HIGBY
Edward Higby or Higbee, immigrant ancestor, was born in England and settled as early as 1648 in New London, Connecticut. He sold his house and lot there Sept. 7, 1649, for five bushels of wheat and a dog. He had a deed Oct. 15, 1664, from Seankeet, Indian Sachem of Hartford, for land adjoining Jonathan Gilbert's at Hartford. In 1666 he was free of taxes by vote of the court for making and maintaining the way over Pilgrim's Harbor. He was an innkeeper at Middltown, Connecticut, in 1674, and soon afterward went to Jamaica, Long Island. He was probably laving at Huntington, Long Island in 1683, and afterward was there as late as 1709. His wife Lydia joined the church at Middletown, Sept. 20, 1674, coming thither from the First Church at Hartford, and with six children was dismissed to the church at Jamaica, Oct. 14, 1677.
He was a brother-in-law of Jeremiah Adams, son of John Adams, grandson of Jeremy Adams, according to a power of attorney given by Adams to Higby, Feb. 1696-97, and filed at Hartford. (See Hartford Probate Records, vol i, p. 268).
(II) John Higby, son of Edward Higby or Higbee, was born about 1658, died acout 1688. His inventory was dated Dec. 28, 1688, by John Hall, Francis Whitemore and Nathaniel Stow. (F. 7, vol ii, Hartford Probate Records).
He married Rebecca Treadwell, at Middletown, daughter of Samuel Treadwell, of Fairfield. She died in 1707-08, and was succeeded in the administration of her husband's estate by her son Edward, appointed March 1, 1707-08.
(III) Edward (2) son of John Higby, was baptized in Middletown, Conn., Aug. 24, 1684, and he and his wife joined the church there April 26, 1713. They were dismissed Dec. 19, 1713, to form a new church at Westfield, Conn., where he died Nov. 21, 1775, in his ninety-second year.
He married Rebecca Wheeler, of Stratfield, now Bridgeport, Nov. 29, 1706. She died Oct. 22, 1771, at Middletown. He appears to have been one of the owners of the Golden Parlour Mining Company of Wallingford, April 27, 1737.
Children:
1. John, mentioned below.
2. Daniel, removed to Constableville, Lewis county, New York, with son Daniel.
(IV) John (2), son of Edward (2) Higby, was born at Middletown, Conn., July 16, 1707. His will was dated Oct. 8, 1790, proved April 4, 1791.
He married Sarah ______. He resided in Middletown. According to the census of 1790 the heads of family of Daniel, David, Ephraim, Jeduthan, Lemuel and Zacheus, all nearly related and some doubtless his sons. In other places in Connecticut were living in 1790 Seth, Samuel, Patience, Job, Cheney, Isaac and Noah Higby. Cheney, David, Elihu, Isaac, Lemuel, Noah, Samuel and Thomas were soldiers in the revolution from Connecticut. In 1790 there were of this name twenty or more families in New York state.
(V) Jeduthan, son of John (2) Higby, was baptized in Middletown, Conn., Sept. 17, 1749. In 1790 he had one son under sixteen and two females in his family at Middletown. He was deacon of the church there in 1792. He married Ada Parker.
Children:
1. Jeduthan, mentioned below.
2. Solomon.
3. Eunice.
(VI) Rev. Jeduthan (2) son of Jeduthan (1) Higby, was born about 1775-80. He removed to Lewis county, New York. He married Florinda Regan.
Children:
1. Newton.
2. Harlow, mentioned below.
And others.
(VII) Harlow, son of Rev. Jeduthan (2) Higby, was born in Middletown, Conn., or vicinity, 1808, and came to Lewis county, N.Y., where relatives had settled. When a young man he learned the trade of millwright and followed it in his new home. Subsequently he settled on a small farm in the town of Greig, New York, and lived there the remainder of his days.
He married Delight, daughter of Samuel and Betsey Slocum, of Martinsburg, Lewis county, N.Y. Her father died in 1865, aged about ninety years; her mother a few years later. She had brothers: Alvin, Arnold, John, and sisters Jane, Clarissa, Laura, Emily, Julia and Susan Slocum.
Children of Harlow and Delight Higby:
1. Harris S., mentioned below.
2. Helen C., married Paul Blade.
(VIII) Harris Slocum, son of Harlow Higby, was born at Turin, Lewis county, New York, July 17, 1838. He was educated in the common schools and at the Lowville Academy. After leaving school he entered the employ of Giles Vrooman, a merchant at Lowville, as clerk. He preferred a mechanical trade, however, and was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade. After serving his time, he worked as journeyman for several years. He erected for himself in 1868 the first building in what is now the thriving village of Glenfield, and later built the Higby Hotel, a large and commodious hostelry, which still bears his name. He conducted it for several years, and was popular and prosperous. He became identified with all the other business interests of the village, and to his foresight, good judgment and enterprise are due in large measure, if not entirely, the growth and development of the place.
In politics he was a Democrat, though never seeking public office of any kind. He was a member of the state militia in his younger days. He was a member of Turin Lodge, No. 18, Free and Accepted Masons.
He married, March 14, 1859, Margaret, born at Metz, France, Dec. 6, 1838, daughter of John N. and Ann Duffer. Her father was by occupation a farmer; emigrated to this country in 1853 and settled in New Bremen; died in 1905.
Children:
1. H. Louise, born Jan. 27, 1860; married (first) Jefferson M. Burdick, who died Feb. 7, 1892, married (second) Dec. 12, 1904, George W. Smith.
2. Wallace H., Feb. 4, 1867; died May 1, 1879.
3. Henry Spencer, May 14, 1877, died Oct. 4, 1877.