Benjamin Higgins

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Profile last modified 21 Feb 2020 | Created 14 Sep 2010

Benjamin Higgins (1640 - 1691)

Benjamin Higgins

Born Jul 1640 in Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts

Son of Richard Higgins and Lydia (Chandler) Higgins

Brother of Jonathan Higgins, Mary (Higgins) Looker [half], Eliakim Higgins [half], William Higgins [half], Jediah Higgins Sr [half], Zerah Higgins [half], Thomas Higgins [half], Lydia Higgins [half], Rebecca (Higgins) Martin [half], Sarah (Higgins) Moore [half] and Ruth (Higgins) Tuttle [half]

Husband of Lydia (Bangs) Higgins — married 24 Dec 1661 in Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts

Father of Ichabod Higgins, Richard Higgins, John Higgins, Joshua Higgins, Lydia Higgins, Isaac Higgins, Deborah Higgins, Rebecca Higgins, Samuel Higgins and Benjamin Higgins

Died 14 Mar 1691 in Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts

Biography

Benjamin Higgins was born in July 1640 at Plymouth to Richard and Lydia (Chandler) Higgins.[1] On Dec. 24, 1661, he married Lydia Bangs, daughter of Edward and Lydia (Hicks) Bangs of Eastham, with whom he had the following children, all born in Eastham:[1]

Ichabod, b. Nov. 14, 1662
Richard, b. Oct. 15, 1664 John, b. Nov. 20, 1666 Joshua, b. Oct. 1, 1668 Lydia, b. "latter end of May, 1670" Isaac, b. Aug. 31, 1672 Rebecca, b. June 14, 1674; d. March 1675 Samuel, b. March 7, 1676/7 Benjamin, b. Sept. 15, 1681 From the Eastham vital records:

Benjamin Higgens was marryed with Lidya Banges the 24 day of December 1661 Ichabod Higgens the Sonne of Benjamin Higgens was borne the 15th day of October 1664 John Higgens the Sonne of Benjamin Higgenswas borne the 20th November 1666 Joshua Higgens the sonn of Benjamine Higgens was borne the first Day of October in the yeare 1668 Lidia Higgens the Daughter of Benjamine Higgens was borne the latter end of May in the yeare 1670 Isace Higens the sonn of Benjamine Higens was Borne the last day of aughust 1672 Rebeckah Higgens the daughter of Benjamin Higgens was borne the 14th day of June 1674 Samuel Higgens the sonn of Benjamine Higgens was borne the seventh day of March: 1676:77 Benjamine Higgens the sonne of Benjamine Higgens was borne the 15th of September in the yeare : 1681… Rebeckah Higgens the daughter of Benjamine Higgens died in march in the year: 1675 John Higens the sone of Benjamin Higens died the 13th of June in the year: 1689 [2] Benjamin probably lived on lands which he received from his father in Pochet, now in East Orleans. He had several grants of land recorded in the town book: Richard Higgins sells land to his son Benjamin, 4th day of the 5th month, 1669"[3]

Richard Higgins sale of land to Benjamin, proving that Richard went to New Jersey, dated at new pascataway in New Jarsey, Nov. 24, 1672. Mary Higgins gave her consent to this sale.[4]

Land granted to Benjamin Higgins Feb. 4, 1673 [5]

Aprl 16, 1678. Granted to Benjamin Higgins a parcel of medow at the Harbour's mouth.

March 14, 1690. Land granted to Benjamin Higgins (near) the other land upon poche at a place called bishops butter hole [6]

"Benjamin Higgins hath a mare of a brownish bay color and one white foot, the other three feet partly white, with a white strip on her face, and running broad toward the right nostril, a piece cut out of the top side the near ear, and burn marked with E on the near shoulder." 14 July 1664. [7] He also had at this time three mare colts.

On 2 Mar. 1668/9 Benjamin was sued by Peregrine White for a debt of £16. The disagreement was settled out of court and the suit was withdrawn.

