Samuel BIGGERSTAFF - b. 1720; d. Nov. 8-19, 1764, Rutherford Co., NC. A weaver by trade who arrived in Philadelphia, PA about 1740. Will dated Nov. 8, 1764 names wife and three sons. Married Nov. 10, 1741 at Conococheaque, MD, by Rev. Johann Casper Stoever, Lutheran Minister of York, PA.
Darby, August 18, 1740
Deserted then from Capt. Thomas Freame's Company, in the Hon. Col. Gooch's Regiment, viz.
SAMUEL BICKERSTAFF
Aged 20 Years, 5 Foot 6 Inches and 3 quarters high without Shoes, brown Complexion, well-fet, by Trade a Weaver, had on a light colour'd cut Fustian Jacket and Breeches, a good Hat and Cap, &c. and Englishman.
Whosoever secures any of the said Deserters, and brings them to their Commanding Officer, at Darby, shall have Forty Shillings Reward paid for each; and all Persons are to take Notice not to entertain or conceal them, on the Penalties inflicted in the Act against Mutiny and Desertion.
Elizabeth MOORE - b. about 1723; d. about 1788, Rutherford Co., NC. On Dec. 2, 1773, Elizabeth, widow, deeded to son Benjamin her "land on the first large creek above the Indian path on the north side of second Broad River including the first large meadow below and joining the mountain, 100A." She signed with her mark, witnessed by John BEEMAN and Aaron BIGGERSTAFF. Daughter of Benjamin MOORE.
Benjamin BIGGERSTAFF - b. about 1744; d. Feb. 1, 1782, Rutherford Co., NC. Son of Samuel BIGGERSTAFF and Elizabeth MOORE. Was a constable 1770-1773 in Rutherford Co., NC. Served in Revolution on American side in attempt to relieve Charleston, and was captured by British. Appears to have joined with the British in Dec. 1781 shortly before his death. Once source reports that Benjamin and Mary were married in Anson Co., NC in 1764.
Mary VANZANT - b. Dec. 17, 1746, PA; d. about 1816, NC. Daughter of Garrett VANZANT and Mary. For unknown reasons, the children of Mary were place under Court appointed guardians in the Oct. 1787 Court. Extensive court records have reference to Mary. BIGGERSTAFF Third Edition 1988, by Ralph Biggerstaff provides many details and the following summary:
In Mary Vanzant Biggerstaff Whitecar McGaughey we have the picture of an energetic pioneer woman perfectly capable of taking care of herself in what was then a man's world. She outwits the vultures who got rich after the war by filing false information against their personal enemies in order to get their property confiscated and got her husband's property safely in her own hands. She filed for additional land grants. When most of the provender for the men who fought the war was taken as found from either friend or foe, she apparently gets a good settlement from the government after the war. She walks a tight rope in her dealings with Tories and Patriots and comes out unscathed. She uses whichever name she chooses and which is most practical in her dealings with 'City Hall'. It is only logical to conclude that her second and third marriages were for some special purpose. She is in and out of court for over thirty years and either won out or stalled until she was overlooked. The one great puzzle in her life story is why the Court took her children away and placed them under Court appointed guardians.
Mary married second about 1783 James WHITECAR, and third Oct. 3, 1786 John MCGAUGHEY (d. by Oct. 1810).
Modified: 2/6/03