JONES COUNTY, NC - BIOGRAPHY - The Huggins Family
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 Found at Heritage Place, Lenoir County Community College, Kinston, North
 Carolina Vertical File #Huggins 08891-2

 Donated by Margaret Marston Taylor Perry (Mrs. Dan Perry)

                          THE HUGGINS FAMILY

 Their Position and Standing in Jones County. Distinguished by many Noble
 Trails. A Historical Sketch
                                        Trenton, NC, July 18
					(no year given)

William Huggins, Esq., was born near Trenton, June the 25, 1795, of good
honest parents, his father's name was Jacob Huggins and his good mother's
name was Mrs. Patsy Huggins who survived her husband several years.  I
can  recollect very well after her husband's death, she moved in sight of
Trenton on the plantation which C. Askew now owns, where she died.

Mr. Huggins married Miss Elizabeth Bryan.  She belonged to one of the
most  distinguished families of Jones county of that day.  For learning and
integrity any one examining Wheeler's history will find the names of the
Bryans in a representative capacity frequently mentioned as members of
the Legislature.

Nathan Bryan who was an uncle, we believe, of Mrs. Huggins was a noted
Baptist and useful citizen of Jones county, and represented the New Bern
District in 1791 in the Congress of the United States. Re-elected in 1796
and died while in Congress in 1798 and was buried in the Baptist meeting
house yard in Philadelphia.

Mr. William Huggins and wife in my first recollections, resided in a small
red house on the hill on Webber street between Trent street and the
residence where Mrs. Brown now resides, which was in 1833 or 1834, after
which he purchased the house on corner of Cherry and trent streets where
Mr. S. E. Koonce now resides, and raised up an interesting family of
children vis Miss Sarah A. who married William Franks, Esq, and died
several years ago and was buried in the cemetery here.  Miss Eliza married
R. F. Green, she now resides in Kinston.  Miss Marianna married John N.
Hyman of New Bern. She is buried here.  Lewis Sears Huggins is buried here.
W. F. Huggins moved to Raleigh, married, died and was buried there.

Miss Carolina married Mr. E. F. Cox of Kinston and is living there now.

Mr. and Mrs. Huggins' house here was open to the poor, as well as the rich,
the latch string hung on the outside to all honorable, respectful people no
matter how small their means, when people entered there all considered
themselves at home.

Mr. Huggins was a farmer, turpentine raiser, ginner and miller, and kept
them all going in season and added many broad acres to his possession, and
was possessed with several slaves.  He was always an officer of some kind
from magistrate to sheriff. In 1838 he was elected to represent Jones
county in the lower House and in 1840 he was again elected to the same
position.

Mr. Huggins was a Henry Clay Whig in politics, but was always willing to
concede to others who might differ from him, the same honesty of purpose
that he exercised for himself.

The Huggins, the Duvals and the Bryans, and a few others were the leaders
of Trenton society at that day.  Mrs. Huggins knew how to entertain and
lead good society.

She was a kind motherly lady and had tender kind words for all good people.
Children all obeyed and loved her.  Many, no doubt who left for places
distant remember the many kind presents of fruits and cakes given them in
olden times by this estinable lady, while she ever had an eye to the sick
and afflicted and the needy deserving poor.

Mr. Huggins was a great fox hunter.  Often have I seen him with Dr. Duval
and Mr. Hardy Bryan leave Trenton early of a morning to chase the deer and
foxes in the Beaverdam savannas.  When I heard them below their horns I
would crawl on top of the fences to see their beautiful many colored hounds
trotting along and hear them yelping as an encouragement to the hunters,
showing that they too enjoyed the  sport.

But January 10, 1852, this man who served his town, his country and State
so faithfully died at his home here, honored and loved by all that knew
him.  A friend to all, all were his friends.  In the north eastern corner
of the cemetery at Trenton is a monument, the largest in the cemetery,
which marks the spot where he lies, close around on one side are some of
his sons and daughters, on the other side lies his loving and devoted wife,
who had ever through life shared with him his joys and sorrows and
surrounding all are several grandchildren, who died in early life.  At
convenient distances are planted no doubt by loving hands, some spreading
China trees which appear to be growing to shade every grave that surrounds
this Huggins monument.

                                                          Jas. B. Stanly