Susan Higgins-Williams' Family Homepage

James Jesse Higgins' in his 70's in St. Joseph, Missouri(c. 1930)

This Susan Higgins-Williams'Family Page is Dedicated to the Higgins/Moots family of Sullivan/Adair Co., MO and the Farrell/Heathman family of Monroe Co., MO

I have been performing family research for several years now. I have designed this page so that others out there researching the same families will hopefully find what they are looking for here. Many of my family lines are known through other researchers and I have been able to fill out my "tree" from quite a few resources on the internet. You will see as you look at some of my family lines that most of my information has been obtained in that manner. (NOTE: hopefully my information is accurate. If however, it is not or you know it to be in error, I would appreciate the updates)

My mother's family(the Farrell/Heathman's) are fairly well researched and generally consist of families that came to this country early in it's history. First establishing themselves in Kentucky and then emigrating to Monroe county c. the 1830's or so. The exception to this is the Walker family who came from Pennsylvania, then Virginia before coming to Monroe County c1840 or so. Most of my Monroe county family was involved in one way or another in the Civil War, part of them owning slaves and such. Most, but not all, were confederates.

My father's mother's family are the Downen/Moots' family. The Downens mainly living in Sullivan county, while the Moots family lived in Adair county. (NOTE: My direct lines both living on the Sullivan/Adair county line). The Moots family married into the Lay/Walters families who were originally from Tennessee. They were among the first settlers in Adair county. Old Thomas Lay was a revolutionary war veteran listed on most sites as a revolutionary war veteran buried in Adair county.

My father's paternal line has been the most difficult to research. Early on we had all been told a story about our Great Grandfather, James Jesse(JJ) Higgins, as born in Jamestown, Indiana June 23, 1853. His father was John Higgins and his mother was Jane. We were always told that either my ggrandfather or his father had been born in Ireland, then came to Indiana. This has proved to be an untrue story. I now believe that my great grandfather was born in or around Jamestown, but his parents origins and even their very names have been called into question. In addition, we know almost nothing about my great grandmother, Mary Alice Marshall Higgins. All we have are a few tidbits and stories to go by. Originally we were told she was born October 1, 1861 in Poplar Bluff, Mo.,during the civil war, in which her father was killed. Her mother died in 1865 or so, when she was about 4 yrs. old. I have never been able to place great grandma in Butler county at all. In addition, she listed her birth place as Iowa in the last 3 census takings in which she was counted. I have found information to that I have used to come to some different conclusions. To see how I came up with my story, which on the surface my seem rather fantatastic or unbelievable, go down to my "Gibson Family Information" at the bottom of the page.

All Person's Index to Names

Higgins Family Index to Names Downen Family Index toNames
Moots Family Index to Names Belles Family Index to Names

Farrell Family Index to Names HollowayFamily Index to Names

Sanders Family Index to Names Capp Family Index to Names
Heathman Family Index to Names Walker Family Index to Names Gaines Family Index to Names

Below is the James Jesse Higgins Family c 1900

wmjhigginsfamily

Sitting: James J Higgins-on his lap Frank, Mary Alice Higgins-on his lap William J
Standing behind: Bert, Lulu, John and Ira
With the lamb: Earnest, Arthur and Everette

Listed Below are some of my Favorite Genealogy Sites

Higgins Family Lines/Associated Families

Higgins Family Line

James Jesse Higgins Family

(NOTE: the above file is J J Higgins' known children and their data-only the 2 generations)

Downen Family Line

Moots Family Line

Bellas Family Line

Farrell Family Line

Heathman Family Line

Holloway Family Line

Gaines Family Line

Walker Family Line

Sanders Family Line

Capp Family Line

Gibson Family Research

In the last few years, it has become clear to me that there is a mystery surrounding my Higgins' family line. The mystery starts with our great grandparents, James Jesse and Mary Alice(Marshall) Higgins. I have now come to the conclusion that James Jesse Higgins/Higgens, is actually James Jesse Gibson. I believe my great grandmother's name is original, but she has some interesting history as well. Please look at my "evidence" listed in the table below and see what you think!

Below are the various census records that I have used to show the movements of JJ Higgins parents-of whom Mary Jane Smith Gibson is listed the most often
Hendricks Co., Indiana 1850 Census-Eel River Township
Boone Co., Indiana 1850 Census-Jackson Township
Harrison Co, Missouri 1860 Census-Washington Township
Boone Co., Indiana 1870 Census-Jackson Township
Harrison Co, Indiana 1880 Census
Jesse Gibson and Children Census Data(1850-1910)

Below are the various Documents I have on Martha E(Mattie) Gibson Smith and John Henry Gibson
Children of John S Gibson's Family Census Data(1860-1930)
Mattie Gibson Smith's Obituary

Data Below is Comparison Data on James Jesse Gibson and Mary A Gibson in Harrison and Worth Counties
Demographic information comparing Mary Alice Higgins, Mary "L" Hess, and Mary A Gibson

Below are the various Documents I have on James Jesse Higgins and Family
James Jesse Higgins and Family's Census Records
Higgins' Son's World War I Registry Card Information

Contact Me

Please e-mail me at sdwillia@mcmsys.com

Page Updated 09/23/07