John and Linda:

A few tidbits about John Quincy Biggs.

JQ was born on 20 August 1878, and he died in December 1968--90 years old.
His birthplace was in Missouri, either in Pemiscot County (SE Missouri, in the
Boot Heel) or in Rocky Comfort.  The reason for the uncertainty is that the
Biggs family (John James Madison and Dicy Reed) in 1878 was in the process
of moving from central Illinois to southwest Missouri.  The Boot Heel would
be about half of that journey; they may have rested there for a while, but I
do not know whether birth occurred there.

What is certain is that JQ spent his entire boyhood on the Biggs farm in
Rocky Comfort.  Zona Davidson was also from a farm family.  He was 7 years
older, but there weren't that many marriage prospects in such a remote
place, so they dated and "courted" from an early age.  While Zona was
finishing high school, JQ was doing a variety of odd jobs.  One was
door-to-door sales of sewing machines. He also helped on the Biggs farm. 

At some point a year or two after 1900, JQ "got religion" and decided to
become a preacher.  In about 1903, he left Rocky and traveled to Lexington,
Kentucky, where he enrolled in a Disciples of Christ pastor's program.
Sometime during the early months of that program, Zona traveled to
Lexington, and the two married in Lexington.  A few months later, their
first child, Portia, was born.

That began JQ's career as a Disciples of Christ minister.  I cannot recite
the names or locations of churches he served, but here is a
less-than-complete list of towns.  I believe he started with a couple of
small towns in Illinois, and then went to Buffalo, Missouri, where my mother
Anita was born.  Next (around 1908) the family went to Oklahoma for a while,
Pawhuska or Enid, I believe.  Then it was off to the Pacific Northwest,
where his older sister Mary and her husband Anvil Arnett had moved.  He may
have had churches in Baker, Oregon and Spokane.  At the same time, he was
taking courses at the U. of Idaho, from which he earned a bachelor's degree
in about 1918. 

In 1918 or 1919, the Biggs family left the Northwest and moved to Fort
Worth, Texas.  There, he had a church, as well as an appointment as a
professor of rhetoric/oratory at Texas Christian U.  (TCU was one of the
nation's leading Disciples of Christ educational institutions.)  The girls,
Portia and Anita, were outstanding students at Fort Worth High.  Your dad
Melvin was born in Fort Worth in 1920.  Also in Fort Worth, Zona launched a
career as a chiropractor.  Her downtown office was next door to "Biggs
School of Oratory," apparently a "side operation" for Professor Biggs.

The next move, in 1922, was to Topeka, where again he had a church and Zona
had her chiropractory.  Portia and Anita were students at Washburn College.
Anita graduated in 1925, and Portia (who also had attended TCU and
Northwestern) graduated, perhaps with a master's degree.  

In 1925, the family moved to Zanesville, Ohio to serve another D of C
church.  Portia and Anita had public school teaching jobs for a year or two,
then left JQ and Zona to travel to the bright lights of New York City.  In
about 1928, the next church was in Tonawanda, New York (near Buffalo).  Both
daughters were married by JQ in Tonawanda in 1929.

Sometime in the mid-1930s, JQ and Zona, with Melvin of course, moved to
Johnstown, Pennsylvania.  After a few years, they moved to their last
church, in Waynesburg, Pa.  JQ retired from active preaching in about 1943.
From then on, and for the rest of their lives, Zona kept them moving, from
Daytona Beach (Olds Hall) to Rocky Comfort to the Ream farm in Millstone
back to Daytona then to the Ream home in Princeton and back to Rocky and
Springfield, Missouri. And then on to Tallahassee for a while, and I believe they
spent quite a bit of each summer in Lexington, Mass.  JQ finally died in
Daytona in 1968.  

After JQ's death, Zona went chasing after an old Rocky high school flame
named Fred Reasor, who was a widower living in Aberdeen, Washington, on the
Olympic Peninsula.  At Zona's insistence, hey actually got married.  Zona
then began to drag Fred around the country like she did with JQ.  Fred's
daughter put a stop to that after a couple of years, and Fred gratefully
returned to his home and familiar haunts in Aberdeen.  Zona then went to
Springfield for a while, and from there to a retirement village in Columbia,
Missouri named Lenoir Manor.  She died there, in 1987, at age 102.

About the Disciples of Christ.  As I understand the church's relation to the
ministers, it is very different than the Methodists.  I believe that JQ had
to find churches all by himself, rather than being assigned by some
centralized office.  My other grandfather, T. J. Ream, was a career
Methodist minister who was moved by the relevant bishop from one church to
another every few years.

Another side bit.  Zona, along with most of the population of Rocky Comfort
100+ years ago, was Southern Baptist.  I don't know why JQ elected D of C.
What I do know is that, as soon as JQ died, Zona resumed her affiliation
with the Baptists.  By the way, most D of C churches are designated
"Christian" church.  Thus, the "First Christian Church" in any community
would be a D of C church.

Let me know if you wish to explore any of these points a bit further.

Dave   

Revolutionary War Pension Application
Elija Biggs, North Carolina, R829
(Name is consistently spelled Elija in this application.)

