JOSEPH RIGGS
HOUSEHOLD 54
[A125]
Joseph Riggs was born in Accomack Co., VA circa 1774. He was the son of John Riggs and Sarah his wife (Nottingham 377). He married Margaret circa 1799 in Accomack Co., VA. He was the brother of Geoprge D. Riggs.
In John Riggs' will Joseph was named by John to handle his estate 29 December 1787 in Accomack Co., VA. The will was probated 1 May 1788 (Nottingham 377).
In John Riggs' will 29 December 1787 in Accomack Co., VA, Joseph was named as an heir. It was probated 1 May 1788 (Nottingham 377). An abstract of his will reads:
Riggs, John - 29 December 1787 - 1 May 1788 - To wife Sarah Riggs use of my land for life, then ½ to my son George Riggs & 1/2 to my son Joseph Riggs. To wife Salady Riggs personal estate for life then to be divided between my 2 sons, George & Joseph. Wife & Henry Fletcher, Sr., Exrs. Witt: William Young, John Fitchett, Parker Paradice - In order of probate: Sarah Riggs qualified.
On 6 January 1796 the lands of Joseph Riggs were processioned. (Processioners Returns22) The record reads:
Jany 6th 1796 - George Warner, Isaiah Hickman, Benjn Parks, Joseph Riggs, George D. Riggs, George Willett, The Glebe Lands, James Rodgers, Josa Bell, John Moore, Robt Davis, Isaiah Baker, John Baker, Hezekiah Baker, Mark Littleton, Salathiel Baker, Savage Orphan, Samuel Crippen, Peggy Taylor, John Custis, Caecar Evans, Babel Savage. Elijah Wright, John Baker, Josa Bell, Wm Onions. Ephraim Vessels, Salathiel Baker, Mathew Killman, Richd Dix, John Berry.
The procession of this District was taken at three different times; the first on 26 December 1795; the next two parts were taken in two-day intervals, January 5th & 6th; January 8th and 9th. Joseph Riggs was not there to witness the procession. (22).
Joseph was listed on the 1800 Accomack Co., census (1800 1810 1820 Census 36). The census reads: Accomack Parish page 20. Joseph Riggs 1 male 16-26. 1 female 0-10, 1 female 16-26. Joseph was listed on the 1810 Accomack Co., census. (86). The census reads: Accomack Parish page 121. Joseph Riggs 1 male 0-10, 1 male to 45, 2 females 0-10, 1 female to 26, 1 female to 45.
He owned land at Guilford, 15 miles north of the courthouse in Accomack Co., VA in 1815 (Ward:14).
Joseph was listed on the 1820 Accomack Co., census (1800 1810 1820 Census36). The census reads: Accomack Parish page 18. Joseph Riggs 1 male 10-16, 1 male 25 to 45, 3 females 0-10, 1 female 10-16, 1 female 26-45. 1 farmer.
On 22 January 1816 Joseph lived next to Crippen Taylor and near the Guilford Meeting House. On this date a procession was taken (Walczyk Processioners Returns182). It reads, "Lines between Crippen Taylor and Trustees of Gilford Meeting House. Lines between Crippen Taylor and Joseph Riggs."
Although Joseph Riggs' will was probated on 26 October 1830 (Miles 445), he was listed 1800 Accomack Co., census (1830 Census 78). The census reads: Accomack Parish 348. Joseph Riggs 1 male 20-30, 1 male 50-60, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 15-20, 2 females 20-30, 1 female 50-60. His wife Margaret was listed in the 1840 census (1840 Census 82). The census reads: Accomack Parish 28. Margaret Riggs 1 female 20-30, 1 female 60-70.
Charles Taylor mentions Joseph Riggs Dist 9 in his will 30 March 1829 in Accomack Co., VA (Miles 529). SEE HOUSEHOLD 15. Charles bequeaths "1/2 of my land I bought of Joseph Riggs" to his son James.
Joseph made a will on 5 July 1830 in Accomack Co., VA. It was probated 26 October 1930 (Miles 445). An abstract of his will reads:
Riggs, Joseph Sr. - 5 July 1830 - 26 October 1830 - To wife Peggy Riggs the house & lot whereon I now live & 1/2 of my wood land during her life. To son Joseph Riggs the houses & lot whereon I now live with the 1/2 of my wood land as above lent to my wife Peggy Riggs at her death. The other 1/2 of the wood land is mortgaged for payment of a debt to Thomas Mears. if son Joseph pays the debt he is to have the wood land, but if not it is to be sold to pay the debt. After the death of wife Peggy Riggs the balance to my 4 daughters Rachel, Peggy Sally & Nancy. Son Joseph Riggs Estr. Witt: Erastus Poulson, David Mears & Southey S. Satchell. Prob: Joseph Riggs & Peggy Riggs the widow both relinquished their right to Thomas Mears with David Mears & Joseph Riggs securities.