On 1 June 1675 Benjamin was one of the jury in a trial which caused the outbreak of King Philip's War. In 1662 Massasoit, Sachem of the Wampanoags, died and was succeeded by his son Wamsutta or Alexander who also died suddenly in 1662 possibly due to being poisoned by the English. His brother Metacom or Philip succeeded him as Sachem and was appropriately suspicious of the English and did not trust them. An Indian convert of Rev. Eliot's named Sassamon accompanied Philip to Boston as an interpreter and was his aide for some time. Sassamon, however betrayed Philip's secrets to the English concerning the Sachem's preparations for war because of his brother's supposed murder. Philip caught wind of this and went to Plymouth to free himself of suspicion. In the spring of the next year (1675) Sassamon was discovered in Assowomset Pond. An investigation led to the belief that he had been murdered the previous winter and his body thrown under the ice. Three Indians were arrested based on the testimony of another Indian who was an eye witness. The three were convicted by the jury, which included Benjamin, and were executed. This prompted the Wampanoags to declare war. Benjamin was again on the jury in 1685 and on the grand jury in 1689.

Because of his share in starting this conflict it is appropriate that he was a soldier in that war. His grandson received a grant in Narragansett Township No. 7 (Gorham, ME) for his grandfather's services and Benjamin's inventory shows that he owned the equipment of a trooper.

"In answare to a petition prefered to the Court by Benjamin Higgens in right of his father deceased, to be accommodated with land at Saconett (now Little Compton, RI) with the ptenors and servants there, the Court, generally conceiving that the said Richard Higgens had wronge in that he was not accommodated in the said land with the rest, severall of the ptenors being psent did engage before the Court that in case the petitioner shall and doe make his adresse to the rest of the companie interested in those lands, that they will pswade them that altho hee can not be supplyed out of the devided land of it, that he may bee competently supplyed in the undevided land thereof." 1 June 1675. [8]

"The mark of the cattle of Benjamin Higgins is a piece cut off slanting on the fore side of the near ear, and a slit in where the piece is cut out. Entered this 17th April 1680." [9]

On 5 May 1685 Benjamin was elected constable of the town and was confirmed by the General Court on 2 June 1685. He was elected selectman for Eastham on 4 June 1688. He had also been a member of the Grand Inquest on 7 Jan. 1676. He was one of the witnesses of the will of John Young of Eastham in 1688 and was one of the appraisers of his estate.

An Invintory of ye estate of Benjamin Higgins of Eastham who deceased on ye 14th of March 1690:91

To wearing Clothes.......................................18=00=00 To Armes and Amonition.............................06=19=00 To neate Cattle..............................................35=05=00 To Sheepe......................................................12=08=00 To horse flesh................................................05=00=00 To Swine.........................................................03=08=00 To goods in ye Lower Roome......................11=04=00 To tubs earthen ware and many other things in ye Leaneto.................................................08=00=00 To yarne and wool & other things..............09=00=00 To goods in ye Chamber..............................09=11=00 To goods in garret.........................................10=10=00 To Chash and Lase........................................50=13=00 To housing and Land below ye high way...85=00=00 The total sum is.......................................... 291=06=00 Ichabod Higgins has already had................10=10=00 To a peece of Land that Ichabods house stands on........................................................09=00=00 Apprised by us this 19 : June 1691 Jonathan Sparrow Joshua Bangs Debts due from ye estate eleven shillings…

The settlement of ye Estate of ye above Benjamin Higgins of Eastham deceased by agreement of Lydia Higgins Relict of sd deceased and her Children with ye Aprobation of ye Court as followeth

