Biggs Family History

 

 

 

 

Biggs (Early Families) England

The William Biggs family came from Hapsbury, a dominion of Germany. He came to England with William the Conqueror, fought in the Battle of Hastings and acquired an estate in Essex.

We believe this to be our line, but to date cannot accurately prove it. Our coat of Arms came from this area in England, Essex and Worchestshire. Our ancestors in North Carolina ha d this same Coat of Arms, and we've proved that Jesse Biggs descended from the same family in North Carolina.

The Thomas Biggs descendants can be traced from John Biggs, a younger son of the Earl of Litchfield who was the fifth from Sir Thomas Biggs, Knight of the Garter in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth.

James Biggs took part in the 3rd Crusade following Richard [Coeur de Lion (called Richard the Lion Hearted) to Palestine.

He displayed great gallantry at the Siege of Acre (1191). For his service he was made Earl of Litchfield and received more land. He was known by the title "Jerusalem Jim" Biggs. The armor worn by James Biggs in the Crusade may still be seen in the Horse Armory of the Tower of London.

The first Biggs who came to America was John Biggs.  He has been designated as the founder of the Biggs family in America. He was a native of Worchester, England who came to America in 1664 with the Nicholls' Expedition for the conquest of New Amsterdam.  He is believed to have come from the family of Biggs of Lenchwich and Norton, near Evesham, England.

 

On September 8, 1664 John Biggs was present at the surrender of the Dutch govern of New Amsterdam. Peter Stuyvesant. John Biggs was Lieutenant of a foot company in the forces under Governor Thomas Dougan. New Amsterdam was changed to New York after the Dutch surrendered. John Biggs was stationed at Kingston, New York in the Command of Captain Daniel Brodhead.  After his company was disbanded he settled at Marbletown, Ulster County, New York where he acquired much landed property.

John Biggs married his second wife Mary Hall, September 28, 1686. He had four daughters and two sons, George and John.  George moved to Ridington, New Jersey about 1690. His son Peter Biggs was a farmer and served as a minuteman in the Revolutionary War.  He died in a British prison in New York.  The family had one son in the fourth generation who lived in North Carolina, we have no direct proof that he was connected to our family.

Mr. Warren Biggs, who was a member of the Biggs family in North Carolina and who was considered an authority on Biggs in North Carolina told us that his line came from Eves, England. Mr. Biggs was an older man and we thought he meant St. Ives, a port of Southern England.  From the Cornwall Visitations Pedigrees only mention of the Biggs name was Rob Rashlegh and Grace Biggs married January 1652, Cornwall Records.  Perhaps our Joseph Biggs sailed from Cornwall

Richard Biggs muster January 16, 1624: Muster of Inhabitants of West and Sherley Hundreds - "Richard Biggs, age 41, arrived in the Sun August 1610. Sarah, his wife, age 35 years, arrived in the Marygold May 1618. Richard their son age 3; Thomas Turner, age 11, and Susan old age 10, his cousins also came in the Marygold 1618.

There were many Biggs in Virginia. Some of the earliest were John and James Biggs. In the Norfolk County Deed Book 6, (1695-1703) page 77 John Biggs' will was probated March 15, 1696. (I have this will, but it is so old, one can hardly read it.)  In the Northamption County Will and Inventories, No. 26 (1777 to 1783) pages 161-162, James Biggs made his will naming his wife Ann. The earliest mention of Joseph Biggs was from Norfolk County, Virginia, Deed Book 16, page 73. John Biggs made a deed of gift to his son Joseph, recorded September 17, 1747. This could have been our Joseph since he came from Virginia to North Carolina in the 1740's.

 

North Carolina History

To understand the terminology of the deed, wills, etc. in North Carolina, one needs to know a little of the early history of the Carolinas.  In 1629 King Charles I of England granted "Carolina" to Robert Heath. At this time the "Puritan Revolution" began in England.  This was a struggle between Parliament and the King for power. Charles I was killed and from 1649 to 1660 England had no king.  The country was ruled by Oliver Cromwell.  When he died in 1658 power passed to his son Richard who was not a strong effective ruler. Two leaders made plans to restore the Stuart family to power, Edward Hyde the Earl of Clarendon and George Monch, the Duke of Albemarle planned the idea and in 1660 Charles II was brought back to the throne. Charles rewarded these men by giving them land in America. The Carolina Charter of 1663 has been called the "birth certificate of the two Carolinas." In this charter the settlers were to have the "right of Englishmen."  This document is on display in the Hall of History in Raleigh, North Carolina.

 

Carolina was put under eight Lord Proprietors and given "full power and authority" to create a government. It is interesting to note the religious motive was first, the political motive second, and the economic motive last.

 

Albemarle County (1667-1689) was the only place of settlement and the only government of what is now North Carolina. The county was divided into precincts which were given Indian names. Albemarle district drew its settlers from Virginia. The two colonies, Carolina and Virginia were rivals in growing tobacco for sale. For many years there was trouble about the line between Virginia and North Carolina.  The proprietors required the settlers to pay quitrents, a rent for the use of their land even when settlers had paid for the land. By 1712 Albemarle went out of existence, and North Carolina became a royal colony and separated from South Carolina.  Bertie County was established in 1722 and here the Biggs lands were located. (Check Deed of Joseph Biggs 1755)

 

The losses of original wills and deeds have been great in North Carolina by 1751. Frequent changes in the location of the seat of government contributed to these losses but fires caused a great percentage. Bertie was one of the first counties formed. We found a deed of the Joseph Biggs land there. Tyrrell County formed 1729 from Bertie County, had the same deed and now the same deed of Joseph Biggs is in Martin County. Martin County burned in 1884 so many of the Biggs materials burned.  Many of the older deeds and wills have been copied from the older counties. My land deed for Joseph Biggs was sent from Martin County but the same is in Bertie Courthouse also.

 

1790 Census Record of Biggs Families in North Carolina

Azeriah in Holifax County, N.C. 1 2 63

Bathia in Edgecombe County, N.C. 1 2 5 5 58

Kadar Martin County, N.C. 3 3 67

Efferd Nash Co. Newbern Dist. 1 1 69

Elizah Wayne County, N.C. 1 2 150

Joseph Martin County, N.C. 2 1 67

Joshua Martin County, N.C. 1 1 1 69

James, Sr. Robeson Co., Fayette Dist. 3 2 4 48

John Craven County, Newbern, N.C. 2 1 5 4 134

John Pitt County, N.C. 1 1 4 145

Robert Halifax Co., N.C. 1 2 2 63

Samuel in Robeson Co., N.C. 1 2 49

Tully Edgecombe Co., N.C. 1 1 1 58

William Martin County, N.C. 1 1 3 3 67

William, Sr. Craven Co., N.C. 1 1 5 130

William, Jr. Craven Co., N.C. 1 3 130

 

From Microfilm 1790 Census North Carolina, Cossitt Library' Memphis, Tennessee

From the 1810 Census of Martin County, N.C. we found the following Biggs: Daniel, Kadar, William, Jeremiah, John, Jesse, William Sr., and William, Jr. From the 1830 Census of Martin County there were Thomas, Joseph I, Joseph II, Edith, Daniel, James and Henry.

 

Census taken by W. S. Word

 

Biggs Chart

Joseph Biggs married Margaret Eastwood whose children were Kadar born 1749, James born 1753, William born 1756, Sarah, Morning, and Joseph born 1766.

William Sr. [married] Millie [?] and had Hannah born 1778, William Jr. born 1780, James born 1783, Tempsey born 1786, Clara born 1790, Thomas born 1793, Joseph born 1796, Fanny born 1798, and Louesa born 1803.

William Jr. married Milberry [?] and had Joseph, Jesse born Feb. 1801, James Nov 1801, Henry, Nicey, Fanny, and Sally.

Jesse I married Sarah Ashcraft and had William born 1831, Daniel born 1834, Henry born 1836, Millie born 1839, James born 1842, John born 1844, Thomas born 1847, and Jefferson born 1849.

Jesse I married 2nd Nancy M. Patrick and had Ida born 1866, Jesse S. born 1867, Lesha born 1871, and Nicia born 1874.

Our family history begins with Joseph Biggs. We've listed his children, but we deal directly with William Sr. (No.3) and his children; William, Jr. (No.2) his children of whom our Jesse Biggs was a member. We've given our account of the rest of the members of each of the families above, but we put it separately, because names in each of the families are so alike and cause much confusion even the Jesse is in many later families.

Biggs from North Carolina

Many members of the Jesse Biggs I family knew that he cameo from North Carolina, and his people had come from England.  After exchanging letters with members of James Biggs family, we learned that our Biggs had lived near the Roanoke River about three miles from town. It was at Williamston, North Carolina that we found our Biggs ancestors. We went to Williams ton to see Mr. Warren Biggs who had collected much material and was considered an authority on the Biggs family. Mr. Biggs was very feeble and had removed to High Point, N. C. to live with his daughter Mrs. Jack Cecil.

 

We gathered Biggs material from the Martin County Courthouse, visited cemeteries and saw the old Biggs home place.

We visited the Biggs-Staten private cemetery located about three miles from town on the Washington Road on land that had been in the Biggs family since Joseph Biggs acquired in 1755.  James G. Staton inherited it from Louisa Biggs, his grand- mother, who had inherited it from her father William, who was the third son of Joseph Biggs. There was a memorial for Joseph in this cemetery. It seems that he was buried in an old cemetery out in the woods. On the marker were the following: "Joseph Biggs from England to Virginia, to Martin County, North Carolina; married Margaret Eastwood, parents of William Biggs, who married Millie, parents of Thomas Biggs, etc."

 

My sister Ruth (Biggs) Daugherty and I visited Mr. Biggs at High Point, N.C. I spent a day copying his Biggs notes. Later Mr. Biggs sold his materials to colleges in North Carolina, Mrs. Jeannette Smith, Acting Director of the Baptist Historical Collection at the Smith Reynolds Library in Winston-Salem, N.C. sent me the same materials I had bought from Mr. Biggs. The same data, etc., were in Mrs. Smallerwoods' book, Some Colonial and Revolutionary Families of North Carolina.  I purchased a microfilm of Kehukee Association-Shewarky Baptist Church (1786-1861). It contained the minutes of the association which was full of Biggs. There were family records of many Biggs. This was the exact material I ha d copies from Mr. Biggs and the materials sent me by the others.

 

There are many Biggs Wills recorded in Martin County Courthouse in Williams ton, N.C. In the Will of William Biggs (cited later) we found our great-grandfather, Jesse Biggs, whose father was William Biggs, Jr.  At the time of the writing of this will, William Jr. was not living. William, Sr. listed his son William's children. With this our notes and dates began to fall in place. This will was probated September 28, 1817.  We have been told by older family members that as soon as Jesse Biggs received his inheritance, he left North Carolina (1820) to come south to the Indian lands that had been opened by Andrew Jackson in 1819.

 

Joseph Biggs, our first ancestor to America, as far as we know, was the father of William Biggs, Sr. (see chart). Joseph Biggs came from England and settled on the West Branch of the Elizabeth River near Portsmouth and Isles of Wright in Virginia. One source has it that he lived there one year, another thinks he came to Virginia about 1740 and stayed there until 1744. (Notice, John Biggs' Will to his son Joseph had land on the Elizabeth River.)  All sources agree that Joseph married Margaret Eastwood in Virginia but we have found no record to prove it except the monument in the Biggs-Staten Cemetery.  Joseph removed to Tyrrell County, N.C. and settled about three miles from the present site of Williamston, the present county seat of Martin County.

 

From the Martin County Courthouse, we found that Joseph Biggs bought land as early as 1755. The description of this land was sent to me from Bertie County. I wrote to Martin County and received a photocopy of the 1755 deed. It is very hard to read. There are excessive capital letters, no punctuation, and many words spelled differently. The following is a summary of that deed:

Martin County Courthouse, Williamston, N.C. Deed Book 4, Vol. I, Page 127

"This indenture was made this 29th day of January in the year of our Lord God one thousand seven hundred and     fifty-five by and between John Cherry of the county of Tyrrell of one part and Joseph Biggs of same county of the other part. That the said John Cherry for and in consideration of the sum of Eighteen pounds Virginia to him already paid satisfied, has given granted, bargained and sold unto the said Joseph Biggs his Ears and sins forever, one certain track or parcel of land lying and being on the west of Tick Creek formerly called Bertie County in the County Tyrrell, beginning at a cypress tree on the creek running north and by west up to the head of the land along a line of marked trees dividing the land below John Cherry and Ward, formerly called cypress line.

Thence running southerly by east to a pine, then running east along a line of marked trees to a hickory tree; thence east and by north to the Creek to a cypress tree and running to the first Station containing Three hundred Eakers and twenty, more or less, which said land is by patent bearing Date first day of February in the year 1725 and granted to William Mizell and conveyed by Deed to John Holland by Deed from John Spear to John Cherry more fully appears by true record and to hold this track of land with all and singular the appurtenance thereof to the said Joseph Biggs his heirs and assignee for ever; in as far and clear ample manner to all interest as appears estate in fee simple can absolute held or enjoins her from all Widow Dowery and power of Third. . . clearly discharged of any from all and manner of encumbrances whatsoever the quitrents due to this Lord only excepted and the said John Cherry for himself his Ears Executors, administrators Doth further Covenant Grant and agree to and with the said Joseph Biggs his ears forever.

The said Land to warrant and defend against lawful claims The said John Cherry hereby binds himself and obliges his said Joseph and his hears forever, whereof the said John Cherry puts his name and fixed his seal the day and year first above writ- ten."

Signed by:

Faithful Cherry, John Cherry, Esther Cherry, June Court, Mary Eastwood, 1755 Tyrrell County

 

Joseph Biggs I Family

Joseph Biggs came from England to Virginia and then to Tyrell County, now Martin County, N.C.; married Margaret Wastwood as has been stated before.

