The Higleys and their Ancestry, an Old Colonial Family, by Mary Coffin Johnson 1896
CHAPTER Xiii.
LAST SCENES IN CAPTAIN HIGLEY’S LIFE.
Have left a name behind them.—Eccfrsja./jcw, div. 8.
NUMEROUS transactions in the purchase and sale of lands, aside from Captain John Higley’s public career, were apparently the chief feature of his private business interests after his removal to Simsbury, By judicious investments in lands he found himself, in the prime of life, with large possessions—from the standpoint of those times—of ever-growing values. For several years he enjoyed the distinction of being the largest taxpayer In the township, and as the owner of these estates his assessments exceeded in amount those paid by any fellow-citizen. Before his decease he settled lands upon those of his children who had arrived at full age.
From business transactions found on record, it would seem that he was yet In the midst of his engrossing interests as the twilight of his active life was approaching, when night suddenly fell—he left mortality and passed peacefully into the silent-land. He lived three weeks beyond his sixty-fifth birthday. The entry upon the Simsbury records is as follows:
“Capt~ John Higley departed this IiI~ August a~th 1714.”
Of the disease and illness which ended in his death, no mention is made in private memoranda yet discovered, further than that he was attended by his friend and physician, Dr. Samuel Mather of Hartford, and that toward the last, probably when there was grave apprehension that his life must be despaired of, Dr. Haston was called into consultation. He was laid to rest by the side of his brother-in-law, John Drake. His grave is yet to be seen in the old Hop-Meadow (Simsbury) burying-ground, directly in the rear of the site where the first meetinghouse of the town once stood, and near to the tablet monuments of the Revs. Dudley and Timothy Woodbridge.
The tombstone is a nek~t red sandstone slab, standing two feet high, with a tasteful panel around the face of it, bearing the following inscription
Captt.
~Obfl titJle$2
~‘leD ~u~uet
25-1714
a~e~ 60
From the ancient account book in which his executors kept their accounts in the settlement of Captain Higley’s estate, we extract some of the expenses incurred upon the occasion of his death, mainly made up of the funeral costs, which contrast strangely with the heavy funeral expenses of the present day. The entries are in the clear-handed penmanship of his son, Dr. Samuel Higley. The fact of the first and most important item used on the day of his decease being rum, seems scarcely credible in our day. Yet this was the custom in “y° olden time.” “A colonial funeral,” says Eggleston, “deserved to rank as a festive occasion—a time of much eating and a great deal of drinking.” The emblems of “mourning” supplied consisted of black ribbon for badges and trimmings. As the ten elder children were grown, and the most of them were married, it is likely they provided their own somber habiliments.
By special provision of the town meeting, a citizen stood appointed “to mak coffins for our Townspeople.” “Unkel Holcoin” set dbout making a coffin, while Mary Holcombe, who appears to have been a useful busybody who repeatedly rendered service In the household, invaded the kitchen to make ample preparation for the expected funeral guests.
Rev. Timothy Woodbridge was at that time the settled pastor of the church at Simsbury, but we cannot say whether or not he officiated at the funeral services. Some of the towns were about this time deviating from the customs of the earliest New Englanders, who “followed the body In silence to the grave wilhoul funeral service of any sort, lest they, ‘confirme the popish error that prayer is to bee used for the dead’;” and it may have been that the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge conducted prayers at the house, or at the grave.
Captain John Higley’s will, the original copy of which is still extant,’ bears the date, May 6, x714.—three months before his death. He constitutes his two sons, John, Jr., and Samuel, the executors of his estate.
“The Last Wit.,. and TesTAMENT of John Higley of Symsbury, In the County of Hartford, and Colony of Connecticut, in New England which as as followcth—Being under many weaknesses, age, and infirmities of body, but of Sound iudgement and understanding and not knowing how soon the time of my dissolution will be, I do therefore Commite my Soul Into the hands of God who gave it, and my body to the earth for a decent and Christian bunch, Expecting by faith a Glorious Resurrection. And as for those worldly goods, which God in his Providence hath bestowed on me, I thus dispose of them when my Just Debts and funerall charges are paid.
