Individual Details

Thomas's Will dated 12 Feb 1834
To sister Tirza London, the tract of 200 acres where I now live and 40 acres adjoining, bought of George McDaniel, with all household and kitchen furiture and at her death to go to her younger children, Mary Banks, and William Augustus. To John J. London, tract I bought of William Rourne. To Daniel H. London, the tract I bought of Charles B. Taliaferro. To France Woodroof and her children, the tract called Camdens D. & B. Higginbotham & Co. To sister Ann Staunton Higginbotham, late of George, her children 20 shares of Farmer's Bank Stock. To children of brother James Higginbotham, late of Georgia, his children 20 shares of Farmer's Bank Stock. To brother Daniel Higginbotham, 50 shares Virginia Bank Stock. To sister Frances R. Coleman, whatever debt she owes me at the time of my death. To Wesley Jones son wife Archey Carey, $1,000. To brother Daniel in trust for the following persons: 15 shares in Bank of U.S. for Jessee Higginbotham; 15 sh...for Eugene Higginbotham, my brother; 20 sh of Farmer's Bank stock for benefit of Meeka Higginbotham, wife of James S.; 10 sh Virginia Bank stock for Nancy, my cook woman; 10 sh of Farmer's Bank stock for Maria, my house woman; 5 sh Farmer's bank stock for Tom Casey, Maria's son; 5 sh ...for John Waller, Maria's son. I give to Nancy & Maria a bed & furniture and cow & calf each.
All my negroes are to be set free, viz: Nancy, my cook woman. Maria and her sons, Tom Casey & John Wallen. Caleb and their increase. Washington, Charles, Dandridge, William, Daniel, Spencer, Polly, Isaac, Carter, Ann & her children & their increase, Charlotte and her children & increase, Jean and her children & increase; China & her children & increase, provided they are willing to leave the State. If not, they may choose any of my brothers and sisters they are willing to serve. It is my wish that my brother Daniel, in case Nancy & Maria should not be willing to leave the State, he will become Guardian for them and the bank stock will be sufficient to maintain them.
The balance of my estate to be divided. 1/8 to the children of my late brother James. 1/8 to the children of my sister, Anne Higginbotham. 1/8 to David Higginbotham. 1/8 to Daniel Higginbotham. 1/16 to William S. Higginbotham. 1/16 in trust for my brother Reuben Higginbotham's two son. 1/16 to Daniel in trust for Jesse. 1/16 to Daniel Higginbotham in trust for Eugene. 1/8 to my sister Frances R. Coleman. 1/8 to my sister Tirzah London.
Executor: brother Daniel Higginbotham. He is expected to sell whenever he think best any property not mentioned above. No witnesses. Amherst WB 9, p.47.

Thomas Higginbotham owned a slave named Archer Cary Higginbotham (named in the will above). Archer was acquired in 1801 and freed in 1822 for faithful service. Thomas is said to have organized two petitions (1822 and 1833) to the Virginia legislature on Archer's behalf so he could remain in Virginia as a freeman. Both petitions were denied. Archer died in Virginia in 1842, leaving a wife and five children; a thriving hack-driving business. He owned 400 acres between Amherst & Campbell Counties. His son William Burton Higginbotham left for Georgia in 1840 and owned a tavern in Romer, GA. He died in 1881 - his obituary stating he died "the richest Negro in the state".

Birth	10 Jun 1769	Amherst County, Virginia
Death	4 Feb 1835	Amherst County, Virginia

Father	Capt. John Higginbotham (1726 - 1814)
Mother	Rachel Banks ( - )
Sibling	James Higginbotham (1770 - 1834)
Sibling	John Higginbotham (1772 - 1822)
Sibling	Ann Staunton Higginbotham (1773 - 1810)
Sibling	David Higginbotham (1775 - 1853)
Sibling	Mary Higginbotham (1777 - 1834)
Sibling	Jessie Higginbotham (1779 - 1836)
Sibling	Daniel Higginbotham (1781 - 1845)
Sibling	Tirzah Higginbotham (1783 - 1841)
Sibling	Frances Higginbotham (1785 - )
Sibling	Eugene Higginbotham (1787 - 1856)
Sibling	Reuben Higginbotham (1789 - 1834)