Children of Joseph and Margaret Biggs

 

1. Kader, born August 13, 1749, died 1815

2. James, born February 24, 1753

3. William, born April 1, 1756

4. Mourning must have died young

5. Sally must have died young

6. Joseph II born November 12, 1766

We found family of each of the sons but none about the daughters.

 

William Biggs, Sr. Family

William Biggs, third son of Joseph Biggs and Margaret (Eastwood) Biggs was born April 1, 1856; died between 1815 and 1817. His will was made September 28, 1815 and probated 1B17.  He was living in Martin County, N.C. at the 1790 Census. He had one son under 16 and two daughters. According to "Deeds 17B9- 1798" he owned land purchased from James Drew. Judging from lands willed to his children, he had many more acres of land. His wife Mille was born September 4, 1758. She was still living at the writing of his will in 1815.

Children of William and Millie Biggs

 

1. Hannah Biggs, daughter, was born 23rd February 177B

2. William Biggs, son, was born 22nd of May 1780

3. James Biggs, son, was born 21st February 1783

4. Tempey Biggs, daughter, was born 21st August 1786

5. Clary Biggs, daughter, was born 3rd July 1790

6. Thomas Biggs, son, was born 13th September 1793

7. Joseph Biggs, son, was born 13th January 1796

8. Fanny Biggs, daughter, was born 25th November 179B

9. Lousia Biggs, daughter, was born 15th July 1803

Copied from Church Record

 

We found the Will of William Biggs, Sr. in Will Book II, page I in the Martin County Courthouse. He made this Will. in IB15 Id it was probated in 1817. By the time some of the children ere deceased. Those mentioned in his Will were these:

1. Hannah Smithwick-land on which John Smithwick formerly lived and land on Gaines Road . . .

2. Thomas Biggs, land purchased from John Williams, Kadar Turlington, Rueben Sanders, etc.

3. Clary Mackey, lands bought from John Biggs, et al (rest in will)

The following is a copy of William Biggs, Sr. Will Certified by the Clerk of the Superior Court in Martin County, N.C.

In the Name of God Amen

I William Biggs Son of the State of North Carolina, County of Martin calling to mind the mortality of Man do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament on the twenty eighth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifteen in the following form and manner viz: Item, I lend unto my wife Milley Biggs the use of the Land and plantation whereon I now live and also the Land I purchased of Reuben Saunders as far as the Island Swamp with the privileges on any of my lands for firewood, lightwood or timber and half of the profits of my saw and grist mills; also her choice of five of my Negroes so that she chooses one from each child as I have mentioned them. Also all the property not hereafter mentioned in particular Legecies, and after her Death, I dispose of the as hereafter mentioned.

Item, I give unto my Daughter Hannah Smithwick, my land near the head of turkey Swamp estimated at two hundred and sixteen acres, being the land on which John Smithwick family lived; also one third parts of two hundred and fifty acres on what is called Gainers Road, also my Negro man named Luke, and my Negro girl named Tilday; also one case of Drawers with what she has already received to her and her Heirs forever---

Item, I give unto my son Thomas Biggs my land lying below the Island Swamp also that part of my land lying Northerly of the Branch leading from the main road to the March; also thirty-one acres on Back Swamp; also the land I purchased of John Williams; also the land I bought of Kadar Turlington; also my land in the fork of Bear Grass Swamp; also my Negro man Pompey and my Negro boy Whitt and one feather bed and furniture and one horse, and half of the profits of my saw and grist mill. At the Death of my wife the land and plantation whereon I now live, and; the land purchased of Reuben Saunders; also one half of my still and at the death of my wife, I give him the other half of my still all to him and his heirs forever.

Item, I lend unto my Daughter Clary Makey during her natural life one third part of two hundred fifty acres on what is called Gainers Road also the Land I bought of John Biggs and one Desk; also my Negro woman Rachel and her Child Aggy and at her death, I give the aforesaid property to her children which she may then have with what she has already received to them and their heirs forever.

Item, I give unto my Daughter Lucy Biggs one-third part of Two hundred and fifty acres of land on what is called Gainers Road. Also the Land called the Stewart Land which I purchased at the Sheriff's sale; also one feather bed and furniture, and one walnut table; also my Negro girl Suckey, and my Negro boy Peter to her and her heirs forever.

Item, I give unto my Grandson William Smithwick, son of John Smithwick, seventy-five acres of land that I purchased of Robert to him and his heirs forever.

Item, I lend unto my Daughter-in-Law Milberry Biggs, widow of my son William Biggs, the privilege of my land whereon she now lives, also my land bought of the Heirs of Wiley Eastwood during her widowhood and give unto her what my son William Biggs had received from one in his lifetime.

Item, I give unto my Grandson, Joseph Biggs, son of my son William Biggs, the Land I purchased of the heirs of Wiley Eastwood to enter in the possession thereof at the age of twenty- one years to him and his heirs forever.

Item, I give unto my Grandson, Jesse Biggs, son of my son William Biggs, all my land adjoining my old mill seat westerly of the Back Swamp and the said old mill seat and fifteen acres inclusive of Swamp on the east side of said old mill seat so as to join the upper line; and also the Swamp between said land on the west and south side with the mill stones laying on the mill seat and my cotton machine now at my other mill, to enter into the possession thereof at the Death of his Mother or her marriage, to him and his heirs forever.

Item, I give unto my Grandson James Biggs, son of my son William Biggs that part of my land on which my son William Biggs formerly lived. Beginning at the mouth of Station Branch, thence up the Branch twenty yards above the old path, thence a straight course to the Back line to a stooping large pine in said Back line near a flat pond, the part lying southerly by the aforesaid Division lines, to enter into possession thereof at his mother's death or marriage, to him and his heirs forever.

Item, I give unto my Grandson Henry Biggs son of my son William Biggs all the balance of the tract of land on which my son William Biggs formerly lived which I have not above given to his two Brothers to enter into the possession thereof at his mother's death or marriage, to him and his heirs forever.

Item, I give unto my Granddaughters Nicey, Fanny, and Sally Biggs, daughters of my son William Biggs, my Negro man Jack and my Negro boy Dave to be hired out at the discretion of my executors until the youngest child Sally shall arrive to twenty one years of age and then to be equally divided between them and their heirs forever.

Item, The Residue of my property at my death or the death of my wife, I give to be equally divided between all my children: (viz) Hannah Smithwick and the children of my son William Biggs deceased, (all of them to draw one share), my son Thomas Biggs; my daughter Clary Makey, and my daughter Lucy Biggs, to them and their heirs forever.

And for the executing this my last will and testament I constitute and appoint my son Thomas Biggs as whole and sole executor under this restriction; that as I have given him a large legacy than any of my children; that he shall not be allowed anything out of my estate for executing this will, and if my son Thomas Biggs should die before executing this will; in that case, I appoint my son-in-law John Smithwick, executor in testimony whereof I have this day signed sealed and published this to be my last will and testament in presence of Test:

Simon Gurganus

 Williams Biggs

Michael Lee

Jos Biggs

(see will of William Biggs) n.

 

William Biggs, Sr. was a moderator of the Baptist Church, called the Skewarky Baptist Church. This old church is on Highway 17, near the southern edge of Williamston, N.C. His brother Joseph Biggs was pastor for 38 years. The records from that church are very informative about the Biggs.

From the Roster of Soldiers from North Carolina in the American Revolution there are many Biggs names. William Biggs was the right age and his children were born after the war. We feel sure he took part. Page 939, Vol. 10, Colonial Records of North Carolina, William Biggs, a Tory in 1776, but in Historical Sketches of North Carolina, William Biggs was in General Assembly in 1801.

William Biggs, Jr. son of William Biggs, Sr. was born May 22, 1780, died after 1800, but before 1815.  He was witness to a sale of land in 1800, but was deceased in 1815 when his father made his will. William married Milberry. Some people in Williamston thought she was a Smithwick sister to John Smithwick, a brother-in-law to William.

They had seven children: Joseph, Jesse, James, Henry, Nicey, Fannie, and Sally. Besides our Jesse, we found James Biggs Family in Kentucky, Nicey's family in Williamston, N.C., and probably Henry's family there too.

Jesse Biggs I

Jesse Biggs, second son of William Biggs and Milberry (from his own Bible) was born February 5, 1801. He lived in Martin County, N.C. until after he received his inheritance in the 1820's.

During my summer college days at M.S. U. I met Mrs. Henley who brought me a letter written by a Mr. Biggs from Mayfield, Kentucky. He spoke of his father, James Biggs, and James's brother, Jesse Biggs who had come to Mississippi. After a few inquiries, I found the granddaughter of James Biggs - Mrs. Jessie (Biggs) Carter of Paducah, Kentucky. She was very helpful in my research. She sent me a tintype picture of my great-grandfather, Jesse Biggs. This is her story: "In the 1820's three Biggs brothers, Jesse, James and Henry left North Carolina in a caravan of 120 people. They came south from North Carolina via Cumberland Gap, which had been mapped by Dr. Thomas Walker in 1750. Near the boundary line between Tennessee and Kentucky the trail divided. James went into Kentucky and Jesse turned toward the south. We had not found where Henry went from there unless the Biggs Family of near Nashville, Tennessee, were his family. He could have returned to North Carolina, many records show that other Biggs returned. The Caravan, as the story was told, camped for the night near the Cumberland Gap. The three Biggs brothers went some distance from the camp, sat on a log, and talked most of the night. Before their return to camp, they joined hands and exchanged pictures. Next day each rode separate ways." Mrs. Carter sent me Jesse Biggs' picture, the tintype which was exchanged with her grandfather, James Biggs.  (See letter from Mrs. Jesse Carter)

Many years later Jesse Biggs went to Paducaka, Ky. to receive money for his shipment of logs, floated down the Tennessee River from the Biggs Landing near Savannah, Tennessee. He saw a man who he thought was a brother. He ran after the man who thought Jesse was going to take his money. When Jesse caught him, he told the man that he was a Biggs. He had the man pull off his shirt and show him a scar on his shoulder. Great-grandfather had hit him when they were growing up and left the s

 

Jesse Biggs made his way south, but not completely to Mississippi. We are told that he rode a horse to what is now Hardin County, Savannah, Tennessee.  Hardin County was one of the fifteen counties established between 1819 and 1824 in West Tennessee. All the state of Tennessee between the Tennessee River and Mississippi River was the hunting ground of the Chickasaw Indians.  The whole area of West Tennessee was bought from these Indians in 1818 and opened for settlement in 1819.  The first settlers live very much as the pioneers of East and Middle Tennessee had lived, except they build no forts and had no Indian Wars. They quickly opened roads, made bridges and ferries, and got into direct communication with middle Tennessee and Kentucky.

We are not sure of the date of Jesse Biggs' arrival in Harden County. ""Some of the early records were destroyed when the County Courthouse at Savannah burned.  According to the U. S. Census of Harden County, he was living there in 1830 and had one child. While he lived in Tennessee he married Sarah Ash- craft about 1829 or 1830. His first three children were born in Tennessee, William 1831; Daniel, 1834; and Henry, 1836.

From the Hardin County Courthouse in Savannah, Tennessee, Survey Book 3, we found this deed:

"Two hundred acres surveyed by John Segate, Law of 1837. "I have surveyed for Jesse Biggs assignee of James Martz 200 acres, Rang 7, Section one (1), July 13, 1830.

 

"Beginning at a black oak forty-eight poles north of southwest corner of entry made in the name of Jesse Biggs, running thence west 126 poles to black oak north two hundred fifty two poles to pine stands in the first boundary line of entry in name of Jacob Miller to post oak.

 

January 17 A.D. 1838

Taken out by Jesse Biggs October 21, 1837, Register 4, No. 386 page 212, Virtue of Occupation Law 1837. Jesse Biggs entry 200 acres adjoining his other land, January 18, 1838."

People entered land under the occupation law and later just left it to acquire land elsewhere. Jesse Biggs entered another one hundred and ninety-six (196) acres on the Tennessee River, Range 7, Section 1. "Beginning at a Spanish oak which stands on the bank of the river, 46 poles south of the southeast corner of an entry in the name of Samuel Brunton. River is boundary south 128 poles, 28 degrees west to a white oak, thence south 80 poles, then 61/2 degrees east 43 poles to a large white oak on the bank of the Tennessee river; thence west 115 poles to a black oak, two post oaks and Spanish oak; thence north 250 poles to a Stake; thence east 186 poles to the beginning."

Surveyed May 25, 1837, occupant entry No. 149, p. 157. Witnessed by Jacob Williams, George Holmes, and Jesse Wherry.

Most of this land is now under water. Pickwick Lake covers most of it. When T. V.A. bought the land, it had been owned by several families, but they failed to make legal deeds and most of it was still in Jesse Biggs name. It is called the Kilpatrick Place now, that is, the part not under water. This land entry was made from Occupant Land Entry 1806.

Jesse Biggs removed to Tishomingo County, Mississippi between 1836-1839 (verified by children's place of birth). He entered land a few miles west of Eastport, Mississippi.

Eastport, Mississippi History

 

Eastport, Mississippi, located 8 miles northeast of Iuka, was established 1783, and was incorporated in 1839. It served as the most eastern port of Mississippi on the Tennessee River. Another source has it that Eastport's date is unknown. It had an all year round navigation that was used as a landing by the Indians. In the early 1830's it was a thriving town of several hundred people. Goods were shipped here by boat and hauled overland as far south as Aberdeen and Columbus, Mississippi. Steam boats from all points on the Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers came to Eastport each week carrying passengers, mail and freight.

The town of Eastport, with streets made of brick had many merchants and supported two newspapers: The Eastport Gazette and the Eastport Republican. There was a female academy, a Methodist and a Baptist Church, a Masonic Lodge, and a hotel called the Mansion House. Eastport was a thriving town until the Memphis and Charleston Railroad was built in 1857. People pulled down their houses and moved to Iuka. In a few years the town of Eastport was history, but the port played an important part in the Civil War. Now it is an important resort area on Pickwick Lake.

