Squire David Riggs

Other Events:

• Census: 1840, Tyler County, Virginia, United States
• Beneficiary: 19 Oct 1844; in the will of his father as son Squire
• History / Bio: 1881; History of Washington County, Ohio (H. Z. Williams & Bro., 1881) p694

Notes:

History / Bio:

In 1842 Squire D. Riggs crossed the river from Pleasant county, Virginia, where he was born in 1816. He was the ninth son and eleventh child of Bazel Riggs whose father was an old settler in Grand View.
Mr. Squire D. Riggs married Nancy R. Moreland, a daughter of Rhesa and Jane Moreland, and born in 1818 in the township. The marriage, which was in 1838, resulted in twelve children: Luther P., David M., Asberry A., Mary E., William N., Theodore J., Henry M., Luther M., Benjamin F., Adaline M., Walter I., and Hattie G. Luther P., Mary, and Luther M. are dead. David M. married Loretta Flint, and is a resident of Monroe county; Asberry A. married Mary Morrell, and lives in the township; William married Mary Howell, and lives in Meigs county; Theodore married Rebecca Davis, and is a resident of Independence; Adaline M. married A. Farnsworth, and lives in Richland county; there children are still at home, and Henry lives with his brother Theodore.
The vehicles of the earlier times were crude beyond comprehension by one used to nothing but the stylish and finished affairs that glide along the modern highway. It was not until near 1843 that a four-wheeled wagon was introduced in the township. This was owned by Mr. Riggs. He also bought the first combined reaper and mower a few years ago.

Squire married Nancy Rhea Moreland on 3 Sep 1838 in Washington County, Ohio, United States. Nancy was born on 8 Apr 1818 in Washington County, Ohio, United States; died on 10 Jun 1889 in New Matamoras, Washington County, Ohio, United States; was buried in Jun 1889 in Grandview Township, Washington County, Ohio, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Census: 1776, Frederick County, Maryland, United States
• Census: 1810, Elizabeth Township, Ohio County, Virginia, United States; as Bazil Riggs, with 4 slaves
• Census: 1820, Tyler County, Virginia, United States; as Bazel Riggs, with 2 female slaves
• Census: 1830, Tyler County, Virginia, United States; as Bazel Riggs, with 3 male slaves, 2 female slave
• Census: 1840, Tyler County, Virginia, United States; as Bazel Riggs, with 1 male slave, 2 female slaves
• Will: 19 Oct 1844, Tyler County, Virginia, United States; Mentioned in the will: daughter Harriett, son Bazil W. Riggs and Deborah his wife, son Isaac, son Greenbury, son William, daughter Susan, son James, son Hezekiah, son Squire, son Edmond, black boy Jack, black woman Sally, black girl Joanne and grandson Porter Riggs.
• Census: 1850, Tyler County, Virginia, United States; as Bazel Riggs, farmer, head of household
• Census: 1850, Tyler County, Virginia, United States; Slave Schedule
• Probate: Dec 1850, Tyler County, Virginia, United States
• History / Bio: 1881; History of Washington County, Ohio (H. Z. Williams & Bro., 1881) p593

Notes:

Will:

In the name of God Amen, I Bazil Riggs of the County of Tyler and State of Virginia, being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and memory. Considering the Certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof being desirous to settle my worldly affairs, and thereby be the better prepared to leave this world when it shall please God to call me hence do therefore publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say. First and principally, I commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God and my body to the earth to be decently buried and after the expenses of my last sickness and Burial and debts are paid I devise and bequeath as follows:
Towit, First I give to my daughter Harriet all my household and kitchen furniture, and I further will and devise to her three fourths of all my home farm containing one hundred and seventy four acres, excepting thirty acres lying back of the farm owned by William Hammond and to be divided so that my daughter Harriet’s share will lay at the corner end to have during her natural life and should she marry and have children the same to belong to her heirs; otherwise to impart to my natural and legitimate heirs.
Secondly; to my dear son Bazil W. Riggs and Deborah his wife I give and bequeath, during their natural life a certain lot of land known as lot N°6 of the land formerly belonging Abraham Lazrus, and at their death to belong to their legitimate children.
Thirdly; It is my wish that the remaining one fourth of my home farm and the thirty acres lying back of the Hammond farm, together with all my personalty estate not otherwise devised, should be sold, and after paying my debts to be divided as Follows;
Towit, First I give to my dear son Isaac fifty dollars, including twenty five dollars which he is indebted to me. To my dear son Greenbury twenty five dollars, To my dear son William Twenty five dollars, To my dear daughter Susan twenty five dollars, and Secondly The residue to be divided equally amongst all my children.
Fourthly; I give to my son James the two hundred dollars which he has received, to my son Hezekiah I give the Two hundred dollars which he has in his own hands. To my son Squire I give one hundred and Sixty Six dollars, which sum he is indebted to me, and to my son Edmond who owes me one hundred and forty dollars, I give forty dollars, and I give him Two years to pay the one hundred to be divided amongst my heirs equally.
Fifthly; It is my desire that my Black boy Jack shall at the expiration of six years be free, and that should he be a faithful and good servant until his 28 years of age, then shall be given him a good horse saddle and bridle from that farm. It is also my desire that my Black woman Sally remain in the Family her life time, and it is further my desire that the small Black Girl Joanne shall belong to my dear daughter Harriet her heirs or assigns.
Sixthly; It is my request and will that my daughter Harriet shall raise and take care of my grandson Porter Riggs and I commit to her discretion whether to give him anything, and in case of her death my administrators must take care of him.
Seventhly; I do hereby appoint my son Hezekiah of Washington County, Ohio, and my son Greenbury of Tyler County, Virginia to be the administrators of this my last will and Testament, revoking all others, and ratifying and conforming this.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 19th day of October in the year of our Lord 1844.
Bazil Riggs
Signed, sealed, published and declared by Bazil Riggs as and for his last will and Testament in the presence of us, who at his request and in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.
Joseph Taylor
James L. Bailey
Edmond Riggs

