THE FIRST FOUR GENERATIONS OF BIGLERS IN AMERICA

The MarkI > JacobI> Markm > Jacobm G. Ancestral LinePennsylvania 1733 to Utah 1907

Compiled byFranklin Keith Brough

andSherman G. Brough

Front cover photograph: View- of Marker's Mill from the middle of Mark's! Delight,Maryland. 1993.

Back cover photograph: Franklin Keith Brough and Sherman G. Brough during visit to Marks Delight in 1993.

All photographs were taken by the authors with the exception of the photographs ofJacobIII G. Bigler and Sarah IIIBigler Righter Ross.

National Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication DataBrough, Franklin Keith, 1923 -Brough, Sherman G., 1930 -

Containing biographical history, maps, photographs, road directions and validated family group genealogical charts.

Printed in 1999 in Salt Lake City, Utah

Books may be acquired from:Franklin Keith Brough4233 Mars WaySalt Lake City, UT 84124-3217(801) 277-2405

Sherman G. Brough8015 South Danish Oaks DriveSandy, UT 84093-6583(801) 943-6183

CONTENTSFORWARD 4Bigler Four-generation Family Tree 5MARKrBIGLER, THE IMMIGRANT, AND CATHARINEr 7WillofMarcusrBigler .11Directions for driving to Mark's. Delight, Maryland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Map of Rhine River (Figure 1) 14Map of Mark's. Delight (Figure2) 15Photographs of Mark's. Delight (Figures 3 -8) 16-18Family Group Record for Mark. Bigler and Catharine. 19JACOBr BIGLER, THE SOLDIER, AND HANNAHr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 21Will of Jacobr Bigler 27Driving to Jacob. and Hannah. Booher Bigler Farm, West Virginia. . .28Map of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia (Figure 9) . . . . . . . 30Map of Enterprise area (Figure 10) 31Photographs from Harrison County, WV (Figures 11-17) .31-34Bigler Land Transactions in West Virginia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Map of Bigler Farms on Big Run, WV (Figure 18) .37Family Group Record for Jacob. Bigler and Hannah. Booher. . . . . . . . 39MARKrrrBIGLER, THE CONVERT, AND SUSANNAh WITH REFERENCESTO HENRYrr W. BIGLER AND BATHSHEBArr BIGLER SMITH. . . . . . . . . . . . .41Family Group Record for Markm Bigler and Susanna. Ogden. . . . . . . . 45Life for the Biglers in Harrison Co, WVin the early 1800's. . . . . . . . . . . 47JACOBrrr G. BIGLER, THE PIONEER, AND MARY ANN, AMYr LORETTE,ARMELIA CAROLINE, NANCYrrrANN,AND ELIZA CANNON 59MaryAnn Boggess 62Photograph of Jacobm G. Bigler (Figure 19) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65Jacob'sm letter to his wives (Figure 20) 66Mary Ann Boggess letter to Jacobm(Figure 21) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67Family group Record for J acobm G. Bigler and Mary Ann Boggess. . . 68Family Group Record for Jacobm G. Bigler and Amy. Lorette Chase. 69Family Group Record for Jacobm G. Bigler and Armelia CarolineMangum 71Family Group Record for Jacobm G. Bigler and NancYm Ann Keller. 72Family Group Record for Jacobm G. Bigler and Eliza Cannon Miller. 73INDEX 753

FORWARDIn each generation of Biglers there are Marks and Jacobs and other duplicating names.

This makes it difficult and uncertain to understand which Mark, Jacob, Henry or Bathsheba is the subject of a writing or conversation.

To make it easier for the readers of this book, we have resorted to numbering each repetitive name with a small, Roman subnumeral. Keep in mind that Markl was not known as Mark the First, nor as Mark Senior. Neither was Markn known as Mark the Second nor Mark Jr.

These subnumerals may help you distinguish what generation and time is intended in the narrative. When you see Markl Bigler in print, read Mark Bigler, but think the first Mark, or Mark the Immigrant.

Recognize also that in the early days, the name of our ancestors was spelled in different ways. It varied with the way writers heard the name pronounced. Thus, Mark was also recorded as Marcus, Marx, or Marks.