In the early days of Tishomingo County, three stagecoach lines were established to carry mail to the widely scattered settlements along the way. Probably the first was the Eastport Memphis road which ran from Eastport to the towns of Burnsville and Old Farmington in Northeast Mississippi, and through Bolivar, Tennessee and to Memphis. Another route was from Eastport to Fulton, Mississippi. It was along these roads that settlers entered land under the Occupation Law 1837. Old deeds are in Alcorn County Courthouse, Corinth, Mississippi. Old Tishomingo County was divided into three counties, Alcorn, Printess and Tishomingo in 1870. The old records were stored in Alcorn County. These records were copied for the other two counties but Tishomingo County Courthouse burned in 1887.

Jesse Biggs got land from the Land Office at Pontotoc, Mississippi after the Treaty of Pontotoc with the Chickasaw Indians of northeast Mississippi was completed on October 22, 1832. This erased the Indian titles but they did not remove to Oklahoma until 1837-38. Jesse Biggs obtained his land from the Land Office in Pontotoc in 1837 and 1841; land described as southeast quarter (SEl/4) of Section 30, Township 2, Range 11 East in 1837; land described as northeast quarter (NEV4) section of same Section, Township and Range. Notice difference of land descriptions. Mississippi lands were laid out according to the land system of the Land Ordinance of 1785.

 

Jesse Biggs bought additional land in Tishomingo County, January 30, 1845 from George Tackett and his wife Louisa of Hardin County, Tennessee. Land described as Southwest quarter of Section Number 25 in Township 2, Range 11 East (160A) Deed Book H, page 488, Alcorn County Courthouse, Chancery Clerk Office. This land was not in Jesse's estate when he died. He sold land to Robert Childers July 23, 1845: Southeast quarter of Section 20, Township 3, Range 10 East (160 A.).  We didn't find when he acquired this land. -

July 25, 1845, James Word sold to Jesse Biggs the Southwest quarter (SWl/4) of Section 30, Township 2., Range 11 East, Deed Book H, Page 487. In the same Deed Book, page 489 Ezekiel and Mary Milsaps of Pevaler County sold to Jesse Biggs of Tishomingo County, June 13, 1846, the Southwest quarter of Section 32, Township 2, Range 11 East. Ward had this land as of March 1839. He was the trustee of a land speculator and surveyed the lands in this area. Jesse Biggs sold land to James A. Mahan Deed Book W, page 72; to Fenton Hall, Book A, Page 451; also to R.B. Brown all of Section 31, Township 2, Range 11 East. My father, Charley Biggs counted the quarters of land once owned by Jesse Biggs. He counted over 1700 acres. In the Biggs estate after Jesse's death, there was 900 acres left.

 

The Biggs Home

 

What does it mean to look at an old house? It means a great deal if it brings to our minds a vision of the people who built and worked hard that we might enjoy the blessings of a better life. car. We heard the story many times but we didn't remember a name.

Letters from the James Biggs ancestors do not remember the story. They all say their grandfather remarked on several occasions that "Jesse went South and he never saw his brother again." Maybe the brother was Henry.

Still another story was that Jefferson W. Biggs, son of Jesse Biggs, Sr., visited one of the older brothers whom he had not seen for many years. This brother ran a saloon in Chewalla, Tennessee. Jeff went into the saloon and began to set down bottles of whiskey. The brother produced his gun. There was a happy reunion. There were four brothers older than Jeff. We had found grandchildren of all but William Biggs family. [visited Chewalla, Tennessee, and found Biggs families. They were not our family, Mrs. Carter mentioned in one of her letters that Jeff Biggs from Mississippi visited her family in Kentucky.

So who visited whom?

The "Old Biggs" home, as the Jesse Biggs house was called, was erected on land he entered and later purchased from the land office at Pontotoc, Mississippi. He used the typical plantation system that was prevalent in the South for the outlay of his plantation and home. It was located near the Old East- port and Burnsville stagecoach route.

The house was a large rather plain two-story frame house overlooking Indian Creek. A long lane of beautiful shade trees led from the house to the Creek. Ancestors don't know the year it was built. Since Jesse got the land in 1837, and his fourth child Millie was born in 1839 in Mississippi, verified by his family Bible and the 1850 U.S. Census, we feel safe in saying he built the house in the 1840's. Although the erection date is unknown, its age is indicated by the workmanship. The original woodwork was handmade and the foundation timbers were hand hewn. The beams were put together with square nails and wooden pegs. The lumber used throughout the house was mostly heart pine, which he had brought in by way of Tennessee River to Eastport. At each end of the house was a big chimney. Large fireplaces were used to heat the rooms. There was a large hall through the house and a front porch with medium column posts. The front part of the hall was fanned out to serve as a small sitting room, which led to the dining room where meals were served by slaves. There were two or more bedrooms on one side of the hall downstairs. The stairway to the big room up- stairs was at the back of the hall. The big room upstairs was used as an entertainment room until there were more children and more bedrooms were needed. It became the boy's room until they married and left. The girls of Jesse Biggs' second marriage used this big room as their private domain. In the upstairs room there was a small door hidden behind furniture which led to the attic. Here food, clothing and valuables could be hid from the Yankees. Many tales about the attic have been handed down to us; some spooky. Some say Jesse Biggs sat upstairs and observed his workers on his farm and at his mill.

The kitchen was in a separate building a few feet from the house. It was a brick construction to prevent fire from the ma in house. The bricks were made by the slaves from clay on the plantation. Old brick are scattered around the house place now owned by Mr. Paul Adams who bought the land and demolished the house in the 1960's. The hand-hewn sills may be seen today in Mr. Adam's living room. Also he has some of the wooden pegs used in the original house.

The spacious yard had many cedars, flowering shrubs, and rose bushes. Old cedars, crepe myrtles and English dogwoods are still there. Many people have pointed to rose bushes, flower of almond, hawthorns, and rose of Sharon and said, "we got them from the Old Biggs place."

The slave quarters were on the edge of the hill behind the house. I can remember some of them. We have to discredit some of the stories concerning the squalor of slave huts. Some of these were lived in by white share croppers or people who worked for grandfather after the slaves were freed.

 

Records show that Jesse Biggs had seven slaves when the Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Lincoln on January 1, 1863. They were Edward and Francis, their children; Sylvia, Sarah and Fin; Fannie, Lee and Hannah.  Some of us remember Fin. He lived to be real old. He was not counted, but we all knew his mother and father were Jesse Biggs slaves.

Like his ancestors, Jesse Biggs owned and operated a gristmill, which was classed as one of the earliest industries in Mississippi. He established this mill when he moved to Tishomingo County on his land on Indian Creek. From the records kept at Alcorn County Courthouse of the Second Ad- ministration of Old Tishomingo County, we found that in the November 6th and 7th Session of the year 1837 "Jesse Biggs was granted authority to operate a grist mill on the Southeast quarter of Section 30, Township 2, Range 11 East on Indian Creek.

The gristmill was located at a swift place of Indian Creek near the home. To provide enough "fall" to drive the water wheel that supplied the power for grinding the grain, a milldam was built. Several feet below the milldam was the two-story millhouse, constructed also of hand-hewn stills and covered with split shingles. The power was obtained in the following manner: a millrace made of hollow logs split in halves carried water to the mill site from the dam where it was allowed to fall into a forebay. This was a deep receptacle about 6 feet square, walled with planks and located in the first floor of the millhouse.

Here the water was allowed to fall upon a paddle wheel fastened to a shaft. This shaft extended from the water wheel to the cogwheels in the lower story of the millhouse; these in turn were connected with millstones on the upper floor. Directly above the mill rocks was a corn hopper from which the grain was shaken at a steady rate to be caught between two large millstones. As the top stone turned on the bottom one, the corn was crushed. The top stone could be raised or lowered for the Coarse or fine meal. Corn was brought from miles around.  People had to wait their turn to have corn ground.  Thus a bushel of corn was called a "turn of corn." The miller received a “toll" of one-eighth of the amount of grain brought to mill.

This mill was operated by Jesse Biggs' son Jesse (Bud) Biggs in the early 1900's.  A grandson Ray Dexter moved the millstones to Iuka and operated a gristmill on his land across the road from Oak Grove Cemetery.  The old stones are still around.

Jesse Biggs also owned and operated a cotton gin and used water from the dam to produce power. Only two bales of cotton could be ginned in a day. Cotton brought to the gin was put in "cotton stalls." Cotton was carried from the stalls to the gin stand in baskets and carried from the gin to the presses also in baskets. The early presses were made of wood and operated by a wooden screw pulled by mules. The press screws were lubricated at first by tallow, later axel grease.

Evidences of Jesse Biggs' occupation are given in his Journal, which is now in my possession, but is kept by one of his granddaughters, Mrs. Dewey Lewis. This "day book" as he called it dealt with his business concerning his gin, gristmill and people who he supplied groceries and people who worked for him. This book began in 1868 and continued through June 1874. I am including some inserts from the book to provide names of people who lived in that area. Many Dexter, Bonds and Medley names which are allied families are mentioned.  Much history is included in this little book, we learn when he began shipping his lumber by rail at Iuka, written "Iukey" when Joe Bonds built his log house; when the Pilot newspaper was circulated; and when the first bloom was in the yard. Even a remedy for a disease of cattle was given: "4 oz. of soda in 1/2 pint of hog lard, 1 pint of caster oil, 1 pint of weak lye and 1 pint of salt."

Most of the transactions in this book concerned distribution of cottonseed and meal; work on the farm, at the sawmill, at the sorghum mill and at the gin; and goods, food and clothing materials bought on credit. It seems that Jesse bought from merchants at Eastport and Iuka and sold to people, on credit, who worked for him.

 

Items from Journal or "Day Book"

1870 - James Sanders - page 29

August 27 - pulling fodder, 1/2 day

August 28 - cutting oats

September 19 - plowing in the rye

September 21-22 - cutting hay September 23, cutting wood

September 24 - cutting a road

September 26-27-28 - working at the mill

 

1872 - Josh Medley

April 26 - gone to wood factory, 1 day

May 17 - hoeing cotton

March 6 - sowing oats, 1 day

Plowing in Walker field 50 cents per day

1873 - Work at mill and dam

July 26 - 41/2 days work on dam by 6 men

August 5 - Ack Castleberry -I day on dam

August 6 - George Clement - I day on dam

August 11 - J. Bonds - 1/2 day on dam

August 18 - Alfee Jackson -I day on dam

August 14 - J. Bonds - 1/2 day in Turnip Patch

August 15 - J. Bonds - 1/2 day in Orchard

1873 - Lumber sold to Ricks and Company

April 25 -1848 feet of lumber to Iuka

August 26 - 848 feet of lumber to River

May 5 -1 load of logs to mill $1.00

May 6 -1000 feet lumber to Iuka $3.50

May 15 - 700 feet put to the River $2.80

June 8 - work at mill $1.25 .

 

Some prices of foods and other goods

1 hand of tobacco 12 cents

1 gallon of molasses 75 cents

1 bushel of meal 80 cents

60 ears (eyers) of corn 1 cent 'per ear

barrel of flour $11.00

One pair of boots $5.50 one cradle $5.00

One dress and trimming $5.00 one coat $11.00

One bottle of Mississippi Cardile $1.00

3 yards of domestic 18 cents per yard

1 pair of shoes $2.25

1 pair of drawers $2.00

Shot, powder and caps 51 cents

 

From the material in this book, he must have given credit to may people. In several places "toll dish" full meal was sent to people by order. Every year recorded, Jesse let people have cotton seed in the spring to plant that were to be paid in cotton seed when cotton was ginned in the fall. Pages were devoted to the bales of cotton brought to gin. Some of the names of men mentioned in this book were as follows: Daniel Dexter, William Bonds. Lemuel Bonds, Joe Bonds, Sam Beall, John Medley, Louis, Josh, and Dan Medly. Dock and Andrew Jones, Al Johnson, L. Paine, Martin Cook, Bill Walker, Sam Johnson and J. Huff. The Briggs, Clements, and Washingtons were colored.

 

In the minutes of the Record of Police Courts, 1857-1862 of Old Tishomingo County Records, we learned that Jesse took an active part in County affairs. Page 118 we found this article.  "Commissioners appointed to mark out a change in the road leading from Eastport to Jacinto commencing below R. B. Browns, Crossing Indian Creek at Jesse Biggs' mill and then taking a dividing ridge intersection the Red Sulpher Springs Road four and one half miles this side of Eastport and the old road. Jesse Biggs, Alexander Pickins, James M. Kirk, Wesley Clements, and A. P. Cook were appointed June 1858 as over- seers for the road, page 139. In the July term of Court $75.00 was approved for building a bridge across Indian Creek for this new road. Jesse Biggs was one of the supervisors for the building of this bridge.

Judges of election held for Governor and other state officers were appointed July 7, 1857. For Word Schoolhouse precinct those appointed were James M. Kirk, Matthew Bennett, and Jesse Biggs, page 36, Old Tishomingo County. In many places in the records, we found Jesse Biggs serving as election judge and road commissioner.

 

Sarah (Ashcraft) Biggs

Jesse Biggs I married Sarah Ashcraft from Harden County, Tennessee.  The courthouse in Savannah, Tennessee burned

and we were unable to find the date of marriage. From the 1850 and 1860 U.S. Census Records, we place her birth date 1805. She died November 8, 1862, Biggs Bible Records.

We have heard how kind Sally was to their slaves. She was the doctor and nurse if any of them were sick. She read the Bible to them as well as to her family. On cold snowy night she carried extra quilts to them.  Her sons took turns going with her to administer her deeds. She was the mother of eight children.

Sarah was buried at the Beall Cemetery about one mile from the present Camp Ground Church. She was buried beside her son, John, who was buried there in 1853. Her husband was put there beside her in 1879.

We don't know much about her family. Her father William Ashcraft owned land in Hardin County, Tennessee. Her nephews, William and Thomas Ashcraft were living with Jefferson Biggs and Jesse Biggs in 1870 as day laborers, ac- cording to 1870 Census Records.



