James Wiggins was born in Scotland about 1800. He removed to Ireland, and thence about 1856 came to Canada, where he died two years later. He was a weaver by trade and also a farmer. He had children: Jane, James Henry (mentioned below).

(II) James Henry, son of James Wiggins, was born in the north of Ireland, Ulster province, 1824. He received a good common school education, and learned the trade of weaver in Ireland. In 1846 he came to this country, and found employment at his trade as hand weaver, making velvet carpeting in New York City and Troy, N.Y. In 1853 he located in Jefferson county, N.Y., and from that time until he died followed farming. He died at Three Mile Bay, N.Y., 1901.
He was a Republican in politics, and was for several years town assessor.
He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was trustee, steward and class leader for many years.
He married, in 1850, Magdalena, born 1834, died 1884, daughter of Andrew Van Hoesen, of Kinderhook, N.Y.
Children:
1. Agnes, died aged sixteen years.
2. James, died in infancy.
3. Mary, died in childhood.
4. Abram H., mentioned below.
5. Willard M., lives on the homestead.
6. Frank, builder and owner of telephone lines; lives at Chaumont, Jefferson county, N.Y.; married Emma Wright.
7. Ella, married Earl Kelsey, graduate of Cornell University; professor of languages in the University at Elgin, Illionois.
8. Clarence, was postmaster at Cape Vincent; died in April, 1909; married Catherine McWayne.
9. Martha, married John A. Kilbourn, of Capt Vincent; child: John Wiggins Kilbourn, born March, 1909.
10. Lucy, died 1905; married Brayton Emery, farmer at St. Lawrence.

(III) Abram H., son of James Henry Wiggins, was born at Three Mile Bay, Jefferson county, N.Y. Jan. 12, 1855. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, at Ives Seminary, Antwerp, N.Y., and at the State Normal school at Albany, from which he was graduated in 1880. He was principal of a school in Philadelphia, N.Y. for two years, and of the school at Rensselaer Falls, N.Y. for a period of ninteen years. Since 1901 he has devoted his time to agriculture. He owns three farms, one of which is in Hammon, N.Y. He resides at Rensselaer Falls.
In politics he is a Republican, and he was serving his sixth year (1909) in the office of supervisor of the town. He has been a justice of the peace and member of the town board for more than twenty years. He is past master of the local lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, Fellowship Lodge, N. 749, of Rensselaer Falls. He is a member of the St. Lawrence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and St. Lawrence Commandery, Knights Templar; also of the Order of Eastern Star, of which he is assistant grand lecuturer for the tenth district. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Foresters and a district deputy of that order.
He has been treasurer of the board of stewards of the Methodist Episcopal church for twelve years and superintendent of its Sunday school for a period of twenty-six years.
He married, in 1882, Celia LaFaive, of Hammond, N.Y., graduate of the State Normal school at Potsdam, daughter of Joseph F. LaFaive.
They have had no children.

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