The surname was also variously spelled - - both a function of how the name was heard, and the problem of dealing with the German language. Note for example various spellings of Bigler in the will of Markl Bigler. Bigler may be written Biegler (pronounced Beegler), Beigler (rhyming with eye), Begeler (pronounced Begaler) and Beegler (rhyming with tee). After a couple of generations our family was all Americanized to Bigler.4

Bigler Four-generation Family Tree

5

MARKI BIGLER, THE IMMIGRANT, AND CATHARINEI1705-1787

By Norman Burns, 1960with editorial comment in italics by

Franklin Keith Brough, 1981

MarkI Bigler, our earliest known ancestor in America, came from somewhere along the Rhine River, according to family tradition. He had three sons: Markn , forefather of the Presbyterian Biglers of Virginia; Jacobh forefather of the Mormon Biglers of Utah; and Israel, ancestor of the Baptist Biglers of Western Pennsylvania and the Church of the Brethren Biglers of Ohio and Indiana. The relationship of the Utah, Ohio and Virginia Biglers was not known until Norman Burns, descendent of Israel Bigler, made these discoveries and published them in his book, The Bigler Family, 1960 (Microfilm #0858782, part five, Family History Library, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah).

The origin of the Bigler name is Switzerland. It is a common surname in the rural area surrounding Bern.

After the Reformation, religious persecution was prevalent in Bern, since any departure from the official Reformed Church was regarded as heresy before God and virtual treason to the State of Bern. The Anabaptists, known in America as the Mennonites, were subjected to over two centuries of the most severe persecution. Anabaptists men and women were dunked in the River Aare in a scientific way to prolong the torture as long as possible until life became extinct. Others were sold to the Venetians to work as galley slaves on Venetian ships plying the Mediterranean. Great numbers had all their property confiscated and were expelled from Bern asdestitute refugees. In the period between 1671 and 1711 several hundred Anabaptists left Bern for Alsace (Figure 1), among them being Grabers, Biglers, Mullers, Erhmanns -names frequently associated together in America.

Against this background it seems likely that Mark I Bigler's parents or grandparents fled Bern during the wave of religious persecution after 1671, that they settled somewhere in the Palatinate, and that Mark I was born probably in the Palatinate (Figure 1).

Beginning about 1720, the "America fever" spread throughout the Palatinate and a growing number of members of the dissident sects in the German Swiss and German Rhine country moved down the Rhine Valley to Rotterdam, the great seaport at the mouth of the Rhine in Holland, from where so many sailed to the promised land. This great wave of emigration went mainly to Pennsylvania, for William Penn, who thrice had visited the Palatinate, encouraged the migration of all those who sought freedom from religious persecution of the Old World in his Quaker land of Pennsylvania.

MarkJ Bigler arrived at Philadelphia, September 28, 1733 on the Brigantine Richard and Elizabeth, Master Christopher Clymer in command, that sailed from Rotterdam. Among the ship documents was a list of Palatines (Rhinelanders) on board, including Marcus Beegler, age 28. Another list of "Palatines imported on the Brigantine Richard and Elizabeth" and reported having

taken the oath of allegiance to the Province of Pennsylvania included Marx Bigler. No other Biglers were reported on this ship.

Family tradition has it that three Bigler brothers came together to Pennsylvania from the old country. Many Biglers arrived in Pennsylvania in the decades 1733-53 -- none reported as arriving before 1733 -- but of these I have been able to trace relationships only between the brothers MarkJ and Michael Bigler. This relationship was discovered only through the accidental finding of Michael's will of September 21, 1763 at Frederick, Maryland where he mentions his brother MarkJ. Michael Bigler arrived in Philadelphia, May 30, 1741 on the Snow Francis and Ann from Rotterdam. Michael and MarkJ appear to have been close associates all of their lives…

The question is asked sometimes whether William Bigler, Governor of Pennsylvania 1852-55, and his brother John Bigler, Governor of California 1852-56, were related to our family. I have not been able to discover any direct relationship.

Our meager knowledge of MarkJ Bigler in the New World comes from a few legal and church records. That he moved about considerably and that he prospered is evident from those fragmentary records. It is a pity that the early Brethren were so little inclined to write about their own lives. From the legal records alone they appear to have marched stiffly through the pages of history, clothed in austere legal atmosphere, whereas in fact they must have been sturdy and vibrant personalities with interesting stories to tell if only the tale had been told.

The first record is that of a land warrant issued to Marcus I Bigler by the Province of Pennsylvania, Qn October 18, 1738, for 200 acres in Lancaster County. This may have been in the Manor of Springetbury on the Little Conewago River, adjacent to the land of Leonard Leyst or Lease. However neither the Lancaster Court House nor the York county records which I examined personally (York County having been carved from Lancaster County in 1749) indicates that MarkJ Bigler converted this warrant into a deed of ownership. The York County records do not show any land ownership in that county by MarkJ Bigler from their beginning in 1749.