Nancy M. (Patrick) Biggs, Parker

Nancy M. Patrick was born 1844 in DeKalb County, Georgia in the District of Blackhall. Sometime between 1850 and 1860 the Patrick family moved to Tishomingo County, Mississippi.

They lived about 8 miles north of Iuka (Section 15, Township 2, Range 10 East, (Check Patrick Family). Nancy M. Patrick married Jesse Biggs July 7, 1863. It is said that Jim Biggs, his son, was to marry her. Jesse went to meet her family to give his consent. Before they were to have married Jim went to the Civil War. While he was away, Jesse married her. Jesse and Nancy had four children: Ida, Jesse II, Leash, and Nicia. After Jesse's death she was left to carryon the business and care for the family. Much of her life story is told by her part in settling the Biggs Estate.

Nancy Biggs married her 2nd husband, J. B. Parker, some time between 1880-1887. Records burned for this time and we found no proof but he was mentioned in 1887 when the estate was being settled.

Nancy M. Biggs was a member of the Camp Ground Methodist Episcopal Church South which was one of the first Methodist Churches built north of Iuka. Later she transferred her membership to a Riverton, Alabama Methodist Church.

Older members of both places remember her shouting during the revivals. (see church history)

After Nancy M. Biggs sold the Biggs Estate in 1906, she and her husband, J. B. Parker lived in Riverton, Alabama. A letter now in my possession, verified the fact that her husband operated a store in Riverton. He was listed on the return ad- dress as an agent for the Hotel at Riverton, Alabama, and that he sold groceries, fruit, cool drinks, etc. We are not sure how long she lived in Alabama. From this letter she must have lived there before the estate was settled. She ran a boarding house in Iuka, but was living in Potts Camp when she died 1909. J. B. Parker at that time was in the lumber business. She died suddenly from heart disease which she had suffered for many years. Her body was brought to Camp Ground and interred in the Cemetery there.

The following obit was in the Iuka Videtta after her death April 10, 1906.

"Mrs. J. B. Parker died at Potts Camp, Mississippi on the 10th inst; aged 64 years. Her death was a very sudden one and was the result of heart disease for which she had suffered for a long time. She had just finished eating a meal and had gone to her room where she died sitting in a chair. Her husband was absent at Burnsville, Mississippi. He was telegraphed and returned to Potts Camp. Monday morning the body reached here and was carried to Indian Creek Church six miles north of Iuka and laid to rest, Mrs. Parker was a lady of many fine traits of character and had a multitude of friends. She was a devout member of the Protestant Methodist Church and her funeral service was conducted by Rev. W, A. Lemmons, a minister of that church. A large concourse of sorrowing friends and relatives attended the burial.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mrs. J. B. Parker.

 

Mrs. J B. Parker died at Potts

Camp, Miss., on the 10th inst.,

aged 64 years. Her death \vas a

very sudden one and ",was the

result of heart disease from which

she had suffered for a long" time.

She had just finished eating a meal

and had gone to her room where

she died sitting in a chair. Her

husband was absent at Burnsville,

Miss. He was telegraphed for and

returned to Potts Camp. Monday

morning the body reached here

and was carried to Indian Creek

Church, 6 miles north of Iuka

and laid to rest.  Mrs. Parker

was a lady of many fine traits of

character and had a multitude of

friends. She was a devout member

of the Protestant Methodist church

and her funeral service .was conducted

by Rev. W. A. Lemmons, a minister of

that church. A large concourse of

sorrowing friends and relatives at-

attended the funeral.

 

Obituary of Nancy M. (Biggs) Parker

 

Jesse Biggs died November 23, 1879. His place of rest is at the Beall Cemetery by his first wife. This cemetery is now abandoned but many old markers remind us of the people who lived in the area. People call this a family cemetery, but research reveals that many families used this cemetery at one time.

Daniel and John Biggs, children of Jesse and Sarah, were dead before the land was deeded for Camp Ground Cemetery so Beall, must have been a community cemetery. Jesse Biggs was buried in a walnut burial case made by Henry Krouse. He presented his bill when the estate was being settled.

According to Records in the Alcorn and Tishomingo County Courthouses, Jesse Biggs made a cash will on the 25th of October, 1877, witnessed by J. W. Patrick, J. J. Grand and L. P. Bonds. Nancy M. Biggs, his wife was the executrix. After Jesse's death she filed the petition for probation. The above witnesses gave testimony as to the originality of the will and the condition of Jesse Biggs' mind, memory, and understanding at the time of the writing of the will.  After taking the oath prescribed by the statute and entering into bond in the sum of five hundred dollars as sufficient security, Nancy Biggs was granted the right to probate said cash will. Middleton Brown, William Ausburn, and Matthew Barnette were appointed appraisers to appraise the goods, etc. of the Jesse Biggs Estate, December 8, 1879.

The following is a resume of the petition submitted to court for probation by N. M. Biggs, December 8, 1879. Recorded in Bond Record G. No.1, page 12.

State of Mississippi Chancery Court Tishomingo County At Rules before the Clerk

To the Honorable L. Houghton

Chancellor of the Chancellor Dist.

of the State of Mississippi.

Respectfully represents the petition of Nancy M. Biggs, of said County that some time during the month of November last Jesse Biggs late of said County departed this life leaving a cash will and testament duly signed, published and attested as your petitioner believes and which she in pursuance of the statute herewith presents to you Honor for Probate. That said will is subscribed by J. J. Grant, L. C. Bonds, and J. W. Patrick as witness to the Signature and publication there of, all of whom as your petitioner knows now reside in said county. That said testator in his said cash will testament nomination and appointed your petitioner sole executrix thereof.

This petitioner further shows that the said Jesse Biggs died seized and possessed of a large real and personal estate consisting chiefly of lands lying in said county, stock and farming utensils and credits which said personal estate according to the, best information which your petitioner has been able to obtain is worth about five hundred dollars. That your petitioner, moved by a desire of meeting and fulfilling the wishes of her said testator and that his said last will and testament may be executed according to the true meaning thereof that the said J. J. Grant, L. P. Bonds and J. W. Patrick subscribing witnesses may be summonsed to appear before the court to testify in the matter of said will as it may please your Honor to direct and that probate of said will may be granted and ordered for record. 

And your petitioner further prays that it may please your Honor to grant her letters testamentary of said last will and testament on her, taking the oath prescribed by law and entering into bond...and to direct that your Honor will appoint Middleton Brown, William Ausburn and Matthew Barnett appraisers to value the personal estate.

Sworn to and Subscribed before me

the 8th day of December 1879

Nancy M. Biggs

A. M. Reynolds,ck.

After the appraisal of goods and personal property was made of Jesse Biggs Estate, the following inventory was submitted to the Court.

State of Mississippi                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Chancery Clerk

Tishomingo County Term 1880

In the matter of Inventory Estate of Jesse

Biggs deceased.

"Mrs. Nancy M. Biggs, Executrix of the last will and testament of Jesse Biggs deceased submitted the following inventory of personal property, notes, account, etc. which she had received on account of Estate-

4 beds and bedsteads

1 bed and steads

1 trunnel bed and stead 1 bureau

1 desk

Two chests and two tables

1 trunk and 1 sewing machine

1 clock, 12 chairs and 2 looking glasses

1 loom and 1 spinning wheel

1 Dining table and ware and 1 safe

1 cupboard, 1 stove and vessels wash pots and tubs,

1000 Ibs. meat

80 Ibs lard, 40 gal. molasses,

300 bushels corn, 1200 bales of fodder

Farm tools, wagon n and harness,

3 saddles one mule, 1 horse,

1 mule, 9 head cattle and 20 head sheep.

 

Notes and Accounts

 

I note on G. W. Newman

I note on George Hess

I note on Ned Biggs

I note on John Carter

I note on J. W. Patrick I note on J. S. Finley

I note on Minni Thompson I note on Dan Helton

Sworn and

Subscribed February Nancy Biggs 11,1880

R. B. Long, ck.

 

 

 

Part II Family Records

Bible Record - Jesse Biggs Family

November 14, 1960 we learned of Jesse Biggs' I Family Bible. This Bible, very old and fast deteriorating is kept by Mrs. Ruth (Biggs) Hobbs, who lives about five miles northeast of Iuka on the Eastport Road.  Mrs. Hobbs, Jesse Biggs' granddaughter, graciously let me copy the following family record.  She also showed us pictures, clothes and other items owned by our ancestors: Jesse Biggs I and Jesse (Bud) Biggs. Thus my genealogy began.

Births (copied as in Bible)

Jesse Biggs was born February 5, 1801 and Sarah Biggs (no dates)

William F. Biggs was born March 21, 1834, Hardin County, Tennessee

Daniel Biggs, September 5, 1834, Hardin County, Tennessee Henry Biggs, August 3, 1836, Hardin County, Tennessee

Milley Biggs, April 18, 1839, Tishomingo County, Mississippi James Biggs, May 30, 1842, Tishomingo County, Mississippi

John Biggs, September 10, 1844, Tishomingo County, Mississippi

Thomas Biggs, April 12, 1847, Tishomingo County, Mississippi Jefferson Biggs, May 28, 1849

Ider Allice Samantha Biggs, January 6, 1866 Jesse Samuel Weats Biggs, October 20, 1867

Joseph Lesha Levingston Biggs, April 19, 1871 Nicia L. Biggs, January 11, 1874

William F. Biggs, January A.D. the 1st 1857

Jessey James Biggs, December 14, 1858 A.D. Sarah Francis Biggs, February 6, 1861

John Thomas Biggs, September 19, 1863 Henry Elender Biggs, August 20, 1867

Everett Alexander Biggs

 

The last six of this record are the children of Henry Biggs verified by school records in Alcorn County, Farmington School and by the family record sent to us by Buddy Biggs, a grandson of Henry Biggs.

 

Marriage

William F. Biggs and Syntha Peel married April 21, 1849

Henry Biggs and Martha E. Hill married December 25, 1855

S. M. Dean and Millie Biggs married November 9, 1856

James Biggs and Onia Wingo married January 7,1867

Thomas Biggs and Mary E. Harp married February 3,1867

Jesse Biggs and Nancy M. Patrick married July 7, 1863

Jefferson Biggs and Jeffie Morland married May 16, 1869

 

Deaths

O Daniel Biggs departed 1844

John Biggs died August 9, 1853

Sally Biggs died November 8, 1862

J. L. Biggs died August 14, 1896

J. W. Biggs died August 21, 1896

Jesse (L.) Biggs died November 23, 1879

.

The last two dates were recorded on an old picture. Notice the L. after Jesse Biggs name. In no other place did we find any name except Jesse. In all the records from Georgia to Mississippi we have never found what the M was for in Nancy M. Biggs. This record gives Leash Biggs' name Joseph Leash and all the estate records had James Leash Biggs.

 
 
Each of the above families will be given separately

 

 

Descendents of Jesse and Sarah (Ashcraft) Biggs

I William F. Biggs, born March 21, 1831, in Harden County, Tennessee; married April 21, 1849, Cyntha E. Peel, daughter of William and Sarah Peel. We've been unable to find any of his descendents.

In the 1850 U.S. Census Records, William and Cyntha were listed with his fathers' family group. In the 1860 Census of Tishomingo County William F. Biggs was here. They had four children:

Sarah Biggs born in Mississippi, 1851

William H. Biggs born 1852 in Mississippi

Milley J. Biggs born 1855 in Mississippi

Margaret Biggs born 1857 in Mississippi

At the March term of court 1857, Tishomingo County, William Biggs was appointed as an overseer of Eastport and Burnsville Road at a certain link of this road.

William Biggs was a member of the 2nd Regiment of Mississippi Infantry C.S.A. He served as a private in the Company K. of this regiment. This company was call-ed the Iuka Rifles, a group of Volunteers under Captain John M. Stone.

 

II Daniel Biggs born September 15, 1834, in Harden County, Tennessee, died in 1844 in Tishomingo County, Mississippi. He is buried at Beall Cemetery or at the Joe Bonds Cemetery. There is no marker at either place

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A. William F. Biggs, born January 1, 1857; died July 29, 1904

B. Jesse James Biggs, born December 14, 1858; died January 18,1931

C. Sarah Francis Biggs, born February 6, 1861; died June 11, 1938

D. John Thomas Biggs, Born September 19, 1863, died

E. Henry Elender Biggs, Born August 20, 1867; died September, 1925

F. Everette Alexander Biggs, born February 7, 1870; died Ma y 6,1949

G. Fives J. Biggs born February 10,1872; died March 4,1872

H. Charlie F. Biggs, born March 2, 1873; died January 20, 1953 I. Nancy A. Biggs, born April 5, 1876; died November 20, 1930 J. Samuel Carrol Biggs born August 19, 1879; died June 10,1944; married Essie Bowers, born March 28, 1882 in Lewisburg, Tennessee; died in Collin County, McKinney, Texas daughter of John and Mary (Cockran) Bowers.

Children of Carrol and Essie Biggs

1. Mrs. Jaquitta (Biggs( Christilles

2. Waymon Biggs

3. Horace Biggs

4. Bernie (Buddy) Biggs

 

 

Henry Biggs owned a sawmill and worked in timber business in Tishomingo County and surrounding counties. In 1885, he lived in Alcorn County. We found his children attending school at Farmington School near Corinth, Mississippi. Some of his children were born in Corinth, Mississippi.

We found H. Biggs served in the Civil War but we are not sure if that was Uncle Henry. He was in Company I, 36th Mississippi Regiment under Captain S. Davenport. We found where Aunt Martha was getting aid for children of men serving in Service. I didn't find his record in Jackson, Mississippi or Washington, D. C. and that could have been another Martha Biggs (war record not accurately proved).

