|
Year:
|
1770
|
|
Meanwhile:
|
March 5, 1770 - The Boston
Massacre occurs when a mob of men and boys began taunting and throwing
snowballs, oysters shells, and other objects at a
sentry standing guard at the city's customs house. When other British
soldiers came to the sentry's support, a free-for-all ensued and shots were
fired into the crowd. Four died on the spot and a fifth died after four days.
Six others were wounded. The soldiers were arrested, but later acquitted with
the help of John Adams who served as their attorney.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1770 Queen Anne's Co.
|
|
|
William Wiggins (Wiggens), Elisabeth Wiggens, Ann Wiggens,
Ebeneye (Ebony?) Wiggens
|
|
|
21 May 1770/14 Jun 1770. Will of William Wiggins/Wiggens.
"...I give and bequeath to my Daughter Ann a Mulatto boy called George
to her & her Heirs or Assigns. Item. I give and bequeath out of my
personal Estate, to my loving Wife's three children William, Sarah & Mary
the sum of fifteen pounds Pennsylvania
currency after my just debts are paid & my Wife's thirds deducted and the
residue or remainder of my said personal estate to be equally divided between
my two children Ebeneye (Ebony?) and Ann. And lastly I
appoint my loving Wife sole executrix of this my last will and
Testament"
|
|
Source:
|
Queen
Anne's Co. Wills Liber WHN:2, pp.327
|
|
Clues/Cross
Reference:
|
24 Nov 1770/ 6 Dec 1770. Administration account of William
Wiggens. £15.12.3. Appraisers: John
Brown, Hezekiah Botts. Administratrix: Elisabeth Wiggens
|
|
Source: Abstracts
of the Inventories of the Prerogative Court of Maryland Volumes 101-109
1769-1772, V. L. Skinner, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1771 Dorchester Co.
|
|
|
Daniel Dwigins
|
|
|
10 Jun 1771/13 Jun 1771. List of debts due to the estate of
Dr. Reimour Land ...John Dwigins
|
|
Source:
|
Abstracts of the Inventories of the Prerogative Court, V.
L. Skinner, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1771 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
Mary Ann Hixon
|
|
|
10 Dec 1771/31 Dec 1771. Administration account of William
Harrison Brooke. Wit: Mary Ann Hixon, Elizabeth Fry
|
|
Source:
|
Maryland
Calendar of Wills 1767-1772 Vol. 14 , Family Line Publications
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1772
|
|
Meanwhile:
|
The
Royal British schooner Gaspee had arrived in March 1772, to enforce the
revenue laws in an area where almost the entire population was engaged in
smuggling. On June 9, the ship ran aground off Rhode
Island in Narragansett Bay
while giving chase to a suspect. Colonists from Providence rowed out to the schooner and
attacked it, set the British crew ashore, then burned the ship. In September,
a 500-pound reward was offered by the English Crown for the capture of those
colonists, who would then be sent to England for trial. The
announcement that they would be sent to England further upset many
American colonists.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1772 Queen Anne's Co.
|
|
|
John Dwigens, Ann Dwigens, William Dwigens
|
|
|
25 Feb 1772/27 Feb 1772. Will of William Webb, Q. A. Co.
|
|
|
Nephews: William Webb son of James Webb, James Webb son of
Edgar Webb, William Dwigens son of John Dwigens. Sister Ann
Dwigens wife of John Dwigens. Mother Mary Webb. Brother James Webb.
Sisters: Rachel wife of Jeremiah Coleson. Mary wife of William Yoe, Henry
wife of Nathaniel Pratt. Tract: “Lloyd”. Ex: brother-in-law John
Dwigens. Wit: Joshua Clark, Solomon Yewell
|
|
Source:
|
Maryland
Calendar of Wills Vol. 14, 1767-1772, Family Line Publications
|
|
Clues/Cross
Reference:
|
8 May 1772/12 Dec 1772. Administrative account of William
Webb. £102.4.5. Next of kin: Mary Webb, James Webb Executor: John
Dwiggins
|
|
6 Aug 1772. Administrative account of Edgar Webb.
£32.6.11. Appraisers: Giles Hicks,
Solomon Ranton. Creditors: Joshua Clark, Henry Gasson. Next of Kin: Mary
Webb, Nancy Dwiggens. Administratrix: Ann Webb
|
|
|
Source: Abstracts
of the Inventories of the Prerogative Court of Maryland 1772-1774, V. L.