Whitelaw states:
1717 John Bird sold 200 acres [of A125] to Abraham Riggs and ten years later he (wife Rosanna) left the home part to his son Joseph and the balance to his son Joshua.. The death of Joseph was not noted but he was succeeded by a son John who in 1788 (wife Sarah) left it to his sons George [D.] and Joseph. (1191)
Joseph Riggs and Margaret his wife had the following children:
7 i. Rachel Riggs was born in Accomack Co., VA circa 1803. She married Zadock Taylor on 21 December 1821 in Accomack Co., VA (Turman 287). The text reads: Zadock Taylor of James to marry Rachel Riggs of Joseph on 25 December 1821. Delight Christopher security.
Zadock was born in Accomack Co., VA circa 1792. He first married Elizabeth Taylor on 26 February 1817 in Accomack Co., VA (Turman 287). The text reads: "Zadoch Taylor of James to marry Elizabeth Taylor of Acres on 26 February 1817. Nathaniel Taylor, Samuel Walston, and Richard D. Bayly securities." Zadock Taylor died before 30 October 1843 (Miles 534).
In Joseph Riggs' will 5 December 1830 in Accomack Co., VA, Rachel was named as an heir (Miles 445).
8 ii. Margaret Riggs was born in Accomack Co., VA circa 1806. In Joseph Riggs' will 5 July 1830 in Accomack Co., VA, Margaret was named as an heir.
9 iii. Joseph R. Riggs was born in Accomack Co., VA circa 1807. Joseph died before 24 November 1845. Riggs Cemetery (Miles 445). In Joseph Riggs' will 5 July 1830 in Accomack Co., VA, Joseph was named as an heir. He married Elizabeth circa 1839 in Accomack Co., VA. Elizabeth was born in Accomack Co., VA in 1808. Her maiden name is unknown. In Joseph R. Riggs' will on 19 June 1845 in Accomack Co., VA, Elizabeth was named as an heir. It was probated 24 November 1845 (Miles 445).
Joseph was listed on the 1840 Accomack Co., census. (1840 Census 82). The census reads: Accomack Parish page 121. Joseph Riggs 30-40, 1 female 0-10, 1 female 30-40.
Joseph made a will on 19 June 1845 in Accomack Co., VA. An abstract of his will reads:
Riggs, Joseph - 19 June 1845 - 24 November 1845 - to Wife Elizabeth Riggs ... & all the crops of corn & foder now growing upon the land. To wife Elizabeth Riggs during her lifetime the whole of my land to use & manage any way she chooses. Remainder to be sold & to my children living at the time the youngest arrives at 21. Friend Littleton A. Hinman Extr. Witt: Robert W. Williams, Henry C. Williams & Jesse H Dickerson securities." (Miles 445)
10 iv. Sally Riggs was born in Accomack Co., VA circa 1809. She married William White on 5 March 1827 in Accomack Co., VA (Turman 22). The text reads: "William White of John to marry Sally Riggs of Joseph on 5 March 1827. Charles Smith & Joseph Riggs securities." William was born in Accomack Co., VA circa 1802. In Joseph Riggs' will 5 July 1830 in Accomack Co., VA, Sally was named as an heir.
11 v. Nancy Riggs was born in Accomack Co., VA on 14 August 1817. Nancy died on 12 December 1899. She was buried in Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery. In Joseph Riggs' will of 5 July 1830 in Accomack Co., VA, Nancy was named as an heir.
She married Samuel Killmon on 22 March 1841 in Accomack Co., VA (Turman 158). The text reads: "Samuel Killman to marry Nancy Riggs 22 March 1841. Joseph Riggs security."
Samuel was born in Accomack Co., VA on 19 January 1819. Samuel was the son of John Henry Killmon and Nancy Parks. Samuel died on 10 December 1871. He was buried in Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.
Samuel made a will on 11 April 1864 in Accomack Co., VA. It was probated 30 December 1871. In his will Nancy was named as an heir.
Sources:
Miles, Barry W., & Miles, Moody K. III, Wills and Administrations of Accomack Co., VA 1800-1860. Bowie MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 2000.
Nottingham, Stratton..Wills and Administrations of Accomack County, Virginia 1663-1800. Bowie MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1990.
Powell, Jody. Accomac County Virginia 1800 1810 1820 Census. Roanoke TX: Jody Powell, 1991.
Powell, Jody. Accomack County Virginia 1830 Census. Roanoke TX: Jody Powell, 1991.
Powell, Jody. Accomack County Virginia 1840 Census. Roanoke TX: Jody Powell, 1991.
Turman, Nora Miller. Marriage Records of Accomack County, Virginia 1776-1854, Recorded in Bonds, Licenses and Ministers' Returns. Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1994.
Walczyk, Gail M., Accomack County Processioners Returns 1796 -1816 For Accomack and St. George's Parishes, (Coram NY: Peter's Row, 2004).
Ward Roger G. 1815 Directory of Virginia Landowners (and Gazetteer) Volume Three, Eastern Region. Athens GA: Iberian Publishing Company.
Whitelaw, Ralph T. Virginia's Eastern Shore A History of Northampton and Accomack Counties. Gloucester MA: Peter Smith.
© Copyright 2005-2012 by Gail M. Walczyk
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