Third Generation

32. William HIGGINBOTHAM^{13,41,44,55,56,57,58} was born in 1762.⁵⁵ He served in the military in 1776–1782 at Amherst Co VA Militia in Revolutionary War. He died about 1842 at the age of 80 in Perry County, Tennessee.⁵⁵

William was a soldier in the Continental Line in the Revolution for more than 6 years. He was captured by the British in 1780, exchanged and continued serving. He received hundreds of acres of bounty land, some in KY. Moved to Elbert Co GA where the family lived for 10-15 years. He performed marriage ceremonies, and other duties of Justice of the Peace. He was appointed administrator to his father's estate in Elbert Co in 1791 and returned to Amherst Co ca 1803 to dispose of his father's property there. The family moved on to Hardin, Hickman, and then Perry Counties in TN. Only the daughters Dolly and Nancy are positively identified; the others are probably their children.

INDEX TO THE HEADRIGHT & BOUNTY GRANTS OF GEORGIA 1756-1909; Rev. Silas Emmett Lucas Jr., Vidalia GA, c1970
William Higginbottom, Wilkes Co, Grant Book NNN, #459, 550 acres, 1787

A 1790 CENSUS FOR WILKES CO GEORGIA PREPARED FROM TAX RETURNS WITH ABSTRACTS OF THE 1790 TAX RETURNS, Frank Parker Hudson 1988, p.13
DISTRICT KKK: Capt William Higginbotham commanded this district. One of his taxpayers, John Collins, was listed as Capt of the 7th District of the Elbert Co Militia in Jun of 1791 with boundaries described partially as: "begin mouth of Deep Creek, up the Broad River to Franklin Co line, north fork of Beaverdam Crk and down the Crk to William Higginbotham's.
The 1790 tax district was the same as that of 1791 plus an area along the SW side of Beaverdam, just East of Higginbotham's. This area is now in three couties- parts of Elbert, Madison in 1819, and Hart in 1853. The part that remained in Elbert Co contains the town of Bowman. William was listed with a tract of 20 acres and one of 350 acres and 5 salves.
Benjamin Jr. & wife Mary Gatewood, and Francis & wife Dolly Gatewood also were in the District of William Higginbotham. Benjamin had 780 acres, 3 slaves. Francis had 300 acres, 3 slaves.

Book A, Elbert Co, Loose Records:
p.166
1 Dec 1790. Folio 4 John Tollett & wife Marget to Wm. Higginbotham. For 40£. 100 acres on North Fork of Beaverdam Creek all sides vacant when originally granted 24 Feb 1785 to Moses Trimble. Wit: Richardson Hunt JP, Philip Wingom. Margaret Tollet relinquished dower rights before Richardson Hunt, Esq. 31 Dec 1789. Rec. 24 Feb 1791 [Also found Deed Book A, p.3.]
5 Apr 1790. Folio 15 John Tollet & wife Marget to Moses Trimble, all of Wilkes Co. 600 acres on Beaverdam Crk being the balance of tract on which Philip Vineyard now lives. Granted 1785 to said Tollett. Wit: Richardson Hunt, Will Higginbotham, Jean Mousin
30 Dec 1789 Folio 41. John Tollett to Philip Vineyard, both of Wilkes. 300 acres on Beaverdam Crk, part of grant of 600 acres, in 1785 to said Tollett. Test: Wm. Higginbotham. Richardson Hunt, JP

Elbert Co Land Court Records, 1791-1822 [Justices of the Peace were the Commissioners to issue warrants.
4 Apr 1791. Justices present: Richardson Hunt, Ralph Bank, William Higginbotham, Esqrs.
Higginbotham continued to appear periodically through the seesion 2 Sep 1793. He was present on 7 Jan 1793 when Moses Davis, himself with 4 in the family, had a warrant issued in the name of Robert Brown.

