was a sergeant in Capt. Lemuel Stewart's company with the army at Ticonderoga in June, 1775; discharged at Pawlet, Vt. Elisha Higgins also served in Capt. Samuel Clark's company in September, 1777; also in Capt. William Douglas's company from Dec. 16, 1776, to March 22, 1777, at Ticonderoga. The rolls contain no clue to the residence of Elisha, but the officers mentioned all resided in Williamstown or Hancock, and there can be no doubt that Elisha Higgins of Williamstown is the man intended.

Fort Massachusetts, built 1745, destroyed in a French and Lidian raid 1746, rebuilt 1747, was the most westerly of a line of colonial forts extending from the Connecticut River, over the Hoosack Mountain, to the western line of the Province. It stood near the Hoosack River, about halfway between the present North Adams and Williamstown. Its garrison seems to have varied from 10 to 40, some of them becoming settlers on lands near by and only serving as soldiers in case of threatened danger. This was the case with Elisha Higgins, for in 1753 he owTied a house lot in West Hoosack (Williamstown) on which he built a house and lived for many years. This house stood on the south side of the present Mam Street in Williamstown. He appears in September, 1753, with others petitioning for a more complete town organization, and in 1756 is a subscriber for a Block House or fort at Williamstown, Fort Massachusetts having then gone to decay. He may have been a resident of Williamstown as late as 1781, but it is probable that about this time he emigrated to the western shores of Lake Champlain, in the state of New York. In the Registry of Deeds at Adams, Mass. (Book 1, p. 60), is found the deed whereby "EUsha Higgins of Willsborough, County of Washington, and State of New York, weaver," sells to "William Hambleton of Williamstown, County of Berkshire, and State of Massachusetts, taylor," property described as "being in Williamstown, aforesaid, containing thirty-five acres, it being the east end of the first division fifty acre lot No. twenty -five, drawn in favor of House Lot No. Eleven." The date is 1784. Elisha Higgins was in this year a resident of Willsborough, then in Washington County, N. Y., but later in Clinton County, and now by county division in Essex County. In Clinton County records of deeds (Liber A, p. 109), is found the record of Ehsha's land at Willsborough: "This indentm-e made the 23rd day of September in the year of our Lord 1784, between William GilHland of Willsborough in the county of Washington, and State of New York, on the one part, and Elisha Higgins of Willsborough aforesaid, yeoman, of the other part" . . . [conveys land]. "Beginning at the northeast corner of a lot of land formerly rented to Jotham Gardner, and now in the possession of Josiah Higgins" . . . "thence east to Lake Champlain, and thence southerly along the same to the place of beginning, containing one hundred and forty five acres of land."

The acknowledgment is in part as follows: "Be it remembered that on the 27th day of October in the year of our Lord 1789 personally appeared . . . Josiah Higgins, one of the subscribing witnesses to the within indenture."

It appears certain that Elisha Higgins and Josiah Higgins were in Willsborough as early as September, 1784. Other records show that they made their home there. The land in question can be exactly located. In Smith's History of Essex County, New York, is a map, attributed to Robert A. Heirn, supposed to have been drawn in 1786, which shows that this land was south of what is now known as Willsborough Point but in the present town of Essex. It would appear that before many years Elisha Higgins gave the western part of this tract of 145 acres to his son, Elisha Higgins, Jr., and it is certain that on April 16, 1799 (Essex County Records, Liber A, p. 29), "Ehsha Higgins of Willsborough, County of Essex, conveys to Isaac Higgins of the town, county and state aforesaid," land which runs "thence west to a certain fence now a division between Elisha Higgins and Ehsha Higgins, Junior."

