Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 15,097, James Higginbotham, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Va.
Higginbotham, James
R. 15,097
Va. Half Pay.
CONTENTS

A. M. Garland esq

State of Virginia - Amherst County Court.
At a Court of Monthly Session held for the said County before the Justices of said Court, at the Court house on Monday the 17 th day of December in the year One thousand eight hundred and thirty two, and in the year of Independence, the fifty seventh.
On the motion and application of Joseph C. Higginbotham of the County of Bedford, and George W. Higginbotham, James Higginbotham and Joseph Dillard and Judith his wife, of the said County of Amherst - It is ordered to be certified to the Governor and Council, or other proper authorities of the Commonwealth of Virginia - and to the proper department or departments of the Government of the United States at the City of Washington, having cognizance of claims for Revolutionary services - That it satisfactorily appears to the Court from the testimony of Benjamin Higginbotham, Frederick Proget, and Anderson Thompson, whose affidavits have been duly taken, and now presented to the Court and duly affixed - marked A. B. and C. and a certificate or Receipt, bearing date the 6 th day of March in the year 1779 purporting to be the Certificate or Receipt of the late Col. James Higginbotham of the said County of Amherst for a Recruit by the name of Thomas Oglesby, enlisted as a Soldier in the regular army of the United States for the term of eighteen months, during the war of the Revolution - which said Certificate or Receipt is proved to the Court to have been drawn by the said Col. Higginbotham in his proper hand writing, and from the antiquity of its date, general appearance, and other circumstances, the Court believes to be genuine - now presented to the Court and also duly affixed - and marked D. as also by a Commission bearing date the 1 st day of November 1775 appointing the said James Higginbotham, Major of the Militia of the said County of Amherst, and granted by Edmund Pendleton, Thomas Lud: Lee, Patrick Henry, Dudley Digges, and James Mercer "Committee of safety for the Colony of Virginia" now presented to the Court and also duly affixed and marked E.
That the said James Higginbotham entered the military service of the Country in the war of the Revolution, as Major of Militia, in the year 1776 and in that year performed Military duty, in and about the City of Williamsburg in said State.
That the said James Higginbotham continued in the said service in a military capacity, the whole or greater part of the time from the period aforesaid until about the year 1778 when he was promoted to the Office of Colonel, or appointed to some other grade of a Commissioned Officer, commanding in the "Virginia State line" or on "Continental establishment" in the war of the Revolution, and believed to be the Ninth Virginia Regiment - in which capacity the said James Higginbotham

continued to serve, principally as a recruiting Officer until the close of the war but no commission in the said "State line" or other regular service is produced, and the court is satisfied that the same has been lost or destroyed, and that the said James Higginbotham in his life time, was well entitled to the pay due to the Officers commanding in the said "Virginia line" or on Continental establishment in the war of the Revolution - promised by the Legislation of said State, and provided for by an act of Congress approved July 5 th 1832, entitled "An act to provide for liquidating and paying certain claims of the State of Virginia" or by some other act or acts of the Congress of the U. States.
And it is also ordered to be certified to the authorities aforesaid; that it satisfactorily appears to the court.
That the witnesses whose testimony, has been taken and affixed as aforesaid are persons of unimpeachable veracity, and their statements entitled to full faith and credit. That the said James Higginbotham departed this life in or about the month of March 1873, that he was at the time of his death between eighty and ninety years of age. That he died intestate, and that letters of Administration of his Estate, has not been granted to any person whatever.
And it is also further ordered to be certified to the authorities aforesaid - that it satisfactorily appears to the court.
That the said Col d James Higginbotham departed this life, a resident and in the said County of Amherst - that he died a widower, without children or the descendants of children, except the aforesaid Joseph L. Higginbotham, George W. Higginbotham, James Higginbotham, and Judith Dillard formerly Judith Higginbotham, all of whom are now alive, and are the heirs at law and distributees of the Estate of the said James Higginbotham dec d , in equal degree, as children of the said decedent.
State of Virginia - Amherst County, to wit:
This day personally appeared before me Henry S. Rose a Justice of the peace in and for said County Benjamin Higginbotham of the same County, aged Seventy five years - who being sworn in due form of law deponeth and saith.
That he is now seventy five years of age, of sound mind and memory, but infirm of body and cannot conveniently travel to his county court house. That he was born and raised in the said County of Amherst and never resided elsewhere. That he is the nephew on the Father's side of the late Col d James Higginbotham who departed this life, a resident of said County in the year 1873 said, and believed