Ichabod Higgins he has had in Cattle and beding and :bords and shingles & other things.............10=10=00 :More one Cow and Calf coms to.................01=10=00 More one heifer 2 year old Cows................01=03=00 More in Sheep 5 coms to.............................01=00=00 More 2 Sheep and 1 Lamb coms to............00=11=00 More in wool two pounds............................00=02=00 More in Cash..................................................05=09=00 ..........................................................................20-05-00 Richard Higgins he has ye Loome and geers.04=15=00 More seven Acres of Land coms to..............07=00=00 More one cutles and catous box [cartridge box] coms too..........................................................00=14=00 More 2 steers one year old coms to.............01=08=00 More 1 Colt......................................................00=04=00 More 1 heiffer 3 year old coms to................01=08=00 More in cash....................................................05=09=00 ..........................................................................20=18=00 Joshua Higgins one gun coms to..................01=00=00 More one Rapier and Catoose box comes to.00=09=00 More in beding coms to................................02=06=00 More one Chist coms to................................00=06=00 More to wearing Clothes coms to................06=00=00 More one Colt.................................................00=05=00 More one Cow & Calf coms to......................01=10=00 More powder and boulets coms to.............00=03=00 More one Saddle and cloath and four sheep.02=00=00 More one Sheepe & 2 pounds of wool.......00=06=00 More 2 Sheepe and 1 Lamb coms to..........00=11=00 More in Cash..................................................05=09=00 .........................................................................20=00=00 Isaac Higgins has one gun coms to...........01=00=00 More one Cutles and Cutuse box coms to.00=14=00 More in Beding coms to..............................02=06=00 More one Chist coms to..............................00=06=00 More to wearing clothes coms to..............06=00=00 More one hors coms to...............................02=05=00 More powder and boullets coms to...........00=03=00 More one heifer one year old coms to......00=15=00 More in Sheepe and one Lamb coms to...00=11=00 More in Cash.................................................05=09=00 ........................................................................20=05=00 Samuel Higgins one gun coms to................01=00=00 More one Booke sword & Catouse box......00=12=00 More in beding coms to................................02=06=00 More in wearing clothes coms to................06=00=00 More one black hatt coms to.......................00=05=00 More one Cow coms to.................................01=08=00 More for pouder and Bullets coms to.........00=03=00 More one heifer 2 years old coms to...........01=03=00 More in Sheep 4 and a Lamb & book..........01=00=00 More 2 Sheep and one Lamb coms to........00=11=00 More in Cash..................................................05=09=00 .........................................................................20=05=00 Benjamin Higgins he is to have two thirds of ye housing and one third of ye Lands and meadow:

And Lydia Higgins Relict of sd deceased to have ye Rest of ye estate of said deceased:

Lydia Higgins Relict of Benjamin Higgins Late of Eastham deceased with two of her Sons Ichabod Higgins and Joshua Higgins appearing in Court June ye 24th 1691 and declared in open Court that they did all agree to this devition of ye estate… [10]

In his will dated 13 Feb. 1706/7, Joshua Bangs left one-eighth of his personal estate that may remain after his wife’s death “to my sister Lydia Higgins”. [11]

On 20 Aug. 1711 the town of Eastham "Laid out to widow Lidia Higgins for her natural life and then returns to the town, a parcel of land near the head of Namskaket on the Eastern side of the first lot which is the lot of Daniel Cole Sr." [12]

He died on March 14, 1690/1.[1]

constable, juryman, selectman, freeman of the colony by 1675. Probably a soldier in King Phillip's War [citation needed] "Richard Higgins and His Descendants" By Catherine Chapin Higgins 1918 Richard Higgins was one of the 7 founders of the town and church of Eastham, then called Nauset. A memorial was erected in his honor on 26 Aug 1916.