Census:

1 age 60 female, black
1 age 30 male, mulato
1 age 18 female, mulato

History / Bio:

Basil Riggs was born in Maryland in 1775, and died in 1850. Mary Robey, his wife, was born in 1777, and died in 1836. Their children were—James, Susan, Harriet, Isaac, Edmund, William, Hezekiah, Hazil, Asbury, and Squire Dilly. Hezekiah was born in 1810, and was married to Elizabeth Moorland, who was born in 1812. They had a family of eight children—James W., Mary, Susan, Daniel, Hezekiah, Nance E., Angeline, and Harriet.

Bazil married Mary Roby in 1793. Mary (daughter of Otha Owen Robey and Susannah Bartholow) was born on 28 Jul 1777 in Hagerstown, Washington County, Maryland, United States; died on 23 Dec 1836 in Tyler County, Virginia, United States; was buried in Dec 1836 in Sistersville, Tyler County, West Virginia, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

First wife of Bazel Riggs.

Other Events:

• Military: Revolutionary War
• Occupation: Farmer
• Census: 1776, Frederick County, Maryland, United States
• Misc: Aft 1776, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, United States; migrated
• Beneficiary: 24 Nov 1783, Montgomery, Maryland, British Colonial America; in the will of his father as son James Riggs
• Executor: 24 Nov 1783; co-executor in the will of his father
• Misc: Abt 1799, New Matamoras, Washington County, Northwest Territory; migrated and settled
• Census: 1800, Newport Township, Washington County, Northwest Territory
• Census: 1803, Grandview Township, Washington County, Ohio, United States
• Tax Record: 1808, Grandview Township, Washington County, Ohio, United States
• Tax Record: 1809, Grandview Township, Washington County, Ohio, United States
• Will: 29 May 1813, Washington County, Ohio, United States
• History / Bio: 1881; History of Washington County, Ohio (H. Z. Williams & Bro., 1881) p593

Notes:

It is believed he was married twice. The census taken August 22, 1776, in Maryland, shows James Riggs living in Lower Potomac Hundred. His two oldest sons were Robert, aged 12 (born circa 1764), and Thomas, age 9 (born circa 1767). As his wife was not born until circa 1749, it is doubtful whether she was the mother of these two children. [Source: Riggs Family of Maryland]

James was born in Rock Creek, Maryland which is now Washington, DC. He was a soldier in Revolutionary war. He was a farmer, hunter, trapper and fisherman. Started West just prior to Revolutionary War. Lived in Bedford County, Pennsylvania for a while. Enlisted at Bedford, Pennsylvania and served in Pennsylvania Regiment. [Ref. National Numbers 256 255 and 405497, also National D.A.R. Magazine October 1929 Vol. 63, Page 632, also National No. 311750.]

Moved to Ohio in October 1799, settled near Matamoras, Washington County, Ohio. He cleared timber on land that is now New Matamoras. Floated logs down Raven Rock Creek and built a home for Bazel, his son.