. . . "Supposed to contain sixty-two acres of land, be the same more or less, and the said party of the first part [EUsha Higgins] doth save and reserve to himself the use or profits arising from one equal half of said land during his life." On March 23, 1801, Isaac Higgins sold this land to Daniel Ross in a deed which makes no mention of this reservation, and on the same date Josiah Higgins deeds to Isaac Higgins land in Judd's Patent, - some five miles south of the land sold by Isaac Higgins to Ross, but still on the shore of Lake Champlain, - fifty acres of land and makes this reservation "one half of which is to be to the use and benefit of Ehsha Higgins during his natural life." Here at some time later than March 23, 1801, as a farmer with his sons Josiah and Isaac, Elisha Higgins closed his life.

TVTiom Elisha Higgins married is difficult to determine. The town records of Palmer, Mass., have the record of the intention of marriage between Ehsha Higgins and Thankful Rice, which was filed Sept. 22, 1764. A recent certificate from the town clerk there shows that this is the true reading of the record. On the other hand Paige's History of Hardwick and History of the Rice Family, by A. H. Ward, both state that Edward Higgins and Thankful Rice were married Oct. 17, 1764. Mr. Charles Nutt, a genealogist, says: "I examined the original books of the Worcester County clerk, and find the record as given by Bailey, Edward Higgins married Thankful Rice Oct. 17, 1764. This record is official." The weight of evidence strongly supports the Rice Genealogy, which makes Thankful Rice the wife of Edward Higgins. The Palmer record has thus wrongly entered the name of the groom as Elisha Higgins, instead of Edward.

No record of the births of the children of Elisha Higgins has been found in any of the towns where Elisha resided, but all must have been born at Williamstown, Mass. The entire evidence for the five here given will be found in the Appendix.

ii. Hannah, b. about 1765; married about 1790 Richard Eggleston, son of Elisha and Elizabeth (Merrill) Eggleston of Wintonbury (Windsor), Conn., Williamstown (?), Mass., and Willsborough, N. Y. Richard Eggleston was a wheelwright and chairmaker. Mrs. Hannah (Higgins) Eggleston died February, 1798, "when her daughter Hannah was eleven weeks old." Children: Isaac, born about 1790; died when about seventeen years old; Naomi, born about November, 1794; married Silas Russell; removed to

Tecumseh, Mich., where they died; had five daughters and two sons; Hannah, b, Nov. 30, 1797; d. Aug, 7, 1881; married Alexander Trimble of Essex, N. Y.; had two sons and four daughters. One of these daughters, Almira, married Mr. Stickney, and she was living at Oshkosh, Wis., in 1896, and furnished this information.

That his wife was Thankful Rice seems certain from the old Court records of Worcester County, Mass., where his marriage is recorded as given above, although Palmer town records contain the marriage intention dated Sept. 22, 1764, of Elisha Higgins and Thankful Rice. The Palmer record is probably an error, whose cause cannot now be explained. After the death of Edward Higgins his widow Thankful married (2) Elisha Cobb of Charlemont, Mass., by whom she had two or three children. The Charlemont records give the marriage on Feb. 22, 1810, of Thankful Cobb and Silas Shurtleff . This may be her third marriage.

85. URIAH^ HIGGINS (Elisha\ Elisha\ Jonathan^ Richard^), born May 24, 1742; died ; married (intention published April 7, 1763) Esther Cooley of Greenwich, Mass. ; daughter of Benjamin Cooley of Brimfield, Mass.

He spent his boyhood in Hardwick, was at Palmer in 1764, and at Oakham in 1775 and in 1790 he was living at Dummerston, Vt., with family of six, besides himself.

Private, Capt. Timothy Paige's co.. Col. James Converse's regt., enlisted Aug. 21, 1777; discharged Aug. 31, 1777; service 10 days; mileage from home (90 miles) allowed; company marched to Bennington on an alarm. In 1784 he bought land in Wendell and in Montague, and may have lived there for a time.

ix. Shady (Shadrach.?), b. Feb. 17, 1783. Moved to Benson, Vt., 1820; married Sally Manning, b. 1792, daughter of William and Sarah (Higgins) Manning. She married (2) Cromwell Bennett. William Manning, bapt. 1760, at Windham, Conn., moved to Benson, Vt., about 1820. He married before 1784 Sarah Higgins. Parents unknown. She died March 24, 1839, aged 74.

