Judge BIGGS was born in Martin county, North Carolina, on the 4th of February, 1811.  he was licensed to practice law in 1831, entered public life in 1840 as a member of the House of Commons from Martin, was re-elected in 1842, and went to the State Senate in 1844.  In 1845 he was elected to Congress from the First District, beating Hon. David OUTLAW, and in 1847 was in turn defeated by Mr. OUTLAW.  In 1850 <.two sentences unreadable> the result of their joint labors, the Revised Code, would of itself, have been sufficient to have kept green the memories of each of the co-laborers.
In 1854 Judge BIGGS was again elected to the Legislature from Martin and by the Legislature of 1854 and 1855 he was elected to the United States Senate. This position he resigned for the purposes of accepting the United States District Judgeship, which position he held until he resigned and was at once appointed District Judge of the Confederate States.
At the close of the war Judge BIGGS persued the practice of law with marked success and continued in the practice until 1909, when he, in company with Chief Justice SMITH went to Norfolk and opened a law firm.

Judge BIGGS leaves a family of three sons and three daughters.  Capt. Wm. BIGGS, of the Oxford Free Lance, being the eldest of his sons.

Source: Roanoke News, 9 Mar 1878, pg. 3.  DigitalNC.org website.

Applications require a pedigree and accompanying information to demonstrate a generation-by-generation link to a patriot ancestor. Genealogical information submitted may include references to Revolutionary War pension files, baptismal records, marriage records, cemetery records, census records, family Bible records, deeds, court records, documented family and local histories, and copies of applications to other lineage societies. Applications also typically include a short summary of the ancestor’s service. – Ancestry.com

The following list below is an extraction of vital record data of individuals in the database who have an association with Martin County.  The listing below provides the person’s name, their relationship to the applicant, details provided in the application, the SAR membership number, and the applicant’s name.  Each piece of information is separated by a dash.

The data represented here is only a portion of the full file.  If you see something of interest, access to the files requires a membership (free access is available through July 4, 2011) if you wish to view them on the Ancestry.com website.  Alternatively, you can contact the society directly for further information.  I can provide lookups but please limit your request to one individual.

