EDWARD HIGBEE (Edward), born probably at Stratford, Conn., about 1652, and died, it may be, at Middletown, N. J., as his will was made there 21 Aug. 1716, and proved 10 Apr. 1717.  He was without doubt in Middletown, Conn., with his father in 1673, when his father was called "Edward Higbe Senior."  He married first at Huntington, before 29 Mar. 1684, Abigail Adams, born at Hartford, Conn., in Feb. 1660/1, daughter of John and Abigail (Smith).  Her father died prior to her marriage to Edward, and her mother had some time before married John Betts, as shown by conveyance of land, 29 Mar. 1684, by John Betts and his wife to the young husband by reason of the marriage:

Huntington Land Records, p. 103, state: "For and in consideration of a marriage yt has been made and solemnized between Edward Higby of ye one part and Abigail Adams of ye other part my daughter-in-law [step-daughter], have granted and doe by these presents give and grant and make over from us our heirs Executors Administrators and assigns unto our son-in-law Edward Higby of Huntington Long Island within the county of Suffolk aforesd, husbandman, the southwest end of my home," containing two acres.

Prior to this time Edward had bought land of John Finch, Sr., as shown by proof of Finch's giving possession of it to him, which proof was entered in the office of the town clerk of Huntington.  Livery of seizin, i.e., giving of possession, was then done in this way, but now the passing of the deed suffices:

"At ye request of Edward Higby, the Eighteenth of April 1684 Thomas Whitson and Martha his wife doth declare yt John Finch Sener did sometime in October last goe into his lot then sold vnto Edward Higby, and gave the sd Edward Higby possession by breaking a twig and diging a turfe and delivered ye turfe and twig to ye sd Higby and by vartue of this I give you possession of this my lot and aaa ye meadow and out land belonging to it.
John Jorey Clark.

In 1694 "Edward higbe" paid for two of the "hundred pound rights" in the town, purchases of the Fletcher patent in that year, "yt- belonging to ye Lott yt Edward higbe had of Jon finch, that is to say, he contributed to the purchase of the new patent granted by Governor Benjamin Fletcher 5 Oct. 1694, thus completing his title to the Finch purchase.

Edward Higby and his wife Abigail sold land 4 Apr. 1688, about twelve acers more or less," on the East Neck, Long Island, to Joseph Wood and Stephen Jarvis; and two weeks later he sold his brother Thomas of Huntington eight acres, more or less, on Santepaug Neck.  In 1688 his estate in the town of Huntington was apnsed according to money" at £11 los.  The following receipt was given him by two men who were better versed, let us hope, in topography than in orthography:

"March ye 11, 1693
Svaied by us whose names are under written for Edward Higbee eleven acars and halfe of Land at Coald Spring joyning to oyster bay Loyne Lying on both side ye Cuntrey Rod.
John Ketchum
Thomas Brush.

He sold land in Middletown. Conn.. 9 June 1702. as "Edward Higbee of Huntington, Long Island, Mariner," to Thomas Hart of Farmington, Conn.14, also land in Huntington 7 Jan. 1706/7, as "Edward Higbe of Cold Spring in [town of] Huntington, to his son John Higbee; and also land 13 Sept. 1709, as " Edward Higby Sr. of Huntington, Long Island," to John Conklin.

His first wife was granddaughter of Jeremy Adams, born in England in 1606, one of the original proprietors of Hartford, Conn.  This fact is shown by the following letter of attorney, dated 9 Feb. 1696/7:

"I Jeremiah Adams of Huntington, Long Island, son of John Adams and grandson of Jeremie Adams and nephew of Thomas Greenhill15, make my brother-in-law Edward Higby trustee and attorney." (Probate Records of Conn., vol I p. 268.)

That he married secondly is shown by a deed, dated 24 May 1699, which recites that it is made by "Edward Higbe of Cold Spring in Huntington and Mary his wife."  It conveys land "by estematian two Acars & halfe" to Cornelius Smith.  It is given, but without record evidence, that his second marriage occurred in 1693 and that he had four children by his second wife.

Edward seems to have been associated closely with his brother Thomas, but rather as a farmer than as a mariner, although mentioned as a mariner.  He was with Thomas in going "from huntington to hempsted upon ye Lords day," and signed the public confession of their sin.  He was also credited by the town of Huntington with the killing of a number of wolves, one 2 Dec. and five 3 Dec. 1685, and three 21 Jan. and one 19 Sept. 1686.

He made his will at Middletown, N. J., but it was proved and letters testamentary granted to Hugh Hartshorn and Eden Burrows, his nephew, at the city of New York 10 Apr. 1717.  His wife was probably deceased, as she is not mentioned.  The will is recorded in book A, page 68, office of Secretary of State, Trenton, N. J., and is as follows:

In the name of God, Amen/the twenty-first day of August In the year of our Lord Seventeen Hundred and Sixteen, I Edward Higbee of Middletown, In ye county of Monmouth [N. J.], being very sick of body but of perfect and sound mind and Memory, Thanks be given unto God, therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body knowing that it is appointed for all men to dye.  Doe make & ordain this my last will and testament That is to say principally and first of all I give and Recommend my soul into the hand of God that gave it, and my body I recommend unto ye earth to be buried in a Decent manner at the discretion and as teaching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life.  I give Devise and Dispose of ye same In ye following manner & Form ----

Imprimis, first of all I will that all my Last Debts be paid.  Then I give to my loving sone Edward Higbie all my wearing clothes except my best hatt and one white mare and my long gun and four pounds of money.

Item, I give to my loving daughter Sarah Johnston; one pound and ten shillings.

Item, I give to my loving daughter Marjory Looper Eight pounds in money.

Item, I give to my loving daughter Mary Race one Chest, one brass kettle, Coverlid, two blankets, one tramell one hetcheil, ye old bedd, bolster and two pounds in monie.

Item, I give unto my loving son Joseph Higbee eight pounds in money and my best hatt.

Item, I give to my loving dau. Rebecca Higbee one feather bed & my new Rugg, two new Dutch blankets and bolsters and all ye pillows and all ye rest of my household goods that belong within ye House to Women's affairs, and all ye rest of my goods that is not therein mentioned shall be sold and my will is yt all ye Rest of my Estate is to be equally divided between Obadiah Higbee and George Higbee and my will is that if either of them should die before they should come of age that ye other should have it all.

I do hereby nominate and appoint Eden Bun-owes and Hugh Hartshorn of the same place to be the Executor of this my last Will and Testament, All and Singular my goods and my chattlells by them to be sold and divided of as they shall think fitt for ye payment of ye above legacies & I do hereby annull, Revoke all and every former testament will and executors by me anyways before named or willed, ratifying and confirming it & no other to be my last Will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I hereunto set my hand Sc. Seal ye day and year above mentioned.
Edward Higbee.

It is probable that all of Edward's children were born in the town of Huntington, Suffolk Co., Long Island.

1. EDWARD, b. about 1685. (by first wife)
2. JOHN, b. about 1687. (by first wife)
3. SARAH, b. about 1689 (by first wife); m.————Johnston.
4. MARGERY, b. about 1691 (by first wife); m.———Looper.
5. MARY, b. about 1692 (by first wife); m.———— Race.
6. JOSEPH, b. in 1695. (by second wife)
7. REBECCA, b. about 1697. (by second wife)
8. OBADIAH, b. about 1698. (by second wife)
9. GEORGE, b. about 1700. (by second wife)