State of Illinois}
County of Shelby} ss.

On this second day of October in the year 1832, personally appeared in open
court before us, the judges of the County Commissioners Court of Shelby
County now sitting, ELIJA BIGGS, resident of Shelby County and State of
Illinois, aged seventy years in January 1833, who, first being duly sworn
according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order
to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress passed June 7, 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named
officers and served as herein stated. He entered the service under Col.
Kenion, commander, Major Griffith, Captain Wm. Hall, First Lieut. Bell, 2nd
Lieut. Slaughter. He entered in the later part of June (the day not
recollected) in the year one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one. He left
the service in September in the year last aforesaid. Drafted at Nash Court
House in Nash County and State of North Carolina. Marched through Johnson
County and Wayne. Was not out of the state in which he was drafted. In the
Battle of Rockfish Creek, Kenion commander. No Continental regiments or
companies with him during his time of service, and he further states that he
knows of no documentary evidence by which he can assert his claim, neither
does he know of anyone who can testify to his services.

Sworn to and subscribed the day last aforesaid.

/s/ELIJA BIGGS (by his mark, "B")

We, Evan Douthett, clergyman, residing in the Co of Shelby and State of
Illinois, and Thos. Blythe, residing in (the same), hereby certify that we
are well acquainted with Elija Biggs, who has subscribed and sworn to the
above declaration, that we believe him to be seventy years old, that he is
reputed in his neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the
Revolution and that we concur in that opinion.

Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.

Evan (his X mark) Douthett, clergyman
Thos. Blythe

Q. Did you ever receive a discharge?
A. I did. What became of it I do not know.

Q. By whom was it given?
A. By Major Griffith.

Q. Where and in what year were you born?
A. In Terel [i.e., Tyrrell] Co., N. Carolina, in the year 1762, to the best
of my knowledge.

Q. Have you any record of (your) age?
A. I have none.

Q. Where were you living when called into service?
A. Nash Cty., N. Carolina.

Q. Where have you lived since the War?
A. In Va., Tenn. and Ky.

Q. Where do you now live?
A. In Shelby Cty., Ill.

Q. How were you called into service?
A. By draft.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation
of the matter, and after putting the interrogatives prescribed by the War
Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and
served as he states, and the Court further certifies that it appears to them
that Evan Douthet, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman
resident in the County of Shelby and State of Illinois, and is a credible
person, and that their statements (are) entitled to credit. Given under our
hands in open Court.

John Brally
B. W. Henry
George (Bouf?)

State of Illinois}
Shelby County} ss.

I, Joseph Oliver, Clerk of the Court of County Commissioners of said County,
do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the
said Court in the matter of the application for a pension. Given under my
hand and seal of said Court at Shelbyville this 2nd day of October, A.D.
1832.

Jos. Oliver, Clk.
=============================
Application was rejected because proof of six months service was lacking.

Source:  http://genforum.genealogy.com/biggs/messages/2176.html

In the name of God Amen
I Joseph Biggs of the County of Sumner and state of Tennessee being of weak body
but of sound mind and taking into consideration my advanced age with the uncertainty 
of life and the certainty of death do make this my last will and testament in the manner
and form as follows ___ I give ______ to Almighty God who gives ____ give body to
the earth from which it comes My will and desire is that all of my Just debts should first 
be paid after which my will and desire is that all of my property of any description both 
real and personal should be taken possession of by my beloved wife Martha Biggs and 
that she use the said property for her support and sustenance as her own during her
material life it is my will that after the death of my wife that my estate should be equally 
divided amongst my lawful heirs. If my dearly beloved wife should after my death get 
into difficulties and disrepute it is my will and solemnly charge my two sons James and 
Henry to aid assist and comfort her. 

I will and desire that William Biggs the reputed son of my deceased brother Elijah Biggs 
shall have all the right, title, claim and interest that I have in and to what would be his 
share or one fourth part of said estate, In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand 
and office my seal this twenty first day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand 
eighteen hundred and Forty nine
his
In the presence of us } Joseph Biggs Seal
mark
Tho G Walton
William L Martin

Source:  http://www.bjhughes.org/biggwill.html   Some unusual typing/spelling... shown as is.

Will of John Bigge of Elizabeth River, Norfolk Co. Va (McIntosh, Abstarcts, Bk 6, p77) Will dted Sept 4, 1694, proved March 15, 1696 by Joseph Hodges and others:
“To my son John Bigg my lawful heir, land including that left me by my son Jabez Bigg, held as a Patent 23 December 1688. Should John Bigg die without heirs, 
to granson George Whitby. To my son Thomas Bigg, to my daughters Ann Faux, Katherine Mercer, Elizabeth Whitby, Jean Sikes, Phebe Bigg, Dorothy Bigg, 
each one shilling (twelve pence). To son-in-law Mathew Caswell, grandchild John Hefsold, granchildren, Martha, Francis, William, Jabez, Jean and Mathew Caswell 
one shilling each.” (Refs: Norfolk Co., D.B.5, p. 219; Court Orders Norfolk, Co., May 13,1703) (Genealogies of Virginia Families, 
Refs: Court Orders, Norfolk Co., VA, 19 Nov., 1695; Court Orders, Norfolk Co., VA May 13, 1703; Norfolk Co. Order Bk. Nov. 1739)