“Imp’ rim Is, I give unto any loving Wife Sarah one third part of my inoveable goods of Housing Stuf and Utencells thereto belonging to her disposaii as She Sees cause to dispose of them to an children by her; Alsoe, I gave her that third part of moveables of her former Husbands Uosep Bisseli] Estate which Is yet undivided. I Likewise give unto her the one third part of this my Real Estate, here in Symebury, with the Use of my now Dwelling house during the term of Nathanlall’s life or as long as She continueth my Widow, and If by the providence of God She be Married aga~n, She Shall be allowed by my Executors Six pounds a year, for the third of my Real Estate during life to be disposed of by her among any Children by her.
“I/em. I give to my Eldest Son John Higley, a double portion out of my whole Estate, and to the rest of my Sons. Jonathan. Brewster, Joee1.h and Samuel, Nathanel, Josiah and Isaac, to each of them a Single portion out of my whole Estate, with what either of them has alrea4y Received.
“I/em. I give unto my daughters Katherine, Hannah. Elizabeth, and Mindwell, Sarah, Susan-nab, and AbIgail to each of them half so much as to each of my Sons, Excepting John, out of my Estate, with what Either of them have already receIved at Marriage, to be paid to them in Twelve months alter my decease, or at Eighteen years of age, by my Executors hereafter mentioned.
“I/em. My Will further Ii that my Sons Shall, have all my Lands, they paying to their Sistcr. whi,t is wanting ef thai moveables to make up their portions.
“I/em. All the lands which I have at Windsor, which came by my first Wife I give to any five Eldest Sons .arhich I had by her, in equali Share, they paying to theIr four eldest Sisters twenty shillings each.
“item. I give my weanng apparell unto niy Youngest Sons, viz., Nathaniel, Josiah and Isaac, and provided that Either of them, or their Sisters shall dye before they are of age their portion Shall be ‘ivided among their Survivors.
“I/ens. All my books, bonds, bills, and debts stanafing out I leave with my Executors1 and hereby lnipower thent for to Recover and cause to be added to the Inventory of my whole Estate, they l*Ing Rea.onably paid for their pains and Costs.
‘tAnd I do hereby Appoint, Authorize, and Constitute my loving Sons John Hlglcy, and Samuel Higley to be my Executors to this my last SVIII and Testament. In Witness whereof I have here• unto Sett my hand and fixed any Seal, this the Six day of May, In the year of our Lord, God One thousand Seven Hundred and fourteen, and in the twelth Year of the Reign of Anne of breat Britain, Queen &c. Anno Dom, 1714.
“Signed and Sealed
In presence of Witness, JOHN H&GLRY.” ~ SEAl.
JOHN CASE,
THoMAS Hoi.coMe,
his
Ronawr RH. HAsacuts. -
mark.
The inventory of the estate was taken the 3oth of December, and is full of curious details. It was the custom of the times to record minutely the smallest personal belongings, and from these inventories we learn something of the daily habits of the deceased individual.
The following extracts show the quantity and value of lands Captain John Higley held at the time of his decease, after having settled portions upon his children who had reached a legal age
“~ acres formerly Simon Wolcott’s, ~1oo; so acres adjacent to the west side, .~io: to acres called ‘the Strap,’ Leo; 40 acres marsh and upland adjoining, Lao; 14 acres east side the river against the ç, ~lo 42 acres upland M ith house and barn, £80; 32 acres up the brook called ‘Simon’s Brook. Las; zoo acres at a place called N. E. corner, L~s ;1 zoo acres Pine-plain toward S,dmon.Broohc, Lao; so acres bought nf Jute Maya, £so ; 38 acres at Salisbury, £14.”