Michael Bigler -- Mark's J brother --had various land transactions in what is tine now York County.

There is some tradition that Mark[ was in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, north of Philadelphia, for a time, and that some of his children were born there. Henryll W. Bigler mentions it, and lists Bucks County as the birthplace of Jacob[ Bigler in temple Ordinances performed in St. George.

MarkJ Bigler moved from York County to nearby Frederick County, Maryland, presumably in 1743, the date of his fIrst recorded acquisition of land in Frederick County. In his continuing historical search, Norman Burns in June 1981 discovered a deed for 100 acres known as Hull's Choice bought from the Governor of Maryland. The deed is found in the Provincial Court Record of Maryland. Thus if Mark[ Bigler was settled in Maryland in 1743, he is unlikely to have fathered Jacob[ in Bucks County in 1752.

The Court House records of Frederick County show that MarkJ acquired several tracts in Frederick County, MD, in 1743, 1750 and 1761 (Figure 2). These tracts upon his death, passed to

his fIrstborn son Markn who in turn transferred them (and possibly some land of his own) to his younger brother Israel in a deed of April 13, 1802. It was this latter deed which described the various tracts, all contiguous, and converted into one tract, acquired by Mark J over the years, namely: a tract called Mark'sJ Delight originally on the fIrst day of March 1743 granted MarkJ Biegler, a tract called Bigler's Addition to Hull's Choice originally on the thirtieth day of October 1750 granted to the said Mark J Biegler and a tract called the Resurvey on Hull's Choice originally on the 29th day of September 1761 granted to the same MarkJ Biegler. . . containing in total, two hundred and fifty-nine and a half acres of land for the sum of four hundred pounds current money. The deed was signed by MarkJ Biegler and Catrina Begeler.

MarkJ Bigler made his last will on March 19, 1787, when he was near his journey's end. Soon after that, on April 25, 1787, his son Israel appeared in the Frederick County court testifying that this document was the true will of his deceased father.

MarkJ Bigler voiced his devout spirit in the words of his will. "I most Humbly bequeath my Soul to God my Maker, Beseeching his Most Gracious Acceptance of it." He showed a tender solicitude for the welfare of his "dearly beloved wife Catharine!" in the requests to his son to "Keep two Cows for his Mother winter and summer as his own are kept" and to his tenant to harvest her share of the grain and to "Carry it up Stairs for Her". His cherished "plantation. . . containing two hundred and thirty five Acres [in] Pipe Crick hundred and Frederick County" was bequeathed, in accord with European tradition, to one [his firstborn] son Markn. Named in the will were his other nine children each of whom received specified sums of money, namely: Israel, Jaco~, Catharinen, Elizabethh SaIme, Phebe, Julianna, Hester and Barbary, and two granddaughters. Mark] Bigler had ten children: three sons and seven daughters. It seems that in all generations Bigler daughters outnumbered sons. No additional wives have been mentioned.

Thus yeoman [a small farmer who cultivates his own land] MarkJ Bigler, wandering immigrant from the Rhineland, after more than four score of eventful years, blessed with sons and daughters and many fertile acres, came to his last resting place in Frederick County, MD in 1787. He had lived through stirring times when the American colonies struggled for and gained their independence. Now (1787) they were on the verge of formulating that great document, the Constitution, that made America the kind of country where the descendents of MarkJ Bigler, and of all others like him, could enjoy a heritage of freedom. MarkJ Bigler's descendents are now legion, of many different religious faiths, engaged in varied material pursuits and living in many states from the eastern seaboard to the Pacific Ocean.