Will probated January 10, 1795. [Source: Letter from Stephen Clark dated March 20, 1962]

Birth:
(now Montgomery County)

Will:

In the name of God, Amen, I, James Riggs, of the County of Washington and state of Ohio, calling to mind the uncertainty of this life and the mortality of my body but of sound mind and perfect memory and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament.
First, I resign my soul to God who gave it and my body to be interred at the discretion of my friends no doubting but I shall receive the same at the General resurrection by the mighty power of God the estate it has pleased God to bless me with I give devise and disperse of in manner as following.
Item first - I will and bequeath to my beloved wife Mary Riggs all my goods, chattels lands and tenements for and during her natural life in case she remain a widow, but if she should marry, then the said estate to be disposed of in the manner herein after directed with the exception of her right of dower.
Item second - I will and bequeath to my four sons: Bazel Riggs, John Riggs, Edmund Riggs, and Samuel Riggs all my estate in land after the death of my wife Mary Riggs, the said land to be equally divided among my said four sons, by me executor herein after named according to the quality of said land taking into consideration all improvements of whatever description and valuing the land so that the four above named legatees may each receive and [sic] equal share of the real value in said land, which I give and bequeath to the said four legatees, their heirs and assigns forever.
Item third - I give and bequeath at the death of my wife Mary Riggs all the personal property belonging to my estate to the eight following legatees - namely, my four sons Bazel Riggs, John Riggs, Edmund Riggs, and Samuel Riggs, my three daughters Maxie Sheets, Mary Ridgway, Jane Williamson and my grand daughter Mary Sheets daughter of Martin Sheets each to receive an equal share and the division to be made to the aforesaid legatees by my executor herein after named.
Item fourth - It is my will and desire that my son Samuel Riggs be permitted to live on and cultivate the farm that I now live on, that he may have a favorable chance of improving his stock and that he be paid for improving the house and orchard and the sum of forty five dollars by his three brothers to be paid out their part of said estate.
I wish it be understood as a part of my will that if my wife should marry after my decease that from the time of such marriage she is to receive no part of my estate real or personal other than her right of dower which is to be defined by the law of the state of Ohio.
Lastly, I consider and appoint my beloved son Edmund Riggs and my beloved son-in-law Anthony Sheets, executor of this my last will and testament. In witness wherein I have set my hands and affixed my seal this 29th day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirteen and of the Independence of the United States the thirty seventh.
James Riggs
Signed, Sealed and Acknowledged as the last will and testament of James Riggs esquire of Grandview
Henry (his mark) Jolly
John (his mark) Collins
Richard (his mark) Tabbott
Martin (his mark) Sheets
Probated in Common Pleas, June Term 1815

History / Bio:

James Riggs came from Maryland and made the first settlement in what is now Matamoras, about 1799, and built his log cabin on what is now First street, where the residence of Mr. Thornbury now stands. This house was made of hewn logs, after the style of early times. He first encamped on the opposite side of the river, where he kept his family until the cabin in Ohio was completed, when he moved over. He was born in what is now Washington, District of Columbia, in 1742, and died February 27, 1815. He was accompanied by his wife Mary Johnson, and children—Basil, Hezekiah, John, Samuel, Edmund, Maxey, Polly, and Prissa; also his son-in-law, Martin Sheets. He, with the latter, entered two hundred acres of land along the Ohio river, he taking the northern, and the son-in-law the southern part, all of which subsequently was transferred to Martin Sheets. On the northern part of this land the town of Matamoras was founded.

James married Mary Johnson in 1768 in Frederick County, Maryland, British Colonial America. Mary (daughter of Living) was born on 10 Jul 1748 in Queen Anne's County, Maryland, British Colonial America; died on 9 Nov 1818 in New Matamoras, Washington County, Ohio, United States; was buried in Nov 1818 in Washington County, Ohio, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Census: 1776, Frederick County, Maryland, United States

Notes:

Daughter of Benjamin Johnson of Montgomery County, Maryland.

Other Events:

• Will: 5 Oct 1799
• Probate: 11 Feb 1800

Notes:

Will:

In the Name of God Amen I Owin Roby of Washington County and State of Maryland being weak in body but of sound understanding thanks be to God for the Same Knowing that it is appointed for all men once to depart this life. I do on this fifth day of October 1799 Constitute and ordain this my last Will and Testament and none other. First I recommend my Soul to Almighty God who gave it hoping forgivnance of all my Sins past, and to inherit eternal life through the merits of Jesus Christ - and now for setting my temporal estate and such Goods and Chattels as it hath pleased God to bless me with I settle in the following manner.
First I Will and order that all those Debts I owe in right and Contenice I will that they shall be paid in a Convenient time after my Decease. First I give and bequeath unto my Son William Extrawnary the whole of my plantation on sideling hill Creek Called Graesa Cabbin also my Negro Sam, one horse Saddle and Bridle the Choice of my Stock After he Comes of age, his heirs and assigns.
I give my Daughter Mary my Negro Sall.
I give my Daughter Ann my Negro Lews and to the heirs of their bodies my Son James is now and infant and from his appearance has no altogether natural understanding if it should be adjudged After he becomes growng up still to be in the Situation I give him my two Negros Extrawnary Vigl. Jerry & Rachel after the death of my widow, and my widow to have the use of them during her natural life or her widowhood but if my Son James becomes to have in every Case the abilities of a man then he is not to have the aforesaid two Slaves but they shall fall unto the whole estate.
I give and bequeath unto my well beloved Wife Susannah all the remaining of my estate during her widowhood she paying out of my estate to each one of my Children heretofore not mentioned at their Marriage in household furniture and Money the sum of Fifty pounds and after my widows Death or marriage that then my whole estate what is not already billed away shall be sold at Publeck Sale and I Will and order that my Widow shall not be Accountable for any loss in the estate and the whole of the money shall be equal Divided Amongst all my Children and that there shall be no praisement or a Count given off my personal estate to the Commissary, if my Wife and the whole of my Children agree that my plantation should be sold at any time After my Decease they may do it provided they wish to make some other purchase of Lands.
I appoint and nominate my Wife Executrix and my Son William Excutor of this my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereunto I have hereunto set my hand and Seal as my last Will and Testament
Owin (his mark) Roby
Signed Sealed in the presence of us the words life, his heirs and assigne of the money enterlined before Signed.
James Eareckson, Joseph Rogers, Jonas Hogmire

Otha married Susannah Bartholow about 1766 in Maryland, British Colonial America. Susannah was born in 1747 in New Hampshire; died on 7 Apr 1815 in Washington County, Maryland, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Name: Edmond Riggs
• Beneficiary: 21 Aug 1744, Prince George's County, Maryland, British Colonial America; in the will of his father as Edmond Riggs
• Will: 24 Nov 1783, Montgomery County, Maryland, United States
• Probate: 11 Apr 1784, Montgomery County, Maryland, United States

Notes:

Will:

In the name of God Amen, I Edmund Riggs of the County of Montgomery and Province of Maryland considering the uncertainty of this Mortal Life and blessed with sound mind and memory thanks be given to God for the same, Therefore I do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament-viz:
First and principally, I recommend my body to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executrix in a Christian like manner, nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection to receive the same again by the Mighty Power of God, and my soul to God that gave it me. And as touching what worldly Estate it hath pleased God to bless me with I Give and bequeath the same in the following manner,—
Imprimis:—It is my will and I do ordain that all my Just Debts be paid and satisfied,
Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Ruth Riggs all my Real and Personal Estate during her Natural life or while she remains my widow, she making no waste of the same but to the best of her skill and understanding Keep things together for the good of her children and after her Decease the whole both Real and Personal to be sold at public action.
Item. I give unto my beloved son James Riggs Eight pounds current money of this province—
I give and bequeath unto my beloved Daughter Elizabeth Leech Eight pounds of like currency—
I give and bequeath unto my beloved Daughter Verlander Caton Eight pound Ditto—
I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Greenbury Riggs Eight pound—
I give and bequeath unto my beloved son John Riggs Eight pound—
And as touching the Remainder or Residue of my Estate after the above Legatees is satisfied, the same to be Equally divided amongst the Rest of the children that are then living.—
And Lastly. I do will and ordain my beloved wife Ruth Riggs and my Beloved son James Riggs Executor of this my last will and testament. Revoking and Disannulling All former wills by me made, whereunto I have set my hand and seal the Twenty forth Day of November One thousand seven hundred and Eighty Three.
Edmund Riggs
Published, Pronounced and Declared in the presence of
Newton Chiswell
Charles Clagett
Lawrence Owen

Montgomery County April 11th 1784, Came Stephen N. Chiswell and Charles Clagett two of the subscribing witnesses to the within last Will and Testament of Edmund Riggs late of said County deceased and severally made oath on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God that they did see the Testator herein named sign and seal this will and that they heard him publish pronounce and declare the same to be his last Will and Testament, that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of their apprehension of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding and that they and Laurence Owen the other subscribing Witness to this will respectively subscribed heir names to this will as witnesses in the presence and at the request of the Testator and in the presence of each other.
Certified by Saml. Turner, Register

Edmund married Mary Brooke about 1741 in Montgomery, Maryland, British Colonial America. Mary was born on 8 Oct 1709; died in 1750. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]