Skinner, Jr.
|
|
|
26 Aug 1773. Administrative account of William Webb. £30.7.8.
Sureties: Joshua Clark, Andrew Sylvester. Legatees: James Webb (son of Edgar
Webb). Executor: John Dwiggen
|
|
|
7 Jan 1775. Administrative account of William Webb. £30.7.8.
Caroline Co. Executor: Mr. John Dwiggins, Jr.
|
|
|
Source: Abstracts
of the Balance Books of the Prerogative Court of Maryland 1770-1777, V.
L. Skinner, Jr.
|
|
|
25 Nov 1774. Distribution of estate of Thomas Meed, of Queen
Anne’s Co.. Sureties: James Webb, John Dwiggens
|
|
|
Source: Abstracts of the Balance Books of
the Prerogative Court of Maryland 1770-1777, V.L. Skinner, Jr
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1772 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
John Higgins
|
|
|
14 Apr 1772/10 Nov 1772. Administration account of John
Prichard/Pritchard. Mentions John Higgins
|
|
Source:
|
Abstracts of the Inventories of the Prerogative Court of
Maryland 1772-1774, V. L. Skinner, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1772 Cecil Co.
|
|
|
Thomas Huggins
|
|
|
4 Dec 1772/3 May 1773. Administration account of Mary Cluck.
Creditors: Thomas Huggins, ...
|
|
Source:
|
Abstracts of the Inventories of the Prerogative Court of
Maryland 1772-1774, V. L. Skinner, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1773
|
|
Meanwhile:
|
Caroline County created from Dorchester
and Queen Anne's counties.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Calcutta becomes the
capital of British India.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
East India Company was on the verge of bankruptcy. On the London Exchange its
shares had dropped from 280 to 160 over the previous year. The company also
had a surplus of nearly 17 million pounds of tea in its warehouses in England. The
East India Company beseeched Parliament to help it find some way to get rid
of the surplus tea so that the company could get back on its feet. On 27
April the House of Commons passed a bill that became known as the Tea Act.
This Act waived all duties on teas exported to the colonies. That would make
it feasible (and inexpensive) to get rid of the surplus. It also permitted
the company to sell its tea directly to chosen agents, or rather consignees,
in the colonies. Prior to that time certain goods, including tea, was required to be sold at public auction. With the
passage of the Tea Act, the East India Company could undersell even the
colonial smugglers. In the American colonies, the import tax of 3d per lb was
retained. In September, the company prepared to send nearly a half of a
million pounds of the tea to consignees it had carefully chosen in the
colonial cities of Boston, New
York, Philadelphia and Charleston. Those
chosen consignees included two sons and a nephew of Governor Hutchinson of Massachusetts.
Throughout the colonies, ships full of tea were turned back, or had their
contents destroyed. In Boston,
three ships carrying tea were in the harbor protected by British schooners.
On December 16, about 8000 Bostonians gathered to hear Sam Adams tell them
that Governor Hutchinson had repeated his command not to allow the ships out
of the harbor until the tea taxes are paid. That night, the Boston Tea Party
occurred.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1773 Queen Anne's Co.
|
|
|
Charles Higgins, Margaret Higgins, Sarah Higgins
|
|
|
17 Aug 1773/16 Mar 1774. Administration account of Charles
Higgins. £117.5.1. Appraisers: James O’Bryan, Bail Warfield. Creditors:
Arthur Emory Jr., Robert J. Earle & Co. Next of Kin: Elisabeth Runney,
Sarah Ford. Administratrix: Margaret Higgins
|
|
Source:
|
Abstracts of the Inventories of the Prerogative Court of
Maryland 1772 - 1774, V.L. Skinner, Jr.
|
|
Clues/Cross
Reference:
|
Sarah Higgins married William Ford, St Joseph's Mission, Cordova, Talbot Co. 24
Feb 1772 (License). Test. Daniel Dolvin, Thomas Fitzsimmons
|
|
Source: Supplement to Maryland
Eastern Shore Vital Records Books 1-3,
F. Edward Wright
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1773 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
John Higgins, Thomas Higgens, William Higgins Jr.