86. JOSEPH^ HIGGINS (Beriah\ Elisha\ Jonathan'^, Richard'^), born March 1, 1737; died March 27, 1781; married (intention Feb. 25, 1760) Hannah Pepper, born Feb. 22, 1740; died ; daughter of Joseph and Rebecca (Higgins) Pepper.

He was a captain, probably a mariner. He resided in Wellfleet. Left a good estate; more than £1,500, including £874 in paper money. Probate records call him captain. Left his pew in meeting house to the use of his wife and all his children. His, will, dated March 6, 1781, proved April 20, 1781, by Hannah, executrix. Gravestone says he was in forty-sixth year when he died.

Receipt dated Point Shirley, June 13, 1776, signed by said Higgins and others belonging to Capt. Nathaniel Winslow's co., Colonel Whitney's regt., for advance pay for 1 month, travel allowance from home to Boston, etc. ; also, private, Capt. Nathaniel Winslow's CO., Col. Josiah Whitney's regt., pay rolls made up for service from May 1, 1776, 4 days preceding march from home, to Aug. 1, 1776; enlisted May 1, 1776; reported enlisted into the naval service June 21, 1776.

Order dated Boston Aug. 22, 1779, signed by said Higgins for £32. 8s. to be deducted from his wages, payable to Mr. Horty; also, seaman, ship Protector, commanded by Capt. John Foster Williams; engaged Dec. 13, 1779; discharged May 1, 1780; service 4 months, 18 days.

List of men drafted to serve in the Continental Army to the credit of the town of Wellfleet, but who paid fines in Keu of service, as returned by Winslow Lewis, chairman of selectmen and committee of Wellfleet, to Joseph Otis, Brigadier General of Barnstable County, Sept. 8, 1777: Private, Capt. Solomon Higgins's (Eastham) co.; enlisted July 10, 1775; discharged Dec. 31, 1775; service 6 months, 6 days, in defense of seacoast. (These records of mihtary service may not all belong to this Joseph Higgins.)

John Higgins resided at Wellfleet. He is probably the John Higgins whose Revolutionary service follows: "Capt. Winslow Lewis's CO.; pay abstract for mileage to and from camp at Cambridge, dated Jan. 13, 1776; mileage (204 miles) allowed said Higgins; also. Private, Capt. Joseph Smith's attachment of militia from the town of Wellfleet, Col. Freeman's regt.; service 2 days; mileage (52 miles) allowed; detachment marched to Falmouth Sept. 10, 1778, by order of Brigadier Gen. Joseph Otis on an alarm."

88. BERIAH^ HIGGINS {Beriah\ Elisha\ Jonathan\ Richard^), born Feb. 3, 1759; died Nov. 18, 1829; married (1) Nov. 17, 1778, Abigail^ Higgins, daughter of Elkanah^ (Ebenezer^, Ichabod^, Benjamin'^, Richard^), and Sarah (Knowles) Higgins,

Mrs. Abigail Higgins was buried in the cemetery near the railroad station at Eastham. Inscription: "A loving mother and an affectionate wife."

89. HENRY^ HIGGINS (Jonathan^ Elisha\ Jonathan'^, Richard^), born July 24, 1743; died March 16, 1837; married Nov. 9, 1768, Mary Fisk, who died Feb. 7, 1821, aged 71. He was buried near where the Baptist Church formerly stood in Hardwick, near the line of Enfield. He was deacon in the Baptist Church. Served as a private in Capt. Samuel Billing's co.. Col. Ebenezer Leamed's regt.; muster roll dated Aug. 1, 1775; enlisted May 4, 1775; service 3 months, 4 days; also company return dated Oct. 7, 1775.

