Biggs Family History
Descendant Report of John Biggs
Last Updated on 1/12/2008
Click HERE to visit the Martin Family website where you can see the original 1938 Biggs, Ballard, Broyles Reunion Program
General History
The patriarch of my branch of the Biggs Family was John Biggs. He was born in 1751 - his birthplace is unknown. It is not certain where he came from. It has been said that he came here from England with two brothers, James and William. James settled in either KY or TN, William in MD, and John in VA. It is not clear, however, if these brothers came to this country earlier.
Potential Connection 1 - A William Biggs died in 1806 in Monongalia Co, VA. He is said to have come to America as a paid soldier of the British Crown and that he was one of seven brothers from County Clare, Ireland. Researchers have been trying to connect his descendents to a Biggs branch from Frederick Co, Maryland. For more information on this branch contact Maryland Henning.
Potential Connection 2 - A John Biggs arrived in Pennsylvania in 1773 as an indentured servant. He arrived on May 21, 1773 as a servant of Richard Eyre. He, in turn, assigned him to David and Thomas Fulton of Nottingham, PA (in Bucks Co). Arriving with this John Biggs was a lady Mary Gill. She, also, was an indentured servant. I do not know if they had a relationship, but I often wonder "is this my John and Mary?".
Potential Connection 3 - Another branch of the Biggs family lived in Ulster Co, NY area and arrived around 1655. I have been unable to make a connection between John and this branch. In American Families page 2561, the following is written:
"The founder of this family was John Biggs, a native of Worcester, England, who went to America as a soldier with Sir Richard Nicholls' expedition for the conquest of New Amsterdam in 1664. He is believed to have been a member of the Biggs family of Lenchwick and Norton, near Evansham, one of whom was Sir Thomas Bigg, knighted 23 July 1603".
Potential Connection 4 - Again, a branch of the Biggs family comes from the Norfolk, VA area. In the Official Program of the 7th Annual Reunion of the Biggs,
Ballard, and Broyles Families August 8, 1937 by Dr. Dwight Moody Hoke it is written:
"...John Biggs, during the reign of Charles I of England (1625-1649) came to America as colonial aid under the governorship of Sir William Berkeley. He was possessed of a handsome person, fine talents, and popular manners, and by these qualities was enabled to secure influence over the colonists. He was accompanied to America by two brothers, James and William, and the tradition of the three brother emigrants had its inception at this time".
*** It would be wonderful if we could manage to connect these different branches through the Biggs DNA Project. Check it out if you are a Biggs researcher! ***
John's Family
John Biggs first appears in the VA census in 1810 in Giles County. In the 1812 and 1813 VA Tax Lists, he owned 3 horses. In 1815, he owned 4 horses, 5 cattle, and was living at Walkers Creek, Rye Hollow, Giles Co, VA. He was living with Mary in Pearisburg, Giles County in 1820.
John had seven children with MaryJohn Biggs - b. aft. 1773 in Giles Co, VA and d. aft. 1840. Moved to Botetourt Co, VA. He owned 3 horses in the 1800 VA Tax List. 1810 census - he had in his household one male under 10 years old (most likely Allen), one male age 26-45 (himself), and one female age 26-45. He is also in the 1820, 1830, and 1840 Botetourt Co, VA census. He had two sons - Allen and William (William died quite young according to family history). Census records show that he also had 2 daughters between 1810 and 1830, but their names are not known. William Biggs - b. aft. 1773 in Giles Co, VA. Is said to have died as an infant in Giles Co, VA Elizabeth "Betsy" Biggs - b. abt. 1775 in Giles Co, VA. Married John Hacket(t) on May 13, 1806. According to family history, they moved to Ohio. However, they are in the Giles County census in 1810, 1820, and 1830. John was also a Revolutionary War Veteran. Lydia Biggs - b. abt. 1790 in Giles Co, VA. Is said to have also married a Hackett and moved to Ohio, however I have never found any source of this. I believe that she married Nathanial Mart(t) in Giles Co, VA and moved to Ohio. Nathaniel was listed in the 1810 and 1820 Giles County, VA census and then in the Gallia County, OH census of 1830, 1840, and 1850. Lydia is 60 years old in 1850. James Biggs - b. abt. 1790 in Giles Co, VA and d. bef. 1870 in Miami Co, Indiana. He married Elizabeth Price on April 21, 1812 in Montgomery Co, VA. They had 4 children - Andrew Jackson Biggs, Allen H Biggs, John Price Biggs, and James Michael Biggs. He is in the 1810 Giles Co, VA census. He appears in the 1820 and 1830 Montgomery Co, VA census. He and his family moved to Indiana and appear in the 1840, 1850, and 1860 Miami Co, Indiana census. Moses Biggs, Sr. - b. January 14, 1792 in Giles Co,
VA and d. January 8, 1848 in Missouri. He married Elizabeth Surface on January 5, 1818 in Montgomery Co, VA. They had 13 children - Polly, Susan, Oney, Catherine J., George J., Amanda, Sarah Elizabeth, James H., Mahala, Lydia, Moses A. Jr, William Thomas, and Allen Biggs. 5 of the children were born in Virginia, 5 in Indiana, and 2 in Missouri. It is not known where Allen was born. Moses first appears in the 1812 and 1813 VA Tax Lists for Giles Co, VA. He is in the 1820 Montgomery Co, VA census. He and his family moved to Indiana and are in the 1830 Wayne Co, Indiana census and the 1840 Johnson Co, Indiana census.