|
|
|
6 July 1773. Administration account of Daniel Killum. List of
Debts Owed: ..., John Higgins, ...Thomas Higgens, ...William Higgins Jr.
|
|
Source:
|
Abstracts of the Inventories and Accounts of the Prerogative Court,
V.L. Skinner, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1773 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
John Higgins, Sr
|
|
|
10 Mar 1773/23 Mar 1773. Will of John Higgins, Sr. To wife
Bridgate all personal estate during widowhood... To son-in-law Henry West,
negro woman Sall. ... To dau-in-law Elizabeth West, negro child M__, ... To godson
James Higgins, cow and calf. Kin: James Saywell Higgins, Sarah Hughson.
Testators: Zadok Botfield, William Jones.
|
|
Source:
|
Index of Maryland
Colonial Wills 1634 - 1777, James M. Magruder
|
|
|
Maryland
Calendar of Wills 1772-1774, Family Line Publications
|
|
Clues/Cross
Reference:
|
29 May 1773/3 Aug 1773. Inventory of estate of John Higgins.
£247.11.3. Appraisers: John Stevens,
Thomas Jenkins. Creditors: William Stevens, William Maynadier. Next of Kin:
James Saywell Higgins, Sarah Hughson. Executrix: Bridget Higgins.
|
|
3 Aug 1774/5 Aug 1774. Inventory of estate of John Higgins-
£5.19.9. Appraisers: John Stevens, Thomas Jenkins. Executrix:
Bridget Higgins.
|
|
|
Source: Abstracts
of the Inventories of the Prerogative Court of Maryland 1772-1774, V.L.
Skinner, Jr.
|
|
|
5 Aug 1774. Inventory of estate of John Higgins. List of
debts. £14.3.3. Executrix: Bridget Higgins.
|
|
|
5 Aug 1774. Inventory of estate of John Higgins. List of
debts. £27.0.3. Executrix: Bridget Higgins.
|
|
|
Source: Abstracts
of the Inventories of the Prerogative Court of Maryland 1774-1777, V.L.
Skinner, Jr.
|
|
|
9 Aug 1774. Distribution of estate of John Higgins. £244.0.11.
Sureties: Zadok Bottfield, Solomon Jones. Distribution to: Bridget Higgins
(widow), Henry West, Elisabeth West. Exec: Mrs. Bridget Higgins.
|
|
|
Source: Maryland
Records of Deaths: 1718-1777, Annie Walker Burns
|
|
|
Abstracts of the Balance Books of the
Prerogative Court of Maryland 1770-1777, V.L. Skinner, Jr.
|
|
|
Abstracts of the Inventories of the
Prerogative Court of Maryland 1774-1777, V.L. Skinner, Jr.
|
|
|
John Higgins, deceased, mentioned in 1788 deposition of Henry
West
|
|
|
Source: Talbot County Land
Commissions 1785-1793. More Maryland
Deponents 1716 - 1799, Henry C. Peden, Jr.
|
|
|
Bridget Higgins died by 18 Dec 1777. Kin: Eliz. West (wife of
Henry West). Creditor: James Saywell Higgins (Talbot Co.?)
|
|
|
Source: Bernice Leonard
|
|
|
Henry West born 1736 was the son of Lothian West and Elizabeth
Hutlock West
|
|
|
Source:
Colonial Families of the Eastern Shore of Maryland Volume 5, Henry C. Peden, Jr.
and F. Edward Wright
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1773 Queen Anne's Co.
|
|
|
Mr. Higgins
|
|
|
Buried 11 Sep 1773, Betty Punny, child, at Mr. Higgins'
plantation.
|
|
Source:
|
Supplement to Maryland Eastern Shore Vital Records Books 1-3, F.
Edward Wright
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1774
|
|
Meanwhile:
|
September
5 to October 26, the First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia .
|
|
|
|
|
|
An
Annapolis
resident, Anthony Stewart owned a ship known as the Peggy Stewart, named for
his daughter. Loaded with 2,000 pounds of tea the ship arrived at Annapolis harbor.