Will of MarcusI Bigler19 March 1787

Will Recorded G.M. 2:238

In the Name of God Amen I MarksI Beigler of Pipe Creek hundred and Frederick County, State of Maryland Yeoman being weak in Bodyyet through the Abundant Mercy and Goodness of God of a sound and perfect Understanding and Memory do Constitute this my Last Will and Testament and desire it may be received by all as such. Imprimise I most Humbly bequeath my Soul to God my Maker Beseeching his most Gracious Acceptance of it. Imprimise. I Givemy Body to the Earth to be Buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the discretion of my Dear Wife and my Executors hereafter named, and as to my Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me with in this Life I will and positively Order that all myJust Debts and funeral Charges be fully paid and Satisfied. Item 1. I Give unto my dearly beloved Wife CatharineI the full third part of the Issues Rents and profits of the plantation whereon I now dwell Containing two hundred and thirty five acres of Land to be paid to her yearly and every year during her natural life by my son Marksn Beigler, and likewise my Son Marksn shall provide and keep two Cows for his Mother winter and summer as his own are kept. Item I Give Devise and Bequeath unto my aforesaid Son Markn Beigler and to his Heirs and Assigns for ever all the above Described Tract of Land and plantation to be wholy to his proper Use after the Decease of my Aforesaid Loving Wife CatharineI his paying the Legacy herein after mentioned and Likewise it is my will that aforesaid Wife shall have the Sole Use and the House I now dwell in durin the full Term of her Natural Life, and LikewiseI Give unto her all my Household and Kitchen Furnature. Item, I do Willand Order that my aforesaid Son Marksn Shall pay to my Daughter ElizabethI Wife of Henry Eller, the sum of six pounds LawfulMoney of the State of Maryland. Item I give to Elizabethn Eller, my Grand Daughter the sum of Sixteen pounds of Like Money aforesaid to be paid by my aforesaid Son Marksn Item I give to my Grand daughters, Ester Randabush, the sum of four pounds to be paid as aforesaid. I give to my daughter Salme [Salome?] wife of Samuel Tomme the sum of Twenty Shillings of Like Money aforesaid. Item I Give and Bequeath to my daughter, Phebe, Wife of Lazares Fonderburge the sum of six pounds of like Lawfull Moneyto be paid as above. Imprimise I give to my Daughter Catharinen Wive of Henry Miller the sum of five Shillings if demanded. Item I give and Bequeath to my Daughter Hester the sum of Twenty pounds of Like lawfull money aforesaid to be paid by my aforesaid Son Marksn. Item I give and Bequeath to my son Israel Beigler the sum of one Hundred pounds Lawful money aforesaid to be paid to him whenever demanded after my Decease by the aforesaid Son, MarknBeigler. Item I Give and Bequeath to my Daughter Juliana the sum of twenty pounds of Likemoney aforesaid to be paid by my Son Marksn. Whereas I have already assisted my son, Jaco~ Biegler Imprimise I give unto him the sum of Two Shillings and Six pence if demanded. Item I give unto my Daughter Barbary the sum of five Shillings to be paid as above, and as to the Grain now in the Ground that Christian Laman has farmed, It is my Will and I Order that the said Laman shall Deliver the third part Thereof in the Bushel to the Use and Benefit of my aforesaid Loving Catharinel and to Carry it up Stairs for her,and I do Constitute and, appoint my Son, Marksn Beigler and my Son, Israel Beigler joint Executors to this my Will and Testament, Revoking hereby and disannulling all former will or Wills Ratifying and Confirming this and noOther to be my Will and Testament in testimony Whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Affixed my Seal this nineteenth Day of March in the Year one Thousand Seven hundred and Eighty seven Anno Domini 1787.

Declared by the said MarksI Beigler as his Last Will and Testament Signed Sealed in the presence of us Christopher Erb, John Hull, Windle his WH mark Hissone.

Directions for Driving to Mark's. Delight, Maryland,The Plantation of Markl Bigler

Markl Bigler, the Immigrant (1705 to 1787) had a 261-acre farm. Or plantation (by today's measure. . . it varies a little in other documents) in Carroll County, Maryland. It is located in the north central part of the state, about 20 miles south of Gettysburg, PA. The key is to follow directions from Westminster, a city about 43 miles northwest of Baltimore and 25 miles northeast of Frederick, MD.

From Westminster, drive northwesterly on State Highway 140 toward Taneytown. Travel six and a half to seven miles to the intersection with Mayberry Road. Turn right and follow Mayberry Road approximately 3 miles northerly until the Mayberry Road crosses Big Pipe Creek. On the bridge (Figure 3) you will be in the middle of Mark's! Delight.

Downstream from the bridge you will see meadow land with some tall deciduous trees. Upstream is a thicket on the bank, and woods. There is a quiet, peaceful feeling at this site that speaks of why Markl Bigler named his place Mark's. Delight. See outline map of the plantation (Figure 2).

A short distance further, Mayberry Road intersects with Stone Road. At that corner is a large, old, multistory, wooden building known as Marker's Mill (Figure 4). It postdates Mark! Bigler's ownership of this land (1734 to his death in 1787).