His lands at Windsor~ were given to his elder children, and are not described, Among his books mentioned are a “Physic Book,1’ 49., Concordance, 4S., Sermon Book 3S., Psalm Book, 3 Sermon Books, and sundry “old books.”
His clothing, as is shown by the will, was bequeathed to his three youngest Sons, Among the articles named ~was a “broadcloth coat lined with shalloone,” and a “heavy coat.” In the list is his “sword, a sword belt, etc., i~s., a gun, 125., small gun, 20S., caps and pistols, 24s., a pair of brass scales and weights used for weighing coin, 8s., an hour glass.” (There were no clocks in New England in those times.) His equipments for traveling (as there were no carriages or wagons) were “a saddle and furniture, i8s., a bridle, 45., ‘portmantlc,’ mail pillion, straps, and spurs, x.~s.” There are quantities of household articles, farming implements, and live stock catalogued, and the essential “cydar press.” The inventory of personal effects was appraised at £6o~ 38. id. In the executor’s account are to be seen the original autographs of several of Captain Higley’s heirs signed as receipts for moneys paid to them: “Nathaniel Bancroft for my wife Elizabeth.” “Sary,” “Kateron,” “Abigail,” “Susana,” and “Isaac.” The book contains other signatures in connection with various.matters, among which are John, Jr., Jonathan, Brew&Lci, Samuel, and “Josias.” Mindwell Hutchason “alias Higley” of Lebanon, Conn., received “the sum of wun pound in money” from John Higley, executor, January io, 1723. The receipt is signed by “Abigail Thorp alias Higley.” By the following entries taken from the same book, it would appear that the staple articles of living were rye, Indian corn, and pork.
MEMORANDUM OF WHAT MOTHER RECEIVED.
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1714 Oct. Nov. sa - |
“l’O 3 COWl. . . . . . a. a a . • .. •4 • • • a a 4• • .. ~ bushels Indian corn , ..,,.....,....,bushc)5~1ndoncorn a• bu. 34 ky . a bushels md. corn. . Mor ~ pecks Ry... . • a a a a bushelslndeancoTn.......... .....••.•...,........... Tooncbushel$Ry.....,.....a..........,,.a........,...,... c~,ne hog unwelguea... . .... . . . . . ........ ‘Ioahogwelghsngsss..,.....,...........................,..,. To aho~ weighing 79...... •,..,,....,.......•.~•.... To two nusheis Indian Corn. aa,...aa.ae.....j......a..aa..,... ToonebushelRy ..........~......a,.................. One bushel and 34 IndIan,, a. a a.a.e.a.. .,.,.,,a a ala...... ,.a,.. One bushel Rye • * • •. * • ... . . ... a .~.. . a • ., a tat a. One bushel and 34 Ry . . . . , . . . . . .4 •1~ •, |
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6 i ~ 4 3 4 ~ 9 is 3 4 a 3 a 3 |
3 3 1 2 8 6 6 9 |
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£ |
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a bushels Ry by Josias ‘I’hirty |
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OnebusJ~eIand5~Ing.byNathanjel .. bvthirteenpoundsrnutton ‘1 hirty—~ive of bell . . * .. . a ... .. .....~... • aquarts Rum by Brewster by money to yourself a a . . a •... a. |
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o 4 s 7 ~ |
6 6 ~ |
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Jan.z~ao 1731 1733 • *734 Jan. 1739 373* 1739 |
0nebushe11~yeby1saac * .... Paid you by Brewster..,... •,•• By lIf’tecn pounds pork out of bbi. by Nathanel at 6o 0 bbl..... Onebu.wbcat..,.....,,,., at...... 0nebucheIand5~Ryebyl~uc a.... 8 “ Flazby Nathaniel ........~ bymoneytoSusana ......OnebushelRyebyDavid ....• ...... 4 pounds of wool.... $ .....OnebushelwheatbyJoscph ?~1oneybyflrewster. |
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a 4 7 6 8 ~a 4 ~ 8 0 |
8 3 6 10 ~ 0 |
The distribution of Captain Higley’s estates was ordered by the Court in Hartford, May 10~ 1720. This distribution seems to have been set aside and a new one took place April I, 1723. There appears to have been some disagreement between the guardians of the younger children and the executors previous to the final distribution.