to be between eighty and ninety years of age at the time of his death - That from his birth to the death of the said James Higginbotham he resided in the same County of Amherst with the said James, and knew him well - He knows that the said James Higginbotham entered the military service of his Country in the war of the Revolution as a Major of Militia in the year 1776, and was stationed part of his time in that year, at the City of Williamsburg in said State - That during the progress of the war, and as he thinks about the year 1778 the said James Higginbotham was promoted, and bore the title of Colonel in one of the regular Regiments (he thinks the 9 th ) of the State line, raised in pursuance of an act of the Legislature of said State, and continued to act in that capacity from the time of his said promotion to the end of the war - He knows that said James Higginbotham was in the last mentioned service, at the Albemarle Barracks in the year 1779, acting in the capacity of a Colonel in the said State line, as also at the City of Williamsburg and Yorktown in the year 1781 - he the said Benjamin being in the service himself at that time, and placed on a detachment to collect Beef cattle for the use of that portion of the army to which the said Col. Higginbotham belonged. He knows also that the said James Higginbotham served regularly in the war of the Revolution from the year 1776 nearly the whole of the time until its close - that he has known him to be from home in the said service more than eighteen months at a time - He is positive in this because in the absence of the said James Higginbotham, and at his request, he superintended his plantation affairs in the said County of Amherst - That the said James Higginbotham was chiefly engaged in the Recruiting service; in which he was more than ordinarily successful - has seen him recruiting men for the Army of the Revolution at the Court house of the said County of Amherst, for the term of eighteen months and during the war - he remembers particularly of having seen him enlist the same Frederick Tackett now residing in the County of Bedford, whose testimony has been taken to that effect, in support of the application of the heirs of the said James Higginbotham for the compensation due him for military services - That he has often heard the said James Higginbotham say the Country was largely indebted to him for military services as a Colonel in the State line, that he had never received the compensation due to him, but had confidence that the State, when she could, would do him justice, as he had served her faithfully, and much to the detriment of his private affairs - That the station of the said James Higginbotham in the Army of the Revolution was matter of perfect notoriety at the time and for many years after the close of the war - but the men of that time have so nearly passed away but few are

left who can testify with certainty any thing about it - he knows of none who are now alive except the said Pudget and himself. That the said Col. James Higginbotham being almost constantly engaged in the recruiting service, whilst he the said Benjamin was himself in the Army or otherwise had any knowledge of the particular duties he performed, that he the said Benjamin does not now recollect, if he even knew who were the General or Field Officers, with whom the said Col. Higginbotham served in the said State line - what Battles he was in or where stationed, farther than above stated - but believes on account of his peculiar capacity for recruiting, he was principally confined to the State of Virginia, he never knew him to be stationed, or sent beyond the limits of the State - That the said Col. James Higginbotham at the time of his death had four children only, to wit: Joseph C. Higginbotham, Geo. Washington Higginbotham, James Higginbotham, and Judith who had intermarried with Joseph Dillard - all of whom are now alive, and reside in the said County of Amherst; except the said Joseph C. Higginbotham, who resides in the County of Bedford in said State - and that the wife of the said Col. Higginbotham departed this life before him - That he the said Benjamin Higginbotham after the close of the Revolutionary War, was commissioned a Capt of Militia in said State, and acted in that capacity many years, attached to the 9th Regiment Virginia Militia of the said County of Amherst - but he does not know that the said Col. James Higginbotham performed any Military duty after the close of the Revolutionary War - he does not think he did because at that time he must have been nearly sixty years of age, being advanced toward fifty when he first entered the service; but remarkably active, hardy, and athletic, and so continued to very advanced age.
Benja. Higginbotham
Sworn and subscribed in manner and form aforesaid, before me a Justice of the peace as aforesaid this 6 th day of December, Anno Domini 1832.
Henry S. Rose J.P.
Frederick Pudget of the County of Bedford in the eightieth year of his age being in bad health and unable to travel to his County Court, but of sound mind and memory - Saith that he knew the late Col. James Higginbotham of Amherst County and State of Virginia as Col. in the Virginia Continental and State line, he also received soldiers in the war as regulars for eighteen months, and during the war, which will show from a Receipt now in my possession, as follows.
Amherst County St. This day I have received from James Harrison, Frederick Pudget who acknowledges himself to be regular enlisted for the 32 nd division to