Sources

↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Higgins, Katherine Chapin. Richard Higgins : a resident and pioneer settler at Plymouth and Eastham, Massachusetts, and at Piscataway, New Jersey, and his descendants, 1918, p. 41, 50ff. This research is mentioned positively in the entry on Richard Higgins in The Great Migration Begins (pp. 928-932). ↑ Eastham and Orleans Vital Records- The Mayflower Descendant- Vol. VIII, p. 12 ↑ Eastham Book of Land Grants- p.96 ↑ Eastham Book of Land Grants- p.98 ↑ Eastham Book of Land Grants- p.97 ↑ Eastham Book of Land Grants- p.96 ↑ Richard Higgins And His Descendants- Katherine Chapin Higgins, Worcester, 1918, p.52 ↑ Richard Higgins And His Descendants- Katherine Chapin Higgins, Worcester, 1918, p.52 ↑ Richard Higgins And His Descendants- Katherine Chapin Higgins, Worcester, 1918, p.52 ↑ Richard Higgins And His Descendants- Katherine Chapin Higgins, Worcester, 1918, p. 53- quoting Barnstable County Probate Records- Vol. I, fol. 45-6 ↑ Barnstable County Probate Records- Vol. III, fol. 380 ↑ Richard Higgins And His Descendants- Katherine Chapin Higgins, Worcester, 1918, p. 53- quoting Barnstable County Probate Records- Vol. I, fol. 45-6 Family History by Catherine Higgins 1918 Martha Horgan U.S., New England Marriages Prior to 1700 Author: Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations Inc APID: 1,3824::0 Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots Author: Hatcher, Patricia Law Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.Original data - Hatcher, Patricia Law. Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots. Dallas, TX, USA: Pioneer Heritage Press, 1987.Original data: Hatcher, Patricia Law. Abstract of Grav Note: APID: 1,4110::0 Millennium File Author: Heritage Consulting Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2003.Original data - Heritage Consulting. The Millennium File. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: Heritage Consulting.Original data: Heritage Consulting. The Millennium File. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: Note: APID: 1,7249::0 U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 Author: Yates Publishing Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.Original data - This unique collection of records was extracted from a variety of sources including family group sheets and electronic databases. Originally, the information was derived Note: APID: 1,7836::0 U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 Author: Ancestry.com Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.Original data - Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970. Louisville, Kentucky: National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Microfilm, 508 rolls Note: APID: 1,2204::0 Plymouth Colony Records- Vol. V, pp. 167, 169, 196; VI, pp. 165, 242; VII, p. 153 Richard Higgins of Plymouth and Eastham, MA and Piscataway, NJ- Orra Monnette- NYG&BR- Vol. 47, pp.23-4

http://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/benjamin-higgins_36508436

Reference: ancestry.com:

'Benjamin Higgins

Born in Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA on 1640

to Richard Higgins and Lydia Chandler.

Benjamin married Lydia Bangs and had 8 children.

He passed away on 1690 in Eastham, Orleans, Massachusetts, USA.

Family Members

Parents

Richard Higgins 1613-75

Lydia Chandler 1610-1645

Spouse(s)