Family of Nannie Ellen (Biggs) Jones

Nannie E. Biggs daughter of Henry Biggs and Martha (Hill) Biggs born April 5, 1876, died November 20, 1938. She married j

Charlie Lee Jones, born February 5, 1871, died January 7, 1911:6 f

in Dallas, Texas. They had six children: j

1. Fannie Ellen Jones born November 30, 1898, died June 5, 1971 2. Eddie Lee Jones, born November 11, 1901, died July ~, 1917 3. Sam M. Jones born December 25, 1905, died

4. Edith Ellen Jones, born November 8, 1907, married a man by name of Mosley

5. Lottie Jones born November 14, 1909, married May 19, 19~3, Loyce M. Herrin, born December 7, 1908, son of W. B. and Ida V. Herrin

6. Franklin Walter Jones born February 11, 1912, died November 22, 1966 in Dallas, Texas

 

 

 

 

 

 

IV Family of Samuel M. and Millie (Biggs) Dean

Millie Biggs, daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Ashcraft) Biggs was born April 18, 1839 near Eastport in Tishomingo County, Mississippi, died February 8, 1904 in Iuka, Mississippi. She married November 9,1856, Samuel M. Dean, born October 17, 1826, in Anderson District, Starr County, South Carolina, died June 28, 1906, son of Aaron and Meekie (Day) Dean. According to the Dean Family Bible, that was in the possession of Mrs. Jack Patterson, Cherokee, Alabama, 1964, Samuel and Millie had eleven children:

A. Sallie Virginia Dean born May 12, 1859; died November 19, 1925

B. Annie Bell Dean, born October 31, 1860; died January, 192t

C. Ardelia Dixie dean born August 29, 1863; died '71

D. Jo Della Dean, born May 16,1865; died August 31, 1926

E. Laura Eugenia Dean, born January 21, 1868;died August 14,1950

F. Samuel Sidney Dean, born February 23,1870; died August 21,1887

G. Whitner W. Dean, born September 6,1873; died November 22,1942

H. Lawrence Lile Dean, born April 28, 1875; died July 15, 1814;

I. Clarence Claborn Dean, born December 27,1877; died J. Orion o. Dean, born February 3, 1880, died

K. Millie Gertrude Dean, born January 7, 1882, died November 9, 1968

Marriages

 

Sallie Virginia Dean, married Robert W. Carter, June 16, 1883

Ardella Dean married J. D. Leatherwood February 1, 1887

Laura Eugenia Dean married A. B. Patterson, September 2t, 1890

Anna Bell Dean married J. B. Hubbard, December 23, 1891

Jo Della Dean married Lloyd S. Traylor October 22, 1891

Whitner Dean married Susan Gates April 18, 1904

Lawrence Dean married Lizzie Paden

Clarence Dean married Bertha Hubbard

Orion Dean married 1st Lizzie Hamilton, 2nd Georgia Rutland

Gertrude Dean married J. C. Patterson January 3, 1906

We found this item about the Dean family in the Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Mississippi, (Goodspeed)

"Samuel M. Dean, general merchant of Iuka, Mississippi was born October 17, 1826, son of Aaron and Meeky (Day) Dean. His father Aaron was born in South Carolina 1799. In 1B39 he removed to Mississippi and settled four miles northeast of Iuka on land bought from the government. Beginning in 1B50, S. M. Dean was a general merchant for seven year. In 1B62, he enlisted in the Civil War. He was the owner of 1840 acres of land

located two miles northwest of Iuka; married 1B56 in

Tishomingo County, Mississippi, Millie Biggs, daughter of Jesse and Sally (Ashcraft) Biggs. Her father was born in North Carolina and her mother in Tennessee. Millie one of eight children was born in 1839. Her father was a farmer and a miller. He was well-known throughout the country. He died in 1B79; his wife in 1862.”

 

Samuel M. Dean's father, Aaron Dean was born in Anderson District, South Carolina. He was one of ten children born to Samuel and Gwendolyn (James) Dean. According to

Samuel's will, probated May 22, 1826, his children were as follows: Mariam, born 1776, Aaron, Thomas, Samuel, John, Joseph, Richard, Griffith, Mary and Moses.

Samuel Dean I, born in 1751 in Cumberland, Pennsylvania; died 1826 in Anderson District, Starr County, South Carolina, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He enlisted in Cumberland County. When the war was over, he received from the government a land grant in Anderson, South Carolina for services in the Revolutionary War.

 

From records in Anderson County, S. C.

Samuel's sons Aaron and Griffith came to Mississippi prior to 1850. Aaron lived on land bought from the government 4 miles northwest of Iuka. Highway No. 25 cuts through this land near where the Coleman Park Road intersects with Highway 25, Aaron and Meekie Dean along with a child is buried in a family cemetery on the same land, now owned by S. L. Bugg.

 

 

 

Descendants of Millie (Biggs) and S. M. Dean

A. Sarah Virginia Dean, born May 12, 1859, died November 19, 1925, married January 16, 1883 Robert Willis Carter, born 1B59 died 1923. They had five children:

1. Ola Dean Carter born 1844, died 1960, married June 17, 191~, Nathan Pack born 1880, died 1949. They had one child: Nathan Pack, born about. 1927

2. Sarah Virginia Carter born April 3, 1885, died March 27, 1952, married February 25, 1913, Thomas Earl Goyer. They had one son:

Dr. Thomas Earl Goyer, Jr. born September 13, 1927, married Geraldine Yeargain, born January 24,1926. They had three children:

1. Virginia Goyer, born December 16, 1947, married Kenneth Scarbrough. They had two children: Todd and Susann Goyer Scarbrough

2.. Thomas Earl Goyer, III, born September 7, 1950 married Dlan Staples, born October 1951. They have two children: Thomas Earl IV, and Jennifer Leigh Goyer.

3. Patricia Goyer born March 27, 1955, married Scott Montidonicio. They have one daughter Alicia

 

Dr. T. E. Goyer, a noted surgeon from Memphis, Tennessee, removed to Iuka, Mississippi in February 1974. Dr. Goyer attended Medical School at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, and University of Tennessee Medical School, Memphis, Tennessee. He did his internship in the Methodist Hospital also in Memphis, Tennessee, one year in General Medical field and four years in surgical specialist field. He is very dedicated to his work. He holds membership in the American College of Surgeons, The American College of Abdominal Surgeons, the Memphis Surgical Society, and the Northeast Mississippi Medical Society. He has been in private practice since 1958.

3. Robert Willis Carter, Jr. born February 6, 1888, died March 12, 1954, married Olna Williamson. They have two children: Sarah Francis Carter and Bobbie Sue Carter:

a. Sarah Francis born September 11,1927, married June 7, 1951, R. G. Haines, born August 7, 1923, son of James and Eartha (Robinson) Haines. They have three children: Carter Gene Haines, born, February 4, 1952, Sarah Leslie Haine, born May B, 1958, James Haines born February 24, 1962.

b. Bobby Sue Carter, born January 8, 1931, married March 2B, 1953, B. Frank Burns, born October 17, 1928, son of B. F. and Mary (Jaco) Burns. They have two children: Rebecca Susan Burns, born May 5, 1954 and Ben F. Burns III born July 31, 1959.

4. Lucy Carter, born 1892, died December 12, 1974, married December 30, 1916, Joseph Thompson born 1892 in Riverton, Alabama.

5. S. Candler Carter, born 1896, died 1929

B. Annie Bell Dean, born October 31,1860, died January 17, 192:1, married December 23, 1891, John Breckenridge Hubbard, born 1860, died 1913. They had seven children: Cecil, Grace, Chester, John B., Jr., Crisler (Boots), Eva, Eugene.

C. Ardelia Dixie (see Bible records). They had three children. They removed to Itasca, Texas, was living there when Samuel M. Dean made his will.

D. Jo Della Dean, born May 16, 1885, died August 31, 1926, married October 22, 1891, Lloyd S. Traylor, born November 30, 1861, died February 21, 1905. They had 5 children:

1. Lloyd S. Traylor, born October 21, 1892, died October 19, 1963; married March 10, 1918, Johnnie M. Archer, born June 25, 1B97, died May 16, 1978. They had one child, Lloyd S. Traylor III. (Sam) born December 4, 1919.

2. Sadie Lillian Traylor, born June 22, 1894, died August 3, 1942.

3. Essie Traylor, born 1896, died November 28, 1978; married William J. Sanders, born 1892, died 1973.

4. Nancy Milred Traylor, born April 22, 1900, died July 26, 1901.

5. Joel Dean Traylor, born 1903, died 1955, married Stella Mae Sanders, born 1907. They had three children Dorothy Jean, James, Lloyd and Lola Ruth.

E. Laura Eugenia Dean (see Bible Records Dean Family)

F. Samuel Sidney Dean (see Dean Bible Record)

G. Whitner W. Dean, born September 6, 1873 died November 22, 1942; married Ari118, 1904, Susan Gates, born 1875, died 1971. They had two children:

1. Donna Dean, born April 2, 1905, died January 12, 1961, married John A. (Gus) Brown, born September 25, 1904, died May 11, 1950. They had two children: Dr. John A. (Gus) Jr. born June 15, 1932 and Shirley Sue Brown born September 30, 1934.

2. James L. Dean, born December 8, 1908, married Ruth L Russell, born May 29, 1914. They have one daughter, Glenda Dean, born February 26, 1938.

H. Lawrence Lile Dean, born April 28, 1875, died July 15, 1914, married Lizzie Paden, born September 19, 1881, died March 17, 1952. They had one child, Justine Dean born 1906, married " Harvey Gober, born 1902, died 1968. They had 2 children:  Harve Gober, Jr. and Beverly Gober, born 1926

I. Clarence Claborn Dean, (see Dean Bible Records) He lived in Arkansas.

J. Orion O. Dean, (see Bible Records)

K. Millie Gertrude Dean, born January 7, 1882, died November 9,1968, married January 3, 1906, J. C. Patterson born March 1, 1884, died August 10, 1937 in Cherokee, Alabama. They had four children:

1. Earl Dean Patterson, born March 16, 1907, died February 16, 1968, married May 11, 1928, Nell Rutland, no children.

2. Sarah Patterson, born September 11, 1915, died April 30, 1977, never married.

3. Mary Lynn Patterson, born October 11, 1922, died November 5, 1970, never married.

4. Ruby Patterson, born February 2, 1910, married W. C. Tankersely born October 17, 1905, died March 19, 1974. They had one child, Jack Patterson Tankersley, born January 9, 1931, married Jean Coffman. They have three boys:

1. Jack Thomas Tankersley, born July 9, 1957

2. Anthony Mark Tankersley, born April 7, 1960

3. William Craig Tankersley, born August 17, 1963

 

Family of John B. and Annie Bill (Dean) Hubbard

1. Cecil Dean Hubbard, born August 2, 1894, died, buried in Alabama, married June 8, 1924, Annie Snow Grisham, 2nd wife was Marie Brown.

2. Grace Vivian Hubbard, born September 17, 1892

3. Chester Biggs Hubbard, born August 3, 1896, died January 11, 1935; married April 17, 1928 Sadie Garrett, born. They had three children:

1. Chester Biggs Hubbard, Jr. born January 6, 1929 2. John Dean Hubbard, born July 18, 1932

3. Sonny Hubbard, Chester Biggs Hubbard, Jr. had one child John Dean Hubbard had 2 children: John D. Jr. and Julie.

4. John Breckenridge Hubbard, Jr. born September 26, 1891, married February 25, 1926, Montez Woodley, born, daughter of R. U. and Donie (Glen) Woodley. They have two sons: Robert Dean Hubbard born September 30, 1928 and John Breckenridge Hubbard III, born November 20, 1934.

Robert Dean Hubbard married Joan Saloman. They have three children: Glenice, Robert Dean, Jr. and Carlene. Glenice married Robert Jackman, Jr. They have three children Bridget, Robert Jackman III and Tiffiny Jackman. Carlene Hubbard married J. W. Anderson.

John B. Hubbard III (Jack) married Sue Stricklen. They have two children: John B. Hubbard IV, and Susann Hubbard. Susann married Larry Mitchell. They have two children Jaysen Mitchell and John Matthew Mitchell.

5. Crisler Hubbard (Boots) born July 3, 1901, died May 1, 1966, married October 23, 1939, Almeda Minor. No children.

6. Eva Katherine Hubbard, born October 14, 1903; married August 17, 1929, James Ned Tinker, born 1909 died 1975. They had two children: Annie Jane Tinker, born September 24, 1930; Allie Belle Tinker, born January 12, 1932. According to Miss Grace Hubbard's record both girls married men by name of Dale. These are the Tinker grandchildren: David Eugene Dale, July 13, 1955; Bonnie Jane Dale, born June 18, 195; James Crisler Dale, born April 23, 1956; Thomas Mark Dale, born December 19, 1961; Michael Lee Dale, born December 31, 1964; Eva Grace Dale, December 7, 1961; and Carolyn Dale, born December. .

Records: Courtesy of Miss Grace Hubbard

7. Eugene Augustus (Bean) Hubbard, born November 23, 1905, died 1954; married December 3,1924, Ruby Mae Williams, born 1908, died 1959. They had five children: Eugene, Jr., Ruby Louise, Eva, Billy, and David M.

Children of Eugene (Bean) and Mae (Williams) Hubbard: 1. Eugene Hubbard, born December 13, 1925, married September 11, 1945, Dorothy Dodd born March 20, 1928. They had five children:

a. Jeanie (Geneva) born July 19, 1947, married Billy McKee

b. David Hubbard, born June 31, 1949, married Joyce Hamilton, September 1969

c. Viola Hubbard, born December 7, 1950, married May 30, 1968, Howard South, born November 17, 1950. They have two children: 1. Patricia born July 21, 1976 and 2. Lisa South born October 13, 1971.

d. Michael Paul Hubbard, born March 27, 1956, married August 22, 1972, Diane Sheffield. They have two children: 1. David Eugene born July 11, 1976 and 2. Jennifer, born August 9, 1978. 2. William M. (Billy) Hubbard, born July 3, 1940, married September 25, 1963, Margaret White, born September 27, 1945, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They have one child, Cinthia born July 6, 1979.