Of the ancient relics there are but few. His autograph and the old account-book containing entries by Captain Higley’s own hand, the latter half of which was appropriated by his executors for items concerning his estate, has survived the accidents of more than two centuries, and is now held in high value by his descendants, It has reached this day well preserved through the care of his son Brewster’s line of descent, and is now in possession of Miss Emma L. Higley of ~.Termont.
A venerable walking-stick has come down to the present generation through the line of another son, Dr. Samuel Higley, and is in the hands of Jonathan Higley, Esq., of Ashtabula County, Ohio. It is marked in clear lettering, “J. H. 1714.” The carving was probably done by Samuel’s hand near the time’ of his father’s death.
His compass, which was the essential accompaniment and guide in his journeys about~ the wilderness, has descended to the seventh generation, and hi owned by Milo H. Higley, Esq., of Meigs County, Ohio.
A pair of ancient balances, such,as were used for weighing money, etc., which belonged either to Captain John Higley, or his son, Brewster; or perhaps to both, is in the possession of Alfred Higley, Esq., of Middlebury, Vt. It is supposed that these are the same which are mentioned in the inventory.
Captain Higley’s second wife, Sarah, survived him twenty-five years. In February, 1716, she was appointed the guardian of her daughter, Abigail. She appears to have removed from the home farm at Simsbury in the spring of 1725, and returned with the younger children of the family to Windsor, where she resided the remainder of her life. She died at the age of seventy-three years. The record of her decease is found upon the Windsor records as follows:
“Mrs. Sarah Higley Dyed may the a7th Anno Dom. 1739.”
The inventory of her estate was taken December ~, 1739, and was. “presented to the Court by her son-in-law Joathan Loomis and Sarah ¶iis wife.” Jacob and Job Drake and Tii’othy Loomis were the appraisers. Her property was bequeathed to her own children. The final distribution of her estate was not made until March 26, 1750,’ One- year previous to this date, the Probate Court ordered money distributed to her children, Benoni Bissell, Nathaniel, Josiah, and Isaac Higley, Sarah Loomis, Susannah Black. man, and “to the heirs of Abigail Thorp their mother’s part.”
The children of Captain John Higley were as follows:
born March i6, 1673.
~ Jonathan, “ February x6, ~
~ Elizabeth, “ March 13, 1677.
~ Katherine, “ August 7, i6~.
~ Brewster, “ r68o.’
~ Hannah, “ April 22, 1683.
~ Joseph, “ about i68~.
~‘ Samuel, “ “ i68~.
Mindwell, “ . “ 1689. -
~ Sarah, “ “ 1697. ,~ Nathaniel, “ November 12, 1699.
~ ~ } twins, born September 8, x7oi.
~ Abigail, “ November 4, 1703.
~ Susannah, “ 1705.
~ Isaac, “ July 20, 1707.
Captain John Higley’s career was a part of the history of Sims-bury. He was a marvel of uniform courage, energy, and industry, and must have possessed almost inexhaustible vitality. From the first knowledge that has been discovered concerning him, he did nothing in a half-hearted way, and his earnestness of character and vigorous push were dominant at every step. He left no opportunity for rust or mold to gather upon any part of his busy years. And these splendid qualities, coupled with a wise intelligence, caused him to strike good blows for civilization and progress.
He came to America with little to indicate the signally successful course he was to run. His education could not have given promise of achievement, since he left England a lad of not yet seventeen years. It is, however, very probable that he attended a regularly established school, or was under private instruction, and gathered a fair English education before the time of his father’s death, when he was fourteen, as he belonged to a class which considered educational interests a paramount necessity. He added, no doubt, much to his knowledge after his arrival in this country while he was a member of John Drake’s household, and somewhere he obtained advantages for the study of English common law. The fragments left of his penmanship show that it was excellent, and there is nothing whatever to intimate that he was illiterate.