“19th March 1697 - I John Bigg of Elizabeth River in the County of Norfolk in Virginia being often sick & Weak in body, but now of good and P[er]fect Memory... 
minding to putt in Order al and singuler my Estate both reall & p[er]sonall to the intent there should by Noe Stryfe for the same after my Decease...
Desire & pray my Children & all Others to bee Contented with my last Will & Testam’ without any trouble, buissines, or vexation of any of them against the Other, 
for any of my Said Estate; as they will answare for the same before the Judgmt Seat of God...I... bequeath to my Son John Bigg (Whom I doe hereby...
apoynt to bee my Sole Only and absolute & lawfull heire..all my estate both reall & p[er]sonall Except Such leagacyes hereafter Mensoned...I Give him my said 
Son John Bigg; all my land I am Now pesessed off (vizt) my Manner plantacon, and all the land belonging to the Same...Including a Small p[ar]cell of land that 
George Whidbey lives upon by my p[er]mission dureing My life; allsoe the Land wch my Son Jabez held in his lifetime by Pattent bareing Date the 23d Day of Aprill 1688 
Wth Said Land is allsoe my p[ro]per Right; all which with the land I hold Now by my Owne Patent baring date the 21th Day of Aprill Ano Dom[ini] 1690; 
I give to my Said son Jno Bigg...as is Expressied in the Pattent aforesaid, To have & to hold the said Plantacon...unot the Said John Bigg my Son, and the heires of his body... 
The heires Male first to take place & soe in Order, but if my Said Son John Shall Dye Without Issue... then my land with the Apurtenances, to my Grand son John Whidbey...
and for lack of Such Issue to my Grand Son George Whidby...then to descend to the rest of my Duaghter Elizabeth’s children...& for lack of Such Issue, 
thento my Duaghter katherin Mercer’s Children, and theire heires, the Male first alwayes to take place, and for want thereof the ffemale & theire heires And for lack 
of Such Issue, to the Next right heires of mee the Said John Bigg, the ffather forever; Butt if my Son John Bigg have Children...or in defect thereof, 
My Grand Son John Whiteby or for lack therof the Said Geroge Whitebey in defect therof any of the heire Afore Menconed...are at their owne liberty to give the 
Said land to which they like best of theire Children Either Male of female; Butt if my Son John Bigg have lawfull Issue & Dye intestate, then my land aforesaide
 to fall & Descend to his Children whether male of female, the Male first...the Meaning is that if the Male Die the female to take place [Note: a dozen words heavily
 corssed out here.] I Give & bequeath to my Son Thomas Bigg, My Daughters Ann Faux, Katherin Mercer, Elizabeth Whitby, Joane Sykes, Pheebe Bigg, Dorothy Bigg to 
Each of them I give twelve pence or One Shilling lawfull Money of England or the vallue ther of...Item I doe allsoe Give unto my son in law Mathew Caswell & 
My Grand Children John Hassold & Martha, Ffrancis, William, Jabez, Jean & Mathew Caswell to Each of them One twelve pence of One shilling Sterl[ing]...all the 
aforesaid legacyes to bee paid in Six Monthes after my Decesase...And this to bee the full Share...for Each of those p[er]sons, above Names...And the reason why 
I give them...Noe More,is for theire Disobendience [sic], and Other material matters best Knowne to my Self [the line was Raced before Signing] Item I doe hereby...
Appoynt my Son John Bigg to bee my...Onley Executor...And to take full...posession after my Decease of all my Estate...to the use of himself and his lawfull Issue 
hee paying those Legacys afore bequeathed, and if my Son John Should die before proof of this Will, his wife to Act as Executorix but On the behalf of his Lawfull Issue 
in Wittness Where of I the Said John Bigg have Subscribed this my last Will & Testamt wth my Own hand...this 4th Day of Sept ano Dom[ini] 1694 John Bigg & Seale...
in the p[re]sence of us John Portlock Tho. Nash Tho; Etheridge Joseph Hodgis Wm Maund Wm (his mark) Etheridg, Rebecka (her mark) Hodgis ‘and many Others’ Proved in 
Court 15h March 1696/7 by the Oathes of Joseph Hodgis Jno Portlock Tho: Nash & Thomas Etheridge & is Ordered to bee recorded Mala[chi] Thruston Cl Cur” 
(Norfolk co., Va. Will Book 6: p.77 [Transcription by David L. Kent]) (Comment: This is a most important will. In it, John’ Biggs names his three sons: 
John, Thomas and Jabez (deceased). he names his six duaghters: Ann Falke, Katherine Mercer, Elizabeth Whitby, Jeane Sikes, Phebe Bigg, Dorothy Bigg. 
He names his two grandsons: John Whitby and George Whitby. He mentions his grandchildren by Katherine Mrcer, but does not name them. 
He mentions his son-in-law Mathew Caswell. Since John Biggs’ will did not mention his wife, Johan, she is presumed dead by 1694.)