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Bishop Joseph Blount Cheshire, of cin MeNefil. the father of the poet Raleigh, has made an appeal for à John Charles M Neill. In that home small sum to repair historic St. John: the writer of lyrics and songs lived Episcopal church in Vance county. as a boy, and it was there that he This church was built in 1767, and spent the last weeks of his life, and in this sacred building men whose there be di d in October. 1907.
names shine on the pages of history have bowed in worship. Old St. Johns
Dr. A. R. Newsome, Secretary of is Vance county's most outstanding the North Carolina IIx ial cor- relic of the early days of the Repub- mission, was in Jantary appointed a lic. member of the North Carolina com- mi tee of the League of Nations As-
The monument recently erected soc ation. Inc., of which Hon. George in Edenton to the memory of Joseph W. Wick tsham is president. The Hewes, one of the North Carolina association. which has a nati nal signers of the Declaration of In- membership and branches in .31 dependence. will be dedicited on his states, has for its purpose the cul- birthday anniversary. April 28. Hon. tivation of such public opinion as Francis D. Winston, of Windsor, will will influence the United States gov- present the marker. ernment to co-operate in the activi- ties of the League of Nations and to enter the League at the
possible date, with such reservations the bicentennial of the birth of
as may seem wise.
Among the many, celebrations held earliest, over the state in commemoration of George Washington. the meeting of the North Carolina Society of the
Any ne having for sale, cheap, Cincinnati, held in Raleigh on Feb- copies of The North Carolina Book- ruary 22, was especially appropriate let prior to 1912, please communi- Rear Admiral Edwin A. Anderson, cate with the editor of The North of Wilmington, was the principal Carolina Historical and Genealo- speaker. George Washington was the sica! Record. first president of the Society of the Cincinnati.
The North Carolina Highway Com- mission will erect a large granite Mrs. Robert W. Isley, hf Snow boulder at the Wade Harris bridge Hill, historian of the North Carolina
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HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
Division of the United Daughters of to the North Carolina state board the Confederacy, has announced of health. The exercises took place prizes which will be awarded this on the second floor of the health year. There are four prizes offered building, Raleigh, N. C, where the Chapters, and eight prizes in gold library, considered very valuable by for best essays on various subjects. health officials, is situated The tab- All essays and papers must be sub- let is imbedded in the wall above mitted to Mrs. Isley by Sept. 15, the book case. 1932.
Mrs. John H. Anderson, of Ral- Mrs. John H. Anderson. of Ral- eigh. historian-general of the Unit- eigh, N. C., former historian of the ed Daughters of the Confederacy. North Carolina division, United has issued the annual prize list of Daughters of the Confederacy, was the historical department. There are N.v. 19. 1931 elected at the general fift.en general prizes offered to di- convention held in Jacksonville as visions. chapters and chapter offi- Historian-General of the U. D. C. cials. There are twelve subjects for Mrs. Anderson is a daughter of the essays, to be written by members late Major Henry A. London. She of the U. D. C. Four prizes of $25.00 is also a writer of note, and has pub- each are offered to college students
lished several monographs
with the period during the War Be- Two contests are open to writers in
tween the States.
dealing only for essays on Jefferson Davis. any section. while the usual essay contests for the Children of the Con-
The Western Carolina Teachers' federacy are given in the pamphlet College, Cullowhee. N. C., has ac- quired the rifle which killed Tsali.
The Handbook of American Gene-
the noted Cherok e Indian rebel. It alogy for 1932. published by the has been placed in the college miu- seum. American Institute of Genealogy, has been mailed. Those listed in the "Who's Who in American Gen alo-
Duke University has recently se- gv" include the following North cured a genuine primitive printing Carolinians:
press. a machine older than the C'pt. Samuel A. Ashe and Wm. famous Washing on press. one as H. Bason. f Raleigh; Miss Jeanette elementary in structure as the fam- E Biggs, Oxford; Wm. A. Blair and ous Gutenberg. the first press of But L. Chipman, of Winston-Salem; Europ . It is the printing press of Mrs. J. S. Claypool. New Bern . M.s. the Henkel family. of New Market. C. W. Davis, Stovall: Mrs. James Va .. which was used there for a M. Dunlap. Ansonville: Mrs. R. O. number of years, the first German Ev rett. Durham: Miss Adelaid, L. language press operated south of Fri s. Winston-Salem; Clarence Grif- the Potomac. It is 125 years old.