Barnabas Higgins resided at Wellfleet, Mass., but removed to Penobscot, Maine (the part of the old town now Castine), before 1786. The census of 1790 reports him hving at Penobscot and having a family as here given. He was a member of the First Church of Penobscot, now at Castine, in 1795.

iv. Martha Atwood, b. Jan. 23, 1786, at Castine, Maine; married May 24, 1807, Ebenezer Chipman, b. June 30, 1781; d. May 16, 1835, son of Deacon William and Martha (Treat) Chipman. The ancestors of Deacon Chipman were probably from Barnstable, Mass.

Elisha Higgins resided at Wellfleet, but his name appears not in the census of 1790. Mrs. Lucia Higgins married (2) Feb. 17, 1774, Joshua Young, Jr., of Wellfleet.

92. DANIEL^ HIGGINS (Barnabas\ Elisha^ Jonathan^ Richard^), born Aug. 26, 1751; died probably before 1790; married Feb. 8, 1777, Hannah Snow, born July 21, 1755; died at Wellfleet, Oct. 22, 1808; daughter of James and Hannah (Higgins) Snow.

Daniel Higgins lived at Wellfleet, but it is not mentioned in the census of 1790 and was probably dead before that time. The census shows a Hannah Higgins, 2d, who had a son and a daughter, who was probably the widow Hannah (Snow) Higgins. He is probably the Daniel Higgins "seaman on the ship Gen. Putnam, commanded by Capt. Daniel Waters; engaged July 8 (also given July 10), 1779; service to Sept. 7, 1779, 1 mo. 29 days; on Penobscot expedition. Roll sworn to in Suffolk, Co."

Hezekiah Higgins resided at Eastham-Orleans. He held some town oflSce in 1776, hayward in 1779, warden 1783, selectman 1794, 1796, and probably in 1797, 1801, 1802. In 1808 he was surveyor of wood, and in 1811 held some town office. He served as a private in Lieut. Samuel Knowles's co., Maj. Zenas Winslow's Second Barnstable Co. regt. of militia six days in September,

He may be the Ichabod Higgins who was a seaman, brigantine Nantes, Wilham WilUams, Master, bound on a voyage from Boston to Bilbao and return; portage bill, Boston, Jan. 19, 1779; engaged Dec. 7, 1778; service to Jan, 17, 1779, 41 days. It is rather more probable that this record of service refers to Ichabod Higgins, born Aug. 27, 1759, who married Elizabeth Young.

97. DANIEL^ HIGGINS {Nathaniel\ Ichabod^ Benjamin^, Richard^), born March 30, 1722, at Eastham; died Oct. 8, 1749, at Middletown (Middle Haddam parish), Conn.; married Oct. 27, 1743, Ruth Rich, born about 1722 at Eastham; died in 1813, aged 91, at Barkhamstead, Conn.; daughter of Thomas and Mercy (Knowles) Rich of Eastham.

Daniel Higgins settled in Middletown, Conn., perhaps before his marriage, but did not buy land in Middletown (Middle Haddam parish) until April 21, 1747, when he bought land of Thomas Rogers, Jr.

Mrs. Higgins joined the church at Middle Haddam, Feb. 3, 1747. She married (2) Nov. 16, 1750, WiUiam Taylor, a seaman of Middle Haddam and removed with him to West Simsbury, now Canton, Conn. There she lived many years and had several Taylor children.

"Oct. Session, 1779. Memorial of Ruth Taylor, widow of William Taylor late of Simsbury, deceased. Relates that William Taylor went under bonds Jan. 13, 1757, to Seth Doane of Middletown, which bond was conditioned that William Taylor should within 13 years and 8 months after date procure from Nathaniel Higgins, then a minor and only heir of Daniel Higgins, late of Middletown, deceased. Said Nathaniel at the age of twenty years had received a note from William Taylor. In 1779 said Nathaniel had received one-tenth of William Taylor's estate, and the note had been cancelled. Memorialist prays for relief." Authority: Records of the State of Connecticut, vol. ii, p. 423.