serve as a Soldier for during the war in the Army of the United States of America Given under my hand this 10 th day of March 1779. James Higginbotham C.C.
And when I was so enlisted under Colo. James Higginbotham I was sent on with the regulars, and was soon after wounded in the Army, and did not get well until the war ended; the time of enlistment was as stated in the Rec d the said James Harrison as above was the orderly Serjeant.
Frederick Sadget.
Bedford County Court.
This day the aforesaid Frederick Sadget made oath before me a Justice of the peace for said County aforesaid in due form of Law, that the forego- ing statement by him subscribed is true. Given under my hand 16 th day of November 1832.
John L. Crofts J.P.
Serpt. Anderson Thompson of Bedford County being now in his Seventi th eight year, and being in bad health, and unable to travel to his County Court, but of sound mind & memory - Saith that in the year Seventeen hundred & seventy six, that he saw the late Colo. James Higginbotham of the County of Amherst and State of Virginia in actual service as a Major at Williamsburg in said State, and as I understand and do believe, he the said Higginbotham was in the Continental and State line Service, to what regiment I do not recollect he be- longed.
Anderson Thompson
Bedford County, Court.
This day the aforesaid Anderson Thompson made oath before me a Justice of the peace for said County aforesaid in due form of Law that the fore- going statement by him subscribed is true. Given under my hand this 16 th day of November 1832.
John L. Crofts J.P.
Amherst County, Court.
This day I received from James Henderson, Thomas Eggleston, who acknowledges himself to be regularly enlisted for the 13 th division to serve as a Soldier in the Army of the United States of America for eighteen Months. Given under my hand this 6 th day of March 1779.
James Higginbotham

The Committee of safety for the Colony of Virginia, to James Higgings Esq.
By virtue of the power and authority invested in us, by the Delegates and Representatives of the several Counties and Corporations in General Convention assembled, we, reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, fidelity, courage and good conduct, do by these presents constitute and appoint you to be Major of the Militia of the County of Amherst; and you are therefore carefully and diligently to discharge the trust reposed in you, by disciplining all Officers and Soldiers under your command. And we do hereby require them to obey you as their Major. And you are to observe and follow all such orders and directions, as you shall from time to time receive from the Convention, the Committee of safety for the time being, or any Superior Officers, according to the rules and regulations established by the Convention. Given under our hands at Williamsburg this 1 st day of November, Anno Domini 1775.
Edm. Pendleton.
John Page.
Thos. Latt. Lee.
P. Harrington.
Dudley Digges.
J. Mercer.
Virginia Amherst County to wit:
I Robert Tinsley Clerk of the County Court of Amherst County aforesaid do certify, that the foregoing are true copies of the order made by the said Court concerning the revolutionary services of James Higgings Esq. and the evidence and documents in the said order referred to. In testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and Seal of office this twenty second day of December One thousand eight hundred and thirty two and in the fifty seventh year of the Commonwealth.
Robert Tinsley

July 6, 1933.
K. S. Higginbotham 2220 Arrow Avenue Anderson, Indiana.
See RA-J/ILL James Higginbotham R. 15097
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information regarding your ancestor, James Milton Higginbotham, Sr., a Revolutionary War soldier.
A search of the Revolutionary War records has been made and the record of the only James Higginbotham found on said records is given below; the data are from the papers on file in pension claim, R. 15097, based upon his service in that war.
James Higginbotham of Amherst County, Virginia, was commissioned November 1, 1775, by the Committee of Safety for the colony of Virginia, Major of Amherst County militia and served as such until sometime in 1778; was promoted to Colonel and served until the close of the war, engaged chiefly as recruiting officer in the State of Virginia.
He died in the month of March, 1813, in Amherst County, Virginia, then aged between eighty and ninety years, date of his birth not shown. His wife, whose name is not stated, had died previous to his death.
Four children survived their father, James Higginbotham, all of whom were living in 1833, namely; Joseph C. Higginbotham, George Washington Higginbotham, James Higginbotham, and Judith Higginbotham, the wife of Joseph Billard in 1833; In 1833, Joseph C. Higginbotham was a resident of Bedford County, Virginia, the other three then residents of Amherst County.
On December 17, 1832, the children named above applied for

pension which might have been due on account of the service of their father, James Higginbotham, in the Revolutionary War.
The claim was not allowed as there was no provision of law under which they were entitled to pension.
In 1832, Benjamin Higginbotham, nephew of said James Higginbotham on his father's side, was aged seventy-five years and residing in Amherst County, Virginia, where he had always lived. He stated that from his birth to the death of his Uncle James Higginbotham, they had resided in Amherst County, Virginia, and that he(Benjamin) served also in the Revolutionary War at the time his said uncle served. He did not give the names of their fathers. He stated that he (Benjamin), after the Revolutionary War, was commissioned Captain of Virginia militia and acted in that capacity for many years.
Very truly yours,
A. D. HILLER, Assistant to Administrator.
Note - The reason for rejection was found on one of the index books to old letter books - by Mrs. Finch.