fin, Forest City: Raymond C. Griffin. Monroe: Dr. Ira May Hardy, Kinston;
A bronz tablet was unveiled Jan. Mrs. Albert J. Hanser. Winston- uary 27. acknowledging the bequest Salom; Miss Mary H. Hinton. Ral- of the medical library of the late eich; Robert H. Hatchera. Soxa- Dr. Charles O'Hagan Laughinghouse pahaw; Miss Sybil Hyatt, Kinston.
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HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
W
boro. The inscription, on the monu- ment pictured above, reads: Capt. Patrick Boggan Patriot and Revolutionary Soldier Died 1817 Buried about four hundred yards south of this point Erected by Thomas Wade Chapt r. D. A. R. Wadesboro. N. C. 1931.
Mrs. T. M. McConnell, Greensboro; Miss Cornelia Spencer MacMillan. Red Springs, Lawrence MacRae. Greensboro; David W. Morton, Beau- fort; Mrs. M. T. Norris, Raleigh: Rev. S. M. Rankin, Greensboro; Mrs. B. Streeter Sheppard. Raleigh; Miss Kate C. Shipp. Lin. colnton; Miss Edith C. Thomasor, Charlotte; Mrs. J. W. Thornton. Dunn; Mrs. Emma B. Wallace, New Bern; Mrs. Minnie F. Watson Boone; Dr. Wm. T. Whitsett. Whit- sett; Miss Alienne Wiggins, Hender- son; Mrs. Walter L. Wilson, Acme: Lorenz S. Winslow, Greensboro; Mrs. J Robert Wood, Oxford; Hirman B. Worth, Greensboro.
On December 2, 1931, the Thom- as Wade Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution of Wadesboro, erected the above mark'r to Cap- tain Patrick Boggan, Revolutionary
The Aycock statute commission recently met in Raleigh and approv- ed the likeness of the famous North patriot and one of the founders of Carolina governor which is to be Wadesboro. The monument is locat. placed in Statuary hall in the na- ed about two miles west of Wades. tional capitol in Washington and bero, on Route 20, at the old Bog. tentatively set May 20 as the pre- gan homesit. .. On the same day the sentation date.
D. A. R. Chapter a so unveiled Meeting in the offices of Gover- tab'et at the grave of Mrs. Mary n'r Gardner. four members of the Sheffield Dunn, Ansen county's most commission of seven accepted the famous Revolutionary heroine. Mrs. report of the sub-committee which Dunn is buried in the old Bennett recently inspected the statute in cemetery, thr. e miles east of Wades- New York. Charles Keck is the sculp-
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HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
tor.
Prof. R. D. W. Connor of the Uni-
Governor Charles Brantley Ay- versity of North Carolina, Chapel cock served the state from 1901 to Hill, has been named a member of the state historical commission by Governor Gardner to succeed the late Judge Thomas M. Pittman of Henderson, who died Feb. S. For 1905 and his likeness will fill North Carolina's quota in The national statuary sector of the capitol, A statue of Zebulon Baird Vance, who was governor three terms and also United States senator. was placed many years Professor Connor has in the hall some years ago. been oustanding in historical circles of the state. He has written two Judge Thomas M. Pittman, 74, books on North Carolina history and chairman of the North Carolina His- also wrote a biography of Cornelius torical Commission, died at his home Harnett. He was secretary of the in Henderson. Feb. 8. after an ill- historical commission from 1903 to ness of three weeks. He was former- 1921 and was president of the North ly vice president of th- Baptist state Carolina Literary and Historical as- convention and for many years a sociation in 1912. Professor Connos deacon of the First Baptist church in went to the university in 1921 4s Henderson. He was appointed to the Kenan professor of history and be- superior court bench by Governor came head of the history departmen. Cameron Morrison in 1923. serving in 1980. He and Mrs. Connor are until his health failed. He was a dos- now in England on a year's leave of tor of laws from Wake Forest, and absence and will return in the carly was dean of the Hendersin bar, summer. where he practiced for 45 years. He is survived by his widow. who was
The completion date for the erec- . formerly Miss Elizabeth Briggs, of tion of a government marker at Cow. Raleigh; one son, Thomas M. Pitt- pens battleground is April 21, ac- man, Jr., of Water Valley. Miss .; cording to Major General J. L. De- and a daughter, Mrs. A. J. Davis, of Witt, the quartermaster general of Roanoke, Va.
the army.
