Joseph Riggs

Joseph Riggs (son of Edward II ) was born at Milford, Conn, about 1642 and was the first of the tribe to bear the much duplicated name, Joseph. He had been favored with some advantages of an early education, as was shown in his business capacity in the management of the affairs of the new plantation at Newark. Joseph was one of the 2 sons of Edward II to come to the new plantation at Newark with his father. Edward III was the other and Samuel III stayed at Derby. Both Edward III and Joseph, the sons of Edward II were designated as "Planters", that is, original proprietors. The former did not come until later in the year and the latter had no home lot assigned to him, because he was still a bachelor.

He was still single and living with his mother and father in Newark in 1667. According to Wallace, his father died in 1668, and his mother, contemplating remarriage, in 1671 conveyed to him 1/2 of the original home lot assigned to Edward II. He then had a place for his family and married Hannah Browne, whose father, John Browne was one of the planters at Derby in CT as well as at Newark.

Henry Earle Riggs in "Our Pioneer Ancestors" disputes the fact that she remarried. Although he had 3 sons & a daughter, and was capable in the management of men and affairs, his descendants have amounted to very little in either numbers or influence in this great tribe of kinsmen.

The will of Joseph Riggs, "of Newark in the Government of New England," dated January 1, 1688-9, has this certificate of proof:

"Appeared before vs, William Camp, John Browne, & Joseph Browne this 27 of November, 1689 : and took oath that this is the Last will and testament of Joseph Riggs of Newark lately deceased

"John Ward Justice

"Thomas Johnson Justice."

This will was subsequently probated, in solemn form, May 16, 1711, and is filed at Trenton. John Johnson and Samuell Camp were witnesses, besides the three named above.

The Riggs Family Genealogy" - John H. Wallace

SOURCE: http://www.axtell-surname.org.uk/fam22973.html

The Joseph Riggs which I have tentatively identified as Elizabeth’s father was born at Milford, Connecticut, in 1642 and had a daughter named Elizabeth born in about 1681 about whom nothing is known. The places, names and dates combine to determine my choice, but it is not confirmed.

This Joseph moved to Newark, New Jersey, another matching factor, and married Hannah Browne (34.), the daughter of John Browne who was at Derby and Newark with the Riggs family. Joseph was commander of the militia there and put the floor in the meeting house. His will was dated 1689. After his death, his wife Hannah married Aaron Thompson.

The four Riggs children were:

John b. about 1674 Samuel b. about 1676 Zaphar b. about 1678 Elizabeth b. about 1681 m. Daniel Dodd

http://freepages.family.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~northing/dodd/doddxt...