While no pretense to social eminence on his part can be discovered, he was well-born and well-bred. On Katherinc Brewster’s—his mother’s—side, his parentage was of the clergyman’s stock, who were of the learned and refined professional class of society. When but a boy he lived with, and finally married into, a family whose claim to family Arms was perfectly legitimate and confirmed,~ a family which represented the Ea~glish gentry.
That these primitive settlers held with natural adherence to the English characteristics and customs, wherever there coi’id be adaptation to the new surroundings in a new country, is a matter of fact. Though amid primitive surroundings, their tastes were not primitive. As they grew richer, and their facilities Increased, the lines of influence that had belonged to their old lives were forces that gathered strongly about their present circumstances. It is well known that class supremacy and social lines of distinction were much considered. in those days. Our hero and his family moved among those on the upper rounds of the social ladder.
That the early generations of Captain Higley’s descendants put on the full coat of American armor, entered wholly into the spirit of the Federal Government when it was established, and have always maintained the rank of solid, well-to-do, substantial yeomanry, and that many have risen to proud heights in different exalted stations, is upon full record in the historical annals of New England and other.sectjons of our Country.
We shall never know how Captain John Higley gained his first knowledge of military tactics, but conclude that he was initiated into training ranks soon after he came to America, as all persons “above the age of sixteen except magistrates and Church Officials” were required “to beare Arms.”’
The military spirit of this honored grandsire emphatically descenced to his Posterity. The honorable position which he himself occupied has been already shown. it is impossible to recapitulate the remarkable war history, or even give the names of the long succession of brave soldiers among his descendants who have gone out to fight our Country’s battles and give her aid when aid was needed. There are those in every generation who deserve an eminent record of praise for their self-devotion In the history of all the wars they answered to the call, from the very first Indian troubles down to the latest struggle_t~~ Civil War. They did not shrink from the hardships of the camp or the dangers of the field. They were of the noble men who were there &e/ore the Victory as well as after, and who stood with unflinching firmness shoulder to shoulder with their comrades, maintaining the ground. indeed none are known to have turned back in the hottest of the fight. Few such parallels in one family line can be found, where so many men served in the rank and file of the common soldier in so many different generations~
It may be said that the greater number did excellent and noble service in the downright hard life of the private in the ranks, and it was the few who rose to great distinction; though among them were some who gained the prominence of generalship and stand in Conspicuous places in the nation’s annals.
These mingled voices of Captain John Higley’s war descendants speak, from scores of battle-fields and military prisons from which many never returned, of lofty heroism and patriotic devotion. With inexpressible gratitude we place in spirit, upon their unmarked and long-lost graves, as well as on those marked, the laureled wreath of sacred remembrance— IN MEMORIAM.
“On Fame’s eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents are spread:
And glory guards with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead.”
The brave fellows whose lives were not a sacrifice upon the field of contest, when mustered out of service went back to their working-clothes, became true citizens in the nation’s peace, and have joined those who march on, among private citizens, living quiet, unostentatious lives.
There is not a glimmer of fact to confirm the tradition afloat, that Captain John Higley ever returned to his native land more than once after he quitted the scenes of his youth. No letters or papers are extant to warrant the belief. Nor is there left upon record anything concerning his stature or personal appearance. If we measure his proportions by his progeny, we may conclude that he was a broad-shouldered, hearty specimen of manhood, of commanding physique, full six feet high, and possessing strength in proportion. Old family letters still preserved, which were written during the lifetime of those who lived contemporary with his youngest son, Isaac, ~peak of Isaac’s unusually fine proportions, and especially his height, that he was~ so nobly tall—six feet and five inches—that he was obliged to stoop to enter a door of ordinary height. There have been hundreds of Captain John Higley’s lineal descendants living in the different ‘generations, down to this day, who are noticeable anywhere for their fine figures and avoirdupois.
