The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: VT
Qualifying Service: Patriotic Service
Author: Fred Learned
Elisha Higgins (1702-1777) resided at Eastham, MA until he had relocated to Hardwick, MA, c 1741, because that is where in May 1742 his youngest child, son Uriah, was born. Years later in 1764 he had bought 170 acres in Palmer, MA on land that was located on the road from Hardwick to Springfield. He was there only a short time because on June 1769 he sold that farm & buildings. At the beginning of Revolutionary War he resided at Bennington, VT, where in May 1775, Elisha Higgins signed Bennington’s Declaration of Freedom.
Elisha Higgins (1702-1777) was the father of two sons who were ½ brothers, Elisha, Jr. and Uriah, both of whom fought during the American Revolution:
1) Elisha Higgins, Jr. of Williamstown, MA was a veteran of the French Indian War and during the Revolution he was a Sargeant in Capt. Lemuel Stewart's Co. of Berkshire County Militia, and was with the army at Ticonderoga; and 2) 2) Uriah Higgins of Hardwick, MA was Private who enlisted on 21 August 1777 and marched on Alarm to Bennington. They had another ½ brother Samuel Atwood (son of Hannah and her deceased 1st husband of same name) who also served in the Revolution, as a Private, he enlisted at Bennington, served with Capts. Safford & Wood, Col. Ebenezer Walbridge’s Regiment.
Elisha Higgins and his 2nd wife, the widow Hannah (Doane) Atwood were both descendents of the Pilgrims. Elisha was the son of Elisha and Jane Collins of Eastham, MA. Elisha, the subject of this Biography, and his wife Hannah are supposed to have taken refuge, with others, at Bennington during American Revolution, because that is where they both died. Hannah died 22 Sep 1776 and Elisha died 22 Jan 1777 at Bennington, buried at Old Bennington Cemetery. Their gravestone is inscribed:
To the MEMORY of Mr Elisha Higgins & Mrs Hannah Higgins his Wife Who finished lives of exemplary Piety on the 22d of Jany 1777 in the 75 year of his age and on 22d of Sep 1776 In the 72 year of her age.
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