Lydia Bangs 1643-1709

Children

Richard Higgins 1664-1728

John Higgins 1666-1669

Joshua Higgins 1668-1757

Lydia Higgins 1670-1691

Isaac Higgins 1672-1760

Rebecca Higgins 1674-1676

Samuel Higgins 1676-1761

Benjamin Higgins 1681-1761

• 'Full text of "Richard Higgins : a resident and pioneer settler at Plymouth and Eastham, Massachusetts, and at Piscataway, New Jersey, and his descendants"
• http://www.archive.org/stream/richardhigginsre00higg/richardhiggins...
• 3. 'BENJAMIN^ HIGGINS (Richard'), born July, 1640, at Plymouth; "deceased on ye 14th of March, 1690-1," at Eastham; married Dec. 24, 1661, Lydia Bangs, born ; died after Feb. 13, 1706-7; daughter of Edward and Lydia (Hicks) Bangs of Eastham. Benjamin Higgins resided at Eastham, probably on lands which had belonged to his father at Pochet, now in East Orleans.
• On March 2, 1668-9, he was sued at law by Peregrine White for damages of £16 for not paying a debt due him, the said White. The parties came to an agreement, and the suit was withdrawn. On June 1, 1675, he was one of the jury in a trial which had momentous consequences, and an account of it may be interesting. In 1662 Massasoit, Sachem of the Wampanoags, the faithful
• 50
• friend of the Pilgrims, with whom he had kept peace and friendship for forty-one years, was gathered to his fathers. Two ' sons survived him, Wamsutta and Metacom, to whom the names Alexander and Philip had been given at their own request. Alexander succeeded his father as sachem, and his sudden death in 1662 gave the Indians suspicion that he had been poisoned by the English. His brother Philip, then about twenty-three years of age and by nature less inclined than his brother to accept a position of dependence, succeeded him. A policy of conciliation might have won his good will, but the constant nagging to which he was subjected increased his resentment and nurtured in him a sullen distrust. The attitude and measures of Plymouth Colony were arbitrary and high-handed and were admirably adapted to bring about the very state of affairs they were intended to forestall. For a dozen years Philip was intriguing and preparing for war.
• The least suspicion of intrigue could not long escape the notice of those Indian converts who kept the authorities well informed of all that went on. There had been living among the Wampanoags at Nemasket (near Middleborough) the daughter of whose chief he had married, an Indian convert of the Rev. John Eliot's, named Sassamon, a Natick, "a cunning and plausible man" Hubbard calls him. This man had accompanied PhiUp to Boston as interpreter after the death of Alexander and served him for some time after, but having, it is said, been found guilty of some offense, had again professed Christianity. Associated with Philip on familiar terms, he claimed to have received the sachem's confidences, and betrayed them to the English under pledge of secrecy.
• His information was not at first much regarded, but Philip, learning in advance of a summons, made haste to Plymouth to free himself from suspicion, and was allowed to return. In the spring of the following year (1675) the dead body of Sassamon was discovered in Assowomset Pond. An investigation led to the belief that Sassamon had been killed while fishing during the winter and his body thrown under the ice. Three Indians were arrested on the evidence of an Indian who claimed to have been an eye-witness of the affair. The three Wampanoags were convicted by a white jury to which had been added several friendly Indians, and executed, utterly denying their guilt, yet the last of them did confess that the other Indians did really murder John Sassamon, and that he himself, though no actor in it, was yet a looker-on. The trial and execution of the three Indians aroused the Wampanoag warriors to madness, and they at once began hostihties.
• 51
• Thus indirectly 'Benjamin Higgins' was one of the immediate causes of the outbreak known in history as King PhiHp's War. That he was a soldier in the contest is probable in general, and is proved by his inventory, which shows that he possessed the equipment of a trooper, and by the grant to his grandson, Jedidiah Higgins, of a share in Narragansett Township No. 7, now the tovrn of Gorham, Me. These grants were made only to the direct heirs or descendants of men who had served in King Phihp's War.