SOME GEORGIA COUNTY RECORDS, by Edward E. Van Schaick Jr., c1997
p.98 Franklin Co GA DB H, p.124
13 Jan 1792. Isaiah Hambleton of Elbert Co to Thoms. Haney. Land is in Franklin, bounded by John Web. Wit: William Higginbotham, William Johnson, Rec. 20 May 1793
p.112 Franklin Co GA DB K, p.456
14 Nov 1791. Robert Brown & Catherine of Elbert Co to Robt McGowan of Franklin Co. 200 acres on Stephens Crk, waters of Broad River. Wit: William Higginbotham JP [prob in Elbert Co] Rec. 29 Mar 1794

Elbert Co Deed Book A, Folio 144. Walker Richardson, late a LT in 1st VA Regt, commanded by Col Chas. Harrison, gave power of Attorney to William Higginbotham of Elbert Co to receive all pay due for service from the State of VA, or the United States. 1 Feb 1792.
Deed Book B, Folio 82. William Higginbotham and wife Dorothy sold 200 A to Robert Pulliam, part of a 600 A grant to sd William on 9 Feb 1792. 15 Feb 1794. Wit: John Crowder, Jacob Higginbotham, M. Woods.
Deed Book B, Folio 187 William Higginbotham sold to Thomas Napier, two slaves,Jack and Major. 7 Feb 1795
Deed Book B, Folio 188 William Higginbotham sold to Robert Middleton, four slaves, Philis, Sarah, Anthony & a little girl. 7 Feb 1795.
[One of William's sons was possibly named Middleton - did his wife Dolly have a connection to the Middleton family?]

Elbert Co DB F, p.8 24 Aug 1797 William & Dolly his wife to Samuel Shepherd. Tract on branch of Beverdam. 150 acres adj sd Higginbotham, part of 550 acres granted to William Higginbotham on 24 May 1787.
DB G, p.52 24 Apr 1798 Robt McDowell and Susanna his wife to William Birden. 58 acres on Doves Creek, part of tract granted to William Higginbotham adj Saml Shepherd.

Bedford Co TN Deeds 1809-1811, p.275
13 Dec 1809 John Boyd of Davidson Co to William Hickingbottom, 300 acres on West waters of Big Flat Creek. Adj. land of Robert McCarey. Wit: Malcolm Gilchrist, William Hickbottom [son?], Mary Burcell, Moses Garrett. Proved by Gilchrist & Garrent in Court on Mar 1810.

1820, Hardin Co TN: William Hickinbottom, 1m over 45, 1f over age 45.
Next door was William G. Hickinbottom with 3 males under 10, 1 male 10-16, 1male 26-45, 2 females under 10, 1 female 26-45.
His Son Caleb seems to have been in Hickman Co TN:
Caleb Higginbotham. 3 males under 10, 1 male 10-16, 1 male 16-26, 1 male 26-45, 1 female under 10, 1 female 26-45.
Middleton was in Dickson Co TN:
2 males under 10, 1 male age 26-45, 3 females under 10, 1 female 26-45.
In Bedford Co TN in 1820 were also two Higginbotham males with the same given names as sons of William:
James Higginbotham: 1 male under 10, 1 male age 16-26, 1 female age 16-26
Joseph Higginbotham: 1 male under 10, 1 male age 16-26, 1 female 10-26, 1 female 16-26.

William Higginbotham applied for his Revolutionary Pension from Hardin Co TN on 31 Jan 1829. He stated he enlisted in Amherst Co VA on 6 Jan 1777 & served as Sergt. in Capt Samuel J. Cabell's Co, 6th VA Regt. He again enlisted in Dec of 1778 and served to the end of the war in Capt James Mabon's Co., 2nd VA Regt. Cert. of Capt James Mabon dated May 28 1783: "Sergeant William Higginbotham enlisted with me for the war in Dec. 1778 in the 2nd VA Continental Regt. There was also a Certificate from Col. Samuel J. Cabell who stated further that Higginbotham was taken prisoner at Buford's Defeat in South or North Carolina in May of 1780. Dated 25 Feb 1810. His pension was allowed. William Higginbotham also entered a claim to the court of Amherst Co VA for public service. He was allowed 455 acres for service as a Sgt. of 6 years, 10 months, warrant issued 9 Mar 1793 and 28 Feb 1810. He was also issued bounty land as a Lieutenant on 7 Nov 1811 for 2,666 2/3 acres. These grants were in Kentucky.

