Willis Wiggins The Elder

  General Notes:

The 1820 Federal Census for Nansemond Co., VA records Willis Wiggins as head of household for 2 males (<10), 1 male (10-16), b, b, 1 male (26-45), b, 1 female (<10), b, b, 1 female (26-45) with 9 slaves.

Also in the 1820 census nearby is Thomas Savage as head of household for 2 males (<10), 1 male (10-16), 1 male (26-45), 1 female (<10), 1 female (10-16), 1 female (26-45) with 15 slaves

Thomas Savage's grand daughter, Christian (daughter of Margaret Savage), will marry Willis Wiggins' (the elder) son, Willis Wiggins (the younger).

See research notes for 1830 census facts.


See general notes for Willis Wiggins (the younger) for 1840 census facts.

  Research Notes:

Willis Wiggins is recorded in Virginia Militia in the War of 1812, Vol II: Page 733, Muster Roll of Captian Washington Smith's Company, in the 59 Regiment, Virginia Milita, Nansemond County, commanded by Lieutenant Colenel J. Riddick jr., called into actual service by Colonel Commandant, from March 20 to April 17, of the year 1813: Willis Wiggins, Private, Length of service is 28 days.

The 1820 Federal Census for Nansemond Co., VA records Willis Wiggins as head of household:
2 m (<10) [Willis & Wiley], 1 m (10 - 16) [William], b, b, 1m (26 - 45) [Willis the Elder], b - 1f (<10) [daughter Elizabeth], b, b, 1 f (26 - 45) [his wife Cherry], b , b 6 slaves.

From Virginia Chancery records it is known that Willis Wiggins the Elder died in 1827 (see research notes on his son, Willis Wiggins the younger) leaving 4 children, 3 boys and a girl, so by looking at the 1830 census one can possibly make conclusions on his wife and family: The 1830 Federal Census for Nansemond Co., VA records Cherry Wiggins as Head of Household: 1 m (10 - 15) [Wiley], 2 males (15 - 20) [William & Willis}, 1 female (15 - 20) [Elizabeth], 1 female (40 - 50) [Cherry - a widow], 3 slaves.

The 1840 Federal Census for Nansemond Co., VA records Cherry Wiggins as Head of Household (image 50 of 82): 1 female (50 - 60) [Cherry - a widow], 2 slaves.
Next door is Willis Wiggins as Head of Household: 1 male (20 - 30) [Willis], 2 slaves.


http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/full_case_detail.asp?CFN=901-1909-044#img
From Virginia Court Chancery records, image 124 of 149, in an 1882 land claim, testimony: When asked who owned the Wiggins land ... Abraham Ellis replies "Old Miss Cherry Wiggins" as the owner of the land. She is later referred to as Charity Wiggins [image 126 of 149]

From Virginia Chancery records Testimony of Jno Collins, witness for the plaintiff (John Collins was born ca 1817, his wife Margaret, born ca 1827) - when asked who owns the Wiggins Tract of land states: Old Cherry Wiggins owned it first and after she died Willis Wiggins [her son] owned it and then Boulden Doughtie married Willis Wiggins' daughter, and he owned it and owns it to this day. [image 131 of 149]
On the next page when asked if the Wiggins Tract of Land has ever been sold, John Collins states: No never been sold to any one that I know of.

Willis married Cherry (Charity). (Cherry (Charity) was born circa 1785 and died after 1840 in Nansemond Co., VA.)