MOSES HIGGINBOTHAM

Moved to Goochland co. VA as a young man with his parents, 5 brothers and 1sister, probably before 1740. Built Higginbotham Mill on Rutledge creek S.E. of Amherst VA. Acquired 2 tracts of land (1000 & 1430 acres) on the branches of the Buffalo River. Higginbotham Old Mill Creek is a tributary of Rutledge Creek. Built mill cir 1751. Lived most of his life near New Glasgow, 7 mi. N.E. of Amherst near the Tye River. Moses was a personal friend of Patrick Henry, whose mother lived 3 mi. away. He served in the American Revolution.

The Diary of Robert Rose, Preacher "A View of Virginia by a Scottish Colonial Parson"
May 14, 1750
"Rode to the mines, stayed the evening, came home at night with Moses Higginbotham warm and windy"
note 773
"Moses Higginbotham, son of John and Frances Riley Higginbotham in 1745 cleared a road from his mill across Buffaloe River (above Buffaloe Ridge) to John Harvies's road near Harris Creek in present Amherst County, and perhaps the extension of a road to John Graves bet Harris Creek and the mouth of the Tye River at present Norwood in Nelson County, Virginia. August 19, 1750 Higginbotham married Frances Kyle and his will was recorded in Amherst in 1778."

SEE "THE HIGGINBOTHAM FAMILY" BY WILLIAM MONTGOMERY SWEENY" COPYRIGHT 1971 BY CABELL LEE HIGGINBOTHAM PRINTED IN U.S. BY J.P. BELL COMPANY, LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA

Moses' birth date is not known for certain. He was at least 21 years old on July 25, 1745 because he served on a jury.

Married by the Reverend Robert Rose

WILL OF MOSES HIGGINBOTHAM, SR.
"In the Name of God Amen I Moses Higginbotham of the County of Amherst and State of Virginia being very sick and weak but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once die do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the Hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the direction of my Executors nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give Demise and Dispose of the same in the manner and form as followeth-Item, I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved wife Frances Higginbotham six negroes, to wit, Lewis, Phillis, Elisabeth, Amy, Sarah and Caroline and two hundred and four Acres of land i now live on, and all my Horses, Cattle, Sheep and hogs and all my Household furniture during her widowhood or life -Item, I give to my well beloved son, Jospeh Higginbotham one negro boy named Solomon and Two Hundred Acres of land on both sides of Rutledges Creek the Land my aforesaid son Joseph now lives on, to him and His heirs forever-Item I give to my well beloved son Robert Higginbotham one negro by named Fountain and one feather bed, to him and His heirs forever-Item I give to my well beloved son Moses Higginbotham one negro boy named Stephen to him and his heirs forever -Item I give to my well beloved son William Higginbotham ,one negro boy named John and two hundred and four acres of land whereon I now live and that the said William Higginbotham to take possession of the said land at my well beloved wife's Marriage or Death, to him and his heirs forever-Item I give to my well beloved daughter Rachel Higginbotham on negro boy named Lewis and two hundred acres of land on the Branches of Harris Creek to be taken off of the lower end of my tract of four hundred acres of Land on the Branches of the said Creek to her and her heirs forever - Item I give to my well beloved son Charles Higginbotham one negro boy named Bartley, and two hundred acres of land on both sides of Rutledges Creek and adjoining Buffaloe River on the south side whereon I formerly had a mill to him and his heirs forever. - Item I give to my well beloved daughter Frances Higginbotham one negro girl named Easter to her and her Heirs lawfully begotten and one feather bed. - Item I give to my well beloved sons Joseph, William and Charles Higginbotham all my Black Smith's tools and one Still, and one Whipsaw to be in common between the above mentioned Joseph, William and Charles Higginbotham. Item I give to my well beloved sons Robert and Moses Higginbotham, two hundred acres of land on the branches of Harris Creek to be taken off the upper end of my tract of four hundred acres of land on the Branches of the said creek to be equally divided between them.
Item I give to my well beloved Sons and Daughters Joseph Higginbotham, Robert Higginbotham, Charles Higginbotham, Moses Higginbotham, William Higginbotham, Rachel Higginbotham, and Frances Higginbotham, Six Negroes, to-wit, Lewis, Phillis, Elizabeth, Amy, Sarah and Caroline and their Increase, to be equally divided between my aforesaid children, Joseph, Robert, Moses, William, Charles and Frances, at my well beloved Wife's death.
Item. I give to my well beloved son William Higginbotham, Rachel Higginbotham and my well beloved daughter and my well beloved son Harles Higginbotham all my Horses, Cattle and Hogs to be equally divided between my before mentioned Children William, Rachel and Charles at my well beloved wife's Marriage or Death.
Also i constitute and ordain Frances Higginbotham my well beloved wife, and my sons Joseph Higginbotham and William Higginbotham my sole executors of this my last Will and Testament all and singular my Lands Messuages and Tenements by them freely to be possessed and enjoyed, and I do hereby utterly Disavow, Revoke and Disannul all and every other Former Testaments, Wills, Legacies, Bequests and Executors by me in anywise before named. Willed and Bequeathed, Rattifying and confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament. IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Twenty Ninth day of September One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety.

MOSES Higginbotham L.S.

Signed, Sealed published pronounced and Delivered by the said Moses Higginbotham as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us, who in his presence, and in the presence of each other have hereto subscribed our names
Jno Higginbotham
James Higginbotham
Rachel Higginbotham
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Cemetery on land deeded to Moses, recorded in Albemarle Co., VA, on land near Amherst Court House on Rutledge Creek, a tributary of Buffalo River, on that part allotted to John Jr. by Moses. In this cemetery is a lone monument erected to the memory of Thomas HIGGINBOTHAM B 6/10/1769, D 2/4/1835. There are many other graves in this cemetery marked with flint rock headstones. The old abandoned residence of John Jr. stands about 600 feet easterly from this cemetery. John HIGGINBOTHAM and Frances RILEY may be buried in this cemetery, as well as Moses HIGGINBOTHAM and his wife Frances.



"Moses purchased two parcels of land totaling 2430 acres in Albemarle Co. He transferred 2024 of these acres to his brothers and brother-in-law, William Morrison.



Letter from Pennsylvania Gazette of 12-08-1763 from Captain William Christian, dating 10-19-1763. "Being joined by Captain Hickenbotham, with 25 of the Amherst militia, we marched on Tuesday last to Winston's Meadows, where our scouts informed us, that they had discovered a party of Indians and about three miles off. Night coming on, prevented our meeting them; and next day, being rainy, made it difficult to follow their tracks. As they were on their return, Captain Hickenbotham marched to join captain Ingles down New River, etc." The letter does not state which Higgenbotham he is referring to. There were six brothers in Amherst Co in 1863." Src: Catherine Walker


 

Sources:

1. Title: Higginbotham Genealogy
   Author: Utah Genealogy and History Magazine
   Publication: Volume VII 1916
   Repository:
   Note: Joseph S. Peery
   Call Number:
   Media: Magazine