Name	Relationship to Applicant	Born	Birth Location	Died	Death Location	SAR Application No.	Notes	Applicant Name
BIGGS, Henry Emerson	Self	18 June 1862	Martin County	N/A	N/A	27089	N/A	BIGGS, Henry Emerson
BRYAN, Ann Grey	Great-Grandmother	5 Dec 1786	Williamston	N/A	N/A	88274	Wife to William Bryan Hyman	BORDELON, Irving M.
DUPREE, Mary Patience	Grandmother	15 Dec 1879	Martin County	N/A	N/A	89790	Wife to Thomas Levine Osborne	OGLESBY, James Gorham
EVERETT, Henry	Great-Grandfather	1792	Martin County	N/A	N/A	92088	Husband to Elizabeth (Betsy) Manning	JAMES, Roland Maximillian
EVERETT, James Walter	Self	4-Jul-05	Robersonville	N/A	N/A	46625	Son of Marcellus Everett and Lela Keel	EVERETT, James Walter
EVERETT, Jane Elizabeth	Grandmother	2 Sep 1838	Martin County	N/A	N/A	92088	Wife to William Tillman Keel	JAMES, Roland Maximillian
GAINOR, Anne	4th Great-Grandmother	N/A	Martin County	N/A	N/A	78945	N/A	HARLEY Jr., George Foster
HARRELL, Samuel Newbern	Self	13 Apr 1875	Hamilton	N/A	N/A	47090	Son of Augustus Harrell and Harriet Whitehurst	HARRELL, Samuel Newbern
HASSELL, Amariah	Grandfather	22 Aug 1810	Williamston	18 Jul 1895	Manlo, Georgia	99585	N/A	HASSELL, John Fleming
HODGES, Marina	Grandmother	18 Jul 1856	Beaufort County	10 Apr 1880	Robersonville	83563	Wife to Marcus Augustus Roberson	ELLSWORTH, Arthur Fleming
HOWELL, Elizabeth Dorothy	Great-Grandmother	24 may 1817	Martin County	26 Feb 1849	De Soto County, Mississippi	92100	Wife to Reuben Staten Manning	MANNING, Wilkins Reuben
HYMAN, William Bryan	Great-Grandfather	2 Oct 1779	Cedar Landing	21 Feb 1820	Williamston	88274	Husband to Ann Grey Bryan	BORDELON, Irving M.
KEEL, William Tillman	Grandfather	11 Sep 1842	Martin County	27 Dec 1917	Martin County	92088	Husband to Jane Elizabeth Everett	JAMES, Roland Maximillian
MANNING, Elizabeth (Betsy)	Great-Grandmother	1802	Martin County	N/A	Martin County	92088	Wife to Henry Everett	JAMES, Roland Maximillian
MANNING,Marcom	3rd Great-Grandfather	N/A	Norfolk, Virginia	N/A	Martin County	92100	Husband to Keziah	MANNING, Wilkins Reuben
MANNING, Marcum	3rd Great-Grandfather	prior to 1758	N/A	18 Oct 1792	Martin County	92088	Husband to Keziah	JAMES, Roland Maximillian
MANNING, Reuben	2nd Great-Grandfather	circa 1776	N/A	circa 1831	Martin County	92088	Husband to Sarah Whitney	JAMES, Roland Maximillian
MANNING, Reuben	2nd Great-Grandfather	circa 1789	Martin County	Will dated 16 Jul 1831	Martin County	92100	Husband to Sarah Whitney	MANNING, Wilkins Reuben
MANNING, Vannoy Hartrog	Grandfather	26 Jul 1839	Martin County	3 Nov 1892	Branchville, Maryland	92100	N/A	MANNING, Wilkins Reuben
PAGE, Martha	Great-Grandmother	25 Nov 1824	Martin County	22 Feb 1877	Robersonville	83563	Wife to Henry Daniel Roberson. Married about 1848.	ELLSWORTH, Arthur Fleming
PIERCE, Penlope	Great-Grandmother	1764	Martin County	about 1785	Martin County	41262	Wife to John Price	PRICE, James Hardy
PRICE Sr., William	4th Great-Grandfather	about 1730	Martin County	about 1785	Hamilton	47193	N/A	PRICE, Frederick Singleton Lucas
PRICE Sr., William	2nd Great-Grandfather	N/A	Martin County	about 1800	Martin County	41262	Husband to Martha	PRICE, James Hardy
PRICE, William Pierce	Grandfather	1797	Martin County	1836	Georgia	41262	Husband of Sarah Williams	PRICE, James Hardy
ROBERSON, Henry Danile	Great-Grandfather	10 Oct 1824	Martin County	14 Sep 1884	Robersonville	83563	Husband to Martha Page	ELLSWORTH, Arthur Fleming
ROBERSON, Lillian	Mother	12 Feb 1878	Martin County	N/A	N/A	83563	Wife to Arthur Franklin Ellsworth. Living in 1958 in Tacoma, Washington	ELLSWORTH, Arthur Fleming
ROBERSON, Marcus Augustus	Grandfather	27 Dec 1851	Martin County	15-May-01	Martin County	83563	Husband to Marina Hodges	ELLSWORTH, Arthur Fleming
ROBERSON, William	2nd Great-Grandfather	May 1790	Martin County	11 May 1845	Martin County	83563	Husband to Sarah Rebecca Wynn	ELLSWORTH, Arthur Fleming
ROBERTSON, James Henry	Father	13 Nov 1884	Williamston	17-Jun-52	Rocky Mount, North Carolina	90982	N/A	ROBERTONS, Haywood Lawrence
ROSS Jr., William	4th Great-Grandfather	9 Aug 1731	Martin County	25 Dec 1801	Martin County	65749	Husband to Mary Griffin	DIERKING, John Edward
SLADE, Ebenezer (Dr.)	5th Great-Grandfather	about 1714	N/A	Mar 1788	Martin County	78945	N/A	HARLEY Jr., George Foster
SLADE, Jeremiah (General)	3rd Great-Grandfather	12 Aug 1775	Martin County	1824	N/A	78945	N/A	HARLEY Jr., George Foster
SLADE, Jeremiah (General)	3rd Great-Grandfather	12 Aug 1775	Martin County	1824	N/A	78945	Husband to Janet Bog	HARLEY Jr., George Foster
SLADE, Thomas Bog	2nd Great-Grandfather	26 Jul 1800	Martin County	5 May 1882	Columbus, Georgia	78945	Husband to Anne Jacqueline Blount	HARLEY Jr., George Foster
SLADE, William (Lieutenant)	4th Great-Grandfather	7 Jan 1745	N/A	Feb 1791	Martin County	78945	N/A	HARLEY Jr., George Foster
SMALLWOOD, Portia Bonner	Grandmother	12 Sep 1853	Washington, North Carolina	20-Feb-25	Williamston	84275	Wife to George Llewellyn Grimes Whitley	WHITLEY, Walter Jenkins
VAN PELT, Lavenia	4th Great-Grandmother	about 1737	New York	N/A	Martin County	83563	Wife to Watkin William Wynn	ELLSWORTH, Arthur Fleming
WARD, John James (Capt.)	Grandfather	9 Sep 18189	Martin County	29 Jul 1864	Griffin, Georgia	94973	Husband to Ellen Tyler Young	REILLY, William Irving
WHITLEY, George Llewellyn Grimes	Grandfather	1 Apr 1842	Williamston	13-Nov-19	Williamston	84275	Husband to Portia Bonner	WHITLEY, Walter Jenkins
WILLIAMS, Mary	2nd Great-Grandmother	about 1739	Martin County	after 1800	N/A	89790	Wife to Samuel Cherry	OGLESBY, James Gorham
WYNN, Sarah Rebecca	2nd Great-Grandmother	31 Oct 1792	Bertie County	8 Oct 1872	Martin County	83563	Wife to Wiliam Roberson	ELLSWORTH, Arthur Fleming
WYNN, Watkin William	4th Great-Grandfather	about 1733	Bertie County	N/A	N/A	83563	Was living in Martin County in 1798. Husband to Lavenia Van Pelt.	ELLSWORTH, Arthur Fleming