Thomas Biggs - b. 1798 in Giles Co (or possibly Bedford Co), VA and d. March 22, 1868 in Big Stoney Creek, Monroe Co, WV. He married 1) Juda Susan Campbell bef. 1824. They had 2 daughters - Delilah Biggs and Melvine "Viney" Biggs. He married 2) Elizabeth Fillinger on April 27, 1824 in Giles Co. They had 3 daughters and 5 sons - Sallie Biggs, Charles William Biggs, Augustus Chapman Biggs, Cilistine Biggs, Miles Biggs, Wilson Riley Biggs, Thomas Biggs, and Harriett Biggs. |
Military Service
*** John, according to his Revolutionary War pension statement, fought in the Light Horse (or Dragoons). It is said that General George Washington preferred that the cavalry soldiers in these units be natives to the Colonies. That leads me to believe that John Biggs was probably born in this country. ***
John Biggs fought in the American Revolution. His name is listed on a memorial dedicated to the Revolutionary Soldiers of Giles County located in front of the courthouse in Pearisburg, WV. He enlisted in the 13th Infantry Regiment of the Virginia Continental Line in 1778. John enlisted as a private under Captain John Smith. On May 12, 1779, the unit was converted to the 9th Continental Line. At some time during the war, he served under Captain John Biggs (son of Benjamin Biggs of Ulster Co, NY). He also fought in the Light Horse, better known as the Light Dragoons, commanded by Colonel William Washington, cousin to the Commander in Chief. Although John does not specify in his statement, Colonel Washington commanded the 3rd Continental Light Dragoons. He was at the Battle of the Cowpens and the Battle of the Eutaw Springs, both fought in South Carolina. He was discharged from the army at Bacon's Bridge by General Nathaniel Greene. He served from the time of his enlistment in 1778 to the conclusion of the war.
History and Lineage of the 13th Virginia Continental Line
History and Engagements of the 3rd Continental Light Dragoons
I have recently discovered that there is a Bacon's Bridge Road in Summerville, SC, just northwest of Charleston, SC. Bacon's Bridge was originally known as Steven's Bridge, and is located on the Ashley River north of Old Fort Dorchester, South Carolina, northwest of Charleston, South Carolina. It was made a public bridge on June 23, 1722. Michael Bacon later acquired the land on which the bridge stood, and was known after that as Bacon's Bridge. Old Fort Dorchester was a colonial town and is now part of the National Park Service.
The original bridge is not in existence. The present concrete bridge has been moved upstream about 100 feet from the original site. It is said that there was an American headquarters at Bacon's Bridge, and that Patriot troops were stationed there. General Nathaniel Green wrote some correspondences from there. Bacon's Bridge Redoubt, an earthen fortification, is located near the bridge. It was built by General William Moultrie under orders from General Lincoln during the Revolutionary War. This information came from a historian from South Carolina, collected on July 31, 2000. More research will be done on this topic.
This information comes from a sworn statement John gave at the Giles Co, VA courthouse, requesting a pension. He lost his discharge orders; therefore, he had to testify to and prove his service. He applied for the pension on March 18, 1821. The pension was for $8.00 a month, signed by J.C. Calhoun (pension # S37775).
Typical soldier of the 3rd Continental Line (page 180 of Loescher's Washington's Eyes - The Continental Light Dragoons
John's Pension Application Statement
John attested to his service in the Revolutionary War in order to gain a pension. The following is the statement he made at the Giles County Court House.