Listed in the Journal of the House of Representatives of the U.S., 1827-1828
Wednesday, December 19, 1827
Mr. Crockett presented a petition of William Higginbotham, of the State of Tennessee. The petition was referred to the Committee of Claims.

By 1830, William was enumerated in Perry Co TN. Perry was formed from Hickman & Humphreys Counties in 1819 so he possibly moved to live near his son Caleb.
He was listed as aged 70-80 and so was the female in his household, presumbly Dolly.
Caleb, who had been in Hickman Co in 1820 was also in Perry Co with:
2 males under 5, 1m 5-10, 1m 10-15, 2m 15-20, 1m 20-30, himself as 40-50 [born between 1780-1790] 1 female age 10-15, 1 female 40-50.
Living nearby were Joseph Kelly and Ephraim Kelly, sons-in-law, husbands of Dicey and Jane, respectively.
There was a Jos. or Jas. Higgenbotham listed in Perry County. 1 male age 15-20 and 1m age 20-30. And a male age 70-80. One female age 20-30. This would seem to be not of William's family.
Son William G. was in Shelby Co TN in 1830.

1840 Census. Perry Co TN
William again listed as age 70-80. The females in the household was age 50-60 - one of his daughters perhaps? He is also listed as a Pensioner for Revolutionary Service and his age given as 79.
Caleb appears to be the only son still living in Tennessee.

William's place of death is also given as Hardin Co TN, but Perry Co seems correct, given the census records.

William HIGGINBOTHAM and Dorothy "Dolly" SANDIDGE were married by 1784 in Amherst County, Virginia.⁵⁵ Dorothy "Dolly" SANDIDGE, daughter of John SANDIDGE and Keziah GATEWOOD, was born (date unknown).

William HIGGINBOTHAM and Dorothy "Dolly" SANDIDGE had the following children:

135	i.	Joseph HIGGINBOTHAM⁴⁴ was born (date unknown). I find no other reference to a Joseph as son of William & Dolly. If he is the Joseph listed below he was likely one of the younger sons. 1820 Census: Bedford Co TN Joseph Higginbotham: 1 male under 10, 1 male age 16-26, 1 female 10-26, 1 female 16-26.
136	ii.	Caleb HIGGINBOTHAM^44,55 was born (date unknown). This Caleb said to have married to Frances Smith, 15 Dec 1807, Williamson Co TN. Could be this Caleb: Tennessee Early Land Register, 1778-1927; Plats and Surveys State of Tennessee, First District Survey drawn & Entry made out 23 Aug 1824 for orders by Wm. Hogins. By virtue of Entry #14930 dated the 27th day of April 1815, founded on a Certificate #2092 issued by the Register of West Tennesse for six acres. I have surveyed for Abraham Goodman, assignee of Caleb Higginbotham, six acres of land in Dickson County on the North fork of Bear Creek beginning at a white Oak marked AG on the North bank of said Creek about forty poles below the mouth of Jesse G. Christian's Spring branch running from that West forty four poles to a Locust, thence North twenty two poles to a Stake then East forty four poles to a stake, Thence South twenty two poles o the beginning Including the Improvements whereon said Goodman now Lives. Surveyed this 27th day of Sept. 1815. Wm. B. Ross, DS Filed 23 Oct 1815 William Davis & John KIllbreath, SCC 1820 Census: Hickman Co TN: Caleb Higginbotham. 3 males under 10, 1 male 10-16, 1 male 16-26, 1 male 26-45, 1 female under 10, 1 female 26-45. 1830 Census: Perry Co TN 2 males under 5, 1m 5-10, 1m 10-15, 2m 15-20, 1m 20-30, himself as 40-50 [born between 1780-1790] 1 female age 10-15, 1 female 40-50. 1840 Census: Perry Co TN 1m 5-10, 1m 10-15, 1m 15-20, himself as age 50-60. No females in the household.
137	iii.	William G. HIGGINBOTHAM^44,55,58,59 was born in 1785 in Georgia. William G. Higginbotham is on Capt Dunston Blackwills tax list, 1815, Elbert Co, GA William married Polly Eavenson on 26 Sep 1808, Elbert Co GA. She is said to be the daughter of Eli & Rachel Seal. Found with his father and other members of the family in Hardin Co TN in 1820. William G. Hickinbottom: 3m under 10, 1m 10-16, 1m 26-45. 2f under 10, 1f 26-45. By 1830 they moved to Shelby Co TN where their older children married. W. G. Higginbotham: 1m under 5, 2m 10-15, 1m 15-20, 1m 20-30, 1m 30-40. 1f under 5, 1f 5-10, 1f 30-40. Ca 1837 they moved to Marshall Co MS. 1850, Marshall Co MS, Household 875: Wm Hickenbottom age 65, b. GA. Polly age 65, b. GA. L. G. 16 [Lawson] b. TN. C. J. 15 [Caroline] b. TN. and A. A. age 6 [female] born in MS. Household 874 was that of George Hickenbottom, age 45 b. TN Mary [Mary Moody], age 35, b. TN. All children born in Mississippi. P. A. [female] 17; A. A. [female] age 16, A. V. [male - age not readable] R. H. [male] age 6, James B. age 4, and L. C. [male, age 2].
138	iv.	Middleton HIGGINBOTHAM^44,60 was born (date unknown). Possible son. Lived in Dixon Co TN in 1820; by 1830 he was in Bond Co IL. 1820 Census: Dickson Co TN: 2 males under 10, 1 male age 26-45, 3 females under 10, 1 female 26-45.
139	v.	Gabriel HIGGINBOTHAM⁴⁴ was born (date unknown). Not listed by all researchers of this family. Said to have married Jane Crittenden and died in Texas.
140	vi.	Pulliam HIGGINBOTHAM^44,61 was born about 1795 in Georgia.⁵⁵ Married into the McCracken family and moved with them to Wayne Co IL in the early 1820's. Wife said to be Nancy, daughter of Aquilla McCracken. Moved again to Green Co AR before 1834, probably with his sister Nancy Christian, and said to have died in Craighead Co AR in 1846. [Another source says he died in Poinsett Co AR] Suggested children include Pulliam Jr, Lawson, James Franklin, Francis Marion [b. 16 Oct 1815 in Wayne Co IL - b. Sep 1831 on FindAGrave]. <http://www.couchgenweb.com/family2/higinbo2.htm> Pulliam Higginbotham married Nancy [Lane] McCracken, widow of Aquilla McCracken Jr. on 16 Aug 1832 in Edwards Co IL. Found on Edward Co IL Queries, USGenWeb [This post would indicate that Pulliam had an earlier wife, perhaps also named Nancy]
141	vii.	Jane HIGGINBOTHAM^44,62 was born in 1795 in Georgia.⁶² Jane is not listed in all researcher's databases. Said to have married Ephriam Kelley. Her sister Dolly married Elisha Kelley and sister Dicy married to Joseph Kelley. These men likely were brothers, sons of Elijah Kelley of Spartanburg SC 1830 Census: Perry Co TN Ephraim Kelly: 1m 10-15, 1m 15-20, 1m 40-50. 1f under 5, 1f 10-15, 1f 15-20, 1f 40-50 1850, Decatur Co TN. Ephraim Kelley, age 55, b. S. Carolina. Jane, age 55, b. GA.
