BIGGER Family - Mecklenburg County VAGenWeb

Prince Edward County, Virginia
[identifies John Bigger as a son of James Bigger]

Abstract of Will of James BIGGER
Dated 26 May 1841
Prince Edward County, Virginia

1. All just claims be paid.
2. Daughter Elizabeth Hughes (wife of Lemmon ? Hughes) had already been given a share of estate, therefore will leaves her nothing.
3. To daughter, Mary Carter, a negro (Issac) and her heirs, also his man, J. Collins
4. To daughter, Susanna Rice, negro women, Fanny.
5. To son, John, negro man, Phil.
6. To grandsons, John F. Rice and Joseph Rice, one-third of his sheep - to be equally divided between them.
7. To grandchildren, children of his daughter Mazy Carter (except grandson Thomas B. Carter) two thirds of his sheep to be equally divided between them.
8. Balance of estate is left to grandchildren (children of daughters Mary Carter and Susanna Rice and Son John) if living and to their heirs, if not living, to be equally divided between them.

Appoints grandsons, James B. Carter and John F. Rice and Branch ? Worsham as executors.

Signed: James Bigger

Codicil 20 Sep 1841: Land (86 -1/8 acres) called Midway was to be sold to G. L. Wren. Proceeds of sale to go to daughter, Susanna Rice. If land is not sold, it is to go to daughter, Susanna.

Codicil 25 Oct 1841: Daughter Susanna is deceased. Land or proceeds left to her in previous will is to go to grandsons, John F. and Joseph T. Rice.

22 Aug 1843 - Will with codicils presented to court and proved.

1st Generation in Mecklenburg County, Virginia

Doct. John Bigger married Sarah M. STOKES, daughter of David and Mary M. (MARABLE) STOKES.

Earliest Deed of John Bigger in Mecklenburg. 11 Apr 1811; 15 Jul 1811; Leonard Claiborne & wife Mary M. Claiborne to John Bigger of Pr Edward 267acres; $297; on Finneywood Creek adj John Gregory; it being a part of the dower allotted to the sd Mary M. Claibourn of the land whereof her late husband David Stokes died seized. [Meck. DB14:428]

11 Apr 1811, Doct. John Bigger was styled "of county of Prince Edward" when he purchased in Mecklenburg County, 267 acres from Leonard Claiborne and wife Mary M. Claiborne, "it being a part of the dower allotted to the sd Mary M. Claibourn of the land whereof her late husband David Stokes. . ." The land on Finneywood Creek adjoined John Gregory. [Meck DB 14:428]

"I visited this site [the old Stokes place, aka Bigger place, aka Davis place, …] in April 1901, with Bill & Ray Pettus, and Ralph & Carolyn Bagley. Carolyn descends from the Davis family. The driveway is passable only at the highway. Much undergrowth and it is difficult to walk. The only visible remains of the place are a brick base of a chimney or part of the foundation, and a fallen very large oak that had been a trademark of the place [at 36 51 22, -78 27 41]. Further into the thicket, going parallel with the main road #681, is the cemetery listed in Munsey Moore's Cemetery and Tombstone Records of Mecklenburg Co., VA., v1, p163. The Cemetery [at 36 51 24, -78 27 41] could be more easily reached from the house at 1836 Fort Mitchell Road, occupied by Valeria Salowski in 1901." –JoLee Gregory Spears

Doct. John Bigger was taxed with 385 1/2 acres adjoining John Gregory. At least by 1815, Mecklenburg tax records show Doct. John Bigger was living on the premises. In 1821, tax records show 334 acres was transferred to him from James Jones (possibly part of the Edward Jones, dec'd, estate). Subsequently, Doct. Bigger was taxed with 719 1/2 acres.

In an indenture dated 8 November 1855, Sarah M. Bigger surrendered to heirs David J. Bigger, Elizabeth B. Boswell, John H. Newbill and Mary Ann Newbill his wife, her interest in all that part of the land of said John Bigger died possessed which was heired by said Sarah M. Bigger from the Estate of David Stokes, father, also all the right title and interest which may have reverted to her from the death of her mother Mary Claiborne formerly Stokes, in the land by her the said Mary M. Stokes as her portion of her husband's estate which lands now constitute a part of the land of which John Bigger died possessed ...

The tract of lands, described as 675 1/2 acres, was laid off as 250 acres for the widow's dower and the rest divided into three equal 141 5/6-acre tracts, to: Mary A. Newbill, wife of John H. Newbill; Capt. David J. Bigger; and Elizabeth B. Boswell

Lot No. 1 Widow's dower 250 acres to widow, Sarah M. Bigger. This lot shows the "dwelling house," adj. Mrs. Farrar's estate on the east. - Nov 1855

Lot No. 3 141 5/6 acres to Capt. Bigger, adj. T. Gayle on the west, David Thompson on the north. - Nov 1855

Lot No. 4 141 5/6 acres to Mrs. Boswell, adj. R. Saunders on the north, Capt. Bigger on the east. - Nov 1855

The probate document offers the following in regard to the distribution of slaves:

… And the said Commissioners have assigned to Mrs. Sarah M. Bigger
Lot No. 1. in division of slaves of which John Bigger died assessor.
Dotia To receive[?] $100 take Dotia.
Sarah $300, Dick $1000, Joe $1100, Jimmy[?] $250, [total] $2650.
To pay Lot 2 $227.27. To pay Lot 3 $5.56.

