Martha Washington Higgs

Martha Washington Sherwood was born 1849 in Nottoway County, Virginia, the 2nd of 10 known surviving children (6 boys/4 girls) born to tailor Bailor Richardson Sherwood Jr of Norfolk VA, and his wife, Martha Thomas Ellington of Amelia County, VA. Pattie's parents left Virginia around 1854, settling first in Warren County, but relocating to Raleigh by 1857.

She was the paternal grandchild of Bailor Richardson Sherwood Sr. and his (2nd) wife, Martha Lee. On her mother's side, she was the maternal grandchild of Branch Henry Ellington & Mary Walton of Petersburg, VA.

Patti was 19 years old on April 4, 1868 when she married 29-year old CSA Veteran and merchant, James Allen Higgs of Raleigh, originally from of Halifax County.

The couple settled into Raleigh and would become parents to 8 known children (4 boys/4 girls), 4 of whom died in infancy or childhood: James Sherwood Higgs (1870-1943), Mattie Adeline Higgs (1873-1964), Sarah "Sadie" McDaniel Higgs (1875-1879), Allen Sherwood Higgs (1878-1912), Jessamine May Higgs (1881-1953), Lloyd Jackson Higgs (c. 1884-1884), Emily Gertrude Higgs (1886-1973), James Allen Higgs Jr. (1888-1971).

Pattie died in April 1928 at age 78. Her husband of 60 years survived her just about 7 months, passing on December 3, 1928 at the advanced age of 89 years.

Of her children, only 3 were known to have married. Eldest son, James, married Lucy Clark Hawkins and was father to 2 known children. Emily Gertrude married Gilbert Elliot Smith of Arkansas, and removed to New Jersey; but she and her daughter are buried here. Youngest son, James Allen Higgs, Jr, who became an architect, married Mary Clare Marbury of Alabama, and was father to one known son.

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