Second Generation

6. RACHEL HIGGINBOTHAM^5,22 died circa 1809.

Probably older than some of her brothers. Birth not known. Chalkley's Transcripts of the Records of Augusta Co VA, Vol. 2, suggest she died in Amherst, in the winter of 1808-09.

Stuart vs. Duncan--O. S. 192; N. S. 68--Deed 6th June, 1774, by Samuel Ayres and Rachel, his wife, late Rachel Morrison, and Joseph Higginbotham Morrison, oldest son and heir-at-law of Rachel by her first husband, Wm. Morrison, deceased, of Parish and County of Amherst to John Dillard of same place.
Before his marriage, Samuel by writing dated 14th November, 1772, executed marriage contract, conveys 250 acres on Beaver Creek in Amherst, part of 2,700 acres patented to Wm. Cabell, Jr. Recorded in Amherst, 4th July, 1774.
Will of Samuel Ayres of Amherst. Devisee, William Ayres, son of Thomas Ayres, deceased, and Mary, his wife, of Essex County, 30 sh. to keep him from being heir to Samuel. Wife, Rachel; legatees, Eve Lackey, Joseph Higginbotham Morrison, Ezra Morrison, Tizza Davis, John Lackey, son of Eve Lackey. Dated 10th February, 1784. Recorded in Amherst, 3d May, 1784.
Answer by William Duncan, son of John Duncan, deceased. Answer by Charles Duncan. Orator is Thomas Stuart and Terza, his wife, late Davis, and formerly Terza Morrison; John Lackey, only son and heir of Eve Lackey, deceased, formerly Eve Morrison, and Ezra Morrison. Terza, Eve and Ezra were heirs of William Morrison, deceased, by late Rachel Ayres, formerly Rachel Morrison; Rachel died in winter of 1808-9 intestate. Samuel and Rachel entered into a marriage contract by which Samuel agreed to convey all his estate to heirs of himself and Rachel, and if they have none, then to the children of Morrison and Rachel. Samuel and Rachel had no children. Orators claim all Samuel's property in spite of Samuel's will. One tract Samuel deeded to Dillard, which came by transfers to John Duncan, who died intestate and is now held by Sarah or Sally Duncan, his widow. William and George Duncan, Elizabeth Goode (formerly Elizabeth Duncan) and Campbell Goode, her husband; Claiborne and Charles Duncan; Nancy Camden (formerly Duncan), wife of Washington Camden; Lavinia Sale (late Duncan), wife of William Sale; Wiatt, Elizabeth, Wortley, Polly, John, Spicey and Patsy Duncan, who are the children and heirs of John Duncan (last seven being infants).

RACHEL HIGGINBOTHAM and William MORRISON were married on 27 November 1749 in Albemarle, County, Virginia.⁵ William MORRISON¹² died in 1761.²²

Morrison's Will probated 12 Mar 1761 in Albemarle Co VA. Proved by oaths of Moses Higginbotham, James Higginbotham & William bourks, witnesses. Certificate granted Executors, Rachel Morrison, Moses Higginbotham & James Higginbotham.
14 Mar 1760. William Mossison of County of Albemarle. Debts to be paid, etc. Wife Rachel, the plantation I now live on and all appurtenancies belonging as far as the Main Channel of the River during her life or widowhood. At her he death, the same to son Ezra Morrison. To son Joseph Morrison, land on North side of the riber with an Entry on the stoney level and one on the Spring hill, the fromer, 200 acres, the latter, 290 acres. To Beloved Daughter Eve Miorrison, a tract of 200 acres on branches of Ruttedges Creek, to enjoy at age or marriage. To beloved daughter Tirzal a tract of 208 acres on Branches of Mill Creek to enjoy at age or marriage. Wife Riachel to have all Negroes and movables to dispose of at her discretion. If any of the children die, their portion to be divided equally among the rest. Rachel Morrison, wife, Moses Higginbotham, James Higginbotham to be Exectors.
signed: William Morrison
Wit: Moses Higginbotham, James Higginbotham, William Bourks

RACHEL HIGGINBOTHAM and William MORRISON had the following children:

+36	i.	Joseph Higginbotham MORRISON.
37	ii.	Ezra MORRISON²³ was born in 1756.²³ He died on 1 November 1844 at the age of 88 in Lincoln County, Kentucky.²³ Married 1792 to Elizabeth Spears Carpenter, widow of Capt. John Carpenter and daughter of George & Christina Spears. From FindAGrave Memorial #69549628 - there is a photo of his memorial stone as well as a placque which lists the Rev War soldiers from Lincoln Co, KY "Ezra Asher Morrison served as a patriot in the Revolutionary War. Son of William Morrison and Rachel Higgenbotham. Married Elizabeth Spears (by then Elizabeth Spears Carpenter, a widow whose husband, John Carpenter had died) 30 Sept. 1791 in , Lincoln, KY. Their children were Elizabeth [b 6 July 1897, md. Capt. John Bright], James, John Ezra, William, and George. (Elizabeth also had three children with her first husband. One son was also named George [George "Station" Carpenter])." He is buried Carpenter Station Cemetery, Huntonville, Lincoln, KY. He has a Rev War Pension File: S. 13956. He applied in Lincoln Co, KY. Served as a Private in the Company of Captain Pannell, Regt. commanded by Elbert, in the Georgia line for three years beginning in 1776. His certificate was issued 6 May 1833.
+38	iii.	Tirzah MORRISON.
39	iv.	Eve MORRISON^24,25 was born (date unknown). Said to have married a Lackey. A son, John, removed to Kentucky about 1820. Eve married William Lackay. His will probated Amherst Co, 6 Jul 1772. Amherst WB 1, p, 211.

RACHEL HIGGINBOTHAM and Samuel AYERS were married on 9 November 1772.⁵ Samuel AYERS died in 1784.²²
“Amherst Oounty, Virginia, in the Revolution” by Lenora Higinbotham Sweeny
Page 9

The First Rifle Company
In January, 1 1776, the Convention of Virginia for the better protection of the Colony passed an ordinance for raising an additional number of forces, under which Amherst was required to furnish one company of expert riflemen, to act as light infantry, consisting of one captain, two lieutenants, one ensign and seventy four non-commissioned officers and privates, to be ready for marching orders by the 25th of March, 1776. Colonel William Cabell, of "Union Hill," then serving on the Committee of Safety in Williamsburg, sent at once for his eldest son, Samuel Jordan Cabell, a student at William and Mary College, for assistance in recruiting the required company, which was duly completed, and on March 4th, the officers who had been selected by the county committee February 5th were commissioned and the company received into service by Colonel John Rose, of "Rose Isle," and Lucas Powell, of the Amherst County Committee. 29

Samuel Jordan Cabell was commissioned captain, Alexander Rose 30 first lieutenant, Benjamin Taliaferro 31 second lieutenant, and James Barnett ensign; Matthew Snooks * and James Weeks, fifer and drummer; James Dillard, Jr., Samuel Ayres, 32 Ralph Jopling and William Coffee, sergeants; and John Jordan 33 cadet.
The company rendezvoused at old Key's Church, later known as Fairmount Church, in the present county of Nelson, and marched to Williamsburg, arriving March 24, 1776, after a march of twelve days. They were assigned to the Sixth Virginia Regiment, General
29 Hening’s Statutes, IX, 82; Brown’s The OabeUs and Their Kin, p. 177.
30 “Son of Col. John Rose, of “Rose Isle,” Amherst Co.; promoted Captain, Sept. 17, 1776; retired with the rank of Major, Sept. 14, 1778.
31 Son of Capt. Zachariah Taliaferro; married, April 8, 1782, Martha, daughter of David and Mary (Harvie) Meriwether, of Amherst Co.; removed to Wilkes Co., Ga., 1784, where he became a leading citizen. He died Sept. 3, 1821, leaving many descendants. Saunders’ Early Settlers of A’labama, p. 250.
* Matthew Snooks was an indentured servant of Gabriel Penn, from whom he was purchased jointly by the commissioned officers of the com¬pany at £20. Hardesty’s Historical cE Geographical Encyclopedia, p. 408.
32 “Son of Thomas Ayres of Essex Co.; married in Amherst Co., Nov. 9, 1772, Rachel Morrison, widow of William Morrison, who died in Albemarle Co., 1761, and daughter of John and Frances (Riley) Higginbotham.
33 “Son of Matthew Jordan, will proved in Albemarle Co., Nov., 1769, and nephew of Co1. Samuel Jordan, of “Seven Islands,” Buckingham Co., and grandson of Co1. Charles Fleming, of New Kent County.