The time coverage varies, but click on the graphic below to see a list of Martin County deaths as reported in the area newspapers.  Be sure to check often because the list is automatically updated as new entries are added.

Rev. William Perry Williams

Photo contributed by David Shaffer.

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To illustrate his usefulness as a citizen, it may be stated that he energetically and successfully filled the following positions of usefulness and honor: Trustee of the University of North Carolina, trustee of Williamston Academy, founder, Secretary and Treasurer of Williamston Library Association; Clerk and Master in Equity of Martin County; Treasurer of Martin County; President of the Roanoke Steam Navigation Company; member of the Constitutional Convention of 1861 and also of the Constitutional Convention of 1875. These important positions show the versatility of his usefulness. When first elected treasurer of Martin County only four votes were cast against him. In politics he was a Democrat, and in the struggle of his party to redeem the State in 1875 he exerted all his great power of mind and body. As a campaign speaker he was eloquent and convincing. His statements on public questions were not questioned by his opponents. But his great services to his community, county and State in secular matters were all overshadowed by his work in the ministry of his church.

In 1828 he was baptized by Elder Joseph Biggs and by him received into the fellowship of the Skewarkey Church where he subsequently became pastor.

Source: Ashe, Samuel A. Biographical History of North Carolina from Colonial Times to the Present. Greensboro, N.C.: C.L. Van Noppen, 1905.

Additional Resources

He early entered with great earnestnes into the dubious and dangerous conflict between England and America, and threw into the scale of liberty his “life, his fortune, and his sacred honor.”

In 1775, he was a delegate from Martin to the Assembly of Freemen at Hillsboro’, and was in the State Congress in Halifax in April, 1776, which placed the State in military organization, and, in Nov., 1776, which fomed our present State Constitution.  In 1778 he was delegated to the Continental Congress at Philadelphia, and served until 1871.

He resided at Hill’s Ferry, in Martin County, near the Halifax line, where he died, 26th September, 1797.  He was a man of fine literary attainments, a devoted patriot, and useful citizen.  He married Winifred Blount, of Chowan, by whom he had three sons, Joseph, John and Thomas Blount, and one daughter, Elizabeth.  Joseph and John died young without issue.  Thomas B. Hill left a large family of children and grandchildren, among whom is Whitmel B. Hill, Esq., of Halifax, Mrs. Spruill, and others.  His daughter Elizabeth married John Anthony, of Philadelphia, from whom a large family has sprung.