• June 1, 1675, the General Court of Plymouth Colony took the following action: "In answare to a petition prefered to the Court by 'Benjamine Higgens' in the right of his father deceased, to be accommodated with land at Saconett (now Little Compton, R. I.) with the p'tenors and servants there, the Court, generally conceiving that the said Richard Higgens had wronge in that he was not accommodated in the said land with the rest, severall of the p'tenors being p'sent did engage before the Court that in case the petitioner shall and doe make his adresse to the rest of the companie interested in those lands, that they will p'swade them that altho hee can not be supplyed out of the devided land of it, that he may bee competently supplyed in the undevided land thereof."
• It is recorded in the ancient town book of Eastham that on July 14, 1664, "'Benjamin Higgins' hath a mare of a brownish bay color and one white foot, the other three feet partly white, with a white strip on her face, and running broad toward the right nostril, a piece cut out of the top side the near ear, and burn marked with E on the near shoulder." He also had at this time three mare colts. "The mark of the cattle of 'Benjamin Higgins' is a piece cut off slanting on the fore side of the near ear, and a slit in where the piece is cut out. Entered this 17th April 1680."
• 'Benjamin Higgins' was freeman of the Colony probably as early as 1675 and very probably a soldier in King Philip's War. Jan. 7, 1676, he was one of the Grand Inquest. May 5, 1685, he was chosen constable by the towm, and June 2, 1685, was confirmed by the General Court at Plymouth. Sept. 6, 1686, he was chosen juryman for actions at the County Court at Barnstable. June 4, 1688, he was chosen one of the selectmen at Eastham, and again June 3, 1690. "Aug. 26, 1689, The town have chosen Thomas Paine senior, Daniel Doane and 'Benjamin Higgins' for grand-jurie men for the remainder of this present year." He was one of the witnesses of the will of John Young of Eastham in 1688 and
• 52
• one of the appraisers of the estate, Feb. 3, 1690-1. The book of land grants of Eastham contains several records of grants of land to him by the town, as follows :
• "Richard Higgins sells land to his son 'Benjamin', 4th day of the 5th month, 1669" (July 4, 1669) (p. 96).
• "Richard Higgins sale of land to 'Benjamin', proving that Richard went to New Jersey, dated at new pascataway in New Jarsey, Nov. 24, 1672." Mrs. Mary Higgins gave her consent to this and other sales (p. 98).
• "Land granted to 'Benjamin Higgins' Feb. 4, 1673" (p. 97).
• "April 16, 1678. Granted to 'Benjamin Higgins' a parcel of medow at the Harbour's mouth."
• "March 14, 1690. Land granted to 'Benjamin Higgins' (near) Tiis other land upon poche at a place called bishops butter hole' "
• (p. 96).
• An inventory of the estate of 'Benjamin Higgins', amounting to £85 in real estate and £206.06.00 in personal estate, was rendered June 19, 1691, and sworn to by Mrs. Lydia Higgins, administratrix, five days later. "Memorandum: that Ichabod Higgins hath already had £10 and a piece of land on which his house stood, appraised at £9." An agreement was made that Ichabod should have in cattle, bedding, boards, shingles and cash £20.05.00; Richard the loom and gears, 7 acres of land, a cutlass, cartridge box, cattle and cash £20.18.00; Joshua a gun, rapier, cartridge box, bedding, wearing clothes, powder and bullets, saddle and cloth, cattle, sheep and cash £20.05.00; Lydia should have cattle, sheep, an iron pot, books, cloth and cash £20; Isaac a gun, ammunition, a cutlass, cartridge box, bedding, clothing, cattle, sheep and cash £20.05.00; Samuel was to have a gun, sword, cartridgebox, a book, bedding, clothes, ammunition, cattle, sheep and cash £20.05.00; Benjamin was to have two-thirds of the housing and one-third of the lands and meadows; the widow to have her legal third part. She was living Feb. 13, 1706-7, when her brother, Joshua Bangs, willed to her one-eighth part of such personal estate of his as might remain after the death of his wife. Aug. 20, 1711, town of Eastham "Laid out to widdow Lidia Higgins for her natural life and then returns to the town, a parcel of land near the head of Namskaket on the Eastern side of the first lot which is the lot of Daniel Cole Sr." The date of her death is unknown. She married (2) Nicholas Snow.