THE NORTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL REVIEW
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NO. 3
JULY, 1932.
VOL. 1
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STATEMENT OF THE OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, CIRCULATION. ETC., REQUIRED BY THE ACT OF CONGRESS OF AUGUST 24, 1912.
Of North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Record published quarterly at Forest City, N. C., for April 1, 1932.
State of North Carolina,
County of Rutherford ss.
Before me, a Notary Public in and for the State and county afore- said, personally appeared Clarence Griffin, who, having been duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is the editor of the N. C. Historical and Genealogical Record and that the following is. t. the best of his knowledge and belief, a true statement of the ownership, manage- ment, etc., of the aforestid publication for the date shown in the above caption, required by the Act of August 24, 1912, embodied in section 411, Postal Laws and Regulations, printed on the reverse of this form. to wit:
1. That the names and addresses of the publisher, editor, managing editor, and business managers are: Publisher, Editor and Managing Editor Clarence Griffin, Forest City, N. C., Business Managers, none.
2. That the owner is: Clarence Griffin, Forest City, N. C.
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CLARENCE GRIFFIN, Editor. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14th day of April, 1932.
C. E. ALCOCK, Notary Public. (My commission expires January 27, 1934.
NORTH CAROLINA
HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
A GLEANER IN NORTH CAROLINA HISTORY
CLARENCE GRIFFIN EDITOR Forest City, N. C.
VOL. 1
JULY, 1932. NO. 3
THE BIGGERSTAFF AND ALLIED FAMILIES.
By R. B BABINGTON, Atlanta, Ga.
The Biggerstaff family is of Eng- in Pennsylvania found lands there lish orgin. Samuel Biggerstaff, pro- already occupied and high in price. genitor of the Biggerstaff family in Many dangers lay in going westward Western North Carolina, came from beyond the Alleghanies, so the trend England. Originally the family might was southward to the fertile valleys have been German or Saxon since of the Yadkin, the great Catawba many old English records show the and other Carolina streams. These name spelled "Bickerstaff". Family migrations southward began as early history does not record the birthday as 1750 and continued until the of Samuel, though it specifically states American Revolution. that his birth occurred by Caesarean
The oldest original document still operation "in consequence of sick- among the family records is an agree- ness" of his mother. He married ment between John Sloan "of the one Elizabeth Moore and to them were part" and Samuel Biggerstaff and born at least three children, so ne of Joseph Cloud "of the other part." whom might have been born in Eng- This sheet of parchment, yellow with land. Family tradition says one was
age, but in perfect state of preser- "born on the water" during the voy- vation, bears date of 10th of April, age to America. The family landed 1760. It is then definitely establish- in Pennsylvania, as did many of the ed that the Biggerstaff family had early settlers of Western North Car- taken up residence in North Carolina clina. Their sojourn in that state was in 1700 or prior to that date. probably of short duration for soon . The above mentioned agreement the family, following the trend of is interesting and worthy of record immigration. came South to Meck- here. The chirography is extremely lenburg county. Immigrants landing difficult to decipher, due partially to
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N. C. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
the many obsolete abbreviations murderous Cherokees were driven westward into the mountains, and
used.
"Memorandum of an agreement, their power broken.