Turning left onto Stone Road (Figure 5) and traveling a mile or less, and then on a side road to the left, takes you to bluffs that overlook the Big Pipe Creek bottoms. It is not confirmed, but there is some thought that Mark! had his home on these bluffs. There is (was) an old stone two-story house (Figure 6) showing an old stone wall on the north face with a newer stone addition on top. Perhaps the old part had Bigler origins.

Turning right at Marker's Mill on Stone Road permits you to travel a considerable distance on Markl Bigler's property.

Turning back to the Mayberry Road beyond Big Pipe Creek, the road intersects with Unger Road. Turning right (Figure 7) and driving less than a mile or so on this road, one sees fence lines rl1nning toward the creek, and a bit farther ahead, a farm house on the left. At the foot of one of these fences is a large, purple or lavender rock engraved with an R and under it a 3. It is now partly buried as a result of periodic flooding of the creek. This is a survey marker, known as the R/3 stone (Figure 8), prepared and set by Mark! Bigler.

This is private land and you would be trespassing to walk upon it without the owner's (farm. house) permission. The owner at the farm house may be willing to show you the location of the Rl3 stone.

Fig. 1. Map of Rhine River,the area where Biglers lived after they were driven out of Switzerland and before

emigrating to America.

Fig. 2. Map of Mark’sI Delight

Fig 3. Mark's! Delight (1980) looking downstream from the bridge where Mayberry Road crosses Big Pipe Creek.

Fig. 4. The old Marker Mill (1980) at the intersection of Mayberry Road and Stone Road. A cousin of Norman Burns (1),Norman Burns (c), Franklin Keith Brough (r).

Fig. 5. Mark'sl Delight from Mayberry Road near the intersection with Stone Road. Visible is Silver Run Creek just before it empties, into Big Pipe Creek on the left.

Fig. 6. Stone house, the bottom portion is original to the building, and may date to Markl Bigler's lifetime.

Fig. 7. A view in the center of Mark's! Delight at the junction of Big Pipe Creek and Silver Run Creek. Franklin Keith Brough (1)and Norman Burns (r).

Fig. 8. Close up of the R/3 stone, near Big Pipe Creek. A key survey marker at the boundary of Mark's! Delight with the section Resurvey on Hull's Choice.

Reverse side of the Family Group Record for Mark! Bigler and Cathariner2. Microfilm 11170542 (St. George), p. 135, proxy was Fanny Gunn Miller, a friend3. Microfilm 11170600 (St. George), p. 1444. Microfilm 11170542 (St. George) shows a Catherine Bigler baptized 27 Mar. 1877 and endowed 16 Mar. 1877 by Fanny Gunn Miller, a friend. There is no way to know whether it referred to this Cathariner Bigler or another.5. Microfilm 11170586 (St. George) proxy was Henryn W. Bigler6. Microfilm 11170544 (St. George), line 9484, proxy was James Bigler, great grand-nephew (son of Jacobm G. Bigler)7. Research by Edwin Bigler in the Frankfort area of Germany identifies the presence of Mark Bigler in that area, and identifies Bigler origins in Switzerland.8. from Pennsylvania Archives9. The birthplace of the early Bigler children is not known for certain. Henryn W. Bigler in his writings said Markn was born in Bucks County, PA. Michael Bigler, brother of Markn Bigler, had property in York County, PA (which was carved out of Lancaster County). The Pennsylvania Archives III 24:359 lists a land warrant to Markr Bigler on 18 Oct. 1738 on the Little Conewago River in the Manor of Springetbury. It was 200 acres. Norman Burns has been unable to find a record in York County where this warrant was converted into a deed of ownership. Nevertheless, some children may have been born in York County, MD. 10. The first record of Markr Bigler property in Frederick County (now Carroll County) Maryland is a deed dated 24 Oct. 1741, of 100 acres known as Hull's Choice, purchased from Abraham Hull. The deed prepared by the Provincial Court of Maryland.

JACOBI BIGLER, THE SOLDIER, AND HANNAHI(1752/3 to 1829) (1760 to 1853)

By Franklin Keith BroughJacobI Bigler, son of the immigrant Markl Bigler, was born in 1752, perhaps 1753.

Tradition has Bucks County, PA as the birthplace. That is most probably in error because Markl was well established in what is now Carroll County, Maryland by 1743. (1)

No records have been found that give an account of Jacob's I birth or youth. It is likely that he helped his father in clearing land and farming it.