• Children born at Eastham.
  • 16. i. Ichabod, b. Nov. 14, 1662; married Melatiah Hamblen (?).
  • 17. ii. Richard, b. Oct. 15, 1664; married Sarah Hamblen(?).
• 53
  • iii. John, b. Nov. 20, 1666; d. June 13, 1689.
  • 18. iv. Joshua, b. Oct. 1, 1668; married (1) Ehzabeth Smith; (2) Priscilla Bixby; (3) Mary Baker.
  • V. Lydia, b. "latter end of May, 1670"; living June 24, 1691.
  • 19. vi. Isaac, b. Aug. 31, 1672; married Lydia Collins,
  • vii. Rebecca, b. June 14, 1674; d. March, 1675.
  • 20. viii. Samuel, b. March 7, 1676-7; married (1) Hannah Cole; (2) Thankful Mayo; (3) Elizabeth Hardmg.
  • 21. ix. Benjamin, b. Sept. 15, 1681; married (1) Sarah Freeman; (2) Mercy Hopkins.
• _________________
• 'Edward Banges the pilgrim : a narrative (1916)
• http://www.archive.org/details/edwardbangespilg00bang
• ________________________
• 'Plymouth Colony, its history & people, 1620-1691 By Eugene Aubrey Stratton
• http://books.google.com/books?id=17zCU76ZtH0C&pg=PA239&lpg=PA239&dq...
• Pg. 238
• Bangs, Edward - Arriving at Plymouth in 1623 on the Anne, Edward Bangs was probably born ca. 1591, for he said he was age eighty-six in 1677. Dawes-Gates (2:61-68) has a section on him and cites the evidence to show that he was probably identical with the Edward Bangs who was baptized on 28 October 1591 in Panfield, Essex, England, the son of John and Jane (Chavis) Bangs. he married (1) after 1627 Lydia Hicks, daughter of Robert and Margaret Hicks (she may have been the second wife, for Dawes-Gates suggests that he may have had an earlier one, and, (2) Rebecca (?Hobart). He was one of the Purchasers, and he was on the 1632/33 freeman list. He was one of those chosen to lay out the twenty-acre lots in the 1627 division, along with William Bradford, Edward Winslow, John Howland, Francis Cooke, and Joshua Pratt (PCR 12:14). With Myles Standish and others, Edward Bangs was chosen in 1633 to divide the meadow in the bay equally (PCR 1:14). He was also on committees to assess the entire colony for public costs (PCR1:33, 38), and he served on various juries and other public service committees (PCR). He appears to be a man who was responsible and trusted. In a record where he was surety for another, he was called yeoman (PCR 1:103). In 1641 he was granted eighty acres of land at Warren's Wells, and in 1642 he was allowed to exchange some of it for land closer to his house (PCR 2:25, 48). He moved to Nauset with the Prence group, and in 1647 he was a supervisor of the highways there (PCR 2:115).
• In 1652 he became a deputy for Eastham (PCR 3:9) and in 1657 was licensed to sell wine and strong waters at Eastham "provided it bee for the refreshment of the English and not to bee sold to the Indians" (PCR 3:123). In a deed of 22 June 1651, he was joined as grantor by his wife Rebecca (PCR 12:209). He made his will on 19 Oct. 1677, calling himself aged eighty-six years, and he named his sons: Jonathan, John, Joshua; his daughter Howe, 'daughter Higgens', daughter Hall, daughter Merrick, and daughter Atwood; the children of his daughter Rebecca, deceased; and his son Jonathan's oldest son Edward (Ply. Colony PR 3:2:106). In an agreement of 6 March 1677/78, Jonathan Bangs agreed that the land bequeathed to his son Edward could be used by Jonathan's brother John until Edward came of age (PR 3:2:105). Dawes-Gates 2: 67 gives his children from his marriage to Lydia Hicks as: John, who married Hannah Smalley, and from his marriage to Rebecca (Possibly Hobart), Rebecca, who married Jonathan Sparrow; Sarah, who married Thomas Howes, Jr.; Jonathan, who married (1) Mary Mayo, (2) Sarah __, and (3) Ruth (Cole) Young; 'Lydia who married (1) Benjamin Higgins, and (2) Nicholas Snow'; Hannah, who married John Done; Joshua, who married Hannah Scudder; Bethia who married Rev. Gershom Hall; Mercy, who married Stephen Merrick; and Apphia who married (1) John Knowles, and (2) Stephen Atwood.
• ____________________

Find a Grave: Benjamin Higgins ID 54903113
Born: 1 Jul 1640 Plymouth, Plymouth County, Massachusetts
Died: 14 Mar 1691 (aged 50) Eastham, Barnstable County, Massachusetts
Burial Burial Details Unknown