bargained and made between John A few weeks before he died, when Sloan of Rowan county in Province "very sick and weak in body" Sam- of North Carolina of the one part and uel Biggerstaff made his last will and Samuel Bikerstaff and Joseph Cloud testament. Legatees mentioned were: of the other part, witnesseth, that "My dearly beloved wife Elizabeth. for and in consideration of the sum son Aaron, son Benjamin, and son of ten pounds current money of Samuel." property bequeathed con- North Carolina to be paid unto the sisted of "the plantation [ now live said John Sloan .... by the said on," plantation near the head of Samuel Bikerstaff and Joseph Cloud Paw Creek and Gum branch, horses, the said John Sloan hath farmi- cows, goods and chattels. Aaron re- ed, rented and set over his whole ceived twelve pounds currency and plantation on the waters of Candlo his father's clothing. Executors were Creek in the county and province
wife Elizabeth and son Benjamin. aforesail, together with the fall crop This will bears date of 8th of No- now in the ground, clear ground for vember, 1764, and was witnessed by spring crop, orchard, dwelling house, Aaron Moore, Henry . ... and Robert offices, houses, etc., the privileg's Hunter. Just two months and two thereunto belonging for and during days later, on January 10th 1765, the space and term of one full year William Tryon, Governor of the pro- commencing from the date hereof, vince, issued an order to the ex?cu- the said rent or sum of ten pounds tors to settle up the estate of "Sam- uel Biggerstaff, Sr., deceased". This order, given at Brunswick and bear- ing the British coat of arms, is now preserved among the family records. to be paid at the expiration of one year from the date hereof, provided always that in case the said Samuel Bikerstaff and Joseph Cloud can not in full reap and enjoy the benefits of both Fall crop and spring crop on account of the now proposed Ir .- dian war . .. they shall be clear and free in not paying the above rent of ten pounds .... in witness whereof both parties have interchangeably set their hands and seals this 10th day of April Anno Domini 1760."
Witnesses to the signatures wers William Courtney and Henry Hendy. As Hendy's signature bears marked resemblance to the writings in the document, it is presumed he was the author. The Indian Wor probably referred to the concerted etforts of the Governors of Virginia. North Carolina and South Carolina which took place at that time, when the
With the death of Samuel Bigger- staff, pioneer. in 1764, the first gen- eration removed from the parent Eng- lish family passed into history. In treating of his descendants I shall use occasionally a figure in parenthe- sis, thus "(2)" to indicate the gen- eration from the English family, of the descendant after whose name the figure appears.
After the death of Samuel (1), it appears that his widow Elizabeth and his sons continued to reside at the home place in Mecklenburg county for a few years, but later the entire family removed to what is now Ruth- erford county. Elizabeth purchased three hundred acres of land on Robin- son's Creek, October 21, 1767, from
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£
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N. C. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
Thomas Robinson. This transaction is battle of Ramsour's Mill, in the the earliest deed of which there is Revolutionary War. Later he was any record which establishes land wounded at Kings Mountain and died ownership by the Biggerstaff family at Union Court House, S. C., a few in Rutherford county. The 300 acres days later. Before condemning Aaron purchased from Thomas Robinson for being a Loyalist, it should be was granted to him by King George remembered that he was of English III, on 16th November, 1764. Robin- descent, and that he had received son's patent, signed by Arthur Dobbs, his land from the English king and Governor of the Province, bears the no doubt felt it his duty to remain number 296, and is well preserved. loyal to the English sovereign.
It is interesting to note that this same tract of land was deeded from Elizabeth to her son Benjamin (2) on December 2, 1773. In the mean- time Elizabeth had taken up another large tract of land on Robinson's creek by patent dated Nov mber 14. 1771. In May 15. 1772. a grant of 250 acres on Robinson's Creek was made to Aaron Biggerstaff (2). We find then, that "Elizabeth Bigger- staff, widow" and her two married sons Benjamin (2) and Aaron (2) became land owners in Rutherford county in Colonial days. The pat-r- nal homes then established have al- most invariably been passed on down to the children until this day. The location of the Indian Trail mention- ed in the deed for the 300 acres to Elizabeth can still be pointed out by her descendants where it climbs the bluff overlooking Robinson's Creek in the Sunshine community of eastern Rutherford county.
Of the second generation, children of Samuel (1), nothing is known of any of the daughters. Samuel (2) moved to Kentucky and I have no record of his ever having become a land owner in Rutherford. His des- cendants are said to reside at or near Ludlow, Kentucky, some Ruth- erford Biggerstaffs having correspond- ed with them in times past.