3. Ruby Louise Hubbard married Alvie T. Marlar.

4. Eva Hubbard married Vernon Carson no records.

 

Children of Joel Dean and Stella Mae (Sanders) Traylor

1. Dorothy Jean Traylor, born March 25, 1927, married October 14, 1954, Vernon M. Tigner, born September 21, 1917. They have three children:

a. Joel Martin Tigner, born March 22, 1955 in Frankfurt, Ger- many married September 1, 1973, Laurie Long.

b. John Dean Tigner born July 5, 1959 in Stuggart, Germany, and

c. William Herman Tigner, born June 5, 1960 in Stuggart, Germany

 

 

 

James Biggs Family

James Biggs, son of Jesse and Sarah (Ashcraft) Biggs was born May 30, 1842, near Eastport, Mississippi died Camp County, Texas 1915, married January 7, 1867 Onia Wingo. They separated between 1867 and 1878. He said he came home one day and she had moved all their household things. He lived with Nancy M. Biggs, helped her with his brothers and sisters, and finally went to Texas. According to Mrs. Callicoate, Jim must have married again in Texas. She has a picture made in Paris, Texas of his little girl. All from Texas agree that he lived with his brother Thomas.

James Biggs owned land in the Patrick Community People now called certain fields the "Jim Biggs Field" none of our people know of his owning land in that area, but we found records where he deeded land for Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church in 1882. The church is now called Patrick Methodist Church. After 1919 it was called Patrick because the school was called Patrick (see Thomas Biggs Family).

On August 8, 1882, James Biggs deeded (for one dollar) to the Trustees of Mount Pleasant Methodist Church: J. J. Grant, J. W. Patrick and McMasters, two and five eighth (25/8) acres of land in Tishomingo County known as part of northeast quarter, Section 15, Township 2, Range 10 East. "Commencing at the center of the line running east on the line between northeast and southeast quarter of Section 21, one rod to two pine trees thence due North 20 rods to a pine sapling, thence west twenty one rods to line between northeast and southeast one half of said section to gum, thence south to starting point.

Signed by James Biggs

Deed Book B-1, page 4, Tishomingo County Courthouse. James (Jim) Biggs lived on land adjoining his father Jesse

Biggs I Estate. On February 12, 1883, he sold to his step-mother, Nancy M. Biggs 320 acres located on NWI/4 of Section 32, Township two (2) Range 11 East, and Southeast one-fourth of Section Twenty-nine (29), Township two (2), Range 11 East. This deed is on record at Tishomingo County Courthouse, Deed Book P-1, page 270. My father, spoke of this land as the Jim Biggs quarter, letting us believe that this land was once part of Jesse Biggs' land.

Most of the old records of land, before 1870 are at Alcorn County Courthouse stored in the basement of the Courthouse at Corinth, Ms. We failed to find when Uncle Jim purchased his land. We were inclined to think Jesse Biggs gave his children by first wife land. Some sold their land and went into businesses. Others bought saw mills and went into timber business.

Some of the Thomas Biggs family wrote me that James Biggs served in Civil War. I tried to find his record at Jackson, Ms. and Washington, D. C. A record of James T. Biggs was sent from Jackson, Ms., where he enlisted May 7, 1862 in Summerville, Tennessee, under Captain Porter. He was taken prisoner August 10 but was paroled August 7, 1863.

This group was a regiment of independent and unattached companies in Northeast Mississippi. It was designated Captain Armsteads Co. and called Partisan Rangers, Mississippi Reserve Corps. I've included the material sent me. Maybe that was Uncle Jim's record.

See James T. Biggs Civil War Record

VI. John Biggs, child of Jesse and Sarah (Ashcraft) Biggs, born September 10, 1844, died August 9, 1853. He was buried in the Beall Cemetery about I mile north of the present Camp Ground Church and about 10 miles north of Iuka. His monument marks not only his resting place but also that of Jesse Biggs and his wife Sarah. There was at first a house built over these graves.  It burned in later years when the cemetery became a spot in the woods. After the house burned, a wire fence enclosed the graves later, but vandals took that. Now just a few monuments are left there among the trees.

 

 

 

Family of Thomas and Mary E. (Harp) Biggs

Thomas Biggs, son and seventh child of Jesse and Sarah (Ashcraft) Biggs, was born April 12, 1847 in Tishomingo County, Mississippi, died February 12, 1936 in Pittsburg, Texas, Camp County. He married February 3, 1867, Mary-E. Harp, born December 22, 1839, died July 31, 1904.

Mary E. Harp was the daughter of Jonathan Patrick. She was born in DeKalb County, Georgia. She married Dudley Harp from Georgia first. They had two children: Joseph and Georganna. Dudley Harp died in Atlanta, Georgia. Aunt Mary and her two children followed her parents to Tishomingo County, Mississippi.

Thomas and Mary E. Biggs owned land about 10 miles north of Iuka. They sold this land to R. F. Garrett on August 8, 1891 - description thus - "Part of west one-half of northeast one- fourth, Section fifteen (15) Township Two (2) Range 10 East. Seventy-seven acres. Deed Book, P-2, Page 112 Tishomingo County Courthouse. This land was near the Patrick home.

Aunt Mary deeded land for the Patrick School to the Trustees at that time. The present Patrick Church took its name from the school in about 1919 (see Patrich Church History). Deed Book, P-l, page 396, Tishomingo County Courthouse, Iuka, Mississippi.

On February 16, 1889, Mary Biggs sold for $1.00 land to Trustees of Patrick School: W. F. McDougal, S. C. Bonds and Milton Spouse, described thus - commencing at the southwest corner of northeast one-fourth of Section 15, Township two (2), Range 10 East and running east forty-seven (47) yards to a stake; then north thirty (30) yards; thence west forty- seven (47) yards; thence five hundred thirty (530) yards to beginning corner."

Thomas Biggs served in Civil War. He was sixteen years of age when he enlisted in the state militia.

Tom Biggs removed his family to Colen County, Farmersville, Texas, around 1891 or 1892. We were told that they "sold out" here and went to Texas. At this time in our history Agricultural Lein Laws were passed to help farmers in Mississippi, but merchants raised their prices and this didn't help. Many Mississippians migrated to other states. Most of the older Biggs men were concerned with timber business. We don't know if Thomas Biggs followed that occupation, or if he went to Texas to become a landowner.

Thomas and Mary Biggs had three children: Elizabeth, Bulah, and George Livingston, called Lev. 1. Elizabeth (Lizzie) Biggs, born 1871 in Tishomingo County, Mississippi, died in 1897 in Camp County, Texas. She married Pony Webb of Riverton, Alabama. They had one son, Joe Webb. She died when he was born. He went to Texas when he was15 years of. age. Joe Webb had a large family.  He was a minister and lived at Trinity, Texas.  One son and one daughter were also ministers.  The above was sent to me by Mrs. Ella Reynolds, a grandchild of Mary Biggs on the Harp branch. According to this Lizzie Webb :I must have died here.

 2. Bulah Biggs, born 1874 in Tishomingo County, Mississippi died March 1953. She married December 31,1891, W. H. Miller ~ in Tishomingo County. He was killed in a lumber mill explosion. They had one daughter, who died young. Later Bulah married a man by the name of Whitfield.

 

 

Family of Lev. and Kattie Biggs

3. George Levingston Biggs, third child of Thomas and Mary E. Biggs, was born February 28, 1876 in Tishomingo County, Mississippi, died November 27, 1951 in Camp County, Texas. He married December 9, 1900, Kattie Mayo born March 21, 1885 in Collier County, Texas; died June 14, 1963 in Texas. They had ten children: J. T. Biggs, James J. F. Biggs, Lonnie L. Biggs, Mary A. E. Biggs, Bessie Biggs, George W. Biggs, Hattie Biggs, Levy Biggs, Sicerra F - Biggs, and Love V. Biggs. The Thomas Biggs family lived Oh the Eastport Road where the Jourdan Cabin was located.

1. John T. Biggs, born December 1901 in Collin County, Texas died-married Lillian Griffith on December 14, 1919. Lev must have moved to Camp County, Pittsburg, Texas as the next child was born there.

2. James F. (Jim) Biggs born January 30, 1903 in Camp County, died September 10, 1903.

3. Lonnie L. Biggs born July 24, 1904, died August 7, 1905. '\ 4. Mary A. E. Biggs born August 14, 1906 in Camp County, Texas; married March 24, 1923, Sheppard M. Callicoatte.  She has a son and a daughter.

5. Bessie Biggs, born April 11, 1908, married Ples T. Smith on January 24, 1931. Ples Turner Smith, born October 22, 1908 in Dangerfield, Morris County, Texas; died May 13, 1969 in Pitts- burg, Texas. he ;was the son of John S. and Benita (Cox) Smith. They have four children: Ples Turner Smith, Jr., Troy Kenneth Smith, Bobbie Jo Smith, and Katie Bentia Smith.

6. George Walter Biggs, born January 7, 1910 in Collin County, Texas; married April 8, 1933, Doris Maxine Cox, born March 21, 1919, daughter of Rose L. and Ethel Louise (Martin) Cox of Gilmer, Upshur County, Texas. They have four children:

George L. Biggs, Bonnie Gene Biggs, Luckie Lindley Biggs and Paul Ross Biggs. George Biggs has lived in Holly Springs, Texas, Texas City and Broaddus, Texas. Their home is in Texas City, but they have a lake house in Broaddus, Texas

7. Hattie Jane Biggs, born April 26, 1912 in Camp County, Texas, married November 13, 1930, Cula Hawkins, born September 20, 1904 in Upshur County, Texas, son of W. W. and Minnie (Newsome) Hawkins. They had three children: Larry Hawkins, Dorothy Hawkins and Gerry Cub Hawkins, all from Upshur County, Gilmer, Texas.

8. Levy M. Biggs, born November 19, 1916, in Camp County, Pittsburg, Texas; married September 5, 1940, Sybil Elwanda Pollard, born May 20, 1921 in Gilmer, Texas. She is the daughter of William o. and Emma (Wilson) Pollard. They have three children: Lyndall Monroe Biggs, Ronald Levy Biggs and Elwanda Jean Biggs.

9. Sierra F. Biggs born July 16,1918; died June 22, 1919 in Camp County. Texas.

10. Lois V. Biggs, born August 18, 1920; died November 14, 1976; married 1939 Art Settler. They had one son. Lou married April 13, 1947, George Griffin. They visited in our home in December 1963. She told us about her son, but we don't remember his name. At the time of his mother's death he was in the service at Ft. Bragg, N.C.

From Lev Biggs Bible, Courtesy of Bessie (Biggs) Smith

Children of Pleas T. and Bessie (Biggs) Smith

I. Pleas Turner Smith, Jr. born April 22, 1934 at Pittsburg, Texas, married March 30, 1957 Venita Pauline Thomas. They have two children: Paula Tumette Smith born October 19, 196() and Pleasant Ann Smith born September 18, 1964.

2. Troy Kenneth Smith born May 23, 1937, married June 27, 1959, Dorothy Sue Blevins. They have three children: Patrick Kenneth Smith, born March 20, 1960; Troy Wayne Smith born September 16, 1963; and BuLinda Ann Smith, born April 25, 1968.

3. Bobbie Joe Smith born July 20, 1939; married April 27, 1967, James Albert Gallagher. They have two children: Angela Kay Gallagher, born February 14,1963; and James Sean Gallagher born December 22, 1969

 

Children of George Walter and Doris (Cox) Biggs

1. George L. Biggs, born June 12, 1936 in Gilmer, Texas; married November 11, 1961 to Audrey Little from Texas City, Texas.  They have two children: Cynthia Lynn Biggs, born August 22, 1963; and Gregory Lawrence Biggs.

2. Bonnie Jean Biggs born September 28, 1938 in Gilmer, Texas; married May 15, 1954, Buck Douglas Crawford, Sr.

They had three children: a. Buck Douglas Crawford, Jr. born January 27, 1956; married April 9, 1977, Karen O'Grady. They have one child: Buck Douglas Crawford III, born October 22, 1978, b. Dirk Jason Crawford, born June 13, 1960; and c. Drew Derrick Crawford, born June 13, 1962.

Buck Douglas Crawford, Sr. died September 15, 1972. Bonnie (Biggs) Crawford married her 2nd husband Bill H. Mead December 7, 1974. Bill Mead had three children: Stephen Marshall Mead, born May 15, 1953; Craig Alan Mead, born March 23, 1957; and Reid Robert Mead, born August 17, 1961. 3. Luckie Lindley Biggs born January 2, 1941 in Gilmer, Texas; married October 6, 1961 in Lamarque-Galveston, Texas, Sarah Wilson. No children. Luckie Lindley Biggs married May 25, 1968, Patsy Lee Miller of Howard, California. They have one child Kimberly Sue Biggs, born July 29, 1971. Patsy Lee (Miller) Biggs had a son by a previous marriage, Kenny Wayne Bienek, born April 16, 1958.

4. Paul Ross Biggs, born October 24, 1943; married February 20, 1965, Roxy Joan, from Pasadena Harris, Texas. They have two children: Teresa Rena Biggs, born December 8, 1970 and Paul Ross Biggs, Jr. born February 7, 1974.

Children of Cub and Hattie Biggs Hawkins

1. Dorothy Hawkins born November 23, 1931; married August 20,1953 in Upshur County, Texas to James Ray Buie. They have two children: James Ray Buie, Jr. born June 5, 1954 and Spike Reggie Buie born October 24, 1955.

2. Larry Hawkins, born June 10, 1938; married Carolyn Bonds May 23, 1958. Both are from Gilmer, Texas. They have three children: Debbie Sue Hawkins, born March 23, 1960; Kathy Ann Hawkins born January 25,1962; and Becky Lynn Hawkins born March 12, 1965.

3. Gerry Cub Hawkins, born September 2, 1940, Rae Gowen. They had one son, Donald Hawkins born January 11, 1960.

Gerry C. Hawkins married October 16, 1965, Linda Ingram. They had two children: Jeannie Lynn Hawkins, born March 13, 1967 and Whitey Cub Hawkins, born May 17, 1970.