On 28 July 1776, when he was about 24 years old, Jaco~ enlisted as a private in the Sixth Company of the German Regiment of Foot commanded by Col. Baron Arendt, sometimes referred to as Captain George P. Keeport's First German Battalion of Continental Troops of Maryland. This was one of eight German Battalions raised in Pennsylvania and Maryland for the American Army of the Revolution under a resolution of congress of 25 May and 27 June 1776. (2)

JacobI is reported as having left the Sixth Company on 1 October 1776, but his name appears again on the company muster rolls of 22 May 1777 and 18 July 1777. (2)

At length, with the winning of Independence, Jaco~ became a veteran of the American Revolutionary War. That courage and patriotism earned him much recognition and respect in the centuries that followed. Some members of the Sons of the American Revolution organization cite their membership based on Jacob'sl servIce.

JacobI married Hannahl Booher (Booker) 29 March 1779. (Other sources mention different dates.) They lived in Somerset County, Pennsylvania where their fIrst child, Sarahl was born on 30 April 1780, as was Hannahn, their second born on 30 Jan 1783. Somerset County, PA is situated near the western Maryland border, about 100 miles from Harrison County, West Virginia. Mark's! Delight is about 100 miles southeast of Somerset County, PA (Figure 9).

Tradition has it that in 1783, when Sarah! was three years old, Jaco~ and Hannahr, with Hannah's! brother, Henry and sister Barbary and her children, walked from Pennsylvania to the West Fork of the Monongahela River in an area that later became Enterprise, Harrison County, West Virginia. Today (1981) the JacobI Bigler farmsite is located one mile south of Enterprise on the Bethehem Road (#19/28) at what is known as the Pastorial Place.

The country was new and sparsely settled in 1783. It is a long, narrow, north south valley running on each side of the river, with low hills rising on each side. It is heavily vegetated and in Jacob's! time must have been amply wooded. The Bigler farm ran from the West Fork River east to the top of the ridge. Enterprise is situated near the larger community of Shinnston, hence earlyrecords state the Biglers were from Shinnston. It is located approximately midway between Clarksburg and Fairmont, WV (Figure 10).

Another Revolutionary War soldier was a pioneer settler of Enterprise. The Charles McIntire family had established themselves on the west bank of the river, across from the Bigler property in 1773.

The Bigler log cabin was a two-story building. The logs were sawed with square sides so they fitted flat against each other, presenting flat surfaces on the inside and outside walls. That is in contrast to the round, notched logs of cabins in Western America.

Sarah! Bigler Righter Ross log cabin (Figure 11) is of the same era and may be similar to her father Jacob's! house in construction (note the squared logs).Fortunately, Sarah's! log cabin is preserved in a unique recreated living pioneer village known as Fort New Salem located near Salem, WV. With large fireplace and hearthstone, surprisingly spacious room, wood floor, even paneled walls in the living room, the log cabin is sturdy and reasonably comfortable. It gives us a better idea of how the frontier families lived.

Behind the Jaco~ Bigler log cabin were four small log cabins which housed the Negro slaves. James V. Morris who resides in Enterprise at this writing (1998) says the slave quarters were very small, perhaps 8 X 10 feet. There was one window by the front door. Since Mr. Morris states he does not remember ever seeing any chimneys, it is likely there was no fIreplace in the cabins. (3)

Near the home was the Bigler barn. The present day barn, three stories high, includes part of the original log barn built in about 1783. The Bigler barn was built of stone and logs. When George W. Harrison added to the barn in 1892, two sides and an end of the original barn were incorporated into the new construction. All the logs of the Bigler barn were then covered with siding. It was used as a dairy barn for many years. It remained in place until after 1977, and may yet be standing.

A country road (The Bethlehem Road) ran through the Jaco~ Bigler farm.The house was on the west or river side of the road. Jacob's! apple orchard was on the other side going up the hill (Figure 12). The dirt road was a quagmire in the winter and after heavy summer rains.

Jacobr and Hannah'sr son Markm had a farm on the left side of BethlehemRoad, south a short distance from Jacobr and Hannah'sr farm. By the remembranceof one who was living in it in the early 1900's, the cabin had one large room with anopen, stone fIreplace on the north end. It had a small back porch. There was a doorbut no windows on the back. The log cabin had a window on the south end, while adoor and two windows faced the dirt road in front. Some steps led up to the frontdoor. It had a wood floor. (Many cabins had dirt floors.) Some early log cabins hadpegs driven into the wall by which to climb to the loft or attic, or there was a simpleladder that could be used for ascent and descent. (4) The Markm Bigler log housewas built shortly after 1800. The Sarahr Bigler Righter Ross log house was perhapsa bit older.