The said Commissioners have assigned to Captain David I. Bigger.
Lot No. 2. Advanced by the decedent in his lifetime. Edwin $400, Jerry $400, Alexander $250, Lewis $575, Patrick $500. [total] $2675 [miscalculated or someone is missing]
To Receive from Lot 1. $277.77 [total] $2902.77

And have assigned to Mrs. Elizabeth B. Boswick
Lot No. 3. Charles $500, Sylvia $550, Jacob $400, Abraham $550, Rose $850, [total] $2850
To Receive of Lot 1 5.56
To Receive of Lot 4 47.23 [total] $2902.79

And have assigned to John H Newbill and Mary Ann, his wife
Lot No. 4. Charity and two children $1300, Emily $600, William $1050, [total] $2950
To pay to Lot No.3 $47.22 [total] $2902.78

All of which is respectfully submitted given under our hands this 15th day of November 1855.
Lyddall Bacon, Robert C Scott, David Thompson

Capt. David BIGGER Home

The drawing is from the files of descendant Robert Gatewood. On back of the copy is written, "Capt. David Bigger's Home, 1857."
Artist: Nell Bigger

In April 2001, the house was occupied by Al and Judy Bigger.

The house, near Finneywood Creek, is located on Route 682, off Route 49 going north from Chase City, turn left on #682; turn left at intersection #682 and 632; turn left at Gryder house on #632 at 36 51 33N, 78 28 06W.

2nd Generation

Capt. David James BIGGER lived and died on the Bigger property on Finneywood Creek. Following is information from Mr. Gatewood.

Capt. David James BIGGER Capt. was born on 1 Mar 1820. 1850 Census shows his age as 30. He died on 1 Apr 1895 in Finnywood, Mecklenburg Co., VA. Newspaper obituary is not dated; however, states "74 years.." and that he was buried at the old family burial ground at the home of Mr. Joseph Davis. Died at "..his home near Finneywood..." The obituary states he was a member of Disciples Church in Finneywood.

Chase City and its Environs by Douglas Summers Brown, pub.by Publication Committee, Municipal Bldg., Chase City, Va. P. 35, shown Battalion Orders addressed to Capt. BIGGER from Henry E. LOCKHART, Major, 22nd Regt, VA MA dated Boydton 20th Sept 1845.. P. 42 denotes he was a schoolmaster.

Battalion Orders, Clarkesville, VA 18 Sept 1845 addressed to "Capt. David J. Bigger", signed by A. C. FINLEY, Major, 22nd Reg., Va. MA. Also, Regimental Orders, Clarksville, VA. 6th Apr 18-6 (illegible) from A. C. FINLEY in possession of R.W.Gatewood.

1850 Census (Mecklenburg Reel No. 960, Page 95 - from Internet VAGenWeb - VA) lists him as a schoolmaster, shows his wife, Mary, and no children. [They were enumerated in the household of John and Elizabeth Brame.]

He was married to Mary Elizabeth ROBERTSON (daughter of William E. ROBERTSON and Mary E. STAINBACK) on 23 Jan 1850 in Lunenburg Co., VA, bond dated 18 Jan 1850, by John S. BAYNE, min. W. S. WILSON. (Names shown as David J. and Mary E.). Also shown in "The Family of George Bigger KERR; 1919 - 1981 " by Alexa Mc Call KERR 1985 (no publisher shown). Met when she visited relatives near Farmville, VA. (Per Louise GLENN). Mary Elizabeth ROBERTSON was born on 1 Feb 1828. 1850 Census shows age as 22. She died on 18 Jul 1909.

The 1860 federal census shows D I Bigger age 40y, Mary 32y, Alfred 14y, James 8y, Sarah 4y, and William 2y. The accompaningy slave schedule shows he owned 11 slaves.

Capt. David James BIGGER and Mary Elizabeth ROBERTSON had the following children:

3rd GENERATION

Martha (Pattie) Ann BIGGER was born on 1 Mar 1864. Source states "..age 67 years..." at death. She died on 24 Feb 1932 in Richmond, VA. She was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Richmond, VA. Shown as a survivor in her father's newspaper obituary.

She was married to Edwin Austin CLEMENTS (son of William I. CLEMENTS and Margaret F. HANKINS) on 3 Mar 1880. [Update 18 Jul 2001: Records of Rick Terry show the name Edward Austin CLEMENTS, son of William J. CLEMENTS and Margaret T. HANKINS, married 3 Jun 1858.]

Edwin Austin CLEMENTS was born on 9 Apr 1859 in Charlotte Co., VA. One obituary states 79 years old, shows born in Caroline County, VA. (probably in error. His parents were married in Charlotte Co) He died on 17 Jan 1939 in Richmond, VA. Died at home of his son (Ernest). Survivors included his children and a sister, Mrs. Ida KUNATH of Ontario, VA. Funeral was at Venerable St. Baptist Church, Richmond. He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Richmond, VA."," On birth transcript 9/18/40 of Ina L. CLEMENTS, his occupation was listed as farmer. He was a guard at the Virginia State Penitentiary. His obituary shows as a survivor, "..one sister, Mrs. Ida Kunath, of Ontario, VA..." Martha (Pattie) Ann BIGGER and Edwin Austin CLEMENTS had the following children:

BIGGER-DAVIS Cemetery

Update 2001 Jun 12: Those interred in Bigger-Davis Cemetery off HWY 862 (near 1836 Fort Mitchell Rd.) furnished by Mrs. Louise Glenn. 36° 51' 24"N, 78° 27' 41"W - CHASE CITY quad