Children of Levy and Sybil (Pollard) Biggs

1. Lyndall Monroe Biggs, born May 1, 1945 in Pittsburg, Texas; married June 28, 1975, Betty Lee Jones of Mt. Pleasant, Titus County, Texas. They have one son, Jason Lee Biggs, born August 24, 1978. Lyndall served in the U.S. Air Forces.

2. Ronald Levy Biggs, born April 25, 1948 in Gilmer, Texas; married Dianna Sue Gaddis, August 29, 1970 in Mt. Pies ant, Texas. They have no children.

3. Elwanda Jean Biggs, born December 30, 1949 in Gilmer, Texas; married July 19, 1975 in Pittsburg, Texas, Ronald C. Willey. Edwanda Jean (Biggs) Willey has two stepchildren: Jennifer Diane Willey, born October 11, 1968; and Ronald C. Willey, Jr. born June 18, 1970.

Levy Biggs has taught in the Pittsburg Public Schools for 33 years. He is principal of the school now. He didn't mention how long, but I did some adding from his letters.

 

Children of Mary E. (Biggs) and Sheppard M. Callicoate

1. Morris Sheppard Callicoatte, born April 28, 1924, married August 1, 1942 Vera Lavorn from Galveston, Texas. She was born August 28, 1922 in Killen, Texas. They had one son: Morris Dewayne Callicoatte born November 27, 1944 in Belton, Texas married Paulette Wilkerson, June 24, 1965. They had two children:

a. Tina Rene Callicoatte, born February 11, 1967 b. David Wayne Callicoatte, born July 12,1974

Morris Sheppard Callicoatte married October, 1948 his second wife, Thelma Underhill born October 1929 or 30 in Florida. She was the daughter of Carl and Fannie (Goodwin) Underhill. They have five children:

a. Mary Lee Callicoatte, born December 6, 1957, in Florida, married November 29, 1975, David Carlton, Freeport, Texas. They have one son, Israel Carlton, born October 4, 1977, in Freeport, Texas

b. Peggy Sue Callicoatte, born November 4, 1959 in Freeport, Texas, died November 4, 1959;

c. Debra Ann Callicoate born and died October 30, 1960 born in Freeport, Texas buried in Pittsburg, Texas.

d. Morris Sheppard Callicoatte, Jr., born November 24, 1961

e. Vicki Lynn Callicoatte born January 21, 1974 in Galveston, Texas.

2. Eugenia Ruth Callicoatte, born August 3, 1926 in Pittsburg, Texas, married March 13, 1943, Francis B. Grant from Galveston, Texas. They had three children:

a. Patricia Ann Grant, born December 29, 1943, married Clifton Jones from Clute, Texas. They have three children:

1. Jackie Lynn Jones, born November 26, 1962, Freeport, Texas

2. Johnnie Jones, born September 29, 1963, Freeport, Texas

3. Jalene Ann Jones, born February 28, 1965, Freeport, Texas b. Sylvia Sue Grant, born February 19, 1947, in Galveston, Texas, married Danny Griffith. They had one daughter, La Donna Kay Griffith, born April 24, 1963. Sylvia Sue married 2nd husband, John Sanders. They have one daughter, Shere Renee, born July 18, 1973

c. Cheryl Marie Grant born December 31, 1952, Freeport, Texas, married Leroy Addington of Clute, Texas. They have one son, Clint Addington, born November 2, 1976

Note: Mary E. Callicoatte is 4th child of Lev and Katie Biggs, husband was Sheppard M. born January 12, 1903, died June 6, 1974. His parents were I. O. and Lula (Bride) Callicoatte.

Children of Lou Biggs (no 10) Child of Lev Biggs

1. Jerry Setelter (Settler) son of Art and Lou (Biggs) Setelter was born June 4, 1940. He was in service. (S.S.G. Jerry A. Stelter, Ft. Bragg, N.C.). He died August 31,1978. He had five children by 1st wife Beverly: 1. Jeri Ann, 2. Titus, 3. Lonny, 4. Katie Jo, and 5. Glenn Setelter. Tina Setelter by last wife, Barbara. 

This last was sent to me late. Lou's son's name was spelled three ways, Settler, Setetler and Stelter.

 

 

 

 

 

VIII Family of Jefferson W. and Jeffie D. (Moreland) Biggs

 

Jefferson Word Biggs, Youngest Son of Jesse and Sarah (Ash- craft) Biggs Jefferson Word Biggs, eighth child of Jesse and Sarah (Ash- craft) Biggs, born May 28,1949 near Eastport, Mississippi; died August 21, 1896 in Burnsville, Mississippi. He married May 16, 1869, Jeffie Davis Moreland, born February 17, 1851; died June 30, 1894. Jeffie was the daughter of M. D. and Elizabeth Moreland. M. D. Moreland was a Colonel in Civil War of the 7th Alabama Moreland Regiment Co. B. Many pensioners listed tl1eir service with 7th Regiment Alabama Calvary, Co, K and Co. A. Another place listed as Lieutenant Colonel of 6th Mississippi Cavalry Co. A. He was a member of the Board of Police for old Tishomingo County 1859-1860. M. D. Moreland died prior to the October term of Court of Tishomingo County in 1868. Nathaniel, Jeffe, Samuel J., Georgia and W. T. Moreland were listed as minor children, Elizabeth Moreland as guardian. We are not sure when Jefferson Biggs moved to Burnsville. He owned many acres of farmland northeast of Burnsville as well as many lots in the town of Burnsville. He had a water-powered gristmill on Yellow Creek east of Burnsville. The old mill site and dam area s now being covered by the Tennessee Tombigbee Waterway. Directly across the creek east of the mill are high hills. The Eastport and Burnsville Road wound through these hills. There was a "turn pike" on the road between the hills. Toll was to pay for the bridge across the Creek and marshy area. These hills now are referred to as Turnpike Hill. It two is being removed by tl1e constructors of the waterway. At one time Uncle Jeff had a saloon on Turnpike Hill. Burnsville as early as 1858 tried to band saloons in town. It was voted down, but in the 1870's Burnsville succeeded to ban the sale of strong drinks. Uncle Jeff just removed his saloon on Turnpike Hill, which was located on his land across the Creek from his gristmill. From the records in the Tishomingo County Courthouse we find many land transactions concerning the property and real estate of Jefferson Biggs. Deed Book p-l, page 561, B.C. Wilson sold on February 26, 1883 land to J. W. Biggs from Southeast corner of the M. Shehan Lot North 48 feet, thence W. 35 feet, thence N. 84 feet, thence east 40 feet thence south 150 feet to railroad. In the same Deed Book, J. W. Biggs sold lot 39 to H. M. Smith on November 21, 1887. September 14, 1889 J. W. Biggs bought lots in the town of Burnsville, Section 11, Township 3, Range 91 East from L. J. Hinton, described as the old hotel property.

Page 516, Deed Book P-1 G. W. Phillips sold to J. W. Biggs, August 4, 1890, two and one-half of land being part of N.E.1J4, Section 1, Township 3, Range 9, known as Phillips mile seat, and 30 acres of land at the North end of N. W .1J4, Section 6, Township 3, Range 10 East also on August 1, 1890 J. W. Biggs sold to G. W. Phillips a 20 acre tract of land north of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad and adjoining the town of Burnsville.

"NW corner of NWl/4, Section 12, Township 3, Range 9, known as the Robert Montgomery land." Again November 25, 1890, J. W. Biggs sold land to M. O. Elledge.

Deed Book P-2, page 214, J. W. Biggs bought land from Henry McWilliams, June 24, 1891. Also in same book page 457, J. W. Biggs sold to W. R. Emerson seven acres, Section 12, Township 3, Range 9, south of the railroad March 2,1893, and part of Lot 1, May 4, 1893. Mrs. J. D. Biggs sold to Francis Epperson on April 5, 1894, Lots 31, 52, and 53, land north of railroad Section 12, T3, R9 East.

After Jefferson Biggs’s death August. 21, 1896, H. R. Emerson, his son-in-law, was approved as administrator of his property. Uncle Jeff died interstate. There had to be an inventory and appraisement of the goods and personal estate. The following is a partial list of goods, in addition to his land and business.

"16 Head of goats, 6 port hogs, 10 stock hogs, 2 mules, 1 black mare, 1 buggy, and harness, 1 two-horse wagon, 1 disk cultivator, I moving machine, 2 bee hives, 1 corn planter, 1 sorghum mill, 100 bushel. corn, 40 gal. molasses, 800 lbs. seed cotton, 1 black oxen, 1 Brendle yearling, 1 milk cow, 1 Jersey cow, 1 light colored Heifer, two small yearlings, 1 red heifer."

Jefferson Biggs left seven minor children, Minnie L. Biggs; his oldest child was twenty-four years old and married to H. R. Emerson. She took five brothers and sisters to rear. After Jeffie (Moreland) Biggs died June 30, 1894, Jeff Biggs married Julia Cowan, November 1, 1894. (Marriage Records 1892-1897, page 180, Alcorn County). He had two children by his second wife, Julia V. (Cowan) Biggs, born August 9, 1857, died February 15, 1897. According to the records Julia V. Biggs died from heart failure and left two small children, Armor and V. Biggs. Minnie (Biggs) Emerson felt that she couldn't take two more children. The older children promised to help according to Mrs. V. (Biggs) Timbes, youngest child of Jeff and Julia V. Biggs, Eldred and Lillie, two of the older Biggs children promised to care for the two youngest. Lillie cared for Armor and Eldred cared for the baby. Eldred to play baseball, so he carried the baby along, the bottle, and a diaper in his pocket when he went to practice.

Children of Jefferson and Jeffie (Moreland) Biggs

1.Minnie L. Biggs, born November 7,1822; died November 17, 1958, married October 24,1891, H. Rufus Emerson born January 4, 1861; died June 20, 1928. They had no children.

2. Charlie W. Biggs, born August 6, 1876, died March 31, 1897. He was hit by a train at Iuka, Mississippi. Charlie married November 15, 1896, Georgia Smith. They had no children.

3. George S. Biggs born November 15, 1878, died June 15, 1952 at Oakwood, Texas. He married March 16, 1902 Victoria (Sissie) Skelton born April 21, 1881, died in Oakland, Texas, October 25, 1947. They had eight children: Georgie Lee, Lillie Mae, Paul r. Pauline, Bilbo, Alfred, Myrtle, and Minnie.

4. Eldred Biggs b-, d-, married Myrtle Barnett. They lived in Savannah, Georgia. They had five children: Barnett S. Biggs, Jeffie Louis Biggs, Eldred Don Biggs, Dorothy Elaine Biggs, and Joy Clinton Biggs. All were married except Dorothy when Mrs. Biggs wrote me last (1963). I wrote again, but letter came back.

5. Arthur E. Biggs, born September 26, 1882, died June 30, 1925. 6. Lillie Ijams Biggs, born February 26, 1885, died February 13, 1971, in Arlington, Virginia; married August 22, 1899, Alvesia 1Bud) Bullock, born January 18,1873, died February 15, 1952 at Aberdeen, Mississippi. He was the son of Joshua and Manervia Bullock. The marriage records of Alcorn County, Ms. Book 1898-1902, page 304 lists Bud Bullock and Lillie Biggs wedding date August 22, 1900. They had three children: Margarette

i Bullock, Biggs Bullock, and Jeffie Hall Bullock. They lived in Ripley, Corinth, New Albany, Quincy, and Aberdeen, Ms.

Jefferson Biggs and 2nd wife, Julia V. had two children: Armor and V. Biggs Timbes. Vee is still living and told me V was the only name she ever had.

Names and birth dates were from Lillie Biggs before her death.

 
 

Minnie L. Biggs Emerson                      and husband     H. Rufus Emerson and dog Dude

holding Catherine Biggs Warren

 

 

Text Box:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                                                                          Minnie Biggs Emerson and husband Rufus Emerson

 
 
 


 

 

 

 

Minnie Biggs Emerson, Elldred Biggs

       and Ruby V. Biggs Timbes

 

Descendents of George S. and Victoria (Skelton) Biggs

 

 

 

1. Georgia Lee Biggs, born February 16, 1903 at Burnsville, Mississippi; married August 20,1929, Nathan Harvey Maddux born, died 1967. They had one son Harvey Wayne Maddux born November 4, 1934, in Palestine, Texas, married December 8, 1973 Lowanda Carole Huff, born June 27, 1941, daughter of Luther L. and Rosie Nell (Frizzell) Huff of Houston County, Crockett, Texas. They have one child, Sabrina Carol Maddux, born October 29, 1977.

2. Lillie Maye Biggs, born August 20, 1905, at Burnsville, Mississippi, died 1978, in Texas. She married March 16, 1921, Roy S. Smith. They had two children: Jerry Max Smith and Betty Jane Smith.

3. Paul T. Biggs, born January 15, 1908 at Fulton Mississippi, married December 18, 1927, Ollie Bell Hogan born March 17, 1913. They have one son, Bobby Joe Biggs.

4. Pauline Biggs, twin, born January 15, 1908, died June 5, 1908. 5. Bilbo Biggs, born October 6, 1912 at Burnsville, Mississippi married May 5, 1945, Fern Maynard, born March 19, 1914 in Franklin, Louisiana, St. Martin Parish. She is the daughter of William John Maynard and Lelia Mary (French) Maynard.

They had no children. 6. Alfred Moore Biggs, born March 28, 1914, in Nettleton, Mississippi married January 27, 1934, Ruth Sparks. They have one daughter, Dorothy Sue Biggs.

7. Myrtle Alread Biggs, twin, born January 15, 1918 in Smithville, Ms., died August 26,1918 in Smithville, Ms.

8. Minnie Eldred Biggs, born January 15, 1918, married June 27, 1943, Deck Murdock Moore born, died 1976. They have two children: Sharon and Deck.

Children of Maye Biggs and Roy S. Smith

1. Jerry Max Smith married Lynn Haire. They had one son, Jay Smith.

2. Betty Jane Smith married Charles Johnson. They have one daughter, Janis Ed Johnson. She married a man by name of Hallmark. No children. Betty married second husband Wayne Dewing. They have one daughter, Dee Ann Dewing. Dee Ann married Randy Drews and they have one daughter, Karen Drews.