It is said the Bigler children attended school in Enterprise with the McIntire children, Harrison children, Reeder children and others. It was a one-room log building that stood near the present day school. (5)

Jacobr and Hannahr were respected members of the community. Jacobr was regarded as a leader and was sought for his wise counsel. HannahI certainly displayed the vitality, strength and resourcefulness to successfully raise a family on the frontier.

Native Indians were a frequent problem. In May 1791, John McIntire, eldest son of Charles McIntire, and his wife Rachel, were killed by Indians. The brothers at the McIntire home set out at once on the trail of the Indians. Near the top of a hill, they found the body of John McIntire, tomahawked and stripped. (6)

Assuming that Rachel McIntire had been carried away, they wanted to pursue in haste. Caution prevailed and they sought for the help and guidance of Jacobr Bigler in the formation of a tracking party to follow the Indians. (6)

Jacobr was plowing in his fIeld when the massacre occurred. His rifle was always strapped to the plow because of the frequent possibility of Indian attack. Jacob'sr daughter, Sarahr, then 11 years old, came across the field to tell her father of the massacre. He left the plow in her hands while he took his gun and joined the party. They pursued the Indians into Tyler County. When they found the Indian camp, they fIred upon the Indians, wounding one. A shot-pouch, four hatchets and the woman's scalp were found. On the way back to Enterprise, the body of Rachel McIntire was discovered near the site where her husband died. (6)

Henryu W. Bigler said his grandfather JacobI sometimes worked at the coopering business (Making or repairing wooden casks, barrels and tubs). Hemyu W. wrote:

It was said he [Jacobr] was industrious, jovial and fond of a Dram but never quarrelsome, and a relative in a letter to me describes him in the following words, "Hewas a quiet man, short and heavy set, handsome and a full-blooded Dutchman."(7) [Dutchman here does not mean Hollander. It is Dutchman, or more correctly Deutchman, meaning German.]

Citing Hemyu W. Bigler's journal again, he said his Grandmother Hannahr was a mixture of Deutch and Welch, and was described as tall and slender, hair red and tolerable handsome, intelligent, industrious and enterprising:

I remember hearing her say that the first time she saw grandfather was at a house raising where she was assistant cook. Jacobr had on a red coat and was one of the corner men with ax in hand, and as soon as she saw him she knew he was to be her husband. She said that when she was a young woman, that women went out into the harvest field and helped to reap the grain; that she had reaped many a day; that the farmers, men and women, met together beginning with the wheat most forward and worked continuously until the grain was in shock, each young woman choosing her partner to reap by her side. In those early days it was the sickle and reaphook, cradles and reaping machines was not known. (7)

Hannahr Bigler knew how to survive on the frontier. Indians were often troublesome, and always a worry. Henryu W. Bigler's diary records:

When the Logan war party killed the Thomas family and set fire to their cabin, Hannah I was sitting in the doorway of her home; churning. When she spied some Indians lurking at the edge of the clearing, she called to the children in a low calm voice to move around to the front of the cabin and continue their play where she could watch them. She felt sure the Indians knew she had seen them, so she sat there and continued to churn long after the butter had formed. The stratagem worked; she sat there most of the day churning away. Evidently the Indians thought there were men in the house out of sight waiting to shoot them if they rushed the house. They left before her husband returned home. Thus a brave bluff won the day. (8)

Jacobr and Hannahr had ten children. The oldest child, Sarahr, married John Righter, 26 April 1795, four days before she was 15 years old. He was 32. She had five children. Charles L. Righter who lives in Harrison County, and who has conducted so much Bigler research in that area, is a descendent of this union. John Righter died in 1820 when Sarahr was 40. Two years later she married Cyrus Ross, a man much younger than she.

Daughter Ruth married Abel Whiteman. Some of their descendents (Whiteman, Righter, Swiger) remain in the north central West Virginia area.

The eighth child, Bathsheba II married William Smith. Many of these descendents remain in West Virginia, carrying names such as Martin, Elliott, and Powell.

Jacob'sll sons Markm and Jacobn and their sons Jacobm G. and Henryn W., lived in the general vicinity (Figure 13) of JacobI and HannahI. It seemed to be the pattern to move to new land when the timber had been used up.

Markm and Jacobn joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon) and moved. Both Markm and Jacobn had well-established farms which they sold in order to follow the Mormon migration.