Anthony Stewart decided that he would pay the tax on the tea, and have it
quietly moved ashore, but soon the word of his intentions got out. Citizens
became angry, and gathered at the harbor. As tempers grew hotter, the group
of angry citizens went to Stewart's house and confronted him. They reminded
him that he should be loyal to the non-importation agreement, although he had
refused to sign it. The angry crowd gave him a choice; burn the ship "or
be hanged right here at your front door." Stewart agreed to burn the tea
and offer a public apology, but pleaded to let him unload the rest of his
valuable cargo. Although some people agreed, the mob continued to shout
louder. Fearing for the safety of his family, he agreed to burn his ship. On
October 19, 1774, Stewart ran his ship aground and applied the torch himself.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1774 Queen Anne's Co.
|
|
|
Elizabeth Higgins
|
|
|
b. before 1774
Queenstown, Queen Anne's, MD. Married Joseph Freeman about 1795
|
|
Source:
|
Suzan Freeman query posting at GenForum
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1774 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
John Higgins
|
|
|
Thomas Jenkins rented to Isaac Craddick for £10 yearly,
plantation where John Higgins now lives.
|
|
Source:
|
Talbot County Land
Records Book Thirteen, R. Bernice Leonard
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1774 Cecil Co.
|
|
|
Thomas Huggins
|
|
|
2 Apr 1774. Administration account of Thomas Crouch.
Creditors: Thomas Huggins, ...
|
|
|
Aug 1774/22 Dec 1774. Administration account of Joseph
Thompson. Creditors: Thomas Huggins, …
|
|
|
21 Sep 1774/20 Feb 1775. Administration account of James
Philips. Creditors: Thomas Huggins, …
|
|
Source:
|
Abstracts of the Inventories of the Prerogative Court of
Maryland 1772-1774, V. L. Skinner, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1774 Worcester Co.
|
|
|
William Hugens
|
|
|
10 Oct 1774/18 Nov 1774. Will of William Benson.... to son
William Wright Benson... to grandson Lihue Benson... to son-in-law Benjamin
Willis... to grandson William Hugens...
|
|
Source:
|
Maryland Calendar
of Wills 1774-1777 Vol 16, Family Line Publications
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1775
|
|
Meanwhile:
|
Daniel
Boone and a group of thirty woodsmen clear a 300 mile trail, including
marking it with signposts, from eastern Tennessee
through the Cumberland Gap into Kentucky.
Within fifteen years over one hundred thousand people would use the
"Wilderness Road" and move into western Tennessee
and Kentucky.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mar
22 1775 - In Parliament, Edmund
Burke argues for a repeal of all the Regulatory Acts against America.
|
|
|
|
|
|
April
18, 1775 - General Gage orders 700 British soldiers to Concord to destroy the colonists' weapons
depot. The weapons had long since been removed from Concord, as Gage was
already aware, but he ordered the attack anyway. That night, Paul Revere and
William Dawes are sent from Boston
to warn colonists. Revere reaches Lexington about midnight and warns Sam
Adams and John Hancock who are hiding out there. At the same time, Israel
Bissell is sent to rouse the nearby colonies, riding to central
Massachusetts, then through Connecticut, to New York, and Philadelphia. At
dawn on April 19 about 70 armed Massachusetts militiamen stand face to face
on Lexington Green with the British advance guard. A volley of British rifle
fire followed by a charge with bayonets leaves eight Americans dead and ten
wounded. The British regroup and head for the depot in Concord, destroying
the colonists' weapons and supplies. At the North Bridge in Concord,
militiamen attack a British platoon, with 14 casualties. British forces then
begin a long retreat from Lexington back to Boston and are harassed and shot
at all along the way by farmers and rebels and suffer over 250 casualties.
News of the events at Lexington and Concord spreads like
wildfire throughout the Colonies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Battle of Bunker Hill
|
|
|
|
|
|
George
Washington takes command of the 17,000-man Continental Army on July 3 at Cambridge.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
Eastern Shore was nicknamed the Breadbasket
of the Revolution for the amount of food produced for the Continental Army.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1775 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
James Sayel Higgins
|
|
|
26 Aug 1775. Thomas Jenkins and Peter Stevens, value of Mary
Sharp, James Sayel Higgins
|
|
Source:
|
Talbot County Land
Records Book Thirteen, R. Bernice Leonard
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1775 Caroline Co.
|
|
|
Joseph Digens/Dwiggins, Daniel Dwigins, Samuel Dwigins, Elisabeth
Dwiggins
|
|
|
24 Aug 1775/3 Oct 1775. Administrative account of Joseph
Digens/Dwiggins. £71.16.3. Appraisers: Nathaniel Potter, John A. Hooper.