At this late period we cannot analyze the life of Captain John Higley, but from the few helps .to our inferences, the essence of it was a sympathetic temperament and highly amiable qualities. That he was magnetic and possessed an open and full nature there is no question. And we may again attest this fact by his posterity, who are inheritors of his blood. If he were sensitive and sometimes fiery under great provocation, his anger was short-lived. His wholesome life, which was both popular and peaceable, brought genial~ good fellowship, and consequently many friends.
That he was keen-sighted, shrewd, and equal to good bargaining has been elsewhere alluded to, yet there is not a shadow to lead us to suppose that he was not at all times strictly correct and just in his dealings.
We are warranted in believing that his method of action in public affairs was in accordance with the wise principle, “In essentials, unity ; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.” Though it is conclusive that he never subscribed to formal religious creeds, he evidently practiced the better requirements of the Puritan’s rigid administration, or he could not have been so popular with that church-governed people; but he did not participate in the austere and rigorous measures of the times. The records are utterly silent, nor can there be found proof that he took part in the prosecution or trial of any case in which severity in judgment and public punishment was likely to be the final decree, unless such may have come under the jurisdiction of the court over which he presided. Though he was a member of the General Assembly in 1692, and was present at the discussion and appointment of a committee to take in hand a number of alleged witches, he is not heard from. Indeed, except in connection with two prominent lawsuits, one of which was concerning his landed rights to the valuable copper mining-lands, he cannot be traced in the general animosities of his times.
In a case of arbitration which claimed his judgment by appointment of the General Court, the parties were brought together, the, appeal was withdrawn, and the papers were ordered to be delivered to the parties, “they having determine(i to burn them, both plaintiff and defendant.” We take note of this for the reason that it brings out a native trait of character that Captain Higley left as an inheritance to his posterity, many of whom, to this day, possess a great natural aptitude or capacity for peacemaking. If the “sins of the fathers” are visited “upon the children, and upon the children’s children unto the third and to the fourth generation,” we may well conclude that their virtues also course through the channels of transmission, and are as well a legacy of truly noble and God-blessed gifts, received by the heirs in generations following.
Thirteen of Captain John Higley’s children lived to be married and to have families. One son lived and died a bachelor, another, an unmarried man, died nine months after his father’s dàcease, and one was buried an infant. His daughters all married into prominent families—time-honored to this day. Not a child disappears from view, and as has already been stated, all filled positions of more than ordinary and prominent usefulness to the world about them.
There are found in the long line of numerous descendants, as there are in all families, some degenerate offspring; “but still the fact remains,” as someone has remarked, “that even degenerate descendants are not the worse for having had illustrious sires.” In no case, all through the long period of two hundred and forty years, is there a renegade, or those criminated, to be discovered.’
The strong, active, and vigorous life we have been tracing, full of manly independence and earnestness of purpose, which was “a life well worth living,” is an inspiration to those young men among his descendants, who, like Captain John Higley, have no other capital with which to begin their future than a good stock of common sense. His name, as the founder of the family in America which bears it, will be held in honor and sacred possession in their many gathered households to their latest day.
‘If some of our readers shall say there should be an exception made in the cue of John Brown, of Harper’s Ferry fame, we may caR attention to the fact that public sentiment has so changed during the period of time elapsed since his wild struggle to liberate the slaves, that a large pro. portion of the people now believe him to have been a hero of human freedom, led on by a fanaticism not born of wi~dops.—ED.
I Edward Eggleeton, in “Social Life in the Cotonlea,” Ths C~,,Iwr~y, 1884. “Hanford Probate Records,” vol. ix, p. 4!.
I “The N. E. corner” was afteriraid called “Turkey Hills,” and Is now East Granby, Coon.
~“ U~rtford Probate P cords,” vol. xv. •Tradition says In the month of March.
‘“Connecticut Colonial Records,” ~