No records have been seen to enlighten us on the whereabouts of the descendents of other children of Jaco~ and HannahI. Hannahn Bigler McCaully, NancYI Ann Bigler Whiteman, HenryI Bigler, Mariah Bigler Flowers. Rebecca Bigler died as an infant.

JacobI Bigler died in September 1829 before his sons went west. His will was proven 29 September 1829. He was buried in the third row of his apple orchard, across the road from his log home. The Bigler farm was sold to Henderson Robey in 1838. It is understood the Bigler slaves went to the Righter farm. The Bigler log house was torn down in the late 1920's, and a house constructed of concrete block was built in its place. It stands a few feet in front of the site of the old log cabin.

John Pastorial purchased the farm in 1932, and lives in the same block house at this writing (1981). The original spring house built by JacobI can be seen, though it is not used.

About 1933, Jacob's! remains, and those of another Revolutionary Army war veteran in Enterprise, Elisah Griffm, were removed from their initial burial sites and reinterred in the center of the IOOF (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) Cemetery at Enterprise. The Daniel Davisson Chapter of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), and local residents then erected a large and prominent monument in their honor and memory (Figure 14).

Hannah! Booher Bigler, after the sale of the family estate, lived with her daughter, Sarah! (Figure 15) at Saltwell in Harrison County. She died in her 93rd year, 18 July 1853 and was buried in the Righter Graveyard (Figure 16) near Saltwell. It is a lovely private graveyard on top of a grassy hill. The little cemetery is surrounded by an iron picket fence, and has a slate roof structure over part of it so that visitors can enjoy visiting and meditating, protected from inclement weather or hot summer sun. Though it is in a noticeable state of disuse, it presents a peaceful, serene view.

Hannah's! grave marker (Figure 17), now fallen and broken in two pieces, gives a fading image of the inscription:

Hannah[I]Wife of Jacob [I]Bigler

died 18 July 1853in her 93rd year

This world is vain and full of painWith grief and trouble sore

Our mother's blest, who is at restWith Christ for evermore.

J. W. Harris, Clarksburg

REFERENCES:1. Burns, Norman. Arlington, Virginia. Letter June 1981.2. Burns, Norman. The Bigler Family, p. 23, 1960.3. Morris, James V. Enterprise, WV. Letter Nov. 1977.4. Shinnston News. p. 8. 25 October 1978.5. Morris, James V. Letter April 1976.6. Martin, Mrs. Fred A. Early Enterprise, Published book, date and publisher unknown.7. Brough, Franklin K Freely I Gave. Book, Published by the author 1958.8. Righter, Charles L. Righter Family History. Published 1980.

Will of JacobI BiglerIn the name of God -Amen

I Jacobi Bigler being of sound mind and memory, tho aged -calling to mind the uncertainty of human life, do constitute and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following -that is to say

First -I will that my wife, Hannahl Bigler, have and enjoy all my regular estate, real and personal and mixed for and during her natural life to use and dispose according to her pleasure.

Second - I will that after her demise her three daughters, Sarah I Ross, Ruth Whiteman and Marie [Mariah] Flowers and if my daughter Sarahl Ross should not survive her mother, then and in that case, her daughter, Maria Whiteman, shall have and enjoy her share -that is to say that each shall have an equal third of all furniture, clothing of any sort and the residue of my estate shall remain at the death of my wife -horses, saddles etc. of what nature so ever.

I desire that it shall be equally divided amongst my children, male and female - except that my granddaughter charlotte Smith, I will that she have half an equal share with one of my children.

If any or all of my children live at a distance and are not herein before named, shall visit their mother during the lifetime of their mother, shall think that any donation shall be necessary to make them equal with those who have lived near to us - I willthat she exercise her discretion which shall not be taken or considered as a part of the dividend after her demise, unless it shall be so expressed in a receipt taken from each.

I do, hereby strictly enjoin it, that any children of SarahI Ross, Markm Bigler, Hannahu McCowley, Ruth Whiteman, Jacob II Bigler, Henryl Bigler, Mariah [Marie] Bigler Flowers have no litigation about the division of the estate but any difference or misunderstanding shall happen, that such difference shall be deemed by persons mutually chosen - whose award in all such cases shall be final.

I do constitute and appoint my son-in-law,Abel Whiteman, my executor of this my last will and testament made by me in testimony I have hereunto set my signature and affixed my seal. 29th day of May 1829.

JacobI Bigler

Martin BriceJohn L. Martin / WitnessesGeorge W. Martin