Creditors: Henry Casson, Thomas White for Col. Edmund Lloyd. Next of Kin:
Daniel Dwigins, Samuel Dwigins. Administratrix: Elisabeth Dwiggins
|
|
Source:
|
Abstracts of the Inventories of the Prerogative Court of
Maryland 1774-1777, V. L. Skinner, Jr.
|
|
Clues/Cross
Reference
|
7 Jan 1775. Administrative account of James White of Queen
Anne’s Co. Administrator (de bonis non): Mr. John Dwiggen, Jr.
|
|
Source: Abstracts
of the Balance Books of the Prerogative Court of Maryland 1770-1777, V.
L. Skinner, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1775 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
William Higgins
|
|
|
19 Jun 1775. Peter Parrott and William Higgins of Talbot
County Planters and heirs of Anne and Rebecca Luddenham late of Talbot County
deceased [to] Henry Nicols and Samuel Nicols sons of William Nicols late of Talbot County, sell tract “Micklemere
Together” for 13 pounds
|
|
Source:
|
Talbot
1775 Land Liber JL:20, p.482
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1776
|
|
Meanwhile:
|
Thomas
Paine's "Common Sense" is published in Philadelphia. The 50-page pamphlet is
highly critical of King George III and attacks allegiance to Monarchy in
principle while providing strong arguments for American independence. It
becomes an instant best seller in America. James Chalmers, a
British loyalist from Kent Co. MD, printed a rebuttal entitled "Plain
Truth". In Dec, Paine's first of thirteen "American Crisis"
letters is printed in the Pennsylvania Journal, each
signed either "C.S" or "Common Sense".
|
|
|
|
|
|
After
the rebels capture Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
harbor on Mar. 4, the British evacuate Boston,
and on Mar. 17 Washington
marches his men back into its streets.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
American revolutionaries get the much needed foreign support they had been
hoping for. King Louis XVI of France
commits one million dollars in arms and munitions. Spain then also promises support.
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
massive British war fleet arrives in New York Harbor
consisting of 30 battleships with 1200 cannon, 30,000 soldiers, 10,000
sailors, and 300 supply ships, under the command of General William Howe and
his brother Admiral Lord Richard Howe.
|
|
|
|
|
|
July
2, 1776. The Continental Congress votes to declare independence. John Adams
predicts that July 2nd will be a day of celebration for future generations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
July
4 - United States
Declaration of
Independence is signed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
After
evacuating New York City, Washington's
army repulses a British attack during the Battle of Harlem Heights in upper Manhattan. Several days
later, fire engulfs New York City
and destroys over 300 buildings.
|
|
|
|
|
|
After
evacuating his main forces from Manhattan,
Washington's army suffers heavy
casualties in the Battle of White Plains from Gen. Howe's forces. Washington then
retreats westward.
|
|
|
|
|
|
On
Christmas, George Washington takes 2400 of his men and again crosses the Delaware River. Washington
then conducts a surprise raid on 1500 British-Hessians (German mercenaries)
at Trenton, New Jersey. The Hessians surrender after
an hour with nearly 1000 taken prisoner by Washington who suffers only six
wounded (including future president Lt. James Monroe). Washington
reoccupies Trenton.
The victory provides a much needed boost to the morale of all American
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1776 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
Daniel Higgins
|
|
|
Private in 4th Independent Company Maryland Regular
Troops, Capt. James Hindman's Company, Sept. 1776 muster roll. Enlisted 29
Jan 1776.
|
|
Source:
|
Muster
Roll of the 4th Independent Maryland Company
|
|
|
Revolutionary Patriots of Talbot
County Maryland 1775 - 1783,
Henry C. Peden, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1776 Dorchester Co.