142	viii.	James HIGGINBOTHAM⁴⁴ was born (date unknown). James is not in all databases. Said to have married Jane Holt in Bedford Co TN. 1820 Census: Bedford Co TN in 1820 James Higginbotham: 1 male under 10, 1 male age 16-26, 1 female age 16-26 In 1830, there was a Jas./Jos. Higginbotham in Perry Co TN. Doesn't seem to be the same person. James is listed in one database as having died in 1873, Bedford Co TN.
143	ix.	Nancy HIGGINBOTHAM⁶¹ was born about 1796 in Georgia.⁵⁵ She died in 1841 at the age of 45 in Greene County, Arkansas. Nancy and husband Jesse B. Christian moved to Monroe Co MS in 1820 where he died. She moved to Tishomingo Co MS and then to Green Co AR where she died in 1841. Their son J. G. Christian lived in Craighead Co in 1889 & was listed in Goodspeed. Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northeast Arkansas Craighead County - PART ONE The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889 J. G. Christian, retired farmer, of Jonesboro Township, was born in Hickman County, Tenn., about seventy-five years ago. His parents. Jesse G. and Nancy (Higginbotham) Christian, were both natives of Georgia. They were among the pioneer settlers of Middle Tennessee, and when the subject of this sketch was six years of age moved to Monroe County, Miss., where a few years later the father died. A short time after the husband's death the mother moved with the family to Tishomingo County, Miss., and in 1837 from there to Greene (now Craighead) County, Ark. Here the mother died about 1841. J. G. Christian was brought up on a farm, and from early boyhood was accustomed to hard work. His educational advantages were very limited, as after the father's death much of the responsibility of caring for the family devolved upon him. This responsibility, like all others encountered during his long and eventful lifetime, was met and overcome. In 1844 at the old homestead he was united in marriage with Susan Mackey, who when a child came with her brother, Elias, from McNairy County, Tenn., to Arkansas. To this union were born the following children; Nancy, wife of Lewis Simonds, a farmer of Jonesboro Township; William W., residing near his father; Tersey, who married A. J. Wilson and died about seven years ago; Jesse, who grew to manhood, married Etta Graham, and died in September, 1887, aged twenty-four years; Polly, Rebecca, John and Tom, at home, and two others who died in childhood. Mrs. Simonds is a member of the Baptist Church. At her death Mrs. Wilson left four children, whom the grandfather is now rearing. Mrs. Christian died March 8, 1887, aged sixty-five years. Mr. Christian has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and at present owns a well-improved plantation of 185 acres. He is a Democrat in politics, unassuming but courteous in his manner, and one of the most useful and progressive citizens of Craighead County.
144	x.	Dolly D. HIGGINBOTHAM^44,63 was born about 1798 in Georgia.^55,63 Dolly married Elisha Kelley on 1 Oct 1812 in Bedford Co TN; said to have died 1856 in Hardin Co TN. 1830 Census: Hardin Co TN Elisha Kelly 3m 5-10, 2m 10-15, 1m 40-50, 1f -5, 1f 15-20, 1f 30-40 1840 Census: Hardin Co TN Elisha Kelly 2m 5-10, 2m 15-20, 1m 20-30, 1m 50-60, 2f -5, 1f 5-10, 1f 10-15, 1f 40-50 1850 Census, Hardin Co TN, 13th Civil District, p.240, Household 93: Elisha Kelly, age 61, b. NC, Farmer. Dolly D. age 52, b. GA. Albert 19, Dolly 16, Leonard C. 15, Almar??? age 12, female, Mahala age 8, Pleasant A. Kelly, age 26, Elizabeth B. 18, Caswell Askerage age 30 and Lucinda, 21. All the young people born in TN except for Caswell who was born in NC. Elisha Kelly was from North Carolina, died in 1858 at age 63. Dolly said to be a native of Virginia and died in 1856 at age 58 [b. 1798) Said to be the daughter of William H. Higginbotham who was a Lt. in the Revolution. Elisha & Dolly had 7 children, among them Dr. R. L. Kelley of Whitesboro TX. He was born in Hardin Co TN on 9 Feb 1823. From BIOGRAPHICAL SOUVENIR OF TEXAS, 1889; p.79
145	xi.	Dicey HIGGINBOTHAM^44,64 was born in 1802 in Georgia.⁶⁴ Dicey is not found in all researcher's databases. Said to have married Joseph Kelley and died in Decatur Co TN after 1850. Jane, Dolly & Dicey are all said to have married into the Kelley family. 1830, Perry Co TN Joseph Kelly. 1m under 5, 1m 30-40. 1f under 5, 1f 5-10, 1f 30-40, 1f 50-60 Was the older female Joseph's mother? 1840 Perry Co TN Joseph Kelly. 1m 10-15, 1m 30-40, 1f under 5, 2f 5-10, 1f 10-15, 1f 30-40 1850, Decatur Co TN Census: Joseph Kelley, age 49, b. S. Carolina. Dicy age 48, b. GA. Children born in TN: Malissa D. age 17, Amanda C. age 15, Jas. R. age 13.