Source: Wheeler, John H. Historical Sketches of North Carolina: From 1584 to 1851, Compiled from Original Records, Official Documents and Traditional Statements : with Biographical Sketches of Her Distinguished Statemen, Jurists, Lawyers, Soldiers, Divines, Etc. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo and Co, 1851.   http://books.google.com/books?id=vEgOAAAAIAAJ.

He was born in Hamilton, Martin County, North Carolina, on the 26th of October, 1850, and in both the paternal and maternal lines is descended from families of that state.  His parents, Theophilus and Elizabeth Hyman, were both born and reared in the eastern part of North Carolina, and Robert W. Hyman spent his youthful days in Edgecombe county, there pursuing his education in the common schools until at the age of fifteen years he felt it incumbent upon him to start out in the business world and entered commercial circles as a clerk in a general store owned and conducted by his uncle.  He also carried the mail during the period of the Civil war.  His youthful training had been received upon his father’s farm and the outdoor life and the work of the fields had developed in him a strong and robust nature, together with that independent spirit which is so ofen the direct outcome of the outdoor life.

This business that the uncle conducted was later handed down to the two sons of Robert W. Hyman, who are still owners of the store. Their father continued in active connection therewith until 1869 and then leaving North Carolina, moved to Norfolk, Virginia.  Soon afterward, however, he made his way northward to New York city and became clerk in connection with the cotton brokerage business conducted by his uncle.  Three years were spent in the eastern metropolis and on the 30th of May, 1872, he arried in Chicago where he was still associated with his uncle, who engaged in the real-estate field and also engaged in loaning money.  He soon familiarized himself with the property values here and such was the knowledge that he acquired that for a long period his opinions concerning real estate were accepted as authority.  He became agent here for the E. Mott Robinson estate of New York, which he thus represented for many years.  He also purchased and sold large outlying tracts of property for various owners and handled the Hetty Green interests here through her trustees.  He was a most enterprising, alert, successful and prosperous real-estate operator and possessed the ability of predicting valuations years in advance.  His knowledge, advice and judgement were frequently sought and his sagactiy was notable.  He was seldom if ever at fault in foretelling the possible condition of real-estate prices and his keen discrimination enabled him to so place his capital and that of wealthy men whom he represented that substantial results were secured.  In his later years he was associated with a Mr. Mandel in important business interests and was also a director of the Chicago Title & Trust Company.  He was likewise one of the charter members of the real-estate board and was honored with election to its directorate.

On the 26th of October, 1880, Mr. Hyman was married to Miss Anna L. Burrows, a daughter of Robert and Permelia (French) Burrows, of Boston, the former of English descent and the latter of Scottish lineage.  In the year 1865 the Burrows family came to Chicago and the father engaged in the meat business here at an early day.  Mr. and Mrs. Hyman became the parents of two sons: Robert W. , who is now vice president of the Continental Causalty Company; and Rae F., who is engaged in the wholesale shoe business.

While Mr. Hyman usually supported the democratic party he did not consider himself bound by political ties and frequently cast an independent ballot.  He always suportted the men whom he regarded as best qualified for office and in all municipal affairs manifested a public-spirited citizenship.  He held membership in St. Paul’s Universalist church and was a warm admirer of Dr. Ryder, it’s honored and esteemed pastor.  His name was on the membership roll of the Union League, the Chicago Athletic and the Iroquois Clubs and the nature of his recreation was largely indicated in the fact that he belonged to several fishing and shooting clubs.  He was also extremely fond of travel and of literature and he possessed a remarkably retentive memory, holding in the storehouse of his mind much that he read,  so that he could call upon it at any moment.  By nature he was naturally social and his kindly spirit, his geniality and his deference for the opinions of others were factors in his widespread popularity.  The breadth of his interests and the depths of his intelligence also made him a favorite in cultured society circles of the city.

Source: Currey, J. Seymour. Chicago: Its History and Its Builders, a Century of Marvelous Growth. Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co, 1912.   [Full-text online at Google Books]

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Source: Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress <http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=M000190>

Source: Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress <http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=B000986>