|
|
|
Diana Higgins
|
|
|
1776 Census. Transquakin Hundred. 1 male (under 10).1 male (21-30).1
female (50-60)
|
|
Source:
|
1776 Census of Maryland,
Bettie Carothers
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1776 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
Harry Higgins
|
|
|
Private in Revolutionary War militia, Capt. Samuel Abbott's
company, along with Thomas Higgins, John Higgins
|
|
Source:
|
Mrs. John Kangas
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1776 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
Henry Higgins
|
|
|
Served in 4th Independent Maryland Company [Talbot
Co.]. Enlisted Jan 26. Discharged Jul 28.
|
|
Source:
|
Muster
Roll of the 4th Independent Maryland Company
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1776 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
John Higgins
|
|
|
Private in Revolutionary War militia, Capt. Samuel Abbott's
company, along with Harry Higgins, Thomas Higgins
|
|
Source:
|
Mrs. John Kangas
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1776 Queen Anne's Co.
|
|
|
Margaret Higgins
|
|
|
1776 Census. Wye Hundred. 1 male (12-16). 5 males (under
12).1female (21+), 1 female(under 12). 1 black
|
|
Source:
|
1776 Census of Maryland,
Bettie Carothers
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1776 Dorchester Co.
|
|
|
Sarah Higgins
|
|
|
1776 Census. Nanticoke
Hundred. 1 male (under 10). 3 males (10-16). 1 female (16-21). 1 female
(40-50)
|
|
Source:
|
1776 Census of Maryland,
Bettie Carothers
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1776 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
Thomas Higgins
|
|
|
Private in Revolutionary War militia, Capt. Samuel Abbott's
company, along with Harry Higgins, John Higgins
|
|
Source:
|
Mrs. John Kangas
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1777
|
|
Meanwhile:
|
Congress
mandates the flag of the United
States consisting of 13 stars and 13 white
and red stripes on Jun 14th. The main competition for the design had been a
rattlesnake design.
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
British force of 7700 men under Gen. John Burgoyne invades from Canada, sailing down Lake Champlain toward Albany, planning to link up with Gen. Howe who will come
north from New York City, thus cutting off New England from the rest of the colonies. Gen.
Burgoyne's troops stun the Americans with the capture of Fort Ticonderoga
on Lake Champlain. Its military supplies are
greatly needed by Washington's
forces. The loss of the fort is a tremendous blow to American morale. The
Battle of Saratoga results in the first major American victory of the
Revolutionary War as Gen. Horatio Gates and Gen. Benedict Arnold defeat Gen.
Burgoyne, inflicting 600 British casualties. American losses are only 150.
|
|
|
|
|
|
In
the Battle of Brandywine Creek, Gen. Washington and the main American Army of
10,500 men are driven back toward Philadelphia
by Gen. Howe's British troops. Both sides suffer heavy losses. Congress then
leaves Philadelphia and resettles in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
|
|
|
|
|
|
A second victory for Washington
as his troops defeat the British at Princeton and drive them back toward New Brunswick. Washington then establishes winter quarters at Valley Forge
Morristown, New Jersey. During the harsh winter,
Washington's army shrinks to about a thousand men as enlistments expire and
deserters flee the hardships. By spring, with the arrival of recruits, Washington will have
9000 men.
|
|
|
|
|
|
With
smallpox once again decimating the Continental army, Washington decides to inoculate all
recruits who have not previously had the disease. At the time, inoculation
consisted of taking a small amount of pus from the sores on a smallpox victim
and applying it to a small incision on the person being inoculated. Although
becoming sick from smallpox was the result, the disease was less virulent
than contracting it by the normal airborne method. After inoculation, if they
did not die, the patient generally was so weak that they were bed ridden for
a month. Once they recovered however, the patient would be immune. A true
vaccine, taken from the weaker related "cowpox" virus would not
come along until 1798, discovered by Edward Jenner.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1777 Caroline Co.
|
|
|
James Higgins
|
|
|
Married Hannah H. Jarman(James) 25 Aug 1777
|
|
Source:
|
Maryland
Marriages 1634 - 1777, Robert Burns
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1777 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
James Saywell Higgins
|
|
|
Married Ellener, dau of Jennett Lee, by 1777. Jennett Lee left
them 5 shillings
|
|
Source:
|
Will of Jennett Lee. Maryland Marriage Clues Vol III,p.25,
Irma Harper
|
|
|
Talbot County Maryland
Wills 1777-1795, compiled by Helen E. Seymour
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1777 Talbot Co. ?
