Individual Details

Lafayette Advertiser, Saturday morning edition, 20 Mar 1897:
The venerable James Higginbotham died at his late residence in Lafayette Wednesday, March 17, 1897 at 1:20 AM at the advanced age of 85 years. He retained all his faculties and superintended his business personally up till the day of his death. Mr. Higginbotham was born in Georgia, but came to Louisiana seventy-four years ago. The funeral was held from his residence Thursday morning, interment took place in the Protestant Cemetery.

James b. 22 Dec 1811, Elbert Co GA. Died 17 Mar 1897; buried Protestant Cemetery, Pinhook Rd, Lafayette LA
Maried 1. Marie Eliza Meche, 8 Apr 1833. She was born 10 Aug 1817, died 20 Sep 1843 at age 26. Dau of David Meche & Eliza Prejean
James was a wheelwright.

James & Eliza Meche had:
Sophia, b. 27 Dec 1833, d. 11 Jun 1847, St Landry Parish
Giles, 2 Mar 1836, d. 15 Mar 1836, at two weeks
Elizabeth, 2 Nov 1837, died 20 Oct 1877. Married James Whittington and 92) Richard Stakes
David James, b. 20 Jan 1840. Died 19 Sep 1934 age 94. Married 4 times.
James Jr. b. 1842, died ca 1845
Nelson N. b. 11 Sep 1843, died 13 Jul 1833.

James married 2nd 14 Jan 1845 to Martha N. Campbell. Two children died in infancy. Martha died at birth of second child on 7 Mar 1759, Pinhook [now Lafayette] LA.

James married 3rd 18 Oct 1859 to Elizabeth Tinsley.
They had:
Emma Jeane, b. 1860, married 20 Sep 1879 to Carlos Aristides Guidry, d. 3 Apr 1891
Cornelius Camile b. 26 Jun 1862 married Marie Cecilia Cochrance on 23 Dec 1889. He died 18 Feb 1934, Port Arthur, TX
Martha, b. 1864, d. Jun 1926 Married Leonard E Guidry & 2. to Darmos T. Toups
Edward J. b. 1866, d. 9 Feb 1935 Never married
Julia, b. 1870, died as a child


1850 Census. Lafayette Parish, LA, p.244, Hh 1.
James Higginbottom, age 39, b GA
M. Campbell, a female age 21 lived with James.
E. Higginbottom, female age 13, J. Higginbottom, male age 8, and N. Higginbottom, male age 7, were also in the household.
(Father) Nelson Higginbottom, age 72, b. TN.

1860 Census. Attakapas, Lafayette Parish p.44, Hh 315.
James Higginbottom, age 48, born GA. Warehouse keeper.
Elisabeth age 30, b. LA.
Elizabeth age 23, b. LA. David age 18 and Nelson 16.
Nelson Higginbottom, age 80, born in Tennessee.

1870 Census. Lafayette Parish, LA, Hh 2050
J. Higgenbotham, age 58, b. GA., Planter
Elizabeth, 40, b. LA
All the children born in Louisiana: Emma age 9, Cornelius age 8, Elba age 6, Edward age 4, and Julia age 2.

1880 Census. 3rd Ward, Lafayette Parish, LA Hh 189
James Higgbottom, age 79, b. GA as were both his parents
Elizabeth, wife, age 52, b. LA as were both her parents.
Cornelius, son, age 18. Martha, dau, age 16. Edward, son, age 14
Lee Allen, boarder, age 80, b. Arkansas


The following case likely is this man.
50th Congress, 1st Session of the House of Representatives
Mis.Doc. #444 [Report No. 143]
James Higginbotham: findings of act by the court in the case of James Higginbotham against The Untied States
12 Dec 1887 - laid on the table
5 Jan 1888 - referred to the Committee on War Claims
15 Jun 1888 - ordered to be printed
U.S.Court of Claims. Congressional Case #1192
Claimant, James Higginbotham, resided in La Fayette Parish, LA during the late war; he did not give aid and comfort to the rebellion, but was throughout that war loyal to the Government of the United States.
There follows a list of items to include lumber, cattle, horses, sugar, molasses, flour, corn meal, fodder, corn, potatoes, pork and wood.
The court finds of the said stores and supplies there was taken for the use of the U.S. by the military authorities in the aggregate value of $2623. No payment has been made for any part or portion.
Subscribed and sworn before the Clerk of Court, La Fayette Parish, LA on 14 Aug 1886.
Under provisions of an act approved 3 Mar, 1883, the Committee on War Claims found that the amount due should be allowed.
[Found on Lexus-Nexus through Mid-Continent Public Library]

Birth	22 Dec 1811	Elbert County, Georgia
Death	17 Mar 1897	Lafayette Parish, Louisiana

Father	Nelson Higginbotham (1780 - 1860)
Mother	Judith Ware (1785 - 1831)
Sibling	Nelson Higginbotham Jr (1799 - 1872)
Sibling	Bennett Higginbotham (1804 - )
Sibling	Sarah Ann "Sally" Higginbotham (1806 - 1867)
Sibling	Mary Higginbotham (1807 - )
Sibling	Julianne Higginbotham (1808 - 1852)
Sibling	Giles Higginbotham (1810 - 1858)
Sibling	Judith Higginbotham (1823 - )
Sibling	Burrell Higginbotham (1825 - 1910)
Sibling	Edward Higginbotham (1826 - )
Sibling	Samuel Thomas Higginbotham (1827 - )