98. ENOCH^ HIGGINS {Nathaniel\ Ichahod\ Benjamin^ Richard^), born Sept. 5, 1724, at Eastham; died after 1790, probably at Stillwater, N. Y.; married Feb. 4, 1749, "in the evening"

Enoch and Sarah Higgins were members of the First Church of Eastham-Orleans in 1774. He appears to have been a resident of the South Precinct of Eastham, now Orleans, until after 1780 and to have removed to Stillwater, Saratoga County, N. Y., before 1790. The census of that year shows an Enoch Higgins living at Stillwater, with one other member of his family, presumably his wife, whom we identify with this Enoch. In Stillwater were also living at the same time Nathaniel and Thomas Higgins, and in Ballston in the same county another Enoch Higgins, whom we identify as the sons of Enoch and Sarah (Doane) Higgins.

a family of two children at Stillwater, N. Y. He is probably the Nathaniel Higgins who was sergeant. Colonel Lamb's (artillery) regiment; Continental Army pay accounts for service from Jan. 1, 1780, to Dec. 31, 1780; residence Eastham; also, return of officers and men belonging to Massachusetts in Col. John Lamb's (2d artillery) regiment; certified at Morristown, Jan. 29, 1780, by Lieut. Col. Commandant Ebenezer Stevens and Brig. Gen. H. Knox.

Enoch Higgins whom the census of 1790 shows living at Ballston, N. Y., and having a family consisting of wife and one child. viii. Abigail, b. Jan. 3, 1768.

Thomas Higgins lived at Eastham and Hopkinton, Mass., and Newfane, Vt. He was in Hopkinton in 1768, as shown by an old bond in possession of descendants in Vermont. Probably he was in Hopkinton before 1768, but is not named in Hopkinton vital records. The census of 1790 shows him in Newfane with a

Cornelius Higgins removed from Eastham to Haddam, Conn., about 1744. He left a will dated Jan. 16, 1800, probated Oct. 31, 1803, which names wife Mary and all his children. His services in the Revolutionary War were important. From the records it is impracticable to distinguish his services from those of his son Cornelius, and probably some records are included here which belong to the latter. He was also a Justice of the Peace, or local magistrate. He had been an officer in the Haddam militia company, and served from June, 1776, to Dec. 25, 1776, as captain of the 8th CO. of Col. William Douglas's Fifth Battalion of Wads- worth's Brigade; raised to reinforce Washington at New York; served in the City and on the Brooklyn front, being at the right of the Une of works at the battle of Long Island, Aug. 27, 1776. Engaged in retreat to New York, Aug. 28-30; stationed with militia brigade under Colonel Douglas at Kip's Bay, 34th st., on East River at time of the enemy's attack on New York, Sept. 15, and forced to retreat hurriedly. At Battle of White Plains, Oct. 28. Term expired Dec. 25, 1776.

iii. Sarah, b. April 19, 1748; married April, 1770, Samuel Church of East Haddam, b. Jan. 28, 1748-9; son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Fuller) Church ; removed to Gilsum, N. H.

iv. Jerusha, b. March 23, 1750; d. April 5, 1837, at Benson, Vt.; married October, 1766, Samuel Hurlburt of Middletown, Conn., who was distinguished in the Revolutionary War. Fourteen children.

Authorities: Middletown, Conn., Probate Records, vol. viii, pp. 30, 51, 224; Vital Records of Haddam, Conn.; Mr. Henry B. Welch of Lynn, Mass.; Ancestors and Descendants of Edmond Hawes, p. 170.

Isaiah Higgins lived at Eastham-Orleans. He served on petit jury 1761, as tithingman in 1763, as surveyor of highways in 1763, as hog-reeve in 1766, He held some town office in 1771 and in 1773 was a member of the town school committee. In