|
|
|
John S. Higgins
|
|
|
Married Mary Jenkins by 1777,dau of
Matthew and Mary Jenkins. Children Julia (m. Solomon Mulliken),Matthew Jr,
Mary(m. James Brown), James W., Maria, Rachel, John W.
|
|
Source:
|
"Distributions of Matthew Jenkins". Upper Shore
Genealogical Society - "Chesapeake
Cousins" - Vol 6-2-32,6-2-28
|
|
Clues/Cross
Reference:
|
Will of Mary Jenkins 22 Aug 1817. Lists Matthew J. Higgins,
James W. Higgins, Maria Higgins, Rachel Higgins, and John W. Higgins. Matthew
J. Higgins was Mary Jenkins grandson. Others listed may also be children of
John S. and Mary (Jenkins) Higgins
|
|
|
Source: Talbot County, Maryland Wills Libers JP #7 1813 -
1817, Leslie and Neil Keddie
|
|
|
John S. Higgins married Mary, dau of Matthew Jenkins
|
|
|
Source: Talbot Land Commission 1819
. Maryland
Marriage Clues Vol II, Irma Harper
|
|
|
Mary (Jenkins) Higgins listed in will of her aunt Catherine
Jinkins 28 May 1797. Received £40
|
|
|
Source: Talbot County, Maryland Wills Libers JP #5 1795 -
1801, Leslie and Neil Keddie
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1777 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
Matthew Higgins
|
|
|
Married Mary Holmes by 1777, dau of John and Mary Holmes.
|
|
Source:
|
"Will of Matthew Jenkins". Upper Shore Genealogical
Society - "Chesapeake
Cousins" - Vol 6-2-32,6-2-28
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1777 Cecil Co.
|
|
|
Thomas Higgins
|
|
|
In Council 19th Dec 1777. "Englehart Yeiser has exhibited
to us a Complaint, on Oath, against Thomas Higgins of Cecil
County, for his forcibly and
riotously seizing and putting him under a Guard by Violence with armed Men
and taking from his Servants a Number of Cattle as they were driving to Baltimore. Outrages of
this Kind, if suffered to be permitted with Impunity, will produce the most
serious Consequences and are therefore not to be tolerated. We request that
you will immediately with a Guard, if necessary send Thomas Higgins before us ; that Enquiry may be made into the above mentioned
Complaint."
|
|
Source:
|
Journal
and Correspondence of the Maryland Council of Safety
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1777-1778 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
James Higgins
|
|
|
Private in Militia 1777-1778, Third Haven Company, 4th
Battalion. Took the Oath of Allegiance and Fidelity on or about 1 Mar 1778.
|
|
Source:
|
Revolutionary Patriots of Talbot
County Maryland 1775-1783,
Henry C. Peden, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1777-1778 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
John Higgins, Jr.
|
|
|
Private in Militia 1777-1778, Bullin
Brook Company, 4th Battalion, and again 1780-1781. Took the Oath of
Allegiance on or after 1 Mar 1778.
|
|
Source:
|
Revolutionary Patriots of Talbot
County Maryland 1775-1783,
Henry C. Peden, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1777-1778 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
John Higgins, Jr.
|
|
|
Private in Militia 1780-1781, Bullin Brook Company, 4th
Battalion.
|
|
Source:
|
Revolutionary Patriots of Talbot
County Maryland 1775-1783,
Henry C. Peden, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1777-1778 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
Thomas Higgins
|
|
|
Private in Militia 1777-1778, Bullin Brook Company, 4th
Battalion, and again 1780-1781. Took the Oath of Allegiance on or about 1 Mar
1778.
|
|
Source:
|
Revolutionary Patriots of Talbot
County Maryland 1775-1783,
Henry C. Peden, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1777-1778 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
William Higgins
|
|
|
Private in Militia 1777-1778, Bullin Brook Company, 4th
Battalion. Took the Oath of Allegiance on or about 1 Mar 1778.
|
|
Source:
|
Revolutionary Patriots of Talbot
County Maryland 1775-1783,
Henry C. Peden, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1778
|
|
Meanwhile:
|
Captain
Cook lands in Hawaii.
|
|
|
|
|
|
February
6, 1778 - American and French representatives sign two treaties in Paris: a Treaty of
Amity and Commerce and a Treaty of Alliance. France
now officially recognizes the United
States . The American struggle for independence is thus enlarged
and will soon become a world war.