Children of Paul T. and Ollie Bell (Hogan) Biggs

1. Bobby Joe Biggs, born August 21, 1929 in Oakwood, Leon County, Texas, married June 8, 1951, Dorothy Tryon, born December 9, 1933. They have four children:

a. Dennis Lynn Biggs, born November 20, 1953, married Phyllis Ann Reed, born July 26, 1954. They have one daughter Lisa Ann Biggs, born May 26, 1973, in Mexia, Texas.

b. Tony Max Biggs, born December 23, 1955, in Orange, Texas married Sandra Suzette Tynea, born January 18, 1958. They have two children: 1. Kimberly Lynn Biggs, born June 17, 1977 in Silsbee, Texas, 2. Jason Paul Biggs, born May 7, 1979 in Silsbee, Texas.

c. Bruce Boyd Biggs, born October 7, 1959 in Orange, Texas,

d. Lori Lei Biggs, born September 29, 1962 in Orange, Texas. Bobby Joe Biggs married second wife Leona Schaffer, born January 30, 1928.

Children of Alfred and Rutha (Sparks) Biggs

1. Dorothy Sue Biggs born November 2, 1934, married 1st Bobby Gene Harding. They had one daughter:

a. Rebecca Hardin born February 26, 1950, married David Lynn Foster December 20, 1969. He was born April 15, 1969 son of Billy Bob and Colleen (McElroy) Foster. They have one son, Dennis Lynn, born August 31, 1970 in Dallas, Texas.

Dorothy Sue Biggs married her second husband April 6, 1951. He was Willie Orille Rigsby born August 23, 1919 in Marthaville, La. They married in Lovington, New Mexico, son of John J. and Mattie (Bond) Rigsby. They have two children:

1. John Alfred Rigsby, born December 18, 1952 in Palestine, Texas, married February 18, 1977, Sharon DeAnn Hodge in Duncanville, Texas. They have one child, Laci DeAnn Rigsby, born October 5, 1979.

2. William Oriell Rigsby born June 10, 1954 in Palestine, Texas, married July 2, 1977 in Grand Prairie, Texas, Vicky Lynn Worrell. They have one daughter Angelia Heleine Rigsby born August 29, 1974 in Grand Prairie, Texas.

Children of Minnie Eldred Biggs and Deck M. Moore, Sr.

1. Sharon Moore born November 22, 1946 in Anderson County, Texas, married August 17, 1969 Jimmy Lester Leone, born October 28, 1945, son of F. (Jim) and Mary Louise (Gill) Leone. They have two children:

a. Laura Rene Leone, born September 17,1973

b. Colby Stuart Leone, born April 16, 1978. Both children were born in Temple, Texas. Jimmie is a teacher and Sharon A. Facilitator.

 

Family of Bud and Lillie (Biggs) Bullock

1. Mildred Marquerite Bullock, born December 4, 1904 in Burnsville, Mississippi, married January 23, 1937, Dr. John Elrod Hubbard, born February 7, 1902 in Elrod, Alabama. They have two children:

a. John Elrod Hubbard, Jr., born July 9, 1940 in Aberdeen, Mississippi, married December 19, 1964, Jeanne Allen, born July 15, 1943 in Pennsylvania. They have two children: James Allen Hubbard, born June 25, 1968, and David Hall Hubbard, born September 30, 1970. Both born in Dallas, Texas.

b. James Bullock Hubbard born November 14, 1948.

2. .Henry Biggs Bullock born .September 26, 1905 in Burnsville, Mississippi died April 5, 1931 III Aberdeen, Mississippi, married September 25, 1936, Susie Mae Williams, born, 1907, died October 12, 1926 in Aberdeen, Mississippi. They have two children:

a. Virginia Sue Bullock married a man by name of Wainwright. They have five children: Richard, Deborah, Stephen, Jonathan and David.

b. Mariam Elaine Bullock married a man by name of Machado. They have two children: Diane and Randy.

3. Jeffie Hall Bullock, born February 15, 1915 in Quincy, Mississippi.

Jeffie married second husband July 8, 1967, William Barnard Craig, born November 23, 1915 in Belle Plaine, Iowa. They married in Arlington, Virginia and live there now.


Jefferson Armor Biggs

 
 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Jefferson Armor Biggs, born October 11, 1899 at Burnsville, Mississippi, died March 1, 1945, married August 3, 1920, Annie Pearl Colton, born October 13, 1903, daughter of W. T. and Ollie (Woodruff) Calton. They had seven children: Lillie Catherine, Milla Quay, Marion, Billie Jean, Rufus Armor, and Charles Thomas Biggs.
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Jefferson Armor Biggs

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 
 

 

 

Annie Pearl and Jefferson Armor Biggs
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Annie Pearl Colton Biggs

 

 

Children of Jefferson and Julia (Cowan) Biggs

 

1. Jefferson Armor Biggs, born October 11, 1899 at Burnsville, Mississippi, died March 1, 1945, married August 3, 1920, Annie Pearl Colton, born October 13, 1903, daughter of W. T. and Ollie (Woodruff) Calton. They had seven children: Lillie Catherine, Milla Quay, Marion, Billie Jean, Rufus Armor, and Charles Thomas Biggs.

2. V. Biggs born, married October 13, 1913, Lester Timbes, born April 10, 1892, died May 30, 1973, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Timbes of Burnsville, Mississippi. They had two children; Jack and Tommie.

Children of Armor and Pearl (Calton) Biggs

1.   Lillie Catherine Biggs born October 30, 1924 at Burnsville, Mississippi, married May 2, 1942, James Elton Warren, born May 6, 1924. They have three children: James Ronald, Jerry Don and Larry Allen.

2.   MilIa Quay Biggs born January 28, 1927 Burnsville, Mississippi, married July 2, 1944, Paul Revere Steadman, born November 15, 1923, son of James and Lockie (Jeffreys) Stead- man. They had three children: Carolyn, Gary Revere, and Stanley. They were all born in Moulton, Alabama. "

3.   Marion Biggs, born August 19, 1928, in Burnsville, Mississippi, married November 24, 1945, L.G. Yarbrough, born September 23, 1925, son of Lawrence and Mary S. (Brewerington) Yarbrough. They have six children: Judy, Jimmy, Dana G., Thomas Michael, Marion Timothy, and Donna Elaine Yarbrough.

4.   Mildred Biggs born August 19, 1928, married June 17, 1943, Clellie Ennis Naylor, born November 28, 1924, son of Miles J. and Nellie (Ledlow) Naylor. They had three children: Jeffrey Wayne, Clellie Justin and Phillip.

5.   Billie Jean Biggs, born June 1, 1932 in Iuka, Mississippi, married June 4,1950, James Mitchell Blankenship, born January 27,1931, son of James E. and Lonnie (Pearson) Blankenship. They have three children: James A., Gene Derrick and Annie Denise Blankenship.

6.   Rufus Armor Biggs, born June 20, 1934, in Iuka Mississippi, married May 25, 1957, Vera Giles, born April 12, 1935 daughter of Roger and Francis I. (Bryant) Giles. They have two children:

a.   Lesia Gayle Biggs, born February 26,1961, Atlanta, Ga. b. Jason Biggs, born February 26, 1966, Atlanta, Ga.

7.   Charles Thomas Biggs, born February 22, 1937, married September 4, 1959, Donna Jean Jenkins, born December 28, 1941, daughter of Wallace P. and Margaret G. (McArthur) Jenkins. They have two children both born in Smyrna, Georgia: a. Charles Randall, born July 16, 1967, married Margaret Sarret born September 14, 1962 their son Jamie born December 8, 1991.b.  Jason Allen Biggs, born January 28, 1970, married Shelly Graden born November 2, 1972 their daughter Kacey born December 15, 1988


 

Family of James E. and Lillie C. (Biggs) Warren

 

1.   James Ronald Warren, born December 8, 1943 in Moulton, Alabama, married, April 9 1966, Nancy Jo Brewer, born December 18, 1946 in McKee, Kentucky, daughter of Clyde and Ethel (Hall) Brewer. They have four children:

a.   Rebecca Kaye Warren, born June 26, 1968 Birmingham, Ala.

b.   Catherine Elizabeth Warren, born September 19, 197() in Birmingham, Ala.

c. Tammy Teresa, born March 7, 1973 in Birmingham, Ala. d. Melissa Ann Warren, born July 16, 1974 in Birmingham, Ala.

 

2.   Jerry Don Warren born October 1, 1946 in Moulton Ala. married September 16, 1969, Debbie Rean Rickard, born May 30, 1947 in Charleston, S. C. daughter of Wilbur E. and Nila (Monts) Rickard. They have two children: Laura Beth Warren born May 9, 1973, and Jonathan Barrett Warren born December 7, 1975. Both born in Birmingham, Alabama.

 

3.   Larry Allan Warren, born November 1, 1948 in Birmingham, Alabama, married January 29, 1970, Johnnie Nell Powell, born June 3, 1951 in Fayette, Alabama, daughter or John D. and Dorothy N. (Crownover) Powell. They have three children:

a.   Christi Leigh Warren born October 3, 1972, Birmingham, Ala.

b.   Larry Allen Warren, Jr., born December 10,1974.

c.   James David Warren, born July 21, 1978 in Birmingham, Ala.

 

Family of Paul R. and MilIa Quay (Biggs) Steadman

1.   Carolyn Steadman, born February 15, 1945, Moulton, Alabama, married July 2, 1965, Roger Doil Parker, born December 29, 1944, son of Doil N. and Clara E. (Campbell) Parker. They have two daughters:

a.   Elizabeth Amelia Parker, born March 30, 1967.

b.   Jennifer Camilla Parker, born October 15, 1968. Both born in Moulton,

Alabama.

2.   Gary Revere Steadman, born September 30, 1947 in Moulton, Alabama, married April 6, 1968, Elizabeth Fay Whitlow, born September 20, 1947 daughter of Onarn R. and Mildred S. Whitlow. They have three children:

a.   Michael Scott Steadman, born April 21, 1969, Moulton, Ala. b. Gary Brent Steadman, born April 16, 1971, Moulton, Ala. c. Matthew Clint Steadman, born November 29, 1977, Decatur, Ala.

3.   Paul Stanley Steadman, born December 31, 1951, married April 23, 1971, Brenda Coffey, born January 25, 1953, daughter or Jack C. and Patricia (Hagle) Coffey. They have two sons:

 

a.       Jeremy Stan Steadman, born December 24, 1971. b. Chadwick Jim Steadman born December 12, 1974. They were both born in Decatur, Ala.

b.       

Family of L. G. and Marion (Biggs) Yarbrough

1.   Judy Sharon Yarbrough, born December 21, 1946 in Moulton, Alabama, married June 11, 1965, James Donald McAfee, born June 22, 1943, son of A. P. and Mamie K. (Mitchell) McAfee. They have two children:

a. Gregory Scott McAfee, born September 5, 1968, Moulton, Ala.

b. Emily Dawn McAfee, born July 30, 1976, Decatur, Ala.

2.   Jimmy Yarbrough, born December 21, 1946, married June 22, 1968, Barbara Anita Compton. They have one son, Johnny Steven Yarbrough, born March 22, 1969.

3.   Dana G. Yarbrough born September 17, 1948 in Moulton,

Alabama, married October 4, 1968, Victoria Mangum born December 1, 1949 in Gadsden, Alabama, daughter of George W. and Helen P. (Farmer) Mangum. They have three daughters:

a. Robin Leanne Yarbrough, born September 3, 1970, Decatur, Alabama.

b. Dana Allison Yarbrough, born May 14, 1973, Alabama.

c. Abby Nicole Yarbrough, born April 12, 1976 in Decatur, Alabama.

4.   Thomas Michael Yarbrough, born February 22, 1951, married March 16, 1970, Margaret Lucille Bradley, born May 29, 1950 in Crossville, Tennessee. They have four children:

a.   Michael Yarbrough II born November 6, 1970.

b.   Joshua John Yarbrough born August 15, 1973.

c.   Mary Bethany Yarbrough born November 22, 1976 d. Benjamin Peter Yarbrough, born January 31, 1979.

5.   Marion Timothy Yarbrough, born January 8, 1957. 6. Donna Elaine Yarbrough, born December 5, 1961.

 

Family of Clellie E. and Mildred (Biggs) Naylor

1.   Jeffery Wayne Naylor, born November 28, 1944, married June 16, 1973, Judy Ann Cates, born November 23, 1954, no children.

2.   Cellie Justin Naylor, born January 20, 1947, married Janice Gail Serber.

3.   Phillip Naylor, born March 1, 1949, married Linda Gail Smith, born December 10, 1951. They have two daughters: Romana Christine Naylor, born June 29, 1973; Linda Pollyanna Naylor, born April 22, 1976. Both born in Atlanta, Georgia.

Family of James M. and Billie Jean (Biggs) Blankenship

1.   James A. Blankenship, born May 15, 1951 in Moulton, Ala. married August 24, 1974, Louann Parson. They have two children, Glenn Armor Blankenship, born April 20, 1976 and James Matthew, born February 14, 1979.

2.   Gene Derrick Blankenship born October 2, 1952, married June 4, 1976 Belinda Craft.

3.   Amy Denise Blankenship, born April 22, 1961 in Moulton, Alabama.

Family of Lester and V (Biggs) Timbes

1.   Jack Timbes, born June 27, 1914, married January 24,1937, Elaine Leitch, born august 29, 1919. They have one son, James Edward Timbes, born February 16, 1943, married Debra Davis, daughter of Woodrow Davis. James Edward Timbes has four children:

a.   James Ricky Timbes, born 1962, married September 15, 1979, Cindy Patrick born November 13,1961 daughter of William and Betty Pa trick.

b.   Christopher Lynn Timbes born 1968. c. Audra Ranee Timbes, born 1973, and Chad Lee Timbes, born 1976.

2    Tommie L. Timbes born January 9, 1916. 102