Benjamin Biggerstaff (2) married Mary VanZant, of Pennsylvania, and to them were born three sons, Ben- jamin (3), Samuel (3), born 1774, and Aaron (3) ; also three daughters, Elizabeth, (3), Rebecca (3) and Su- san (3). As one of the executors of his father's estate, Benjamin (2) be- came the ranking member of the family and we find him taking the the leadership in all family matters. With his mother, he entered suit against one Edward Williams, the case being set for trial at Salisbury October 22, 1767. After the Declara- tion of Independence in 1776 he be- came a Whig and a staunch sup -- porter of the cause of liberty. In 1779 a call was made on the militia to march to the relief of Charleston. The rendezvous was at Charlotte, N. C., from whence the assembled forces marched via Camden to Char- leston. Benjamin (2) answered the call to the "defense of his country" as recorded in the family Bible. He died at or near Charleston and is buried at Sullivan's Island. Charles- ton fell into the hands of the Brit- ish in May 1780. The date of Ben- jamin's death may therefore be safe- ly reckoned as 1780. Family tradi- tion claims that Benjamin was an officer in the American forces. The
Aaron Biggerstaff (2) was a Cap- family Bible record does not confirm tain in the Loyalist forces at the this, merely stating that he answer-
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N. C. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
ed the call to the defense of his kins made his last will, appointing country, and giving the details of Samu. I Biggerstaff and James Mc- his death at Charleston and burial Gaughey executors. The will nam- ed the following legatees: Wife, Isa- on Sullivan's Island.
Benjamin's widow married again, bella, daughter Sallie Biggerstaff, and his children probably experienc- sens John and George, also the two ed hard times. Draper, in his "Kings sons of Samuel Biggerstaff, Benje- Mountain and its Heroes," mentions min and Joseph, daughter Isabella a Benjamin Biggerstaff who was prob- Wilkinson, sons, Thomas and Sam- ably Benjamin (3), son of Benjo- uel. Property bequeathed included min (2). Aaron (3) was known as a negro woman slave Katie, the "Big Uncle Aaron." There are many "plantation that I now live on." Biggerstaffs in Rutherford county money, horses, cattle, one 200 acre today who cannot definitely trace tract of land, etc. A bill of sale of their kinship with other members of the Eakins' estate dated November the family. Without a doubt these 18, 1825, lists a gun and shot bag, Biggerstaffs are descendants cf Big- tools, wagon and gears, hogs, horse gerstaffs of the third generation, mare, colt, variety of other live- Benjamin (3), or Aaron (3) with a stock, another tract of land, etc.
possibility of a line coming from The negro slave Katie was inherit- Captain Aaron (2). The line of des- ed by Sallie Biggerstaff at the death cent from Samuel (1), Benjamin (2) of Isabella Eakins. She is still re- through Samuel (3) to his descen- membered by some of the older Big- dants is well defined.
gerstaff family as "Old Blind Katie,"
Samuel (3) was born in 1774. for in her old age her eyesight had completely failed. An amusing inci- dent is told of Katie. One day in her old age, when her eyes had grown dim but her sense of hearing had grown more acute, she heard driver whipping his mule as he drove along the nearby highway. "Better
After his father's death in 1780 and in consequence of his mother's sec- ond marriage, he was "b und out." After serving his apprenticeship he came into possession of a portion of the land of his father, as evidenced by a deed on record at Rutherford- ton, dated October 8, 1798, where- quit beatin' that mule," she yelled in, for the sum of fifty pounds he to the passer-by, "and ram some deeded to Aaron Biggerstaff 103 acres fodder down his throat." Old Kate's of land "being a part of a tract of steel rimmed spectacles are still land that Benjamin Biggerstaff de- kept by the family.
ceased was possest within his life Samuel Biggerstaff (3) died 1850 and is buried on the brow of the hill overlooking "the Shoals" of Robin- son's Creek at Sunshine. His wife, who was born in 1778. survived him time ... which said land was grant- ed to Thomas Robinson the 16th of November, 1764." Samuel Biggerstaff (3) married Sarah (Sallie) Eakins. daughter of Joseph Eakins and wife twelve years, dying in 1862. It is Isabella Eakins. The name of Joseph record.d that Samuel (3) was a "pious good man, and a member of Eakins appears in the 1790 consus of North Carolina. According to fam- the Methodist church, was loved and ily tradition he came from Ireland. respected by all that knew him." On Christmas eve, 1824, Joseph Ea-
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