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
Peace Commission is created by the British Parliament to negotiate with the
Americans. The commission then travels to Philadelphia where Congress rejects its
offer to grant all of the American demands, except independence.
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
British begin a major southern campaign with the capture of Savannah,
Georgia, followed a month
later with the capture of Augusta.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1778 Kent Co.
|
|
|
Benjamin Higinbottom
|
|
|
Private in Kent
Co. Militia 13th Battalion, Eighth Company
under Capt. William Frisby
|
|
Source:
|
Inhabitants of Kent County, Maryland
1637 - 1787, Henry C. Peden, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1778 Queen Anne's Co. ?
|
|
|
Danl. Higgins
|
|
|
Named in Non Commissioned Officers and Soldiers of the Fifth
Maryland Regiment left out of the Rolls February, 1778. "Higgins, Danl. ... [Enlisted] 10 Dec 76 ... [Discharged] 30 Aug 77...[Remarks] deserted."
|
|
Source:
|
Maryland
State Archives Muster of Maryland Troops
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1778 Kent Co.
|
|
|
George Higinbottom
|
|
|
Private in Kent
Co. Militia 13th Battalion, Eighth Company
under Capt. William Frisby
|
|
Source:
|
Inhabitants of Kent County, Maryland
1637 - 1787, Henry C. Peden, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1778 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
James Saywell Higgins
|
|
|
Took the Oath of Allegiance on or about 1 Mar 1778.
|
|
Source:
|
Revolutionary Patriots of Talbot
County Maryland 1775-1783,
Henry C. Peden, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1778 Kent Co.
|
|
|
Joel Higinbottom
|
|
|
2nd Corporal in Kent
Co. Militia 13th Battalion, Eighth Company
under Capt. William Frisby
|
|
Source:
|
Inhabitants of Kent County, Maryland
1637 - 1787, Henry C. Peden, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1778 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
John Higgins
|
|
|
(Series A) 1778 MSA SSI 1004-13. DAWSON, THOMAS, Asst. Agent
(TA) to HIGGINS, JOHN. Dates: 1778, Jun. 12. Receipt for bacon purchased. MSA
S 1004-13-2905 MdHR 6636-12-15/11 Location: 1/7/3/30
|
|
Source:
|
Maryland State Papers
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1778 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
John Higgins
|
|
|
Oaths of Fidelity for those not in military service
|
|
Source:
|
Mrs. John Kangas
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1778 Kent Co.
|
|
|
Oliver Higinbottom
|
|
|
Private in Kent
Co. Militia 13th Battalion, Eighth Company
under Capt. William
|
|
Source:
|
Inhabitants of Kent County, Maryland
1637 - 1787, Henry C. Peden, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1778 Dorchester Co.
|
|
|
Samuel Higgins
|
|
|
Private in Militia 1781, Upper Battalion, Select Militia,
Capt. Bartholomew Ennalls Jr.'s Company, 23 Aug 1781.
|
|
Source:
|
Revolutionary Patriots of Talbot
County Maryland 1775-1783,
Henry C. Peden, Jr.
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1778 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
Thomas Higgins
|
|
|
Oaths of Fidelity for those not in military service
|
|
Source:
|
Mrs. John Kangas
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1778 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
Thomas Higgins
|
|
|
Adm. for estate of Sarah Lee 9 Oct 1779, along with Henry West
|
|
Source:
|
Bernice Leonard
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1778 Talbot Co.
|
|
|
William Higgins
|
|
|
Oaths of Fidelity for those not in military service
|
|
Source:
|
Mrs. John Kangas
|
|
|
|
|
Year:
|
1778 Kent Co.
|
|
|
William Hogans
|
|
|
Private in Kent
Co. Militia 27th Battalion, Fourth Company
under Capt. William
|
|
Source:
|
Inhabitants of Kent County, Maryland
1637 - 1787, Henry C. Peden, Jr.
|