Claim of James Higginbotham
Referred to the Accounting Officers.
Treasury Department.
29 Jan y 1833.
The Name of James Higginbotham is not on any of the Lists received from the Auditor Heath, nor is the said Name on any of the Lists in the Report of the Committee of the House of Representatives of the United States, of 16 Jan y 1832 on the Claim of Virginia
H. Parker
Auditor's Office January 30 1833

R. '29 Jany 1833
205.
Washington City.
Tuesday: 29 th Jany '33
Harrison M. Garland of Virginia; has the honor to submit for the consideration of the Secretary of the Treasury, the accompanying Record of a claim on the part of the heirs of the late Col o James Higginbotham of the revolutionary Army for Military Services , with the solicitation whereof H. M. G. stands charged.
Information for the time being, and until otherwise advised - will be thankfully received at the "Clothing Bureau" attached to the War Office -
Respectfully.
H. M. Garland
Honbl: Louis M c Lane.
Secretary of the Treasury.

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FIRE PROOF 150 ROOMS WITH BATH RATES FROM $2.50
STAMP ENCLOSED
HOTEL ANDERSON
ANDERSON'S LARGEST AND FINEST HOTEL MERIDIAN AND NINTH STREET
ANDERSON, INDIANA
June 18th, 1933
Director of Pensions, Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
My great grandfather, James Milton Higginbotham, Sr. and nine other of his relatives - served in the Revolutionary War. There could have been a possibility that James Milton Higginbotham's father was the one that served in the Revolutionary War and not he, himself. A number of these Higginbothams came from Ireland prior to the Revolutionary War, the most of whom settled in Kentucky. My great grandfather James Milton Higginbotham, Sr. located on the Ohio River in Kentucky. He owned as late as 1810, and later, a large Plantation and about 100 negro slaves.
There is some little mistake in the way the name is spelt. A great many of my relatives spell their name Higginbotham, and a number of others, Higginbottom. I do not know whether James Milton, Sr. or his father, whose name I do not know, used Higginbotham or Higginbottom. This is the particular thing that I desire to find out. I understand there were about ten Higginbothams, or Higginbottoms, or both, who served in the Revolutionary War.
The War Department at Washington could not give me any information for the reason that they said that the collection of Revolutionary War Records in their office were far from being complete, so they referred me to you. Any information you can give me in regard to this matter, will, indeed, be greatly appreciated, for it is quite important to me.
Thanking you in advance for any information you can give me in regard to the above, I remain
Very sincerely yours,
K. S. Higginbotham K. S. Higginbotham, 2220 Arrow Avenue
P.S. Stamp enclosed for your reply.
ALBERT PICK HOTELS
HOTEL ANTLERS, INDIANAPOLIS, IND. NEW SOUTHERN HOTEL, JACKSON, TENN. WESTON HOTEL, CHICAGO, ILL. HOTEL OWENSBORO, OWENSBORO, KY. HOTEL BESSE, PITTSBURG, KANSAS OSAGE HOTEL, ARKANSAS CITY, KANSAS RALEIGH HOTEL, WACO, TEX. MARK TWAIN HOTEL, ST. LOUIS, MO.
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CHITTENDEN HOTEL, COLUMBUS, OHIO HOTEL TIGER, COLUMBIA, MO. FOUNTAIN SQUARE HOTEL, CINCINNATI, OHIO HOTEL MISSOURI, JEFFERSON CITY, MO. HOTEL FORT HAYES, COLUMBUS, OHIO THE TIOGA INN, CHANUTE, KANS. HOTEL PHILLIPS, KANSAS CITY, MO. VENTURA HOTEL, ASHLAND, KY.
Hotels of Distinction - Serving the Middle West
Stamp enclosed

Reg. No. 87.
James Higginbotham.
Not Allowed.
Letter N o 115.

1933-July 6-Hist. to K.S. Higginbotham JRL
ACT OF FEBRUARY 14, 1871.
WAR OF 1812 3760 REJECTED
James Higginbotham Col
Revolution
Discharged _____, 18
4060
W th Pay _____ act-82
Received _____, 187
Attorney.