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Virginia to Wit On this 30th day of May, 1821 personally appeared in open court for the County of Giles being a Court of record for the said county because it has power to fine and imprison and process according to the course of the common law with a jurisdiction unlimited in point of amount keeping a record of its proceedings and has been solemnly adjudged to be a court of record by the Superior Tribunials of this state. John Biggs aged seventy resided in the said county of Giles and State of Virginia who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows: that he enlisted as a private soldier under Captain John Smith in the year of 1778 in the 13th Virginia Regiment commanded by Col. Campbell in the Brigade commanded by Gen. Broadhead and that he served under Captain John Biggs and under Captain Harrison alternately and that he also served in the Light Horse under Col. Washington and that he served in the said Revolutionary War from the time of his enlistment to the conclusion of the war under the several officers above named in the Virginia Line and that he was in the Battle of the Eutaw Springs and the Battle of the Cowpens and in several skirmishes and that he was discharged by Gen. Green at Bacons Bridge which discharge he has lost and that he made a declaration of his services on the 9th day of December 1818 in the county court of Botetourt in the State of Virginia and also he made a second declaration in the County Court of Giles on the 28th day of November 1820 to which declarations this is a supplement and he does solemnly swore that he was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that he has not since that time by gift sale or in any manner disposed of his property or any part thereof with intent thereby as to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and navel services of the United States in the Revolutionary War -?-- on the 18th day of March 1818 and that he has not or nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to him nor has he any income other than what is contained in the schedule here to -?-- and by him described to wit. Three head of horse -?-- two old mares and one colt worth about $30. Four sheep two cows and five pigs worth about $6. My occupation is farmer while I had health and ability to pursue it but I am old and infirm and am not able to support myself by labor. I have a wife about seventy years of age and no children living with me. Sworn to and declared on this 30th day of May, 1821 in open court and the court do further certify that it is this opinion that the total amount in value of the property established in said schedule is thirty six dollars. Sworn to and declared on this 30th day of May 1821 before the County Court of Giles in open court. I David French of Giles County do hereby certify that the foregoing oath and the schedule thereto annexed are truly copied from the record of the said court and I do further certify that it is the opinion of the said court that the total amount in value of the property established in the aforesaid schedule is thirty six dollars in testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said court on the 10th day of June 1821. Transcribed by Hoy G. Shingleton, Jr. in 1999 |
John's Land Grant
John was also entitled to bounty land for his service in the Virginia Continental Line. Land Bounty Warrant #1629 was granted to a John Biggs for 200 acres. His rank was Private, Continental Line, term-war. Dated August 22, 1783. According to the Bureau of Land Management - General Land Office Records, John's BLW #1629 was claimed by a James Heron on July 18, 1801. Referenced in the Legal Land Description are several persons through this warrant apparently passed before being claimed by Mr. Heron.
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403 James Heron Sold David Massie ? 7th August 1801 Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America, Know ye, that in consideration of military service performed by John Biggs a soldier for the war to the United States, in the Virginia Line on Continental Establishment, and in pursuance of an Act of the Congress of the United States, passed on the 10th day of August in the year 1790, entitled "An Act to enable the Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia Line on Continental Establishment to obtain titles to certain lands lying north-west of the River Ohio, between the little Miami and
Sciota;" and another Act of the said Congress, passed on the 9th day of June in the year 1794, amendatory of the said Act, there is granted by the said United States unto James Heron afsignee of
Robt. Campbell afsignee of John Dandridge afsignee of Sidney Barry afsignee of James Boggs afsignee of John Mayo--- afsignee of John Kay who was afsignee of the said John Biggs a certain tract of land, containing two hundred acres situate between the little Miami and Sciota Rivers, north-west of the River Ohio, as by survey bearing date the twentieth day of March in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven and bounded and described as follows, to wit; Survey of two hundred acres of land on a military warrant no 1629 in favor of the said John Biggs for a like quantity on the waters of Paint Creek, Beginning at two sugar trees and an Elm South corner to Ebenezer Scroggs survey no 2772 running south fifty degrees east two hundred poles to a black oak and two dogwoods thence south forty degrees west one hundred and sixty poles, to three beeches thence north fifty degrees west two hundred poles to two beeches and a sugar tree thence north forty degrees east one hundred and sixty poles to the beginning. |
According to Virginia/West Virginia Genealogical Data from Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Records, Volume 1 , a BLW was issued to John's son, Thomas Biggs, on February 19, 1828. Another reference from Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files - Volume 1: A-E states that Thomas Biggs, John's son, "applied for himself and other heirs on November 10, 1828 in Giles County, VA" for BLW #1421 for 100 acres. One interesting fact - according to the Bureau of Land Management - General Land Office Records, BLW #1421 was issued to an Elijha Smith.
Much confusion surrounds the issue of these Bounty Land Warrants. Much more research shall be conducted to, hopefully, solve this mystery.
John's Will
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DATED 18 JANUARY 1827 In the name of God Amen; I John Biggs of the County of Giles being sick and weak in body, but of sound mind and disposing memory for which I thank God and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to help me with, I give and bequeath in manner following that is to say. First I desire that so much of my property be sold as will pay all my just debts and secondly I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Mary Biggs two cows and household furniture for her to dispose of as she thinks proper and one mare as long as she lives and at her death to belong to Delilah Biggs my grand daughter. Thirdly I give and bequeath unto my well beloved son Thomas Biggs one horse and the rest of my property for the maintainment of my well beloved wife Mary Biggs. In witness where of I have hear unto set my hand and affixed my seal the eighteenth day of January one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven. Signed, published and delivered by John Biggs as and for his last will and testament. In the presence of and hearing of us who at his request and in his presence have subscribed names as witnesses. His, John 'X' Biggs (mark); Christian Snidow; Andrew Griner ( his mark) X; James Clark John Snidow: Executor for John Biggs |